Chapter 9: In Hwangseong

“Welcome, Saintess, and Holy Knights. His Majesty is waiting for you.”

It took nearly three weeks to travel from the Holy Kingdom to the Empire.

It was only possible thanks to the Holy Kingdom personnel who could heal the horses to keep them from getting exhausted.

After telling the holy knights to wait elsewhere, only Ariana and I followed the servant to meet the Emperor.

“The Imperial Castle is incredible…”

“It really is.”

Even on the way to meet the Emperor, Ariana’s eyes sparkled as she looked around the extravagant interior of the palace, and I watched her cute reactions with a warm smile.

“It’s really different from the Holy Kingdom.”

“Well, our Holy Kingdom values moderation as a virtue, after all.”

Since the Holy Kingdom strictly bans luxury, not even the grand Papal Palace has any luxuries.

But the Empire, on the other hand, is a place overflowing with luxury goods to display the Emperor’s authority.

Naturally, the difference is stark.

After walking down the palace corridor for a while, we finally arrived in front of a door that was clearly and undeniably luxurious.

“Your Majesty, the Saintess and her direct Holy Knight have arrived.”

– Dullahara.

At the same moment a voice, dignified enough to be called ‘sovereign’, gave permission from beyond the door, the massive, ornate doors began to open slowly to both sides.

They were so well-maintained that not even a creak was heard as they opened.

And when the doors were fully open.

Thud.

A heavy sense of pressure slammed down on my shoulders.

Though we already got along well with Ariana, a high-ranking figure from the Holy Kingdom, the Empire’s atmosphere was just different.

The Emperor.

Baron Obelia.

Known by the title “Iron Emperor,” his mere presence overwhelmed the entire room.

This was likely his way of expressing displeasure at only we two coming, due to negotiations with the Holy Kingdom falling through.

Because of the high-ups clashing, Ariana and I were the ones taking the hit.

I turned toward Ariana, cold sweat running down my back, and saw that she too was stiff with tension, sweat trickling down her face.

If things go the way they did in the game’s storyline, Ariana will probably receive treatment and support that’s just slightly lacking, and people in the palace will have a poor opinion of her.

But the one standing next to Ariana now isn’t the lazy Holy Knight Balthus Venus, It’s me, Ace Adonis.

“How dare you show such disrespe—”

“What do you think you’re doing, being so rude?”

Huh?

The anger I was about to express on Ariana’s behalf was completely overtaken by her own words.

What just happened?

Wasn’t she supposed to be so overwhelmed by the Emperor’s aura that she couldn’t say a word…?

Wait a second.

“There’s probably a reason why Ariana changed.”

The Hero.

Ariana had already once sharply rebuked that guy, Ruined.

I was surprised by that unexpected side of her, but if that incident ended up snowballing and giving her the courage to stand firm like this.

That makes sense.

It seemed that Ariana had learned how to be assertive thanks to the battle between the Hero and me.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one surprised by her strong attitude.

The Emperor, who had been sitting on the throne radiating pressure, finally opened his mouth.

“…That’s unexpected.”

“What, did you think I’d let this kind of rudeness slide just because I’m a Saintess?”

At her words, the knights standing nearby began glancing around, clearly uneasy.

They were probably worried about getting caught up in the Emperor’s wrath if he was angered by her actions.

However, what the Emperor said next swept away all their fears—and astonished everyone again.

“You’re a bold woman. I apologize for my rudeness.”

With what seemed like a tone of admiration, his apology made the knights show expressions close to shock.

I, too, couldn’t hide my surprise at how this was unfolding, so I looked toward Ariana.

And there she was, looking at me with an expression that clearly said.

“I did well, right?”

When did she become this impressive?

Thinking she was quite something now, I smiled and gave her a small nod.

The conversation between the Emperor and Ariana went surprisingly well from there.

First, the Emperor promised to provide Ariana with as much support as possible.

Second, she received the Imperial Seal.

With the Imperial Seal.

Normally, during investigations, we wouldn’t get much help from the guards or minor nobles, but with this, we’d be able to save a lot more people in a shorter time.

Looks like the snowball rolled in a good direction.

While I nodded in satisfaction, the Emperor asked one final question to confirm:

“Is this enough?”

“Yes, this is more than satisfactory. I’ll speak with the Papal Palace people when I return, so I hope you’ll continue to think well of the Holy Kingdom.”

“Very well. Then, since you must be tired from your journey, I’ll have you taken straight to your lodging.”

“There’s no need for that.”

Ariana firmly refused the offer of rest.

“Even at this very moment, so many people must be suffering because of evil—how could I possibly rest? So I must decline that offer—”

“Do you not plan to ask the opinions of your companions?”

“…!”

At the Emperor’s words, Ariana flinched in surprise and quickly turned to look at me.

“I-I’m sorry! I was thinking only of myself…”

So focused on saving others, Ariana had completely forgotten to consider the condition of the companions who had come with her.

Her expression quickly turned teary, like a puppy that realized it had done something wrong and didn’t know what to do.

“Pfft—”

The adorable sight made me laugh without thinking, and I gently reassured her with a few words.

“It’s alright, Saintess. You were focused on saving lives—no one will blame you for that.
However… there were indeed a few among the group who looked a bit tired, so let’s take just one day to rest and set out again tomorrow.”

Ariana smiled again and nodded, and with that, we were each assigned a room by the servants.

****

Ariana was assigned a guest room within the Imperial Castle, and I was given the room right next to hers.

Thanks to the servants quickly unpacking everything, I was finally able to lie down in comfortable clothes for the first time in a while.

Of course, this wasn’t by my own choice—Ariana had insisted firmly that I rest, at least for today.

If there’s any time she didn’t need to be assertive, it’s moments like this…

Even though I tried to refuse multiple times, the Emperor, who had been observing the exchange, assured me that I could trust him.

He even said that if anything happened, he would handle it himself.

And so, I was practically forced to rest.

**

It’s not even night… it’s not even evening yet…

**

The current time was just past 4 p.m.

Since I’d spent so much time by Ariana’s side lately, I couldn’t even remember what I used to do around this hour before becoming her personal Holy Knight.

“…I’m bored.”

Just seeing Ariana’s face was healing enough.

Now that she’s not here, the atmosphere feels dull and empty.

The training hall here looked pretty nice.

Should I just head there now?

The Holy Kingdom’s training facilities are already better than most, but they couldn’t compare to the luxurious training grounds of the Imperial Castle.

Alright, let’s go.

With that decision, I grabbed only my shotel and headed toward the training hall.

I had already asked the servants where it was.

I’ll just quietly blend in with the other knights and get some training done.

With light steps, I arrived at the training hall.

Countless knights were swinging swords, spears, axes, and halberds at practice dummies.

A classic sight of knights training in the traditional way.

I tried to quietly walk over to a corner without drawing attention, but soon realized many eyes were turning toward me.

Ah, of course.

The shotel isn’t exactly a common weapon, so I’d ended up drawing everyone’s attention.

A rare weapon combined with an unfamiliar face—naturally, it stood out.

Trying my best to ignore them, I took position in front of a dummy in the corner and swung my shotel.

Whoosh! Thunk!

The shotel sank into the dummy with a savage sound.

I lightly pulled it back out and struck again, piercing straight through.

Thunk!

Thunk!

Thunk!

Sometimes, I used the end of the blade to strike the dummy’s head, and other times I stabbed the body, then pulled and tore at it like a hook.

Normally, I wouldn’t have known much about how to use a shotel, but somehow, it ended up suiting me so well that my body naturally began adapting to its combat style.

Maybe it’s time to wrap my body in holy power.

With the physical-only training finished, I enveloped myself in divine energy and resumed my stance.

“Holy Knight?”

One of the onlookers seemed to recognize who I was, but since it wasn’t a problem, I just let it go.

I came all the way to the Empire’s training hall—I should make the most of it.

After about an hour of this.

“So you’re the Holy Knight, huh?”

“Hmm?”

A man approached me as I was swinging my shotel.

Curious, I turned my head, and there stood a blue-haired man.

He had a handsome face, but his expression screamed “I’m a sleazebag”, like it was written right across his forehead—a waste of good looks.

And surprisingly, he was someone I recognized.

Roer Inferior, the Aspiring Fallen Knight?

A mid-boss from the Imperial Princess questline.

Specifically, before he falls.

Why’s he talking to me?

Roer definitely had a deep inferiority complex toward her, the knight heroine, and always picked fights.

Wait.

I hadn’t seen her around today… is he trying to take it out on me instead?