Ch.160Victory Commemoration #1

What should I ask for, and how much?

In the early dawn while everyone slept, Eve opened her eyes to an untimely worry and stared at the still-dark ceiling.

Thanks to the dim moonlight, she could make out where things were, but it wasn’t as bright as when the sun rose.

“Ugh…”

Eve involuntarily let out a low groan at the sharp, stabbing sensation in her lower abdomen.

She felt anxious, worried she might wake the three people sleeping in the same bed.

Fortunately, they showed no signs of waking, continuing to breathe softly.

As she sighed with relief, images of various items flashed through Eve’s mind.

Though more reagents and experimental materials would be better, she needed to maintain reasonable limits, considering that excessive demands might upset the giver.

While Eve was lost in these unexpectedly pleasant worries,

“…So, couldn’t we set up the smoke we used in battle around our territory? Of course, with measures to prevent it from constantly rising…”

“Speaking of which, what specific effects did that smoke have? From what I’ve heard, there’s little information beyond it being acrid…”

By morning, her head was spinning from the countless handshakes from nobles.

Though it was natural for them to approach eagerly at a gathering meant for socializing and forming connections, Eve was awkward with such noble customs.

Despite leading a battalion, not all her soldiers were nobles, and she had spent most of her days confined to research in her room.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with that. It was simply a different way of living.

What should I do?

Eve had gone for a walk alone and was caught off guard without her guardian, but she tried to maintain an outwardly calm appearance.

She couldn’t think of a good response.

Then, in the blink of an eye, Helena’s words flashed through Eve’s mind like lightning.

If she could draw a line before the king, why worry about mere nobles?

“Ah, well… First, I need to understand the environmental conditions of each noble’s territory. Whether it’s surrounded by mountains like Count Solont’s territory, on flat land, or near a sea or river.”

“Um… What does that have to do with anything?”

The nobles tilted their heads in confusion.

They felt dizzy even though she hadn’t even begun the lengthy explanation they wouldn’t understand.

They wondered if what followed was truly in the same continental language.

“Yes. When constructing magic, especially large-scale magic, environmental variables must be known. This requires investigation, which can take anywhere from days to months. This time, we were able to collect information quickly with help from the elven army, but usually, it takes time. Even then, there are unstable aspects.”

“Uh… what is that?”

“Seasonal environmental changes are perhaps the easiest example. For instance, in dry winters, the wind lacks moisture, which means compared to warm or hot spring and summer, the water content…”

The nobles surrounding Eve felt dizzy and mentally drained listening to technical explanations they didn’t understand.

They wanted to interrupt but couldn’t bring themselves to do so as she spoke with such enthusiasm.

Just as explaining a mathematical research problem with formulas and graphs would only give headaches to someone who knows nothing about math, this situation was no different.

In fact, it only grew more complex as she delved into topics like configuring magic circles with environmental variables.

“…In the end, calculating these variables carefully to install magic takes a tremendous amount of time. I question whether the Duchess would permit me to spend that much time outside.”

“Ah, I see… Thank you. As expected of an expert, you’ve provided very… informative content. It was truly… enjoyable.”

The nobles recognized Eve’s rather diplomatic refusal and departed with forced smiles.

Though they tried not to be offended, rejection always stings. Yet, their slumped shoulders as they trudged away didn’t show disappointment.

Instead, they seemed to laugh with relief at escaping a bewildering hell.

Eve watched them go with a distant gaze, realizing that overwhelming someone mentally could be an effective persuasion tactic.

“Wow… I didn’t know you could speak so well?”

A familiar voice accompanied by applause.

Eve instinctively turned toward the sound.

As she expected, Helena stood there in her formal attire, smiling as she lowered her hands after clapping.

“Ah, Duchess. Were you… watching?”

“Yes. I was going to intervene if the pressure became too much… but you handled it so well I didn’t get the chance. Excellent.”

“Thank you…”

Helena approached Eve, who had lowered her head shyly, and gently placed her hands on Eve’s shoulders while smiling.

She praised Eve’s handling of the situation, even though Eve herself had spoken somewhat frantically.

“But… did you come out for a walk too, Duchess? Usually around this time, the Duke would…”

“Of course I’ve been fed.”

Helena’s cheeks flushed red at the mention of Zion, and she lightly stroked her lower abdomen with her long, pale fingers.

Eve understood Helena’s mood and condition from this gesture but tilted her head curiously.

She wouldn’t have left the room if she wanted more.

“You’re wondering why I came out anyway, aren’t you? It’s written all over your face.”

“Eh? Is it that obvious?”

“To me, it is. Anyway, you’re right. I was going to work up a light sweat and join him in the bath, but His Majesty summoned me.”

If the king called, there was no choice.

Helena, satisfied and clear-headed, couldn’t refuse the king’s summons.

Eve understood this and nodded with a soft sound of admiration.

“Ah… I see.”

“Yes. So I’m heading straight to where His Majesty is, and you should return to the room. Understood?”

“…Yes.”

Though it sounded like she was being considerate about avoiding the nobles’ eyes, it was essentially explicit permission.

Realizing this, Eve quickly bowed her head and hurried toward the room where Zion would be waiting.

Helena clicked her tongue regretfully as she watched Eve leave, then headed toward the audience chamber where the king was waiting.

Following his order for a private conversation rather than in the hall for state affairs.

“Duchess, you’ve arrived.”

As she reached the audience chamber, a servant guarding the door bowed his head.

Being in the royal palace, all servants wore tailcoats like butlers.

The man bowing before Helena was no exception.

“Yes. Please announce me.”

“Understood.”

“Your Majesty, Duchess Krauser has arrived.”

When the guard straightened his neck and announced her, a voice from inside invited her to enter.

As Helena stepped through the door opened by the servant, her eyes met with the king, who was already seated at the head of the table.

“Duchess, welcome. I apologize for summoning you separately so early in the morning.”

“Not at all. It’s only natural for a noble of the kingdom to respond when Your Majesty calls.”

The king, beaming with delight, stood up abruptly and gestured toward the seat beside him.

Thinking it would be awkward to sit across from each other at the long rectangular table, he offered the seat closest to him.

Helena, understanding this, bowed her head without hesitation and sat in the seat the king offered.

“Well. I called you to discuss something, but it wouldn’t be proper to jump straight to the point. Please catch your breath first.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

The consideration was a cup of tea the king had ordered brought, which Helena gratefully accepted.

Judging by his relaxed demeanor, it didn’t seem to be an urgent matter, and his smiling, bearded face suggested it wasn’t bad news either.

“Phew…”

Clatter.

Helena glanced down at the king’s empty teacup on its saucer, then looked directly into the king’s eyes as he exhaled a long breath.

She instinctively realized he was ready to begin their conversation.

And confirming Helena’s thoughts, the king’s lips slowly parted.

“I’ve invited you here because I have something to discuss.”

“Please speak.”

“Well. The thing is… our kingdom’s soldiers and nobles rarely unite their strength. One might say it almost never happens. Wouldn’t you agree?”

That’s certainly true.

Helena thought to herself, expressing her agreement with the words, “You speak the truth.”

The king’s lengthy introduction suggested he was planning something significant.

“Yes, it is rare. However, seeing how everyone united without discord in this crisis demonstrates that our kingdom’s nobility hasn’t grown corrupt.”

“I can’t argue with that. You’re right. Still, the fact remains that there was no occasion to unite until now. And though the Imperial bastards are vicious, in that one aspect alone, they’ve been somewhat helpful.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Indeed. So I’ve been thinking… I want to maintain this unity we’ve achieved for as long as possible. Of course, it will eventually fade and disappear, but I hope not during my reign.”

Is he planning to build a memorial to commemorate this unity?

Helena initially concluded that the king was roundabout way of asking for money, but her eyes widened at what came next.

“To commemorate the day we united and to proclaim our victory, I want to hold a victory festival. A festival to select knights.”

“Select knights… through a festival?”

“Ha ha. Yes. You seem quite surprised, Duchess, probably because it’s something you never considered.”

The king let out a hearty laugh, apparently pleased by Helena’s wide-eyed surprise.

But how could she not be surprised?

In the continent, knights were appointed by nobles or royalty, and “free knights” referred to those who had left their service.

In other words, knights were inevitably influenced by the ruling class.

Moreover, even to exert such influence, experienced knights were needed to train new ones, which naturally limited their numbers.

Of course, Helena wouldn’t have been surprised if the king had meant selection in the traditional sense.

But she showed surprise upon realizing from his mention of a “festival” that the process would be unconventional.

“Your intention is admirable, and I have nothing to add, but how do you plan to conduct this selection?”

“First, I’ll announce my intention throughout the kingdom and gather participants. That alone will take considerable time. After compiling a list of names, I’m thinking of a structure where winners continue to advance.”

Simply put, he meant determining winners through a tournament, with the victor earning the right to be appointed as a knight.

The explanation was lengthy only because the concept of a tournament didn’t exist.

Fortunately, Helena understood the king’s meaning and nodded, but she realized boundaries needed to be set.

“Then we should establish some parameters. First, how about making the formal announcement at today’s banquet and setting a deadline of one month from when the nobles return home?”

“Parameters. Good thinking. Any other suggestions?”

“As Your Majesty knows, knights typically train other knights. However, if only such individuals participate in the festival, the outcome might differ from your intention. Therefore, I believe we should also set limits on eligibility.”

“Hmm. That’s also correct. If the event meant for everyone’s enjoyment is overrun with squires… it would certainly lose its appeal.”

Squires were those who, though not formally appointed, trained under knights who had taken notice of them.

The king, aware of this, naturally used the term while stroking his chin.

The central knights were selected from properly appointed knights, but territorial knights were trained and qualified locally.

Occasionally, some became knights through connections, but this was rare as it only increased the number of low-quality knights.

The king silently organized his thoughts and spoke only when his mind cleared.

“Well. Though we must ultimately rely on each noble’s conscience… I think it’s best to limit eligibility to commoners and mercenaries. First, each territory should conduct preliminary selections, and then the winners from each territory will compete in the capital.”

“That seems like a good idea. Let’s proceed with that.”

While wealthy individuals might bribe local nobles to manipulate results, doing so for a single knight appointment would be disadvantageous.

Ultimately, when representatives from each territory compete, the more skilled would prevail.

Attempting to influence multiple nobles across territories to make someone a knight would be foolish.

Though prestigious, it wasn’t a position of great power.

Moreover, a knight without skill or effort couldn’t maintain their position.

Helena, as someone who trained knights, understood this dynamic well and nodded without much concern.