After leaving the office, Michel went straight to the main gate of the palace fortress. It was because his party was waiting there.
When he handed the observation passes to the gate soldiers guarding the main gate, they opened the door without a word.
"Confirmed. Permission is granted to Knight Aspirant Michel and eight others to observe the training ground."
The Kasim Mercenary Corps party soon entered the Penslot palace fortress. Under the guidance of the gate guard, they headed straight for the training ground. The entrance to the training ground was likewise reinforced with steel, just like the main gate, and numerous gate guards stood watch. Shortly after, they presented their observation passes and were able to enter the training ground.
From afar, they could see the royal guards devoting themselves to training, sweating profusely. It was a considerably large training ground, and since the knights were not wearing weapons or armor, it seemed to be a place where only basic physical fitness was trained.
Fearing that Michel might possess hidden swordsmanship skills, Riley had limited the observation site to this place. The gate guard who had finished guiding them pointed to one side of the training ground.
"You may observe from here."
Once the soldier finished guiding them and left, Damon cracked his knuckles with popping sounds.
"Then, shall we start warming up now?"
Without delay after speaking, Damon opened Incresia. Michel approached with a worried expression.
"What on earth are you planning to do……."
"No more chatter, get ready to fight. I'll pull out four Death Knights, so just have a bout as you've always done. Since you've advanced a step, you should be able to fight them for quite a while now."
"……."
Damon glared at Michel, who didn't understand the situation.
"You stupid brat. If you fight with all your might, won't all of Penslot's high officials come rushing? They have eyes too, so they won't just stand by and watch, will they? I'm telling you to show off your true skills before them. And what are you worried about? We entered with legal observation passes, and we're just sparring among ourselves."
Only then did Michel realize Damon's intentions and clap his hands sharply.
"Good heavens……. To think you came up with such an idea? Truly amazing."
"Stop fooling around and put on your armor. The Death Knights are probably itching for a fight by now……"
"Understood."
Without another word, Michel unpacked his things. It had been a long time since he had worn his phantasmal armor. Without even looking at him, Damon shouted at Incresia.
"Everyone, assemble!"
Shortly after, four Death Knights and one Dullahan revealed themselves in the Royal Guard Order's training ground of Penslot Palace. Having already heard the whole story from Damon last night, Helvertron approached Michel with gleaming eyes.
"Kekeke. Long time no see, brat. I heard you became a Sword Master. But that doesn't mean you can underestimate me."
"Today will be a bit difficult for you."
Michel, fully armored, smiled and raised his sword. Whether because he looked forward to Michel's change, Helvertron ruthlessly charged in, spewing forth Death Blade (Death blade: darkness Aura Blade) from his longsword in streams. The longsword of the approaching Michel also manifested a brilliant Aura Blade. Michel's Aura Blade, rising well over a meter from the sword, was something that looked perfectly complete at a glance.
Shortly after, the Penslot palace was thrown into an uproar. The report that a human and undead were fighting a bloody battle in the training ground immediately reached the ears of the King of Penslot. As Death Knights suddenly appeared in the training ground, the panicked royal guards immediately reported the fact to the Knight Commander, and eventually the report reached the King of Penslot.
"H-how can this be……. Death Knights appearing in the training ground of our kingdom's own royal palace, is this even possible?"
"We must dispatch the royal guards immediately. We must catch and kill all of them to restore our kingdom's honor."
However, the knights' opinions were quite different from those of the civil officials. To the king's question regarding their thoughts, the Royal Guard Commander calmly expressed his opinion.
"I believe they are none other than the Dragon Slayers of whom we have only heard rumors."
"Then you mean they are the famously rumored Kasim Mercenary Corps?"
It was the King of Penslot who was startled. Like the King of Terbia, he too had long since set his mind on recruiting the Kasim Mercenary Corps. Although he was not a warmongering king or one obsessed with conquest, the Kasim Mercenary Corps was an existence that absolutely had to be recruited, if only for war deterrence.
He had already clearly realized the threat that would arise should the Kasim Mercenary Corps join Teseros or Terbia. Recalling that fact, the King of Penslot rose as if there was nothing more to think about.
"Summon the royal guards. We must go there."
At those words, the civil officials' faces turned pale. They could not avoid accompanying the king.
"Y-Your Majesty, it is dangerous. We do not even know what kind of people they are……"
"I don't want to hear it. This can be called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. An opportunity to win them over before Teseros or Terbia."
The King of Penslot rose resolutely. The Knight Commander had already rushed out to summon the royal guards.
"They're coming."
Damon, having discovered the splendid procession approaching the training ground, squinted his eyes.
"Hehehe. Let's see that Riley bastard get a taste of this."
Michel had already finished his fierce battle with Helvertron and was now crossing swords with Lyndelph. It was an achievement made in just one day, but Michel's development was truly dazzling. He had been deploying a full-power Aura Blade for over ten minutes, yet he showed no signs of fatigue. His opponent, Lyndelph, shook his head back and forth.
"When did this little brat develop so much?"
Of course, he was still below the level of those who were Grand Sword Masters, but a knight who had achieved as much as Michel at the same age would not be found even if one searched both continents.
"Hahaha. Here I come."
With Michel's vigorous shout, two longswords clashed continuously in midair. Sparks flew thickly as the swords exchanged offense and defense frantically. Having sparred countless times already, the two were well acquainted with each other's sword paths. As such, this was no different from an informal duel. Because they could clearly see through stances alone to know where the sword would fly. Of course, it would be different in actual combat…….
However, to a third party, there was no doubt that their duel was an incomparably fierce battle. The one shocked by that sight was none other than the Royal Guard Commander of Penslot. Watching the duel from afar, he gaped wide.
"T-that is truly a Death Knight of tremendous skill. He could nearly be regarded as on the level of a Grand Sword Master. Moreover, the knight fighting against him is equally incredible. He appears to be a Sword Master, yet he isn't falling behind the Death Knight by an inch."
"Are Death Knights truly that strong?"
"Y-yes. Shameful as it is, I believe he is far stronger than I."
The Royal Guard Commander, imagining himself facing a Death Knight, trembled faintly. Though he too was a Sword Master, he had no confidence in fighting against a Death Knight. They say those who walk the same path understand each other best; through the exchange of blows already taking place, he had grasped the opponent's level to some degree. He sighed deeply with a somber expression.
"Huu, if there are four such terrifying Death Knights, we are insufficient. And if a true dragon joins them……. I believe it would be better to withdraw the mobilized forces."
At those words, the King of Penslot let out a groan. He had issued a troop mobilization order in preparation for failing to win them over, yet unexpectedly, the Royal Guard Commander showed a deflated reaction.
"Does it seem difficult?"
"Yes. If things go wrong, the entire Royal Guard Order could be annihilated."
The king, his complexion changed, immediately ordered the troops to withdraw. One knight immediately ran off to carry out the order. The Knight Commander, taking his eyes off the battle, this time surveyed where their party was.
The first things to catch his eye were three Death Knights standing stock-still. Beside them stood a headless corpse(?), which seemed to be a Dullahan, a type of undead. The remaining men were surprisingly ordinary, dressed in typical mercenary attire seen anywhere on the continent. However, seeing that each one had temples prominently bulging, they all seemed to have reached a state where they could wield mana.
'Amazing. The entire mercenary corps are Paladins…….'
Among them, the one who captivated the Knight Commander's attention the most was an old man draped in a black robe. Having observed him for some time, the Knight Commander finally made up his mind.
"By his attire, that man seems to be the rumored black wizard. I shall go and have a conversation with him."
"I permit it. Please be careful."
Once the king's permission was granted, the Knight Commander began approaching them accompanied by ten royal guards.
Though over ten royal guards were approaching, the party pretended not to see them. It was because Damon had already given them a stern warning. Until the Penslot Knight Commander approached right before them, not a single one of the party turned their heads. Because they showed no interest whatsoever, the Knight Commander had to address them first.
"Greetings."
Only two showed a reaction. Fortunately, among those who turned their heads was the old man presumed to be the black wizard. The Knight Commander looked straight at the black wizard and introduced himself.
"I am Karsus de Scolseji, Knight Commander of the Royal Guard of the Kingdom of Penslot. Welcome to Penslot."
The old man seemed somewhat displeased, his face looking quite annoyed. Shortly after, a curt reply came.
"Welcome, you say? I suppose that's a fortunate thing in an otherwise unfortunate situation."
It was not a very favorable reaction, but for the Knight Commander, it was fortunate enough to have opened a line of conversation. Knight Commander Karsus did not miss the opportunity and continued.
"Excuse me, but I wish to know why you have come to our Kingdom of Penslot. I am quite curious as to why you are dueling in the training ground of the royal palace."
The old man frowned.
"Is there a problem with that?"
"……."
"We entered this place with legal observation passes. Moreover, we are sparring among ourselves, not fighting against your kingdom's knights, so I thought it would not be a particular problem……."
Hearing those words, the Knight Commander couldn't help but be puzzled.
'Who on earth issued them observation passes?'
But he had no leisure to think deeply.
"Forgive me, but could you reveal your identities?"
The answer was as the Knight Commander expected.
"We are members of the Kasim Mercenary Corps. I don't know if you've heard, but we exclusively undertake dragon hunts."
"Ah, I see. I have heard much of your illustrious reputation. It is a pleasure to meet you."
The Knight Commander bowed his head respectfully. Now that the fact was confirmed, it was time to win them over by any means.
Having already determined that winning them over by force was impossible, the only option left to him was to treat them with the utmost courtesy and win their favor. Meanwhile, the Sword Master and the Death Knight finished their duel. The Knight Commander glanced at the two who had stopped their fierce battle and withdrawn, then spoke in a subtle tone.
"If you wish, I shall guide you to a larger and better-equipped training ground. This place seems too cramped for combatants of their caliber."
"No, that's fine."
The old man flatly refused.
"We are merely sparring to soothe our swordsmanship instructor's temper. He has sweated plenty, so his mood has likely improved. It is time we were on our way."
It was the Knight Commander who grew anxious at the old man's words.