Vol.3 Chapter 17: Knights Selected (Patreon)

“The princess will be leading an operation, what do you think?”

A knight, now wearing his casual clothing, spoke to one of his colleagues. At the moment, it was night time and the knights gathered at the barracks they were designated to sleep.

“About that, I don’t know what to think. It is sudden.”

“The prince mentioned that more than twenty knights will be selected to join this operation.”

“ — what, really?” another chimed in. “I only heard about the operation, but I didn’t know they would need that many.” this young man was named Alan Welford.

Knights were elites compared to normal soldiers, and to require that many knights would be akin to exterminating monsters in Elgion forest. Given that he was not present during the initial announcement, if it was just the princess’s operation, he imagined it would be like guarding her.

“What do you guess it’s about? I imagine there will be quite a big fight.”

“Or maybe the princess is moving out of the city?” said Alan.

“Well, they say select the knights to take part in the operation, it is no small matter. It definitely won’t be a mere escort mission.”

“You think so? It’s the princess, I can imagine them needing the best of the best to just guard her.”

Alan recalled the fragile princess, of course, she would need the best to guard her. And he definitely won’t be one of those elite forces, it would be more likely his brother would be there.

“They’ll be announcing the knights tomorrow, right?” asked Alan.

“Yeah. But oh dear, more than twenty. I predict it would be most of us commonly assigned in the palace.”

“Makes you even more curious how big of a deal this would be. Still, would it be alright? For the princess to lead I mean.”

“I get you. I am hesitant about it as well. Do you think it will some kind of publicity? For the princess to become some sort of figurehead?”

“To become a leader of knights? It wouldn’t fit. It would be more fitting if she were to be publicized as some sort of saint by the church.”

The knights, even others who were listening in the barracks, smiled in delight.

“Yes… a saint, that’s very fitting.”

“Why haven’t they done that yet anyway?”

“Who knows, man.”

Everyone agreed to the prospect of the princess becoming a saint. Alan’s smile grew wider, truly it was fitting. He recalled the times the princess would request a treat for the knights so they can have a pleasant time and rest. Of course Alan was one of those to be graced by her kindness.

The princess would sometimes visit the knights, with a presence so soothing and saintly. Then of course that would be followed by blessings as if granted by a goddess. Namely a start of a festive kind of event.

And the more Alan gazed at her, her graceful and gentle movements, her beautiful smile, and listening to her relaxing voice, Alan’s feelings for her would only grow. The princess was the peak of what it meant to be a true lady. So pure and gentle. So kind and caring.

Because of all that, she gained the respect of the Knights’ Order.

“Still, I’m curious about what is in this operation.”

“No use debating and guessing about it anyway, let’s just wait for the princess’s personal knight.”

Everyone sighed and began muttering.

“Lucky bastard.”

“It should have been me...”

“If only we could swap jobs.”

“Dammit, I want that job…”

“I should have showed off more…”

“I’m so jealous…”

Alan could only restrain a chuckle as he shook his head. But he sympathize with them, as he too would have wanted that. However, he understood that was not possible. He was weak compared to Rogan, there was no way someone like him could be designated as a guard for the princess.

A while later, as the knights in the room chattered around, the door opened. Instantaneously everyone turned towards the door, whether it was because they were trained knights, or were they just watching out for the person that just arrived, it was not clear. Perhaps it could be both.

In any case, they all pointed a variety of gazes toward him, counting envious, and bitter stares. But the man merely grinned haughtily, as if he was already used to it.

“As warm of a greeting as ever! Really makes me forget all the bad things in the world!” he said loudly with a cocky chuckle.

“You’re awfully late,” a knight said.

“Oh what can I do? I am quite busy with work you know. It’s not easy to be the princess’s personal knight. Need to work hard you know, hehehe.” his smirk only grew.

“Screw you, Rogan! Give me the damn job!”

“Hahaha! Go cry. The princess values me, no way she would swap me for just someone else.”

“Dammit!”

“Ha-ha! Too baaaad.”

With a laugh, Rogan casually removed his sword and placed it in the small armory. Then he proceeded to gradually remove his armor.

“Hey, Rogan. What’s with the operation? Tell us what to expect.”

“Ah, about that. I can’t tell.”

“What? It’s confidential?”

“Well, not exactly. I can’t tell because I don’t exactly know what to expect.”

“Meaning?”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen precisely. But know there will be a big fight,” he said as he went over to sit on his bed, now wearing plain clothes. “The plan’s pretty hard to explain and has not been yet laid out completely to everyone. We can expect more details soon.”

“What’s with the secrecy?”

“... That’s just how it is. Things are still being finalized.”

“What’s with the princess leading the operation?”

Rogan nonchalantly smiled as he laid his head on his pillow. “What about it?”

“It’s weird. It’s hard to take the princess, who never saw combat, to lead. This will cause doubt to the troops, you know.”

“Princes Estevan will be co-captain, I see no problem.”

“Yeah, but still. I don’t think the princess would be able to handle being a leader of the knights.”

“Ha-ha…” Rogan covered his mouth. “Hahahaha! Ah crap, that’s, that’s hilarious...”

Alan was puzzled by Rogan’s reaction.

Rogan then continued. “You’ll be surprised about the additional group she will be leading.”

“What’s that mean?”

Rogan sighed. “... I understand your concerns. But really, you shouldn’t doubt the princess’s capabilities like that, it will bite you in the ass. What I’m trying to say is, have faith in our dear princess.”

The knights looked at each other in confusion mostly.

“I’m gonna get some shut-eye. Need to get as much rest as I can.”

“Straight going to sleep? You must be being worked up hard,” commented Alan.

Rogan usually would go to have a fun chat with the guys, so Alan was quite surprised to see him rightly going to sleep just as he arrived.

“Oh yes I am, Alan. I am a good boy and follow the suggestion of the princess to rest aptly.”

“Before you sleep, I heard that the knights to participate in the operation will be selected. Will they only select the best?”

Rogan slightly opened his eyes to look at Alan. “Yes, this is no small matter.”

“I see…”

“What? Thinking you won’t get selected? You do know it is best if you are spared from danger.”

“Being a knight is not about being spared from danger, it’s to dive into it to keep everyone else safe.”

“Huh… If you are doubting yourself, then I’ll tell you you have a good chance of being selected. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt to have additional pair of arms.”

“Hey Rogan, who are we fighting anyway?” a knight asked.

“You’ll know soon enough!”

“Oh come on.”

“Ah ah ah! Sleeping here!”

“Whatever, man.”

Rogan smirked and closed his eyes.

Alan sighed and lay down on his bed. Rogan appeared to be preparing hard for this operation, even to the point that he was going to sleep the moment he arrived. Alan had not seen him taking something like this seriously before. Perhaps he should just follow his example, and sleep early today.

He was a bit restless about the participating knights, but sleeping now should speed things up. And thus, Alan rested, but it took a while for him to fall asleep due to the noise the other knights were making.

***

Alan panted heavily after a heavy spar with a knight. He walked over to a small shed, his brow beaded with sweat. Using a cloth hanging by the shelf, he rubbed the sweat off his face.

With his shirt drenched, he intended to change once he had rested a little. He glanced at the other knights, some merely doing nothing in fact, while others were hard at keeping their edge sharp.

The knights here at the moment were skillful enough, a few may be true elites, but the rest were not to be underestimated. They were better than Alan would ever be, and that was a fact. Alan was working hard to become stronger, but so were the others. In short, the gap between them would not close, it would stay the same as always. And it was demotivating.

Don’t you just sometimes want to be as impressive as the others? Or perhaps surpass them? Don’t you ever want to be as charming as someone? But no matter how hard you try to be, it was impossible. You can never be as eloquent as them, never as smart with your words.

Alan wanted to be like everybody else, but he was being held back by himself. He kept pushing and pushing, but he couldn’t make a major step.

He mentally sighed.

It was then he noticed his older brother arriving, standing high with pride. Alan couldn’t understand it, they were of the same blood, but why was it that this older brother of his was way stronger than him? He was training hard all the same, and yet, he was still a disappointment.

His older brother, Alzen, appeared to be looking around until his gaze landed on Alan. The latter froze for a moment, surprised and wary about what his older brother could possibly want. But not like he could just walk away.

“Alan.”

“Brother…?” Alan stiffened his body to resist the mere pressure he was feeling in his older brother’s gaze, stern and powerful.

“I have a message from the household.”

“Message? For me…?”

“Yes, you, my little brother will return home. You shall leave your knightly duties behind and focus your effort on the domain.”

Alan’s eyes widened in utter shock and distress, he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. “What?! Why?! They can’t do that!”

“Yes they can. You must follow Father’s orders.”

“That’s absurd, I can’t just cast away all the hard work I did here!”

Alzen scoffed. “Shouting at me is pointless.”

Alan clenched his fist and cast his gaze downward. “T-This… this can’t be happening. Why? Why this sudden decision?”

“Need I tell you? It’s because of your lack of progress in your fighting capabilities and potencies.”

“W-What?” he raised his gaze towards his brother.

“They reasoned that as you have made no remarkable feat, you might as well come back to the domain.”

“Why…? I’ve been working hard…”

“...”

“You… you have something to do with this, don’t you? What did you tell them about me?”

“I merely told them the fact, that you are an unremarkable knight. Weak.”

“No… no you said more than that didn’t you…?”

“Think what you want… But don’t blame me for your lack of great progress. Refute as you might, it is still a fact. And because of this, you will be coming back home.”

Alan shook his head. He didn’t want to. He was yet to achieve something here. If he comes back, he would just be thrown into doing mundane and boring jobs where he couldn’t do anything fulfilling. He wouldn’t even be able to focus on sharpening his swordsmanship.

“No… I won’t.”

“That is not for you to decide.” his brother sharply said. “Do not disobey.”

“I… I will show them. If, if I get involved in something big, then there’s a chance that they might reconsider.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“ATTENTION!”

It was at that moment when the princes’s voice erupted in the area, prompting the knights to instantaneously drop their activities and face the prince. In Estevan’s hand was a sheet of paper.

He stared at all the knights gathered. “Not all that is on the list is here.”

“Better call them later.” another knight stood beside him, the personal knight of the princess, Rogan Dorien, smiling widely.

“Everyone, the knights that will be participating in Operation: Sweet Roses, will be called upon today.”

“Operation Sweet Roses?”

“It’s named?”

The knights muttered around, anticipating what this operation would entail. But Estevan raised his hand and everyone fell silent.

“There will be twenty-five participating.”

“Allow me, your highness.” Rogan offered to call the names, to which Esteva nodded and gave him the list of names.

Rogan stepped forward. “When your name is called, please line up at the front.”

Then Rogan read the names, announcing it loudly. Alan listened intently at every name and watched as the bearer of those names step forward, as one would expect, they were the skillful ones in the Order.

“Ayana Roseneveria,” Ayana stepped forward. “Elson Metrial,” a middle-aged man joined the line.

Then after a couple of more names, a familiar one was called. “Alzen Welford.”

Alan, subsequently shifted his gaze toward his older brother. His brother didn’t seem to be surprised at all, and merely confidently joined the line.

Then eventually, sixteen knights stood at the front.

“Hm, the rest are on patrol I presume,” said Estevan. He then approached Ayana after receiving the list from Rogan and gave the paper to her. “We’ll have a short meeting in two hours, call the rest to the briefing room.”

“Yes, sir.”

With that, Ayana left to summon the absents.

Alan pursed his lips and clenched his fists, as he had expected, he wasn’t called. He was weak compared to them after all. He had to do something, even how shameful it may be. He needed to join this, just so he can stay in the Order. Although it might not help, even so, he wanted to try.

With a deep breath, he left where he was and walked towards the prince and Rogan. The two instantly noticing him, raised a curious look.

“What’s up, Alan?” asked Rogan.

“I have a request… please let me join the operation…”

Estevan furrowed his brows. “The team is already selected. Plus, this is no small matter, you will be in danger of being struck down easily, given your level of skill set.”

The other knights curiously stared at Alan.

But Alan forced himself to ignore them. “Please, I need to do this.”

Estevan and Rogan looked at each other, then the latter sighed. “Something’s going on, isn’t it? Let us talk over there.”

Estevan agreed and faced the knights for a moment. “Wait until Ayana returns, so do something else in the meantime.”

After that, the three, Estevan, Rogan, and Alan walked towards a corner.

“So, why are you adamant about joining?” Estevan asked.

“My… my family wants me to come back.”

“Oh… but why?”

“That’s because I don’t make a lot of progress and feats in the Order.”

“Or perhaps because none at all,” Rogan remarked.

It was blatant, and perhaps unnecessary. But it was true, so Alan couldn’t refute it but only nod.

“So I think that if I participate in this new operation, my family might reconsider.”

“... Hm. I don’t mind if that’s the reason. But…”

Rogan shook his head mildly. “... It’s not up to us, Alan. This operation is a big deal for the princess, adding another variable would prove to be a liability. There’s a reason why we called mostly the strong ones.”

“But…” Alan lowered his head. “Please ask the princess… let me join.”

Estevan and Rogan looked at each other, deliberating, but it only took a moment for Rogan to reply. “Alright, I’ll ask the princess. But don’t get your hopes up. The princess is very serious about this, and lately she has been um… how should I say this… moody?”

Alan couldn’t fully understand what he was trying to say about the princess being moody, but he should express his gratitude.

“...Thank you.”