The Perfect Knight and the Illusionist (BL)
Chapter 30: Protect Skylark

Chapter 30: Protect Skylark

LEO

Marius was up to something. Briant, Dimitri, and Thomas had fallen asleep on the carriage ride back home, but Marius, Alexis, and I were awake. I was doing my best just to look out of the window, where the streets were surprisingly still busy considering it was well past nine o’clock already. Alexis was chatting with Marius, but somehow, I felt like Mario Boy was showing a lot more interest in Alexis than usual.

"So what made you want to become a Royal Knight?" Marius asked Alexis.

"Oh...that..."

Somehow, Alexis seemed a little hesitant to answer.

"No pressure to answer, Alexis. I was just curious because for me, it’s never really been a choice," Marius said, wistfully looking outside the window. That was a little unfitting of him, I thought.

"But, but—you are the perfect fit to be a Royal Knight, Marius. Someone with unmatched patriotism, discipline, a sense of honor, and..."

"It’s okay, Alexis. You do not need to praise me like that all the time, haha. I just wanted to learn more about you," Marius said.

"If... if you say so," Alexis said a little sheepishly, then after a pause, he continued.

"You know, actually, I used to be rather weak."

Marius said nothing and just kept his sympathetic eyes on Alexis.

"Briant wasn’t that big or strong, but he’d always been skilful. Dimitri, well, was always Dimitri. I was the weak one who always lagged behind when we played as children. Then Dimitri suggested we join the local guild to train in swordsmanship, saying it was going to be a blast. I wasn’t too keen on it, but then Briant was really up for it as well."

"I would have never imagined you as weak, Alexis. And you definitely are not weak now."

"Thanks, hah... but once I started training, it was obvious that I lacked everything: fitness, speed, strength... but I realized it was fun training together with friends. So I worked hard, staying behind for extra training... and all that. Oh, man—sorry, I just realized I blabbered so much."

"Not at all. Thank you for telling me. I really admire your hard work. I... have trained with a lot of talented young men over the years, but you know what?"

"What?"

"No talent can beat hard work."

Alexis thought about it for a second, and said with a bow,

"Thank you, Marius. I will always remember that."

"My pleasure."

And after that, Mario turned to look at me, which made me feel nervous. I wasn’t too good with being questioned like this, and what the heck was I going to say when he asked me the same question? I wasn’t supposed to talk about the traveler, and my motivation for joining the Royal Knights Academy was to earn good pay after graduation, to help Mom and Dad.

Mario kept his eyes on me for a while, and then there was a weird moment of hesitation, and then he finally spoke,

"Leo."

With my own name ringing in my ears (which felt weird), I closed my eyes.

"Leo?" Alexis called my name this time.

"I’m sleeping," I said, without thinking.

"But you are talking," Alexis said, pointing out my mistake.

I had to double down.

"I am pretending to be awake."

"Wait...what?"

Alexis sounded puzzled.

"I sometimes talk when I sleep. Mom told me that. But I’m actually sleeping right now and can’t answer any questions. I’m sorry."

"What the heck...haha," Alexis said, and both he and Mario laughed.

I thought about what I just said, and I couldn’t help but laugh at my own silliness too.

"Now you are sleeping and laughing," Alexis quipped.

"Fine, go ahead. What did you want to ask?"

I gave up, opened my eyes, and asked Mario.

I thought I’d just tell him the truth. If it was okay for Alexis to join the Academy because he wanted to be strong and have fun with his friends, I figured I shouldn’t be embarrassed about wanting to do something for Mom and Dad.

"Just the same thing, really. I’m just curious what brought all of us—I mean everyone here—together," Marius said.

"I... just wanted to help Mom and Dad," I said.

"How does becoming a Royal Knight help your parents?" Alexis asked this time, sounding genuinely curious.

"You know... if I become a Royal Knight, I could...er...earn lots of money**,** right? My family isn’t exactly rich... to say the least. Mom and Dad can’t work forever. I just wanted to let them have a comfortable life."

"Oh dear, Leo, money is not a noble reason to become a Royal Knight!" Alexis exclaimed, which immediately made me feel ashamed of myself.

"I’m sorry... I will get back to sleep," I said and closed my eyes.

"Let’s not be so harsh, Alexis. Filiality is a noble trait. It means Skylark has a good character," Marius said in my defense.

"Thank you," I mumbled with my eyes still closed.

"I suppose... I’m sorry about what I said, Leo," Alexis apologized.

"It’s okay," I said, still "sleeping."

And then, the carriage came to a sudden halt, which made me fly from my seat and land right on Mario.

"Ouch...I’m sorry," I said, rubbing my nose, which must have collided with some bone and hurt like hell.

Marius said nothing, and asked the coachman at the front through a little window,

"What is it?"

"Young master, we are surrounded."

"By who?"

"It seems like they are bandits. They have their weapons drawn and are wearing masks."

"Bandits?! In the city?" Marius asked, visibly shocked.

My legs started to tremble. In the South, bandits were common, but mostly on the road and far from the village. Although we had no trained soldiers, our fathers, uncles, and even mothers and aunts would fight tooth and nail to protect the village. We were never an easy target. But to be robbed in the middle of the city like this...

"Wake up, everyone," Marius said, his voice commanding.

"Eh...? Are we there already?" Thomas asked, rubbing his eyes.

Briant woke up after Thomas, but Dimitri needed a firm shake to stop snoring and wake up with a big yawn.

"We are surrounded by bandits," Alexis informed them.

"Bandits?" Briant’s eyes turned sharp.

"Francis, you stay and be ready to get out with the guests."

"But, master—"

"It’s an order. How many of them are out there?"

"I see six, but there must be more that I cannot see. Master, I don’t think—"

"Do as I say. And Briant, Thomas, Alexis. There are swords below the seat. Get ready and we will jump out after my count of three. Thomas, you come with me through the left door, Alexis and Briant go out from the right."

"What about me?" Dimitri asked, already picking up a sword from a compartment below our seats.

"You stay in the carriage and protect Skylark."

"But Marius—" Dimitri tried to protest, but Marius cut him short and said,

"Please. Bring Skylark somewhere safe first and then think about what to do next."

Dimitri said nothing more and just nodded in confirmation, his jaw clenched tight.

I hated it.

I hated that I was so helpless.

But I was too scared to say anything.