**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 the time had come for him to be ennobled for his achievements in defeating the monstrous Subnock.
Riding in the carriage of his guardian, the House of Marquis Rosemary, Rest reached the palace. Though he preferred simple attire, today was a special occasion, and he was dressed in elegant noble clothing. The Rosemary Sisters, Viola and Primula, were similarly adorned in splendid dresses that radiated charm.
“Finally! The day has come!” Viola exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I’m so happy that everyone will recognize Rest-sama’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, lend me your arm,” Viola said, extending her hand.
“Please escort me,” Primula chimed in.
“Ah… please, allow me, my ladies,” Rest replied, offering his arms to both of them as they entered the palace together.
Guided by a butler, they walked through a corridor surrounded by white walls and pillars until they arrived at the door of the audience chamber, where the ceremony would take place. It was the room where they would meet His Majesty the King.
“Ugh…”
At the door to the audience chamber, one of the individuals waiting there grimaced.
“Seriously, ‘Ugh’? How rude to express such disdain upon meeting someone,” Rest retorted.
“Shut it! You’re the one flaunting two women by your side, and you’re not even getting goosebumps?” the man shot back.
The one who was grimacing and rubbing his arms was none other than Wilhelm Lyubeth, the infamous Woman-Hating Sword Saint. While Rest was dressed in noble attire, Lyubeth wore a more rugged knight’s uniform, clearly designed for ceremonial occasions. Unlike Rest, who had brought companions, he had come alone.
“Escorting women when it’s not even a party? Aren’t you embarrassed? It’s ridiculous,” Lyubeth scoffed.
“If it were a party, would you be able to escort a woman, Lyubeth?” Rest teased.
“Of course not! And it’s not that I’m ‘afraid’ of women! I just ‘dislike’ them!” Lyubeth snapped back.
As the two exchanged barbs, Viola leaned in and whispered to Rest, “Is this person…?”
“Yes, that’s Lyubeth from the Knight Department, first-year,” Rest confirmed.
“…He’s not what I expected. I heard he was a great swordsman,” Viola remarked, observing Lyubeth’s demeanor.
Indeed, there was no hint of the fierce swordsmanship he was reputed for when he was in the presence of women; he seemed to wilt under their gaze.
“Ah, Rest. You’ve arrived,” a voice called out from the audience chamber.
“Ugh…”
A woman who had also been waiting at the door spoke up, causing Lyubeth to retreat in a fluster. Stepping forward in his place was a striking figure dressed in knight’s attire—a beautiful woman who could easily be mistaken for a handsome man if not for her feminine features.
“Hello, Carbelt-senpai,” Rest greeted.
Isis Carbelt, a third-year student in the Knight Department and the leader of the Student Council Executive Committee, stood before them. With her strong features and commanding presence, she was the type who garnered admiration from both men and women alike, even having a fan club within the academy.
“I see you’ve been invited to the palace as well,” she said.
“Yes. I’m being ennobled as a ‘Baron.’ Apparently, it’s for my third-place merit in the Subnock hunt,” she said, a wry smile playing on her lips.
“It seems they recognized my efforts in leading the rescue operations for the Student Council, even though I’ve never even encountered a Subnock myself. It feels rather hollow to be praised for such a thing,” she added, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Rest was recognized as the first for his achievements, with Lyubeth in second place and Isis in third. These three students from the Royal Academy were to be ennobled today.
“We’re also supposed to be engaged in the development of the Subnock Plains, and it seems there’s a significant event coming up,” Isis continued.
“Hmph… They probably want us to crush some foolish pests. It’s unfortunate that such noble individuals are involved in this,” Lyubeth muttered, his disdain evident.
It appeared that both of them were aware of the rebellion led by Marquis Aiger.
“You two will be participating in the hunt for the traitor, right?” Isis asked.
“Of course, I’m a member of the House of Marquis Rosemary,” Rest replied.
“As a knight, how could I allow a traitor who has turned against the royal family to go unpunished?” Lyubeth added.
“Good to hear… I feel reassured knowing that you both are here. By the way… um…” Isis’s gaze drifted, and her words faltered, a stark contrast to her earlier composure.
“You two are… skilled at sniping magical beasts, right?” she asked suddenly.
“Snipe…?” Rest echoed, puzzled.
“Yes, like using magic to shoot from unseen distances…” Isis explained.
“……?”
Why was she asking about that all of a sudden? Could it possibly relate to the hunt for Marquis Aiger?
“I can only wield a sword. I’ve never done any sniping,” Rest admitted.
“I’m quite proficient in that area. Why do you ask?” Lyubeth replied.
“Oh, I see… well, that’s good then. Yes,” Isis said, her tone shifting awkwardly.
“……?”
Isis abruptly ended the conversation, turning her gaze away.
“Carbelt-senpai…?” Rest called out, confused.
“Ah! We’re about to have an audience with His Majesty! Let’s not get too stiff with nerves!” she urged, her earlier demeanor forgotten.
“…Right,” Rest replied, still puzzled by her behavior.
As the time for the audience and the ennoblement ceremony approached, he decided not to dwell on it further.
“Mmm…”
Beside Rest, the Rosemary Sisters narrowed their eyes, their expressions wary as they prepared for what lay ahead.