AEgamer1
Selected Sat, Apr 09, 2022
I pinched the bridge of my nose with my hand. I felt a dull ache growing under my skull.
"Let me get this straight."
A young man, wearing gleaming plate armor and a blue cape, stood before me. A young man fidgeting about. A young man who had big red stains all over his clothes and body.
"You went to see the Count."
"Yes, Master."
"Because you heard he was kidnapping village women for nefarious purposes."
"Yes, Master."
"Did you personally observe a woman being kidnapped?"
"...I did not, Master."
"Did you investigate the claims?"
"No, Master."
"Did you visit the villages in question?"
"T-There was no time, Master."
"Did you talk with any officials, guards, merchants, or clergymen in the town?"
"No, Master."
"Did you raise your concerns with the Royal auditor?"
"No, Master."
"What did you do?"
"I went straight to the castle, Master."
I heaved a sigh.
"Ok, so you didn't do any prep or investigation and confronted the Count directly?"
"Yes, Master."
"Did you inform him of your visit ahead of time?"
"...I went immediately, Master."
"Did you speak with any of his staff about your concerns?"
"I-I thought they were in on it, Master."
"Did you speak with him in private about your allegations?"
"No, Master."
"Did you publicly accuse him of his wrongdoings while he was holding court?"
"No, Master."
"Did you give him a chance to give a response?"
"...I didn't want to hear excuses, Master."
"So you moved directly to a physical confrontation?"
"Yes, Master."
Another sigh.
"Ok, so you immediately went to use the sword."
"Yes, Master."
"Did you show the royal seal on the side to establish your authority as a Royal agent?"
"W-Wait, what?"
"Did you channel your mana through the hilt of Edgeless Blade, to show the world your authority from the Goddess?"
"I-I can do that?"
"..."
"Um, I mean, no, Master, I did not."
"What did you do?"
"I..."
"Well...?"
"I took the sword guard."
"Yes."
"I unscrewed the pommel."
"I see."
"And I threw it at the Count."
"And then?"
"And then, I..."
"Don't be shy now."
"And then I ended him rightly..."
The young man averted his gaze. I covered my face with my palm as I heard a knock at the door.
"We are the Royal Knights! Open up and come out with your hands in front of you!"
I sighed. This was going to be a very, extremely, excruciatingly long day.
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Edited, as reading "No, Master" like twenty times or so in a row seemed boring, even if it would make sense for a kid admitting to a murder to his mentor. I do feel like the rhythm is a little off now but that might just be me remembering the original flow so whatevs.
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Submitted by AEgamer1 on Wed, Apr 06, 2022 to /r/WritingPrompts/
Full submission hereThe prompt
You gave the hero an enchanted sword guard, but with no blade, it's unwieldly heavy, it was meant to teach them a lesson that violence isn't the only way forward. He's decided to use it as a club instead.
Read more stories for this prompt