Crow’s Eye View

When Crow first laid eyes upon the youth, he thought he was lost. A small-built young boy clad in strangely dirty clothing, wandering about in the palace.

However, Crow soon thought otherwise. He was a bit too conspicuous to be an unsavory element of any sort. If he really meant to harm the kingdom, then he would not have walked around in such a brazenly suspicious manner to begin with.

Although Crow had spent some time observing him from behind, the youth paid him no heed, but instead kept looking at the line of aspirants for this year’s test.

(Maybe he’s here for the test.)

However, the youth was small for a typical applicant.

Crow had wanted to call out to the youth, but from behind, his profile was impossibly cute — much like that of a girl’s.

In the end, the reason why Crow called out to this boy wasn’t out of duty, but because the boy’s movements, much like that of a lovable small animal, had roused his curiosity.

“Hey, pretty little miss. Are you lost?”

Upon hearing that, the youth, momentarily surprised, turned in Crow’s direction. Alarm and distrust was plainly visible in his eyes.

“Uh. Well. I’m...”

His panicked reaction made Crow almost regret surprising him to begin with.

Upon listening to his story, it seemed like he was an applicant, and wanted to become a knight. Crow had thought the boy a child, but his responses were oddly straightforward. They were those of a youth who had admired knights, and wanted to become one. From that angle, Crow actually felt a degree of maturity.

It seemed that his small build was the only small thing about him.

After all, the Royal Knights of Orstoll opened their doors to any individuals from all walks of life. And that was how Crow, who still felt a little bad for surprising the youth, ended up escorting him to the end of the line and buying him kebabs...

All the while not knowing that they would become platoon-mates in the near future.

Sir Crow’s Journal

Today, a new recruit joined the ranks of the 18th Knights.

Up until now, the new recruits were all brought in by Roy, and they were older knights. This is perhaps the first time I’ve had some sort of junior under my wing.

Guy’s called Heath.

He’s honest and kind of cute — my first junior. When I think of it that way, I get kind of happy.

However, although it’s good that he has guts, he’s tiny and he doesn’t really have much physical strength. I worry for his future.

Seems like he’s got a habit of overexerting himself, so Roy told me to “keep an eye” on him and all that. Guess I should do a good job with this.

I look forward to tomorrow.