Chapter 5 — The Knight Captain (William’s Perspective)

 

By order, we had come to investigate a forest a short distance from the town of Cardinal. These inspections are carried out regularly, and this time, my unit was chosen.

My knight order is somewhat unusual. Other orders are mixed units, assembled from men of various nations. But ours is different. My unit is composed of those who have served my family for generations. We grew up together like brothers, and when the time came, we formed a knight order. Because of that bond, we know each other better than most, and our strength far surpasses that of other units. Of course, each man’s individual skill is formidable as well.

This forest is not especially deep—merchants and travelers pass through it easily. Still, even shallow forests require regular patrols. Cardinal is a fairly large town, thriving with trade. If merchants were to stop coming because of danger in the forest, the town would suffer greatly. Only recently, another city’s commerce was halted by monsters. To prevent such a disaster here, these inspections are essential.

We had planned three days of investigation, and today was the final day. After finishing the last survey, we decided to camp in a small clearing before returning. That was when it happened.

A sudden blast—like an explosion—shook the forest, followed by a violent wind. We rushed to hold down the tents until the storm subsided. When it finally calmed, we headed toward the pond, the source of the noise and wind.

Never did I expect to find a Fenrir there—one of the highest-ranked magical beasts. And then I noticed… a child. A tiny child, standing beside it. We had to save him! But how? Against a Fenrir, even we stood no chance.

Yet reality defied expectation. The child stopped us and declared—astonishingly—that the Fenrir was his friend. His friend! And indeed, the beast did not attack us. Could it be… had this child formed a contract with such a creature?

Confused, I looked around and saw the corpse of a Big Air Bird lying nearby. So that was the cause of the commotion—the Fenrir had fought and slain it. But why was such a monster here? This forest should never have held a beast of that level, let alone a mutated variant. Still, it was fortunate. Thanks to the child and the Fenrir, the threat was eliminated before it could harm travelers.

We questioned the child, learning his name and circumstances. His story was unclear, but it seemed he had been taken, abandoned, or left here due to his parents’ situation. Whatever the case, we agreed to protect him. Alone in this forest, survival would have been impossible—except with a Fenrir at his side. Thankfully, the contract was genuine, so bringing him to town should be safe. Probably.

And what a child he was—so very adorable. Every gesture was irresistibly charming. His face was striking too: rare black eyes and black hair, features uncommon in this land, yet beautifully arranged. When I carried him on my shoulders, he laughed with delight. At dinner, he struggled earnestly with his food. Everything about him was endearing.

For reasons I cannot explain, I felt something fateful in him. A pull. I wanted to protect him, to raise him myself.

But the Fenrir is a problem. Once word spreads that Yuuki has contracted such a beast, unsavory forces will surely be drawn to him. I must shield him from them as well. How best to do that?

Now, as Yuuki sleeps peacefully in my arms, I cannot help but think about what lies ahead.