Duke Pendragon

"Hmm!"

"To think such a thing…"

Isla and Count Elven trembled with widened eyes. The story they heard from the king, who was supposedly revived after seven years, was truly shocking.

"The Shadow Brotherhood…"

"Have you heard of them?"

Isla muttered quietly, and Raven followed up with a question.

"Yes, my lord. However, unlike the Grey Outlaws, they do not receive commissions for general assassinations and kidnapping requests. As such, little is known about them, including their structure, composition, and the location of their base."

"So are you telling me that they are a high-class assassin organization?"

"That is correct. Since there is so little known about them, I am unsure as to their works. However…"

"Our Raccoon Mask will be able to find out more about them."

"Yes."

Isla responded with a grin when Raven mentioned Vincent.

"Anyways. Your Majesty Pendragon, isn't the client more of an issue compared to the organization itself? Margrave Mirin? Should we not inform His Majesty the Emperor of this fact and make it public?"

This was an unprecedented situation. A margrave was a unique title possessing status equivalent, or even slightly greater than high lords. Such an esteemed figure had commissioned the kidnapping of the members of Pendragon Kingdom's royal family, the emperor's in-laws.

It was a tremendous event that could shake the entire empire.

Moreover, even though high lords were given liberty in terms of the military and administration within their own territories, they were still influenced by the imperial castle with important situations, especially if it involved high-ranking nobles. However, the margrave had the imperial law at his disposal. He could wield it as he saw fit.

The ruler of the far eastern territory was arbitrarily given authority over law, but it had solidified over time. In the end, the margrave was a knight and servant of the emperor similar to the high lords, but also a special being with a position and power equivalent to the duke of the empire.

"This could lead to rebellion in the worst case scenario. In addition, Mirin is located extremely far away. It could claim independence at any time and still have time to organize its troops."

"Hmm…"

Raven narrowed his eyes.

Mirin was definitely far away. Moreover, the margrave himself was the commander of the stationed imperial army, unlike the high lords. As such, additional forces of the imperial army weren't present in Mirin's vicinity.

Above all, the army's hierarchy had remained unchanged for a long time. The margrave had the authority to appoint imperial knights at his disposal. As such, Mirin's knights and soldiers were more likely to follow the orders of the margrave than the emperor.

Just as Duke Arangis did in the past, the margrave could rouse his forces at any time.

"Ian, no, I suppose he is the emperor now. Anyways, I think it will be better for us to not make this public, even if we inform His Majesty the Emperor."

"What? Why is that?"

"From the perspective of one of Aragon Empire's governor-general and a loyal subject of the emperor, your words are correct. However, this issue pertains to me and the Pendragon Kingdom before it does the empire."

"Hmm…!"

Count Elven could not find a response to Raven's determined words.

Raven was right. He was not anyone else, but a person whom even the current emperor was indebted to. The founding king of the Pendragon Kingdom had the right to say such things.

Even if Emperor Ian was here, he would likely not raise an opposition.

"My younger sister and son were almost kidnapped. So I will take care of it on my own. Moreover, the family of one of my knight's bride candidates is involved in the manner as well. As such, leave this up to the Pendragon Kingdom."

"Hmm, all right. Is there anything I could assist you with?"

"Please make sure word does not spread about what happened just now. Nothing good will come to you either if it becomes known, Lord Elven."

"…Thank you again for your great consideration."

Count Elven bowed his head with sincere gratitude.

His younger cousin tried to violate a member of a nation's royal family. If it became known, it was obvious that not only the empress, but the emperor would not remain still.

"I will make sure to take care of Gerard, even if I have to exile him or keep him locked up in the castle for the rest of his life."

"Do as you like."

Raven nodded. He knew Count Elven would keep his words.

"By the way, my lord, what are you planning to do with them?"

Isla spoke with a glance. Raven and Count Elven's eyes followed suit.

"Heuk!'

Although she was in a different position compared to the two, Berna felt intimidated by the fierce gaze of the two figures. They weren't simple monsters, but rather creatures that far exceeded imagination. She had been watching over Number 2 and Number 3. King Pendragon had let her live until now because she was useful, but the Knight King of Valvas was different. Even now, she felt his killing intent being directed at herself as well as Number 2 and Number 3.

"I, I, I have pledged myself to live as a slave of His Majesty King Pendragon for the rest of my life! I, I came all this way following the will of His Majesty and said everything I knew about these people!"

Berna hurriedly knelt to one knee and bowed her head. She knew that she could lose her life with a single mistake.

"You wench…"

Both Number 2 and Number 3 grinded their teeth. Number 3's abdomen had been pierced by Raven's sword, and Number 2 had been overpowered by Raven as well.

"Shut up."

However, the two assassins hurriedly closed their mouths at Raven's words. They knew all too well that even if they combined their power at their peak states, they would be no match for the legendary figure in front of them.

"The half-vampire is useful. She's already told me her true name, so she cannot lie and has been of some use."

"T, thank you! Master!"

Berna raised her head with a joyful expression. She felt a ray of light and salvation at Raven's words. However, she quickly bowed once again after seeing Isla's cold gaze.

"Then those two…"

"They seem to know a lot about the one known as Number 1. You can do with them as you like after interrogating them."

"Yes, my lord."

Isla bowed his head, then slowly turned toward the two assassins.

"Ugh…"

The expressions of Number 2 and Number 3 paled as they met his glimmering eyes.

"By the way, Your Majesty Pendragon."

"Hmm?"

Count Elven called out carefully, and Raven turned his head.

"I apologize, but as you saw, we were holding a banquet for Princess Mia and His Majesty Isla. I was thinking, that maybe, Your Majesty and Prince Raymond…"

"Hmm…"

Raven's expression shifted subtly at the following words of Count Elven.

***

"What is going on?"

"I am not sure. I think something big must have happened…"

The atmosphere of the banquet hall was chaotic. Some time had passed after Count Elven, the host of the banquet, disappeared along with the unexpected, unidentified intruders.

"I think I heard the name Gerard Elven. Do you think that playboy has caused another commotion?"

"In addition, I don't see Princess Mia. This is…"

"I heard that His Majesty Isla rushed through the main gate a while ago. Do you reckon it's related?"

"Huh…"

Despite the situation, the organizers did not give an explanation. As such, the hundreds of nobles murmured amongst themselves and speculated.

At that moment, the chief servant hurriedly entered the hall and raised his voice.

"All of our esteemed guests! His Excellency the Governor-General will now enter! Moreover, a very special guest is with His Excellency!"

"Ooh…!"

Magnificent music once again resonated throughout the hall, and Count Elven entered with a bright, soft smile. It was as if nothing had transpired during his absence.

"Oh! That is Princess Mia, the flower of the Pendragon Kingdom!"

"Huh! I heard the rumor, but it did not do her beauty justice…!"

The nobles became wide-eyed with admiration after seeing the figure who followed behind Count Elven. However, that wasn't all.

"It's His Majesty Isla!"

"The knight of knights, the Knight King of Valvas…!"

The nobles' gazes shifted busily when Isla entered. He had changed outfits and was now adorning an official knight's outfit of the Pendragon Kingdom, which was skillfully embroidered with the symbol of the White Dragon. In addition, a red, majestic cape fluttered behind him.

Moreover…

"W, what!? That boy is…!"

"Hmm? Do you know who that is?"

"Of course! That's Prince Raymond, the official successor of the Pendragon Kingdom!"

"What!?"

The nobles knew that Mia and Isla were present, but they were greatly shocked to hear that the official successor of the Pendragon Kingdom had also come as well. None of them had been expecting such a situation.

The blood of a legendary hero who saved the world. The little prince was barely known to the world. With him rarely leaving the kingdom, only rumors were known about the little prince. However, he was finally making his debut in the outside world.

"As expected of Pendragon's blood."

"But his appearance seems a little different from his father, the founding king of the Pendragon Kingdom…"

"What nonsense are you spouting!? I heard he is only seven years old, yet he displays such confidence. He is exactly the same as his father, the founding king."

Not all of the gathered nobles had seen Alan Pendragon. However, the nobles who did and remembered, especially the men who called themselves knights, nodded with satisfied expressions when they saw Raymond. The founding king possessed a splendid appearance and an arrogant, overwhelming spirit. On the contrary, the child was rather soft and gentle in his actions and expressions. However, he walked proudly and with dignity while receiving the countless gaze of adults. In that sense, he was an exact replica of his father.

"But isn't that person…?"

"Heuk! That's the person who smashed the front door…"

"What? Why is that person…"

The nobles were astonished to see the man silently walking behind Raymond. They could not understand how the intruder, who was responsible for causing all the commotion, was nonchalantly walking into the hall alongside the governor-general as well as key figures from the Pendragon Kingdom. It was as if nothing had happened.

"Hahaha! Thank you for waiting so long. First of all, I would like to apologize. There was a small disturbance regarding some family issues, but it has been resolved."

Despite Count Elven's assurance, the anxiety and doubts of the nobles did not disappear. However, Count Elven had expected such a response. He looked around and raised his voice.

"I am sure that most of you know His Majesty Isla, the King of Valvas, and His Highness Prince Raymond of the Pendragon Kingdom."

It was obvious. The chief servant had already announced that special guests would be accompanying the governor-general. He would have been referring to them.

"But today! I am truly honored to introduce all of you to someone truly extraordinary. I am truly honored and grateful that he has graced Edenfield with his presence. Not only am I speaking for myself! But I am certain that even His Majesty the Emperor would have shared my sentiment if he were here!"

"Huh?"

"What is he…"

The nobles murmured.

The majority of them were knowledgeable about what Count Elven was like. As one of the closest aides to the current emperor, he was conscientious and never made false remarks. Moreover, he was extremely fair and wasn't motivated by self-interest. Even among the high lords and the officials of the imperial castle, he possessed a great reputation. None of those gathered here had ever seen him praise anyone so much.

"Who do you think he is referring to?"

"Well, since he is mentioning even His Majesty the Emperor…"

The curiosity and confusion of the nobles reached their peak and Count Elven shouted with a light tremor.

"Seven years ago! The hero who saved our empire from the hideous plans of the evil witch! The founding king of the Pendragon Kingdom! His Majesty Alan Pendragon has come back to us!"

"Heuk?"

"What?"

The baffled, confused cries of hundreds of nobles resonated throughout the banquet hall.