“I’ve decided! Zest, I will give you the title of the 1st Rank Imperial Mage.”
I don’t understand what you’re saying.
It probably would have been better to say these words out loud, but I swallowed deeply and continued to brush the exchange diary’s hair.
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Translation: Nana
Proofreading: Carmina
DA BEST (among the worst): Mockii
Chapter 35: Quiet Talk – The Unknown Soldiers
As promised, Chapter 35! ^.^
m(＿＿)m
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Chapter 35: Quiet Talk – The Unknown Soldiers
“Oi, did you hear? It’s about the Knights Commander’s son.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard. Did he really finish off all the new recruits single handedly?”
“It seems so. This time he will practice with us, the regular soldiers.”
Inside the Frontier Count’s army’s cafeteria, this conversation was taking place.
Not only these three, but all the other soldiers were in a trance, talking about the same subject.
Their training was not ordinary.
When speaking of regular training, what do you think it happens when a noble gets hurt?
The answer in simple.
The best case scenario would mean imprisonment, the worst would mean death penalty.
This is a generally spread ideology in this world in which the lives of commoners are pretty much casually considered.
Then, do they gossip about this because they feel fear?
The answer is: You’ll understand once you know about the unique tradition of the Frontier Count’s army.
“We should probably go now, guys.”
“Right. If we’re late, we’ll have a very hard time.”
The regular soldiers, also known as ‘The Black Knights’ were going towards the training grounds.
Out of the 5000 soldiers in the Frontier Count’s army, only 500 are called black knights.
You might think that’s surprisingly a lot?
Or maybe too few?
Every year, up to 500 commoners who aspire to enter the army are chosen and trained until the numbers decrease.
And these 500 people are thoroughly bullied for half a year.
They must train even while eating, be woken up randomly at night for nocturnal attacks training.
If any of them collapses, the other ones undergo first aid training while carrying him away, then return to the regular training.
However, if you say you want to quit, you can easily return to your normal lifestyle.
They won’t chase after the ones who leave.
Their number is halved in but a week, and in a month, there are only about 100 people left.
Truth be told, if there are 10 people who can hold for half a year, it is said to be quite a lot.
Only after one endures this rigorous training, is one finally accepted into the Frontier Count’s army.
These 5000 people have all put up with that brutal training.
And among them, only a handful are called black knights.
And these black knights have a very simple, single rule for their training:
‘During training, there’s no distinction in social status.’
Only this.
That’s precisely why not many nobles aspire to become black knights.
They can of course enroll as black knights without going through the brutal initial training.
However, they would be thoroughly knocked down during the regular one.
Revenge is also forbidden.
If by any chance a case of revenge is discovered, the one who did it and his entire family would be eliminated.
The Black Knights Commander and the other black knights will carry on the task and be the executioners.
Obviously, the nobles get special treatment even in the lands governed by the Frontier Count, but once a noble becomes a black knight, it’s impossible to receive favorable treatment anymore.
That alone, makes people admire the knights wearing black equipment and it also becomes the elite soldiers’ source of pride.
Even a commoner can acquire the privileges of an average noble.
Therefore, all the men living in the lands of the Frontier Count, dream of becoming black knights and rise up their social status.
And these black knights were waiting impatiently for the rumored son of the Knights Commander to join their training.
There was only one thing they all thought about.
‘We’ll welcome him if he’s strong. In case he’s weak, we’ll thoroughly knock him down and drive him out.’
And then, the man in question showed up……
“What, I see you’ve already drawn your swords? It’s great you’re serious about this though. Oh yeah, you can use any weapon you’re good at. Spears, axes, use whatever you like. In case you don’t die, I’ll make sure to fix you, so feel free to charge at me.”
The gentle man smiled and prepared his stance while saying these words.
One enraged black knight charged in slicing about with his sword, but his arm got cut off and sent flying.
Everyone is his surroundings was starting to panic……..His arm disappeared, just like that.
Scary.
Were they frightened they might get killed? Nope, it’s slightly different.
They were actually scared of not being able to fight as soldiers anymore.
“Is it really over once your arm gets cut off? Is your other arm just for decoration, you fool? You still have your legs attached too. If you all run and charge at me like this, you’ll just give me the chance to bring down some of your comrades. Start again.”
Said the gentle looking man, holding one hand out. The next moment, the soldier’s arm was completely fixed.
“Even though there’s a limit to what I can do with magic, I already told you that as long as you don’t die, I can fix you back. Now, charge at me again.”
The man said and smiled.
A gentle person? Absolutely not! This guy was a monster.
A monster we want to rule over us, thought the knights.
“Hahaha, this is the best training ever! Oi, surround him! You let him keep smiling like that and you still dare to call yourselves black knights!?”
The black knights were all wearing warlike smiles.
Because they too don’t really function as normal human beings, they ended up acknowledging a monster-like man.
They all had weird smiles on their faces and poured their everything into this battle.
When the monster saw this, he as well smiled in a similar manner…..
“ “ “ “ “Cheers! ! !” “ “ “ “
These battle maniacs were having a party in a bar.
“Wow, Zest-sama, you really are strong! I lost my arms three times, you know!”
“Hahaha, your attacks were too obvious and too many. You must proceed with more discretion.”
“It seems Zest-sama was used to fighting against spears.”
“Well yeah, I was taught by the Knights Division Commander and the Magic Division Commander after all!”
“ “ “ “………I’ll be damned……..” “ “ “
“…….You’re all charming little things compared to those two.”
“That is so right……” “Those two, huh?…..” “I wouldn’t be able to manage those two……” “It must’ve been hell……”
The knights were cheerfully talking.
“Well, everything’s fine once you get used to it! Anyway, leaving aside all formalities, everyone, eat and drink to your hearts’ content!”
“ “ “ “ “Thank you! !” “ “ “ “
After repeating such trainings and drinking parties over and over again, the soldiers started to recognize the monster as their boss.
However, the conclusive reason was something else….
“Zest-sama, I am not thirsty. Why don’t you understand, I wo
nder? As I thought, I’m better off walking alone.”
“Hahaha, you’re really cute, Bea. Look, they sell cookies over there! Do you want some?”
“Wow, formidable. He’s escorting the unpleasant looking young lady around…….”
“Hey! What’s cute about that kind of face?”
“Yeah, the young lady, she’s obviously angry…….”
“Holy smokes! He caressed the young lady’s hair!?”
“Hii! The young lady looks scary!!”
“He….he’s gonna get killed!”
“As I thought, that man is amazing.”
“Yeah, no one can touch the young lady without some serious guts.”
“And there’s more. According to the maids’ gossip, they meet every day.”
“ “So he goes through that every single day???” “
This was the real reason the black knight acknowledged him.
It wasn’t known just yet, but the reason for their approval was in fact the result of sneaking a few glances at his date with the young lady……..
After a few years, the black knights mustered the courage to speak their minds about it, at which point:
“What? Bea is actually very obedient and cute. Going on dates with her is really rewarding. I’m good to go every day.”
He drank and talked like it was really nothing out of the ordinary, but the knights got unnecessarily frightened and pledged loyalty to him once again.
* * *
Translation: Nana
Proofreading: Carmina
DA BEST (among the worst): Mockii
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(^_~)
Chapter 36: The Emperor’s Decision
Hello there!
Chapter 36 is ready, and since diukes was curious about Bea’s picture, I did some research and I found one on Takkurun’s twitter. You’ll be able to see it at the end of the chapter ;D
I don’t really know whether the pics are official or not, but since they’re on the author’s twitter page, I figured you might be interested.
With that being said,
Enjoy Chapter 36! ^^
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Chapter 36: The Emperor’s Decision
“1st Rank…….Imperial Mage?”
Damn it…..I asked his Majesty in return.
“I am very sorry.”
I panicked and lowered my head.
I can’t possibly question the decision of the Emperor…If I put him in an inferior position I would lose my head.
Not only would I lose my ‘job’…..It basically means I would lose my head physically. (1)
“It’s all right, maybe you didn’t hear me properly the first time. I will make you the 1st Rank Imperial Mage.”
It seems I was saved this time…..God, this was dangerous.
“Thank you, your Majesty, I will do as you wish.”
“Ah! We’re not in the audience hall, you don’t have to be this stiff. Once you become the 1st Rank you’ll be a marquis, you can talk more informally with me.”
His Majesty laughed wildly.
Then…..No, I can’t actually do that. I grasped the situation and decided to keep my distance.
“Thank you, I will do as you please.”
“Good. You’re still stiff but I guess you’ll get used to it soon. Anyway, that’s all I wanted to tell you for now. The banquet starts tonight so be at ease……oh! That might be impossible, right? Just, don’t let the nobles catch you! Hahaha”
We bowed to the Emperor who left the room, laughing heartily.
The 1st Rank Imperial Mage, huh?……It’s too much of a ‘promotion’ all of a sudden…….He actually meant I should be careful for other noble’s envy and flattery.
“Well, that’s it. There’s still a little bit of time until the official announcement, which will take place after the three day long banquet will finish. You’ll have to comply with this.”
The Prime Minister left the room in a hurry as well.
After all, he had to take care of a national level affair all of a sudden, there’s no degree to this man’s engagement with his work…….
Only my master and I were left. We thought about going back to the mansion, but the maid told us to remain in the palace.
I requested for someone to send word to our mansion, and I went to rest for a while in the room prepared for me.
I was worried that the nobles would come to my room while I was resting there, but it seemed it wasn’t really the case.
Because there’s a national event in preparation all of a sudden, it wasn’t really the time for visits.
Thanks to that, I was able to take my time and rest.
“However, master. If I become the 1st Rank Imperial Mage, will I have to work in the imperial capital?”
“It’s all right. Normally, that would be the case, but the Frontier Count’s Household is an exception. It would be troublesome if you can’t be on the front lines in case of a war, you know? Originally, the title of imperial mage was alternately bestowed, and everyone who had it was supposed to work in the Frontier Count’s Fortress.”
“Then, instead of staying at the fortress, I will live inside the Frontier Count’s territories……Will the things be no different from how they’ve been until now?”
“That’s right. It actually works for us too.”
I see. If that’s the case, I’m fine with this as well.
The only thing that’ll change is my title.
(Master, I want some tea too.)
“Ok, but it’s hot. Be careful.”
The spirit started drinking her tea from a small cup.
I decided I’ll call her ‘spirit’ for now.
I’ve never seen another spirit before and if I call her ‘exchange diary’ my head would be in a state of chaos. Once I’m back, I’ll talk to Bea and decide on a proper name.
“Haha, she really looks exactly like Bea. It’s so nostalgic.”
“Bea’s childhood? Tell me more about it, master.”
My master smiled pleasantly and corrected his posture on the chair.
“All right. Well, where should I start? When she was born, she was thiiiiis small, you know, and I really worried she was a fleeting existence that would break at any moment. However, maybe because of her nursing mother she quickly grew bigger, you know, and when she was 2 years and 5 months old she…..”
It seems I stepped on a land mine……I kept on answering him once in a while, but I ended up ignoring him completely…….
“…….she did that and then……”
……Master, there’s still more?
As one would expect, I was already pretty dispirited.
And then, as if the God himself answered my prayers, someone knocked at the door.
“Enter.”
“Excuse me.”
I’m saved……Thank you, maid-san, thank you so very much.
Master, don’t look so regretful.
My stomach is already full.
“Everything is set, please follow me.”
We were led to a room inside the palace.
It was a completely crammed dining hall. It had extravagant furnishings and it seemed it was ready for the dinner party.
So for the opening day, we had a banquet only for the Imperial household, for the second day there was a banquet for nobles, and for the third day, an open party on the parade grounds where anyone could attend to.
This was the schedule.
Since I wanted to know about what was going to happen, I asked the maid a little while ago.
Today’s attendees were only his Majesty the Emperor and the Empress.
There are a few princes and princesses, but they could not participate without prior notice.
Was it in sign of concern for us or simply a precaution? I don’t really know, but I’m glad.
Since I was really nervous, I gladly welcomed the small number of people.
Their Majesties were waiting for us.
Because we were guest
s to their dinner party, it was natural for their Majesties who invited us to be there earlier.
“Thank you very much for inviting us today.”
My master greeted and I lowered my head as well.
“Leave aside the formalities for tonight, come and sit.”
We sat on the indicated seats and my eyes stopped on the Empress.
Was she in her late 20s? She was a kind looking beautiful woman with blond hair and blue eyes.
Standing next to his Majesty, they would make for a wonderful picture, a good looking man and a good looking woman….such a foul play combination.
“She is Empress Natasha. Natasha, you already know Sonia, right? The one next to him is Zest, Sonia’s son-in-law and the next 1st Rank Imperial Mage.”
With a wonderful smile, she opened her mouth to speak.
“I’m Natasha. It’s been a long time, Lord Sonia. I’m happy to meet you, Lord Zest. And this is spirit-sama?”
(Master, do I have to bow?)
“It’s been a long time, your Majesty, I’m really sorry for my long silence.”
“I’m very pleased to meet you, your Majesty. I am Zest. Now, you have to bow.”
The spirit lowered her head obediently.
Yes, she’s very cute.
This little thing, her entire behavior is charming to the extreme.
“Haha, since there’s a small number of people at this dinner party, you can simply call me Natasha. Spirit-sama is so adorable. Can she eat?”
Stranger's Handbook - WN Chapter 01-76 Page 17