Published: January 15, 2026
【Murcia】
Taking Dee, Arb, and a dozen or so knights, I immediately headed toward the city gate. From a distance, with the Wolfsburg Mountains behind us, we could see a large marching force of the knight order descending the mountain path.
The soldiers stationed above the gate were looking at us, waiting for instructions.
“Open the gate! Open the gate!”
They hurried to open the gate, and I waited with Dee and the others in front of it.
As soon as the gate opened, Count Venturey and his knight order appeared. A battle-hardened veteran with white hair and sharp eyes, Venturey looked at us and lowered his chin.
“Oh, the son of Marquis Feltio, Lord Murcia. So, you are the one entrusted with this key position. You look robust, which is good to see.”
“Y-yes. It’s good to see you are well too, Lord Venturey.”
After exchanging brief greetings, Venturey nodded deeply and looked behind me.
“So, that must be the famous Dragon Slayer, Rear Guard Dee... Did you recruit him from Lord Van’s service?”
Before I could answer, Dee shook his shoulder and burst out laughing.
“Wahaha! Well, I am currently acting as the deputy knight commander of the Murcia knight order, but soon I plan to return to Lord Van! The command of the Seato knight order will not be handed to anyone else!”
Upon Dee’s words, Venturey blinked and turned his gaze back to me.
“...Murcia knight order? Hmm, isn’t it the knight order of the Marquis Feltio family?”
Venturey’s face showed suspicion. Yet there was a subtle sense of unease in his expression. He probably had some knowledge about the knight order with my name and had made some guesses. In other words, he just wanted to hear a confirmation whether his assumptions were correct.
I wasn’t sure if I could meet his expectations, but I decided to speak honestly.
“I have received an imperial decree. From now on, Van’s strength is needed for the invasion of the Yelinetta Kingdom, so we are to assist with all our might. As a result, Van—no, Baron Van—was appointed as the acting lord of this fortress city, which he renovated. Preparations have already been made to accommodate the kingdom’s army, so please proceed to the central castle.”
Having few opportunities to converse with heads of prominent noble families, I nervously explained the situation and offered to guide them inside the castle. Venturey furrowed his brows as he looked deeper inside.
“...It looks like quite a transformation. As expected from Baron Van, it has a unique character. So, what is the name of this fortress city?”
When asked by Venturey, I hesitated for a moment. Venturey frowned suspiciously.
“What is it?”
He asked again, prompting me to accept the situation.
“...T-this is the fortress city Murcia.”
Upon my answer, Venturey let out a breath and laughed softly.
“I see... So Baron Van named the fortress city?”
“...Yes, that’s right.”
I nodded in response, and Venturey squinted his eyes and laughed.
“Hahaha! That’s just like Baron Van! Now then, please tell me where our knight order will be staying.”
“Y-yes... The fortress city’s layout is quite complex. I will have one of Murcia knight order’s knights guide you.”
Saying that, I turned back and called out to the man standing next to Dee.
“Marcos, please guide Count Venturey’s knight order to the inner small castle.”
“Yes, sir!”
Marcos straightened his back and responded energetically, stepping forward. Marcos is one of the knights I have known the longest. Though small in stature, he is a well-trained elite and a skilled magic user.
Proudly, Marcos approached the knight commander of Count Venturey’s knight order, who was about a head taller than him.
“I am Marcos, sergeant of the Murcia knight order! Please follow me this way!”
As Marcos led the way, the knight order bowed lightly before advancing. As expected from Venturey’s battle-tested knights, their movements were perfectly coordinated.
After seeing them off, Venturey pointed beyond the gate.