The New Morning Farm Work
The newly refurbished station was nothing short of comfortable. We hadn’t carried out any major renovations—just replaced some furniture and given the place a thorough cleaning—but even that had resulted in a remarkable transformation. All of this was thanks to the cooperation of the villagers… I couldn’t be more grateful.
To repay their kindness, we had to ensure the peace of this village.
That said, unless a stray demon wolf or some similar threat appeared, there was little chance that monsters or criminals would set their sights on this place. Time flowed peacefully here.
So, in our efforts to contribute more to the villagers in whatever way we could, we eventually arrived at one conclusion—
"Oh! This one’s quite big, isn’t it?"
"Nice work! As expected of a knight!"
We decided to help with the village’s farming.
Having no prior experience with fieldwork, we initially struggled, but we gradually learned the necessary steps and got the hang of it. It was a great way to help the villagers, and as a bonus, it also provided a workout for parts of my body I usually didn’t train.
The same applied to Elina.
She enjoyed physical training, treating it almost like a hobby. She took on even the most grueling knight training—something that would break most people—with enthusiasm. Apparently, she had received elite knight training from a young age under the guidance of her father, Vice-Commander Bellows. Her skills were certainly a testament to that upbringing.
Speaking of fathers… Hank’s father was also a high-ranking officer in the Knights Order.
From what I heard, rather than sending Hank to a dojo, his father had hired private instructors for him.
Personally, I had no regrets about learning the sword under Master Lorent, so it didn’t bother me much. But Hank often brought it up, using it as a way to assert his superiority.
Many of those aiming for promotions didn’t dare talk back to him. They constantly tried to stay on his good side, especially those without strong family backgrounds. That said, a few of us, myself included, never gave in to his arrogance.
"Senior? What's wrong? Are you tired?"
"…! N-No, it's nothing."
Lost in thought while cleaning up, I was brought back to reality by Elina’s concerned voice.
Now that I thought about it, wasn’t she supposed to be transferred to Hank’s unit? And yet, here she was in Curtis Village. There was no doubt in my mind that Vice-Commander Bellows had intervened.
"As long as you’re fine… But don’t push yourself too hard, okay?"
"We’re knights. A little strain is nothing we can’t handle."
I smiled, reassuring her. As intended, she sighed in relief before heading off toward the village children. Somehow, she had even won over the kids. Her ability to connect with people was as impressive as ever.
"Amazing. These days, most young folks shy away from farm work, not wanting to get dirty, but that girl jumps in without hesitation. Seeing her, the other youngsters start joining in too… She’s like a goddess."
"Haha, that’s quite the exaggeration."
Elina had become a beloved figure among the villagers, regardless of age or gender.
Without a doubt, she would one day become a central figure in the Knights Order. She might even make history as the first-ever female Knight Commander since the kingdom’s founding.
"Alright… Once we put away the tools, let’s head out on patrol, Lindel."
"Woof!"
With the morning farm work done, it was time to focus on my duties as a knight.
… Though this work was important too, I still believed a knight’s true role lay in combat.
For now, I’d call out to Elina—wait. Something was off.
She was surrounded by children but had a troubled look on her face.
Was there some kind of problem?
What do you think about this chapter?
