WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Oblivious
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Weakest Knight Became a Swordmaster, But Only in Dungeons ◈
Chapter 26: personal squire (1)
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A personal squire.
As the name implied, it meant becoming a Magic Knight’s personal apprentice knight. This existed alongside one’s status as an apprentice knight at Griffin Knight School.
Apart from their knight school training, personal squires served their masters and received instruction from them. At certain times, they could also experience life in a knight order.
‘You gain the honor of being your master’s disciple, and your chances of joining that knight order go up too...’
If I compared it to my previous life, it was something like an internship.
The kind of credential that would make job seekers drool.
Tension hung heavily in the large lecture hall where the first-year cadets had gathered.
I sat in the middle, with Violet the necromancer and Turak the Barbarian on either side of me.
At the podium, Instructor Rachel, with her short red hair and pointed hat, had several sheets of parchment floating through Telekinesis.
“I’ll announce the cadets who have received personal squire offers.”
Instructor Rachel’s mana-amplified voice boomed through the hall.
“The day has come...”
“Please, Imperial Five Wings...!”
“Oh divine lord, grant me an opportunity.”
“Please, please...”
Many cadets were praying.
Yesterday, I had seen one cadet performing something like a rite in the middle of campus. They must really have wanted this.
“We’ll begin with the Imperial Five Wings.”
“...!”
“First, I’ll announce the personal squire offers from the Red Wing Knight Order. Elise Lorendia, Lara Twislope...”
Instructor Rachel called out the names of the cadets who had received offers from the Imperial Five Wings one after another. The order seemed to be based on grades.
Every order had included the top cadet, Elise Lorendia.
‘She has a free pass to becoming a personal squire...’
As expected of Elise.
The cadets looked at Elise with envy and admiration.
“...And lastly, I’ll announce the personal squire offers from the White Wing Knight Order, the final order of the Imperial Five Wings.”
“Ah...”
The cadets sighed.
At this point, the announcements from the Imperial Five Wings were effectively over.
The White Wing Knight Order did not usually make personal squire offers.
If they had made an offer this time, it was obvious who the recipient would be.
“Elise Lorendia, and... Ron Hazely.”
‘As expected...’
This time, the cadets turned their eyes away from Elise and toward me.
The looks Elise had received were now directed straight at me.
This urge to puff out my chest right now... It was addictive.
Now I understood why Elise was so confident. If I lived surrounded by looks like these, I would be too.
Still.
“The White Wing Knight Order really offered Ron Hazely a position...”
“Damn it...”
“Was Ron Hazely actually a genius? He was the first among us to use Wing Unfurling too...”
Questions, jealousy, and feelings of inferiority mixed into the cadets’ gazes.
Theodore in particular, the red-brown-haired male cadet, was staring at me as though he wanted to bore a hole through me.
Hm. Scary. I decided to keep my head down.
“That concludes the Imperial Five Wings announcements. Next, we’ll move on to the Magic Knight Order.”
* * *
“How did my very own little Hazely get noticed by such a big shot...? My personal offer is useless now too... Haa.”
“Did you get attached to Ron already?”
“He looks like he’d be so rewarding to raise. He’s a once-in-a-generation oddball.”
Instructor Rachel sighed deeply while holding a drink, and Instructor Logan, seated beside her, snickered.
“You should understand. You were interested in Ron too.”
“What can I do? I never expected Ron to exceed expectations to that extent. More importantly...”
“More importantly?”
“I’m curious how far he’ll rise.”
Instructor Logan took a sip of his drink.
“If Ron is someone destined to become a greater figure than we can imagine, then becoming his master may not be such a good thing for us.”
“Hey, you...”
Instructor Rachel shot him an irritated glare.
“Are you saying I shouldn’t become Ron Hazely’s master?”
“It’s almost lunchtime! Shall we get up?”
“Hey, Logan!”
...
Fox ears rose above hair as white as freshly fallen snow, and her eyes were gently closed.
Lucia Silverbane, commander of the White Wing Knight Order, adjusted her clothing in the luxurious commander’s office at the White Wing Knight Order headquarters.
She wore the White Wing Knight Order’s white knight uniform.
Then Lucia grasped a magnificent silver sword, a symbol of the White Wing Knight Order commander’s authority.
“...”
Lucia’s gaze lingered on the sword for some time.
Silver-White Sword Euclia.
It was Lucia’s beloved sword and the magic sword that had chosen her as its master.
Though Lucia could not see and therefore could not take in the sword’s radiance, she could clearly feel the intricate patterns carved into every inch of its scabbard and the mana contained within the sword.
Shing.
When she drew the blade slightly, a chilling aura swept out.
A black, ominous energy coiled around the dazzling silver-white blade.
A demonkin’s highest-level curse had swallowed the Silver-White Sword whole.
Lucia had tried every possible method until now, but she had found no way to lift the curse.
In the end, the curse was even consuming the lifespan of Lucia, the sword’s master.
One could only relinquish the right to be a renowned sword’s master through death. In the end, she would die before long.
Lucia had already accepted that fate.
That was why.
“I need to find a successor soon...”
Feeling the curse’s aura, Lucia strengthened her resolve once more.
Knock, knock.
A knock echoed through the commander’s office.
Lucia sheathed the Silver-White Sword again. The curse’s aura immediately vanished.
As always, a gentle smile spread across Lucia’s face.
“Come in.”
Click.
Creak.
“Commander, the carriage is ready.”
“Yes. Let’s depart.”
Lucia headed for the magic carriage with her secretary, who was dressed in a white uniform.
* * *
[Realm “Lower Sword Expert” Growth Progress: 96%]
After training tirelessly with Elise Lorendia’s help, I was now only 4% away from the next realm.
And today was the first day of the personal squire experience.
“Violet, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Y-Yes. I’ll have my undead servant keep watch over the area you mentioned...!”
After being excused from morning roll call and preparing to leave for the White Wing Knight Order, I met Violet Blackgarden, explained the plan once more, said goodbye to her, and departed.
‘Chapter 1, Act 7, the personal squire arc.’
In Chapter 1, Act 7 of the original story, Elise went to experience being a personal squire at one of the White Wing Knight Order’s branches and formed bonds with its members.
Then, in the third playthrough’s story, while the White Wing Knight Order commander was absent...
Orankel of the Red Eyes reappeared with an army of monsters and massacred citizens, guards, and White Wing knights.
Elise joined forces with the White Wing Knight Order to fight Orankel’s forces, only for the knights she had just become close to die brutally before her eyes.
‘But get this.’
Ta-da. Demonkin Orankel already died by my hand back in Chapter 1, Act 1.
‘Then will nothing happen, like during the Subjugation Test?’
I could not be sure how things would unfold. I had to keep a close eye on Elise’s situation.
That was why I had asked Violet, who had not received a personal squire offer, to watch the route Orankel had invaded through in the original story, as well as the surrounding area.
In other words, I would watch over Elise from inside the knight order, while Violet watched over her from outside.
Thanks to that, I felt reassured. I really do cherish you, Violet!
‘And while I’m at it, I can receive some instruction too.’
Who was my master?
Lucia Silverbane, the pinnacle of the Imperial Five Wings.
Of course I was looking forward to what I would learn.
“Hehehe.”
I was already getting excited.
“Hehehe?”
“Wait, fuck!”
A familiar voice suddenly came from behind me.
Startled, I quickly turned around and found Elise Lorendia smiling meaningfully.
“Pfft...! Were you thinking something dirty, Ron?”
“Please make some noise when you approach. My heart can’t take this.”
“I’ll consider it for poor Ron’s sake.”
Since we had the same destination, it seemed our routes had overlapped.
While chatting with Elise, I arrived at the school’s main gate.
Cadets and instructors on guard duty stood in orderly rows. We joined them.
Before long, an expensive-looking magic carriage arrived.
A male and female knight in white uniforms stepped out of the carriage. They were members of the White Wing Knight Order.
“For the Empire.”
“For the Empire.”
We exchanged salutes with the White Wing knights.
The White Wing knights confirmed Elise’s and my identities.
“So you’re Ron Hazely?”
“?”
A male knight suddenly greeted me with a sly smile.
Why was he happy to see me?
I wondered, but he did not seem suspicious, so I let it go. I had seen his face in the game.
Maybe he had heard about me somewhere and become curious.
Soon, the stern female knight spoke.
“We will depart.”
“Yes!”
We boarded the carriage and set off. Its mana-infused wheels carried it smoothly onward.
“Everyone, salute the White Wing Knight Order!”
Snap!
The waiting instructors and cadets saluted in the direction of our departing carriage.
...
The Imperial Five Wings had branches in many regions.
Elise and I arrived at the Campbell Branch of the White Wing Knight Order, located in Campbell City.
It was close to Griffin Knight School, so the trip took only three hours. Without a magic carriage, it would have taken twice as long.
We followed the White Wing knight’s guidance.
“Elise Lorendia. This way.”
“Me?”
“It is the commander’s order.”
The stern female knight gestured toward another path with her chin.
Elise exchanged a look with me, then went with the female knight. They were heading toward the reception room.
‘That part matches the original story, but...’
In the original story, when I first saw the White Wing commander radiating a mysterious aura in the reception room, my first thought had been, ‘Whoa, a fox beastkin big sister.’
‘But where am I going?’
The sly male knight spoke to me in a friendly tone.
“Friend, just follow me.”
“Yes!”
As I walked along with questions in my head, I arrived at a broad and splendid training ground.
‘A training ground? Huh?’
What was this?
About fifteen knights in White Wing Knight Order uniforms stood in orderly lines around the outside of the training ground.
They were the Campbell Branch’s knights.
And in the center of the training ground stood a snow-white woman with fox ears, examining a mock sword.
Her white fox tail hung limply behind her, while the magnificent silver sword at her waist displayed its radiant splendor.
The light filling the training ground seemed to embrace her. She exuded an elegant, refined air.
My breath caught. The frivolous impression I had formed when first seeing her in the game did not come to mind at all.
The pinnacle of the Imperial Five Wings, commander of the White Wing Knight Order.
‘Lucia Silverbane.’
That great figure had come to the Campbell Branch to become Elise’s and my master.
‘Why is she in the training ground...?’
“Friend, take this.”
“?”
The sly White Wing knight handed me a mock sword.
‘This...’
I almost let out a laugh.
I had a feeling what was about to happen.
“Go on. The commander has been waiting for you.”
“Yes!”
I walked toward the White Wing commander.
“Welcome.”
The White Wing commander’s gentle voice settled into the air.
I immediately stopped and stood in the proper formal stance for holding a sword.
The White Wing commander turned toward me. Her eyes were gently closed, and she wore a soft smile.
“Thank you for coming, Cadet Ron Hazely. It has been some time since we last met. I’m glad to see you again.”
“It is an honor to see you again!”
Perhaps she liked my military-crisp response.
The White Wing commander fully turned toward me and smiled softly with her lightly clenched fist held before her mouth.
“You may not know this, but I have never taken on a personal squire before. I hope you understand just how highly I regard you.”
“Thank you!”
“Then, my temporary apprentice.”
“Yes!”
“For the three days of your personal squire experience, you will spar with every White Wing knight of the Campbell Branch, one after another.”
...Excuse me?
“I’m sure you can learn a great deal from them.”
‘Me...?’
With these fucking elites...?
I was flustered. I had naturally assumed that the White Wing commander intended to teach me swordsmanship herself.
“Of course, you may refuse if you do not wish to. I have no intention of forcing you.”
So I had an opportunity to trade swords with active Magic Knights of the White Wing Knight Order?
And the White Wing commander believed this method would help me grow?
‘...This is incredible.’
My heart began to race. This was an opportunity I could not easily get anywhere else.
Of course, I was afraid too, but there was no reason to hesitate. It was not like I would die. There was surely plenty I could gain from them.
“No! I’ll do it!”
Fine. Let’s do this!
The White Wing commander smiled in satisfaction.
“Good. Then, Simon.”
Simon?
“Yes, Commander!”
Simon, the sly knight who had led me here, ran over to the White Wing commander. He extended both hands and bowed his head.
The White Wing commander handed Simon the mock sword she had been holding.
“Thank you for giving me the first opportunity, Commander.”
“Remember that this is only a spar, Simon.”
“I will remember.”
Simon respectfully accepted the mock sword and raised his head. Then he turned toward me.
The White Wing commander approached me and spoke in a gentle, tranquil voice that seemed to tickle my eardrums like a feather.
“If you think you are pushing yourself too far, tell me, my temporary apprentice. Understood?”
“Yes!”
She was really kind.
After seeing only instructors who always tried to push cadets to their limits, meeting someone like the White Wing commander felt healing.
The White Wing commander took her seat of honor, and a knight came forward to act as referee.
Then I suddenly saw three people entering the training ground.
The male knight with a scar beside his right eye, the stern female knight, and Elise.
‘Elise?’
The three of them stood beside the knights. Elise looked at me with an expression of confusion.
Her face seemed to be asking, ‘What’s going on, Ron?’
Apparently, she had not been told. Well, she would find out soon enough.
“Hey, friend.”
“Yes, Senior!”
Simon asked with a sly smile.
“What realm are you at?”
“I’m a Sword User.”
“A Sword User, huh... I thought there might be more to it, but you don’t even have the basics down.”
Simon let out a hollow laugh, as though he found it absurd.
It was mockery. My eyebrow twitched.
Among Magic Knights, Sword Users were not even considered worthy of recognition. Sword Expert was the bare minimum.
They said that those without sufficient talent could not reach Sword Expert, but that was irrelevant to Magic Knights.
After all, people like that could not become Magic Knights in the first place.
“I trust the commander’s judgment. You must have some outstanding quality.”
Simon swept his bangs back with both hands.
His hidden forehead was revealed, the sly expression vanished as though it had never been there, and his eyes turned cold.
“Still... part of me finds it difficult to accept you. When I think about how we made it this far. Please understand.”
“Is that why you came out first? Because you wanted to face me before anyone else?”
“That’s right.”
Fwoosh!!
A fierce blue aura, like flames, wrapped around Simon’s blade.
‘Around Middle Sword Expert, I’d say.’
Sword Expert was divided into Lower, Middle, Upper, and Special ranks. Even a single rank’s difference created an enormous gap.
I had not even become a Sword Expert yet, so it went without saying that Simon was far stronger than me.
“The commander seems to believe you will learn a great deal from us... Unfortunately, I have no intention of going easy on you. I will only stay within the limits the commander has set.”
Naturally, the White Wing commander had not meant this to be a kind instructional spar. I had not expected consideration.
Simon took his stance.
“Still, don’t worry. I’ll finish this quickly.”
No one here had reached this position easily.
They must have all arrived here through sweat, blood, and desperate efforts to prove themselves.
Yet for some reason, a mere Sword User had caught the White Wing commander’s interest and been chosen as the personal squire she had never recruited before...
Not every knight would feel that way, but it was only natural for some to be displeased.
No matter how much they tried to trust their commander, people’s hearts were simply like that.
‘So that was why.’
Now I understood why Simon had thanked the White Wing commander for giving him the first turn. I also understood why she had specifically told him to remember that this was only a spar.
The knight before me probably wanted to crush me while I was in my best condition.
I glanced toward the White Wing commander. Despite Simon’s attitude, she still wore a gentle smile.
Then I would play along too.
“Thank you for speaking honestly, Senior Simon. Then, may I also answer honestly, even if it is presumptuous?”
“Go ahead. Since I said all that, I’ll take responsibility for it. I will make sure nothing you say harms you.”
“...My only thought is, ‘So what?’”
“...”
For a moment, Simon frowned. A vein bulged on his exposed forehead.
A quiet irritation rose within me.
“How is that my problem?”
You were not the only one who had struggled and struggled.
I had fought to survive every day in the back alleys of Brenvel with nothing, eventually entered the knight school I had wanted so badly, and now desperately fought every day like my life depended on it.
Were you really going to measure me by the yardstick of your own life? What a joke.
Fwoosh.
I wrapped silver mana around my blade.
“Then I will resist with all my heart too.”
Yeah... I should welcome this situation instead.
[Realm “Lower Sword Expert” Growth Progress: 96%]
Just quietly become experience points for my awakening, you knight bastard.
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