Stay calm. I need to stay calm.
Bite my tongue to stay calm.
I steeled my wavering mind. How did it suddenly come to this? I just wanted to mediate. Could this be the special mediation method of the Royal Knights?
Well, think about it. Even in modern times, I’ve been surprised by the peculiar cultures of other countries. In that sense, this isn’t entirely nonsensical. Unfortunately.
Is that why the King entrusted the mediation to me? Because they couldn’t do it themselves? If so, the King is truly a piece of work. Thanks to him, I’m about to die.
But even if the sky falls, there’s a way out.
To get through this situation, I need conditions. And the first condition: absolutely no direct confrontation. No matter how much I have the Time Stop ability, I would definitely lose.
Then, I need to draw them into a fight where I have a significant advantage for a plausible reason. The problem is, I can’t think of any advantageous fight. Just as I was deep in thought,
The Elf and Dwarf suddenly stopped talking and began playing rock-paper-scissors. What are they doing? I blurted out my question in disbelief.
“What are you doing right now?”
“We’re deciding the order.”
“Order?”
“Deciding who will fight first!”
…!! That’s it! The question marks in my mind vanished, and instead, it felt like a light bulb clicked on. That method exists! Of course, I could argue that almost half of it is forced.
In my current situation, I had no choice but to give it a try. Whether I got killed while resisting or just accepted my fate, it would be the same. If that’s the case, I might as well take a shot at a higher likelihood. But first, I need to prepare.
First, draw aggro.
While they were playing rock-paper-scissors, they started fighting among themselves. Of course, since I had no idea when they would clash, using Time Stop to intervene in their fight was out of the question.
Actually, it might be better this way. To draw aggro, a certain stage needs to be set. I drew the sword from my waist. The swish of the cold metal as it left the sheath.
At that sound, they reacted. They stopped fighting and started sizing me up. I was worried they would attack immediately, but thankfully, they don’t seem that foolish.
But it’s not over yet.
Now, the real deal starts.
Like a military pointing their guns skyward, I aimed the tip of my sword toward the sky for everyone to see, then reversed my grip and slammed it down with all my might.
THUD!!
The weighty sword instantly sank into the courtyard’s lawn. Confirming it was stuck firmly, I nodded. The Elf tilted her head in confusion at my sudden action.
“What are you doing?”
Good, she asked nicely.
“I’m creating a stage that suits you.”
“What?”
“You don’t get it, do you?!”
“This should be enough.”
I was worried they might not ask. Thankfully, no one did, so I could explain without feeling awkward. I turned my back and walked forward, very slowly.
One step, one step.
When those steps piled up to ten, I turned my head again. They were still looking at me with clueless expressions. The distance between us was roughly 3 meters.
Narrow if you think of it, wide if you consider it.
But it wasn’t far enough for them not to hear me. Right now is the turning point. If I succeed here, I might somehow get through this. Now, I make my move.
“What do you think is the virtue of a knight?”
Deadly Wind-Breaking Speech Technique! Sure, calling it that just means I’m mimicking the protagonist’s great lines from the game, but there are a few I can use right now!
“If someone calls themselves a knight just because they are strong or wield a sword well, they are third-rate.”
“But that’s all there is to it, isn’t it?”
“Then tell me, who do you think is a first-rate knight?”
[A knight protects everyone behind them! Therefore, I will never back down!!]
The protagonist of Royal Knights Maker was the stereotypical hero. Relatively weak in brute force, but with intellect, tactical ability, and even an eye for talent.
Truly a fitting candidate for the commander. In reality, all of that was just automatized by the player’s actions, but in the game, it was undoubtedly the protagonist’s abilities.
Before I knew it, not just them, but the attention of those who were drawn to the commotion had all turned to me. The pressure was suffocating, but I forced a grin.
“A knight is one who protects everyone behind them.”
“That sounds like typical lip service.”
“In the end, you need power to protect!”
“…….”
These pieces of work. Why are they reacting so cynically? These characters from a game should be blushing or at least getting flustered by some cool words. Such pathetic girls.
This wasn’t going to work with sweet talk. Then, I guess I have no choice but to jab at their weak spots. It’s a gamble for me. If I succeed, it’s a windfall; if I fail, I’m done for.
But time is running out. If I keep being idle like this, they will get suspicious again. I can’t help it; I have to take a shot even if I might miss. I burst into laughter.
“Huff, HahaHaha! Ahaahaha!!”
“What’s up all of a sudden? Have you lost it?”
“Wake up! Kanp! He’s mocking us!”
“Yeah, that’s exactly it.”
I know very well the reason why they had fallen this far. It was the failed expedition of the Royal Knights. In the original, all the Royal Knights perished, but somehow, three returned here.
One of those three faked their escape. Regardless, what matters here is that they lost and ran away.
“Anyone can spout sweet words. Just like you all.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“In the end, you lost and ran away pitifully, even abandoning your comrades!!”
“……If you say any more, I won’t just stand by.”
I was nearly in the clear now. I swallowed tears that almost slipped out. The palpable intent to kill weighing on my shoulders.
If it weren’t for the incredible backup of the Time Stop, I would’ve begged for mercy right now, crying and pleading for forgiveness. Since I’ve gotten this heated, I’ll throw out the bait!
“It’s a very simple contest. From now on, watch me with the sword for one minute. If I take the sword away, I win.”
“What does that have to do with anything right now?”
“If you can’t even protect a sword, how can you protect the living?”
It was a stretch, but I borrowed from that earlier knight saying to make it sound as plausible as possible. Plus, I sneak in another provocation.
“Or… do you think a handicap of not having a sword is not enough?”
Purposefully making my sword sheath visible, I waved my empty hand mockingly. Flames of anger ignited in their eyes.
As expected, the best universal provocation.
Scared?
*
I pushed my luck, but they finally accepted that proposal. The terms of the bet were simple. If I could take my stuck sword within a minute, I win; if I fail, I lose.
Time was measured in the center by Helia with an hourglass. She wanted to fight alongside me, but I dissuaded her. No matter how much of a genius she is, she couldn’t match up.
If she was a genius, the opponents were also geniuses, and even more experienced and skilled. They were practically the finished version. There’s no way Helia could overcome this right now.
I folded my arms and wore the most relaxed expression I could muster. As if to say I could win easily, even while standing casually. I tried to create that atmosphere as much as possible.
“So, shall we get started?”
“Without even holding a weapon, you seem incredibly relaxed.”
“I’m just being cautious. There’s a reason for that relaxed posture.”
“Oh, I know. I won’t let my guard down for a second.”
“Come at me with your full strength. Otherwise….”
I intentionally left my words trailing off. The reason I had my arms folded was half for effect and the other half for this purpose.
As I trailed off, I discreetly clicked my fingers behind my back. Everything turned to black and white.
From their perspective, I must have looked like I was speaking here.
So, I deliberately trailed off and continued the rest of my words from behind them.
Of course, while I had drawn my sword back there. I slowly walked toward it. Luckily, the conditions were just right.
If I had approached head-on, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.
When going against Royal Knights, their physical abilities alone are on another level. Be it Dwarves, Dragons, or even Elves, their skin can easily deflect a sword’s blow.
The only way to have a fighting chance would be to use Time Stop to sneak up behind them and put a blade to their neck, but that wouldn’t work on sturdy-skinned dwarves, let alone elves.
I walked past them toward where my sword was stuck. Reaching out, I attempted to draw the sword. No, I intended to draw it. I tilted my head in confusion.
Then, I tried to draw it with both hands. But it didn’t budge as if it was hammered into place. Cold sweat started to flow like a river down my back.
This is bad. Really bad.
Huh? Shit? It can’t not come out! Did I hit it too hard earlier?!
“Huff…! I can’t breathe……?!”
This is dangerous. I lost control of my strength in my panic. My energy was already starting to wane.
Fortunately, before I completely ran out of strength, I managed to pull it out—
But in my haste, I toppled over like a bug.
Thank goodness time was stopped. If it weren’t, I’d have died of embarrassment.
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