Chapter 104: The Pursuer? (2)

Dejir’s face brimmed with excitement and expectation, but beside him, the four people vigorously shook their heads and hands.

Their eyes looked as though they were witnessing a scene straight from hell.

However, Dejir’s interest in the Swordmaster’s training had grown—beyond infiltration or missions.

Naturally, his gaze was fixed solely on Raion, so he failed to notice the others’ reactions.

Raion responded with a faint smile.

“Your stance is good. But don’t regret it later. If you do, our journey ends right there.”

Perhaps it was because of that slightly pride-provoking tone.

A vein seemed to twitch on Dejir’s forehead.

“As someone who learns the sword, patience and effort are virtues one must possess. I will never quit, of course.”

“…Is that so?”

With that reply, the corners of Raion’s lips curved faintly upward.

At the same time, the four sitting nearby all wore dark expressions.

Of course, Dejir didn’t notice that reaction either.

He simply felt thrilled that he had earned permission to both accompany Raion and train under a Swordmaster.

‘Alright! This persuasion wasn’t hard at all. And training, too!’

***

The Royal Capital of Canel.

Duke Alito Kright was in his residence with Aspar Daker, Commander of the Black Lion Order.

“Have you received any message from the one who was given orders?”

“The last report said he would meet them in Chelon. If he caught up, he would’ve made contact by now.”

“Who was it again?”

The covert mission had been delivered with utmost secrecy.

Because everyone involved was so cautious, even Duke Alito hadn’t been told the details.

“A knight named Dejir Malon.”

“Is his skill trustworthy?”

It was an important mission—to recruit one of the few Swordmasters and an S-rank adventurer in the Canel Kingdom.

It required prudence above all else.

“If it’s just swordsmanship, he’s nearly on par with me.”

“Did I ask about swordsmanship? I asked if he could bring back that Swordmaster named Dragonia.”

“He’s a man with no rough edges. Gets along well with anyone.”

“You mean he’s good at building rapport?”

“Yes. Though, honestly, he’s a bit too talkative for a knight.”

“Hmph…”

Aspar, Commander of the Black Lion Order, was not one to offer praise easily.

He was known for cold, precise judgment—and his remarks were often harsh.

“It won’t be easy, but I judge the chances to be high.”

“I’ll trust your assessment. But tell me—if this Dejir fellow is strong enough to match you, why was he wandering outside the order?”

Normally, knights of such caliber occupied key positions under a Knight Commander.

If he was comparable to Aspar, he should have held a similar rank.

To Duke Alito, the situation seemed strange.

“It was his own wish. The man’s got a bit of wanderlust.”

“A knight with wanderlust, you say?”

“He’s just… a peculiar one.”

“In any case, I’ll look forward to hearing more.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll report immediately when I receive word.”

Commander Aspar then left Alito’s study.

Left alone, Duke Alito walked to the window.

Through it, he could see the royal capital beyond the walls.

“It won’t be long now.”

A faint smile crept across his lips.

His grandsons—Ashuran and Valet, the first and second princes of the Canel Kingdom—were both heavily supporting the revival of his domain.

If things continued as they were, not even King Laskan Canel himself would be able to stop one of them from inheriting the throne.

As that thought crossed his mind, an image of Raion from the coming-of-age ceremony flickered in his memory.

“Hmm…”

The frail and timid boy from back then had completely vanished.

The new Raion—strong and sharp—resembled a young King Laskan Canel almost eerily.

Of course, years had passed since he had last seen him, so change was expected.

Yet the impression he’d left then had been too strong to dismiss.

“No… it can’t be. That boy’s already too late. No matter what he does, he can’t change a thing!”

It was a wish and a grand ambition he had prepared for decades.

A work built upon his entire life—failure was not an option.

“Laskan Canel… your era is over.”

As he muttered to himself, a knock came from the door.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

With that reply, William Kright, heir to House Kright, stepped inside.

William approached and gave a polite bow.

“Father.”

“It’s late. What brings you here?”

“I saw Commander Aspar of the Black Lion Order leaving the residence, so I stopped by.”

“You concern yourself with trivial things. More importantly, why are you still here instead of returning to the territory?”

Normally, the duke should have personally managed the Kright Territory.

But since Alito also served as Chancellor of the Canel Kingdom, he had entrusted that duty to his son.

“There’s still much to be done here. Besides, we can’t leave everything to Her Majesty the Queen, can we?”

Though Queen Elina was his sister, they belonged to opposing factions.

Even as siblings, they kept each other in check, which made it difficult for William to leave the capital.

“You two haven’t changed. You still can’t bring yourself to trust your sister?”

“I trust her. But our positions are different, as you know better than anyone, Father.”

Hearing that, Duke Alito stroked his chin thoughtfully.

His half-lidded eyes seemed to speak in place of words.

Perhaps because of that expression, William continued.

“The surrounding territories of the Kright Domain naturally support you, Father. But the nobles within the capital do not. Of course, I don’t doubt your power—but we can’t ignore the Queen’s influence either.”

“The ones to inherit the throne are your nephews—and my grandsons. For their sake, mind your conduct well.”

“I understand.”

His reply carried a faint edge.

Of course, Duke Alito sensed the thorn in William’s tone.

No matter how he spoke, William would not listen easily.

“Be careful not to let your ambition overreach.”

“I’ll handle it. By the way, why did Commander Aspar visit? There’ve been unsettling rumors from the northern territories lately—is it because of that?”

He was referring to the rumors about an S-rank adventurer and Swordmaster appearing in the Praizen Territory.

William Kright had already gathered information on the rumor, so it wasn’t difficult for him to guess the reason behind Commander Aspar’s visit.

“You already know, so why bother asking? Still, your information network is impressive.”

“You flatter me. I simply act as you’ve taught me, Father. However… do you really think it’s possible to win him over? Even setting aside his status as an S-rank adventurer, the title of Swordmaster alone is more than enough. Besides, I’ve heard he’s a border noble.”

“He won’t easily accept our offer.”

“Then shouldn’t we do more than just leave it to the Black Lion Order?”

The existence of a Swordmaster itself symbolized power—both authority and might.

One needed only to look at King Laskan Canel of the Canel Kingdom, or Duke Saliann Arenvatz of the north, known as the Iron-Blooded General.

Of course, the same applied to Trine Diego, Commander of the royal direct order, the Silver Lion Knights.

Even Duke Alito couldn’t yet find a way to break the web of trust between those three men.

Many nobles who had joined Alito’s faction shared the same concern.

If King Laskan Canel decided to push through succession by force, things would become troublesome indeed.

“We’ll make it possible.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“The matter will take place in the Chelon Territory. What could you possibly do from here? Just stay put.”

It was a reason he couldn’t argue against.

William bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment.

“As you wish. Still, at times like this, I almost wish I were in the Kright Territory.”

The Chelon Territory was adjacent to both the Kright Domain and the Royal Capital to the north.

Distance-wise, they were fairly close, yet not close enough—that vague in-between left him frustrated.

“Go rest now.”

“You should rest as well, Father.”

William left the room.

In the meantime, Duke Alito watched the view of the royal capital for a while longer before heading to his chamber.

***

A man was riding swiftly through the morning roads on horseback.

It was Fred Green, the administrative officer of the Chelon Territory and the lord’s right hand.

Fred approached the territorial knights standing before the Adventurer’s Guild.

“They haven’t left yet, have they?”

“Since last night, no one has come out.”

“I see. Stay here and keep watch.”

Fred entered the Adventurer’s Guild and approached Priscilla, the female clerk preparing for business.

“Oh my! Administrator! It’s been a while.”

“Indeed. How have you been?”

“Nothing much has happened. But what brings you here so early in the morning?”

At her question, Fred leaned in slightly.

“I came to meet the S-rank adventurer staying here.”

“Him? But he’s refused to meet anyone.”

That had been something Raion had officially declared through the guild in advance.

Because of that, even the other nobles of the Chelon Territory hadn’t dared approach him easily.

“Could you at least deliver a letter for me?”

He extended a parchment envelope across the desk.

Priscilla took it with a soft sigh.

“Alright. Since you’re asking so earnestly, I can’t refuse. He didn’t say he wouldn’t accept letters, after all.”

“Could you deliver it now?”

“I’ll go check. But if he’s not awake yet, there’s nothing I can do.”

“I’ll be counting on you.”

With that, Priscilla went upstairs.

She stopped in front of Raion’s room and knocked.

Knock, knock—

After a brief silence, the door opened.

There stood Raion, his red hair shimmering lightly.

“What is it?”

“…The administrator of the territory asked me to deliver this letter.”

“The administrator?”

That meant a direct subordinate of the local lord.

During his stay in Chelon over the past few days, it was the first time someone from the lord’s side had sought him out.

“He said it would be difficult to meet you in person, so he gave me this letter.”

She handed him the envelope.

Raion accepted it, opened it immediately, and began reading.

As his gaze followed the contents, his eyes widened.

“The administrator who sent this—he’s downstairs right now?”

“He should be.”

Raion’s gaze turned down the hall toward another room.

It was where his companions were staying—among them, Dejir, who had recently joined the group.

“Please tell the administrator I’ll come down as soon as I’m ready.”

“Should I inform your companions as well?”

Priscilla asked preemptively, knowing Raion was of noble status.

But Raion shook his head.

“No need. I’ll go down alone. If they ask for me later, just explain the situation.”

With that, Raion returned to his room to prepare.

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