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111. Childhood Friend – Court Audience

A few days later, Reb entered the palace with Marquis Harvey Gaidan.

It was his first time walking proudly through the main gate, so Reb glanced around.

The Nevis Castle was just as flashy and luxurious as Rutina Castle in the Conrad Kingdom.

There was a peculiar rivalry between the Orun Kingdom and the Conrad Kingdom, both of which occupied the warm and prosperous south, spending lavishly to flaunt their wealth—possibly because the two kingdoms were originally one.

“I will exchange your sword.”

While he was looking around, a Royal Knight approached. He took Reb’s sword, which served to guard the marquis, and handed over a dull, non-lethal sword from before.

It was a weapon suitable for sparring—light but significantly lacking in lethality.

Aside from some figures from the Knights Order like the Knight Commander and Vice Commander, people in the palace were not allowed to carry their own weapons.

This was common in any kingdom, so Reb obediently switched swords.

The marquis and Reb walked along the dazzling corridor for a while.

Unlike Rutina Castle, where the halls were almost nonexistent, crammed together, the Nevis Castle had spacious corridors.

Between the white marble corridors, antique tables and flowerpots were placed here and there, and large doors were scattered on both sides, all leading to different halls or corridors.

Of course, the marquis and Reb had no reason to turn into those doors.

The king’s inner chamber they were headed for lay straight ahead since they entered through the main gate.

At last, they reached a massive door, which was indeed made of solid brass, very much befitting the Orun Kingdom.

The mountainous Orun Kingdom, though inconvenient in transportation, produced a variety of minerals and was referred to as the Empire’s furnace during the Acaian Empire era.

“Marquis Harvey Gaidan.”

The Chamberlain recognized the marquis and announced his arrival beyond the door. As the voice from inside said, “Enter,” the heavy door swung open.

And there, at a distance, was the king.

‘How arrogantly they built this.’

Reb muttered.

The hall where the king resided was vast, with a step added every twenty strides, gradually increasing in height.

To approach the king, one had to ascend five steps, and just as Reb was following the marquis, a notification blinked in his mind.

[ Achievement: King 1/7 ]

‘Wow— what the hell…’

“May the glory of the Lognum Mountains be with you. Gaidan greets Lognum.”

As Marquis Harvey attempted to kneel, the king waved his hand.

“You are excessively courteous.”

“My apologies.”

Abram de Lognum.

The king was a heavy-set man with deep black eyes like an abyss and flowing white hair like a lion’s mane. However, being an elder, he seemed to display the inevitability of time rather than vigorous ambition, and the flesh under his eyes drooped, robbing him of vitality.

He seemed to be conducting affairs, as a wheeled desk was placed before his throne.

“Ah, what brings you here? Ah, more importantly, congratulations. I’ve heard there has been a recent joyous event…”

The king adjusted his seating and trailed off. His well of deep eyes held pure congratulations, but in truth, it was an interrogation.

Despite bestowing you with the significant title of Marquess, are you not preoccupied with other thoughts?

“It is not the joyous event you might think.”

The marquis calmly deflected the inquiry. To avoid any misunderstanding, he was choosing a straightforward tone without displaying any formalities.

However, the elder king’s probing words flowed smoothly.

“Is that so? I’ve heard that a member of Duke Tertan’s family crossed the border. That’s quite a significant development, no? It’s disappointing you didn’t inform me of such a joy in advance.”

As the king chuckled heartily, Marquis Harvey returned a faint smile.

“It’s nothing more than youthful interaction. I simply deemed it trivial to mention the affairs of children.”

“…I see. However, I heard that he brought along fifteen knights. Surely, you also displayed an equal measure of dignity as the marquis?”

Amidst the ongoing banter between the two powers, Reb, standing behind the marquis, cautiously darted his eyes to examine the king.

That’s the king.

With only goodwill shown on the surface, yet carelessly dropping decisive information to corner the marquis, this figure was the ruler who held sway over seven-tenths of the continent.

And he was the ultimate goal Reb had to charm… Reb let out a sigh internally.

‘As expected… it’s not easy.’

That white-haired king was cloaked in immense divine favor.

Three rubies and eighteen garnets set in a crown of red gold harbored the divine power of the deity, while two rings and a brooch were blessed, with the old body possessing continuous blessings.

At first glance, he seemed merely to be a gloriously dressed elderly man, yet Reb felt it.

The flawless divine power, encased like a dodecahedron, gazed indifferently at the imperfect divine energy of Barbatos.

That was impenetrable. No, it could be penetrated, but… using up his entire life thus far would still be insufficient.

‘Should I just kill him instead?’

Was it a rebellious impulse against the change of plans? Extreme thoughts crept in.

Compared to casting a charm, it wouldn’t be hard to smash the head of that arrogant old man.

Divine protection or whatever, if he’s killed physically, that would suffice.

‘No, no. What am I thinking?’

But wasn’t he planning to incite a rebellion anyway?

With the acquisition of the [Gaze of Enchantment] ability, he thought he’d handle things more easily, yet the Plan B of overthrowing the throne through rebellion remained valid.

Reb’s thought of ‘I’ll just kill him’ took a half step back.

He couldn’t tell who he was backing down from, but at any rate, charming the king was presently impossible.

What could have been a simple matter had become complicated all because of the “dirty god,” so more tasks had piled up. He’d need to investigate if there were ways to incite a rebellion and acquire more sacrifices.

“The princes have arrived.”

At that moment, the Chamberlain announced the princes’ arrival from a distance.

“Let them in.”

After the back-and-forth had concluded and while discussing military training at the borders, the king happily permitted. Two princes strode confidently across the hall.

“Father! We greet you.”

“Older brother, you should use honorifics as the king is in the middle of official business. Your Majesty, we greet you.”

“Haha, come forth.”

[ Achievement: Meeting Aton de Lognum – Earned slight goodwill from all nobles serving the House of Lognum. Earned slight goodwill from Aton de Lognum. ]

[ Achievement: Meeting Alzeor de Lognum – Earned slight goodwill from all nobles serving the House of Lognum. Earned slight goodwill from Alzeor de Lognum. ]

Without realizing it, Reb clenched his teeth. He turned to look back at the cunning faces of the princes, whom he was determined to catch someday.

But the princes were much different from the appearance he had imagined.

They didn’t have the looks of those despicable men who would tease noble ladies and share a harem of sex slaves.

They were both strikingly handsome.

The collaboration of noble women over the centuries and outstanding royalty had resulted in a superior lineage that didn’t allow them to become commoners.

The twin princes were identical, their dark hair as deep as the night sky, and their noses rose like mountains—an embodiment of the dignity of the Lognum royal family.

Even their serene black eyes inspired deep trust in anyone who made eye contact, though their flippant smiles might be seen as a fault.

Reb understood why the king cherished these late-born princes.

If not these young men, who else would ascend to the throne?

Perhaps because of that? He was even angrier.

Those pretty-faced brats embraced Lena. They had made her a plaything, a sacrifice to vile politics, all at the cost of his life.

Reb suddenly drew his sword. He envisioned burying a blade without an edge into the back of the prince offering greetings to the king…

He wanted to kill them.

Immediately!

As he struggled to suppress the impulse, the princes also greeted Marquis Gaidan.

“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”

“…Yes, it has been a while.”

“I’ve heard good news about your daughter. That’s why the reply has been delayed.”

“It’s truly regrettable. Lady Gaidan was a wonderfully beautiful and virtuous individual, but it seems my shortcomings made me unworthy of her.”

As the princes took turns mocking, the marquis attempted to make excuses, but the two princes didn’t let him find any gap to slip in.

“Oh dear, that’s the same for me. After all, if one is a duke of the Conrad Kingdom, that’s not an unworthy match for the House of Lognum, is it? We understand the choice made by the marquis.”

“Indeed, brother… I should take after you. I still can’t sleep easily because I’m so enamored with the lady.”

Ultimately, the king interjected.

“Haha… enough of that. Are you not making the marquis uncomfortable? Furthermore, Marquis Gaidan did not send the lady for the purpose of an engagement.”

“Really?”

The second prince, Alzeor de Lognum, asked in surprise, and Marquis Harvey subtly glanced at Reb before replying.

“Yes. My daughter did not leave for engagement. It was merely for interaction, and this will assist in mitigating any unfortunate occurrences at the border. She should be returning soon.”

“Oh! I see. My apologies. We showed our foolishness by jumping to conclusions. But…”

The first prince, Aton de Lognum, followed the gaze of the marquis and looked at Reb.

“…You seem to be a remarkable knight. Though very young, you appear quite reliable.”

“Huh? Did you think so as well, brother?”

[ Achievement: First Meeting with the Princes – Earned slight goodwill from all princes. ]

It seemed the achievements overlapped.

Though it was only slight goodwill, two achievements activated simultaneously with the princes.

However, they briefly exchanged a few compliments about Reb with the marquis and then turned their attention away. After all, what would a prince want with a noble family’s knight?

Afterward, the princes subtly recounted their affection for Reb, urging to marry their daughter quickly and highlighting various benefits.

But everyone there understood that it was not an invitation but a threat. The benefits proposed by the princes would immediately seize the Gaidan family’s leash if one flipped through the proposals.

For example, there was a suggestion to widen the roads in Gaidan Territory, located midway between Nevis and the Belita Kingdom, which would assist in trade…

The roads between territories were completely under the authority of the royal family, collecting taxes as compensation for maintenance and management.

Thus, the princes’ insistence on mentioning the roads was blatant.

If they wished, they could use the excuse of bandit appearances to block it, or neglect it entirely, letting it fall into disrepair as a form of pressure.

Also, if Hirie were to come into their family, they might keep her last name as Gaidan rather than changing it to Lognum—a rather shameless proposal.

Generally, hearing such words from a member of royalty would be seen as a huge honor. Not changing the daughter’s last name to her husband’s would publicly proclaim vast respect for her family.

However, since there were no heirs for Marquis Gaidan, the underlying meaning must be interpreted differently.

Eventually, he would adopt a child to carry on the family line, and if Hirie still held the ‘Gaidan’ name, it could lead to trouble.

This was skillful coercion.

It subtly suggested, ‘Marry Hirie off quickly and plead for our leniency.’

Marquis Harvey knew all this yet maintained a gentle smile as he said he would think positively and delayed answering. Eventually, the marquis and Reb courteously bowed to the king and princes before retreating outside the hall.

As they walked down the corridor, the marquis softly asked,

“Did you obtain what you desired?”

“Yes. But it will require a bit of time.”

“…I find it hard to understand what you aspire to, but I shall believe in you.”

Having been tormented by the princes, he seemed a bit angry, as his voice had sharpened.

“However, before Hirie returns, please inform me. My daughter should be back within two months at the latest. However, the princes will pressure again then. At that point, I too will have to make a choice.”

Following behind, Reb stared silently at the marquis’s back for a moment.

The enchantment he had over him had not weakened. There was also no message indicating that the achievement related to his servitude had decreased.

He was worried about his daughter’s future, unrelated to enchantment or loyalty.

“You need not worry.”

Yet there was no further explanation in Reb’s brief reply.