bookbashuk #243 - Knight Otto
#243 - Knight Otto
Three days had passed since the Royal Selection began.
In these few days, Reinhard had frequently visited Crusch's mansion. He was specifically going to apologize to Natsuki Subaru, feeling deeply guilty for not preventing the argument between his good friends.
Even though it had nothing to do with him, he still felt unnecessary guilt and even went to apologize in person. It was truly inexplicable.
But these things had nothing to do with Zun Zun.
"Hey! Reinhard, have you forgotten what you promised me? Hurry up and fulfill the agreement!"
He shouted at the rather helpless Sword Saint.
He had participated in the Royal Selection, even becoming a candidate, and might even have to marry one of them in the future. He had agreed to so many things at such a great cost. His ultimate goal was to have Reinhard open a passage so he could go home.
But the other party kept delaying it.
"Lord Zun Zun, it's not that I don't want to agree, but you still have many trivial matters to resolve after the Royal Selection, such as your right and left arms."
"You mean the Royal Knights?"
Zun Zun frowned.
Royal Selection candidates and their serving knights seemed to be a fixed combination, so Zun Zun also needed to have his own Royal Knights.
But…
"The Council of Sages is also urging you, and you keep saying that there are no suitable candidates and haven't decided yet, so I can't easily let you leave. Why not decide on a knight as soon as possible?"
"That's easier said than done. Where are suitable candidates to be found?"
"Look at what you're saying. There are many excellent knights in the Royal Knights Order."
"Forget it, a bunch of misfits."
Zun Zun rolled his eyes.
When the Royal Selection ceremony began, the elders of the Council of Sages told him to decide on his knights as soon as possible and recommended many excellent members of the Royal Knights Order, but… they were all terrible.
No wonder the kingdom would sign a peace treaty with the empire even when they had Reinhard.
Because the others were really not up to par.
Zun Zun also had something to say. Look at the people the other Royal Selection candidates brought: 'Blue' Healing Mage Ferris, the best knight Julius, the cheat-like Reinhard, the infinite loop 486, and Sage candidate Al. What did he bring? A bunch of misfits from the Knights Order. Could such people be Royal Knights? They don't have the ability, you know?
Felt pointed to the small ruffians who were staggering in the courtyard and said:
"What about those three…"
"They're not even as good as the misfits in the Knights Order. What, you disagree? Suck it up."
The trio of small ruffians had a lot of opinions, but under Zun Zun's slightly reddened eyes, they silently sulked.
These three were really unlucky.
Originally, they were aimlessly wandering in the alley, looking for a fat sheep to prey on, but they happened to encounter Felt, and were instantly killed by the furious Rom, and forced to be brought back for training.
"Then why not just let Rom be your knight?"
"…Ah, me?"
Rom pointed at himself with a dumb look.
Zun Zun carefully looked at the old giant, paused for a moment, and then sighed.
He didn't say anything, but it seemed like he said everything.
"Kid, what do you mean by that sigh? Even if you want me to, I won't agree, hmph!"
"Enough, Rom, you're too old to be acting cute."
Felt patted his huge arm.
She was just saying it casually. If Rom really became Zun Zun's Royal Knight, she would be reluctant. Besides, he was already so old, it was time for him to enjoy life, so it was better not to let him work too hard.
"Also, Lord Zun Zun, please choose a suitable candidate as soon as possible."
"Reinhard, are you urging me too?"
"No, it's just that I plan to take Lady Felt back to the territory. Not only does Lady Felt have many things to learn, but even these followers have many things to learn."
Reinhard looked at the trio of small ruffians who were lying on the ground pretending to be dead.
They were, after all, members chosen by Felt. Although their character was somewhat unsightly, as subordinates, he couldn't say anything, so he could only grit his teeth and agree.
Speaking of which, did Reinhard really want Felt to become the next king? Why couldn't he see it at all?
Zun Zun expressed his incomprehension.
Felt felt a little stuffy when she heard that she was leaving the royal capital.
The elders of the Council of Sages said at the Royal Selection ceremony that they should manage their respective territories well before selecting the next king. They didn't say it directly, but it was likely to be a test of their political skills, which was probably one of the evaluation options.
"Knights, huh…"
Zun Zun really wanted to just choose someone casually and be done with it, but his identity was, after all, very sensitive. If he chose someone with impure motives to do evil in his name, that wouldn't do.
But where could he find a suitable candidate?
Just as he was struggling, Fram came to the courtyard, bowed slightly to everyone, and said, "Lord Zun Zun, a guest has arrived."
"Who is it?"
"He said his name is Otto."
"Otto?"
Zun Zun was slightly stunned.
Soon, his eyes lit up.
—That's the one!
On the other side.
Otto, who had been brought to the guest room of the Sword Saint's residence by the younger of the twin maids, Grassis, was currently in a dilemma.
"Ah, was I too reckless? I ran over here in a fit of excitement. What if I'm blamed?"
He was extremely uneasy.
But Otto really had no choice. He had originally confidently purchased a large amount of oil, wanting to make a fortune in the royal capital, but instead of selling the oil, it was piling up in his hands, leaving him helpless. If this continued, he would go bankrupt and lose everything.
Out of desperation, he remembered that someone had told him before that if he had any difficulties, he could come to the Sword Saint family for help.
"What if that person was lying to me? No, no, no, I've already been allowed in with the token, and I've even met the maid (Fram) and the butler (Old Man Grimm), so it must be true. But is it too much to ask a noble to buy useless oil? What if I'm questioned?"
The more Otto thought about it, the more uneasy he became. The timid young man, who had been retaliated against by nobles before, felt more and more that coming here was a reckless move.
"No! I have to run away quickly!"
"Don't even think about running!"
"Eek— — — — — —"
The door to the room was suddenly opened, and Otto couldn't help but shiver, and the cowardly young man who let out a shameful groan froze all over.
"Otto, I've been waiting for you for a long time!"
Zun Zun's face was full of smiles. His intention was to express his enthusiasm and make Otto relax a little. However, he didn't know if he was too enthusiastic, but instead scared Otto.
—I really fell into a trap.
Otto, who had paranoia, was about to cry.
Zun Zun looked at his twisted, crying face and asked strangely, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"N-no, nothing… L-Lord."
Are you an otherworldly Runtu!? (Runtu is a character in a famous Chinese short story)
This 'Lord' almost made him lose his composure. After Otto's interruption, his feverish brain gradually calmed down.
"Don't call me Lord, just call me by my name."
He waved his hand, signaling Otto to relax.
At this time, Felt and Reinhard also arrived at the guest room, and Otto, after seeing the gorgeously dressed Felt and the well-known Reinhard, stood up again and greeted them stiffly.
Fortunately, both of them were kind people, and signaled him not to be nervous.
The four then sat down.
Reinhard was the first to ask, "Lord Zun Zun, may I ask who this is…"
"His name is Otto. He's a traveling merchant I met on my way to visit Count Roswaal. Don't look down on this guy for being timid, but he's actually very talented."
Zun Zun casually explained to the two.
Facing the scrutinizing gazes, Otto lowered his head even further.
He's an insecure person.
Felt and Reinhard judged in this way, because they couldn't see at all that the other party would be able to negotiate. Instead, he looked like a fat sheep to be slaughtered.
In fact, it was purely a misunderstanding.
The reason why Otto was insecure was because the person sitting opposite him was the most famous Sword Saint in the kingdom, a high-ranking noble. Otto, who had a resistant psychology towards nobles, couldn't properly state his request, and didn't even dare to look the other party in the eye.
Perhaps because he was talking about a sore spot, Otto, whose expression was gloomy, was able to speak fluently.
"As you said, the oil I bought didn't sell, and they aren't popular in the royal capital. So if it's possible, could you please buy them? Of course, I won't ask you to buy them at full price, just… 50% of the price would be fine."
He said it very painfully.
Big merchants can hoard goods. They can wait for the right opportunity to sell the accumulated goods. However, small merchants can't, because they don't have money and the funds can't be circulated.
A 50% price cut was probably the most serious loss Otto had suffered in the past four years, but it was better than losing everything.
"50%, huh…"
"40% is also fine, or 30% can be barely accepted."
Otto's eyes completely lost their light.
As he thought, he would be pressured to lower the price. In the end, nobles are all greedy people, and that hasn't changed in any kingdom.
"Hmph."
Zun Zun chuckled.
"—I'll buy them for ten times the price."
"That… 10% is really too little, please forgive me for refusing. The normal price in the royal capital is also…"
"Are your ears having problems? Listen carefully, I said ten times. Not 10%, not 100%, but ten times the price."
"…Eh?"
Otto stared blankly at Zun Zun.
Felt felt strange but didn't ask, while Reinhard seemed to have thought of something and began to seriously examine Otto again.
"T-Ten times!??"
"That's right. But, there's a condition."
"W-What is it?"
"Otto, be my knight."
"…Eek— — — — — —"
Three seconds after Zun Zun extended his hand to invite him, Otto let out another shameful scream.
No wonder this guy would become good friends with Natsuki Subaru. This always exaggerated appearance is really just like Natsuki Subaru.