The Knight Commander’s solemn voice swiftly shattered the silence that had hung over the arena.
Then, the knights who had frozen like statues erupted in a unified cheer.
“W-wowww! The Girl has defeated the Deputy Commander!”
“Did you see that kick just now? She spun four times in midair!”
“Uh… That was a move I’ve never seen or heard of before… It was like… a fairy.”
“To treat the Deputy Commander like a child… What on earth is that girl’s true identity?”
“With skills like that, it really seems she single-handedly cleared the Greenwood Dungeon!”
“No, more importantly… D-Deputy Commander! Are you alive?!”
“Gah!? He’s foaming at the mouth!”
“Stretcher! Hurry, bring the stretcher!”
“Deputy Commandeerrrr!”
Only then did the knights rush frantically toward the collapsed Deputy Commander lying on the arena floor.
Jeanne d’Arc quietly turned and descended from the arena.
Meanwhile, the viewer count for the Creator TV live broadcast had already surged well beyond 10,000.
‘…But now that the duel content is over, it’s time for us to part ways.’
I lightly tapped on the Smartphone keyboard.
Tick—tick-tick!
- Creator TV: That’s all for today’s live broadcast. Edited videos will be uploaded to the Mutube channel. If you enjoyed the show, please leave a like, subscribe, and comment! Until next time, Joba~!
- Ah, I just tuned in! Do a little more!
- Show us that 1080-degree spinning kick one more time~~
- The Saintess’s kick… that’s incredibly rare, you know…?
- No! I’m not letting you get out of control! Go back quickly!
- If you mess around now, I’ll crap my pants!
- That’s disgusting…;;
- If you mess around now, I’ll hit the subscribe button three times to punish you!
- If you hit it three times, aren’t you just subscribing…?
- Stop messing around!
- Stop it!
- Sto—
- Stopped!
Beep!
[Mutube LIVE broadcast has ended.]
‘…No way!’
The Creator was always merciless.
Ignoring the viewers yelling in disappointment, the broadcast was coldly cut off.
When I looked down, I saw knights carefully carrying the unconscious Deputy Commander onto a stretcher and supporting him as they moved out.
On the other hand, Jeanne d’Arc, without a hint of fatigue, was adjusting her disheveled clothes.
Baron Gilbert looked at Jeanne d’Arc with interest and spoke.
“…An interesting outcome. What do you think, Knight Commander?”
“The Deputy Commander may have a somewhat frivolous attitude, but as far as skill goes, he is an outstanding knight unmatched within the Rivera Knight Order. That girl certainly doesn’t seem to be an ordinary farmer’s daughter.”
“Indeed. You feel the same way…?”
Baron Gilbert rested his chin on his hand and fell quietly into thought.
Then.
Ding!
[Quest]
[Rebirth 4] A Comeback From Defeat (捲土重來)
- 1. Confirm the current situation in the Northern Region from Baron Gilbert.
- 2. Assist Jeanne d’Arc in obtaining a recommendation letter for admission to the Academy of Knights.
・Baron Gilbert’s Recommendation Letter for Academy of Knights Admission
A new quest window appeared before me.
I checked the quest reward and grinned.
‘Baron Gilbert’s recommendation letter for the Academy of Knights.’
If I completed this quest, the mission would be done.
‘…But what exactly does it mean to confirm the Northern Region’s situation from Baron Gilbert?’
Thinking that, I glanced downward to find Baron Gilbert watching Jeanne d’Arc intently.
It was as if he were scrutinizing a schoolmate he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Finally, Baron Gilbert spoke in a grave voice.
“Jeannette, you have completed all the trials I set for you. Therefore, I will fulfill your wishes as well.”
Jeanne d’Arc quietly knelt before Baron Gilbert to show her respect.
Baron Gilbert smiled faintly and spoke.
“This place is far too noisy for a serious conversation. Let us continue in my study.”
A short while later, inside the Lord of Rivera’s study.
Unlike in the conference room, no one else was present except Baron Gilbert and Jeanne d’Arc.
Baron Gilbert spoke in a low voice.
“Though I received Shylock’s letter of introduction, I had no intention of writing you a recommendation.”
He took a sip of steaming black tea and continued.
“…More than the dozens of elegant phrases in that letter, it was your actions that changed my mind. As promised, I will issue a recommendation letter for admission to the Academy of Knights by the authority vested in me as Lord of Rivera.”
“Thank you very much, Lord!”
Jeanne d’Arc smiled brightly and expressed her gratitude.
Baron Gilbert, also smiling gently, suddenly fixed his gaze on her with a serious expression.
“To become a knight… is undoubtedly to restore the honor of the Darc House, isn’t it?”
At his words, Jeanne d’Arc blinked in surprise and swallowed hard.
“How did you know I am a descendant of the Darc House…?”
“That’s because you never hid it, did you? Those born to stand above others cannot conceal their overflowing spirit. When I first faced you, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. And when you swung your sword against the Deputy Commander, I saw the figure of the former head of the Darc House overlap with yours.”
“…It’s understandable to be cautious. The noble house was disgraced as traitors and fell from grace. But I have no doubt that the Darc House did not conspire in rebellion.”
Baron Gilbert smiled softly and continued.
“I owe much to the former Lord of the Darc House.”
“You know my Grandfather…?”
Baron Gilbert nodded slightly.
“In my youth, I once joined Lionel Darc in purging the Demon Beasts of the Northern Region. I remember him proudly saying he had just become a grandfather then, and now that granddaughter has grown up this much.”
“…My Lord, I swear to God, my Grandfather never staged a rebellion.”
Jeanne d’Arc bit her lower lip with a dark expression.
Baron Gilbert, watching her, spoke calmly.
“I know.”
When Jeanne blinked and lifted her head, he gently raised his teacup.
“I have never seen a more noble and loyal knight in my life. If your Grandfather truly had attempted treason, then the state would rightly deserve to fall.”
[…]
Baron Gilbert chuckled softly and added, “Just kidding.”
Then, he pulled out a bundle of parchment from one corner of the study.
“Read this.”
“This is…?”
The bundle contained well over a dozen parchments.
Jeanne d’Arc carefully unfolded one, and Baron Gilbert spoke quietly.
“This is information regarding Count Tord Adolf, who currently governs the Northern Region of the Kingdom of Franz.”
“Tord Adolf…!”
The man who falsely accused the Darc House of treason and murdered the former head and members of the Darc family.
A small flame flickered in Jeanne d’Arc’s blue eyes upon hearing that name.
Meanwhile, I quietly observed the parchments Baron Gilbert had produced.
—Ding!
[System]
- Would you like to scan all the information at once? …… (Y/N)
- Using the batch scan will allow you to view all the information at once.
※ The Creator can see all information at a glance! Isn’t that convenient? Honestly, without features like this, being a Creator would be impossible.
There was no reason to refuse such a useful function.
Soon, a system window in the form of parchment appeared before my eyes.
The parchments contained neatly organized information, much like an internet article.
—Ding!
[▶Skip]
[Overview of the Northern Region of the Kingdom of Franz]
- Count Tord Adolf’s Abnormal Behavior
Over the past five years, the frequency of Demon Beast appearances crossing the northern border into the Kingdom of Franz has risen sharply.
This timing exactly coincides with the transfer of guardianship of the Northern Region from the Darc House to the Adolf House.
Regarding this, Count Tord Adolf claimed ‘an unexplained abnormal phenomenon causing the sudden increase in Demon Beast aggression’ and ‘insufficient reinforcements and supply shortages’ as reasons, thus evading responsibility.
Normally, the guardianship of the Northern Region should have been revoked, but for some reason, Count Adolf’s proposal continues to be postponed.
(+ Additional information) According to recently acquired internal reports, there is evidence of undisclosed financial transactions between Count Adolf and high-ranking officials of the Kingdom of Franz!
- Damage Status
The damage over the past five years has not significantly differed from when the Darc House guarded the Northern Region.
However, after a series of incidents related to Count Tord Adolf, some suspicious nobles independently investigated the Northern Region, uncovering shocking findings.
First, territorial shrinkage.
The Northern Region is the frontline defending the Kingdom of Franz from Demon Beast invasions.
However, since Count Adolf took office, the defensive line has steadily retreated, and it was revealed that parts of the Kingdom’s northern territory were lost to the Demon Beasts.
Second, devastating damage to the frontline villages of the Northern Region.
With the defensive line pushed back, the villages at the very front began to be exposed one by one to Demon Beast attacks.
Yet Count Adolf did not strengthen the defensive troops. Instead, he gathered all forces far away from the line, at the Adolf family’s stronghold, Breta Castle.
As a result, many frontline villages were destroyed without effective resistance.
(+ Additional information) Count Adolf claimed that all villagers were evacuated during this process.
However, investigations found not a single survivor in these villages.
- Suspicions
According to reports, some Demon Beast forces crossed the northern border and infiltrated the Kingdom of Franz as reinforcements.
In response, the Kingdom ordered troop support to each territory.
Yet, Count Tord Adolf seemed indifferent to strengthening the northern border defenses.
Curiously, despite multiple Demon Beast forces passing through, the Adolf family territory and Breta Castle itself have never been attacked.
There are even rumors that Count Adolf is colluding with the Demon Beasts.
Thus, suspicions about Count Adolf are rising among some nobles…
‘…Too long, skip.’
I pressed the skip button at the top of the parchment and boldly dismissed the system window.
Just from the keywords, I could infer the overall situation.
The Count is really an incompetent overseer, and there are numerous suspicious points linked to Tord Adolf… Summary complete!’
Ding!
[Quest]
[Rebirth 4] A Comeback From Defeat (捲土重來)
- 1. Confirm the current situation in the Northern Region from Baron Gilbert……. [Completed (√)]
- 2. Assist Jeanne d’Arc in obtaining a recommendation letter for admission to the Academy of Knights.
・Baron Gilbert’s Recommendation Letter for Academy of Knights Admission
Meanwhile, Jeanne’s shoulders began to tremble faintly as she read the parchments.
A single tear fell onto the parchment.
“How could such a terrible thing happen… Ah, Grandfather…”
She wept, thinking of the suffering the Northern Region’s residents must have endured.
Baron Gilbert, watching her, spoke firmly.
“I am certain the surge in Demon Beast invasions is connected to Count Tord Adolf.”
In other words, the Count was colluding with the Demon Beasts.
Baron Gilbert continued.
“Unfortunately, there are not many nobles who share my view. Moreover, Count Adolf has already secured the support of key figures in the Kingdom.
Therefore, what is most needed to bring down Count Adolf is legitimacy and symbolism.”
Jeanne wiped away the tears at her eyes and wore a resolute expression.
Baron Gilbert looked at Jeanne d’Arc with a steady gaze and continued.
“A descendant of the disgraced Darc House will overcome countless hardships and become a hero who saves the country, punishing the treacherous Count. And Baron Gilbert of Rivera will wholeheartedly assist that hero… That is my plan. What do you think?”
He was saying that by helping Jeanne d’Arc, he would also gain fame in return.
Frankly, it was a thousand times better that Baron Gilbert openly stated his intentions.
The people to beware most are those who claim to expect no reward.
Besides, Baron Gilbert’s expression did not seem that of a schemer or liar.
I already knew all too well what expressions and tones such people wear.
‘…When my parents died, the relatives who rushed in to seize the inheritance and insurance money wore a very different expression.’
Still, I had no intention of telling Jeanne d’Arc to trust or distrust him.
‘This is something she must decide for herself.’
At that moment, Jeanne d’Arc opened her mouth slowly, her face full of resolve.
“I will restore the honor of the Darc House and reclaim the lost tundra.”
“…The journey to restore the Darc House’s honor and reclaim the lost tundra will not be easy.
There will be countless pains and hardships that will make you want to give up along the way.”
“I am not afraid at all. Because…”
Jeanne answered with a pure and radiant smile.
“…God is with me.”
Jeanne d’Arc’s eyes shone brilliantly like a sunlit ocean.
Baron Gilbert smiled gently and brought a quill to the pristine white parchment.
“That spirit and gaze… you are the spitting image of the former head, Lionel Darc. But unlike me, the world will not look kindly on the Darc House.
Therefore, if you do attend the Academy of Knights, it would be best to hide the Darc name.”
“…I will remember that.”
As Baron Gilbert wrote the recommendation letter for the Academy of Knights, suddenly—
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding—
The bell began ringing loudly and abruptly.
Baron Gilbert stood up abruptly, his expression stiffening as he looked out the window.
‘…What on earth is going on?’
I quickly searched for the source of the sound and saw a guard on the citadel watchtower urgently ringing the bell.
I looked up to survey the area around Rivera.
“What is that…?”
A thick cloud of dust was rising from the Northern Rivera Mountains.
At that moment, the butler hurriedly burst into the study where Jeanne d’Arc and Baron Gilbert were.
“…Butler, what on earth is happening?!”
Baron Gilbert demanded sharply.
The butler gasped heavily and said,
“L-Lord… Demon Beasts… Demon Beasts have invaded!”
As the thick dust cloud cleared, the invading forces became visible.
A massive Goblin Army filled the vast plain, advancing toward Rivera.
—Ding!
[System]
- A new quest has been added!
- 1. Defend the Sanctuary.
- 2. Defend Rivera.
Reward: Sacred Land Designation Right
[Quest]
Kingdom Rush