Chapter 205
205. The Emperor’s Knight
— Hoo, the world is truly in decline… How could a day come when a scion of the Dark family would serve as a knight in Her Majesty the Emperor’s personal guard?
— It’s absurd! I doubt the other nobles will just sit back and let this slide. Damn it, I can’t stand it. I must request an audience with Her Majesty immediately!
— Wait, my friend. Hold on. I hear that Sir Arl von Gillang has personally taken action.
— Oh! If it’s the Gillang family, then it’s trustworthy! Anyway, I can’t bear to see the scum of the Dark family setting foot in the imperial palace. I truly hope Her Majesty reconsiders.
— She will surely be persuaded. No matter how lowly the means by which she ascended the throne, he is still a powerful noble of the Holy Family. Someone who has barely passed the age of twenty can’t possibly handle it.
Various voices could be heard.
Though mixed with chaotic noise, it didn’t particularly feel unpleasant.
This is Arkheim. The imperial capital, heavily biased towards the Holy Faction. In such a place, it was only natural that large-scale suppression or restraint against the Dark family would occur.
“Don’t pay it any mind.”
When I told Zitri this, she laughed heartily, saying she was used to such things.
“Don’t worry. Though not as much as you, young master, I’ve experienced this kind of thing so much that it’s become second nature to me.”
“Right. I know. But always remember that there are variables.”
“Variables… you say?”
“Look ahead.”
I pointed to a man in the midst of a banquet where nobles were gathered, raising their glasses.
A middle-aged man with a dignified gait. He was surrounded by quite a few women, trying to insert himself into their conversations.
No matter how you looked at him, he seemed nothing more than a clumsy, inexperienced man.
But not to Zitri.
“…Why is he here…?”
He was none other than the one who orchestrated the death of Doren, Zitri’s father, and the head of the Rovelia family. Zitri’s uncle, Vortex de Rovelia.
But Zitri muttered as if she couldn’t understand.
“Why…? Our family wasn’t significant enough to attend such a grand banquet.”
“I heard he scraped together funds. He sold off various items from the Rovelia family’s secret treasury and even disposed of Sir Doren’s belongings. That’s the result.”
“…How disgraceful.”
Zitri bit her lip, genuinely disgusted.
Her father, Doren de Rovelia, and her mother, Cheshire de Rovelia, were great people.
They always opened their granaries to distribute food to many, living modest lives themselves.
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They were truly the epitome of noblesse oblige.
But the problem arose here.
The vassals, using the excuse that the family’s taxes had decreased due to the couple’s benevolent nature, gradually began to harbor dissatisfaction.
The alternative to this was Vortex.
He was the only one who could rightfully ascend to the position of the Rovelia family’s heir.
With the support of the vassals, he killed Doren and Cheshire and became the center of the Rovelia family.
…But.
Naturally, not everything could go as smoothly as he had hoped.
For instance, the first issue was that Vortex’s faction, who had taken over Doren’s successor position, was as fragile as glass.
The second issue was the increasingly barren land compared to the era when Doren was in charge, and the successive uprisings and protests of the people
These significant events pushed Vortex out of the power structure.
What he chose then was,
‘To attach himself to a greater power and seize benefits.’
And this turned out to be a fairly successful decision.
By selling the family’s treasures, Vortex became a dog of another Holy Family, gaining the middle name 'von’ instead of 'de,’ and enjoyed overwhelming power compared to the past.
But this was only within the region where the Rovelia family resided.
Naturally, there were far more Holy Families who knew nothing of the Rovelia family. While he was busy figuring out where to attach himself, the power struggle escalated, leading to a change in the emperor.
Thus, he eventually went against Daren, who was called the greatest treasure of the family, and sold the family’s artifact that had been preserved for generations to gain the qualification to enter the current banquet
It was only a temporary opportunity, but for him, it was a desperate position.
“Are you troubled?”
There was no change in tone. Zitri’s slender shoulders trembled slightly at Nox’s calm voice. But Nox trusted Zitri.
He trusted the genius who had supported her through many difficult situations.
Thus, she grabbed Zitri’s wrist and strode forward.
The one who had killed Doren, the former head of the Rovelia family.
Towards Vortex von Rovelia
“Haha, I hope to be invited to such occasions more often in the future. I would love to host a grand festival at our family estate. The wine we brew is considered the best on the continent!”
“…Hmm”
Despite the lukewarm response, Vortex continued his spiel.
Meanwhile, the noblewomen present were the first to notice Nox’s approach.
“Gasp…! That person is here……”
“I heard he recently became Her Majesty the Emperor’s new knight, but to attend this banquet…”
“Shh! Quiet… Even if he’s from a dark family, he’s from a prestigious family we can’t afford to offend. It’s better to be cautious.”
Unlike the quick-witted noblewomen, Vortex noticed Nox’s gaze with a displeased expression.
'What’s this? That brat with the smug face… Why is he coming this way?’
It was utterly incomprehensible.
Vortex had heard of Nox and the rumors about the prestigious Reinhaver family.
A dangerous instinct warned him.
He must not let Nox von Reinhaver approach.
Moreover…,
'That damn brat has the rightful heir of the Rovelia family with him. Zitri… I can’t believe she’s still alive and attached to the Reinhaver family.’
There were rumors that she had captivated the youngest of the Reinhaver family with her beauty, but he hadn’t paid much attention initially. Honestly, who would think it is significant?
At the time, Nox was seen as a ruffian.
Born into a prestigious continental family with the power and wealth to seize hegemony, yet his foolish actions in conflicts with his elder brothers had earned him subtle resentment among the nobility.
But now it’s different.
'I heard he’s changed. Not only did he take the top spot at Eldain, but now he’s become the Emperor’s knight. There’s no good in getting involved with him. …Of course.’
Vortex slightly raised the corner of his mouth as he watched Nox approach.
Since the Rovelia family had recently aligned with the Holy Faction, he thought there was no reason to fear the Dark family.
Other nobles would know this was a very short-sighted thought, but to him, unfamiliar with the ways of the imperial court, this situation felt like a great opportunity.
If he had to get involved with that brat?
Couldn’t he use this situation to his advantage?
Such a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
“Ahem, ahem, what an esteemed guest we have here.”
Thus, Vortex, noticing Nox approaching, stepped forward to speak first. He had taken the initiative.
Of course, he paid no attention to the nephew behind him.
“Are you punk the next head of the Rovelia family?”
Vortex’s brow twitched and convulsed. Nox’s cold voice, casually spoken, made his heart sink.
'How dare… to call me 'punk’! This brat, just because he’s found a good patron, has become so arrogant!’
The term 'punk’ was something even Vortex, who had been cowed by the high nobles here, couldn’t easily accept.
After all, he too was a noble, and hadn’t he recently grown in power? In such a situation, it was unthinkable for a family head to be insulted like this.
It was against imperial law. He had the right to voice a proper opinion. Vortex truly believed this and opened his mouth.
“Nox von Reinhaver. Even if you are Her Majesty the Emperor’s knight, you must not cross the line.”
He began to display his oratory skills, well-practiced at the family estate. Though it seemed clumsy, the nobles silently watched the situation. The banquet hall was instantly filled with tension.
'Hmph, as expected, the others dislike this brat too. They’re intimidated by my presence.’
But, unfortunately, the reality was quite different from what he thought.
For instance, the fundamental issue was that the object of fear was different.
They weren’t intimidated or impressed by Vortex’s presence. They were afraid that this madman would spout nonsense and get himself killed by Nox, and that the fallout might affect them.
No matter how much the heads of the Holy Families held sway in the imperial court, no one would dare to touch Nox, who was openly discussed as the next head of the Reinhaver family.
“The line? That’s laughable. For a bug like you.”
“…I am Vortex von Rovelia. You may not know, but I am the head of the Rovelia family. I know the Reinhaver family is great, but there’s no reason for such treatment.”
“If you were truly the rightful heir of the Rovelia family, that would be one thing.”
Zitri’s shoulder twitched. Hearing Nox’s words, she glanced at her uncle’s face and then froze her expression. She looked up at Nox with round eyes, as if she hadn’t expected this situation.
Nox laughed as if amused.
“It’s already confirmed that you rebelled and killed Sir Doren de Rovelia to take his place.”
“…I think you’re mistaken about that chick insulting the family.”
Vortex looked down at his niece and spoke. Zitri couldn’t say a word. In such conversations between nobles, all she could do was remain silent, having even lost her surname.
Moreover, she was quick to read the situation.
She had already realized what Nox was trying to do.
“You call my maid a chick? Tge servant of the Reinhaver family?”
“….”
It was an unexpected answer. While Vortex was slightly taken aback, Nox added.
“Zitri de Rovelia has legitimacy. She is Doren’s daughter, forced to step down due to her father’s death. And now, she is my possession.”
It was at that moment that Vortex realized something was going wrong.
Nox looked at Vortex with his characteristic arrogant eyes.
“So hand over the Rovelia family, which she should have rightfully inherited, to me.”
“…What nonsense!”
A voice cried out in disbelief. Naturally, it was Vortex’s.
But it held no real meaning. No matter how much he shouted, there was no one to help him. Not all nobles are the same, after all.
Moreover, Nox von Reinhaver, though much changed, was still a ruffian.
He was in a position to make any demand with confidence.
Moreover, as a beautiful girl stepped out from behind, acknowledging his words, the situation began to flow in a direction completely different from what Vortex had anticipated.
“That certainly makes sense. Nox von Reinhaver. It’s only fitting punishment for someone who seized power by shedding blood.”
“Your Majesty.”
Nox bowed his head slightly, looking at the host of this banquet hall.
Vortex von Rovelia looked at her with blank eyes.
“T-This is unacceptable! No matter how much you are Her Majesty…”
“How dare you speak such nonsense to Her Majesty?”
Echidna’s eyes turned cold as she looked at Vortex.
Nox watched with an amused expression.
It was as if her face was saying
'Now you’re screwed.’