Sky Wing Knights' Banquet Invitation

Queen Auriel will test everyone’s will.

Only those with strong wills deserve to belong to the Auriel Kingdom!

Naiye remembered what Eiru had once said about the Dragon Knights’ wish; it was similar in meaning.

And also what his father had once said.

His father had specifically told Naiye—his will had moved Queen Auriel, and thus the Queen recognized him.

But Naiye had never understood such a thing from his father.

No, perhaps his father didn’t know either; he only believed he had given his all, and would either succeed or fail.

This was the basic principle of the Auriel Knight Academy.

Queen Auriel is the supreme existence!

This kingdom has only Queen Auriel in its royal line—there is no so-called Auriel princess.

There is a Queen-appointed heir, but so far the fourth heir has not appeared.

And the current third Queen Auriel has reigned for 1,010 years!

To be honest, Naiye Lycoris didn’t really understand…

He was not from the Four Great Knight Families, nor was he a knight.

Even now, Naiye simply felt an innate, unparalleled reverence and admiration for Queen Auriel and her nation.

Naiye gained a new understanding of his country, but now he had to focus on the present.

“Why did the Three Moons Knight Order’s three goddess knights look outside? Shouldn’t they choose their own?”

“We don’t know that. From past Three Moons Knight Order cases, they weren’t controlled or brainwashed; they were simply blessed by their respective goddesses and became the chosen!”

Ice Tina’s answer puzzled Naiye, because there was a very important question.

“Why didn’t Rena Silvermoon come to me? Why did she seek out Weiluxika alone? Does she really want to poach my Dark Knight?”

Frankly, if Rena had personally approached Young Master Naiye and explained this matter,

then Naiye would very likely have engaged in conversation, and at least wouldn’t have been so opposed.

Because he was interested in these things, and he had been training the Dark Knight Weiluxika.

Although Weiluxika was strong, she still wasn’t qualified in front of a true female knight.

If the Dark Moon Goddess were willing to bless Weiluxika, it wouldn’t be impossible.

However Naiye would still remain watchful; after all, if they truly intended to ignore Naiye Lycoris and casually take Weiluxika,

then everything would be off the table!

“That’s about all we know. Naiye, if you’re really that concerned, just let Weiluxika make contact. Don’t you also have a Silver Knight, Eir, by your side?”

“I didn’t expect she would be gone all these years and end up as the knight of you, the noble Young Master—tsk tsk tsk.”

Big Sister Fire Lina began to speak sarcastically, and also offered Naiye a very direct solution.

She also wanted to end the topic, because Naiye hadn’t mentioned her reward yet.

Young Master Naiye nodded, his expression calm; it was unclear whether he would actually make contact with Rena Silvermoon.

But to Fire Lina, these matters were none of her concern.

She cared more about the Elemental Knights’ great enemy, the Sky Wing Knights’ situation.

“Alright, Naiye! Speak up! What do the Sky Wing Knights want to do?!”

Naiye did not answer; instead he pointed to a table.

The table was cluttered with various items, but one rather exquisite object stuck out at a corner, still striking despite being partly covered.

Ice Tina walked over, brushed aside the clutter, and took out the item that had been at the bottom.

Both sisters were very surprised by the item!

It was an exquisite invitation with a red background and gold borders, luxurious in appearance—the kind issued only on extremely top-tier and rare occasions!

In the center was the Sky Wing Knights’ Heavenly Feather emblem.

Does this mean the Sky Wing Knights invited Duke Lycoris Naiye to attend a magnificent banquet?!

“At a time like this the Sky Wing Knights are holding an aristocratic banquet?!”

Big Sister Fire Lina looked at the high-class invitation with disdain.

Although the Sky Wing Knights have faith, it’s only the faith of their family.

The Four Great Knight Families each have their own characteristics.

And the entire Skywing Knight Family is the largest family in the Auriel Kingdom, bar none.

Because they are a backbone class of the nation—nobility among the high nobility.

From top to bottom, almost everyone has Sky Wing Knights among them; the nation’s operations rely on these people, and they are numerous.

However, only those with wings on their backs are the main-line Sky Wing Knights.

The others are collateral branches, and further down are just ordinary nobles.

This is also why the Elemental Knight family is the most powerful, yet the Sky Wing Knights can still contend with them.

They can’t beat the Elemental Knights in sheer strength, but in other aspects the Sky Wing Knights have a lot of support.

Thus the Elemental Knights and the Sky Wing Knights were in direct opposition.

Until the Fire Elemental Knight Fire Lina successfully defeated the Sky Wing Knights and occupied the third region.

The balance between the two sides changed noticeably.

This was the most surprising thing in the Academy, even if the war was temporarily at a halt.

Because the Sky Wing Knights’ performance could be described as poor.

But since the war’s end the Sky Wing Knights had been unusually quiet.

They might be recuperating, which would be bad news for the Elemental Knights!

“So, Big Sister Fire Lina, this invitation is top-tier; I can bring a female companion to attend.”

“Hmph! Go by yourself, gather more intelligence and then come find me when you return! I’ll have Ice Tina give you the Elemental Stones later.”

Faced with Young Master Naiye’s gentlemanly invitation, Fire Lina waved her hand in disdain upon hearing this.

She flicked her stylish short hair, left behind a cool aura, and left directly.

She wasn’t at all afraid Naiye would renege.

She believed in Naiye’s character.

And most importantly, she utterly scorned attending ceremonial aristocratic banquets—they were unbearably tedious.

“Naiye, when was this invitation sent? You should know why they specially invited you.”

“Hmm, Nia Skywing delivered it just yesterday; it should be to test my alliance with the Dragon Knights, and also…”

Naiye picked up the invitation; the time marked on it was two days from now.

“And they also invited President Meiyu.”

“President Meiyu?!”

This news surprised Ice Tina even more, because it plainly seemed they wanted to draw President Meiyu over.

Because President Meiyu has pale blue wings behind her.

They are a clear root of her Sky Wing Knights’ bloodline.

But the Sky Wing Knights’ bloodline is not as strong or obvious as the Dragon Knights’ dragon blood!

It’s only that there are wings on the back; beyond that, there’s nothing particularly special.

Meiyu Canster became president entirely through her own efforts.

Many people assumed she rose because of the Sky Wing Knights’ bloodline.

But the truth is President Meiyu is just an ordinary, hardworking person—this is admitted by Ice Tina and by Weiluxika who has trained with her.

And even by Young Master Naiye, who once on a whim wanted to try training a female knight.

This is a universally acknowledged fact.

Meiyu Canster—none of the knights who became Student Council President are fake.

Even Big Sister Fire Lina had to acknowledge her strength as one of the strongest knights.

And Nia Skywing, along with the Sky Wing Knights behind her, had long wanted to communicate with President Meiyu.

They wanted her to rejoin the Sky Wing Knights!

Although the specifics were unknown, to most people this move was not only impolite but downright shameless!

But Nia Skywing had never given up talking with President Meiyu, as if she truly wished to mend their relationship.

“Could Nia and Meiyu be sisters?”

“No, impossible. The President said she’s an only child. Her grandmother was only a collateral, ordinary Sky Wing Knight.”

Ice Tina immediately dismissed Young Master Naiye’s fanciful idea.

“Whatever—we’ll see the specifics when we go. Do you want to come with me?”

“No, I won’t go; you go by yourself.”

Ice Tina adjusted her Disciplinary Committee beret and coldly declined Naiye’s invitation.

She also disliked the troublesome, drawn-out etiquette of aristocratic banquets.

Then she left directly.

As she was about to leave, she stole a glance and saw Naiye waving goodbye behind her.

Her beautiful lips smiled gently.

Two days later, at night, the Sky Wing banquet would begin.

Now it was dusk; Young Master Naiye informed his female knights about the Sky Wing banquet.

At first, the two thought Young Master Naiye intended to probe the circumstances behind the banquet.

“Young Master, should we accompany you as guards?”

“A banquet… I’ve never attended one.”

The Dark Knight and the Silver Knight spoke in turn.

It was surprising that Silver Knight Eir had never attended a banquet—had the Dragon Knights never held one?

Or had she simply never gone herself?

“……”

Young Master Naiye held the invitation, examining it carefully as he leaned back in his chair.

Seeing Naiye’s nonchalant attitude, Eir thought he couldn’t make up his mind.

“Young Master Naiye, do you think their invitation isn’t just to win you over, but also to confirm Duke Lycoris’ alliance with the Dragon Knights?”

“No, not that.”

“Then is it to confirm the Lycoris’ stance with you?”

This was Weiluxika speaking; she simply thought the banquet was meant to confirm Naiye’s position.

In any case, it seemed ill-intentioned.

“No, not that either.”

Young Master Naiye denied it again.

This left the two female knights puzzled—what was Naiye thinking?

“I’m just thinking whether to bring someone else.”

A female companion?

At aristocratic banquets, a companion is a rather special presence.

If another opposite-sex guest is invited, it usually means they want to cultivate goodwill.

But if one brings an opposite-sex person with whom they have no confirmed relationship, it effectively announces to everyone that this person is an important partner.

For example, if Young Master Naiye brought the Dark Knight Weiluxika, people would think nothing of it since the Dark Knight is his guard.

But if he brought the Silver Knight Eir, it would essentially confirm the relationship between Lycoris and the Dragon Knights.

Even if people didn’t know that Eir was no longer a Dragon Knight.

A highly important and watched person—every move they make conveys such information.

Even if Young Master Naiye didn’t actually care about any of this.

“Young Master Naiye, what do you intend to do?”

Eir was puzzled, because Naiye’s attitude seemed

completely indifferent?

Finally, Young Master Naiye turned his head and said,

“No, I’ll go alone; I won’t bring a female companion!”

The two female knights were surprised! Because this meant Young Master Naiye wouldn’t outright refuse the Sky Wing Knights.

“I don’t care what the Sky Wing Knights want, after all we don’t know anything.”

“So this time I’m just going to enjoy the banquet and take the opportunity to learn about their situation.”

Naiye answered calmly, then looked at the Dark Knight Weiluxika.

He told the two about the Dark Moon Knights he had learned about today.

“Eir, did you previously know any Dark Moon Knights?”

“No, I… don’t think I’ve heard much about the Dark Moon Knights, but I do know about the Three Moons Goddess’ chosen ones—it’s what was just mentioned.”

That was that. He then asked Weiluxika whether Rena Silvermoon’s recent contact had been special in any way.

“It doesn’t seem like it. She just seemed to want to be friends with me, though a bit enthusiastic…”

“Alright, Weiluxika, next time she comes, have her make it clear to you directly, but have her come to me afterward—once I return.”

“Eir, your confinement punishment is over. When you have time, go train at the gym with Weiluxika and President Meiyu.”

“Yes!”

After a brief set of instructions, Young Master Naiye returned to his room and began changing clothes.

A carriage would soon come to pick up Young Master Naiye.

Young Master Naiye carefully put on his attire for attending the banquet.

A fitted, neat black suit, with a white shirt inside, a blue tie, and polished black shoes.

Finally, he placed a white handkerchief in his breast pocket.

Simple and elegant! Very fitting and dashing.

Young Master Naiye understood this well, because dressing properly is also a form of respect to both parties.

Then he prepared to depart.

When he arrived at the courtyard, Naiye made a final check on the Magical Automaton knights he had been modifying these past few days.

The left arm’s attempt had ultimately failed.

But the head had somehow succeeded!

A dignified, brand-new dragon head was mounted on the Magical Automaton knight’s body; its appearance was fairly regular, but its teeth and mechanical dragon eyes were ferocious.

But most importantly, the dragon’s throat at the back.

It could breathe fire like a real dragon!

This was why Naiye wanted Big Sister Fire Lina to personally craft the top-tier Fire Elemental Stone.

Naiye had successfully simulated the giant dragon’s fire-breathing skill, though it was only that single ability.

But the head part at least had succeeded, and Naiye was quite pleased!

Before long, the Skywing Knight Family’s carriage arrived.

A magically refined carriage lavish in appearance; there were neither horses nor coachmen in front.

Its four silver-glowing wheels pulsed with magic—fast, freely rotating, and even able to race on their own.

The carriage was sleek and beautiful, and its body bore a pair of huge wing emblems, indicating it belonged to the Skywing Knight Family.

Though it looked like simple wood, it was actually very sturdy; no attack could easily break its defenses.

There was even a pair of feathers at the back of the magical carriage.

Anyone would marvel at this carriage’s extraordinary magic and special function!

However Young Master Naiye could only wonder whether those feathers could make the carriage—and himself inside—fly.

This was the Skywing Knight Family’s magical carriage specially used to receive honored guests!

Only guests the family considered extremely important would be chauffeured in such a carriage.

The Sky Wing Knights’ sincerity was already considerable!

“……”

But Young Master Naiye’s face showed no change; he calmly boarded the carriage.