Chapter 19

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Sophie looked puzzled when Leon tried to drag her out, but she moved on. Maybe it was because of my face. But, on the other hand, it seemed that my head was already half-locked in the past, so I would rather have time to think about it.

I closed my eyes as I heard the two of them leaving.

***

Two years ago.

I have done something that would make my father jump in the grave if he knew.

The night I sent Eden to the palace, I went to the temple and confessed that I brought a royalty named ‘Eden’ and that he is now with the king. I revealed two things and left the confession room. I have committed many sins, but I didn’t come to confess. I was well aware for whom this temple was working. The temple was in the hands of the antiking faction, Rasnatif.

Naturally, my confession reached her ears. Due to the nature of the confession, she could not pretend to know or ask me, and then the following day, she began a search around me. She did everything she could. From spies, magic, divine powers, and even force, but I was gracious on her. And so she got most of the information she wants. But, of course, that was only as far as I allowed.

She found out that the Crown Prince, who was said to be dead, is now locked in the tower with his life due tomorrow. A prince who possesses legitimacy with even magical powers. As an anti-monarch, there was nothing she could miss. She shared this unique piece of information on the anti-faction, and there was an uproar under the water. Finally, after three days, the king called me.

“I can’t help but ask why.”

When I laughed at the king’s remark, he waved his hand, saying, ‘Don’t laugh, listen to me.’ He already knew what I was doing, and I gave up playing dumb. There was no need to hurt the king’s high self-esteem.

“Do you plan to antagonize the king?”

“No, your majesty.”

“Even if Hastred is a duke, it’s only one title. Do you think it would be difficult for the King to forfeit the title?”

The king growled. Then I answered, trying to be as obedient as possible.

“No, your majesty.”

“Well? Why did you dare stab the king in the back?”

Neither growling nor saying he was hit in the head that I feel offended. On the contrary, it seemed a little refreshing. I thought that it was surprising. He thought I could be very offended. It was a bridge I crossed, thinking that I might end up hating myself. I knew it was a dangerous bridge. But what Eden said lingered in my mind.

“It’s a sword too precious to rot with me.”

I did it because I thought it would be easier to do the right thing than live my whole life in a turbulent mood.

“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. However, I have nothing to do with your Majesty.”

“What?”

“I am the master of Hastred. Hastred has changed masters; forgive me for saying this, but you have not made a contract with the new master. The Hastred is free, and so am I.”

“… Ha, are you playing with words now?”

“Your majesty.”

I can’t remember what kind of expression I made. Did I laugh or talked seriously? I probably laughed habitually.

“Your Majesty may change who owns the title of Duke of Hastred because the title’s master is your majesty’s servant. However, I am the owner of the Knights of Hastred. Therefore, you cannot change Hastred’s master.”

I didn’t know that my relatives were rattling by the king’s side. And I also knew that the king was weighing the best deals between my relatives and me.

Hasted is a powerful knightly order, in other words, costly. The king was calculating how he could take possession of this Knights Templar or whether he might make it through this inheritance dispute. I know that much. No matter how uninterested I am in politics and the life I wield as the sword, I’m still the heir of the duke.

“Cilli, King respects Hastred. But, of course, if Hastred regards you as their master, then King will allow it.”

Although he made it clear that it was not a matter of what is permissible or revocable, he wanted to say it was his matter to allow. I laughed silently. He seemed genuinely offended when I disagreed. His cheeks moved begrudgingly, but he didn’t want to argue about the way of Hastred’s choosing a master.

“But Hastred seems to have a different opinion on the seat of the housemaster.”

“There is none.”

“It’s different from what King knows.”

“There can be no difference of opinion in the first place since I’m a Hastred. But, your Majesty, if you think there is a difference of opinion, I can show you the difference between my Hastred and the group they claim to be Hastred. If you wish… .”

I don’t mind splitting Hastred. After all, the main power belongs to me. The king glared with an unpleasant expression at my words. I really didn’t mind dividing Hastred. However, the moment the king tells me to,  Hastred will be divided and will be left only the elite forces behind. It won’t damage Hastred’s power much, but it will tarnish Hastred’s name and affects the morale of the king’s army. The one who suffers is none other than the king.

Moreover, the king did not raise his hand at that moment. We are not in a good relationship, and if we become nothing, then I have a reason to sign a contract with another country. Without the title of duke, I won’t be bounded in this country. We are essentially a group of mercenaries. Since we have already established our base in this country, many things would be regrettable, and it will affect the lives of the members and the lives of many people involved.

But nothing is worth more than Hastred.

If the king wants to take Hastred, we must resist. That is our duty.

Hastred’s divide is in the same line with the story that a long-term contract with Hastred may not continue. The king could not hide his displeasure and struck the handle of the throne.

“Insolence! You dare to be cocky in front of King?!”

The man who tried to eat up the entire Knights Templar by meddling in other people’s family fights from behind is very proud of his pride.

I’m really sorry but I can’t say that.

“I apologize.”

“Do you dare say ‘I can make a contract with another country’ in front of the burden I have been watching since you were born?”

You’ve been watching from the moment I was born until now, and you’ll see me lose everything? Right, that is your specialty. ‘Watching from the moment of birth and taking everything away.’

There was no laughter at that moment. It was a moment where it is difficult for me to laugh.

“I thought it was just a story of possibilities, Your Majesty. Or could someone else have taken the place of Hastred’s master?”

“……”

“…..”

Suddenly the king laughed.

“No, it was about possibility. King can’t think of anyone other than you as the owner of Hastred. The friendship between Ilyde and King is not so green.”

Ah, is it now that friendship recognizes me? It was clear in his eyes that he was going to try to erase the debt somehow.

“But you are a woman and you are young, so it is true that there are different opinions about giving the title of duke. Even if it’s me, I cannot be a good king by ignoring everyone’s opinions. So, I would like to propose an arbitration plan that takes account into a number of considerations.”

It was an arbitration proposal, an offer that could not be refused. I proudly shouted that Hastred could leave Grosslan, but it was not an easy task. The Knights of the Hastred have their own family. And there are a lot of people who are not knights in the Knights Templar. Which country should I go to with all of them? In addition, how should I take responsibility for the livelihoods of the many families of the Knights Templar? In fact, it was never an easy story.

Hasted is important.

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Frankly, they’re used to Grosslan that everyone doesn’t want to leave. These are people who have been living in Grosslan for three generations. Like me, most of my generation have learned Grosslan as their native language and have Grosslan’s culture as their native culture, so wherever we go, Grosslan will always be good.

The king knew it too, that’s why I’m angry. This is the story of ‘I know how absurd it is to make a decision, but I dare spit it out.’ But I was sincere. We can leave and will take a lot of damage, but we will go if it’s to protect Hastred.

Only one reason. Only to protect Hastred, then it is possible.

There is honor and wealth because I’m a knight of Hastred. There is stability. There are things I have because I’m a member of Hastred Knights. We are free people. Even the king can’t wholly brush us off. The aristocrats can play with commoners like playthings, but not for Hastred because the people of Hastred Knights are free. We do not have the honor or wealth of aristocrats, but we have freedom. That is why everyone is willing to risk anything for the sake of Hastred. For the reason that freedom is rare and precious.