Ch.9595. Inauguration Ceremony

Though it wasn’t a permanent farewell, when he would be able to return remained uncertain. Charlotte had said she would send him back once he reached a level that satisfied her. Considering she was likely an Apostle, that standard would undoubtedly be extremely high.

In truth, Rex couldn’t understand why she was offering such a favor without asking for anything in return. Was it because they belonged to the same bloodline, or simply because his talent was exceptional? Perhaps it was both.

The point was that there was no guarantee.

He couldn’t just ask his party to wait indefinitely when he didn’t even know when he would return. Adventurers maintained their livelihood by conquering dungeons. Even if Rex could manage, with Chloe and Elin also deciding to join him, a significant gap would be left in the party’s strength.

“I’m sorry.”

The party seemed surprised by his sudden announcement. However, they listened silently without interrupting until Rex finished speaking. Seeing their reaction made him feel even more apologetic.

A heavy silence settled over them. Elin sat quietly, leaning back in her chair. She didn’t feel any particular pressure from the current situation. After all, she had joined the party because of Rex in the first place. Not bad people—that was the extent of Elin’s impression of the party.

“I’m sorry.”

Chloe was different. This was the party she had been with since she first became an adventurer. They had taught her the knowledge of being an adventurer and how to handle weapons when she was inexperienced. The reason she had been able to endure without breaking during difficult times was because the party had supported her.

‘It’s not exactly betrayal, but…’

Trying to leave the party made it difficult for her to look up. Chloe anxiously glanced around at her companions. Their expressions were peculiar, making it impossible to tell what they were thinking. Then, Connor downed his beer and bluntly said:

“What are you sorry for?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you apologizing for leaving the party due to your circumstances? It’s not like you need our permission. If you’d said you were following some weird guy, I would’ve tried to stop you, but Rex is trustworthy, isn’t he?”

Rex awkwardly scratched his cheek at the sudden remark. Connor put down his wooden cup and grinned.

“It would be a lie to say we’re not disappointed. But we’re not the kind of jerks who would hold back someone who’s decided to find a new path.”

“Rarely, you say something right.”

Patrick nodded with a serious face. Ignoring Connor’s glare of disbelief, he added:

“Send us a message sometime. You’re not alone, and with Rex and Lady Elin accompanying you, I think you’ll be fine… but I’ll worry anyway.”

A smile played on the usually expressionless Connor’s lips. Chloe blinked with wide eyes. She couldn’t quite remember what she had planned to say before coming here. This wasn’t the reaction she had expected, and when she turned her head, everyone was already smiling at her.

“You fool. Did you think we would resent you?”

Harald burst into hearty laughter and shrugged. Chloe fidgeted and mumbled quietly:

“With us gone, it’ll be harder for you to enter the dungeon…”

“If anything, we’ve had it too easy until now. Since Rex and Lady Elin arrived, we’ve been living in luxury beyond our level. Now we’re just returning to our original lives. It’s not like our livelihood will be affected, so it doesn’t matter.”

Living in luxury beyond their level—those words were sincere. What adventurer party could boast having the strength of a knight and a mage at their back? Thanks to them, they had explored the 10th floor and even attempted trials they wouldn’t have dared before. They had gained the ambition to climb higher. It had been a tremendous stimulus for a party that had long been content to remain veteran adventurers.

Whether they could reach the Sacred Flame with more effort was uncertain. Growth in the dungeon had its limits, and above all, they were getting older.

But still.

“You have a future ahead of you. It’s better to venture into the wider world than to be trapped in a narrow cage.”

“Yes, Chloe. Don’t think you need to apologize.”

Eira took Chloe’s hands in hers with a gentle smile.

“This is a good thing. When we first met, you were such a high-maintenance child, but I’m glad to see how wonderfully you’ve grown. Still, as Patrick said, please send us messages from time to time, even if they’re infrequent. Understood?”

“Ma’am…”

Chloe pressed a handkerchief firmly against her eyes. She had promised herself she wouldn’t cry today. She couldn’t understand why tears came even for happy occasions. As Chloe nodded vigorously with a reddened face, everyone smiled with upturned lips.

“The knighting ceremony is tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

Rex answered Harald’s question. He also mentioned that they would depart immediately after the ceremony. Since they wouldn’t be able to talk much during the ceremony, this was essentially the last time everyone would be gathered together.

“Well then, there’s only one thing to do.”

Harald stroked his chin with a playful expression.

“Let’s have a toast.”

Harald waved his beer-filled cup. Rex raised his glass with a wry smile.

***

It was evening by the time they returned to the inn.

Wolfram seemed determined to make Rex die from overeating, laying out all kinds of food on the table. After devouring everything, they sat together drinking after the inn closed for business.

Eventually, Wolfram, who got drunk first, emptied his stomach and retreated to his room. Rex stared blankly out the window before falling asleep.

The morning that came again was cool.

The refreshing autumn breeze blew in. Rex headed to the lord’s castle to prepare for the knighting ceremony, which turned out to be more complicated than he had imagined. Being attended to by maids felt truly awkward.

“Are you ready?”

Berger’s voice came from outside the door. Rex slowly opened it.

“You look splendid.”

Berger spoke with a pleased expression. The white tunic made for the ceremony was plain without any special decorations, but clothes look different depending on who wears them. The simplicity of the garment also highlighted his face.

When he first arrived in Lindveil, he still had the air of a boy, but after going through various incidents, the Rex of today was undeniably a proper young man. His frame was sturdy, and he had grown considerably taller. His appearance, previously obscured by his young age, now shone through. Berger smiled as he looked into Rex’s blue eyes.

“It’s like seeing my past self.”

“Pardon? What did you say? Besides, this is surprisingly uncomfortable.”

Rex grumbled while adjusting his sleeve. If it were just the tunic, it might have been better, but the red cape draped over his shoulders dragged on the floor, making it cumbersome.

“Don’t I know it? I’ve been through a knighting ceremony too. What can we do when stuffy traditions dictate it? It won’t take long, so bear with it.”

Berger gestured dismissively and beckoned him to follow. The ceremony would take place right in front of the lord’s castle. Once they left the corridor, it would begin. Rex wasn’t particularly nervous. The time when his heart would flutter at becoming a knight had long since passed.

“You’ve arrived.”

The one presiding over the knighting ceremony was, of course, Raimund, the lord of Lindveil. He turned his head while surveying the audience from a high platform.

“Come up.”

Rex took a deep breath and slowly climbed the stairs.

“You’ve been briefed on the procedure, I assume?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then we’ll begin immediately. Normally, we would perform various rituals, but someone is in a foul mood, you see.”

Raimund grimaced with a bitter smile, gesturing to the side. Though he didn’t specifically point anyone out, it was obvious who he meant. There weren’t many people attending the ceremony—just other knights, castle servants, and Rex’s acquaintances. While everyone else was huddled together watching the platform, one woman stood apart, looking at them with a disinterested expression, arms crossed. Charlotte tilted her head curiously.

“……”

Rex silently knelt on one knee. Immediately, Raimund placed a jewel-decorated sword on Rex’s shoulder.

“Do you swear to uphold the laws of God and your lord?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear to protect the weak and shun injustice?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear not to act in cowardice or dishonor?”

“I swear.”

Raimund lightly tapped Rex’s shoulder with the sword.

“From this moment forth, in the name of the head of House Lindenbach—Raimund von Lindenbach—I hereby appoint you as a free knight. Henceforth, you shall live for justice, fairness, and honor.”

As Raimund finished speaking, applause erupted from all directions. Raimund removed the sword with a slight smile.

“Congratulations, Rex. No, Sir Rex. I should now call you Rex von Calibrant.”

Rex von Calibrant. The surname attached to his name sounded very strange. As did the title “Sir.” Rex bowed his head, suppressing the tingling in his cheeks.

“…Thank you.”

“A sword forged in flame. A symbol of struggle and victory. It’s a name I’ve been contemplating ever since I decided to knight you. I do hope you like it.”

“I do. Truly.”

Raimund helped Rex to his feet with a faint smile.

“I’d like to see you off, but I have much work to do. I also need to record Sir Rex’s name in the registry. I’ll bless you in my heart. Now, go down. You should greet the others as well.”

Raimund gently pushed Rex’s back. He saw the faces of people watching him with bright smiles. Rex hesitantly descended from the platform. Immediately, Connor’s arm wrapped around his shoulder.

“Congratulations! Wait, should I say ‘congratulations, sir’? Whatever. Just for today, this is fine, right?”

“Take it easy. He’s a nobleman now.”

Patrick clicked his tongue and snapped. Despite his words, a mischievous smile played on his face. Others also offered their congratulations—Harald’s party and Wolfram, knights he had known from the knights’ hall, and even Dunstan, a merchant he had briefly encountered when first coming to Lindveil.

He couldn’t count how many times he had said thank you. Had he known so many people? Had he received so much goodwill?

“Rex.”

Charlotte approached while he was exchanging greetings. Though she spoke only one word, he understood what she meant.

It’s time to part.

“Master.”

“Go.”

Berger said. Though his body wasn’t completely healed, he wasn’t so unwell that he couldn’t watch his disciple leave. He chuckled, showing his snow-white teeth.

“Don’t make such a face. It’s not like you’re never coming back. Are you perhaps afraid to leave your master’s embrace?”

“I’ve learned so much from you.”

“What have I done? You accomplished everything because of your own excellence.”

“No. It was all thanks to you, Master.”

Rex shook his head with a serious expression. He wasn’t just talking about swordsmanship or holy magic. A master who truly believed in him, guided him, and protected him. To Rex, Berger was more distant than a father but closer than a friend… a presence that couldn’t be expressed in a single word.

“Without you, Master, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

“…Take care of yourself.”

Berger bit his lower lip and turned away. Had old age made him more sensitive? Finding it difficult to look at his disciple’s face, Berger waved his hand while keeping his back turned.

“My injury doesn’t seem fully healed yet. I need to rest. I’ll head in now, and you be careful out there too. When I have time, I’ll come visit you.”

“Yes.”

Rex gazed at Berger’s retreating figure with a faint smile.

“Let’s go.”

Charlotte moved with an indifferent expression. Chloe and Elin, carrying backpacks, cautiously glanced at Rex.

‘Farewell.’

Rex stared blankly at the lord’s castle before finally moving his legs.

Chapter 6 – Lindveil (End)