The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 4

“Who is that person?”

A short break after running.

Judas asked Dylan.

“Tsk.”

Richard clicked his tongue.

Looking at the boy who had hit me before.

“Using honorifics to all seniors is a good attitude.”

Dylan said in a serious tone.

“But you can swear at that bastard in front of us.”

“Who the hell is he….”

“That bastard is Kale from room 2.”

Richard explained, spitting out his saliva.

“Moreover, he’s a third-year student. He’s been here the longest among the remaining candidates.”

“Aren’t there any seniors above him at all?”

“If you don’t produce results within two years, you get kicked out. Many drop out in the middle.”

That’s news to me.

“He passed the third test last time, so he’ve become even more shameless these days.”

“How many tests are there?”

“Um… how many were there?”

While Richard was counting on his fingers, Dylan answered.

“There are nine.”

“But even if you pass the ninth test, if the lady doesn’t like you, it’s pointless. Of course, no one has passed the ninth test yet.”

That means there isn’t a single exclusive knight for Eliza yet.

“Those without a background try to last two and a half years, but those who aren’t like that leave in the middle.”

“Anyway, he’s a famous bastard. It’s better not to get involved. And wasn’t he from a viscount family or something….”

It sounded strange when I listened carefully.

So, even though he’s been here the longest, isn’t he just a lowlife who passed only the third test?

Wouldn’t that be like a repeating student in school?

‘But why are you so scared?’

“By the way, Richard, how many tests have you passed?”

“If you go and ask that somewhere else, you’re in big trouble. I’ll answer in exchange for a cookie. I passed up to the fifth test.”

So Richard’s skills are superior? Is he discouraged because of one unrelated class?

Well… I understand because they’re kids.

In fact, even if they weren’t kids, there are many tribes who are enthusiastic about such meaningless number games.

‘Well, it’s not related to actual skills.’

I turned my gaze away from Kale.

Again, my eyes met Eliza’.

Unlike the bright smile earlier, she looked bored with a blank expression.

‘I don’t want to match Eliza’s rhythm…?’

But since I made a slip of the tongue, I can’t help.

Apart from that, that guy Kale is really tricky.

What should I do?

Kale walked somewhere with a few colleagues next to him.

“Judas, where are you going?”

“I’m going to wash up and come back.”

“Okay.”

I walked towards the sink.

It was in a direction similar to where Kale was going.

I activated one of the characteristics of the status window.

[Sneaky Steps.]

“Did you bring what I asked for?”

A voice asking irritably.

Timidly yielding, yet with a hint of defiance in their voice.

“Well then, bring it out quickly. Don’t waste time.”

“Here you go…”

“Let’s see. One, two… is this all of it?”

“Yes, it is. It’s all the compensation I received from the last mission.”

“Are you kidding me? You used any of it?”

“Didn’t I tell you to dedicate everything, not to use it? Do you want to be kicked out from here?”

“Oh, no. I’m sorry.”

“I just passed the third test recently, and I’ll soon pass the final one. Don’t you know I’m close with the head of Section 1? Why are you doing this?”

“No, I…”

“Anyway, you bastards, get lost. This is the last time. Got it?”

“yes…”

Kale.

And it was a conversation between two other candidates.

A secluded path behind the dormitory, a little further into the training ground from the guard post.

I hid behind a wall and overheard their conversation.

***

“Hm?”

Kale, coming out of an alley, stopped in his tracks.

He touched his thick pocket and looked around at the guard post.

Several candidates were wiping sweat or clearing their throats.

The top-ranking 3rd batch student who had spent over two years here.

There was a face he had never seen before.

“What was his name?”

He had only heard that this time, among the 13th batch applicants, he was the only one to pass.

“Is he from the streets?”

Messy hair.

An appearance that was not neat anywhere.

A face that seemed discontent and fierce.

It was a judgment based on experience.

“Good.”

Those who became candidates from the streets were desperate.

They tried to maintain their status as candidates by any means necessary.

However, among them, there were some who, despite their desperation, did not make an effort. They became candidates and tried to stay in that status by simply staying in that state.

Kale decided to take advantage of such lazy candidates.

“Hey, you there.”

“Yes, I’m Judas from the 13th batch.”

“Are you the kid who was chosen by that girl?”

“…….”

“Oh, impressive. You don’t even listen to your seniors?”

“I’m sorry.”

“It won’t do. Follow me. Looks like you need some personal education.”

Judas followed him without saying a word.

The surrounding candidates clicked their tongues in their minds.

It’s starting again.

But I didn’t interfere.

As long as it didn’t concern me, I didn’t care.

Whether someone messed with Kale or not.

So what?

Anyway, even the instructors are aware of the situation and turn a blind eye.

It’s easier for them to fight among themselves and establish orders.

So there was even less reason for us, fellow candidates, to get involved.

Except for one person, who thought differently.

***

“You just got here yesterday, so you might not know, but you can’t act like that here. Got it?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

“Everyone says sorry. I’m just a little older than you, so I’m saying this as your senior. I’m a 3rd batch member, a 3rd batch member.”

He spoke emphatically as if he had great pride in being in the 3rd batch.

“Yes. I understand.”

“Anyway, the new recruits these days are strange.”

He’s probably about five years older than me.

But he’s still just a kid.

“Well. I guess the term ‘young old fogey’ isn’t for nothing.”

I calmly listened to his harsh words.

It wasn’t particularly offensive.

It was just baseless criticism aimed at boosting his own self-esteem.

I just wanted to confirm one thing.

It’s been quite some time since training resumed.

But no one came looking for Kale and me.

Earlier, Kale bragged about being close to a knight.

I thought it was just bluffing, but it doesn’t seem entirely false.

Now that I’ve confirmed that, it’s over.

“I’m also close to Garem, the knight in charge of our group. If you’re good to me, nothing bad will happen to you…”

I stopped listening to Kale and looked behind him.

I widened my eyes and shouted as if surprised.

“Miss?”

“W-what?!”

Kale was startled and turned around.

A perfect opening.

I pulled my foot back and kicked with all my might.

Aim for the legs.

There was a cracking sound, like something breaking.

Must be my imagination.

“No one’s he… kgh?!”

Kale tried to say something but flinched.

I precisely targeted his groin with my foot.

The moment I hit, Kale’s body lifted slightly.

“Kgh… ugh…”

He couldn’t even groan in pain.

Just drooling and tears streaming down, he looked up at me with pitiful eyes.

I grabbed Kale by the hair and dragged him out of the alley.

A wide field.

Candidates from group 1 and 3, training according to the knight’s instructions, were visible.

I walked briskly toward them.

One by one, they noticed me.

Even Eliza, who was watching with a chubby face, looked at me.

With determination, I tightened my grip on the Kale.

The candidates stopped their training and watched me.

Then suddenly, my heart began to beat loudly and quickly.

For some reason, my legs felt weak and I was filled with fear.

“This is…”

It was a difficult physical reaction.

I couldn’t back down.

I didn’t want to yield to my young and weak body.

I forced myself to focus, and stepped forward more confidently.

The supervisor instructor yelled belatedly,

“Hey, candidate! What’s going on?”

“I am Candidate Judas, from the 13th Batch.”

I presented the Kale before them.

Suppressing my trembling breath, I spoke boldly.

“I have apprehended a violator of the rules.”

At that moment, Eliza’s mouth curled up.

“3rd batch candidate Kale. He has exploited others’ money through unfair means for his own gain.”

Knight candidates only accept compensation for their assigned tasks.

Occasionally, they indulge in gambling with card games, but that is overlooked as entertainment.

But to use violence to take away another candidate’s money?

That’s not something to overlook.

This clearly violates the candidate oath and the rules of conduct. This issue is presumed to have been ongoing for a long time. Furthermore, there are leaders who have allowed this to happen knowingly.

“Candidate Judas! How dare you make such slanderous remarks here!”

The instructor glared with burning eyes.

It’s a familiar situation.

Those who don’t step forward because it didn’t happen to them.

Those who tolerate unfairness because they haven’t suffered from it.

I don’t particularly blame them.

It’s just the way people are.

However, I dislike this.

It’s fucking frustrating.

Why do I need a reason to dislike unfairness?

I know.

To legitimately eradicate the absurdity that has been followed as a tradition requires a lot of sacrifice.

The individuals who lead such transformations are generally not recognized.

I know. I’ve experienced it.

It’s the same in my past life.

That’s why I gave up on my dream.

But, I’ve never regretted it.

Even now, I wouldn’t regret it.

Even if I have to suffer severely for it.

Even if I have to bear it alone because no one stands by my side.

I, with my eyes wide open, can’t stand idly by.

If no one else speaks up, shouldn’t I?

I’m not advocating for justice.

I just can’t stand this reality where everyone knows it’s wrong but no one steps forward.

So, this is a very emotional issue for me.

It’s not for the sake of any justice or order, but simply because I’m uncomfortable and dislike it.

“Can you take responsibility for what you just said?”

“Even if it costs my life?”

“If Kale said so, then why has no one come looking for us after training has been going on for so long? Can you explain that? Section 1 supervisor, Knight Garem.”

“How dare you…!”

“Stay quiet.”

Eliza intervened.

She spoke softly, with a faint smile.

Even though her voice was soft, it shook the entire stadium.

“Judas. Keep talking.”

I was taken aback and hesitated for a moment before replying.

“…Thank you.”

…But, there was nothing more to say.

I managed to squeeze out:

“This is not simply a matter of friction between candidates. It is a serious incident that occurred at the facility training Lady Eliza’s Escort Knight. Such incidents are only commited by the Third-rate thugs or mercenaries. If Kale lied, and I misunderstood the Knight-Commander, I sincerely apologize.”

Garem snorted.

He seemed to think I was intimidated.

Looking at his face, I remembered.

When I first met Eliza, the knight who knelt me to the ground is this person.

“Even if it was a misunderstanding, the problem remains unchanged. Not knowing what happened between the candidates is, at best, negligence. But if you knew and ignored it, it constitutes dereliction of duty.”

After finishing my words, I looked at Eliza.

Before she intervened, I had poured out my sincere anger.

After that, I forced myself to speak a little more calmly.

It was my way of repaying her.

Since she helped me, I would comply with her wishes.

‘Are you satisfied?’

Did she understand my gaze?

Eliza smiled satisfactorily and nodded.

“Lia.”

As Eliza spoke, the red-haired maid standing beside her bowed deeply.

She was always by Eliza’s side, likely her closest maid.

She was probably the highest-ranked maid, Eliza’s confidante.

“Bring Miguel and Gawain.”

“Yes.”

The stadium was quiet until Lia returned. Only uncomfortable breathing filled the air.

In the midst of it, Eliza looked at me with a relaxed smile.

It was a doll-like smile.

Soon, the maid brought the two people.

Knight-Commander Gawain.

And Miguel.

With a neat tuxedo, swept-back white hair, and a dignified pair of glasses, he seemed like a butler.

“Lady, what seems to be the matter?”

Eliza gestured to me.

“Tell him.”

“……”

I explained what I had just said.

The more they listened, the more wrinkled Gawain and Miguel’s expressions became.

Seeing that, Kale and Garem’s faces turned pale.

“…That’s all.”

“You heard him, right?”

Eliza said with a smile.

“Get rid of them. Has there been an opening in the depths of the venom mine recently?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Send them to hard labor.”

“My lady!”

Garem knelt with a thud!

Kale also crawled up beside her and bowed his head.

“I-I’m sorry. M-Miss…! I’ll make sure something like this never happens again!”

“M-Miss…! Just once, please forgive us…!”

Eliza just smiled.

Next to her, the Knight Miguel sharpened his explanation.

“Their actions, ultimately, are equivalent to striking at the military power of the Bevel family. One could interpret it as espionage.”

“……”

“Garem Diamond. And Kale Havess.”

“Yes….”

“Interpreted as an act of military aggression against the Bevel Grand Duchy sent by the Baron Diamond and the Viscount Havess, it doesn’t seem unreasonable, does it?”

“……. “

Garem and Kale could only smile awkwardly, at a loss for words.

Finally, Garem shouted out.

“I’m sorry, I’ve committed a truly unforgivable sin! Please, at least spare us from the labor camp of the Venom Mine…! P-Please, even though, I have, I have dedicated my past to this family, please consider that, Miss-!”

Eliza slowly tilted her head.

Her round, curious expression was like that of an inquisitive cat.

With her innocent face, she innocently asked.

“Why should I?”

Why should I acknowledge your efforts?

It was an endlessly arrogant remark.

No one could refute her words.

“Take them away.”

Gawain commanded.

Several knights waiting beside him arrested Garem and Kale.

I watched them blankly as they were taken away.

“U-uhh…!”

The surroundings became noisy.

When I turned my head belatedly, Eliza was approaching me.

I found myself staring at her without realizing it.

Eliza grabbed my chin and looked me straight in the eyes.

Her eyes, meeting mine, smiled mischievously.

“I’ll be counting on you again.”

With that, she left with her maid.

Gawain took charge of the remaining training.

I couldn’t focus on the training at all.

And when the training ended and we returned to the rooms.

I received an unexpected gift from Eliza .