Sorry.

I’ve still been skipping parts somehow, so I’ll stop with the double updates.

“Your son is in our care. I’m Osiris Halberd.”

“N-Nice to meet you! I’m Sword Silfield!”

“Mm. Have a seat.”

Sword took the offered chair.

“So you’re Zeke’s kid! How’s that idiot doing? Gahaha!”

The man was about three times Sword’s size, like a gorilla come to life.

His defining traits: booming voice, massive build, and a name—Orgu Obelisk, apparently.

Judging by his speech, if he was Zeke’s contemporary, he was probably in his late thirties.

“I watched today’s exam. Brilliant fight… but martial prowess alone won’t cut it. Study a bit more, too.”

Next to him sat a stunning blonde with long hair.

Her poised demeanor and glasses gave off a mature vibe.

She wasn’t young, but her beauty made her look like she could pass for her twenties—though as one of the Three Heroes, she was surely in her thirties.

Her name was Lamia Silverna.

(These must be the famed Three Heroes… They don’t seem like ordinary folk…)

“No need to be so tense. Just a few questions. It’s our yearly routine.”

Osiris seemed to be handling most of the questioning.

Lamia watched him with cold eyes, while Orgu grinned ear-to-ear, only asking after Zeke.

“Father’s doing well back in the 13th District!”

“Good, good! If he hadn’t retired, he’d have been called one of the Four Heroes by now. Me and him, we were rivals, you know!”

Orgu clearly had a soft spot for Zeke.

His eyes held a hint of loneliness at the word “rival.”

Likely the kind of bond called a worthy adversary, or friend.

“Zeke was my generation’s idol… I never imagined he had a child.”

Lamia knew Zeke well.

She’d been his junior.

Her gaze softened, like a girl in love.

Zeke was honestly a ridiculously handsome, dapper uncle type. He’d probably broken plenty of hearts in his prime.

“Who the hell does this nobody think he is… Damn it, who was his opponent. I’ll kill him.”

“Huh?”

Sword hadn’t quite caught it.

But somehow, it terrified him.

“Well then, shall we begin the interview…?”

After some ice-breaking chit-chat like self-introductions, the real interview started.

Sword had braced for a grilling, but the vibe was surprisingly easygoing. He relaxed.

“Right. Plenty I want to ask, but… Why aim to be a Holy Knight?”

The classic motivation question.

Sword hadn’t done any soul-searching or prepped canned answers.

“To become Lord Road’s knight. I hear only the Holy Knight Captain can do that.”

So he answered simply.

“Mm. That’s true enough. It was just a rumor floating around, but seeing Lord Road today confirmed it. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Then let’s get the paperwork for Holy Knight Captain done. You’re stronger than Jin, so no issue. Sound good, both of you?”

“No objections! No objections! The strong are always welcome!”

“A bit hasty, perhaps… But given the international situation, it’s unavoidable. Those with power must be given positions befitting it.”

“It works that simply?”

“Ah, yes. The three of us—or the imperial family—appoint Holy Knight Captains. No exam needed. If we approve, you can claim the title today.”

“Oh, really.”

And so Sword was appointed Holy Knight Captain that day.

“Haha, that means Jin’s youngest-ever record is smashed. Never thought a student could beat him.”

“S-Sorry.”

“What’re you apologizing for? It’s his own fault for being weak. He’s fired up for revenge someday. I’m grateful, honestly! He’s got talent, but no real rivals. I worried he’d get tripped up on the battlefield. But lately, all he talks about at home is you. You two get along, eh? Thanks.”

Sword had broken Jin’s record for youngest Holy Knight Captain.

Yet his father was astonishingly gracious, even happy it lit a fire under his son.

(They get along well…)

Sword felt a warm glow.

Even the Three Heroes were just regular folks at heart. Nice to see.

Doting dads who thought their kids hung the moon, handsome as they were.

“One more thing. If you want to be Lord Road’s knight, come to me with anything. As a senior knight.”

“Huh?”

“What, you didn’t know? I’m Sir Odin’s knight.”

“F-For real!?”

“Ah, I heard you’re clueless about worldly matters, but you need to learn more.”

“Haha, sorry…”

(Odin’s knight… That means…)

Sword grasped the implication.

Win the Empire Sword Martial Festival—for Odin’s faction.

That was Sword and Road’s goal. Odin’s knight would surely appear.

He’d have to fight this man, stakes his life.

Gazing at the kindly smiling father, Sword faltered for a moment.

Hard to picture clashing blades to the death.

“…We’re both knights sworn to lords. Who knows what lies ahead.”

Osiris eyed Sword’s expression and spoke slowly.

“When that time comes, I’ll give my all. You too, right? If you have goals worth achieving, reasons to stake your life… We’re knights who serve. Become sword or shield. Cast aside hesitation.”

“Huh?”

“And may the victor earn praise, with no grudges left behind. All that’s left is the fact we poured everything into our justice. That’s battle. Got it?”

(He knows… That Road and Odin will clash.)

Only the emperor, Road, and Sword’s group knew of the Empire Sword Martial Festival.

But Osiris seemed to intuit it—the decisive difference between Odin and Road.

What their paths would bring.

So Sword answered straight.

“Yes, sir!”

Osiris nodded with a smile.

The interview ended.

Sword left the room.

“Osiris, what was that last bit about?”

“Something only those two would get, it seemed…”

“Heh. It’ll be clear soon enough. It’s already right in front of us.”

(Interesting eyes he had. Sword Silfield, eh… Looking forward to it.)

One of the Three Heroes—Osiris Halberd—chuckled.

The empire’s strongest knight, called the Sword Saint in his prime, thrilled at a worthy foe’s arrival.

…

C-Congratulations, B-Big Bro!”

“Th-Thanks, Reina!”

On the way back from the Holy Knight exam, Reina and Sword shared awkward smiles.

Things were stiff and embarrassing, sure—but his heart raced, and it felt kinda fun.

Just your typical youthful vibes for the pair.

“R-Right! Let’s celebrate you becoming Holy Knight Captain today.”

“Huh? You mean it? Awesome!”

The tiniest thing got outsized cheers from them.

Her voice cracking was just charming.

“But sorry… I get celebrating like this, but… what do we do?”

(I want to make Sword-kun happy… But how…?)

“Hmm.”

She wanted to see his joyful face, make him thrilled.

Sword didn’t yet know Reina was the devoted type.

“Wh-What do you want? If I can do it… anything… Anything! Just say it!”

Reina clung to Sword’s arm, peering up at him.

So close they could kiss.

Her flawless, stunning face flushed deep red.

(Huh? Did she just say anything?)

They locked eyes. Hearts neared. Faces burned.

Their pulses quickened.