“The capital’s not so bad after all.”
Haruto had been so annoyed that he’d been used by people in the capital that he’d fled to the Dark Mountain, but now that he was back here as an adult, he was able to realize that there were good things about the capital too.
“Yeah, I suppose it is a nice place.” Sara nodded in agreement.
If she had been all alone at twelve trying to make it in the capital, she might have gone through the same sort of hardships that she’d faced in Rosa. Even now, it was likely that they’d only just happened to find some good people, and there were still probably plenty of bad things about the city. But this happiness existed now because they were able to take the strength they’d built up on their own and use it without reserve for others.
“I’m glad we decided to come here.”
Her tendency to get wrapped up in things that weren’t her concern had reared its head as soon as they arrived in the capital, but it had ended in a fun way.
Finally, the day of Ann’s enlistment arrived. Of course, female knights were almost all nobles as a rule, and typically just provided security to royals and high-ranking nobles, so Ann probably wouldn’t get to do the police-like job she might have been picturing.
“I know that and I still chose it. There’s no pressure to stay there forever if I join them like you’d find in a Japanese company, though. I can’t be an apothecary like you, but it seems like I’d do fine as a Hunter, so I won’t push myself to stay if I don’t like it.”
Sara was glad she wasn’t planning on toughing it out just because she’d picked the job herself. If Liam tried using his logical arguments on such a diligent girl, it would be the worst combination possible. Sara would have nothing but worry about her future if that was how she felt.
“Of course, he made a point of saying ‘and your guardians,’ so I guess I’m going with you.”
“I’ll go too, since he told me to say hi.”
“Me too.”
This was Allen and Kuntz.
“And I’m her actual guardian, so I’m going, of course.”
“I’m gonna go ’cause it seems like fun.”
And this was Elm and Haruto.
“This might be a few too many people...”
Ann was a little hesitant too, it seemed. This was like going out with all your relatives after your school entrance ceremony.
“It’s not overdoing it, really. Joining the knights is an honor, so this much is expected.”
They decided to take Elm at his word and headed off to the knight barracks in one of the Wolveriés’ carriages. Elm had been a knight himself, and so had his father and brother, so he had always hated being treated like a little brother among the knights. They enjoyed hearing this anecdote on the drive over.
“I wonder if Nelly got treated like a little sister too.”
“Neffie isn’t the type to care about that. I think she was more concerned with not being able to suppress her mana.”
True, Sara thought she remembered hearing about that.
They arrived at the building and were greeted by the knight commander and the vice commander, Liam. They brought them to a reception room to hear an explanation of the enlistment process first.
“Normally there’s an induction ceremony for all the new knights who join at the same time and then they have classes in the morning and training in the afternoon. But this is the first time a female Invited is joining us, so we’re allowing you to join at an irregular time,” Liam started.
“After this, we plan to introduce you to the trainees you’ll be learning with, then we’ll show you the facilities and you’ll sit in on a lecture. We’ll have lunch, and then you’ll watch the afternoon training. Tomorrow, you’ll have the same schedule as the rest of the trainees. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes!” Ann responded enthusiastically.
The knight commander then cleared his throat and spoke. “You’ll have an audience with the king soon as one of the Invited. I’ve also received several requests to dine with you, so you’ll be accompanying me to plenty of meals, but you’re not to neglect your training because of that.”
“Huh?”
She was probably supposed to say “yes, sir” there, but Ann didn’t understand what the commander had just said to her.
“You’re only to answer ‘yes’ to the commander’s words. Elm, you were a knight yourself, weren’t you? What have you been teaching her?”
The commander frowned, evidently offended.
“She’ll have to meet with His Majesty since she’s an Invited, but what’s this about sharing meals? I don’t think we did anything like that when I was a knight. Is this a new thing you’re doing with recruits?” Elm asked Liam and not the commander.
“No. The knights are getting requests to share meals because Ann is an Invited.”
“Then as her guardian, I’ll inform you that we would like to turn down these requests. As we’ve turned down all the requests that have come to the Wolveriés.”
They’d come to do some lighthearted observation, but they had to know that things wouldn’t be so easy with the knights. Ann was flustered, unsure of what to do as well.
The commander sighed resignedly and glanced at Haruto. “So you say, but Haruto here and Bradley, who’s on the Dark Mountain now, did the same thing. It’s not as if Ann is special. It’s Sara, who hasn’t participated in any social events, who’s the exception.”
Everyone looked at Haruto, who nodded awkwardly.
“Yeah, the Gallaghers took me around here and there and introduced me to people as an Invited. I thought that was just what Invited were meant to do, and I was happy that I was welcomed everywhere I went, so I went to meals and stuff whenever they told me to.”
It was probably no problem with Haruto’s sociable personality.
“But Bradley always said he hated that, and I think in Ann’s case, you should prioritize the wishes of her and her guardian,” Haruto stated firmly.
“I appreciate hearing about the precedent from the person himself. House Greif has told the Wolveriés that we can decide these matters, and we’d like to reject all social requests.”
Elm was firm too, but the commander was not happy.
“Then what is the benefit to letting an Invited, and a girl at that, into the knights? It’s just more trouble for us. Fine. Liam, you handle the rest.”
The commander stood and left the reception room.
Liam sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Now we can finally get down to business.”
Everyone sat down in their own seats after being taken aback by the commander’s abrupt exit.
“The reason Ann’s enlistment went through as smoothly as it did was because of the reason the commander just stated. I know how capable the Invited are, so I expect a lot from Ann as a knight, but to the commander, the Invited are nothing more than convenient accessories. Of course, we will respect your wishes on this matter, so you can feel free to reject these invitations.”
Liam appeared to be suffering in his own way as the vice commander.
“I didn’t think all my grandstanding as an Invited would affect you, Ann. I’m sorry,” Haruto said glumly.
“Don’t be. I’ve already experienced being told I was an Invited and showered with attention. I know how nice it feels to be valued, but how annoying it can be too. What was the worst was when I didn’t understand anything, but it was a big relief when Sara came and explained everything to me.”
“Yeah, I probably only got this far ’cause of Bradley.”
It seemed this trip to the capital had given Haruto the opportunity to reflect on some things.
“If House Greif and House Wolverié, Ann’s guardians, are of the same opinion, then the knights will respect their wishes.”
The commander hadn’t been very accommodating, but if the vice commander was promising this, then it would probably be fine. Sara might not have liked Liam, but she had to admit she saw him in a bit more positive of a light after the continental tortoise incident.
“I have something serious to discuss now, so please listen. Sara, it’s about you.”
“Huh? Me?” Sara looked at Liam in surprise. She wasn’t sure why he had to say it was something serious when she didn’t think she’d ever heard him tell a joke, but the even-more-serious-than-usual look on his face made her brace herself.
“Yes. From what we’ve discussed regarding Haruto and Ann, you’ve come to understand that you’re somewhat unique as an Invited, yes?”
“Well, I guess so.”
All the Invited other than Sara had come down in more reasonable places and were treated like nobility. That was probably what he was referring to.
“You came down on the Dark Mountain, grew up there, and lived outside of Rosa in a tent. Due to all this, you acquired a unique piece of magic, your barrier, and you’ve helped the capital out in several difficult circumstances, which I’m grateful for.”