Chapter 146

“… … .”

“… … .”

Shion and Hanette read the letter with their mouths shut.

I checked again and again, but I couldn’t figure out how to accept it.

Did you know that you could put so much information in one letter?

“sister.”

“… Why?”

“Should I be happy about this?”

“You can be sad if it’s burdensome.”

“… Are you kidding me?”

“You’re kidding.”

Shion let out a laugh and stepped back first.

Hannette looks at the correspondence a little longer and then slowly turns her head.

“Isn’t it right to start with congratulations?”

“Becoming a Cetinos Quasar?”

“The knights were also promoted?”

“That doesn’t mean much.”

“Ah, because it became a Cetinos quasar?”

“If Setinos Quasar is the leader of the Knights, that is the official Knights.”

Shion sits down in a chair and glances at the letter.

I had no particular intention of becoming a Cetinos Quasar.

The Knights of Lihines thought it would be okay if they operated with only a small number of people.

Of course, I heard the news I was looking forward to, so wouldn’t that be enough?

“Can I be sad now?”

“Are the three princesses and Mr. Balhen burdensome?”

“You have to make sure you don’t get hurt.”

“You won’t get hurt? You are strong.”

“The opponent is the 3rd demon king and the 4th disaster?”

“You and Cardinal Selena, what are you worried about?”

“I’ll be relieved if my sister is there too.”

“I am included.”

“Your sister didn’t come out?”

“Because I will always be by your side.”

“… is it?”

Shion laughs as she thinks over what Hanette said.

It seemed that Harnett had often said unexpected things these days.

If you think about it, you can hear it often, but why do you care so much?

“There was a reason you asked me to come see you.”

“I don’t think it has anything to do with the oath.”

“Isn’t Setinos Quasar a knight under the direct command of the King? You risked your life for me, so you have to break that oath.”

“Well… Should I refuse then?”

Shion answered calmly and looked at Hanette.

Hannette pondered for a moment, then frowned.

“Is there anything I can bet on?”

“I’m thinking about it now.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to go and think about it?”

“Because the king might put other conditions on it?”

“Yes, I know that you and I risked each other’s lives. Still, isn’t the appointment as the Cetinos quasar an attempt to negotiate?”

Shion subtly nodded and agreed.

After the king gave up on himself, he never tried to enlist in the Royal Knights.

If the appointment of Setinos Quasar had been mentioned now, there would have been a reason of its own.

“If I refuse, I won’t be able to bring the 3 princesses and Varhen older brother, right?”

“Shouldn’t we be good at negotiating?”

“Wouldn’t it be more work if it became a Cetinos quasar?”

“You can tell just by looking at Cardinal Selena, right?”

“There is also a silver phantom thief and a purple shrine.”

“Can I tell you my opinion?”

“Tell me comfortably.”

“It doesn’t seem like the King is making a separate job. I’ll call you if you’re in a hurry.”

“Well… … .”

Shion looked down at the letter and slowly put it inside the envelope.

Since the ruler of the Alain Kingdom called him, he had no choice but to go.

It was well worth reconsidering because it was also intertwined with the three princesses and Barhen.

Above all, being a Setinos Quasar would be helpful in many ways because you could operate your troops separately.

“I could think about it if I let you take care of my sister first before the mission of Setinos Quasar.”

“… Do you think that makes sense?”

“There is nothing wrong. It’s an oath between me and my sister.”

“He will think of me, but I don’t think he will do that. That is an act of insulting the king.”

“I don’t think it would be blasphemy if the king allowed it.”

“I can’t give you permission. You can’t be higher than the king just because you’ve built up the ball, right?”

“… Should I just not do it?”

“If not, what will the 3 princesses do?”

“I have to think about it.”

“Does the answer come out when you think about it?”

“Isn’t that better than not doing it?”

“Sigh… … .”

Hannette showed a disapproving look, but deep down she was satisfied with the answer.

It meant that I would think of myself first no matter what.

Of course, he would only see Shion, and even if he became a Setinos quasar, he would somehow stick by his side.

“Can’t you ask someone else about this?”

“Disclosure of the contents of the correspondence is an act of insulting the king. Are you going to get an answer just because you ask me?”

“Did it happen because the Cetinos quasars recommended you?”

“I received a recommendation, and I must have discussed it with the officials.”

“I only have three people I can recommend.”

“I get the rough idea, but the other two would have made recommendations. If three people recommend it, I have no choice but to follow.”

The white apostle, the purple shrine, and the silver phantom thief.

All three were Setinos Quasars who fought against the Narak King.

Perhaps these three took the initiative and the remaining two were persuaded.

“In my opinion… My sister must have also received a recommendation.”

“Are you talking about the Cetinos quasar?”

“right.”

“Why do you recommend me?”

“Because my sister also built a ball with me. But I think there would have been a lot of objections to this.”

“… Why?”

“We’re having an arranged marriage, and if we turn both of them into Setinos quasars, it will look like we’re pushing both families. So he must have thought about me and my sister before choosing me.”

Shion was looking forward to the reason why the king even called Hanette.

As written in the letter, the oath he and Hannett made was also a reason, but he couldn’t help but think about other cases.

Even the silver phantom thief, who once stirred up the capital, was recruited as a knight under his direct command.

It meant that there was a lot of greed for talented people, and since Hanette was one of them, it must have been a king’s order, albeit nominally.

“You did stand out more than me. Didn’t you kill the Narak King too?”

“They must have chosen our family on purpose. You don’t want to power your sister’s family.”

“Your family is also on our side, right? Doesn’t nothing change?”

“The directions are different. If you support our family, your sister’s family will benefit a bit. But if you support my sister’s family, the power of the Duke of Adelaira becomes stronger. After that, the king will be unintentionally and the duke of Ternane will be checked.”

“Um… … .”

Harnett tilts her head, understanding at least roughly.

Aristocrats try to cooperate with each other or reject each other in order to protect their wealth and power while following the royal family.

At the same time, the power structure is divided into the Duke of Adelaira and the Duke of Ternane, and nobles in other regions are also indirectly affected.

In other words, the royal family, the dukes of Adelaira, and the dukes of Ternane were implicitly confronting each other to maintain a balance of power.

“But it’s not a good way to do it like this. In the end, it will be raising my sister’s family.”

“You don’t have to keep your distance from the king, do you?”

“Your sister is right. Even the king wouldn’t want to fight the duke. Isn’t that why you’re trying to use me as a compromise and move on?”

“… Are you also related to the 3 princesses?”

“I think there is. If it’s a Setinos quasar, wouldn’t it be able to give orders to the immediate royal family?”

Even holding the title of Cetinos Quasar can establish authority.

It was because they were knights under the direct command of the king and strong men representing the kingdom of Alain.

That’s why even the immediate royal family couldn’t treat them carelessly, and they had no choice but to follow them unconditionally once the system was in place.

“Then it has to be a Cetinos quasar, right?”

“It’s not that good. Annoying things may happen, but… … .”

“Where’s the trouble? You said you need to collect demon swords?”

“There must be a demonic sword user.”

“Don’t mess with your work because of me. I have to do what I have to do.”

“… … .”

Shion did not tell Hanette about the Demon God and the Dragon.

The three major demon kings and the four major catastrophes alone were a headache, but I couldn’t increase my worries.

Nevertheless, Hannett was aware of its importance and was telling her to let herself go.

“Even so, I cannot give up on my sister. I wouldn’t have come this far without my sister.”

“I am the same. I couldn’t be like this without you I am now alone… … .”

“You said you wouldn’t miss me, right? Want to share this moment? I won’t miss you either.”

Hannette remembered what she had said and slowly shut her mouth.

If it came out like that, I couldn’t resist any longer.

Even if you keep talking, won’t the day pass without an end?

‘… I will have to accept it. Because she’s my partner.’

No matter what judgment Zion made, he had to adjust accordingly.

Because I believe in Zion.

Even if the judgment was wrong, it was only going to the end.

‘Who can I trust but you?’

* * *

royal palace, royal palace.

Shion and Hanette went beyond the royal knights and entered the palace.

Brandis stood in the middle of the palace, facing the couple.

Shion recognized the identities of the two men only by looking at their backs.

“Meet His Majesty the King, who is the pinnacle of the Alain Kingdom, the owner of the palace, and is leaving great achievements.”

“… Are you here?”

As Shion and Harnette stand next to the man and woman, Brandis looks out nonchalantly.

Seeing the two pairs of men and women, I wondered if I was a bit worried.

He was too young to be entrusted with important responsibilities, and he had to send his own children to remote areas.

Of course, the person himself was going to go, but as a parent, he had no choice but to be concerned.

“Did you check the letter I sent you?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I need to hear from you first. Are you thinking of becoming a Cetinos quasar?”

Shion hesitated for a moment, and Hanette was also slightly shaken.

The two men and women next to me did not show even the slightest movement and only eavesdropped on the conversation.

“… Your Majesty mentioned the oath between me and my fiancée in the letter. Unfortunately, I cannot break my oath.”

“I was expecting it. I thought you would say that.”

Brandis smiles and turns to Hannette.

Harnett does not avoid Brandis’s gaze even though she is thinking over and over again.

“How are you? Do you agree with Shion Regard?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I also swore an oath, so I will have to follow my fiancé’s will.”

“There is no change. Isn’t it really daring? Ha ha ha!”

Brandis smiles happily and turns to look at the two.

Even though it’s been quite a while since that day, our hearts toward each other haven’t wavered in the slightest.

That’s why they founded the knights together and defeated the 3rd demon king and the 4th disaster.

“I thought a lot. You have already refused the king’s mandate. If I refuse again, won’t my authority and pride collapse?”

“… I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

“still… I had to find a way. The officials objected, but the Setinos Quasar helped me. All of the Cetinos quasars agreed to this method. Isn’t that interesting?”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

Shion had no choice but to repeat the same words.

For his own sake, he persuaded the officials by mobilizing the Setinos Quasar.

Brandis had put so much effort into it, but wouldn’t it be a little criticism if he refused to do that?

“I promise to put my name on it. Even future kings will not be able to interfere with this king’s order. If you want to change my kingly title, you will have to dig up my grave.”

“… … .”

This time, both men and women startled and opened their eyes wide.

No one can dig up the tomb of the former king.

If he really had to do that, he would have to overthrow the entire kingdom of Alain.

In other words, this was a kind of oath, which meant that future kings would also follow the king’s order.

“I will propose to you. If you become a Setinos Quasar, I will allow you to protect your fiancé, even against the king’s orders. Even if accidents happen because of that, I will not punish you. Wouldn’t this be enough to honor the king’s command?”