Gathering Companions I
After that, I took my leave from the King, who was radiating relief as the nobles outside began to stir with festival-like excitement. I dashed past the civil servants, royal guards, maids, and butlers who offered their congratulations, making my way to the training ground where I was supposed to meet Fana. Once I confirmed that no one was around, I unleashed my pent-up emotions on a scarecrow with a wooden sword, reducing it to a pitiful wreck before sitting atop the remnants.
There was no real need to wait for Fana. However, considering what was likely to unfold, I desired a companion and a sacrifice—someone I could rely on without hesitation in a moment of crisis.
So, I waited for Fana.
Fortunately, there was no one nearby, nor any signs of anyone approaching. I also wanted to apologize and offer dragon materials as compensation for the destruction I had caused, so I hoped to speak with someone responsible to settle the matter.
……Hmm? Someone’s coming? From the footsteps and aura… it’s a woman, but not Fana. That leaves either a maid or a knight… Either would do. This could be a chance to get the apology out of the way before discussing compensation.
“…Oh? What are you doing over there?”
“…I was waiting for someone and wanted to apologize and offer compensation for this.”
“I see? Hmm… The Hero has been quite a help to my subordinates, and my unfortunate sister has caused quite a bit of trouble. Should I cover the costs for you?”
“It’s fine. I don’t have money, but I have plenty of things that can be turned into money.”
“Ah, but you should be saying you have money instead, you know?”
“I have no reason to deceive.”
“Oh, that honesty is quite admirable, Hero.”
The woman who entered had familiar golden hair cut to a medium length. Her lightly armored knight’s attire complemented her softly glowing, pale green eyes. She exuded a delicate aura that seemed fragile, yet her presence and voice hinted at something far more sinister.
I didn’t recognize her, but since she referred to me as “Hero,” I assumed she was part of the upper echelon… but she wasn’t Fana’s sister. I had spoken with her a few times and even shared memories of the battlefield, yet I had no recollection of this woman before me.
“Ah, I apologize for not introducing myself sooner. Until two years ago, I was the head of the attendants for the Second Princess, and until recently, I was the captain of the Thirteenth Knight Squad of the Kingdom’s Knight Order. My name is Stella. I was also previously regarded as a companion of Saint Elifia Oze, my sister. Unfortunately, it’s been quite some time since I was expelled from the House of Oze, so we haven’t had the chance to speak at all.”
“Stella, Oze… Ah, I remember now.”
“Oh? Well, I do have a reputation for being notorious, but I didn’t expect it to reach the ears of the Hero.”
“I heard about you from a woman I met at a shady casino in the royal capital. She mentioned how you called for male prostitutes, got drunk, and knocked out the entire staff, forcing the casino to shut down.”
“Wha—?! Hero, where did you hear that?”
“From a female knight who wore a white lily hairpin.”
“…Ah.”
“…Are you alright?”
“Yes… It’s a rather fatal blow to my reputation, you see.”
She coughed violently, as if trying to dispel the ominous aura surrounding her, before collapsing to the ground in despair. While it was true that I hadn’t lied, I also knew that the rumors she feared were not unfounded; I had heard them multiple times.
Stella, formerly known as Stella Oze, had a fascinating backstory. She was disowned by the House of Oze, which had produced a Saint, and was left without a place to go until she was picked up by a knight and became an apprentice. She eventually earned her place in the Knight Order and even became an attendant knight to a princess. However, she was known to be a ruthless individual who took pleasure in killing, having been accused of slaughtering the associates of a certain illegal merchant.
Other rumors suggested she enjoyed both inflicting and enduring torture, gleefully tormenting villains under the guise of her duties. It was said that she would train new knights by subjecting them to torture, and that she was involved in the illegal drug trade and dark guild operations, all while being tolerated due to her contributions to the royal family. There were even whispers of her adopting children for her own twisted desires, only to dispose of them after satisfying her urges.
Of course, it was hard to believe that someone in the Knight Order could engage in such activities. Besides, I had seen female knights with flawless skin, leading me to think they were innocent and inexperienced in such matters. Most of the rumors were likely exaggerated or fabricated to intimidate others.
It was true, however, that she showed no mercy to villains.
“Hmm, hmm! So, Hero, why are you waiting here?”
“It’s convenient, and I can get some exercise in. Though, as you can see, the result is this pile of wreckage.”
“I see… By the way, what’s the other purpose of your visit? It seems you’re moving separately from the Holy Knight.”
“You’re quite perceptive. Well, it’s fine. Also, please call me by my name; being called ‘Hero’ feels awkward.”
“I’ll do my best. So, what’s your purpose?”
“I spotted a group of demons without a commander. I launched an attack and killed some, but there’s a possibility that either a high-ranking demon or an executive of the Demon King’s Army is among them. If they were to attack here and wipe out the royal family, it would throw our command structure into chaos, allowing the demons to rampage unchecked. I went to ask the Knight Order to mobilize everyone available to find and eliminate that group of demons.”
“I see… That’s quite convenient.”
“Is it?”
“Yes, all the knight squads except for the Fifth, which is on an expedition, and the Eighth, which is busy suppressing ruffians, are currently available. Moreover, there are no pressing matters that require the direct involvement of the squad leaders at this time.”
“Then it truly is convenient.”
“Indeed.”
I had thought my luck had been running low lately, but it seemed to be turning around here. Not bad at all.
…Fana was still taking her time. Perhaps I should pass the time by asking her something.
“…So, why did you step down as captain?”
“Oh? Were you not paying attention? It’s quite simple, really. I made a significant mistake at work and resigned to take responsibility.”
“Oh? What kind of mistake?”
“It was a request to eliminate some monsters. To be blunt, a Roper that had absorbed a Succubus was using both slaves and nobles as breeding grounds. I hoped to rescue the victims, but when I encountered it, I failed to kill it, and the Roper, on the verge of death, unleashed a wave of seeds it had implanted.”
“Ah… That’s unfortunate.”
“Yes, indeed. I was blamed by the noble’s family and had no choice but to resign from the Knight Order. I suppose resisting was also a mistake.”
“Under those circumstances, it’s only natural to resist, so don’t worry about it. Still, you were truly caught in an unfortunate accident.”
“Indeed, completely.”
I felt sympathy for her. It was already a nightmare to send a woman to deal with a Roper, a creature that was nothing but trouble. They reeked of a foul odor, a mix of decay and various unrefined aphrodisiacs.
For reference, Ropers are plant-like monsters that implant their seeds into living beings, repeatedly being reborn while expanding their colonies. I had fought them several times, even dealing with one that had turned an entire village into a colony.
Interestingly, the creatures used as breeding grounds are not exclusively female; males can also serve as hosts. In fact, males tend to be sturdier, making them more common as hosts.
As for the nobles who got caught up in this mess… they likely thought they were just dealing with a regular monster and ended up being turned into breeding grounds after a surprise attack. Even freshly spawned Ropers can take down most monsters, and some even capture high-ranking demons to use as hosts.
The only saving grace is that they are rare and don’t often spawn. Even if they do, they only live for five years, no matter how many times they are reborn or how large their colony grows. Their bizarre biology has led to specialized researchers studying them, but it’s no surprise that those who express a desire for hands-on research often meet grim fates.
“By the way, do you have any plans for the future?”
“No? I haven’t thought about it at all. I suppose trying my hand at being an adventurer could be interesting, but I just don’t feel inclined.”
“Hmmm… Then, would you like to join us?”
“Oh? Is that alright? It would mean taking on troublesome matters as well.”
“I don’t mind. Besides, it wouldn’t matter if a hundred or two hundred more troubles came my way.”
“No, that’s definitely not the case.”
“Then let’s flip it. I have a lot of troubles, but would you like to come with us?”
“…Heh, heh heh. I see.”
Now that I had been given the title of Hero, I would likely be asked for various favors in the future. Considering that, I wanted a reliable ally who could be easily utilized, and if she was powerful enough to nearly incapacitate a Roper with a sizable colony, she would be more than suitable.
“Then, I shall be in your care.”
“Very well. I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes, leave it to me, Ferno.”
“Ah, I’ll count on you, Stella.”