10 — 10. Defiance Among The Palace Guard Knights

“Now, let’s go greet everyone in the palace guard,” Iris said, leading Reet toward the training grounds exclusive to the palace guard knights.

The unit members were in the middle of their training.

“The knight commander is absent, so we’ll introduce you to the other members today. Especially to your superior.”

When they entered the training grounds, roughly ten knights were present.

“Everyone, I’ve brought the new knight who will serve as my escort. Allow me to introduce him.”

With the princess’s announcement, every knight in the arena turned their attention toward Reet.

“I am Reet. It is my honor to serve alongside you,” Reet said formally.

One of the men stepped forward.

“Welcome, recruit. I’m Larg, heir to the Vein Marquess family. I established myself in the Eastern Knight Order before becoming a palace guard knight.”

The man who introduced himself as Larg was a youth with striking, cropped blonde hair and a sword hanging at his waist. The way he announced his status was unmistakably aristocratic.

After introducing himself, he turned the question back to Reet.

“And where does your family come from?”

At that question, Reet’s words caught in his throat.

Welzley ducal family.

That was Reet’s “origin.”

But now, expelled from his home, Reet was nothing more than a commoner.

“I’m just… Reet. A commoner,” he said.

Larg responded with a frown.

“A commoner rising to palace guard knight? That’s quite exceptional. But I’ve never heard that name before. What knight order are you from?”

Reet couldn’t answer that question either.

Instead, the princess answered for him.

“This man was only appointed as a knight today.”

The moment the princess said those words, Reet clearly felt the air in the arena freeze.

“…Only today…? So this man is already a Seventh Rank knight?”

Larg spoke as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Your Highness. Who in their right mind authorized such a reckless decision? Who would order the immediate appointment of a commoner with no accomplishments to Seventh Rank?”

Larg pressed forward with his question, his tone sharp and demanding.

“I did,” the princess answered firmly.

“…Y-You, Your Highness?”

Larg looked shocked.

“He possesses Holy Knight Skills. His abilities, I vouch for personally.”

At the princess’s words, the arena grew restless.

Holy Knight Skills were an incredibly rare thing—even knights rarely possessed them.

Larg fell silent for a moment upon hearing “Holy Knight,” but then he pushed back.

“The knight order is built on merit. You can’t possibly expect the other knights to accept appointing this man as a Seventh Rank knight with no accomplishments whatsoever. Your Highness, are you disrespecting the pride and effort of the knights?”

Larg spoke with considerable conviction.

Then one of the other knights stepped in to stop him.

“Hey, Larg. That’s enough. You’re being disrespectful to the princess.”

It was a silver-haired man who spoke. He was of average build, appearing to be in his thirties, but his bearing conveyed a depth beyond his years.

“Commander Ursu, this favoritism has gone too far. No matter who it is, even the princess—this is trampling on the knight order’s independence.”

Larg seemed to be growing quite emotional.

In response, the princess, without any sign of anger, replied coolly.

“It is not favoritism. Reet possesses power befitting—no, exceeding—the position of Seventh Rank. That is why I appointed him. If you insist, would you like a practical demonstration?”

At her words, Larg raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. I’d like to see this man’s abilities firsthand.”

Larg stepped further forward, making his intention to fight clear.

But Ursu stopped him.

“Wait, Larg. Your injuries haven’t fully healed. As commander, I cannot permit a duel.”

“That’s not a problem! Even injured, a fledgling won’t be any trouble!”

Larg looked like he was about to burst out of his skin, but his superior, Ursu, shook his head firmly.

“If you’re truly insistent on confirming his abilities, I’ll assess him myself.”

At Ursu’s words, Larg’s voice rose in surprise.

“You yourself, Commander Ursu!?”

At his astonishment, Reet found himself glancing toward the princess.

The princess explained.

“Ursu is said to be one of the strongest among the palace guard knights. Some even call him a future candidate for knight commander.”

Reet swallowed hard.

A man among the elite palace guard knights—and among the very strongest at that.

He couldn’t even imagine what level of power he possessed.

“Reet, I’m Ursu. I’m the commander of Her Highness’s escort unit—in other words, I’ll be your superior. And I apologize for the abruptness, but since my unit members seem unconvinced, would you be willing to spar with me?”

“Yes, of course…”

At Ursu’s offer to spar, Reet nodded, though visibly tense.