Shylock took a sip of the steaming black tea and then spoke.
「……You’re asking me to write a letter of introduction to the Lord of Riviera, aren’t you?」
Shylock nodded readily and continued.
「The God and the Saintess have pulled me out of the darkness that was eating away at my soul and brought me into the light. Writing a letter of introduction is the least I can do. Besides, the Lord of Riviera recently asked me to notify him if there are any talented individuals worth recommending as knights.」
“Is that really true?”
At my question, Shylock smiled warmly and answered.
「Yes, God. Recently, due to the nationwide surge of monsters, the kingdom has issued orders to recommend outstanding talents regardless of social status to each fief. In other words, even commoners have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become knights.」
If that was true, it was truly an opportunity granted by the gods.
‘……Though, technically, I am the God.’
Hearing Shylock’s words, Jeanne d’Arc let out a sigh of relief and said,
「Thank you so much, Shylock. I don’t know how I can ever repay this kindness…」
「There’s still something I need to say, Saintess.」
Shylock’s expression grew serious as he spoke.
「The Lord of Riviera, Baron Gilbert, is a cautious man who doesn’t easily place his trust in others. Moreover, once disappointed, he won’t spare a glance. Which means…」
Taking another sip of his tea, Shylock continued.
「You only get one chance to obtain a letter of recommendation for the Academy of Knights from the Lord of Riviera. Even if I vouch for you, Baron Gilbert will find various ways to test your qualifications.」
「Shylock, I am confident I can prove myself, no matter what kind of test it is.」
Jeanne d’Arc’s face was filled with determined resolve.
Shylock looked at her with a serious gaze and said,
「Then, Saintess, would you be willing to show me once whether you truly possess the qualities of a knight?」
「…What do you mean by showing the qualities of a knight?」
When Jeanne asked, Shylock responded not with words, but by lightly clapping his hands twice.
At that moment, Shylock’s bodyguard, who had been waiting outside the office, stepped in.
Broad shoulders, solid muscles, and an imposing build.
No mediocre thug would dare provoke someone with such a fearsome presence.
「My bodyguard was once a renowned mercenary in the Royal Capital. If you can spar with him and come out victorious, I can write that letter of introduction without worry.」
He meant for me to prove my qualifications as a knight by sparring against his bodyguard.
Suddenly, a new System Window appeared before me.
—Ding!
[Special Condition for Quest Added!]
[Job Change 2: The First Step Towards a Dream — Special Condition]
- Jeanne d’Arc must win a sparring match against Shylock’s bodyguard.
“Shylock’s Letter of Introduction.”
It seemed Shylock’s proposal had been added as a special condition to the Promotion Quest.
The condition was simple:
Defeat Shylock’s bodyguard in sparring.
At that, Jeanne nodded with a resolute expression.
「…Understood.」
「God, and Saintess. Please understand that I am not trying to hinder the Saintess’s path by making this proposal. Opportunities to obtain a recommendation letter to enter the Academy of Knights from the Lord of Riviera are rare, so I just want to make sure you’re fully prepared.」
Jeanne looked at Shylock and smiled gently.
「I already know this is out of consideration for me. Shylock, you’re a good person. Though sometimes… you’re a bit insufferable.」
「…I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that last part.」
Shylock cleared his throat awkwardly, then wore a worried expression.
「God, may I ask your thoughts on my proposal?」
“I believe the more thorough the preparation, the better.”
「Thank you once again for your generosity in accepting such a presumptuous and selfish proposal.」
Shylock bowed with a faint smile.
A moment later.
We headed toward a wide clearing used by the Sanctuary Militia as a training ground.
The place was crowded with militiamen gathered to watch the Saintess’s sparring.
Soon, the Militia Captain, Hans, stepped forward to explain the rules.
「The sparring rules are as stated before! If you become incapacitated, surrender, or drop your weapon, you lose immediately! Now then, both sides prepare… Begin!」
At Hans’s signal, Shylock’s bodyguard immediately pushed off the ground and charged.
The large man threw a heavy strike, fully loading his weight behind it.
His wooden sword flew through the air with terrifying momentum.
But—
Thwack~!
Jeanne d’Arc quickly swung her wooden sword and precisely parried the attack.
Though there was a huge difference in size, Jeanne showed no sign of being overpowered.
Clang-!
The bodyguard swiftly knocked Jeanne’s weapon aside, breaking her guard.
Then, he rushed toward her ribs with a powerful swing of his wooden sword.
Though blunt and dull, the practice sword could still be a serious threat if it hit a vital point.
But just before the attack landed—
Swish-
Jeanne lightly shifted her stance and effortlessly dodged the bodyguard’s second strike.
Because of that, his weight was thrown too far forward.
Jeanne stepped forward and spun gracefully.
Thwack~!
Her wooden sword struck the bodyguard’s shoulder blade precisely.
Like a butterfly’s lightness combined with a bee’s sting.
As expected, the bodyguard groaned in pain and staggered back.
「Gah, gahk…!」
The militiamen gathered around couldn’t help but murmur in admiration as they cheered for Jeanne.
「Oh, ohhh…」
「The Saintess landed the first blow!」
「How can she move like that…」
「Keep it up, Saintess!」
But it was only for a moment.
Shylock’s bodyguard quickly regained his footing.
He immediately maneuvered to Jeanne’s right and swung his wooden sword down again.
Thwack~!
Jeanne once more blocked the strike with precision.
But at the same time, the bodyguard’s fist shot toward Jeanne’s left side.
A seasoned mercenary who had seen many battles.
The wooden sword was just a feint; the real target was Jeanne’s abdomen.
However—
Thwack~!
Jeanne flicked her wrist lightly, knocking away the wooden sword.
Then she quickly struck down the bodyguard’s fist with the hilt of her weapon, changing its trajectory.
As a result, his punch missed, and his guard was completely broken.
Jeanne didn’t miss the brief opening.
Hoo- Thwack~!
Her wooden sword struck the bodyguard’s side exactly.
「Ugh!」
Gasping heavily, the bodyguard could no longer press the attack as before.
He kept his wooden sword close to his body and cautiously put some distance between us.
The damage was clearly significant.
Meanwhile, a confident smile appeared on Jeanne’s lips.
By now, everyone around the sparring area was holding their breath, watching the match intently.
Then—
Tap!
Jeanne pushed off the ground and closed the distance like lightning.
The bodyguard seemed somewhat flustered and swung his wooden sword diagonally to stop her charge.
But—
Whoosh—
His sword sliced only through empty air.
Jeanne had lowered her stance close to the ground.
A gleam flashed from Jeanne’s eyes.
At the same time, her wooden sword traced a perfect arc, striking upward on the bodyguard’s wrist.
Clang!
With a loud clash, the bodyguard’s wooden sword flew high into the air.
He stared dumbfounded at the wooden sword embedded in the ground.
Jeanne d’Arc simply smiled serenely, her beautiful golden hair fluttering in the breeze.
The grass around where her wooden sword had swept scattered softly.
—Ding!
[Special Condition for Quest Completed!]
[Job Change 2: The First Step Towards a Dream — Special Condition]
- Jeanne d’Arc has won the sparring match against Shylock’s bodyguard. …… [Complete (V)]
・”Shylock’s Letter of Introduction”
「…Sparring match complete!」
Militia Captain Hans immediately approached the sparring ground and said,
「Saintess, that was excellent! To wield Northern Swordsmanship, known for its sharpness, and Southern Swordsmanship, known for its fluidity, so skillfully is impressive. At this point, I have nothing more to teach you.」
「Thanks to Instructor Hans’s excellent guidance. And I also learned something valuable in this sparring — it’s not just weapons that can be used in combat.」
「Exactly! In actual battle, you must use not only weapons but your entire body and everything you have to attack! Though, of course, dirty tricks like throwing sand are forbidden!」
Jeanne brushed the sweat from her forehead and smiled gently.
Hans seemed quite moved, his eyes even a little moist.
I was thinking the same thing.
‘……Jeanne d’Arc is clearly a genius.’
Though she had trained with the Darc House’s swordsmanship in her childhood, she had laid down the sword for years.
Yet in just a few weeks, she had become the best swordsman among the militiamen and had now easily subdued a mercenary who had once made a name for himself.
If she were to learn the countless swordsmanship manuals that exist in the real world, it was obvious Jeanne d’Arc would reach even greater heights.
‘…I should find out what style of swordsmanship suits Jeanne d’Arc best.’
Meanwhile, Shylock, who had watched the entire sparring from start to finish, smiled with satisfaction as he approached.
「Truly amazing. I didn’t expect the Saintess to be so skilled in martial arts. That reassures me even more. Your skills are far superior to the mediocre knights I’ve seen so far. No matter what tests Baron Gilbert might present, you’ll be able to overcome them.」
Shylock gave a faint smile and extended his hand to Jeanne d’Arc.
She smiled brightly and grasped his hand firmly.
—Ding!
[Quest]
[Job Change 2] The First Step Towards a Dream
- Help the Apostle, Jeanne d’Arc, meet with the Lord of Riviera. …… [Complete (V)]
- [Special Condition Exists.] …… [Complete (V)]
[System] Quest Complete!
- Special Condition achieved!
- Special Reward: Shylock’s Letter of Introduction obtained!
・Experience +200, Divine Power +5P
After the handshake, Shylock grinned and exclaimed,
“Now then! Shall we send the letter of introduction to Baron Gilbert, the Lord of Riviera, right away?”