Chapter 13 - Promotion (1)
After his morning shower, Ron thought it over and decided to keep his ramen in reserve.
If he had his way, he'd want to eat nothing but ramen for all three meals, but the quantity was limited, so he couldn't.
'I'll get sick of it if I eat it every day.'
He comforted his mind and body by looking at the 55 packs of ramen lined up neatly in the cupboard.
If he gets sick of it, he can just eat something else.
Jjajang, jjamppong, buldak, seafood, bibim.
There were various types and many different products of ramen.
To experience all those flavors, he needed to collect a lot of coins.
After finishing his breakfast of bland and plain healthy boiled pork, Ron put on his knight's uniform and left the house.
Swaaaa.
The scenery around his house, with the fog disappearing in the rising sunlight, was like a painting.
It was like watching 32K resolution on a screen every day.
"This is why I live here."
Although the security on the outskirts was a bit lacking, it was quiet with few people, and the scenery was truly beautiful. If only he could save this view as a video, it would be guaranteed to get a million views on "YouToob".
Deureureuk, cheolkeok!
After thoroughly locking the door, he set off to get to work on time.
Ssaeaeng!
It took 15 minutes to arrive at the Knights' Hall within the count's estate.
The Knights' Hall was divided between trainee knights and official knights.
The official knights often called the trainee knights' hall the "chick training center."
There was still time before the regular duties began, but most of the trainee knights had arrived 30 minutes early.
The colleagues' gazes turned to Ron.
As Ron, who had never distinguished himself before, became the young lady's exclusive knight, the atmosphere in the hall was divided between suspicion and jealousy.
It was a reality that was difficult for them to comprehend.
They didn't know Ron's skills accurately, and the fact that he hadn't even been granted a surname yet also bothered them.
Does he really possess the skills as known? If so, that means he's been hiding his skills all this time, which doesn't make sense logically.
The goal of a trainee knight is to become an official knight.
This is because only after being promoted to an official knight and then becoming an intermediate knight do you earn the right to be granted a surname and, even if it's for a single generation, be treated as a noble.
If he had single-handedly killed the attackers who had learned Aura, his skills were more than enough to become an official knight.
There was no need to remain a trainee knight.
If so, there must be some other intention for hiding his skills, but would his Excellency the Count and the leaders have made Ron Adelia's exclusive knight without knowing that?
Despite the suspicion and jealousy, the reason they couldn't act rashly was because they could misinterpret the Count's intentions.
'Seeing their challenging gazes, the second young master is indeed tight-lipped.'
As expected, the second young master hadn't told anyone about being beaten up yesterday. Although he was simple-minded, he was a "live by style, die by style" kind of man who valued his image.
'It's wise to solve these kinds of problems quickly.'
The correct way to deal with suspicion and jealousy was not to ignore it, but to respond preemptively. The optimistic view that things will quiet down if you leave them alone was nothing more than an ideal.
So he took the most effective response.
"Dein, Ryan, to the front."
Ron called for Dein and Ryan while looking directly at Luke Cherokee, who was glaring at him.
Huh?
Luke looked puzzled for a moment, then he was able to grasp the situation.
Ureureu, chajajak!
Dein and Ryan, summoned by Ron, moved with their factions.
Like a rampart to protect their master, 20 trainee knights moved as one and positioned themselves around Ron.
They had been indifferent until he called them, but once singled out, they became loyal subjects.
"If you have something to say to me, say it to Dein and Ryan. They will answer you very kindly."
"...What is this?"
Luke and the other trainee knights were completely bewildered.
Dein and Ryan, along with Luke, were at the center of the three major factions within the trainee knight order.
o see those two acting as if they were loyal to Ron, they
couldn't understand the situation even more.
As the suspicion deepened.
Ron stood behind Dein and Ryan and put his arms around their shoulders.
Umjjil!
They tried not to show it, but Dein and Ryan had a small spasm.
On the one hand, the two looked at each other and were surprised inwardly.
'You too!'
'You too!'
They couldn't bring themselves to ask if the other had been beaten up.
As if to prove this, Dein and Ryan knew nothing about each other's situation until Ron called them.
Surprised by this fact, a chilling goosebump rose on their skin.
'What in the world?'
'Since when, Dein too!'
And then, the events of the past began to make sense.
How Ron had been able to live as a trainee knight without anyone knowing.
Although his Excellency the Count had nipped any discord among the knights in the bud, it was impossible for there to be no quarrels in a group setting.
Moreover, they were a group of hot-blooded men gathered in one place.
One might say there's no hierarchy among fledglings.
But within that, there was pride and competition.
If someone rose up, envy and jealousy followed, and if they considered someone beneath them, they would ignore them. It was unreasonable and base, but it was a harsh reality.
But Ron had never had any incidents, not even a minor conflict.
He existed quietly in the knight order, like the water of a calm lake.
He wasn't an invisible man, so how many people could live like that?
The trainee knights now finally realized the reason.
Factions.
It was possible if factions had been formed within the trainee knight order to intentionally not mess with Ron.
Most importantly, Dein and Ryan were nobles, even if of a lower rank.
These prideful guys had been listening to Ron's words without a single complaint until now.
The trainee knights realized that Ron becoming Lady Adelia's exclusive knight was not a matter of luck.
Ssiik!
Having seized the initiative, Ron revealed his true colors. Now that the factions were known, there was no need to hide anymore.
When you don't know, you can pass by quietly, but once you know, you have to grasp reality.
If he were to say he would continue to live quietly as before, it would only increase suspicion. At times like this, you have to thoroughly crush their spirit and show them who's the boss.
"Are your suspicions still not cleared? What should I do to convey my sincerity? Dein, Ryan! What do you guys think?"
"Your intention to make them understand has probably been sufficiently conveyed to them."
"If that doesn't work, we'll quietly take them and persuade them romantically."
At Dein and Ryan's answer, the other trainee knights avoided their gazes.
Ron controlled two of the three factions.
That meant the most powerful faction within the trainee knight order had appeared.
He says to speak your mind if you have any complaints, but in reality, it was a threat to get on their knees on their own.
Otherwise, their life in the knights' hall would become miserable.
They could have just left it alone, but they had poked the hornet's nest.
"If it wasn't for Ron, we wouldn't have come back alive! So, let me ask you, Luke, you got a problem?"
"Ron received his just reward. No, it's still not enough compared to his merit."
Dein and Ryan spoke passionately, their eyes glaring.
Luke sensed that the situation was not good. Even the guys who followed him were wavering. Until now, it had been a three-way battle, so they had been cautious, but as the superiority was clearly decided, they were all shaken.
For Luke, the current situation was not to his liking. Before Ron arrived, he was confident he could corner him and make him confess.
'These damn bastards, are they groveling to a mere commoner with no pride!'
On the one hand, he was furious at the reality of having become a traitor in an instant just for sending a suspicious gaze.
But if he were to get angry, he could be swept away by Dein and Ryan's faction.
It was clear it would be difficult to even manage his own faction.
'Is this really something to go this far over!'
He hadn't even tried anything yet. He wouldn't feel so wronged if he had at least done something.
"If you have any complaints or uncomfortable matters, speak your mind freely. I might not, but Dein and Ryan will listen well in a secluded place."
Ron did not hide his true self, but he did not step to the forefront. He would act as the real power behind the scenes and pass on the hard work to Dein and Ryan.
Although it was an unreasonable act that anyone could see, the fact that he was doing it openly came as a threat to his colleagues.
The fact that even in such a situation, Ryan and Dein said nothing was a part of what showed Ron was the real power.
"No one is answering. Well, I guess I wasn't much to look at until now."
"...No!"
"...We'll do as you say!"
Everyone realized it.
That Ron was not just a quiet person.
They had messed with the quiet Ron for no reason, and now their life in the knights' hall had become difficult.
Jjirit, jjirit!
Luke, branded as the source of the situation, had to tremble at the gazes of reproach shooting at him from all directions. It was driving him mad that even his own faction was signaling him to do something about it.
Although he was cornered, Ron did not let Luke be.
He doesn't give a rice cake to the one he hates.
"Don't you all say anything to Luke. In life, you make mistakes, and you misunderstand things. I'm not a petty person who reacts to every little thing. So everyone, just act as you usually do."
"...?"
After saying it was all Luke's fault, he tells them not to blame him.
Everyone had to swallow a breath at Ron's wickedness, pretending to care for Luke after feeding him all that crap. He was the kind of guy who would throw a big stone at the head of a person drowning and saying he's helping.
If you get on his bad side, you get nothing.
Know your place and grovel.
If you feel wronged, become stronger.
The chivalric spirit of the Knights' Hall is newly established.
"They say silence is affirmation, so I'm sure the seniors will understand. I don't know about other things, but our seniors are particularly considerate of their juniors."
...Who's considerate?
A trainee knight gets promoted and becomes an official knight.
They say a habit at three lasts until eighty.
Although they didn't show it, there was no way they would become an angel overnight just because they became an official knight.
And yet, to praise the seniors like that means.
'Damn it, there are some among the seniors too!'
'Just how far has he extended his evil influence?'
'Perhaps, the Count's hidden?'
In no time, there was no one around Luke.
Worried that the sparks might fly to them, they left the faction and lined up with Dein and Ryan.
The ecosystem of the Knights' Hall had changed.
Ron had ascended to the top of the food chain.
And in just one day.
"Now I feel a bit more comfortable, it was unfamiliar until just now. I can endure hardship, but I can't endure discomfort. I hope you all know that and act as you usually do."
"Of course!"
"We believe in Ron!"
Since when they had believed was not important. The conclusion of social life was to prostrate oneself before the real power.
"Get along with Luke from now on, too."
"...Of course!"
The very person who had caused them to cut ties was saying this.
Moreover, he said you'd die if you were caught being friendly.
After things were beautifully sorted out, it was time for duties to begin.
Deureuk!
Valkhan, an official knight of the Dawn Knight Order, entered the hall.
"Ron, are you here?"
As Ron stood up from his seat, Valkhan made a strange expression.
It was because his face was not familiar.
That meant he was not a guy who had received attention in the knight order.
That's why it was strange.
'It doesn't seem like there was any particular friction.'
If they had gathered in the knights' hall 30 minutes ago, a conflict should have broken out among the trainee knights.
It was an open secret that there were factions inside.
But, no one was paying any attention to Ron.
The indoor atmosphere, which was no different from usual, gave off a sense of incongruity.
'Strange.'
Luke, Dein, and Ryan were prideful guys.
Dein might have seen the attack himself, but it was unexpected for Luke and Ryan to be quiet.
"Follow me."
"Yes, sir."
Among all, the strangest thing was Ron's attitude.
It was known yesterday that Ron had become Lady Adelia's exclusive knight. There was no way a conflict related to that wouldn't have arisen today in some form.
And yet, even though he should know that, Ron was composed.
'I don't know if he's thoughtless or just has a lot of nerve.'
Honestly, if his Excellency the Count's permission hadn't been granted, he wouldn't have even known a knight named Ron existed in the knight order.
As Ron followed silently the whole way to their destination, Valkhan asked the reason.
"Why don't you ask anything?"
"It's a request for an interview from the commander, isn't it?"
"You have some sense."
"Thank you."
"It's not a compliment."
"I see."
Valkhan did not have a good impression of Ron.
There are cases where genius shines and things change overnight, but knights mostly grow gradually through effort.
It would be a different story if the fruits of his labor had come to light, but Ron had suddenly revealed his skills.
Leaving aside the suspicion that he had been hiding his power, it meant that Valkhan's insight was lacking. As a senior, it meant he had no eye for people, so how could he like it?
So Valkhan intentionally provoked Ron.
'I understand even less.'
He tried to grasp his disposition by scratching at his nerves, but far from getting angry, he passed it over calmly. To say he was holding back his anger, he was excessively composed.
"It would be best for you to tell the truth when the commander asks. If a lie is revealed, you will receive a heavy punishment."
"Of course."
The more he saw him, the more audacious he was. The fact that he hadn't been known until now made Valkhan wary. It was impossible unless someone had intentionally kept him out of the scope of interest.
Despite Valkhan's wariness, Ron's head was in the clouds.
'1 coin is too stingy.'
Receiving only 1 coin each time the progress rate went up did not fit the principle of equivalent exchange. To match the exchange rate, they should at least give 1 box of ramen for 1 coin.
'Will it change once it gets out of the minus?'
Even if the degree of increase in the progress rate is the same, there is a high possibility that the reward will change as it goes up.
'Still, it's a hassle.'
He wanted to maintain his peace.
His past lives were a series of hardships until death. He had risked his life twice to save humanity.
It's okay to stop protecting and succeeding now, right?
They arrived in front of the office of the commander of the Dawn Knight Order.
"Go in."
"Yes, sir."