Chapter 94
The Agnus territory is vaster than any other estate in the country. However, the boisterous splendor and the vastness of the Imperial Palace dwarfed the Duke’s manor. It would be easy to get lost on one's first visit, but Joshua walked forward without an ounce of hesitation.
‘The buildings are still the same, only the people in them have changed…’
Joshua moved quickly despite the fact that he was wearing all-white armor.
Joshua was moving at a quick pace despite the white plate armor he was wearing. It was very heavy for a child—especially because it was full-body armor—but the lightening magic a mage had cast on the armor made it very lightweight.
'It's not very inconvenient without the helmet.'?Joshua muttered to himself with a smile.
Joshua didn’t express it openly, but he was thrilled to receive a Deon Ring from Duke Agnus.
Along the way, many guards stopped him for an inspection of his identity, but thanks to the Agnus Family Crest on his surcoat, he was able to pass them without much problem. He didn’t even have to explain anything. One look at his surcoat and the guards gave way.
‘The 11th and 12th battalions are only Imperial Knights in name. They are no different from the bloodthirsty mercenaries. They are warriors for the battlefield, but it’s sad because their superiors only see them as cannon fodders… nothing more, nothing less.’?Joshua sighed.
The Imperial Knights Order’s 11th and 12th battalions could be considered one of the reasons for the empire’s well-known ferocity. These two battalions represented the very essence of the emperor’s policy when the Imperial Knights Order was established. After all, it was difficult to climb up the ranks once one had fallen to the 11th and 12th battalions.
‘I just have to climb up to the 1st battalion and then become the Knight Commander. Then, I will be able to access the treasury and get 'that'. And also get a title while I'm at it.’
Before arriving at the Imperial Palace, Joshua had already made preliminary plans.
Five years were all the time he needed to grow with the help of Bronto.
“Assuming that there will be no problem, of course.”
Joshua clenched his fists.
In a way, this was also an opportunity. The Imperial Palace was the best place for him to learn more about and stabilize the newfound powers he could only imagine wielding in his past life. He had to make sure he would get to acclimatize properly over the next five years.
Joshua noticed something that made him stop.
“This place is…” Recalling his past life, he arrived at a place where he was familiar.
The towering inner walls of the Imperial Palace loomed before him, and the walls were being protected by iron-clad guards while it was being reinforced once again, layer by layer.
“It still looks like a prison.” Joshua was well aware that the reinforced inner wall functioned mainly as a kind of fence to protect the imperial family’s buildings beyond it.
The scent of blooming flowers oozed through the wall. Joshua's memories were immediately triggered once he caught a whiff of it. He could not see what lay beyond the walls, but Joshua had already conjured images of what lay beyond the walls in his head.
There was a huge flower garden around a pure white palace.
Joshua gently uttered its name. “The Magnificent Flower Palace…”
He recalled the old memories slumbering beneath the surface of his consciousness.
Joshua’s chest throbbed. Back when he was still living in the Imperial Palace, the owner of Magnificient Power Palace was a very special person to him. Joshua entered the imperial palace after becoming a mercenary, and it was then that he met her. She was nobler than anyone else, but her attitude toward those less noble than her made the nobles despise her.
In the blink of an eye, a lot happened after Joshua entered the imperial palace back then.
Joshua’s cold and distant personality faded away, and he felt immensely grateful for her. It wasn’t an awkward emotion similar to love or sympathy. Joshua was sincerely grateful to her for the fact that she saw him as a fellow human being rather than a mere expendable mercenary.
“It's not the time yet…” Joshua bit his lip and shook his head.
Joshua really wanted to go there, but he knew that he still had a lot of things to do.
However, a quick peek would never hurt anyone, right?
As such, Joshua was stewed in his own wishful thoughts.
However, it seemed that people had no control over their destinies.
“Is anyone there—?”
“...!”
Joshua was immediately captivated by the voice that echoed from beyond the wall.
It was definitely her. She sounded much younger than he remembered.
Joshua struggled with himself for a moment before abruptly turning around and walking away.
“Please wait!”
“...” Joshua came to a halt at that anguished voice.
“I have no idea who you are, but please tell me… Wait, can you just listen to me for a second?”
“...”
Hearing that Joshua was no longer walking away, the woman excitedly said, “My name is Serciarin ben Britten… And if it’s not rude, may I ask for your name?”
“My name is…” Joshua bit his lips and hesitated once more.
‘Maybe…’?he thought.
In the end, he replied in resignation. “Joshua… Joshua Sanders.”
His real name was Joshua Sanders, not Joshua von Agnus.
The bonds of their prior lives were going to be rekindled behind a wall that may be too thick for them to cross.
***
At the same time, another group approached the magnificent Imperial Palace.
A knight clad in a silver-colored plate mail gawked at the towering palace in the distance.
“Young Master Babel, from this part onwards, we will be inside the Imperial Family’s safe zone. In a few hours, we shall arrive at the Imperial Palace that you can see over there.”
“Thank you for your work, Sir Chiffon.”
“No, it is my honor to help Young Master.” While Babel was distracted by the towering palace, Chiffon looked worried as he made a sidelong glance at Babel's emaciated body.
“I haven’t been here since that event at the academy…”
“Please, do not be concerned. His Majesty the Emperor is just like your father: they both love talent. This is why he called you here—he wanted to see how much you’ve grown and to marvel at the genius of the empire.”
“Genius…” Babel shook his head, grimacing.
“...”
At that, Chiffon bit his lower lip.
He knew what the little Duke was thinking at this time.
‘It’s the fault of that bastard who appeared out of nowhere. That bastard always reminds me of the fact that he’s the child of a mere pesky maid.’?Chiffon muttered to himself, and his eyes turned cold at the thought.
“Young Master Babel…” Chiffon started.
“Yes?” Babel tilted his head.
“I hope that you will always remember the fact that I—as well as the vassals of the family—-will always be on your side.”
“Thank you, Sir Chiffon.” Babel gently smiled at Chiffon's next remarks. However, Babel’s face darkened for a brief moment. It seemed he had recalled something he didn’t want to remember.
At that, Chiffon was overcome with indescribable emotions.
He stared at Babel for a moment and clenched his fists. Eventually, he said, “What if…”
“...?” Babel stared at Chiffon, waiting for the latter to continue speaking.
“You know… what if…”
“Just speak your mind, Sir Chiffon,” Babel encouraged with a smile.
At that, Chiffon gathered his determination and continued. “What if your father… isn’t your real father? Young Master… What are you going to do?”
“What are you talking about, Sir Chiffon?” Babel’s face turned rigid.
Chiffon hiccuped when he realized what he just said.
‘I was so affected by this atmosphere that I almost…!’
Babel replied with a solemn expression when he saw Chiffon blaming himself.
“I'm not sure what you’re talking about, Sir Chiffon. I usually—” Babel started.
However, Chiffon interrupted him. “Ah! It’s nothing, hehe… It’s my subordinate. My subordinate recently discovered that he was adopted, haha. I was curious what you would feel if you were in his shoes.”
“...”
"That guy was so affected by it, and I'm very concerned about him."
Chiffon shut his mouth and inwardly groaned. 'Damn it, what a blunder!'
Finally, Babel’s expression eased, and he answered softly, "One of the Red Knights turned out to be an adopted child? If I were in his shoes, I would be startled, of course. Anyway, are you asking me to help him out?"
“You don’t have to be bothered about it, Young Master.” Chiffon breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Babel’s response.
“It’s only natural for me to be startled if I were in his shoes, but will it make any difference?”
“Yes?” Chiffon muttered blankly.
At that, Babel continued. “Even if my biological father is someone else, I don’t see why it would be a big issue that will disrupt my life.”
“Do you really believe that?” asked Chiffon.
Babel nodded without hesitation and added, “I don’t know why it should matter; regardless, won’t both fathers be pleased if I simply lived my life to the fullest?”
“...”
Chiffon remained silent, and he stared blankly stared at Babel.
‘Ah, I see… Young Master has matured.’
As Chiffon was struck by an epiphany at the revelation, Babel started moving and said, “We’ll be late if we don’t hurry, the message must have reached the Imperial Palace by now.”
“Yes, Young Master. Prepare to depart!”
“Yes, Sir!”
More than a hundred knights Agnus knights simultaneously moved in response to Chiffon's shout. Chiffon glanced at Babel and saw the large shadow of a man as they departed beneath the fading sunset.
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