I Became a Righteous Knight in a Game

Chapter 120

Serigel, the gateway city of the east.

As Ethan Taton put down roots here, he thought.

If there were many people coming in and out of the border, the Knights would have more to do, and if he diligently sent his knights out, the income they earned would naturally increase.

That thought was spot on.

Ethan formed a knights’ order, accepted members under reasonable conditions, and carried out any request that came in, regardless of its content.

The public perception was not very good, but thanks to that, the knights’ order became wealthy.

Even if being a member of the Taton Knights was not a source of pride, he made sure that the members would not feel financial pressure.

‘But that was before Sir Reinhardt appeared.’

Now, the situation was very different.

Thanks to the exploits of the knight named Reinhardt, Taton had become one of the best knights’ orders in name and reality.

Now, they had to maintain their dignity.

They could not accept just any request, and when dispatching members, they had to thoroughly verify that they could achieve results.

‘It might be a bit…… tight.’

Their reputation had risen, but their financial profits had decreased.

The places where money needed to be spent were gradually increasing, but their profits were decreasing, so they had been recording a deficit recently.

‘Should I reduce expenses?’

TAP, TAP.

Ethan lightly tapped his desk with the nib of his pen.

The document was filled with a detailed record of the recent changes in their financial situation.

How much was spent where, how much was earned, and how much more needed to be spent in the future.

The total amount was negative.

This marked the third consecutive month of recording a deficit.

“It wasn’t a time to be happy. It wasn’t a time to be happy. No, it is good! But! It can’t go on like this!”

Reinhardt had said so.

The commander has the commander’s role, and the members have the members’ roles.

A knight receives orders and takes up a sword. He repels enemies and escorts allies.

The commander had to ensure that the knights who followed him could focus solely on that role.

Supply equipment and consumables.

Maintain, repair, and improve facilities.

Manage the perception of the knights’ order so that no problems arise.

All of these were the commander’s role.

But at this rate, he would soon find himself in a difficult situation.

“I need money. Should I reduce expenses? Reduce supplies, postpone facility improvements, then…… Sir Reinhardt would be disappointed. That’s not it.”

Reducing expenses is impossible.

The Taton Knights were, so to speak, like a child in the middle of a growth spurt.

If you miss the timing, growth stops. In fact, it would shrink.

“What about increasing the range of requests we accept?”

He thought about it, but this time too, Ethan shook his head.

Hadn’t they already experienced the problem with the Rom Caravan?

They had transported slaves.

If Reinhardt experienced such a thing again, it was unknown what kind of situation would arise.

“It was always about money. It was the same throughout history. Most problems arose from a lack of money. No matter how corrupt the higher-ups were, if there was enough money to distribute to those below, it wouldn’t have happened……”

“Commander!”

Just then, his secretary burst into the commander’s office, almost breaking down the door.

His expression was urgent.

Is it a serious problem? Ethan thought for a moment, then discovered an undeniable joy amidst the secretary’s urgent expression.

“The Paganoa Knights have officially requested support! It’s not just the Paganoa Knights. The far western front of the Empire, the Capital, the Magic Tower in the north and……”

“Wait a moment. You need to calm down.”

“……Yes, sir!”

“Report it in a calm and orderly manner. What kind of support did they request?”

“They ordered neutralizing agent!”

Ethan rounded his lips and marveled.

“Oh, finally.”

It was the moment the problem he had been facing was resolved.

Only then could Ethan share in the secretary’s joy.

“I need to check the exact details first.”

“Yes, here they are.”

Ethan was handed over a dozen order forms.

They were order forms that had arrived from various groups all over the Empire.

It was not just the quantity and price that were written down.

There were also carefully filled-out letters.

“We need neutralizing agent. We heard the news that it has been developed. We are in charge of such an important mission, and we need help urgently, and we would be grateful if you could supply it……”

The content of the letters was all similar.

Even a place like the Paganoa Knights had enclosed a letter that followed proper etiquette.

“The timing is exquisite. Did all these requests arrive at the same time?”

“Yes, it was almost at the same moment.”

“It means that simultaneous problems are occurring all over the Empire. Is the supply sufficient?”

“I went to Felton’s workshop myself. It’s an amount that can be supplied without any problems.”

“Tell them to increase the production volume. Even if it means mobilizing all the personnel in the workshop.”

“I will relay the message.”

Ethan checked the contents of all the requests with a pleased expression.

Each and every one of them was like a heavy pile of gold bars.

Once the supply was completed, the Taton Knights would become wealthy. Enough to build a few more buildings and supply shiny new equipment with money to spare.

‘This is just the beginning. Because that’s what Sir Reinhardt said.’

Reinhardt is always right.

His advice is the path to the right answer, and he was a knight who proved with his whole body the assertion that living uprightly and honestly is always the best way.

Therefore, one must not be greedy.

For now, they could seize a huge amount of gold, but if a real crisis were to come soon, they would have to share all the recipes without any compensation.

That would be the way Sir Knight Reinhardt would want it.

The work was carried out quickly.

Dozens of wagons were lined up in front of Felton’s workshop.

Well-packaged boxes of neutralizing agent were neatly loaded and departed for various parts of the Empire.

“There must be no problems with the escort. If a problem arises that can be solved with money, do so. The quality of the supplies is always the top priority.”

Ethan attached a large number of knights to each procession for escort.

Because if a problem occurred with the delivery of the goods, it would mean faltering from the very first step.

Just as the busy situation was getting sorted out.

“Commander. A wagon from the north has arrived. From the smithy in Elmore……”

“Elmore!”

New news arrived from the secretary.

It was the news that the harvest of the seeds sown by Knight Reinhardt had arrived.

***

The gatekeepers of Serigel were composed of the most outstanding soldiers.

Because it was a gateway city, all sorts of people came and went.

Inspections were always carried out thoroughly, and it was the same even if the other party was the owner of a large caravan.

Because bribes were of no use to the soldiers guarding the gate.

But even for them, there were exceptions.

“The seal of Truma.”

Two wagons bearing the seal of Truma approached the gate.

The gatekeeper hurriedly stopped the wagons and checked the person inside.

Then, he shouted loudly to his comrades and raised his hand high.

“Open the gate! It is Cardinal Dalton and Sir Reinhardt!”

The gate opened with a bang immediately.

The soldiers lined up on both sides and saluted.

The wagons passed through the gate. The wagons carrying Reinhardt and Dalton headed to their respective destinations.

“I will visit you in person as soon as things are sorted out.”

“Please make sure to clean up properly first. There is no need to hurry.”

“Yes, Sir Reinhardt. I will follow your words.”

The wagon carrying Dalton and the other clergy headed for the temple.

Reinhardt, of course, was in front of the Taton Knights’ headquarters.

“Bitdori. Isn’t it time to get up?”

“Bbit?”

“We’re home.”

“Bbi, bbit!”

After waking up Bitdori, which had grown to the size of a medium-sized dog, Reinhardt got off the wagon.

But the atmosphere at the main gate of the knights’ headquarters was different from his expectations.

It was bustling and noisy.

People were moving busily, carrying something.

‘What is it?’

Did some high-ranking official come to visit? Or…….

After observing for a moment, Reinhardt soon realized the identity of the items the workers were carrying.

‘It’s here.’

From weapons such as swords, spears, and axes to armor.

The various pieces of equipment were certainly familiar to Reinhardt’s eyes.

“Sir Reinhardt? When did you arrive?”

Just then, Ethan approached from a distance with wide eyes.

A look of pleasure was on his face.

“I just returned. Are these the items from Elmore?”

“That’s right. I was thinking I should ask you about them and make use of them, so I was just organizing them for now. Did anything unusual happen? Was it not dangerous?”

“A problem occurred, and I resolved it.”

Ethan nodded with a look that said, “I knew it.”

“……Shall we hear the details in a little while?”

“That would be better. Have you looked at the items?”

“I’ve seen them all. This is, amazing. I finally realized why you went all the way to that far north, Sir.”

Ethan can see through the value of items.

The material of the delivered equipment was the byproducts of Magical Beasts, and the creator was the blacksmith Ellie.

It was a seemingly calm admiration, but an undeniable shock could be felt in his voice.

“There was also a letter for you, Sir.”

Reinhardt received a letter from Ethan.

It seemed to have been scribbled by the blacksmith Ellie herself.

The content was roughly that it was quite enjoyable, so if more such materials became available, he should send them anytime.

‘She said it was enjoyable.’

The blacksmith Ellie’s words ‘it was enjoyable’ meant that she had grown through this opportunity.

For a while, she could expect explosive growth just by hammering the byproducts of Magical Beasts.

“I’ll have to send a wagon to the north again.”

“It seems you have more of those materials.”

“Yes. The amount is greater than what I brought last time. I will need more wagons and knights.”

“I’ll prepare them as soon as possible. But I think you’ll have to wait a few days. There are too many personnel who have already been dispatched.”

Dispatch. Reinhardt turned to look at Ethan.

“You said dispatch?”

“It turned out just as you said, Sir. Neutralizing agent is needed all over the Empire.”

Orders were literally pouring in.

It was a good thing they had produced it in advance; if the preparations had been just a little late, it would have been an unmanageable amount.

Just then, Ethan slyly glanced at Reinhardt.

“Is it still alright?”

The meaning of the question was obvious.

Is it okay to monopolize the recipe? Is it okay to earn more money?

At that desperate look, Reinhardt nodded.

“Yes, it’s still alright.”

“I see. That’s a real relief. I’m only telling you this because it’s you, Sir, but to be honest, the financial situation wasn’t very good.”

“We will also sell some of this equipment. But we must not sell it to just anyone. It would be best to supply it only to specific groups like the Paganoa Knights and the Floran Imperial Academy.”

“If you say so, I can only gladly follow your advice. How should I set the prices?”

“I’m sure you’re better than me in matters like that, Commander.”

Ethan grinned with a satisfied look.

“I won’t disappoint you. Ah, come to think of it, where is Dirk? I think he departed with you.”

“He’s training.”

“Training?”

Ethan’s expression turned puzzled.

“Yes. He’s training by slaying Magical Beasts near the city. He’ll be staying there for a while.”