At the powerful request of Marquis Williams, every last member of the Krosen Knight Order who had accompanied him
was present in the audience chamber. Of course, just in case, the Terbia Royal Guard Knights had also been mobilized in full.
Rosimus I sank silently into thought.
‘If, as he says, the Krosen imperial family and Duke Perstein have joined hands……’
If that were true, it was plain as day that his ambitions would come to nothing. No matter how much he had expanded his military,
there was no way for him to face the mighty Krosen Empire, whose territory was several times larger
than his own. More than anything, he had no means of dealing with the fifty members of the Krosen Knight Order
standing right before his eyes.
That was how formidable Sword Masters were. Even if, by some chance, he succeeded in massacring them all
through poison or some other method,
his chances of victory would remain the same—nonexistent. If the enraged Krosen Knight Order and the Duke Knights,
said to possess power equal to that of the entire Terbia Royal Guard Knight Order,
joined forces and invaded, Terbia would have no choice
but to walk the path to ruin.
The Krosen Empire’s five-hundred-thousand-strong army was likewise beyond his ability to withstand. In a word,
the situation was utterly bleak.
‘If I do not dispatch sufficient troops……. In the worst case, I may suffer a preemptive attack.
Duke Perstein is more than capable of doing so.’
Having finished his deliberation, Rosimus I looked at Marquis Williams with a hollow gaze. The man
was waiting for his answer with an expressionless face. A cold chill hung in the air
around them. The Terbia Royal Guard Knights and the Krosen Knight Order were both awaiting orders
in a situation that could explode at any moment.
If he followed his feelings, he would have liked to give the order to attack, but Rosimus I did not dare
even consider it. For that would mean the immediate downfall of Terbia……. Having made his decision,
Rosimus I spoke weakly.
“Very well. I will provide the troops.”
Marquis Williams’s eyes flashed sharply.
“What scale of deployment are you considering?”
“I will give you all three hundred thousand of my elites. Including the garrison in the Talbot Mountains. If you require
reserve forces as well, say so.”
It was a number far beyond expectation, and Marquis Williams could not help but be astonished.
‘The duke estimated roughly two hundred and fifty thousand…….’
Since that far exceeded Duke Perstein’s expectations, Marquis Williams
quickly nodded.
“No. That will be sufficient. Instead, you must also prepare
enough supplies to maintain those forces for approximately one year.”
At those words, Rosimus I’s complexion grew even more wretched. He was on the verge of having all the
war supplies he had stockpiled to realize his ambitions stripped away. Yet Rosimus I did not dare
refuse. At the crossroads of his nation’s survival, there was only one path he could choose.
“Very well. I will prepare them.”
Upon hearing the answer, a satisfied smile appeared at the corners of Marquis Williams’s mouth.
“On behalf of His Imperial Majesty, I thank Your Majesty for your goodwill. The conquest of Truvenia will most certainly
be achieved.”
As the negotiations reached a dramatic conclusion, the knights of both sides, who had been tense to the breaking point,
slowly began to relax. The members of the Terbia Royal Guard Knights, having avoided war, secretly
let out sighs of relief. Though it was only half their number, if they were to face the Krosen Knight Order
head-on, the Terbia Royal Guard Knight Order would undoubtedly be annihilated.
Since they had avoided a fight with no chance of victory, the knights’ faces could not help but brighten.
The members of the Krosen Knight Order, however, were now sneering at Rosimus I. They had witnessed
another side of Rosimus I, infamous as a cruel tyrant.
‘Weak before the strong, endlessly strong before the weak……. He’s nothing but a jackal.’
‘As expected, there’s no one better than the captain when it comes to handling Rosimus I.’
Amid the thoughts of the many knights, a scribe belonging to the Terbian court began
drafting the agreement.
Unlike the Terbian court, where negotiations proceeded beneath a murderous atmosphere, a warm and friendly mood
hung over the court of Penslot. The captain of the Royal Guard Knights greeted the entering Krosen delegation
with a bright smile. At the head of the delegation, Mitchell and Kasim entered first. They had arrived
at the capital of Penslot through a teleportation magic circle. As they were envoys from the great Krosen Empire,
Duke Karsus, captain of the Royal Guard Knights, had come out to meet them. Mitchell bowed respectfully.
“Captain. Have you been well?”
Duke Karsus smiled and patted Mitchell on the shoulder.
“Welcome. Mitchell, I hear you displayed truly outstanding valor in Felzentin.”
Mitchell answered with a faint smile.
“You flatter me……. It was all thanks to my comrades.”
“Not at all. They say you mercilessly beat down the dreaded Bronze Golem, didn’t you? Your exploits
are already renowned across the entire continent. On top of that, rumors have spread even here
that many princesses who attended the selection ceremony fell for you after seeing your exploits
and followed you around.”
A sudden playfulness appeared in Duke Karsus’s eyes.
“But it seems your standards are quite high. They say you rejected them all?”
“……….”
Mitchell suddenly became as mute as if he had swallowed honey. He had never dreamed that the rumors
would have already spread that far. As Duke Karsus watched Mitchell flounder helplessly, his gaze
slipped toward the rear. In that instant, surprise appeared on his face. He had spotted Hales
standing behind Mitchell.
“Why, you’re……?”
“Have you been well, Squad Leader?”
Hales’s face was filled with emotion. Karsus had been a superior Hales greatly respected
during his days serving as a Royal Guard Knight. With his exceptional character and his care for his subordinates,
Karsus had been considered the best among the squad leaders of the Royal Guard Knights at the time.
Though Hales had left the Royal Guard Knights because of Riley’s scheme, at least toward
Karsus, he had never harbored any resentment. That was how exemplary a superior Karsus had been.
Meeting such a superior after several decades, there was no way he could fail to be glad. Hales, whose face
had been twitching repeatedly, bowed with a respectful demeanor.
“I greet Squad Leader Karsus. No, I hear you are now Captain?”
“It is truly good to see you, Hales. Just how long has it been?”
Karsus strode over and extended his hand. Hales silently clasped the offered hand
and shook it. Facing his former superior, memories from his days long ago as a Royal Guard Knight
came vividly back to him. Hales spoke with a smile.
“His Majesty made an exceedingly fitting decision. If not you, Squad Leader,
who in the world could lead the Penslot Royal Guard Knights? It was truly a superb judgment.”
“Ha ha. You……”
Duke Karsus gave a wry smile, as if embarrassed. Hales was laughing along with him.
“By the way, he truly is remarkable.”
“What is?”
“Your son Mitchell, of course. How did you manage to raise him into such an excellent knight? I am truly
envious beyond words.”
Hales grinned. His smile was deeply imbued with pride.
“He is still young and lacking in many ways.”
“In any case, I am grateful. To think you sent your son to Penslot
in order to complete the loyalty you could not fulfill. There was some discord because of that damned Riley,
but it has been resolved well. And do not worry. I will take responsibility and raise Mitchell
as my successor. He has more than enough ability for it.
Yes, indeed. Ah, come to think of it, I have some good news for you.”
Karsus winked. Hales asked back with a puzzled expression.
“Good news?”
“Your false charge has been completely cleared. In other words, the full scope of the conspiracy
committed by that fellow Riley has been revealed.”
“……….”
Duke Karsus reached out and patted Hales on the shoulder.
“We arrested and interrogated the servants who testified at the time. Since a royal command had been issued, the Prizman
family had no choice but to hand them over obediently. Through their mouths, we obtained confessions
about the entire affair, and every fact was brought to light.”
“……….”
“Riley Prizman was sentenced to ten years in prison for conspiring with his wife and employees
to slander a comrade. His qualifications as a Royal Guard Knight were automatically revoked. His wife
and the employees, who committed perjury, also received fitting punishment. Of course, the Prizman family,
which attempted to conceal the truth, was made to pay the appropriate price as well. I do not know
how much comfort this will bring your heart, but now, let go of your resentment.”
While Karsus’s explanation continued, Hales remained silently still. As he recalled the past, when he had been
miserably victimized by Riley because of the mighty influence of the Prizman family, he was filled with new emotion.
Had it not been a memory he had tried for so long to forget?
The fact that he had lost his status as a Royal Guard Knight because of Ellis’s betrayal, and all the harassment
and humiliation he had suffered from Riley while spending five years as a probationary knight,
came back to him as vividly as if it had happened yesterday. Had that not been what made him
disillusioned with Penslot and decide to leave? And yet, after twenty-five years, every problem
had been cleanly resolved…….
As if shaking off all the memories of that time, Hales shook his head with a bright expression.
“Thank you truly for restoring my honor. I do not know how I can ever repay this grace…….”
“No. If not for your son, we would not have been able to uncover the truth. Because the royal command was issued,
we were able to reveal it.”
At Karsus’s following words, Hales nodded as if acknowledging the point. If it had not been for a royal command,
the truth would not have been easily uncovered. There was no way the powerful Prizman family would have obediently
handed over its employees while knowing that their son would be punished.
Above all, this was something that had happened twenty-five years in the past. If the statute of limitations
had not disappeared because of the royal command, perhaps punishing Riley would have remained
forever impossible. Duke Karsus pulled Hales along with a bright expression.
“Come in at once. His Majesty is waiting.”
“Understood.”
Duke Karsus winked one eye.
“Once the audience is over, let us drink until our noses are crooked. I have gathered all the squad members from back then.
They will probably be very glad to see you.”
“Let us.”
Under Karsus’s guidance, the Krosen delegation headed for the imperial palace.
Upon entering the court, the King of Penslot greeted Kasim and Mitchell with a bright expression.
“Welcome, all of you. I have heard well of your astonishing valor.”
“We greet Your Majesty.”
Kasim and Mitchell bowed respectfully. Looking at them with a satisfied expression, the King of Penslot
broke into a broad smile. Because he had deliberately spread the word, the fact that the captain
and swordsmanship instructor of the Kasim Mercenary Corps were knights of Penslot was already widely known
throughout all of Arcadia.
It was no different from an unspoken threat telling them they must return to Penslot.
“I heard that you repelled the assault of a mighty Red Dragon. To think you displayed outstanding courage
and spirit, and spread the mettle of Penslot’s knights throughout the world—I am so pleased
that I can scarcely contain my emotions. You have truly worked hard.”
“Your words are far too generous, Your Majesty.”
With their heads bowed, Kasim and Mitchell were wearing bitter smiles. The king was already regarding them
as knights of Penslot. Even though the Kasim Mercenary Corps had not yet been disbanded.
However, since it was already a foregone conclusion that they would live as people of Penslot from now on,
they treated the king with all their warmth and sincerity.
“None of this could have been achieved without Your Majesty’s grace.”
“Penslot shall prosper forever.”
Perhaps in a good mood, the king burst into hearty laughter. At that moment, Duke Karsus stepped forward
and introduced Hales.
“Your Majesty. This knight is Hales. As Mitchell’s father, he is the very Royal Guard Knight
who was forced to leave our country due to Riley’s vile scheme, and he has come to have an audience with Your Majesty.”
Hales immediately bowed. As one who had once been a Royal Guard Knight, there was not the slightest deficiency
in the way he paid his respects. A peculiar light appeared on the king’s face when he saw Hales.
“Ohh. So you are the Royal Guard Knight Hales. How delighted I am……. I am truly grateful.
Even after suffering such an unsavory incident, you sent your son to offer loyalty across generations…….”
Without the slightest change in expression, Hales continued speaking. Having heard the entire situation
from Mitchell, he did not hesitate at all in his answer.
“You are too gracious, Your Majesty. Though I was forced to leave Penslot because of a comrade’s slander,
it has always weighed upon my heart that I could not offer my loyalty to Your Majesty. As I grew old
and could no longer properly manage my own body, I sent only my son. I beg you, punish this subject
for committing such an unforgivable act of disrespect.”
It was an answer that made it instantly clear where Mitchell’s astonishing acting ability had come from.