Chapter 73

When we entered the second bailey, the number of spectators increased even more.

The knights were receiving enthusiastic applause from the citizens of the capital.

When we passed by the guild, some of the staff waved at me, which made me quite flustered.

I felt embarrassed and managed to get through it with a forced smile.

Around where the knights' garrison was located, Deputy Captain Bald joined us.

Bald handed Tristan a cloak with the Mensis Knights' emblem and joined the formation.

Given the recent treatment of the knights, this reaction might indeed seem rather mercenary.

As we moved from the second bailey to the first, the atmosphere gradually changed.

Here and there, the cold gazes of nobles and other knights, who were watching from a distance, would surely be noticed by Tristan.

They are dissatisfied because they were not given the opportunity, and because the knights, who were once considered mere decorations, are now claiming glory.

Without a major war between countries, the chances to earn military honors are limited.

They are envious that the Mensis Knights have seized this opportunity.

However, it would be wrong to be preoccupied only with such immediate matters.

How many people realize that this parade has been artificially hyped?

If the Mensis Knights prove that they are not mere decorations, surely opportunities will come to them as well.

Finally, we arrived at the front of the royal castle.

The king's residence, surrounded by multiple walls, was still far ahead.

"Wow, that's amazing..."

"Yeah, sure."

Alice and Camus were overwhelmed by the grandeur of the buildings.

I don't remember the first time I came here, but this is my second visit. However, for the two of them, it was their first time seeing such tall buildings up close.

In my previous life, I was used to seeing towers and high-rise buildings, so I didn't really think much of it.

It felt more like a theme park.

I had to be careful not to react strangely and forget myself.

I nodded to myself, and Alice and Camus also nodded at each other.

Camus took out a smooth white object from his pocket and stuck it to his face.

"... A mask?"

"I got it from Luke. We may look similar, but we are now strangers. However, our appearance lacks persuasiveness, so we were told to wear this in formal settings."

The white mask covers the upper half of Camus's face.

"What if a noble tells you to take it off?"

"I have a scar on my forehead, right? I can say I'm hiding it because of the scar, and they won't pry further."

Camus has a large scar on his forehead. I asked Alice, and she said he didn't have it before, so he must have gotten it when he lost his memory.

The scar can be hidden by his hair, but the way Camus described it, it sounded like he had suffered a severe burn, which was quite strange.

We passed through a complex network of corridors and emerged into an open courtyard. The royal guards surrounded us as we formed a line.

A group of royal guards, clad in armor, appeared on horseback from the front.

The man in the middle, with a prominent beard, offered a perfunctory word of thanks to the knights.

"You have all worked hard. The king will be pleased. Now, we will take custody of Cerberus's head and offspring. You are allowed to rest here for a while, and then you may return to your lair."

The man spoke so naturally about something incomprehensible that it took a moment to understand what he was saying.

In other words, he was telling us to leave quickly.

Before the murmurs could spread, Tristan stepped forward.

"Captain of the Royal Guard, we were summoned by the king to come this far. Can we not even meet him, or receive a word of thanks for our efforts?"

"The king is busy, Sir Mensis. We will take responsibility for delivering the offering. I hope the head doesn't rot while you wait your turn."

The bearded captain pinched his nose at the sight of Cerberus's head.

The members of the knightly order, who had been silent in trust of Tristan, were now visibly frustrated by the captain's words.

"Come, bring out Cerberus's offspring from the cage!"

At the captain's command, the royal guards who had surrounded us gathered.

Alice and I, who were on the cage's platform, were forcibly dragged down.

Camus resisted until the end. This was because Cerberus's condition was still unstable.

"Wait a moment. It may seem calm now, but the training isn't complete yet! It's dangerous for amateurs to open the cage!"

Cerberus, excited by the approach of the royal guards, was restlessly pacing in the small cage.

A young royal guard, hearing Camus's words, withdrew his hand from the cage.

"You, as a royal guard, should follow the captain's orders. Do it!"

"Yes, sir!"

The royal guard, who had hesitated to lift the lock, extended his hand at the captain's command.

"Captain of the Royal Guard, that's enough."

A cold voice echoed quietly.

"R-Robert, Captain of the Royal Guard."

From a terrace overlooking the courtyard, a young knight slowly descended the stairs.

The royal guard who was about to lift the lock was startled by a sword suddenly thrust at his chest.

The owner of the sword, after confirming that the royal guard had retreated, stood at attention behind the man called Captain of the Royal Guard.

"Is the Captain of the Royal Guard one of the elite among the royal guards?"

"One of the three protectors directly under the king..."

The knights began to whisper.

I recognized the man. He was the royal guard who had appeared at the guild with the royal court mage.

"From that time..."

"Yes. It's been a while, Noah Essex. First, I will convey a message from the king."

Tristan, reacting to Robert's voice, straightened his posture. The knights followed suit, and I did my best to stand properly.

"‘To the Mensis Knights, I extend my gratitude for the defeat of Cerberus in the name of the king. As guardians of the capital, I hope you will continue to serve Albion. A ceremony to honor the knights will be held in the future.’—Louis."

The blond knight, who had been standing behind, stepped forward at the sound of his name.

"Yes, sir! I have prepared a modest banquet. The Mensis Knights are welcome to enjoy the food and drink of the royal palace. I will guide you in place of Sir Robert."

"Tristan, no, Sir Mensis and Noah Essex, please come with me. The king is waiting in the audience chamber. Ah, you may bring one attendant if you wish."

I, who had been leaning towards the banquet, was startled when Robert called my name.

"Cerberus's head will be taken into our custody by the Royal Guard. Ah, the king wishes to see the offspring of Cerberus. You there, the man with the mask."

"Y-Yes! My name is Camus, Sir Robert."

Camus replied in a tense voice.

"You seem to be a beastmaster. If you are here, Cerberus will not cause trouble when taken out of the cage, right?"

"Yes, I can use a skill to calm it down."

"Are you taking such a savage beast to the king's presence!"

The bearded captain groaned in disbelief.

Robert, coldly dismissing the captain, still spoke politely.

"It is the king's express wish, Captain of the Royal Guard. Do you think we, the Royal Guard, will be outdone by a mere dog?"

"N-No, of course not!"

If Cerberus were to cause trouble, it would be more dangerous for Cerberus than for the king.

Robert's cold gaze made it clear that he would not hesitate to cut down Cerberus.

"Camus, you will also come to the king's presence. Hold the collar firmly."

Robert flipped his cloak and gestured for us to follow.

Tristan had chosen Bald as his attendant.

"Alice, I leave it to you."

"Yes, I understand."

"Damn, I'm getting nervous. Melissa, I'm going to meet the king now..."

Camus kissed his ring and looked up at the sky, thinking of Melissa in the village.

Led by Robert, we proceeded down a long, beautiful yet sterile corridor.

Robert, softening his gaze, which had been directed at the bearded captain, began to speak casually.

"The captain was rude just now. He is not good at hiding his desire to protect the king. Similarly, his ambitions are transparent, making him a very straightforward person."

Robert's words made Camus and me almost burst out laughing in the quiet corridor.

His ambition must have been to take Cerberus's head from the knights.

"Thank you for your assistance, Sir Robert."

The two seemed to be old acquaintances. Given the Stern Duke's family, it was not unusual for them to know the Captain of the Royal Guard.

"Normally, I would not want to bring a beast into the palace, but I cannot take the king outside. The king wishes to name Cerberus himself. Is that acceptable, Sir Tristan?"

So that's why he wanted us to bring Cerberus to the audience chamber.

"That's fine. I intended to present it to the king anyway."

Robert smiled thinly, relieved.

As we talked, we reached the audience chamber.

Before the large doors, the royal guards were standing with crossed spears.

"Captain of the Royal Guard Robert, Sir Mensis, and two others, enter!"

At Robert's signal, the royal guards struck the floor with their crossed spears and announced our entry.

The heavy doors slowly opened.

We walked straight down the red carpet to the center, and I knelt and bowed.

In front of me were Tristan and Bald, behind me were Alice and Camus, and I could feel Cerberus's breathing.

The moment had arrived.

2015/01/12 Correction