Quirat silently watched Lu Xiuyuan, who looked like a starving ghost reincarnated. Unlike Calko, who would prioritize helping people in distress, she would first observe carefully. Only after confirming that the other party was merely an unlucky person would she offer help with a smile. As for her sister, who was all brawn and no brains, she would probably drag people to the barracks for training.
"Unlike the prevalent blonde or brown hair in the Lobre Saint Kingdom, his hair is a rather unique silver, even the roots are silver. Is he from another country? As for his appearance, it's certainly not unappealing; in fact, it's quite distinctive. If he were in the Ri Yestisijie Kingdom, those insatiable noblewomen wouldn't let such a good commodity go. He'd probably be sold for an exorbitant price by those slave organizations. He speaks a language we don't understand; is he from an uncivilized region? No, unless it's an angelic language, there's hardly any language barrier among intelligent races on this continent. Judging by his attire, he should be from a middle-class family. His eyes are very lively, but his behavior isn't particularly clever. He should have received a higher level of cultural education. He isn't carrying a weapon, but my sister's intuition has some reference value. Is he a so-called potential stock?"
Quirat looked at Lu Xiuyuan, who seemed to have been completely taken in by Calko, and silently pondered his origins. A resident of the Holy Kingdom couldn't possibly not recognize Her Royal Highness Holy Queen Calko, so he must have come from one of the countries ruled by demi-humans. Was he an illegal immigrant? And it couldn't be ruled out that his vocal cords were injured on the way.
"In any case, let's find a way to keep him here and observe him silently. We'll make our next move based on his future performance."
As for Lu Xiuyuan, he received a lot of food and even a cup of juice-like drink from the golden-haired angel, which brought a rare burst of energy to his hazy brain.
"My beautiful lady, although we don't speak the same language, please allow me to sincerely praise your benevolence, kindness, and generosity."
"And also, although I am down and out now, please believe me, I am absolutely not a beggar nor a vagrant. I will repay your kindness in the future."
Lu Xiuyuan stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, made a fist with his right hand against his chest, and bowed slightly, saluting the beautiful being in front of him.
This was a knight's etiquette he had watched in a certain TV series a long time ago. It should be usable in this medieval setting, right?
Calko smiled slightly. She naturally didn't understand the meaning of Lu Xiuyuan's gesture or his words, but it didn't prevent her from sensing the goodwill and gratitude behind it.
"It's alright, sir. It is our duty to help people in need."
Calko showed a faint smile. Although language and culture were mutually unintelligible, kindness would be transmitted.
【Pre-conditions met. Queen's Guard (Intermediate Class) unlocked. Would you like to take up this class?】
"Queen?" Lu Xiuyuan looked at the blonde girl in front of him in surprise. How could the girl in front of him, who didn't look older than 22, already be a queen?
"Then what about the two sisters behind her who look like twins?" Quirat and her sister Remedios behind Calko looked very similar, but there were slight differences at the corners of their eyes, and their temperaments were completely different.
"That woman with slightly squinted eyes is not simple. Considering that squinty-eyed people are usually monsters, she might be more formidable than the menopausal woman with the sword."
Lu Xiuyuan silently pondered the trio in front of him. The three of them wore predominantly white clothing, adorned with some unknown patterns, making them look very sacred.
"This country seems to have a strong religious atmosphere." Lu Xiuyuan thought about the temples he had seen on the street these past two days. Without sufficient funds, such luxurious temples couldn't be built. But there's also a queen. Is it a country where divine right of kings prevails?
While Lu Xiuyuan was thinking, Calko's trio was not idle either.
"At first, I just thought this gentleman was handsome, so I took a few extra glances. As a result, he was misunderstood by Remedios as a suspicious person. I'm really sorry."
Calko silently apologized in her heart.
"That guy's gaze towards Calko is like a desperate, starving stray dog seeing a human feeding him. It's really nice, that puppy-like gaze."
Quirat quietly chuckled, making sounds like "woo-hoo-hoo." This was the laughter she made when she saw an interesting toy.
"I don't have this kind of thought process." Remedios's intelligence level didn't support such psychological activity.
"Hey, Remedios, Quirat, why don't we take in this poor gentleman?"
"We can take him in, but he can't be brought into the palace, Calko. Those nobles won't allow you to privately bring in a male of unknown origin. They might even use this to attack you."
"It would also be difficult for the Priest Corps to let this gentleman in."
Quirat frowned. New Year was approaching, and the Priest Corps was not only busy preparing for mass and rehearsing hymns, but also had to attend to the wounded at Kalinsa Fortress. Furthermore, even if he had the talent for magic chanting, starting to learn at this age would be a bit late. It would indeed be difficult to bring such a person into the Priest Corps.
"How about this, Remedios, haven't you complained to me that the Knight Order is short-handed? And you also said that this gentleman looks very capable. How about I entrust him to you for training?"
Calko thought for a while and decided to employ Remedios. After all, in the Holy Kingdom, everyone had to undergo military training to deal with the demi-human tribes in the Abelian Hills. And the army was great; it provided food and lodging.
This was the norm in the Holy Kingdom. Although maritime trade and fishing were well-developed, and the people hardly had to worry about food and clothing, the existence of external threats from the demi-human tribes meant that the Holy Kingdom was almost constantly preparing for battle.
"Alright!" Remedios happily responded. She was just worried about not having new recruits to train recently. It was like getting a pillow when you were sleepy.
"Also, Quirat, could you please arrange general education classes for him? Training related to teaching literacy, language, and common knowledge."
"However, we also need to consider this gentleman's wishes. If he doesn't want to be arranged, we can also financially support him to learn a skill, so he'll have a guarantee for the future, won't he?"
After Calko finished speaking, she extended her fair hand towards Lu Xiuyuan.
"Sir, if you are willing to trust us, I, on behalf of the Holy Kingdom, guarantee that we will provide you with enough security for a stable life. Please, are you willing to come with us?"
"Lady, I truly don't understand what you are saying, but I am willing to trust you."
Lu Xiuyuan held the hand extended to him. This was his first intimate contact with a girl, if this even counted as intimate contact.
At this point, the hero's journey officially began.
