The Chronicles of a Lost Man in His Forties Founding a Nation ~Commonsense is Hindering Me From Becoming TUEE~ Chapter 15

Without incident, we reached White Sword Castle after a few hours. 

The castle walls are built on top of several of the gently sloping hills sprinkled all over the open plains, and tower at least 15m in height. Punctuated by numerous guard towers of proportional scale, its entire length is dyed pure white. This is definitely a white sword. 

According to Sedam, whenever a monster causes harm within Yuule or its surrounding lands, the residents would almost always turn to the Carbanera Knight Order for help. 

To the west of the white castle stretches a reddish-brown wilderness. 

This place is the border between the territories of man and monster. 

The Carbanera Knight Order is apparently an offshoot of the Order of Shulendal. Having played a major role in a great anki vs. human war that had occurred several centuries ago, the Carbanera Knight Order has ever since been tasked with protecting the peace in western Liuus. Therefore, they are indeed powerful. However, Sedam did express worries about their morale being low after 10 whole years of minimal anki sightings. 

♥♦♣♠

I am feeling that worry firsthand at the moment. 

After pa.s.sing through two pairs of castle gates, Sedam, Claura, and I requested an audience with the Grand Cross. So far as it goes, we were treated with respect and, in short order, escorted to what seems to be a conference room. 

(T/N: According to Wikipedia, the top person of a chivalric order is called the Grand Cross. Captain Commander, which people might be more familiar with from Bleach, is not so apt here because later on, at least one of the lower ranks is t.i.tled as Company Commander, which is higher than Captain Commander.)

However, the person who was waiting there was not the Grand Cross, but a middle-aged man who identified himself as a staff officer. 

“Being the highly regarded adventurers that you two are, I don’t think you are lying, but……”

The staff officer, whose name is Espine, is looking at me with a blatant “that's gotta be a lie” look on his face. 

Well, it’s not like I didn’t expect such a reaction. 

“I don’t know about Sedam, but are you possibly doubting me, the 5th Seat of the Lelis Magician Guild?” (Claura)

If I remember correctly, there are 12 official magicians in Lelis, right? How big a deal is the 5th Seat? The staff officer is totally panicking, though. 

“Of, of course not! It’s just that, um, turning a magician into stone, and calling down a meteor…… It all sounds so absurd.” (Espine)

“Apologies, but may we meet directly with the Grand Cross himself? If he is not available, the 1st Company Commander would suffice.” (Sedam)

“The Grand Cross Sir Amrand gal Saadishu is of ill health. And the 1st Company Commander Arnogia-dono is out on patrol……” (Espine)

Such complete rejection is, to be honest, beyond what we had expected. I steal a sideways glance at Sedam. 

“...... If that is the case, then we shall wait until Arnogia’s return.” (Sedam)

“Unfortunately, without express permission from headquarters, outsiders are not allowed to stay overnight at this castle.” (Espine)

“...... Tch” (Sedam)

He clicked his tongue?! I see, so Sedam is the type that can’t communicate with headstrong people. 

“Don’t we simply have to force our way to the Grand Cross’ room?” (Claura)

…… Claura is clearly out of the question. 

Am I the only left to do any proper talking? I myself don’t mind long negotiations, but I think Sedam or Claura might blow their fuse before I make enough headway. 

“Excuse me, you really ought to check this man’s ident.i.ty once again.” (Sedam)

“Are you trying to say that this personage is a swindler?!” (Claura)

I’m glad that you guys are getting angry on my behalf, but…… 

I hold Claura back and am about to speak to the staff officer when suddenly…… 

The door violently bangs open. In its wake, a large-bodied man sluggishly enters the room. 

That huge body of his…… the most apt simile that I can think of is ‘like a sumo wrestler.’ He looks like he weighs maybe even 200kgs. I find it hard to believe that he has on knight armor, but his suit is most likely custom-made. His face tells me that he’s only in his twenties, but I wonder if he’s suffering from some adult disease……? 

“Whaaat are you guys making a ruckus about, in my castle?”

That was the first thing he said. Don’t tell me, he’s the Grand Cross?! 

“...... Gillion-dono, this castle is under the owners.h.i.+p of the entire Order as a whole.”

Sedam’s and Claura’s stares being below zero, I can understand. But for some reason, even the staff officer’s response is cold. My worry for him also melted within the next second. 

“HAH?! I’m a direct descendant of the founder of that Order! My esteemed name is Gillion gal Carbanera! And this is the Carbanera Knight Order! Which means it belongs to me, all of it!” (Gillion)

“Such a thing is not stipulated within the Order’s regulations.” (Espine)

I see. It probably wasn’t his intention, but still, thank you for the easy to understand introduction. I’ve seen this kind every once in a while back in my company. If I fan his self-conceit as a man, I can easily bring him to lend us an ear. 

“Nii-san! What are you doing in front of outsiders!”

A new character has come onstage. 

Entering the room by pus.h.i.+ng aside the huge shouting man blocking the door is a female knight with a wild red mane. Her armor looks simpler than what Gillion and the staff officer is wearing, so maybe her position is not so high. 

…… Wait a second. Did she just say “Nii-san”? 

“Sedam, Claura. I’m so sorry about the unsightly display.” (female knight)

“...... We don’t mind.” (Claura)

“Rio, nice timing. Listen to us. Anki have appeared. We believe there is a large nest.” (Sedam)

“What did you say?!”

“Is that true?!”

After hearing Sedam’s concise explanation, the female knight called Rio aside, even Gillion shows an extreme reaction.

“Anki, you said anki! On top of which, a nest!? Alright! Alright! Where is it?! The Carbanera Knight Order! The great me shall smash it to dust!” (Gillion)

“Sedam, are you sure? If that’s true, then we must do something about it……” (Lioria)

“Gillion-dono, Lioria-dono, there is no sense of realism at all to this report. Please do not believe it.” (Espine)

“............”

Both Sedam and Claura are struck dumb by the three very different reactions. Gillion and Lioria seem willing to hear us out, but I don’t know their standing within the Order. There is nothing more unproductive than meetings where no one knows who’s in charge of what. 

No helping it, then.

The salaryman part of me is loathe to do this, but let’s go with the ‘I’m a great wizard’ strategy. 

“It is a pleasure to meet you both, Gillion-dono and Lioria-dono.”

I slowly stand up, praying that I look composed, and place one hand on my chest as I take a bow. 

“Who on earth are you? New guy with Sedam’s?” (Gillion)

“You appear to be a magician, but……” (Lioria)

“No, I am not a magician. I am the ‘Great Wizard’ Gio Margils.” (Gio)

Gillion and Lioria exchange looks. Considering that they are brother and sister, their relations.h.i.+p might be actually not that bad. 

“He’s not joking. He used his wizardry to bring down the magician who had been leading the mountain bandits near Yuule, and even annihilated an army of anki before it could do anything.” (Sedam)

“...... What the h.e.l.l?” (Gillion)

“That really does sound quite hard to believe.” (Lioria)

“If it is my ability that is in doubt, debate will be unnecessary. For it shall speak for itself.” (Gio)

I stretch out a hand while flapping the edge of my robe in an exaggerated motion, and point towards a spot on the floor. 

“By means of this spell, may the stone statue in my possession be summoned. [Apotsu].”

(T/N: The author’s spell names have all been English up to now, but not this one. I can’t seem to find the English counterpart, but Apotsu is the j.a.panese term for the instantaneous transportation of something other than the caster, such as the summoning of an item. Please comment if you know the English counterpart. Accio doesn't count cus it’s not instantaneous.)

The s.p.a.ce above where I’m pointing to distorts, and from it the statue oozes into view, Jyagul’s face still petrified in a mask of terror. 

“Whaaaa?!” (Espine)

“Nga……” (Gillion)

“Kyah!” (Lioria)

The staff officer’s, Gillion’s, and Lioria’s eyes all look about to pop out with surprise. I was told that magic is only ever used for attacking, which is why I decided to use this spell as a demonstration.

“This man is the leader of the mountain bandits that attacked a caravan of the merchant Irudo from Lelis and also kidnapped said merchant’s daughter. I hereby hand him over to be processed by the law of this land.” (Gio)

I actually don’t know whether this Order has such authority or not, it was just something that I added on the spur of the moment. 

“However, he can hardly be interrogated or made to pay for his crimes in his current state. As such, we shall now revert him. By means of this spell, may all magical power within a 3m radius be reduced to nothing. [Dispel Magic].” (Gio)

The spell that I just used was to dispel his [Stoned] status. The stone statue s.h.i.+nes brightly for an instant. As the light fades, we see a miserable-looking man collapsed on the floor, prostrate and drained of all spirit. 

“A…… ua……” (Jyagul)

Even more than the summoning, it seems that the statue turning into a real, living human is a greater shock. 

Staring at Jyagul, who can’t even speak properly, much less stand stand up, the knights have mouths as well as eyes wide open, looking completely befuddled. 

“The st-, the statue, human……” (Espine)

“Awawa…… awawa……” (Lioria)

“A-, amazing……” (Gillion)

In front of the three dumbfounded people, I slowly walk towards Jyagul. Stay calm, stay calm. 

Looking at Jyagul’s vacant, empty eyes p.r.i.c.ks my conscience a little, but I ignore it and reclaim my Wizardry Staff from his hands. 

“This is my personal possession.” (Gio)

“Y-, you…… Who on earth are you?” (Gillion)

The large knight’s forehead is covered with cold sweat as he repeats his question from the start in a completely different tone. When I take a second look, I notice that he’s taken a step forward, as if to protect the redhead female knight. I somehow like him already. 

“Once again, I am the great wizard Gio Margils. By my name, I have a request for the ill.u.s.trious Carbanera Knight Order. I wish to report about the anki menace before either the Grand Cross or someone who can represent the entire Order. If this will require time to arrange, then I wish to request permission to stay here in the meantime.” (Gio)

I try my best to appear dignified by speaking slowly and solemnly. As a finisher, I strike the b.u.t.t of my Wizardry Staff against the floor, causing a ringing ‘ton’ sound. 

“Regarding permission from headquarters and all such, I have faith that it shall be procured without trouble, yes?”

The knights are nodding so hard that I can almost hear their teeth rattling inside their skulls.