In the Name of Chivalry V

Come on! Show your fangs and claws, you monsters! A knight of justice and righteousness will never back down!

Wait... No way, they're too fast...

(Looks like someone's in trouble nearby... I'd better go check it out.)

Phew! Thank you so much! Without your help, I'd have been in real trouble!

I'm Faro from Egla Town, by the way. I'm training to become a knight. How should I address you, hero?

The Roving Knight…?!

No wonder you fought with such skills! So you really are a knight. I thought knights... no longer existed.

It's truly an honor to meet you! Actually, I've been searching for someone skilled in combat.

I know this is a sudden request, but could you be my mentor and train me for a while? I want to be stronger, a knight who can protect others.

Well, it's a long story. When I was little, I got lost in the wild and ran into some scary Tacet Discords at night. Just when I thought I was done for, someone showed up with a sword and saved me.

I can't remember his face or voice, but I still vividly recall his figure—a knight shielding the weak from danger.

That moment inspired me. I want to be a "shield," not a coward who trembles at the sight of Tacet Discords.

I know. It may be hard to tell, but I'm also a Resonator.

(Though very subtle, you do sense a hint of Resonance power in him.)

Please, will you be my mentor and guide me?

Thank you. Ouch, seems like I twisted my arm while fighting those monsters…

No problem! A good sleep will fix me right up.

Thank you for saving me again. I was so close to being overwhelmed by those monsters.

But if I stay in safe places, my dream will slip away from me.

A-and my efforts aren't in vain! I can feel myself getting more familiar with their fighting styles.

I know. Just the thought of a future like that sends shivers down my spine and makes my legs tremble when I face those monsters.

But think of the knight who ventured deep into Whisperwind Haven and faced the Giant alone. He must have encountered something far worse.

Even in the darkest moments, he endured until the end. I wish to follow his example.

Do you remember the favor I asked before? Will you train me this time?

That's great! You finally agreed! Thank you! Ouch, seems like I twisted my ankle in the last fight.

No problem! A good sleep will fix me right up.

So, today's training's about breaking rocks? I remember I once heard from a Pioneer Association member that…

Breaking rocks with your chest is quite popular somewhere outside of Rinascita.

Haha, you're right. It's impossible for an ordinary person to do that!

Alright, chit-chat's over. Today, we simply focus on fundamental strength training. We'll be shattering the rocks with our weapons.

Just like how you got the Sword in the Rock? I'm ready. We can start any time!

Understood! I'll watch and learn carefully!

What? A Tacet Discord in the stone?!

Looks like today's strength training just turned into a real combat session.

Oops… No...

Sorry, I messed up again. I didn't help at all and just had you protect me once more…

Yeah, just a few bruises. A good rest will heal them.

I need to practice more. I couldn't even catch your moves!

Just give me a little more time, and I'll prove myself to you!

Wow! That was so smooth! A solid rock like this crumbled like a crispy cookie under your strike!

Understood! I'll work hard and become a master of rock breaking!

So, today's training's about breaking rocks? I remember I once heard from a Pioneer Association member that…

Breaking rocks with your chest is quite popular somewhere outside of Rinascita.

Haha, you're right. It's impossible for an ordinary person to do that!

Alright, chit-chat's over. Today, we simply focus on fundamental strength training. We'll be shattering the rocks with our weapons.

Just like how you got the Sword in the Rock? I'm ready. We can start any time!

Understood! I'll watch and learn carefully!

So… I… I actually did it? I defeated it?!

This is my first time defeating a Tacet Discord! My very first step forward!

But the Sword in the Rock you gave me is broken now…

I'll keep it as a memento. By the way, do you have any feedback on my performance in that battle?

Absolutely! Enlighten me!

Your backhand is weak! So is your forehand! Your legs too! And your reactions! You've got a lot to learn.

O-okay! I'll practice harder! I promise!

HELP!!! IS ANYONE OUT THERE? CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME? PLEASE, HELP!!!

That voice sounds familiar… Could it be…?

Phew! I'm finally out! I thought I'd be stuck in that dark cave forever!

Well, I wanted to find a proper weapon before the official training started.

I heard that the Mad Knight's sword was hidden around here, so I came to look for it.

And there it was! Just like the legends said, stuck in a rock!

That's right! But no matter how hard I pulled, it wouldn't budge.

I must've spent ages trying! Then suddenly, I heard rumbling and loud crashes from outside. Before I knew it, I was trapped by falling rocks.

Maybe you are the one that can really pull it out…

Legend says this Sword in the Rock chooses its owner, and only those with true courage and integrity can wield it.

The stage is yours now. Oh, I can almost hear it whispering to me—"You don't have the right, O you don't have the right."

Congratulations on retrieving the long-lost Sword in the Rock! I never expected you could just break the rock to get it…

Well, after all those years, I guess it's a bit weathered…

But look at its blade! It's so slender, and it definitely has a unique texture compared to an ordinary sword.

How could that be? It is… Well, fine, it's just a piece of pipe.

Maybe some prankster decided to follow the legend and stuck it in that rock?

*Sigh* I'm becoming more gullible. I once searched for the Sword in the Rock with Carlow for ages, but we found nothing…

All these mysteries of knighthood... who knows which is real and which is not? I just didn't want to dig deeper and end up disappointed…

…Yes? Are you calling me?

Can you swear to this sword that from now on, you will only fight for justice and righteousness, and help those in need?

Absolutely! I, Faro, swear to this sword that I will only fight for justice and righteousness from now on.

Good, then this Sword in the Rock belongs to you now.

But it's just a piece of pipe…

You're right. When I was a child, I used to play knight with a stick.

Whether it's a weathered pipe or a magnificent sword, a knight's responsibilities remain the same.

Thank you. This looks sturdy and should last quite a while.

Phew! Thank you for your help. Otherwise, I might've gotten myself into trouble again.

I was just overstretching myself… I know I'm not yet capable of protecting others.

Just facing Tacet Discords at this level was already overwhelming for me.

I swore during the "Sword Bestowment Ceremony" to lend a hand to those in need.

Just like the knights in the legends. Even when they knew the battlefield held more than just victory and glory, they marched on without regret.

Ahem, it's all thanks to your guidance. Without you, my dream of becoming a knight could've ended long ago.

I've learned so much from you again. I never expected someone to take down Tacet Discords so quickly.

I've just accumulated… a bit of experience in taking hits. If a tougher Tacet Discord had shown up earlier, I might not have been able to handle it.

Where?! Oh, that's no fun.

Oh, dear Imperator, I'll always remember that knight's bravery…

Indeed. On that fateful day, I ran into a fierce Tacet Discord outside the town. A brave young man rushed to help me, fighting the monster with something like a pitchfork.

Once we were safe, I asked for his name, and he told me that he was the squire of that "Roving Knight who wanders between the realms of day and night."

It appears that knights still exist in this era…

Is that so? He left in such a hurry, and all I could do was watch him go.

This brief encounter brought comfort to my broken heart. Perhaps our paths will cross again someday?

I'm ready, so what do we have for today's training?

Oh… Haha, how did you know that?

I'm sorry for doing that without asking. It's just that your guidance has brought me closer to my dream.

Just as the tales of knights inspired me, I hoped that by spreading the name of the Roving Knight, others might also find motivation.

People would see that knights who uphold justice and righteousness are still active, in Whisperwind Haven and even in other places in Rinascita, not lost to time.

I will! But there's still so much to learn, so I hope you'll keep training me!

Oh, dear Imperator, I'll always remember that knight's bravery…

Indeed. On that fateful day, I ran into a fierce Tacet Discord outside the town. A brave young man rushed to help me, fighting the monster with something like a pitchfork.

Once we were safe, I asked for his name, and he told me that he was just a nameless knight who happened to pass by.

It appears that knights still exist in this era…

Is that so? He left in such a hurry, and all I could do was watch him go.

This brief encounter brought comfort to my broken heart. Perhaps our paths will cross again someday?

I'm ready, so what do we have for today's training?

Oh… Haha, how did you know that was me?

I was on my way to help with some farm work when I heard someone calling for help. So I grabbed my tool and rushed to assist.

Well… I thought names weren't as important. What truly matters is that the deeds of knights are passed down by people.

Besides, I'm far from being worthy of a knight's title… So I really hope you'll continue to guide me in my training.

Phew, I'm really glad you were here. Dealing with those Tacet Discords alone is still a bit much for me.

Don't worry! I'll immediately run away if things get too tough. I just wanted to buy some time for those passersby.

Seems like I'm not that afraid of those monsters anymore, but I still need the strength to protect others.

Wait! You mean now?

Phew… You're here. I managed to defeat those Tacet Discords, and the people were only a little shaken.

Oh no, I may have used too much force and broken my weapon again. It took me quite a while to find one as suitable as that.

You're right. What matters most is the chivalrous spirit of protecting others, right?

I will keep moving forward, following in your footsteps.

Knight stories, traditional cuisines, and Night Reveries… My hometown is rich with these relics of the past.

No wonder so many kids there dream of becoming knights.

That's because I have the best mentor.

Hahaha, knights never lie.