Chapter 286: Chapter 6. This Job... Isn't Easy
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Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I doing?
Zaratras, now left with only his pants, lay in a large pit, staring blankly at the rising moon. He could smell the tempting aroma of the fish pie specially made by the [Black Cat's Yawn] tavern. Unfortunately, the one enjoying that crispy, delicious treat wasn't him but the white-haired youth who had poked him to the ground with a single finger just like poking a turtle and his sister (?)
As for why he only had his pants left...
"Let's fight again! I could feel your strength surging ridiculously at dusk, but now you're not as strong. I feel like I can win this time!"
"You said the same thing five minutes ago, and as a knight, you even gambled with me to get me to spar with you," Cyd chuckled lightly, handing the fish pie to Medusa, whose eyes were glowing with anticipation.
The knight's armor and sword beside Cyd were clear indicators of how many times Zaratras had lost.
The first time he lost, his absolute confidence in his strength disappeared. He no longer underestimated Cyd and began to see him as a true opponent, revealing the stance worthy of someone from the "Central Pillar of the Capital's Defense." Then, the ground gained another pit.
Not only did he lose his dignity as the Great Holy Knight, but he also lost the freshly baked, crispy fish pie from the [Black Cat's Yawn]! This was a blow to his very life!
Starving from working overtime for twenty-four hours straight, Zaratras bet his dignity as the Great Holy Knight to reclaim the fish pie, only to lose his golden knight armor, which symbolized his rank.
It was too cruel—eating that crispy fish pie right in front of him. As he watched crumbs fall from Medusa's bite onto the ground, his heart bled. How could such a delicious, comforting treat fall to the ground like that!? He always made sure not to leave even a single crumb behind!
Looking at Zaratras, whose expression seemed to bleed tears, Cyd began to doubt if coming to work in this kingdom had been the right choice. After all, this Great Holy Knight, an envoy of the king, was now reduced to lamenting over food crumbs on the ground.
"My brother... he's special," said Dreyfus, after fumbling for a long time, unable to find the right words to explain why Zaratras was lying there in such a pitiful state.
"Knights are treated well."
Knighthood is a status that only the talented can reach. The kingdom wouldn't mistreat a knight. But the problem was that the position of Great Holy Knight was too prestigious. As the saying goes, "Have you ever seen a king with a salary?"
Zaratras could command whatever he wanted and didn't need a salary. In other words, he was working for free, with practically no private assets.
If he wanted a late-night snack, he couldn't exactly command a knight to go buy it for him, could he? Would that be considered using public funds?
Had he not been so busy, Zaratras might have taken up a side job just for fun, buying things with his own earned money. But he hadn't enjoyed that kind of fun for many years. Every fancy meal he ate was paid for by Dreyfus.
"I wonder... is he going to be okay?" Cyd glanced at Zaratras, who seemed so gray and lifeless that he might disappear at any moment. He was starting to worry that he had hit Zaratras' confidence too hard.
"He's fine. This happens once or twice a month. Just give him something tasty, and he'll be back to normal."
Dreyfus didn't realize that his method of handling this situation was a bit odd. From Cyd's perspective, it was like dealing with a dejected big dog, which actually fit, considering how much Zaratras resembled one in Cyd's eyes.
"Ah~ the future looks bleak."
With a superior like this, or worse, becoming someone like this—neither seemed like ideal options. But...
"I am used to this kind of frustration," Cyd muttered, patting Medusa's head before gazing up at the sky.
No matter when or where the stars and constellations above always shone brightly. Their fierce light seemed to say, "Show this pitiful side of yourself again, and I'll bite your head off!"
"Alright, alright, I get it. I'll work harder."
The Kingdom of Liones had welcomed a new Holy Knight. His pure white hair had endeared him to the people even more than Great Holy Knight Zaratras. Despite his young appearance, Zaratras praised his strength. Without a doubt, their kingdom had gained a new protector.
At some point, people began referring to this knight as something else.
The Pure White Hero, Cyd.
"Fate really has a sense of humor," Cyd thought to himself. He was fully aware of the title people had given him, and hearing it once again made him feel as though he had returned to that time in Greece.
Lately, he had become rather sentimental. Was he really getting old?
"Listen up, Cyd. As your senior, I need to teach you something very important."
Zaratras threw an arm around Cyd's shoulder, who had been staring at the sky in a daze, and said seriously, "It's about how to get your subordinates to bring you snacks!"
"Is food the only thing in your head? Also, Dreyfus came looking for me again because you ditched work to go moonlight."
No matter how sentimental he felt, as long as this unreliable Great Holy Knight, whose mind was always on food, didn't start acting serious, Cyd couldn't focus on anything else.
Cyd let out a long sigh. He had recently become reacquainted with the feeling of being "busy." He needed to learn everything he could about this continent, so he'd been holed up in the library reading ancient texts. But he was always pulled out by Dreyfus because Zaratras would sneak off to work a side job.
His excuse? "With Cyd here, what's there to worry about?"
The castle couldn't be left unguarded, so Cyd had to leave the library and sit in Zaratras' usual seat, acting as the kingdom's defense.
"Alright, alright. I'll treat you to a meal later. Next time I skip work, you're in charge!"
Zaratras flashed a fawning smile, trying to bribe Cyd with a delicious feast.
Cyd raised his head and looked toward King Bartra, who was seated on the throne. Right now... they were having an audience with the king, after all. To bribe your subordinate to cover for your absence in front of your superior—Zaratras had nerves of steel. And for the king to show no reaction to this behavior—his nerves were even tougher.
"!?" Bartra suddenly sprang to his feet, drenched in cold sweat as though awakening from a nightmare.
Oh, Your Majesty, have you finally realized how dangerous it is for the Great Holy Knight, tasked with guarding the kingdom, to skip work?
"I just had a terrifying nightmare. It was a prophecy from the 'Vision'."
Cyd rubbed his temples in frustration. To fall asleep on the throne during an audience with his subjects—was that any way for a king to act?
"Haah~ It seems I won't even have time to feel sentimental."
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