Shujinkou Janai!

[I ask you to teach the Knight Order. Simply put……]

In the game, you would only see them during large-scale World Quests, but they are very powerful.

They are the symbol of the Elite in the world of B&B, so I wonder if they would really accept the teachings of a mere adventurer.

[Ahaha. It’s actually quite simple to deal with that. If I just tell them, they will never say no.]

Ain assured in a calm tone, quietly containing his confidence.

Of course, they would. I mean, a prince would have absolute authority over the Knight Order…..

[Sorry, but we have our purpose for coming here. We’re looking for someone right now. I don’t have much time to……]

[I see. If you came to the Royal Capital at this time of the year…… then you came here to look for the <Ruin Conqueror>, right?]

[Wha……]

I was a little shaken when he calmly guessed the answer right.

And that moment of being shaken seemed to be enough to convince Ain.

[In that case, this makes things quicker. If you teach the Knight Order, I’ll cooperate with you in the search for the <Ruin Conqueror>. The relationship between our Royal Family and the Guild isn’t bad. At the very least, you should be able to expect full cooperation from the Royal Capital’s Guild through us.]

[Are you sure it’s alright to make this decision so easily?]

When I asked so, Ain nodded without hesitation.

[To tell you the truth, we have already started collecting information on the <Ruin Conqueror>. Even for our Royal Family, it’s a problem that the identity of the person who conquered the ruins is unknown. However, we just wanted to make sure that this Conqueror isn’t a dangerous person, and have no other intentions. If you have business with him, we don’t have any reason to stop you.]

[I see.]

It doesn’t look like Ain is lying.

Even if we were to rely on information from the Guild here, it seemed like Prince Ain would be more likely to get more results than asking for their cooperation by showing him Verteran’s letter.

[Of course, I’m not planning to hold you back the whole day and have you teach them. Just do what you do back in the Frelia Guild for the Knight Order while you’re here.]

It seems like Ain is aware of my activities in Frelia.

If he said that far, there’s no reason for me to refuse.

[……Alright. If you’re alright with me giving priority to my objectives, I’ll accept your offer.]

[Alright, we’ve got a deal then. Let’s talk about the rest of the details with the others.]

Thereupon, Ain laughed like a young boy, and beckoned the petrified Radd and the others, having them join the conversation.

Radd, invited by Ain, twitched for a moment, before they timidly approached.

[I’m sorry for making you guys wait. I’ve been waiting to talk to Rex for a while now. ……You guys must be Rex’s disciples I’ve heard about.]

Before I could interject, telling him that they aren’t my disciples, Radd, looking tense, responded.

[Y- Yes! M- My name is Radd! I’m the leader of <Brave & Blade>, and I’ve recently reached C-Rank!]

[Yeah. I’ve heard about it. Even though it was your first time participating in the Tournament for the World’s Strongest, it’s amazing how you got runner-up. Sergen praised that you’re a promising young man.]

As Ain gave him a soft smile, Radd was at a loss for words.

[T- That is…… Everything is just the result of Mast…… Old m, ah, no, Rex-san’s teachings……]

[Hahaha. Even still, being the runner-up in the Tournament for the World’s Strongest is something to be proud of.]

After saying so with sincere eyes, Ain glanced at me.

[However, there’s no doubt that Rex’s teachings were effective, ground-breaking even. That’s why I just asked Rex to teach the Knight Order.]

At Ain’s words, Nuku leaned forward.

[K- Knight Order, you mean the <Holy Light Order>? For him to be teaching them……! Is that true, Rex-san!?]

Nuku, who seemed to be unusually unable to hide his excitement, came up to me.

As I stood in the back of the party, Ain winked at me again.

(T- This guy……!)

He’s using Radd’s party’s adoration to fill the outer moat so that I won’t say no.

However, in front of their sparkling eyes, I felt uncomfortable denying them.

[……Well, that just happened.]

I said this without making eye contact with them, to which Radd and the others exclaimed in admiration.

[That’s amazing, Old man!]

[I- I’ve thought that Rex-san’s teachings were worth that much. However, for you to actually be invited by the Knight Order……!]

They’re quite excited.

Apparently, for the boys of this world, stuff related to Knight Order was something they yearn for.

[Well then, let’s not wait around any longer. I’ll guide you to the Knight Order’s training ground. While we’re at it, you guys should check it out too.]

[I- Is that alright?]

Radd and Nuku immediately jumped on Ain’s suggestion.

Ain is not only good-looking, but he also seems to have a knack for winning people’s hearts and minds.

In a short period of time, he has made the hard-to-please Radd and the cautious Nuku completely comfortable with him.

[Ah, b- but as expected, asking a prince to guide us is rather awe-inspiring….. A- Also, I know it’s a little late to ask this, but is it really alright to walk around the city alone without an escort?]

[Ahahaha! I’m certainly a prince, but I myself isn’t worth that much.]

Even though he was excited, Nuku is a guy that really got his sensibilities in place.

Hearing the question he anxiously asked, Ain laughed off his question.

[————–The qualifications of the Brightis Royal Family isn’t blood, but aspiration. The fact that we aren’t bound by our bloodline is one we are proud of.]

The prince, who is also known as the <Sun of Brightis>, vigorously declared.

[Do you know the story of the founding of Brightis?]

[Errr, it’s said that in this world devastated after a great world, a man who obtained a treasure called the <Scepter of Guidance> united the people, and they naturally became a country……]

Ain nodded in affirmation to Nuku’s stammering answer.

[The <Scepter of Guidance>, which is said to be the treasure bequeathed by the <Goddess of Salvation>, can only be owned by a person who truly cares about the people and desires their development. In fact, a prince four generations before had his evil thoughts detected and was burned to death by the <Scepter of Guidance>.]

Even though he was nonchalantly speaking about dangerous things, his tone didn’t change at all.

[Even if I die, the country will not be shaken. Someone with the same aspirations as I am will definitely take over. Because I have such convictions in my heart, I can act freely, and at the same time, this fact guarantees my safety.]

I’m not sure if they understood what he just said or not.

However, the two guys just listened to Ain’s words with an overwhelmed look on their faces.

[Well, I myself have also been training. I’m not going to fall behind some random enemy.]

Watching the two of them, Ain, perhaps realizing that he had spoken a little too much, playfully flexed his arms and clenched his fists.

Radd and Nuku chuckled in response but……

(Considering Ain’s abilities, that was 100% something he could seriously do.]

Being called “Cheat of All Cheats” is no joke.

Even if he was attacked by a group of monsters or bandits, Ain would be able to defeat them even when yawning.

Ah, incidentally, “Ain being not worth that much” is a big lie.

Ain is a key figure in many World Events, leading the way in the battle against monsters himself.

His life or death, as a matter of course, has a great impact on the accomplishment of those World Events.

Perhaps, in this country, his position as a “prince” itself isn’t worth that much, but when such a talented person is in a position to command people, the cheat individual named “Ain” does in fact have great value.

However, they, who have no way of knowing such a thing, just continued talking happily.

[I wonder if you guys are interested in Knight Order? This is a great opportunity. Shall I tell you about the Knight Order on our way to the training grounds?]

[R- Really!? B- By all means!]

As I stared blankly at the three of them walking away while chatting with each other, I noticed Mana, looking at Ain and the others at a distance.

(Arehh……?)

For Mana, who is a big fan of Adventurers, I thought that Ain, who is a prince and a top-notch Adventurer, would be the object of his admiration, but what could have caused this reaction from her?

Having such a thought in mind, I walked up to her and asked.

[Mana, aren’t you going to talk to Ain? It’s probably not everyday that you get the chance to talk to a real prince, you know?]

[N- No. I’m fine being here.]

Even though she said that, Mana’s eyes were firmly following Ain.

Could it be, she was holding herself back from approaching him?

[I guess Mana would become nervous when it comes to royalty huh?]

[No, ummm……]

Mana was fidgeting, her body wriggling about, but after I gave her an urging look, she started talking as if a dam had been broken.

[I- Indeed! The moment when you two shook hands was very precious…… It was like I’m witnessing a historical moment! However! That’s exactly why it’s not right to lower the purity of that moment by adding a foreign entity like me to it! I would rather just be a picture on the wall and appreciate such a happy world……!]

[O- Oh……]

It seems like I had flipped a switch that I shouldn’t have touched.

Averting my gaze from Mana, who felt like an aggravated fan, I talked to Prana, who was walking a little further away.

[H- How about you, Prana? Aren’t you going to hang out with them? I think you’d be able to have some valuable talk……]

[I’m not interested in the Knight Order or princes.]

[I- I see.]

The conversation was over in an instant.

I turned my eyes to the last member of the group, Resilia, thinking of asking for her help, but she seemed to be thinking about something, and I don’t really feel like I could expect a decent response from her.

(……I should have joined that side too.)

Well, that’s what I was thinking, but it’s kinda hard to join that happy circle they have now.

With secret regrets in my heart, I trudgingly followed Ain’s lead.

※　※　※

[————Prince Ain has arrived! Salute!]

At the command of General Sergen, the knights who had been training in the training hall in groups saluted toward Ain with perfect coordination.

[Yeah. At ease.]

Ain accepted it as if it was a matter of course, and let them settle down in a manner that was also natural.

No matter how much he tries to act like a commoner, actions like this really make you realize that he is royalty.

Thereupon, as if to pull us along, Ain naturally went to the center of the knights and spoke smilingly to General Sergen, who probably just happened to be there for the training and seemed to be teaching the knights.

[I came here today because of one thing. I had requested “him”, this guy over here, to teach all of you.]

[Hou……?]

General Sergen’s eyes narrowed, and at the same time, the eyes of the knights in the training hall turned to me.

However, none of those gazes were very friendly.

[Let me introduce you. This is Rex, the wielder of that “miraculous technique”. Rex Toren.]

[……I’m Rex.]

Ain’s grandiose introduction pushed me to briefly say only my name.

However, even though I pretended to be calm, my heart was pounding.

[Oi. They don’t seem to be welcoming though?]

In the rain of these needle-like gazes, I whispered to Ain.

[Hahaha. Everyone is so confident in their abilities. They don’t like outsiders invading their group.]

But Ain, who wasn’t bothered by my complaint, readily admitted as much.

[Stuff like that could just be blown away by the usefulness of <Manual Arts>. If you demonstrate it and show them how strong it is, none of them will be left complaining.]

[That…… may be true but……]

I thought doing such a thing is unreasonable, but at the same time, that way certainly is convincing.

Certainly, for the people who make a living out of fighting, the appeal of <Manual Arts> is irresistible.

[I’m glad we’ve quickly reached a conclusion. Well then, let’s show them what it’s like immediately.]

[Y- Yeah.]

Just as I was wondering if I should show off some good-looking Arts that would impress the Knight Order……

[Let’s do this then, Rex.]

For some reason, Ain, standing in front of me, tosses me a wooden sword and a small shield for training.

And in his hand, for some reason, was a wooden sword that was identical to mine……

[————-Let’s have a three-round match. I can’t wait to see this sword technique I’ve heard about.]

[……Eh?]

Before I knew it, holding a sword and a shield, I’m facing the strongest prince with his weapon at the ready.