Chapter 361 : Klein

Chapter 361: Klein

“Klein, sir.” The child Klein said, “Klein George O'Connor.”

“George, is that your baptismal name?” asked Priest Agamemnon.

It was Vito who answered, “He was the first child born after the village was established. The priest performed the baptism for him and gave him the name George.”

“I see.” Agamemnon nodded and looked at Klein. “So is that why you're so interested in Knight George?”

“I just think, compared to that Holy Knight, I’d much rather have Vito or Leo as my baptismal name,” Klein said, his gaze unable to stop drifting toward the two knights standing behind Agamemnon.

They were clad in full suits of heavy armor, with only their faces exposed.

When Vito and Leo returned to the village, they never wore armor. To them, this was home—a place to live—so they always returned dressed in simple cloth garments.

Agamemnon noticed the look in Klein’s eyes and smiled. “It seems you really admire those two.”

“Of course! I grew up listening to stories about Knights Vito and Leo.” Klein puffed out his chest. “It’s because of those two heroes that Odo Village even exists!”

“Then why did you ask why Knight Vito isn't a Holy Knight?” Agamemnon inquired. “If you admire Knight Vito, why are you so concerned about the distinction between a Holy Knight and a Guardian Knight?”

“Well, it’s because everyone knows Knight George. All the stories people tell are about him. But hardly anyone knows about Knights Vito and Leo. Once you leave the village, you barely hear their names at all,” Klein said with a tinge of sadness.

Only then did Agamemnon understand, and he glanced at Vito with amusement.

Vito looked slightly embarrassed and couldn’t help but explain, “He’s over six years old now, so he sometimes goes into the city with his father to run errands. That’s when he started hearing other stories.”

Naturally, “the city” referred to York City, known as “The Center of the World,” where information changed rapidly. Nearly six years had passed since Vito and Leo were active. Due to the nature of their identities, few in the city spoke of them.

Whereas George, because of his deeds and his status as one of the two publicly recognized Tier Six heroes in Greenwood, was always a topic of discussion—regardless of his affiliation with the Church.

People revered strength, especially when it came with the title of “hero.”

Agamemnon looked at Klein again and asked, “Why do you want people to talk about the stories of Knights Vito and Leo? Do you think that if no one talks about them, they’re not worthy of admiration anymore? That they’re no longer ‘Vito and Leo’?”

The question was clearly beyond the understanding of a six-year-old. Klein looked flustered and replied, “No, of course not. I just... I just think their heroic stories should be known too.”

“But aren’t their stories already passed down here in Odo Village?” Agamemnon asked.

The six-year-old Klein looked a bit dazed. He mumbled under his breath, glancing at Vito, then at Agamemnon, and then at the knights in full armor behind Agamemnon.

Perhaps in his mind, he imagined these two knights as Holy Knight George.

After all, such knights looked far more impressive than Vito, who wore old, tattered fisherman's clothes.

Even if those two knights bowed slightly and placed their hands over their chests in salute upon seeing Vito.

But for a child of this age and class, he couldn’t yet grasp the meaning behind such gestures.

Agamemnon didn’t tease Klein further and continued, “If you feel their stories are not being told, you can be the one to tell them—to let others know.”

“Have you ever heard of Knight Richard?” Agamemnon asked.

Klein nodded vigorously. “Of course I’ve heard of Knight Richard! Sometimes I can even see his giant dragon-eagle flying across the lake when the Academy of Magic sets off fireworks. And just the other day, I saw smaller dragon-eagles and flying lions soaring through the sky.”

Clearly, powerful heroes inspired awe in children, but magical beasts left even deeper impressions.

Agamemnon continued, “Then have you heard the story of Knight Elbert?”

“I’ve heard of that knight. The liar knight. He’s just a cruel, outdated knight, but he tricked Knight Richard,” Klein said angrily, his face puffed with frustration.

Agamemnon's eye twitched slightly.

He knew the reason Richard wanted to preserve Knight Elbert’s storybook was because—even though it was said to be fictional—it represented the origin of Richard’s knightly vow. Richard had hoped other knights could read and understand the spirit behind his oath.

But Greenwood, unlike the Northland, which enjoyed crude tales of slaughter and lust, had a greater appetite for the personal secrets of prominent figures.

Like George’s pre-Church history, or the rumor that Richard, once infertile, sired over a hundred children in one year.

As for how these stories got spread...

The bards took full responsibility.

It was all information they heard themselves—certainly not told to them by Dean Oscar.

Thanks to them, Richard’s original intent was distorted, and Knight Elbert became a villain in his tales.

Knight Richard was reimagined as a noble knight who upheld his vows despite being deceived.

In the storybook, Elbert was portrayed as someone who stole Richard’s deeds and tried to take credit for them.

Even when bard stories didn’t quite add up, who cared? People simply wanted to hear what they wanted to hear.

When the tale reached Richard’s ears in York City, he nearly flew from Adrian City to storm the monastery and kill Oscar—if not for Bishop Marl calming him down.

So when Agamemnon heard Klein say this, he thought: he needed to put some pressure on Councilor Youn. The Bard Guild situation had to be resolved soon.

Now that Councilor Jeffrey had finished the framework for the Scholar’s Guild, and Agamemnon had set a precedent with the lawyer issue, Youn still hadn’t taken any action.

He considered arranging minor incidents—arresting a few bards and accusing them of spreading rumors and misleading the public. A mandate could then be issued: all bards must be literate and hold a recognized rank to become official bards.

However, the reason Youn had been given the soon-to-be-obsolete gold coin exchange task was because he was suitable, not necessarily capable.

While thinking this, Agamemnon said aloud, “Regardless of what kind of man Knight Elbert was, you can see that, when Knight Richard’s story is told, Knight Elbert’s tale is also remembered.”

“So if one day, Klein O’Connor becomes such a knight, then the Vito and Leo you admire will naturally be sung about as well.”

Finally, Agamemnon said, “You shouldn’t blame anyone just because the stories of Knights Vito and Leo aren’t being told the way you imagined. You should be glad you know their stories. And if you’re unhappy that no one else is telling them—why can’t you be the one to share them?”

Klein seemed to understand. “But if that’s the case, then I’d have to become even stronger than Knights Vito and Leo, right? I’d have to become a hero? Can I really become a hero?”

His voice trembled with both excitement and uncertainty.

To a child, the word “hero” felt both distant and close.

Distant because he didn’t yet fully grasp its meaning.

Close because, right now, he could freely say he wanted to become one.

Klein looked at Vito, and Vito said seriously, “Yes, Klein. I believe you will become a hero who surpasses me and Leo.”

“R-Really?” Klein stuttered slightly.

“Instead of asking if it's true, perhaps you should start acting on it,” Agamemnon said.

“Then what should I do?” Klein suddenly felt that, more than Vito’s words, this gentleman’s advice was trustworthy—he was so wise.

Klein wasn’t stupid; he could tell Vito didn’t really know how to respond.

“Perhaps you could begin by helping others—like Knight George did when he was still a monk, helping the common folk. Or like Knight Richard, who helped people even before meeting his dragon-eagle,” said Agamemnon.

“But they were already adults then. You’re still a child. So, I think you can start by helping your father. For example, when he’s hauling fish, stand by his side and pick up the ones that jump out of the basket. That’s something you can do—and it’ll spare your father a small trouble.”

Klein’s eyes lit up. He nodded vigorously and said, “Yes, sir, you’re right! My father has an old leg injury. It’s hard for him to bend down when he’s carrying the fish basket. If he had to crouch to pick up fish too, it’d be hard for him to stand again.”

“Hahaha, what a clever child—you noticed your father’s difficulties.” Agamemnon praised.

The compliment made Klein blush a little.

“But a clever Klein should also be able to tell that I have some matters to discuss with Knight Vito,” Agamemnon added.

Klein’s face flushed deeper. Judging by Agamemnon’s words, his clothes, and the knights behind him, it was obvious this man was someone important.

He bowed and said, “Sir, I’m very sorry.”

He then spoke a word to Vito and finally bowed to Agamemnon once more. “Then I’ll go help Father now.”

With that, he ran off.