Kays Translations

Chapter Six: The Name of Someone He Must Never Meet

Shortly before the Ashton family normally ate breakfast, the knights sent by the baron arrived in the manor garden.

Naturally, Roy, the head of the household, was bewildered by their sudden visit.

Seeing this, the elderly knight leading the group stepped forward and spoke. Ren, who had hurried home to receive them, clenched his hands with nervousness.

“Forgive us for arriving without warning.”

The man who began with an apology was a dignified old knight who looked as though a tailcoat would suit him just as well as his armor.

“N-not at all…! But why have you come to my–to our village?”

“I shall explain, of course. First, however, I would like you to take this.”

The old knight reached inside his armor and produced a sheet of parchment.

“A village south of here has suffered damage from a particularly troublesome monster. The details are written there.”

Roy read the parchment.

It did not take long for his expression to harden.

“A D-rank monster in this region…? Are you certain?”

“Your doubt is understandable. Ordinarily, nothing above F-rank appears in this area. Nevertheless, there is no mistake. We have inspected the surrounding villages and confirmed the damage ourselves.”

“That can’t be…”

“Do not despair. By our lord’s arrangement, knights are being dispatched to the neighboring villages. A detachment will be sent here as well, so we ask that you remain especially vigilant until they arrive.”

“That is a great relief! But… how long will ‘until they arrive’ be?”

“The deployments have already begun, yet we require twenty days from today. Our lord is doing everything in his power, but there are many regions to cover, and selecting the necessary personnel is taking longer than usual. This village is particularly distant from his manor, so I cannot promise an immediate arrival.”

The old knight spoke with evident regret.

Roy’s expression remained grave, though the promise of reinforcements offered him a measure of hope.

“Understood. For the next twenty days, I will patrol the forest more thoroughly than usual.”

“I am sorry to place that burden upon you. Still, do not overextend yourself. I am told that no one in this village can fight besides you, Sir Roy. If you are injured, the village will be left defenseless.”

“Not entirely. If the need arises, my son can fight as well.”

Roy proudly beckoned to Ren, who had been listening nearby.

Mireille, who had been holding Ren’s hand, let go and gently urged him toward his father.

“Hm? This child can fight?”

“Yes. Come, Ren. Introduce yourself to the knight commander.”

(The knight commander? This man is the highest-ranking knight serving the baron?)

Ren had not realized he was standing before someone so important. He cleared his throat, straightened his posture, and bowed.

“My name is Ren Ashton. I am deeply grateful that knights will be dispatched to protect our village.”

Ren could not imitate the ornate speech of a noble, so he simply used the most respectful words he knew.

The knight commander gave an impressed hum.

“A remarkably courteous greeting. My name is Weiss.”

Weiss crouched so that his eyes were level with Ren’s.

“How old are you?”

“I turned seven this spring.”

“You are an unusually thoughtful child for your age.”

Roy and Mireille beamed at the praise and watched their son with proud smiles.

“However…”

Weiss then turned a doubtful gaze toward Roy.

“I understand that he is your prized heir, but surely defeating monsters is too much to expect of a seven-year-old.”

“He’ll be fine! Ren is far stronger and more skilled with a sword than I was at ten! Even if I were forced to trade my life for an enemy’s, I am confident he could protect the village in my place!”

“Oh…? He is that capable?”

“Indeed! And he possesses a skill as well!”

“A skill too? Now I am even more surprised.”

(This is becoming a little embarrassing…)

Praise was pleasant, but having it continue so openly made Ren squirm. He silently prayed that the subject would soon change.

Perhaps his prayer was answered, because Weiss stood and addressed Roy again.

“A dependable heir is a blessing. Now, on another matter, would you permit us to rest in this village for one day? My men and horses have accumulated considerable fatigue after traveling among the villages for so long.”

“Of course. Our manor is modest, but you are welcome to stay.”

“There is nothing modest about such hospitality. Then, with your permission, we shall impose upon you for one night.”

Weiss turned and issued instructions to his subordinates.

The Ashton manor had no stable large enough for so many horses, so the animals were tied to trees at one end of the garden.

The three Ashtons then hurried to prepare guest rooms and breakfast. Weiss assured them that no special treatment was necessary, but Roy and Mireille refused to receive the baron’s knights carelessly.

Once the preparations had settled, Roy shouldered his sword and stepped outside as usual. Ren followed to see him off.

“Father, are you going to the forest?”

“I am. If I leave any later, I won’t finish before dark. I trust you, but mind your manners while our guests are here.”

“I will. Please be careful too, Father. Oh–there’s something I wanted to ask.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“I heard that the men accompanying Lord Weiss are knights too. Why were they speaking so respectfully to you?”

“Although we are all knights, the Ashton family has been entrusted with governing this village. That places our house above ordinary knights in rank.”

“Oh… I understand.”

“Good. Then I’m finally off!”

The morning had been far more hectic than usual, yet Roy looked exactly as he always did as he headed toward the forest.

Just after he disappeared from view, the manor door opened behind Ren.

“Oh? Where has your father gone?” Weiss asked.

“To the forest. He goes there every morning to hunt monsters.”

“In that case, perhaps my men should–“

“Father said that would not be necessary. He knows you have spent many days traveling between villages and asked that everyone rest.”

Ren repeated what Roy had said while they were cleaning.

“Then we shall accept his kindness. Still, you truly are a remarkably polite boy.”

Weiss approached with an intrigued expression. After briefly looking down at Ren, he bent his knees to bring their eyes level again. His face was gentle and calm.

“There are many children of knights around me, but I have never met one quite like you. Speaking with you almost feels like speaking with the young lady.”

“The young lady… Baron Clausel’s daughter?”

“Yes. She was born in August and will soon turn seven, just as you have.”

Ren politely followed the conversation, but the subject did not especially interest him.

He would never meet the baron’s daughter anyway. There was no reason to concern himself with her.

That indifference vanished with Weiss’s next words.

“The young lady was born with a skill called White Saint. One day, her name will surely be known throughout the empire.”

(…What?)

What had Weiss just said?

Ren was certain he had heard the words White Saint.

(Wait. Wait, wait, wait! What is going on?!)

That was unmistakably the power possessed by the saint whom Ren Ashton killed in The Legend of the Seven Heroes II.

The saint’s name was–

“L-Licia Clausel?!”

The name escaped Ren before he could stop himself.

Weiss frowned and gave him a strained smile.

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