Chapter 5
Thus, this plump butler represents that esteemed Lord Victoria, who is indeed a formidable individual. It is Lord Victoria who has summoned this portly gentleman before me, with the intention of making me a knight apprentice
Hmph! The plump butler clearly displayed an expression of anger on his face. Could it be that the Lord God is asleep today? How is it possible to encounter so many audacious commoners who disregard the butler's words right here on the ground of Keluobao? He turned his face towards the registration officials standing behind the table, placed his hands on his hips, and shouted loudly, "Who is in charge here? Step forward and speak with me!"
The plump butler squinted his small eyes, and along the way, he could already imagine the appearance of that naughty boy with his skin torn and flesh exposed!
It's no joke; what is being held tightly now is not just young Master Link's hand, but rather the very life of the plump butler!
So how could he dare to show even the slightest disrespect to this portly steward? This Lady Victoria has a reputation in the noble circles of the Kansa Province as a bloodthirsty demon who would draw her sword and strike at the slightest provocation!
As he watched that dead kid unable to catch up, he immediately followed the charioteer, driving the carriage that was missing a horse, to report to their Lord Victoria. Along the way, he had already prepared his speech, intending to thoroughly describe to Lord Victoria just how ungrateful that bad kid was. Not only did he refuse to accept Lord Victoria's good intentions, but he also shamelessly used deceitful tricks to humiliate himself, the most loyal servant representing Lord Victoria.
Indeed, we were driven out by them; they did not allow us to register!" said the tall young man, Kamila, who chimed in from the side.
In his memory, ever since the son of a noble from the Kansa Province made a joke regarding the honor of knights in front of Lord Victoria and subsequently had half of his arm severed in a duel, no one within the entire Kansa Province has dared to disrespect Lord Victoria to his face again. Moreover, this is merely on the small grounds of Koloburg.
The plump steward has been by Lady Victoria's side for many years. He is well aware of Lady Victoria's personality, so if a task is not accomplished, when she says to chop off two feet, she will certainly not settle for just one. Moreover, the fact that he had to roll back using his belly means that it is impossible for him to crawl back using both hands
In this small place, encountering a knight of such caliber is indeed surprising. The bald registration officer could easily deduce that this plump steward is likely connected to that Lord Victoria, the deputy commander of the Third Border Army, who has been stationed at Kolo Fortress for an extended period.
Thus, he immediately adjusted his attitude in front of the young Master Link. Now, the way he smiled at him was even more respectful than when he faced his Lord Victoria!
Oh! Link noncommittally nodded, which brought joy to the plump steward and the bald registrar. However, before smiles could bloom on their faces, Link spoke again
Thus, after the plump steward scrambled up from the ground, he dashed out through the main door with an agility that was entirely incongruous with his physique. He called upon the coachman, who had re-harnessed the horses, and recklessly barreled through, unaware of how many things he knocked over, making his way directly to the registration place for the knight apprentice.
He has been rolling around in the small noble circles for so many years, and his eyes are quite shrewd. Although the carriage was kept outside the crowd, he has not yet had the chance to clearly see the obvious markings on it, so he still does not understand the identity of this plump steward. However, just from the steward's attire and manner of speaking, it is evident that this fellow in front of him, who dares to speak with such confidence, is certainly not the type to be shouting madly.
After all, what does slapping oneself in the face matter compared to going to meet the deity in advance? Even if it means having this bald registrar lick up the saliva he spat out, he would do so without hesitation
I want to become a knight apprentice, but they won't accept me!" Link looked at the chubby butler with some confusion, unable to understand why he couldn't become a knight apprentice, while this plump uncle seemed even more anxious than he was.
In fact, this plump butler has followed Lord Victoria for many years and is accustomed to giving orders. Thus, when he raised his voice in such a commanding manner, it naturally carried a sense of authority. However, the issue is that his expression changed rather too quickly this time.
Oh, you... oh, no, my lord," the bald registration officer exclaimed in surprise upon recognizing the badge. He quickly straightened up, pressed his left hand against his right shoulder, and performed a knightly salute to the portly steward: "I, Aikas, the accompanying priest of the Kansa Provincial Direct Knight Order, pay my respects to you, my lord
"Not accepting? How is that possible?" The plump steward, upon hearing Link's words, seemed to have softened a bit. He couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, turned around, and faced the registration officials, puffing out his chest and loudly exclaimed: "What is going on here? Who dares to say that this young master will not be accepted as a knight apprentice?"
The bald-headed registrar, serving as a cleric within the knightly order, is merely a mid-level lower knight, significantly two ranks lower than the plump steward who holds the title of mid-level higher knight
"No! No!" The plump butler waved his chubby hand as if it had been burned by a horse's reins, while his other hand firmly grasped Link. "Young Master Link, you cannot leave! Aren't you going to sign up to be a knight apprentice? How can you just walk away like this?"
Hmm? ! '' The fat butler's eyes widened: `` To tell you the truth, this is Lady Victoria's intention! Do you still dare not to act? ''
In the knightly order prevalent in the Bavarian Empire and indeed across the entire continent, an ordinary person must first pass the selection process to become a knight apprentice. After undergoing training as a knight apprentice, they can be recognized by the commander of a knightly order at the provincial level or above, thus becoming a squire. Only then can they be considered to have entered the ranks of knighthood
However, after all, on the way here just now, that plump butler had already briefed him on the general situation, so after listening for a while, he managed to understand some things.
Nonsense! The plump butler suddenly adopted a stern expression: "Aikas, didn't your knight mentor teach you the etiquette to be observed when meeting a higher-ranking knight?"
Although he still does not know who that Lord Victoria really is, and although he is unaware of why that Lord Victoria wants to help him, knowing these is already sufficient
"This chubby uncle," Link finally recognized who the chubby butler in front of him was, whose face was slightly twisted with anxiety. He couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed as he scratched his head and said, "I apologize for earlier; I mistakenly thought you..."
No! No! I dare not! The bald registration officer quickly shook his head: "I will handle it immediately! I will handle it immediately!"
Go ahead, let them all join, let them become knight apprentices, without losing a piece of their own flesh
He believed that the notoriously hot-tempered Lady Victoria would undoubtedly gather her people without hesitation upon hearing such news, and would teach that troublesome boy a harsh lesson using the most violent means, making it clear that neither Lady Victoria nor her steward could be trifled with
Thus, he is now tightly gripping one of Link's hands with both of his chubby hands, refusing to let go no matter what
The upper-tier knight? At that moment, not only did the bald registration officer stand there in shock, but the members of the knight order also turned their gazes over, and even Link was taken aback.
"This gentleman," the balding registrar approached slowly, bending slightly at the waist in front of the plump steward: "I am Aikas Huesro, the accompanying cleric responsible for the registration and selection of knight apprentices this time. How may I assist you?"
"As long as you don't mind, Uncle Fat," Link said, seeing him smile so happily, and he also smiled with relief. "As long as you don't mind, I'll return this horse to you now. I'm leaving first, but I'll come to visit you again when I have time. This horse of yours is really quite impressive!"
The plump steward proudly took out a badge from his pocket and carefully pinned it to his chest
Although it was quite embarrassing for the bald registrar to have to turn around 180 degrees and place these two boys into the knight apprentice team in front of so many people after the commotion caused by Link and the others, he understood that this was far less serious than going against Lady Victoria's wishes. Thus, he naturally knew what the rational choice was.
Of course, as one of the accompanying priests in the direct knight order of the province, the bald registrar Aikas is usually quite proud. Even knights of higher rank tend to be relatively polite when they see him. However, the situation is different now; he is currently on the ground of Koloburg
Link was initially a bit confused by the exchange between the plump butler and the bald registration officer.
"You can't leave, young Master Link," the plump butler grasped Link's sleeve, as if he were a long-lost orphan reunited with a family member. Regardless of the number of onlookers, he called out in a tone of helplessness, "Aren't you going to sign up as a knight apprentice? Haven't you always wanted to be a knight? How can you just walk away like this?"
No! No! The plump butler quickly nodded and bowed, his chubby face breaking into a beaming smile: "Young Master, you are joking. It is my honor! My honor that you would playfully engage with me!"
However, what he never expected was that when he appeared before Lord Victoria, covered in dust and looking as if he had been robbed by countless thugs and then trampled a hundred times, he could only manage to inform Lord Victoria that the matter had not been accomplished. He had not taken Link to the registration office for knight apprentices, and he had not even had the time to tearfully recount his tragic and humiliating experience before he found himself at a loss for words
He spoke while trying to hand the reins to the plump steward, all the while wanting to withdraw.
Although he still has not figured out the identity of the young master Link before him, he knows that someone who can provoke such a reaction from Lord Victoria must hold a significant status
Since it is like this, Link, with his bright blue eyes, looked at the plump butler and the bald registration officer standing before him, a hint of a mischievous smile appearing on his face: "Hehehe, then it seems we have some fun ahead..."
He was just thoroughly played by Link, not only losing a horse but also receiving a kick from the horse's hoof on his esteemed backside. Given the temperament of the steward, it has been many years since he has endured such indignity
Just when we were still some distance away from the registration point, our poor steward heard that detestable little rascal—oh no! It was the dear young master Link's unforgettable voice calling out loudly, and the content of his speech seemed to indicate that he did not wish to enroll as a knight apprentice this year. This frightened the stout steward so much that his heart has yet to return to his chest.
Oh, you... please come over as well! The bald registration officer noticed that Link was not making any move, while the tall young man standing next to Link, Kamira, was staring at him with wide eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he ultimately made a concession to Kamira as well.
Just a moment ago, he was tearfully holding the hand of a half-grown child, desperately pleading with him not to leave. In the blink of an eye, he turned around and displayed such an air of superiority and arrogance that it was impossible for them not to find it ridiculous. Some of the newly registered squire apprentices couldn't help but laugh out loud!
Oh, for someone as kind as oneself, it would suffice to whip that bad boy three or four times, and I believe that would be enough to vent this resentment completely
"And me, and..." The tall young man, Kermila, observed the unexpectedly dramatic turn of events. The plump butler had not mentioned him, and he hurriedly intended to remind the seemingly capable stout uncle before him not to forget to take him along. However, as soon as he opened his mouth, he was interrupted by Link.
However, Link blinked his blue eyes, his face displaying an innocent expression that made the fat butler and the bald registration officer tremble with fear: "I don't want to sign up for the knight apprentice program right now!"
"Young Master Xiao," the bald registration officer said as he bent down in front of Link, "Your application for the knight apprentice has just been completed. Please follow me this way"
Since the son of the gardener, this tall young man, stood together with this young master whose identity he has been unable to discern until now at a critical moment, he has thus become someone who cannot be offended
Because Lady Victoria personally reached out her hand, grasped his neck, which he could barely find himself, and threw him out the door, then tossed him a remark: "If Link fails to become a knight apprentice this time, you might as well chop off your own two feet and roll back on your belly!"
O Lord above, as long as this humiliating day comes to an end quickly, I will accept not only the son of the gardener but even the grandson of the gardener without hesitation!
He had long heard that the soldiers responsible for maintaining daily security had many methods specifically designed to deal with such troublemakers, and within the Third Border Defense Corps, there were whips as thick as half an arm, which not everyone could withstand
The bald official hesitated for a moment.
The registration officials, as well as the knights and squire apprentices present, who had initially been taken aback by the sudden appearance of the plump butler, were now startled again by the abrupt change in the butler's tone.
Furthermore, above this sequence, there are various classifications such as Junior Knight, Intermediate Knight, Senior Knight, Grand Knight, Bronze Knight, Silver Knight, Gold Knight, and the legendary Paladin. Moreover, within each rank of knights, there are distinctions in their respective strengths, making the hierarchy of the knight order a highly complex matter
After a long and frustrating day, the plump steward finally found a semblance of the elevated feeling he usually held in the respectful gaze of the bald registration officer. He nodded modestly and pointed at Link, saying to the bald registration officer: "This young master wishes to register as a knight apprentice; please assist him promptly with the process"