~Chapter 06~
I told him about what happened today.
Even though he likely already knew, he listened quietly, and the first thing he said afterward was congratulations.
—First of all, congratulations on passing.
“Thank you~”
After exchanging a few light remarks, we got down to business.
—The matter you previously requested is being handled without issue. Do you have any additional requests?
“Not yet. Just keep doing what I asked before.”
—Understood. As for the business you mentioned, we expect the first results in about three months.
Three months, huh. Not bad.
Was the first deal related to artisans?
—As for your contact within the knights’ order, you’ll be able to identify them on your first day of work.
“Got it. What’s the code?”
While recalling things in my head, I nodded.
After hearing the code, I ended the communication.
Click—the device’s light went out, and the tension drained from my body.
“…This is exhausting.”
Lying flat on the bed, I stared blankly at the ceiling.
I had only recently gotten used to the luxurious ceiling.
Even now, I sometimes startled awake out of habit.
“…Still, I’m doing pretty well, right?”
For the most part, I had adapted fairly well.
The plan I had roughly put together was progressing without major issues so far.
I didn’t know what would happen next, but… at least I’d made it this far.
“Still, it’s a relief I didn’t become a mage… If the knight route failed, I would’ve had to go the mage route.”
For a moment, the thought of being a grad student—no, a mage—made my blood run cold.
Most mages in the Empire belonged to the Mage Tower.
There were rare exceptions, but even in Lady Maker, they were treated as “technically possible but extremely rare.”
So most routes involved entering or joining the Mage Tower.
And…
“…Even so, ‘Ma-mile’ is a bit much.”
The life of a Mage Tower mage was…
If you had to compare it:
Like a developer being handed an impossible task with “You can finish this in a day, right?”
Or an engineer told, “It’s not impossible, just difficult,” only to hear, “So it’s possible? Then do it. No extra budget or staff.”
Or… simply put, a grad student.
A life of suffering.
“Did I come to another world just to end up in grad school…?”
Even with talent, mages had to build things step by step, which made it even harder.
Like how even a genius still needs a degree to become a professor.
And to get that degree—papers and suffering.
“Anyway, thank goodness.”
For knights, it was basically, “As long as you have decent attitude and can swing a sword, you’re good! Oh, and some manners help.”
But for mages, it was like:
“What? You don’t know the theory? You can use magic anyway? Then what are you, a calculator that outputs results without thinking?”
From their perspective, I’d just be a “mana user” or a “magic output device.”
Anyway, that was in the past now.
What matters is what comes next.
“Alright! Let’s work hard starting next week!”
As a knight.
Clenching my fist, I resolved not to give anyone anything to criticize.
* * *
First day of work.
With light steps, I headed toward the Edenrosa Ducal House.
Knights usually lived in on-site quarters, but exceptions existed.
Female knights were one of those exceptions—since the dorms were only for men.
“Hello!”
“Ah—hello… hm! Right! Welcome, rookie!”
At the training ground, a senior knight greeted me, adjusting his tone awkwardly.
He seemed unsure how to treat me.
“You learned the basics during the past week, right? Do you remember your duties today?”
“Yes. Scheduled patrols, rotating guard duty, and joint training.”
“Correct. Unless given special orders, you must attend at least one training session—morning or afternoon.”
“Understood!”
It seemed he decided to treat me like a normal junior.
Honestly, that made things easier.
“Good. Your schedule is morning training and afternoon guard duty at the main building. Go prepare.”
“Yes!”
After bowing, I walked toward the others.
They paused awkwardly when I approached.
Well, makes sense—mostly men, and I’m the only new female recruit.
There were apparently a few female knights, but none were nobles.
So even mid-level knights felt awkward around me.
As I stood there unsure what to do, a brown-haired man with a friendly face approached.
“You’re the famous new recruit? Didn’t think you actually existed.”
He spoke casually, but I didn’t recognize him.
“Who…?”
“Ah, I’m new too. Name’s Fei. Technically from a baron family, but it’s nothing special. Just call me Fei.”
“I’m Sonnet Eduke.”
“I know. Your application caused quite a stir—a noble lady joining the knights? Hard to forget.”
“Is that so?”
I shrugged indifferently.
“I don’t think it matters. I’m just another knight here.”
“Haha. Then how about using an alias? People say changing your name changes how you’re perceived.”
At the word “alias,” I turned my gaze back to him.
He was still smiling casually.
I responded just as calmly.
“An alias? Like ‘Rose’?”
“Sure. Personally, I recommend ‘Raison.’”
Alias. Rose. Raison.
“Raison Dert.”
“That works too. Interested?”
Raison Dert.
That was the code.
So this is him—the contact Mephisto sent.
“…I’ll think about it.”
“People who say that usually mean no.”
“Everyone, gather!”
Training time.
Confirming his identity was enough for now.
“Let’s talk later.”
“Sure.”
I didn’t push further.
We were in the same order—we’d meet again.
* * *
Training was manageable.
It focused on coordination rather than individual strength, so it wasn’t too exhausting.
The real problem was…
“Closer! Stay together!”
“B-but—!”
“It’s fine. Come closer.”
The teammate who was supposed to fight with me kept hesitating and keeping distance.
Why are they being so annoying?
I grabbed him and dragged him closer, using him like a shield as I attacked.
“Wahhh!”
“Move!”
“Closer!”
“Wait, the side—!”
“I said closer.”
What, do they think I’m contagious?
Probably because I’m a noble lady—they were hesitant to touch me.
Better than being rude, but still inconvenient.
Looks like it’ll take time to get used to these people.
“Sword down!”
“Good work!”
“Rotate shifts properly after duty!”
“Yes!”
After training, we moved to guard duty.
I was assigned to the rear gate of the main building with a senior.
Hardly anyone came through except servants.
Maybe because it was so quiet, the senior started sharing tips.
“Hey, rookie. Avoid night shifts at the main building. Especially when the young duke is around.”
“Why? Assassination risk?”
“Assassination?”
She laughed.
“Who would dare assassinate here? That’s not the problem.”
“Then…?”
“Women trying to seduce him.”
“Seduce?”
“Yeah. You know this family’s trait, right?”
“Yes. It’s famous.”
The Edenrosa Ducal family.
Known for going insane over love.
Once they fall in love, they devote everything—status doesn’t matter.
“That’s the problem. Once they fall, there’s no stopping them.”
She grimaced.
“So everyone tries to snag the young duke. It’s basically a lottery ticket.”
“…Makes sense.”
“And they don’t hesitate to throw themselves at him.”
She looked distant.
“The number of women who show up at night… guards suffer the most.”
“Ah…”
“And if the guard is a woman? Chaos.”
“…I see.”
Got it.
Avoid night duty at the main building.
“How do they even get past all the guards on the way?”
She muttered like someone traumatized.
Yeah… I should stay away from the young duke.
For the sake of my peaceful work life.
I made that decision.
* * *
And then—
About two months later.
“Sonnet, I need a favor.”
“Yes?”
“I’d like you to become my lover.”
“…What?”
I was struck by lightning.
Seriously?!
I just decided to live quietly—and now this?!HATIE~05
