Secrets don’t end just by knowing them.
The moment you uncover a secret, you inevitably get entwined with it. A secret is not just any old secret, especially when it’s a heavy one that could put the future in danger.
Let alone the fact that the Royal Knights’ expedition has failed—now that’s a seriously heavy secret. As I mentioned before, the Royal Knights were the first unified knight order chosen regardless of race or class.
With such a radical selection process, you can bet their skills are top-notch. They’ve actually achieved quite a few significant feats. Of course, some might be exaggerated, but still.
The Royal Knights are considered the heroes and hope of the continent, and not even those who dislike them would dare deny that. But the Royal Knights have been defeated?
And at this moment, not long after they embarked on their expedition? If this fact gets out, it’s as clear as day that utter chaos will ensue. That’s how heavy the situation is.
“Why are you telling me this first thing in the morning?”
An intriguing question arises. Why are they revealing such an important secret to a mere guard like me? It looks like something a guard shouldn’t know.
But Clarence, who just popped in this morning and blurted it out, is undoubtedly a piece of work. At least, that’s the conclusion I came to. Clarence answered my question as if it were obvious.
“Aren’t you already aware?”
“???”
“Let’s talk inside for now.”
So I knew already? How could that answer even come about? Do they know I’ve been reincarnated? My mind spiraled into confusion from the unexpected response.
Seizing the moment, Clarence smoothly entered inside. By the time I got a grip on my scattered thoughts, Clarence had already taken a seat indoors. I shot him a glare.
But it was only for a moment. I went over and sat across from him. Obviously, I was aware of the Royal Knights’ failure—after all, it was blatantly laid out in the story right when the game began.
[In the past, the illustrious name of the Royal Knights has fallen to the ground, and their foundation now leaves not a trace behind.]
[You are the only heir officially inheriting the Royal Knights, and you are their Commander.]
[From now on, rebuild the Royal Knights.]
But I had no intention of getting involved in that mess. No matter how powerful my time stop ability is, my actual skills were still just ordinary soldier level.
I couldn’t even fully take down the opponent Togui I encountered due to my lack of strength. How could I possibly get involved with the Royal Knights? Even ten lives wouldn’t be enough.
I let out a sigh. Since I already knew the truth, I wasn’t too surprised. So, there shouldn’t be anything that would shock me here, I thought right at that moment.
“I’ll formally introduce myself.”
“Huh?”
“My name is Clarence Avarice. I am a knight under direct orders from the King.”
The Royal Guard. The king’s personal knights governing the kingdom. Naturally, they boast incredible strength. In the original, after the Royal Knights were annihilated, they were regarded as the strongest knight order.
Although the only organization operating the knight order after the Royal Knights’ annihilation was basically the kingdom. But to think that Clarence belongs to that Royal Guard. So that’s why he’s so strong?
“But what’s the Royal Guard doing in a refugee camp?”
“I was carrying out a secret mission on the King’s orders.”
“A secret mission?”
“Yes. But what about that helmet…?”
Clarence cautiously inquired, and it was then that I realized I was still wearing the helmet. The comfort of wearing it was so surprisingly great that I forgot all about it.
“Wait a sec. Just a moment…”
“What exactly does that secret mission entail?”
“I’m sorry. I was in the middle of an important conversation.”
“That’s true.”
Suddenly interrupted by Helia’s words, I sat back down. Right now, Clarence’s story was more critical than the helmet. He too recognized that fact and continued.
“My mission was to find candidates for the Royal Knights.”
“Royal Knights candidates? Aren’t they selected based on skills?”
“Yes, that’s right. Which is why the spots for humans have decreased.”
“The spots for humans have decreased?”
That was something I hadn’t heard before. What does the Royal Knights’ selection have to do with humans? After all, the knight order was created to tackle demons, not for politicians, right?
It’s faintly hinted that the previous Royal Knights were extraordinary, but the settings were never fully elaborated. So, I aimed to understand it properly this time.
“Correct. It’s due to the Royal Knights’ prestige.”
The Royal Knights were selected purely based on their strength. Naturally, humans were at a disadvantage compared to powerful races like dragons or elves.
What’s worse, two of the original members who belonged to the Royal Knights fell in battle, making humans the first race to have no knight affiliated with them in the Royal Knights. Was that so…?
Thinking back, it seems like among the Royal Knights’ members in the original, there were no humans besides the protagonist and Helia. For some reason, an ominous feeling started creeping in.
“The Royal Knights are the first unified knight order in the continent’s history. Furthermore, they’ve practically risen to the status of saviors of the continent.”
“That’s true.”
“And that means that the members of the Royal Knights can utilize their prestige and status to grant their race or nation benefits.”
“???”
So, in simple terms, the races affiliated with the Royal Knights can use their position and the prestige of the Royal Knights to gain advantages for their race or nation?
Of course, it wasn’t like that from the start. Initially, they were established to save the continent from the clutches of demons, but over time, they began to receive benefits, one by one.
Moreover, the conflicts between races that never got along and the factions that arose within began to clash; now it has become the ultimate political battleground.
“So you’re saying it’s all just political maneuvering?”
“Yes, you could summarize it that way.”
“That’s just rotten. Especially when there are enemies right in front of us.”
It was absurd. In a situation where a public enemy lurked, they were busy engaging in political maneuvering with each other? At that moment, a thought shot through my mind like lightning.
“Is that why the Royal Knights were annihilated?”
“I see you’re aware.”
What the…! During the two years the game was in early access before its official release, the unresolved plot point about the previous Royal Knights is being unraveled like this? And it’s all because of political maneuvering?
“How can they call themselves heroes?”
As a fan of this game, beyond the feeling of disappointment, I couldn’t help but be enraged at the idea that I would now bear the brunt of the consequences from the Royal Knights’ annihilation.
[Indeed, you seem to think the same way, Sir Hans.]
“This voice…?!”
“Calm down, Helia. It’s the voice from the crystal ball.”
[I didn’t expect you to see through it this far.]
Of course, I hadn’t seen through it at all. I just vaguely guessed because I’d seen a scene like this in the game before. However, if I said that outright, I’d be treated like a madman.
Clarence silently took out a small orb from his pocket. The little glass orb was as transparent as water, but there was something shadowy inside it. He looked at it with admiration as he spoke.
[And to top it off, you’re wearing your helmet even while in the village. Truly a model knight.]
“No, that’s not it…”
[First, I must thank you, Sir Hans.]
“Thank you?”
The voice coming from the crystal ball sounded pretty excited. I tilted my head. This voice, I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere before. I just can’t place it.
[Thanks to the information you provided earlier, our kingdom has finally secured a proper voice.]
“We were the only ones who predicted the failure of the Royal Knights. It’s all because of you, Sir Hans.”
“???”
I provided information? When? Wait, hold on. I have a guess. When they mentioned the Royal Knights were going on an expedition, I may have muttered something unintentionally.
[…Is that why they’re being annihilated?]
[Captain.]
[?!]
No matter how I think about it, there’s no other reason for me to receive such thanks. If that’s the case, then Clarence must have reported my offhand remark to that fellow.
As a result, they predicted the Royal Knights’ failure, and naturally, the kingdom’s voice has risen? I closed my mouth. I shouldn’t hastily deny it here.
If I stay quiet, I can at least maintain a neutral stance.
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