Chapter 147
Chapter 147
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Calmly Advancing Step by Step (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Pushing the knight order members recklessly would only increase desertions. This had already been proven in Ovest Territory.
So, I needed to lure them with realistic and tempting conditions they couldn't resist.
And sure enough, the bait I dangled worked.
"Monsters……."
"Guaranteed……."
The young members' eyes sparkled at the thought of earning merits,
"Salary increases……?"
"Young Master, how can you guarantee that?"
Even the more experienced members were deeply conflicted by the sudden, practical proposal.
The members' expressions varied wildly.
"Alright then."
I clapped my hands sharply to draw their attention.
"Now, we head to the imperial palace for the departure ceremony."
I locked eyes with each and every one of them, my gaze sharp.
"I'll be watching."
A hint that their rewards would depend on their actions.
The members who caught my intent had expressions that shifted.
"Yes, understood!"
A resounding response erupted without anyone prompting them. Turning back, I spotted Conrad standing there with his mouth agape.
Chin.
I gripped his shoulder firmly and whispered softly.
"See? The effect of a well-timed carrot?"
"……."
"Swinging the whip alone won't cut it."
Conrad bowed his head silently.
"Thank you for the lesson."
As he lifted his head again, a faint smile played on his lips.
"Young Master Abel."
Even with his fierce face grinning, it didn't look bad—thanks to the clear admiration in his eyes.
He seemed genuinely impressed, speaking without a trace of complaint.
"This will be great motivation for them."
I chuckled and released his shoulder.
"Then let's get moving."
And so, the departure ceremony for the Ovest Knight Order drew near.
❖ ❖ ❖
The area in front of the imperial palace buzzed with crowds gathered to watch the ceremony.
Between the parted masses on either side, knight orders from each territory marched in sequence.
Each knight order wore gleaming armor as if to show off, hoisting high the flags emblazoned with their family crests.
"Glory to the peasants!"
"Long live Mortail!"
Cheers and raucous laughter filled the air everywhere.
Then, when we appeared,
"It's the Ovest Knight Order!"
The noise from the crowd died down.
I rode in atop a horse the deep brown of chocolate, with Conrad sticking close like a bodyguard at my side.
Behind us marched the knight order members in perfect formation. Even the one who had complained of leg pain earlier walked as if nothing was wrong, summoning superhuman endurance.
"Ovest Knight Order……."
"Impressive……."
Our armor and the quality of our mounts surpassed the average knight order.
The former had been solved by pouring in money, and the latter were horses they had brought from Ovest Territory.
"Ovest! Ovest!"
"For Ovest!"
The Ovest Knight Order's majestic appearance, and the crowd's cheers grew louder upon finally seeing the group they'd only heard rumors about.
"But their numbers are…… pretty low?"
"They stand out too much compared to the others."
Murmurs like that mixed in.
Indeed, our knight order's numbers were the smallest compared to other territories.
'Tsk tsk. It's quality over quantity.'
It was true that more numbers often meant higher odds of victory, but not always. Especially in this northern subjugation campaign.
'Well, time will reveal the truth.'
I brushed off the whispers lightly.
In the wide open plaza at the center of the imperial palace, the knight orders that had already arrived stood silently. The imperial palace knight order was at the center, with the others aligned to their left, right, and rear.
'Our spot must be there.'
I naturally led the knight order toward the empty position. Glancing at Mikel, who had taken the left side of the imperial palace knight order, I came to a halt on the right.
"……."
The imperial palace knight captain, Joshua, who spotted me, gave a brief nod in greeting. After returning it, my eyes met Mikel's, standing ramrod straight beyond him.
I bowed my head quietly, and Mikel responded with a faint smile of acknowledgment.
'Lucky break.'
In the original story, the Sud Knight Order had taken this spot. But thanks to their absence, we claimed it as if it were only natural.
"Why are the Ovest Knight Order over there……."
"Our knight order has more members……."
Other knight orders showed faint dissatisfaction on their faces, but it quieted down the moment I shot them a glance.
'If Cain were here, there'd have been a huge debate over this position.'
I was pleased by that fact, but on the other hand, I wondered what Cain was up to now. He had hurried back to the territory, so he was probably investigating the issue and hunting down the cause.
'I wonder how it's going.'
I pushed aside the ominous premonition creeping into the corner of my mind and quietly faced forward.
Once all knight orders had assembled, heavy footsteps echoed. The ornate red curtain parted, and Emperor Theodore entered.
"We pay respects to His Majesty the Emperor."
All the knight orders knelt. Emperor Theodore, looking down from the high dais, raised his hand.
"Raise your heads, all of you."
The knight orders lifted their heads at the emperor's command but stared straight ahead without looking at him, in accordance with protocol.
"I am proud of those who have willingly stepped forward, not ignoring the plight of Nord Territory."
Under the clear autumn sky, amid the shattering sunlight, Emperor Theodore's words of encouragement poured forth.
"All imperial citizens will not forget your efforts and courage. And those who earn merits will receive rewards befitting them."
With that, he stepped down from the dais and took his seat. The archbishop, who had been waiting behind, stepped forward.
"Before the departure ceremony, we shall have the saintess's blessing to pray for victory."
He had a plump build from always eating rich foods, but for some reason, his complexion looked poor today. Dark shadows hung under his eyes.
"Due to time constraints, one knight order will represent the rest for the blessing."
The archbishop unfolded a paper he had been holding. He moistened his dry lips once, then began to speak slowly.
"The knight order to receive the representative blessing is……."
Tense gazes intersected among the crowd. Everyone strained their eyes, watching the archbishop's mouth.
"……."
Just before the archbishop spoke, our eyes met.
'As expected.'
In that moment, I knew. The task I'd given to Elice had succeeded brilliantly.
"……the Ovest Knight Order."
As the archbishop finished, reactions split between joy and disappointment.
"The Ovest Knight Order gets it?"
"Why not our knight order?"
Some knight orders were bitterly disappointed or shot envious glares at the Ovest Knight Order.
"Shouldn't the Nord Knight Order get this in this situation?"
"What criteria was used for selection?"
Others glared at the archbishop with faces full of discontent.
"It was selected by fair and lawful standards. Please understand there is no mistake."
As murmurs grew louder in the venue, the archbishop broke into a cold sweat, offering an excuse that wasn't quite one. Then he retreated backstage like he was fleeing.
The next moment, the curtain beside him rose again,
Thud.
And Saintess Rachel stepped through the gap.
"……It's the saintess."
"First time seeing her in person."
People stopped their complaints and clamped their mouths shut. That was how immense Saintess Rachel's prestige was in the empire.
'Fair and lawful standards, huh.'
I mulled over the archbishop's words and smirked. Seeing his desperate struggle to preserve his reputation was too amusing not to laugh.
'No wonder—why go around doing dirty deeds behind the scenes.'
The fact that he preyed on young boys was a top secret known to almost no one in the empire. Of course, to me, who had read the original story, it was no secret at all.
I despise people who do horrible things to children. So, things wouldn't end well for that archbishop bastard.
'That's why I went easy on Ecarot, too.'
I didn't want to control or manipulate a kid who was still young.
It would be nice if he worked for me, but that was just a hope. As long as he didn't fall into Cain's hands, that was enough.
That's why, instead of my usual blackmail card, I'd given the boy a choice.
'I wonder if he's doing well.'
He was probably undergoing grueling training with Midnel right now. I looked forward to seeing how much he'd grown by the time I returned from this subjugation campaign.
"Ovest Knight Order, step forward."
My brief reverie broke at the archbishop's voice. I gave Conrad a nod, then began advancing.
Step, step.
The Ovest Knight Order moved forward in sync with my steps.
All sorts of gazes flew in, clawing at my profile. Ignoring them with an arrogant expression, I halted before the dais.
"One representative, please come up."
At the archbishop's words, Conrad looked at me without a second's hesitation.
"Please go up."
His matter-of-fact tone made my lips curl up naturally. With a smile, I ascended the dais.
"……."
Through the veil that symbolized the saintess, Rachel's green eyes gleamed.
"Come closer, this way."
With a soft voice, Rachel beckoned me. I walked slowly and knelt before her.
"May the grace of the gods accompany those of you setting out on this long journey."
It was the layered voice she often used as the saintess to inspire others.
"May you not lose the fervent beating of this heart,"
Her hand moved to lightly touch my chest.
"Overcome the obstacles blocking your path and grasp the hand of the fallen,"
It brushed my forearm next,
"And in the end, return with glorious victory."
Finally, it gently cupped my cheek.
"Dio Benedica."
As the prayer ended,
Flash!
White light burst from Rachel's hand. The pure, clear life force of Serenade flowed into my skin where it touched.
"……."
Rachel's lips moved briefly, but she said nothing, mindful of Emperor Theodore. Soon, she dimmed the white light and withdrew her hand.
"Thank you for the blessing, Saintess."
Just before Rachel stepped back, I spoke.
"Autumn is followed by winter, after all. I'll endure the harsh winter and return."
"……."
"And thus, I wish to greet spring here."
To others, it sounded like a vow to complete this subjugation campaign successfully and return before spring.
"……."
But the meaning conveyed to Rachel was different. Her eyes widened for a moment, then softened with a faint smile.
"Return safely."
It was the perfect, heartwarming scene of the knight order representative's bold declaration met with a gracious response.
"Woooah!"
"Dio Benedica!"
"May all return safely!"
The onlookers erupted in loud cheers.
Rachel turned and walked backstage. As she took her place beside the waiting Emperor Theodore, he whispered to her.
"You're not actually blessing him, right?"
It was quiet enough for only Rachel to hear, but I caught it by focusing.
"Of course not."
Rachel let out a soft sigh in reply.
"Just shone some strong light. I blessed him last time, no need to do it again."
"Lucky guy."
A sneer curled on Emperor Theodore's lips.
"Following Violet around and picking up the scraps."
I felt his cold, red gaze sweep over me. I deliberately avoided meeting his eyes and quietly returned to my position.
'Fooled him good.'
Inside, I thought calmly.
Emperor Theodore stepped forward to the dais again. He raised both arms high and bellowed with dignity.
"This concludes the departure ceremony. All knight orders, depart for the north!"
As he swung his arms down forcefully, the Nord Knight Order led by Mikel began to move. With him at the forefront, the northern subjugation campaign began.