Vol 2 Chapter 57 – The Pickpocket【Vol 2 – The Condemned Knight Edition】

“…”

“…”

The day after the “Attempted Murder by Asphyxiation-via-Buttocks by Eleonora-san” incident, we were once again meeting up to begin our patrol.

Eleonora-san, clad in her imposing armor, was already waiting for us.

We met up just like yesterday, but… Eleonora-san wouldn’t meet my gaze.

Miriam glaring daggers at her from right beside me might be part of the reason, but… I wonder why?

“Um… Eleonora-san?”

“……!”

The moment I spoke, Eleonora-san flinched.

Huh…? She’s reacting as if I’m the perpetrator and she’s the victim…

If possible, I’d much rather be the victim…

No, wait, maybe it would be nice if someone saw this and started some baseless rumors about me.

Somebody! Won’t you please take this moment completely out of context and spread some nasty rumors about me!?

“I… I’m sorry.”

As I was thinking such foolish thoughts, Eleonora-san bowed her head, avoiding my gaze.

…The ears I can see peeking through her black hair are bright red.

So she’s the type who remembers everything she does while drunk, huh.

“I may have been drunk, but I did something a knight must never do.”

“As a knight… or rather, as a woman…”

“Ghk!?”

Eleonora-san took damage from Miriam’s muttered words.

I mean, a young woman sitting on a man’s face does create a rather compromising picture.

“I am truly, deeply sorry!”

Again, Eleonora-san gave a deep bow.

I placed a hand on her shoulder, and when she looked up, I offered her a bright smile.

“No, I was never angry to begin with. Please don’t worry about it at all.”

If anything, I’d like to thank you.

That feeling of suffocation… hehe, I’d love to experience it again sometime if I get the chance.

I’d really like to go drinking with Eleonora-san again…

“I think you should be a little angry…”

Miriam said with puffed-out cheeks, but I don’t feel a shred of anger…

“Now then, Eleonora-san. Let’s go fulfill our duty. Let’s throw ourselves into our work for the sake of the people.”

I’d really like to get seriously injured protecting someone soon.

Sure, the Royal Capital seems to have its share of problems, but so far we haven’t run into any major incidents.

Then again, if we head down the back alleys, something like that is bound to happen. I can’t wait.

“…Yes, you’re right. Let’s do our best.”

Eleonora-san gazed at my face and agreed with a faint smile.

Alright, let’s hurry up and go get my body thoroughly thrashed!

◆

“Thank you, Knight-sama!!”

“No, please, think nothing of it.”

Having helped yet another person in need, Eleonora-san gave a faint smile and waved back.

Several hours had passed since we started our patrol, but so far, Eleonora-san was the only one who had seen any action.

If it were a rougher situation like before, I’d be able to throw myself into the line of fire…

I wonder if she has some kind of special skill similar to my M-sensor; she detects people in trouble faster than anyone and rushes to help.

Miriam and I were doing all we could just to keep from being left behind.

“I was wary because she’s the ‘Condemned Knight’… but is she actually a really good person?”

Miriam murmured at my side.

Ah, that’s right. I’ve been wanting to ask about that.

“Miriam, what’s a ‘Condemned Knight’?”

Does Eleonora-san have such a wonderfully intimidating nickname?

Miriam, prefacing it by saying she didn’t know the full details, explained.

“I’ve heard rumors of a knight in the provinces who deals out harsh punishments to criminals. A knight who forgives no crime, no matter how small, and delivers bloody retribution. That’s why they’re called the Condemned Knight.”

“And that’s Eleonora-san…?”

“The rumors say the knight condemns her foes while drenched in their blood, using giant gauntlets…”

I see. A knight who uses gauntlets as a weapon must be a rare sight.

She was skilled enough to slaughter all those members of the Gray Guild, so her abilities are clearly top-notch.

…And there was something else that’s been bothering me. It’s the way Eleonora-san seems to place so much importance on the words ‘justice’ and ‘evil’.

She is justice, and the criminals are evil. That much is true, but it almost feels like she’s trying to convince herself.

…Something about this feels ominous. I’m thrilled.

“Is something wrong?”

While I was lost in thought, Eleonora-san had come over to me.

It seems we’ve gotten familiar enough that she looks at me with a little concern.

In other words, it seems she doesn’t see us as evil.

…Miriam aside, I for one would love to be seen as evil.

“No, I was just admiring your work. A knight who is so devoted to the people… I respect that.”

“No, this is a matter of course. A knight is justice, so it is only natural to act for the people.”

Eleonora-san didn’t even bat an eye at my praise.

…There’s that word ‘justice’ again. Is this what’s commonly known as a flag…!?

Just as I was getting giddy with excitement…

“Stop, thief!!”

A major incident erupted.

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice, and our eyes followed.

There, a man with a furious expression and a boy who looked like a child were in the middle of a chase.

“You little pickpocket… Don’t think you can get away…!!”

In the boy’s hand was a bulging wallet.

Hmm… It seems the Royal Capital’s public safety is still a work in progress.

“Got you, you damn brat!!”

“L-Let go…!”

Before we could even head over, the man who was the victim had already caught the boy.

Looks like there’s no need for us to get involved, I thought, but then…

“Ow!”

A scream came from the man.

The boy had bitten the arm that was holding him.

With the man’s grip loosened, the boy slipped free and took off running.

We headed toward the man.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, it’s not a bad wound. …But I’m not letting that brat get away with this…!!”

The man’s anger was palpable.

I wish he’d take that anger out on me…

“Well now, what should we do, Eleonora-sa… huh?”

Eleonora-san, who had been with us, was gone.

Did she find someone else in trouble?

“…That way. She went after the boy who stole the wallet.”

Miriam pointed me not toward the lively main street, but down a dark back alley.

Does this… smell like trouble?

I joyfully set off after Eleonora-san and the boy.