Chapter 103
“No! Why! Just why! We basically won, didn't we? Those 5 guys could have been wiped out in the time it takes to drink a cup of cold tea, so why!? Just why?”
Returning to the tavern, Karl silently tilted his cup, watching the shouting Anne.
“What do they give for winning?”
“Well…! Prize money and honor…!”
“I have more money than I can handle, and it seems I’ve accumulated more honor than winning the Knight Grand Tournament.”
“So, what! If you could win, why insist on taking second place?”
“Because I wanted to give them a chance.”
Karl turned his head and pointed towards the members who wore frustrated expressions.
Their faces were filled not with relief, but with regret.
“If only I had swung my sword one more time then.”
“No, Kelvin, you did more than enough. If I hadn’t foolishly gone sideways then, we could have won.”
“…Everything is my fault for commanding poorly.”
From the looks on their faces and the way they spoke, clenching their fists tightly, Anne sensed what Karl meant.
“Since we didn’t die, another chance will come.”
The Somerset Knight Grand Tournament, held once every four years, would eventually be held again.
Perhaps then, a different Lighthouse Knights order would stand here.
“If they had won here, they would have fallen into complacency, wouldn't they.”
Karl didn’t answer Anne’s last remark, simply emptying his cup.
Thus, the Lighthouse Knights' first Knight Grand Tournament ended in second place, amidst slight regrets and the curiosity of the people.
***
“Huh… I never thought he would actually throw the flag there.”
“…I too never imagined he would think of doing such a thing.”
“It means he was confident he would win if he stepped forward himself.”
“Yes, that must be why he spoke to me as if he was certain they would take second place. He already knew that if he himself was excluded from the knight order's strength, they weren't championship material.”
“The members will devote themselves to training desperately, and in four years, they will be a knight order incomparably stronger than now.”
“That must have been his aim.”
The two looked at each other and burst into incredulous laughter.
He took the honor as honor, and sufficiently imprinted a strong impression on people.
Thanks to the members of the Lighthouse Knights, excluding Karl, fighting a fierce battle until the very end, their skills were evaluated rather objectively.
A strong knight order even without Karl; they had already engraved that perception onto everyone on the continent.
“He lost nothing, except the championship.”
“Indeed. Plus, since people are practically saying the Lighthouse Knights are the winners, it’s hard to say he even lost the championship.”
“Hahahahahaha, well I’ll be damned. Isn’t he quite the fellow? We, the hosts, were completely outplayed.”
“Indeed, Your Grace.”
“So, when can I see this friend?”
“I have sent someone, so he should arrive at the castle tomorrow.”
“Is that so?”
Duke Ellenhower’s face turned into that of a boy awaiting a hero.
And the face of Viscount Jennings standing beside him was extremely peculiar.
“You’re thinking strange thoughts again. Don’t do it this time. He’s no ordinary man. If you make a wrong move, it might backfire.”
“…Tsk. A pity.”
“Your methods can be good sometimes, but they can also easily provoke antipathy.”
Viscount Jennings knew well that he did not possess the mindset of a monarch.
That was why his lord could be seen as even greater.
His lord had the ability to make people follow him unknowingly.
Winning people's hearts was something that knowledge and money alone couldn't always solve.
“Sir Karl will likely be different from anyone you’ve met so far. You won’t be able to bind him, I tell you.”
“Were you already thinking that, Your Grace?”
“Of course, I may not be smarter than you, but the one thing I do well is judge people, isn't it?”
“Then why does my lord wish to meet him, if you cannot even draw him in?”
“Must he be under my command to walk alongside me?”
“Ah…!”
Jennings realized he had overlooked something very simple.
“I have shown my inadequacy. For a strategist, my thoughts are so short-sighted.”
“Hahahaha, if Viscount Jennings is inadequate, who on this continent could hold their head high? Yes. Sometimes when you focus too much on one thing, you fail to see the surroundings, don't you?”
“…A strategist should be more careful about such things. It is my oversight.”
“There, there, it’s alright. It’s alright. Anyway, I am looking forward to tomorrow. Perhaps I might get to see his true self.”
“At the first meeting, Your Grace?”
“Indeed, didn’t I say earlier that I am good at reading people?”
Watching Duke Ellenhower’s subtle smile, Viscount Jennings nodded.
After talking for quite some time, the two parted ways, and the next day, when Karl was scheduled to visit, arrived quickly.
***
“Are you not nervous, my lord?”
“Nervous?”
“Still, Duke Ellenhower is one of the rulers of the North, isn’t he? Isn’t it natural to be nervous when going to meet such a person?”
“Is it natural?”
Perhaps because Karl still retained some modern sensibilities, he couldn't understand their feelings.
To Karl, it felt like briefly meeting a provincial governor.
Unless meeting with the intention of getting something out of it, there was no need to be nervous.
“Just take it as it is.”
At Karl’s nonchalant expression, they felt drained yet thought it was typical of their commander.
A short while later, the five representatives of the Lighthouse Knights, including Karl, arrived at Duke Ellenhower’s office.
“Sir Karl Reitz Meyer, welcome to this distant Somerset Domain. I am Ellenhower, Duke of Somerset.”
“Karl. A Free Knight.”
At the two men's greetings, the eyes of the quick-witted Rogério, along with Viscount Jennings, sparkled.
The moment the meanings contained within those few short words flew swiftly towards each other, Ellenhower smiled and offered Karl a seat.
“I thoroughly enjoyed watching the final match last time. It was a truly surprising result.”
At Duke Ellenhower's playful expression, Karl chuckled softly.
“Were you dissatisfied with the result?”
“No, it was a result I quite liked. I’ve watched many matches until now, but I consider it the most impressive result. Hahahahaha.”
Watching Duke Ellenhower laugh heartily, Karl thought he liked his cool, unpretentious laughter.
“Is there a reason you wished to see me?”
“Haha. Aren’t you short on pleasantries? Asking such a question right away?”
“I do not like useless formalities.”
As soon as Karl finished speaking, the expression of Viscount Jennings beside him turned cold.
“Sir Karl. It is true you are a hero widely known in the world, but you are before the master of Somerset and one of only two Dukes on this continent. Refrain from further disrespect.”
“Did you say disrespect?”
The moment Karl’s indifferent, subdued gaze turned towards Viscount Jennings, the Viscount felt an oppressive pressure as if his very soul was being crushed by an unknown force.
Jennings' body leaned slightly under the pressure created by the presence of Karl, who had reached full Master status and whose level had risen even further.
“Now, now, Sir Karl. It would be best to cease the threat you don't truly mean. Just as I will apologize for Viscount Jennings’ rudeness.”
Looking at the Duke who hid a blade within his smile, Karl withdrew his aura as if nothing had happened.
“It was a reply to Viscount Jennings’ threat, which also lacked sincerity.”
“What? Hahaha.”
Duke Ellenhower burst into loud laughter again, seemingly pleased with Karl’s response.
“Jennings, didn't I tell you? Not to step forward unnecessarily. Hahahahahaha.”
The Duke, truly laughing heartily without pretense, was indeed quite a character.
“So, what reason do you think I called you for?”
“To ask me to join you, or if not that, to propose a cooperative relationship. I believe it would be one of the two.”
“….”
The Duke’s expression changed to one of even greater surprise than before.
“Joining me is one thing, but how did you come to think of a proposal for cooperation?”
“I believed a man of Your Grace the Duke’s stature would have long since noticed that I am not someone who works under anyone.”
“What? Hahaha.”
Duke Ellenhower abruptly stood up, walked over to a cabinet set up on one side of the office, and returned holding a bottle of liquor.
“Since you’ve brought it up first like this, I feel more at ease. Care for a drink?”
“Of course.”
Watching Karl accept the glass, Duke Ellenhower felt an even greater interest stirring within him for the man named Karl before him.
“You seem to enjoy liquor?”
“I am rather fond of it.”
The two men’s glasses were filled, and they each lightly downed a glass.
“Black Walker 35 Years. You’ve treated me to something excellent.”
“Oh! You seem to know your liquor well.”
Seeing Karl immediately identify the liquor's name after drinking it without even seeing a label, Duke Ellenhower became excited and passionately spoke about the brewing culture and history of the West Continent.
“How about this, we arrange separate seats for our attendants, and you and I have another drink separately.”
“Sounds good.”
Duke Ellenhower ordered lavish treatment for the five Lighthouse Knights, and the two men tilted their glasses back and forth, sharing the Duke's prized collection.
“A moment ago, you acted as if you would leave immediately, yet you’re staying quite long?”
“A reason has arisen, hasn’t it?”
Karl pointed at the glass before him.
“You mean the liquor comes first?”
“Depending on the circumstances, that might be the case.”
Watching Karl smile while raising his glass for the first time, Ellenhower strangely felt the slight resentment he had harbored dissipate.
“You are truly a peculiar man. Others, when they see me, are desperate to gain even one thing. So everyone only tries to make a good impression on me.”
“You have lived a pitiful life.”
“…Do you think so?”
At Karl’s nod, Ellenhower’s eyes grew calm and subsided.
“Perhaps that might be true.”
“So, will you propose cooperation? Or do you wish for me to join you?”
“If I asked you to join me, would you?”
“You must know that’s impossible.”
“Indeed, though it is regrettable. Hahahaha.”
“Are you interested in the Emperor’s throne?”
Even at Karl’s sudden, direct question, Ellenhower’s expression remained calm.
“What is your intention?”
The lack of even a speck of agitation in his demeanor seemed to speak of his magnanimity and the vastness of his capacity.
“The world ahead will be divided into warlords who desire a new emperor and those who do not. Like it or not, Your Grace will eventually have to make a decision.”
“What decision do you think I will make?”
“Until I came here, I too was unsure….”
Karl’s eyes met Ellenhower’s, which were as calm as a lake.
Silence flowed between the two for a moment.
Though unspoken, the two grasped each other's intentions to some extent during that brief silence.
“I know full well you will not come under my command. However, I hope you do not become my enemy.”
“As long as the Duke continues to face the world as you do now, that will not happen.”
“….”
Ellenhower looked at the man before him with a complicated expression, unlike before.
His insight, his way of speaking, his attitude of saying what needed to be said when necessary and knowing when to hold his tongue—it was slightly different from what those called knights usually displayed.
While not all were like this, those called knights, because they could wield the means of force, often had shallower thoughts compared to politicians.
But Karl was fundamentally different from them.
‘Perhaps… he has the makings of a monarch.’
He looked at him once more.
If his goal lay beyond being a single knight.
He might not be an ally to walk with, but an opponent who must be eliminated.
“Your Grace can see further.”
“….”
Ellenhower’s and Karl’s eyes met once again.
‘Is that so… And yet, he has absolutely no interest in power….’
To the man before him, power held less value than a handful of sand.
If so, what was the truly important value to him?
Standing still and gazing at Karl for a long while, various words floated through Ellenhower’s mind, describing Karl.
[Savior, Saint.]
When times were chaotic and difficult, the world had always produced heroes.
It was both an illusion created by the winds of the era and the hope of those living on the ground.
Ellenhower regarded Karl as such a being.
It was an exceedingly natural feeling, devoid of dissonance.
“For now, let’s help each other and go our separate ways. How does that sound?”
“If it’s about the level of the whiskey you’re holding, I’ll consider it.”
“What? Hahaha! Is just this much enough? I have mountains of liquor piled up to drink with you all night.”