"Of course, you can! Why on earth would I refuse if Lucy wants to bring a friend over to the estate?"
Benedict raised his voice excitedly, barely letting me finish my sentence.
Uh... I didn’t expect him to agree so easily.
Is it even alright to have someone else join the Knight Order’s training? Couldn’t that cause issues if internal methods are leaked? Shouldn’t he at least check with the Knight Order if this is even possible?
"Haha! What are you worrying about? That rascal Posell would welcome any friend of yours, Lucy!"
That doesn’t sound like a plan at all.
Benedict, as the head of the house, you really shouldn’t be so irresponsible.
"And Lucy, do you think anyone from another family could take our training methods and manage to follow them? If they could, they’d have joined our Knight Order already."
I tilted my head at his overly confident tone, full of pride for the Allen Knight Order.
Is Allen's Knight Order training really that tough?
Well, sure, it’s incredibly grueling, but any decent knight should be able to manage, right?
People say I’m already on par with an ordinary knight, and I’ve been keeping up with the training so far.
<...Girl, that’s because you’re a bit of an exception.> ‘Really?’ <Yes. Even by wartime standards, the Allen family’s training is extreme.>
As I listened to the explanation that an average knight might drop dead halfway through, I realized I had completely underestimated it.
No, I was just planning to give them a taste of grueling training, not actually send them through hell.
"Sniff! Our daughter, who was always by herself, finally has a friend!"
But there was no taking back what I’d already said.
How could I tell a doting father, moved to tears by the thought of his daughter bringing a friend, that I was only kidding?
Well, I’m not too sure, but Posell will probably handle it. He’s taught others countless times; he’ll definitely adjust it to their level.
<Here’s a suggestion: prepare an apology gift for your friends in advance.> ‘...I’ll think about it.’
“Training at the Allen Knight Order? Seriously?!”
Arthur shot to his feet, his eyes sparkling and lips stretching into a wide grin.
The unrestrained smile on his face made it clear that, despite his usual maturity, he was just a teenage boy after all.
‘Yes. I got permission.’
“As much as I’d love to say I was kidding just to see the poor, naive prince pout, I’m afraid it’s true. I really got permission.”
“Thank you so much, Lucy Allen! The Allen Knight Order’s training—unbelievable!”
Unable to sit still, Arthur began pacing the room, trying to contain his excitement, while Joy tilted her head.
"Is training with the Allen Knight Order really that big of a deal?"
I wanted to ask that too.
Isn’t it just brutal physical drills where you’re put through the wringer? Why is he so excited about it?
I don’t get it at all.
“Joy, as a mage, you wouldn’t understand! You have no idea what the Allen Knight Order means to those who train in martial arts!”
Arthur slammed his fist on the table for emphasis and launched into a series of stories.
He spoke of the legendary feats of the Allen Knight Order, starting with the founder who, alone, conquered a dungeon known for its high-level threat and was awarded a title.
Then there was the story of how, during the war decades ago, Allen single-handedly held the frontline and turned the tide of battle.
Arthur, without pause, suddenly turned to me and raised his voice.
“Do you understand, Lucy Allen? The Knight Order you’ll one day lead carries a legacy this deep! Take pride in your name and write new history!”
This scene reminded me of something I’d seen before.
Ah, yes.
An otaku.
The way they’d get when talking about their favorite idols or anime characters. Arthur is a knight otaku.
...I knew he admired knights, but I didn’t expect his admiration to reach such fanboy levels.
It’s a bit much.
"What? What are those faces for? It’s natural for a man to admire knights!"
Hey, look, I’m technically a guy too, you know?
I mean, I think knights in armor are cool too, but you’re a bit too into it.
Most people aren’t this passionate about it.
“Listen! The reason I admire knights so much is—” “Third Prince, please stop. The longer you go on, the more eccentric you’ll sound.”
Joy gestured toward me as she spoke, causing Arthur to cough and quickly clamp his mouth shut.
“Instead, Lady Allen, what exactly is the Knight Order’s training like?”
‘Do you really want to know?’ “What’s this, Miss Dimwit? Are you curious? Dying to know?”
“I want to join the training alongside you, so I’d like to know in advance.”
Thinking back to my time in the Allen Knight Order, I tried to recall the training sessions.
Hmm. The content varied depending on the day, so it’s hard to say anything definitive.
If I had to pick one thing in common...
‘Giving up on sleep would be best.’ “It’s easier if you just don’t expect to sleep. Posell might be a smelly old man, but when it comes to training, he’s ruthless.”
“...Giving up sleep?”
‘Yes. Isn’t that obvious?’ “Right. Don’t all knights’ training involve sleep deprivation?”
The disbelieving stares that had been directed at Arthur just moments ago now turned to me.
Wait, don’t they? Isn’t that how it works for everyone?
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Once I gained some endurance, that’s just how I always trained!
As I looked around in confusion, Joy sighed, pressing her fingers to her temple.
“Ahh. I understand now why your training suggestions are so disconnected from common sense, Lady Allen. The entire Allen family is like this, aren’t they?”
She continued, her expression turning icy.
“My lady, most knight orders teach methods to maximize efficient sleep rather than to eliminate it. Humans can’t forgo sleep indefinitely.”
What?! Really?!
They actually sleep during training?!
They don’t train nonstop, day and night, for a whole week?!
“Our church’s Knight Order is the same, my lady. Depriving oneself of sleep does more harm than good.” “Same for us. Sleep is essential.” “The Holy Knight Order agrees. After a major incident years ago where Tabol tried to eliminate sleep and failed miserably, it’s accepted that sleep deprivation isn’t viable.”
It became clear which method was considered normal as the three confirmed Joy’s words.
In most knight orders, they allow sleep.
<Isn’t that obvious?> ‘How was I supposed to know that!?’
I thought all fantasy knights trained that way!
That’s why I admired them so much!
“Lady Allen? I can see you’re surprised, but could you explain some other aspects of your training?”
Fearing more revelations about what I thought was common sense, I still couldn’t ignore the expectant looks from the others, so I reluctantly explained the common training practices of the Allen Knight Order.
“Marching at the same speed as a horse? For the entire duration?” “That’s insane. No person should do that.” “Sounds boring.” “...Apologies, my lady, but I find that quite strange too.”
Wait, they don’t do that?!
Posell always emphasized that mobility is a knight’s lifeline!
“Forcing them to drink potions to keep going after they collapse from exhaustion?” “That’s practically torture.” “Absolutely no fun.” “...My apologies, Lady Allen.”
It’s not common to push through fatigue by sheer force, claiming that a knight should always be ready for anything?
I thought all knights did this!
“Fighting with the intent to kill each other? That actually sounds kind of fun.” “It’s not fun! There’s no way that could be fun!” “The Allen Knight Order is really starting to scare me.” “...My apologies.”
With each word I uttered, my friends’ faces grew paler, highlighting just how unusual the environment I grew up in really was.
...Now that I think about it, even Grandfather seemed horrified by the Allen Knight Order’s training.
<He wasn’t just horrified; he questioned whether they were even human.> ‘Then why didn’t you say anything sooner?!’ <I figured that was just how knights trained these days. I was in the dungeon for a long time, remember.>
As I adjusted my sense of what’s normal, the four at the table exchanged uneasy glances.
“I now understand why Lucy Allen is so strong. And why the Allen family members are all so exceptional.” “They’ve been training like this, so they’d be prepared for any situation, wouldn’t they?” “I’d heard rumors from a Holy Knight before, but the reality is even more intense.”
Though their words varied, they all carried a similar meaning.
“...Third Prince, are you really going to go through with it?” “Why ask me first?” “Because you’re the most excited about training, obviously!” “I didn’t know the Allen Knight Order was this... unhinged!”
Unhinged? That’s a bit much.
Sure, they’re eccentric, but they’re still kind and fun people.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have trained alongside a weirdo like me.
“And you! Didn’t you say you’d gladly join training if it meant spending time with Lucy Allen?” “I didn’t know this was what their training was like! It’s clearly not suited for a mage!”
It is suited for a mage, though!
Don’t mages get tired or face life-threatening situations? Don’t they need to fight to survive extreme conditions?
The Knight Order’s training is essential for everyone.
The one who interrupted their grumbling was Frey, who had been resting her chin on her hand, watching us all with an indifferent gaze.
“It may not be fun, but I think I could get stronger. I’ll do it.” “...Are you serious?” “Don’t bother, Prince. I’ll crush you when I’m stronger and call you weak.”
Arthur clenched his lips as Frey’s smirk hinted at an imagined victory.
“Damn it! Fine! I’ll do it! How hard could it be? I’m not going to die from it, right?”
Oh, don’t worry. It’s absolutely brutal, but it won’t kill you. I can vouch for that, having survived it multiple times.
“Um, I’ve already committed to magical training with my father, so...” “Where do you think you’re going, Joy! By the command of the Third Prince, you’re joining us too!” “No way! I’m a mage, not a knight!”
“Hmph♡ I thought we were friends, but I guess not♡ Didn’t think you’d abandon me so easily♡ So disappointed♡ Guess I’ll start addressing you formally again♡” “I’ll join! I’ll join, okay?! I really want to join!”
Ha. Nice try, Joy. There’s no escaping me.
I’ve already planned special training just for you.
Once you’re in my grasp, there’s no getting away.
“Ahh. Who’d have thought I’d willingly walk into hell.” “If surviving hell means getting stronger, it’s like something out of myth.” “Why are we even considering death as a possibility here?” “If everything Lucy Allen says is true, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we didn’t make it.” “...I hate how I can’t deny that.”
While the three who decided to join me in the Knight Order training grumbled to themselves, I turned my gaze to the last person.
Fayvi, who always wanted to be wherever I was, lowered her head upon meeting my gaze and nervously fiddled with her hands under the table.
“I’m sorry, my lady. I don’t think I’ll be able to join.”
“Fayvi! Are you leaving us behind?!” “Saintess! That’s not fair!”
Usually, Fayvi would laugh off such teasing from the others.
But today was different.
Instead of brushing it off, she suddenly stood up and defended herself.
“Do you think I want to be away from my lady?! If it weren’t for church duties, I would be... ah.”
Though she hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands, the words had already escaped.