The Eldest Daughter Walks Down The Flower Path - Chapter 171

※ Regarding the length of the chapters, you may refer to the translator's note at chapter 1.

Chapter 171

Translator: Yonnee

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‘A mercenary guild…’

Yves did not like the sound of that.

But at the same time, he knew one other thing as well.

In all honesty, Yves wouldn’t be comfortable no matter what Radis says she’d do.

He hated the idea of her joining the White Dragon Knights because of the Geas.

He did not trust the emperor, so he wouldn’t just watch Radis get held by an unbreakable oath.

He’s not partial to the idea of her going to the knightage and out of his reach.

Besides that, he would not be happy either if she’d join the chivalric order of the marquisate.

The Order of the Black Lion was famous—or rather, notorious—for their strict discipline.

Radis would inevitably have to suffer at the training grounds underneath the blazing sun, and just imagining that was already breaking his heart.

‘Being a free mercenary might be better than that.’

But what if Radis would go on to say that she’d like to be part of a mercenary guild and express her desire to join the dirty mercenaries of the southern region?

Even if sand would get thrown right into his eyes, he wouldn’t find it in him to allow it.

Even worse were the famous mercenary guilds of the northern region. He hated them even more.

If she were to enter such a group, Radis would have to spend the rest of her life on the battlefield.

But if she would instead found her own mercenary guild, that was the lesser evil. This would allow her to still be within her reach.

A very peaceful and relaxed mercenary guild didn’t sound all too bad.

With conflicted thoughts going through his mind, Yves looked at Radis and Robert and opened his lips to speak.

“…You’ve already made up your mind, so how can I stop you?”

Watching as Radis’s cheeks turned pink from giddiness while countless stars appeared in her black eyes, Yves sighed heavily.

Then, he turned to Robert.

“Radis is smart and strong, and she’s a swordsmanship prodigy, but she still needs someone to support her. My worries would perhaps be relieved if there is an official knight around her.”

At the unexpected request, Robert’s brows became furrowed.

“You’re saying… that you wish to ordain me as a knight?”

“Both of you, yes. I’ve heard of your skills from Ardon, but if you’re serious about founding a mercenary guild, wouldn’t it be better to do that as two ordained knights rather than as one underaged girl and one young man who’s barely past the age of adulthood?”

“……”

“Why? You don’t agree?”

Robert looked conflicted.

In his previous life, he never got to be officially ordained as a knight.

Because House Roderick did not want that.

No one could go against a powerful noble household just to have one knight.

“……”

Robert’s gaze stayed on Radis, who was quite focused on slicing her lamb.

He felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

Looking away from Radis, he answered.

“I am not of the same opinion, but House Roderick would not want that.”

At this, Yves Russell’s eyes glinted sharply beneath his black bangs.

‘Oho, would you look at this.’

It seemed like Franz Roderick was even more of an uptight as*hole than Yves Russell imagined.

‘As if it’s not enough that he’s not acknowledging his illegitimate child, but he’s even tormenting the guy so he can’t live independently. That’s one way to keep him in check.’

Yves Russell lightly clicked his tongue.

Whether it was because of fate or whatever, and whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the three of them happened to come together now.

Of course, that didn’t mean Robert had become more likeable in Yves’s eyes.

‘Let’s just use him to my advantage then!’

Yves infused his voice with audible sympathy as he spoke again.

“I can’t understand why House Roderick would do that. Even so, you’re free to create a new identity that has nothing to do with that family.”

Robert looked at Yves with suspicion.

“What do you mean?”

“In the past when knighthood was officially received through the monarch’s appointment, the process of ordination was quite complicated. No commoner or woman was allowed to be ordained, and only a nobleman whose name had been included in his family registry could be knighted. However, this changed ever since fiefdoms started being conferred to individuals who are awarded the seal of a mage knight or a master.”

As Yves Russell explained, he waved his hands gracefully like the conductor of an orchestra.

“The seal of a mage knight or a master cannot be inherited by their offspring because it was gained by individual merit. Then, what about low-ranked knights, would they be granted peerage? Though it’s not something they’d want, that kind of knight’s honorary peerage and right of succession would disappear altogether.”

Heartily digging into her second helping of lamb, Radis nodded.

This was why House Tilrod fell.

The Tilrod family had produced no decent knights ever since Alexis Tilrod.

As a result, Willingham—the small fief that had been awarded to Alexis Tilrod along with his peerage—had only shrunk as generations passed. Right now, it was the size of a mere village. It’s embarrassing to even call it a fief.

“On the other hand, it’s not all terrible. This system simplifies the process of ordination and it makes it possible for women and commoners to be ordained. If such people become knights, they will be conferred honorary peerage as quasi-nobles.”

Further, Yves Russell added.

“If you’re ordained as a knight as Robert, not as Robert Roderick, you will gain a new status unrelated to your family. Ah, of course you’d need someone to vouch for your identity, but I can do that for you.”

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