“What’s got you so pissed off, Kenya?”

Road was scarfing down the chocolate cake Reina had made, munching away without a care.

He has no idea what restraint is. Is this what royalty’s like? Can I just punch him?

“Man, this is seriously good. Chocolate’s my second favorite after grapes. You know, the brain burns through sugar.”

“I-I’m glad you like it, Lord Road.”

“No need to call this guy ‘lord’ or whatever.”

“I am your liege, you know. Where’s the loyalty… Reina, talk some sense into him.”

“Kenya, I’ll do the rest for you next time… okay?”

Reina flashed Kenya a gentle smile.

“For real!?”

“What, were you two up to something naughty? Sorry to interrupt. Use protection, yeah?”

“I just wanted to make Kenya happy… It was my first time, but I gave it my all.”

“The way you phrase it!”

Kenya, Reina, and Road chatted away while digging into the chocolate cake.

If you just looked at this scene, it could’ve been classmates hanging out after school at some fast-food joint.

A gentle atmosphere enveloped the three of them.

But one was the world’s most terrifying prince, the other the world’s strongest knight.

Two boys who held the power to shake the very world.

Just for now, just for this moment, they set all that aside and savored the sweet treats.

If times like these could last forever, the world would be at peace.

But that’s just a pipe dream. The world is filled with suffering and hatred, and in exchange, they’ve been granted their freedom.

Sweet everyday life… but this day might be their last.

…

“So? What’s this important talk?”

“Yeah, emergency knighting ceremony for you tomorrow. It’ll be broadcast on the imperial channel. Preparations were already in place, but man, glad you didn’t bomb the Holy Knight exam… Oh, and you’ll need to attend too.”

“No way around it?”

“Nope, gotta happen.”

“Aw…”

“Just wear your uniform like always. I’ll be in something fancier, but it’s a pain to move in. Ceremony and all, no choice.”

“It’s gonna be that big a deal?”

“Every noble in the empire’s showing up. It’s my knight’s ceremony, after all. Like a wedding.”

The knighting ceremony for royalty carried deep traditions, apparently.

These days it was for KOG pilots becoming knights, but the custom dated back to the era when they fought with swords.

Those knighted by royalty swore absolute loyalty to their sole liege, vowing to protect them with their lives.

Not even the emperor could command such a knight; all authority rested solely with the royal they served.

Thus, royalty never parted from their knights except by death—deeper than mere companions, even for those with many wives.

Absolute loyalty. That was the mark of a royal knight.

“I’ve never done anything like that before…”

“Just kneel before me. I’ll rest my sword on your neck—stay still, no resistance. It symbolizes offering your life.”

“Don’t actually stab me.”

“As long as you don’t resist… Kidding aside, I came to talk about what happens after.”

“After?”

“After, Father will give a speech. Stay quiet. That’s when fate kicks off.”

“Got it… So it’s really starting.”

“Yeah. Even big bro doesn’t know yet what move he’ll pull next.”

“Hey, what’s Odin like, anyway?”

“Big bro? …The perfect royal. Zero feelings for outsiders, unlike Sis. Cunning, strong, charismatic.”

Kenya had only seen Odin from speeches, but Road’s description matched that impression exactly.

“So stay on guard starting today, Reina. Sorry, but watch him till he gets in a KOG. He’s an idiot.”

“Got it! Won’t take my eyes off him!”

“It’s not like there’s gonna be an assassination…”

Road let out a sigh.

He was stunned by Kenya’s carefree attitude, even though dirty tricks like that were par for the course.

Still, figuring Kenya wouldn’t stay vigilant anyway, he gave up to avoid the stress.

“Alright, I’m heading back. Send a ride for you—it’s at Valhalla Castle, so prep for that.”

“First time going in there, huh… That massive castle.”

Valhalla, the imperial capital.

A medieval castle loomed at its heart.

Medieval on the outside, high-tech within.

Though party halls felt straight out of medieval Europe, from what he’d seen in pamphlets.

Road hopped into his ride and parted ways with them.

“Guess we prep and crash for today.”

“…Yeah.”

Reina looked like she wanted to say something, face flushing as she looked down.

Kenya found it odd but shrugged it off and hit the shower before heading to the bedroom.

“Tomorrow, it finally begins.”

Changed into sleepwear, Kenya flopped onto the bed.

The Empire Sword Martial Festival was about to kick off.

What battles awaited…?

Knock knock knock.

“Hm? Reina? Come in.”

With the knock, Reina entered.

“Wha—Re, Reina!?”

Reina stood there in a sheer negligee.

Through the thin fabric, purple lingerie peeked out—matching shades that complemented her pale skin perfectly.

Too much for a virgin like him: a stunning, flawless figure.

Her chest probably had cleavage on display—Reina’s standard gear, apparently.

He’d never seen it; she always changed before bed and was in uniform by morning.

“From tonight, we sleep together. Lord Road asked me to.”

“Wha—huh!? Wait, what!?”

“Don’t stare too much… It’s embarrassing…”

Kenya’s vocabulary evaporated.

His eyes darted around at Reina’s scandalously—hell, downright insanely sexy figure, stammering incoherently.

He tried not to look, but sadly, men couldn’t help glancing even at an old hag’s upskirt—instinct by now.

All the more for a beauty like Reina, with her sensual curves.

Reina bashfully cupped her ample breasts.

Why wear something so embarrassing if it made her shy? Standard or not, why so damn…

Kenya froze. Silently, Reina approached and slipped under the covers.

She poked her face out, beaming at him.

“Good night, big brother.”

Boom!

His sanity shattered.

~Next Morning

Chirp chirp cheep.

Birds sang outside.

Morning sun lit the room, its bright rays bathing the pair.

“Morning, world. Nice weather.”