Fresh blood splattered the air throughout the Elven forest. A knight neighs his horse while twisting his fingers around his vermillion spear.

　As he placed himself on the horse, the man wielded the spear with unusual skill, as if it were an extension of his arm. The crimson tip of the spear was handled as the tip of the man's finger.

　Once again, fresh blood covered the hollow and the earth. At the same time, the flesh of the ape-shaped monster dispersed into fragments.

　The situation must have been incomprehensible to the great ape, the hexenbiest that had been rushing to the gates of Gazalia.

　Summoned by the shouts of our fellow monkeys that we had a good catch, we were one step closer to bringing down the gates filled with its food.

　And yet... But now, the gates that we pushed ourselves through have become a wall of death that blocks our escape. No matter how hard I try to escape, no matter how hard I fight to the death, that spear is thrusting in, ready to take everything.

　What is that? It's beyond the Oozaru's understanding. It's not that he's not intelligent enough, it's just that his instincts are terrified of trying to understand what he's seeing. It was as if it was rejecting the act of understanding itself.

　The red spear extended. Each time it did, blood splattered and the flesh and blood of his comrades covered the forest as carcasses. That one swing seemed more demonic than a demonic beast, more vicious than a demon arm.

　At least, Oozaru had never seen his own body and those of his comrades being flung away so easily. Even if he had collided with a demonic beast of the same kind, he could have sworn that it was impossible for him to be killed by a single blow.

　That's why the current scene is so unbelievable. How could a mere thrust of a spear cause our bodies to burst apart?

　Is that man's physical strength abnormal, or is that spear magical?

　Oozaru couldn't tell for sure. And he'll never know again.

　The last great ape's head popped off at the end of the man's hand. The earth was blackened by repeated bloodshed.

"Knight! Find a way to live. Avoid danger, but if you cannot avoid it, fight nobly" - I don't remember the number in the Knight's Code. Well, whatever it was, it was your fault for attacking us.

　The man spat ferociously at the carcass, which was no longer making a sound. He was still on his horse, spinning his spear casually in his hand.

　The sight of the man was nothing short of extraordinary.

　A jousting spear, as the word implies, has its true value only when it is used to assist the speed of a horse in a cavalry charge. In short, it is to stab and pierce the enemy in passing with the speed of the wind while riding a horse. This was the threat and the beauty of the cavalry.

　Therefore, it was a juggling act to swing the spear repeatedly while riding a horse like a man. And yet, if he could pierce and kill a demon beast with a single stab, it was almost a magic trick.

　That's why, isn't it? Even after the man had slaughtered the last hexenbiest, using the fresh blood on his body as a sign of victory, all that could be heard around him was not applause for the victor, but the sound of people salivating in fear of the foreign object.

"You're still as bloodthirsty as ever, Cathedral Knight Garrus Gargantia.

　It was no coincidence that she was the only one who could throw her voice into the room, her silver hair shimmering. Her small lips closed tightly, as if she was stifling fatigue.

　A man, the cathedral knight Garrus Gargantia, followed the voice and turned his fierce gaze to the castle gate while riding his beloved horse. As soon as he sees the silver hair, his cheeks shake distortedly.

"Oh! "Oh... I wonder where the Bonin called you. It's the knight Kalia Vadnick. It's been a while since the joint training with the Knights.

　Garrus recognized the shadow shaking his silver hair.

　I'm not sure what to make of this. However, even though this was the only time they had met, the image was still vivid in Garrus' mind.

　His skill with the sword was remarkable, and his martial skills were so perfect that it was hard to believe he was an apprentice. And most of all, his obsession with being a knight is so strong that it almost seems like a curse.

　All of these things set him apart from the lazy people who just call themselves knights. I remember it well. In fact, I even felt respect for him.

　I guess that's why. The next words that came out of Kalia's lips were a bit surprising to Garrus.

Oh, I'm sorry, but I'm no longer a knight. Well, sooner or later, I suppose. So now I'm just Kalia, that's what I call myself.

　Well, that was surprising. I'm not sure what to make of it.

　It doesn't look as if the roots of his heart have been broken. But when you say you've found another way, I can't help but wonder what that way is.

　For a moment, the ferocity in Garrus's eyes fades, and his mouth slackens. In fact, it's delightful.

"Well, that's nice, that's not bad. It's not bad at all. If I could quit, I'd be much better off just throwing away this stupid title and drinking.

　Garrus mutters loudly, as if to himself.

　This is not a mockery of Kalia. It was not a taunt to Kalia, but it had a tint to it that made those around him believe that he truly felt that way from the depths of his heart.

　So," the voice continued.

So," the voice continued, "how is it that you, a mere Caria, find yourself in the land of the elves? It's not like you're just wandering around, is it?

　Instantly, the air shimmers.

　Every time Garrus opened his mouth, his voice, his words, gradually regained their original ferocity.

　He showed his teeth and lifted his cheeks without hiding his tone and eyes, as if he were a threatening beast. It was hard to describe the behavior of a sincere and respectful cathedral knight.



　But as if in response to her behavior, Kalia's silver eyes flashed with the intensity of a bird of prey.

"Are you inscrutable or just plain stupid? One of two things, but which are you, Garrus?

　With a deep stomp to the other's chest, Kalia tossed the words to the person below her. It was as if he was trying to provoke her. Garrus's mouth lifted, deeper and more contorted.

　It is, yes. If you're on our side, we'll open the gates and greet you. If they're not involved, they won't bother to come to the gates.

　Then... Kalia, who is now standing at the gate and looking down at you, is undoubtedly...

"Well... You are the one who betrayed us - the one who was attached to the heraldists, Karia Vardnick.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.

　It's much better than just transporting captured heraldists. It's much better to have a little change than to do something that I'm not sure can be called a knight's job.

　However, the person who was supposed to be captured is now standing in front of the castle gate, talking openly. So, even if you don't like it, you can understand what is happening in Gazalia right now.

　It's a pain in the ass.

　Garrus was a man who was torn between two emotions: the dangerous curiosity of a child, and a laziness so great that he was almost a beast.

"So what business does a Knight of the Sept have in Gazalia? It's not a country where humans have any business.

　Kalia's words continued. It seems to me that the words were spoken with a certain intent. It was as if he was aiming at something.

　Are you insensitive or just plain stupid? Garrus was tempted to retort, but that would have been very, very stupid.

　Garrus snaps his head.

"I'll let you choose, Kaleah Vadnick.

　Garrus opens his lips and lets the words roll off his lips as if they were nothing.

"Would you rather die with honor, or be hanged after being exposed?

　The words were thrown against the gate in a very natural way.

　The words, despite their spontaneity, had a ferocity to them that made me want to choke on them. The throats of the elven soldiers still at the gates rang with fear.

　Like Garrus, Kalia's cheeks lifted in a wide grin as she shook her hair, which had lost its clasp.