31

To be honest, since the other person was a 19-year-old young man, there was a slight sense of belittlement.

That’s why I adjusted my mana, and I didn’t even use my full strength.

However, I was surprised at the unexpected result.

‘I feel like I’ve done my best. There must be no magic power left.’

Glonet looked down at the sword, remembering the sword technique he had struck earlier.

Even if it was only for a moment, his body was pushed back, and even his mana was disturbed.

Most of all, I’ve only felt this kind of thrill twice in my entire life.

‘It was similar to when I attacked His Majesty’s sword technique. How could this be?’

Glonet personally escorted Brandis even before he succeeded to the throne.

As a result, there were many times when they sparred with each other, and there were times when they went directly to the battlefield and fought against demon beasts.

Based on that many experiences, I couldn’t help but be a little certain.

‘If you look at the level of perfection and destructive power, it falls short of His Majesty. But why…’

Glonet couldn’t answer the question he asked himself.

It was not simply a theoretically understandable part.

He had come to a firm conclusion based on his long combat experience and his keenly honed instincts.

‘I might be able to become a Setinos quasar like Your Majesty.’

golden sword.

It was also a title referring to the current king as well as a member of the Setinos quasar, like the White Apostle.

Brandis Setbe Androden was appointed Setinos Quasar before he even became king.

No one could match him in swordsmanship, and since he fought and defeated King Narak himself, his contribution was highly evaluated.

‘…I don’t know why it’s similar to him.’

Hell King Keremion.

He was one of the three great demon kings and a demon who commanded the undead knights.

The 3rd demon king is the trace left by the demon, an ancient being, and was also a huge force encroaching on a part of the Karon Belaz continent.

About ten years ago, Glonnae and Brandis had fought against the King of Hell.

It was quite powerful, befitting the name of the 3rd demon king, but it was not easy to win, so we had to reluctantly retreat from each other.

‘Have I been mistaken?’

Glonet kept an eye on Shion and inserted her sword into the scabbard.

Until now, I had never seen a monster that was human or changed its appearance to a human.

Above all, if he had really become a Witchbeast, he would have known it from the start.

‘The sword is a bit strange, but…’

The appearance of the sword that Shion was holding seemed special.

The sword body was tinged with purple, and the hilt was bizarrely deep in darkness.

However, it was virtually impossible to implement sword skills with just one sword or to amplify the user’s magical power.

‘The black… is just a sword.’

Of course, there were cases where the sword itself was enchanted and endowed with special powers.

However, it had to go through a special process before that, and the sword could be damaged or its blade dull due to the engraved magic.

Even if it was magic, it was only limited to the corresponding property or convenient function, and it would not be possible to obtain transcendental power because of it.

‘It must have been carved with magic to make it easier to use.’

If you use magic in battle, you usually choose one of the five attributes to use.

Other enchantments may be granted to some items with minor effects.

Slightly reduced weight, slightly increased magic resistance, less rust, slightly increased elasticity.

Depending on the situation, it could be useful, but it could not be seen as a great help in battle.

‘The color of the sword is a little strange… but that could be the case.’

As time goes by, the world changes little by little, and people’s notions follow suit.

These days, due to the activity of the Cetinos quasar, many people want to become knights, and various costumes have been created accordingly.

Remodeling the shape of the armor, using a specific mark to highlight the knights, or changing the color of the weapon.

Perhaps Shion’s sword belonged to that category.

‘As a whole, of course…’

Glonet moved quietly and approached Shion.

Only then did Shion erase the shape of the acid rain and adjust his breathing.

“The examination is over. When the date is set, I will send you a letter.”

“…If you don’t mind, can I tell you about me in advance?”

“What are you telling me?”

“I only recently awakened to magic. I’ve never learned swordsmanship, and I don’t know how to do anything other than swordsmanship. To have the dignity and formality of the Royal Knights…”

“Does not matter. I am only following the king’s orders.”

“…”

Shion is at a loss for words and sinks into exhaustion.

It seemed that he was firmly stamped by the king.

Of course, Glonet would tell him what he said, but it didn’t seem to work well.

‘I have something prepared, but…’

Shion had already prepared a way to avoid joining the Royal Knights.

But I couldn’t guarantee that it would work.

Because the opponent was the golden swordsman, the ruler of the kingdom of Alain and one of the Setinos quasars.

‘I’m sure Barhen-nim would be better than me.’

He could only use swords, but in terms of swordsmanship proficiency and the amount of magical power, he would be far behind Barhen.

As far as natural talent and accumulated experience, Barchen stood at the top.

With enough time, even Varhen would be able to use sword skills one day.

‘It’s not good if I go in. Brother Barhen has to connect with the 3 princesses.’

It was also something he did for himself.

The Marquis of Reggiard must have an in-law relationship with the royal family to benefit in many ways.

To do so, Barhen had to join the Royal Knights.

‘I’m pretty lucky. How will it not work out?’

* * *

The residence and office of the Marquis of Reggiard.

Freed was in constant agony after receiving a letter from the Royal Knight Commander.

Whether Shion joined the Royal Knights or not didn’t matter much.

Now, in order to solve other problems, it was necessary to find out what Zion was thinking.

“…Have you been to the palace?”

“Yes.”

Shion came to the main house immediately upon Fried’s call.

It was easy to guess why Fried had called him.

It would have been better to tie a knot about him here and now.

“Don’t talk back. Are you thinking of joining the Royal Knights?”

“There is not. I like it best now.”

“If you are making concessions because of your brother, you don’t have to. You have a chance too.”

Fried felt his heart pounding and continued to speak with difficulty.

To be honest, I wanted to say that I should give up for the sake of my brother.

Shion can be compared to Barhen as a younger brother, but if it is the other way around, only Barhen will be miserable.

“I don’t see it as an opportunity. I’m not saying this for Barhen-nii-sama. I want to live the way I think.”

“Can you tell me what you think?”

“… I want to watch a little more before the wedding.”

As before, Shion had been dreaming of a peaceful and stable life.

Obtaining Acid Rain, trying to protect Hanette, and Barhen joining the Royal Knights.

All of this was an act only for oneself and a way to maintain the flow.

“Can I take that as a sign of finding your own personal happiness?”

“Yes. It’s an unwanted marriage, but as you said, I’m looking for a way to be happy.”

“…how are you doing with your fiancée?”

“So far, nothing much has happened. It seems that nothing has changed from before.”

Freed nodded and swallowed the silence.

If it’s the same as before, at least it means that the riots didn’t happen.

Maybe it’s that we’ve gotten better, but we’re not even aware of it.

Even if it was that much, the wedding could be held without any problems.

“You seem to be worrying for nothing. Stop and see.”

“…how is the head of the family doing?”

“I am also doing well. Sometimes it feels like you’re not there…

You seem to be used to it now.”

“I’m glad you’re doing well. Then let’s go first.”

Shion lightly bowed her head and left the office.

Freed was left alone and pondered for a while, then got up belatedly.

‘I can’t stop it.’

Whether it was Barhen or Shion, even if only one of the two entered the Royal Knights, they could be happy.

But now, both of them were refusing to join the Royal Knights.

Shion was forced to sacrifice through an arranged marriage, but Barhen was given an unintended sacrifice.

‘Was my greed excessive?’

As the head of the family, he just wanted the Regard family and its members to do better.

But at some point, the children competed with each other and hurt each other’s hearts.

Where and how did it go wrong?

‘…Even if neither of them joined, I should accept it. Since it was my fault, shouldn’t I deal with it?’

* * *

royal palace, royal palace.

Brandis was flipping through files, waiting for someone to come.

Glonet has already conducted a self-evaluation, and the results are quite satisfactory.

In particular, the evaluation given by Glonet touched me deeply, so I couldn’t help but feel anticipation.

‘It seemed like they were fighting with me when I was young…’

Even before he became king, Brandis had frequent sparring with Glonet.

There were times when they lightly exchanged swords, and there were times when they showed their sincerity by mixing magical powers.

Occasionally, we challenged each other’s sword skills to gauge our level, but now that I think about it, I wonder if it seemed like we were playing games.

‘I started using the sword technique at the age of 20. But he…’

Being a year earlier than yourself means that you have superior qualities.

It could have grown stronger in a matter of seconds and become a Cetinos Quasar at an early age.

If he taught it clearly, even that time could be brought forward.

‘I’ll have to see what he looks like. What a proud face you have…’

When I heard a knock on the door, I intuitively sensed that the person had arrived.

Glonet and a silver-haired young man were entering the office together.

“Your Majesty, I have brought Shion Regard, the son of the Marquis Regard.”

“Good work.”

Brandis gets up and moves quickly.

Shion follows Glonnae and pays his respects, engulfed in silence.

‘It’s a bit different.’

Shion looked at Brandis for a moment and was gripped with doubt.

Brandis looked quite young for his age, and had a physique so thin that he could not be seen as a swordsman.

Most of all, her beauty was unusual, so I wondered if I belatedly understood the setting.

‘The reason why the silver phantom thief loves the king unrequitedly…’

“Raise your head.”

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

Shion slowly changed her posture and recited a ceremonial sentence.

Brandis smiled and began to take a closer look at Shion.

“Are you Shion Regard?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Are you saying you can use sword skills at that age?”

“… I can only use swords.”

“You mean you didn’t learn swordsmanship?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“How great is that talent that you can use swordsmanship without learning swordsmanship? How wonderful.”

“…”

Shion, at a loss for words, avoids Brandis’ gaze.

It would have been to have him join the Royal Knights under any pretext.

In the end, I had to use the last resort.

“He is definitely the talent I was looking for. I will make you join the Royal Knights at any cost.”

“…Your Majesty, may I dare to speak a mantra?”

“Tell me.”

Shion feels his heart tremble and recalls the words he memorized in advance.

If the king asserted his authority, he had to risk his life and trust.

It was a brief lie, but it would never be found out because I had told her beforehand.

“I have sworn to become my fiancée’s knight. I risked my life on that oath, and I cannot take it now. If you want to enlist me in the Royal Knights, you must first ask permission from my fiancé.”