NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: The Weakness of the Strongest Knight Commander
Caelam Sword Selegevanz, the knight commander.
A knight born to a baron family of the Kingdom of Asbelt, who reigns as the strongest knight in the order.
She was given the nickname “Balmung, the Dragon Slayer,” a name with a distinctly over-the-top fantasy flair, all because she single-handedly defeated one of the world’s Four Great Calamities—a black demon dragon.
She truly lives up to the title of the strongest knight in the world.
I always thought she was a man, but it turns out she’s actually a woman, and there’s even a rumour that the most famous magicians of this world consider her someone they’d “absolutely never want to fight.”
And now, this knight commander, admired by everyone and hailed as the strongest knight in the world, says:
“———So, what punishment shall I give you?”
“…”
She speaks with a mischievous tone, addressing me as I remain prostrated on the ground before her. Internally, I curse her cheerful tone coming from above.
Hey, why am I the one who’s at fault here? She’s the one who called me ugly the moment we first met. Anyone would want to punch someone in the face if they opened with, “Haha, you’re so ugly!” right? I think I deserve some credit for holding back.
Still, I understand that I can’t get away with mouthing off to someone of her rank. Though I’m not the least bit convinced or satisfied with this situation.
As I stew in my frustration, Eresdia speaks up:
“…Knight Commander, what must Zero do to earn your forgiveness? This fool always speaks without thinking…”
Her words, though meant to defend me, don’t sound much like a defence. Normally, I’d snap back immediately, but this time I can’t argue with her. After all, it’s my big mouth that got us into this mess.
“Hm… I see… Haha.”
“Knight Commander?”
Though I’m still staring at the floor, I can tell from her voice that even Eresdia-Sama, usually brimming with confidence, seems cowed by the knight commander.
Oh, an ant is crawling by… Stay strong, little guy. Don’t end up like me, okay? Especially when you’re surrounded by beautiful women.
“Haha… No, I just find it amusing that someone who once had such a ‘don’t care about others’ attitude is now standing up for someone they supposedly dislike.”
“I-I don’t care about him! And for the record, Zero is always annoying, gross, and perverted…”
Wow, that’s a lot of complaints about me. I can’t stay quiet after hearing all that.
Almost in tears, I manage to speak up:
“H-Hey, do you really need to go that far? Saying stuff like that to someone you just met is bound to leave a bad first impression.”
“Well, it can’t get any worse than it already is!”
“T-That’s true, but—wait, no! I didn’t do anything that bad to deserve a terrible first impression!”
I raise my head and glare at Eresdia-Sama. Realising she may have gone too far, she avoids eye contact, looking slightly guilty.
Watching our exchange, the knight commander, Caelam, chuckles and says:
“———Then, as punishment, both of you will undergo two hours of training.”
She grins mischievously as she hands down her verdict.
“Why do I have to be punished too!?”
“‘It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine,’ right?”
“It’s not fine at all!”
And just like that, Eresdia-Sama is roped in as well.
“One hour and a half into training…”
The knight commander’s order has us undergoing gruelling drills. I had completely forgotten that everyone here is an elite knight.
In short, these knights are all as skilled, if not more, than Instructor Rowe. And here we are, mere trainees, struggling to keep up with their training.
“———I’m dying… This training is going to kill me…!”
Naturally, I collapse from exhaustion. I’m supposed to meet the king soon, yet here I am, sprawled on the ground, drenched in sweat.
This doesn’t make any sense. Why am I being put through this hell? I did them a favour, didn’t I? Why am I the one suffering for it?
As I lament the unfairness of it all, the knight commander, Caelam, appears, her silver hair swaying as she approaches, her smile as irritating as ever.
“So, how’s the real training?”
Here she is, the cause of all this misery, looking down at me with amusement as I lie face-up on the ground.
“Honestly… it’s brutal. I think I’m done with wanting to be a knight.”
“Haha, and this is one of the easier sessions.”
“I’m just aiming to retire as a lower-ranked knight now.”
There’s no way I can handle this intense training every day. Even the drills at the training facility were rough, but this… this is insane.
“And to think… I got excited when I learned the knight commander was such a beauty. I want a refund on those feelings.”
I sigh heavily.
“Wh-What? You think I’m… beautiful!?”
…Huh?
I glance up to see the knight commander’s face turn bright red as she covers her mouth in embarrassment.
Seeing this, I smirk.
“Knight Commander, Knight Commander.”
“W-What is it?”
She’s still fanning her flushed cheeks as she tries to regain her composure.
“Knight Commander, you’re really cute, aren’t you?”
“!?”
“And so beautiful, it’s hard to look away.”
“———!?!?”
Her face, already red, flushes even deeper, and she covers it with her hands. Seeing this, I silently pump my fist in victory.
Ah, sweet revenge.
For the rest of the time until Instructor Lowe arrived, I showered the knight commander with compliments. By the end, she was completely knocked out, and I felt utterly satisfied.