(Volume VIII: Demon Lord Peacefull (NOT!) life in kanterbury Empire)
This chapter is also known as: Regarding the Matter of Me, the Queen's Fiancé, the Princess's Childhood Friend, and the Hero's Heir, Acting Like a Newbie in a Recruit Training Camp.
There's a certain game, one with a blonde protagonist and a blonde little sister character. The protagonist's background is incredibly special, and once fully awakened, he's practically invincible.
His kingdom was destroyed by invaders from another world, and in his quest to find his lost companion, he travels through various nations, forming many bonds and capturing the hearts of several young women along the way.
That game's name is—
That's right! It's Guardian Tales!
The ridiculously long-named game that almost no player can recite in full.
The Kanterbury Kingdom was an ancient and prosperous nation. While not the most technologically advanced, it boasted one of the most powerful knightly orders in the world—the Guardian Knights.
Today was the day for new recruits to begin their training. However, it seemed one recruit was missing.
"Hmm, this year's recruits are quite promising. With proper training, they should become excellent Guardians," said Eva, the captain of the Guardian Knights. She was the Queen's best friend, nearly thirty, still single, and the future number one idol of Kanterbury.
"Linda, is there something you want to say?" she asked, noticing the hesitation of the knight walking behind her.
"Um, well..."
"Go on, I'm in a good mood today."
"Really, Captain? You won't get angry?"
"Of course not. As long as it's not a major screw-up, I won't blame you."
"Well, Captain, one of the new recruits is missing today..."
The moment Linda spoke, Eva's smile froze.
"It's... Mo Wang."
CRACK!
A terrifying sound emanated from the captain.
"MO WANG!!!! YOU BASTARD!!!"
Her roar echoed through the training grounds, startling the new recruits.
"What's with the captain?"
"That's the fourth time this month, isn't it?"
"She was yelling Mo Wang's name... It's that useless new recruit again, isn't it?"
In the less-than-a-month he had been a knight, Mo Wang had already become a legend. He had the worst scores in the entrance exam, yet he had somehow gotten in, rumored to have been personally recommended by the Queen.
He had skipped training twelve times, snuck into the palace eight times, and led a private raid on a group of bandits five times. Anyone else would have been kicked out, but he was still here.
"So, he's really angry, isn't he?" Linda said, looking at the fuming Eva.
"How did he escape this time? I had him in shackles!"
"Um, apparently, he borrowed a toothpick from someone and picked the lock."
"He picked the lock of a high-security shackle with a toothpick?! Is he a knight or a thief?!"
"Don't worry, Captain, Bob is already after him. He should be back soon."
"You really think Bob can bring him back?"
Linda didn't. In fact, sending Bob after him would probably only make things worse.
"Just tell me where he went," Eva said, her expression grim. "Before something terrible happens."
...
Meanwhile, on the streets of the capital, a young man in a recruit's uniform was strolling along, followed by a frantic-looking veteran.
"Bro! Big bro! I'm begging you, can we please go back? Captain Eva is inspecting the training grounds today! We'll both be dead if she finds out you're gone!" Bob pleaded.
"Relax, Senior Bob. If I'm not scared, why should you be?" Mo Wang said with a cheerful smile.
You're not scared because you have connections! I'll have my salary docked for two months!
"Don't worry, if you get docked, just tell the captain to take it out of my salary!"
"You don't have a salary! It's already been docked for the next ten years!"
"Oh, is that so? Well, it's not like anyone will be paying me for much longer anyway."
"That sounded... ominous."
"You know, Senior Bob, it's because you're so timid that you can't win Senior Linda's heart."
"Wh-who's trying to win her heart! Keep your voice down!" Bob blushed, a rather unsettling sight on his bearded face.
"Come on, it's obvious. Senior Linda is kind, understanding, young, beautiful, and a veteran Guardian. Of course people like her."
"I think you're going to get beaten to a pulp by the captain for saying that."
"Don't worry, I'm tough. She can't kill me."
"Is that something to be proud of?"
"You know, Senior Bob, if you don't make a move soon, someone else will. How about I teach you a few tricks for wooing women? Free of charge, of course."
"You... know how to woo women?"
"Ahem, when it comes to love, all you need is theory. So, do you want to learn or not?"
"Well..."
Mo Wang grinned. He knew from the original story that Linda and Bob would eventually get together.
"If it's free, I guess I'll give it a try."
"Alright then, follow me. We have an important mission today," he said, and slung an arm around Bob's shoulder, leading him towards the plaza.
Wait a minute, Bob thought, dazed. What was I supposed to be doing again? How did I end up becoming his lackey?