Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 046
Chapter Title: I Don't Want to Talk About This Topic Anymore
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As Princess Sherin had anticipated, Princes Conrad and Elvin were reluctant to yield their capable knights even in this crisis.
Thanks to that, the court echoed with heated arguments every day, and sometimes blades were even drawn.
Roden didn't even need to gather information through his Brotherhood contacts; the rivalry between the two princes had escalated to the point where even passersby on the streets knew all about it.
Fortunately, the royal family wasn't completely hands-off.
Soon after edicts bearing the king's name were sent to the lords around the capital, knights began pouring in.
Less affluent wandering knights had hired only a few mercenaries, including their own squires, but some lords arrived with dozens of retainers, bringing full-fledged armies.
The inns of Hasra City couldn't accommodate them all, so nobles and knights stayed in the mansions of their acquaintances, while common soldiers pitched tents outside the city walls.
And on the seventh day after news of the monster horde's massive assault spread...
Shan received an invitation from the royal family and visited the palace.
"Sir Shan of the Barendil family and squire Roden, confirmed."
A low-ranking royal official bowed politely and ushered Shan inside.
Stepping into the palace for the first time, Shan realized that the illumination wasn't from ordinary candles but from magic lamps.
It was as if every magic artifact unearthed from the Demon Realm over the past several centuries had been gathered here; the palace corridors were filled with glowing lamps that brightly lit the surroundings.
A stark white light, quite unlike the yellowish flicker of candle flames, reflected off the bluish marble floors, creating a majestic scene.
Compared to this, the real drawing room of Count Shedil that he'd seen before was utterly insignificant.
And this splendor reached its peak in the palace's grand ballroom.
The three-story hall had an open center, allowing the second and third floors to overlook the first.
The pitch-black ceiling was adorned with clusters of glowing magic lamps, resembling the moon and stars in the night sky. Intricately carved gem chandeliers scattered their light, producing an effect like colorful shooting stars raining down.
The walls bore flags emblazoned with the shield emblem of the Hasra royal family, and beneath them stood several suits of ornamental armor.
On the lavishly decorated first floor of the ballroom, nobles and knights exchanged greetings and strengthened their bonds.
This banquet was the send-off ceremony for all those of knight rank or higher in the Ogre Subjugation Force.
"Is that the guy? The Green-Eyed Knight?"
"That's him."
"Granting a knighthood to an Altoin of all things... What on earth was that witch thinking..."
As expected, the nobles' gazes toward Shan were far from friendly.
He was a direct violation of Pendia's long-standing unwritten rule against knighting Altoin.
Especially the nobles from the western regions, where Old Faith followers were prevalent, reacted the most negatively.
Of course, not everyone responded so negatively.
"Oh, if it isn't... Sir Shan!"
"It's been a while, Sir Asel."
"Fancy meeting you again like this. But then, a hero like Sir Shan wouldn't run from a mere ogre!"
Unlike the nobles casting dark looks, the knights—especially those who'd built rapport with Shan under Sir Calion's lead—welcomed him warmly, ignoring the rest.
Some even dragged over the nobles they served to introduce Shan.
"Come here a moment, my lord. This guy's the real deal..."
"Ah, alright, alright! Stop dragging me!"
After chatting for a while and sending the crowd away, Shan whispered to Roden.
"Honestly, I have no idea why I have to put up with this."
An ogre was still rampaging through the east with its monster army, yet instead of assembling troops and charging in—impossible as that might be—they were holding a banquet with lavish spreads.
If the ogre had been moving alone without its horde, Shan would have gone after it himself instead of wasting time like this.
Roden nodded with a wry smile, clearly sharing Shan's frustration.
"I feel the same, but given the timing, we have no choice."
With the king's health failing, the two princes had to do everything to promote themselves.
This banquet was just another stepping stone for that.
As always, the powerful prioritized their own preservation over the suffering of the common folk.
As he explained, a loud gong rang from the staircase at one end of the ballroom.
It was the signal for the distinguished guests' entrance.
"In the name of the Goddess, the shield safeguarding the Pendia Kingdom and humanity, heirs of the Hasra royal family, make their entrance!"
"All pay homage!"
Soon, four men and women appeared on the central staircase, flanked by escort knights.
They were the current King Gisel's four children from his three wives.
Shan's eyes met those of Sherin, who was at the rear.
Unlike her usual ponytail and amethyst glasses, she wore an elegant deep purple dress adorned with dazzling jewels.
Her pale sclera made her reddish-brown eyes gleam almost blood-like.
Ahead of Sherin stood a beauty with curly platinum hair, lake-blue eyes, and a slender figure.
Cassia Gisel Lana Hasra.
Sherin's half-sister, whose engagement to a prince of the Arjun Kingdom had been broken off due to Shan's actions in the Demon Realm months ago.
She wore a snow-white dress, and with Sherin in dark attire right behind her, the black-and-white contrast stood out sharply.
Her slightly drooping eyes and soft smile at the corners of her mouth were the complete opposite.
"My, Lady Cassia looks as beautiful as ever today."
"Not for nothing is she called Pendia's Jewel."
"She stands out even more with that witch right behind her."
The noble who snickered turned away with a fake cough when he noticed Shan staring.
In truth, Shan's presence contributed to Sherin's disdain from the nobles.
Knights knighting an Altoin had offended even those who hadn't viewed her too harshly before.
Shan's gaze returned to the royals.
Ahead of the princesses walked the two half-brothers fiercely vying for the throne, shoulders aligned.
Just their refusal to lead or follow revealed their rivalry.
Conrad, still in his mid-twenties, already had slight balding that made him look five or six years older.
His large nose and small, narrow eyes gave a stern, imposing impression. Though not tall, his broad shoulders and sturdy build were striking.
Aside from his distinctive platinum hair, he looked nothing like his full-blooded sister Cassia—the one said to resemble their father the most in the notoriously inbred royal family.
In contrast, two years younger Elvin was tall and slim, with neat features that made him strikingly handsome.
Like a prince from a fairy tale.
His swept-back hair was reddish-brown, inherited from his mother from the Luman Kingdom, and the faint freckles on his nose gave him a boyish, playful air.
'And...'
Shan's eyes locked onto the knight escorting Conrad.
Abel Marquis, head of the royal guard and Protector Duke.
In his youth, he'd swept all royal martial tournaments and single-handedly felled over a dozen knights while quelling several rebellions.
Thus, Pendia's enthusiasts often said:
'The strongest knight in the Arman Alliance is Abel Marquis.'
Watching his gait, Shan could somewhat agree.
'Impressive...'
Since coming of age, he'd always thought everyone moved inefficiently and comically.
Like puppets jerked by strings on their joints.
But Abel Marquis's steps embodied a high degree of rationality, unlike ordinary folk.
Force flowed smoothly from toes to heels, ankles, knees, hips, waist, and shoulders...
Though not quite Shan's level, it was the first time he'd seen someone apply such precision not just to a single action but to everyday walking.
How did that man fight? How did he perceive the world?
Lost in thought as he stared, Shan felt the gaze returned—Abel Marquis looked back.
As the two warriors locked eyes, the two princes faced the assembled nobles.
After a brief staring contest, the elder, Conrad, spoke first.
"Heroes who answered the royal call! I, Conrad, express my utmost respect for your dedication in Father's stead!"
Conrad's nobles cheered, souring the faces of Elvin's supporters.
His word choice—"in Father's stead"—had irked them.
Elvin followed up loudly.
"The royal family will bear all war costs for the battles against the monsters!"
"Hooray!"
"Long live His Majesty!"
Oddly, cheers poured for the absent king.
Though, considering the rewards came from the royal treasury, it wasn't entirely misplaced.
Thereafter, the princes competed to emphasize the subjugation's gravity and the immense rewards for success.
After the princes' rival declarations, the banquet shifted to a more relaxed, free atmosphere.
As nobles clinked expensive goblets and conversed, knights devoured the food voraciously.
Shan, strictly adhering to the dining etiquette Roden had taught him, stood out among them.
Others might pass it off as heroic knights being knights, but Shan couldn't afford that.
Everyone would just say the crude, lowly Altoin couldn't even eat properly.
Stuffing food into his mouth while glaring at Abel Marquis beside Prince Conrad, Shan turned to Roden.
"I probably can't talk to Her Highness right now, huh?"
"Obviously. If you act like you know her, it'll be pinned as 'the guy she knighted out of gratitude,' at best."
Shan nodded at the response but let out a small sigh.
These political games were exhausting—verging on infuriating.
Suddenly, a dark shadow loomed over him.
It was Sir Lug of the Crane, possessor of the tallest stature in the hall.
"We meet again, Sir Shan! Mind if I join you?"
"Please do. But aren't you supposed to be with the prince? I thought you were his escort..."
Lug had entered with the four royals as Elvin's knight.
The other knights still guarded their lords—why was he here among wandering knights?
Lug chuckled at Shan's question.
"I'm coming along this time!"
"Ogre hunting?"
"Yes!"
This was truly unexpected.
Someone of Lug's caliber should surely stay in the capital—what was his reason?
Glancing at Roden, he shrugged, equally clueless.
Still, it was welcome news for Shan.
The more skilled allies for the hunt, the better.
Lug excitedly rambled about coordinating with Shan against the ogre, swinging his long arms so wildly he spilled his drink, prompting a nearby knight to frown and stand.
"So, when Sir Shan bounces off my hand, if I add more power..."
"Sounds like a fun chat—mind if I join?"
The interrupter was none other than Prince Elvin, fresh from his speech with his half-brother.
Startled, Lug shot up and knelt on one knee.
"My lord!"
Months into knighthood, he still acted like a raw recruit.
Elvin waved him off with an awkward smile.
"I told you not to be so formal—stand up. Ah, Sir Shan Barendil, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Loyalty to the royal house."
Shan stood and bowed lightly instead of kneeling like Lug.
"Perfect—that's just right. I've wanted to meet you face-to-face for a while."
Despite his words, Elvin hadn't approached since his feeler offer via proxy.
Shan responded politely, apologizing for not visiting sooner.
"No, no—I didn't come for apologies. Still no change of heart?"
"No."
Elvin narrowed his eyes at the firm refusal.
A sly, cruel glint briefly crossed his formerly cheerful boyish face—eerily resembling his half-sister Sherin.
"Can't argue with knights and their honor! Think it over after the ogre subjugation. My embrace isn't just for pretty ladies, you know."
His frivolous tone ill-suited a prince, but Elvin packaged it as affability.
It was one edge he held over Conrad.
Unlike the rigid, inflexible Conrad, Elvin's charisma won over young nobles and knights.
The problem was using it to sneak into unwed noble ladies' and matrons' beds.
"Your Highness already has a powerhouse like Sir Lug."
"Hm? Oh, right. You two competed for the joust championship, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Second place is fine, but first is better. Well, if Lug learns more this time, that's good too."
Shan sensed an odd discord in Elvin's tone.
Not quick on such nuances, he couldn't be sure...
Perhaps Elvin didn't value Lug as much as assumed.
Maybe that's why he'd allowed his participation.
As that thought crystallized, Elvin grinned slyly.
"But be honest—do you have feelings for my sister?"
"Pardon?"
Shan reflexively blurted, then added a quiet "My apologies."
The question was that sudden and absurd.
"Feelings, you say."
"The natural affection between young man and woman. Why else knight some Altoin boy you'd never met?"
Such rumors had circulated covertly.
Sherin's knighting of Shan was that mysterious.
They lacked traction since Shan hadn't sworn fealty or shown public ties.
Elvin, knowing via some channel of Shan's nighttime visit to Sherin's villa with Roden, probed thus.
Though airing it publicly was hardly proper.
Regaining composure, Shan recited Roden's prepped response.
"The knighting was circumstantial happenstance. I harbor no such personal sentiments."
"Not even a little?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Truly."
Elvin hummed thoughtfully, frowning as he eyed Shan.
"Strange. My instincts are usually spot-on. Sherin's not bad-looking, you know? A bit promiscuous vibe, but her figure beats Cassia's. Better curves, too."
Roden nearly lost his composure hearing Elvin brazenly vulgarize his half-sisters.
Nobles and knights nearby, drawn by Elvin's arrival, coughed awkwardly in succession.
Pendia was more sexually open than Old Faith states like Libert or Arjun, but this level was deemed tasteless.
Only in brazenly libertine Luman might such topics be bandied with giggles.
"I'm sorry, but I don't want to talk about this topic anymore."
Shan replied lowly, laced with anger.
Late to idioms, he grasped the intent to insult Sherin from the mood.
Couched politely, it was still a knight telling a prince to shut up—silence fell over their table.
Moments later, Elvin laughed exaggeratedly, clapping.
"Hahaha! Just kidding, kidding! No need to get mad—it almost sounded serious. Relax, friend!"
Despite the joviality, displeasure twisted his face.
He muttered a bit more, then stood, his knights glaring at Shan before following.
Shan turned to Lug, still seated.
"Shouldn't you go with them, Sir Lug?"
"Huh? Oh... He didn't call me."
His crestfallen look confirmed it even for dense Shan.
Lug was an outsider among Elvin's knights.
Should he console him or pretend ignorance?
Human relations stymied Shan.
As he pondered, a small commotion stirred behind.
Turning, Shan saw Sherin approaching them.