Defender's Oath - A Knightly Respite - Episode 1
One evening, Lancelot and Vane are in the castle kitchen making party preparations as they share childhood memories and their hopes for the future. The two hold a surprise birthday party for Siegfried after, and the knights enjoy a peaceful time together.
Vane: Hey, Lancey! I think the soup turned out pretty good, but can you give it a taste to make sure?
Lancelot: Of course. Be right there.
Lancelot: Phoo... Phoo...
Gulp.
Vane: What do you think?
Lancelot: Mm... It's delicious!
Vane: Awesome!
In the kitchen of Feendrache Castle, Vane cooks while Lancelot handles the taste-testing.
Lancelot: Is it my imagination, or have your culinary skills improved again?
Vane: Heheh! You think so?
Lancelot: Heh... Does this mean the preparations are almost complete?
Vane: Yeah! Now all that's left is to wait for this guy to finish baking!
Having finished with the cooking, Vane and Lancelot wait for their final creation to come out of the oven.
Vane: Getting ready for a party like this reminds me of when we were kids.
Lancelot: Oh? Why's that?
Vane: Well, there was that one time...
Vane: Back when we were about yea high, we had a birthday party at your house, remember?
Lancelot: A birthday party? Heh, I guess we did...
Vane: Yeah... But you've always been a popular guy, you know?
Vane: You had tons of other friends, so you probably don't remember much about me from back then...
As Vane begins to sulk, Lancelot speaks to him in a sincere voice.
Lancelot: There was... cake, right?
Vane: Huh?
Lancelot: You brought cheesecake that time, didn't you?
Vane: Yeah... Yeah, that's right! It was my grandma's special baked cheesecake!
Lancelot: But I seem to remember you looking pretty down in the dumps.
Vane: Can you blame me? You were surrounded by fancy toys you got from other kids, and my only gift was some lousy cheesecake.
Vane: I remember exactly what I said back then...
Vane: "Come on, Grandma! Don't you have any other cakes? Like one with whipped cream and strawberries on top?"
Vane: I begged her for something more impressive.
Lancelot: Hahaha! So it was all about food!
Vane: Hey, you don't know how it felt! But it was still wrong of me to blame my grandma.
Vane: That's why it made me super happy to see you enjoying the cake!
Lancelot: I really did love your grandmother's cheesecake.
Vane: Heheh!
Vane: Sure, it looks plain, but it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Grandma's cheesecake is the best in the skies! Hahaha!
Lancelot: And that legendary flavor has been passed down to you now! That's a pretty big deal!
Vane: The truth is, that whole cheesecake incident is what got me into cooking.
Lancelot: Really? I had no idea!
Lancelot: I just assumed you'd always been skilled at the entire range of housework, cooking included.
Vane: My grandma gave me other chores to do...
Vane: But she thought cooking was too dangerous for me, so she wouldn't let me try it.
Lancelot: She really cared about her precious grandson.
Vane: Yeah! I'm grateful to her.
Vane: You know, you and I have been together forever, but I guess there are still things we don't know about each other!
Lancelot: That's true...
Lancelot: Oh, do you think it's almost done, Vane?
Vane: Hmm... Maybe just a bit longer.
After checking on the fire, Vane casually turns to ask Lancelot a question.
Vane: Hey, Lancey...
Lancelot: Hm?
Vane: Why me?
Lancelot: What do you mean?
Vane: I mean, you had a bunch of friends, right?
Vane: So... I was just wondering why you chose to hang out with me of all people.
Lancelot: That's easy. I'd always wanted a dog as a pet.
Lancelot: And then there you were, the perfect faithful hound!
Vane: Hey! So I'm just a substitute for a dog? Some friend you are!
Lancelot: Haha! I'm just messing with you! I don't know—I guess you were like the little brother I never had!
Vane: Phew, really? That's a load off my mind! At the very least, I hope you see me as a person...
Vane: But I gotta say, I'm really glad we ended up as neighbors.
Lancelot: Me too. And here we are, still causing trouble together like we're joined at the hip.
Vane: Yeah. If we hadn't lived near each other, I doubt you would've hit it off with me more than your other friends.
Lancelot: Why do you say that?
Vane: Well, I was a big crybaby back then...
Vane: I bet there were a lot of other kids who were more worthy of being friends with you.
Lancelot: Vane...
Vane: I thought being with me must've bored you to tears, so I was always happy when you agreed to hang out with me.
Lancelot: Listen... You've got it wrong. I spent time with you because I wanted to.
Vane: Huh?
Lancelot: It felt like all the other kids only wanted to be my friend because it would be advantageous to them.
Lancelot: I can't say I don't understand.
Lancelot: But I could tell you genuinely enjoyed spending time with me, plain and simple.
Lancelot: So being with you was... comforting.
Vane: Lancey...
Lancelot: And ever since then, you've continued to be a friend I can always rely on.
Vane: Thanks... Hearing you say that makes me really happy!
Upon hearing Lancelot's true feelings, Vane breaks out into a bright smile.
Vane: You've always had a more discerning eye than other people, ever since we were kids!
Lancelot: Really? I'd say I'm fairly average.
Vane: Really! I feel like you used to be colder and more distant back in the day though.
Lancelot: Are you sure you're not imagining things? Either that or being around you for so long softened me up.
Vane: Hehehe. You might have something there. But you know, talking about this face to face is kinda embarrassing...
Lancelot: Haha... True. By the way, how's the cake looking?
Vane: Let's see... Oh, I think it's just about ready!
Vane: You know, it just hit me. I think the last time I was in this kitchen was when I'd just joined the Black Dragons.
Lancelot: Heh... Now that you mention it, back then you were always in here cooking, weren't you?
Vane: Yeah, it was fun making meals for everyone in between our grueling training sessions.
Lancelot: I think you were the only one who ever fixed meals like one of the chefs.
Vane: Really?
Vane: It was a nice way to unwind, and it always made me happy to see everybody enjoying the food I made.
Lancelot: Those were the days...
Vane: Now that I'm back, what do you say we all get together and enjoy a good meal like we used to?
Lancelot: Well...
Vane: It kinda feels like you've been distancing yourself from the other guys.
Vane: You oughta let loose more like you did back when you were vice captain!
Lancelot: But my position is completely different now...
Vane: We'll eat good food and drink good booze, and then we'll all probably get carried away, and it'll turn into a shouting match...
Vane: But don't worry! If you end up getting in a fight with a subordinate, I'll make sure to put a stop to it!
Lancelot: A-all right... If it comes to that, I'll be counting on you!
Vane: Sure thing! Leave it to me! I'll win over all the White Dragons with the power of food!
Lancelot: Good grief... You're really something, you know that?
Vane: Well, I guess someone like you who only eats but never cooks wouldn't understand.
Lancelot: Urgh... I-I'll have you know I didn't become a knight to cook for people!
Vane: Heh... Then why did you become a knight, Lancey?
Lancelot: I should think that'd be obvious! I became a knight in order to help make the kingdom of Feendrache the best it can be!
Suddenly, Vane picks up a nearby spoon and turns to hold it in front of Lancelot like a microphone.
Vane: Oh yeah?
Vane: Then I have a question for you—Lancelot, Captain of the White Dragons.
Vane: What, in your opinion, makes a good kingdom?
Lancelot: Oh... Ahem. An excellent question, Sir Vane. Let's see...
Lancelot: Our armed might puts that of other nations to shame, but I can't say we're able to compete when it comes to educational standards.
Lancelot: And that's why I'd like to build a school where everyone can have the chance to learn on equal footing.
Vane: A school?
Lancelot: That's right! A school that anyone and everyone can attend without charge!
Lancelot: By overhauling the education system, we'll be able to cultivate talented minds that will surely contribute to the development of our kingdom.
Vane: A fine point as always, Sir Lancelot! Do you have any other ideas?
Lancelot: Well... I'd like to create a peaceful kingdom where the people can live free from fear of monsters.
Vane: That sounds like it'll be tricky.
Lancelot: Agreed. As it is now, the safety of the capital and its surroundings is all but assured...
Lancelot: But I'd be hesitant to say that the influence of the White Knights is able to reach the rural areas.
Vane: Yeah... There are only so many knights that can be dispatched, unfortunately.
Lancelot: But I don't believe those efforts are in vain.
Lancelot: I want to someday create a peaceful kingdom where the people can travel safely from town to town whenever they so desire.
Vane: Good idea. Sure would be great if we could make a kingdom like that.
Lancelot: Indeed. No one should have to experience the grief of having their loved ones taken from them by monsters.
Lancelot: I don't want anyone else to have to go through what you did. That's why I became a knight.
Vane: Yeah... I feel the same way.
Vane: You can come to me anytime you need help making that dream into a reality, Lancelot.
Lancelot: Here we are, united again. I'll be counting on you, Vane.
Vane: I mean, you and I have been best friends since we were kids! At this point, we should just see how far we can go together!
Lancelot: Hahaha, you're right. Let's do that, partner.
At that moment, a familiar chime echoes throughout the kingdom.
Vane: Whoops! The cake should be ready now!
Lancelot: H-how is it?
Vane: Ah... All good! It's done!
Lancelot: Phew... Thank goodness. Looks like it turned out well!
Vane: Yeah, it's perfect! Thanks, Lancey—I couldn't have done it without your help!
Lancelot: Well, all I did was mix the ingredients... But you're welcome!
Vane carefully retrieves the piping-hot pan from the oven.
Lancelot: All right... Now we just need to add the nameplate...
Vane: Hang on a sec, Lancey! We have to let it cool off first!
Lancelot: O-oh, I see! All right, then let's help it along.
Lancelot and Vane are able to cool the cake off quickly using a tray they had chilled beforehand.
Vane: Phew... It should be cool enough now. Now we just need to remove it from the mold...
Lancelot: Looks like we made it just in time.
Vane: So how many candles should we put on it? Think this is enough?
Lancelot: Sure! I'll leave the finishing touches to you! Meanwhile, I think I'll do a final once-over of the window decorations!
Lancelot begins inspecting the decorations with the dedication of someone tasked with an important mission.
Lancelot: How do the decorations over here look to you, Vane? Are they a little tilted?
Vane: Hmm, hang on... Try moving that one on the right up a little.
Lancelot: Oh... Like this?
Vane: Yeah, that's the spot! Stop right there!
Great, that's perfect!
Lancelot: Heh... Now the decorations are flawless.
Just as Lancelot breathes a sigh of relief, he looks out the window and flies into a panic.
Lancelot: Ah! Vane! The target is approaching! Hurry and turn out the lights!
Vane: What! Aw, man! I was so close to finishing up!
Lancelot: Is the cake all right?
Vane: It's fine! Come on, Lancey! Get over here so we can hide!
Lancelot: All right! Coming!
Lancelot and Vane shut off the lights and rush to find a spot to hide.
The sound of footsteps grows progressively louder before stopping just outside the door.
???: I'm here. Sorry for being late...
???: Hello? Anyone home? I'm opening the door.
Vane: Lancey, the candles.
Lancelot: Ah, wait! I was just about to light them.
Siegfried: Huh? Isn't it kind of dark in here?
Lancelot: They're lit.
Vane: Then let's go!
The moment Lancelot and Vane see Siegfried come into the room, they leap out in front of him.
Lancelot & Vane: Ready, and!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Lancelot & Vane: Happy birthday, dear Siegfried...
Happy birthday to you!
Siegfried: What is all this, you two?
Lancelot & Vane: Siegfried! Happy birthday!
Siegfried: Oh? Hahaha! I see... So this is a surprise party?
Siegfried: I'm impressed you both managed to surprise me of all people... You've improved!
Lancelot: Heh-heh! Vane's the one who actually baked the cake though. I can vouch for the taste!
Vane: Yeah! It's all thanks to Lancey's help!
Vane: Oh! And Lancey took care of all the decorations too!
Lancelot: W-well, they're nothing to write home about...
Siegfried: Heh. Lancelot, Vane. Thank you.
Siegfried: Now then, what do you say we get this party started?
Lancelot: And so Siegfried's surprise birthday party ended up being a success.
Lancelot: After that, we thoroughly enjoyed stuffing our faces with Vane's special baked cheesecake.
Lancelot: Thus our time as knights continues to pass by peacefully.
Lancelot: We can only hope these quiet days will continue forever.