Chapter 162 The Knight'S Circumstances
Since Sophia couldn't return to her own mansion, Sara and Rebecca had promised to meet up at Jeffrey's residence for the time being.
"Sa... Sophia, welcome back."
"Welcome back."
As soon as Sara arrived at the entrance, Scott and Blaze rushed out to greet her, competing with each other. However, when they saw Sophia, Scott came running to her with a delighted expression, while Blaze stopped in his tracks and approached her calmly.
"I'm back. By the way, I caught a boar on the way, so I brought it back tied to Durandal."
"A boar, it's been a while. Sophia seems to be doing well in the hunting tournament too."
Jeffrey, who was walking behind his sons, also called out to Sara.
"Sir Jeffrey, I have work with the merchant guild, so I won't be participating in the hunting tournament."
"Ah, I see. That's a shame."
'Oops, I was talking like Sara, wasn't I?'
"Thank you for your hard work Daniel. I didn't think Sophia would go this far."
"It's only natural, since the commander introduced her."
Jeffrey seemed relieved that Daniel, whom he had recommended, had successfully completed his escort duty.
"Sir Jeffrey, Daniel is an amazing escort."
"If you're pleased, I'd be happy if Sophia hires him as your escort. You'll probably want to move around freely on your own from now on, won't you?"
If Sara were to push forward with the merchant guild's work, she would need to move around on her own from now on. After all, if a noblewoman or a wealthy woman were to walk around alone without an escort, they'd be asking to be attacked by some shady characters.
'So, this isn't a place like Japan where a woman can walk alone safely.'
Even in Sarasa's time, there were many countries and regions where it was dangerous for a woman with money to walk alone. Moreover, Sophia's appearance was extremely eye-catching. "They'd think, 'Let's strip her naked and sell her off,'" and there'd be no shortage of people who'd do such a thing.
Sara doesn't think Sophia would lose to those scoundrels, but if she were to fight back, it would only draw more attention to herself. It's not necessary to risk getting noticed by the nobles or royal families of other lands.
However, with Sophia's current appearance, it's impossible to have the Grandchester knights escort her. If she did, it would be obvious that there's someone powerful backing Sophia, and that would be a problem. There's a difference between being vaguely suspicious and making it clear.
"If Daniel doesn't mind, I'd like to request it. I went to the Commerce Guild and felt like I stood out."
"""What's the big deal now?"""
Jeffrey and his sons all burst out laughing. They were in perfect sync.
"Haha, I'm honored that you trust me. I'll do my best to serve you, but..."
"What's wrong, Daniel? You're not yourself."
"No, it's just...I wonder if Lady Sophia really needs an escort. Earlier, I drew my sword, but she took care of the boar with magic before I could even do anything."
Jeffrey turned to Sara after hearing Daniel's response.
"Hey, Sophia, don't crush the pride of your escort."
"It was standing right in front of me, so I just reacted quickly, that's all."
Jeffrey let out a deep sigh.
"Sorry, Daniel. I'll tell her how to be escorted properly."
"No, it's just that I'm not good enough. Lady Sophia doesn't have any problems."
Daniel's face turned red as he hurriedly followed up, but Sara realized that a lecture was definitely coming. However, Jeffrey, who was watching Daniel, muttered quietly.
"Daniel, you too..."
'What's with that Caesar-like statement?'
"It's okay. You'll become a loyal and dedicated knight, after all."
"No, I've already quit the knight order, so I'm not a knight."
Then, in the next instant, Jeffrey's atmosphere changed greatly.
"Daniel, being a knight is a state of mind. Just like how there are knights who hold a noble title but can't even wield a sword, there are also true knights who exist without any title. Even if you quit the knight order, if you still have the heart of a knight, then you're a knight."
"Yes, Sir!"
"I don't just want to assign a mere bodyguard to Sophia. What she needs is a knight who swears loyalty to her."
Jeffrey took the sword hanging on the wall, sheath and all, and slammed it onto the floor. Then, right there, Daniel kneeled before Jeffrey.
"Never forget. What makes a knight a knight is their loyalty to their master and their compassion towards the weak. A knight's bravery is for protecting someone, not for boasting. Don't forget to be tolerant, always be just, and respect etiquette."
"I understand."
'Wow, Sir Jeffrey is so cool!'
Sara was watching Jeffrey with a carefree attitude, but when Daniel stood up and kneeled again, facing her, she was taken aback.
"Lady Sophia, if it pleases you, I offer my loyalty. I will regard you as my master."
Upon hearing Daniel's declaration, Sara turned to Jeffrey as if seeking rescue, but Jeffrey remained expressionless, observing the situation.
"Mr. Daniel, does swearing loyalty mean you'll keep all my secrets, no matter how heavy they are?"
"Of course. Even if Lady Sophia were to rebel, I would serve you."
Sara chuckled slightly.
"It's not that heavy, though."
"If it's a master-servant vow, then it's fitting to use this sword."
Jeffrey, who was watching from the side, handed the sword he was holding to Sara. Sara drew the sword and placed it on Daniel's shoulder.
"I accept your loyalty."
"I dedicate everything to you, milady. Even if the heavens were to fall and the earth were to split, I will not break this vow."
'This vow is too heavy, isn't it?'
Sara sheathed the sword and returned it to Jeffrey.
"Mr. Daniel, please rise."
"Please call me Daniel. You're already my master."
"Then, by Daniel's orders, stand up."
As Sara watched Daniel stand up briskly, she let out a deep sigh.
"Sir Jeffrey, why are you forcing him to make such a vow!"
"That's impolite to Daniel. A knight's vow is not something to be forced."
"That's true, Lady Sophia."
"But..."
However, it was clear that Jeffrey had led him on.
"No way, I thought it was just a promise of loyalty to Lady Sara. I didn't think he'd even take the oath of master and servant."
'What the heck?!'
Shw had received a promise of loyalty from Thomas as Sara, but this was a man pledging his loyalty to a lady, a gesture of utmost respect and admiration.
But a vassal's oath was a declaration made by a knight to their master, granting the right to control life and death, and many knights only made this oath once in their lifetime. Making it twice would be an act of betrayal, a shame for a knight.
"But, you know, Daniel's not hiding his feelings for you, so I think it's only natural to make him take the oath."
"Why does it have to be that way?!"
"It's not just a job as an escort, and Sophia's the one who should be clear about her position, right?"
"So, does that mean Mr. Daniel likes me?"
"Sophia, you're being pretty harsh, aren't you?"
I turned to look at Daniel, and his face was bright red as he looked down.
'Eeeeeeeeee!'
"Well, it seems like a talented knight who recognizes you as their master has been born, but how far will you go in sharing secrets?"
Jeffrey was grinning at Sara, his eyes sparkling.
'Ugh, so Sir Jeffrey made Daniel take the oath because he knew this would happen.'
"If things have gone this far, I won't refuse to share secrets."
"That's it, Revi."
Jeffrey turned to talk to Sara's back, and when Sara turned around, Rebecca was standing there with a surprised look on her face.
"I never thought I'd witness a promise of loyalty the moment I arrived."
"I never thought Daniel would go this far, to be honest."
Daniel, who was being pointed out, was getting increasingly flustered.
"But if Ms. Sophia has decided to reveal her secret, I won't object. It's probably better to do it sooner rather than later."
"Then let's change locations. We can't do it in the entrance hall, after all."
But Jeffrey's sons, who had witnessed the knight's oath, were dissatisfied.
"Father, why are you making Mr. Daniel do this, someone who met Sophia for the first time today?! He doesn't even know Sophia's true nature!"
Scott growled, unable to hide his anger.
"I don't understand what you're thinking, Father. Sophia isn't weak enough to need a guardian."
Blaze agreed with Scott.
Jeffrey stopped in his tracks and scolded his sons.
"Shut up, you fools! I won't tolerate any words that would shame the pride of the knights in this household. You're just unhappy that another man is getting close to Sophia. Your weak words are an insult. Be ashamed of yourselves!"
His angry voice shook the air.
'Yeah, Sir Jeffrey is still the coolest...'
Today, Jeffrey's stock was skyrocketing in Sara's eyes. It was almost at an all-time high.
"If you're going to say something even more ridiculous, then go back to your rooms!"
Scott and Blaze were still unhappy, but they didn't want to shame the knights' pride, so they properly apologized to Daniel. Daniel realized that these two had good intentions towards his master, and he accepted their apology.
After that, everyone moved to the reception room. It was the reception room where Sara had transformed into Sophia. Jeffrey had taken care of the people in the way beforehand.
"Daniel, can you sit there and wait for a bit?"
Sara hid behind the folding screen, called out to Mike, and transformed back from Sophia to her original form. Then, she popped out from behind the folding screen.
"Ah, it seems I didn't need to escort this time."
"I've gotten used to it. Daniel, this is my original form."
When Daniel looked, he was completely stunned.
'Ah, this is a system overload.'
"I see. It looks like I'm seeing my past self."
"We were surprised too."
"Yeah, yeah."
Jeffrey and his sons were watching Daniel's state with ease, but Rebecca was giving him a slightly stern gaze.
"Mr. Daniel, she can change her form to Sophia, but she is Sara Grandchester, my daughter. I understand you're surprised, but how long are you going to be stunned? Or is she too young, and your loyalty will fade away, making your oath invalid?"
Daniel regained his composure due to Rebecca's remark.
"No. That will never happen. Lady Sophia, I mean Milady Sara, my loyalty will not change regardless of her form."
Daniel stood up, kneeled down in front of Sara, and held out his right hand. Sara placed her hand on top of Daniel's and smiled brightly.
"I'm sorry for keeping quiet. I couldn't let others know about this ability."
"No. Milady Sara. It's only natural to hide an ability like this. I will swear my loyalty to you, no matter what form you take."
"Thanks, Daniel."
And so, the birth of Sara's strong and sturdy knight protector, devoid of unnecessary flair, came to be. Later, they would be known alongside "Thomas of Literature" and "Daniel of Martial Arts" as Sara's second closest confidant.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)