Chapter 27

"Your Highness, I have never once thought of you as a disgrace."

Kevin looked straight at Alexis, who was sitting in front of him. The crown prince of this country, who would turn sixteen this year, appeared mature but still retained a hint of boyishness. To Kevin, who was about eight years older, he still seemed like a child who needed protection.

Kevin spoke with tension, weaving his words.

"I was nineteen at the time. My first battle, and it wasn't even with an undead beast, just a regular one. When I saw it up close for the first time, I was so scared that my legs gave out, and I couldn't stand. In the end, I did nothing that day and had to be carried back by my superior... I washed my own clothes... ..."

As the shame welled up, his words trailed off. Chelsea, sitting next to him, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

– Even if I say this, it won't be any comfort...

The crown prince Alexis had come to the battlefield to offer comfort about a month after Elliot obtained the holy sword. It was, of course, unthinkable to directly mock the disgraceful behavior of a young prince of royal blood on the battlefield, but behind the scenes, some knights had been ridiculing him.

Kevin found it absurd and foolish. But just as commoners in a backstreet tavern would mock the ruling class with crude words in their absence, it was not unusual to hear unbearable words exchanged in the absence of the person concerned.

The more foolish a person, the less likely they are to question the act of belittling someone with childish words.

If it were an absolute monarchy, such insults against the royal family would not be tolerated. However, in the current political climate of this country, there was no aggressive policy to hunt down and punish the words of the lower ranks.

The ridicule that started with a trivial trigger gradually grew and spread throughout the knightly order.

"But they belittle Your Highness behind your back out of spite."

Alexis, understanding this, responded with a wry smile.

"What do you mean by 'out of spite'?"

Amanda, who had been listening silently, leaned forward. She seemed to know the situation but not the details.

"Because Your Highness refused to call that woman a saint. It's a trivial reason," Kevin said.

"Is that so..."

Alexis, looking like a boy his age, pouted.

"... There were many clerics and priests present that day. They were of various ages and genders, but all had long contributed to the country and its people. To call an unordained novice priest a saint, without the church's recognition, would be a grave insult to everyone else present."

Kevin nodded solemnly. The boy was not saying anything wrong.

On the other hand, Amanda, with a flushed cheek and shining eyes, placed her hand on Alexis's hand on the table.

"Yes, as expected of the prince I respect. ... But unfortunately, there are many who exaggerate trivial matters and turn them into slander. I am often called arrogant and haughty."

Amanda then looked into the distance, as if in deep thought.

"Besides... there are those who intentionally incite and exploit such situations. The more limited a person's vocabulary, the more easily they are swayed."

Listening to this, Alexis took a deep breath and turned to Kevin.

"Since you seem different, I'll tell you. I can't believe that the novice priest Emily brought the holy sword. I have no proof, but I have doubts even about the hype surrounding it. ... However, since much about the holy sword is still unknown, gathering counter-evidence is difficult..."

A moment of silence fell. Kevin agreed, but he had no evidence to present.

"... You were trying to encourage me just now, right? Thank you. ... It's not much of a favor, but I'll tell you something. It will be public knowledge soon, so it's not a problem if you learn it a little earlier today."

At Alexis's words, Kevin looked up.

"Sir Lionel, the commander of the royal knights, has resigned from his post and returned to the north."

"Huh? Sir Lionel!? But, the undead beast has been defeated, hasn't it..."

Kevin was taken aback by the unexpected news.

Alexis's expression turned serious as he looked straight into Kevin's eyes.

"Unfortunately, even as a crown prince, I don't have a full grasp of the situation. I am, as you know, disrespected... But I have a bad feeling. There's also the matter with Flora. I'll inform you if I find out anything."

Due to his position as a low-ranking knight, Kevin knew little about the battle situation, the strategies of the knightly order, or their outcomes. To suppress the growing anxiety and unease in his chest, he clenched his fists on his knees.