“What did you call for?”

In the middle of a social gathering, I asked the distinguished guest who had suddenly invited me, not St. Claire, about the intention of inviting me, pretending not to know.

“I heard that you, as Saint Clare’s attendant, are outstanding.”

“I don’t have enough skills to show off to others.”

“I want to see my skills properly, so come out.”

Naturally, Saint Claire’s doctors and I showed words to come out of the Great Hall without asking.

What I had to do here was, of course, an expression of polite refusal.

“I’m sorry, but the saintess’ duties have not yet been completed, so I cannot respond to that.”

“What does the saintess’ schedule have to do with it? Wouldn’t it be fine for you to come out?”

“How can a mere escort knight leave his master alone and act alone?”

“From what I’ve heard, it seems like they said they weren’t even the saintess’ official escort knights, but can’t they be that flexible?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m the type of person who works with a strong sense of duty even in a temporary job, so if you want to take me outside, please wait for St. Claire’s schedule to end.”

“Are you going to make me, the messenger from the kingdom of Elijah, wait? And there is no time.”

Even though I vaguely thought that I wouldn’t back down easily from the time he brazenly tried to separate me from Saint Clare.

I didn’t know that I wouldn’t hide my intentions so openly that arsenic almost came out of my mouth.

“Mr. Conrad.”

“Yes, Saint Clare.”

“I’m fine, so please check the schedule for a while.”

“Then, what is Saint Clare planning to do in the meantime?”

“… Still, I can’t make the messenger of the kingdom of Elijah wait.”

Did you come to a conclusion because you judged that the latter was better between diplomatic rudeness and your own disgrace?

Certainly, in a situation where there was only one choice between the two, Saint Clare’s judgment would have been the best method.

“Since the saintess also says that, her escort knights should follow suit.”

Unfortunately, the decision I would make this time was not to follow her words.

After making eye contact with the elated lion of the kingdom of Elijah, he shook his head in both directions.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t leave Saint Clare’s side.”

“Mr. Conrad… ?”

“I heard that you are an escort knight, but are you disobeying the orders of your superior? The attitude of the escort knight is like this, so the saintess’s eyes to see people are quite… .”

“So instead of going outside, I’ll show you here.”

He pulled out the broadsword he had put inside his cloak and showed it to the messenger of the kingdom of Elijah.

“The Great Hall is large, so there won’t be enough room to wield this sword that’s less than three feet tall.”

“What… ?”

“Will you personally conduct the sparring with me? Or would you set up an adversary?”

Maybe you didn’t imagine that I would pull out the sword.

The messenger of the kingdom of Elijah made a blatantly embarrassed expression.

“Boo, I’m sure Saint Clare’s escort knight is a wizard… .”

“Is there a law in the kingdom of Elijah that says wizards cannot use blades? If so, a kingdom mage can’t even cook for herself.”

“Will a wizard fight against you with a sword?”

“I remember you didn’t dare to show your skills with fancy and gigantic magic, but my swordsmanship skills aren’t that far behind magic, so you’ll probably be satisfied enough.”

“… hahahaha.”

At my words, the messenger of the kingdom of Elijah let out a laugh as if it were absurd.

“Verda.”

“Yeah.”

“It seems that the immature wizard has confidence in his own swordsmanship, but you should remind me of the reality.”

“All right.”

The larger of the two servants behind the messenger of the kingdom drew a sword from his waist and stood in front of me.

“I will raise my sword on behalf of Martier Skerev, the eldest son of Count Skerev.”

“I wish I could learn a few things.”

“Even if a mere wizard learns hundreds of tricks, he won’t be able to touch my body with a blade.”

The opponent of the nobility of the kingdom was already insulting me with shameless words as if he was sure of his victory.

He was in a halfway position, enough to make anyone feel that he was being careless.

I didn’t point out that guy’s attitude, but I strengthened my body and wrapped myself in a tailwind.

“Ha, then I’ll declare the start of the sparring.”

Do you think it is impossible to rectify the situation that has already occurred?

Saint Clare let out a shallow sigh and came between me and him.

The other guests were in a situation where the distance was wide enough for the two of us to fight in a circle.

“start… .”

Before the words of St. Claire, which were only two syllables, could not be finished.

My adversary and I simultaneously moved towards each other.

The only difference was the moment he barely took half a step.

It was that I had already jumped five steps and was close to the guy’s neck.

“What… .”

The adversary, apparently taken aback by the surprise, hurriedly changed the direction of the blade, but my broadsword had already slashed the blade from the weak man’s hand.

Immediately, the sharp edge of the broadsword pressed against the nape of the opponent’s neck.

“uh… ?”

“Bah, what was that just now?”

“I saw… ?”

While the distinguished guests who were watching were exclaiming about my swordsmanship in different languages.

Kwajik. The blade ricocheted off with a sound and became embedded in the floor of the Great Hall.

“I lost, Nida… .”

The declaration of surrender immediately came out of the mouth of the guy with the broadsword attached to the nape of his neck.

“I think this is enough to demonstrate my skills, so I don’t think there is a need to demonstrate magic.”

“… … Tsk.”

Looking at the back of the kingdom’s nobleman who clicked his tongue one last time and hurriedly avoided the seat with his servants.

It was around the time when I finally let go of the thought that all the tasks were over in a true sense.

Saint Clare covered her mouth with both hands and gave me advice in a frightened voice.

“Aren’t you being too harsh? No matter how overwhelming it is… .”

“Please put your hand near your mouth and say it, Saint Clare.”

“… Then other VIPs will find out that I’m laughing.”

I bet you are.

* * *

The morning of the day of leaving the Madea Church.

Saint Claire and I entered the main auditorium of the church to perform the final ceremony.

It was not a place for my ordination as an escort knight, and certainly not a place to point out Saint Clare’s mistakes.

Rather, the opposite would be the case.

“Saint Claire Larapria Maidel has completed the practical work given by the Orthodox Church for the past 10 days… Performed flawlessly… .”

Since yesterday’s social gathering with foreign aristocrats had ended without any problems, there was no room left for the Great Church to reprimand her any longer.

It was probably difficult to anticipate that the accompanying personal assistant could speak five languages.

If at all possible the kingdom’s nobility preached the insults he suffered in the Great Hall, he could have held her accountable, even if only a little bit.

If he did, it would be like advertising to the neighborhood that he was taking an escort knight with worse swordsmanship than a wizard, so it seems that he was trying to preserve the little bit of honor he had left as a nobleman even if he rotted.

Since it was an official position, the head priest of the Great Church tried to keep his expression as much as possible, but he couldn’t hold back his emotions from moment to moment and showed a disapproving expression.

The other priests and people from the Great Church lined up around him also didn’t have very good expressions either.

It was a position created by calling on vacation to lower the saintess’s position, but it only proved that her ability was far superior.

I can’t help but feel rotten.

At least, if I belonged to the Orthodox Church, I could have attributed half of it to the work of the Orthodox Church.

Unfortunately, I was not a member of the Orthodox Church, but I was accompanying Saint Clare’s personal counselor.

Well, in a way, selecting competent people and keeping them by one’s side was a part of the individual’s ability.

If I even pointed out that they had completed their practical work with my help, they would only get ridiculed.

In fact, the practical work, which would have been impossible even if I stayed up all day and night for 10 days, was solved comfortably in a week.

The priests, who had gone a long way from the original plan, seemed to be rotting their head inwardly.

When this news reached the ears of other Orthodox elders, it is regrettable that we could not see the expression on their faces in real time.

The highest priest of Aleu, belonging to the Great Church of Madea, handed a commendation and a minor injury to St. Claire, who stood on the podium.

“Therefore, I commend you for your work.”

Thanks to making them do so many troublesome things, there are too many achievements left by Saint Claire to be hidden now.

The Great Church had no choice but to acknowledge her contributions.

In this way, contrary to their inner thoughts, they had to create a place to officially recognize Saint Clare.

The field of shame, which should have been criticized and questioned for her failures, became a place to praise her achievements and further solidify her position.

“Thank you, Supreme Priest Aleu Madea Sterey.”

Saint Clare, who responded with an unfeigned smile and received the certificate of commendation, greeted me lightly.

It was time to go back to the academy.

* * *

“Mr. Conrad, did you see the expression on the old man Alew? The way he desperately tries to smoke a shriveled face!”

“Yes, I saw.”

“Because it was really cool inside! All of the other priests’ expressions were confused… .”

Seeing Saint Clare chattering about with excitement in the carriage, I felt that this trip went really smoothly.

St. Claire’s position within the Orthodox Church was strengthened, and she was prevented from endangering her.

Above all, I couldn’t help but nod my head happily in that I gave the Orthodox elders a shot.

“Thank you for your hard work, Saint Clare.”

By the way, it was decided to ride the same carriage on the way back to the academy, so the seat also became like two people sitting side by side in the right direction.

Anyway, if I tried to get a seat in the opposite direction this time, it seemed like there would be another useless scramble for a seat.

When she was soothing the regret of the ten-day vacation that had ended by solidifying her position as Saint Clare.

“Thank you, Mr. Conrad.”

Saint Clare, who was sitting next to her, shyly thanked her.

“I just did what I had to do.”

“Besides that, thank you for saying you wouldn’t accept my ordination as an escort knight.”

“… … Yeah?”

Suddenly, not knowing what she was talking about, she turned her head and looked at Saint Clare. She said with an expression as if she already knew everything.

“If Mr. Conrad had been an official escort knight recognized by the Orthodox Church, the practical work I did this time would surely have turned into an achievement on the part of the Orthodox Church.

Did you anticipate that this could happen, and have refused my escort knight title all this time? Now I understand why Mr. Conrad was so concerned about belonging to somewhere.”

“… … .”

“At the same time, please silently carry out all the duties of an official escort knight… . Actually, what happened this time was also scheduled in a hurry, but as soon as I heard the story, I was grateful for following without hesitation.

From now on, I won’t hesitate to ask Mr. Conrad to accept an official escort knight, or anything like that. Anyway, next time I’m in trouble, you’re going to help me in this way, right?”

I didn’t reject the title of escort knight with such a deep meaning, I just rejected the offer because I thought it would interfere with my personal activities.

Saint Claire suddenly fell into her own delusion and began to exalt me as if I was a great person.

In this situation, there is, of course, only one answer to her.

“Of course, saintess.”

Without saying anything else, just agreeing.

I didn’t have to cut off the crush I bought first.

It will be someone you will continue to see for at least the next few years.

Above all, he said that he would not bother to ask for an official escort knight from now on, but of course I had no reason to refuse.

“I hope Mr. Conrad will stay by my side in the future. … Even after Conrad graduated from the academy.”

Maybe so.

We will be part of the subjugation party together and embark on a journey to root out the Dark Church.

Swallowing quietly in my throat without spitting out a statement about the future that only I know.

In the comfort of the carriage she rode with, I calmed down.