Chapter 33: The Marquis’s Escort
As Kaito bowed and swiftly exited the room, Prime Minister Nagalan turned to the knights and let out a sigh.
Having heard from His Majesty about the situation and the report on the Armored Buffalo’s subjugation, it was clear that Kaito was skillfully concealing his true abilities. It seemed that Marquis Hamawar was aware of this but had no intention of informing the Royal Family. He had established a way to navigate the pressures from others while maintaining his relationships as both a noble and an Adventurer. The way Kaito had spoken earlier was not the behavior of an ignorant child from the streets; as an Adventurer, he could not be coerced by His Majesty’s subjects.
After thanking the Guildmaster, Prime Minister Nagalan took his leave.
That night, the Hamawar household was receiving a visit from Prime Minister Nagalan. When the herald announced the Prime Minister’s arrival, it was clear that it was regarding Kaito’s refusal of the request. After hearing the entire story from the Adventurers’ Guild, Marquis Hamawar could only manage a wry smile.
He recalled Kaito’s ability to sense the departing wolf, as Fiene had described. Casting a glance at the knights stationed by the wall, he began recounting Kaito’s encounter to Prime Minister Nagalan. He had no intention of revealing Kaito’s magical abilities unless Kaito himself chose to disclose them, so he spoke only of other matters.
“I do not act rudely, but I avoid those who are overly sensitive to differences in status and position. Although he has helped me on several occasions by chance, he lives his life without flaunting it. I have provided him with a room in the hotel on my estate, but he mostly spends his time out in the fields gathering medicinal herbs and the like.”
“Starting in September, His Highness the Second Prince will be enrolling in the Royal Academy. During the entrance ceremony, which will be attended by His Majesty, a plot to attack both the King and the Prince has been uncovered. However, we do not yet understand the details of the attack; we suspect it will involve long-range assaults similar to the Magic Tournament, which the knights cannot adequately counter. We need another individual with strong defensive capabilities, like your son.”
“Is he not among the Mage Corps?”
“He is, but they are slow. If they are to erect a defensive barrier after a lengthy incantation once the attack begins, it may be too late. Your son is the only one who can defend instantly.”
“Why do you believe that?”
“I received a report from one of my subordinates who extracted information from an Adventurer about his actions when attacked by the Armored Buffalo. I heard that he instantly erected six thick pillars to block the charge of the Armored Buffalo.”
With a sigh, Marquis Hamawar made a proposal to Prime Minister Nagalan. He suggested that he would take on the role of escorting His Highness the Second Prince, bringing along one of his attendants. This would ensure that Kaito’s actions would be free from restrictions beyond those imposed by the King and the Prime Minister. If necessary, he could place other escorts under Kaito’s command. With such an agreement, he conveyed that he could hire Kaito and assign him as the Prince’s escort.
Prime Minister Nagalan said he would consult with His Majesty before taking his leave. Marquis Hamawar made his way to the hotel with heavy steps, greeted by the manager’s deep bow, but Kaito was nowhere to be found. The staff mentioned that he had left without a word, and they expected him to return by evening, so the Marquis borrowed a reception room to wait for Kaito.
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“I’m sorry, Marquis, but I must decline.”
“That’s fine. By the way, I would like to request your escort.”
“Is it for you, Marquis?”
“Yes, I would like you to accompany me for a while.”
“What do you intend to do?”
Marquis Hamawar merely shrugged and smiled.
“I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Since you declined, I must take on the task myself. I don’t want to die either, so I’ve set some conditions. I will bring one of my attendants, and I guarantee him freedom of action. The only orders he cannot disobey are those from His Majesty and the Prime Minister.”
“You’re getting into another troublesome situation, aren’t you?”
“There are rumors that something similar to the Magic Tournament may happen again, but this time it involves both His Majesty and His Highness the Second Prince. By His Majesty’s side, Hyalda and Fiene will be there for defense and offense. I need someone capable of excellent defensive magic as well.”
“I can’t help you with that. If a kid like me goes off on his own, you’ll end up being quite hated, Marquis.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just protect me. You can ignore any orders from the Prince.”
“If nobles and high-ranking officials attack me while I’m guarding you, can I fight back?”
“That’s fine; I will take full responsibility.”
“Very well. I will accept the role of your escort, Marquis.”
“I apologize, but please come to my residence starting today.”
When Kaito arrived at the Marquis’s residence, he found Prime Minister Nagalan’s carriage parked outside. The Prime Minister certainly had a lot on his plate. He was guided to the salon by Head Maid Aisa, where he relaxed with Hyalda and Fiene.
“What do you think, Kaito?”
“I have no idea, so I can’t really judge. I always think nobles have it tough.”
As he leisurely enjoyed tea, he was called to have his measurements taken by a tailor. The clothes he had worn previously were tailored for the Viscount, but this time they would be made to reflect his association with the Marquis. It was noted that he could still wear them without issue because Hyalda was a Viscountess. Truly, being a noble was a hassle.
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The next day, a single outfit was completed and delivered, and Kaito changed into it to accompany the Marquis to the Royal Castle. He was told that unlike the other escorts, he did not need to stand against the wall inside; he could simply stay behind the Marquis.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Nagalan, the meaning became clear. His Majesty entered the Prime Minister’s reception room accompanied by the Prime Minister, along with a group of royal knights. The knights stood against the wall, while Kaito took a step back and stood behind the Marquis. The Marquis knelt, while Kaito merely bowed lightly, drawing the piercing gazes of the royal knights.
Prime Minister Nagalan said nothing, and neither did His Majesty, indicating that the discussions from the previous day had been communicated.
“Hamawar, what is the name of your attendant?”
“I am Kaito, Your Majesty.”
“If a Marquis has an attendant, I assume he possesses considerable ability. Would you demonstrate a portion of that ability?”
Receiving the Marquis’s gaze, Kaito nodded.
“Your Majesty, I would like to borrow the training grounds of the Mage Corps, if that is acceptable.”
“Marquis, please also request the presence of the elite members of the Mage Corps. If you cannot withstand their attacks, I will be of no use.”
Ah, the stains on the wall are speaking without His Majesty’s permission, Kaito thought, glaring at the wall. How frightening.
Following the group escorting His Majesty, Kaito trailed behind the Marquis, marveling at the vastness of the Royal Castle. A group that joined them midway appeared to be members of the Mage Corps, and their intimidating gazes directed at Kaito were quite unsettling. If they could crush his magic, that would be one thing; if they couldn’t, it would mean he was inferior to a mere street kid, which was understandable.
A man who exuded the air of a high-ranking member of the Mage Corps bowed to His Majesty before turning to face the Marquis.
“Marquis Hamawar, what kind of test will you conduct?”
Receiving the Marquis’s gaze, Kaito stepped up to the target for marksmanship, and with the Marquis’s signal, he was given five minutes to attack freely.
As he approached the target and turned to nod at the Marquis, the Marquis’s hand came down.
In an instant, Kaito erected a large fortress measuring 2 meters in diameter and 3 meters in height, taking a moment to rest.
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The moment Marquis Hamawar brought his hand down and declared, “Begin the attack,” the earth walls enveloped Kaito’s body—how fast! The elite members of the Mage Corps began their incantations for their attacks: “O fierce flame, burn away the wickedness that my palm indicates…” “Gather water from all around, become the spear of the frozen world…” “Wind, gather and swirl, become a sharp blade…”
Marquis Hamawar turned his head and smiled wryly, indicating he had considerable confidence.
The subsequent attacks were impressive, but the barrier Kaito had created remained unyielding. As the mages, frustrated by their inability to break through the barrier, launched repeated full-force attacks until they were exhausted, Kaito returned leisurely.
His Majesty commanded the knights behind him to attack the barrier, but their swords merely dulled against it. Seeing the knights biting their lips in frustration, His Majesty ordered the attacks to cease.
“Marquis Hamawar, that was splendid. I heard you withstood the charge of the Armored Buffalo, and while the Mage Corps and the knights laughed, it was truly remarkable.”
“Thank you very much, Your Majesty.”
“Marquis Hamawar, is it true that he has a Mana Grade of only 40?”
“That’s what I’ve been told. In fact, he collapsed three times due to running out of Mana—twice when he saved my daughter and once when he took the charge of an Armored Buffalo to protect me.”
“A Mana Grade of 40… I can hardly believe it.”
I remain silent, standing behind Marquis Hamawar.
The man, who seems to be the leader of the Mage Corps, is pleading with the Marquis to allow him to measure my Mana Grade right here in front of the Emperor.
Receiving the Marquis’s gaze, I quietly present my Adventurer Card to the man.
“I can’t believe it! With both Elf and Dwarf blood in him, a Mana Grade of 40, and at just 17 years old, a Silver Rank 2 Adventurer!”
The man is left speechless, prompting the Emperor to ask curiously, “What has you so astonished, Commander?”
“I apologize, Your Majesty. At 16, one can register as an Adventurer, but to achieve Silver Rank at 17 is nearly impossible. It would not be an exaggeration to say it is unattainable.”