Chapter 43: Blind Adoration

My name is Muno Surmeni. I am the second son of the Surmeni household, a noble family of the traditional and prestigious Ardelheit Kingdom. I was planning to graduate from the Magic Academy last year with excellent results and join the Magic Knight Order, which is our country’s pride, but due to a slight mistake in the administrative procedures, the date was delayed. What an insult to blemish my grand entrance! I’ve heard the negligence is terrible these days, but I didn’t expect it to go this far…!

However, I can put up with it if I think this is a trial for the Surmeni household. If it’s this much, I can still put up with it. However, I can’t forgive this man who deceives Nell Lemure-danchō, who is praised as the strongest in Adelheit! Also, the girl who became her disciple and that little girl who appeared out of nowhere!

I was deeply moved by Nell-danchō’s speech at last year’s graduation festival, especially since I was aiming to join the magic knight order.

Nell-danchō, with her fluttering golden hair, gave a noble look to each of us, the students. She was sublime and beautiful, she was the object of everyone’s admiration. She’s truly an exemplar knight, a sublime flower that protects the country. I understand that since I was born into a noble society that’s swirling with filthy thoughts. I can assert that.

After completing the enrollment procedure, I was excited to greet Nell-danchō as soon as possible. My destination was the leader’s office at the Knights headquarters. As a new member who just joined, it’s a natural thing for me to say my greeting. Although, I can’t deny that I had some ulterior motives, such as receiving magic and sword instruction. Anyway, I excitedly went there.

However, Nell-danchō wasn’t in the room. Instead, it was Canon who is standing next to me right now. At that time, this guy was cleaning the room for some reason.

「Nell-danchō? She’s going out on an expedition with some knights right now. By the way, you’re Muno, the one who graduated from the academy together with me, right? What a coincidence that we work together. Do you remember me? I’m Canon.」

There’s no way I can forget him. Despite being a year younger than me, he defeated me at the graduation festival. Even though he’s a commoner, he has such a talent and I acknowledge it. I can understand that he was aiming to join the knight order after graduation. But, he’s still lacking in some respects. Still, there is also a part of me that recognizes him as a rival somewhere in my heart. Fumu, it was also a fate that we met here. I felt that my heart was beating fast when thinking so.

I was told that he’s now in charge of chores directly under Nell-danchō. How envious! But that’s why he’s worthy of my rival. I will claim that position one day! From equipment to desks, I’ll make everything shine! From that day on, I began learning about cleaning, which I had never done, from my house servants.

Nell-danchō was absent, so I decided to visit again when she returned. It was three days later that she came back. During this expedition, Nell-danchō had eliminated a level 5 monster that had settled near the border. And in addition to that, she mostly did it single-handedly and there were no casualties. When it comes to a level 5 monster, a country’s knight order will form a party and take on that formidable enemy with the preparedness of total annihilation. What a feat! I heard that the neighboring country wanted to award her a certificate of appreciation and a medal for this achievement, Nell-danchō refused the offer. As expected of our leader, she served only to Adelheit. She is very patriotic.

I’d like to go to her in person and congratulate her. With that in mind, my feet were already heading to the leader’s office.

「Nell-danchō? She said she would take a break for a while after returning from the expedition. It seems that she sent the notice to the king and went home as it is.」

Take a break…!? What do you mean? Could it be, Nell-danchō was injured? It was sudden. If she applied directly to the king and get permission, then that must be the reason. I have to visit her! However, I didn’t know where she lives, so I had no choice but to ask Canon.

「Nell-danchō’s? Hmm, on her days off, I guess she’s more likely to be at Deris-san’s place rather than at home.」

…… Hey, wait a minute. Who’s that? Her friend?

『I can’t say it. Well, that’s the usual thing, so it might be something like that, I guess? They’ve known each other for a long time.』

The usual thing…? Know each other for a long time…? Hah!?

I felt uncomfortable as if the portrait of Nell-danchō, who was pure white, was being painted by an amateur. A painful feeling as if my heart was pierced by ten thousand iron spears.

Oi, Canon! What do you mean by ‘something like that’!? Does that mean ‘something like that’!? I shook Canon’s shoulder violently and asked so. I abandoned my shame and tried my best to find out.

「I said, I can’t! If I say that, I’ll be killed by Nell-danchō!」

Killed by her…? In other words, that’s something she doesn’t want to make public so much? If the honorable Nell-danchō tries to hide it, it must be something serious. Don’t tell me, is that Deris guy has something on her!?

I couldn’t stand still and conducted my own investigation into the matter behind the scenes. I did it to the extent that it wouldn’t reach Nell-danchō’s ears. As a result, the senior knights and even those who were the same age as me (although they joined earlier than I did) knew about it but could not say it, that was what I felt. You’ve gotta be kidding me! The entire magic knight order is on Deris’s palm, he has secrets to that extent…!

C-Could it be that Nell-danchō herself jumped into Deris’s clutches to protect us? Ohh, this is saddening! But, she’s so kind! Is she perhaps a goddess, yes, she’s a goddess!

「Muno, you can be so stupid sometimes.」

I received such advice from Canon, perhaps because he noticed my action. As expected of my rival, I can’t be careless. I’m trying to oppose an opponent that even Nell-danchō is no match for. I can’t blame him for calling me stupid. However, I want to save her even if it means destroying myself!

「Still, I think that’s something you can understand right away if you look at Nell-danchō’s reaction. It’s rather strange if you don’t understand―― ah, right. You haven’t met her yet. It seems that you and I are set to go for the next expedition, so you can check it out there. Haa, I don’t want this….」

…… I see. You arranged a meeting with Nell-danchō behind the scene by using this expedition as an excuse, huh! Canon, you are my rival and my best friend! That sigh has a meaning like ‘Yareyare, this is the last time I help you, got it?’, right? I understand, I understand!

The moment I was deeply moved by Canon’s cooperation, a problem occurred. It is said that Nell-danchō took a disciple even though she refused the dubious girl brought by Mage Prime Minister Joseph before. It’s obvious that Deris bastard is involved in this matter as well. It seems that he forced the disciple on her to monitor her actions. He’s a despicable inhuman guy…! I’m sure the people in the city called him so as well.

The mysterious disciple of Delis and Deris the incarnation of evil. I’m not going to waste the opportunity that Canon has given me!

―――― The day before the expedition. It seems that the members of the expedition will meet today. Waiting at the entrance to the barracks are I, Kanon, and Commander Daganov. Why is Commander Daganov here? I thought so, but then realized that Canon had invited him, worrying that we youngsters might be don’t have enough war potential. Commander Daganov is a compassionate, noble, patriotic, and respected knight. Yeah, I got it. Also, thank you, my best friend…!

「Morning, you sure are early.」

To think that I can see Nell-danchō in her casual wear…! Oh no, it was rude of me. I finally meet again with her. Calm down, me. I have to greet her first. Just as I was about to greet her, Nell-danchō’s beautiful voice resounded.

「Right, Deris and Haruna will be joining us in the expedition. Canon, I’ll leave the preparations to you.」

「Eh? Ah, yes!」

We were surprised to hear those words, which we hadn’t expected. I didn’t expect that Deris noticed our plan.