Goblin Knight - Chapter 125
Only Noblemtl
〈Episode 125〉 Starlight Dance (1)
* * *
Look over there!
The stars are reaching out!
But I guess you don’t know where we are.
It can’t be helped, the night is so dark.
So let’s go.
Let us hold those sparkling hands first.
Let’s fly high into the night sky singing!
Here we were!
On a night when the stars dance,
The promise to meet again here!
* * *
Blanc has ridden a horse a total of three times so far.
Once when I left the goblin lair on the horse Floria gave me, once when I went to play a love song with Sir Tom Quiyote, and once when I returned.
And Blanc never felt any real pleasure during those three rides.
Even one of those rides was relatively pleasant, thanks to the ride on Sir Tom Quiyote’s skilled steed, Rosante.
The reason was clear.
Because it was evident from every groan and every stroke of a hoof that the horses that carried him really, really, really didn’t like him.
Blanc has a rather delicate personality.
They are hurt and afraid of the fact that a non-evil being hates and rejects them.
So at some point he gave up trying to find a horse.
Even though I know that if I could only have a horse by my side my travels would be much easier, and yet I know that it is ridiculous to call myself a knight without a horse.
I was unconsciously blocking out the thought itself because I was afraid of the numerous rejections I would experience in the process.
I was giving up.
because.
Now that he had been running for a long time across the vast meadows with Trasha, Blanc was enjoying such happiness that he wondered if he was dreaming.
The eye level that makes you feel like you’re a giant, the summer breeze that hits your face coolly and slices through it, the wolf’s howl that feels good every time you touch its neck…
Everything was new and stimulating, so I felt like I could do this for the rest of my life without getting tired of it.
‘At first, I was worried that Ray had hurt her so badly, but maybe it was because of his unique resilience or because the wound wasn’t as deep as I thought, but it was almost completely healed.’
‘I wish I could learn horseback riding. Trasha is a wolf, not a horse, but since he’s a horseman, I guess the basics are the same.’
‘It’s such a shame that Mr. Nero passed away in such an unexpected accident. He couldn’t have such wonderful experiences because he had an accident when Trasha was still young… ‘
Even as he prepared to camp at night, his thoughts were entirely focused on Trasha.
What suddenly comes to mind is the story of ‘The Knight Who Loved Horses’, one of the many anecdotes included in my mother’s knight’s manual.
It’s the story of a knight who claimed that a true knight could not help but fall in love with a horse, and who tried to mate with a horse and was kicked to death. I think his name was Brony or something.
At the time I read it, I thought, ‘What the heck, a heterosexual person? What kind of crazy person is this?’, but now I think I understand a little bit.
They can run at the same speed as horses, have far greater stamina than horses, are highly proficient in battle, are smart enough to lead a pack of monsters, and require no upkeep because they hunt their own prey… … .
Gurgle, gurgle.
She even acts cute towards him.
Blanc couldn’t help but smile happily at the sight of Trasha flipping over on the floor and entrusting her stomach to him.
How can one not love such a being!
Gently stroking Trasha’s belly, Blanc recalled Floria’s words when she ran away from him when they had just set off on their journey.
Do you see, you little horse? Even if your words reject and detest me, I have Trasha! I don’t need you either!
“……It’s a female.”
“uh?”
At the sound of the girl’s voice next to him, Blanc was startled, wondering if Annely had read his thoughts and was talking about Floria’s words.
Of course, that couldn’t be the case… but Annelly had always had a sharp side that seemed to read his mind, so he had hoped it might be possible.
But she was just looking at Trasha’s belly with a subtle expression. Was it a female?
“Was I? I wonder if I was being rude to the lady. Is it possible that the way you treat someone is different depending on the gender?”
“Not really. What does it matter whether the wolf is male or female? Trasha is just her master’s steed. Not a pet.”
“……Isn’t that a similar thing?”
“It’s clearly different.”
Swish, swish.
Annelies poked the fire fiercely with a poker.
Something seemed terribly wrong with him, but he had no idea why.
“Anyway, thanks to Trasha, our schedule has been shortened significantly. We should be able to arrive in India City by tomorrow morning.”
“A city. Now I don’t have much to wish for, so I just want it to be an ordinary place. A clean city, a city where the bitter cold blows… I don’t need a distinct personality for a place where people live.”
“An ordinary city is also full of problems as usual… but I hardly had a moment to catch my breath during my last journey. It’s really strange.”
“What?”
“Traveling isn’t like this, where all sorts of events come crashing down on you without a moment to breathe. It’s usually a routine that’s so mundane that it can feel boring.”
“Is it because when I feel something is strange, I force my head in?”
“I see. Then, would you like to take a break from whatever event awaits you this time?”
“That can’t be.”
The moment Blanc answered with a smirk, a knocking sound was heard from across the campfire, confirming his words.
It was a glass slipper resting on the other side.
I don’t know if the expression ‘resting’ is correct.
If that thing had any kind of stamina, it must have been tired, having led the way the entire time Blanc and his party rode on Trasha.
… … It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way, I take it for granted that my shoes are resting while warming themselves.
Blanc let out a hollow laugh, feeling dumbfounded even by himself.
“Anyway, let’s go to bed soon. I don’t want to be lazy and end up in a long line like at the Q-sen.”
“Come to think of it, I guess I’ll have to think about what to do with Trasha when we enter the city. A wolf that big won’t be able to enter easily.”
“Why? Why not just pretend to be a bigger dog like Nero did?”
“Uh… um….”
Annelly looked embarrassed.
It was the expression I usually made when I thought that it was something so common sense, but I didn’t know where to start explaining it.
“Okay. I guess I shouldn’t see you like that. Let’s go to the city and think about what to do with Trasha.”
“Okay. Would you like me to make you a cup of tea or something? Or would you like to go to sleep right away?”
“The car is fine. Good night, Annelie.”
“Good night, master.”
* * *
And when the next morning came.
Blanc and Anneli’s prediction that Trasha’s size would make it difficult to enter the city was half right and half wrong.
The part that hit was that you couldn’t enter the city.
And the wrong part is… … .
“(Hey, we’ve seen each other a few times, so you know I hate having my hair cut!)”
“I’m sorry, but as I said, those who do not submit to a body search are not allowed to enter the city under any circumstances. This is a permanent decree.”
“(What the hell, how many people know me behind my back! Don’t they know that I’m suffering from a terrible curse! )”
“(It’s not a curse, it’s hair loss. Last time I looked, it had grown three times in diameter. Why don’t you just shave it off and let the bare, transparent heart of yours be known far and wide?)”
“I’ll kill you!!”
“Guards!!”
Blanc looked at the long rope hanging down from a distance, hiding in the forest, as if he had seen it before, and ended up resting his head on the table.
“……I didn’t expect this situation.”
“There’s nothing I can do.”
Annelie, who had glimpsed the dream of the Viscount Evernage, unlike Blanc, muttered bitterly.
“It was a battle between spirits, how could we have known?”
India, and furthermore its leader, Viscount Meduff, was at war.
And that was just three days ago.
The opponent is Baron Besmek, lord of Gelamis.
Originally a wandering knight of unknown fame, he is said to have achieved great success in suppressing rebels during the civil war and was granted territory and a title.
Until recently, he was living quietly, ruling his own territory, but about a few months ago, he suddenly raised an army from nowhere and has been expanding his territory while achieving incomprehensible victories.
Of course, there are a lot of things I’m concerned about, so I’d like to find out more… … .
What was important to Blanc right now was not information about the territorial war between Indiagelamis.
“…If I have to show my face to enter the city, then what am I supposed to do?”
“How about Sir Hekal’s badge?”
“The bald man who was taken away after causing a disturbance a while ago… The man with thin hair seemed to be acquainted with the nobles of that city. Even such a person could not avoid a body search, so it seems that it will be difficult in this case.”
“Hmm……”
There is no way to get into that city.
When you ask the glass slipper for the answer, it simply tells you that you have to go through India, but does not tell you how to get there.
Blanc was in a difficult position.
“Oh, really. Trasha, I was just thinking about what I would do if you got caught at the checkpoint, but now that I’m the one in trouble, I feel embarrassed.”
Kyaung.
“Annelli, is there any good way?”
“…….”
Anneli stared at the gate with her gun-like eyes, hoping to get the answer her master demanded.
Seeing that sight, Blanc forgot all the worries he had been harboring until just a moment ago.
The girl had those eyes every time Blanc told her what she lacked.
Even when I ended Gian’s tragedy, and even when I woke up Viscount Evernage from his dream…
A pioneering vision that uncovers just one answer.
Now, soon, Anneli would give the answer with a kind smile as always, so Blanc just had to follow her.
“……There is, there is, but, that’s it.”
“Annelli?”
The girl’s condition was strange.
Annely, who had been staring at the gate for a long time, let out a small exclamation of “Ah” as if she had realized something, and then immediately started shaking and her face turned bright red.
And the girl’s eyes, as she turned her head and looked at Blanc, were swirling with two conflicting emotions.
No matter what, I have a loyalty that makes it difficult to dare to suggest this method.
And, a strong sense of betrayal that seems to shout, ‘I rather like it’… … .
“……First, let me define the current situation again. In order for us to pass through that gate, it has to be revealed that the master is a goblin. Right?”
“That’s right. That’s why we’re in such an awkward situation.”
“Unfortunately, my lord, I have not found a way to turn the situation around. However, I think I know a way into the city.”
“I don’t understand. Is that possible? What on earth did you come up with to do this this time?”
“…….”
Annely hesitated for a while and then whispered hesitantly.
“…You can just trick the master by saying that you’re my… servant.”
“?”
Blanc tilted his head, unable to understand a sentence purely for the first time in a long while.
Annelly explained with a face that looked like it was going to smoke.
“As you know, Master, I am a wizard. And I have the ability and knowledge to convince others of that.”
“Uh… why is that… continuing like that?”
“……As Iscariot said in Q-sen, there are many eccentric wizards. There are many who treat rare monsters like experimental animals. While acting like that, I thought that I could prove my identity with the identification badge of Lord Hekal.”
“oh…….”
At that point, Blanc seemed to be starting to understand.
“So what you’re saying is, you’re going to pretend to be a wizard and use me, a goblin, as your servant and enter the city?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! No matter what, it was too rude of me to do that! I need to find another way…!”
Annelie lowered her head, at a loss.
Blanc put her appearance aside for a moment, rubbing his chin with his hand and recalling the scene.
It wasn’t easy to imagine her, since she had a deep impression of the seed, Annelie… but what would change much if she became the master for a while?
Anyway, we know that we have the same feelings, and although we are only in a master-servant relationship in words, in reality we are capable of doing anything for each other.
So Blanc answered lightly.
“I think it’ll be okay if you can just make sure your disguise is right? Trasha will have to stay outside for a while anyway.”
“yes?”
“Is there something to be so sorry about? You just need to be my master for a few days while I’m staying in the city. It’s not like our relationship can change just by changing our titles….”
Annely stared at him blankly, forgetting for a moment the embarrassment she had felt just a moment ago.
“……Master. If we enter that city according to this plan, you must absolutely obey my orders as long as there are eyes around you.”
“Hmm. Right.”
“No matter what I ask you to do, you can’t refuse. Are you aware of this?”
“I know that very well. But Annelly, there’s no way you would do anything bad to me, right?”
“…….”
Annelie stopped talking and looked at him.
The slightly scary, serious purple eyes were still gleaming with gunfire, just like they had been a moment ago… … .
… … But after a while, Annelie seemed to suddenly come to her senses and shuddered, lowering her head.
The red eyes, wide open, were looking at his hand as if he was looking at something strange, as if he was surprised by something.
“Annelli?”
“……Master. I’m truly sorry, but I think it would be best to cancel the plan I just mentioned.”
“Huh? Why?”
“My soul, which adores you, cries out that it cannot do that.”
“But there is another way into the city…….”
While Blanc was expressing his discomfort at Annely’s sudden change in appearance.
Blanc’s long ears and Trasha simultaneously picked up the disparate tones coming from close range.
The sound of human footsteps, the sound of several horse hooves, dozens more, a well-organized group, moving quickly, approaching.
After confirming the above information, the goblins and wolves immediately took a state of alert.
A while later.
What appeared before Blanc, who had Anneli hidden behind him and was ready to draw his sword at any moment, was a series of well-organized troops.
Six fully armed knights, a group of soldiers who looked to be about thirty, and a young commander leading them.
They approached, waving a flag symbolizing five stars floating on the lake, but soon stopped when they discovered Blanc and his party.
“No, what kind of wolf is that!”
“A monster!? Everyone, spears and crossbows!”
“Please stop. She is my precious friend and steed. Her name is Trasha.”
“…You?”
After confirming that the party had no hostile intentions, the commander with curly blond hair calmed down his subordinates and asked.
Blanc answered, since there was no particular reason to hide it.
“I am the wandering knight Blanc Zen Heinzwerk. This is my squire Arnel.”
“Blanc? Wait, that beautiful maidservant wearing armor covering her entire body, is that really… Blanc!?”
Blanc couldn’t help but be flustered when he received a more intense response from his commander than he had expected.
“……What kind of blanc is that?”
“Isn’t it obvious!”
The young commander spoke in a very excited tone.
“The third son of the most fierce swordsmanship family in the Empire, and the greatest master of the sword, dedicated to preventing the two-month cold on the northern frontier! I speak of that noble knight who, on his journey of knightly training to prove his valor, was instructed directly by the Lady of the Hunt disguised as a white reindeer, and after completing twelve great hunts including a fire-breathing lion and a monster rabbit that killed man, traveled the world in search of a revelation to free the Goddess who was sealed by three opponents, but whose body was burned by an evil witch’s curse and he was forced to walk with his whole body covered!”
Blanc’s mind went blank for a moment.
At that reaction, the commander seemed to be certain that he was ‘that Blanc’, and he strode towards him with eyes sparkling with admiration and grabbed his hand.
“I have been longing to meet you, Sir Blanczen Heinswerk! I am Viscount Meduff von India, Lord and Commander-in-Chief of India!”
Even in his dazed state, Blanc thought.
I guess I’ll be able to get into the city somehow.
And, because I spent some time thinking about that idea… … .
“(……As expected, since that day, something…….)”
Blanc didn’t hear Annely’s voice, which was muttering anxiously.
* * *