Hearing Abe's unimaginable offer, the boys' expressions warped.
""Yeaaaahhh...!!!""
Their drastic faces―that of inexplicable fervour and excitement―made it impossible to hide their passionate feelings.
"Haha, you two are really set on becoming knights, huh?"
They nodded their heads in rapid succession, bringing even further warmth to Abe's smile.
"...You boys. Since you want to become knights, let me tell you something; as someone who used to be a knight himself."
Then, he began to speak to them in a more serious tone.
The Captain of the Village Guard, an ex-knight of the kingdom, wanted to tell them something about becoming a knight?
Their boundless gusto, which was thought to be uncontainable, abruptly cooled as if somebody had poured cold water on them.
What could it be...?
"I really appreciate your enthusiasm, and it greatly gladdens me that there are so many promising youths in the next generation with the desire to become a knight. Very much so."
However―
"However, you both have to realise that becoming a knight is not so simple. What do you think it is that makes a knight?"
What makes a knight?
"Is it a warrior who serves a noble?"
Status?
"Is it someone who looks fancy and who wears cool armour while riding a horse?"
Appearance?
"Is it strength a good knight should possess?"
Power?
"Is it knowing how to wield a sword?"
Swordsmanship?
"The reality is none of that; even if you can ride a horse, lift a boulder, or slice a mountain in half―whether you are capable of all of that or none of that, it doesn't make you a knight."
No.
"Ray, Alex."
There was more to it than that.
"Remember this:"
Something more vital.
"A knight will be a person who wields a sword―who wields a certain power―yes."
More fundamental.
"But, even more so than the sword; a knight is someone who wields a shield."
―Shielding.
"That is because, rather than a person who attacks, a knight is someone who shields and protects; a guardian."
―Protection.
"It is the courage to put yourself in harm's way for others' sake; to defend others; to keep them safe."
―Defending.
"That is the essence of a knight and of a Knight."
Abe―Sir Abraham Dué von Zuffilg, a revered ex-Knight of the Zuffilg Principality just east of Astua.
That great man's shining image, despite the dull and scratched iron armour he donned, appeared representative of his past self, a true Knight, at that moment.
""...""
Needless to say, the two were rendered speechless, utterly awestruck by the man they had only just now realised really was a man qualified to possess the title of 'Knight'.
It was such a blindingly gallant speech that even the kids with near to no interest in chivalry or knights were enraptured.
Abe didn't intend to drag it on for too long, though, so he wrapped it up by changing the subject.
"In any case, that's that, so... Shall we have a brief gander at what's outside the walls?"
He didn't even need to look at their faces to know this is what they were waiting for, and so with a hearty chuckle, Abe proceeded to open the gate.
"Wah...!"
"Wow!"
As the thick gate slowly swung open, the kids exclaimed with wonder at the scenery beyond as it reflected for the first time in their curious eyes.
That is, the full extent of the sea of luscious hornbeam trees that they could barely glimpse the very tops of until now that altogether united to form the temperate Pine Region Great Forest, in addition to the vast meadows of swaying, verdant grass they had never previously seen, and that extended to far beyond the visible horizons.
The bright summer leaves that lined these deciduous trees, and every inch of untamed pasture that they could lay their eyes on seemed to glow as they all reflected the warm beauty of the omnipotent sun in the faraway azure sky, dotted with fluffy clouds of white that appeared at first glance like herds of gigantic sheep.
The place where monsters would roam.
"So, don't just stand there? Let us have a bit of fun!"
Abe laughed heartily as he beckoned the kids, motioning for them to follow him through the gate.
They, however, who were full of excitement, were equally frightened by the prospect of entering the domain of monsters. Perhaps sensing this from their eleventh-hour hesitation, Abe reassuringly spoke out.
"Do not worry. The dangerous monsters are fast asleep at this time, and if anything does unexpectedly appear, then I will be present to protect you; on my Knight's honour, I promise you that."
Some of them may have not fully understood a few of the words he was saying, but the primary message was evident enough.
And so, after passing through the field for a short while; the remarkably soft grass brushing against their ankles as they walked around the village perimeter; the group arrived at a tall structure of wood.
"This is a watchtower. Typically, there's only a couple of people up there coming and going throughout the day, and since it's not a very busy job, there are no more than four towers surrounding the village."
The watchtowers were only really used as an additional precaution during times like Spring, when the monsters' mating season comes around and their aggressiveness rises, or when a group of bandits have been spotted nearby.
Other than that, there was not much to say about it, so they moved on rather quickly.
"And this, of course, is the forest." Standing at the periphery of what was seemingly a boundless ocean of woodland, Abe announced.
The Pine Region Great Forest.
As the name suggests, it was a 'great forest' located within the Pine Region of the Kingdom of Astua, just like Pine Village.
Containing numerous species of beasts and monsters, it was not classified as a particularly dangerous territory per se, but rather a lower-intermediate level zone in which caution is heavily advised.
"This is as far as we'll go for today. Shall we return after spending a bit more time enjoying the fresh environment?"
The forest was not the kind of place one should take a group of children even if the one guiding them was an accomplished ex-Knight. Not willing to foolishly bring the kids to a place with an unnecessary risk of getting harmed or something worse happening, Abe decided to halt their adventure here for now.
"Okay~!"
"Can we go to the weapons again?"
"No, let's stay here! The grass is warm!"
"Yeah! We can't come back if we leave now!"
Watching them start a dispute over whether they should return to the village immediately or appreciate the pleasant grassland for a while longer, Abe stifled an amused chuckle, impressed by their unending curiosity and limitless enthusiasm.
Maybe another day, when they have grown a bit more, they can revisit the forest with a more in-depth purpose.