Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 59

The knight investiture ceremony at the Stanis Knight Academy was an annual event, nothing more.

Highly skilled trainee knights were destined to stand out from the moment they entered the academy.

In most cases, their liege lord was decided even before they received their knighthood.

Consequently, there were usually no more than about 10 observers.

However, the announcement that Hector would be attending today’s investiture ceremony caused an uproar.

Not only did all the nobles in the vicinity gather, but even those from distant territories attended.

The crowd was so large that it resembled a social gathering hosted by royalty.

There were several great nobles present who could mobilize a battalion-sized force with a single command.

‘Considering the nobles who couldn’t even get into the packed main hall…’

Having lived a life no different from a commoner due to his family’s decline, Cainchel was seeing so many nobles for the first time.

“Isn’t that the Minister of Foreign Affairs? You must be busy with work; how did you find the time to come here…?”

“Haha… As a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I must attend any event hosted by Lord Hector. Taking the portal made it instantaneous.”

“Haha, I actually came that way too.”

Officials whom one might never see in a lifetime were sitting in chairs, fanning themselves.

The portal was a means of transportation operated by the Magic Tower that could move people to locations hundreds of kilometers away.

Its usage fee was enormous, costing up to hundreds of gold depending on the distance traveled.

That also meant that the opportunity to meet Swordmaster Hector was rare.

The gathered nobles watched Cainchel, who was performing the knight’s salute, and commented:

“I heard it was a sudden investiture ceremony, but his posture is so disciplined, as if he’s been practicing for weeks.”

“Indeed. He seems like the son of a prestigious martial family…”

“Ah, well, that is…”

“…Oh, he became a Sword Knight straight from the Rookie Class? That’s impossible without tremendous talent! A future Swordmaster, indeed. I should make sure to get acquainted after the ceremony.”

Cainchel, who had been keeping his head down but his ears open, could hear all their conversations.

A wry smile appeared on his face without him realizing it.

To think that an underachiever who spent three years as a rookie would hear such things.

What kind of expression would they have if they knew that it all started with a bowl of chicken soup?

Usually, the formalities required for a knight are learned during the rookie period upon entering the academy.

He had learned it three times, so it was natural for him to move like a knight.

That was also why Zeke immediately recognized him as someone who had been around swords for a long time.

Hector said with a solemn expression:

“Cainchel of the Gistad family, draw your sword.”

Usually, trainee knights prepare a ceremonial sword for the knighthood ceremony.

However, there was no way Cainchel, who had nothing, would have such a thing.

He had no choice but to take out the training sword he had become accustomed to over the past three years and hand it to Hector, holding the blade.

It was a pledge of allegiance by offering the sword, which could be said to be a knight’s life.

Hector’s eyes softened as he received the sword.

The worn and old sword was proof of effort.

Hector tapped Cainchel’s head twice with the sword, and then each of his shoulders once.

The head represented the chief god Deus [the most important deity in their religion].

And the shoulders represented the Holy King Aslan and the lord whom he would serve as a knight.

After completing the ritual, Hector raised the sword high into the sky.

“Under the blessing of the chief god Deus, I hereby declare Cainchel Ban Gistad to be a Sword Knight!”

The knighthood ceremony ends with kneeling down and receiving the sword.

However, Hector looked at Cainchel with a face that suggested he still had something to say.

“Lord Gistad. If you do not yet have a lord to serve, how about becoming a member of the Grand Cross Knights?”

The Royal Knights Grand Cross, who guard His Majesty the Emperor.

It also meant becoming a direct subordinate of Hector, the commander of the special forces.

It was the greatest honor for a knight.

Becoming a regular knight of the Grand Cross would grant one the title of Baron as a basic.

In addition, one could receive various rising sword techniques and mana cultivation methods prepared for the Royal Knights.

A very unconventional offer that would bring both glory and practical benefits.

However, Cainchel quietly placed his sword hilt against his left heart and replied:

“In accordance with the code of chivalry, I wish to become a ‘Free Knight’ who protects the weak, pursues justice and goodness, and destroys evil and injustice that threaten the empire.”

Then the gathered nobles gasped.

“F-Free Knight? You mean those nobodies who don’t have a lord!”

“Shh! Watch your words! Lord Hector is listening!”

“Still, to think that someone would receive an offer to join the Grand Cross Knights and then say they want to be a Free Knight…”

Free Knights were knights who traveled the empire, protecting the weak and punishing evil and injustice.

That might sound like a hero, but the reality was quite different.

They were just wanderers who had not been appointed by anyone. The work itself was not much different from that of a mercenary.

It was the last choice for those who had become Chevalier Class [a rank of knight] but ultimately failed to realize the Aura Sword [a powerful technique].

It was a mere honorary title.

Hector chuckled as if he had been taken aback.

“I never expected you to want to become a Free Knight.”

“My skills are still too meager to join the Grand Cross Knights. I will continue to work as a Free Knight to acquire the qualifications befitting it.”

“I understand. Then it’s time to give out the reward.”

“Receiving knighthood directly from Hector is a great honor that cannot be exchanged for anything. I don’t need anything else.”

“That is a reward from the commander. And think of this as a gift of gratitude from a father.”

Hector took off the ring he was wearing and handed it to Cainchel.

Horror flashed in the eyes of the nobles who were watching.

“T-That is the Armor of Vitege, also known as the Holy Armor!”

“Even if he saved his son’s life, to think he would give him that…”

As Cainchel accepted the ring, Hector explained:

“That is the Armor of Vitege, a magical artifact that turns armor into the form of a ring. If you put it on your left hand and infuse it with aura, the original form will be realized. Do it now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Cainchel put the ring on his finger and infused aura into his left hand, shouting ‘Realization’ in his mind.

Then, a pure white armor appeared over Cainchel’s body, who was wearing a uniform.

‘It fits perfectly and feels so light as if I’m not wearing anything. This is the Armor of Vitege…’

It was the armor Hector wore in the Seven Sins War [a major conflict in their world].

An incredible reward that could only be described as unconventional!

Hector said:

“The empire is currently in a very dangerous state. Many heroes died in the Seven Sins War. The barbarians of Deutschland [a neighboring nation], whose borders are adjacent, may break the agreement and start a war at any time. In order to overcome such a situation, the activities of Free Knights who do not belong to any organization are essential. I hope you will continue to strive to protect the peace of the empire. Then, may blessings be upon the wings that yearn for freedom.”

Cainchel raised his head and looked at Hector.

There, a very strange expression that Cainchel would never forget was floating.

@

Wayne chewed on the turkey roast and sighed.

“But it’s really a pity… If it were the Grand Cross, wouldn’t the Swordmaster of Mercy, Lord Loengreen, be the captain? If I could learn swordsmanship from him, I would sell my soul to the Seven Sins [a metaphorical expression, like ‘sell my soul to the devil’]. To think that you would reject such an opportunity yourself…”

Kundam, who was sitting next to him, poked Wayne in the side.

“Why are you so disappointed, Wayne? The choice is Lord Cainchel’s. Don’t do that, and let’s celebrate Lord Cainchel, who will be leaving this place soon, by eating delicious food today! By the way, could you show me that armor one more time? It’s really cool…”

Cainchel chuckled and quietly materialized the Holy Armor.

At the same time as the pure white light was emitted from the ring, a pure white armor appeared on Cainchel’s body.

“Kuh! This is the Holy Armor that resonates with the wearer’s aura to exert the strongest defense! I heard that you can buy a castle or so if you sell this…”

Ian’s eyes flashed as he sat across from him.

“Cainchel. Can I hit you with my Explosion Fist for a moment? I’m curious if my fist can penetrate the defense of the Holy Armor.”

Wayne exclaimed.

“He’s trying to use his disciple as a sandbag! Truly a demon instructor!”

“Huh? What? Are you saying you’ll do it instead?”

“S-Sorry. Please spare me.”

Thus, the last night spent at the Stanis Knight Academy was coming to a close.

‘Then, all that’s left is Frelia, huh.’

The Gistad territory is located at the northernmost tip of the empire.

A place that takes a full fifteen days to reach by horse.

Naturally, if he left there, he would not be able to make sandwiches for Frelia every week.

‘Now that it’s come to this, I have no choice but to reveal my identity and explain the situation. Then, she will come up with a solution.’

If he travels around as a Free Knight and eats the cuisine of various regions, he might be able to raise his Gourmet Level, which has stopped growing.

And he might be able to find a clue to making 6-star dishes.

As a Countess, she would know that it would ultimately be for Frelia’s sake.

At that time, he felt a strange presence outside.

Cainchel quietly went outside and looked around.

‘……A sword?’

A crude sword was placed next to the door. When he drew it, it was a sword coated with Mithril [a rare and valuable metal], called Magang.

It was literally the strongest weapon for a Sword Knight who wields aura.

Cainchel swallowed hard.

Although it couldn’t be compared to the Holy Armor, the value of this sword was definitely over a thousand gold.

‘Who would leave something like this…’

The presence of the person who left this was no longer felt. It was the same even when he activated Fallen Star [likely a detection ability].

And Cainchel was able to find a note attached to the wall.

– Use it well, it’s the price of your life.

That was the end of it with those three words. The name of the person who left the sword was not even written.

Nevertheless, Cainchel seemed to know who this sword belonged to.

@

Knock knock.

Someone knocked on the door of the temporary office where Hector was staying.

“Your Excellency, it’s Vincent.”

“Come in. I heard you became a Sword Knight.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t need a greeting. Leave if you have nothing else to say.”

“Your Excellency… No, Father. Do you perhaps remember the unique-smelling Coq au Vin [a French chicken stew] that Mother used to make?”

“Of course.”

“…I very coincidentally found a chef who can create a very similar taste to it. And I learned that what was in it was a spice called Rosemary. Do you perhaps know its meaning?”

“I know.”

“Th-Then…! Why didn’t you tell me that! I, I…! Mother! Mother… !”

“Because I thought that was the path for you. You can’t move forward if you’re always tied to the past.”

“Father… Did you truly love Mother?”

“I loved her. And I love her. I will continue to love her. Perhaps that fact will never change. Just like the scent of rosemary that never disappears, her image is still so vivid to me.”

“…Hic…”

Hector stared at the empty air with his dry eyes. Only he knew what was reflected there.

The sobbing sound that had been heard for a while disappeared, and Vincent’s voice, which was full of cracks, was heard.

“…If I ever get the chance, I would like to go eat Coq au Vin with plenty of rosemary with Father.”

Hector, who had never hesitated to answer Vincent’s questions until now.

However, he did not say anything to the last question.

The Magic Tower Alchemist #1