The Guardian Knight of Affection-Starved Young Ladies - Chapter 121



120 – Need a Rest (02)

121.

The center of the current Empire’s high society is undoubtedly Ecclesia, but there are several things that everyone in high society pays attention to.

And among them, the rumor that briefly overshadowed even Ecclesia’s name concerned a single boy.

A blood tie between Place and Lyle.

Those two families, bound by blood, had nothing left to fear, and no one dared speak of their downfall.

That it would be utterly shattered by a single boy…

Those who first heard the rumors were, in fact, angered.

Just like when they initially heard the absurd notion that a boy existed in the minds of the five great houses’ young ladies.

But the rumor, dismissed as nonsense, kept coming back.

It began to take on a more detailed and factual form.

Though, of course, the content was full of unbelievable things.

Like the long-dead former mistress of Place returning alive, or a single boy defeating all the mercenaries of the Lyle Merchant Guild.

The rumor gained traction when its source was revealed.

Residents of the Place family’s territory.

And employees of the Lyle Merchant Guild.

Why would they intentionally spread bad rumors about themselves?

Once the news about Daim Place and Flaber Lyle began to dwindle, the rumor, once dismissed as nonsense, had already engulfed high society.

Countless people were trying to figure out the boy’s identity.

And it didn’t take long to realize that he was the same boy in the young ladies’ awakened minds.

The rumor had become as famous as Ecclesia within high society.

Ironically, even Ecclesia, the subject of that rumor, was oblivious to the current.

The reason why Daphne only knew about it as ‘a rumor’ was this:

They were so busy reviewing dozens of applications that added up every day that they had no time to look elsewhere.

Daphne’s family was sensitive to information and rumors, but Daphne, who was busy enough to stay at an inn, was the exception.

That’s why the Ecclesia Salon’s young ladies didn’t react strongly when they saw Kaelen.

Looking to see where, besides high society, these rumors – almost confirmed shocking facts – would be most sensitively received…

Everyone began to watch the Imperial Family’s movements.

The current Imperial Family wants to consolidate power within itself.

In such a situation, dazzling talent is enough to be an obstacle.

Especially talent that, despite not even having had his coming-of-age ceremony, defeated five major houses and two major merchant guilds single-handedly.

While the specific reasons weren’t clear, one rumor mentioned that Place’s second daughter had been stripped of her family name.

Everyone vaguely guessed that it must be related.

Those who knew the power of a Great Magician fell silent.

They knew he was impossibly young to be judged by that measure, but the thrill-seekers were all the more enthusiastic for the impossible.

They recklessly attached phrases like “a raw gem of a new Great Magician,” and watched the Imperial Family’s movements.

The Imperial Family, wanting to gather power.

And amidst it all, the talent of a Great Magician, beginning to shine.

It would have been better if war was raging.

Nothing was as reassuring as having a Great Magician as an ally.

But now was an era of peace.

Magic had become an art piece, a symbol of nobility.

The true purpose of the mind was forgotten, it remained only a beautiful ecstasy.

It was revealed that the boy was the same boy as the Ecclesia Salon, and people recalled the previous banquet.

The banquet hosted by the Dranus Family.

There, was a boy who captured the attention of the five noble young ladies.

His name was, Kallen.

It was certainly that name.

Those who wanted to lead the flow began to talk about Kallen.

And before Kallen himself knew it, the scattered information converged.

Thus, the Imperial Family.

The master of the Empire, sent a letter directly to the boy.

And the boy who received that letter…

*

“Kal… Do you really have to go?”

“The Imperial Family summoned me, how can I not go, Cynath?”

“But… I have a bad feeling…”

Cynath had recently begun to bloom with the grace of a family head.

She had developed a taste for politics and the flow of the world, there was no way she wouldn’t be aware of the Imperial Family’s recent attitude.

Those who wanted to concentrate power onto themselves would hardly welcome the birth of a new power.

It was then that they realized Blamia’s advice hadn’t been in vain.

The relationship between the Platche Family and the Lyle Merchant Guild was one of the problems the Imperial Family had hesitated to approach.

The disappearance of that firm risk was good news for the Imperial Family, but

The emergence of a being capable of single-handedly erasing such danger, that’s the worst news the Imperial Family could possibly receive.

“…Master.”

“They say, regrettably, we can’t send the maid along.”

“Such jokes…”

“I’m not joking.”

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Even until the moment they sent Kallen away, Sinat and Selena couldn’t shake their worry.

Surely the Imperial Family wouldn’t do anything to a young boy while all eyes are on them like this.

Even so, worrying is inevitable.

Kallen left the mansion, looking immaculate thanks to Sinat and Selena’s meticulous care.

-The Imperial Family? The Prince has talent, sure… but magically he’s not even in the same league as that little brat. What makes them scary is that they control this Empire.

Just in case, when I asked Blamia, I didn’t hear of anything to be overly concerned about.

Such things won’t happen, but if he’s ever in danger of losing his life, it would be problematic if there was another individual of similar skill.

Otherwise, he can subdue them with magic and claim self-defense.

In short, what Sinat and Selena worried about wasn’t going to happen.

As Kallen stepped out of the mansion, a carriage with gold trim awaited him.

He thought of the Ryle Merchant Guild’s carriages, but even with the same gold, the quality seemed to be on another level.

Kallen approached the carriage, and as he made eye contact with the coachman—

“Ah. Forgive me. Are you perhaps, Young Master Kallen?”

The carriage door opened smoothly, and a neatly coiffed old man stepped out.

“Yes. I am.”

“My, I was going to escort you out from inside. My apologies.”

It was only a few steps from the gate of the Dranus mansion to here.

Kallen, sensing the old man was trying to soften the mood, played along.

“I apologize for not coming directly to the Imperial Family, despite being summoned.”

“Hmm.”

The old man chuckled, as if surprised by the reply.

“I am simply a lucky old man who has watched the Imperial Family for a long time. You needn’t be so formal.”

“Then please consider it courtesy to the one who came to escort me.”

“…Hmm. Yes. I understand. Shall we depart then?”

So, sending a person like this means, at the very least, they’re willing to talk.

The Imperial Family, hesitant to carelessly touch Plache and the Lyle Trading Company, can’t just blindly poke at the person who brought them down.

So, if we’re going to talk anyway, wouldn’t it be better to talk on good terms?

Kallen kept his manners polite, but not overly so, just enough.

Pleased, it seemed, the old man chuckled and ushered Kallen into the carriage.

Once inside, the interior was much larger than it seemed.

Usually, carriage interiors are cramped from uselessly large furniture or pointless decorations, but this one was clean, offering only space to sit.

It was likely that the carriage itself was huge, being from the Imperial Family and all.

As the old man followed and sat down, the coachman announced their departure.

While Kallen was inwardly curious about the carriage’s breed of horse, the old man carefully struck up a conversation.

“Make yourself comfortable.”

“Ah. I am comfortable. I was always just driving the carriage myself.”

“…Hm? Haha. You’re an interesting one.”

Words were exchanged to ease the atmosphere, and unfamiliar scenery passed by.

The old man seemed to be a butler of the Imperial Family, and even though it was their first meeting, they could talk comfortably.

From stories about the Imperial Family to recent rumors widely spread across the Empire.

Everything was easy to get engaged in, so Kallen answered without difficulty.

“How was the head of Plache? He was also a talented man who served in the Imperial Guard before magic became widely known.”

“I didn’t get to spar with him.”

“Ah, that’s too bad. I was personally curious to see.”

Yet, the sharp questions in between reminded Kallen that the old man was, indeed, a figure of the Imperial Family.

Since they already knew Kallen was the subject of the rumors, he didn’t bother lying.

There’s nothing more pathetic than a lie fabricated in front of someone who knows the truth.

“Then… could you tell me *why* you did it?”

“…”

Kallen internally sighed, unnoticed by the old man.

Why were there so many eccentric old men in the world?

If he lost focus even for a little, he could be in serious trouble.

“Just… I wanted to see it.”

“You wanted to see it?”

“Theater. Do you like it?”

But Kallen knew how to deal with people like that.

Just throw out a question that seems to hide a meaning, a question whose answer you can never know unless you hear it.

“Um… haha. I apologize if I’ve offended you.”

“It’s alright. It’s just something you were told to say anyway.”

“…”

And, Kallen was confident in dealing with humans of that ilk.

“Which one of you is it.”

“…haha.”

After posing an impossible question, he counter-attacked, catching him off guard.

Kallen looked out the window and asked in a calm tone, and the old man, who had been laughing weakly, straightened his posture.

Kallen’s eyes turned towards him, and the old man opened his mouth.

“I can’t win against you. I’m usually quite good at dealing with the imperial talkers. But it seems I’m no match for you, young master.”

“That’s an excessive compliment.”

Despite being caught off guard, the old man seemed pleased.

What pleased him was not of interest to Kallen, so he waited for the old man to speak.

“Prince Medius has invited you, young master.”