“Greetings to Your Majesty.”

Maxim offered a minimal, respectful bow, and the king let out a quiet laugh. The king of this country sat in a relaxed posture, resting his chin on his hand, his expression weary. Yet the only thing unchanged was the captain of the royal guard standing behind him, with the same unyielding, stern demeanor as before.

“The circumstances for our reunion always seem to surpass expectations, don't they?”

“It seems so, Your Majesty.”

“I don’t doubt your strength, the very one that felled the Behemoth. However, I have this unfortunate habit of needing to personally test those I deal with, so I hope you'll forgive my earlier actions.”

“How could I possibly fault Your Majesty’s prudence?”

The king gestured for the royal guards to leave the room. They bowed and ascended the stairs, exiting the tavern.

“I had a feeling we might meet again someday, but I didn’t think it would be like this. How embarrassing.”

“Please, Your Majesty, don’t say that.”

Maxim responded, flustered, as the king shrugged.

“When a king cannot even maintain control over his throne, what else can I call it but shame?”

“Your Majesty has preserved this kingdom through your own decisive actions; how can you speak so?”

“It wasn’t I who protected this kingdom. It was the knights and soldiers who risked their lives on the front lines. You were the one who severed the Behemoth’s head, so how could I take credit for such deeds?”

The king sighed.

“Well, let’s stop flattering each other and cutting ourselves down, or we’ll be at it forever.”

Maxim followed the king’s gesture toward a chair.

“Sit. This will take some time.”

“I’m honored.”

Maxim carefully pulled out the chair and sat. The king, noting Maxim’s tense and cautious gaze, spread his arms wide before continuing.

“Feel free to ask whatever questions you have. I assume there’s much you're curious about.”

“Why has Your Majesty come here in person?”

Maxim wasted no time in asking. The king, seemingly pleased with Maxim’s directness, smiled warmly.

“To answer that, I should explain where we are first.”

The king glanced around the tavern. Along one wall hung an array of weapons. Spread across the long table where the king rested his elbows was a map of the capital, with a game piece—likely representing the king—placed on it, poised for the next move.

The king playfully tapped the crowned piece with his finger. It wobbled but didn’t fall, standing firm like a roly-poly toy.

“This place is directly connected to the royal palace. It’s a ‘rabbit hole’ that’s been in place since the reign of the previous king, prepared for ‘just in case’ situations.”

Maxim frowned slightly at the king’s nonchalant tone.

“...Is it really okay to reveal something like that to an outsider like me?”

At Maxim’s question, the king chuckled softly.

“The moment you stepped foot here, you ceased to be an outsider. We were the ones who proposed not drawing any lines, and you accepted that.”

The king, though not a great warrior, exuded a dignity and authority that pressed down on Maxim. Maxim remained unfazed, his eyes steady.

“Do you regret it?”

Realizing that his pressure wasn’t working, the king withdrew his imposing presence. If Maxim had been the kind of man to be subdued by simple intimidation, he would have fallen into the Bening family’s hands long ago. If not for their shared interests, there might never have been a chance for persuasion.

The king studied Maxim’s unwavering golden eyes as he replied.

“Not at all.”

Regret was out of the question. The moment Maxim decided to reclaim what he had lost, he resolved to navigate this tumultuous landscape, regardless of who his allies might be. Seeing the determination in Maxim’s eyes, the king sighed in relief.

“This isn’t the only rabbit hole the palace has. This one will be sealed off after today.”

The king pointed to the part of the map where the palace stood, noting its proximity to the back alleys of the capital.

“Does that explain things?”

“...Yes.”

“Even the queen doesn’t know about this tunnel. Only I and my loyal guards are aware.”

The king’s voice took on a tinge of bitterness, but he quickly brushed it off and continued.

“I’ve dragged this on long enough. There are two reasons why I came here personally.”

The king raised two fingers.

“The first is to establish contact with the adventurers’ guild.”

The king folded one finger.

“You seek to ally with the guild?”

“I’ve already begun the groundwork. The guild has been clashing with the Bening family’s reign, and they know well enough that the royal palace isn’t the one pressuring them.”

The king narrowed his eyes.

“...The current head of the guild owes a debt of gratitude to the previous king. He’s not one to forget loyalty, so I believe we can work together. I don’t enjoy using the former king’s goodwill to secure my throne, but now is not the time to be picky.”

The king spoke with resolute conviction.

“The situation in the palace is dire, as you well know. Bening’s power grows with each passing day.”

The king rubbed his temples.

“The most troublesome thing is the justification that Bening uses.”

“Are you referring to the second prince?”

The king remained silent, offering his answer in the quiet.

“There is still time before they begin to act openly. They haven’t made any real moves yet. That means they’re not in a hurry. Do you understand what that means?”

“...In a rebellion, urgency usually means a lack of strength or justification. But the count’s calm demeanor suggests otherwise...”

Maxim looked at the king, seeking confirmation. The king nodded for him to continue.

“It’s clear that they have the strength. So, does that mean supporting the second prince gives them sufficient justification?”

Correct.

The king thought to himself, but there was still one more step to take.

“We’ll discuss the details after I explain the second reason for my presence.”

The king lowered his hand, and the atmosphere around him shifted. It wasn’t an imposing or overbearing air, but rather the natural demeanor of a ruler addressing his subordinate. Before Maxim could fully process the change, the king spoke again.

“Maxim Apart, eldest son of the Apart barony and member of the kingdom’s Raven Knights.”

Maxim instinctively rose from his seat and knelt. The king nodded in approval, whispering softly.

“Accepted. More than accepted.”

The king silently thanked his loyal captain of the guard for insisting on this meeting.

“I hereby relieve you of your current duties. As of now, you are reassigned to the First Royal Guard.”

The king’s eyes flashed.

“And I am giving you a secret mission.”

The king’s voice was firm and resolute. It was both a call to arms and a decree of judgment against the unruly.

“Become my hands and feet, my eyes. You will be the shadow of the royal family, sharpening your blade in the dark.”

And,

“Be the sword that cuts down those who would bring chaos to the royal family and the kingdom.”

“I, Maxim Apart, accept Your Majesty’s command.”

Maxim did not hesitate. The king’s words had ignited the fuse of Maxim’s long-held desire for vengeance.

“Raise your head and sit. It’s amusing, giving out royal orders in a place like this.”

The king sighed.

“When all is said and done, I’ll officially announce your new position in the palace, in front of everyone. I’ll also publicly commend your feats from the Behemoth Subjugation.”

“I am honored.”

The king’s imposing aura quickly faded, and he returned to his more humble, reclusive demeanor.

“...I owe you an apology, but I looked into your past.”

Maxim’s body tensed slightly.

“There was quite a bit that happened during your time at the knights' academy. A promising talent, assigned to an insignificant post, and with abnormally low field evaluations.”

“...It was due to my own shortcomings.”

The king shook his head in disagreement.

“It didn’t take long to uncover that the Bening family had tampered with things. However, I still don’t know exactly what they did to bring you down so far.”

They must have worked more secretly than expected, the king muttered, clicking his tongue.

“The fact that I didn’t notice was due to my own failings. My eyes and ears weren’t sharp enough. So, I ask you now, can you tell me what happened?”

What really happened.

Maxim gazed at the king’s inscrutable expression. If there had been an opportunity before, he could have laid everything bare, even if it meant putting a leash around his own neck. If only Teodora hadn’t been intentionally kept away.

Was this resentment? Maxim pushed aside the uncomfortable pain that gnawed at him and organized his thoughts.

Taking a deep breath, Maxim began his story.

“I was cursed.”

From the final exam at the academy, through his transfer to the Raven Knights, and up until now, Maxim cautiously recounted the events, separating what he could share and what he couldn’t.

As Maxim calmly told his story, the king and the captain of the royal guard listened intently. Occasionally, the king’s eyes would glint at the mention of illegal methods employed by the Bening family.

“...I see. A seal on your aura.”

“They said if it fully activates, it would destroy both my body and my memories.”

“They didn’t want to marry off their daughter, didn’t want you as an enemy, and coveted your skills enough to keep you under their control. Such greed.”

For the first time, the captain of the royal guard spoke. The king nodded in agreement with his sharp critique.

“A curse, black magic research at the Magic Tower, interference at the academy. You’ve provided us with much useful information. I want to thank you.”

“I’m just glad my failures can be of any use to Your Majesty and the kingdom.”

“You have quite a way with words.”

The king studied the face of the knight who had not yet been broken. Or rather, a man who had been broken several times but had always risen again.

“With that, the formalities are done. You are now officially assigned to the First Royal Guard. You will operate both within and outside the palace, concealing your name and face.”

“I will serve to the best of my ability.”

Now then.

The king clapped his hands. For some reason, Maxim felt a hint of mischief in the king’s eyes, a look that reminded him of the tough, playful knights from the frontlines.

“Since I’ve finally recruited you, there are quite a few things I’d like you to do.”

Maxim involuntarily raised his head. The captain of the royal guard, who seemed to have anticipated this, gave him an encouraging look, as if to say, “Good luck.”

“We need to lay the groundwork for bringing down Count Bening. Unfortunately, the people I see as the cornerstone for that effort are currently in the east.”

The king’s expression turned serious again, and Maxim, understanding the shift in tone, straightened his posture.

“As I hold the line here at the palace, you will head east to the no-man’s land.”

The east, to the no-man’s land. Maxim’s eyes flickered with interest as he listened.

“Meet with Count Argon and the frontier lord, and explain the current situation to them. And,”

The king, pleased with Maxim’s growing engagement, finished his statement.

“Tell them of my proposal: to unite against the scoundrels who are currently threatening the royal family.”