Chapter 97

Episode 97

That evening, a banquet was held for the newly appointed knights.

It was a modest affair, almost embarrassingly simple to present to the Lady. The menu consisted mainly of simple food and inexpensive alcohol.

Thankfully, we had hired a talented band, so the atmosphere was lively.

The Lady entered the banquet hall and mingled with the guests, engaging in pleasant conversations.

“It’s an honor to meet you in person, my Lady. I’ll never forget this night!”

“We’ll see each other often. I like the Walker territory. The scenery is beautiful, and the people are kind.”

“Really? Hahaha. I’m looking forward to the next banquet.”

“You’re the most beautiful Lady I’ve ever seen. It’s like a shining star has fallen from the sky.”

“You could be a bard! Your armor suits you well. Please protect the lord with that sturdy armor.”

“Yes, my Lady!”

The guests at tonight’s banquet were knights, trading company staff, and my close associates. Except for Selendis, there were very few women present. Only the families of the newly appointed knights.

It could have been an uncomfortable situation, but the Lady mingled with everyone without any hesitation.

I was grateful.

‘But why is everyone wearing armor?’

I hadn’t specified a dress code. They could have worn formal attire for the banquet.

Curious, I asked Sir Ferguson.

“Ah, it was the captain’s order. All members of the Walker Knight Order are wearing armor. Lady Selendis is wearing armor as well.”

“Really?”

I turned around and saw that it was true. She was wearing armor with the blue medal, even though she looked best in a dress.

She was so stubborn.

“I agree with the captain’s decision. Tonight’s banquet is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment, so it’s fitting to wear armor.”

“I see. Alright. Enjoy yourselves.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Several thoughts crossed my mind.

On the surface, it could be seen as a way of establishing discipline within the knight order, but it also felt like she was drawing a line, just like her refusal to dance with me.

I understood. It could be seen as disrespectful to show any favoritism towards me in the presence of her former master.

Jericho and Hassale approached me.

“This is a wonderful banquet. It would have been dull without the Lady’s presence. You’re a lucky man, Inspector. Hahaha.”

“Indeed. But Hassale, is everything alright at the trading company?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary, but there’s something I need to report.”

I listened intently.

“There’s a lot of talk about Lady Lucia’s arrival in the Walker territory. Many vassals believe the succession struggle has begun in earnest.”

“What’s the current situation?”

“It’s quite unfavorable. Most of the vassals support Grand Duke Hylix. There’s hardly any support for the Lady.”

That was unexpected.

The Lucius Inspection Unit had accomplished many things since its establishment. We had gained the support of the people and had even been praised by the Emperor for our positive influence.

Once again, I realized that theory and reality were different.

Public opinion and the opinions of outsiders didn’t matter in a succession struggle. The key was to gain the support of the vassals who supported the Dukedom.

“The gap between her and Sir Romero, the second son, is also significant. At this rate, the Lady has no chance of inheriting the family.”

“Perhaps she doesn’t intend to inherit the family.”

Jericho tilted his head in confusion.

“Then, wouldn’t she be unable to achieve her grand ambition? If she’s pushed aside to a collateral branch, she’ll just be a figurehead noble.”

“What do you think her grand ambition is?”

“To create a peaceful world, of course.”

I shook my head.

If the contents of “The Legend of Aldebaran” were true, the Lady would amass her power and then invade the demon realm.

That’s why I could entertain the possibility that she might not inherit the family.

She didn’t need House Kalisto to invade the demon realm. She could form a small elite unit and eliminate the traitor directly.

My territory was likely to become her forward operating base.

“And she said the Inspection Unit’s sixth mission would be related to our territory. I don’t know what kind of mission it will be, but be prepared.”

“Understood.”

“Then, go and enjoy yourselves. Hassale, you should use this opportunity to build relationships with the knights.”

I danced with the Lady again at the banquet. It was a flawless performance, except for the fact that no one else had a partner, making it a solo dance.

We bowed to the audience and left the dance floor. The Lady whispered to me.

“You need more practice, Sir O’Brien. You couldn’t keep up with my tempo.”

I suddenly remembered Jericho’s words. He wanted a break…

“Thank you for the advice, but I would like to focus on the trading company for now. We have the knight order recruitment exam starting tomorrow, so I’m a bit busy.”

“It won’t take more than an hour to practice. Come to my room every night from now on. You’re a lord now what will people think if your dancing skills are lacking?”

I was speechless. I simply bowed my head.

The next day, a tense atmosphere filled the training ground within the castle.

“The knight selection exam will now begin. All applicants, gather at the training ground!”

Selendis displayed the authority of a high-ranking knight. Her voice, infused with aura, sent the trainees scrambling.

A diverse group of people gathered at the training ground.

There were muscular giants, agile individuals, and even small but sturdy-looking people.

Sir Paris had told me that the sturdy ones were often more useful than the large ones.

‘It won’t be easy to choose only fifteen. The competition will be fierce.’

My prediction was correct.

Although it wasn’t quite five hundred, the number of applicants was enough to fill the tents. I heard the exact number was 473.

It was a surprisingly large number of applicants for a newly established barony.

Since we were only selecting fifteen knights, the competition rate was about 32 to 1.

What was impressive was that ten of the 473 applicants were women.

They probably applied because the captain was a woman.

“Silence! The Knight Captain is entering! Show your respect!”

Selendis ascended the platform. The 473 applicants stared at her with determined eyes.

Selendis scanned the crowd and then spoke.

“I am Selendis, Knight Captain of House Walker. I will be overseeing this exam. First, I’ll briefly explain the test. The first stage is a physical test. Only those who pass the standard will be eligible for the sparring test.”

The physical test assessed their physical abilities, such as running, lifting, and endurance, which were essential for combat. Selendis said that more than half of the applicants would be eliminated in this stage.

Five knights from our family ascended the platform and handed out wooden plaques to the applicants.

“These are your exam numbers. Once you receive them, line up in order from 1 to 473. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!”

Their spirit was impressive!

The applicants roared with excitement, as if they saw this as a test in itself.

“Lady Selendis is truly reliable, isn’t she?”

“Indeed.”

“I’m glad I sent her to you. She’s finally blooming.”

Lady Lucia was sitting beside me, observing the scene. I had even set up a nice canopy for her.

The last plaque, number 473, was handed out, and the applicants moved simultaneously, arranging themselves in order. It took less than a minute.

“Applicant number 1, step forward.”

It was a young man with a sturdy build. He stood at the starting line with a determined look and warmed up.

The running test began.

The hourglass was set for about twelve seconds. In other words, they had to run a hundred meters within twelve seconds.

“Pass!”

The young man reached the finish line just before the sand ran out.

But that was just the beginning. There were more tests to come: push-ups, sit-ups, running while carrying a forty-kilogram weight, swinging a sword a hundred times within a time limit, and so on.

While applicant number 1 was taking the next test, applicant number 2 started running. And then number 3, number 4, and so on.

“What’s the next test after the physical test? You said there’s a sparring test.”

The Lady asked, and I explained patiently.

“Five members of the Walker Knight Order will spar with the applicants. The physical test is an objective assessment, while the sparring test is a subjective assessment of their skills.”

“Do you think any of the applicants can defeat a knight?”

“It’s possible. The members of our knight order are all low-ranking knights. A talented individual might be able to win.”

“What’s the plan after that?”

“We’ll probably narrow it down to about thirty applicants. For the final test, I’m considering having them eliminate the hidden dangers within the territory.”

The Lady nodded slowly. She knew who the previous owner of this land was.

“We’ll divide them into four groups. Two groups will focus on security enhancement, and the other two will focus on monster subjugation. The knights will act as evaluators and accompany them.”

“That sounds interesting.”

“The exam at the main castle is probably more interesting. I heard they have over a thousand applicants every time.”

The Lady wasn’t interested in the main castle’s affairs. I followed her gaze and focused on the applicants.

Time passed, and the physical test concluded.

350 out of 473 applicants had survived. It was a higher survival rate than I had expected. Only one of the ten female applicants had passed.

Those who failed packed their belongings and left immediately.

But they received some consolation. Our family provided them with travel expenses. It was a system that didn’t exist in other families.

It was an idea I had borrowed from my previous life, where companies that offered interview expenses had a good reputation.

Those who had a good impression of us might apply again in the future.

“Next is the sparring test. Form five columns immediately, regardless of your order!”

As if they had rehearsed, the applicants formed five columns in less than ten seconds. Five knights, including Sir Ferguson, stood at the front of each column, holding wooden swords.

“Each of you will spar with an instructor, one at a time. The instructor will inform you of the result. You may use your aura if you can. Show us your full potential!”

The sparring tests began simultaneously.

The sounds of clashing wooden swords and shouts echoed through the training ground. But it was the applicants who were falling one after another.

Just then, a gasp erupted from the crowd.

“An aura user!”

“It’s faint, but it’s real aura!”

The first applicant to activate their aura was unexpected.

It was the only female applicant who had passed the first stage. A small woman with pink hair braided neatly.

*Crack!*

Her wooden sword struck Sir Ferguson’s wooden sword.

I saw it.

Sir Ferguson’s body was pushed back slightly.