Chapter 08
The RPG ga 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 judgnt 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 mont he faced the guest of the Knight Order.
Reinhardt couldn't help but feel his chest getting blocked thud.
“Sir Reinhardt! You’ve finally co. Co in quickly. This is Da Evangeline of the Paganoa Knights, and Da 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 sa appearance as seen over the monitor.
Even the neat attire and haughty expression.
“How do you do.”
“Nice to et 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 mory. 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 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 ga.
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 mont.
“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 rchant 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 cara-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 recomnds soone, 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 Da Evangeline’s view, how is it. Is there a possibility?”
At that mont, the Knight Commander asked in a subtle voice.
Evangeline’s thin and long eyebrows twitched.
Reinhardt knew. That was a reaction that ca out when pondering.
“He is lacking. A little.”
If Evangeline says this, it ant 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 t, 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 ga in full swing.
Because Reinhardt wasn't a companion of the sa knight order, but rely 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 Da Evangeline showing the way, the preparation process will beco much easier.”
“That’s a relief. I will leave now.”
“Ah, Da 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 an?”
“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. Da Evangeline is a knight famous for not speaking empty words. She’s been like that since very long ago. Before joining Paganoa.”
For so 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.
eting eyes with Reinhardt, Ethan Taton spoke with a sohow excited voice.
“Soon I will prepare a mission suitable for you, Sir. Sothing difficult and arduous, but sothing 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 comnt 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 crazy.’
For so 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 co 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 ga world?
Unless there is certainty that death is the exit, until then, I must survive using any ans necessary.
‘…… Wait a minute. What about the protagonist?’
Then Reinhardt thought of a fundantal 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 soone 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 sa rules as the ga. If it's the sa, 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.
mbers of the Taton Knights showed two reactions the mont they saw him.
Either reading the room excessively, or constantly sending gazes of admiration and envy.
‘Just to watch the sight of eating, they would flock in and have plenty left over. Given Reinhardt’s fa.’
Eating out seed 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 ca into view.
The place hanging the sign ‘Blue Moon’ had about three tis more people than other restaurants.
If it were modern tis, it was clear that people taking photos to upload to SNS would have ford a long line.
Then, pause.
Reinhardt saw so man putting his hand in his bosom and muttering sothing 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 al 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 at 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 at dish mixed with special sauce. It is this place’s signature nu.”
“I will order.”
The servant sitting opposite called an employee and ordered food.
Then smiling broadly, he looked around, then looked at Evangeline.
“Da 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 mory of long ago. Before transferring to Paganoa, she was definitely a knight of Taton.
Ethan Taton was a human closer to a rchant 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 na value of Taton by transferring to Paganoa.
“How was the knight you t today? Will there be an occasion for 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 na of Paganoa.
“It will take 10 years. Even if lucky.”
“It will be so.”
Evangeline was a special person.
All mbers of Paganoa were so.
Saying a little lacking ant 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 mont Evangeline thought that far.
“Da 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 soone.”
As the servant said, Reinhardt’s steps were secretive. He seed to be preparing to draw his sword anyti.
And.
The mont the man being tracked took sothing 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.
“Da 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.
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