Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: 36. Know Yourself and Know Your Enemy: Invincible in a Hundred Battles (3)
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Arwen, having finally calmed her father down, asked my permission to speak with him privately for a moment.
I told her to go ahead, and she dragged him out.
Siorin Kirguyen's beaming smile didn't look like the face of someone being dragged away.
From outside the door came the sound of father and daughter bickering.
"Why did you come all the way here?"
"I received His Majesty's summons."
"Don't lie. I know you volunteered."
"As expected, my daughter knows her father well."
"You didn't say anything strange to His Highness, did you?"
"I didn't. Do I look like the kind of man who can't separate public from private?"
"You have a track record, so I'm asking."
"Why are you overreacting like this? Is there really something you know that I don't?"
Fatigue was already creeping into Arwen's voice. But Siorin Kirguyen paid it no mind, persistently clinging to his daughter like always.
Arwen urged him several times to go back home, but he insisted it was too late to turn back now.
In the end, the one raising both hands in surrender was Arwen.
"Just promise me one thing. Then I won't meddle in Father's duties anymore."
"How is a daughter concerning herself with her father's work overstepping?"
"Before I'm the daughter of House Kirguyen, I'm His Highness's knight. Keep that in mind."
Siorin Kirguyen readily agreed to Arwen's curt interruption.
"I promise I won't put you in a difficult spot in official settings."
"As Your Highness's guard knight, I'm always on duty from sunrise, regardless of His Majesty's convenience. Don't forget that."
"This father volunteered for a long journey just to see you. How can you be so cold? If you care about me at all, surely you can spare a little time for a chat."
"I can't."
"Not even a little...?"
"Not even a little."
Arwen's razor-sharp response left even me feeling awkward just listening.
"I'll do as you say. Still, seeing your face like this makes me happy, and knowing you're healthy makes me even happier."
Siorin Kirguyen's voice sank low, lonely like autumn leaves swept by a chilly wind.
"I... I'm happy to see Father's face too. I'm so relieved you're safe and well."
Arwen's voice, stumbling through words of reunion, had softened noticeably.
"Even empty words are welcome. But I know you don't think much of your father, so don't strain yourself. I'll try not to get in your way while you're on duty..."
By now, it was obvious.
This Siorin Kirguyen was deliberately putting on a pitiful act.
"That's not true! I've never once thought that way about you. Father, you've led House Kirguyen splendidly, and I've always respected you for it. If I've seemed cold, it's because you always treat me like your little girl instead of a knight..."
And just like that, Arwen fell perfectly for her father's hook.
"I see. Hugging you like this, I can tell you've grown up."
"Father..."
It must have turned into an emotional embrace, because Arwen's voice sounded muffled, like it was buried in his collar.
"Father, let go now..."
"My daughter, my little bird! My Arl! It's been years since I held you like this! Father feels like he's dreaming!"
But the sentiment didn't last. Siorin Kirguyen's voice grew wildly excited, and soon Arwen's disgusted protests rang out as she shoved him away.
"You did that on purpose again!"
"My feelings for you are always sincere, so it's not on purpose—it's from the heart."
It sounded like something he'd done more than once or twice.
The sounds of Arwen scolding her father faded from outside the door, and soon it opened again.
"Your Highness. Thanks to your consideration, I was able to speak openly with my daughter. I can only express my deepest gratitude."
Siorin, looking thoroughly pleased, spoke shamelessly.
Arwen's face was flushed bright red—whether from anger, embarrassment over what she'd said to her father, or both, I couldn't tell.
It was just novel to see such a range of expressions on her usually impassive face.
Arwen gave me a brief thanks and apology before vanishing right away.
Now it was just Siorin Kirguyen and me again.
He'd reverted to the haughty, icy demeanor from our first meeting.
After putting on full display every embarrassing act imaginable, now he acted dignified.
It was so ridiculous I let out a hollow laugh.
Ignoring me completely, Siorin brazenly discussed the upcoming schedule before leaving.
"What an odd fellow."
I shook my head as I stared at the spot where Siorin Kirguyen had departed.
Not long after he left, Marquis Billefeldt arrived.
"I passed Count Kirguyen on the way here."
"He just left."
No sooner had he entered than the marquis, acting right at home, pulled a bottle from the display case and asked about my first impression of him.
"He dotes on his daughter terribly."
The marquis chuckled at my words, saying that aside from his excessive affection for his eldest daughter, Siorin Kirguyen's capabilities were beyond question. As he sipped his drink and chatted idly, the marquis suddenly grew serious.
"Every step you take will be thorny, and everyone you meet will test Your Highness's patience."
His words weren't much different from what the king had told me. My response was the same too.
That I'd lived no differently even in the kingdom.
"Please take care."
"Already?"
"His Majesty gave me separate orders, so I must leave the capital early tomorrow."
From the marquis's expression, it was clearly something secretive and important.
"Whatever it is, I hope it goes well."
"I hope Your Highness achieves all your goals and returns safely."
I proposed a toast to the marquis, who spoke softly.
"May endless glory and safety grace Prince Your Highness's path."
"And yours as well, Marquis."
We clinked glasses, and the marquis downed his drink in one go.
"Then I'll be off."
The marquis left without looking back.
After days of heavy drinking together, some affection must have formed.
At his age, when he could rest comfortably in his domain, it was pitiful seeing him wandering for the kingdom.
The very next morning, I sought out Maximilian right away.
"Take care of my sword."
He didn't refuse, so I handed over my main blade at once.
Then I watched his reaction closely.
I'd hoped the prodigal soul, hidden away somewhere, might speak to my brother. But there was still no sign of it.
Planning to observe for a few more days, I left my sword with Maximilian ahead of time.
I also made sure to tell him to inform me immediately if he heard any strange voices.
Contrary to my worries, though, Maximilian heard nothing until departure day.
On the day we left the capital, the king and queen saw me off at the castle gates.
The king seemed to have much to say, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly.
"Come back safe."
But in the end, that was all he said.
The queen, watching him, suggested he at least give me a hug. I recoiled, and the king recoiled even more.
"Brother. Please return safely."
"See you when I get back."
After bidding Maximilian farewell, I glanced to the side.
The princes and princesses I'd met in the audience chamber were there.
I gave a casual wave to their silent bows.
Then I looked to Siorin Kirguyen.
"Shall we depart now?"
"Let's go."
"Move out!"
At the commander's order, our force of five hundred began marching down the capital's southern boulevard.
Soon, knights from the Iron Lion Knight Order joined us.
The man leading about fifty Iron Lions was someone I knew well.
Erhim Kiringger, vice-commander of the Iron Lion Knight Order and a comrade who'd shared life and death with me at Winter Castle.
"Your Highness. It's an honor to see you again."
I told the kneeling Erhim Kiringger and his Iron Lions to dispense with the excessive formality. He grinned and replied,
"I told you I'd stand behind you the next time we met."
"Did you?"
"Yes. I did."
Erhim Kiringger gave me a look brimming with absolute trust and reverence. The Iron Lions behind him greeted me with similar gazes—Dunham and the others who'd endured hardships with me at Winter Castle.
As we exchanged nods, Erhim and Siorin greeted each other.
Then the group set off again.
As we neared the southern border after leaving the capital, old man Nicollo and the Rangers joined from afar.
"Your Highness."
The Rangers bowed, but their lips were pursed. They clearly weren't thrilled about another long mission.
He looked like he had plenty to say, but this wasn't the loosely hierarchical Winter Castle, so he held back any open complaints.
He just protested silently with a grumpy face.
With the Iron Lions followed by the Rangers joining, our group swelled to nearly six hundred.
Three hundred were central army cavalry, who peeled off upon reaching the southern border. Southern army cavalry took their place.
Under southern army escort, we headed for the southern frontier.
We arrived at Silver Lion Fortress, the southern army's base, and rested there for two days before continuing south.
No sooner had we left the fortress than Siorin said to me,
"Your Highness. From here on, please travel by carriage."
To avoid unnecessary trouble, we'd agreed I'd keep a low profile as much as possible. I boarded stuffy carriage without complaint.
"Your Highness. Please rest."
Adelia expertly arranged the cushions and laid me down. I enjoyed the carriage's steady rhythm while reclining.
Before I knew it, I fell asleep.
When I woke, the procession had stopped.
"Adelia?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
I rubbed my eyes and sat up, asking why the carriage had halted.
"We've reached the border, but the empire's welcoming force hasn't shown."
I couldn't help but smirk.
Their intent was obvious.
"How childish."
They were just flexing, deliberately dragging their feet.
I lay back down, unconcerned.
Sure enough, the imperial troops appeared late the next day.
I raised the carriage blind to look.
Laughing hollowly at the cavalry sauntering up without hurry despite their tardiness,
"Your Highness. I'll close the curtain."
Siorin appeared, blocking my view.
The blind shut.
"Anyone who can't control their expression, lower your veils! From this moment, not a word!"
Erhim Kiringger's order had barely fallen when the distant hoofbeats grew close.
"Are you the Leonberg delegation?"
The man at the front of the casually approaching cavalry demanded abruptly in the imperial tongue.
Siorin Kirguyen didn't so much as twitch an eyebrow at his attitude—no apology despite being a full day late.
She simply inquired fluently about his affiliation.
"You speak the imperial language. A pleasure. I'm Senior Knight Degol de Dubish of the Empire's 41st Legion, 112th Knight Division."
Degol de Dubish's eyes widened in surprise before he asked again,
"This is the delegation's procession, right?"
"Yes."
"Then the kingdom's prince must be in that carriage."
Siorin's expression hardened.
Low malice dripped from his tone.
"I should pay my respects."
Just as expected.
"He's exhausted from waiting a full day in the carriage and only just fell asleep."
No sooner had Siorin spoken than the Iron Lions tightly surrounded the carriage.
"Whoa, whoa. Calm down. I just wanted to greet the noble guest."
Even as he said it, he edged closer, clearly intent on seeing the prince's face.
Siorin realized the imperial knight was fully committed.
"Maybe in your country, but in ours, a subordinate can't request to greet a superior first unless the superior desires it."
"Same here."
As Siorin prepared to take firm action against the blatant provocation, the carriage door opened first.
Siorin frowned.
They'd said he had a fiery temper, and it seemed he couldn't hold back his anger.
That's what she thought.
But no.
The First Prince who emerged from the carriage looked utterly composed. No trace of anger or even irritation.
That alone was unexpected, but then,
"You want to pay your respects?"
Fluent imperial speech flowed from the First Prince's lips.
Dubish's eyes bulged—clearly he hadn't expected the prince to speak the language.
But it was fleeting. He quickly flashed a sleazy grin.
"If you'll permit me."
The Iron Lions bristled as he approached the prince without even dismounting. But the prince raised a hand to hold them back.
Kaduk.
Grinding teeth echoed from behind the veils.
Dubish must have heard it clearly, yet he smiled broadly and spurred his horse forward. Finally, he reached the prince.
At that instant, his horse suddenly reared up.
Ihihihiing!
The terrified beast thrashed its fore and hind legs wildly.
"Urk!"
Dubish couldn't hold on and tumbled off.
He rolled ignobly across the ground before barely regaining his senses and propping himself up with both hands.
"Ugh..."
The impact must have been severe; he shook his head vigorously several times.
In that moment, the prince stepped in front of him.
"Hm?"
Dubish looked up. The prince gazed down at him with haughty disdain.
"I accept your respects."
The imperial knight stared blankly at the prince's words.