Ch.105EP.27 – The Knight Doesn’t Want to Be Reinstated (4)

“The 8th Prince, ah, no, the Captain of the 1st Knight Order was that ‘White Lion’… How surprising.”

The rookie knight who joined this year blinked his eyes upon learning this new fact, as if he never dreamed that a member of the royal family would be in the knight order.

The senior knight who seemed to understand his feelings nodded in agreement.

“New recruits are usually surprised. But it’s not uncommon. Many royals join knight orders, knowingly or unknowingly. Especially the 1st Knight Order.”

“…The royalist faction.”

“That’s right. Since the 1st Knight Order is where royalist nobles gather, it naturally requires a royal or high noble to lead them. I’ve heard the key positions in the 1st Knight Order have been held by royals for generations… though it’s rare for a royal to rise to Captain.”

“He must be incredibly skilled.”

“Why, do you want to challenge him?”

“…At least once.”

“Hahaha! Honest, aren’t you?”

The senior knight couldn’t help but laugh at his junior’s bold statement about wanting to face off against a royal.

He wasn’t mocking the junior knight’s audacity. Rather, such burning competitive spirit was something to be praised.

Moreover.

‘When a skilled person shows audacity, it’s not recklessness but an expression of confidence. This guy certainly has the qualifications.’

As far as he knew, the junior knight before him was considered the most skilled among this year’s recruits.

Would you believe that he never neglected his training for a single day, that few in the 3rd Knight Order could match him except for a select few, and that senior knights were actually trying to avoid him because he constantly challenged them to duels?

‘It was noisy with duels and sparring when that guy was here too, and now that he’s gone, an identical junior has appeared.’

Looking at this, it seems oddballs keep appearing without end.

…Of course, oddballs of “that guy’s” caliber would be rare.

Anyway, while other senior knights seemed to find this energetic rookie burdensome, he was supportive.

He believed knights should be exactly this intense.

…However, unfortunately.

“Sadly, they won’t face you.”

“Why not?”

“Well, the 1st Knight Order doesn’t bother with the 3rd Knight Order.”

Sometimes reality was cruel, and the senior knight had to inform him that things don’t always go as one wishes.

“Hmm…”

The junior swallowed hard at the senior’s words.

The Order of the Silver Lion’s 3rd Knight Order.

Unlike the 1st and 2nd Knight Orders composed of high nobles, the 3rd was filled with lower nobles or fallen aristocrats.

Perhaps because of this, the 3rd Knight Order was treated like leftovers within the organization, often disregarded.

Recalling this, the junior knight’s face clearly showed his dissatisfaction.

“Sigh… The more I experience this knight order, the more infuriating it becomes. I know politics can’t be separated from the palace, but I didn’t realize it would be this severe. I used to think that with skill alone, one could easily become a vice-captain.”

“How presumptuous. You think becoming a vice-captain here is easy? And stop complaining. You haven’t even been here for half a year.”

“…Senior, I truly respect you. Seeing how you remain uncorrupted in a place like this.”

Though it sounded like flattery, his words were sincere.

As far as he knew, there were two people in the knight order who remained clean of politics, and the senior was one of them.

Having experienced life as a royal knight, he had come to realize how difficult such integrity was, and it inspired respect in him.

It was nothing short of exemplary for a knight.

“Stop it. Respect those who deserve respect. I’m not particularly clean. I’m just doing my knight duties while making appropriate compromises.”

Jake Farman, the senior knight who received the respectful gaze, shook his head, telling his junior Yord not to think too highly of him.

“I’m just a descendant of a fallen knight family, too insignificant to get involved in politics… And I’ve also fallen out of favor with the higher-ups because I made the wrong friend, so I’ve already given up on advancement.”

“…Oh.”

“Don’t look at me so pitifully. At least I’ve improved my skills by not wasting time on useless things.”

“…Indeed, dueling with you is always enjoyable, Senior Jake.”

“I always find it nerve-wracking.”

Jake gave a bitter smile.

‘If only his status were higher, he would have advanced quickly.’

Jake regretted Yord’s situation. He was clearly the most skilled among the new recruits, but unfortunately, he was undervalued simply because he was in the 3rd Knight Order.

Jake felt a pang of regret, wishing his likable junior could soar higher.

‘Someone like him should be representing the Silver Lion…’

Young knights representing prestigious knight orders.

Knights like Lord Vale of Tristan or Lord Maximus of Lionel were representatives of the young knights.

Similarly, the royal knight order was represented by none other than the 8th Prince, but Jake, having observed the 8th Prince’s skills from afar in the past, could only assess him as “decent talent” rather than “extraordinary.”

Don’t misunderstand.

It wasn’t prejudice because he was royalty.

He was simply stating what he had observed.

‘To represent a knight order, one must demonstrate [overwhelming ability].’

Those with mere talent were abundant in the knight orders.

Therefore, to represent a knight order, one should rightfully demonstrate overwhelming achievements or abilities that surpass the abundant talent.

However, the 1st Knight Order Captain he had seen…

The one commonly called “Pendragon’s White Lion” had skills far from overwhelming, and Jake, though irreverent, couldn’t help but make certain conjectures.

‘…Perhaps the royal family is trying to fill in their lacking legitimacy?’

The current royal family.

That is, the current king lacks legitimacy.

One might ask what legitimacy a royal could lack, but this opinion would likely be universally agreed upon.

‘The problem is that his brother was too great…’

The previous king, called the Military God, was unfortunately not blessed with children.

He had two children, but the first son had a chronic illness and didn’t live long, while the second had great royal talent but was chosen by the magic sword and inherited the name of Galahad.

Because of this, the previous king passed away without a proper successor, and eventually, his only “brother” succeeded him.

It was fortunate that the prince trusted by the Military God inherited the throne, but there were many internal disputes because of this, they say.

‘The current king isn’t incompetent, but still…’

It would be presumptuous and disrespectful for a mere knight to judge the king’s abilities, but in the current situation, Jake wasn’t the only one who had assessed the king’s capabilities at least once.

Whether the current king was truly fit to succeed the Military God.

And because the comparison was too great, the current king’s abilities relatively fell short of people’s expectations, and as if in reaction to this, the current king often made “mistakes,” resulting in various calamities…

Hence, the current royal family has less power and justification than ever before.

At least a brilliant successor had emerged in Princess Isis, so the next generation was promising.

But since the current king was still healthy, the princess’s succession to the throne was a matter for the future.

Anyway, in this situation, the royal family was attempting various methods to build justification and forcibly elevate their authority,

and Jake suspected that the reason the 8th Prince was elevated as the first royal to become a knight order captain or hailed as a promising figure was partly due to these royal circumstances.

So in reality.

‘The knight befitting the name of the Silver Lion, no, the Pendragon name, is not the 8th Prince.’

It’s not Yord either, at least not yet.

He certainly has potential, but he’s not ripe yet.

Therefore, the greatest knight Jake could think of was…

‘…He would say he doesn’t need fame, but the only one who comes to mind is that guy.’

The one and only knight who sent all senior knights to the temple infirmary upon joining, and who dueled with Lord Baltar for over three years without becoming disabled.

Recently even called a hero of the Academy!

‘Yes, someone like him should represent Pendragon-.’

“-Huh? What are you doing here?”

“…?”

“Hey, it’s been a while.”

“I-Ihan…?”

…Why is he here?

Jake blinked, perhaps surprised by the sudden appearance of the friend he had just been thinking about.

He was glad to see him. As his friend said, it had been a while.

However, unlike his gladness…

“Um…, Senior.”

“Hmm? Who were you again?”

“Y-Yord Decker. I crossed swords with you before you transferred…”

“…Ah! You were quite good back then. It’s been a while.”

“…Thank you for remembering me, b-but that…”

Yord showed a reaction similar to Jake’s, displaying bewilderment.

Despite meeting a senior he had wanted to see, he couldn’t quite express his happiness given the situation.

And for good reason…

“W-what is that?”

It would be difficult to remain calm when seeing Ihan dragging a man by the nape of his neck.

To the questions from his friend and junior whom he met after a long time, Ihan scratched the back of his head and…

“Can’t you just pretend you didn’t see anything?”

“……”

“If you get involved, it’ll probably give you a headache too.”

“……”

“Ahem.”

“…You crazy bastard.”

Jake decided to revise his thoughts.

That guy is definitely a calamity…

* * *

…It might sound like an excuse, but he had his grievances too.

“He suddenly attacked me like a madman, was I supposed to just take the beating?”

What fault is there in responding to someone who picks a fight with a person minding their own business?

Ihan was merely exercising medieval romance novel-style power logic, and it seemed like a valid argument.

However.

“Fine, I understand the reason, but why did it have to be royalty!”

“……”

“Do you think that logic works with royalty?!”

“…Ugh.”

Yes, even if he wanted to push through with power logic, the opponent’s authority was too strong.

Unfortunately, it was royalty, and he had beaten royalty, so he was inevitably at a disadvantage.

If the prince woke up and simply claimed he was beaten, half the Silver Lion would become his enemies, and if it went to trial, he would definitely be the villain.

…Therefore.

Thud, thud!

“…Seniors, is this really okay?”

“Don’t ask me, ask the troublemaker…!”

“…Senior Ihan?”

Yord looked at Ihan with a suspicious gaze, and he replied.

“It’s fine, I’ll take responsibility. -Bury him.”

“……”

Yord Decker.

He was dumbfounded, never imagining that becoming a knight would lead him to digging on a hillside, and such a large hole at that.

Another question arose in his mind.

…Wondering if this was really right.

“This is a crime…”

“Sigh, if my father finds out about this, he’ll want to kill me.”

Yord muttered, while Jake clutched his head, lamenting the sin of befriending the wrong person.

But Ihan silently continued digging, and with three knights digging, an enormous hole was created in no time.

“What’s life anyway? We all return to the earth when we die. This guy’s day just came a bit earlier.”

“……”

“Junior, remember this. If you’re going to cause trouble, do it thoroughly.”

“…That’s not a lesson I particularly want to learn.”

The junior knight’s incredulous murmur.

But Ihan decided to proceed brazenly.

‘Burying this guy is the answer.’

Missing person.

It was nothing short of the lesser evil rather than the worst option.

Don’t worry.

Would he really kill him as he jokingly told Yord?

‘Threats are most effective when they’re extreme.’

If he starves him for about a week, leaving only his face exposed, he’ll probably cooperate willingly.

Perhaps knowing this, Jake is cooperating with him.

“Now, shall we send him off?”

Flinch!

“…?”

“……”

“…Hmm.”

…Ihan felt a sudden presence and tapped the silver-haired man with his shovel, and the man.

FLINCH!!

…His body jerked significantly.

Confirming this…

“Hey, you’re conscious, right?”

“……”

“Will you talk after being buried?”

“…Gulp.”

“I’ll give you three seconds, 3, 2, 1…”

“…I-I’ll give you a chance. If you apologize now, I’ll keep everything quiet.”

“……”

“This is a special opportunity. If now…”

“Should I just cut off your arms and legs first? They’ll be useless anyway.”

“—You scoundrel! How dare you! Do you think I, Aren de Pendragon, would yield to such threats!”

“……”

“Kill me! There’s no reason to live after such humiliation!!”

“Hurry…!”

“…Oh.”

Ihan was impressed.

By the man’s spirited attitude?

No.

Rather.

“…When did he kneel? I didn’t even see it.”

The man had knelt so quickly that even his eyes couldn’t follow, and Ihan gave him an appreciative look.

As expected of royalty who survived court intrigue.

‘He lacks awareness, but his survival instinct is overflowing.’

If he had continued to resist, Ihan had truly intended to cut off one of his limbs.

Ihan often made half-joking, half-serious statements.