"Champion?"
"Yes, champion."
Gregor looked at the Grand Knight Commander in front of him with suspicion. Could it be that, contrary to his expectations, this man was not averse to knightly competitions?
"Forgive my frankness... but I am not Kazimierz, nor am I a true representative of the traditional knights of this Daichi."
"The Black Knight is not Kazimierz either."
Russell smiled, his tone calm.
"She comes from Leithanien, a country with a complex history intertwined with ours."
"But the respect and affection she earned were genuine. The people of Kazimierz revere true strength, regardless of their origins."
"This is different." Gregor shook his head.
"I am Sarkaz, you should know better than me what that means..."
"Hahaha, believe me, compared to the Black Knight, your debut battle was already... mild."
Russell's words surprised Gregor, recalling the audience's reaction at the game, which was far from mild.
I would like to hear the details.
"Kazimierz and Leithanien have fought wars more than once." Russell's smile faded.
"Even after a peace treaty was signed and diplomatic relations were restored, the divide between the two peoples remained deep-rooted."
She walked slowly with her hands behind her back, looking towards the Champion Wall.
"It was in that atmosphere that Caprinae, who was neither welcomed by Leithanien society nor by the Kazimierz, arrived in the Grand Knight Territory."
"She doesn't know the magic that Leithanien is so proud of, and her first battle was full of controversy. Even after winning the championship, countless people questioned whether it was 'luck' or 'rigged'."
Russell stopped and looked at the portrait of the mace again, his eyes revealing undisguised admiration.
"But the second championship turned the doubts into surprise and scrutiny. And when she completed the unprecedented triple crown, all prejudices transformed into awe and admiration for the 'legend' itself."
Listening to Russell's account, Gregor once again gained a clear understanding of the popularity of the weapon in Kazimierz.
"In that case, why don't you invite her?"
"Of course I was invited," Russell sighed softly.
"More than once, but that born martial artist's ambitions lay elsewhere..."
As he spoke, Russell suddenly glanced at Gregor.
"So, in your eyes, what does being a champion mean?"
Gregor hesitated for a moment.
"Probably... a celebrity?"
"That's not entirely wrong," Russell nodded, not denying it.
"As equestrian sports have developed to this point, they have indeed become too commercialized, and even... distorted many things."
Her tone gradually became serious, and the gentle smile from before was gone.
"However, I prefer to call it... a 'benchmark'."
She walked to one side of the exhibition hall, where some badly worn armor and weapons were displayed, standing out starkly from the surrounding pristine exhibits.
"Similar to the Minos' reverence for heroic epics, the Kazimierz harbored a deep longing for 'legends'."
Russell's fingers traced the sword marks on a tower shield, his voice low and deep:
"Kazimierz was not born into its current form, where Council and commercial alliances coexist."
"Once, this place was ruled by a royal family composed of Pegasus nobles. They were powerful, but also corrupt."
She turned around, her gaze piercing.
"A group of knights united by their beliefs and overthrew the old monarchy."
"Knights wield swords and shields, and also justice and responsibility."
"At that time, Kazimierz was truly a 'land of knights'."
Her voice carried a distant reminiscence, but soon, the harsh reality crept in.
"However, times are changing, and clinging to tradition is no longer sustainable."
"The arrival of Commercial Union has brought prosperity, but also new rules."
"The equestrian competition—which initially was just a contest and display of skill—was quickly spotted by Commercial Union and packaged into a nationwide carnival."
Russell stopped looking at the Champion Wall and turned to look at the skyscrapers outside the window.
"The wave of commercialization is undeniable; it has made Kazimierz rich, powerful, and vibrant. But... the deterioration of the spirit is far more terrifying than material erosion."
"The image of the knight is becoming increasingly diluted, with the younger generation seeing it as a shortcut to fame and fortune; knighthood... is becoming a profession."
Russell stopped and faced Gregor again, his eyes filled with intense seriousness.
"Therefore, Kazimierz needs a 'champion'."
"We need a 'benchmark' that is powerful enough to awaken Kazimierz's dormant memories."
"A... true knight."
Feeling the other person's serious gaze, Gregor felt extremely uncomfortable.
He understands the principles, but...
"I am not a knight, nor does my ambition lie in this."
Gregor shook his head, declining Russell's offer.
"Furthermore, if it's really as you say, why doesn't the Adeptus Sprawiedliwy train a knight to participate in the knightly competition?"
Russell paused for a moment, Gregor continued the pursuit.
"I don't believe there aren't any strong warriors among the Campaign Knight, so what's causing them to be unwilling to participate?"
Staring intently at Russell, Gregor, enunciating each word clearly:
"Is it because of knightly honor, or because of that unyielding pride?"
"..."
Russell fell silent, Gregor continued his pursuit.
"I don't think I'm capable of taking on the so-called responsibility of being a 'benchmark,' and I don't know where you got the idea that I am."
"Perhaps all you need is a champion who can keep winning, a champion who can stand up to Commercial Union."
Saria, standing to the side, hesitated, seemingly wanting to say something, while Gregor gradually lost control of his emotions.
"You said the Black Knight earned his recognition through his strength, but I have seen him hunted down by the Armorless Union on several occasions. Is the Adeptus Sprawiedliwy aware of this?"
"If you know, what is the reason that makes you disregard the safety of a citizen?"
A deathly silence fell over the atmosphere. Russell's smile had vanished, and Gregor sighed inwardly.
He messed things up, but...
A knight from the wilderness posed a question to the leader of the Kingdom of Knights.
"If the adjudicator himself has lost his justice, where can the asylum seek peace?"
The exhibition hall was silent. Russell stared blankly at Gregor, as if looking through him at someone else.
The staff members held their breath, all waiting for the answer from the highest authority in Kazimierz.
"I have no idea."
"What?"
This candid answer left Gregor bewildered, while Russell shook his head with a wry smile.
"I once tried to govern this country with chivalrous ideals, but I soon discovered that the brilliance of ideals could neither fill hungry stomachs nor balance the ever-growing desires in people's hearts."
"The Grand Knight Territory now so prosperous and bustling that it often feels unfamiliar to me."
"The sound of the wind in the wilderness, the golden wheat fields... that's the Kazimierz I remember."
Russell sighed softly, his eyes filled with reminiscence.
"Perhaps I've always lived in the past; the present-day Kazimierz can no longer contain the knight's fantasies."
"After all... people care more about the gold coins in their wallets than about so-called chivalry."
Russell tried to crack a joke, which predictably resulted in an awkward silence.
Russell didn't mind, shook his head, and continued walking forward.
Everyone followed silently, leaving only her muttering to herself in the corridor:
"When I was a young knight... I never imagined I would stand in this position."
"I was just charging and fighting alongside Cyril... and when I came to my senses, I realized it was just the two of us left."
"That guy kept saying he couldn't abandon his comrades, and then he led dozens of men back to the battlefield. We couldn't stop him no matter what we said."
Russell smiled, his voice unusually relaxed.
"Like an idiot..."
No one answered; everyone simply listened quietly as this legendary figure recounted his past.
"The golden sun sets on the plains, Ursus's blades halt at the border."
"We succeeded, and we failed."
"We repelled Ursus, but brought back only the shields of our own people."
"A Pyrrhic victory."
Russell sighed, setting a completely different tone for that legendary battle.
"Cyril became a hero, and at that time...everyone thought he would become the leader of Kazimierz, including me."
Russell's tone suddenly changed, becoming clearly resentful.
"But do you know what that old bastard said to me later?!"
She imitated the accent from her memory perfectly.
[I believe in you. Compared to me, a reckless brute who only knows how to charge into battle, you are definitely better able to protect Kazimierz.]
"[Kazimierz curse!] He just irresponsibly dumped the burden on me and went home to enjoy his family time!"
Russell angrily waved his fist, a gesture that seemed out of place for the supreme leader of Kazimierz, yet it made him appear younger.
"But you still agreed."
Gregor calmly pointed out that Russell's waving hand stopped in mid-air and then slowly lowered.
"Yes..." Russell let out a long sigh.
"What can I do after he's said that?"
"I'd like to pass it on to someone else too... but years of war have almost wiped out that generation of Campaign Knight. I can't expect the children who haven't even grown up yet to take their place, can I?"
Her voice carried a resigned helplessness:
"There's no other way, I'm thinking... I'll just have to hold out for a while."
During their conversation, they reached the end of the corridor.
Russell pushed open the heavy wooden door, walked straight behind the desk, and practically collapsed into the high-backed chair.
Russell casually waved his hand, indicating that everyone should find a place to sit, and then complained like an ordinary old man.
"At first, I tried to set an example with chivalry, and with Cyril's help, I quickly gained the support of all the Campaign Knight."
"I'm pleased that Kazimierz is thriving; I think I've done a good job." Russell's voice trailed off.
"But as more and more briefings piled up on my desk, I realized why that old bastard wouldn't do this job."
"Chivalry can fill the emptiness in your heart, but it can't fill a full stomach..."
Her story brought everyone back to that difficult era.
"The long war destroyed trade, and then came the harsh winter, leading to food shortages... People from all over the country were asking me for help."
"But what can I do? I even ordered the Campaign Knight to help with the farming... but crops take time to grow, and people are starving every day."
"They arrived at that very moment." Russell's tone was complex.
"Back then, it wasn't called Business Federation; it was just a group of quite powerful companies. They brought generous aid that could solve our immediate problems... I had no reason to refuse."
"They continued to develop, and Kazimierz gradually returned to prosperity."
"More and more novel things are appearing, skyscrapers are rising, and lights are on all night..."
Russell turned his gaze to the window.
"It wasn't until one day, while traveling, that I looked up and saw that the stars had stopped shining, that I realized I had gotten used to the current state of Kazimierz."
"The Commercial Union continued to grow, and at first I didn't pay much attention."
"We've repelled Leithanien and stood against Ursus, why would we fear a bunch of merchants?"
Russell closed her eyes, and a staff member poured her a cup of black tea at the right moment.
She picked up the glass and took a sip, but the warm liquid did not dispel the chill between her brows.
"Until I discovered that descendants of certain Campaign Knight families were frequently appearing at those merchants' banquets."
"When I questioned their elders, the answers I received were filled with 'investment,' 'shares,' 'family future'..."
She sighed and put down her teacup.
"I don't understand how a knight who once valued honor above all else could have fallen so low. To find the answer, I went to see Cyril again."
At this point, Russell looked extremely tired.
"He's changed... His face is no longer as handsome as it was in his youth, and his voice is no longer loud."
Cyril is getting old...
She looked at the blurry reflection on the surface of the black tea and added softly,
"I'm getting old too."
The room fell silent. Russell looked up and stared directly at Gregor.
"I once thought of emulating Cyril, but the light of that ideal cannot save everyone."
"Wanting to protect everyone... is a naive and unrealistic wish that only a young knight would have."
"A shield has only one side; the larger the area it seeks to protect, the weaker the protection becomes."
I have to make a choice.
Her back straightened again, and her voice regained the composure befitting Grand Knight Commander, yet it sounded even heavier:
"You ask me if I know about the existence of the Armorless Union, and if I know about the persecution of the Black Knight?"
"I know."
Russell's posture gradually straightened, and his voice became increasingly serious.
"But I can't, and the Adeptus Sprawiedliwy can't turn against the Commercial Union either."
"The Kazimierz community is now inextricably Commercial Union, and countless people rely on the jobs they provide for their livelihoods."
I have to make a choice.
She clasped her hands together and supported her chin.
Behind him, the Kazimierz coat of arms hung in the floor-to-ceiling window, casting a shadow that enveloped the old man.
"I extended an invitation to the Black Knight, but she refused to accept protection, preferring to live and fight in her own way."
"I respect her choice, even though it means she has to face the Armorless Union's hidden arrows alone."
Russell's voice sounded unusually calm in the shadows, carrying a weary honesty that came from shedding pretense.
"Black Iron Knight, you ask me, 'Where should the protected find peace?'"
She pointed out the window.
The morning light struggled to penetrate the gaps between the tall buildings, shining on the hurried pedestrians on the street.
"The people don't care whether the judge is a knight or a merchant; they only care about the stability of their lives."
"Sitting in this position, wielding the power of the Campaign Knight, I can destroy the Business Federation's open armed forces, and I can bring those corrupt knights to justice."
"But then what? The Adeptus Sprawiedliwy directly take over all business activities?"
"The economy of Kazimierz will collapse instantly, countless people will lose their jobs, and in the chaos, Kazimierz's enemies will not hesitate to pounce and tear them apart."
She shook her head with a wry smile.
"Cyril chose to go home; perhaps he had already realized that some problems cannot be solved by individual bravery."
"He tried his best to maintain a small haven of peace, which was the limit of what he could do in this complex era."
I have to make a choice.
"Using a few to bring 'peace' to many more. I know it's unfair, it's not chivalrous, it's even... despicable."
"But this is a choice made in terms of realpolitik, the kind of... filthy balance between ideals and survival that I could find."
She let out a long breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
Therefore, I cannot give you the answer to that question.
"I am a provider of protection, an implementer of compromise, and a tacit acquiescer of certain injustices."
Russell leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes wearily.
"I know why you've come. You're Infected from Block Zero, aren't you?"
"Yes..."
Russell looked directly at Gregor, who readily admitted it.
How would you like to improve this?
"Establish a genuine special zone for Infected, providing them with basic protections so that they can..."
Russell raised his hand, interrupting Gregor.
"Sector Zero is the special zone for Infected."
"... What?"
Russell stared at him calmly, a look that confirmed Gregor's suspicions.
"Surprised?"
Russell tilted his head slightly, scrutinizing Gregor.
"I'm even a little curious about your origins... You possess immense power, yet you seem so... naive about some of the most fundamental rules of this Daichi."
"In your opinion..."
"The Infected in the Grand Knight Territory live underground in Sector Zero, barely surviving, and constantly on guard against the threat of the Armorless Union —sounds tragic, doesn't it?"
Russell's tone was flat.
"But such conditions are already considered excellent on this Daichi."
"They don't have to worry about Catastrophe, they don't have to worry about wild Beast Herd in the wilderness, and as long as they stay put, the Oversight Council can even provide them with food regularly."
Russell seemed to have anticipated Gregor's next words and immediately shut him down.
"I understand that the conditions for the transmission of Oripathy are actually quite strict, and I have considered educating the public about this."
"But this cannot change people's fear of those Infected."
Russell's voice grew colder:
"As long as even one person is Infected, even by chance, this fear will continue to grow until it escalates into riots and massacres against the Infected."
"Confining Infected to Sector Zero is not oppression."
"It's not just about protecting those Infected, but also... protecting those Infected."
"This is the limit of my capabilities."
"..."
Gregor fell into a long silence. A flicker of disappointment crossed Russell's eyes, but she quickly masked it.
She turned to Saria, her tone returning to a businesslike calm, and began discussing the details of the subsequent cooperation.
Time passed quietly, and before I knew it, the communication terminal on my desk suddenly rang.
Russell answered the call and listened to the report from the other end.
Gradually, an irrepressible joy crept onto his face.
"Thank you again." She put down the terminal, trying to keep her expression serious.
"The medication's effects far exceeded expectations. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Cyril's condition can not only be effectively controlled, but... there's even a possibility of a complete cure!"
At this point, Russell dialed the terminal again.
Where are the knights?
"A half-day trip... tell them to speed it up!"
"The limit? Tell them Cyril is dying, and if they don't come back soon, they'll never see him again!"
After hanging up, Russell smiled modestly at the crowd in front of him.
"I'm sorry, this is a very important matter. The Campaign Knight sent from the border have not yet returned, and it may take a while."
"During this time, you may take a short visit to the National Assembly, which houses the history and glory of Kazimierz."
Saria knew this was a polite way of asking him to leave. She glanced at Gregor, who didn't react, so Saria stood up and replied.
"Then we won't disturb you any longer. As for the rest of the itinerary..."
"Please rest assured."
Russell smiled politely.
"Once the security forces are in place, we will escort the two of you to the Nearl Family's Manor. This time... there will be absolutely no more accidents!"
Russell emphasized the last sentence, Saria nodded slightly, and Gregor silently stood up.
Just as the two were about to step out of the room, Gregor stopped in his tracks.
"Your Excellency Knight Commander, I have another question."
Russell's smile remained unchanged.
"Please speak."
"Regarding the upcoming 'Glory Championship,' the new regulations concerning Infected... do they require your final approval before they can officially take effect?"
"..."
A long silence filled the room. The light from outside shifted slightly, blurring the edges of the national emblem's shadow.
After a long pause, Russell gave his answer:
"Yes."
"Is that so...?"
Gregor offered no comment, simply nodded, and prepared to leave.
"Black Iron Knight"
Russell called out to him.
Gregor stopped and, in the light and shadow that gradually closed the door, met the gaze of the old man shrouded in shadow behind the desk.
"I also have a question I'd like to ask you."
"Please speak."
Russell took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.
"Shortly after I took over this position, I encountered a problem."
"A Mobile City is traveling along a predetermined route, but in the middle of the route lies a wheat field in the midst of harvest season. That field represents the food supply and livelihood of a small village for the entire year ahead."
"It's too late to change course urgently, but a forced stop would require a huge amount of energy, far exceeding the value of that wheat field, and could even affect the livelihoods of many people in the city."
"But if we proceed according to the original plan, that wheat field, along with the village's hopes, will be utterly crushed."
She raised her eyes, her gaze piercing through the narrowing crack in the door, locking firmly onto Gregor:
"If you were in that situation, what would you have chosen?"
"I will stop the city."
"..."
Snap--
In silence, the door closed, giving Russell no further opportunity to ask questions.
Silence fell over the room. Sunlight streamed through the window, but it couldn't illuminate the old man in the shadow of the national emblem.
Russell's thoughts drifted away, and memories resurfaced.
She didn't encounter this problem; she was only informed after the incident occurred.
Afterwards, she dismissed all the officials who had calculated the flight path and provided subsidies to the villagers.
But she often thought...
If she had to make the choice... what would she do?
"..."
Russell closed his eyes, feeling the sunlight beyond the shadows.
What would you do then?
Cyril...