Reasons to Protect the Witch's Son

The headquarters for the Knights of Philres was built right next to the castle. The reason was so that they could carry out the Dukes orders at any time. The dorms were then attached to the back of the headquarters.

The lobby on the first floor of the headquarters was large enough to accommodate all of the knights in the order. The lobby was mainly used to deliver announcements or explain pre-mission operations. And now, it was being used as a face-to-face meeting to welcome the new knights.

Even though there was still time until the ceremony began, the lobby was crowded with people. The new knights, who were the main characters of this event, were at the front of the group. Slightly in front of the group, there was a low platform.

“Elaine, do you know who that person over there is?”

Cezanne asked pointing to the podium with his finger. At his words, Elaine gave him a puzzled look. There wasn’t anyone on the podium.

“There isn’t anyone over there?”

Cezanne shook his head and stretched his finger out a bit further as if to emphasize where he was pointing.

“No, not that way. Take a better look at where I’m pointing.”

As she followed the direction of his finger again, she saw a female knight with light blond hair right next to the platform. She had a slender figure and was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. She stood there in silence, not talking to anyone around her, as if lost in thought.

Her pupils under her lowered eyelids were sky blue and her skin was white. Her overall appearance was like that of the mid-day sky, though she still had a bold presence. A sense of intimidation clearly visible, even among the many muscular men in the room.

“Who is she?”

“As expected Elaine! You never disappoint me!”

“Are you going to keep teasing me?”

When Elaine rolled her eyes in annoyance, Cezanne smiled wickedly.

“Haha, your reaction is just so funny that I can’t resist. Anyways, that is Dame Hilaire Lister, Vice commander of the Philres Knights. There are two vice commanders of the Philres Knights, but it looks like the other one isn’t here yet.”

“…That’s the vice-commander?”

“Yes, I thought you might not know who the vice-commanders were. What if you had passed by them without knowing?”

“She doesn’t look like a typical vice commander.”

“You shouldn’t judge someone by appearance alone.”

That’s true. Elaine nodded, agreeing with Cezanne’s words. After all she did have an imposing presence compared to the others in the hall. It must be because she was a high-level knight.

“You sure know a lot.”

“Everyone here knows at least this much. Isn’t it even more strange when someone tries to join the Philres Knights without even knowing the second in charge?”

At his last words, Elaine groaned. The strange person he was referring to was herself. It seems like he had said it without thinking.

When the clock on the wall struck the hour mark, a red-haired man walked up and stood on the podium. It was Lowell. The memory of his kindness to her when she had arrived at Killiard made her glad to see him again.

Vice Commander Hilaire Lister also went up to the podium at this time. She and Lowell then exchanged a brief conversation. After a while, Lowell, who saw that everyone had gathered in the lobby, clapped and drew everyone’s attention.

“Now that everyone seems to be gathered here, let us begin the ceremony!”

Once the whispers died down, he continued.

“My name is Lowell Royard, vice commander of the Philres Knights and the lieutenant to the Duke of Killiard. And this here is Dame Hilaire Lister, also a vice commander of the Philres Knights.”

Everyone clapped and cheered at the introduction. Lowell looked toward the new recruits with a friendly smile.

“Next, shall we introduce the new members?”

At Lowell’s gesture, the nine recruits who had been knighted earlier that day walked up onto the podium. Self-introductions then began with the dozens of Philres Knights watching on in interest.

After the short introductions were finished, a welcoming applause followed. The cheers died down and Lowell explained the next steps for the ceremony.

“I’d say this is enough of an introduction, right? Lets quickly move onto the next stage. Actually, even if we do call this a ceremony, there isn’t anything grandiose. For now, well just explain what the Knights do.”

Lowell looked down at the document he was holding.

“Our knights usually go on dispatched missions, most of which are monster-related. The number of people selected for each mission varies depending on the difficulty and characteristics.”

Lowell who had now flipped onto the next page continued.

“… On days when there are no missions, they hone their skills through training within the Order and are on standby at any time. We also regularly do monster exterminations around the territory. That should be enough for now, you will all gradually learn about all of the smaller things through your life as a knight.”

After finishing his explanation, Lowell closed the document and looked around the crowd.

“I’ve roughly explained the basics now. Before we conclude the ceremony, I have one thing to announce.”

He took a short breath and slowly continued a moment later.

“We are now accepting applications again… Is there anyone who would like to apply to be the Duke’s bodyguard?”