It was like a bolt from the blue. Introducing me to the Knights?
According to Valentin, the Knights of Berenice also had the role of dealing with the demonic beasts coming down to the village from the Black Swamp.
‘Could they be trying to dissect me to find out the weaknesses of the demonic beasts? Are they going to use me as a sacrifice…!’
“Stop thinking nonsense.”
How does he know what I’m thinking?
I narrowed my eyes at him and started a staring contest. Then, Aliya, who had been standing behind Valentin to assist with the meal, suddenly went bright red in the face.
‘Was she that startled?’
“Grrr!”
I cleared my throat in repentance, but it sounded like a beast’s growl. Aliya’s face showed no sign of returning to its normal color.
Deflated, I stabbed at my broccoli with my fork and took a jab at Valentin’s intentions as well.
“Why are you introducing me to the Knights?”
“Because you’ll be a member of the Knights too.”
Valentin smiled brightly in proportion to my distorted expression.
“You can do well, right?”
Uh… I think I’d have to know what it is first to know if I can do it well…?
* * *
“Hah!”
“Faster!”
“Run!”
A thunderous shout could be heard from afar.
From the sound of feet powerfully kicking off the ground to the sharp clang of swords clashing. The heat of the Knights was conveyed even here.
‘To think I get to stand in front of so many people.’
At the thought that I might be able to talk to people, I unconsciously wagged my tail.
I didn’t particularly feel like controlling it, so I left it as it was, and I felt Valentin’s gaze.
“What?”
His expression didn’t look pleased.
It was a pretty face with the corners of his lips raised, but his eyes weren’t smiling. As expected, what he said was also meaningful.
“Nadan wags her tail at just anyone.”
…Is he talking about my tail now? Is he even trying to control my tail!
I narrowed my eyes like a hawk and hid my tail from him, and his gaze suddenly gleamed in a strange way.
Just as cold sweat was about to break out from the gaze that bound my whole body, we thankfully arrived at the training ground.
“You’re here…!”
The eyes of the knights who were greeting Valentin upon discovering him instantly sharpened.
‘Even though I put on that yellow ribbon, they’re wary of me?’
Still, I was determined not to be intimidated, when a man with hair as red as blood suddenly rushed at me.
It happened in an instant.
Before I could think, a sharp sword was leveled at me. Startled, I reflexively caught the blade with both hands.
‘It stings!’
My hands, this is, the pad of my palms, was slightly cut.
Sensing a danger signal that this was not a joke, I instinctively twisted both hands with all my might.
As the man’s grip on the sword handle and my tremendous strength in twisting the sword quickly collided, the sword shattered with a clang.
“……”
Silence fell.
I wanted to ask why he suddenly attacked, but the atmosphere was so grim that I was cautious even to say a word.
I turned my head to Valentin.
‘Do something. They’re your knights.’
I changed my expression this way and that, hoping my meaning would be conveyed, but what came back was the red-haired knight’s shout.
“You monster, how dare you come here!”
The knight, who threw away the broken sword, suddenly threw his body.
‘Ah, this isn’t good. I still can’t control my strength.’
But it didn’t seem like dodging would solve anything either.
I blocked the fist he threw with one hand. The pad that was cut earlier stung, but it wasn’t unbearable.
Because the knight’s strength was less than expected.
I pushed the man’s chest with my opposite arm, full of the desire to stop now.
Just slightly.
However, contrary to my intention, the man fell away like a leaf fluttering in the wind. Instantly pushed far away, he sprawled on the ground in a starfish shape.
Then, an even heavier silence descended.
‘Seriously, shouldn’t they consider re-recruiting the Knights?’
There’s not way Valentin’s knights can be like this…
I stared at the red-haired knight sprawled on the ground as if he had fainted, and whispered softly to Valentin.
“Maybe he’s an apprentice knight…?”
What came back was Valentin’s deep smile that made his dimples show.
“No he’s not.”
Ah, he’s not an apprentice knight either.
‘……What should I do with this atmosphere?’
I became more anxious as Valentin smiled brightly.
Fortunately, a man with black hair and sharp eyes quickly handled the situation.
“Take George to the infirmary.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The knights supported the red-haired man named George. I was worried if he was hurt, but I couldn’t bring myself to follow.
“Your Grace, you’re here.”
Behind the black-haired man, the knights aligned in rows and columns with precision.
“Devon, was there anything unusual?”
My shoulders flinched at a name I had heard somewhere. That’s because Devon had definitely appeared in the novel as the commander of the Knights of Berenice.
As if my expectations were not wrong, he was exactly as described in the original work.
‘And according to the novel, Devon is…’
“A new magical beast has appeared in Shamantra. We received a report that it attacked the village, so we dealt with it and brought the corpse.”
“Have it dissected and registered in the bestiary.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Did he say dissected? Did I originally end up like that?
I snapped out of my thoughts at the sudden appearance of a horror scene and sweated profusely.
‘I’d better stay on Valentin’s good side.’
Whether he understood my thoughts or not, Valentin led me forward to stand before the knights.
“I introduce the new apprentice knight who has joined the Knights of Berenice.”
As soon as his words fell, the gazes that had been consciously avoiding me gathered in one place.
Not wanting to lose for no reason, I puffed out my chest and glared at each one of them. Several people flinched and avoided my gaze.
I won.
‘But where is the new apprentice knight?’
I looked around, puzzled, until my eyes met Valentin’s. One corner of his elegant mouth curved upward.
“Nadan Laphelia, say hello.”
…Me? Me!?
I was too stunned to speak.
Suddenly an apprentice knight. Me? Becoming a member of the Knights, it really means becoming an apprentice knight?
‘Even if they use my power, I thought they would use it secretly, without anyone knowing. Are they really going to formally induct me into the Knights?’
I wasn’t the only one surprised. The entire Knights were shaken.
No, Valentin. Can’t you see? Can’t you see the unbelievable reaction of your knights right now!
But it was already too late.
Having realized what Valentin meant by ‘You’ll do well, right?’ when he urged me during breakfast, I opened my mouth with tears in my eyes.
“I’m Nadan Laphelia. Please take care of me.”
My husky voice cut through the air of the training ground.
Valentin, oblivious to the knights’ stiff faces, calmly explained.
“The Knights of Berenice only have knights who have been formally granted titles. Apprentice knights have a separate place to train. But it’s meaningless for you to be there, so you’ll be living with them from now on.”
After finishing the brief explanation, his gaze turned to the Knights who were aligned in formation.
“My knights must have the mental strength not to collapse even in the face of overwhelming differences.”
The knights, their eyes widened at Valentin’s words, straightened their posture even more.
“Devon, help Nadan adapt to the Knights. Think for yourself how to train her.”
After confirming that Devon had bowed his head, Valentin was about to leave when a brown-haired knight grabbed him.
“…Your Grace, there is something I would like to ask.”
The knight with downward-sloping eyes could have given off a weak atmosphere, but his solid physique and the scars on his arms offset all of that.
As proof, the brown-haired man bravely voiced a question that no one else could.
“Where did Dame Nadan come from?”
The sound of gulps could be heard from around.
That’s because that wasn’t a question of where I came from in a pure sense.
Is she a magical beast from the Black Swamp, or a demonic beast? Well, something like that.
In short, it was a roundabout way of asking what my identity was.
I glanced at Valentin.
Even if it’s not the Black Swamp but the Latulenta Forest, that place is also an area where demonic beasts and magical beasts often appear.
I was so nervous about what Valentin would introduce me as that my mouth felt parched.
“You seem to want a clear explanation.”
Everyone started to read his face at the pitiful expression as if he couldn’t trust his master.
“I am…”
The brown-haired knight was flustered, but still didn’t back down.
Then Valentin, as if he had never made a sad expression, chuckled and opened his mouth.
“Nadan is neither a magical beast nor a demonic beast.”
My heart warmed at the unexpected remark.
‘Valentin… he really believed what I said about being human.’
Maybe he really was a good person.
I think I’ve only thought of Valentin from the original work and dismissed him as a cold and strange person.
While I was moved, everyone focused all their attention on what Valentin would say next. I also opened my ears wide towards him.
Valentin, who slowly scanned the area, finally spoke with a face that could not be found to be playful.
“Nadan is a puppy.”
…What?
My jaw hit the floor.
‘Why is he making such outrageous remarks in a public place?’
Valentin’s calm face made me wonder if I’d misheard — but unfortunately, my beastly hearing was perfectly fine.
But unfortunately, the hearing of a beast was very clear.
‘At this point, the knights might dream of escaping Berenice.’
I carefully looked at the knights, worrying about their reaction.
But what’s this? Why do they have convinced faces?
Even the brown-haired knight who asked the question didn’t raise any more questions.
‘Why are you just moving on? Have you ever seen a dog this big? I’m even bigger than you!’
Are all dogs in this world originally capable of walking on two feet? Am I the weird one here?
Leaving me in confusion, Valentin left the training ground, telling the black-haired knight to train me well.
I felt like I was left alone on a deserted island. The knight who had questioned Valentin approached me, who was standing still like a broken machine.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Norman Kraus.”
It was a soft voice that matched his gentle impression. The man with warm hazel eyes could be mistaken for a priest or a teacher rather than a knight just by looking at his appearance.
“I apologize for George Teller’s rude behavior. He’s a friend, but he’s very sensitive to demonic beasts. I’ll make sure he apologizes to you personally later.”
I immediately agreed. Even I thought it was understandable to misunderstand. Of course, I’ve never seen a demonic beast myself.
“I understand. I’m just a bit…”
As I was looking around trying to think of an appropriate answer, Norman shook his head slowly.
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