Chapter 40
I opened my eyes on the dungeon dive magic circle in the Imperium Palace, staring blankly at my body.
‘Intact.’
Not a scratch on the Hound armor.
The Rosary of Grace and the finest holy diamond bullets were safe in my pouch.
It was over.
Before I could celebrate, I staggered, clutching my breastplate.
The sensation of Sir Dominic’s strike slicing from shoulder to heart to waist was vivid.
I forced down rising nausea.
‘I miss Lilac.’
I craved the sweet cake she made just for me.
I missed Sebastian’s affection.
Even his annoying licking tongue.
‘Get it together!’
I slapped my cheeks.
Gauntlets clashed with the helm, making a dull sound.
My hazy vision cleared slightly.
The Princess’ hound duties weren’t done.
This was still the palace.
‘I need rest.’
Only two hours had passed here, but I’d spent two weeks rolling through battlefields in the dungeon.
I headed to the waiting room to lie down, but opening the door, I was greeted by golden madness.
“….”
On the desk ahead lay a scroll tied with the Princess’ hair.
Her actions were astonishing.
[Consider the value of what you received. Come down immediately and show loyalty. Make the public see the Black Knight’s absolute devotion to the Princess.]
Hearing the insolent Princess Adela’s voice in my mind, I headed to the banquet hall.
Entering, I was met with a flood of gazes.
Awe, admiration, greed.
A stark change from before.
Not the Princess’ toy, but her rifle.
“Oh, the Princess’ Black Knight!”
“Rushing to the Princess—such loyalty!”
Glancing around, I saw few dungeon participants who faced Dominic.
Likely reeling from death’s backlash.
I wasn’t in top shape either.
It was an illusion, but I’d experienced death.
I should be resting on a stable bed.
I would’ve.
…If not for the Princess.
Pleased with her plan’s success, Princess Adela’s lips curled.
“You’ve come, my knight.”
I knelt on one knee silently.
She extended her hand naturally.
Taking it, I mimed a kiss.
The nobles sighed, offering praise.
“Goodness, a truly honorable knight. Hiding his identity at an imperial event was arrogant, but who can fault him now?”
“Truly… astonishing. How did the Princess find such talent?”
“It’ll be hard to sway him.”
The nobles, intrigued by the bond between the Golden Princess and Black Knight, felt regret.
‘Crazy, just crazy.’
Glancing at the Princess, she was ecstatic.
Her golden eyes felt familiar.
I stared.
What was it?
Cynical gaze.
Lonely eyes.
A sneer on her lips.
The familiarity through Princess Adela was… me.
Like seeing my reflection in a mirror of the mind.
It felt repulsive.
Thankfully, the helm hid my rotting expression.
Thus, the dungeon tournament concluded.
***
The award ceremony began.
A glorious event awarding prizes named after the Imperium Empire’s great generals, knights, scholars, and philanthropists.
The imperial head butler hosted.
“The Evergreen Award, for a lifetime dedicated to the continent’s orphans, goes to Lady Mary von Airi Deminiyan, who devoted herself to her team!”
Mary shyly stepped forward, grabbed the award, and tried to flee, but returned for a photo, then bolted at the click.
She went to Elisha’s side.
“Ugh… so overwhelming.”
“It’s okay, it’s over.”
Bord, with bear-like paws, patted Mary’s head.
But Elisha couldn’t.
She was consumed by one thought, barely noticing else.
“…Am I the only one thinking this?”
Elisha sank into deep thought.
‘That light…’
She recalled the radiant light.
While the allied forces held the imperial army head-on, the Cosmos Church army flanked the rear.
Against Platinum Knight Sir Dominic, the special unit exceeded its mission to stall, achieving extraordinary results.
They killed Dominic.
But.
“The Terriwood Award, for a general with no desertions in over a hundred battles, goes to Lord Bord von Ludin Tauforos, who died protecting allies!”
The special unit was mere support.
The tournament’s star was one person.
The Princess’ Black Knight.
‘Could the Black Knight be…?’
She recalled the final strike.
The radiant light.
‘It was identical to the white light that pierced the demon count’s heart.’
Elisha looked at her friends, Mary and Bord.
They saw Dominic’s end, but unlike her, seemed unmoved.
Reflecting, she found the reason.
‘…Right, at Dr. Keren’s lab, Mary was drained of mana, and Bord was unconscious from Frontkeeper’s backlash.’
It made sense.
‘Wait, then?’
Only one person saw both Martin’s and the Black Knight’s radiant bullets.
Elisha herself.
‘So, am I right?’
The Black Knight and Martin were the same?
Elisha struggled to calm her trembling eyes and troubled heart.
“The Guwanan Award, for charging the enemy to protect allies, goes to Lord Muller von Dale Amulrent, who faced a foe with sacrifice!”
Her rival’s award was announced.
But a greater issue arose.
“Haa.”
Her sigh overlapped with the awards.
Dozens of awards took time.
‘That scoundrel Martin reformed, joined the Cosmos Empire’s secret society, and now he’s the Princess’ Black Knight…?’
Doubt lingered.
But it was too early to conclude.
Was she rushing?
‘But.’
His knack for spotting and killing enemies fastest.
His sense to grasp the battlefield and act swiftly.
His mind to assess an opponent’s strength and respond.
‘It’s too similar.’
Not all marksmen were like that, right?
Was it standard?
‘No way.’
That was talent beyond effort.
“The Berryfield Archer Knight Award, for slaying many enemies, goes to Lady Elisha von Tresha Harmadun for her great feats!”
“….”
“Lady Elisha?”
“Hey, Elisha. It’s you.”
“Huh? Oh, right.”
Bord’s nudge saved her.
She received the award.
“Now, the final award. Named after Emperor Hamerd Imperium, for the tournament’s most outstanding participant.”
She couldn’t miss this.
Looking up, she saw the aged butler.
“This individual seized the empire’s supply carriage, protected the allied forces to the Imperium Plains, and crushed the Defardly Empire’s Rangers and Barbarians.”
The accolades were endless.
All glorious.
“…And finally, they saved Emperor Hamerd and defeated Platinum Knight Sir Dominic, sacrificing themselves. Truly noble.”
The top award brought immense benefits.
Empire-wide fame was minor.
“We present a marksman whose poise never wavered, whose aiming exuded dignity. Welcome Princess Adela and the Black Knight.”
As Adela’s proxy, the Black Knight ascended with her.
Sincere encouragement and applause echoed.
Though not allies, his feats were undeniable.
Bathed in spotlight, the golden Princess and pitch-black Knight.
Elisha couldn’t look away.
***
In the imperial dungeon tournament, a side story, you left an impression of martial prowess and elegance, achieving countless feats.
Though a nameless Black Knight, your Hamerd Award will be recorded in Imperium history.
Princess Adela will fondly remember today.
Elisha will notice you due to today.
Mary and Bord will remember today.
Prince Kazaks, due to today…
…
…
…
You earned 5,000 points.
My eyes dazzled.
Opening them, warm morning sunlight greeted me, mirrored by her.
“Master, wake up. Breakfast time.”
Lilac drew the curtains and opened the window.
Fresh air flowed through her hair, urging me to rise.
“Today’s your favorite meat stew. Vegetables sautéed in butter, browned meat, simmered in fine wine.”
Led by her hand, I stood before the breakfast table.
An irresistible aroma made me sit and pick up a spoon.
[Woof!]
“Alright, Sebastian. Here.”
Lilac poured homemade food into Sebastian’s bowl.
I gazed at the peaceful routine.
Feeling my stare, Lilac turned and smiled.
“Eat, Master. You said you had to leave early.”
“Yeah, I did.”
I lifted the spoon.
Yesterday was grueling.
But today was the day.
Gilbert’s trouble day.
‘That righteous troublemaker will find a serial killer’s traces and start investigating.’
But…
“I’m not going.”
“Huh…? What?”
“Just feel like it.”
A delay wouldn’t ruin the event.
Honestly, Gilbert would handle it without me.
Today felt languid, sentimental—a day to laze at home.
“Need help with work?”
“No!”
Lilac’s firm reply was joyful.
“Great choice, Master! You’ve been so busy with the Academy and weekends! I hoped you’d rest! I’ve got the coffee cart, so relax today!”
“O-Okay.”
After breakfast, I saw Lilac off with the cart.
Sebastian, now routine, trotted after her, tail wagging.
‘Alone.’
The small house felt vast.
Following Lilac’s advice, I rolled on the bed for an hour.
Lying flat, then prone.
“This isn’t it.”
Idleness made me restless, so I opted for a jog.
I grabbed Lilac’s homemade lemon juice and headed out.
To avoid recognition, I wore a cloak and took my rifle.
Lilac would return by lunch.
I needed to be back.
‘To the market?’
The Imperium capital had everything.
Browsing often yielded surprises.
“…This and that, please.”
“Two for 15 coppers.”
“Alright.”
I felt overcharged but splurged on accessories.
They reminded me of Lilac; I couldn’t resist.
Three might be an issue.
‘Hope she likes them.’
A gift for her efforts managing the household and coffee cart, despite my nominal role.
Refreshed, I sipped lemon juice, heading home.
I would’ve, if not for spotting someone familiar.
Wild Instinct (Lv 2) whispers to follow.
“…That’s.”