The Tale of Gerald Vader, the Heretic Knight’s Rampage Through Another World
A month has passed since then.
“Haa… Next year, it’ll be the royal capital…”
Standing in the central square of the provincial capital, I gaze blankly at the sky.
The late autumn sky is clear and high, yet the clouds are so distinct they feel almost within reach.
Still.
I shifted my gaze back to the cityscape.
The square and the streets beyond were bustling with people.
It was a peaceful scene, showing not the slightest hint that just days ago, the Horace territory had faced the brink of destruction.
Well, then again, only a limited number of people even knew such a major incident had occurred.
――After the battle with the ‘Blasphemous Raum’.
After escaping the ‘Old Castle of Ur-Doran’ once its demonic corruption subsided, we were greeted by a large crowd of adventurers and knights.
Apparently, news of the dungeon’s demonic corruption had immediately reached the Adventurers’ Guild and the knights of the provincial capital.
Normally, those caught up in demonic corruption rarely return alive.
At first, we were thoroughly suspected of being transformed demons or monstrous creatures ourselves… but because my old man was among the knights, our identities were confirmed beyond doubt. Somehow, we avoided getting beaten to a pulp by adventurers and knights alike.
Well, after that, we were each taken to the headquarters of the Adventurers’ Guild and the Knights’ Order respectively, and ended up getting grilled thoroughly…
I never imagined this would be more exhausting than the fierce battles we fought in the demon realm.
The guildmaster looked like a tough guy, and even though there were other knights around, Dad hugged me with his face all teary, snotty, and drool-covered.
…Well, the latter part, I guess I deserved it since I’d caused him worry, so I just let him have his way.
Still, I haven’t done anything particularly wrong (well, not much).
I answered all the basic questions everyone asked me, and I gave honest answers to whatever information they seemed to need.
…Though, there are a few things I didn’t tell them.
One of those things is… this dark red jewel rolling around in my palm right now.
This marble-sized jewel was lying on the ground after the ‘Blasphemy Raum’ vanished.
Of course, I know what it is.
It’s the ‘Curse Jewel’ you get from defeating demons in the main story.
Well, the word ‘Curse’ sounds ominous… but it’s not really a cursed item or anything. Basically, this thing is like a material for enhancing ‘Protection’.
Specifically, using it causes Protection to undergo a special evolution, increasing the number of usable skills and techniques.
For the story’s protagonist, it was a subtly powerful skill that let them consume magic power during battle to temporarily imbue their equipped weapon with any attribute… but what would happen if I used it?
Well, I should probably just try it out already, but while I was researching the jewel and prioritizing other training and studies, a month had somehow slipped by.
Of course, I plan to test it before entering the academy.
…Lost in such thoughts, I suddenly heard—
“Sorry to keep you waiting—!”
A loud voice echoed across the entire plaza.
Looking in that direction, I saw a beautiful girl with fluffy golden hair fluttering in the wind, running breathlessly through the crowd.
It was none other than Nora.
“Oh, how did it go?”
“Of course, I completed the ceremony without incident.”
Truth be told, today was the day she was coming to report to me that she had finished her Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
“I see! Congratulations, Nora.”
“Hehe… All of this is… thanks to you, Gerald-sama…”
She said this, caressing the ‘Berserker’s Bracelet’ on her left hand affectionately.
The way she moved her hand was unnervingly seductive… It looked as if she were caressing the bracelet itself. Surely that was just an optical illusion.
…Yeah.
And her eyes, glistening with a sticky lust as she stared intently at me? Definitely just my imagination too.
Somehow, it seems like her symptoms have gotten worse since before she received the blessing… Did she get a different blessing than the one I know about?
Joking aside, the blessing Nora received is called the ‘Far Sight Blessing’.
Possessing this literal cheat ability to ‘see a little bit into the near future,’ as she grew stronger, she could see further and further ahead—foreseeing every demonic invasion route and act of sabotage, earning her the title ‘Holy Maiden.’
Of course, precisely because of that, she was feared and targeted by demons. In the story, if you make the wrong route choice, she gets kidnapped by them and meets a gruesome death…
That’s precisely why she must now train her ‘Divine Protection’ even harder, hone her combat skills, and strive to gain the strength to crush demons with a single blow.
Of course, I intend to help her as much as I possibly can.
After all, she too is a comrade who knows her own death ending—even if only through dreams.
“Come to think of it… isn’t Lady… ahem, Twina with you today?”
Nora said this, scanning the square like a sailor on the mast, watching for pirate ships.
Of course, Twina was here too.
“Ah, that one…”
“…! Ten o’clock!”
Suddenly, Nora’s eyes sharpened, and she fixed her gaze deep into the crowd.
Just then.
“Well, well, you’re already here? You could have come later.”
Pushing through the crowd emerged none other than Twina.
Her silver hair fluttered in the autumn breeze as she looked back and forth between me and Nora.
At her neck, the silver and blue necklace—the ‘Talisman of Exposure’—glinted brightly in the autumn sunlight.
She held coffee in both hands.
One for herself, one for me.
I’d thought she’d been swallowed up by the crowd the moment we reached the plaza, but apparently she’d grabbed takeout from a nearby cafe or stall.
Or rather, using the power of the ‘Blessing’ she’d just gained to pinpoint Twina’s location…
Well, how she uses her power is Nora’s choice, I suppose.
“Haa… So you’re here too, after all…”
“Another greeting, huh? Or rather, of course I’m here.”
Then, the moment she saw Twina, Nora slumped her shoulders in disappointment.
Naturally, Twina retorted with a sullen look.
Though, honestly, this scene was nothing new.
After all, for the past month… for one reason or another, I’d been living at the provincial capital’s villa.
It was preparation for advancing to the Royal Capital Knight Academy, to get accustomed to the city atmosphere (I introduced Twina too, of course. Father was surprised but welcomed her warmly).
…Well, it seemed Father just didn’t want me back at the family home under that pretext.
And it seems Nora was in a similar situation—though whether her father didn’t want her to return home isn’t entirely clear—but aside from her trips back for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, I kept seeing her every few days or so, accompanying her on training sessions or shopping trips.
Incidentally, Baron Rebron, her father, is naturally aware of our meetings (?).
Well, given the whole demon realm incident, it was only natural.
Of course, after that, he came to our villa to thank me for saving his daughter (though I didn’t exactly save her), and my father and he engaged in a war of sarcasm (to my father, he was the despised man who had forced the engagement breakup)…
On top of that, her father seems to be taking an outward stance of ‘tacit approval’ regarding my relationship with Nora.
Well, given that they already broke off the engagement once, it wouldn’t be possible for them to suddenly flip-flop and become close as families now… so this is probably the compromise point.
Anyway.
“Well then, everyone’s here. Shall we head out?”
“Yes, Lord Gerald!”
As I started walking, Nora quickly caught up and hooked her arm through mine.
Today, to celebrate Nora’s ‘Coming of Age Ceremony’, we planned to all get along and visit the nearby food stalls together.
…Or so I thought.
“Muu… Nora, that’s my spot. Move along.”
Just as Nora and I started walking, Twina protested.
Apparently, she didn’t like Nora linking her arm through mine.
“But Twina-sama, that spot is open. What exactly are you complaining about?”
“Of course it’s not okay! That’s my designated spot!”
“It should be the same whether it’s the right or left, shouldn’t it?”
“No, it’s not. It’s standard practice for a knight to protect the right side. Therefore, that is my designated spot.”
“Then all the more reason it’s my designated spot. Knights exist to protect nobles, after all.”
“Nuh… No way! I’m the guardian deity of House Vader! Nora, I’m higher in rank than you!”
“Fufu… Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. If you’re a ‘guardian’ deity, then the left side is even more fitting. Besides, you’re not my guardian deity yet, are you?”
“Just let go of me, both of you… either one is fine…”
But with both my arms occupied by these two, how am I supposed to protect anyone from enemies?
Getting stabbed to death by enemies while I’m the only one immobilized? That’s way more embarrassing than a “serves you right” ending.
Could it be… my death ending just changed form and is still going strong…?
Desperately shaking off that faint unease, I keep walking down the road.