Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 52

Chapter 52
  “Dino Cervas, reporting back.”
  “You may enter.”
  
  After knocking on the oak panel and calling out, permission was granted from inside. The blue-haired knight passed through the opened door, bowed, and proceeded into the depths of the office, dimly lit by magic lamps.
  
  Following him, the mage Lise also stepped into the room, urging the black-haired girl along.
  
  “We’ll excuse ourselves as well.”
  <...>
  
  Rain and the others entered last and closed the door, as the master of the room cast a dubious gaze at the dirtied girl.
  
  “Hey, there’s one more person than when you left, isn’t there?”
  “I’ll report on that along with the Gigagbeetle subjugation, Xenos-sama.”
  
  Representing those who had been on the mission, Dino, who had commanded the two-knight squad, explained the successful subjugation of the three magical insects and the circumstances surrounding the rescued Rare Human.
  
  After hearing everything, Xenos nodded in satisfaction and offered words of appreciation to his subordinates who had completed their task.
  
  “Good work. This will put the minds of the merchants and travelers coming to the royal capital at ease.”
  “Thank you for your concern.”
  
  “By the way… how was Rain and the others’ first battle?”
  
  The Knight Commander Xenos, acting younger than his age, showed a mischievous smile and mentioned the evaluation of the newly appointed knights. After a brief moment of contemplation, his “unworthy disciple” chose his words carefully and responded.
  
  “It was a blunder that she broke her main armament, the iron spear, so early on, but I think she’s generally passing.”
  
  “Ugh, I got carried away…”
  “Isn’t that always the case…?”
  
  Johan, the Clawsolas mage, poked Rain’s side with resentment as she became slightly dejected. Their superior burst into laughter at the sight.
  
  “I used to break my weapons a lot when I was younger, and Raizes would get mad at me.”
  “Everything is a learning experience. More importantly…”
  
  Lise interrupted the flow that could have easily turned into a reminiscing session about the good old days and turned her crimson eyes towards the black-haired girl who was looking lost.
  
  Sensing her intention, Commander Xenos once again looked the rescued person up and down, his gaze stopping at the Japanese bow she was clutching in her left hand.
  
  “Hmm, it seems she hasn’t received the benefits of the language area, but I see she has some martial arts experience.”
  “So… you’re taking her into the Knight Order?”
  
  “Yeah! Maybe she’s a tough one like His Majesty!”
  “Even if she is, we don’t even know her name.”
  
  The golden-haired, crimson-eyed mage fell silent, implying that they should call the Knight King, who might be from the same country.
  
  However, Claude had been spending a lot of time with Izana in his private room after finishing his daily duties lately, so as an elder who warmly watched over the two, he couldn’t possibly disturb them.
  
  “We’ll have a face-to-face meeting tomorrow… Take care of her at the Cervas residence tonight.”
  
  “Understood. Then, if you’ll excuse us.”
  “Ah, be careful on your way home.”
  
  After being seen off by the muscular Knight Commander, the group exited and walked down the corridor of the royal castle. After a while, Lise turned to her partner knight with a teasing smile.
  
  “Just because you’re taking her to your mansion, don’t try anything, okay?”
  “Ah, I was thinking the same thing! The Commander doesn’t seem to care about gender, does he?”
  
  “Don’t be ridiculous. I wouldn’t do anything to a Yamato girl…”
  “Dino-kun, that’s not a good way to think.”
  
  Lise’s expression turned serious as she reprimanded him, pointing out that it was wrong to make a statement that denied all people from the same country just because he disliked the current Knight King.
  
  Dino scratched his head lightly and cleared his throat, embarrassed, but he corrected his attitude.
  
  “…I’m sorry. That was a careless remark.”
  
  
  The black-haired girl was bewildered by the sudden apology, and right after the atmosphere turned slightly awkward… a loud rumbling sound echoed through the air.
  
  “Eh, it wasn’t me!?”
  “I’m sorry, it was me… Oh no…”
  
  Dino gave a wry smile as he glanced at Rain, who blushed and shrunk beside the flustered young mage, and urged everyone to head out of the castle.
  
  Just as they were about to part ways with those who lived in the barracks, he called out to Lise, who was about to leave, and said awkwardly,
  
  “It’s a hassle to prepare dinner at this hour. There are things that can be prepared quickly in the mansion’s kitchen.”
  
  “Hmm, it’s already late…”
  “Stay the night.”
  
  Lise was flustered as she considered the meaning of his words. With everyone looking at them curiously, he fell silent and realized the carelessness of his words and actions.
  
  “Tch, no, that’s not it! It’s a way of showing my gratitude for always taking care of me!”
  “Fufu, you don’t have to make excuses.”
  
  Lise smiled and added, “I want to take care of that girl too,” and accepted the invitation for dinner and lodging… However, Dino’s parents, suspicious of the relationship because their son had rarely brought a young woman home, bombarded them with questions.
  
  Even in such a situation, Lise was considerate of the girl who couldn’t understand the language and diligently took care of her, which showed her kindness.
  
  “Last night, my good intentions backfired, or rather, my parents caused you trouble.”
  “It’s okay. They’re lovely parents.”
  
  As they walked down the corridor of the royal castle, exchanging lighthearted conversation, the girl, dressed in a luxurious dress by Lady Cervas, was led by the two. Passing through an imposing door, she found a young man in knightly attire sitting on a throne…
  
  
  “I’ve already received the report on the subjugation. I thank you for your hard work.”
  
  Although I was still not used to it, Raizes, my attendant, was present, so I praised Dino and Lise in a generous tone and manner. Then, I made eye contact with the black-haired girl who was staring at me intently.
  
  Of course, I had been curious about the rescued Rare Human after hearing the story, and I asked her a question in my native language with a hint of expectation.
  
  
  <！？>
  
  I couldn’t rule out the possibility that she might be a Hong Kong Chinese or something based on her appearance alone, so I asked her directly. Her eyes widened, and she nodded vigorously.