Chapter 56
Chapter 56
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Dragon Demon Prince (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Yeah. It’s the first time I’ve seen Sis and Master talk so enthusiastically about someone else.”
It seemed they’d discussed Azel during a family gathering right after returning to the palace.
Seiga said,
“And it’s also to express my thanks.”
“Thanks?”
“Sis said she wouldn’t have made it out alive without you. Thank you for protecting her, Sir Azel.”
His cool demeanor belied the sincerity in his words. Azel replied,
“Not at all. I only did what I was happy to do.”
“There aren’t many in this world who could. Sis is strong. But for a woman to bear the burden of fighting to uphold the royal honor all by herself? It’s absurd. She’s always pushing herself too hard, and now they’re forcing even more on her... She could stand to think a little more about her own happiness.”
Seiga let out a sigh and continued.
“I’ve heard you’re exceptionally skilled, Sir Azel. Any interest in becoming my knight? I’d make sure you’re well compensated.”
“Thank you for the high regard despite this being our first meeting, but I have personal matters that require me to go elsewhere, so I can’t accept. My apologies.”
“Hmm. I heard Sis knighted you. Any thoughts of serving under her?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Really as Sis said—no interest in advancement?”
“At least for now. I have more pressing priorities...”
“I’ve heard you have circumstances you can’t disclose. I won’t pry. Still, it’s a shame. I haven’t been at this long, so I could use more capable hands.”
“Even without me, don’t you have plenty of talented people vying for Your Highness’s service?”
“The ones the palace lends me each time aren’t enough. I need people working directly under me, but regrettably, I don’t have many yet. Veterans all have their established positions, and pulling them over creates friction. In the end, I have to recruit those without much standing but with great potential, and that’s no easy task.”
“I see.”
It was a conversation unfit for a young boy. Yet it was clear that, raised as royalty, he fully grasped the significance of his work and the challenges in handling people.
“Sis faces the same issues... Unfortunately, she has no intention of expanding her direct retinue. She needs people to support her more proactively, but she hates the idea of anyone sacrificing for her sake, so she ends up overexerting herself and diving into danger every time. I want to lighten Sis’s load. For that, I need capable people.”
Seiga hoped his own activities could ease Arieta’s burdens. That was why he’d come to recruit Azel...
‘He’s certainly an odd one...’
Like Arieta and Kairen, Seiga sensed the faint aura of dragon demon power from Azel. But compared to a full Dragonkin or Dragon Demon Hybrid, it was so subtle that he only found it peculiar.
‘Sis and Master must have exaggerated a bit.’
Stripping away that aura, Azel’s mana wasn’t particularly impressive yet. It was only natural, then, that Seiga—who was meeting him for the first time—didn’t sense him as a powerhouse. Even without revealing mana fluctuations, a true powerhouse’s immense strength would be detectable within.
Seiga didn’t trust others’ evaluations of specific individuals. He had to see for himself to be satisfied.
Word about Azel had already spread widely. Not just from Arieta’s mentions, but the royal knights who’d gone to greet her had witnessed his bout with Kairen and made a huge fuss. Yet after meeting and judging Azel firsthand, Seiga concluded the tales were overstated.
‘Well, he’s human after all. I expected too much.’
Seiga was confident in his own strength. Aside from his master Kairen, he believed few could surpass him.
This wasn’t mere youthful arrogance. It was backed by real combat experience. In his first real battle this year—and the two that followed—he’d dominated.
After training under Kairen, he’d faced many humans. None had truly impressed him as strong. Even the royal knights’ so-called supreme swordmaster couldn’t match him. This led Seiga to subtly hold the prejudice that humans excelled in technique but fell short in overall combat prowess.
“Oh, and I don’t want to thank you for saving Sis with mere words. Is there anything you desire? If not, I’ll compensate you with wealth.”
“Hm. In that case... could you grant me access to the palace library?”
“The palace library?”
Seiga looked puzzled. It was a request he hadn’t anticipated at all.
Azel said,
“Yes. I’d like to read the books there. Permission to enter anytime would be greatly appreciated.”
“That’s no trouble. I’ll put in the word, and to be safe, have them issue you a pass.”
“Thank you.”
“Then I’ll take my leave. It was a pleasure talking.”
“Safe travels.”
After receiving Azel’s courtesy, Seiga departed with his attendants waiting outside.
Azel muttered,
“This might get annoying while I’m in the palace... Hm.”
4
His premonition proved spot on.
Starting the very next day, Azel was buried under a mountain of invitations and gifts, clutching his head.
“Oh man.”
That was high society for you. They obsessed over people more than any entertainment, throwing themselves into social activities. Especially in the capital, where peers for mingling were plentiful and culture and trends ran at the cutting edge, the tendency was extreme.
So they never left a standout alone.
Princess Arieta had never once used her knighting authority. For her to knight someone without even a loyalty oath? It was bound to cause a stir.
Moreover, from what her traveling companions said, he’d shone brilliantly against Dragon Demon Worshippers targeting her. To the point where even the living legend, the Dragon Sword Duke, had praised him. According to Sir Berang—who’d stepped up to escort her—he’d even traded blows evenly with the duke.
With such tales spreading, it was no surprise the capital’s nobles—ever sensitive to rumors and sparkling at the sight of something novel—showered him with attention.
“Wow, lucky you.”
Enora’s eyes sparkled as she arrived to invite Azel to lunch. He replied indifferently.
“What’s lucky about it?”
“You shot to stardom in high society overnight. Everyone from lords to ladies sending invitations and gifts just to catch a glimpse? For a noble girl, it’s a dream come true.”
“...Maybe because I’m not a noble girl, but it doesn’t thrill me.”
He wasn’t exactly unfamiliar with this, so he felt no excitement. Before sleeping, nobles had fawned over him with admiration—even royalty begging for stories, audiences, or martial guidance.
“And these gifts are kinda... Enora, want this perfume?”
Among Azel’s haul were perfumes, scarves, silver-adorned accessories—mostly women’s items. Enora’s eyes lit up.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I don’t need them. Take anything else you want, too.”
Azel had no intention of returning the gifts.
To commoners, they were eye-popping luxuries sent with invitations. But to nobles, they were mere courtesy gestures for face. Refusing as “too expensive” would be rude. To have grounds to decline, the refusal gift would need to match their combined value.
Plus, they weren’t needless favors. High society demanded proper attire. Nobles sent them to spare invitees embarrassment from improper dress. Women’s items were part of that.
Enora beamed.
“Wow, Sir Azel, you’re actually a really nice guy!”
“...Saying that now makes it sound like I’ve been a total jerk until this point.”
“But is it really okay? You might need them if you attend. If it’s because you lack a lady to accompany you, I could introduce some sisters I know...”
Palace maids were all noble-born. Give them a chance to enter society, and their eyes sparkled. Being escorted by the man of the hour? They’d be dying for it.
Azel clicked his tongue.
“No end to what a young lady can’t say. Get lost.”
“Palace maids are selected for looks—they’re all beauties. They carry themselves as nobles, too. Still no interest?”
“Enora, slyly gilding yourself as a beauty, huh?”
“Oh my. Denying it?”
“Enora’s more cute than pretty.”
“Talk like that, and you’ll have no luck with women, Sir Azel.”
Seeing Enora pout, Azel burst out laughing. Then he said,
“Anyway, I appreciate the goodwill, but I’ll pass. I’m not attending any of these.”
“What? You’re serious?”
Enora asked incredulously.
It was a golden opportunity for Azel, freshly knighted. Even skilled warriors struggled without backing. Mingling with nobles to build connections was invaluable.
Young as she was, Enora understood this from palace service. She could only assume Azel was naive to the ways of the world.
“Sir Azel, think again. You can’t manufacture chances like this. Miss it, and no matter your skill, you could spend life in dead-end posts, never earning merit.”
“...Wow, Enora. I’m impressed.”
“Huh?”
“You sound like a worldly adult who’s seen it all.”
“Be serious when I’m being serious.”
Enora pouted again. Azel laughed.
“It’s a compliment. You’re a noble from the countryside, still young, yet you’ve nailed the pulse of capital high society. Impressive, especially with less than a year in palace service. You’re sharp, Enora. Makes sense—you wouldn’t be the princess’s personal maid without quick wits and smarts.”
“Ugh, saying such embarrassing praise to my face.”
Azel’s genuine admiration flushed Enora’s cheeks.
Azel said,
“I get your concern. But I’m not keen on advancing that way. At least for now, I want my freedom—no diving into hassles yet.”
“Sigh. You’re weird, Sir Azel.”
“Well, by palace maid Enora’s standards, sure. Anyway, grab what you want quick. The princess is waiting.”
Soon Enora picked through the pile of women’s goods, grinning ear to ear as she left Azel’s quarters.