Chapter 228: Holding Hands Towards the Future

As Josel entered the shop, he noticed that it was empty, giving off a desolate feeling. Naval and Claudia were sitting casually on a wooden crate, engaged in friendly conversation.

When Claudia noticed Josel approaching, she said, “Oh, hello there,” and waved her hand. Naval also turned and nodded his head.

“Welcome, Josel-san. There’s nothing much here, but… really, there’s nothing here. Please, have a seat wherever you like.”

Pointing to a wooden crate, Naval gestured for Josel to sit, and Josel complied, pulling the crate closer and taking a seat.

“My apologies, were you in the middle of a negotiation?”

“Oh no, that’s pretty much wrapped up.” 

Claudia replied, handing a leather bag to Naval. The sound and the way it bulged were familiar to Josel. Its contents were probably coins.

“That will be seventy-two gold coins and twenty silver coins. Please check them.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Naval accepted the bag with a smile, checked its contents briefly, and then set it aside.

Josel didn’t know much about the goods Naval was dealing with, but it seemed like he had acquired an unusually large amount of clearance items.

Thinking that the conversation had come to a pause, Josel spoke up to Naval.

“Naval-san, I heard that you’re closing the shop. What are your plans for the future?”

“Well, you see…” 

Naval said, looking up at the ceiling before continuing. 

“First, I plan to distribute this money to the employees who have stayed with me until the end. It should be enough to start a new business.”

Looking over at Claudia for confirmation, she nodded slightly. It seemed they could afford to have a proper shop instead of just a stall.

“And after that?”

“Well, Josel-san, this may be a bit off-topic, but have you secured a location for the headquarters of the Second Knight Order?”

“What’s this about?” Josel asked, tilting his head in confusion.

“Well, not yet, but…”

Establishing the Second Knight Order was still a distant prospect. Firstly, they hadn’t recruited any members besides Josel himself. Official activities would only commence once they had established successful trading centered around swords, which would increase tax revenue.

“If you’re okay with it, I’d like to offer this shop as the headquarters.”.

“What? Well, that’s certainly a generous offer…”

It was an ideal location, just a three-minute walk to the main street, perfect for a security organization headquarters. While Josel appreciated the support from the citizens, it seemed a bit too much, making him feel somewhat uneasy.

“What do you expect in return?”

“Peace.”

“That’s admirable. But is there nothing you personally desire? Money, status, anything like that?”

“Well, there is one thing I’d like to ask…”

Stroking his white beard, Naval hesitantly spoke.

“Would you be willing to employ me in the Second Knight Order?”

“You, as a knight?”

Josel’s gaze swept over Naval’s entire body.

He appeared to be a frail old man who could easily be mistaken for a spirit of sprouts. Imagining him donning armor, riding a horse, and vigorously slaying bandits seemed like a ridiculous joke.

Sensing Josel’s indescribable expression, Naval chuckled awkwardly and waved his hand.

“Oh, no, no. Not as a knight, but rather to handle financial management.”

“Wages, meals, procurement of equipment, and so on. Would you be willing to take care of those things?”

“Yes.”

Naval nodded firmly. He may not have had physical strength, but he seemed to have great confidence in handling finances. It was an incredibly valuable proposition for Josel.

The current First Knight Order lacked funds. This was not just because of a limited budget, but also due to careless financial management. Therefore, to appeal to the citizens as a clean organization that used taxes properly, a financial manager would be necessary. Someone who was adept at handling money and literate was more valuable than knights in many ways, although Josel didn’t want to admit it.

“If you’re willing to cooperate, we’ll gladly welcome you with open arms. But wouldn’t it be more beneficial to us than a reward for you?”

Lowering his gaze and looking somewhat lonely, Naval shook his head.

“…I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. Why was I the only one who survived? What did God want me to do by keeping me alive? Was there any value in living for a coward like me?”

Although Josel wanted to reassure him, he knew that comforting words wouldn’t reach Naval in his current state. Josel remained silent, waiting for Naval’s next words.

“I’ve come to think that everything I’ve experienced, everything you’ve helped me with, the revenge you’ve sought, and the progress in establishing the Second Knight Order… they all seem to be connected. No, I want to believe that they are.”

Naval lifted his head. Despite still recovering his physical strength and having a weak, elderly face, his eyes gleamed with a strong light.

“Please allow me to assist in creating a land free from bandits. Please give me the opportunity for redemption. Please…”

Witnessing Naval’s determined expression, Josel couldn’t help but tremble.

…What an honorable man, facing his fate head-on. This is exactly the kind of true companion I’ve been looking for!

Josel squeezed Naval’s wrinkled hand tightly as if to convey that there was no turning back.

“I’m counting on you, Naval-san! Support me!”

“Yes, I will. Thank you very much!”

Although the establishment of the Second Knight Order had been somewhat ambiguous until now, it had finally taken shape. There was nothing more joyful than this.

There was another person they needed to thank. Josel and Naval looked around the small shop together, but Claudia was nowhere to be seen.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” 

Claudia called out to Lutz, who was idly fiddling with the goods loaded on the back of the wagon without the canopy.

“Hey there, is everything concluded inside?”

“Everything’s wrapped up neatly. Now it’s time for a graceful exit, as befits a lady.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right. We can’t linger forever in the lovey-dovey space of old men. Let’s make ourselves scarce before we get kicked by the horse.”

Brushing back her wavy, long hair and cracking a joke, Claudia hopped onto the coachman’s seat, and Lutz sat beside her. When Claudia took the reins, the horse neighed lightly, and the carriage started moving with a leisurely clatter.

The profile of his beloved wife seen from the seat next to the coachman was beautiful and somehow cheerful.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter