Chapter 49 TDK Vol. 2 Chapter 3 Part 3

“Yuuki Grossalia, second son of the House of Grossalia. Approach!”

As the sharp, dignified voice rang out, the doors before me swung open. Beyond them, a red carpet stretched all the way to the throne. It looked plush and expensive—a far cry from the one I used to have in my old castle. Then again, the children back then would have stained a pricey one in an instant, so it couldn’t be helped.

“…Oh.”

“For a member of a barony, what a magnificent appearance…”

“Weren’t the Grossalias just countryside nobles? How did they acquire such armor?”

“And my, what a gallant figure he cuts…”

The surrounding nobles began to murmur amongst themselves.

I was clad in a suit of black, metallic armor, a gift from Rhodelia of the Grail Trading Company. A relief of bat wings was carved into the chest plate, and the cloak on my back was adorned with patterns of gold thread. To top it all off, the red lining made the cloak incredibly conspicuous every time it swayed. Rhodelia had said she “tried to create a design befitting of the ‘Lord’ from the legends,” but by any measure, this was overkill.

“Yuuki Grossalia, second son of the House of Grossalia, has answered the call. I am most grateful for the unsurpassed honor of being appointed as the guardian knight to Her Highness, Princess Iris Liestia.”

“…Mm.”

The king seated on the throne—Iris’s father—nodded. Iris herself stood to the left of the throne, a tiara adorning her pinned-up silver hair. The white dress suited her perfectly. The red-haired girl on the throne’s right must be Princess Salvia. She had a strong-willed look about her. Like Iris, her hair was tied up, but she was wearing far too many tiaras and hair ornaments. Isn’t her head heavy?

“Yuuki Grossalia, you may remain there.”

“Yes, sire.”

At the chamberlain’s words, I knelt on the floor.

Since Princess Salvia was here, it meant her guardian knight would be entering next. When I glanced at her a moment ago, she wore a triumphant expression. I wondered who on earth she had chosen…

“Alex Kielce, firstborn son of the House of Kielce! Approach!”

As the voice echoed, a stir went through the audience hall.

Alex Kielce—of the Marquis House of Kielce. That meant he was family to Jilvan, the one who took the ‘Guardian Knight Selection Trial’ with me.

The sound of footsteps grew closer. Still kneeling, I couldn’t see his face. Before the throne, Iris had gone pale.

Just who was this Alex Kielce?

“Alex Kielce, firstborn son of the House of Kielce, has come forth. I am grateful for the honor of being appointed as the guardian knight to Her Highness, Princess Salvia Liestia.”

He stopped next to me, took a breath, and declared, “As a C-rank mage of the great and powerful Magic Guild, I pledge to serve in a manner that will not bring shame to Her Highness!”

…A C-rank mage? That was the same rank as Demeter, our examiner.

At a signal from the king, Alex Kielce knelt beside me.

“…It seems my younger brother has caused you some trouble,” a faint whisper reached my ears. “As a token of my apology, allow me to show you what a true mage is capable of. I must erase the stain my brother has brought upon the name of Kielce, after all…”

And with that, C-rank mage Alex Kielce gave a quiet, chilling laugh.