Chapter 55: Sir Luke the Knight

After the pool date, I focused on training for a while, fully recovering my physical strength and senses. I then returned to the Guard Corps.

The first thing waiting for me when I returned to the Guard Corps was:

“Sir, forward.”

Upon being called, I walked toward the podium.

With every step I took, the cheers and applause of the citizens filled the square. I walked more confidently and powerfully than ever before.

Indeed.

Today was my knighting ceremony.

Heh, if I let my guard down, my shoulders might rise up.

Suddenly, I remembered when I was in elementary school during my past life.

Back then, every Monday, we gathered the students in the schoolyard for the morning assembly, where the principal would give a speech, introduce the school schedule, sing the school anthem, and do various other things.

It was all quite boring.

However, there was one good memory.

On one occasion, during the morning assembly, we had an awards ceremony, like a year-end broadcast at the station. I had won a prize in a school competition.

When I stood on the podium and received my certificate, even though it was formal, all the students clapped, and it felt thrilling.

The thrill I feel now is a hundred times greater than back then.

While knightings in other regions take place in solemn and magnificent places like churches or palaces, in the North, the knighting ceremony is held in a large square in front of all the citizens.

In the North, the birth of a new knight is a matter of celebration, and by showing the greatness of the knight to the public, it instills respect and admiration.

Children dream of becoming knights as they look up to them, and adults place their trust in the bold new protectors.

Furthermore, the knight being sworn in today is the soldier who solved the incident at the Snowflower Tower not long ago.

They’re clearly trying to make me a hero.

The atmosphere inside the castle had been tense after the Snowflower Tower incident, so appointing the person who stopped the incident as a knight was a clever move.

Thinking about it, it seemed like there were political reasons behind my special knighthood, but…

Good things are good.

“Soldier Luke of the mighty Northern Army, you made a great contribution in saving the North from the recent Snowflower Tower incident.”

As I stood on the podium, the northern Duke Grace’s eulogy began.

“Furthermore, during the battle at Crystal Lake a few months ago, you played a key role in completing your mission, demonstrating the abilities and character required to be a knight. Therefore, by the authority of the Northern Duke, I hereby appoint you as a knight of the North, and declare the birth of a new protector for the land of ice and iron!”

To show respect for the new knight, Grace was also wearing white armor, just as she had during the expedition.

After finishing her eulogy, she handed me the sword she had received from Elaine, and as I knelt and received it with both hands…

“Now, Sir Luke. Show your proud face to the sons and daughters of the North.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

I stood up, drew the sword with a grand motion, and held it high in the air.

“Waaaah!!!”

At that moment, an even louder cheer erupted.

It wasn’t just a formal cheer; it was a heartfelt one. I barely managed to hold back the smile threatening to burst out as I shouted loudly.

“For the Winter Lion!”

“For the North!!!”

With my call, everyone responded, and the knighting ceremony ended in great success.

After the knighting ceremony, a large feast was held within the Guard Corps.

Since there was no alcohol due to the guard duties, the atmosphere was still excellent, even without it.

With my knighthood, I was officially a knight now.

My title now had the honorific ‘Sir,’ and my uniform and salary had changed.

One amusing thing was that a peculiar incident occurred within the Guard Corps due to my knighthood.

“Hey, good day! Sir Luke!”

“Ah, senior…”

“Hehehe. You look tired, Sir Luke?”

Garen, the senior from my first squad, approached and chuckled.

As he said, I was feeling a slight dizziness.

Since the Guard Corps, being the unit that protects the Northern Duke, only recruits the best, there hadn’t been any recent recruits. By seniority, I was still the youngest in the Guard Corps.

Yet, the youngest had suddenly become a knight.

In the Guard Corps, where ability is the main criterion, even nobles wouldn’t be treated with respect if they didn’t have the experience.

But a knight was different.

Even if someone is from a s*ave background, once they become a knight, they are respected and addressed accordingly due to their abilities.

…Which is tiring.

“Could you just call me like usual?”

“Are you planning on punishing someone, Sir Luke? It’s terrifying to start acting all formally the moment you become a knight.”

“Seriously.”

If I had to put up with being in a situation where I had to use formal speech toward someone younger than me because of a sudden shift in status, I would tolerate it, but it still annoyed me.

The members of the Guard didn’t seem to experience any jealousy when facing knights. Every senior I met smiled and addressed me formally, which made me feel uncomfortable.

The way they were grinning seemed less like congratulations and more like they were teasing me.

Sigh, I really want to change jobs.

I couldn’t help but recall the four people I met during the leadership assessment.

It occurred to me that it might be more comfortable to be a new captain, like back then, commanding the younger ones, rather than dealing with all the complicated family matters.

“Looks like you’re thinking about changing jobs, Sir Luke. Are you planning to cut ties with us right after rising to power? That’s really hurtful.”

“Why does your intuition suddenly get so sharp at times like this, Senior?”

The reason I was so troubled was simple.

Knights are treated differently from ordinary soldiers in terms of status and duties, and this was also true within the Guard.

In addition to squad leaders and deputy leaders, knight guards each take on roles within their respective squads and are treated as officers.

On the other hand, although I had become a knight, I still didn’t have a specific position, so I was still working alongside regular soldiers in the Guard.

When you become a knight, your outfit changes as well.

While soldiers generally wear leather armor, knights wear plate armor.

Standing there in the middle of leather armor, my plate armor was quite noticeable.

Furthermore, at my waist was not the simple sword that had broken during the battle at the Snowflower Tower, but a fine sword granted to me by Grace.

According to Elaine, I was quite an unusual case, so there was debate among the Guard leadership on how to treat me.

The leader of Squad 3 insisted on sending me to their squad to take over as their staff officer, but the request was denied.

They couldn’t treat a knight like an ordinary soldier, and a conclusion was expected to be reached soon.

“Sir Luke, the Commander of the Guard is calling for you.”

Looks like it’s today.

“Ah, you’ve arrived, Sir Luke.”

Elaine, pleased with herself for using the title, had a slight smile on her lips.

Just so you know, during my training, I didn’t stay in the Guard barracks but at home, at both mine and Elaine’s residence.

Grace had arranged it so that I could focus fully on recovery in a more comfortable environment.

In reality, it was Elaine who had asked for it, and Grace, understanding our situation, gave me that knowing look and said that I should switch to commuting for now, leaving the bedroom guard duties to Squad Leader Weasel.

Thankfully, Weasel, the Guard member who respected Elaine the most, was happy to help and quickly agreed.

It allowed me to be with Elaine.

She had also likely heard about the special knighthood appointment during her shifts, and every time I came home after work, her eyes were full of honey, expressing how proud she was of me.

She would suddenly pat my head while walking by.

While eating, she would hold my hand and stare at me.

When I was about to bathe, she would insist on helping and fondling my arm.

And when we went to bed, she would snuggle into my chest, rubbing her face against it, looking content.

One day, when Elaine was still at work and not at home, the housekeeper, Mrs. Mia, came by and, after quickly finishing the laundry, laughed while saying that it felt even sweeter than her own honeymoon.

I couldn’t deny it.

Thinking back on it, I was getting a bit emotional, so I decided to end the reflection there.

Right now, though, I wasn’t alone with Elaine.

All the squad leaders and deputy leaders of the Guard were present, so I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.

“The reason I’ve called you today is to inform you of the position you’ll be taking as a newly appointed knight.”

Just as expected, that was the purpose.

It seemed they had just finished discussing it, as all the squad leaders were gathered.

I stood at attention, waiting for Elaine to speak.

“Fufu, that was quite intense. Every squad wanted you,”

Every squad wanted me?

I could understand the 3rd squad, but the 2nd and 4th squads were unexpected.

‘Guess I’m not going to the 3rd squad after all.’

Kii’s lips were pouted, clearly showing dissatisfaction without a hint of hiding it.

The vice-captain, Rine, also had a disappointed expression as her respected squad leader seemed to be disheartened.

As for the 2nd squad’s leader, Loron, his usual stiff expression made it hard to read his emotions.

The 4th squad’s leader, Wizel, stared at me with round eyes.

Then I saw that the vice-captain of the 1st squad, Anduril, had a softer expression than usual.

What did that mean?

“New knight, Sir Luke, the place you will go to—”

Drumroll.

“Will be my direct subordinate.”

As expected.

It was no surprise since Ilene would never let me go, but it still made me very happy.

After all, I’d rather stay in the 1st squad I had been in.

However, there was one thing that puzzled me.

‘Was there a vacancy in the 1st squad’s leadership?’

As far as I knew, there wasn’t.

Ilene, being both the captain of the guards and the leader of the 1st squad, made sure that the leadership of the squad was strong to avoid burdening Vice-Captain Anduril with extra work.

The 1st squad was known for its solid teamwork, especially when it came to matters of order, with the 2nd squad being enthusiastic and the 3rd squad focusing on harmony.

I was worried that people might think Ilene was trying to push down her position as the captain to fill that void.

“Let me clarify, so there are no misunderstandings.”

“???”

“You are not going to the 1st squad.”

“What?”

What did that mean?

If I was to be Ilene’s direct subordinate, I wouldn’t be joining the 1st squad?

“As you know, once you’re appointed as a knight, you must first go through the training process as a squire. One senior knight will be assigned to teach you the ways of knighthood.”

I knew that, but what did that have to do with this…?

Ah, could it be the meaning behind being a direct subordinate?

“By the proposal of His Grace, we’ve decided to create a new position for a subordinate of the captain of the guards. This position will not belong to any specific squad, but will serve directly under me to assist with my duties. The other knights are already well-acquainted with their responsibilities, and I would like you to take on this role, being a newly appointed knight.”

Wow.

Ilene.

I’m truly impressed.

Your thoughts are on a different level compared to someone like me.

In essence, she made me her secretary.

Suddenly, the events that had taken place here replayed in my mind like a vision.

All the squads had wanted me, competing for my attention, and Ilene must have seized the opportunity to make her proposal.

Unable to decide which squad to send me to, she had instead chosen to keep me as her subordinate.

The creation of this position was proposed by the Duke of the North, and each squad leader likely thought it was better to give up on me than to send me to a new squad.

Though the rookie knight was gaining popularity in the northern region, the squad leaders must have been reluctant to let me go.

Ilene, however, didn’t try to place me in any of the squads. Instead, she made me her direct assistant, which seemed like a fair proposal.

In any place where people live, competition is inevitable, and even within the guards, there was rivalry between the squads—who was stronger, who earned more merit, and so on.

What if I, who had been part of the 1st squad, were to become the captain’s assistant?

In the end, by keeping me from being sent to another squad, Ilene managed to retain me in the 1st squad. This was a win-win situation for her.

So, why was Vice-Captain Anduril smiling?

He probably saw it as a good thing that Ilene would have more time to focus on the 1st squad now that I’d be helping her with her duties.

‘The most amusing thing is…’

While no one was really losing in this decision, Ilene herself was gaining a great deal.

The captain of the guards already had a heavy workload, often working overtime, and by having me as her assistant, she could lighten her load.

Since she was the leader of the 1st squad, I would follow along with the 1st squad’s activities, ensuring the squad’s strength remained intact. In fact, they could even take in a new recruit in my place.

I’m sure this was another reason Anduril was smiling.

More than anything, before, there was no real reason for Ilene to keep me by her side since I was just another squad member.

But as her assistant and a squire, I could be at her side 24/7.

She was clearly planning to keep me by her side at all times.

‘Was Ilene really that cunning of a person?’

I always knew she was smart, but I never saw her as a schemer.

They say people start to resemble each other when they fall in love.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I was having a bad influence on her.

‘Well, whatever.’

Honestly, I was fine with it.

I was going to be with Ilene after all.

We’d be able to work together while flirting just enough to keep it exciting. That’s the charm of office romances, right?

Plus, I wouldn’t have to deal with the stress of being teased by seniors in the 1st squad with their complicated hierarchy.

Being Ilene’s assistant also meant that I wouldn’t have to worry about the 3rd squad’s advances anymore.

As her squire, there would be a lot for me to learn, especially in mastering the Seolhan Sword, which would be a huge benefit.

“I’ll do my best to fulfill my duties!”

My enthusiastic response made Ilene nod in satisfaction, a pleased smile on her face.

With that, I was officially appointed as the captain’s assistant.

“Now, with the appointment of your position, I have one more announcement to make.”

I wondered if there was more to discuss.

The other squad leaders and vice-captains also looked curious.

“This was something I had been discussing with His Grace previously. There may be more instances where I’m unable to perform my duties due to injuries, so we’ve decided to make a decision now.”

“???”

“Within the near future, we will be selecting a deputy captain for the guards. The position will be open to anyone with the rank of vice-captain or above. Anyone interested may speak to me.”

“!”

I remembered a conversation between Grace and Ilene during the revision of the Lake Expedition.

They had mentioned selecting a vice-captain for the guards.

At that announcement, the seven squad leaders and vice-captains all looked at each other with different expressions.