Chapter 144 Part 1
Chapter 144 Part 1
Translator: “Ashita” Editor: “Weasalopes”
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The rain that pours down for a while absorbs the pollution in the atmosphere and falls all over the surface including my body.
It also fell on the buildings of the Royal Capital and its stone pavings or perhaps even on the carriages and the people.
(What a dirty rain)
I think as I look at the fine dust and sand that has collected at the window frame while the golem carriage shakes.
They will no doubt turn into speckles the color of ocher after they dry.
The carriage I am on proceeds to head North of the Royal Castle and turns into a land belonging to the Knight Order Headquarters.
I gazed at the rustic honey-colored building that was hazy due to the rain while the coachman and the gatekeeper carried out their question and answer session.
(It is plain when compared the image I had of it in my imagination)
The golem carriage I am on was allowed to pass through the gate, it then proceeded to enter the premises.
It stopped at the end of a turnaround path with a shelter over it.
I got off and headed for the entrance.
I am not dressed in my usual civilian clothes. I am dressed in a pilot’s formal uniform with an aiguillette and an epaulet.
It is an important outdoor clothing so I take care not to drench it in the rain.
I then remembered the reason I came here today, making my heart pound.
(I wanted to visit it at least once)
Seeing a humanoid golem that is eighteen meters high is any man’s dream.
I want to see Knights lined up together. I got invited by a gentleman from the Knight Order while I said that on a daily basis.
The sentinel opened the gate; there is a person waiting inside the hall. I then passed by a person I recognize.
The other person also realized it and came closer.
「What are you doing at a place like this?」
That person is a fierce-looking young woman.
Putting both hands on her hips as if she was about to tackle me, her trademark ponytail behind her shakes.
The Knight Order pilot’s insignia at her collar sparkled.
(So you have been formally employed, congratulations)
I congratulated her in my heart.
I do not say it out loud as Ponytail is a very prideful woman.
By becoming a member of the Knight Order, her position has become higher than that of a person like me who is a member of the Knight Order of the Merchant Guild.
I get a headache from her belittling attitude.
(Ohh, so Busty-chan is here as well)
The cannon class giant boobs that have had a late appearance.
Her boobs shake up and down when she sees me.
「Now that is quite polite of you」
I returned a greeting to those boobs.
「Don’t you dare ignore me」
Ponytail frowned as she took a step forward.
I shrugged, seeing as she is still the same.
Just then, the person in question who is responsible for inviting me appeared.
「Thank you for waiting Tauro-san」
A perverted macho who is slightly ugly. He is the holder of the nickname – 『Skewering Whirlwind』 – given by those at the red-light district. His name is Corneal.
After he gave me an amiable smile, his face became stern as he looked at Ponytail.
「Surely you have not done anything impolite to the guest」
Ponytail immediately straightened her back and stood up straight.
I could not suppress my snicker when I looked at her acting like that. Ponytail has finally understood the position she is at.
Corneal is now an A-rank pilot. It can be said that he is in the upper echelon of the Knight Order of the Kingdom.
And I am his friend and his guest. 『The Knight Order of the Merchant Guild of the Kingdom’s Merchant Guild, the Knight Commander, Tauro-sama』
The difference between me and a pilot apprentice that has just been employed is like that of night and day.
「No, she was just kindly offering to show me around」
I looked at Ponytail with one eye as I lied.
Glaring back at me suspiciously, she merely formed a forced smile with one side of her mouth.
That reaction, that has not changed at all since then, made me feel both nostalgic and ecstatic at the same time.
「By the way, I hear that there is a new pilot who was hired, that person must be quite skillful I expect」
Hearing the question I asked with a purpose in mind, Corneal caught my drift and played along.
「Nah, that person is still very much a fledgling. That person has been granted the pilot’s insignia but on the inside, that person is still very much on a level that cannot be called a pilot」
He let out an exaggerated sigh, shrugging as he shook his head.
「My oh my, that is quite harsh」
「Nah that is only the truth. Only the attitude of that person is similar to that of a competent but pretentious Knight Order member. That really is troubling」
「Well, that person managed to be a member of the Knight Order which that person has always looked up to. There is no helping it if that person is somewhat merry」
「How very kind of you」
We then laughed in order to insinuate Ponytail.
Moving only my eyes, I looked at Ponytail to find that she was shaking perhaps due to her heightened emotions.
(Indeed, she does live up to my expectations. It really is worth instigating her)
Instigating her just like this and enjoying it when she is brought all the way up to her limit is the right way to enjoy Ponytail.
However, she has already quit her part-time job at the brothel. It is an extreme let down that I can probably no longer enjoy it.
That is why I decided to conclude things here and let her off.
「Now if you will excuse me」
Ponytail bowed and turned her back toward us.
She then stomped off, her legs shaped like that of a bowleg*. A pair of giant shaking boobs chase after her from behind, jogging in a pigeon-toed** manner.
[*Note: A condition where a person’s legs arches outward. In this context, it is used to show the way she stomps off.]
(The way she carries herself. I wonder what to think of it seeing as she is a young women)
As I was thinking that, I felt a new possibility from her walking in a bowlegged manner in a mini-tight skirt.
(Now is not the time to make my imagination run wild with thoughts about such unexplored territory)
Moving on, I greeted Corneal once again.
「It has been a while. I am glad that you are fine. And congratulations on becoming an A-rank pilot」
Corneal blushed while scratching the back of his head.
While giving his thanks, he commended me for my exploits at the Northern League of Nations.
But the topic quickly changed to the upcoming matter regarding the Empire.
「It is helpful that the Empire has pulled back. I honestly think that the situation was dangerous on a national level」
He then made an unsatisfied expression as he continued speaking.
「However, I don’t know the reason that made them pull back. Did something happen within the Empire」
He is probably probing to see if the Merchant Guild has any idea as to what it might be.
I folded my arms and tilted my head, making a troubled expression, I think for a while.
「I do not know. It seems like our Guild Chief does not have the information as well」
Corneal dropped his shoulders when he heard that answer.
「I see. If that old man does not know, then nothing can be done」
Any insights as to what will happen in the near future cannot be attained if the reason for that is not known.
It seems like Corneal is worried about another invasion within a short span of time. He ponders as he put his hand on his chin.
But he soon returned from his sea of thoughts.
「I apologize. I can’t help but think」
He then turned to face the inside of the hallway and took a step, beckoning me to come over.
「Please follow me. I will guide you to the hangar」
Unlike the Merchant Guild, the Knight Order’s headquarters has a hangar on its own premises.
I came here today as Corneal wanted to show me his new Knight – an A-rank Knight.
At the other end of the long hallway, there is a separate building made of bricks that looks like that of a spinning mill factory.
(As expected of the Knight Order of the Kingdom)
An extremely huge room with a high ceiling crowded with Knights that are lined up neatly.
And there is a pathway in between each Knight like that of corridors in mid-air.
As I am heading deeper in while being captivated by the spectacular view when a golden sparkle caught my eye. When I looked up, I saw a Knight standing upright that looks like it was made out of gold.