Stupid Heroes ~We Draft Candidates~ (WN): Chapter 39

 

Chapter 39: The Knights Doesn't  Learn

 A meeting was being held today in the academy's conference room.

 From the church, there were three people: the commander of the Order of Knights, the headmaster of the church academy, and Bishop Mikhail. On the other side were representatives of the three countries: Princess Milianea, Princess Grace, and Heinz. And there was one more. The head of the Adventurers' Guild was also present.

“Now then, have you finished discussing the future of the escort?"

 Princess Grace asks for a report from the knight commander. Her tone is polite, but she no longer hides her intimidating demeanor.

"Ha. I have something I want to report about that matter."

"Then, please do so."

"The hero candidates has expressed their desire to be part of the escort."

“…Are you saying that is the result of your thinking?”

 The knight commander's explanation is different from the report requested by Princess Grace.

"No, this is a consultation."

"Isn't it strange that the target of the escort turns into an escort?"

“I thought so, and at one time I brushed it off. However, upon further reflection, I think there is room for consideration."

"Why is that?"

"Between hero candidates and knights, hero candidates are stronger."

"It doesn't apply to all. Something like that."

"Will you please hear me out?"

"……Go ahead."

 Princess Grace's expression showed a little anger at the knight commander's words. Still, the princess put up with it and urged him to go on.

"The one who stopped some of the attackers in the swordsmanship competition was also a hero candidate."

"Yeah, a candidate named Ren Takashiro, right?"

"Yes. He's a Class C candidate. A dropout who turned down being a hero candidate."

"I see……"

 Of all the people present, only the knight commander made such an assessment of Ren. When Princess Grace heard this, her trust in the Church Knights was further diminished.

“He was able to prevent it, and a hero candidate who was far superior to him was injured. Why is that?”

"Could it be that he is actually superior?"

"That is not possible. He is a necromancer. He is not suited for fighting in the first place."

 Before his evaluation of Ren, the knight commander did not understand the work of a necromancer.

“Then why does the knight commander think so?”

"Experience."

"Experience?"

“As an adventurer, he has many battle experiences, even against weak magical beasts. On the other hand, the Class A hero candidates have only one actual battle experience. This difference is huge.”

 This is not wrong. But you don't have to be a knight commander to understand this.

"So, are you suggesting that they gain some experience in this case?"

"I think there is room for consideration."

"...There is also the possibility of death."

 If you die, all the experience you have accumulated will be lost. Princess Grace doesn't feel the need to take such a risk.

"No one has died yet. And if someone dies because of that, can they really be called a hero candidate?"

"The Church has a duty to protect the hero candidates. I hear the words of the knight commander as an abandonment of that duty."

"In order to protect the weak, it's just a matter of turning the strong to protect the weak."

"Even so."

“I would like to hear the opinions of the other two as well.”

"...If you want, go ahead."

 Princess Grace said that with an angry voice, but the knight commander didn't seem to be afraid of it. Last time, he was intimidated by the majesty of the great power, and the knight commander was ashamed, and he became somewhat stubborn.

“Ruben-dono and Her Royal Highness Princess Milianea, what do you think?”

"In other words, is this kind of thing okay? The weak hero candidates act as decoys. The strong hero candidates will be safe because they won't become targets for attackers if they get mixed up with the knights."

“…………”

 Princess Milianea was one step ahead of Princess Grace when it came to thinking.

"Sounds like I've hit the nail. It's pretty well thought out."

"...Then, would you agree?"

"Are you kidding me? I disagree."

"...Can you tell me why?"

“Will they be able to hold back the hero candidates? If they get bloodthirsty and start going at the attackers, it's the guards who will suffer the brunt of it."

"...What about Heinz-dono?"

 Without arguing against Princess Milianea's point, the knight commander asked Heinz for his opinion.

"If you add an escort to further protect them, I'm willing to grant it."

"What do you mean by further protection?"

"An escort who protects the escort hero candidate."

"That will be the knight order."

"And in answer to Her Highness Princess Milianea's question as to whether the knights are capable of controlling the hero candidates?"

"...We can control them."

 It is not possible. If they really had that confidence, they would have answered Princess Milianea's question first.

"I'm not sure how I can believe you with such an unconfident way of talking. For my part, I have no intention of admitting that without an escort from the Adventurers' Guild."

"...Then I shall not accept the hero candidate's request."

 Hearing Heinz's conditions, the knight commander simply withdrew the opinion he had pushed earlier.

“Do you hate asking the Adventurer’s Guild for escorts that much?”

"Not really."

 The knight commander's attitude was the exact opposite of his words. He did not hide the bitterness in his expression.

"Even without this matter, I intend to make another request to the guild."

 The reason the guild leader is present is because it has been decided that another request for an escort will be made.

"That's up to you."

"Yeah, I'll do as I please. Then, guild leader, when will it be possible?"

"...I'm sorry, but I can't give you an answer on whether or not I will accept the request at this time."

 Although he attended the meeting, the guild leader was still unable to answer whether he could accept the request.

"What? What is the reason?"

"I don't know if we can fulfill it."

 The escort request is a difficult task. The guild is clearly aware of this, having accepted it once. It was not an easy decision to accept, any more than last time.

"I should have told you to tell me if there are conditions like last time."

"That, too, has yet to be settled."

“Is this an attempt to raise the reward? If so, give me a specific amount. You're wasting your time playing games."

"...It is not the case. We just can't find the right person for the job."

 It's not a negotiation of terms. The guild really doesn't have the confidence to accept the request.

"Can't it just be the same as last time?"

"We're trying to make it the same, but it's not working."

"Then hurry up and prepare a replacement."

"The conditions are too strict. We can't find a replacement right away."

"Let's just cut it short! How many adventurers are there in the guild!? How can you not find a replacement?"

 Heinz's words became rough as the guild leader dismissed all of his demands. Heinz was still not pleased with the guild leader's response.

"Conditions do not match"

"How is that possible? What kind of condition is that?"

“Someone who can prove perfectly well that they have nothing to do with the Anti-Hero Alliance. This is the only reason why there are only a few candidates. And let me tell you, there is no one in the guild who is suspected of being a member of the Anti-Hero Alliance."

"That's true."

"So I can't take it now."

"...Are you going to be that thorough?"

“In the unlikely event that the adventurer I chose to take charge of the request attacks a hero candidate, what will happen? Will you forgive me for having no choice?"

 There is no way they would forgive them. The guild cannot risk losing the trust of the great powers.

"......I suppose so. Then how could you have prepared for this last time?"

"Only one person was definitely okay. After that, that person washed out the other adventurers."

"Then there is someone who can prove it."

“It was the commander. This request depended on the commander's work. No one else could take his place."

 The guild leader, who had been uneasy when he entrusted the job to Ren, now highly appreciated Ren's near-perfect performance. He is so highly regarded by the guild leader that he cannot choose a replacement.

"The point is that one person is not available. By the way, what kind of adventurer was the one who was in charge?"

"Do you think I would divulge such information?"

 If you fall for such simple guidance, you can't be the head of a guild.

"Then, let me tell you this. As a client, I should have the right to know about this."

"What is it?"

“How could you prove that it is absolutely safe? This would explain a lot."

 Heinz's question, knowing that the commander is Ren. Immediately, the guild leader's face frowns.

"……Oh, I see."

"How?"

"...The one who can't join the Anti-Hero Alliance."

 The guild leader knows that this is meaningless, although he has tried to blur the subject a little. Heinz asks the question because he already knows it is Ren.

"In other words, it's a hero candidate who is the target of the attack."

"I'm under no obligation to answer that."

"If he is who I think he was, he's studying in the library every day. I don't think there's any reason why he can't accept the request."

"I don't know who that was, but I'm told that he promised a certain hero that he would never get involved with him again."

"Who is that certain hero?"

"He's not a hero candidate, he's the hero."

"...I see."

 If you were to call him a hero rather than a candidate, it would only be Yuya. And if it's Yuya, Heinz knows that it wouldn't be strange for Ren to make such a promise to him.

“If you have an idea, I'd like you to do something about it. Unless there are special circumstances, refusal of a nomination request will result in expulsion from the guild. But we don't want him to be expelled. I can't even make a formal nomination."

"...Fumu. That's one way to look at it."

"What?"

"No, it's nothing. As far as I've heard, there is no other suitable person other than him."

"...And what if it is?"

“By all means, I would very much like to have him accept the request.”

 This is a nomination request from the client. If he accepts this, the guild leader will have no choice but to make a formal request to Ren.

"That is not the intention of all the clients."

 Knowing this, the guild leader began to make a desperate attempt to avoid the nomination request.

"How about that? What do you two think?"

"...What are you planning?"

 Princess Milianea suspects Heinz is up to something. After all, heads are turning.

"Nothing. I just want you to make sure we have the best possible escort."

"I see... alright. I agree."

 She has no objection to a stronger escort. If something goes wrong, she can find out and use it. Princess Milianea gave her consent.

"What about Her Royal Highness Princess Grace?"

"It's fine."

"This is the intention of all the representatives of the client."

"I see... you would go to such lengths here."

 Heinz's method is to buy Ren that much. He did it without hiding it from the princesses of other countries. That's what the guild leader said.

"Did I do anything?"

"No. you just applied for a nomination request."

"Yes"

“We have received your request. The guild will take it under advisement."

"Yeah, that'll be fine."

"Then, excuse me. The guild hasn't officially accepted the request yet. Is that all right with you?"

"……Yeah"

 The guild leader got up from his seat and left the conference room. There is a probing atmosphere among the remaining people. They are unable to grasp the meaning of the conversation between the guild leader and Heinz.

 The only one who knows about it is Princess Milianea. Princess Milianea opened her mouth first.

“Isn’t the Lemberg Empire buying him a lot?”

"No such thing"

"Then why?"

"He fulfilled the escort request properly. That's why I want to ask him again. That's all."

"Isn't that what you call buying?"

"Certainly. Then that's what I'm saying."

"...Well, that's fine."

 There is also one in the Izrim Magic Kingdom who is buying Ren. One of them, Princess Milianea decided that she could leave it to Lang.

"It's not good. Could you explain the situation so that I can understand it?"

 Princess Grace is unconvinced. Princess Grace doesn't have as much information about Ren as the two.

"Oh, why?"

"Why?"

"Why do we have to explain? We are collecting information for our own country, right? To put it bluntly, to outsmart other countries."

 And that other country is the home country of the two people in front of her. Even if Princess Milianea doesn't say it, they both know.

"...You're right."

“You should get the information you need yourself. That's why you came here, isn't it?"

"Yes. I will."

"Now let's get back to the main topic. I would like a report on the reinforcement of the escort."

“…………”

 Princess Milianea returned to the main topic, to which the knight commander responded with silence.

"It's not like you haven't thought about anything, is it?"

"Our response will vary depending on whether or not we include the hero candidates in the escort."

"So?"

"After that has been decided..."

 In other words, he had not thought about anything.

"It's a very leisurely story. Even though there may be an attack at this very moment."

"We're taking every precaution."

"Well? Are you saying that the knight commander of the Church Country calls the security, which has wounded people, perfect? In our country, it wouldn't be strange if you get punished."

“…………”

 Princess Milianea's wording is clever. If he insists that everything is perfect here, it would be like saying that the security of the Church is inferior to that of other countries.

"Is it okay if I leave it to you? If you want, I can call in the knights of my country."

"Relying on the knights of the Izrim Magic Kingdom is..."

"Then, from my country. You wouldn't say that the Platinum Knights of my country are lacking in power, right?"

“…………”

 Even the knight commander, who refuted Princess Milianea, can't say anything to Princess Grace. The Platinum Knights of the Luine Kingdom are the strongest knights on the continent, along with the Blue Dragon Knights of the Empire. There was no way he could say that they were not strong enough.

"I appreciate your offer, but that will be unnecessary."

 It was Bishop Mikhail who interrupted the conversation. He had been quietly listening to the conversation for some time, but now he finally opened his mouth to say that he could not allow the knights of another country to enter the capital.

"But if the church alone can't strengthen the security, we have to do what we can."

“No, we will strengthen security.”

"Specifically?"

"We'll assign the Order of Mages to guard duty."

"What!? I didn't hear anything!"

 Hearing Bishop Mikhail's explanation, the knight commander's blood was boiling.

"...You don't need to know, as the knight's commander."

 Bishop Mikhail coldly said to the knight commander. Even the mild-mannered Bishop Mikhail was not pleased with the knight commander, who continued to bring shame to his country.

“I am the person in charge of security!”

"The person in charge will change with the participation of the mages. Specifically, I am."

"...On who's decision?"

 Bishop Mikhail's words signify the knight commander's dismissal as head of security. It is not something Bishop Mikhail can do on his own. Both the Knight Order and the Mage Order formally belong to the Church Country, not the church.

"It is a decision of the Cardinal Council of the Church Country. Depending on the situation of this meeting, a grace period was allowed. It seems that it is not necessary."

"Why is it so?"

"Why? It's just as Her Royal Highness Princess Millianea said. If the religious country fails, it must take responsibility. And you have continued to fail and exposed the shame of the religious country."

"No way..."

“Yes. The position of the Commander of the Order will also be revoked. Thank you for your service."

"...I don't approve it. I don't approve of such a thing!"

 If he is dismissed from the position of commander, he will retire. As a knight commander, he can't accept that.

"Be my guest."

 However, Bishop Mikhail only answered without hesitation to the knight commander who was raising his voice.

"What did you say?"

"Whether you approve it or not, nothing will change. However, I think you need to be prepared to go against the Cardinals."

"……I understand."

 At Bishop Mikhail's words, the knight commander gave up and got up from his seat. If you defy the Cardinal Council, the result will change from retirement to banishment. The situation would only get worse even if he tried.

"Now then, we were in the middle of the conversation. As I said earlier, I will assign the Mages Order to guard duty. Their role is to detect attackers."

"Detect?"

“The adventurer’s guild used to identify attackers by searching for the mana emitting from their magic tools. We will do the same. The Mages Order can deploy a larger force than the guild."

"So you're saying you don't need the guild?"

"No, that is not the case. It is only as a country that we have increased our security. If they can cooperate with us in further strengthening the security, we would be very grateful."

"I see."

 Bishop Mikhail has no intention of favoring the Class A hero candidates or abandoning the Class C hero candidates. The guild is welcome to join if they can create a complete system to protect all the hero candidates.

“However, we cannot accept knights and armies from other countries. The people of the church will be surprised."

"I guess so."

 The Church is an independent nation. If the army of another country comes there, the people will misunderstand that it is a war. Even if they did not, they would not be able to remain calm.

“Can you give us a little more time to work out a more detailed protection plan? There are many matters that need to be coordinated between the knights and the mages."

"I'd like you to hurry up. This is also what Her Highness Princess Milianea said."

"I understand. We will send in the Mage Order as soon as possible. We will make adjustments as we go along."

"If that's the case, I don't mind."

 Heinz's gaze fell on the two princesses.

"It's fine."

"I……"

 Unlike Princess Grace, who easily agreed, Princess Milianea seemed to have something to say.

"Is there any objection?"

“There is something I would like to confirm, rather than an objection.”

"What is it?"

"You said that you, Bishop Mikhail will be in charge, right?"

 Princess Milianea turned her question to Bishop Mikhail.

"Yes. I will be in charge of that."

“Do you think you will be able to control the hero candidates? Can you get along with the adventurers' guild? I believe that your inability to do so has led to the current situation."

 Allowing the candidates to do as they pleased and repeatedly clashing with the guild. This was the failure of his predecessor.

“I have no problem with the candidates. I do not favor any particular candidate. I will treat all of them equally, as they deserve to be treated."

"I see."

“And as for the adventurers' guild, it depends on who we are dealing with, but it will probably be fine. I am more of a coordinator, so I will not do anything that will cause conflict."

"What if the person you're dealing with has an idea you don't understand?"

"I don't know what ideas are not clear to me. I would have to say that it depends on the other party."

"...That's true."

 As for coordination with the guild, Princess Milianea cannot say anything harsh. The guild often come up with demands that Princess Milianea herself would tilt her head to the side.

"But that doesn't mean that I don't have a relationship with people who are like that. They don't trust people, they hide their true intentions, they value promises, but they are cunning."

"That's quite a difficult person to deal with."

 And very specific. Princess Milianea can think of only one such person.

“Yes. But I want to make it work. I would like that person to work in the church for as long as the person wants to."

 Have Ren stay in the church. Bishop Mikhail's words are a check against Heinz and Princess Milianea, who are showing interest in Ren.

"...Is that what this is all about?"

"What do you mean?"

“Does Bishop Mikhail think highly of that person?”

"Yes. Above all, that person has the piety to visit the chapel frequently. I think such a person should work in the church."

"Is that all you value?"

"Of course there are others. But I don't feel the need to talk about them. What I would rather say is......"

 Bishop Mikhail's mouth stopped there.

"What?"

"I hope you will forgive me if I sound a little rude."

"I don't mind."

“As a clergyman, I cannot allow anyone who has neither the will nor the strength to fight to be forced into a battle."

"...I see. But is the church in a position to say that?"

 It was the church that summoned the hero. And the church is also trying to send hero candidates to other countries in exchange for money in the name of donations.

"The church... is just doing what it takes to keep the casualties to a minimum."

"But it won't stop them from making sacrifices."

"...If the great powers had a conscience, there will be no sacrifices."

 There is a great gulf between the church and the great powers. Rightly or wrongly, it is between the people in the church and the administrators of the great powers.

"Well...... let's stop. It's not something we can talk about and it won't make a difference."

“Yes. I'm sorry."

"I have one last thing to ask. If you can answer, could you tell me?"

"First, I need to know what you want to ask."

"Why did he reject the hero candidate?"

 This is one of Ren's actions that they can't understand no matter how much they think about it.

"About that..."

"Can't you tell me?"

"It's all in my imagination. It has no basis in fact."

"Still, I'd like to hear it."

"...I think he knows what a hero is. And why the heroes were summoned."

"I knew it."

 Without being surprised, Princess Milianea spoke words of satisfaction.

"Do you have any idea?"

"There were other people who thought the same way."

“I see. I think it was fortunate that he had an inhospitable personality."

"Why?"

"He never made his thoughts clear to anyone. Some people found his words and actions somewhat strange, but no one ever got to the bottom of it."

"I agree."

 It's information that might cause panic if the hero candidates were to find out. Ren has not shared that secret with anyone, because of his personality. Bishop Mikhail is right, they are fortunate.

"This is my personal opinion, but in my opinion, it is better not to get involved with him. He rarely accepts people. If you approach him unaccepted, you will only hurt each other."

"I can't promise I will obey, but I will keep it in mind."

"Yes"

◇◇◇

 After the meeting was over, Princess Grace returned to her dormitory, which is a special accommodation for the Luine kingdom. She's in a bad mood.

 She was kept completely out of the conversation between Bishop Mikhail and Princess Milianea and Heinz. She couldn't stand that in any way. Her self-esteem, which in a sense is appropriate for the princess of a great country, did not allow her to do so.

"Who is the adventurer's guild's escort commander?"

"Huh?"

 Her subordinates didn't understand what the sudden question was about.

"Who is it!"

 Her subordinate's reaction made Princess Grace even more unhappy.

"...I don't know. Only a female adventurer has come out. The actual commander was hidden."

"Isn't it your job to find out?"

"Ha."

"...It's fine. I know who it is."

"I'm very sorry"

 [Then you shouldn't have asked me in the first place], was not something her subordinate could say.

"Explain to me again, about Ren Takashiro."

"Ha. A hero candidate in Class C, which is called a dropout class, but he himself denies that he is a hero candidate."

"Reason?"

"He says he doesn't have the power."

"That's a lie. He knows something, and that's why he refuses to be a hero candidate."

 Princess Grace presented the information she had just heard to her subordinate.

"Yes. I will investigate again."

"Continue"

"He tends to be absent from the academy. The reason is that he is working as an adventurer. As a necromancer, he receives nomination requests."

"And then?"

"His relationships are complicated. Although he is extremely socially awkward, he has contact with the four heavenly kings of the hero candidates. However, I cannot say that they are on good terms. There are two who can be said to be on good terms. They are general admission students, but I know that one of them is from the Izrim Magic Kingdom."

 Princess Grace is unhappy again when she realizes that she is already one or two steps behind the Izrim Magic Kingdom.

"...Why is he getting so much attention?"

 Grumpy, but this time without showing it to her subordinate, she continued her question.

“It started because he often spent time with Shizuru Tojo, one of the Four Heavenly Kings. Even now, his relationship with Jin Takamiya is not bad. Moreover, in both cases, Ren Takashiro is annoyed with them."

"That's all?"

“He has a high reputation in the guild. The adventurer who worked with him thought of him as a promising newcomer, so he gave him a street name, and he is called by that street name in the guild. He's only been registered with the guild for two years, so there's certainly something about him that deserves recognition."

"What is that something?"

"I do not know."

 The information about Ren has not been updated at all since she first got it. For the Luine Kingdom, getting information about Ren was a low priority.

"Find it out. Now!"

"Ha!"

 The priority will be raised at once.

"...Watch me. I'll quickly make up for the one-year delay."