Imperial IX-2

An adventurer had arrived from the guild outside.

It was just when the research was going well...

"What do you want?"

"A powerful sub-beast has appeared again. We've received a request for its extermination, and we need you, Taro, to go out and deal with it."

"Alek and Noel are around, aren't they? There are other strong members."

"All of them are currently on separate extermination missions. Right now, you're the only one free."

"Ah, I get it. I'll get ready right away. Just wait a moment."

"William, come out for a bit. I'm counting on you to guard the house."

"Understood. Leave it to me."

Due to the aftermath of the war, imperial soldiers were being deployed across various regions, causing widespread shortages of troops.

To compensate for this shortage, adventurers skilled in hunting sub-beasts and demon beasts were being called upon.

Of course, I've been called upon to head out on hunts as well.

It seems a sub-beast has appeared near the town this time.

Normally, sub-beasts dwell deep in forests or within caves and rarely venture into areas inhabited by humans.

The sub-beasts I've fought in the past were mostly found in such remote locations.

However, over the past few days—and indeed, over the past few years—there have been increasing reports of sub-beasts and demon beasts appearing near towns.

The reason is unknown, but there's nothing we can do about it.

I've been going out repeatedly to deal with them.

This time, it was a bear sub-beast.

It seemed like a newly transformed sub-beast, unaware of how to use its own power.

I swiftly and painlessly defeated it, then returned to the mansion.

Noel, who now lives with me, was waiting there.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but ever since then, I haven't been able to talk about what happened on the battlefield.

There were also others with Lina's group. Although not fully healed, the knights' injuries had diminished to the point where they could live their daily lives without issue.

Alek, Coil, and Rilka often came by to visit, just like the members of the merchant caravan—various people would come over to play, check on things, or simply see how things were going.

As days passed in this manner, more time went by.

One day, Taro happened to go out into town.

William and Noel had gone out for their weekly training session. The others weren't there that day.

Lina and the knights were having tea outdoors, enjoying the pleasant weather.

At that moment, a creature emerged from the grass.

It was nothing more than a deer-like beast.

Under normal circumstances, they would have handled it without any trouble.

But this time, things weren't so simple.

They had weapons equipped, but lacked proper gear to compensate for their damaged bodies, so they were far from fully prepared.

The knights present worked together to subdue the sub-beast.

Holding the sword with their non-dominant hand, they could not keep the blade steady.

Instead of cleaving through bone with a single strike as usual, they barely managed to cut through the skin.

They were forced to endure attacks they could have easily dodged with well-trained limbs.

Normally, there'd be no issue, but in battle, it's painfully difficult.

I don't know how to use my body properly.

I managed to buy some time.

Thanks to that, I was able to hide Rina inside the manor.

Now, all that's left is to take them down.

But it doesn't go as planned.

Eventually, several were knocked down, and some even started bleeding.

Just in time, Noel returns.

Upon confirming the beast's presence, Noel instantly decapitates it, and the crisis is averted.

After temporary first aid, William hurried back upon receiving the news and provided proper treatment, resolving the issue.

It was a minor incident common in this world, yet the atmosphere inside the manor grew heavy and oppressive.

The knight failed to fulfill his duty as a knight.

In the evening, when I returned, I learned about the day's events and could sense the mood within the manor.

Just as I was struggling to figure out what to do, I heard a knock at the manor's door.

When I opened it, I saw a face I’d recognized from near the Empress.

The man was the steward.

He said that since they were rewarding the war's outcome, I should contact them once I’d settled down.

Honestly, why do troublesome matters always pile up like this?

In the end, I couldn’t come up with any good solution, and time simply slipped away.

A unfamiliar voice echoed from early morning.

The knights seemed to have begun training in whatever way they could.

At the same time, the captain made a troublesome request.

"Could we not imbue weapons with magic? I wish for something to replace my lost limbs."

It was a desperate plea.

Who had ever heard of magically enhancing weapons?

Rilka, who had happened to drop by, looked away.

Having great social skills can be a burden, too...

"I understand. I'll try a few things, but don't get your hopes up. I've never actually enchanted weapons before."

"Yeah, please."

The sight of his sorrowful back was painful to watch.

Now, as for applying a certain magical effect to weapons—well, that's actually already been done.

I've been enhancing my own tools with various effects to make them easier to use.

The real question is whether I should push them beyond their limits.

They have very strong sense of responsibility. They're likely to push themselves too hard and get injured.

They're just training, after all. Watch their movements carefully and think about it.

That's why I'm observing the knights' movements from outside the window.

They're moving quite well.

But they still fall short compared to Alex and Noel.

Those two are exceptionally skilled, and even to an untrained eye, the difference was obvious.

But they're a team. With proper teamwork, they'll be able to handle even demon beasts, not just the lesser ones from before.

"Oh? Did you suddenly develop a serious look and take an interest in someone?"

"Unusual of you to say something like that..."

Lina seems to be in top form lately. Maybe she's just getting used to life here? That's a good thing.

"How are their movements?"

"They're moving quite well, I think. There doesn't seem to be any problem at all."

Lina leaned against the window, watching the knights as she recalled something.

"I used to look forward to watching their training while I was recovering. They could move better back then. I know they can't go back to how they were, but... I still wish I could see them as they were before."

It was a difficult wish.

I'd heard similar wishes before, but they still hadn't come true.

"By the way, what are your plans after this?"

"I don't have anything scheduled today, so I think I'll get back to my research."

"I see. I'll bring you a drink later."

"Sorry for always bothering you."

Please don't worry about it. Leaving those words behind, Lina headed into the kitchen.