Ch.104EP.27 – The Knight Doesn’t Want to Be Reinstated (3)

Order of the Silver Lion.

They are the kingdom’s finest order of knights.

The number of knights is 300.

Considering that the cost of employing one knight is almost equivalent to the price of a racehorse, one might wonder how they manage to operate with 300 members.

Fortunately, the salary received by members of the Silver Lion is infinitely less compared to other knightly orders.

The reason? It’s simple.

The Silver Lion is not an order where knights receive money, but rather one they would pay to join.

A venerable legitimacy that began with the history of Pendragon.

Countless legends befitting its ancient history.

And the symbolism that proves their eternal alliance with Lionel.

Being affiliated with the Silver Lion meant becoming an heir to this legitimacy, these legends, and this symbolism.

That’s why children of high nobility all hope to join the Silver Lion.

There is no greater honor, and it’s an opportunity to form connections with the royal family.

Thus, they are undoubtedly elite knights who have passed through competitions with odds of thousands to one.

*Flinch!*

“Huh!”

“W-why is that guy…”

“I heard he was demoted!”

“A-avoid him, don’t make eye contact…”

“……”

…Though that didn’t necessarily mean they all entered through fair competition.

‘This place hasn’t changed.’

The Silver Lion uniform I’m wearing after so long feels unbearably tight.

Whether my muscles have grown or my frame has expanded, it’s extremely uncomfortable.

As I walk, enduring the uncomfortable uniform, gazes gather around me.

The First Knight Division, the Second Knight Division, and the Third Knight Division to which I belong.

Not a single gaze is friendly.

Ihan doesn’t particularly care since he’s not feeling friendly either, but inwardly he sneers. Not because of their petty hostility.

Simply.

‘Have I entered enemy territory?’

There’s a strange unfamiliarity, as if the place he’s returned to was always like this.

It’s clearly his original workplace, yet somehow it feels like he’s entered hostile territory, creating an unpleasant discomfort.

Perhaps after recently dealing with the pure students of the Academy and traditional knights like the Crimson Eagle, he’s having trouble adjusting to a place full of such “vipers.”

‘Wow, it feels like I’ve been gone less than five months, but this place really feels unfamiliar.’

Didn’t he say it before?

That a knightly order resembles the major leagues.

Just as talented individuals are selected through countless competitions in the minor leagues, the knights here were indeed “talented individuals.”

But this is the palace, the core of the royal capital.

A place where one cannot survive on individual strength alone…

Literally a place where political skill is necessary.

And surviving in the palace ecosystem means being involved in politics.

Perhaps that’s why more than 80% of the Silver Lion knights are relatives of palace officials or those who receive their patronage.

The First Knight Division belongs to the royalist faction, and the Second Knight Division to the nobility faction.

The Third Knight Division is where lower nobles gather, or rather where peculiar eccentrics congregate.

So Ihan found it amusing.

Like a major league mixed with factions, connections, and nepotism?

Anyway.

‘My standards have become too high.’

After seeing only traditional knights, looking at these snake-like, sinister creatures makes him sigh.

Also.

‘How can these people show so little improvement?’

Their level is disappointingly low.

He remembers some faces and is certain.

Not one of them has improved over the past few months.

They have major league talent, but instead of using it with their swords, they’re using it for political battles…

‘Wow, it’s infuriating.’

Is this an occupational hazard?

Now that he’s in a teaching position, he truly feels how frustrating it is to see people wasting their talent.

And the woman who gives him this frustration…

No.

Someone who cannot simply be called a woman, namely.

“-Her Highness Princess Isis Elaine de Pendragon. Knight Ihan has received your summons and requests an audience.”

The clear, respectful voice of a baron-ranked attendant rings out.

And then.

[Enter.]

Like a serpent about to ascend to heaven, she called for him, and Ihan entered the White Lion Palace with the unpleasant feeling of walking into a snake’s den.

* * *

Ambrosia.

An elixir said to have existed in ancient times.

It’s not like a spiritual medicine that restores potential abilities and strength.

If I had to explain it…

– Ambrosia?! That ambrosia that resolves all curses and diseases in this world, even congenital allergies and chronic illnesses?!

– It even resolves allergies?

– My goodness… so it actually exists…

That was the explanation from the omnipotent status window with the best alchemical abilities he knew of, and Ihan nodded, glad he had asked.

– Can you make it too?

Not wanting to be dragged around by that tyrannical sister anymore, Ihan asked Taechang if he could possibly make ambrosia.

Given Taechang’s skill in handling even the Demon King’s heart, Ihan asked with some hope…

– Hmm, I’m afraid it’s impossible.

– ……

…The answer was negative.

Ihan asked again with a slightly impatient expression.

– Is it because you don’t have the ingredients? If so, I can get them for you.

– No, it’s not about the ingredients.

– Then is it because you don’t have the formula? If so…

– No. The formula is actually quite simple. Just mix mandrake with a siren’s tears and queen bee wax.

– …If you know it so well, why can’t you make it?

– Because only witches can make it.

– ??

– Among mystical races, only witches can make this elixir. It requires a witch’s touch, a witch’s magical power, and a witch’s mystery. How could I, an ordinary human, make a witch’s elixir?

– Then how was this made?

– They probably employed a witch. Whoever made this is quite resourceful. Witches are the most difficult mystical race to encounter, with a probability of about 0.000001%.

– So that means…

– The probability of us meeting a witch and making ambrosia is extremely low. Even if we did meet one, witches hate humans so much they’d probably try to kill us on sight.

– Ugh…!

For a moment, he seemed to see the arrogant princess’s face before him.

With a sneer, as if saying:

‘My pathetic adoptive brother, did you think I wouldn’t see through your shallow thoughts? You’d do well to stop your futile attempts, hehe.’

-as if mocking him.

Defeat.

Despite not losing with sword or fist, Ihan wanted to grab the back of his neck at feeling such humiliation.

Anyway.

‘She really plays with people.’

Ihan looked at her without hiding his disgruntled expression.

Isis.

Whatever she found so amusing, she greeted him with a smiling face.

“Well, did you like the gift I gave you?”

“…Y-yes, I’m tearfully grateful.”

“I’m glad to hear that, hehe.”

“……”

“Then I should receive something in return for my gift.”

*Swish*

“Kiss it.”

“……”

…Isis extended her foot, demanding a kiss, and Ihan’s expression was…

“…Sister, your taste is a bit…”

His face showed that while he wanted to respect his adoptive sister’s strange sexual preferences, forcing them on others seemed inappropriate.

* * *

The White Lion Palace.

A symbolic palace where only the next heir to the throne can reside.

Thus, entering the White Lion Palace itself was an honor and proof of success for nobles and knights, so what a precious thing this was.

Moreover, the current owner of the White Lion Palace is none other than Isis Pendragon.

Her beauty, called the kingdom’s finest alongside the debutantes, is still talked about, and it’s said that a prince from another country fell ill with lovesickness after being captivated by her beauty and still courts her.

Although time has passed and she no longer appears at parties, she remains the kingdom’s most beautiful woman.

After all, with her noble royal blood, she would maintain her youth for another hundred years.

That’s why there are countless nobles and knights desperate to enter the White Lion Palace.

The moment they enter, they can enjoy the honor of kissing as a sign of respect for royalty, or rather the current heir to the throne.

And those who want to enjoy this honor…

“Insolent fellow, everyone, regardless of gender, is desperate to kiss my instep.”

“Are people in this country really okay? Are there only perverts with strange tastes…”

“Impudent one.”

*Smack*

Her fan spat fire as it struck Ihan’s head.

But.

“…My wrist hurts more.”

“My head has gotten quite hard lately, so the person hitting me probably hurts more.”

“Hmm, are you saying your skills have improved further? That’s welcome news.”

“……”

Touching her painful wrist, Isis’s eyes gleamed with a cold light.

It was like, how should I put it?

The expectation one might feel upon learning that a bear, already skilled in many things, could now do somersaults as well.

“…I shouldn’t have said that.”

Ihan met her eyes and regretted his additional comment.

Indeed, the root of all evil is none other than this mouth of his.

“Haah…”

But soon he shook his head.

As if trying to put aside unnecessary worries or rebellious feelings.

Then.

“…Sister.”

“What is it?”

“I suspect you called me with that ridiculous pretense of temporary reinstatement because you want me to handle some complicated matter. Am I right?”

“Oh, teaching seems to have improved your perceptiveness.”

“Anyway, I have three main questions, may I ask them?”

“Hoho, others might call you impertinent, but this time I’ll be especially generous and let it pass.”

“I’ll take that as permission to ask. I’ll ask just three things. First, is the knightly order really so short-staffed? Enough to call someone like me?”

“It is.”

“……”

“It is. It’s embarrassing to say, but there are no skilled people I can trust with tasks, and even those who exist are political lunatics. How could I trust and use such people?”

“That’s why I said you should be more careful when recruiting knights.”

“To do that, I’d have to depose Father… will you help me?”

“…If it fails, it’s rebellion, no, isn’t that the ultimate filial impiety?”

“A successful act of filial impiety is called a revolution.”

“L-let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.”

As the conversation became more mentally taxing, Ihan quickly continued.

“My second question is why you called me to the White Lion Palace with some ridiculous reason like ‘honoring the hero who saved the royal capital’ instead of meeting secretly as we usually do?”

Yes, if she wanted to give orders, she could have done it secretly.

Instead of spreading rumors like this.

The phrase Ihan heard most often on his way to the White Lion Palace was the laughable title of “hero who saved the royal capital.”

There could be no greater humiliation.

To this question.

“Why is that shameful? For a knight, fame is not only valuable but like a glory that lasts for three generations.”

She spoke as if puzzled, but seeing her eyes curve into half-moons, Ihan was certain.

‘This woman…!’

She did it deliberately to tease him.

She knew he disliked fame and did this on purpose.

What a nasty personality.

“Hehe, I’m joking. How could I not know that you’re uncomfortable with fame and others’ gazes? This time I simply created a pretext to meet you in the palace because it was difficult to find time for a secret meeting. Please understand.”

“That’s enough, so stop using that word ‘secret meeting.’ There’s a good word like ‘night operation,’ …it’s unpleasant.”

“…Such an insolent fellow. There are countless young men who would love to have secret meetings with me, yet you don’t know what an honor it is.”

“I’ll give that honor to someone else.”

“……”

“Huh, anyway. Let’s move on to my third question.”

*Thud*

Ihan took out a bottle from his breast pocket.

It was an elegant bottle containing a liquid that emitted a brilliant glow, and Isis smiled slightly.

“You haven’t drunk it yet.”

“It’s not a finished product this time either, right? Its effectiveness will be limited. I’ll drink it later if needed.”

“Still, this one has high completion and should last about a week, enough time to fulfill unfulfilled desires.”

“……”

“Are you interested now? If you want, I can introduce you to some beautiful children right now. Children who desire a night of passion…”

“Ahem, e-enough! I brought this because I was curious about something.”

Ambrosia.

An elixir that could be called the only means to break his curse.

Yet Ihan hadn’t drunk it.

While he couldn’t deny wanting to drink it immediately and feel that thrill again, he had something to confirm first.

“About this. I was wondering if it would work on someone else.”

“……”

“There’s someone who has something like a curse…”

His hesitation is evident.

He wonders if it’s right to speak about this.

The moral question of whether it’s appropriate to reveal someone else’s secret…

“-The Mark of Obedience is both a curse and has magical effects. I think it might be a bit difficult to resolve with just ambrosia.”

“……”

…What doesn’t this woman know?

“Do you have clairvoyance or something?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t have clairvoyance. I just have many means of obtaining information, hehe.”

“……”

At this point, it’s almost horror.

‘Shouldn’t royalty in romance fantasy be a bit incompetent?’

Why is she so capable?

…Ihan became a bit afraid of this person.

*

*

*

“…Phew.”

Ihan left the White Lion Palace feeling mentally wrung out.

Talking with the marquis was hard enough, but this sister was twice as exhausting.

Still…

‘It wasn’t without results.’

Having received a positive answer, Ihan was satisfied.

– To answer your question, it’s impossible with ambrosia alone, but there is a way to make it possible.

– Then…

– But why should I go to such trouble?

– ……

– Don’t make that face. If you handle this matter well, I’ll grant your wish.

– …I did save the royal capital…

– By that logic, I also provided you with gunpowder. And what about the marquis’s matter…

– ……

…He really couldn’t win with words.

“Oh my, what a fate.”

He wonders what hardship this is, just trying to be a teacher.

“…If she were just a little bit of a bad kid, I wouldn’t go this far.”

The ring on his index finger.

Why does he trust so much, really.

Ihan felt the ring and smiled slightly.

Though tired, he somehow felt energized.

Just as he was enjoying his mood alone…

“-Is it you? The parasite who dares cling to Princess Isis!!”

“…?”

“You! I’ll kill-“

*THWACK!!*

“Ugh…!”

“What’s with this idiot?”

Ihan punched the jaw of the madman who picked a fight with him at first sight, and the man immediately lost consciousness, his pupils dilating.

*Grab*

“…What should I do?”

Holding the man’s collar, Ihan contemplated.

Should he hit him more, or keep hitting him until he wakes up?

Since the other showed hostility first, there was no concept of mercy.

As he continued to contemplate…

“Huh? This guy’s hair…”

…It’s silver-white?

“……”

Ihan blinked.

As far as he knew, silver-white hair was…

“Eighth Prince! Where is the Eighth Prince!”

“Captain!”

“Find the captain…!”

…The voices of knights coming from afar.

Ihan suddenly realized.

The captain of the First Knight Division.

The memory of a certain Eighth Prince who had renounced his right to succession but remained royalty nonetheless.

“…Ah.”

As soon as he realized that the fool he had hit was the Eighth Prince.

…This is bad.