Ch.312312. That’s a Load of ‘Family’ Nonsense.

“Is the food to your liking?”

“Yes, it’s very delicious.”

“How much?”

“…Pardon?”

“I asked how delicious it is.”

At the dining table with Emperor Kallian and Princess Joanna.

After emptying a glass of water neatly, I spoke.

“It’s insanely delicious.”

“Hahaha!! Indeed, food tastes better when eating with family.”

“…Pardon?”

“Come to think of it, haven’t we been through so much together? I consider us practically family at this point.”

I barely managed to hold back from blurting out “What ‘family’ nonsense is this” and continued speaking.

“Haha! Now that I think about it, I’ve only been to the Western Continent twice, yet so much has happened.”

“That must mean you have deep ties with the Western Continent.”

“…Is that so?”

Emperor Kallian seemed quite satisfied about something, raising the corner of his mouth while looking at Princess Joanna.

“Joanna.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Didn’t I tell you to use casual terms when we’re among family?”

Princess Joanna glanced at me once, then spoke with a reddened face.

“…Brother, what is it?”

“According to the Imperial Knights, our Selden Alphonse can even use magic…”

“That’s right. Not only is his swordsmanship excellent, but he can also use magic.”

“Was the destructive power tremendous? I heard that with just two spells, he vaporized more than half of the rebels. Is that true?”

“It is. I saw it with my own eyes, and it was truly an unbelievable sight.”

Emperor Kallian laughed heartily and turned his gaze back to me.

“Selden Alphonse.”

“Please ask, Your Majesty.”

“How did you think to protect our Joanna first in such a dire situation?”

“As I mentioned, I thought Your Imperial Majesty would not want the knights to chase after the rebels without protecting Princess Joanna.”

“Hmm… but why couldn’t the Imperial Knights understand my intentions?”

I calmly placed my fork on the table and spoke.

“During the war, how many people lost their lives? Among the dead were likely comrades they were close with. Given that, it would have been difficult for them to maintain their composure and act rationally when facing Prince Leonis.”

“…Are you saying that because you didn’t participate in the war, you were able to maintain your rationality?”

“That’s correct. Being from the Eastern Continent, I was actually able to remain more composed than the Imperial Knights who experienced the war firsthand.”

Emperor Kallian straightened his back while seated.

“I always feel this about you, but your modesty is excessive. I, on the contrary, couldn’t understand the actions of the Imperial Knights.”

“What couldn’t you understand?”

“Normally, they would have been annihilated by the hundred or so rebels, wouldn’t they?”

“Despite the considerable number of rebels, the Imperial Knights were not afraid and were ready to fight.”

“But in the end, they all survived thanks to you.”

Since it was an undeniable fact, I nodded, and Emperor Kallian immediately continued.

“Yet, they thought to chase after the rebels, ignoring your opinion… and that too when Princess Joanna’s safety wasn’t even guaranteed.”

Emperor Kallian seemed angry, trembling slightly as he held his water glass.

“Are, are you alright, Your Imperial Majesty?”

“Just momentarily angered, that’s all.”

“…Then couldn’t you have just spoken directly to the Imperial Knights instead of expressing it indirectly like earlier?”

“As long as Prince Leonis lives, a succession war could break out as early as tomorrow. I can’t afford to break the morale of the Imperial Knights in this situation, can I?”

He seemed quite thoughtful.

He wasn’t wrong.

While it’s good to boost the morale of the Imperial Knights, if it were to be broken, the atmosphere would quickly become depressed.

And if Prince Leonis were to lead the rebels back, they would collapse helplessly.

I looked at Emperor Kallian with a bitter smile.

“…Your Imperial Majesty must have a lot on your mind.”

“Indeed… But how can you have such strong subordinates without experiencing war?”

“There was no war. However, weren’t there the monster waves?”

“They became strong because of the monster waves?”

“Not solely because of that, but the monster waves did help.”

Emperor Kallian, seemingly not getting the answer he wanted, unbuttoned his shirt in apparent frustration.

At that moment, something glinted through the gap.

As I squinted slightly, Emperor Kallian lowered his head and pulled out the necklace that was hanging around his neck.

“Why is this suddenly glowing…?”

In the center of the necklace was a small embedded jewel that was emitting light.

This wasn’t just an ordinary light.

‘Could that be…’

I swallowed hard as I looked at His Imperial Majesty.

“Your Imperial Majesty, if I may ask, where did you get that necklace?”

“Serion Lycus gave it to me. He said it was worn by the dark mage who created the zombies.”

Hearing this, my guess was confirmed.

The jewel embedded in the necklace was known as the Tear of the Star.

In the original story, after dealing with the dark mage, Serion Lycus had gifted this necklace to Rebecca.

An accessory that amplifies the wearer’s magical power by twofold.

A necklace I desperately needed, especially after absorbing the ancient magic book and having increased magical consumption.

“I, I see.”

Detecting my expression, Emperor Kallian gave a faint smile.

“Do you covet my necklace?”

Of course, since Emperor Kallian wasn’t a mage, he wouldn’t know that the necklace amplifies magical power.

I scratched my head with a naive expression.

“Haha! I recently lost a necklace that I cherished.”

“And?”

“…I do covet it.”

Then, Emperor Kallian spoke with a meaningful smile.

“Then let me ask you again. Why are your subordinates so strong?”

“If I tell you, will you give me the necklace?”

“I’ll decide after hearing it.”

Thinking it would be best to be honest in this situation, I adjusted my posture and began speaking.

“I personally helped them with their training.”

“You’re saying you assisted your subordinates in their training?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Hmm… they became that strong just because you helped with their training?”

“It seems I have a talent for assisting with training.”

As I smiled slyly, Emperor Kallian fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Then, he leaned his head towards me.

“In that case, help train the Imperial Knights for a few days.”

“…Pardon?”

“No more, no less, just one week will do. After that, they should be able to manage on their own.”

“How, how could I possibly teach the Imperial Knights?”

“I think you’re more than capable. Besides, a week isn’t that long, is it?”

With a bewildered expression, I continued.

“Your Imperial Majesty, for training to be effective, there needs to be a clear hierarchy. However, the Imperial Knights clearly know I’m from the Eastern Continent. Would they willingly accept my guidance?”

“Haven’t you already demonstrated your abilities? By now, the Imperial Knights who witnessed your magic firsthand have probably spread the word.”

“…But the Imperial Knights use swords, not magic, don’t they?”

“So, they don’t acknowledge you because you use magic?”

“I would think so. Only the butler Darian, the servants, and Princess Joanna have properly seen my swordsmanship.”

“I understand you used a sword when capturing the spy?”

“Wouldn’t the magic have made a stronger impression?”

Emperor Kallian wore an indifferent expression, as if it was no big deal.

“Then why not demonstrate your swordsmanship to the Imperial Knights?”

“…Your Imperial Majesty, my training isn’t ordinary. It’s quite rigorous.”

“Are you saying that what your subordinates endured, our Imperial Knights cannot?”

“That’s not what I meant. My subordinates might have had complaints, but they underwent the training without protest. The Imperial Knights are different, aren’t they?”

“Ah, now I understand what you meant by needing a clear hierarchy.”

I had hoped to get the necklace after explaining why my subordinates at Lake Estate had grown stronger, but was I being too greedy?

I let out a long sigh.

“I’m glad you understand now.”

“Fortunately, it’s a problem that can be solved.”

“…Pardon?”

“We lost the captain of the knights during the succession war. The position of Imperial Knight Captain is currently vacant.”

This bastard…

Is he seriously saying this?

Though I was incredulous inside, I quickly managed my expression and spoke.

“Your Imperial Majesty, I am from the Eastern Continent.”

“I’m not asking you to become the Imperial Knight Captain.”

“Then what?”

“I’m appointing you as the honorary Knight Captain of the Western Continent.”

“…Isn’t that the same thing?”

“I think they’re distinctly different.”

What exactly is different…

If this were Jawill Wilson’s mind, he would have fallen for Emperor Kallian’s rhetoric and accepted without hesitation.

I held my throbbing head and began to organize my thoughts.

The Tear of the Star.

Regardless of the reason, I definitely needed to acquire it.

Which meant I would have to train the Imperial Knights.

After organizing my thoughts, I calmly looked at Emperor Kallian.

“Your Imperial Majesty, could you perhaps grant me temporary authority?”

“Temporary?”

“Just for the one week period while I assist with the training. If Your Imperial Majesty explains the situation directly to the Imperial Knights, it should be fine.”

“What if someone expresses dissatisfaction during the training?”

“If Your Imperial Majesty has spoken directly, no one would dare express dissatisfaction. And if by chance someone does, wouldn’t I have the right to discipline them?”

“…That’s true.”

Yes.

Given Emperor Kallian’s personality, if I didn’t help train the Imperial Knights, he would never give me the necklace.

Since it was an unavoidable situation, I figured I might as well relieve some stress while at it.

I raised the corners of my mouth with a smile tinged with pretense towards Emperor Kallian.

“I’ll take care of everything.”