Enemies Meet at the Engagement Ceremony

 

 

While it was true that I did my best to save him, the life of that Gray Knight wasn’t worth risking my precious life for.

 

“Dame Cherrya!”

 

Just then, Jack, who had been following me, arrived at just the right moment.

 

Feeling like I was about to die of awkwardness, I greeted Jack with genuine relief.

 

“Oh, you’re here! Anyway, the situation’s resolved, so let’s be off!”

 

“If it hadn’t been for the sword she threw, you would be dead.”

 

Ignoring my farewell, Enoch continued disciplining the Gray Knight.

 

What in the world is this situation? And why is that rude Gray Knight kneeling before Enoch Gray?

 

Luke, who hadn’t seen the events unfold, looked on in confusion.

 

“…What, what is going on here?”

 

“I saved him before by throwing my sword, then Enoch finished the job with the final blow. But he doesn’t even thank me.”

 

I summarized the situation as briefly as possible for Jack. Though I was fine with it, it seemed Jack was not.

 

“What! Really? The Gray Knights, who supposedly value honor so highly, can’t bring themselves to say ‘Thank you’ just because of their pride? They’re done for; the reputation of the Gray Duke’s household is finished!”

 

Wow. Jack knew exactly how to get under someone’s skin. In a way, it was a more lethal attack than any sword.*

 

“That…!”

 

The Gray Knight, who was being scolded by Enoch, was visibly upset.

 

“In the end, it was Enoch who ultimately saved me!”

 

“How did you even get into the Gray Knight Order?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“In the previous situation where you almost lost your life, Cherrya’s involvement allowed me to save you. How did you even pass the exam with a mind that can’t process such a simple calculation?”

 

There was no mercy in Enoch’s pointed criticism. Even though there was no physical violence, words could be a form of violence, too.

 

If it had been one of my own knights, they’d have been punched or hit with a sword instead of being lectured. Enoch was verbally beating the Gray Knight while claiming he was the one who saved him. Poor thing.

 

“For the discourtesy, I apologize on his behalf, Cherrya.”

 

“…No, I said I’m fine from the beginning. Are you trying to embarrass me?”

 

This awkward situation was making me scratch the back of my head uncomfortably.

 

Enoch then sighed and spoke.

 

“You must understand that the moment you threw that sword, you risked your life.”

 

“…I know.”

 

How could I not? When the sword left my hand and struck the beast’s body, I knew it.

 

Considering how fast and notorious the hairy spider’s attacks were, retrieving the sword and dodging its attacks was no easy feat.

 

Though I had my reasons, to others, it must have seemed like I was recklessly risking my life.

 

“Therefore, we owe you a proper thank you, and you must accept it. The Gray family does not forget favors.”

 

“……….”

 

It seemed their knights remember debts more than they do gratitude.

 

Perhaps understanding my silent gaze, Enoch glanced coldly at the Gray Knight, who was still kneeling.

 

“Just for a moment, he forgot his pride as a Gray Knight.”

 

“…I apologize.”

 

In the end, the Gray Knight bowed his head toward me in apology and gratitude.

 

Although I felt as though he was doing so unwillingly, I accepted the gesture without further words.

 

“Anyway, your wound looks pretty deep, so get some treatment. See you later.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

The Gray Knight gritted his teeth as he looked at Jack, who was sticking his tongue out beside me, but he nodded without further resistance.

 

Finally, Enoch eased the tense atmosphere that had been like a blade’s edge.

 

“Don’t let this happen again. I’ll keep a closer watch on the Gray Knights.”

 

“Please do. I can’t stand being put in such an awkward situation again.”

 

As I shuddered, Enoch gave a faint smile, then helped the Gray Knight, still kneeling, to his feet.

 

“This one’s not without skills. I’m sure he was injured because he was trying to buy time for Emmett Cortiz, who had been given an exemption.”

 

“……..!”

 

“The Gray Knights aren’t so weak that the Emblem needs to worry. So, I promise that such an incident won’t happen again.”

 

Tears welled in the eyes of the Gray Knight, who had been sternly scolded just a moment ago. Jack, looking as if he were feeling ill, turned his head away from the Gray Knight’s emotional face.

 

“What about this front?”

 

“The knight paired with me is skilled enough to handle it alone. I’ll take care of things here.”

 

“Alright. Then until you get this knight to the healers, I’ll cover for you. The appearance of those hairy spiders suggests we’re entering the intermediate monster zone.”

 

Enoch didn’t refuse. Jack seemed dissatisfied, but he knew better than to object to a decision I had already made in front of Enoch.

 

“See you later.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Enoch lifted the injured knight effortlessly over his shoulder. Watching him carry the Gray Knight, who was just as tall and even bulkier than him, left me gaping.

 

“Wow, that’s impressive.”

 

“I can lift someone too, you know?”

 

“Of course, you should be able to. Since when has our Emblem lost in strength?”

 

“Right?”

 

After exchanging a few playful words with Jack, I sent him back to the area we were originally assigned.

 

Though he looked unhappy to be left alone, Jack was one of the top fighters in the Emblem Knight Order, so while I felt a bit sorry for him, I wasn’t worried.

 

“Alright, now that Enoch’s coming back, I’ll go check on things.”

 

I eyed the two hairy spiders slowly approaching and smacked my lips.

 

Although it was fun to go wild with Jack, having time alone to focus on testing my new sword wasn’t bad either.

 

“Alright, here we go!”

 

Feeling one with my sword, I charged toward the hairy spiders. After defeating one, then another, and eventually a group of three giant-boar beasts and an ogre, I started to realize something.

 

‘Enoch Gray… He’s a bit late.’

 

Enoch had said he’d return as soon as he dropped off the injured knight at the healing center, but he showed no sign of coming back.

 

When I looked up, I saw smoke signals indicating it was time to move the front lines forward.

 

By now, we had reached the middle of the mountain range.

 

The creatures were increasingly monster-like rather than animalistic, and some were closer to supernatural entities.

 

“It might be time to rejoin Jack’s side.”

 

Jack didn’t have great stamina, so he’d need to fight in a balanced manner, with breaks.

 

I was concerned about leaving him alone.

 

But I couldn’t leave this front line, either.

 

The middle of the Lowes mountain range had grown so dangerous that any withdrawal could be fatal.

 

‘It’s hard to believe this place was ever peaceful.’

 

The presence of monsters from all directions made the hair on my arms stand up. Once I gathered my thoughts, I readied my sword again to press forward, just as the signal indicated.

 

Just then, as I took a step forward,

 

“Hoooowwwwng!”

 

I heard a familiar howl from a distance.

 

 

🍓; *’get under someone’s skin’ means that Jack knows how to deeply irritate, annoy, or provoke someone on an emotional level. It implies that he can affect people in a way that makes them uncomfortable or upset, causing a strong reaction. Jack’s ability to provoke or manipulate emotions is so powerful that it’s described as a ‘more lethal attack than any sword,’ meaning it’s even more effective or damaging than physical harm.