Chapter 171 – The Rebirth of the Knight Order

“I am the daughter of a vassal of House Madill—”

“My name is Gaieru of the Mage Corps. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“I work at the Royal Castle. My name is Shiviria.”

Various people came up to greet us like this.

I usually don’t show my face much at the Royal Castle, and even when I do, I’m working as one of the King’s direct vassals, so people tend to keep their distance. But since this was a celebratory banquet, it seemed like a good opportunity for them to make contact.

I’d come early to avoid getting caught up in this greeting rush, but it happened anyway.

Incidentally, while some greetings were directed at me, quite a few people were actually aiming for Marquis Fobrester.

Since Marquis Fobrester focuses more on his territory than on central activities, there aren’t many opportunities to approach him here. His solid territory management probably makes him an attractive prospect for those seeking employment.

“His Highness Albert will be arriving soon. Would you like to join him?”

“Is that so? That would be helpful.”

When I said this to Marquis Fobrester, he smiled wryly and nodded. It seemed even Marquis Fobrester found this kind of thing tiring.

Using the start of the musicians’ performance as an excuse to move to another room before King Melvin appeared to give his speech, we slipped away from the balcony seating.

“Indeed, the capital is exhausting. I’m better suited to life in my territory.”

“Since Father is usually in the territory, I’m the one who deals with those kinds of people. You need to put in some effort occasionally.”

“Hmm. My apologies.”

Marquis Fobrester smiled wryly. Well, it seemed his relationship with Ophelia was good.

“Still, we didn’t see many major figures,” Ophelia remarked.

Indeed, the earlier round of greetings consisted mainly of noble vassals, noble children, and quasi-noble classes—I didn’t notice anyone with an actual title.

“That’s because it’s still early, and because the Otherworld Ambassador is here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Not all of them, but—they’re scouts. Not just regarding the Ambassador, they’re testing the waters to see if they can establish friendly relations, then reporting back to their masters. They’d want to avoid being seen as trying to curry favor with direct vassals right under His Majesty Melvin’s nose.”

“In that case, if they happen to cause displeasure, their masters won’t be implicated.”

“Exactly. They can claim it had nothing to do with them. Once some time passes and the reconnaissance is complete, the masters themselves will probably appear on the balcony. By then, the greetings will likely be more restrained.”

I see. So if connections are made, they’ll extend personal invitations later.

Since these are people who don’t necessarily want to get involved with me—those with weaker motives—I suppose there’s no need to be overly cautious.

I then escorted the Marquis to the room.

When I introduced everyone, Marquis Fobrester smiled, saying he’d heard about them from Ophelia.

“It’s been too long, Marlene-sama.”

Then, the Marquis respectfully greeted Marlene, and she smiled back at him.

Soon enough, Albert also appeared in the room.

“Long time no see, Your Highness Albert.”

“Ah, Marquis Fobrester. It has been a while. When did you arrive here?”

“A few days ago. Since I’ve been entrusted with matters concerning Marlene-sama, I thought I should pay my respects and timed my appearance with the banquet.”

“I see, that makes sense.”

The Marquisate of Fobrester is located north of Termwills. Near Princess Stephania’s territory, I believe.

After finishing greetings and introductions, we all moved to a table placed by the window.

As we were chatting while enjoying tea and sugar candies, a trumpet sounded loudly, and King Melvin appeared on the Knight’s Tower balcony.

“My people, you have done well.”

Pausing briefly and looking around at the assembled nobles, King Melvin continued.

“As you know, Termwills has suffered several demon attacks. The recent assault by Duobelis’s followers should still be fresh in your memories. However, despite repeated hardships, we have overcome them and reached this day. That we can hold this banquet today, at this very moment, is thanks to the efforts of the savior of our nation and all those who have dedicated their swords and staves to Verdgar.”

Last year—King Melvin looked at me and smiled. Due to information control, he didn’t mention specifics about the Demon Slayer or what I did… but the phrase “savior of our nation” probably refers to me.

The speech continued. He seemed to be touching on the theater as well.

“Furthermore, a Boundary Theater has been established in the city. Some of you may have already visited, but beyond its advanced mechanisms, the performers have shown me their remarkable talents. Not limited to the theater, this newly breathed wind has reached even the Royal Castle, bringing benefits to the Knight Order and Mage Corps. Verdgar welcomes sages, exceptional individuals, and intellect from across the land. Today, I want you all to eat and drink heartily, replenish your spirits, and strive in your training from tomorrow onward.”

Raising his glass with “Glory to Verdgar!” and taking a sip, cheers praising King Melvin erupted. Well, there were also cheers praising the Otherworld Ambassador.

While it’s an opening address for the banquet, it’s also a policy speech, I suppose. By clearly stating his position in support of the theater and announcing his intention to welcome and protect Irmhild and the others who sang there, in front of everyone. These words will likely lead to support for the orphanage as well.

Immediately, knights and soldiers began demonstration exercises.

It was a mass game simulating a march. Infantry lines stepped into the air using Aerial Combat Gear, intersecting three-dimensionally with soldiers approaching from the opposite side, drawing gasps of surprise from the audience.

“I’d heard rumors, but…”

Marquis Fobrester’s eyes widened.

“Theo-kun devised it,” someone explained.

“I suspected as much. Though I understood from His Majesty’s words, it’s still astonishing.”

“I’ve been thinking of asking Theodore-sama to train the knights and soldiers of my territory.”

“I wonder about that. The Ambassador must be quite busy.”

The Marquis smiled wryly, but I nodded.

“If I happen to visit the Marquis’s territory, I’d be happy to help if I can.”

“Really? Yes, please! You would be most welcome then.”

Well, that much shouldn’t be a problem.

Regarding Marquis Fobrester, he’s aligned with the royal family—an ally of King Melvin. Both Albert’s engagement talks and Marlene’s marriage arrangements are examples. Because King Melvin trusts him, various matters are directed to the Marquis.

“Ah, it’s Mercedia-san.”

The mass game ended, and the program moved to the next item. Mounted on a horse equipped with Aerial Combat Gear, Mercedia raced through the air. Training horses to run through the air must have been tremendously difficult—but the horse’s movements showed no disorder.

It was impressive in a different way from the gliding Wyvern Corps, creating a picturesque scene.

She cleanly sliced straw doll targets in half with her sword clad in Fighting Spirit as she passed by them. The Mage Corps seemed to be launching the straw dolls from the ground.

Cheers grew particularly loud at this sight. Mercedia, ever serious, removed her helmet and bowed to the audience.

Next came the Earth Dragon Corps’s demonstration. They too ran through the sky.

“So cavalry and earth dragons can directly cross walls and fortifications now. That’s quite terrifying. Though not shown in the performance, archers would be able to freely take high ground positions too.”

The Marquis watched with a serious expression. From his position, he’d need to consider countermeasures.

“The costs would be correspondingly higher, though. I don’t think it will reach the point of widespread deployment for large forces…”

“Indeed.”

The Wyvern Corps—Chester’s turn. One might think there’d be no change since they could already fly, but they had incorporated Levitation to further enhance aerial mobility, allowing knights to remain airborne even if they fell from their mounts (or rather, fell from their dragons), coordinating with their wyverns or recovering.

The wyverns made sharp turns, flew upside down… and even demonstrated Lance Charges from different directions, destroying straw doll targets as they crossed paths—the audience was thrilled by the Wyvern Corps’s movements, clearly different from last year.

Their flawless formation flying and aerial crossings reminded me of an air force air show.

“Is this the new wind blowing through the Royal Castle that His Majesty mentioned?” Marquis Fobrester asked me while watching Chester waving in response to the cheers.

“No, I haven’t done anything specific regarding the Knight Order’s training.”

The fact that they’ve trained the horses and dragons to that level is impressive. The overall skill level seems higher than when I saw it last year.

“Well, I don’t think it would have turned out like that without Theo-kun.”

“If Theodore supervised them, it would probably be amazing.”

To Albert and Sheila’s words, I could only offer an ambiguous smile.