“Why...why would you announce such a nickname with so much pride...?” Kaoru wheezed.
“Huh?” Falsetto replied, blinking, clearly not understanding what Kaoru meant. “Our clan’s motto is, ‘The only things you can trust are your own well-trained muscles!’ My nickname comes from the True Ancestor’s kind words, ‘Your mind is as reliable as your muscles,’ so I’m truly proud of it...”
“It’s supposed to be a compliment?! And you got it from Fran?!”
Indeed, Francette had been exceptionally strong and capable with the sword, but her intellect had been strictly average. She wasn’t a fool by any means, but she hadn’t ever seemed particularly studious. If Falsetto had received such high praise from Francette, then the girl must have been quite intelligent.
“I can do multiplication and division of fractions!” she said proudly.
“Uhh... Oh...”
Well, in a world at this level of civilization, perhaps she was considered to be on the smarter side. She hadn’t attended school or had a private tutor like noble children, and it wasn’t as if she had many books or access to educational TV programs. It was only natural, considering her clan valued martial prowess above all else.
It wasn’t that the people of this world were unintelligent. There were surely many who excelled in mathematics, geometry, physics, astronomy, philosophy, and other fields. But those were people who had the status and wealth to afford an education. No matter how bright someone was, they wouldn’t achieve their potential without proper schooling. In that sense, perhaps Falsetto truly was brilliant if she’d taught herself fractional calculation without textbooks or teachers. There was no telling what would have happened if she had been born into a high-ranking noble family or the household of a renowned scholar...
However, despite being connected to a ducal family, there were over three hundred other descendants, most of whom were still alive. Not to mention, the eldest son who had inherited the dukedom from Roland was still living, which meant there was no realistic way for a title to trickle down to her. So, while Falsetto had managed to become a knight, her status hadn’t been much higher than a commoner’s until then. That was why all of her talents and efforts had been poured into martial arts.
The founder of her clan was the True Ancestor—also known as Fearsome Fran, the great hero and guardian of the continent. Fran was her descendant’s revered great-great-grandmother; a living legend who represented what it meant to be a true hero. Young Falsetto had inherited the blood of this hero, dedicating her exceptional mind and physical prowess from childhood to the seemingly impossible dream of surpassing the True Ancestor and serving the Goddess Kaoru, who would one day return. Now, this girl was on the verge of seizing the honor that over three hundred of her kin had dreamed of but never achieved. It was the one mission worthy of staking everything, even her own life, on accomplishing. Thus, the fanatic, berserker warrior had been born.
Ah... She’s one of those who’ll never give up, no matter how much we try to drive her away...
Sent by Francette herself, she was a disciple fully steeped in Francette’s beliefs. Even if they sent her away, there was no way she would just meekly return home. She would likely just follow them in hiding, lurking day and night, watching over them from the shadows. Kaoru had seen more than enough of that back in the pre-Item Box days.
“Okay then... I’ll hire both Can and Falsetto as bodyguards,” Kaoru said. “Also, from now on, call me Edith when I’m in this form, and whatever name is appropriate when I’m in other forms. Under no circumstances call me by the wrong name in public, or refer to me as a goddess or the Angel. Oh, and Falsetto, don’t publicly declare that you’re an Einherjar. If people find out I’m being protected by someone like that, someone will start digging into my background.”
No matter what part of the continent they were on, Francette’s name was far too famous, which meant the title of Einherjar was likely just as well-known. Kaoru’s instruction was spot-on. However...
“Yes, my lady! I am deeply honored to be taken into your service! But, um...the thing is, I already revealed that I’m the Einherjar at the Commerce Guild...” Falsetto mumbled. “The Commerce Guild is strict about information control, and to get information about you—Edith the free priestess, that is—I had no choice but to disclose my identity...”
“Whaaat?!” Kaoru and Reiko cried out simultaneously. Kaoru went on, “The Commerce Guild of all places? The den of cunning traders where information is more valuable than anything? Give me a break...” The pair slumped, dejected.
Seeing their reaction, Falsetto panicked. “W-Well, I could go slaughter everyone involved with the Commerce Guild right now...”
“Stop it!” they cried out in response.
And so, Kaoru and Reiko thoroughly educated Falsetto. She was to only kill villains or those who attacked them first, but enemy soldiers could be killed preemptively, even if they weren’t necessarily evil and combat hadn’t started yet. If possible, incapacitating them without killing was better, as it would burden the enemy more, and captives could yield information, be used for prisoner exchanges, or ransoms.
“I see...” Falsetto seemed to grasp their explanation quickly. The nickname “Musclehead” was a mark of intelligence after all.
Kaoru and Reiko let out a sigh of relief, confident that she wouldn’t indiscriminately kill anyone who opposed or disrespected them. Of course, they already knew that Falsetto wasn’t someone who enjoyed killing or actively sought to hurt others...unless the Goddess was involved. People like her were usually mild-mannered and rational but turned into menaces when their revered Goddess was insulted or put in danger. Kaoru knew someone like that...and Falsetto was her descendant, raised on her teachings.
“So, at the Commerce Guild, you only asked about the free priestess Edith’s whereabouts, right? You didn’t mention anything about a saint, Angel, goddess, or Kaoru?” Kaoru asked.
“No, I figured that information would be confidential,” Falsetto replied. Apparently, she’d forgotten she’d said, “What? She left the capital? Lady Kaoru—I mean, the Ange—I mean, the free priestess Edith?” at the merchant guild.
Perhaps she could try to pass it off as a mere slip of the tongue, but it didn’t inspire much confidence. Besides, it was quite well-known that the Einherjar had been awaiting the Goddess’s return, as it was stated in the doctrine of the Order of the Goddess Kaoru. So, it wasn’t strange for one of the Einherjar to be investigating a girl rumored to be a saint. If Edith truly had been the Goddess or the Angel, the Einherjar would have come in droves, rather than sending a single young girl like Falsetto. Given those factors, Falsetto’s slipup at the Commerce Guild had been lightly dismissed.
Thus, the news that an Einherjar had appeared at the capital had reached the royal palace, the Temple, and various guilds such as the Hunter’s Guild and Mercenary’s Guild, but not the less relevant ones like the Artisan’s Guild and Apothecary’s Guild, though the information was only relayed to the upper echelons of each organization. Her purpose had been reported as a mere “religious investigation.”
Perhaps the Commerce Guild had wanted to keep the precise details to themselves, or maybe they’d hesitated to spread unverified, low-credibility information that could harm their reputation, or they’d otherwise feared causing trouble for the free priestess by spreading rumors. Whatever the case, Falsetto’s blunder hadn’t turned into a fatal mistake, which was fortunate for Kaoru and her group.
And so, a new member joined Kaoru’s party...
“What?! A new member was decided without me?” Kyoko let out a shocked cry during the nightly scheduled call.
Anticipating this reaction, Reiko had already lowered the communicator’s volume and cast a soundproofing field.
“I am Musclehead Falsetto, a direct disciple and great-great-granddaughter of the True Ancestor Francette. Pleased to make your acquaintance!”
“Pffft!”
As expected, Kyoko burst out laughing on the other side of the call. Kaoru and Reiko decided to explain the origin of her nickname later, when Falsetto wasn’t around...