Victory Parade (2)

“That’s enough. Would you stand up straight now?”

After a short while, I took on a suitable posture at the sharp words of the maid.

The maids, who had been circling me and checking my clothes, finally nodded as if satisfied.

“Still, your posture is good—your appearance really stands out.”

I nodded awkwardly, managing a clumsy smile at the senior maid’s words.

Honestly, I couldn’t think straight.

‘I’m supposed to stand beside the Duke?’

It was fortunate that I received recognition for my achievements as intended, but I never imagined I’d have an audience with His Majesty the King.

I felt more bewildered than happy.

“Are you nervous? There’s no need to worry so much.”

Seemingly finished with preparations, Duke Gale pointed his finger at the carriage parked off to the side.

“We’ll be leaving immediately, so I recommend you relax your facial muscles.”

Relax my facial muscles?

Looking at Duke Gale with a puzzled expression, he boarded the carriage first and gestured for me to follow.

‘What about Monet?’

The thought crossed my mind and I looked around. Monet was boarding another carriage with the other maids.

“Miss Monet will travel with the maids, so don’t worry.”

At Duke Gale’s lightly amused tone, I composed myself and climbed into the carriage.

A quiet stillness settled inside, and before long, the sound of hooves echoed as the carriage began to move.

“… Your Grace, I honestly don’t know what you’re thinking.”

“What do you mean? I simply wish to introduce you, who achieved great merit in this war, to His Majesty.”

I didn’t take those words at face value.

It was true that I’d achieved conspicuous accomplishments—defeating an intermediate-rank demonkin in the end and even capturing the enemy’s commander-in-chief.

But surely that couldn’t be the only reason.

There was, after all, something Monet had already told me.

Hesitating whether to speak up or not, I carefully opened my mouth.

“Is it to make me a hero?”

“Did Miss Monet mention that? Well, that’s part of it.”

Duke Gale smiled lightly and continued.

“I heard your goal was to restore your house. Nothing about this will harm you, so there’s no need to worry.”

It was certainly true.

If, by this opportunity, I could attract the King’s attention, I’d be closer to my goal than ever before.

But still…

‘What’s his motive, then?’

At any rate, as long as I could revive my house as I intended, it didn’t matter.

But what if Duke Gale’s intent ended up working against me?

As long as I couldn’t read his thoughts clearly, I could only feel uneasy.

‘Besides, this is all so rushed.’

[Rushed?]

‘If he wanted to make me a hero, there are plenty of other ways that wouldn’t be so excessive.’

[That’s true enough.]

If I became a war hero in front of everyone, I could quickly raise my profile and be called a hero.

But it also risked backlash. Especially from those who knew my true skills.

Surely, Duke Gale couldn’t have failed to anticipate that…

[Maybe he’s pressed for time?]

‘There’s no way there’d be such a sudden reason to make me a hero…’

As I halfheartedly replied to Grancesia, something suddenly occurred to me.

‘No way… Could it be?’

I felt my lips go dry.

Certainly, there wasn’t much time left before ‘that’ happened.

But surely the participants were already decided?

“Your Grace, may I ask a question?”

“If it’s about the victory parade, I said there’s no need to worry.”

“No, that’s not it. What I want to ask is…”

At first, I was half in doubt.

But the moment I saw Duke Gale smiling gently at me, I couldn’t help but be sure.

“… Is it really true?”

“Your guess is likely correct.”

“You mean, you want me to enter the Imperial Founding Festival…?”

The Imperial Founding Festival.

It’s one of the biggest events on the continent, hosted by the Asktalin Empire, the continent’s ruling power.

And what draws the most attention at the festival is the “Imperial Tournament”, where knights under the age of 24 and representing their countries compete.

Held every four years, the Imperial Tournament symbolizes the contest of national power, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that a nation’s pride rides on that battle.

“From our Talua Kingdom, we have never achieved particularly good results…”

Talua Kingdom has several houses known for their outstanding swordsmanship.

Chief among them, the Deoric family’s Hidden Star Sword and the House Ribina’s Sky-Dominating Lone Sword rival the best sword arts on the continent.

However, talent to back that up has been lacking.

Four years ago, thanks to the extraordinary genius Baian Deoric, we achieved the amazing feat of runner-up… but ‘Now he is dead and gone.’

It was expected that Zelbin Ribina would soon surpass Baian’s skills, but at present, he couldn’t even match Tedric Eaton.

Given all that, it was no surprise Duke Gale would take an interest—a young knight who brought down the genius swordsman Baian Deoric single-handedly.

“You really are clever.”

“I’m not.”

“Don’t worry. If you wish to refuse, I won’t force you.”

Though my thoughts were conflicted, I nodded for now.

“Looks like we’ve arrived. Let’s disembark.”

Looking out the window, rows of knights formed up in neat lines.

As Duke Gale stepped from the carriage first, a deafening cheer erupted.

‘Well, now that it’s come to this, I’d better do it right.’

Taking a deep breath, I followed Duke Gale out of the carriage.

“Who’s the man standing next to His Grace?”

“Is he a bodyguard knight? His outfit is too fancy for that…”

Walking right next to Duke Gale, I heard whispering from the crowd.

Even the knights lined up to make an aisle showed visible agitation as they looked at me.

‘Zelbin.’

Among them, there were those who looked at me with admiring eyes—Zelbin was one of them.

He was looking at me with a face full of pride, as though he himself was walking behind Duke Gale.

I wonder how long we walked like that.

Soon, Duke Gale and I came to a splendorous podium.

And standing atop the podium was a man.

The King of Talua Kingdom—Leogart Talua.

==

〈Leogart Talua〉

Age: 38

Gender: Male

Narrative Role: King of Talua Kingdom (Supporting Character)

Abilities: Falling Moon Star Sword (9 stars), King’s Eye

Notes: King of Talua Kingdom and simultaneously a distinguished swordsman. A man with keen insight and martial prowess who dies in the “Calamity of Madness.”

One of the few who knows about the Seven Swords Under Heaven.

His death becomes a decisive event for Fabian, driving him to search for the Seven Swords Under Heaven.

==

Leogart King’s profile, which I instinctively read, brought more questions than answers.

‘The Calamity of Madness… and Seven Swords Under Heaven?’

The calamity, I expected, but there was yet another new title.

I couldn’t help but feel lost in thought.

‘Just how many calamities is this country tied up in?’

It was absurd, but in hindsight, it made sense; after all, the Talua Kingdom is the main setting where the protagonist, Fabian, operates.

‘I’ll have to double-check the synopsis later.’

For now, I just hoped that the so-called Calamity of Madness would occur far in the future.

Dealing with the Imperial Founding Festival was enough for now.

“Your servant, Ivan Gale, greets His Majesty the King.”

As Duke Gale knelt and bowed his head, I felt someone’s gaze on the back of my head.

“What are you staring at so intently?”

For a second, I worried that I’d spoken my thoughts aloud, but fortunately it wasn’t that.

It was Duke Gale speaking first to the quiet King Leogart.

For such an irreverent approach, king Leogart only smirked.

“Your vitality is impressive, Ivan.”

“My vitality? Isn’t it too harsh to say that to an old man worn out by Your Majesty?”

“Aren’t you only fifty-three? That’s a bit young to call yourself old.”

“I think I’ve lived long enough as it is.”

Their casual exchange was fascinating.

I had known that Duke Gale and King Leogart were on particularly familiar terms.

I’d heard Duke Gale taught King Leogart much when the latter was still a prince…

“So, is this the Clay Vanhart you were telling me about?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

I felt King Leogart’s sharp gaze on me.

Unsure if I should raise my head, king Leogart spoke first.

“Raise your head, sir Vanhart.”

As described, his eyes shone with discernment and martial prowess, and his body was well-trained.

“You achieved distinguished merit in this war, didn’t you? Ivan’s report told me everything.”

“Thank you.”

“You seem to have nerves of steel… Your skills may lack a little, but was it true you killed an intermediate-rank demonkin?”

“I was lucky.”

“Luck can’t kill a demonkin of that rank. More than that, I heard you captured the enemy’s commander-in-chief, so you’re certainly worthy to be called the hero of this war.”

“That’s…”

“No need to be modest. If you are a hero, stand tall and proud!”

King Leogart raised his voice and clapped his hands loudly.

At that, the knights on either side of him raised their swords high to the sky.

At last, the king’s congratulatory speech that would conclude the victory parade was beginning.

“Hear me! This war ends in our victory. We have crushed the evil Kingdom of Kainzel, who allied with the demonkin, and proven that our Talua Kingdom is the ruler of the eastern continent!”

The moment King Leogart’s voice boomed, the previously noisy cheers fell silent in an instant.

The charisma to command people with just a few words.

He truly fit the image of a king.

“And in this war, we have witnessed the birth of a new hero. He uncovered a Kainzel spy, thwarted an assassination attempt on the Duke, and bought the army time to escape from a mysterious monster!”

King Leogart, shouting out loud, made eye contact with me.

‘He said all I needed to do was stand still.’

Of course it wouldn’t be that easy.

With a deep breath, I drew my sword and raised it high—higher than the other knights.

A great roar from the crowd erupted.

“He captured the enemy’s commander-in-chief, prince Wolfran, and slew the mid-rank demonkin lurking behind the scenes to end the war single-handed! Surely such a hero deserves a worthy reward.”

Reward.

At those words, my face brightened.

‘Of course, they wouldn’t have held such a ceremony if they weren’t planning to give me something!’

Eager, I wondered what reward the king would bestow.

Since it was a personal royal reward, it had to be impressive.

“I shall bestow upon Sir Clay Vanhart a reward of gold and a mansion in the capital!”

King Leogart’s following words more than met my expectations.

But then—

“Furthermore, I wish to grant him the honor of representing Talua Kingdom at the upcoming Imperial Tournament!”

To think he’d announce that here and now!

Happiness from hearing my reward instantly faded away.

“But of course, the choice rests with Sir Vanhart. His wishes shall be respected.”

As if reading my thoughts, king Leogart added those words.

[Oh sure. Who wouldn’t refuse in this situation?]

Grancesia scoffed mentally at King Leogart.

“And, with the sudden death of Count Vanhart, he was unable to inherit his title.”

King Leogart looked at me with a broad smile.

From his grin, I could tell exactly what he would say next.

Usually, a king’s approval was required for title succession.

“Congratulations, Count Vanhart. Henceforth, lead the kingdom’s talents well.”

The very first to applaud those words was Duke Gale at my side.

He exaggerated his applause, making sure everyone could hear, and soon the crowds followed suit, erupting in cheers and clapping along with Duke Gale.

Clicking his tongue, Grancesia muttered,

[That duke really is slippery as a snake.]

For once, I couldn’t help but agree with Grancesia.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep