Chapter 006: The Chivalry in My Heart (2)
Earlier, the Jecheng Association ronin who had been lecturing Hermann about chivalry said,
“Judging by the silver outer earring, you seem to be from some warrior family, but don’t meddle unnecessarily and just go on your way. Getting involved will do you no good.”
“You said we’d settle what true chivalry is, didn’t you? That statement was the decisive factor. I couldn’t just turn a blind eye.”
There was no need to lay out the whole story. Right now, all I needed was a reason to fight these guys.
At that moment, the ronin shouted, looking over my shoulder.
“Young Master Hermann! Who’s this guy now? A hidden mercenary guard? Are you sure you can handle things escalating like this!”
I was about to say it had nothing to do with Hermann when I sensed someone approaching from behind.
“What’s that in your ear? Didn’t you hear? He’s a chivalrous hero.”
Hermann stood side by side with me, folding his arms ostentatiously.
As expected, his brazen personality seemed innate.
Hermann glanced at me and grinned.
“Now that I look, we’re of the same age. Pleased to meet you. I’m Hermann Brian, the eldest son of Count Brian, the lord of this place. May I have your name?”
“Bihen Benkou. The eldest son of the Benkou family.”
“It’s not easy for nobles to drop formalities right from the start, but you’re a refreshingly straightforward fellow. I like you even more!”
The guy, who had shouted so boldly, suddenly lowered his voice and whispered to me quickly, his eyes still fixed forward.
“Are you confident?”
“What?”
“Do you have the confidence to take those guys down? Well, you must have something up your sleeve to act so bold, right?”
Before I could respond, the ronin cut in.
He pointed at us with his scabbard, jabbing it accusingly.
“Young Master Hermann. Do you take the Jecheng Association for fools? You’re making a big mistake right now. Do you think we haven’t dealt with a noble or two? Killing you and turning your family into a corrupt house in an instant is no big deal. You know that, don’t you?”
“…Your words are a bit excessive, aren’t they? Ahem.”
“Excessive? Have you forgotten that Lord Brandt, who’s here, comes from a family with connections to the imperial court?”
He was talking about the guy I saw at the shop earlier. I threw out some bait.
“I’d like to see his face. What kind of scoundrel from what family is so brazen as to lead a gang of thugs and cause trouble like this?”
The Jecheng Association group stared at me, not just surprised but utterly dumbfounded.
Some stood with their mouths agape, unable to close them. Hermann was one of those idiots.
“H-Hey, Young Master Bihen. You should apologize for that remark quickly…”
“Shut up.”
“Got it.”
As I took another step forward, they flinched and stepped back.
Their minds must be racing, trying to figure out who I am.
Since earrings—gold double hoops, gold outer hoops, silver double hoops, silver outer hoops—indicate the wearer’s family title and status…
The moment they confirmed the silver outer earring on my left earlobe, suspicion began to spread across their faces.
“What the… is this guy some kind of lunatic?”
“Thinking you’ll stay alive after insulting Lord Brandt like that is wishful thinking, Young Master.”
I didn’t hold back a scoff. I raised my scabbard and drew my sword half a hand’s length.
“Only those worthy of discussing chivalry with me, step forward. I don’t mind if you all come at me at once.”
“…”
“Those who value their lives, go down and fetch that scoundrel named Brandt or whatever. Tell him Bihen Benkou of the Benkou family proposes a duel to the death.”
Since I started this, I intended to tie it up cleanly so Hermann wouldn’t face any repercussions.
This should make it impossible for Brandt to avoid my challenge without losing face.
The ronin, who had been acting like the leader, gritted his teeth and growled.
“Don’t you know what the Jecheng Association is?”
“Do I need to?”
“…You bastard!”
With a loud battle cry, he charged at me.
At a glance, he was barely a second-rate fighter.
Clang—!
I twisted my body slightly, deflecting his extended sword upward.
The sudden impact made him lose his grip, and his arm went limp.
Thud!
I swung down, severing his wrist. Blood gushed wildly from the stump.
“Arghhh!”
I pointed my sword at the sobbing man’s throat.
“Now I see, you’re not a swordsman, just a rootless thug. You don’t even know the basic rule of honorably stating your family and name before a duel, yet you dare speak of chivalry?”
“T-That’s…!”
“Killing you would be too merciful. Go. Live the rest of your life in repentance.”
I kicked him in the rear and sheathed my sword.
Then I scanned the rest of the group.
There was no sign of anyone else stepping up.
Realizing this guy was the best among them, I felt… oddly deflated.
“Pathetic trash.”
“…”
“Tell Brandt I’ll be waiting here until noon tomorrow.”
In my past life, at least I knew my place.
I may have acted recklessly at times, but I never dared to carelessly throw around heavy words like chivalry.
Disgusted by the sight of these fools, I turned around…
And the biggest fool among them was grinning like an idiot.
“Ha, haha…! Now I see, our Young Master Bihen is quite the remarkable man! Huh? A truly remarkable man!”
This guy was the biggest fool because he let himself get shaken and go astray over punks like these.
I barely restrained myself from smacking him.
* * *
“Thank you for sparing my life, my lord.”
Dezol bowed deeply. I savored the tea he brought me slowly and waved my hand.
“No need to thank me. I just happened to pass by.”
“Truly a chivalrous hero, Young Master Bihen!”
Hermann, sitting across from me, said with an excited tone.
I ignored him and looked around the hut.
For a place where an old man lived alone, it felt surprisingly cozy.
Amid the neatly arranged household items, I noticed medical tools and a bookshelf packed with books, and said,
“You’re a physician, I hear.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“What those guys were talking about earlier…”
I trailed off, feeling awkward about probing directly, but Hermann seemed ready to jump in and answer.
Dezol placed a hand on Hermann’s shoulder to calm him and spoke slowly.
“…Yes, it’s true. At first, the child showed symptoms of a cold with a high fever, but their condition deteriorated rapidly. Later, I learned it was an infectious disease with symptoms similar to the flu.”
“…”
“It was indeed my fault due to my lack of skill. If I had prescribed the appropriate treatment in advance… the outcome might have been different.”
Dezol let his words fade.
Was it a habit of those who dealt with life? Physicians usually avoided speaking about uncertainties.
I looked away from him and stared into my teacup.
“No need to explain yourself to me. I was just curious.”
I didn’t bother saying useless things like how I’m just a swordsman with no right to judge him, or how he must have suffered under the weight of guilt.
Sorting out in my head what I absolutely needed to do and what to say to Hermann, I took a sip of tea.
“Hermann.”
“Yeah, Bihen. Let’s speak casually. A dramatic connection like this is rare. By the way, what’s the Benkou family like…?”
“I need to catch a smuggler’s ship to the Kingdom. Can you help?”
Hermann’s eyes widened.
“W-What, all of a sudden? Why the Kingdom…?”
“Don’t ask for details.”
“How can I not? The Kingdom is an enemy state strictly controlled by our imperial authorities. Plus, with no proper sea routes established, not even the imperial navy, let alone most civilian trade groups, dares to travel there. You’re saying you want to go to a place like that, and I’m supposed to not have questions?”
“You’re not saying it’s impossible.”
“Well, I do have some connections…”
“I’ll make sure to settle things with that Brandt guy so no trouble comes back to you. Consider it repayment, or a gesture for our new friendship. Either way, I’ll be grateful.”
Hermann blinked, his brow furrowed.
“Sounds like half a threat to me.”
“Think what you want.”
“…”
Hermann tapped the table with his fingers like someone with emotional instability, glaring at me with narrowed eyes. After a long pause, he spoke.
“I’ll do it as a gift for my new friend.”
“Good choice.”
“But to do that, I need to know at least why you’re going to the Kingdom. Without that, I can’t call you a friend.”
He leaned back in his chair, speaking as if to salvage his pride.
It was so like him that I had to suppress a chuckle. Where to even begin?
As I struggled to find a starting point, it hit me anew that this guy was my only friend in my past life.
“Earlier, I saw you going on about chivalry.”
“Oh, that? Ahem, honestly, I was just spouting nonsense.”
“What?”
“I had to defuse the situation somehow, but I couldn’t think of anything. Since these guys are a chivalrous group, I figured if I blabbered convincingly about chivalry, they might cut me some slack.”
I started to say something but gave up.
The disappointment wasn’t with Hermann but with myself for briefly forgetting what kind of guy he was.
I brought the teacup to my lips to calm down when Hermann suddenly smacked the table.
“Of course, it wasn’t just improvisation. It’s definitely something I’ve always thought about. What’s the chivalry of an imperial warrior? Protecting my people with my power and influence. That’s all it is to me.”
“Is that your belief?”
“Haha. Calling it a belief is a bit grand. It’s just how I see it. I picked up a sword to do things my way, after all.”
Hermann shrugged, revealing his straightforward conviction.
For a third-rate swordsman at this point, it was excessive bravado.
Still, I felt a bit relieved. Setting down my teacup, I managed a slight smile.
“So I didn’t waste my time completely.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Lame. Alright, it’s your turn to answer. Why’s our chivalrous hero heading to the Kingdom? I’m curious.”
“I’m not so different from you.”
“Not different?”
“Yeah. Do you know about knightly honor?”
His brow furrowed again.
“Knightly honor? What’s that?”
“I’m going to find out. It feels like it aligns with my sense of chivalry.”
“Knightly honor, knightly honor… Hmm, it sounds familiar.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Old man Dezol, do you know what knightly honor is? You’re such a bookworm, you must know something.”
Dezol, who had been quietly listening, crossed his arms and rested his chin on his hand.
“In the Kingdom, noble-born swordsmen are called knights, not warriors, but… knightly honor? I’ve never heard of it.”
“Really? I’m sure the term feels familiar, but I can’t quite place it.”
I’d secretly hoped Dezol might offer some profound insight, so I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
Watching the two of them rack their brains out of nowhere…
I recalled the voice of the Old Knight.
—Always and everywhere, stand against injustice and evil as a champion of justice and goodness.
—Protect and respect the weak.
—Live for honor and glory.
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Today, if nothing else, I upheld at least one thing.
The part about protecting and respecting the weak.
Hermann’s both weak and a fool, after all.
With each step like this, I felt certain I’d find the meaning of this life.