Chapter: 872
Since Fine’s overwhelming 17 consecutive victories, there hadn’t been any contact from Ainter.
Whether this was to let us enjoy a peaceful and cozy honeymoon until the wedding of Rutis or if they were busy analyzing the reasons for their defeat, I couldn’t really tell. Either way, as long as the outcome was good, it didn’t matter to me.
Anyway, thanks to no one bothering us, we could enjoy a leisurely sightseeing trip. Although the atmosphere everywhere was bustling with the upcoming royal wedding, tourist spots a bit farther from the capital were relatively less crowded.
For example, there was the site where Ainter’s founding father first raised his flag, the place where Ainter’s great knight defeated a monster, or the plains where 500 soldiers of Ainter repelled 40,000 insurgents.
‘The categories here are a bit odd.’
As we visited these tourist sites, I felt a strong sense of incongruity. No matter how much Ainter was a kingdom of knights, the entire nation’s system and culture wouldn’t revolve solely around swords. Even in a nation filled with sword aficionados, there should be places where normal tourism or culture flourished.
But what’s going on here? Every tourist spot we visited reeked of military vibes. We were supposed to be easing Fine’s military demeanor, yet it only seemed to get reinforced.
“Um, Fine. Do you really think it’s okay to see places like this?”
“It’s perfectly fine. Ainter’s symbol, regardless of anyone’s opinion, is militarism and chivalry, and the military traditions based on those. We should take this opportunity to appreciate what only Ainter has to offer.”
Still, since Fine genuinely seemed to be enjoying the sightseeing, I couldn’t steer her towards different attractions.
A honeymoon is an event for both husband and wife to enjoy. In such a joyful and happy event, it would be absurd to mention the peculiar reason for easing her military demeanor and disregard her wishes. Especially since Fine was someone who usually didn’t show her desires.
Yeah, what does the nature of the sightseeing spot matter? It’s less about what you see and more about who you’re with. If a loving couple is enjoying their trip together, even a stinky sewer can become an antique and rugged landmark.
Of course, I’m not actually planning to visit a sewer.
“How about we head to the Moln Plains next? I’ve heard it’s famous as well.”
“Sounds good!”
Seeing Fine’s eyes light up at my suggestion made me smile without thinking.
The Moln Plains. This was where the rebels during the reign of the third king of Ainter were encircled by the loyalist forces from various places, and it was here the rebels, in a final desperate attempt, suffered a crushing defeat. The death of the rebel leader, a prince, obliterated the rebels’ justification, and the battle became a confirmation kill of their physical strength.
However, having lost both rationale and morale while being besieged, the rebels fought valiantly, leading to an absurd result where the Moln Plains became a renowned site in Ainter. In a way, the rebels achieved immortality in death. There was even a joke that “Ainter’s armies that fight to protect the country are no match for the armies that stir up rebellion.”
‘Rebellion.’
My gentle smile towards Fine turned into a bitter one.
Rebellion. That damned rebellion. A calamity that once put the third king of Ainter in jeopardy and was critical enough that the rebels could have won.
Because of that incident, the third king of Ainter purposefully lost his heirloom. That heirloom, which had been lost back then, eventually ended up in the empire’s possession after a few hundred years. I and the emperor had to deal with a headache after suddenly acquiring the symbol of the Ainter royal family. Even now, the memories of that time make it hard for me to enjoy a visit to the Moln Plains with a smile.
‘Did the messenger bring a congratulations gift for the wedding?’
As of now, not even the king of Ainter was aware that the empire had secured their heirloom. It had been kept under wraps thoroughly for the gift to be presented for Rutis’s wedding.
Receiving a relic lost by an ancestor during your child’s wedding. A gift no one expected made me both proud as a father and as a ruler, allowing the empire to occupy a comparatively advantageous negotiating position. If you’re going to give something anyway, it’s standard diplomatic practice to squeeze every last drop out of it.
However, if the heirloom had been found a bit earlier… If it had become a negotiating card for the empire sooner, I wouldn’t have needed to slash the sky in the swordsmith’s hall—
I couldn’t shake that thought.
Life is all about timing, wouldn’t you say? There’s no denying the old adage’s wisdom.
A few days of silence from Ainter came to an end with a message. If I had the time, they’d like to send someone to meet with me.
At first, I honestly planned to decline. If they had business, they should have dealt with it on the first day, or they could’ve waited until after the wedding. Trying to conduct affairs while I’m in the middle of enjoying myself is just a nuisance.
But as soon as I heard the name of the person they were sending from Ainter, I immediately accepted.
“It’s been a while, Sir Villar. It’s truly a pleasure to see you again.”
The Deputy Commander of Ainter’s Royal Knights, Villar Ganelli. If someone asked me about my friends within the country, I’d point to a grave, but if they asked about friends abroad, I could proudly answer with his name.
I wouldn’t mind making time for a meeting with none other than Villar. After all, we were comrades who endured three years of hell together in the academy. Honestly, if Villar hadn’t come to me first, I might have been the one to seek him out.
“Thank you for the hospitality, Count Sir.”
In response to my welcoming words, Villar returned a faint smile.
Just as I felt a friendship for Villar, it was certain he felt the same towards me. Otherwise, would that stoic and serious knight be smiling?
“Is it better for you to call me the continent’s greatest sword rather than Count Sir?”
He even joked like that. This was not a one-sided but a mutual friendship.
Thank goodness. I was worried that after so many years since graduation, Villar might have forgotten the memories from our time together since he had risen to become the Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights. I was concerned that the terrible memories we had shared could have been wiped away by his promotion.
But no, Villar still remembers those times, despite his new position.
“Haha, feel free to call me whatever you like. I’m also a member of the knightly order, so you can call me Sir Cal too.”
“I’ll just stick to Count Sir.”
I nodded happily at Villar’s words, which brought a chuckle.
Yeah, Count Sir is certainly the safest title. Since I call Villar Sir Ganelli, it’s alright for him to call me Sir Cal, but for Villar, it wouldn’t just roll off the tongue.
“By the way, I must also greet your wife. This is Villar Ganelli, Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights of Ainter.”
“I’m soon to be the father-in-law of Prince Rutis.”
At my addition, Fine politely bowed her waist.
Though Villar was currently just some random nobleman, he was the Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights and would soon be the prince’s father-in-law. With such status, ability, and position, he would soon receive some title. In that case, it was only fitting for Fine, who was both a Countess and a noble, to show her respect.
“I am Penelia Yus of the Imperial Information Department. I’ve heard that Deputy Commander has worked closely with my husband for three years.”
“To work alongside him is too much to say. Count Sir has simply helped me tremendously.”
“If you had been in the empire, you would have undoubtedly become a central figure in the Royal Knights. How could someone like you be lacking?”
As Fine spoke, Villar and I exchanged awkward glances.
Even after forming a friendship in hell, knights are typically stingy with compliments and often feel embarrassed by them. It was only natural for us to feel weird being caught in a wave of praise, with me being the one who complimented and Villar being the one who got complimented. It was an intricate mood—neither a positive nor a negative kind of awkwardness, but a strange, positive embarrassment.
“If Count Sir were in Ainter, I would have made him my superior.”
“You’re too kind.”
The awkwardness thickened even more.
“However, Sir Villar. While I’m delighted to see you again, I assume you must be busy with work, unlike me who is on vacation? Especially with the royal wedding approaching, I imagine you have even more to deal with. Are you really alright to spend precious time with me?”
So, I specifically turned the topic away. I didn’t want to end up looking awkward when I should be enjoying a nice reunion with a dear friend.
And it was certainly not an ordinary thing for the Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights to visit me directly. Typically, the commander and deputy commander wouldn’t leave the palace at all. After all, the Emperor’s knights handle the palace’s entire security, and the deputy commander personally guards the emperor.
Plus, Villar was about to upgrade to be the prince’s father-in-law, a big deal. I could imagine they’d want to keep him hidden away inside the palace, both in the Royal Knights and among Ainter’s military.
“Please don’t say that. Thanks to His Majesty the King’s overwhelming trust, I’ve been honored with this prestigious position, but I’m also a knight who dedicates himself to the royal family, the citizens, and the country, and values friendship. How could I waste the opportunity to meet with you?”
‘Ah.’
Suddenly, Villar’s prolonged sentence made me straighten my slouched posture.
Internally, I breathed a sigh. On the surface, it sounded like a friend had come to visit for friendship’s sake, but the more I thought about it, the less pleasant the underlying meaning seemed.
‘So, it means the Deputy Commander has received orders to take action.’
It’s true that the royal knights are rigid palace guards, but when the royal command is given, they must step outside the palace. And to send Villar, someone connected to me, indicates he must have some important matter to discuss with me. That, too, from someone of royal lineage.
‘Damn it.’
I let my guard down. I was too excited to see Villar again and didn’t consider this obvious scenario.
Unlike me, who can roam around as I please, Villar had to adhere strictly to protocol. Especially with the wedding on the horizon; he had to be more cautious than usual. If Villar had come to me first, it surely meant he had business to attend to.
“What a kind thing to say. If I could make your time invaluable, that would truly make me happy.”
I responded with a gentle smile, albeit reluctantly.
It might seem like an undesirable situation, but considering my friendship with Villar and everything that had brought us to this moment, I was open to hearing him out. If it was a matter I could handle, I would be willing to assist.
‘Who sent him, anyway?’
More importantly, who sent someone who would be the prince’s father-in-law on such an errand? Could it be the king?
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