Chapter 122: Invited to the Royal Palace
A few days later, Rest arrived at the Royal Palace, holding the invitation that had been sent to him. It wasn’t that he had been eagerly anticipating this day, but it was the day he would be conferred nobility due to his achievements in the subjugation of the Magical Beast Sabnock.
Riding in the carriage of his guardian, the Rosemary Marquis House, Rest reached the palace. Although he preferred not to dress extravagantly, today was a special occasion, and he was adorned in elegant attire befitting a noble. The Rosemary Sisters, Viola and Primula, were similarly dressed in splendid formal gowns, radiating grace and beauty.
“Alright! Finally, this day has come!” Viola exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I’m so happy that everyone’s recognizing Rest’s accomplishments!” Primula added, her voice filled with joy.
For some reason, it seemed that Viola and Primula were more excited about this day than Rest himself.
“Let’s go, I’ll need your arm,” Viola said, linking hers with Rest’s.
“Please escort me,” Primula chimed in.
“Ah… please, allow me, ladies,” Rest replied, offering his arms to both of them as they entered the palace.
Guided by the butler, they walked through the corridor flanked by white marble walls and columns until they arrived at the door of the audience chamber, where the award ceremony would take place.
“Ugh…”
One of the figures waiting at the door grimaced at the sight of them.
“To suddenly say ‘Ugh’ is quite rude, isn’t it? How impolite to express such disdain upon meeting someone,” another voice retorted.
“Shut it! You come here with women on either side, and you don’t feel even a hint of embarrassment?”
The one who grimaced, stroking his arms as if to ward off an unseen chill, was none other than the “Sword Saint Who Dislikes Women,” Wilhelm Lübesse. While Rest was dressed in noble attire, Lübesse wore a somewhat rugged ceremonial knight’s uniform. Unlike Rest, he had come alone, without an escort.
“To escort a woman in a dress when it’s not even a party… how pathetic,” Lübesse scoffed.
“Would you rather escort a woman at a party, Mr. Woman-Phobic?”
“Of course not! And it’s not that I’m ‘afraid’ of women; I simply ‘dislike’ them!”
Lübesse snapped back, his irritation palpable. Meanwhile, Viola leaned closer to Rest and whispered in his ear.
“Rest… is that person perhaps…?”
“Yes, that’s Lübesse from the Department of Knights, first-year,” Rest replied.
“…He’s different from what I imagined. I heard he was an incredible swordsman.”
Indeed, there was no hint of the fierce swordsmanship he was reputed for; he seemed to weaken in the presence of women.
“Hey, Rest. Looks like you’ve arrived,” Lübesse said, his tone begrudgingly cordial.
“Ugh…”
A woman’s voice called out from the audience chamber, causing Lübesse to step back in surprise. In his place emerged a strikingly beautiful figure dressed in knight’s attire. With piercing eyes that shone like jewels and a regal nose, one might mistake her for a handsome man if not for her feminine curves.
“Hello, Carbelt-senpai,” Rest greeted.
Isis Carbelt, a third-year student in the Department of Knights and leader of the Student Council Executive Committee, stood before them. Her dignified appearance and aura made her more appealing to women than men, and she even had a fan club within the academy.
“I see you were invited to the palace as well,” she said.
“Yes. I’m also being conferred the title of ‘Baron.’ It’s due to my third-place merit in the Sabnock subjugation,” Isis replied, a sardonic smile gracing her lips.
“It seems my efforts in leading the rescue operations for the students were recognized… even though I’ve never even encountered the Magical Beast Sabnock,” she added with a hint of irony.
The accolades for the Sabnock subjugation were as follows: Rest in first place, Lübesse in second, and Isis in third. These three students from the Royal Academy were to be honored today.
“It appears we will also be granted territories for our contributions to the development of the Subnock Plain… but first, there seems to be a significant event ahead,” Isis remarked.
“Hmph… they want us to crush some foolish pests. It’s unfortunate that such an honorable person is involved in this,” Lübesse muttered, his disdain evident.
It seemed both of them were aware of the rebellion led by Marquis Aiger.
“You two will be participating in the subjugation of the rebels, right?” Isis asked.
“Of course, I am a member of the Rosemary Marquis House,” Lübesse replied.
“As a knight, I cannot allow a rebel who has betrayed the Royal Family to go unpunished,” he added.
“Indeed… I feel very reassured knowing that both Rest and Wilhelm are here with me. By the way… um…”
Isis’s gaze drifted, and her words faltered, a strange shift from her previously composed demeanor.
“You two… are skilled in sniping magical beasts, right?” she suddenly asked.
“Sniping…?” Rest echoed, puzzled.
“Yes, using magic to shoot from an unseen distance…” she elaborated.
“…………?”
Why was she asking such a thing all of a sudden? Could it be related to the subjugation of Marquis Aiger?
“I can only wield a sword. I’ve never done any sniping,” Lübesse admitted.
“I’m quite proficient in that area. Why do you ask?” Rest replied, curious.
“Oh, I see… well, that’s good then. Yes,” Isis said, her tone abruptly shifting as she turned away.
“Carbelt-senpai…?” Rest called after her.
“Ah! Now, now! We’re about to have an audience with the King! Both of you, try not to get too tense!” she urged, her earlier odd behavior forgotten.
“…Yes, of course,” Rest replied, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.
As Rest straightened his posture, preparing for the upcoming ceremony, he noticed the Rosemary Sisters narrowing their eyes in caution beside him.