Vote for Your Knight! - Chapter 67

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Vote for your knight!
67
“Then shall we hear how the second-place finisher feels?”
Edith smiled and spoke.
Kusto’s dazed expression suddenly went pale.
“What…… feelings? Second place?”
“Yes. Why do you sound like you’re hearing it for the first time?”
Edith asked with amusement, and Kusto’s face flushed red.
“I never expected to rank so high.”
“The standings have been announced daily—you really didn’t know?”
“No. I never imagined so many people would support me like this…… I was only thinking that even if people disliked me, I’d just keep working hard. But for you all to care for me this way……”
Kusto’s lips trembled as emotion welled up inside him.
Though he’d held a high rank all along, he reacted with genuine astonishment, as if hearing the news for the first time.
It was a moment that moved everyone watching.
“I’ll work harder and more confidently than ever to live up to your support!”
Kusto raised his right arm high and shouted.
His Slave Mark caught the light and gleamed like a beautiful tattoo.
Joan, Kusto, and David.
The three of them ascended to first, second, and third place respectively.
“Congratulations, Kusto. I’m glad we’ll keep going together. I……”
“Kustooooo!”
Joan was about to speak when—
Pavel came running and threw his arms around Kusto.
“Congratulations! Second place—that’s incredible! Let’s keep surviving together!”
“Of course. Even if we die, we die together. We won’t be separated no matter what. We’ll survive somehow.”
“Shouldn’t you say it the other way around? Humans surviving comes first!”
Pavel wiped his tears on Kusto’s shirt as he spoke.
“The announcement of rankings has concluded!”
Edith called out.
“Both the surviving knights and the eliminated ones—you’ve all done well. And above all……!”
At Edith’s words, all the knights rose from their seats.
And they cried out in unison:
“Your Majesties the Imperial Order Commanders, thank you for your guidance!”
* * *
After the ranking announcement ended.
A notice appeared on the screen.
The twenty-four survivors must assemble at the Training Ground immediately!
It seemed the 5th Evaluation would begin at once.
Upon arriving at the Training Ground, Valkyria was already there waiting.
Princess Edith was not present.
Behind Valkyria, a rope-climbing apparatus had been installed.
There were four ropes attached to the pillars.
Amont spoke.
“Take a close look at the very top of the rope.”
At his words, all the knights looked upward.
A large banner was posted there.
Shovel.
Harpoon.
Sword.
Bow.
Mostly weapons.
The problem was—
“What’s a shovel for?”
“What are we supposed to do with a harpoon?”
“It’s all over the place.”
“This doesn’t look like a mock battle.”
They couldn’t discern the purpose of the given tools.
Amont gave his command quickly, before the knights could puzzle it out.
“Form ranks at the ropes from where you’re standing now!”
The knights swiftly lined up at the ropes.
It appeared they would compete in this random order.
Ines explained the rules.
“What you choose is entirely up to you. If you fall before reaching the end of a rope, you cannot climb that rope again.”
Pavel leaned over and whispered to Deni.
“What are you going to choose?”
“That’s a secret.”
Pavel pushed out his lips and then broke into a smile.
“Mine’s a secret too.”
…….
“We’re in sync.”
The competition began with the first rope.
The distance to the rope was quite considerable.
So the runners began by burning roughly half their stamina in the race.
This meant that whoever arrived first didn’t necessarily succeed at the rope-walking first.
Pierre on the first rope examined the papers with the weapons written on them carefully.
‘I think I understand what this mission is about.’
If that was the case, this was an opportunity.
‘This time I need to end up on the same team as David.’
Even though he could easily have chosen the sword, he deliberately picked the Harpoon.
David would certainly choose the sword.
Given his character, he would choose the Harpoon over wielding the same sword.
Next came Kusto and Olivier’s turn at the rope.
Most of the knights preferred the sword and bow above all.
Next came the Harpoon.
The spade was chosen reluctantly, either by knights who failed at rope-walking or by whoever was left at the end.
‘Hmm…….’
Kusto combined the objects in his mind.
‘If all those items are needed in one place…….’
He nodded to himself.
“Go!”
That was when Mila shouted.
Kusto, Olivier, and two other knights took off quickly.
Kusto could have run the fastest, but he deliberately held back his pace.
‘I need to conserve my strength so I can give everything when I climb the rope.’
The knight who arrived first at the rope, drawing on every ounce of remaining strength, immediately began climbing the sword rope.
But before long, his arms gave out and he slid down with a slip.
Kusto, who arrived at a leisurely pace, chose the Harpoon.
His purpose was different from Pierre’s.
“What, why the Harpoon?”
“When you could easily have chosen the sword.”
“Ever since he picked ‘hunting dog’ I haven’t understood his choices, I’m telling you.”
The murmuring of other knights could be heard.
Kusto laughed softly and turned to look back.
Olivier kept slipping off the rope repeatedly.
‘That one will definitely end up with the spade.’
That was fortunate.
* * *
All twenty-four had finished selecting their weapons (?).
All the knights who got stuck with the spade looked miserable.
All except Olivier.
‘I think this is probably that thing.’
Olivier recalled the books he’d seen in the Academy Library.
He could get a hint from there.
‘Not a bad choice.’
It felt like the heavens were helping him.
Olivier also examined the weapons the other knights had chosen.
Kusto had the Harpoon.
‘Not bad. That’ll be useful.’
David had the sword.
‘Suits him. But he’ll have a rough time with it.’
Killian chose a sword.
‘A mercenary’s pragmatism—he’s learned to embrace hardship.’
Pavel selected a bow.
Rafael took a shovel.
‘As expected, then.’
Deni picked a harpoon.
‘True to his fisherman’s roots—he went with instinct.’
Morris chose a bow.
Pierre took a harpoon.
Dmitri selected a bow.
Everyone had chosen their weapons, yet they stood bewildered, unsure what came next.
Mila laughed delightedly, her voice bright with amusement.
“What excellent weapons you’ve all picked! Now the four fastest climbers will become Team Leaders and select five members each!”
“I—”
Someone’s hand shot up.
Mila glanced over as he spoke.
“Forgive me, but what’s the mission for this evaluation? It seems strange to form teams without knowing the task itself.”
“That’s precisely what makes this evaluation interesting—it’s a mystery.”
Mila answered with a bright smile.
“All right then, we’ll go in order of speed. Team Leaders, choose your members. First up… Killian Gruci!”
Killian had won the rope-climbing round through sheer arm strength.
He’d chosen a sword as his weapon.
He paused, considering carefully, then spoke.
“I select Pavel Shurb.”
Pavel had chosen the bow.
Next came David, who’d placed second.
He glanced at someone and grinned wickedly.
“I select the one who chose the harpoon—Kusto.”
Joan and Christian Ron made their picks in turn.
And so the teams were formed.
Killian Gruci’s Team (Sword)
Pavel Shurb (Bow)
Dmitri Kassel (Bow)
Deni Binoshu (Harpoon)
Antre Mashu (Shovel)
Rafael Lorang (Shovel)
David Bertiaux’s Team (Sword)
Kusto (Harpoon)
Pierre Simon (Harpoon)
Morris Arno (Bow)
Clover Rid (Shovel)
Olivier Mortie (Shovel)
Joan Zinola’s Team (Sword)
Chris Olti (Sword)
Arsen Tan (Sword)
Travis Zicon (Bow)
Paul Vedeta (Harpoon)
Jackson Danu (Harpoon)
Christian Ron’s Team (Sword)
Grimal Baldo (Bow)
Biang Olson (Bow)
Larie Cruz (Harpoon)
Hasen Yut (Shovel)
Noah Big (Shovel)
Amont spoke up.
“Everyone’s confirmed their team assignments? The hour’s grown late, so you’ll spend the night here at the Dormitory.”
“Of course, teammates will share rooms. And don’t worry—we’re providing dinner! It’s like a proper camp, yes?”
Mila announced this with evident delight.
After the meal, when they entered the Dormitory room, they noticed a Recording Device cleverly concealed in the corner.
Killian, the first to spot it, narrowed his eyes sharply.
“He’s probably up to something even in the Dormitory.”
“It’s not rest—looks like he’s still on a mission.”
Pavel spoke softly, almost to himself.
Deni sprawled across a bed without bothering to acknowledge him, as though he couldn’t care less.
“But why’d you pick us? Did you know what kind of mission this was going to be?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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