Chapter 111: Even tempered glass breaks when it’s smashed

Even tempered glass breaks when it’s smashed

There are three types of cavalry in the Diagal Empire.

One is the [horse cavalry], a staple in any country where they ride through a battlefield on a war horse.

Next is the [Dragon Cavalry], where they ride trained magic beasts instead of horses.

Finally, those who ride on flying dragons and dominates the sky, the [dragoon].

「As can imagined from the name Heavenly Dragon Knights, it is a knight order composed mainly of dragoons. On the other hand, the [Horned Dragon Knight Order]1 are composed of many dragon calvary who rides [land dragons], dragons that travels by land but this much about them is enough for now.」

At the end of a brief explanation by Kakurd, the impressed Rand continues…

「Both the Knight Order of Heavenly Dragon and Horned Dragon are famous. Although of a different types of magic beast, there are also military units in other countries that domesticate them as mounts. However, Diagal Empire’s army is the only one among them that employs tamed dragon kind. To say nothing of their war potential, the numbers at their disposal is nothing short of terrifying.」

「Diagal has a lot of land inhabited by powerful magic beasts, and the habitat of dragon kind here is considerably larger compared to other countries. In addition to that, there are many dragonkins with the same dragon factors hidden inside their body. Precisely because of the presence of these two elements that Diagal could utilize dragon-type magic beasts as cavalry dragon.」(kakurd?)

According to a folklore passed down in the empire, the founding emperor of Diagal established a bond with the strongest and most renowned flying dragon amongst dragon kind at the time. It is said that he built the empire with his own martial prowess and the power of dragons. The founding emperor of Diagal himself is the [progenitor] of dragoons.

「For that reason, assuming we exclude military force, the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order are the star of the Imperial Army and the most popular knight order in this country.」

Though he said that, Kakurd’s expression doesn’t seem like he just said some compliments, not by a long shot. Faima saw that and speaks to Skelia…

「Judging by that look, they seem to be quite unpopular within the army.」

「There are many nobles in the Heavenly Dragon Knights and they don’t mesh up that well with us who works our way up in the Phantom Dragon Knight Order. I’d like to refrain from getting involved with them since I was picked up when I enlisted in the army as a recruit.」(skelia)

「Speaking of which, after I left home, which was tantamount to being disinherited, I was also invited by Commander Regulus to join the Phantom Dragon Knight Order.」(kakurd)

The number of soldiers belonging to an order is about four to five hundred on average. In comparison, the Genryuu Knights only have around 200 soldiers, which is about half as much as the other order. This is because the commander{Regulus} carefully screens the soldiers by herself and then personally invited them to her order. Therefore, the Genryuu Knights have the smallest amount of troops but their individual strength are exceptional and their overall force are equal to the other knight order.

………If there’s something to be said, whether it’s the commander’s preferences or purely by coincidence, most of the soldiers are talented personnel with quite the character. It seems to be quite a famous topic within the army.

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Strangely enough, there are few among them who look down on others, be they commoners or nobles and if there’s a person saying such things, punishment in the name of [training] will be imposed on them by the commander without any exception.

Even so, it didn’t grow into a reign of terror because all the soldiers, originating from nobles and commoners alike, are united as one under their commander. From hearing all that, I can imagine her personal virtue and leadership quality are at an exceptional level.

「However, unlike us who have no barrier between nobles and commoners, the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order are thoroughly a knight order of aristocrats. Some of them are commoners but all of the dragoons are composed of only aristocrats.」

But as long as a special military unit called [Dragoon] exist, it’s inevitable. Same can be said for the Horned Dragon Knight Order that handles land dragons.

Generally speaking, military units spends a lot of money to deal with dragons

ーーA large amount of money and time are needed to raise dragons and their riders. Both require special training (or domestication) from an early age and it’s not possible to cover the finances without the existence of nobles.

「Whether the dragons are nurtured from eggs or caught in the wild, it costs a huge amount of money to train them as mounts. Taking these into considerations, influence of aristocrats inevitably becomes stronger within military units which handles the land dragons and the flying dragons. Even if the empire was scoured over, among those of common origin within the army, there are none who managed to become a rider of a flying dragon.」

Seems like there are a small number of independent, non-military dragoons. However, they have a strong tendency over [freedom], thus unlikely to be affiliated with the Heavenly Dragon Knights, which belonged to the army and rife with the stiff hierarchal system of the nobilities. Even from the perspective of the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order, it’d impossible to scout a free-spirited independent dragoon.

ーーhn? Hold up?

「Skelia, can I ask you a question?」(kanna) Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

「By all means, please.」

「You said there are no dragoons in the army other than those in the Heavenly Dragon Knights. Are there no exceptions? Someone affiliated to another knight order or something like that.」

「If we are talking about land dragon rider, the dragon cavalry, there are those outside of the Horned Dragon Knight Order. However, there are none for the flying dragons. At least, there are none within my knowledge. If I must say, successive emperors, including the the current emperor are all dragoonsーーDo you have any question for my explanation so far?」

「No, I got it. That’s all, thanks.」

I thank Skelia, then ponders for a bit.

『ーーWhich means that, only a limited number of people knows the fact that [she]’s a dragoon?』

Or was it possible for Skelia to feign ignorance?

But I couldn’t feel signs of a lie from his talk. Same goes for Kakurd.

The purpose behind my question went over the heads of Faima and her three attendants, causing them to be puzzled.

Since I don’t know the circumstances behind her, it can’t be helped (I doubt it can be said anyway). If Chloe were here, it’d be a different story though. But I won’t dig in any further.

Now that the lengthy explanation has come to an end, it’s finally time to get into the main subject.

Faima raises two fingers.

「ーーThere are two problems. The commander of the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order wants to have a secret talk with Kanna and the advice from the commander of the Steel Dragon Knight Order.」

「For the time being, if we dismiss this guy, everything will be resolved, no?」(agatt)

In response to Agatt’s words to single me out, Faima shows a slightly pondering look.

ーーYou’re kidding, right?

If you ask me to quit, I’ll quit but that doesn’t mean my glass heart won’t get hurt y’know?

「In the end, glass is glass, even tempered ones.」

An idea came to mind that I should just scratch the glass window in this room with my nails and play a grand dissonance performance.

But wait, that’s a real tempered glass.

「……I’m afraid this matter is not that simple. You should know, Agatt. First, it won’t be easy for us to part with Kanna-kun at this point of time. I don’t think any of us are unaware of his excellence.」(rand)

「Exactly what I wanted to say, Rand-san. Being made to understand how useless I am by this guy. I, too, can understand that feeling. ………In spite of myself.」(agatt)

「Tsundere Agatt aside「Oi, what do you mean by tsundere」ーーAnyway, I also believe it is rash for us to cut off Kanna-kun.」(kiska)

Agatt, who looks the same as Kakurd when he was explaining about Heavenly Dragon Knights and Kiska who said those words with a shrug. The words of the three escorts are making me ticklish all over. As usual, I’m still not used to be evaluated by someone else.

「From the start, I have no intention to cast Kanna away, so please, worry not. Besides, what we should take into consideration at the moment is about the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order.」

The room became silent at Faima’s words.

After a while, Kiska breaks the ice by talking first.

「Regarding the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order, I was able to form a general idea from the description provided by the two from Phantom Dragon Knight Order but specifically, what kind of person is the commander of the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order? From what I’ve heard so far, I could barely form an image.」

「His name is [Theotis Catrates]2. A remarkably excellent knight, both as a commander and a dragoon. The Catrates Count Household, from which he was born, is a family that produced many dragoons and Teotis’ grandfather himself was a valorous man who also had the experience of serving as the commander of the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order.」(skelia)

「What about his character?」(kiska?)

Skelia looks like he chewed a bitter bug.

「An advocate of aristocracy, through and through. The height of his pride is probably one of the best in the army. Also, a person who looks down on other people other than dragonkins, even including nobles. In fact, all the dragoons belonging to the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order are dragonkins. Their knight order are also the one with the highest proportion of dragonkin as their military force.」

I don’t wanna get involved with him just by listening to all that. If I had accepted their invitation without thinking, it would’ve been terrible.

「True. It would have been a terrible situationーーfor the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order.」

「Hey Faima, whaddaya mean by that. Rather, since a while ago, you’ve been reading my mind. Can you not?」(kanna)

「The question is, why would a person advocating aristocracy wants to have a secret talk with Kanna. Even though he is the exact opposite of a noble.」(faima)

Can’t believe she activated her ignore skill, but I agree with her words. I wouldn’t say absolutely can’t but I don’t think that it’d be possible to hold a real conversation with that person.

「Kakurd-san, Skelia-san, I wonder if the two of you have anything in mind?」(faima)

「Actually, I’m troubled because I have too many.」(skelia)

「……You guys, just how deep is your discord?」

As I narrowed my eyes at Skelia, he scratches his head, seemingly looking troubled.

「If anything, it’s actually the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order who are unilaterally holding a grudge against us. We really don’t want to be entangled though……」(skelia)

The Heavenly Dragon Knights are among the oldest order in the Imperial Army. Hence, their history isn’t short. On the other hand, it hasn’t been long since the Genryuu Knights was established. On top of that, their commander -Regulus- is a former adventurer. They’re quite a unique knight order.

As a unit led by a venerable noble, the sudden rise to prominence of another’s isn’t a pleasant story.

「……By consolidating the discussion we had so far, I came up with several reasons on why the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order tried to summon Kanna. However, these are ultimately mere conjectures.」(faima)

While looking at me, Faima says…

「It is not that complicated. The commander of the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order or someone else are probably trying to headhunt Kanna away.」

「……Come again?」(kanna)

「The messenger of Heavenly Dragon Knight Order called Kanna [Shiroyasha], did he not? That would signify their awareness of Kanna as an adventurer to some extent. Including his future potential. Such an up-and-coming adventurer has a personal connection with their hated enemy, the Phantom Dragon Knight Order. It would not have been amusing for them.」(faima)

「Even if you say that……」(kanna)

「Therefore, unwilling to let the Phantom Dragon Knight Order to rise any further, the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order decided to lure Kanna away. After all, from the viewpoint of a [hired hand], it is Kanna’s freedom to choose your employer.」(faima)

From the viewpoint of Faima’s escorts, the most insignificant is none other than me. A great target for poaching. With that as their premise, the Heavenly Dragon Knight Order tried to make contact with me.

That’s Faima’s opinion.

「Considering the fact that they tried to have a secret meeting behind not only the two from the Phantom Dragon Knight Order but also behind us, they may have intended to turn Kanna into an [insider] while staying under the employ of Phantom Dragon Knight Order on the surface. Were they trying to gain an advantage through selling information obtained from the Phantom Dragon Knight Order and myself in the black market? ーーAt the moment, these speculations would be the most I could offer.」

Faima concluded with no conjecture at this point regarding the advice from Sharga.

In the end, we came to the conclusion that we had no choice for the moment but to keep an eye on how the situation will unfold.