Ch.315315. Weren’t They Just Obedient, Docile Sheep?

“Here you go.”

*Splash!*

Emperor Callian places a necklace on the table.

I immediately reach out, grab the necklace, and speak.

“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Well, no need for thanks. You kept your promise, and I simply paid the appropriate price.”

Fearing he might change his mind, I hurriedly stuff the necklace into my pocket and naturally adjust my posture.

“Thank you anyway.”

“I didn’t realize you were so fond of necklaces. If I come across another nice one in the future, I’ll gift it to you.”

I’ve somehow become someone who loves necklaces just to obtain the Star’s Tear.

But what can I do?

I needed this necklace that badly.

“Haha! Too many gifts would be rather burdensome.”

“Hmm, I suppose that’s true. By the way, how was the training with the Imperial Knights?”

“It went very well. The members were more obedient and passionate than I expected.”

“Is that so? It’s somewhat regrettable that you only trained a select elite of two hundred, but if you taught them properly, I am satisfied.”

“Yes, now the Imperial Knights who trained under me will—without being told—manage, I mean, train those who haven’t received training yet.”

Emperor Callian stares at me intently, as if something has just occurred to him.

“By the way, have you heard the strange rumors circulating in the palace lately?”

“…Strange rumors?”

“I heard from Butler Darian that wailing sounds can be heard every night from the Imperial Knights’ quarters.”

“I-is that so?”

“Do you know anything about it?”

“Haha! It was probably just the groans of Imperial Knights struggling from the intense training they received.”

Emperor Callian strokes his chin and nods.

“Now that you mention it, it seems the Imperial Knights did receive proper training after all. They must all be quite exhausted from the war… it’s admirable even to me.”

“I also learned a lot while teaching them. Especially Harold, the vice-captain, who showed impressive swordsmanship.”

“Oh, Harold? Do you think he’s qualified enough to be the captain of the Imperial Knights?”

“Yes, I noticed that the other knights clearly rely on Harold. If he becomes captain, I believe he’ll lead the knights admirably.”

Emperor Callian looks satisfied, then his expression turns slightly more serious.

“Then, would you recommend anyone for the position of vice-captain?”

“From the fourth squad I taught, I’d like to recommend a member named Hartwell.”

“And your reason?”

“First, he’s extremely energetic and brings positive energy to the knights. Additionally, his swordsmanship isn’t bad either.”

“Hmm, ‘not bad’ swordsmanship… that doesn’t seem sufficient for the vice-captain position, does it?”

“Hartwell’s greatest strength is that he knows how to acknowledge his mistakes and humble himself.”

I unconsciously smile while thinking about Hartwell, causing Callian to tilt his head curiously.

“You seem to have taken a liking to Hartwell.”

“When I look at Hartwell, he reminds me of one of my subordinates. Jawill Wilson, quite a decent fellow.”

“…If you praise him that highly, I’ll consider appointing Hartwell as vice-captain positively.”

“Thank you.”

“Now that you’ve completed the training of the Imperial Knights as promised, when do you plan to leave?”

“I should leave today. I’ve been delayed longer than expected.”

Emperor Callian clicks his tongue slightly, seeming disappointed.

“…Before you go, have a conversation with our Joanna.”

“Princess Joanna?”

“Didn’t she help you this time as well? She seems to want to express her gratitude.”

“I only did what needed to be done.”

“You’re from the Eastern Continent, so it wasn’t necessarily something you had to do, was it? Or do you perhaps have other feelings for our Joanna?”

Sigh…

Emperor Callian.

Though young, his cunning nature seems no less formidable than Emperor Malius.

I try not to appear flustered and instead respond with a bright smile.

“Haha! How could I ignore someone when my connection with Your Imperial Majesty is so strong?”

“Indeed. Your connection with me, including Joanna, is quite strong and deep.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

“Anyway, have at least a cup of tea with Joanna before you leave. Just so you know, she tends to hold grudges for a very long time when she’s upset.”

“Princess Joanna does?”

“When our late father, Emperor Western, was alive, I once pushed her into water as a joke, and she wouldn’t speak to me for about three months. Perhaps it was because the water I pushed her into was sewage?”

…Should I be grateful I didn’t attempt assassination?

Princess Joanna must truly have a gentle personality.

After all, she spared her brother’s life despite everything.

It seems like he won’t let me leave without seeing Princess Joanna anyway.

I sigh briefly and speak.

“…So where is Princess Joanna now?”

*

“It’s quite regrettable that Lord Selden Alphonse is leaving today.”

“I’d like to explore the Western Continent more, but as you know, there are many people waiting for me in Lake Territory.”

“…My brother has been keeping you here for quite a long time, hasn’t he?”

After arranging for a carriage to wait outside the palace, I have a brief meeting with Princess Joanna.

I respond with a faint smile.

“I wasn’t forced to stay. I remained because there was sufficient benefit for me as well.”

“I heard you helped train the Imperial Knights. That must have been difficult?”

“…Difficult?”

“I recently heard that our Imperial Knights can be quite stubborn in temperament.”

…Huh?

They were just obedient, gentle lambs though?

I hesitate momentarily but continue speaking naturally.

“Haha! Is that so?”

“Judging by your expression, it seems you had no problems?”

“They all had such a strong desire to learn that I encountered no issues while teaching them.”

“That’s a relief. With someone as excellent as Lord Selden Alphonse training our Imperial Knights, we can feel secure even if war breaks out.”

I give Princess Joanna a somewhat serious look.

“Ah, right! There’s something I forgot to mention. Could you possibly relay this to His Imperial Majesty?”

“Of course. What message would you like me to deliver?”

“Please tell him that there might still be undiscovered spies of Prince Leonis among the palace people, so he should be careful.”

“Ah… I’m not sure how to thank you for your concern.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“My brother is aware of the possibility of spies, but he’s restraining himself from being too suspicious as it might create an unpleasant atmosphere.”

I nod with a bitter smile toward Princess Joanna.

“I understand. Prince Leonis probably planted spies specifically targeting such vulnerabilities.”

“Anyway, I won’t forget to relay what you just said.”

“Thank you.”

Princess Joanna maturely adjusts her hair fluttering in the wind and smiles brightly.

“…By the way, may I ask Lord Selden Alphonse for a favor?”

“What kind of favor?”

“When I visited Lake Territory before, I had to conceal my identity, so I regret not being able to properly look around.”

“Ah…”

“I’d like to visit the Miracle Forest in Lake Territory and also tour the Academy you established.”

“What kind of favor is that? You’re welcome to visit anytime.”

Princess Joanna covers her mouth and giggles.

“Really? Are you saying I can visit suddenly without notice?”

“Well, that’s fine. However, if you don’t inform me in advance, I might not be there when you visit.”

“R-really?”

“I tend to travel to other territories quite often.”

“Then I should send a letter in advance. It would be nice to see Lord Selden Alphonse’s face as well.”

Princess Joanna’s face turns slightly red.

I instinctively feel that if we continue this conversation, the atmosphere might become awkward.

Just then, I spot Imperial Knights in the distance, raising dust as they rush toward us.

I quickly throw my luggage into the carriage and speak.

*Clatter!*

“P-Princess Joanna! I really must go now.”

“…Pardon? It seems the Imperial Knights are coming to see you. Shouldn’t you at least greet them before leaving?”

“Haha! Greetings between men are unnecessary luxuries!”

“I-is that so?”

With an urgent expression, I board the carriage and raise my voice to the coachman.

“L-let’s depart immediately!”

As the carriage starts moving, I hear the voices of the Imperial Knights.

Their howls are so loud they almost hurt my ears.

-Where are you running off to in such a hurry?!

-Lord Selden Alphonse!! Stop the carriage while I’m asking nicely! If you stop now, I’ll only hit you ten—no, just five times!!

-Q-quickly, catch up to the carriage! We’ll regret it for the rest of our lives if we let Lord Selden Alphonse escape today!

-Stop running away and have a nice, slow conversation with us!

I peek my head out of the carriage window and see the fury-filled expressions of the Imperial Knights.

I wave to them and shout with all my might.

“It was unpleasant meeting you, and let’s never meet again!”