In the lord’s mansion in Sidor village, in its garden late at night.
I, like Kanami, was training without sleeping.
However, unlike him, my training was not varied. My duties as a maid were gone, and my charm as a woman was no longer important.
Having been told to become the “Best” knight, I only honed my skills as a knight.
While learning knightly etiquette, I continuously and single-mindedly refined my magic power and body.
And then, I spoke the same words.
“The ‘Best’… I must become a more magnificent ‘Best’ than anyone else…”
Although our desired roles were different, the obsession lurking in our minds was exactly the same.
To become a knight superior to anyone else, I abandoned all indulgence and continued to swing my sword. I refined my magic power until I felt dizzy. No matter the pain, I never eased up.
I thoroughly honed my two talents: my “Swordsmanship” and “Magic Power Control.”
As a knight of Revannism, I dabbled a little in “Divine Magic,” but I quickly withdrew, as I didn’t feel I could overwhelm other knights in this field.
To continue winning, I aimed for only unparalleled strength.
From midnight until sunrise, I continued my almost maniacal training.
And during the day, I studied under the tutor provided by the Kaikuora family.
Beside me was also their fifth son, Riel.
In the end, he was the only one among the Kaikuora children to aim to become a knight.
It wasn’t that the other children lacked talent. Initially, besides Riel, there were students who sought to learn from the tutor.
Among them were prodigies with high magic power and aptitude. However, because the knightly talents of Riel and I, who trained together, were so outstanding, they couldn’t maintain the motivation to continue their training.
Due to our region being far from conflict, the other siblings, including the eldest son, chose paths other than becoming military officers.
I felt as if I saw my mother’s shadow behind all this, but I continued to focus on my role.
My goal was not to be the strongest in Sidor village, but the strongest knight in this country.
Not a single moment was spared for unnecessary thoughts.
Seeing me tread that arduous path, Riel seemed inspired and also undertook excessive training, unthinkable for a nobleman’s child. No matter the day, even if I felt on the verge of collapsing from illness, I never took a day off. Naturally, I also desperately tried not to lose to Riel.
We spurred each other on, achieving incredible growth that was unlike that of knight candidates from the countryside.
Fortuitously, the tutor did not hold back in response to our rapid development. Sometimes, we even left Sidor village to learn the latest magic in the country’s capital. This education included demonstrations and friendly duels for Riel and me.
We gained practical experience against knight candidates from other countries in noble mansions and at the national academy.
Due to my position, I couldn’t achieve an all-out victory, but there was never a match that didn’t go according to my plans.
I was strong. After all, I specialized only in winning.
Unlike the nobles who bore their responsibilities and pride, I thought only of winning from morning till night. I felt no shame in using deception, and I never forgot about strategies.
Furthermore, by this time, I had already mastered “Magic Power Solidification,” a technique that only a few people in the country could achieve. Although I hadn’t officially become a knight yet, I had reached a level where I could defeat even veteran knights.
Thus, we both smoothly — over several years — became promising knight candidates rumored throughout the country.
While rumors of me adjusting victories were slight, Riel became so famous that conversations among nobles included phrases like “Valt’s greatest prodigy in history.”
Everything was going smoothly.
My life in the mansion was more fulfilling than ever before.
Mama always smiled when listening to me, and wherever I went, I was doted upon due to my excellence.
Occasionally, unpleasant things happened, but there was never anything I couldn’t improve to my satisfaction.
Everything was going so smoothly that there were times I wished this perfect “Best” pursuit could continue forever.
It was amidst such a lapse in vigilance that the news arrived.
“—Ragune, do you know about the ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’?”
Again, in the Kaikuora family’s garden, the two — though now much, much larger than before — young knight candidates stood shoulder to shoulder, talking.
I, my body still cool after just finishing practice, wiped away sweat and thought for a moment. The answer to the question lay within the knightly knowledge I had learned over the past few years.
“They are the knights mentioned in the prophecies of Revannism, aren’t they? Seven people who will protect the saint who will ‘Rebirth’ in a thousand years… a somewhat dubious legend, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, that’s them. When I first heard this, I thought it was just one of many fairy tales… but it seems it’s actually different.”
“Different? What do you mean? Could it be that a saint will actually ‘Rebirth’?”
“It seems so. And apparently, the day of that ‘Rebirth’ is not far off.”
“R-Really…?”
I widened my eyes in surprise.
The pure-hearted Ragune would take everything Riel said at face value… or at least, that was the act I habitually put on.
The “Seven Knights of Heaven” appearing in a world a thousand years after a myth.
Honestly, it sounded like a fabricated story to fool children. However, Riel’s expression never changed; it was one of utter seriousness.
“It’s true. …The reason I know this is because I received an invitation to join the ‘Seven Knights of Heaven.’ I was truly surprised. Apparently, the criteria for being chosen isn’t achievement or ability, but ‘Aptitude’.”
Having known Riel for years, I knew he wasn’t lying.
Riel was genuinely being invited.
And I could vaguely understand the system of the “Seven Knights of Heaven.” It probably wasn’t the genuine article as described in the legend. However, I sensed Revannism’s motive to use this legend to achieve something significant. It wasn’t an entirely preposterous idea.
By using the term “Seven Knights of Heaven” from the traditions of Revannism, those seven would likely receive the greatest honor a knight could achieve. For me, the story of the “Seven Knights of Heaven” was an opportunity I couldn’t ignore.
As I deduced this, complex emotions swirled within me.
“However, Ragune… once you accept this offer, you might not be able to return here. So—”
It was the fear of my fulfilling life collapsing, or perhaps the bewilderment of my own resistance to accepting the next step. Just as something beyond mere emotions began to stir within me, a figure appeared on the veranda overlooking the garden.
“Ah…”
It was the master of the Kaikuora family, and Mama.
Now, it wasn’t uncommon to see the two of them walking together. The master completely trusted Mama, his chief attendant, and kept her constantly by his side. Just as I had grown close to Riel over the past few years, Mama had diligently fulfilled her duties.
The deep bond between the master and his attendant had become an open secret within the Kaikuora family. Furthermore, those with a keen sense would likely have noticed his relationship with his eldest son.
Mama had skillfully penetrated the inner workings of the Kaikuora family.
However, for that very reason, I felt the distance between Mama and myself had grown.
Lately, perhaps because things had been going so smoothly, there were times when our monthly mother-daughter rendezvous didn’t take place.
“Excuse me for a moment, Lady Liel…!”
Even though I was in the middle of an important conversation, my body moved on its own.
The stated reason in my mind was to consult about the “Seven Knights of Heaven,” but in reality, I was pushed by the loneliness deep in my heart. I ran to the connecting corridor to call out to her.
“Um–”
Mama noticed my approach before anyone else.
And, preempting my words, she praised me with a smile.
“Fufu, you’re training again today. That’s wonderful, Ragune. Keep it up, and you’ll become the best knight to protect Lady Liel…”
“…Huh. …Y-Yes.”
I stopped and nodded.
Once she confirmed that, Mama immediately returned her gaze to Master.
“Excuse me, Master. Shall we go.”
“Indeed.”
Leaving behind a single word of encouragement, the two of them departed.
During that time, Mama was happily chatting with Master. Beyond just her work at the mansion, she was also engaging in private conversation, letting out genuine smiles.
It was a completely different smile from the one she had directed at me.
Not wanting to disturb them, I didn’t chase after them.
Mama was doing well now. I had seen her truly lively for the past few years. Not only had she become close with Master, but also with the eldest son of the Kaikuola family, making her an indispensable presence in this mansion. She had become so valuable that my small help was no longer needed—
“Ragune, wouldn’t it be better to be more honest?”
As I continued to watch Mama’s receding back, someone called out to me.
“Huh?”
With surprise, I turned around and looked at Liel, who had thrown those words at me.
There was a side to him I had never known before.
“You like the Head Maid, don’t you?”
Liel continued his words with an air of certainty. His earnest gaze seemed to see right through everything, making my pretense falter slightly.
“Um, rather than liking her, I just respect her… She’s my benefactor for taking me in…”
“…Seeing Ragune deceive herself like that pains me.”
Liel took a step closer and grabbed both of my shoulders.
“D-Deceiving myself? Me?”
My expression was about to contort.
This was the first time Liel had ever encroached on me this much.
“To me, Ragune seems to be forcing herself. You always defer to others and praise them no matter what. You even skillfully lose duels with the knights… But that’s not the real Ragune, is it? You’re just imitating the Head Maid and trying to be liked by everyone.”
“Huh…?”
Heartfelt surprise continued.
Liel, whom I thought I had completely under my control, was now surpassing me.
“Certainly, the Head Maid is a truly amazing person. I understand well why Father and my older brother like her. It’s just that I’m not good with people who are so two-faced…”
I don’t know when it happened.
But there was no longer any doubt. Liel was no longer fooled by our act; he could clearly see the truth.
“—That’s why, Ragune! Come to the Great Holy Capital with me…! Get away from that Head Maid and find a new you in the Great Holy Capital! It would be so much better! I want Ragune to be Ragune!!”
The force with which Liel held my shoulders increased.
The pain shooting through my shoulders and the words “Come to the Great Holy Capital” made me acutely aware of the reality that this was the end.
The reason he was intruding on me now, risking the collapse of our relationship until today, must be the “Seven Knights of Heaven” invitation. Before we part, he’s confessed his feelings to me. Even if everything until today collapses, he’s gathered the courage—
Looking at Liel, I keenly realized that I had only pretended to be smart and strong. The truly smart and strong ones are people like him, who go along with me despite seeing through my act.
My facial distortion deepened.
In response, Liel continued to speak.
“…No, that’s not it. What I just said was probably just a pretext. I just want to be with Ragune. Simply because I want to be with Ragune continuously, I want to separate you from the Head Maid…! That’s all I want!!”
Ah, he’s so straightforward…
Unlike me, who strings together insincere words to avoid being disliked or to be liked.
And I don’t understand.
Right now, I am undoubtedly not the “Ideal” Liel envisions. My act has been seen through, revealing my shallow and dubious personality. Yet, he says he wants to be with that unsettling me. I’m bewildered, unable to grasp the reason.
“…P-Please give me a little time to think.”
I wanted time.
Above all, I wanted to discuss everything I was currently facing with Mama.
If I’m not the “Ideal” Liel envisions, I might also be drifting away from Mama’s “Ideal.” As much as I feel bad for him, that’s what’s more important to me.
Considering Mama’s reaction to me earlier, my expression contorts further.
Seeing my troubled face, Liel takes a step back.
“…I understand. However, in a few days, the people from the ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’ will come to the mansion to pick me up. If possible, I’d like you to decide by then. I want Ragune to decide for herself… Sorry for the sudden talk.”
It was a sudden request, but I seemed to have a few days to think.
Finding relief in that breathing room, I bowed deeply to Liel and then quickly left the garden. I hurried to my own room, wanting to ensure no one saw my current state.
It’s an empty room. This room was given to me after I became a knight candidate, but frankly, it’s too clean and I can’t relax. I wished I could return to my former dirty hut, but I gritted my teeth and began to ponder on the bed.
I have been steadily growing as a knight.
If I follow Liel and train in the Great Holy Capital, it’s not a dream to become the “First Place” knight in the world. But would that truly make Mama happy? Recently, Mama has been focused only on the men of the Kaikuola family and hasn’t paid as much attention to me as before. Perhaps I’m misunderstanding her words about becoming the “Best” knight. That worry is hindering my decision.
That day, I continued to worry and, for the first time, neglected my training.
And after much deliberation, I finally gave up on making my own decision.
Within the few days until the “Seven Knights of Heaven” arrived at the mansion, the moon would complete one cycle. A time would come when Mama and I could talk alone.
I decided to ask for Mama’s judgment then.
I’ll ask Mama what I should do and re-establish the value and priorities of my “Ideal.”
Otherwise, there are too many things I don’t understand, and I can’t get anything done. I lack the confidence to know what is right and wrong, what to do. I don’t know how to interact with Liel, who sees through my act.
“Mama, please tell me… what I should do…”
It’s a murmur I can’t count how many times I’ve said before bed. In bed, I close my eyes, picturing only Mama’s face, and let my consciousness drift away.
—And that night, Liel Kaikuola, the fifth son of the Kaikuola family, died.
The next morning, I awoke to a commotion within the mansion.
When I spoke to the maids rushing about, I heard that a Monster had appeared in a nearby village last night. Liel had gone to deal with it, and they had apparently perished together.
My life ended too easily, and I intuitively understood who was responsible.
It’s common for Monsters to occasionally appear and harm the village. It’s not strange for knights or knight candidates to respond in emergencies. It also makes sense for the kind-hearted Riel to rush out for his domain and act alone. He had gained that much skill and confidence in the past few years. No matter what Monster appeared in this region, he would never be outmatched.
“Ma, Mama…?”
The execution was familiar.
Information gleaned from snippets of conversation with the maids corroborated my suspicions.
It was a chain of “malice” that only I, who knew Mama and Riel well, could recognize.
Everything was disadvantageous for Riel. The time of day, his physical condition, the location, the transmission of information, the type of enemy, the compatibility with the enemy—even from hearsay alone, many “artificial misunderstandings” could be discerned.
Perhaps the greatest misfortune of all was that for some reason, the story didn’t reach my ears, a candidate for the second knight of the Kairuwora family.
“Ah, aah…”
Naturally, rumors of murder, not accidental death, were also circulating. However, suspicion had begun to turn towards Riel’s brothers. The motive was said to be jealousy of their younger brother’s success as a knight.
Because my relationship with Riel was well-known, there was little suspicion directed at me.
—It was undoubtedly Mama’s doing.
She must have been adjusting relationships, timing her moves, and planning last night’s accident for years.
“With this, Ragune will be the best knight in the Valt country.”
The moment I became convinced of this, a voice called out from behind me.
When I turned around, Mama was standing in the corridor, where no one else was.
I decided to consult with her earlier than planned.
“Mama… Why…? Why Riel-sama…?”
However, my words were different from what I had planned to say yesterday.
“Ragune, this was decided a long time ago. Not only the family head but also the legitimate heir of the Kairuwora family are now under my spell. So, it doesn’t matter if one of the five sons disappears. Rather, the problem was that that man possessed ‘aptitude’ comparable to Ragune, and eyes that were closing in on us.”
It was a simple motive.
She answered me as if she were tidying a room, saying Riel was eliminated from this Kairuwora family because he was in the way. Furthermore, Mama continued and whispered to me.
“Tomorrow, knights from Fuziaze will arrive to welcome the new ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’. You understand what that means, don’t you, my clever Ragune?”
It was a brief exchange, but I began to understand Mama’s objective.
Mama must have known a great deal about the ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’ for a long time. She used Riel as bait to lure the envoy.
By the time I understood her true intention, Mama had already turned her back.
She probably didn’t want to leave any gaps in her plan by talking for too long. Mama, as the head maid, hurried off to handle the situation of Riel’s sudden death.
As I watched her go, I couldn’t move.
As part of the act, I had to appear distraught, having lost my beloved Riel.
Because of my deep relationship with Riel up to this day, everyone in the mansion was worried about me, not suspecting me. This laid the groundwork for suspicion to fall on the Kairuwora brothers. For Mama’s plan, I couldn’t break this act.
I wandered aimlessly around the mansion, inquiring about Riel.
“Why… Why… Riel…”
Unable to accept reality, I pretended to be pale and clueless, spending the day aimlessly.
Then, that evening.
As the sun began to set, the knight who had been tasked with inviting the ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’ arrived.
The knight was greeted at the main gate by a lady of the Kairuwora family. She then informed him of the somber atmosphere within the mansion and let out a surprised cry.
“—A, funeral…!? Riel Kairuwora is dead!?”
“Yes…”
I watched from behind as the lady responded with a strained voice.
Though I was still confused by Riel’s death since morning, my work didn’t stop.
From the afternoon, I was assigned to guard and attend to the lady. The reason was simple: when the lady entertained the knights from the capital, it was judged that I, who had received knightly education, was more suitable to be by her side than a regular maid. —Was this also part of the plan?
I observed the young man who appeared behind the lady.
He was Hein Helvishein, the legitimate heir of a great noble, known in town as the ‘Knight among Knights.’
His bearing and attire possessed a nobility and knightliness I had never encountered before. His pure gold hair and finely chiseled features radiated a dazzling brilliance.
He was a significant figure.
He was not the type of person who would normally travel to a place this rural.
Helvishein, if I recall correctly, was counted among the Four Great Noble Families.
The caliber of the envoy showed how important the ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’ were. At the same time, it also showed the high value placed on Riel, who was invited to join them.
I understood that the value of his life should not be wasted—
After exchanging formal greetings as nobles at the main gate, the lady and Hein were guided into the mansion.
Along the way, Hein politely offered condolences to the lady, but I distinctly heard him mutter in an almost inaudible whisper,
“—This is troublesome. The prophecy said the knight who would fill the last slot would be from the Kairuwora family… With this, the seventh person won’t be assembled—”
Despite mourning Riel’s death, he did not forget his duty as a knight.
In that sense, he truly was the ‘Knight among Knights.’
“Lady Kairuwora, I apologize for the impropriety, but may I ask—are any of your other sons aiming to become knights?”
The lady likely understood the implication of his question.
We cooperated with the visiting knight’s task.
“…No. Riel was the only one training as a knight.”
“I see… I am truly sorry. I have asked an unpleasant question.”
Whenever Riel’s name was mentioned, the lady’s expression grew grim.
Hein immediately bowed deeply, but the lady gestured for him to stop.
“No, it is we who are impolite… We are unable to provide the hospitality we ought to…”
“You need not concern yourself with such matters. You should worry about yourself more than us.”
As I observed their conversation, I walked behind them.
And as we walked across the covered walkway overlooking the mansion’s garden, I spotted Mama’s face.
Mama was talking with a suspicious-looking Unknown man. He was a man with dark brown hair, dressed like a merchant.
Did they know each other? They didn’t seem to be strangers.
“Palinkron! Where were you, and what were you doing at this crucial time!”
Hein shouted at the man with dark brown hair. His name was apparently Palinkron. From the way he was addressed, it was clear he was also a knight who had come from the capital.
“Ah, Hein. My apologies, I got lost on the way.”
Noticing our approach, Palinkron walked towards us three.
The Mama offered a shallow bow to the Madam and remained in place.
“Haa… I’ll accept that for now. But more importantly—”
“Ah, I heard. Things have gotten quite troublesome, haven’t they? Hahaha.”
Hein excused himself to the Madam with a single “Excuse me” and immediately rejoined Palinkron in the garden, beginning to converse.
“This is no laughing matter. Lord Fedelt has instructed us to assemble the Seven Knights of Heaven by year’s end. Yet, it seems there are no other candidates to recruit besides Riel Kaikuora. If this continues, it will cause issues for the Allied Nations’ Christmas festival this year.”
“No, Hein. It seems there might be candidates, you know?”
“…Might be? What do you mean by that?”
A bad feeling began to creep in.
As if confirming it, Palinkron didn’t answer Hein’s question and walked towards me.
He then pointed at me unceremoniously.
“Madam, is that young lady here? She’s carrying a sword.”
I had a lightweight sword concealed within my clothes. The man instantly spotted it and questioned the Madam about the reason.
“…No. She is a guard. Originally a maid, but she possessed unexpected talent, so we assigned her a different role.”
It was not something unusual, nor was there any reason to hide it. The Madam answered truthfully, but Palinkron approached me with a smile that hinted at a malicious intent.
“I’ve heard that Riel had a strong maid serving her. You’re that person, aren’t you?”
I took a step back. If it were Riel, who stood out so much, it would be understandable for a distinguished knight of the capital to know. But for him to know about me was a bit odd.
“Sir Knight… As you say, Ragune always accompanied Riel in her training. …She is one of our prides.”
The Madam stepped in front of me, surprising me. She believed me to be a somewhat frail, timid former maid who had diligently trained. Perhaps mistaking my shock for fear, she was concerned for me.
By role, I was in a position to protect Riel with my life.
However, I couldn’t protect Riel’s life.
And now, the Madam was protecting me.
Even after losing her beloved son… she is truly a good person.
She is nothing like Mama.
“Hein, it seems this girl trained with Riel too?”
“And what of it?”
“We have no choice, so we’ll take her. It’s an advantageous deal, really.”
Palinkron, who had been standing in front of the Madam and me, threw out a sudden proposal to his companion behind him.
“Hah?”
Understandably, Hein’s mouth fell open.
“—!”
I almost let out a sound of doubt.
Even though I had anticipated this, it was happening too fast, too smoothly, and my anxiety started to show. At this point, it was certain that this man was Mama’s acquaintance.
“This is an unforeseen event. However, we cannot afford to have a vacancy among the Seven Knights of Heaven—I nominate this girl.”
“Palinkron, don’t be ridiculous…! The Seven Knights of Heaven are knights who represent the entire world! And you want to nominate someone like…this…?”
Even with me present, Hein chose his words carefully, but I understood what he meant.
“But this time, it’s about judging based on ‘aptitude,’ right? I think she’ll do. More importantly, doesn’t it sound interesting?”
“I hear Riel Kaikuora was the most promising boy on the mainland. I apologize to this girl, but I don’t believe she possesses anything comparable. It would be best to re-select candidates at the Cathedral.”
Hearing this, Palinkron’s smile deepened. He walked behind me and pushed me forcefully through my back.
I was moved into the garden, and then heard encouragement from behind.
“…Alright, alright. That’s what he said, right? Good luck, shorty. It’s evaluation time. That guy is one of the top knights in the capital. If you win, you’ll become super famous.”
Both Hein and I understood the meaning of his words.
“You mean you want to conduct the selection here and now…?”
“For me to… with this person…?”
Hein tensed slightly, and I stiffened my body.
Tension coursed through me, accelerating my combat-oriented thoughts.
If I could demonstrate my abilities here, the knight named Palinkron would recommend me.
And that wasn’t all, as Palinkron hinted.
Hein Helvishein was, at his best, the ‘Number One’ knight on the continent. If I could defeat him, becoming super famous would be a certainty.
I looked at the man before me.
He was incredibly radiant. His brilliance was so intense it felt blinding.
I was intrigued. Undoubtedly, the value of this person’s life was the highest ever.
If I won against him, how much value would I gain? How much money would I be able to earn? With that value, would Mama be satisfied?
What should I do? If I’m going to do this, should I use Magic Power Solidification for a surprise attack? Or should I use my trump card here? No, perhaps it’s better to create a close fight than to win too easily. For now, I should try to talk to him and lower his guard. Killing is easy, but winning skillfully requires some preparation—
“—!”
Hein’s eyes widened, and he leaped high.
He jumped to the edge of the garden, creating distance between us.
His expression clearly showed he was wary of me. Seeing me, who was feigning being a meek and bewildered girl on the surface, his face took on the look of someone fighting for their life against a monster.
“What the heck. Hein, she’s good, right? She was totally ready to win just now!”
“Ready to win, rather, what she was doing just now was… However, you are indeed correct, it’s not bad.”
Hein ceased his combat stance and began to agree with Palinkron.
It was as if both of them could read my thoughts.
Perhaps the senses of a fully trained, top-tier knight could read not only magic power but also killing intent? Was there someone else other than me who could gauge strength without fighting…?
“If you’re going to nominate this girl, we could have her adopted by the Kaikuora family and take her to the Allied Nations. That way, it won’t be too far from the prophecy… Well, it won’t be too far off, will it? We won’t get in trouble either. It’s a win-win.”
“That’s rather forceful… That kind of thing, it’s like…”
“It’s a pretty good development for your taste, isn’t it? It’s like one of those rags-to-riches stories you see in some theater.”
“…I won’t deny it.”
Leaving me bewildered by these two unexpected and formidable opponents, they began to converse with growing excitement.
“If we’re going to nominate this girl, we’ll need to persuade the people around us. And it seems there will be many things we’ll need to navigate.”
“That’s our forte, isn’t it?”
“I’ll handle the higher-ups. You can take care of persuading the other Seven Knights of Heaven.”
“Understood. However, the higher-ups will likely prepare other candidates. Many of them, probably boring ones, unlike her.”
“We don’t need more people like me. Considering the role of the Seven Knights of Heaven, this girl is quite suitable.”
“She’s worth training in many ways. She’s interesting precisely because she’s unfinished—”
Their conversation was rapid-fire, and the more I listened, the more my anxiety grew.
It was the same anxiety I had felt continuously since hearing about the Seven Knights of Heaven yesterday.
“—Wait a moment!!”
Overwhelmed by emotion, I shouted not with acting, but with all my heart.
According to the story, it’s as if I’m being taken to a different continent.
I have to become Mother’s ‘First Place’.
The ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’ might be the knights’ ‘First Place’, but Mother isn’t there. That alone is unacceptable. Without Mother, it means nothing.
“Hmm…? You want to become a knight, don’t you—”
Palinkron, seeing my expression, looked puzzled and started to approach me.
But before that—
“—Ragune, you did well.”
Mother moved.
Mother, who had been quietly observing from a corner of the garden, was suddenly beside me. Sensing the reason, I lost my words.
“Ah, ahh…. Well—”
“Ragune, you’ve wanted to become a knight for a very, very long time…. A knight everyone admires…”
Tears welled up on Mother’s eyelids, and she hugged my shoulder, looking incredibly happy. Our faces drew closer, and I could see into her heart.
“Are you family? You look like sisters…”
Hein asked Mother.
“Yes. Ragune and I are each other’s ‘Family’.”
The answer came immediately.
This was the first time since arriving that Mother had finally spoken the word ‘family’ within the mansion.
—It wasn’t a lie, but it was a lie.
And if that lie were to hold, I would become one of the ‘Seven Knights of Heaven’. I would be led by these two fine knights all the way to the Allied Nations’ Cathedral.
But I don’t want to leave Mother.
I want to be with her. That is my only wish—
As I accepted that, Riel’s words from yesterday came to mind.
Honestly. Like myself. ‘Decide for myself.’
“I… I don’t want to leave here…”
I said it out loud.
Once I spat it out, it didn’t stop.
“I owe the Kaikuora family! So, I have to keep repaying my debt here! —R-right!?”
At the end of my words, I turned around and tightly gripped Mother’s hands.
Because Mother told me.
Never to give up. To keep living, to one day show them, to have a good life, and to be happy. Here in this mansion, together, forever. Together, always like that—
Together?
Did Mother say ‘together’…?
“Ragune is such a good child…”
Mother shook off my hands and cradled my head.
She praised me and gently stroked me.
“Don’t worry, this isn’t goodbye forever…. When Ragune works hard and becomes ‘First Place’ someday, we’ll meet again. I promise I’ll come to celebrate.”
Familiar words of farewell.
However, when I understood their hidden meaning, the emotions in my heart surged like a torrent.
“But, I! I…!!”
I still haven’t heard a single true thing.
Why was I alone in a shack when I first became aware of things?
Why did we have to live separately, even though we were mother and daughter?
Why wasn’t I allowed to call Mother ‘Mother’?
And many other things. My hair and eyes, memories of Father.
The reason for my birth too! I haven’t heard anything yet! Not a single thing—
“Ragune, you can become the best knight… No, the ‘First Place’ girl in the world. Because you’re my daughter.”
For the first time outside of being alone together, Mother called me her daughter.
She repeated it twice, in my ear, so only I could hear.
“—You’re my daughter, aren’t you.”
My blood ran cold.
I sensed the familiar signs of Mother’s tantrum, after a long time.
Of course, Mother wouldn’t lose control in front of people. However, the next time we were alone, Mother would be angry. She would definitely be angry. What’s more, if I continued to resist this matter, Mother might even—
Mother hugged my trembling body and asked the reason.
“Hm, Ragune? What’s wrong…?”
I needed confirmation.
Right now, just one word would resolve my doubt. But it was too terrifying to speak. If the words weren’t what I wanted, my world would, without exaggeration, end.
“No… It’s nothing…”
So, I could only force a smile and shake my head.
—Like someone, somewhere, I gave up and ran away.
Creating distance, I spun the words Mother desired.
“I’m going, Mother…”
With my face still down, I shouted it as if striking the ground.
“I’ll become a great knight…. I’ll become ‘First Place’ in the world…. Someday, I’ll become so famous, I’ll definitely make sure my name reaches this mansion…. So…!!”
And then, clinging to that, I asked.
“W-when I get there…. can I write you a letter?”
These were words I shouldn’t have had to ask.
If we’re family, of course I can write.
“…Yes, of course.”
Her reply came after a pause.
Even without looking up, I knew Mother was smiling.
I knew what kind of smile it was.
It was probably the same smile she had a few years ago when she killed an innocent mother and daughter.
Suddenly, I remembered the graveyard in the corner of the mansion—and for some reason, I envied the mother and daughter who could sleep together even in death. At the same time, I felt as if I, who had taken away their value, had become less valuable than the dead, and tears welled up.
—And so, after a tearful and moving farewell, I left the mansion.
Everyone in the Kaikuora family sent me off with smiles.
There were probably various ulterior motives, but it was unanimous. I was blessed by the entire world in which I had lived until today, and then cast out of it.
As I was the last to leave representing the Kaikuora family, Palinkron, a knight from the capital, sought confirmation.
“…Are you sure?”
“I’m going. Please let me go. Please let me challenge myself.”
I answered immediately.
“—I want to become the ‘First Place’ among knights.”
That is undoubtedly my wish.
More than that, if this disappears, I have no other wishes left.
I have nothing else to wish for anymore…
And from that day on, I never saw Mother again.
Thanks to that, I will become ‘happy’ in the Allied Nations. I will surely, undeniably, find peace and ‘happiness’.
Following Riel’s dying wish, I will find a new self, gain new important people, and gradually forget the meaning of my own birth.
I will grow as a knight, work harder than anyone else, continuously send my earnings to Shido Village, and live a comfortable life, thinking that just by being alive, I am being of use to Mother—
A few years later, I will meet Kanami.
He was very similar to us, a mother and daughter.
Rational, calculating, full of lies, prone to running away, a master of being friendly with everyone, always losing his way, always losing himself—that kind of person.
It was through meeting that Kanami that I will have my new self shattered, lose new important people, and recall my original self.
As if the world would not allow it, I will be forced to realize that **the love I truly wanted can never be obtained again.**
I am just like Kanami. That’s why we can have ‘Affinity’.
