ch21-ch40 · 032-ch32

Chapter 32: Underz

　Leaving Ai and the others in the living room, Rokuro went up to his room on the second floor with Melkid.

　He left explaining to her two best friends to Ai, while he would listen to Melkid talk about the current Ceylo. Considering what might happen if the conversation became too intense, he decided to hear it from Rokuro alone first.

　But contrary to his expectations, the current Ceylo Kingdom seems to be perfectly peaceful.

"What, so after I left here, you thought a war broke out?"

"At that time, I wasn't a knight yet either, so I don't know the details, but apparently the Prime Minister suppressed the war faction and called off the invasion of other countries. There must be various reasons... but I suppose the reduction in the number of Seven Knights played a large role, don't you think?"

　A significant decrease in fighting power due to the vacancies among the Seven Knights. Melkid said that this was likely the main reason for calling off the invasion.

"And yet, despite finally achieving peace, you went out of your way to come all the way to the world beyond the mirror to steal the 'egg'—don't tell me you're planning another war."

"I've never heard anything about war preparations. At least, most knights don't know that the Black Knight is still alive."

"Is that so?"

　Rokuro had considered the possibility that the entire knight order might be targeting him and his 'egg', but that didn't seem to be the case.

　Apparently, even Melkid himself didn't know until recently that the Black Knight had transferred to the other world Rimiruu. Only a very limited number of people know that information.

"Someone in the upper ranks, and... only we 'Underz'."

"Underz? I don't know that name."

"It's a system that didn't exist in the Black Knight's time, so that's only natural. 'Underz' are selected knights who gather the next generation of Seven Knight candidates, transcending the boundaries of the knight order. So to speak, they are the young elite!"

　Melkid puffed out his chest proudly.

　For an elite, he seemed to have been abandoned, but... Rokuro thought this but didn't say it aloud.

"Everyone in the Underz wants to become one of the Seven Knights, but they can't become Seven Knights unless a seat becomes vacant. And as you know, although the seat of 'Black Knight' is empty, the crucial 'egg' is missing, so the seat couldn't be filled."

　The members of the Underz, who gained power through repeated training and actual combat.

　However, in a situation where they didn't know when they could become Seven Knights, many held frustrations.

　It was at that time that they were informed from above about the Black Knight's survival in the world beyond the mirror and the existence of the 'egg'. The young knights jumped at that dangling carrot.

　Without regard for the danger, they weren't afraid of crossing into an unknown world. The Underz wanted the 'egg' and the title of Seven Knight so badly they could taste it.

"And so, chosen as the glorious first was this very Melkid!"

　While ignoring Melkid, who was puffing out his chest again.

"I see. Then the possibility that someone else from the Underz will come is..."

"I think it's quite high."

　The chosen ones among the knights will be targeting him.

　And their hands might even reach Ai.

　Rokuro felt a chill down his spine.

"I see... Also, who is this person in the kingdom's upper ranks who told you all this?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't know that... but the one who directly gave the order was the founder of the Underz, Lord Grandine."

"Gran... dine?"

　He didn't immediately recognize the face, but Rokuro felt he had heard that name somewhere before.

'...They weren't among the knights at that time... but it's definitely a name I've heard before...'

　　―　◆　―

"Eeeh, that's amaaazing! So that's what happened~"

　Sumi's eyes were wide because she was listening to Kiriko talk about Papa's exploits after becoming the Black Knight.

　The three of us gathered around the low table.

　First, I told them how Papa came to Japan from another world.

　Then, Kiriko was amusingly? telling Sumi, who hadn't been there, about what happened at the shrine.

　Sumi had an image of 'a knight from another world' as just 'someone stronger and more amazing than ordinary people,' and apparently never imagined something like a special ability user who transforms and controls shadows! Well, I guess that makes sense, since I was the same way.

　But still, it wasn't just surprise but admiration, or rather longing? Or... for some reason, Sumi seemed to have a really high opinion of him.

"Also, that kind of 'I'm awesome' feeling when he's become the Black Knight is nice, isn't it! I guess you could call it gap moe."

"Eeeeh, I wanna see it tooo!"

　The two of them were getting excited, but I think I prefer Papa's usual self.

　Just then,

　《Pecho♪》

　a notification sound rang, and Sumi looked at her smartphone.

"Oh, it's Ryunryun. She's saying, 'The Rock Kitchen didn't come, so try asking Ai-chan what happened'."

　Ryunryun is Sumi's aunt, Yanagiko-san. A regular at Papa's food truck.

　I know some of the regular customers too, and they're friendly with me.

　Speaking of my two best friends' acquaintances, Sumi's mom comes quite often too, though not as much as Yanagiko-san, and Kiriko's older brother, Choushi-san, seems to stop by frequently too. Choushi-san works at an optical shop, and Papa's glasses are made there.

　By the way, Kiriko has three siblings, with a middle schooler younger brother, Tamana-kun. He doesn't go to our middle school but a different one, and he's bigger than the guys in our class, but he's really friendly and quite cute.

"Finished with your talk over there?"

　Just then, Papa came down from the second floor, holding Melkid by the scruff of his neck.

"Papa, Yanagiko-san is worried because you didn't come to the shop."

"I see, I suddenly closed temporarily, so that was careless of me. I'll send her a message apologizing."

"Eh, you exchange messages with Ryunryun!?"

　Sumi raised her voice in surprise. Come on, it's not that surprising, we've known each other for a long time, so it's normal.

　And Kiriko, for her part, had a look like she'd just thought of something.

"Knowing how to message but deliberately asking indirectly through your niece... this vibe could it be!"

　Stop suddenly grinning to yourself like that.