“Is all this realized through magic?”

Paola seemed impressed by the magic, observing the surroundings while looking around. A massive barrier spell that blocked the influence of seasons and weather was protecting the palace and its front yard. Christine was following a fluttering butterfly with her eyes.

“The dedication is incredible.”

Roberto spoke in a voice filled with awe.

“It’s a barrier that has been maintained since the time this palace was the imperial palace.”

Paola replied to Roberto and reached out to a low-hanging branch. However, he quickly withdrew his hand at the gardener’s sharp glare.

“… They’re strict.”
“It could be considered a sacrilege.”

Christine said with an awkward laugh. Paola flicked his fingertips as if he had been stung by a bee. Maxim shook his head at his brazen attitude.

“And there’s the palace.”

The already refreshing breeze became even cooler. Beyond the fountain spewing five streams of water, the palace spread its wings majestically. As Maxim’s group was overwhelmed by its grandeur, a man dressed similarly to the messenger who had visited the knight order yesterday approached them with an elegant gait to greet them.

“Welcome to the palace. I am Emil Bordin from the secretarial office assisting His Majesty.”

As Emil Bordin greeted them with a welcoming remark, Theodora responded to the greeting with perfect etiquette.

“Thank you for the hospitality.”

He wore a monocle and a bushy mustache. However, the ornaments on his clothes were somewhat restrained, and he wasn’t wearing an overly large brooch. As if having thoroughly learned palace manners, his actions exuded dignity. Without putting on airs or being arrogant, Emil quietly guided them in a manner contrasting with the messenger.

“His Majesty is really looking forward to this luncheon.”
“It is an honor just to be invited by His Majesty.”
“That just goes to show how great His Majesty’s expectations are for the Raven Knight Order.”

When would they ever reach the entrance of the main building? It felt like they had passed at least five guards with identical faces, yet they still weren’t getting closer to the palace’s main building.

After walking for a while, the main building revealed itself. Below the king’s balcony was a huge door gilded with gold, glinting brilliantly.

The knights guarding the entrance on both sides opened the door with perfect synchronization. The door of the main building opened quietly but heavily without making any noise.

The term “palace” was indeed insufficient to fully capture this edifice. The chandelier on the ceiling and the beautiful murals on the walls were reflected like mirrors on the marble floor. Sunlight patterned after the window grilles draped over the palace corridor.

“You arrived at just the right time.”

Emil said as he guided them.

“Thanks to that, I can guide you directly to the room where the luncheon will be held.”

The palace was so vast, but apart from Emil’s voice and the footsteps of the knights, no other noise could be heard. The footsteps of the servants walking around the palace made no sound.

After walking along the first-floor corridor, Emil arrived in front of a door. As expected, a lion biting a sword was prominently engraved on the door.

“This is the Sun Room where the luncheon will be held.”

Emil said as he grabbed one of the door handles.

“Then, please enter.”

When the door opened, an identical marble floor with a chandelier was revealed. In the center of the room was a long, ivory-colored table arranged with chairs of the same color.

“His Majesty will arrive soon.”

Emil said, glancing at Maxim. Through the monocle on his left eye, his blue eyes flashed.

“Even if it’s uncomfortable, please wait standing until His Majesty arrives.”

The Sun Room seemed to swell with subtle tension. Maxim, unable to move his eyes, stared at the palace’s backyard, which was slightly visible across the table. He felt like an animal caught in a hunter’s trap.

Just then, footsteps were heard from afar. While Maxim sensed the presence of several people, there was only one set of footsteps—the footsteps of the person who could hold his head high in this palace.

George II of the Roire dynasty. The king of this nation was approaching the Sun Room.

The door was already open. The footsteps reached the front of the door, and the Raven Knight Order knelt to pay their respects to the king. Just as they were about to greet him according to etiquette, the king’s voice was heard.

“The greetings are done. It was I who made you wait. I am not so shameless as to receive such a welcome.”

Following the voice, the king’s presence entered the room majestically. Emil bowed his head deeply to greet him.

He briefly raised his hand to Emil and looked around the Sun Room.

“Is the luncheon prepared?”
“Yes. We are just waiting for Your Majesty to take your seat.”
“Then, sit.”

The king turned his head to Maxim’s group.

“You too, raise your heads and quickly take your seats. How can we treat our guests like this?”

He said that and glared at Emil with fierce eyes.

“I commanded that if they arrived before me, they should be seated and waiting.”

Emil bent his head even lower.

“I apologize. However, considering the palace’s prestige, I couldn’t dare do so.”
“I am the owner of the palace, so how dare you judge the palace’s prestige on your own?”
“I apologize.”

At his sharp rebuke, Emil repeatedly bowed his head.

“Wait outside. I will separately summon and reprimand you after today’s luncheon is over.”
“I will follow your command.”

The king raised his voice and spoke to the people around him.

“And everyone except the Commander of the Royal Guard, wait outside. I wish to dine in the least rigid atmosphere possible.”

The man who appeared to be the Commander of the Royal Guard whispered to the king.

“Your Majesty, I request that at least a minimum guard force remain.”
“With you here, what is there to worry about? Besides, they are also knights who have sworn to dedicate their bodies and hearts to this country.”
“I have made a presumptuous remark.”
“Enough. Quickly, all of you leave. I wish to enjoy the luncheon now.”

The king waved his hand. The retainers in the Sun Room, including Emil, filed out of the room.

“Ensure that no one enters the room except when bringing in the food.”

The Commander of the Royal Guard, receiving the king’s signal, spoke to the two knights following him.

With them being the last, all the retainers in the room had vacated their spots. The heavy entrance door of the Sun Room closed silently as it was opened. Having dismissed all his retainers, the king plopped down on a chair and spoke to Maxim’s group, who were still standing.

“Quickly, sit. I am hungry.”

Maxim’s group was finally able to sit at the table. Maxim caught a glimpse of the king. He is probably around the same age as Paola, in his 40s. Deep wrinkles, like the scars of a knight, were etched in various places on his face. With dark brown hair and blue eyes, the king had a robust expression.

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

Theodora spoke on behalf of the knight order.

“Not at all. I have also heard of your renown. Theodora Bening of the Snowy Lands. Tales of your exploits occasionally reach the palace, piercing through the severe winter of the north.”
“It is an honor to be recognized, Your Majesty.”

Servants began serving food on trays. With his stomach churning, Maxim wondered if he could properly digest the food. The meal started, and for a while, it became a time for the king to ask the knights’ names and praise them. Theodora, Christine, Paola, Roberto, and even Maxim. The king conversed with them, making eye contact as if trying to remember all the names of the Raven Knight Order members.

“Actually, I wanted to invite all of your members without exception, but my retainers strongly opposed it.”
“It is an honor just to have you consider it, Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing Theodora’s answer, the king chuckled.

“You give such boring answers. Ah, don’t misunderstand. I mean, it’s a textbook and correct answer.”
“I apologize.”

The king cleared his throat and adjusted his posture as if he were about to bring up the main topic. A secretive yet heavy and dignified voice flowed from his mouth.

“Most of you are probably wondering why I am suddenly rolling up my sleeves and getting involved in the reconstruction of the Raven Knight Order, a knight order rumored to have been abandoned.”

The king paused for a moment and looked around at Maxim’s group.

“Why I gathered those recognized for their skills and talents, despite being detached from the factions of the central knight orders.”

Maxim recalled the atmosphere of the knight order, which was strangely focused only on honing swords and martial arts while building camaraderie among its members. It had been deliberately steered that way.

None of Maxim’s group dared to open their mouths and speak out of turn.

“Why I am directly and actively involved in that process.”

The king said that and let out a chuckle.

“Just as the Raven Knight Order was once the sharpest sword of the emperor,”

Maxim could easily anticipate the king’s next words.

“I hope you will become my sharpest sword.”

He glared at the white flesh of the fish caught between the fork tines.

“Sword is such a mysterious word. Depending on how it is used, it can have truly diverse meanings.”

The king muttered as if talking to himself.

“I hope there will be no need to use it, but there may come a time when a sword is necessary. I should also prepare one.”

For a while, silence descended upon the Sun Room. As if trying to change the mood, the king shrugged his shoulders with an exaggerated gesture and brought up a different topic.

“Well, that’s why your activities on the front lines will become important.”

The king took a sip of white wine to cleanse his palate.

“I heard there have been several unusual occurrences on the front lines adjacent to the uninhabited zone recently. Am I right, Commander?”

The king turned around and asked the Commander of the Royal Guard.

“That is correct. The frequency and severity have been serious enough to request an investigation at the royal level.”
“If a report reaches me directly like this, it must not be an ordinary matter.”

Clink.

The white wine swirled in the glass the king set down.

“The first mission of the renewed Raven Knight Order will be set against the backdrop of the uninhabited zone.”

The uninhabited zone.

Otherwise known as the Graveyard of Knights.

The reactions of the members upon learning where they would be going varied.

Theodora maintained a plain expression. Although not reaching the level of a true uninhabited zone battlefield, the northern Kips region where she had stayed was as rugged as the frontier of the uninhabited zone.

Roberto’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit. Among young knights who were not well-versed in the ways of the world, the uninhabited zone was simply seen as a good place to show off one’s prowess.

On the other hand, Paola fiddled with his utensils with uncharacteristically downcast eyes. Knights with sufficient experience and who had been through various battlefields around the world were reluctant to go to the uninhabited zone, no matter how brave they were. Paola knew very well what the Graveyard of Knights meant.

And Christine was looking at Maxim, sitting across from her, with trembling eyes. Her green eyes wavered like leaves in the wind. Her lips quivered slightly as if she wanted to say something. Maxim, on the other hand, was just cutting his fish as if it didn’t matter.

The king looked at the Raven Knight Order’s reactions with interest and issued the remaining orders.

“I would like you to investigate the unusual occurrences in the uninhabited zone.”

==

The king did not further disconcert the knight order. Afterward, as if he had never brought up such a heavy topic, he only talked about the luncheon dishes and the knight order’s training. The meal ended, leaving ripples among the Raven Knight Order members.

‘Take a leisurely stroll before you go. There are quite a few things worth seeing in the palace’s backyard and front yard.’

Following the king’s suggestion, Maxim’s group went out to the garden, guided by Emil. They followed him, who guided them with the same perfect etiquette as when they first met. Christine, Paola, and Roberto each slowly looked around the garden, savoring the scenery.

On the other hand, Theodora and Maxim, walking at their own paces behind Emil, slightly apart from the others, could not have such a relaxed state of mind.

Maxim’s stomach kept churning. Or boiling. Since the start of the meal, no, since reaching the palace, or rather, since encountering Emil Bordin, it had been churning and boiling for a long time.

“It’s been a while.”

Emil turned to Theodora and spoke, confirming that the other three members of the knight order had moved away.

“Young lady.”

Theodora looked at Emil with frost-covered eyes. Beyond Emil’s silver monocle, his cold blue eyes were flashing.

“Yes, it’s been a while, Viscount Bordin.”

Theodora’s gaze and voice were covered in frost like a northern wind rushing in.

“I am late in greeting the young head of the main family. As a royal retainer, I had no choice but to unintentionally be rude. Please forgive me.”
“…Enough.”

Emil Bordin. A palace aristocrat belonging to the palace secretarial office.

The head of the Bordin family, a viscounty from a branch family of the Bening household.

Emil Bordin bowed his head to Theodora and then turned to face Maxim, standing far behind Theodora. He raised the corners of his mouth, forming a mocking smile. Maxim disliked that expression and those eyes. He wanted to leave immediately or beat that conceited face to a pulp.

“And…Maxim.”

Maxim endured his stomach, which felt like it would make him vomit, by gritting his teeth. He barely managed to hold his crumbling expression.

“…Head of the family.”

The very person Maxim never wanted to encounter.

“You still have such a stiff way of speaking.”

And,

“Isn’t there a different way you should address me as your ‘prospective father-in-law’?”

Maxim’s ‘prospective father-in-law.’

Maxim hated that smile on Emil Bordin’s face to death.