◇38　To the Knight Order Headquarters
"Ugh, how did it come to this…?" I muttered as I stepped into the living room.
The culprits were my parents, lounging there. Father was in a dress shirt and slacks, while Mother wore a striped shirt with a waist-tie flare skirt. What was once a fantasy world setting now felt like a slice of everyday Japan—though, with their model-like looks, it still retained a touch of the extraordinary.
When they’re relaxing at home with no visitors, they’ve taken to wearing Earth clothes more often. They say it’s just more comfortable. For going out or meeting people, they stick to their usual noble attire, but they’ve admitted there’s no going back when it comes to underwear. I get it—I feel the same. The women’s undergarments here are way cuter than drawers, and though he won’t say it, I’m sure Father’s pleased too…
Anyway, today’s another day of studying to become a proper noble lady. I can’t afford to slack off—not when a fate of ruin awaits me if I dawdle. Etiquette, embroidery, horseback riding, languages, the history of the empire and its neighbors, swordsmanship, arithmetic, dance—I’m managing to handle them all decently enough.
Thankfully, having Estelle and Bianca with me makes it bearable. Friends really make a difference.
I even had Estelle’s mom, Yuria, learn to drive the food truck. It’s tough for Estelle and Bianca to walk to our place every day, you know. Since they both have estates in the Second District, we summon the truck in the evening for them to ride home together, then they come back in the morning. With my level-up, I can now summon up to five food trucks, so lending one out’s no issue.
Bianca’s a key figure who could lead me into Gean’s route, so I’m cautious with her, but so far, there’s no problem. We’re just normal friends… I think. I’m not sure how she sees it.
And then, out of nowhere, Gean—the potential harbinger of my doom—sauntered in. The three of us were having a nice tea time in the garden gazebo, and this guy had to show up.
"What’re you here for…?" I asked warily.
"Not a big deal. I came for Bianca more than you," he replied, brushing past me to approach her.
For Bianca?
"So, what’re you doing about next month’s match? You switching your affiliation from the Knight Order’s custody to the Philharmonie Ducal House to compete?" Gean asked her.
"Oh no! I forgot…!" Bianca gasped, her mouth dropping open.
A match? What’s that?
"It’s a joint squire match hosted by the Knight Order every six months. They split it by age group for combat. If you catch a knight commander’s eye, you might even get a recommendation to join—though that’s rare," Gean explained.
Squires… a match for knight trainees, huh? Makes sense—if you prove your skill there, it could give you an edge for joining the Knight Order.
Up until now, Bianca had been registered as a squire under the First Knight Order, led by her father, and participated in the matches that way. But since becoming my attendant, she’s supposed to compete as a squire of the Philharmonie Ducal House. Seems she forgot to update her registration.
In the game, Bianca didn’t have a confirmed spot in the Knight Order yet, while Gean was set to join. Maybe he got recognized at this joint match?
"You’ve gotta register by today if you’re switching. Though sticking with the Knight Order’s custody like before wouldn’t be a problem…" Gean added.
"No, since I’ve become Lady Sakuraile’s attendant, even as a trainee, I’m a knight of the Philharmonie Ducal House. Naturally, I should participate as their squire," Bianca declared firmly, staring at Gean.
She’s as serious as ever. She was like this in the game too—earnest to a fault, though that can make her stubborn and inflexible at times.
"Sorry, Lady Sakuraile. May I head to the Knight Order Headquarters for a bit?" she asked.
"Sure, that’s fine—"
As I started to reply, I realized I didn’t have anything else planned for the day. In that case, I’d like to visit the Knight Order Headquarters too. In the game, I only went there a few times in Gean’s route, and Bianca and Gean’s fathers are probably there. I should greet them properly at least once. There are some doom flags I can’t overcome without the Knight Order’s help—not in Gean’s route, but still.
"No issue if you’re just observing, right? As long as you don’t disrupt training," Gean said.
"T-Then I’ll come too!" Estelle piped up.
Oh? Estelle too? Alright, let’s all go check out the Knight Order Headquarters then.
Since we’re heading out, Tanya’s coming along as our guard. Bianca alone wouldn’t be enough if something happened. She’s my attendant but still a knight trainee—my official guard is Tanya. Before we head to the "Academy," I’ll need Bianca to take over that role from Tanya.
If I can just crush any Gean-related doom flags before then…
◇　◇　◇
The imperial capital is centered around the royal castle, with major roads running north, south, east, and west, divided into four concentric districts from First to Fourth. The Symphonia Empire’s Knight Order Headquarters is in the Second District. We took the ducal family’s carriage into the Second District, heading straight for the headquarters.
Soon, the Knight Order Headquarters came into view—a building resembling a modest old castle. Not a lavish, ornate one, but a sturdy, practical fortress, complete with a moat. Is this set up so they can hold out if something happens in the capital?
Thanks to the ducal crest, our carriage passed the gate guards without a hitch and rolled right into the headquarters. When we reached the entrance, Gean hopped out energetically, greeting us with a smug grin.
"How’s that? This is the Knight Order Headquarters!"
"It’s not like it’s your house," I retorted.
Though, since Gean’s father is the Grand Commander overseeing all the knight orders, I can kinda see why he’s proud.
As we stepped out of the carriage, some young knights scattered around the area glanced our way. The Knight Order includes third or fourth sons of high-ranking nobles, but most members are third or later sons of lesser nobles. There are some heirs of lesser nobles and commoners too, but they’re the minority.
Gean, an earl’s heir, is aiming to join the knights. In families with a knightly tradition, there’s a trend of heirs becoming knights too. Whether the Grand Commander’s son can become Grand Commander himself depends on skill, but Gean’s apparently got high expectations on him.
With the ducal crest on our carriage, we’ve totally drawn attention. Ugh, what to do…?
As I pondered this, Bianca spoke up beside me. "I’ll go register at the reception. What will you do, Lady Sakuraile?"
"Hmm, guess I’ll take a look around. Gean, can you show us?"
"Sure. Though all I can show you is the training grounds and stables," he replied.
No weapon storage, huh? I wanted to see real lances or giant ballistae, but that probably needs higher clearance. Oh well.
After Bianca dashed off into the headquarters, we followed Gean to the stables first. Rows of stalls housed horses of all colors—bay, black, gray, chestnut, roan—each lounging as they pleased.
"They’re so big! They feel different from the horses that pull our carriage," Estelle remarked.
"Course they are. These are warhorses—trained daily," Gean answered, smug again.
They’re not your horses, dude.
By the way, I’ve been training to ride too. For a noble lady—or any noble—riding a horse is a must. In this world, horses are as commonplace to nobles as bicycles. They’re not ridden daily, but horseback riding’s an essential noble skill. You’d be in trouble if you couldn’t ride alone in an emergency.
For me, though, the food truck means I’m fine without riding. I can’t drive yet, but once I’m an adult, I should be able to.
Past the stables, we took a side path through the headquarters and emerged into an open area. It was as big as a school field, with dozens of knights training—some sparring with wooden swords and shields, others swinging real blades, doing push-ups, or running laps around the perimeter.
A few kids—some middle-school-aged, others around our age—were training too. Probably squires like Bianca and Gean.
"There are quite a few squires, huh?" I noted.
"If you wanna join the Knight Order, becoming a squire early gives you an edge. You build skill and connections with knights. Still, only a handful pass the entrance exam," Gean explained.
Unless you’re an attendant like Bianca or Gean, squires are just trainees—not guaranteed a knight position. Fail the exam, and you’re either a regular soldier or off to become an adventurer. There’s more than one shot at the exam, but even that’s limited.
In this country, a "knight" is a one-generation noble with a knightly title. They’re quasi-nobles with few privileges—better pay, maybe, but that’s it. The number of knights is capped—specific limits for the Imperial Knight Order and each noble house. For noble families, it depends on their prosperity; for the Imperial Knight Order, it might tie to the national budget.
As a ducal house, we have more knights than most nobles—not just at the capital estate, but in our territory too. With a fixed number, a spot only opens when someone retires. It’s not an easy gig. Though, technically, you can quit duties without losing the title, so you’re a "knight" until death—meaning their numbers grow over time.
Some of these squires will probably end up at the "Academy" later. Among the capture targets, only Gean’s tied to the knights, so I doubt any weird flags will pop up here. Still, there might be some mob character like "Lackey A" from a CG or someone’s attendant lurking.
"What’s up, Gean? You’re here?" a voice called.
"Oh, Dad," Gean replied.
Turning, I saw a rugged, middle-aged man. Maybe mid-thirties or a bit older—his red mustache and beard might make him look older. He wore the Imperial Knight Order’s armor, a broadsword hanging beneath a red cloak. Gean’s dad—Albert Ludra Staccato, Earl and Grand Commander of the Imperial Knight Order, known as the "Tiger of the Empire."
I’d seen him once from afar—at the Founding Festival, rushing to Elliot’s side. So he is Gean’s father.
"Dad, this is Sakuraile. She wanted to check out—ow!?" Gean started, only to yelp mid-sentence.
The Grand Commander had smacked a fist down on Gean’s head.
"You fool! Calling His Highness the Duke’s daughter ‘this one’—what a way to speak! A knight’s not just about sword skill—learn some manners!" he barked.
Fair point. Father’s right—calling a duke’s daughter "this one" in public is a no-go. Still, since I told Gean to speak casually, I should back him up.
"It’s fine. Gean’s… s-sort of a friend, and I’m not big on formalities," I said.
"See? She says it’s fine, so it’s fine—ow!?" Gean piped up, only to get another knuckle to the head.
"Even so, that’s no excuse for lacking decorum in public! Show some remorse!" the Grand Commander scolded.
He’s got a point.
—