Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 95. Knight Evaluation Match (4)
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I stepped out of the annex and arrived in the corridor.
Only then could I let out a sigh of relief.
‘For some reason, the First Imperial Princess’s gaze felt especially intimidating today….’
It didn’t seem like outright killing intent.
But the chilling sensation wasn’t pleasant at all.
It was like an animal instinct screaming at me to run.
I wasn’t the only one feeling unsettled.
The other knights who had finished the first evaluation had hair as disheveled as Miya’s, and they all looked dazed from the cruel test methods of Lea.
“Damn… this is too much. Who runs an evaluation like this?”
“Even for Her Highness the Princess, that was over the line…”
The group muttered among themselves, keeping a safe distance so the imperial family wouldn’t overhear.
Rather than blaming their own skills, they’d decided to resent Lea’s cold ruthlessness.
‘Instead of complaining, they should train more…’
As I thought that, I glanced back at the sound of footsteps from behind.
“The failures are being noisy.”
A voice that echoed my exact thoughts.
I turned to look at its owner.
“If you’re dissatisfied with failing, work harder. How dare you resent Her Highness the Princess?”
He stood nearly 190 cm tall.
A man with blond hair slicked back neatly with pomade.
“Are you lot even proud knights of the imperial guard, acting like this?”
Swordmaster. Son of the Imperial Knight Order Captain.
Richard Stonefield.
“Ahem. Let’s go…”
“Sorry, Richard. We were just saying the evaluation format was disappointing…”
The prideful nobles shrank back at Richard’s sharp rebuke.
Afterward, they scattered while glancing around cautiously.
“…”
Thanks to that, the corridor fell silent.
And soon, only three of us remained: me, Senior Miya, and him.
“Long time no see, Richard?”
I waved with a grin, but he glared at me murderously.
“Your face has healed up nicely? Glad to hear it.”
I tapped my cheek with my finger.
He replied in a cold voice.
“Still as smug as ever, Veil Mikhail.”
‘He’s not as angry as I expected. Even after getting thoroughly beaten at the appointment ceremony.’
“Come with me. You and I are in the same group for the second evaluation.”
Richard walked down the corridor with an expressionless face.
But soon, he turned his head at the burdensome gaze he felt.
“And who might you be…?”
Despite the overwhelming height difference, Miya stared up at him rigidly.
She looked at the famous imperial genius swordsman Richard with curiosity.
“Nice to meet you, Richard. I’m Veil’s senior, Miya!”
“Oh… is that so…?”
What’s this? His face said, wondering why someone from the Water Affairs Office was so brazen.
He seemed quite uncomfortable with Miya’s cat-like eyes.
“Heh heh… I’ve heard of your reputation. Son of a Swordmaster and candidate for Vice Captain of the Imperial Knights, right?”
“…”
Richard cleared his throat awkwardly, weak to praise.
“As for me, I’m like a mentor who’s taught Veil all sorts of things.”
He showed interest at the claim that Miya was like my teacher.
He glanced at me, as if asking if this stray cat’s words were true.
“…”
In response, I just smiled and nodded silently.
“The second evaluation is on administration, so leave it to me.”
Miya declared confidently, hands on her hips.
“Yes, then I’ll rely on you this time.”
I chuckled and straightened Miya’s messy hair.
Then, together, we opened the door to the Third Imperial Princess’s office, the site of the second evaluation.
The door revealed a small study.
Three chairs were placed before a luxurious table.
Across the table sat the Third Imperial Princess, Lydia, alone.
She glanced at us over glasses she didn’t usually wear.
“Come in. I am Lydia Andalusia, the second evaluation examiner.”
The princess set down the document she’d been reading.
She gestured for us to sit.
“Ooh… Lady Lydia, whom I nearly served…!”
Miya muttered in an excited voice.
“It’s truly an honor to meet you!”
She bowed her head politely in greeting.
But the princess wore a cold, expressionless mask.
“Hmph. Flattery won’t earn you extra points from me.”
She brushed off Miya’s enthusiastic greeting with icy words.
“Of course. I’ll prove myself with skill, not flattery—”
Miya grinned instead.
She countered the cold charisma of the eastern sovereign with her bright energy.
“Hmm—fine. Let’s see if you’re worthy of those seats.”
Lydia alternated her gaze between Miya, seated next to me, and me as she spoke.
“I don’t give exams where you scribble answers on paper. Too tedious.”
The Third Imperial Princess stood up.
Dressed in an academy-style blouse, knit vest, and skirt, she crossed her arms alone.
“I prefer face-to-face evaluations.”
The princess’s red eyes gleamed.
And her first prey was Richard, the top knight of the Imperial Knight Order.
“Richard, what do you think is the biggest problem in the capital’s knight orders right now?”
The blond man closed his eyes briefly at the princess’s question.
Then, as if resolved, he opened his blue eyes sharply and answered.
“I believe it’s the inequality in training.”
Inequality in training.
I never imagined those words coming from Richard’s mouth.
Lydia felt the same.
She looked at Richard with interest at his unexpected answer.
“I didn’t expect that from you, Richard. What makes you think so?”
The famed swordsman met the examiner’s eyes with a serious gaze.
“I realized it during the recent knight appointment ceremony.”
He stated confidently.
“That I wasn’t the strongest—not because others lacked talent, but because they didn’t get the chance to grow.”
He glanced at me.
“I want to compete fairly with my peers, regardless of background, under equal conditions.”
Richard clenched his fist tightly.
He continued, radiating strong determination.
“Of course, beyond my personal desire, it’s a crucial issue for the empire’s knight orders.”
The blond knight went on.
“With few noble knights receiving higher education and the empire’s vast territory, I believe commoner knights need access to excellent instructors too.”
Richard laid out his opinion clearly.
Then, he bowed his head politely.
“Hm, that sounds plausible.”
Lydia plopped back into her chair.
She pushed up her slipping glasses and said.
“That’s a commendable thought.”
Was it hypocrisy, tailored to Lydia’s known care for the common folk?
I glanced over at him.
Richard met my eyes.
He was still glaring at me with murderous intensity.
‘No. It’s just his competitive spirit wanting a rematch on equal footing.’
The guy was simply a hot-blooded young swordsman.
“Good, Richard. I’ll consider submitting your opinion later.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Richard placed a hand over his heart and showed proper respect.
‘Strange. In my past life, Richard was arrogant and卑劣…’
He felt different this time around.
Maybe people only straighten up after a good beating.
I looked at him with satisfaction.
But my expression soon hardened coldly.
“Next, you in the middle.”
Unlike with Richard, the Third Imperial Princess fixed Miya with a terrifying glare.
“Me…?”
“Yes, you—the one who’s been cozying up to Veil since entering the evaluation room.”
Her red eyes sharpened like a leopard’s.
The cat pierced by that gaze bristled all over.
“…”
Lydia didn’t question Senior immediately.
She simply scrutinized her appearance.
Voluptuous figure and short skirt.
Plus a seductive beauty mark perfect for flirting with men.
Her gaze said Miya sitting next to me was extremely irritating.
“I’ve heard about the recent laziness in the Water Affairs Office. You know how much it’s hurt the hardworking knights because of you, right?”
Miya swallowed hard at the princess’s attack.
In truth, she was one of the few hard workers there… but the eastern princess had no way of knowing.
“Your Highness. Unlike those singled out, Senior Miya has received excellent evaluations.”
I forced a smile and explained to Lydia that it was a misunderstanding.
But the Third Imperial Princess paid it no mind.
“Hmph… We’ll see.”
She raised a finger.
“Now, shall I ask a question?”
She pointed at Miya like a death sentence and posed the problem.
“The empire’s east currently has many immigrants gathering. However, facilities are woefully inadequate compared to the influx. What’s the most essential facility to solve this?”
Lydia chuckled like a little devil.
‘Eastern issues for Miya, who’s lived her whole life in the capital’s north…!’
It was clearly a cruel question prepared to torment her senior.
“…”
I cautiously looked down at Miya.
Sweat beaded on her forehead from the difficult question.
Even for an administration whiz like her, this wouldn’t be easy.
‘The princesses seem unusually harsh on Miya today…’
At this rate, Senior wouldn’t just miss high marks—she’d fail.
“Ugh…”
Miya groaned.
Lydia shook her twintails, enjoying the sound.
“…”
I stealthily moved my finger.
Then, slowly on her thigh, I…
wrote the hint ‘well’.
“…!”
Miya shivered at the sensation on her skin.
But she soon caught on, nodding.
“Hmm—taking too long to answer? Should I count this as a forfeit?”
Lydia glared down at Miya with beastly killing intent.
And just as she was about to declare failure.
“A well…!”
Miya shouted the answer at the perfect timing.
“I would build wells in each village.”
Lydia narrowed her eyes at Senior’s response.
“What…?”
She’d thought it would finish her in one blow.
But displeased now that an answer came.
“A well? You saying there’s even groundwater in the barren east?”
“Yes… I read articles about recent hot springs discovered in the eastern region.”
As expected of an administration expert.
She even knew details about the east.
“With that, building wells per area would make it easier to control populations by district and solve drinking water distribution!”
Lydia’s lip curled at Miya’s correct answer.
“Hmph… Seems you’ve studied the east quite a bit.”
Still, she looked displeased.
Clearly reluctant to give high marks.
‘What now… Can’t manipulate the princess’s mind too.’
I cleared my throat and looked at Miya.
She activated her signature survival skills that had even won over Loopers.
“Of course! I’ve studied diligently because I’ve always admired you, Lady Lydia!”
“What…? Me?”
The Third Imperial Princess tilted her head.
Her twintails danced accordingly.
“Yes, your charisma in uniting the chaotic east with immigrants at such a young age—and your beautiful looks too!”
Miya stood up, voice bubbling with excitement.
She politely pointed at the princess’s hair with her palm and said.
“Especially those twintails—they’re so cute!”
A cat mounting a young leopard.
Lydia panicked at the unfamiliar prey turning the tables.
“Y-you dare call imperial blood cute?”
“Yes, and whoever picked your outfit—it suits your style perfectly.”
Miya commented on the clothes I’d chosen for Lydia.
“Ahem…”
The princess covered her mouth with her fist.
She composed herself against Miya’s unexpected flattery assault.
“Well, I appreciate that.”
Lydia removed her unneeded glasses.
She calmly jotted notes on Miya’s evaluation form.
“Your answer was fine…, and your attitude isn’t bad. I’ll pass your evaluation here.”
I glanced up at Lydia’s pen.
It marked an A in Miya’s score box.
‘As expected…’
The moment Miya’s knowledge and savvy—honed to become Lydia’s guard—shone.
Senior looked up at me warmly.
She sent a subtle wink as a signal.
‘Thanks, Veil…!’
‘No problem. You answered well.’
Lydia turned Miya’s evaluation sheet.
She gripped the paper with my name and spoke.
“Now, your turn. Veil Mikhail.”
Unlike with Miya, she smiled as she looked at me.
Her red eyes fixed on me.
“I’m ready, Your Highness.”
I bowed deeply with proper respect.
‘Wonder what question she’ll hit me with.’
Lydia’s questions were definitely high-level.
Especially the one for Miya—impossible without deep east knowledge.
‘So mine will be tough too…?’
I swallowed hard and raised my head.
And at that moment.
“In the empire, men and women originally can’t share rooms past age 19.”
I met the princess’s oddly sticky gaze.
“So, we’re changing it so 19-year-olds who’ve passed their birthdays can share….”
The princess’s red eyes stared straight at me.
Like a young leopard on the hunt herself.
“Do you approve, Veil Mikhail?”
My eye twitched.
As far as I knew, Lydia was currently 19.
‘What the hell kind of question is this!!’