Chapter 165: The Royal Knights

The day after I finished my last delivery, I flew to the royal castle and descended below Chancellor Brighton’s office.

Before I could pull the bell cord, Marginus leaned out of the window and said, “I’ll come down to escort you immediately.”

I followed Marginus into Chancellor Brighton’s office, where the chancellor asked:

“Leon-dono, how did things go?”

I spread my arms in an exaggerated, sarcastic gesture and replied:

“Thanks to this outfit and the royal banner, I managed somehow.”

“Next is Duke Langueille’s territory: Jewelron in the Solangeire region. It’s governed by his third son, Vincens Langueille.”

This bastard completely ignored my sarcasm.

“We’ve already dispatched knights toward the territories of the nobles involved. Of the locations along the Jaltan Highway, Jewelron in the ducal domain is the closest.”

“As the one who first got involved, I’d like to confirm—can we definitively say it’s that duke’s third son?”

“Count Arkwright’s interrogation transcripts and reports exposed correspondence linking the regional groups. Letters and records from several locations identify both those issuing orders and those receiving victims and supplies. The evidence of a nationwide chain of command is conclusive.”

“So even if it’s a noble residence, it’s fine to storm it?”

“Yes. Although the city is governed by the duke’s third son, it remains part of a ducal domain, so we can’t hesitate. The neighboring territory belongs to Marquis Romberg, who’s personally implicated. Once both locations are secured, only several distant viscount territories will remain.”

So they’ve got everything covered.

“The Royal Knights should already be waiting outside Jewelron. Meet them there and decide how to proceed. Their commander has been ordered to follow your instructions.”

“What? I thought I was only providing advance support and assistance.”

“Of course. The knights have been informed of the procedure, but this is a type of operation they aren’t used to.”

So I’m also supposed to babysit the knights? At this point I can’t just back out, so I guess I’ll just get it over with.

“I’ll fly to Jewelron tomorrow. If there’s resistance, I’ll leave the aftermath to you.”

Chancellor Brighton bowed silently. Marginus, who had been waiting nearby, handed me maps of the city and mansion along with the names of the unit commanders.

“As a precaution, His Majesty has summoned Duke Langueille to the capital, so he’ll be absent from his territory on the day of the operation. Marquis Romberg is already in the capital and will be summoned to the castle for questioning within two or three days. If the local forces resist, we leave them to you, Leon-dono.”

The chancellor added casually.

You should’ve said that sooner!

Even if the reward is high, it feels like I’m being used too conveniently.

＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊

On a grassy plain outside Jewelron, more than ten tents stood within a temporary horse enclosure where numerous mounts were grazing. I began my descent.

I had changed out of the clown outfit and into adventurer’s clothing, but adventurers didn’t normally descend from the sky.

I was probably the only person in the world who did so, but I assumed they wouldn’t attack immediately and landed without ceremony.

A man watching the surroundings widened his eyes when he saw me, then snapped to attention and saluted.

“May I ask your name?”

“I’m Leon. I would like to meet Commander Josefane.”

“Right this way.”

At the sentry’s clear call, another man emerged from a tent and saluted sharply.

“I’m Commander Josefane. Preparations are complete—please give your orders.”

“Tomorrow I’ll entrust you with the royal banner. Carry it at the head of the cavalry formation. I’ll support you from the air and restrain Vincens Langueille and those around him when we reach the mansion. After that, we’ll respond according to the situation.”

“Understood. We’ll prepare Leon-dono’s tent immediately…”

“No, it’s fine. I have my own small house, so don’t worry about it. I’m going to check the situation in the city a bit, so please relax and prepare for tomorrow.”

Seeing their strange expressions, I set my small house on level ground, enclosed it in a transparent [Dome!], and flew up.

Josefane and the others stared up at me in shock, but I ignored them and headed toward Jewelron.

＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊

“I heard the adventurer could fly, but… seeing it’s something else.”

“The rumor I heard was about the dragon incident…”

“The one where he supposedly spun a dragon around and threw it?”

“Adventurers certainly know how to exaggerate a story.”

“I didn’t expect him to be so young.”

“Even so, His Majesty clearly trusts him and has entrusted him with the royal banner. Make certain everything is ready for tomorrow.”

“These plain clothes are useless now.”

“Wearing them makes us look like adventurers—or thieves.”

＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊

“Duke Langueille, please read this.”

Duke Langueille had been led to Chancellor Brighton’s reception room immediately after reaching the royal castle. Without ceremony, the chancellor handed him several sheets of paper.

“Brighton, I was told I was summoned by His Majesty the King.”

“Yes. His Majesty ordered me to show these documents to you, Duke Langueille.”

Sensing something unusual in Chancellor Brighton’s manner, the duke began reading the documents.

As he read on, his face turned red with rage.

“Is this an attempt to disgrace House Langueille? Even if it comes from His Majesty, this is intolerable!”

“I see.”

As the duke glared at Chancellor Brighton and raised his voice, the door quietly opened and King Sutherland entered the conversation.

“A minor disturbance in one town led to a raid on a brothel. Its underground cells contained underage boys and girls, as well as women being held against their will. Interrogation revealed that kidnapped victims were also being sent to Jewelron, which lies within your domain.”

“Those are merely the words of criminals. Jewelron is governed by my third son, Vincens, and no such problems have occurred there.”

“The testimony of the captives showed that orders for simultaneous raids were sent two days ago to lords and magistrates throughout the kingdom. Reports from royal domains including Jouelin, Bilung, and Zandra have already confirmed the testimony: kidnapped people and illegal slaves were found. We can’t overlook this merely because those involved are your relatives.”

“If that testimony is false, what then would you do?”

“Langueille-sama, mind your words!”

“Enough. You granted your third son the rank of viscount under ducal authority, did you not? If the testimony proves false, I’ll apologize by raising him to count and granting him a territory.”

“That statement…!”

“But if the testimony is true, you’ll accept punishment for failing to supervise him. The reports will arrive within a few days. Until then, remain comfortably in the castle.”

The king’s words shook the duke’s confidence, and he silently prayed that the accusations were mistaken.

＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊

Awakened by the commotion outside, I looked through the small window and saw Royal Knights preparing to depart in the dim morning light.

When I stepped out onto the road, a carriage bearing the royal crest was taken from a Magic Bag.

So that was why they hadn’t been surprised when I produced my little house.

Commander Josefane, dressed in a frock coat, boarded the four-horse carriage and looked every bit like a royal envoy.

“Leon-dono, aren’t you going to change clothes?”

“I’m essentially your escort, though I hardly look like one. I’ll leave the royal banner with you, so proceed to the mansion in formation. When you arrive, I’ll restrain Vincens and the others with [Dome!].”

“And if his subordinates resist?”

“I’ll handle it. You focus on defense.”

Josefane answered with an uncertain “Haa…” but I waved for him to get moving and rose diagonally above the carriage.

Since my role was to help secure the mansion and assist with the interrogation, there was no need for me to draw attention.

And honestly, the clown role just doesn’t suit me.

Eight riders flanked the carriage, while a knight at the head of the cavalry carried the royal banner.

The sight was impressive.

The banner was slightly larger than the one I had carried before, but the broad-shouldered knight bore it without difficulty.

I flew beside the carriage over the meadow, about ten meters above the ground.

＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊

“Hey, look at that.”

“Yeah… that’s insane.”

“I was surprised when he jumped that high, but now he’s flying so calmly at that height.”

“Is that Wind Magic? People say it’s weaker than Water Magic, but he helped kill a dragon, did he not?”

“And that’s the royal banner at the front.”

“Wait, did the flying man not have it?”

“He took it from a Magic Bag and handed it to the commander.”

As Jewelron came into view in the distance, I climbed higher.

＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊

“What’s that cavalry formation?”

“Which noble house is it?”

“Idiot! That’s the royal banner at the front! Go report to the commander!”

“A cavalry procession carrying the royal banner?”

“Yes. That one over there.”

The gate captain panicked when he looked in the direction the guard indicated.

“Form ranks! Stop incoming traffic and clear the road! Hurry!”

The cavalry procession bearing the royal banner advanced steadily, then stopped before the saluting guards.

“We’re the royal envoys sent by His Majesty to Lord Vincens Langueille, the local ruler. Guide us to his mansion!”

“Y-yes… to Vincens-sama’s mansion?”

“If you heard me, lead the way!”

The guard hurriedly mounted and moved ahead to guide them, desperate not to disgrace his lord.

“Fool! Do you intend to ride ahead of the royal banner? Move left!”

Startled, he moved to the left while muttering in confusion. The gate captain hadn’t even known that such a rule existed.

Although it was still early, adventurers were already leaving to earn their living and watched the procession with open curiosity.

“Isn’t that the royal banner…?”

＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊　＊

The mansion of Vincens Langueille, a viscount appointed under ducal authority, was impressively grand.

From above, I saw the gate guards hurry to open the gates as soon as they recognized the royal banner.

As expected of retainers of a ducal house, they reacted immediately to the royal insignia.

As the carriage pulled up before the entrance and blocked everyone’s view, I descended in the confusion and sat beside the driver.