Chapter 80 : A Flood of Invitations

The audience was shorter than I thought.

“The period is exactly three days, starting tomorrow morning.

A great gift will be bestowed upon the side that finds more of the devil’s minions!”

The king had made his decision so magnanimously in my presence.

However.

“Sir Muno, for today, you may withdraw and stand by.

The state council meeting is not over.

A chamberlain will show you to your lodgings.”

As I had guessed, even summoning me was just part of the meeting process.

I had no choice but to turn around and exit the great hall with careful steps.

“Hoo…….”

It belatedly occurred to me that I might have been too arrogant.

Well, what's good is good.

“……If it went well, then it’s fine.”

“I’m glad to hear it went well.”

I flinched and turned my head to see the gatekeeper knights with expressions of admiration.

“It is the first time I have seen such a confident young knight before His Majesty.”

“As expected of a genius…….”

Weren’t you guys closing the door?

Don’t tell me you were eavesdropping?

I didn’t know how to respond and just made an awkward face.

“I don’t know what it is, but I’m glad it went well.”

A calm and resonant voice came from a distance.

A young man with silver hair appeared at the other end of the hallway.

And in his hand was the ‘Blade’.

The moment I narrowed my eyes at the sight.

“Your Highness, the Prince!”

“We greet His Highness, the Prince.”

Prince?

As the gatekeeper knights knelt, saying so, I reflexively knelt with them.

But then.

“So you’re that Black Knight?

Without the armor, how can I tell?

They say this is that artifact. Take it. Take it and show me.”

With somewhat rude words, the ‘Blade’ came flying over with a whir.

‘What’s with this guy……?’

The massive two-handed sword came spinning through the air, but the moment I raised my eyes, it floated up and settled on my back.

“Indeed, an artifact that chooses its master.

It displays a peculiar ability.”

“Your Highness, this is…….”

“Ah, ah. Don’t nag. I brought it myself to return it to its owner.

Those annoying chamberlains following over there are watching, see?

Hey, Black Knight. It’s fine, right?”

It’s not fine, you bastard.

I desperately wanted to reply like that, but.

“What would you like to see, Your Highness?”

Different words came out of my mouth.

His status was one thing, but.

‘Don’t tell me she sent the prince himself?’

I also remembered what Karina had said before the audience.

But then.

“What else but a spar?”

“Pardon?”

“I wanted to have a spar with the much-rumored Sir Black Knight.

A knight, after all, must prove himself with his skills. Am I not right?”

“……Your Highness wishes to spar with me?”

It was so absurd that I found myself staring blankly at his face.

The handsome young man with shoulder-length silver hair and gray eyes actually chuckled.

“Oh, are you perhaps worried about me?

Hahaha. No need for that. I am also a 3-Star knight.

And as you may know, our royal family’s Iron Corporeal Arts are the strongest on earth.

You won't be able to defeat me at the same level, so you should be the one to not be too disappointed.”

……Are all spars decided by Corporeal Arts?

It was a bit ridiculous.

‘Did Roanna misjudge him…….’

I didn't know much about this prince yet, but he at least didn't seem very bright.

“Well, if you command it…….”

“Good. That’s how a man should be. Now, then, right now…….”

Just when I thought I should teach him a lesson for Roanna’s sake.

“Your Highness Candler! You must not do that!”

“Sir Muno is under a royal command.

Please refrain, Your Highness.”

An unexpected name popped out from the mouths of the knights and chamberlains in front and behind.

‘Candler?’

The name of Roanna's fiancé, the 3rd Prince, as I knew it, was not that.

The moment I tilted my head.

“A royal command? Is that true?”

Competitive gray eyes stared straight at me.

“That is correct. Though it starts tomorrow…….”

“Tch. Then it can’t be helped. I’ve never ended a spar without injury.

Friend, let’s save our promise for next time.”

Friend?

“Ah, how long is Father’s command for?

Don’t tell me you’re leaving right away?”

“I understand it is until three days from now.”

“As expected. Good. I wonder if Father was thinking of that?”

……Thinking of what?

“Ah. What I mean is, I’m throwing a party four days from now.

You’ll come, right? I trust that you will, of course.

We can spar then. Here, an invitation.”

A card thrown with a light wink.

The gray card, engraved with the symbol of the Iron royal family, a pair of crossed steel swords, was naturally caught in my hand.

‘So he has skill.’

A light attitude and a somewhat rude tone.

But his confident and self-assured words and actions were befitting of a spirited young man who had been chosen and raised.

However.

‘It’s a bit grating. Hmph…….’

As Han Munho, an orphan from a dirt-spoon background, I couldn't help but take that confidence in a slightly crooked way.

“Is he always like that?”

“Pardon? Ah, yes, he is. His Highness Candler is famous for his characteristic magnanimity.

He is also the strongest among the princes, and the one who regrets the most that the contest of might was abolished.”

Ah, the strongest among the princes. Something like that.

But even so.

“He seems overly confident.”

“Pardon?”

“No, it’s nothing. I’ve received a troublesome invitation.

Good grief.”

“……Usually, people are honored, Sir Muno.”

“Hm?”

When I turned back, the knight’s expression seemed truly sincere.

“That……. getting involved in the succession war could get one f*cked……. ahem, couldn’t things go wrong?”

“Ah~. Ahaha.

That is a matter for the higher-ups.

For knights, simply being summoned is an honor in itself.

Ah, Sir Muno, you must have a family. Still, a mere baron……. Ah!?

Th-this, excuse me. I apologize. Truly…….”

The knight’s face, who had made a slip of the tongue while answering, turned white in an instant, but I just chuckled.

“……It’s fine. It’s nothing to worry about.”

It was just that the difference in perspective was fascinating.

Right, one could think that way.

‘If the lord who summoned them becomes king, the path to success would open up.’

The Iron Kingdom is also called the Kingdom of Knights.

As such, skill would be the top priority for a knight to succeed, but depending on whether one was assigned to the Royal Knightly Order, or the Capital Guard or a border unit, even at the same rank, their life could change.

“Truly, my mistake…….”

“I make slips of the tongue often myself. Don’t worry about it.”

“Th-thank you, Sir Muno.”

No need for thanks.

“Sir Muno, I will guide you to your room.

This way.”

Thinking that this fellow also lives a hard life, I quietly followed the chamberlain.

But then.

“Wa-wait! You with the black hair! Muno, Sir Muno Drasen?

Why are you out already……!?”

This time, an urgent voice echoed from the opposite corridor.

“One moment, it seems many people are looking for me as soon as I’ve arrived.”

As soon as I turned, a middle-aged man came running.

The chamberlains, who valued royal etiquette, frowned simultaneously, but it seemed they knew who he was and didn't bother to point it out.

“Ahaha. Fortunately, I’m not late.

Nice to meet you, Young Master Muno. Or should I call you Sir Black Knight?”

The middle-aged man, who had caught his breath, smiled and extended his hand. I took his handshake and asked back.

“Sir Muno is sufficient. But who might you be?”

“Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Viscount Garen Orsel.

Would it be easier to understand if I said I am the chief steward of the 1st Prince’s palace?”

“Ah…….”

“The 1st Prince, Roberto Iron, the legitimate eldest son of the royal family and the first in line to the throne, has invited Sir Muno to a party.

The date and time are four days from now, in the evening. Here is the invitation.”

As if he naturally expected me to accept, the viscount unhesitatingly held out the card engraved with the emblem of crossed steel swords.

‘Right, if I’m going to go anyway, I was told to attend them all.’

Thinking that, I was about to take the invitation.

But one thing bothered me.

“Four days from now?”

“Yes. Isn't that day the Founding Day festival?”

……I’ve lived in the countryside, so I’ve lived without knowing such things.

Isn’t it just the first day of the new year?

“……This is troublesome.”

“Hm? Surely you’re not thinking of refusing His Highness Roberto’s invitation?”

For a moment, the viscount’s eyes narrowed.

“Just before this, the 2nd Prince ‘personally’ gave me an invitation.

Asking me to come to a party ‘four days from now’.”

“What!?”

The moment he heard that, the viscount's face visibly contorted.

I didn't know who had more power between the 1st and 2nd Prince.

But he, too, would be aware that an invitation given in person by the host carried more weight than one delivered by a representative.

“Ah. Haha.

Th-that is, His Highness Roberto is the most likely successor, so he is too busy, and I came in his stead.

Surely you wouldn't refuse the invitation just because His Highness the Prince didn't come in person?”

‘Damn it, this is complicated.’

My own feelings were more complicated now than the viscount's, who was sweating and making excuses.

“Hmm. I will think about it.”

“Think about it?

Hey you, just because you’ve made a name for yourself, are you playing hard to get like that…….”

“That comment makes me not want to go.”

“……you can, of course.

Who’s going to say anything if the famous Black Knight plays a little hard to get?

He’s the kingdom’s greatest rising star!?

Ha, haha. That was my joke. Was it not funny?”

The viscount's expression as he changed his tune in an instant and rolled his eyes looked so pitiful that I just chuckled.

“As you know, I am also in quite a difficult position right now.

I don’t think I can give you any answer other than that I will consider it carefully.”

“Tsk. Right, you should. But keep this in mind.

That His Highness Roberto truly wishes to meet you.

He is not a loafer like His Highness the 2nd Prince, so he is busy.”

Isn't that last part a bit too quiet, Viscount?

It was amusing to see him try to persuade me one way or another, but I was too tired to ponder the issue any further.

“I understand. Then I will be on my way.”

“Hm. Right. I understand. But I do hope we can meet on that day.

I, no, His Highness will treat you as the guest of honor.”

At the blatant dismissal, the viscount’s face contorted, but he soon left quietly.

However, Viscount Garen Orsel was not the last person looking for me.

“A pleasure to meet you for the first time, Sir Muno.

I can recognize you at a glance thanks to your wonderful black hair.”

When I arrived at my lodgings, guided by the chamberlain, a greasy-looking blond young man who had been waiting for me in front of the room smiled and bowed his head.

I was already tired again.

“Who……?”

“I am Orlando, the steward serving His Highness Christopher, Sir Muno.”

Christopher? Ah!

“The 3rd Prince…… Your Highness?”

“Yes. Madam Roanna……. no, the Young Princess, has praised Sir Muno highly. Did you know?”

……Madam already?

No, before that.

“An invitation to a party four days from now, by any chance?”

“Ah, it seems you’ve already received many.

That is one of the purposes, of course, but the Young Princess Roanna and the Knight of the Gale wish to see Sir Muno today.”

“Today, right away?”

Well, come to think of it, Karina did say she would send someone after the audience.

It wouldn’t have been about something four days later.

“Shall we postpone the appointment if you are tired?”

Just imagining what would happen if I went was already tiring.

“……Of course not. Lead the way. I can rest later.”

If you're going to get hit anyway, it's better to get it over with.

“Ah, what a relief.”

“A relief?”

“Because I don’t have to convey the Young Princess Roanna’s threat.”

“Threat?”

It was so absurd that I asked back, and Orlando replied with a greasy smile.

“She said that if you do not come today, she will marry Sir Karina off to someone else.”

“……Keoheup?”

Don’t tell me this young lady is spreading such rumors even in the royal castle?

“Ah, of course, she told me to add that it was a joke.”

“Damn it, that…….”

“And also that it is true Sir Karina is waiting for Sir Muno.”

“……First of all, I am not following you because of that. Let’s make that clear.”

It's true.

Really.