Charging with a Knight's Lance on Terra, but Without a Mount

"Miss Centaurea, please help me take off my armor."

Claude called out to the white-clad girl in the tavern. Upon hearing him, she immediately came over and began undoing the straps securing his armor.

After removing all the armor and placing it on a wooden rack, Claude rolled his shoulders. He was now wearing a black shirt. Undoing the first button, he turned to invite Centaurea. "Come have something to eat with me."

There were no unfamiliar customers in the tavern at the moment. They had closed early today. The Nearl sisters, Miss Zofia, and the old regulars who often came to the tavern were drinking together in celebration. The atmosphere was lively, and everyone was happy.

Centaurea gladly accepted the invitation. These past few days here had been the most comfortable days she had enjoyed in years. She only needed to clean once a day, and she could arrange the rest of her time however she liked. She could even use this assignment as an excuse to decline other tasks assigned by her superiors. She could use that time to eat whatever she wanted and relax without anyone disturbing her. Centaurea, who had never had so much free time before, found her genuine smiles growing more frequent.

Claude walked to the bar and naturally sat down in the chair he usually occupied.

Martin looked at him with a smile. "The usual?"

"The usual."

A glass of beer was placed on the counter. Martin then looked at Centaurea. "What would you like, miss? My tavern has been well looked after thanks to you these past two days. Drinks are on me today, so have whatever you want."

"I'll have a lemon wine." Centaurea sat beside Claude, placing her hands together on her lap.

"Mr. Claude, what did you do before?" Centaurea suddenly struck up a conversation.

"I suppose I used to be a foolish country boy. My family had been knights for generations, but our circumstances kept getting worse until all we had left was an estate. After my parents died, I sold off everything in it and came here to make a living." Claude spoke of the identity and experiences he had in this world.

"I watched your match, Mr. Claude. You're so strong. Have you trained since childhood?"

"More or less. I'm quite good at this sort of thing."

"I'm a little curious about you too, Miss Centaurea. You obviously bear signs of training, and it looks like it was extremely intense. What did you do before?"

Centaurea felt a slight panic in her heart, but her expression revealed nothing. She gave the identity she had prepared long ago.

"I used to be a Catastrophe Messenger. I followed my master into the wilderness for surveys, so I underwent fairly intense training. Later, I felt that job was simply too exhausting and dangerous, so I came to Kazimierz to look for new work."

"Oh, is that so? That job really is difficult, and your work is of great significance to us. You did something very meaningful."

"Hahaha..." Centaurea laughed awkwardly.

"Come to think of it, are you satisfied with your current job?"

Centaurea's eyes lit up. "I'm very satisfied! My previous job was far more tiring than this, and my superior was always assigning extra tasks. The pay was low, there was unpaid overtime, and even your personal safety wasn't guaranteed. My superior always wore this infuriating smirk that made you want to hit him..." Before coming here undercover, Centaurea had never known work could be like this.

Claude stared blankly at the endlessly talking Centaurea. He had not expected her former workplace to be so terrible.

"That's good. I'm very satisfied with your work as well. If you're willing, we can work together long-term." She truly possessed professional skills worthy of her salary.

Centaurea watched Claude raise the cup to his lips, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and exposing fair, muscular forearms. This target really is eye-catching. Just as she was about to say something else, a figure in a heavy black dress sat down beside Claude. Her dazzling golden hair gleamed beneath the lights.

"Claude, congratulations on your victory." Margaret raised her beer toward Claude.

"Congratulations to you too, Margaret." Claude raised his empty glass and clinked it against hers.

"You truly are very strong. I'm looking forward to facing you. Don't get eliminated before you can fight me." Claude joked.

"Of course not. I'll give it everything I have." Margaret's expression was somewhat serious. Clearly, she did not take it as merely a joke. She continued, "Claude, there's actually something I'd like to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"I'd like to invite you to teach my younger sister Maria swordsmanship. My aunt and I have always taught her before, but after this competition, I don't know whether I'll still be able to remain in Kazimierz. So I want to ask you. Your swordsmanship is exquisite, honed on the battlefield. I don't know where you learned it, but I trust your character. You are a noble knight."

"Of course. As long as she's willing to learn. But if I'm teaching her swordsmanship, I won't go easy on her. It'll definitely be hard for her." Though he had not used swords most often on the battlefield, they would be sufficient for this situation.

"Of course she can handle it. Maria is a child who can endure hardship."

As they talked, the sound of heavy rain striking the ground came from outside. The rain that had been threatening for days had finally fallen.

A New Beginning: Chapter 11: High Winds and Raging Waves

The torrential rain had continued for a long time. Since last night, it had shown no sign of stopping. The mobile city had activated all its drainage systems, yet the water on the streets could still cover one's feet.

The sky was gloomy, and neon lights along the streets illuminated people's faces. On the roadside advertising screens, well-dressed men and women continued energetically promoting all kinds of knight-related merchandise and products. Originium-powered cars constantly sprayed water everywhere, drawing curses from pedestrians. Garbage piled along the streets was washed by the rain, exposing black wastewater beneath it.

Even such terrible weather could not dampen the crowd's enthusiasm. Colorful umbrellas and raincoats packed the roadside as people streamed toward the arena. After having their tickets checked at the entrance, they poured into the venue, bringing with them an enormous roar.

Margaret wore a transparent raincoat over her white armor, while her weapon was packed inside a waterproof case. She entered through the competitors' passageway.

Four large screens arranged in a ring above the arena displayed event information. The host used highly provocative words to steer the audience's emotions and build the atmosphere of the match.

Margaret sat on a bench in the waiting area, her hands folded over the handle of her hammer as she quietly closed her eyes and waited. Rainwater dripped from her raincoat onto the ground.

"Let us welcome the powerful knight, Margaret Nearl!!!!!"

Margaret rose to her feet and walked out of the waiting area.

"WOOOAH!!!! WOOO!!!!!!!!!"

The audience erupted in cheers for her dignified and beautiful figure.

"And her opponents are... the powerful Withered Knight and Corrupted Knight!!!!"

An uproar broke out. No one had expected Nearl to face two opponents.

Some audience members sensed something was wrong and were about to protest, but another group had already begun cheering loudly, drowning out their voices.

Margaret calmly looked at the knights before her, who radiated an ominous air. There were signs that their bodies had been altered with drugs, though the modifications were not extensive. It seemed they had only just begun, like hastily prepared unfinished products.

Of course it was unfair, but Margaret had long known what she was facing, and she had long steeled herself for it.

"The family creed is: Fear neither suffering nor darkness!"

For a moment, a sun rose within the arena, driving away even the rain and gloom.

A streak of light flashed past, carrying dazzling brilliance. The incredible speed left her opponents dumbfounded.

They were not knights tempered by long years of war. They were merely Infected who had undergone some special modifications, relying on bodies far stronger than ordinary people and the Sarkaz's naturally powerful Originium Arts. Faced with such a devastating strike, they hastily tried to respond, but how could they possibly withstand it in their panic?

Before they could unleash their powerful Originium Arts, the golden warhammer slammed into the Corrupted Knight's chest, denting even his breastplate. He lost his ability to fight before he could even counterattack.

Golden radiance surged like a collapsing mountain and a roaring sea, engulfing the Withered Knight. His ominous black power melted rapidly like filthy snow beneath sunlight. Then he was swallowed by the golden force.

The heavy warhammer struck the grass with a resounding blow. Margaret Nearl raised her head and looked toward the audience in the arena and the hidden observers. Her heroic and imposing figure awed everyone present, and for a moment, no one dared make a sound.

The spokesman in the private box wore a gloomy expression. He knew he had ruined everything, and what awaited him would certainly not end well. Yet he still took out his terminal and made a call.

The host was speechless at first, but he quickly realized his mistake and forced himself to resume commentary.

"Against all expectations, Margaret Nearl has effortlessly defeated her opponents and achieved a complete victory!!"

"Successfully advancing into the final round!!"

The blades clashed and separated at once. One of the longswords traced a nimble arc, slipping around the rigid defense created when its opponent's shield was knocked aside by the blade, and struck the other's shoulder armor.

"The shield in your hand isn't for standing still and taking hits. It's for creating opportunities to attack. Move your feet more flexibly. Don't just stand there like a fool."

Claude swung his sword while calmly evading, taking tiny steps that allowed him to dodge the blunt edge of the training sword by mere inches. His mouth never stopped as he explained various techniques and key points.

Maria's golden hair clung to her forehead with sweat, and her breathing had become somewhat rapid. Claude stepped back two paces and lowered his training sword.

"That's enough. Take a break and drink some water."

Maria let out a long breath, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and walked over to Claude. She sat in a chair in the garden, watching the pouring rain outside as she accepted the warm salt water Claude offered her.

"Master Claude, what do you think a knight is? My sister and uncle often speak of knightly spirit, but I've never understood it."

"I can't give you a definite answer. Everyone has a different answer to that question in their heart. If I had to say something, then I can only tell you that, to me, knights represent war and protection." Claude raised his head toward the sky, as though looking at something that had already left him behind.

"War?!" Maria looked extremely surprised. It seemed very far removed from what she usually heard.

"That's right. In my view, we prepare ourselves for war. We become knights for war, for battle, for honor, and even more so to protect the things we cherish."

"No matter how we may phrase it, in the end, we are born for war."

"And in my view, Maria, you don't actually want to become a knight, do you?"

Maria looked surprised. "That's right, Master Claude. How did you know?"

"You don't like this. I can see that there's something else you love in your heart, something you're truly good at."

"Compared to using swords, I prefer machinery. But I know that if I want to protect others, the power of swords is indispensable."

"That's right. On this dangerous land, these are things you must master, whether for others or for yourself... All right, if you've rested enough, let's continue."

"Yes, Master Claude!"

High up in the building, a middle-aged man watched them with unreadable emotions in his eyes.

The petite and sweet-looking Zofia walked up behind him.

"Młynar, how are they doing?"

"Hmph. It is merely a doomed endeavor." Młynar's words carried their usual pessimism.

"Maybe. But I rather admire them. At least they dare to do it." Zofia also looked toward the two people in the courtyard.

"Watching people like them always reminds me of you and your brother. They're so much like you were back then. The first time you went out, you gave a vicious little noble who was running wild a thorough lesson. You and your brother were our pride then, the most dazzling figures among us."

"There's no need to bring up that meaningless nonsense again." Młynar coldly interrupted her. After saying that, he turned and headed upstairs, answering a call as he went and beginning another endless round of social pleasantries.

Zofia, whose words had been interrupted, was not angry. Instead, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

In the spacious conference room, several figures were engaged in a heated discussion—or rather, an argument. Their attitudes were fierce, and their hands gestured just as violently.

"I told you it wouldn't work! Those two Infected had only just begun their modifications. They were unfinished products. How could they possibly be a match for top-tier knights?"

"I say we should have obstructed traffic and made them late, then thrown them out of the competition with a perfectly valid excuse."

"How would we obstruct traffic? They run much faster than Originium-powered cars. They could reach the arena on foot before we even had time to react."

"We might as well just find an excuse to revoke their qualifications and deal with the aftermath later."

"The Commission of Inquiry is putting pressure on us. At this point, throwing them out is no longer up to us."

"They have already threatened our authority. I propose that we use the final method."

"I disagree. The uncertainty brought by that method is too great. We cannot determine what consequences it will ultimately cause."

"I agree. Let the Armorless Union handle it. Afterwards, we can expel a few low-ranking members and make them scapegoats. They won't dare tear things apart with us."

...In the shadows, two of Kazimierz's great powers had already begun their struggle.

The heavy rain still had not stopped, as though it wanted to drown the entire city beneath water. Claude's armor was covered by a transparent plastic raincoat, giving him a touch of modern fashion. Having just returned from teaching, he was hurrying back to his residence.

He suddenly looked up toward the conspicuous golden light rising from the arena. Knowing that events had unfolded exactly as he expected, he could not help feeling pleased.

Entering the bar, he hung his rain-soaked raincoat on the rack by the door. The tavern's warm, dry air rushed over him. Miss Centaurea, whom he had grown familiar with over the past two days, was wiping down tables and chairs inside. He greeted her, then sat at the bar and ordered the creamy beast-meat stew he ate most often. Kowal sat beside him. With the rain pouring down outside, he was the tavern's only customer.

"Just finished training that little girl?"

"That's right. Today was only to get a sense of the basics. Formal training hasn't begun yet."

Claude chatted as he waited for his food. Amid the pounding rain, the tavern felt exceptionally warm and peaceful, making his entire body relax.

A New Beginning: Chapter 12: Beneath the Catastrophe

This world was not safe. He had known that from the beginning. This world was filled with all kinds of disasters, and the most terrifying and helpless to resist among them were Catastrophes. Catastrophes were a general term for all kinds of destructive disasters in this world. They did not refer to any one kind. They came in many forms, such as volcanic eruptions, meteor showers, massive storms, torrential rain, or sandstorms. Their only common trait was that Catastrophes left behind large quantities of Originium deposits.

Claude had never imagined that he would encounter a Catastrophe so soon. In this new life of his, he had never seen one before. After all, if one encountered a Catastrophe while surviving outside a mobile city, it was unlikely they would live to this day.

A huge, piercing alarm rang throughout the entire city. Kazimierz's Great Knight Territory was formed by the merger of four mobile cities, making it enormous. This also meant that when facing a Catastrophe, it was often much slower to evade than other mobile cities.

Fortunately, the alarm this time had only been triggered by a small-scale Catastrophe, which would not have too great an impact on the city. The already unending rain combined with suddenly rising gale-force winds, creating a terrifying storm that swept across the entire city. All kinds of massive construction machinery were opening emergency drainage channels in the streets. The city's normal channels were no longer enough to drain all the accumulated water, but fortunately, this possibility had been considered when the city was first established.

Though this Catastrophe might not have much impact on the city itself, the same could not necessarily be said for the people inside it. Claude was now outside with tools in hand, reinforcing the building alongside Martin and the other workers. He gripped a steel cable tightly. One end was fixed to a corner of the house, while the other needed to be firmly anchored into the ground with alloy stakes.

"Claude, lad, make sure you hold on tight!"