Chapter 35
The departure was in two days.
Since they had to stay in Lockfort for at least a few days, Fermil and Reinhardt each prepared the necessary items.
There was more luggage than expected, but it didn't matter.
After all, Reinhardt had the [Inventory].
‘I’ll just stuff everything in as it comes.’
Reinhardt had prepared all sorts of items without exception, including food.
It was to the extent that even if he were stranded on a deserted island, he could live for 6 months without worrying about supplies.
‘The inventory is certainly convenient. I can take out a fresh apple whenever I want.’
The moment an item was placed in the inventory, expiration dates and the like had no bearing on Reinhardt.
“Let’s see, the best-maintained ones……”
Reinhardt then packed plenty of weapons and armor as well. He took several swords and sets of armor that were stored in the Taton Knights’ warehouse and stuffed them into his inventory.
With this amount, it was possible to use armor as if it were a consumable item.
‘This should be enough.’
A total of 64 slots in the inventory.
With its contents displayed before his eyes, Reinhardt carefully checked the items.
From essential items like food, equipment, medicine, and holy water, to daily necessities like bundles of firewood and spare clothes.
“This should do it, right?”
“Ppiit!”
Bitdori, who was beside him, answered vigorously.
It was unclear whether it could see the inventory, or if it was just excited.
Reinhardt stared intently at Bitdori.
It focused on Reinhardt with sparkling eyes.
“Hand.”
Then, at his single word, Bitdori vigorously held out its right arm.
“Other side.”
“Ppit!”
This time, it was the left hand.
“Both hands up.”
“Ppiiit!”
“Good. Well done.”
Finally, even both hands.
Feeling a strange sensation, Reinhardt stroked Bitdori.
As if it was in a good mood, it rubbed its head against him.
In any case, this made it certain.
‘It understands words. For sure.’
Bitdori now understood Reinhardt’s words.
The turning point was from the time he defeated the half-incarnation of Agrio-s.
‘For now, it will be a huge help.’
If communication was possible, the range of help he could receive would also greatly increase.
For example, he could ask it to find an enemy hiding somewhere, or to carry a specific item somewhere, or he could instruct it on when to strike the warlock in front of him.
However, the fact that it would continue to grow in the future was a concern, if any.
‘One day, it will change into that form. Like a difficult four-year-old, instead of doing what I ask right away, it might question the reason…….’
With a complicated feeling, Reinhardt met Bitdori’s innocent gaze. The way it smiled brightly was truly cute.
“It all depends on the parent.”
“Ppit? Ppit!”
“What fault do kids have? The parents have to raise them well. Right?”
“Ppiiit!”
That was about all Reinhardt could think of for now.
To him now, Bitdori was a necessary existence. If it grew up well, it would continue to be so in the future.
The Light Spirit in the true history was a rather difficult being to deal with, but he was confident that he could change that with enough effort.
Knock, knock-
Just then, a familiar voice was heard along with a knock.
“Sir Reinhardt! Are you in there?”
It was Ethan Taton.
When he opened the door to his quarters, he was waiting with a broad smile.
“There you are! Your preparations must be going well, right? I pray every day that it won't be an arduous journey. These days, I'm even thinking of taking up a religion.”
“Thanks to the convenience you’ve provided, Commander, it’s progressing smoothly.”
“No, not at all. Convenience? I think it would be more correct to say that you are accommodating me. More importantly……”
Ethan Taton suddenly became cautious, as if he wanted something.
“Is there a problem?”
“It’s not a problem, well, Sir Reinhardt. If you're okay with it, I was thinking of putting up a statue in front of the knightly order.”
“A statue, you say?”
“No, I wasn’t the one who pushed for it! I know better than anyone that you dislike such things, don’t I?”
Of course, he didn't dislike it.
Reinhardt was a person who wanted his statue to be erected here more than anyone else.
However, Reinhardt just nodded his head for the time being.
He was a righteous and honorable knight, and he had to be a person who was reluctant to praise himself in such a way.
“Yes.”
“Right. I know that well. But they say it was a decision made at the City Hall level. So I suggested that if we were going to build one anyway, wouldn't it be right to build it in front of our knightly order. Of course, if you’re not keen on it, I’ll immediately……”
“It is fine.”
Waving his hands to plead his innocence, Ethan Taton’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
“There must be many who are anxious due to the recent unfortunate incident. If it helps to reassure the citizens of Serigel, I do not mind.”
“Sir Reinhardt……”
“You must have said that with such an intention as well, Commander?”
“Of course, Sir Reinhardt. I naturally made the suggestion out of concern for the citizens of Serigel.”
It was a conversation full of lies.
Reinhardt created a plausible justification, and Ethan Taton readily added his spoon to it.
Of course, Ethan would think Reinhardt was being sincere, but that wasn't really an important issue.
‘With this, at least he won’t be talking about closing the business. And I can also firmly establish the image that I am a knight of Taton.’
If he was going to do it, he just hoped they would make it as big and cool as possible.
Ethan Taton had the passion and ability for that.
He was a born merchant, after all.
Not a stodgy knight commander of the old era, but a person who thoroughly regarded the knightly order as a means of making money.
“I will clearly convey your intention to the City Hall. I am confident that a very wonderful result will come out.”
Ethan, with the expression of a miner who had discovered a gold vein, walked away. Seeing his jaunty steps, he was clearly very excited.
‘Then shall I start preparing to welcome the guests.’
It was almost time for the guests from Paganoa to arrive.
With Bitdori perched on his shoulder, Reinhardt left his quarters.
***
Miya Luxpenber was the Personnel Officer of the Paganoa Knights.
Born with the blood of the Luxpenber Ducal Family, she had a talent for handling people.
Her radiant talent was demonstrated without fail even in the best knightly order of the Empire, and countless people passed through her hands to become full-fledged knights of Paganoa.
“Really? Did he really refuse? He said he wouldn’t do it?”
“Yes. That’s what he said.”
“But it’s Paganoa? The Paganoa Knights?”
“He said he didn't want to. He said he had to protect Serigel. Because it was a place that the eyes of the Paganoa Knights did not reach, he said he had to take responsibility.”
Miya could not understand what Evangeline had told her before leaving the knightly order.
Wasn't he a knight?
To become a knight, and then to refuse an offer to join Paganoa?
At least in Miya’s common sense, it was an impossible thing.
In the first place, not only her but anyone else would think so.
‘I really don’t get it.’
Knight Evangeline is always calm, rational, and composed.
Although she sometimes shows a disheveled side, she was a person who quickly recovered and corrected her mistakes.
Then it couldn't be that she was being emotional.
For example, it meant that she hadn't disliked the knight named Reinhardt, or made up lies for such a reason.
‘He refused, you say? Really?’
Then she had to see it as a fact.
The knight named Reinhardt had refused the offer to join, putting forward a truly noble reason.
With a heartfelt mindset that he must protect the citizens of Serigel.
Miya rested her chin on her hand and mumbled. Her cheeks puffed up and deflated repeatedly.
The carriage was rattling along.
Miya Luxpenber, who had been looking out the window, turned her gaze to the bald inquisitor sitting cross-legged on the opposite seat.
“Inquisitor Bardo.”
“Speak. Miya.”
“That child, you said he has talent?”
“He harbored a radiantly shining talent. There would be no more shining talent to face our enemies. I guarantee it.”
“But he refused? Didn't he even listen to persuasion?”
“I could not persuade him further.”
For Bardo to say such a thing. Miya tilted her head again, recalling his usual demeanor.
Inquisitor Bardo was always a person who pushed through what he believed in until the end.
Solid, and steadfast. When an enemy faced him, they would feel as if they were looking at an iron wall.
Such a person broke his own will?
And while showing an attitude as if respecting the other party?
“Then what about this time? Are you not going to persuade him this time either?”
“I will not. However, I will not stop you, Miya. Unlike me, it is not impossible that Sir Reinhardt might open his heart to you.”
On the contrary, Bardo seemed to be hoping that Miya would succeed in her persuasion.
He wanted to bring Reinhardt over somehow, and work together.
‘He must be a very shining child…….’
Had there ever been a person to whom that Inquisitor Bardo had shown so much interest?
After thinking for a moment, Miya quickly recalled. There had been a few. But all of them had rather wanted to join Paganoa themselves first.
“Hmm, then Inquisitor, you agree with Fermil’s opinion too, right?”
“Sir Fermil’s thoughts were the same as mine. As were Dame Evangeline’s.”
“He is a wonderful knight. But he will not leave Serigel. I can no longer persuade him. Is that it?”
“It is.”
It was a strange thing indeed.
Evangeline had met Reinhardt by chance while on vacation, and by the time she returned, she was already respecting Reinhardt as an equal knight.
Then what about Bardo?
He had left with great spirit, saying he would beat the seeds of the devil, and when he returned, he was in this state.
‘Fermil too…….’
Knight Fermil was even more so.
He was an immature knight whose excessive confidence was always a problem, but the atmosphere felt from the letter was that of a prudent and calm knight.
It was as if he had matured. Just by the fact that he had met Reinhardt.
“I understand. I’ll take care of that. Inquisitor, you, well, do what you have to do.”
“I’ll be cheering for you.”
The carriage soon arrived at its destination.
Miya and Bardo completed the minimal procedures and headed for the Taton Knights.
The knight commander, who was out at the entrance, greeted the two with a bright smile.
“Thank you for your precious steps.”
“I too feel pleased. It must be because of you that a knight like Sir Reinhardt could see the light. More importantly…… is he inside?”
Bardo asked, glancing sideways into the knightly order. At that, Ethan nodded happily.
“Yes, he is waiting. He said he would wait for you two today without even going on patrol.”
“I see. Understood. More importantly, this is Miya Luxpenber. She is the one who holds the personnel authority of the Paganoa Knights. Miya? This is Sir Ethan Taton.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Ethan Taton.”
“I’m Miya Luxpenber.”
Miya took Ethan’s handshake and scanned her surroundings. It was a kind of occupational hazard.
‘Yes, a typical merchant.’
And she was convinced. Ethan Taton was not a knight.
He was a businessman, and the knights here were products.
So she thought.
‘He’s being wary? Why?’
Ethan’s expression, when she looked again, was different from her expectation.
Because it was not the expression of a merchant, but one similar to a gatekeeper protecting a treasure.