Chapter 08
The RPG game Soul Calibur provided various companions as options.
One could not travel with all companions, and the player had to form an optimal party according to their judgment and advance towards the final chapter.
For instance, one could only choose one companion from a single group.
Say, from the Paganoa Knights?
Knight of Light, Reinhardt.
Knight of Swiftness, Fermil.
Knight of Frost, Evangeline. One had to choose one among them.
All three had outstanding basic stats to growth limits, and their individual characteristics were also distinct.
Reinhardt also knew that fact well.
There was no need to search for information in the community, as he had the experience of choosing companions himself.
Therefore.
‘Knight of Frost, Evangeline.’
The moment he faced the guest of the Knight Order.
Reinhardt couldn't help but feel his chest getting blocked thud.
“Sir Reinhardt! You’ve finally come. Come in quickly. This is Dame Evangeline of the Paganoa Knights, and Dame Evangeline? This is Sir Reinhardt whom I spoke of.”
Silver hair rippling down to the waist.
High nose bridge, and cold eyes.
Complex rune characters were engraved on the glossy armor, and the sword tied at her waist also exuded a noble feeling.
‘Identical.’
It was the same appearance as seen over the monitor.
Even the neat attire and haughty expression.
“How do you do.”
“Nice to meet you.”
They exchanged awkward handshakes.
The bare hand grasped after taking off the gauntlet was warm. Unfitting for that cold impression.
-Sin ends here.
-I could not erase that day from my memory. What result my hesitation brought about, I could not bear…….
-I fear I might not be able to cut. I fear I might feel sympathy for you. Because of that, I am so afraid I might lose a comrade again.
Evangeline was a character with a fanbase as thick as Reinhardt’s.
And not a playful meme like ‘sunfish’ like Reinhardt, but a fandom created purely by the character's charm.
‘Good skills, good looks, and clean personality. It’s natural to go crazy for her if tastes align.’
However, that was strictly when welcoming her as a companion in the game.
Not a situation like now.
While Reinhardt was stiff like that.
The other two people were continuing the conversation that had been cut off for a moment.
“As I already told you, he is the most exceptional knight in our Knight Order. Character, speech and conduct, and skills as if chivalry was moved to reality…….”
Ethan Taton was acting like a merchant introducing an excellent product.
Evangeline just listened, nodding intermittently.
She didn't add any special words, nor did she look at Reinhardt.
‘…… Capture first.’
Slide.
In that interval, Reinhardt reached out his hand. He touched the camera-shaped button with the tip of his index finger.
Click-
Along with the familiar sound, the result popped up in front of his eyes.
Taton’s Commander’s office.
Two people conversing, and even the appearance of Reinhardt himself standing with an awkward air beside them.
Reinhardt, having checked the image, focused on the situation again.
The Knight Commander’s product introduction was almost ending.
“I assert, if Taton recommends someone, it will definitely be Sir Reinhardt. Because he is a talent more knightly than any knight I have seen in this Serigel.”
“I will keep it in mind.”
“In Dame Evangeline’s view, how is it. Is there a possibility?”
At that moment, the Knight Commander asked in a subtle voice.
Evangeline’s thin and long eyebrows twitched.
Reinhardt knew. That was a reaction that came out when pondering.
“He is lacking. A little.”
If Evangeline says this, it meant really ‘a little’ lacking.
Ethan Taton, seemingly knowing that fact too, had an expression feeling hope rather than regret.
“We will continue to prepare hard. Because Sir Reinhardt has always done his best with the goal of the Paganoa Knights.”
Evangeline nodded. Only then did she glance at Reinhardt.
Gazes met, but no emotion was felt in Evangeline’s pupils.
‘It’s really an expression of having no thoughts.’
Whether positive or negative, if she had rather revealed emotions, it would have at least helped in deciding future attitude.
Currently, she was just an official attitude.
It was different from the appearance seen while progressing through the game in full swing.
Because Reinhardt wasn't a companion of the same knight order, but merely one of countless Paganoa aspirants.
“Then, in order to join Paganoa…….”
The conversation between the Commander and Evangeline continued a little more.
It was a conversation held over concrete conditions to join Paganoa and the like.
After the conversation continued like that for a while.
Commander Ethan Taton offered a handshake to Evangeline with a capitalistic smile.
“It has been a really big help. Thanks to Dame Evangeline showing the way, the preparation process will become much easier.”
“That’s a relief. I will leave now.”
“Ah, Dame Evangeline. If it’s alright, we intend to escort you to the accommodation we prepared.”
“Grateful words, but I decline.”
Evangeline cut him off firmly and left the Knight Order.
Staring at the door she left through, Ethan Taton turned an expectant gaze to Reinhardt.
“You heard too, Sir?”
“What do you mean?”
“The story that you have almost achieved the conditions to join the Paganoa Knights, Sir.”
“I am lacking. Absurdly so. Still.”
Reinhardt answered quickly, but Ethan Taton shook his head gently.
“It didn't seem so. Dame Evangeline is a knight famous for not speaking empty words. She’s been like that since very long ago. Before joining Paganoa.”
For some reason wearing an expression full of pride, Ethan continued his words.
“Such a person said ‘a little lacking’, didn't she?”
“It must be a misunderstanding. I am still lacking.”
“Right. Still lacking. Still, that is.”
“Not that…….”
Now Ethan wasn't even listening to Reinhardt’s words at all.
Nodding alone, he was quickly calculating on the abacus.
Then smiling brightly, he lifted his head whoosh.
Meeting eyes with Reinhardt, Ethan Taton spoke with a somehow excited voice.
“Soon I will prepare a mission suitable for you, Sir. Something difficult and arduous, but something that can raise honor high.”
***
The situation was turning bad.
Knight Commander Ethan Taton said he would prepare a dangerous mission, and Knight of Frost Evangeline left a favorable comment that Reinhardt was ‘a little lacking’.
It was news to be happy about if it was the real Reinhardt, but to the current Reinhardt, it was very terrible news.
‘Driving me crazy.’
For some reason, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being dragged along a set flow.
The timing was coincidental, and surrounding figures were busy laying down stairs Reinhardt could step on and climb up one by one.
‘Actually, it is a natural thing. Right now is the past point of the main story. If I follow this flow straight, eventually I will come to be called the Knight of Light.’
And if that happens, eventually he dies.
There are no exceptions. Once reaching that point, death is predetermined for Reinhardt.
‘Must avoid it.’
The conclusion was simple.
Preparing not to be swept away by the official history was the only way Reinhardt could survive.
Isn't it a situation where I’m stuck in a game world?
Unless there is certainty that death is the exit, until then, I must survive using any means necessary.
‘…… Wait a minute. What about the protagonist?’
Then Reinhardt thought of a fundamental question.
Reinhardt.
Knight of Light, Reinhardt.
He was the protagonist's companion. A companion who is capable, eventually dies off, but helps the protagonist to the best of his ability until reaching the final boss.
Then shouldn't there be a protagonist too?
Shouldn't there be someone who will exterminate the evil of the world after overcoming trials and difficulties?
‘There will be, right? There should be?’
Anxiety crept up, but he suppressed it.
It was a world running on the same rules as the game. If it's the same, naturally it's normal for a protagonist to exist.
His brain spun fast. It spun so much that his head started to throb.
“Blood sugar’s dropping.”
If one uses their brain a lot, they are bound to get hungry.
Trying to find the Knight Order cafeteria, Reinhardt changed his mind.
Members of the Taton Knights showed two reactions the moment they saw him.
Either reading the room excessively, or constantly sending gazes of admiration and envy.
‘Just to watch the sight of me eating, they would flock in and have plenty left over. Given Reinhardt’s fame.’
Eating out seemed better.
Reinhardt packed a loose robe in plain clothes.
As he went out the main gate, the knight standing guard stiffened tight and saluted.
“No abnormalities during duty!”
“Keep up the work. I will go on patrol.”
“Yessir! Good work!”
The junior knight shouted vigorously without a hint of suspicion.
‘Since I’m at it, I want to go to a delicious place.’
Stepping into the street, Reinhardt pulled the robe over himself loosely.
Walking with light steps looking around.
Passing the plaza, pushing through the crowd, he looked for a good restaurant.
‘That house has particularly many people. The food looks delicious.’
Soon, an inn came into view.
The place hanging the sign ‘Blue Moon’ had about three times more people than other restaurants.
If it were modern times, it was clear that people taking photos to upload to SNS would have formed a long line.
Then, pause.
Reinhardt saw some man putting his hand in his bosom and muttering something to himself.
‘Very suspicious.’
The expression was spaced out. Red light flashed in the half-dilated pupils.
The Justice Radar hadn't turned on yet, but Reinhardt was certain.
‘This is worth following.’
To the current Reinhardt, strengthening the Justice skill was more important than a meal to soothe hunger.
Only then could he survive in this world.
Slide.
Bringing his hand to the sword at his waist, Reinhardt secretly tailed the man.
***
City Serigel, Blue Moon Inn near the Taton Knights.
This place, always teeming with tourists, was famous for meat dishes sprinkled with spicy sauce.
Today was not much different.
Amidst the bustling visitors, Knight of Frost Evangeline sat at a table with a calm gaze.
“The order is meat dish mixed with special sauce. It is this place’s signature menu.”
“I will order.”
The servant sitting opposite called an employee and ordered food.
Then smiling broadly, he looked around, then looked at Evangeline.
“Dame Evangeline, too, was once a knight of Taton, right?”
“I was a knight. Of this place.”
“So that’s why you knew the Commander. Was it Sir Ethan?”
“Ethan Taton.”
It was a memory of long ago. Before transferring to Paganoa, she was definitely a knight of Taton.
Ethan Taton was a human closer to a merchant than a knight. Therefore, Evangeline could live here without lack.
Her ‘product value’ was at a level impossible to compare with others.
‘He too.’
Then thoughts moved.
Knight Reinhardt.
A new product Taton put out. Trying to raise the name value of Taton by transferring to Paganoa.
“How was the knight you met today? Will there be an occasion for me to see him?”
“No. It will be hard.”
“Is that so? He was a famous person.”
“He was a little lacking.”
Evangeline spoke while recalling Reinhardt’s appearance in her head.
Outstanding appearance caught the eye first.
Following that, upright spirit and the foundation as a knight solidly built.
But with just that, one could not obtain the name of Paganoa.
“It will take 10 years. Even if lucky.”
“It will be so.”
Evangeline was a special person.
All members of Paganoa were so.
Saying a little lacking meant a person who wasn't special.
Ordinary human.
Who could follow that specialness even by a toe's length only by struggling endlessly.
It was the moment Evangeline thought that far.
“Dame Evangeline. It is the knight you saw today. Over there, outside the window.”
At the servant's words, Evangeline turned her gaze whoosh.
Indeed, Reinhardt was there. Though he wrapped a robe, he couldn't avoid her sharp eyes.
“He seems to be tracking someone.”
As the servant said, Reinhardt’s steps were secretive. He seemed to be preparing to draw his sword anytime.
And.
The moment the man being tracked took something out of his bosom, Reinhardt approached in an instant, suppressed him, and snatched the scroll held in his hand.
“……?”
Evangeline doubted her eyes.
It wasn't a common occurrence. A situation where she ‘saw wrong’ was truly rare.
But.
“Dame Evangeline, did you see just now?”
It was a situation where Evangeline rather wanted to ask the servant.
Because the speed Reinhardt showed just now was clearly at a level far exceeding her expectations.