Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 15

Chapter 15: The Old Men of the Lizel Knight Kingdom Are Excellent
  “Is it because you’re parent and child after all…? Blood will tell.”
  
  Touching her bangs that were lowered as if to hide her lost eye, she recalled the events at the tavern where she was dragged along for the late King’s incognito outing.
  
  Perhaps the blacksmith, who had been drinking and got into a fight over a trivial matter, didn’t realize his opponent was the King.
  
  The “dumbfounded looks” of the guards on patrol who came after hearing the commotion are now nostalgic, and a good memory of the deceased, but… both then and now, her role is to protect the royal family.
  
  （If possible… I would like you to refrain from actions that could induce unforeseen circumstances.）
  
  Even while thinking such thoughts, respecting Izana’s will, she decided to secretly cast a detection spell and devote herself to protecting her from the shadows. Even though the twists and turns of fate had created a slight emotional distance, Sariel’s consciousness, who was like an older sister to her, remained unchanged.
  
  However, aside from that, a new situation was developing. Within a few days, while the three girls were scheming various things, a personal letter arrived from Nina Valer of the neighboring Zephyrus Domain.
  
  After the messenger who brought the letter departed, the young Knight King, leaning back on his throne, relaxed his stiff shoulders and elbows, and reread the parchment that was handed to him.
  
  “An exchange of Spirit Gate fragments and newly built Clawsolas, paid maintenance for heavily damaged Clawsolas, that’s fine… but the problem is that she wants me to meet her in person?”
  
  “Hmm, King Claude, please refrain from using honorifics when speaking to your subjects.”
  
  In response to Vice-Captain Raizes’s admonishment with a stern expression, I looked at his superior with a slightly weary expression.
  
  “I’m not used to it, and there’s mental resistance… Please do something about it, Captain.”
  “Hmm, outside of formal occasions, it’s fine to be casual, right? What do you think, Blaze?”
  
  Captain Xenos, who showed understanding, sought agreement from the Chief Magician standing beside him, but Blaze shook his head in denial.
  
  “In situations like these, one’s daily habits tend to show. We might be able to manage, but it wasn’t good that you used honorifics with the envoy from another country earlier. Just give it up, both of you.”
  
  “That’s what he said, Your Majesty.”
  “Ugh, I have no choice but to get used to it…”
  
  Dino, who had started speaking formally due to ascending the throne, and Lloyd and his sister, whom I often see at the training grounds, are one thing, but it feels incredibly awkward to speak casually to the three senior vassals who are more than ten years older than me.
  
  Although I stumbled at the beginning of the conversation, I pulled myself together and got back on track.
  
  “I’ll do my best with the language. That’s fine, Raizes.”
  
  “As you wish… Regarding the letter from Lady Valer, there’s no need for the King to go in person. No matter how famous and accomplished she is, she’s merely the lord of a territory in a neighboring country.”
  
  “If I, the Knight Captain, go as your representative, that should satisfy Lady White Fox.”
  
  In contrast to the Captain and Vice-Captain, who agreed that there was no need to accept the invitation, Chief Magician Blaze once again slowly shook his head.
  
  “Your Majesty, by showing special consideration here, our cooperative relationship will become closer. Wouldn’t it be a good move to visit the Zephyrus Domain, which isn’t that far away?”
  
  “Since we can’t produce Clawsolas from scratch in our own country, it would be better to be on good terms with her…”
  
  Recently, I’ve had more interactions with him, and I’ve realized that even though he’s calm and cautious, the Vice-Captain is essentially a warrior. So, I carefully considered the words of Revia’s father, the only civilian present.
  
  Certainly, it’s not a good idea for the King to go out and about so easily, and it’s undeniable that it could lead to being underestimated by others. However, the invitation to the Zephyrus Domain itself is likely a test of the new King’s character.
  
  （Depending on the situation, not going could be disadvantageous for the Lizel Knight Kingdom.）
  
  Besides, if I act too reserved, I might become nothing more than a figurehead on the throne, which is not what I want. There was one thing I needed to confirm.
  
  “Captain Xenos, is this Lady White Fox a trustworthy person?”
  “She has a sense of honor and obligation, but she’s also calculating.”
  
  “Then she’s probably trying to assess us… I’ll accept the invitation.”
  
  After a brief moment of thought, I made my decision and left the details to Raizes, who seemed to have objections to visiting the Zephyrus Domain.
  
  However, perhaps he noticed my intention of deliberately asking him to handle the matter in order to involve him proactively and prevent any unnecessary resentment. He reacted with a somewhat exasperated attitude.
  
  “There’s no need for concern. I also understand your and Blaze’s thoughts. Besides, it’s a vassal’s duty to carry out the orders of their lord… Well, if it becomes necessary, I’ll strongly request that you reconsider.”
  
  “Haha! See, Your Majesty, this guy is more loyal than he is stubborn!”
  
  The well-built Captain Xenos slapped the Vice-Captain’s back repeatedly, and the Vice-Captain’s obviously annoyed expression was quite memorable. I exchanged glances with the Chief Magician beside me and chuckled wryly.
  
  “Whoa…”
  “It seems like a difficult atmosphere to enter, Revia.”
  
  “Yeah, and my dad is in there too…”
  “Coincidentally, my father-in-law is there as well.”
  
  Peeking into the audience chamber through a crack in the door, Izana, who was troubled by how to interact with her fiancé, and Fine, who was looking for Claude with the intention of getting them closer, froze.
  
  Unaware of this, Claude, the Knight King, showed his respect to his trusted predecessors in his heart, and deepened his conviction that they would be able to get along well in the future.