How to Live as a Knight After the Ending - Chapter 57
Only Noblemtl
Episode 57. Royal Guard (2)
Ossian’s eyebrows slightly rose at the mention of Princess Orlea’s escort.
When a guest from a neighboring country comes to town, it’s only natural that they give her the best treatment possible.
Escort was also one of those front lines.
When a distinguished guest from a country visits, an event reminiscent of a coronation is held.
The roads were closed off to spread the word that a VIP had arrived.
Make way for them to pass.
It marches proudly through them.
It’s not just VIPs who come from that country.
The number of people who come along for assistance and protection exceeds three digits.
Since the opponent is royalty, the scale of the event will be grand.
But, it was completely difficult for Ossian to understand why an escort mission was given here.
“I know. For a guest of that level, there’s no need for a separate escort. There will already be more reliable guards than anyone else.”
“Besides, this is a problem-solving office. It’s not usually a place where this kind of work can be entrusted.”
Even though the problem solver was a popular job in Tirna, it wasn’t enough to get to an event like this.
No, you can do it.
Those who are the best in the problem-solving industry are skilled enough to be treated well in any country.
It’s strange even considering that.
For these types of things, it is usually best to make a formal request through the Problem Solver Association.
But Frenfitz came to Ronan personally and even half-threatened him.
Anyone who saw it would see that the behavior was abnormal.
Ossian’s eyes narrowed.
“It seems there is something more hidden behind it.”
“I think so too.”
Ronan shook his head, his shoulders slumped as if in trouble.
However, the expression on his face, with his eyes wide and relaxed, did not change at all.
Ronan said, staring at Ossian.
“This request is a trap.”
“A trap?”
“It’s not a trap for us. It’s a common saying in the industry. If the scale is big and the rewards are high, but the request itself is trivial, there’s always a hidden danger.”
“Just like the Blood Brotherhood incident.”
Ronan nodded.
“It seems like the other party has an urgent matter that requires urgent help from a problem solver. They didn’t explain why, though. That’s why I don’t plan on accepting this request.”
“Are you okay?”
Ossian watched Ronan’s reaction.
Even though we had only heard a few stories of the past, it was clear to everyone that Ronan wanted the relics.
Ronan decided to give it up cleanly.
“It’s a relic anyway. It’s a meaningless artifact with no real value. We absolutely cannot do something like forcing our troubleshooters into a dangerous mission for that.”
Ronan’s words were not simply lies.
He sincerely said that he would rather give up his mother’s belongings than send his own person.
“As expected, you are no ordinary broker.”
As Ossian did various things, he developed an ear for hearing and an eye for seeing.
The solution industry is structured around a large conglomerate with various offices scattered around it.
Of course, the basic gist is that there are brokers who set up offices and the problem solvers who have contracts with such brokers.
When a broker gets a job, a problem solver handles it.
The reward is the problem solver.
The broker takes a small fee.
Although the relationship is structured like that of a crocodile and a crocodile bird, it does not always work out well.
Some brokers knew that it was a risky request, but they hid it from the problem solver and passed it on to the problem solver.
Conversely, some troubleshooters have found themselves in disputes with middlemen who take their compensation as commission.
Rather, cases like Ronan’s were so strange that they were rare.
“Is that so? That’s what everyone says to me. What on earth are you up to?”
“Are you really okay with that?”
“Thank you for your concern. But I’m really okay. I’ve already made up my mind.”
Ossian suddenly remembered the scene he had seen when he entered the tavern.
Ronan had the same expression as always, but his eyes were wide open and his gaze lingered on the relics on the table for an unusually long time.
‘You said it was your mother’s.’
Suddenly, I remembered myself before I fell into this world.
For an orphan living alone without a family, the presence of parents was a strange thing.
But that didn’t mean there was no longing.
The fact that he was alive meant that there was definitely a biological mother who gave birth to him.
Ossian often thought about that.
What if I had a mother? Someone who would hold my hand like other children, take me to places to play, nag me, and wake me up in the morning.
What if there was a family like that?
Maybe it was because of that feeling that Ronan’s appearance caught my eye particularly.
“That guy named Frenfitz. Judging from the fact that he asked to escort the princess, he must be from that faction.”
“I guess it’s almost certain.”
“If you requested an escort, it must mean that something is urgent. Should I explain the details?”
“That’s not true. That man didn’t come to us because he was outstanding. Rather, he wanted to use whatever he could. That’s probably why he came to me.”
“I guess it must be that desperate.”
The fact that Frenfitz, who followed the princess, was going to the trouble of selling his feet meant that the incident was going to be bigger than expected.
It occurred to me that perhaps this peace mission itself was a sham.
There is a conspiracy. A very big conspiracy.
“Ronan.”
“Yes, Mr. Ossian. Go ahead.”
“How much more can you get from a desperate person than the commission he was given?”
“What is that now… … .”
“I will accept the request. I will try to escort the princess.”
Ronan’s eyebrows twitched at those words.
“Mr. Ossian, you don’t have to say that out of consideration for me. I’m really fine.”
“Is this really okay?”
Ronan was speechless for a moment, but then answered.
“… … Even if it’s not okay, this is my business. I can’t let Mr. Ossian interfere with my personal affairs.”
A rather serious tone, unlike usual.
There was a hint of reproach in those words.
Don’t let your personal feelings get into your work.
It was a choice made after trying hard to suppress my emotions.
Since Ossian had said he would do it, Ronan’s feelings were bound to become complicated in many ways.
“Yes. It’s your personal business. But aren’t you the broker who contracted with me?”
“that…….”
“And I am one of the problem solvers you have chosen.”
Ossian stared intently at Ronan.
In his eyes, pure white starlight sparkled like sparks.
Ronan couldn’t avoid that gaze.
“Please help me. Just say that.”
“If you say so.”
Ronan asked, his lips trembling.
“Are you helping me? My life might be in danger?”
“gladly.”
Ronan’s mouth closed at the firm answer.
Ossian smiled faintly, the corners of his lips slightly curling up.
“Why are you doing this for me?”
“You were the first one to offer me a helping hand when I came to this city without knowing anything.”
“Is that all you need to do?”
“Just that reason. Is that not enough?”
Ossian spoke to Ronan, who was at a loss for words.
“As a broker, and as a human being, there is only one thing you have to say: Ronan Rolland. You know what I mean.”
“… … .”
“So tell me.”
Arrogant and overbearing words.
But strangely enough, that behavior didn’t feel bad at all.
“Haha. Oh my.”
Ronan shook his head as if embarrassed, then quickly put on his usual smile.
“Please, Mr. Ossian.”
*
A welcoming ceremony was held for Princess Orlean.
She arrived on an airship, got off at the station with her guard, and prepared to move among the welcoming crowd.
“Your role is simple. It’s just a formality, but you’re just going to pretend to be an escort. All you have to do is follow the procession while maintaining a certain level of facial expression.”
The Tirna official looked over the list written in the file and gave a brief explanation.
She spoke in a cold tone, her glasses gleaming.
“Don’t expect much. The police and military escorts in Tirna will take care of it anyway. Just don’t cause any trouble and just fill the numbers appropriately.”
There was a sense of contempt in that voice for the profession of problem solver itself.
But there was no one to refute that statement.
No one wanted to cause friction with the officials of Tirna.
Besides that, the level of problem solvers gathered here was not good enough to openly protest to public officials.
Ossian watched the whole scene from a distance with his arms folded.
It’s not good to be picky, but I think it’s a bit excessive to look down on this person.
I’ve heard that the city officials of Tirna are not on good terms with the freelance troubleshooters.
Knowing it as knowledge and facing it directly are two different things.
At that time, I was thinking that I should say at least one thing.
The expression on the female civil servant’s face brightened significantly as she looked at Ossian.
“Of course, I’m not worried because Mr. Ossian is trustworthy, hahaha.”
“… … .”
A completely different attitude from when dealing with other problem solvers.
The deep gaze directed at Ossian was so intense that it felt like there was a slight heat in it.
“Would you like to have a meal together when this is over?”
“… … .”
“Oh my. Even being so reserved is so cool.”
I didn’t react as if I was deliberately ignoring him, but he said that I was cool with my silence.
As I was wondering what to say, I heard my colleague calling the female civil servant from afar.
“Oh, come to your senses. I forgot that there was another briefing. I’ll be going now.”
She covered her mouth with her hand and smiled, then gave Ossian a sly glance and left.
It was a truly embarrassing situation for Ossian, but he was secretly relieved that it had passed without incident.
‘Is this just a show of escort?’
If you look at the actual problem solvers who have gathered, they are all people who are not well known in the industry.
Although they dressed up as best they could to fit in with the procession, it was hard to shake off the impression that they were doing rough and tough work.
In such a place, Ossian stood, shining like the sun alone, surpassing the military.
Actually, considering the recent name value, Ossian was also the best problem solver.
‘The procession will continue until we visit the mayor’s residence, so the purpose of this request was to escort them until then.’
Ossian felt a tickle in his temples.
It’s this feeling again.
‘Every time I felt like this, something happened.’
A gut feeling that something is about to happen.
At the same time, there was a vague sense of possibility that he might discover new powers of his own.
‘I’ll know the details after I see how things unfold.’
As I was gathering my thoughts, I felt a sense of emptiness on one side of the airship dock.
When I turned my gaze, I saw civil servants and police officers moving busily, preparing to greet someone.
The other troubleshooters also looked at him with curious eyes.
The airship’s door opened and uniformed soldiers and people in fancy attire descended from inside.
And finally, a girl in a dress appeared following him.
‘That person… … .’
Princess Orlean.
This was the core of the mission, and the object that Ossian had to protect.
Of course, it was only an escort in name only, and Ossian was in a situation where he could not even approach her.
‘He has nothing to do with me anyway.’
Still, I couldn’t help but look at it.
She was a girl who deserved to be described as looking like a doll.
Skin as white as jade and blond hair that radiates swaying waves.
Her delicate features suggested that she had the potential to become a stunning beauty if she grew up a little more.
Even at such a young age, I had the illusion that her beauty was shining.
But what caught Ossian’s attention more than anything else was Princess Orlea’s expression.
‘You look like you’ve seen everything in the world.’
A face that doesn’t show any signs of life.
Rather, there is even a hint of gloomyness.
However, the fact that she still looks like a painting means that her beauty is exceptional.
Princess Orlean moved under the escort of her guards. The bodyguards that came with her were also present.
The people working at the airship dock made sure to get out of the way.
It is a royal procession.
The problem solvers standing at that crossroads also hurriedly retreated to the left and right.
It was at that moment that Princess Orleia passed by.
The princess, who had been walking forward, turned her gaze to where Ossian was.
Ossian, who had been watching the scene without thinking much, met the princess’s eyes.
The princess’s empty eyes opened slightly but wide when she saw Ossian.
‘what?’
Why on earth do you want to look at yourself like that?
“You insolent bastard! Who dares to raise your head stiffly and say that it is safe?”
A thick, male voice, filled with reproach, poured out toward Ossian.