Chapter 89

Episode 89

The next morning, Balzac, whom I had sent to the new territory, was waiting for me. He brought good news.

“Master, I’ve finished organizing the territory.”

“Good work. That was quicker than I expected. Was there any resistance?”

“There were some resistance groups, but we dealt with them using the soldiers. The situation is stable now.”

They might have wanted to cause trouble, but their relocation was an order from Duke Kalisto. Even Roman, as despicable as he was, valued his life.

“We’re ready to welcome you at any time, Master. Just give the order.”

“I’ll be staying in the capital for a while. You’ve heard about the princess’s visit, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m planning to move in earnest after she returns to the capital. Prepare accordingly. The top priority is the trading company. Understood?”

Balzac bowed respectfully.

I was glad I had trusted him. This territory management task was a test, and he had passed with flying colors. He was now a true member of House Walker.

“I also took the liberty of drafting a one-year budget for House Walker. We have the reward money from the main castle, so I was generous with the budget. The documents are on your desk.”

“I’ll review them. Are you planning to leave for the Walker territory immediately?”

“I was planning to leave tomorrow.”

“There’s a banquet for the princess tonight. You’ll be attending as the head butler of House Walker.”

Balzac couldn’t hide his surprise and delight.

“It’s an honor, Master. I’ll follow your orders.”

After Balzac left, I opened the curtains and the window. I heard chanting coming from the training ground.

Selendis was diligently training with the soldiers, as always.

‘Now that the territory is settled, I should tell her to take the promotion exam.’

Selendis was currently a low-ranking knight. But after consuming the elixir and training diligently, she had reached a level comparable to a high-ranking knight.

It wasn’t just about the title.

‘Now that I have my own territory, I need to establish a proper knight order. And for that, I need young knights.’

I planned to announce the creation of the Walker Knight Order and recruit new members as soon as we arrived at the Walker territory.

I wanted to recruit Sir Paris, but I decided to postpone it to avoid upsetting the Duke.

There were several ways to recruit knights, but the most common method was to scout talent from knight training schools.

The Kalisto Dukedom had an academy and several knight training facilities, so finding talent wouldn’t be difficult.

‘Everyone will be surprised if she skips the intermediate level and applies for the high-ranking knight exam. It’ll be a good topic for gossip. Recruiting for the knight order won’t be a problem.’

Most knights applied for the next level in the promotion exam.

There were rare cases of skipping levels.

But those were once-in-a-generation geniuses, so it wouldn’t be surprising.

However, Selendis didn’t fit either category.

Officially, she was a commoner and a knight of the newly established Lucius Inspection Unit. Her sudden promotion to a high-ranking knight would cause quite a stir.

“Is anyone outside?”

“You called, Master?”

“Go to the Inspection Unit headquarters and summon Jericho and Chloe. And tell Lady Selendis to come as well.”

“As you command.”

A while later, the three of them entered my office. Selendis was in casual clothes after finishing her morning training. Jericho looked like he hadn’t fully recovered from his hangover.

I wanted to ask him how much he had drunk with Hassale, but this was a formal setting.

“I have a mission for you.”

“What? We’re already on our sixth mission? The timing is a bit awkward, considering the banquet tonight.”

“This isn’t an official mission. It’s a personal mission from me. The Inspection Unit will be supporting Lady Selendis’s application for the high-ranking knight exam. Jericho and Chloe, prepare the necessary documents.”

“…That’s it?”

“That’s it? As far as I know, there hasn’t been a single case of a low-ranking knight applying for the high-ranking knight exam in the Dukedom for the past thirty years.”

Selendis looked indifferent, as if she had expected this.

Jericho, on the other hand, welcomed the news.

“I thought we were going to hunt some enraged demonic beast. I was worried for nothing. Well, with Lady Selendis’s skills, passing the high-ranking exam is a given. This is good timing.”

The promotion exam consisted of two parts.

First, the strength of one’s aura.

High-ranking knights had to be able to shatter a specially crafted metal ingot into at least ten fragments. This was to prevent cheating by manipulating the color of one’s aura.

Second, the hunting test.

They had to either hunt a monster designated by the lord or the knight commander or retrieve a specific item. The target varied each time, so luck was also a factor.

“Jericho, what was the hunting test for the last high-ranking knight exam?”

“If I remember correctly, it was to hunt a mature ogre over five meters tall alone.”

“Barehanded?”

“That would be suicide. They were given a weapon. A crude one, but still.”

“That’s not easy.”

Ogres were large monsters known for their strength and stamina. It took a squad of at least five low-ranking knights to take one down.

“Only one person passed last year. The rest were either seriously injured or gave up. Of course, I believe Lady Selendis can do it.”

“I see. Chloe, prepare the application documents. Jericho, create a list of potential hunting test targets.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll show you the capabilities of a Kalisto Academy top graduate. Hehehe.”

“If the actual test isn’t on your list, you’ll be embarrassed, Mr. Clerk~”

“Ahem! Such impudence!”

Their reactions were satisfactory.

I continued.

“This mission isn’t just about raising Lady Selendis’s status. Once she passes the promotion exam, I’ll announce the creation of the Walker Knight Order. This is a preparatory step.”

“Oh! You’re finally creating a knight order! Then, I should contact the academy. I’ll ask them to send us some fresh talent.”

“I’ll trust your connections as a top graduate.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll make sure you have a hard time choosing.”

We had lunch together since it had been a while since we last gathered. Balzac, being the perceptive man he was, had already placed an order with the chef.

My subordinates quickly finished their meal and dispersed to carry out their tasks.

“Master, would you like me to help you choose an outfit for tonight’s banquet?”

The head maid asked politely. I appreciated her offer, but I declined.

“I’ll be wearing my Inspector uniform, so there’s no need to prepare anything.”

“But shouldn’t you dress up for this occasion? The princess will be there…”

“It’s fine.”

I didn’t need to hear the rest of her sentence. She was about to say, “And Lady Lucia will be there too.”

The mansion staff subtly hoped that I would end up with Lady Lucia.

Well, I was of marital age.

After the head maid left, Balzac came to see me.

“Master, the princess sent a messenger. She requests your presence at the main castle.”

“Tell her I’ll be there shortly.”

I wasn’t sure if I should go, but I had asked her for several favors, so I had to appease her for now.

I mounted my horse and rode to the main castle.

Princess Beatrice was trying on dresses in her room.

Four maids were fussing over her. It was their first time serving royalty.

Normally, I would wait outside, but I wanted to ease their burden, so I knocked.

“It’s O’Brien, Your Highness. You summoned me?”

“Ah, you’re here early.”

Thankfully, she didn’t speak informally. Servants’ mouths were as light as feathers I had to be careful.

“I wanted you to look at these dresses. What do you think? Which one suits me for tonight’s banquet?”

My mind went blank.

She summoned me for this? If I had another chance to transmigrate, I wouldn’t mind being royalty.

“Clothes are merely meant to enhance one’s beauty. You are the most beautiful woman in the Empire, Your Highness. How could I possibly judge your attire?”

“The most beautiful woman in the Empire? Hmm, a very interesting question just popped into my head, but I’ll refrain from asking for your sake.”

The maids nearby giggled, covering their mouths. She was skilled at teasing people.

“Thank you for your hard work, everyone. I’ll be wearing this one for tonight’s banquet. Please put the rest away.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

A screen was set up, and the princess changed her clothes. The maids left with a tray full of dresses.

We were alone now.

“I’m sorry for summoning you when you’re busy, Aubrey.”

“Don’t mention it. But I doubt you called me here just to choose a dress.”

“You’re right. There’s something I’m concerned about. I should have told you before, but the atmosphere wasn’t right, was it?”

Well, we were too busy choosing nicknames to have a serious conversation.

Her expression was grim. I had a feeling I knew what she was about to say.

“It’s about my brother Arthur. I’ve been hearing some disturbing rumors lately.”

“Tell me. I’m prepared for anything.”

“You’re amazing. People usually get nervous when I bring up this topic, but you’re not fazed at all.”

“It would be strange if nothing happened.”

“There are rumors that my brother Arthur is learning magic.”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

Learning what?

“Of course, I know it’s absurd. But considering the current atmosphere in the Imperial Family, it wouldn’t be surprising if something happened.”

“What’s the source of the rumor?”

“This feels like an interrogation, Aubrey. Can’t you be a bit gentler?”

I apologized, charmed by her innocent smile.

Beatrice continued.

“There’s a young mage named Muon among the court mages. He’s a mysterious mage, difficult to read. He’s been visiting my brother’s quarters frequently lately. That’s where the rumor started.”

“It’s not strange that he’s seeking an alternative path now that he can no longer wield a sword. But the strange part is something else entirely.”

“You can’t learn magic just because you want to. You need talent, right?”

The princess knew the answer.

“My brother hasn’t left his room at all. He’s not even indulging in alcohol or women, which he used to love.”

“That’s definitely strange.”

“That’s why I couldn’t ignore the rumor. I thought you might have trouble obtaining this information in the Dukedom, so I wanted to tell you personally. I thought you might be concerned.”

Prince Arthur’s actions had been shrouded in mystery, but now a silhouette was starting to emerge.

‘Magic.’

Did this mage named Muon know a secret method for teaching magic?

I had a feeling the “Magic Revolution” might arrive sooner than I expected.

As long as it wasn’t achieved through unethical means.