Duke Pendragon

Parties and banquets were considered the most important events for nobles. It was a competition to show off all sorts of luxury goods, and connections and even love was sometimes made. They could be called the peak of splendor in the noble society.

Although such events were infinitely elegant and enjoyable for the nobles, the protagonists, they were also the most hectic and troublesome times for the employees and servants who served and assisted the nobles.

"Lady Audrey wants to switch her necklace. Hurry."

"Young Lady Shelma is gone!"

"I heard someone saw her heading to the back garden with a knight from the Falcon family."

"Sir Bert is quite drunk. Hurry up and go get him."

The situation in a waiting room located a little away from the party was reminiscent of war. The attendants belonging to higher-ranking nobility were given separate rooms, but those with lower status were given one room to share between three or four families.

Those serving older nobles were relatively relaxed, but employees serving young masters were always occupied. They busily packed various objects and spent their time searching for their missing owners. However, unlike the rest of them, there was a small group of people sitting quietly in the corner while watching the employees work.

It was quite odd, but the others were extremely occupied, so no one had the time to turn their attention to the three, strange people.

Moreover, it was even stranger that…

"They look busy."

"There are more than 300 nobles attending the party. There are almost fifty people who are similar in rank to a lord."

"The more people there are, the better it is for us."

Even though their conversation was completely detached from the situations the other employees were facing, even those who were near or passed by the three figures didn't spare them even a single glance. It was as if the three figures were simply a painting on the wall or an unmoving object.

"Should we go check out the target first?"

"Yeah. There are quite a few capable knights, so make sure you hide your presence."

"I'll go."

One of the three figures stepped out. He looked like a well-dressed, handsome young man from a noble family. The remaining two figures were dressed like servants. However, they simply nodded when the young man stepped out, instead of following him or creating a fuss like the other employees and servants.

The handsome young man quietly left the waiting room and entered the banquet hall, which was filled with rhythmical music. Although he was quite handsome, no one paid attention to the young man. It was similar to how it had been in the waiting room.

He slipped between the other nobles like air. Some nobles were dancing while others were busily chatting. Soon, he arrived at a location closest to the seats of honor, where the guests of honor were seated, including the mayor.

"….."

The young man slowly looked up with calm eyes and a smile.

The distance to the seats of honor was about 20 meters.

Next to and behind the six dignitaries stood about 20 knights. All of them possessed sharp gazes, and they were in a position to draw out their blade at a moment's notice. It was evident that as soon as anyone showed any intent to harm the dignitaries, the knights standing behind them would step forward to protect while the ones standing on the side would commence an attack.

"The security's quite amazing. Especially that man…"

The young man muttered to himself while focusing on one of the knights.

The knight was a head taller than the others, and his short hair revealed his forehead and sides of his ears. The sharp energy circulating in his eyes was quite astounding.

"Right? It gives me the chills."

"Yeah. In terms of spirit, I don't think he would fall behind the knight king."

"Ah, that man is the head knight? No wonder…"

Even though he was muttering to himself, it was as if the young man was holding a conversation.

"Ah, he's looking this way."

The knight's gaze met with the young man's eyes. However, the knight continued to skim through the crowd as if he had not seen the young man.

"He's definitely a person of interest. He met my eyes even though I'm hiding my presence to this extent. Hmm? Okay, I got it."

Once again, the young man murmured before shifting his gaze to the figures sitting at the middle of the honored seats. A gorgeous, beautiful woman wearing a platinum crown was speaking to the figure next to her with a kind smile.

"Confirmed target number 2."

She looked to be just over thirty, but in reality, the woman was almost ten years older than how she appeared. She was the queen of the Pendragon Kingdom, Elena Pendragon.

"Then that kid is target number 1."

The young man's eyes headed to the little girl sitting next to Elena. Elsia was constantly chattering with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Well, I think target number 2 might be a little difficult, but target number 1 may be easier than expected. Kids around that age are curious. Hmm? Well, that's true. But…"

He murmured softly before once again turning to Mark Killian, the head knight of the kingdom. He was standing behind the two targets.

"It would be impossible here. If it was an assassination, perhaps I could get one of the two, but that knight will kill me straight away."

He spoke nonchalantly before immediately turning around. He continued while walking away.

"Then we will implement the plan when the subjects leave. I think we need to devise a different method to tie up that fierce-looking knight. If we go ahead with our original plan, one of us will definitely die. Yeah, we shouldn't let that happen anymore. Our current suffering is more than enough."

He once again walked past the nobles of the banquet hall toward the place where his brothers waited. His eyes glimmered blue as he skirted past the banquet's participants like a shadow no one cared about.

***

"Hmm…"

After hearing Lucas' story, Raven sank into thought with crossed arms.

Crackle!

Only the sound of the fire could be heard. Lucas and his fellow knights simply stared at Raven with a nervous gaze without saying anything.

It would all be over if King Pendragon didn't believe Lucas' story. They would either die or become prisoners, and Fort Efork would collapse within a month at the latest.

"Your Majesty Pen…"

Lucas became impatient and started speaking, but Raven raised his hand. Then, he turned his gaze towards Lucas.

"So, according to your words, your father, Margrave Mirin, didn't do anything out of the ordinary until two years ago?"

"Ah, yes. All of his attention was focused on the defense of Fort Efork, as well as internal affairs. Although we have very little direct contact with other nobles or great lords due to the geography, he sent letters and gifts for things such as weddings and funerals. But then…"

"You think he started changing around two years ago?"

"Yes, though his distaste for me was unchanged… No, I guess it wasn't unchanged, since it's only worsened."

Lucas spoke with a bitter expression, and Raven stroked his chin.

'People don't change so suddenly. If what he said is true, Margrave Mirin has been harboring his ambitions for almost twenty years, then suddenly started revealing it…'

However, his method was much too sloppy and bold for that to be true. If he had been preparing for decades, he would have prepared a plan that was much more elaborate and clandestine.

Raven observed Lucas with calm eyes.

Although Raven wasn't sure how competent Lucas was as a knight, the lad was well-spoken and appeared quite responsible.

A tiger did not give birth to a dog.

The father of such a figure could not have devised a plan for decades for it to have been so sloppy.

'This means that…'

"Elkin."

Raven turned towards Isla. Isla nodded after meeting his gaze. It was clear that both men were having the same thoughts.

"Assuming what you say is true…"

Lucas was a little disappointed by the word 'assuming', but he became attentive to Raven's words. Raven had the final say to their fate.

"It is highly likely that Margrave Mirin was incited by someone else."

"What…?"

Lucas' blank gaze filled with confusion, and Raven continued.

"Your father isn't a fool. Even though Mirin is located far enough for the flow of information to be limited, he isn't stupid enough to think that Mirin, or rather, your family could survive an all-out war with the Pendragon Kingdom. Even so, he devised a bold, foolish plan to kidnap my sister and son."

"Hmm…"

Lucas frowned slightly. King Pendragon was openly looking down on Mirin. However, he was forced to nod in agreement with a grim expression.

The two men standing in front of him were absolute powerhouses capable of killing himself and dozens of Mirin's knights as light exercise.

"Don't pay attention to small things. Empty your head and maintain your calm. Listen to the words of the lord."

"Ah, yes, Your Majesty…"

Isla's voice came like a splash of cold water, and Lucas came to his senses.

"This means your father could have carried out his plan, relying on the fact that whoever was behind him would take responsibility for the matter. What do you think? Do you think your father is a reckless man?"

"No."

"Then that validates my hypothesis even further. Think carefully. Who has been in contact with your father the most in recent years? They must be in quite a high position."

"Hmm…"

Lucas sank into thought with a frown.

However, no one came to mind. He sighed and shook his head.

"I apologize, I cannot think of anyone off the top of my head."

"Hmm, well, that's not what's important right now anyways. The problem will solve itself once we meet your father together."

"What? But…"

Lucas wanted to argue that he needed to head to Fort Efork, but he held himself back. Raven spoke with a grin, as if hearing Lucas' inner thoughts.

"The fortress will be safe."

"…..!"

Lucas and the knights became wide-eyed.

Was he saying that he would allow them to head there?

However, Raven's following words shattered their expectations while bringing them a huge, unspeakable shock.

"There will be no war with my kingdom, nor the imperial army. The only ones who will pay for this are Margrave Mirin, the Shadow Brotherhood, and others who are responsible."

"I will make them regret it even in death, my lord."

A bite of the cold north wind entered through the holes on the walls and filled the abandoned building. However, the wind wasn't responsible for the presenting Lucas and the other knights with goosebumps.

Shhh…!

The eyes of the two men, both knights and kings, closely resembled demons.