BXBX NOVEL Chapter 117
Chapter 117
Chapter 117
I had imagined Lasker’s knights lining up as soon as I entered the country, shouting, ‘A duel! The heir to the County of Friedrich!’
Honestly, it would have been quite a shock. Two of their knights were soundly beaten, not by my father, but by his son. If the friendly match had continued, I could have taken down at least three or four more.
“Young Lord? Is there a problem?”
“Huh?”
“You keep looking around.”
But surprisingly, Lasker was quiet.
Throughout the welcoming of the delegation, there was no mention of the sparring match.
Even the knights escorting us only glanced at me occasionally. There was no hostility in their eyes.
‘Are they holding back because of their Queen’s coronation?’
That seemed like the most plausible answer.
Honestly, if it weren’t for their actions within the academy, the Empire would have been criticized for the sparring incident.
Suddenly challenging someone to a duel in front of a foreign delegation?
It’s a blow to their national prestige. A foolish act that would be ridiculed for years to come.
Would they really want to do that when a new queen is about to ascend the throne?
Especially a queen who came to power through political strife. If they make a mistake here, they could be purged, regardless of their honor.
“Captain, what’s the schedule from here?”
“We couldn’t attend the coronation, so we’ll convey our congratulations. We’ll also deliver a letter expressing our hope for a stronger relationship between the Empire and the Kingdom. And, although it’s not exactly a gift, we’ll inform them of our decision to forgive a portion of the debt incurred from their gunpowder imports.”
Oh? Forgive their debt? Really? Wasn’t the Empire always sensitive about money?
I thought they were even cutting back on imperial funds to focus on domestic affairs.
“This way, we can give the newly crowned Queen of Lasker an achievement. Since she ascended the throne through political strife rather than being the usual heir, it wouldn’t be a bad decision to give her some justification.”
It seems like the Emperor and the Crown Prince came to this decision after much deliberation.
The debt from the gunpowder purchase must have been substantial, and forgiving it like this will make it hard for Lasker to keep quiet.
Furthermore, there couldn’t be a better gift for the newly crowned Second Princess, no, the Queen.
But, wouldn’t this make the others whine? Wouldn’t Hyzens and Avileshti complain about Lasker getting special treatment?
“In return, Lasker will have to pay a price. For example, with the burden of gunpowder debt gone, their vaunted knighthood will be shaken.”
“…”
As expected. Politics is terrifying. So this wasn’t done out of goodwill?
On the surface, it’s a gift to the new Queen, but underneath, they’re aiming to destabilize Lasker’s core, the knighthood. It’s a calculation I could never have imagined.
After a long journey, we reached the royal capital of Lasker.
My impression of it, how should I put it… similar to the Empire, yet different?
If the Empire is typical Western style, Lasker has a hint of Eastern European style mixed in.
“Welcome to the royal capital, esteemed guests from the Empire.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
While I was looking around, the head of the delegation was greeting the Lasker officials.
So, I was about to introduce myself and ask if I could explore the area before heading to the lodging, when someone suddenly approached me.
“Are you Young Lord Karl Adelheit?”
The person who spoke was a middle-aged knight. At a glance, he was no ordinary figure, the aura emanating from him was different from the other knights.
At this knight’s level… he could easily fight against the elite veterans from the Southern Front.
“Yes, I am.”
“Could you spare me a moment?”
Now? I reflexively looked at the head of the delegation. He seemed preoccupied with greeting the kingdom officials.
“Could you wait a moment? I need to inform the head of the dele—”
“We will explain to the Empire. Please come with me now. It would be troublesome if more eyes are on us.”
“…”
The ‘eyes’ he’s referring to can’t be the Empire. If that were the case, he wouldn’t be asking me, an Imperial citizen, for this favor.
Then, what this knight, and whoever sent him, is worried about is the gaze within Lasker. And if there’s someone who needs to worry about that gaze, then it must be…
“Let’s go.”
“Are you alright?”
“The Queen of Lasker has summoned me, wouldn’t it be rude for a member of the delegation not to go?”
My words must have hit the mark, as the middle-aged knight’s eyes flinched momentarily.
“How…”
“If you’re asking how I knew, first of all, the person standing before me is no ordinary knight. I figured there’s only one person who could give orders to such a knight. And, only that person could summon a member of the delegation privately, right?”
Come on, let’s go. If other people see us, they might start rumors about your Queen having a secret affair with a foreign man.
If that rumor reaches Selena’s ears, I’ll be in big trouble. So hurry up!
* * *
I followed the middle-aged knight deeper and deeper into the royal palace.
Hmm. I hope assassins with swords won’t suddenly jump out from behind the pillars.
Would I then become a tragic hero shouting ‘Et tu, Brute!’?
[TL/N: Et tu, Brute is a Latin phrase literally meaning “and you, Brutus?” or “also you, Brutus?.” The quote appears in Act 3 Scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, where it is spoken by the Roman dictator Julius Caesar, at the moment of his assassination, to his friend Marcus Junius Brutus, upon recognizing him as one of the assassins.]
[PR/N: Tq daddy for saving me the time…]
[TL/N: No worries bbg]
One difference is that he couldn’t resist, but I can.
Recalling the memories of fighting the veterans, the knights here shouldn’t be too difficult.
“This way.”
It seems that’s our destination. Thankfully, there was no ambush.
‘A garden?’
I thought they would lead me to a training ground since it’s a nation of knights, but this is unexpected.
Meanwhile, the knight who was walking ahead stopped and looked at me as if he had done his part.
This must mean I have to go alone from here, right? I gave him a silent bow of thanks and entered the garden, where I saw someone sitting in the distance.
“Welcome, Young Lord Karl Adelheit.”
My first impression was simple. She resembled Lefia in a strange way, perhaps because they share the same father.
How should I put it… She has a stronger sense of authority and gravitas than Lefia.
This woman must be the Second Princess, the newly crowned Queen. And she’s the one who summoned me here.
“Greetings, Your Majesty, the Queen of Lasker.”
“I want to thank you for coming despite my sudden request.”
“It’s my pleasure to do anything for the betterment of our two nations.”
Even as I say this, it’s quite amusing. I, who spoke of improving relations, initiated a friendly spar.
I even crushed two of their knights, leaving no room for them to save face.
The other knights, who value honor and pride above all else, would be foaming at the mouth if they knew.
But the Queen didn’t say anything about it. As if she didn’t care how many more knights I defeated.
“Neither of us have much time, so let’s get straight to the point.”
That’s fine with me. Honestly, even though they said it was okay, it would be awkward if the head of the delegation found out that a noble from their country was having a secret conversation with a foreign queen…
Just thinking about how to explain this later gives me a headache.
“First of all, I want to resume the friendly match. In our kingdom.”
“Your Majesty?”
“If you think it’s rude, don’t worry, Lasker will take responsibility. We can just blame it on some knights who are desperate to win.”
“…”
I see. No wonder these knights were so docile. Seeing how the Queen is acting, they must have been whining a lot behind the scenes, right? ’Boohoo, we lost and it’s so frustrating. Let’s have another friendly match!’
But wait, first? Does that mean there’s a second request?
“And the second thing. This… Well. Should I call it a favor? A request? It’s a little bit different from the first. While the friendly match is a give-and-take, this isn’t.”
“I’m listening.”
“Lefia. Please take good care of my sister, Young Lord.”
“…Pardon?”
What kind of nonsense is this? Why is Lefia being brought up here?
“I’ve already heard the news. You’ve saved Lefia from difficult situations several times. I think expressing your feelings that way isn’t bad.”
“Your Majesty…”
“It was the first time. Lefia’s letter to me mentioned a man. Seeing that, I was relieved. I thought that even though she’s far away from her homeland, she still has someone to lean on.”
“Your Majesty.”
It’s a misunderstanding. No, why would I suddenly take care of Lefia? What did she even write?
Don’t you know? I already have someone I’ve promised my future to, and there’s an elf who’s constantly looking for an opening, and a sharpshooter who’s biding her time.
“If you respond positively to the second part, I also have something to offer.”
Give it or not, I’m not interested! So just—
“The friendly match. Whether you win or lose. I don’t care if Lasker’s pride is broken.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Honor that is too haughty is poison. It needs to be broken someday, and only then can it become the driving force to move forward.”
Oh. So it doesn’t matter if I beat a few knights? Even in Lasker itself? This is getting interesting in its own way.
“I’d like to hear your answer, Young Lord Karl Adelheit.”
Of course.
“I will do my best for the betterment of our two nations.”