29

Originally, joining the royal knights had to go through a meeting with high-ranking officials, but there was also a way for the king to proceed alone.

If the enlistment permit was first stamped with the king’s seal, it was impossible to deal with it quickly because the agenda was in progress.

From then on, high-ranking officials were also embarrassed, and after urgent confirmation, the agenda was passed reluctantly.

“…Your Majesty, wouldn’t it be good to discuss the matter with the officials?”

“There is no need to discuss. If you can use sword skills at the age of 19, it is not enough to join the Royal Knights.”

“His Majesty the King is the ruler of this country and oversees the laws and procedures of the palace. Your Majesty must set an example first so that the officials will not take the matter lightly.”

Glonet bowed her head, fully expressing what she wanted to say.

Although the king’s authority and orders were important, prestige could only be established through a series of processes.

Of course, the officials couldn’t disobey the king’s order, but without them, the Alain Kingdom couldn’t be run.

Therefore, officials should not be ignored, and agendas should be passed according to the prescribed method.

“Huh… Is the Royal Knight Commander trying to teach me?”

“If I have been rude, I apologize. I will gladly accept any punishment, so please listen to my mantra.”

“Ha ha ha! Can’t you even take a joke? How can I punish the commander of the Royal Knights?”

Brandis had expected Glonet to respond like that.

Of course, he was sincere about using the king’s seal, and if the report was true, he would have to proceed with the agenda even if officials objected.

“I am very sorry for accepting your apology.”

“The Commander of the Royal Knights, follow the King’s command.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Glonet slowly bows down and assumes a solemn posture.

Brandis felt sorry for her consistent attitude, but he had no choice but to accept it as the king.

If we had met as comrades-in-arms, wouldn’t we have walked around the battlefield with each other’s backs?

“You should take a look and verify the authenticity of the contents. The youngest son of the Marquis of Reggiard… So… what’s his name?”

“… This is Shion Regard.”

“Hmmm… Seek cooperation from Marquis Regard, and test Shion Regiard yourself. We just need to find out if it is true.”

“I will obey your great king’s command.”

Only then did Glonet straighten her back and leave the palace.

Brandis seemed to think for a moment, then turned over the file.

Even if something interesting happened, the work assigned to you did not disappear.

‘The eldest son is also discussing enlistment, but is the youngest also listed as a candidate?’

Command of other knights and military units was delegated to the commander-in-chief, but Brandis had been directly managing the Royal Knights.

Because they were knights who escorted themselves, and also soldiers who protected the royal palace and the immediate royal family.

Therefore, the entrance examination of the Royal Knights had to be carried out according to Brandis and Glonet’s will.

‘…was there a case where nobles from the same family joined at the same time?’

Brandis felt that her head was pounding at the thought of going through the precedents again.

No matter what they did, there had to be history and precedent, justification and justification.

Because that was the basis for leading the kingdom of Alain and a way to oppose the nobles.

‘It’s difficult. It’s too wasteful to give up on one.’

The royal knights symbolized the power and might of the king.

The royal knights had to be properly equipped to increase the number of kingdom troops in a stable manner.

No matter how many troops you have, if you can’t protect the king properly, the foundation of the country will be shaken.

‘Would the Marquis of Reggiard be willing to give them both away?’

From the point of view of the Marquis Regard, there was nothing to regret even if only one child joined the Royal Knights.

If you add one more, there will be fewer people who can work for the family.

It would be more conducive to the prosperity of the family to look a little broader than to dig into one side only.

‘If I had to give up either…’

Brandis had already met the eldest son of the Marquis of Reggiard.

As for the skill, it would have to be confirmed through the Royal Knight Commander, but I could see the impression and atmosphere in person.

If so, why don’t you call the other side and talk to them?

‘He is a rare talent. If you raise it well, it could become a Cetinos quasar.’

* * *

Residence of the Marquis of Reggiard, indoor gymnasium.

Any noble mansion of any size would definitely have a dance hall.

Usually, the space in the courtyard or backyard was used to make a gymnasium, and the size varied depending on the family’s assets.

If he was more greedy there, a gymnasium was built inside the mansion, which was often used to show off his wealth.

“I can teach you swordsmanship…but you have to fit my schedule. Because of you, I can’t always be in the mansion, can I?”

Barchen Reggiard brought out a wooden sword and said insensibly.

I had already heard the news about my sister and my fiancé, and I knew what they were doing.

That’s why I couldn’t understand the reason for such a request.

“Yes. I know. Aren’t you busy too?”

Shion touched the wooden sword and tried to adapt to the unfamiliar feel.

I’ve used kitchen knives often in my life, but I’ve rarely touched a wooden sword.

Shion Reggieard, who was an extra, probably didn’t even care, let alone train his swordsmanship.

“… I have a question for you. Why do you want to learn swordsmanship from me?”

“Uh… there is no one around me that I can ask for something like this. And… aren’t you good at using swords?”

“Is there any other reason besides that?”

“Um… I need to get stronger? I’ve been thinking about that for a bit.”

“…”

Barhen swallows silence and looks at Shion.

The Shion he knew was a younger brother who had no presence and did not cause accidents.

He was often alone, and was kind to maids and servants.

How did Shion use his sword skills, and how did he come to have the goal of becoming stronger?

“What happened?”

“Yes? It didn’t matter. Oh, it was a little bad that I was ambushed on the way back.”

“…was it something like that?”

Barhen immediately recognized the reason why Shion was trying to become stronger.

She must have made up her mind because she was ambushed by bandits and her fiancé almost got hurt.

Even if he was a partner with an arranged marriage premised, he would have to protect the daughter of the duchy.

“You didn’t have any magical powers when you were here. But since when did you awaken your magical powers?”

“Oh, is that it? I woke up when I was over there…”

“You mean you woke up in that moment?”

“Yes. It cost a lot of money.”

“How much did you spend?”

“Ah… I think I spent about 200 gold coins.”

“200? Did you spend that much?”

Noble children and young ladies receive different amounts of pocket money each month depending on the financial level of each family.

Barons, which are common, are fixed in silver coins, while counts and viscounts receive between one and three gold coins.

No matter how many times you receive from a duchy or marquis family, it won’t exceed 10 gold coins.

Even if he caught 10 gold coins at the maximum, Shion would have to be regarded as having spent about two years’ worth of pocket money.

‘I wrote more…’

Shion spared his words and watched carefully.

150 gold coins went into buying the Limpy Machina, and 320 gold coins went into the Witchbeast’s gloves.

Luckily, the money he spent on the holy water was returned, but the original value was around 100 gold coins.

In fact, 570 gold coins were consumed just to awaken the magical power.

“Ha… yes. The lord must have allowed it. Then how did you learn swordsmanship?”

“That’s kind of hard to explain. It was written by accident…”

“I can’t see it as a coincidence. That is your talent.”

Barhen accepted the gap in reality with discouragement.

He had been working hard for a long time to write sword skills.

However, Shion, who had never even held a sword, had to implement a sword technique in less than a month.

It was a difference in talent, and it also meant that it couldn’t be made up for with all the hard work.

“Brother, don’t misunderstand. You can only use a sword. Nothing else.”

“Zion. Do you know what swordsmanship means to a swordsman?”

“… I’ve heard that it’s the pride of a prosecutor.”

“Swordsmanship doesn’t end just because you learn it once. If you continue to train, you can raise the level, and even if you get older, the power of the sword will not weaken. That’s why it’s called the pride of a prosecutor.”

Barhen was buried in emotions, but slowly calmed down and emptied his mind.

It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t jealous.

It’s because the talent is divided from the natural talent, and even the effort has become meaningless.

However, I couldn’t show all of that in front of my younger brother.

“There is nothing I can teach you. Haven’t you reached a higher level than me?”

“Brother, I’m nothing but black…”

“Even so, nothing changes. How can I teach you when you can’t use swordsmanship?”

Shion swallowed the silence and lowered his head.

He knew very well how Barhen felt when he said such a thing.

But there was nothing I could do to help myself.

‘There’s nothing good to know about the magic sword.’

The magic sword could not be used by anyone other than those with proven qualifications.

Rather, it had to be kept a secret because many people had caused trouble over the magic sword.

In the case of Acid Rain, it would destroy everything around it as well as the user because it would be reversed without two immunity.

“… All right. I’ll pretend there was no request. I feel like I’ve been a hindrance to my older brother for no reason.”

Shion returned the wooden sword to its original place and quietly left.

Even if he said more here, Barhen’s thoughts wouldn’t change.

“…”

Barhen looks at Shion leaving and slowly turns his head.

It seemed that the passion in his heart was fading little by little.

He had no intention of giving up swordsmanship, but he wondered if he should take control of his mind for a while.

‘I still lack a lot.’

Of course, among the young swordsmen, not many had as outstanding qualities as he did.

It was just that Shion was on a higher level than himself.

In order not to fall behind Shion, he would have to make more efforts.

‘The Royal Knights… give up. Now is not the time to pursue honor.’

* * *

The residence of the Duke of Adelaira, Zion’s room.

Shion remembers what happened yesterday and erases it from his mind.

When I thought about it, I wondered if Barchen might feel embarrassed.

Barhen has been honing his swordsmanship since he was young, and he only created swordsmanship using the ability of Acid Rain.

In other words, with one acid lane, Barchen’s talent and efforts were denied.

‘I can’t help but write it.’

If he hadn’t used acid rain in that situation, someone would have been hurt or killed.

Maybe that someone could have been him or Harnette.

In the first place, the choice did not exist.

‘Now I have to pay attention even when I go to my parents’ house…’

A knock was heard at the door.

When the door opened, a man in a red uniform came inside.

Beyond that, Yenid and the maids were watching the scene.

“Are you Shion Reggiard, the son of the Marquis Reggiard?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I came to deliver a letter from the royal palace.”

“…?”

Shion shows a puzzled look and later realizes the man’s identity.

A neatly trimmed red uniform, a white thread embroidered on the collar and sleeves, and a silver chain hanging from the shoulder.

It was a direct messenger sent from the palace.

‘I can’t believe this…’

Shion bowed her head toward the letter and accepted it politely.

I wondered if I could guess what was written in this letter.

He must have figured out that he had used his sword technique and took action accordingly.

‘Are you trying to enlist me in the Royal Knights? Barhen-nim has to join the team to connect with the 3 princesses…’