Chapter 81: The Third Prince, Christopher Iron

However, there was one more thing I wanted to make sure of before following Orlando.

“Do I have to wear formal attire in the prince’s palace as well?”

“Pardon? Ah, if you’re uncomfortable, I can prepare a change of clothes….”

“No, I’m going to wear my armor.”

“……Pardon?”

Orlando’s reply came a little late.

So I explained.

“It’s just that I’m more comfortable in armor.”

“……Pardon?”

Orlando then made a face as if he understood even less.

“……Well, if it’s Sir Muno, you may do as you wish.

The Grand Princess also ordered me to respect Sir Muno’s wishes as much as possible.”

He finally nodded, albeit with a reluctant expression.

‘If it’s someone like me?’

I didn't know what that meant, but in any case, it was permission.

With a relieved expression, Muno took off the uncomfortable formal wear in the spacious room and immediately deployed his armor again.

Clang.

When I lightly tapped my chest, the clear ringing sound was quite pleasing.

‘As expected, this is more comfortable.’

For an ordinary person, it would be like walking around naked, so there was no way it wouldn't be comfortable.

It wasn't embarrassing either, which made it even better.

“……I see, so this is how the name Black Knight came to be. It’s magnificent.”

Orlando praised it as well.

After only hearing that it was grim, excessive, and peculiar, receiving a compliment from someone whose aesthetic sense matched mine for the first time made me feel inexplicably good.

“Haha, you have a good eye.”

“Isn’t it enough for armor to be suitable for combat?

The uniquely designed gauntlets and boots, in particular, look perfectly made for killing, to the point of being admirable.”

……This bastard has shit for eyes.

‘They’re functional protective gloves and safety shoes, you punk!’

Of course, it was a single piece of metal now, but since it was completely one with my body, it was actually easier to move in.

Like bones and muscles, I suppose. Of course, the hardness was the opposite, so it would be more accurate to see it as an exoskeleton…….

‘Ugh…….’

Thinking about it that way made me feel like I was getting further away from being human.

“Ahem, for now, please lead the way.”

“Yes. Please follow me.”

The distance to the 3rd Prince’s palace was farther than I thought.

But the various stories Orlando told were more interesting than I expected, so it wasn't particularly boring.

However.

“It was a good thing I waited at the lodging.

To think they all visited you already.

Ah, but by any chance, did anyone from Prince Leon’s side visit?”

At a question that came up during our conversation, Muno couldn't help but tilt his head.

“Prince Leon?”

“His Highness, the 4th Prince.”

“Ah……. Come to think of it, there was no one from his side.”

“As expected…….”

“As expected?”

“Ah, it’s because Prince Leon’s side doesn’t show much ambition for the contest.

I suppose it would be difficult for him, being the youngest.”

“Ah…….”

“The war of succession is held as soon as the last prince comes of age.

In fact, if you look at the past crown princes, almost none of them were the youngest of the siblings.

Most of them gave up on the contest.”

“……That’s understandable.”

From the youngest prince's perspective, it could feel like a kind of unfair competition.

‘Well, it’s none of my business.’

For now.

“Ah, we’ve arrived. There, that’s the place.”

It was a time to worry about the situation where I could get swept up in that pandemonium called the war of succession.

Looking at the lavishly decorated separate palace, Muno couldn't help but let his expression harden slightly.

“Salute!”

Why such an excessive welcome, it’s burdensome.

Entering while receiving the salutes of the separate palace’s knights and soldiers made me feel tense all over again.

Muno soon took a deep breath and lightly tapped his own cheek.

‘Let’s get a grip. The problem starts now.’

I had expected to meet the Grand Princess at least once anyway.

It was unavoidable now that I'd been called to the capital.

But I must not get my feet stuck in the mire of the war of succession.

‘Never.’

Steeling his resolve, Muno followed Orlando, who was hurrying him, and entered the splendid separate palace.

Unlike the brilliant exterior decorated with gold and jewels, the interior of the separate palace was surprisingly frugal.

The paintings hanging in the hallway were mostly similar to ink wash paintings, which seemed to have more empty space than colorful oil paintings.

As I tilted my head slightly at the disparity between the inside and outside, Orlando, as if he knew what I was thinking, immediately explained.

“The arrangement of the separate palace is decided by His Highness, but the interior can be decorated as the master wishes.

His Highness Christopher does not particularly like flashy things.”

“Ah…….”

“By the way, may I ask you something?”

“Please do.”

“Do you really love the Knight of the Gale, as a woman?”

“……C-kh.”

A question that came out of nowhere.

I almost choked, even though I hadn't eaten anything.

‘Why is this guy suddenly asking this after staying quiet all this time.’

The moment I glared at him with an annoyed look.

“……Ah. That answers my question.

Please excuse me.”

Orlando nodded as if he understood.

Hey, what answer?!

“I didn’t say anything?”

“Your expression alone seemed to be the answer……. Am I wrong?”

“You are! Absolutely!”

At least not yet.

“……Is that so?”

I didn't like the way Orlando smiled subtly as he said that, but Muno was not given another chance to explain.

“We’re here. The Grand Princess and Sir Karina will be waiting.”

Creeak.

Before he could say anything, a large, simply decorated door opened.

The two women standing in the center of the spacious room came into view at the same time.

Naturally, my gaze first went to Karina.

‘Hmm……!’

For some reason, she was wearing armor instead of formal or casual wear, and that armor was quite different from what I had seen before the audience.

The red armor, which elegantly wrapped around her entire body as if to emphasize her figure, looked like a custom-made masterpiece, with every part from the gauntlets to the metal boots fitting Karina’s physique perfectly.

Beautiful red armor that suited Karina's face with her blonde hair tied back so well.

Even the material didn't seem ordinary.

‘Wow, what kind of armor looks like a dress…….’

As I watched in admiration, for some reason, she was glaring at me sharply.

‘What’s with her?’

I was sure we parted on good terms when we met before the audience earlier?

Just as I was feeling an uneasy feeling, as if I had done something wrong.

A hearty and clear voice shattered my thoughts.

“Puhahaha. As expected, you’re staring holes right through Karina, Muno.

Sister, good thing you dressed up, right?”

“Grand Princess!

I-I just finished it now and was just trying it on!”

“Eh, what does it matter? We all know each other.

You should stop putting on a front and be as happy to see him as you want, sister.

You missed him.”

“Roanna!!”

“Why, why, why are you getting angry.

You could just say you’re happy to see him…….”

“You……. Really.”

The familiar squabble broke the awkward atmosphere.

“Are you two still playing like that…….”

It was so absurd that the words escaped me, and Grand Princess Roanna glared at me.

“It’s been a while, little brother.”

Unlike Karina, Roanna was wearing a noticeably vibrant dress.

Perhaps because of the dress, she seemed to have shed her cute girlishness in the past few months and become a little more mature.

But her face was just as I remembered.

However, seeing her hesitate for some reason, Muno felt a momentary sense of unease before.

‘Ah……!’

He finally realized he hadn't shown proper courtesy and hastily dropped to one knee.

Thud.

“It’s been a long time, Your Highness.”

Just when I thought I had finally greeted her properly.

“You’re being too formal, Muno. Between us.”

……What is there between us?

The choice of words, which clearly showed her intention to link us together, made my feeling of welcome vanish completely as cold sweat ran down my back.

“People will misunderstand if they hear you, Your Highness.”

“Ah, this is disappointing.

Wearing such grim armor and speaking so stiffly, it’s like you came here to fight.”

I did come with that kind of grim determination.

‘I will never get involved. Never.’

Muno deliberately avoided looking at Karina’s side at all and bowed his head toward the Grand Princess.

“I only came because you were looking for me.”

It seemed the Grand Princess didn't like that.

“Hmm. As I thought, you’re not honest, just like my sister.”

Her pouting lips looked more frightening than cute.

“Your Highness!”

“Ah, yes. Sir Karina.

This is an official occasion now. I get it. Don’t glare at me.”

Roanna chuckled and soothed Karina, who was glaring daggers at her.

And then.

“You don’t like beating around the bush, do you?

I’ll be direct, Muno. I want you to join our side in the war of succession.

In return, I’ll take responsibility and make sure Sir Karina and…….”

“Your Highness!!”

“……is just a joke.

I’ll help you with your ‘revenge’ with all my strength.

How about it?”

Her words made my heart sink for various reasons.

“……You knew?”

My eyes naturally narrowed, but Roanna just kept smiling.

“I only found out for certain after coming here. And as it happens, I also found out why those bastards are chasing you.

Hmm……. Should I say everything here? Would that be okay?”

……The ambitious 18-year-old girl had indeed turned into a fearsome woman.

‘This young lady…….’

Just as my mind became a mess, not knowing how to answer.

“If you say it like that, don’t you think you’re pushing a promising knight too hard, Roanna.”

An unfamiliar voice was heard.

“Your Highness!”

Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned to one place.

Orlando, who had disappeared at some point, had re-entered the room, escorting a handsome silver-haired man.

“Greetings to His Highness, the Prince.”

Thud.

I ended up paying my respects for the second time in this short period.

“Didn’t you say you had other business, Your Highness?”

It was a bit absurd to see that ‘fearsome’ Roanna clinging to the man as if acting cute.

“Is there anything more important right now than meeting the biggest variable in the contest of intellect and the future Seven-Star?”

The prince with silver hair and gray eyes smiled softly while speaking formally.

His gaze passed Roanna and turned towards me.

The atmosphere from his way of speaking seemed to strangely match Roanna well.

But I couldn't tell if he was talking to me or to Roanna.

‘Speak clearly, will you.’

A slight complaint arose, but I didn't dare show it.

Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed he was talking to me.

“……You praise me too highly, Your Highness.”

“Too highly? I’m only stating the facts.

You have the right to hear such words.”

The prince strode over and helped Muno to his feet with a smile.

“What an incredibly heavy and solid body.

As expected, you’re reliable, brother-in-law.”

……Huh?

I thought I heard a strange word at the end, but I tried my best to ignore it.

“Thank you.”

Up close, his physical abilities seemed to be at the 2-Star level.

‘Wasn’t he twenty this year?’

Considering that Prince Candler, who was one rank above him and famous for his martial prowess, was a 3-Star at twenty-five.

‘Quite impressive.’

Even with a cheat-like secret art like the Iron Corporeal Arts, it was clear that this 3rd Prince Christopher's talent in martial arts was not to be underestimated.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Wow. Is this the rumored armor?

It looks quite……. combat-oriented. And heavy. It’s an incredible artifact at a single glance.”

Just how far will this lie go?

Since it's come to this, I’ll just never reveal it.

“Ah……. Yes, I was lucky.”

As I trailed off and gave an awkward smile, the prince continued.

“But one can't achieve such a feat with an artifact alone.

You caught one 6-Circle magician and chased another away, didn't you?”

The fact that I had dealt with the witch who had posed as the ducal administrator, Kallin, had not been officially revealed.

In the first place, no one would believe me if I said I hunted a 6-Circle magician by myself, and I would have to reveal Miya’s existence to prove it.

“That was largely thanks to the help of Sir Chloe of Trian and the Holy Knights.”

……And the bitch who got away has already been dealt with.

Swallowing his true thoughts, Muno smiled and looked directly into the gray eyes that were staring holes through him.

“Sir Maier told me your contribution was the greatest.

Too much modesty isn't good either, brother-in-law.”

Does that slit-eyed Holy Knight have connections reaching all the way to this prince…… is one thing, but.

This prince keeps attaching strange words to me.

“Your, Your Highness.

The title brother-in-law may cause misunderstandings.”

“Hm? Aren’t you Roanna’s little brother?

That’s what I heard.”

Seeing the prince shrug as if to ask what the problem was, I became certain.

‘They’re a perfect match for each other, that couple. Dammit.’

I must never get involved.

Just as I was steeling my resolve again, this time the prince asked directly.

“Perhaps, are my fiancée and I being a burden by showing our desires too openly, brother-in-law?”

“Pardon? Ah, of course, I am grateful that you think so highly of me, but…….”

As I carefully chose my words, I could feel the gazes of those around me pouring in.

Muno then forced himself to ignore Karina’s particularly piercing gaze.

“But I have my own circumstances, so please forgive me for being unable to accept your Highness’s will.”

He drew the line sharply and resolutely.