There was no particular conversation on the way to Kes. Thanks to that, we arrived quickly, and Samuel went straight to apply for use of the Warp Gate.
Following that, Xenon also went to check equipment with Nesia, and I was alone in the inn room planning ahead.
Since I heard there was a Durahan near the coast before, I planned to go to Immon Port and ask around. It wasn't urgent, so I would take my time......
No, was it really okay to keep leaving it headless? Was it truly not urgent?
'What would I do if it's urgent anyway?'
My original plan was definitely to leave for somewhere that didn't know me, watch the evil running rampant in the world while eating cookies.
How on earth did things get reversed to the point where I'm obsessed with collecting Durahans?
"What plan? I don't even know what's an inch ahead."
I eventually threw down the pen and leaned back against the chair.
Actually, my head was quite complicated because of Samuel, who suddenly confessed his incomprehensible selfish motives to me.
Before, he looked at me with pity—was this born from that sympathy?
'Selfishness......'
Did I perhaps gain some kind of devilish charm after being resurrected?
It was an embarrassing hypothesis, but it sounded plausible.
First, there are the Durahans clinging to me blindly, Prince Heinri, Maxel suddenly changing his attitude, and Roam going on about beloved daughter and whatnot......
"......Even I don't understand, that's going too far with these insane thoughts."
Even I thought this wasn't right.
It would be more persuasive to think Samuel has gone mad instead. Or perhaps he's trying to win my favor so he can drag me to the temple later without resistance.
I shook my head vigorously to dispel the wild thoughts. I had no time to waste on nonsensical imaginings.
"It would be more efficient to walk around and clear my head instead."
Perhaps because the festival period was nearing its end, the outside was very noisy and loud. There would be plenty to see, so if I looked around, my complicated thoughts would disappear.
I glanced out the window and extended my bracelet.
"Palides, summon."
One jewel sparkled prominently, and soon a magic circle was drawn semitransparently on the floor.
Palides, summoned in the form of a human in armor, stood awkwardly even after being summoned and looked at me.
I thought she would naturally jump for joy at being called again, but contrary to expectations, her reaction was too passive.
"Palides?"
"C, Captain. You really called for me, right?"
"Yes. I called, so you appeared."
When I nodded, Palides grabbed her helmet with both hands. Then she burst into tears and mumbled.
"Waaah......! I thought you'd never call me again......!"
"Never call?"
"You were so angry! We're so incompetent and keep causing accidents......"
It's fortunate they know their own condition.
"You said you'd protect me."
"That's right!"
"So I called you."
"Can I really protect you, Captain?"
"Who else would I ask but you?"
Learning that only she among the three was summoned, Palides was moved and repeatedly vowed that she would absolutely not cause any accidents this time.
Actually, I summoned her because Palides, who transforms into a human, was most convenient for openly assigning guard duty in the city, but......
Seeing her so happy, I didn't want to needlessly break her emotion.
"I'm planning to look around the city a bit. I want you to guard me."
"Yes, yes! I'll do it! I'll guard without any problems! I won't let anyone touch even a fingertip of yours, Captain!"
Palides, filled with enthusiasm, clenched her fists. With her, it seemed like she really could prevent anyone from touching even a fingertip of me.
I nodded to her and prepared to go out, and Palides earnestly vowed.
"I'll protect you, Captain! I swear!"
I was checking my coin purse when I involuntarily stopped my actions. Strangely, the moment I heard those words, what came to mind was Arin Tosen.
「I pledge my heart to the glorious sword bestowed by the young lady. I, Arin Tosen, will protect the young lady's pride and honor with this sword.」
It was Arin Tosen, who knelt and swore to me on the day I chose my knight.
「My entire life will prove the covenant of this noble oath.」
The oath recited beneath a grand altar, in a grand uniform, under a splendid investiture ceremony, was filled with all sorts of magnificent修饰 words.
I now know how hollow a knight's oath is. A verbal oath guarantees nothing. It's all nothing more than a vain ceremony.
"Just trust me, Captain!"
But Palides's utterly thoughtless vow sounded more sincere than those noble phrases back then.
I looked at Palides with strange eyes, then left the room first without answering. Palides followed me with excited steps.
I focused quietly on the presence felt behind me, then suddenly opened my lips.
"Palides, about the Captain in your memory."
"Yes? Yes."
Did you also vow to protect that Captain with such wholeheartedness? Did you make a true knight's oath to that Captain?
"......It's nothing. Let's go."
The question ultimately remained unasked.
* * *
The streets were crowded with people trying to enjoy the last of the harvest festival.
Kes was a transportation hub with a Warp Gate installed, so it normally had a large floating population. Perhaps because of that, the festival looked especially splendid.
Even though it was an outing simply to clear my head, there was more to see than I expected, so I went around properly viewing the festival.
I had hardly enjoyed festival streets even in the capital, so this was essentially my first viewing in my life.
I had roughly heard rumors about how commoners played, but seeing it with my own eyes was fascinating.
And so, I was now intently watching an outdoor circus taking place in the middle of the street.
"My goodness, is that man's mouth okay?"
Watching a man stuff a blazing fireball into his mouth made my own mouth feel hot. I covered my mouth without realizing it.
White smoke rose from the man's mouth. The man who had eaten fire responded to the thunderous applause by spreading his arms exaggeratedly in greeting. Then another man started juggling with burning balls.
Throwing them incredibly high and catching them stably was so mysterious that I stared at the air with wide eyes.
I was absorbed in the burning balls like that when I felt a poke at my side.
"Ah, I'm sorry!"
It was a small child I thought would barely reach my waist. The child quickly apologized and turned away. However, their arm was caught by Palides and they failed.
"Argh!"
The child screamed loudly, but Palides paid no mind and snatched the pouch from the child's hand.
"What should we do with this pickpocket, Captain?"
The sudden pickpocket wasn't particularly surprising.
During a festival period in a city with this many people, tourists naturally increase.
People who will stay for a few days at most and return are unfamiliar with local circumstances, making them easy targets for petty criminals.
I first moved away from the crowd. Palides also followed me while holding the child's arm.
"Ugh! It hurts! Please let go!"
"You covet others' pouches but can't endure even this?"
At Palides's words, the child glared viciously. People around began to look this way one by one. Noticing this, the child suddenly burst into tears and shouted.
"Help! This ajumma is bullying me!"
"What? Ajumma?"
Flustered, Palides tried to lift the child, but a passerby intervened.
"The child is in pain."
"This child is a pickpocket!"
"My sibling is starving at home! My sibling is very sick!"
The child started crying even louder. Thanks to that, more and more attention gathered.
"Can't even give charity."
"How desperate must they be?"
Some people clicked their tongues insensitively as they passed, while others stopped to defend the child righteously.
The voices taking the child's side out of pity were initially just meddling, but as their numbers grew, they became more triumphant.
Even a quick glance told me they were tourists enjoying the festival. Meaning they were people who would leave anyway.
Whatever the child's circumstances, whether what the child said was true or not, they had no particular interest or concern.
"Looking wealthy in armor, rich people making it worse."
The child, having gained the surrounding people's sympathy with weak sobbing, looked at me with tear-filled eyes. Palides was flustered but waiting for my command.
"Palides, let go."
When Palides released her hand, the child held the arm that had been caught and hunched their shoulders. At the sight of the child apparently dislocating their arm and sobbing, the onlookers clicked their tongues.
"Tsk, poor thing."
Someone shouted that I should at least pay for treatment. The child looked even more tearful and whimpered, and at that sight, people offered words of comfort one after another.
They said things like hoping the sibling recovers, or not to starve.
"Palides, call the guards."
"What?"
"We need to hand this one over."
At my indifferent words, the child's eyes went wide. Palides said she understood and quickly turned, and I grabbed the back of the child's neck to prevent escape.
While firmly gripping the nape of the child struggling belatedly to escape, I heard someone mutter toward me that I was heartless and cold. He seemed to think I couldn't hear him.
"There."
"What, what...... Are you talking about me?"
The man I pointed out looked flustered as he looked at me. Looking straight at him, I spoke coldly.
"If you want to give charity, do it with your own money."
"W, what did you say?"
"If you feel sorry, take care of them with your money. Don't force your sympathy on me."
The man's face turned beet red. After coughing loudly, he pointed his finger at me.
"Did I say anything wrong?"
"I'm the victim, and this one is a pickpocket who failed to rob my pouch. What's wrong with handing a criminal over to the guards?"
"Shouldn't you at least think about why they did it? The sibling is sick!"
"Do you know this kid?"
"What?"
"I'm asking if you know this kid. Whether there really is a sibling, whether they're really starving."