By Zephyria 
Sierren knew something about the Imperial Knights. This was because more than half of the students in the Swordsmanship Department, including Benjamin, trained with the Imperial Knights as their goal.
To become an Imperial Knight, one had to have experience serving in the Yuil Mountains, possess swordsmanship skills, and also pass a written exam and a personality interview to rank among the top.
The duties of an Imperial Knight were broadly divided into dispatch and escort.
Imperial Knights awaiting dispatch spent their time in individual or group training. They reported to work punctually every weekday, trained within the Imperial Palace, and left at the designated time. Since they could be sent on medium or long-range dispatches at any moment, most knights did not bother to secure separate residences in the capital and lived in the Imperial Palace dormitories. As a result, they were treated as standby personnel even after their duty hours.
Escort knights were divided into personal escorts for royalty and Imperial Palace guards. Personal escorts guarded royalty in their vicinity, while Imperial Palace guards patrolled various parts of the palace, taking turns for their assigned shifts. Since Sword Masters were warriors who could fight a hundred or a thousand men, it was not particularly strenuous to survey the vast Imperial Palace with a small number of them.
These assignments were typically decided at the beginning of the year. Knights would apply for their desired posts, and based on their usual work attitude and abilities, department transfer orders would be issued. Knights who had started or intended to start families often wished for escort duties, making the average age of escort knights slightly higher than those assigned to dispatch missions.
In the early days after my return, my mind was preoccupied with other matters, so I paid little attention to the Imperial Knights. However, after recent conversations with the Empress Dowager, I consciously tried to avoid getting too close to them, lest people misunderstand.
The Imperial Knights were an organization directly under the Emperor. Naturally, it was right to trust and follow only the Emperor Rubel’s word.
However, warriors naturally admire strong warriors. Just as I admired and followed Maelo Sanson, there would undoubtedly be knights who wished to follow me. I did not want to poach the carefully selected talents of the Imperial Palace for Duke Ernhardt’s Territory.
But there must be a reason why Poplar Kiadris advised me to look after the knights before marriage, so I decided I must first seek Rubel’s permission.
Rubel seemed preoccupied today.
“Your Majesty. Regarding Count Alberg, the proposer of 3-0127-042, who has completely denied the agenda and turned into an opposition party, an anonymous tip has been received suggesting bribery. I have compiled a written report on this matter, please take a look.”
“It’s merely suspicion for now. It’s difficult to address until concrete evidence is obtained, so let’s put agenda item 042 on hold for a moment and investigate around Baron Cassobon.”
“Baron Cassobon?”
“Yes. If you investigate his connection to Count Alberg’s nephew, something might come up, so focus on that.”
“Yes!”
“Regarding agenda item 3-0211-005, the opinion gathering was omitted, and Count Clement has filed a suit against Baron Petrik Bun for obstruction of business, strongly requesting punishment.”
“…Petrik Bun… What did he say?”
“He stated that while there was negligence in his duties, he merely forgot, and pleaded for leniency…”
“Leniency? This is the fourth time already. Issue a one-week detention sentence.”
“What? Detention? That’s a bit…”
“If he doesn’t realize his mistake, the same thing will keep happening. Count Clement has been very patient, so a punishment of that magnitude, for show, is necessary. If he shows sufficient signs of remorse during the week, give him a list of desired departments. Find him a position that requires less meticulousness.”
“What kind of position like that exists in the palace?”
“Did you forget? Baron Dimitri submitted a request for parental leave yesterday.”
“…No, that’s… Yes. I’ll look into it.”
“Regarding agenda item 3-0430-013…”
Amidst the rapid exchange of words, Rubel occasionally glanced my way. It wasn’t to check if I was listening, but rather, whenever his mind grew weary, he would take me out like a snack, like looking at a portrait.
I understood that simply spending time together brought joy. Each time, I would smile back.
Then, while one of his aides was counting a handful of documents, I seized the opportunity to speak.
“Rubel.”
“Hmm? Why?”
The aide paused for a moment and recounted the documents from the beginning. I was grateful for his thoughtfulness in allowing Rubel and me more time to talk, so I offered a brief nod of thanks and continued.
“May I observe the Imperial Knights for a while?”
“…Now?”
“Yes. It’s fine if it’s not right now. I was just thinking of taking some time to look.”
Rubel didn’t ponder for long. With a flick of his hand, the child immediately called his aide closer.
“Dorothy. Inform Lord Weaver that there will be an inspection of the Imperial Knights at Training Ground No. 15 at four o’clock this afternoon.”
“Yes. Are there any other training sessions or specific instructions?”
“Since it’s the first time the Imperial Envoy is meeting them, tell them to be in full uniform and show the utmost respect.”
“Yes.”
An inspection?
I had only intended to casually visit and offer a few words of advice. I felt worried, thinking I might be burdening him with extra work when he was already so busy. With great concern, I covered Rubel’s hand with mine.
“Is that alright? You’re busy.”
“Still, the Imperial Knights are directly under me. I can’t miss introducing you. And…”
“…”
“…What if someone falls for you again when I’m not around?”
“What?”
Rubel unhesitatingly clasped my hand in return. His hand, clinging to mine as if inseparable like intertwined vines, carried a strong scent of ink.
Dorothy Colonial, Rubel’s aide, who had been silently waiting for the next command, rose without a sound and fled the office. The remaining aides, each breath and glance carefully measured, busied themselves with flipping through documents, searching for the clues and words they needed.
Rubel did not look at them. His wink, directed solely at me, melted my heart. I thought it was a big deal how easily I was swayed by even the most trivial gestures.
“It’s a joke. There’s no harm in building rapport with the Imperial Knights beforehand. While you’re at it, pick about twenty knights you like and tell me.”
“Twenty? Why?”
“That’s the number I’ve set aside to support the reclamation of Duke Ernhardt’s Territory in the future.”
“But I can handle that much on my own.”
“No.”
Rubel refused with a smile, but his tone was firm.
“I know well what you are capable of. However, you don’t need to, and shouldn’t, be on the front lines doing all the fighting and menial tasks alone. As Duke and Imperial Envoy, you must learn how to command people.”
“Hmm.”
He swallowed the rest of his words, mindful of the aides’ gazes, but I understood immediately.
Yes, I am human, not a god. I should not, and cannot, try to solve everything by myself. I cannot always rely on friendships and ask for favors from Mac Weaber, so it would be best to do as Rubel suggested.
Patiently waiting for four o’clock in the afternoon, I served as Rubel’s visual entertainment.
❖ ❖ ❖
The summer sunlight was already in full bloom.
The sunlight, shining through, avoiding the hottest hours, made the faces and swords of the warriors, gleaming with will and determination, stand out.
Among the various training grounds used by the Imperial Knights, Training Ground No. 15 was rough, with an uneven floor and clouds of dust rising whenever the wind blew.
I stood on a raised mound, like a small hill, with Rubel and Mac Weaber beside me, instead of a platform.
Seeing my gaze sweep across the ground, Rubel explained that getting accustomed to rough terrain would reduce mistakes when dispatched later. Indeed, his words were true. Even standing on the uneven ground with protruding rocks, not a single one of them faltered in their sword strokes.
To choose twenty from among them was like asking which grain of perfectly polished rice would be tastier.
The knights, who had performed the first to the last sword form of the Imperial Swordsmanship with perfectly identical movements, without a single deviation, split into two groups. What followed was a sparring session that resembled actual combat. The sound of clashing swords echoed through the space incessantly.
I had thought an inspection meant lining up at regular intervals and marching, or demonstrating the same sword forms, but what I saw before me was different. The way both sides charged at each other, disregarding their lives, was like watching a miniature war.
The fact that no one sustained even the slightest sword cut indicated that this training was a ceremony. Had it been actual combat training, it would have been far more brutal.
At Rubel’s nod, Mac Weaber stepped forward one and a half paces.
Then, all the knights who had been drawing their swords fiercely moments before sheathed them simultaneously. Without a single command, they were aware of Ikyun, which was rather satisfying. Yes, a swordsman must have a broad vision.
It took them exactly five breaths for the sheathed knights to return to their positions.
Among those panting to catch their breath, Andy Spooner, standing at the front with a serious expression, caught my eye. He had been the top student even during his academy days. Seeing him exert himself in unison with the other knights, as if born to be one with them, was both fascinating and commendable.
The sunset was blooming a fiery red beyond the clouds.
Mac Weaber, who had been standing by my side with his wrists crossed behind his back in a respectful posture, turned to me. His voice, friendly yet not disrespectful, filled the space before the knights, their faces sweaty from dust and their uniform hems soiled.
“Duke Ernhardt, how do you find them?”
“While I am not an expert in combined attacks, I found them to be quite excellent. With them, there would be nothing to fear.”
Everyone’s expressions were transparent. Regardless of age, their lips twitched, clearly visible. Seeing them flutter at a single word of praise, I knew no one present doubted my abilities.
Mac Weaber continued in his cheerful voice, as if casually speaking.
“Would we be worthy of learning from Duke Ernhardt?”
Rubel’s fingertips twitched for a moment.
This was not something they had discussed beforehand. These fellows of this land never missed an opportunity to learn. After observing the knights, whose eyes sparkled with anticipation, I placed my hand on Rubel’s finger and pulled him closer.