Chapter 30: 30
Following the original content, Barhen Laird from the Marquis Laird family should join the Royal Knights.
Barhen would gradually improve his skills as a member of the Royal Knights and earn recognition.
Eventually, he would become a personal guard to the queen, leading to a political marriage with the royal family.
“The letter must be checked by the recipient personally. The contents should not be disclosed. I’ll take my leave now.”
The messenger bowed and quickly disappeared.
Yenid, observing Zion, soon left with the maids.
Left alone, Zion looked at the letter.
“Sigh…”
Zion, gathering his thoughts, tore open the envelope.
The wax seal with the royal insignia split, revealing the contents inside.
On the neatly folded sky-blue paper, written in black ink, were words by Gloné Ailike, the 17th captain of the Royal Knights.
To Zion Laird, a member of the Marquis Laird family:
By royal command, you are to be tested.
Visit the office of the captain of the Royal Knights by the specified date.
Failure to comply will result in severe punishment for disobeying the queenâs orders.
Zion reread the letter and shook his head.
The handwriting was elegant, and the seal of the captain of the Royal Knights was at the top of the letter.
The intent was clear from the statement about the test.
âThey want to see if I can use the sword energy.â
A royal command meant the queen was directly involved.
Normally, the captain of the Royal Knights would initiate the process, and then the queen would decide on the admission, but this time the order was reversed.
If the queen insisted, Zion would be forcibly inducted into the Royal Knights.
âI donât want to waste my life.â
For nobles, becoming a Royal Knight could be beneficial, but for Zion, it was a waste of time.
Joining the Royal Knights meant facing the direct royal family and high-ranking officials daily.
He would have to learn the unique rituals of the royal court and adhere to strict rules.
Most importantly, he wouldnât be able to move freely, limiting his potential.
âHow can I refuse this?â
Zion folded the letter, deep in thought.
A simple reason wouldnât deter the queenâs will.
He needed an excuse that was special and essential.
âHmm… How about this?â
Zion found the answer surprisingly close by.
It wasnât perfect, but it was practical and necessary.
âIâll use my fiancĂ©e as an excuse.â
Zion tucked the letter into his pocket and headed to the next room.
If he was to use Hanette as an excuse, he needed to prepare thoroughly.
âThis will also settle the debt. Itâs a fair deal.â
* *
Grand Duke Adelaira’s Mansion, Head’s Room.
Robbenz was listening to Yenid about the day’s events.
It wasnât common for a royal messenger to bring a letter.
Someone from the royal family or a high-ranking official must have shown interest in Zion.
“I can’t ask about the letter.”
A letter from a royal messenger was strictly for the recipientâs eyes only.
Even if it was known that the letter came from the palace, the contents and the sender’s identity remained a secret.
Of course, the recipient could secretly share it with someone close, but if the information spread, the palace would hold them accountable for breaching confidentiality.
“…But wonât he tell Hanette?”
Yenid speculated cautiously, putting down her teacup.
Currently, Hanette was the closest person to Zion in the mansion.
Considering how much closer they had become since their first meeting, he would likely tell her the letterâs contents.
“Thatâs uncertain. How would you know whatâs written?”
“What can you hide from someone you love?”
“Hmm… Thatâs not wrong, but the premise might be. They donât seem that close yet.”
Robbenz stroked his chin, then paused.
There was no reason for the palace to send a letter to Zion.
It would have been more natural for them to approach the eldest or second son of the Marquis Laird family.
Perhaps Zion had caught their attention due to recent events.
“I think the captain of the Royal Knights sent the letter.”
“Why would the captain of the Royal Knights send a letter?”
“To recruit him into the Royal Knights quickly.”
“…Oh.”
Yenid remembered that Zion had demonstrated sword energy.
Knowing that creating sword energy was impressive, it hadnât seemed that remarkable until now.
However, with such outstanding talent, it was only natural for the Royal Knights to take an interest.
“Then, itâs good news for the master.”
“…Not necessarily.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“If Zion’s value increases, what will Marquis Laird do?”
Yenidâs expression darkened.
While it was initially pleasing to think of Zion as a son-in-law in the Royal Knights, there was a hidden trap.
The more Zion proved his worth, the more the political marriage between the two families would be shaken.
Marquis Laird wouldnât want to give a son with such excellent qualities to a Crazy Young Lady.
“It wouldn’t matter after the marriage. But now, they’ve only held an engagement ceremony. Thatâs enough to risk a loss.”
“So, are you siding with Ternein?”
“…Siding with Ternein wouldnât benefit us now. If Iâm careful, we can avoid breaking the engagement.”
This political marriage was planned with a long-term vision.
Both families aimed to benefit, and if one side suffered, the other wouldnât remain unscathed.
In an extreme situation, the Marquis Laird family might make a decisive move.
“What will the master do?”
“Thereâs nothing to do now. Even if I interfere, Marquis Laird wonât like it.”
“…Didnât the eldest son also join the Royal Knights?”
“Yes, heâs undergoing the admission process at the palace.”
“Would they recruit two nobles from the same family at once?”
“….”
Robbenz fell silent, looking at Yenid.
Yenid accepted his gaze quietly, thinking she might have spoken out of turn.
“Youâre right. Itâs unlikely theyâd take two nobles from the same family.”
“Then only one will join?”
“The queen or the captain might want to recruit both, but the officials would oppose it. It would look like favoritism.”
Robbenz lifted his cold teacup, feeling relieved.
The Marquis Laird family would inevitably choose the eldest son.
He was already being assessed and had more experience.
Zion would likely be persuaded to forgo joining the Royal Knights.
âParents often place high expectations on their firstborn.â
In any family, the firstborn holds special significance.
They are the first to be born, observed for the longest time, and trusted the most.
Thatâs probably why Robbenz also had a strong attachment to Hanette.
âMy desires are involved, but itâs something Hanette needed too.â
Of course, it was close to narrow self-rationalization.
He might be hiding his desires or imposing family responsibilities on Hanette.
But despite that, one fact remained unchanged.
âBringing a well-mannered and decent guy should make her a bit happier.â
* *
Royal Palace, Office of the Captain of the Royal Knights.
GlonĂ© had delegated the queenâs guard duties to the deputy captain, waiting for someone to arrive.
The letter had already been sent, and the recipient had no choice but to come.
It was a royal command, and the captain of the Royal Knights was acting on the queen’s behalf.
âJust because someone can use sword energy doesnât mean theyâre strong.â
Among the current knights, few could use sword energy.
They were mostly found as sub-commanders in large knight orders, commanders or vice-commanders in smaller orders, or a few secretive individuals.
But none surpassed the Golden Sword Saint, one of the Setinos Quasar.
âConsidering his young age, thatâs a positive aspect.â
Typically, a swordsman had to be at least 30 to reach the level of using sword energy.
There were exceptions, often hailed as geniuses, who managed it before 30.
Gloné himself was among those geniuses but felt powerless before the Golden Sword Saint.
âThe queen manifested sword energy at 20. If heâs faster than that…â
A knock on the door interrupted GlonĂ©âs thoughts, and he slowly lifted his head.
A young man accompanied by a Royal Knight entered.
“Go back to your duties.”
The Royal Knight bowed and left.
Gloné, observing the young man, rose from his chair.
He had met a noble with a similar impression before.
“You resemble your brother.”
“Are you referring to Barhen?”
“Yes. I met him some time ago.”
“…For the Royal Knightsâ admission assessment, I suppose?”
Zion answered calmly, meeting GlonĂ©âs gaze.
His eyes seemed to hold a fierce red flame.
The swordsman considered second only to the Golden Sword Saint was scrutinizing him.
“You know why youâre here, right?”
“Iâll take the test, but I donât intend to join.”
“…Thatâs not for you to decide.”
As expected.
The queen had likely ordered the captain to test him.
Zion thought he might have to meet the queen directly to persuade her.
“Follow me. Iâll test you myself.”
Gloné, with the hem of his black uniform swirling, led the way.
It was a uniform only Royal Knights could wear.
Zion, harboring mixed feelings, quietly followed.
“Weâll conduct the test here.”
Gloné stopped at a training ground near the barracks.
Zion moved to the opposite side, his gaze steady.
There were no knights, soldiers, or maids around.
“Attack me with sword energy. If you donât use your full power, it will be seen as deceiving the queen.”
Gloné drew his sword, releasing magic.
A crimson aura enveloped the blade.
Zion focused magic into his right hand, watching.
âI have no choice but to give it my all…â
Zion gripped the black hilt, assuming a stance.
Purple magic began to gather on the blade of Exceed Rain.
“Then, here I go.”
With those words, Zion swung Exceed Rain.
A surge of dark purple magic erupted from the blade.
The energy curved towards Gloné.
GlonĂ©, feeling a peculiar anticipation, met Zionâs attack head-on.
At first glance, it was a well-formed sword energy.
Though there were slight flaws in his stance and magic release, his talent was evident.
“Mm?”
Realizing he was being pushed back, Gloné quickly poured more magic into his defense.
He had underestimated the strength of Zionâs sword energy.
âI didnât expect this…â
Engulfed in crimson magic, Gloné slashed diagonally.
The dark purple energy was cut through, enveloped by his crimson strike.
Suddenly, he felt a shiver run down his spine, piercing his mind.
âThe queen will be pleased. He has greater talent than me.â