Crest of the Strongest Knight

Chapter 79 - Burden of an Instructor

"Damn it! To think that she was the cause!"

Eirlys was furious after hearing Estelle's story, as were the other knights in the room. The tale that Estelle recounted was brief, but it was still one that stoked the flames of anger in all four knights' hearts.

"...How dare she...!" Leticia's hands balled into fists.

"...She sure was a bitch, but I never thought she would do something so horrible..." Medrauta murmured.

Rosette's eyes were filled with rage, but there was also a strange hint of disbelief mixed within her emotions. "I... I can't believe it. I just can't, Lady Estelle. You told me that Lady Isabella had stolen your knight, but... She killed him? I just can't imagine Lady Isabella being that kind of person..."

"D-Dame Rosette... I suppose you wouldn't believe me, huh...?" Estelle smiled sadly despite the knight's words that made light of the pain she felt. It wasn't a smile that held any humor. Rather, it seemed to be a smile of understanding. "...I thought not. You'll just have to hear it from her yourself, won't you?"

Rosette nodded. "...Yeah."

"You know Isabella or something, Dame Rosette?" Medrauta raised an eyebrow.

"Something like that." Rosette replied evasively. Though Medrauta normally would've pressed for more information, she had a feeling that it would be pointless with Rosette.

Instead, the silver-haired knight just shook her head. "Aluvsha save me, just what the fuck is wrong with people these days?"

"...In any case, your desire to accompany Dame Rosette is approved, Lady Estelle. We were always wondering what the reason behind Sir Damien's death was, but we never thought it would be something like that. We thought he'd been bullied repeatedly by other knights after inspecting his body and finding countless scars on his back."

"...Huh. Is that why Sir Bradley came in during the first few weeks and kept checking on everyone?" Medrauta asked. "I remember him asking whether we knew any knights who used whips as their weapon of choice."

Eirlys nodded. "Indeed. The thought that a noble would dare raise a hand against a knight hadn't even passed our minds. In the first place, the oath we swear as knights aren't binding in the same way that vows of marriage are, so normally a knight should have no problem retaliating against their noble if something like this occurs."

"...Normally." Medrauta repeated, her voice dropping in volume. "I didn't know Sir Damien very well since he... left us so quickly, but to think that this was why he did so... Everyone at the dorm was quite shocked at the time."

"But still," Rosette frowned. "Even if this is all true, why didn't he say something about it or defend himself? I find it difficult to believe that a knight would allow themselves to be struck repeatedly and not resist."

"Because he was in love." This time, it was Rosaline who spoke. While she had remained silent for the majority of the discussion, she now found it necessary to insert her into the conversation seeing as Rosette's most recent remarks had made everyone bristle.

"People who are in love can do very stupid things. Irrational things that defy logic and confound even the brightest of minds. I, myself, have not only bore witness to such things, but also been a victim."

"Is that so? Care to provide an example?" Rosette raised an eyebrow.

"Well, let me ask you this, Dame Rosette. Would it seem normal to you for someone to meticulously plan out their day, down to the very route that they take through the campus grounds just to avoid seeing someone? Keep in mind that this requires extensive preparation and knowledge of the other person's day-to-day activities."