TN: Changed Riant Empire to Riant Kingdom. Mentions of the king make it one. Also we learn a lot more of the lore this chapter, so you’ll understand how I got lost.

In the reception room set up in the lobby of the Raven Knight Order’s main building, Maxim hurriedly poured tea for the messenger, hoping the two absent people would return soon. The messenger drank the tea without even saying thank you, flaunting the ring on his chubby finger as he sipped.

As Maxim returned to his spot and stood there, Paola, who was seated, asked in a low voice,

“…When are your young lady and the Commander coming back?”
“…They must be having a deep conversation, I guess.”

While that was unlikely, Maxim hoped Christine wouldn’t ask Theodora about their relationship like she had asked him.

“Looks like they’re done.”

Paola said, looking at the main entrance of the building. As Maxim turned his head to follow his gaze, Theodora and Christine were just entering through the door.

As Christine and Theodora entered the main building, the messenger stood up from his seat. In his hand was a scroll, rolled up and tied with a fancy string.

“Raven Knight Order, show respect before the king’s letter.”

At the voice that came from the messenger’s mouth, the knights immediately knelt and paid their respects to the king’s letter. Only after confirming that all members of the knight order were kneeling did the messenger begin to convey the letter’s contents.

“We have great expectations for the Raven Knight Order. Thinking of the Raven Knight Order that will be reborn as the center of the Kingdom in the future, We are reminded of the glory of Our predecessors. We are thrilled for what is to come.”

The messenger paused momentarily to clear his throat and continued reading the letter.

“Therefore, before you advance to the front lines, We wish to invite the Raven Knight Order to the palace as a gesture of encouragement.”

Christine is going to have a tough time. Well, that’s what you get for volunteering for the bothersome role of vice commander.

Maxim had expected the Commander and Vice Commander to be summoned, but his body stiffened at the messenger’s next words.

“The Commander, Vice Commander, and five representatives, including former members of the Raven Knight Order, are requested to attend tomorrow’s luncheon and grace the occasion with their presence.”

Ah…

With a premonition that something troublesome was about to happen, Maxim’s stomach churned.

After the messenger left, the Raven Knight Order was swept by an untimely dueling fever. It was none other than the issue of the participants specified in the royal letter. The sun was intensely heating up the training grounds. The knights stepped forward, each claiming they would be the ones to head to the palace, and Maxim watched them with eyes filled with incomprehension.

“Hyaah!”
“Ugh!”

Thud.

A knight plopped down on the ground. Roberto Miller had just knocked down his second opponent. Seeing that miserable sight, Maxim sympathized with his future victims.

Roberto poured all his pent-up frustration from losing the vice commander duel into the current matches. The other knights were overwhelmed by his spirit and couldn’t properly wield their swords in the duels. Perhaps they were pitying Roberto with feelings similar to Maxim’s.

“So, how do you feel, Maxim?”

Paola, standing next to Maxim, looked very relaxed. In his hand was a halberd, a weapon not commonly favored by knights. During the selection exam, he had used an ordinary longsword. Being a former soldier, it seemed he could handle a variety of weapons.

“I wish I could give up my spot.”
“Everyone else is anxious to go, but you’re quite strange.”
“Rather, I can’t understand those who are desperate to go.”

Maxim smiled wryly.

“Aren’t you similar to me, Senior?”

When Maxim asked that, Paola laughed heartily and shook his head.

“No. While I’m certainly not eager to risk my life to go to the palace like Roberto over there, if you ask me which side I’m closer to… I’d say I’m more like those knights than you.”
“For someone saying that, you seem too relaxed.”

Even at Maxim’s words, which could sound sarcastic, Paola just laughed. He stabbed the halberd into the ground and replied.

“I’m confident I’ll be going.”

Well, whether those words were the boasting of a fool or genuine confidence remained to be seen.

“You’re really strange.”
“…What is it this time?”

Paola clicked his tongue multiple times.

“If you chose to stay in this knight order, you must still have ambition as a knight, yet right now, you’re talking as if honor and glory are unnecessary, bothersome things.”

Maxim felt a pang in his chest at Paola’s words. Asking needlessly sharp questions, aren’t you?

“Since you’re young, living with more passion is okay.”
“… I’ll pass.”

Paola laughed and patted Maxim’s shoulder… They were quite heavy.

“Well then, I’m off to fight.”

In the end, Paola, who had just rambled on, slung the halberd over his shoulder and strode towards the training grounds. Maxim let out a long, exhausted sigh.

“…What a mess.”
“Indeed.”

Maxim flinched at the familiar voice that reached his ears. Christine, who now proudly bore the vice commander’s insignia on her uniform, had somehow come to stand beside him.

“Ah…”
“It’s a mess, Senior.”

He had forgotten.

Maxim looked down at Christine, at a loss for words. His reflection could be seen in those leaf-like eyes. Yes, this adorable junior who had been through thick and thin with him for quite a long time was now his superior. The one who had taken the position he once held. Christine was smiling at him as always, either aware of that fact or not.

No, she definitely knew, which was why she approached him like this.

The longer Maxim’s troubled expression lasted, the more the corners of Christine’s mouth rose. His lips, on the other hand, only trembled in place.

“You’re enjoying this too much, Christine.”
“Christine? Senior, even if I’m your junior, shouldn’t you show the bare minimum of courtesy to the knight order’s Vice Commander?”

Grinning.

Christine gave Maxim a mischievous smile. He barely suppressed the urge to pinch those cheeky, squishy cheeks.

Endure it. For now, she’s your superior.

“…Vice Commander.”

A voice that sounded like ants crawling slipped through Maxim’s teeth. The playfulness in Christine’s eyes deepened. It was as if stars were twinkling in them.

“What was that?”
“…Vice Commander.”

A flower bloomed on Christine’s face. The stars that had been growing brighter in her eyes burst and sparkled. They were like green glass beads. One could say it was an expression that suited summer very well. If that expression wasn’t directed at Maxim as a joke, it would have made countless men weep. He spoke without hiding his astonishment.

“Are you that happy?”

Christine laughed out loud.

“I’m so happy. It’s refreshing. It’s new. It’s thrilling.”
“Then can you stop now?”
“No way.”

Maxim’s expression contorted. Christine just kept laughing while looking at his face. Only when he put his hand on his head as if he had a headache did Christine finally speak with a smile.

“You’ll have to call me that until I’m satisfied.”
“…Yes, understood. Vice Commander.”

Maxim stressed the four syllables of “Vice Commander,” but Christine continued showing a bright expression as if it didn’t faze her.

==

When the empire that dominated the world split into three kingdoms, the Riant Kingdom took the northern lands of the empire as its territory, centered around the location where the imperial capital once stood. The imperial capital was where the empire’s most brilliant legacies lived and breathed. The Riant Kingdom declared itself the spiritual successor to the empire and maintained those legacies intact.

If one were to choose the foremost among the empire’s legacies, nine out of ten would pick the imperial palace that had now become the royal palace. In front of the palace, in the endlessly sprawling emperor’s garden, flowers from all over the continent bloomed, changing colors with each season, and rare and beautiful butterflies fluttered their wings and frolicked among the flowers.

If one ventured deep into the garden, which boasted the size of a small forest, a huge fountain that could be called the symbol of the palace would come into view. And if one raised their eyes along the marble pavement behind the fountain, the palace stood, towering over the world like a giant, overwhelming all visitors who sought it out.

The palace, once the center of the world, still flaunted its influence.

As the saying goes, “All culture on the continent originates from the Riant Palace.” The palace led all trends, be they manners, fashion, or grooming.

Regardless of age or gender, the Riant Palace was the object of aspiration for the entire continent. Maxim’s steps towards that palace were like those of a pirate prisoner walking blindfolded on a plank.

“Lighten up your expression. Anyone would think you’re a prisoner being escorted.”
“I might not have slept well.”
“Surely you’re not spouting nonsense about being unable to sleep from excitement. I saw everything yesterday.”

Paola spoke to Maxim, who was walking slightly behind the group with a drooping posture. It seemed Maxim was destined to become friends with that talkative old man. In fact, it appeared he had the skills to back up his confident words.

“Come on, walk with a positive attitude, Maxim. You should feel sorry for the rest of the members who couldn’t join us on this occasion.”

The person chiming in from the side was none other than Roberto Miller, who had his long hair tied back. After engaging in fierce duels with as many as five members in a row, he had won the right to represent the knight order. Roberto didn’t even bother wiping the dried nosebleed from his signature hooked nose, calling it a scar of glory.

“You all have such incredible passion indeed.”

Maxim retorted in a drained voice. Roberto frowned deeply at his words.

“No, Maxim! It’s the palace, the palace! It’s normal to muster up passion even if you don’t have any, but it’s even stranger that you look like a corpse!”
“Ah, could it be that you have some unspeakable memories at the palace? Tell this Paola. Then I can understand why you couldn’t sleep.”

Maxim was finding it increasingly difficult to handle these two talkative people. However, it was much better than watching factions and infighting, but the fatigue was undeniable. Just then, Roberto, who had grabbed Maxim’s shoulder, blurted out.

“Look at this gloomy face, Commander! Commander Bening! Shouldn’t you say something to this friend?”

Correction. Faction wars would have been better.

The color drained from Maxim’s face, turning it pale white. His fist flew towards the back of Roberto’s head but struggled an inch away, tied by the string of reason.

Theodora, who had been walking ahead in silence, turned around. For the first time today, Maxim could properly face Theodora. As she turned her head, her platinum-blond hair brushed against her cheek and fluttered brilliantly.

Yes, it remained unchanged that Theodora was still beautiful enough to take one’s breath away. But today, perhaps because she had put in more effort to visit the palace, she shone even brighter. Maxim was entranced by her appearance, forgetting his own situation.

Those scarlet, shining lips, that sharp nose, the fair skin, and above all, her eyes.

Theodora’s storm-colored eyes were staring directly at Maxim. It wasn’t the kind of impression that should come out in this situation, but Maxim wanted to blurt out these words.

Damn. She’s too pretty.

Maxim could feel his heart pounding painfully. It was a really brief encounter, but Theodora’s appearance seemed enough to enchant him. She glanced at Roberto, who had thrown the question, with a sharp look and spat out a short remark.

“Walk properly.”

Then Theodora swiftly turned her head back to face forward and walked on. The platinum-blond hair fluttered and settled. At those words, Maxim unknowingly changed his stumbling gait.

“… Doesn’t the Commander seem to be in a bad mood too?”

Behind Maxim, Roberto’s voice rang out, still sounding dazed.

“That’s the kind of thing you shouldn’t say out loud, Roberto.”

Even Paola seemed more sensible in comparison.

A sharp pain was felt in Maxim’s side. He barely caught the scream that almost escaped from his throat. Christine was pinching his side. Maxim spoke to Christine in a voice filled with utmost grievance as if protesting.

“Why are you…”
“I don’t know. And use polite speech.”

Christine spoke those brief words and walked ahead of Maxim. From the very beginning, today didn’t feel right. Maxim looked up at the sky, which was sunny, in complete contrast to his mood. Fluffy, distinctly clumped clouds drifted by.

‘Now it would be perfect if I ran into “that person.”‘

Maxim mocked himself inwardly.

Of course while praying to everything he wouldn’t meet “that person” at the palace.