At night, I was in a bar a short distance away from the school.
　The person who summoned me was, of course, the Knight Commander, Remyll.
　The two of us sat in a small private room facing each other.

"Commander, just so you know, I'm underage, okay?
"Yes, I know that. I'm not going to make you drink anything.
You just want to drink.
That's one thing, but this place is run by a guy who used to belong to the Order. It's a good place to rent a private room.
You're still young enough to be an ex-knight ......?　I'd like to hear more about that.
I didn't call you here to talk about your future plans. It's about her now.

　As he said this, Remyll sipped his glass of wine.
　I would have told him not to drink if he wanted to talk about work, but he is that kind of person by nature, so I didn't want to get into it.

I've succeeded in getting to know you for the time being.
"I heard that. You went to the academy to be an escort, but now you're going to be Miss Iris's mentor?
So, it was the easiest thing to do. So it was the easiest thing for me to do. What if she rejects me by saying that she is actually an escort sent by the Order?
"From what I've heard, she's attracted to your strength. I don't think she'd be put off by something like that. ...... No way.

　Then, as if noticing something, Lemire narrowed her eyes and looked at me.

It's not like you're going to train Miss Iris to be even stronger so you don't have to fight, is it?
"Oh, no, of course not. I'm a knight too, you know.

　--I'm a knight too.
　I think the stronger Iris gets, the less work I have to do.
　Of course, because Iris herself is strong, it also means that she can protect herself by making herself even stronger.

"But more importantly, Commander. What's going on with the assassins coming in today as opposed to yesterday?
"I'm sorry that we've been on the back foot. Well, I sent you to prepare for such a situation. What's the current state of our defenses?
"I've set up wards around the school earlier today. I can stay some distance away and still make it in time. Also, I gave Iris a talisman as proof that I'm willing to teach her the sword.
A talisman?
It's a talisman that tells you where you are. It's the kind of thing people hate the most, but I can't afford to lose him.
Ah, a locator spell. If that's the case, it would be easier to cast a spell directly on him.
I'm sure Iris would know.

　You need to know where Iris is at all times.
　If it was a normal escort, it would be no problem to stay close by, but this time my identity is being kept secret.
　So I had to stay close by and keep track of where Iris was at all times.
　Right now, I know she is in the girls' dormitory.

Well, I'm sure you'll have to come to me directly when you need to contact me in the future, but it's okay if I do it on your behalf.
"This is an important matter. Of course I'll go directly to you.

　Saying this, Remyil stoked his drink again.
　It's a shame that he looks like he's just here to slack off.

I'll leave that to the Commander. Anyway, what about the assassin?
Ah, the four assassins you took out. Three of them belonged to the same organization. Three were from the same organization. They're pretty well known, all wanted. To subdue them so easily, you're the man I expected.
Enough with the flattery, the problem is the fourth one.
I'm not flattered, but ...... okay. It is said that Azuma Kry is a swordsman who has never been defeated in the East. He's killed countless people on the battlefield. He's more of a straight-up assassin than an assassin. There's a bounty on his head.
A bounty on ......?
Not in this country, though. Don't react to the money, to the money.
...... I see.

　It is unbecoming of a knight to think that a bounty might be offered. I do think about it, though.
　I'd think about it.
　I guess Azuma was the kind of man who would kill to fight a strong opponent.
　The old me might have been able to understand his feelings a little.

(Well, maybe I don't need to understand the feelings of an assassin. That's not what's important.)
I took care of Azuma, but is it possible that there are other swordsmen in the country?
That's the point. I didn't tell you that because it was still a possibility, but I should have told you ...... that it would come to this. I've got information that some people who appear to be swordsmen have come to the capital.
Please let me know about that as soon as possible. ......
There were a lot more enemies than that, if you only look at the possibilities--they attacked when we were trying to narrow down the information. It's much easier to move if you know that it's a swordsman.


I'm sure that's true, but are you planning to search by sea?
As much as I'd like to, yes. As much as I'd like to, I'm dealing with an opponent. Knights often risk their lives, but I can't let my men die in vain. That's where the elite few come in.
"Elite few: ......?

　I nodded my head at Remyll's words.
　I'm sure he's not referring to me alone as the elite few.

"Yeah, we've already started the search. We're not going to fall behind this time.

　Remyll said, sipping his drink again.
　He's not one to fight a fight he can't win.
　I'll protect Iris, and in the meantime, we'll identify who's after her and take on the swordsmen.

(I hope you can do that. ......)
"Hmm, don't worry. I've selected the best knights for you.　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.
Before the Blue Sword ......, he was famous for being the youngest knight.
"Haha, you've taken my place. He's a man of great ability. You're to continue guarding Miss Iris.
"Yes, sir. I'll work in moderation.
Hang in there.

　Remyll reminded me again.
　All I have to do is protect Iris, that's all I have to do.

Now that the conversation is over, ...... let's have a drink today!
You just want to drink, after all. I've got work tomorrow.
I've got work tomorrow too.
......, then go home and get some rest.
Hahaha, that's not how it works!

　It was clear to me that he had a lot of work to do.

So now we can talk about your future.
"Well, not until midnight, but for a while is fine.
"That's my knight in shining armor. He'll do a good job.
"Not really a job.

　I let out a small sigh and went along with Remyll's drink of hot milk.