Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.27 – The Knight Doesn't Want to Return to Duty (3)
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White Silver Lion Knights.
They were the kingdom's finest knight order.
Three hundred knights in total.
Considering the personnel costs for each knight were nearly equivalent to the price of a top racehorse, one might wonder how they could possibly manage to operate with so many.
Fortunately, the salary for White Silver Lion members was pathetically low compared to other knight orders.
Why? Simple.
The White Silver Lion Knights weren't a place where knights received money—they were a knight order knights paid to join.
A storied legitimacy that began alongside the Pendragon dynasty's history.
Countless legends befitting that long heritage.
And the symbolism proving an eternal alliance with Grand Duke Lionel.
To belong to the White Silver Lion Knights meant becoming an heir to that legitimacy, those legends, and that symbolism.
Thus, the sons of high nobles all desperately hoped to enlist.
There was no greater honor, no better chance to forge ties with the royal family.
Which made them elites who had clawed through competition rates of thousands to one.
Hic!
"Gasp!"
"Wh-why is that guy...?"
"I heard he was demoted!"
"Fl-flee, don't make eye contact..."
"......"
...Though that didn't necessarily mean they'd earned it through fair competition.
'Still the same old here.'
The White Silver Lion uniform he wore after so long felt unbearably tight.
Was it because his muscles had grown since last time, or had his frame broadened?
Either way, it was damn uncomfortable.
As he endured the ill-fitting uniform and walked on, gazes poured in from all around.
From the 1st Knight Division and 2nd Knight Division of the White Silver Lion Knights, all the way to the 3rd, where he belonged.
Not a single friendly look among them.
Lee Han wasn't particularly fond of them either, so he didn't care, but he couldn't help sneering inwardly.
It wasn't because of their petty hostility.
Simply...
'Did I wander into enemy territory?'
A sense of alienation hit him, as if questioning whether this place—his original workplace—had always been like this.
It was unmistakably his old job, yet it felt disgustingly like stepping into a viper's nest.
After dealing only with the pure-hearted cadets at the academy and upstanding knights like the Blood Eagle Squadron lately, returning to a den of these 'vipers' was hard to adjust to.
'Man, it's been less than five months since I left, but this place feels so foreign.'
Hadn't he once said it himself?
The knight order was like the major leagues.
Just as talented players rose from minor leagues through fierce competition, the knights here were undeniably 'talents.'
But this was the palace, the heart of the capital.
A place where raw personal strength alone couldn't ensure survival...
It was a realm where political savvy was essential.
And surviving the palace ecosystem meant getting entangled in politics, one way or another.
Thus, over 80% of the White Silver Lion Knights were relatives of palace officials or their sponsored protégés.
The 1st Division belonged to the royalist faction, the 2nd to the noble faction.
The 3rd was a gathering of lower nobles or oddballs.
Lee Han found it all ridiculous.
Like the major leagues mixed with factionalism, connections, and bloodline nepotism—a total mess.
Anyway.
'My standards have gotten too high.'
After seeing only proper knights, looking at these slimy snakes made him sigh.
And moreover.
'How can they show zero progress?'
Their level was so low it was disappointing.
He remembered some faces and was certain: not a single one had improved in the past few months.
Major-league talent wasted not on the sword, but on political infighting...
'Ugh, it's infuriating.'
Was this occupational hazard?
Having become a teacher, he now acutely felt how maddening it was to watch talents rot unused.
And the woman giving him this frustration...
No.
Not just any woman, but...
"—Crown Princess Isis Irene de Pendragon. Knight Lee Han has come at your summons and requests an audience."
A baron's attendant announced in a polite yet clear voice.
And so.
[Come hither.]
An imugi on the verge of ascension had called him, and Lee Han entered the White Lion Palace with the displeasure of stepping into a snake pit.
Ambrosia.
A legendary elixir said to exist in ancient times.
It wasn't the type that restored potential or power like other spirit medicines.
If anything...
- Ambrosia?! That elixir said to cure every curse and disease in the world, even congenital allergies and chronic conditions!?
- It even handles allergies?
- No way..., so it really exists...
The explanation from his all-purpose status window, boasting the finest alchemy knowledge he knew, and Lee Han nodded, glad he'd asked.
- Can you make it, by any chance?
He had no intention of being dragged around by that tyrannical older sister forever, so he'd asked Taechang if it could produce Ambrosia as a way to escape.
Taechang, who had handled even the Heart of the Demon King, sparked a sliver of hope...
- Hmm, I don't think it's possible.
- ......
...But the answer was negative.
Lee Han pressed with a slightly anxious expression.
- Is it a lack of materials? If so, I'll procure them.
- No, it's not about materials.
- Then no recipe? If that's it...
- No. The recipe is actually simple. Just mix mandragora, siren's tears, and queen bee wax.
- ...You know it that well, so why can't you make it?
- Only witches can.
- ??
- It's an elixir only witches among the mystical races can create. It requires a witch's touch, witch's mana, and witch's mystery. How could an ordinary human like me make a witch's elixir?
- Then how was this made?
- Probably hired a witch. Whoever made this has impressive connections. Witches are the hardest mystical race to meet—odds like 0.000001%?
- So that means...
- Our chances of meeting a witch and getting Ambrosia are abysmal too. Even if we did, witches despise humans so much they'd probably kill us on sight?
- Urgh...!
For a moment, the haughty princess's face flashed before his eyes.
Sneering, as if.
'Pitiful little brother, do you think I don't see through your shallow schemes? Best stop your futile tricks, heh heh.'
Defeat.
Lee Han wanted to clutch his neck at feeling such humiliation without losing in sword or fist.
Anyway.
'Playing with people like toys.'
He looked at her without hiding his sullen mood.
Isis.
She greeted him with a laughing face, as if immensely amused.
"So, did you like the gift I gave you?"
"...Yes, I'm tearfully grateful."
"That's fortunate, hee hee."
"......"
"Then I suppose I should claim my reward for the gift."
Swish.
"Kiss it."
"......"
...She extended her foot, urging him to kiss the back of it, and Lee Han's expression...
"...Sis, your tastes are a bit..."
Respecting his stepsister's peculiar sexual preferences was one thing, but forcing them on others? His face said that crossed a line.
White Lion Palace.
The symbolic residence where only the next in line to the throne among the royals could stay.
Entering the White Lion Palace was an honor and mark of success for nobles and knights alike—what greater privilege?
And the current mistress was none other than Isis Pendragon.
Her debutante beauty, hailed as the kingdom's fairest, was still legendary. Tales persisted of a foreign royal smitten to lovesickness, still courting her.
Though she no longer appeared at parties as years passed, she remained the kingdom's top beauty.
Her royal blood promised her youthful twenties for another century.
Thus, nobles and knights dying to enter the White Lion Palace overflowed.
The moment of entry granted the honor of a loyalty kiss to the royal—nay, the heir.
And those craving such glory...
"Insolent worm, everyone from men to women is dying to kiss my foot."
"Are the people in this country okay? Nothing but perverts with weird tastes..."
"You brat."
Crack!
Her fan ignited and struck Lee Han's head.
But.
"...My wrist hurts more."
"Your head's gotten harder lately; maybe the hitter feels it more."
"Hmm, so your skills have improved further? Glad tidings."
"......"
Rubbing her sore wrist, Isis's eyes gleamed coldly.
Like what?
A bear already full of tricks now mastering somersaults—kindling eager anticipation.
"...Shouldn't have said that."
Meeting her gaze, Lee Han regretted his loose words.
Truly, the root of all evil was this mouth of his.
"Haa..."
But he soon shook his head.
As if discarding needless worries or defiance.
And then.
"...Sis."
"What is it?"
"I'm guessing you didn't summon me with that ridiculous 'temporary reinstatement' wordplay just to assign some convoluted task. Am I right?"
"Ho, teaching has sharpened your instincts."
"Skip it. I have three questions—may I ask?"
"Hee hee, others would call that insolence, but I'll graciously allow it this once."
"Taking that as permission, three questions. First: Is the knight order that short-staffed? Enough to call in a guy like me?"
"Yes."
"......"
"We are. Embarrassing to admit, but no one reliable enough to trust with real work. And those there are, are all politicized lunatics. How could I rely on them?"
"Then vet your recruits properly."
"To do that, I'd have to dethrone Father. Will you help?"
"...Failure means rebellion—no, filial impiety on another level."
"Successful impiety is revolution."
"Pr-pretend I didn't hear that."
The conversation was mind-boggling, so Lee Han hurried on.
"Second question: Why not meet secretly like always, instead of dragging me to the White Lion Palace with that lame 'honoring the hero who saved the capital' excuse?"
Yes—if just giving orders, do it covertly.
No need to spread it everywhere.
On his way here, the most repeated phrase was that absurd 'hero who saved the capital' title.
Shame beyond shame.
To this.
"Why is that shameful? For a knight, fame is priceless, a glory for three generations."
She sounded puzzled, but seeing her eyes crinkle like half-moons, Lee Han was certain.
'This auntie...!'
She'd done it on purpose to tease him.
Knowing he hated fame and attention.
Damn, what a nasty personality.
"Hee hee, joking. How could I not know you dislike fame and stares? This time, I lacked chances for a tryst, so I made an excuse to meet here openly. Understand."
"Fine, just drop that 'tryst' word. There's 'nighttime stroll'—it's... unpleasant."
"...Insolent fool. Youths dying for a tryst with me, and you spurn the honor."
"Give that honor to them."
"......"
"Sigh, onto the third question."
Thud.
Lee Han pulled a vial from his pocket.
A luxurious bottle containing a liquid shimmering brilliantly. Isis smirked.
"You haven't drunk it yet."
"It won't be perfect anyway, right? Weak effects. I'll drink if needed later."
"This one's high purity—should last a week. Good for venting pent-up desires."
"......"
"Tempted just now? I can introduce pretty girls if you want. Ones eager for a night of fun..."
"Ahem, no need! I brought it because I have a question."
Ambrosia.
The one-and-only means to lift his curse.
Yet Lee Han hadn't drunk it.
He wanted the thrill immediately, but first, he needed confirmation.
"About this. Wondering if it works on others too."
"......"
"Someone... afflicted with a curse-like thing..."
Hesitation colored his words.
Was it right to reveal this?
Moral qualms about sharing another's secret...
"—The Mark of Submission is a curse, but laced with magic. Ambrosia alone might not suffice."
"......"
...What didn't this auntie know?
"Do you have clairvoyance or something?"
"Sadly no. Just many ways to gather info, hee hee."
"......"
This bordered on horror.
'Royalty in rofans can be incompetent, right?'
Why so competent?
...Lee Han found her a bit scary now.
"......Hoo."
Lee Han left the White Lion Palace feeling like his mentality had been threshed.
Conversing with the marquis was tough, but this sister doubled the fatigue.
Still...
'Not without gains.'
He was satisfied with the positive response.
- To answer: Ambrosia alone won't do, but there's a way to make it possible.
- Then...
- But why should I invest such effort?
- ......
- Don't make that face. Handle this job well, and I'll grant any wish.
- ...I did save the capital...
- Tit for tat—I procured the gunpowder. And this marquis affair...
- ......
...Words alone, he couldn't win.
"Aigh, my fate."
Trying to play mentor, and this is the hardship?
"...If she were a bit more wicked, I wouldn't go this far."
The ring on his finger.
Why did he trust her so?
Lee Han chuckled, feeling the ring's texture.
Exhausted, yet somehow invigorated.
As he savored the mood alone...
"—You! The parasite leeching off Princess Isis!!"
"......?"
"You! I'll kill y—."
Thwack!!
"Guhk...!"
"What the hell, this idiot?"
Lee Han punched the jaw of the stranger picking a fight on sight; the man went slack-eyed and fainted instantly.
Thud.
"...What to do?"
Grabbing the collar, Lee Han pondered.
Beat more? Or until he wakes?
No mercy once hostility showed.
As he mulled...
"Huh? This guy's hair..."
...White as silver?
"......"
Lee Han blinked.
As far as he knew, white hair meant...
"8th Prince! Where is the 8th Prince?!"
"Captain!"
"Find the Captain...!"
...Knights' voices from afar.
Lee Han realized in a flash.
The 1st Division's captain.
A prince who renounced succession rights but remained royal—the 8th Prince.
"......Ah."
He grasped it the moment he recognized the fool he'd hit was the 8th Prince.
...This is bad. Real bad.