Chapter 508: The Tavern's Female Knight
In a small tavern located in Red Roy City of the Bokkat Kingdom.
This was an extremely ordinary small tavern. Though situated within the royal capital of “Red Roy,” its remote location far from the city gates meant the tavern saw few customers. Even during noon, only three to five people quietly enjoyed their lunch and drinks in solitude. The cheerful atmosphere commonly found in bustling taverns was completely absent here.
By the window of the tavern, a beautiful female knight clad in shining silver armor lounged lazily in the brilliant sunlight. She took small sips of butter beer from her cup, while a massive shield and a heavy, gleaming shortsword rested on the seat beside her. The sheer size of these two weapons made one doubt whether this slender-looking female knight could even wield them.
But such doubts were meaningless. If there were any professionals present, they would never entertain such unrealistic thoughts because… with just a hint of soul perception, they would discover that this female knight, basking in the sun like a cat, was actually a level seventeen Master-Level combatant!
The female knight was completely relaxed. After drinking quite a bit of butter beer, a faint blush tinged her fair face. Unlike many knights who spent their leisure time meticulously maintaining their weapons, she had no such concerns. Beside her, a handsome young boy was diligently scrubbing the stains off the shield and shortsword. Behind the female knight, a gentle girl with a slight resemblance to the boy carefully massaged the female knight’s neck with her small hands.
“Huff… huff… Master, is scrubbing the shield and shortsword also part of training? If so, why haven’t I advanced to the Formal-Level even after working so hard?”
Cleaning such a large shield was no easy task, especially since the boy was scrubbing with utmost care, determined to leave not a single stain behind. Removing these magic stains, which were imbued with residual special energy, required the expenditure of battle aura. Even though the boy was an eight-level Apprentice-Level knight, he was already panting heavily from exhaustion.
“Mmm~~ Butter beer is just too delicious~~”
Taking another sip of beer with intoxicated, drowsy eyes, the lazy female knight enjoyed the massage from the girl behind her and replied absentmindedly to the boy:
“Claire, how many times have I told you to call me ‘Beautiful Mentor Lady’? And this time, we encountered a slime-red-bellied spider all because you were rummaging through things recklessly. A refined knight like me would never willingly engage with such a disgusting creature. But to prevent my adorable apprentice from turning into spider dung… sigh… Anyway, you’re responsible for cleaning all these nasty stains. Otherwise, no dinner for you!”
Hearing his mentor’s words, the apprentice named Claire had no choice but to continue patiently scrubbing the shield. However, he couldn’t help muttering under his breath:
“What kind of refined knight… She’s clearly… Where’s the refinement in that?”
“Boy, what did you say? Do you want a beating?!””No no no no… I meant to say, my beautiful mentor, that your charm and elegance are as wise as the decisions you make”…
“That’s more like it…”
After glaring fiercely at her apprentice and hearing the “quick-witted” Claire immediately correct himself, the Female Knight curled her lips and continued savoring the beer in her cup.
Meanwhile, the young girl standing behind her couldn’t help but giggle at the scene:
“Oh, Mentor, please don’t blame brother. It was Lina who wanted to see what those glowing red little stones were and asked brother to help get them. If you must blame someone, blame Lina.”
“You two siblings…”
Hearing Lina voluntarily “confess” to her responsibility, the Female Knight couldn’t help but smile and shake her head. Of course she wasn’t truly angry with her two apprentices. In fact, as a knight of the Lawful good alignment, she was quite happy to eliminate a troublesome slime spider from that small forest. However, as a mentor who considered herself qualified, the Female Knight also believed she should teach her apprentices a lesson, making them understand the need for caution when adventuring outdoors.
Like today, when two inexperienced youngsters took some spider eggs that looked like red stones, an enraged crimson-bellied slime spider emerged from the woods within seconds – a genuine Formal-Level magical creature. Had it not been for the presence of the Female Knight, a Master-Level powerhouse, neither of these novice youths would have escaped!
Naturally, the Female Knight didn’t intend to scold the children too harshly. These two apprentices were promising talents she had recruited from a remote town – completely inexperienced children whose curiosity was perfectly normal in the Female Knight’s view. As a Noble-born professional who had undergone rigorous training since childhood, the Female Knight actually believed that giving children a happy childhood better facilitated the growth of Lawful-aligned professionals.
After speaking, the Female Knight reclined again. As a professional who didn’t belong to any specific faction, having always traveled alone with punishing evil as her mission, she always cherished moments of relaxation. Now that the tavern’s bard happened to be singing a rather pleasant melody, the Female Knight intended to continue enjoying her drink.
“Charming flowers bloom amidst ice and snow, in a kingdom standing firm in icy mountains
Disaster arrives unannounced, terrible flames dye the sky crimson
A slumbering dragon awakens in the glacier, destructive flames evaporate every snowflake
The young queen faces overwhelming heat waves, while usually loyal servants have already fled
The lonely queen gazes at the disastrous flames
Tears slide down her smooth cheeks
Who is she waiting for, where will the petite girl go?
Why does disaster strike this peaceful kingdom, why is the beautiful maiden left crying alone before the catastrophe?
What kind of existence is the warrior ‘she’ anticipates, what secrets lie behind her waiting?
This beautiful legend will be told according to the descriptions of courage…”
It was a quite exotic melody that suited the tavern atmosphere well. However, the young female apprentice standing behind the Female Knight had some questions about it:”Master, is this poem depicting the volcanic eruption seven hundred years ago in the Red Sand Sea that destroyed a mountain range? Why was that princess abandoned? Was it because she committed many evil deeds?”
The young girl massaging the Female Knight asked softly. Seizing every educational opportunity as always, the Female Knight promptly replied:
“Not necessarily. Sometimes you can’t trust word-of-mouth traditions. For instance, the latter part of this legend about that queen’s love story is completely fabricated – they merely chose this tragic period as a backdrop. I actually paid some attention to this matter seven hundred years ago.”
“I see! My beautiful master is truly remarkable!”
“Of course!”
Hearing her apprentice’s honeyed flattery, the Female Knight smiled proudly while simultaneously pulling the plate of roast chicken closer with her hand.
But just as her fingers were about to touch the plate, a crisp cracking sound suddenly rang out…
The plate had split apart without warning!
Instantly, the previously relaxed Female Knight turned completely serious, because in her homeland… the cracking of porcelain was considered an extremely ominous sign!
(End of Chapter)