Chapter 52

Discomfort.

When a person is sleeping, only their respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems are active and functioning.

Therefore, we can never feel what we commonly call the five senses, or the sixth sense that we call instinctive sensation.

However, highly developed martial arts masters occasionally show scenes where they sense someone's presence while sleeping, wake up, and subdue them in an instant.

That's not to say I've reached the level of those martial arts masters, but one thing was certain: if I didn't wake up right now, something big might happen.

Yes, discomfort.

It was exactly that.

As I got up from my bed, extending my arm in a defensive gesture, I tightly gripped the soft sensation I felt in my palm.

After fully raising my upper body, I opened my eyes to check, and...

"...Asti."

"You coughed, Master."

Asti was about to swing her sword at me, holding it high just like before.

And with an expressionless face!

But unlike before, I didn't feel wronged or irritated.

Those emotions no longer surfaced.

The large white hand I saw before.

It was clear that Asti was somehow related to it and couldn't do anything about it.

Judging by the fact that she collapsed after using and controlling that power, there was a high probability that it wasn't her own power.

Above all, what she said then.

'Still... please don't hate me.'

It could be a high-level strategy, but that pitiful look in her eyes didn't seem like it could be a lie.

Come to think of it, it makes sense.

If she could open and enter even when the door was locked, she could have ambushed me while I was sleeping. Why bother waiting for me to wake up to attack?

It felt like some kind of show to deceive someone.

...I'm not sure what it is, but one thing was certain: this was too heavy a burden for such a young child to bear.

"Yeah, are you feeling okay?"

"...Yes."

So I smiled and patted her head.

Asti, who had been holding the sword expressionlessly, relaxed her arm and let it drop, then quietly looked at me before closing her eyes, seemingly focusing on the touch of my hand.

See, how could this be the attitude of someone trying to kill a person?

Since she didn't say anything to stop me and just stayed still, I missed the timing to stop and kept patting her.

...It felt addictive, like handling a cat.

How nice it would be if we could always live such a relaxed and cozy life.

Then even in this dark fantasy world, we could live thinking, "Well, that's how it is."

Unfortunately, there was a lot to do today.

I couldn't just keep doing this.

"Master."

"Hmm?"

"The person you call the Black Lion said earlier to pass on a message."

"What did he say?"

With her eyes still closed, just relaying the message, she looked purely cute, as if her reason and instincts were operating separately.

"The Vice Captain said he wants to talk about the matter of defeating the Dragon Slayer and told you to come out."

Sigh.

There's so much to do.

Can't he call me later?

"Ah, well."

What can I do?

If your superior tells you to come, you have to go, right?

I stopped my busy hand and was about to get up to prepare to meet the Vice Captain when...

Huh, what's this?

This tingling, stinging feeling in a certain area.

I looked around to find the cause, and when I made eye contact with Asti...

Stare─.

For some reason, she was looking at me so intensely it was uncomfortable.

What's the cause?

Don't tell me she's planning another attack?!

While I was thinking that, I noticed her gaze was oddly not on my face but lower.

So I unconsciously raised my hand, and...

Whoosh.

Hm?

I moved my hand to the right.

Whoosh.

Hmm.

So that's what it was.

I sat back on the bed and put my hand over Asti's head.

"...!"

Her eyes became so lively it was as if an exclamation mark appeared over her head, then she closed them.

When I removed my hand again.

Stare─.

Asti was staring at me uncomfortably again.

And when I put my hand back on her head, she closed her eyes again.

Hmm.

This is trouble.

It looks like I'll have to make the excuse to the Vice Captain that I overslept.

***

"I see, you must have accumulated a lot of fatigue during that time. I understand. You've already defeated two Greater Outer Gods."

"Thank you for understanding."

...I didn't expect him to accept it so easily, it was rather surprising how smoothly it went.

Let's just take it as a good thing.

"Well, I was going to tell you something related to defeating Greater Outer Gods today anyway. The Observer incident was vaguely settled with the audience with the Imperial Princess, but if we gloss over this one too, it will damage the Knight Order's reputation."

Hmm, is that so?

If you put it that way, I'm willing to accept it gladly.

"...I didn't accomplish that much."

"I heard from White Mask that you were responsible for 90% of defeating the Dragon Slayer. At times like this, you should stand a little taller."

90%?

Well.

If flirting with a beautiful girl and sending her back to her world counts as an achievement, then I guess it is.

"So, following the Imperial Princess's opinion... it was decided to give you a specific position."

"...What?"

This is quite surprising.

I've been in the Knight Order for less than two months.

"There's no need to decline. You have enough honorable justice for it. Just rushing to the Observer to protect Rondan citizens alone is enough sacrifice to be included in the 'Honorable Knights'."

...It seems White Mask deliberately didn't mention this.

Maybe because it's not good for many people to know about it.

Although I feel like it will all come out soon enough as I continue to work in the Knight Order.

"What kind of position is it?"

"Mystical Observer (Shinbigwan). It's an honorable position given to those who have protected Rondan from Greater Outer Gods. In some ways, you might have more authority than me, the Vice Captain."

At that moment, muffled music could be heard from outside.

Perhaps there was an orchestra performance in the domain.

"Yes, you could think of it as the conductor of an orchestra."

"That means..."

The Vice Captain showed a subtle smile.

"Yes, you can personally select members from Rondan's apprentice knights and regular knights to join you, and have the command authority for hunting Outer Gods. In the end, just as an orchestra is governed by the composer's instructions while playing according to the conductor's style, it means you can move according to your judgment without our words."

"...Yes."

"As you well know, both the by-products of subjugation and the praise for subjugation are given only to the Mystical Observer. It's truly a fitting and suitable position for a noble knight like you."

For a moment, my heart wavered slightly.

I can move freely without instructions from the Vice Captain or Knight Commander?

This alone was quite a merit.

Certainly, if I obtained the position of Mystical Observer, it would undoubtedly become easier to clear this game and protect the world.

I might even be able to find out past information about 'Laydan Tanton' more safely.

Thinking I would obviously accept this position, the Vice Captain was looking at me with eyes like those of a parent whose child had been accepted into a prestigious university.

But.

"Vice Captain, I'm sorry, but would it be alright to postpone this matter again?"

"...Again this time? How is it that you only know how to decline?"

It felt like 'Laydan Tanton's' unique sixth sense was screaming not to do it.

Not only that, but there were many reasons why I shouldn't choose this position yet.

It was a position that could become shackles rather than helping me discover the information I needed to find out - secrets like Asti, the Recorder, 'her', and the Dragon Slayer's horn.

Plus, thinking about how our Branch Manager struggled, I didn't want to go to a high position at all.

But since I couldn't speak my true thoughts, I decided to give a somewhat plausible reason.

"It's not a decline, Vice Captain."

I paused for a moment, then spoke in a clear pronunciation.

"It's chivalry."

Honestly, I don't know what chivalry is.

The concept of chivalry itself is vague, so if you attach it here, that's chivalry, and if you attach it there, that's also chivalry.

'A knight is not one who enjoys a position, but one who protects it' - wouldn't that be enough of an answer?

"Chivalry..."

I was prepared to elaborate if he refuted once more, but the conversation didn't continue.

Because the Vice Captain turned his chair around, showing his back.

I think I hear something like sobbing.

What's this?

Is he crying?

"...I'm truly curious about how your chivalry will shine in the future, Tanton. A knight who's only been transferred recently is already shining so brightly!"

"...It's nothing."

The Vice Captain spoke in a voice that seemed to be holding back tears, then sniffled.

"...I understand your opinion well. I'll make sure to find a way to reward you, Laydan Tanton, staking my position as Vice Captain on it."

"You don't have to..."

"Accept it, no, allow it. Otherwise, I feel like I'll be disgracing my name."

...His voice was choked up, so it seems he was moved.

Well, I just spoke a bit, that's all.

The saying "A word can repay a debt of a thousand nyang" seems to exist for a reason.

"...Well, sorry for taking up your time when you must be busy. You may go now."

"Yes."

As soon as he finished speaking, I quickly headed outside.

I felt all my nerves tingling from the pressure.

***

After Tanton left, silence fell in the Vice Captain's office.

The Vice Captain thought.

How could there be such a true knight?

How and for what reason did such a person fall into temporary corruption and end up in the underground prison?

Feeling dejected in many ways, the Vice Captain approached the firewood.

Soon, with a whoosh, flames rose and the Imperial Princess's voice was heard, causing the Vice Captain to quickly bring his face closer.

"...Yes, Your Highness. Laydan Tanton declined the position offer. ...Yes, that's right. He said he still has things he needs to do... What? ...You'll reward him directly, Your Highness? Ah, you'll handle it yourself... I understand."

The Vice Captain scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression and moved away from the firewood.

A reward bestowed directly by the Imperial Princess.

Certainly, being a royal reward, he would have to accept it, and it might be more meaningful, he thought.

But was it just the Vice Captain's imagination?

Somehow, the Imperial Princess's voice seemed slightly excited.

He pondered.

***

As I came out of the Hearth, I planned how to spend the day.

Now, what should I do?

First, I need to find information about the Outer God called 'her' by visiting the nearby market and library.

And then...

"Oh, Mr. Tanton!"

Just as I was lost in thought, Muyeon was running towards me with a cheerful voice.

Was she out for a walk?

"Oh, Miss Muyeon."

"What brings you here?"

"Ah, the Vice Captain was talking about some reward. I declined and came out."

"What? Why?"

"Well, you know. I didn't think I should receive such a thing for what I did."

When I briefly explained the situation, Muyeon seemed to make an expression of admiration.

"...It's not easy for a person to be modest too. Really a first-class..."

"Pardon?"

"Ah, it's nothing!"

What are you mumbling about?

Lately, it seems Muyeon has been talking to herself more often when she's with me.

Ah, come to think of it, I should have visited the blacksmith with Muyeon too.

Since it's come to this, shall we go to the market while visiting the blacksmith?

"Miss Muyeon."

"Yes?"

"Would you like to accompany me?"

"...Ah, that blacksmith?"

"Yes, yes, that's right."

For some reason, Muyeon seemed to be in a very good mood.

"Sure! We can go right now."

"Hmm, let's do that then. Ah, wait a moment."

Come to think of it, there was one thing I felt I should take care of, or I might regret it later.

...It could be a big deal the next morning, so yeah.

After telling Muyeon to wait for a moment, I ran to my branch office.