Ch.335EP.70 – Why the Knight’s Hatred is Justified (5)

Ihan opened his mouth, seemingly accepting her explanation.

“I understand that they hate each other, at least.”

“…It’s not quite that simple.”

Isis seemed disappointed, as if she had been ready to give a history lecture, but he was more interested in understanding the current situation than studying history, so he asked again about the significance of the prince’s birthday.

Then.

“I told you last year around this time. The reason why Arthur’s existence is so important.”

“…?”

“Have you already forgotten?”

“I tend to only remember what’s necessary….”

“You insolent fool…! Didn’t I tell you! My child is like a bridge connecting Pendragon and Britain!”

“I, think you might have?”

“…You rotten man.”

Isis wore an expression that suggested she’d rather die than suffer through this, but her explanation continued.

“My child Arthur is the only one who has inherited the blood of both the Pendragon royal family and the British royal family. This means that his existence provides a significant justification for diluting the discord between Britain and Pendragon.”

In monarchical nations, what ultimately becomes important is ‘blood.’

Especially royal blood with noble lineage is something even citizens acknowledge, and in cases like the Pendragons who possess the dragon’s blessing in their bloodline, it tends to be even more revered.

Similarly….

“Britain also places great importance on their bloodline.”

In Britain’s case, the worship of the royal family has continued even to the present day.

In some ways, they might be even more concerned with bloodline than the Pendragons.

In that sense, Crown Prince Arthur, who inherited the blood of both royal families, would provide an appropriate justification for uniting the two kingdoms.

Therefore.

“This banquet is not simply a debutante for young children. It’s the first appearance of a future great king who will unify the will of the South. That’s why this banquet must succeed, and nothing unfortunate should happen.”

“……”

“You might think it’s a trivial reason, but this is the realm of politics. That’s why mobilizing troops is something that shouldn’t be done right now. This banquet cannot afford to fail.”

“…It’s certainly a reason I can’t fully comprehend.”

Ihan deliberately nodded his head.

As if he somewhat understood her words.

But understanding was one thing….

“Then how are you going to resolve this? With so many risk factors, are you still going through with it?”

Ihan asked.

Whether she had a plan for this situation.

For reference.

“I’m not solving this one for you.”

“……”

“I’ll cooperate in catching those fanatics, but I have no intention of getting involved in politics. Shall I be honest? Recently, I think this kingdom is truly too incompetent. How is it that the kingdom is full of traitors?”

It wasn’t just this time.

Look at all the people he had taken down over the past year—how incompetent must the kingdom be for there to be so many traitors and people cooperating with fanatics?

From commoners to merchants, and even nobles, people of all colors were cooperating with the Blood Crusaders, and seeing this, Ihan thought:

“I hate to say this myself, but this kingdom could collapse any day and it wouldn’t be surprising. If it weren’t for me and the others, it might have really been over. But how long do I have to step in? Honestly, I just want to focus on those fanatics, but do I have to pay attention to these damn nobles too? They’re not flies, yet they keep buzzing around me….”

Incompetent. This word seemed to be the most appropriate description of the current kingdom, and Ihan clicked his tongue.

“People can be lacking, and shortcomings are unavoidable. But at the very least, shouldn’t a kingdom be better than this? Sister, I’m sorry, but there’s a limit to what I can do out of loyalty, and I no longer expect anything in return from you. Oh, and for reference, the ambrosia is already scheduled to be given, so don’t try to take it back.”

“…You damned bastard.”

“Is there anything wrong with what I said?”

“That’s why you’re a damned bastard. You didn’t say a single wrong thing…. You insolent fellow, must you defeat your sister with words like that?”

Rarely did Isis fail to refute and only express anger.

Or more precisely, there was nothing she could refute.

Just as he said, if it weren’t for him, the kingdom might not have fallen, but it would have faced dozens more crises of similar magnitude.

Yet if she denied this, she would be an ungrateful person.

“Sigh…. I cannot deny that we are becoming a failing nation.”

“……”

Seeing her acknowledge her own shortcomings rather than acting shameless as usual made him feel confused.

Because he had expected her to be brazen as always.

Perhaps that’s why.

“Why don’t you just take the throne then.”

He unconsciously blurted out a somewhat provocative statement.

“……”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying this because I need money or a title. I’m just saying if the current king is lacking, you should stand tall above him, that’s all. …If I’ve said something offensive, I apologize.”

“……”

“Hey, I said I apologize!”

Perhaps thinking her continued silence was due to anger, Ihan grumbled an apology, but she still withheld her words.

Then soon….

“Ahahahaha!”

“?”

…Isis began to laugh like a madwoman.

As if she had heard the funniest story in the world.

Her laughter, without any thought for dignity or refinement, made her look like a country woman.

That’s how hearty her laughter was.

“Haa! Was my sworn brother trying to make me die from stomach pain? If that was your intention, I commend you. You nearly succeeded.”

“Where exactly was the funny part?”

“All of it. The way you speak of the throne as casually as adopting a pet is so amusing, haha.”

“…Are you saying I was arrogant?”

“No, that’s not it. You have every right to be arrogant.”

For example.

“Lord Ganok mentioned it. That you are stronger than him. Just with that alone, you’ve become one of the top powers in the South.”

“You mean that elder from Modred?”

“Yes.”

“…I’m probably about 40 years younger than him, so of course I might be stronger….”

To this rebuttal.

“He was the vice-captain of the White Dragon Knights, and ranked third among the Ten Swords of the South. For your reference, the one who ranked second is the leader of the Wolves of the Wilderness, also known as the Mercenary King.”

“……”

Along with her firm words, he heard an unexpected history.

“You might not know, so let me explain that the White Dragon Knights were once… no, they are called the strongest knightly order in Pendragon history. It was an order where ‘anyone strong could join’ regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, race, or religious views.”

“Then the captain…?”

“Of course it was Lord Baltar. By the way, he is the first among the Ten Swords of the South. …Unfortunately.”

“……”

“Do you understand now? Lord Ganok, whose abilities haven’t diminished much compared to his youth despite his age, said you are above him. This means your strength has risen to one of the highest levels in this kingdom. And with such power, if you set your mind to it, you could easily overturn a royal palace.”

“……”

Ihan was too busy blinking at the influx of new information rather than the praise.

White Dragon Knights, Ten Swords of the South, such childish-sounding…

‘Ah, is it like the Ten Masters of the Martial World?’

Ihan thought it was understandably childish when considered in martial arts terms, and he found it interesting that he knew quite a few of these people.

Not only Baltar and Ganok, but in the case of the Mercenary King…

‘Didn’t our mercenary kid say he was that man’s disciple?’

What a coincidence that it connected to one of his students.

He thought connections were interesting like that, and was about to ask why Ganok, who was ranked third, was the vice-captain instead of the Mercenary King, when.

“…But your true power is probably ‘people.’ You have certain friendships with Galahad, Lionel, Tristan, and Modred, and even further with Ophen and Guinevere, as well as a strong cooperative relationship with the guild association. Seeing all this, if you truly sided with me, there wouldn’t be much of a problem even if I usurped the throne, hehe.”

Isis smiled contentedly as if just imagining it brought her joy, and she looked at him with an expression of utmost admiration.

However.

“But that shouldn’t happen. No, at least I must become king through my own power alone. So unfortunately, I cannot accept your help.”

“…You’re more romantic than I thought?”

Does she mean that borrowing others’ power wouldn’t make it truly her position?

What she’s saying is really…

“That’s not it. If it’s to grasp power, do the means and methods matter? One shouldn’t be picky about means and methods. However….”

“?”

“Unfortunately, I have a weakness.”

“Weak…ness?”

“My weakness. My father… happens to be the only person who knows my ‘weakness.’ Therefore, I must ascend to the throne through orthodox means. As long as that weakness exists, I can never use the help of others, nor can I use any special tactics. Only the orthodox path is permitted….”

“……”

…It was unfamiliar.

For Isis, this always confident woman, to show weakness for the first time.

Also, the word ‘weakness’ strangely engraved itself in his mind.

Though he didn’t know what it was…

‘It must be a truly troublesome weakness.’

Ihan wasn’t tactless enough to ask what her weakness was, nor did he make the mistake of trying to guess it.

Even between close friends, there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed, and there was no need for him to know about that weakness.

Instead.

“I don’t know what it is, but hang in there.”

“…Thank you.”

“That doesn’t mean I’ll help you though.”

“…You insolent fellow. You raise and drop people’s feelings as you please.”

Isis narrowed her eyes as if annoyed, but her mood didn’t seem bad.

And so.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of the kingdom’s pests without getting unnecessary blood on your hands.”

“You’re quite confident, aren’t you?”

“I have an ace up my sleeve. And if worst comes to worst….”

*Swish*

“I’ll have to beg that insolent butler.”

“……”

“Though I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“…Why don’t you stop smiling and lying?”

“Oh my?”

“What do you mean ‘oh my’? Don’t think about acting like this elsewhere.”

Ihan clicked his tongue.

He knew what it meant for the butler, a former Inquisitor, to step in.

‘That butler, I’m sure his specialty when he was active was…’

-Exterminating nine generations of families?

“Hmm….”

…Ihan hoped that none of his disciples’ families had any connection to them.