Julian's POV


"Julian!"

When I heard the voice calling my name, I looked up at the royal stand, and there I saw His Highness pointing at something as I turned my eyes to where His Highness was pointing.

Suddenly, a huge black shadow descended from the sky.

As it descends, a large amount of dust is thrown down, and it lands in front of Scott-sama's Knight as if to protect me.

It is painted deep black and looks like a giant wolf. After a while, it made noises in front of me, then changed shape and turned into a Cavalry-like armor.

"The Wolf Rider? Why is it here?"

As if in response to my words, the Wolf Rider formed a barrier around me, then turned to face me and opened the armor protecting its cockpit, as if inviting me to ride on it.

"Are you saying you want me to pilot you?"

I look up at His Highness in the royal bleachers.

Scott can only grin his teeth as he can only watch the events unfolding in front of him. After a while he also looks up at His Highness.

[Your Highness! What is the meaning of this? Isn't the Wolf Rider supposed to go to the winner of this competition?]

His Highness just shrugged at Scott's question.

"You're the one who broke the rules in the first place by bringing a Knight into this match, and now you complain about it? Besides, the winner was already decided. I just gave him his reward a little earlier than usual."

[But... But she's a woman! Besides, she's a beastman! In the history of this kingdom, no woman or beastman has ever become a knight!]

"You know, Scott, there's a word that Isteria III, whom I admire and respect, used to say a lot. He said, "If it hasn't happened before, then just be the first one to do it.""

His Highness then grinned as he looked down at Scott-Sama.

"Besides, Scott, I already know what you've done; don't think you can get away with it. However, if you manage to defeat Julian, I will turn a blind eye to the things you have done."

[What are you...]

"You said you were experiencing true love, right?

His Highness said this in a cold tone and then turned his eyes to me.

"Julian, I know how much effort you put into becoming a knight, and I know how hard you worked. You're a woman and a beastman? Those kinds of things don't matter."

Ahhh... His Highness... He's watching over me.

Suddenly, I felt that the deception I'd committed had been forgiven and that some of the burden I'd carried in my heart had been lifted.

"That Wolf Rider is the Cavalry that embodies your burning passion. My treasure, I'll lend it to you, my friend."

Then His Highness extends his fist.

"Use it to smash that delusion called true love!"

To me, who has been lying all this time, His Highness even called me his friend.

Because of that...

I took a deep breath.

"Understood!"

When I shouted to reply to His Highness, he nodded in return.

Then I rode the wolf rider and put on the mask as I'd done before.

When my limbs were finally in position, they were restrained on that spot. I could then see the scenery outside that was being reflected inside the mask, and I felt that all my senses were properly synchronised with the Wolf Rider.

A red pattern then ran across the surface of the Wolf Rider, completely forming its figure.

When the activation was complete, the barrier surrounding it disappeared, leaving only the residue.

I then used the Wolf Rider to pick up the longsword and dagger from the fallen Cavalry and then I took my stance.

[Julian! Do you know what will happen to your territory without me?]

[I won't listen to you anymore!]

I shouted, interrupting Scott-Sama's words.

Everyone in the knight order was kind to me even though I lied to them, and His Highness, who recognised my efforts, saved my heart.

[If that's the case, you should at least feel a little of the pain you're causing me!]

The Knight then slashed at me with the long sword in his long right hand.

I received it with the dagger in my left hand and countered with the sword in my right hand.

With that attack, the knight's left arm was blown off.

I continued my attack by disarming the knight with his longsword, and then stabbed him in the right side with the dagger.

Right now, our armor is in close proximity with each other.

Normally, I would keep my distance here, but...

"Howl! Julian!"

His Highness' voice echoed through the hall.

Then the words Armament Selection appeared in the helmet I'm wearing.

"Ooooooooooooooooooh!"

In response to my scream.

The armor covering both of the Wolf Rider's hands transformed into the face of a wolf.

Then a high-pitched metallic sound echoed from the wolf rider's hands.

Before I noticed, the knight who should have been in front of me was blown away.

"That attack is called Blast Howling! Well done, Julian!"

His Highness shouted in satisfaction, and I responded by raising both of the Wolf Rider's hands.

After a while, the crowd erupted in cheers.

Buried in the wreckage of the shattered knight, Scott-sama lay unconscious on the ground; after a while, the guards came and took him away.

I guess that's only natural, since he ignored the rules by using a Knight in this competition.

"Thank you. Take care of me from now on, partner."

After taking off my helmet, I gently stroked the Wolf Rider's cockpit, after that I shook my head to remove the sweat from my face.

When I dismounted from the Wolf Rider, I immediately knelt down in front of His Highness.

When His Highness looked at me, he had a confused expression on his face.

"If I remember correctly, you have silver hair, right?"

When I touched my hair, I noticed that the dye was running down my face along with my sweat.

I don't sweat that easily, but after being in the cockpit for so long, fighting in such a confined space, I will definitely sweat.

"I sincerely apologise for deceiving you all as to what my name really is and who exactly I am."

I told His Highness the truth as I bowed my head.

I'm sure I won't get off scot-free, since I lied about my gender in order to join an order of knights that women are forbidden to join.

I continued to stare at the ground as I waited for His Highness to speak.

"I see, then I'll give you two punishments for your crimes. First, use the Wolf Rider and be the captain of the unit that will be formed later."

I raised my head in surprise when I heard these words.

"And finally, you will be the first female knight in our kingdom. I won't accept any refusal."

After saying that, His Highness looked at the Wolf Rider.

"That's right. Shall I order the Arsenal Bureau to repaint the Wolf Rider silver to match the color of your hair?"

"Please don't!"

Surprised, I shouted in denial.

"I like it the way it is!"

"Is that so?"

I nodded my head several times to His Highness, who looked at me curiously.

It's not that I want to change to change its color.

It's just that I want this child to remain black.

Because this is a treasure given to me by Her Highness.

That's why I want it to stay black, the same color as His Highness's hair.

"As for the other punishment, I..."

His Highness cut me off by jumping out of the royal bleachers. He then took my hand and made me stand up.

"Once more, Julian, please be my friend again. Or do you mind being friends with a tyrant like me?"

His Highness then held out his hand and asked me to shake it.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and shook His Highness' hand.

"What are you talking about? We've been friends ever since."

"I see, that's what I thought."

We both laughed at each other as we put more strength into our clasped hands.

His Highness then looked at me with a grin on his face.

"Well then, Julian. It looks like your house is in quite a mess. Let me help you with it."

"Did you already know about the circumstances of our territory?"

"Only a little while ago. I'm sorry I didn't notice before, but don't worry about it. I'm going to use my power to stop this monster invasion."

In the arena, as the crowd cheered, I pledged my allegiance in my heart to His Highness, while his black hair was blowing in the wind.

I will do my best to serve him.

And above all, I will do my best to support this person.

"I understand ! Your Highness!"