‘Is he in his right mind?’

That was the only thought that Marquis Grieg could think of.

If that kid was in his right mind, this couldn’t have happened.

He already knew from reports that he wasn’t dead and it was roughly what he expected.

Even though he was still a trainee knight and young, he was still a knight with a reputation as a genius. Marquis Grieg did not think that he could be killed so easily, but wasn’t it normal for him to at least take care of his body?

He thought that for at least a while, Arendt would be stuck in the dormitory and not be seen. He even expected to see him with his tail between his legs and a timid look on his face.

“Why are you like that? Oh yeah, we’re not on good terms when we see each other face to face.”

Arendt raised the corners of his lips.

“But today is a good day. Wouldn’t it be better to take a short break and spend some quality time together?”

The Marquis’ face turned bright red, but he managed to restrain himself from shouting.

The only one who would look funny if he got angry there was the Marquis.

Manager Neumann, who sensed the atmosphere becoming tense, quickly intervened.

“Marquis Grieg, it is a pleasure to meet you. How have you been?”

“…It’s been a while.”

Marquis Grieg, unable to hide his worm-bitten face, took the hand extended by Manager Neumann.

“You can’t control your facial expressions, huh?”

Arendt clicked his tongue.

Just as the enraged Marquis was about to shout something at Arendt, a loud voice erupted from the entrance to the hall.

“His Highness the Crown Prince enters!”

The Marquis had no choice but to close his mouth again.

The door to the hall opened with the hands of the servants, and Cantares, dressed in more extravagant attire than usual, walked into the hall with Jereon in tow.

The nobles paid homage to the heir to the imperial line by bowing their heads and placing their hands on their hearts.

Arendt was the same. He was paying attention to Cantares as if he had no regard for the Marquis.

The Marquis, too, had no choice but to follow those around him, even as he gritted his teeth.

Cantares looked around as if he was looking for someone, and soon found Arendt. Soon after, he found Manager Neumann bowing his head respectfully toward him, and next to him was Marquis Grieg, who clearly looked offended.

‘Looks like it’s already been a while.’

Cantares, with the corners of his lips slightly raised, walked toward the table reserved for him. A servant ran over and politely handed Cantares a glass of champagne on a silver platter.

Cantares raised his glass and spoke cheerfully.

“I am so happy that so many people came to this event, even though it was arranged out of the blue. I would appreciate it if you could forget all your worries and enjoy yourself today. May God Luce bless this event.”

“Glory to His Majesty the Emperor!”

“May the blessings of God Luce be with Your Majesty and Your Highness!”

As the formal toast ended, cheers erupted and the sound of glasses clinking could be heard clearly here and there.

It was the moment when the banquet began in earnest.

As time passed, the Marquis became increasingly anxious. Eventually, he began biting his fingernails.

‘It’s difficult if it goes on like this.’

This banquet was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Social gatherings were the most important places for businessmen to grab investors and customers.

The Marquis also attended this banquet expecting to gain a lot from it. He even boasted that this time he would be able to find sponsors for ‘them’.

But…

Marquis Grieg shifted his bloodshot gaze and glared at the gathered ladies.

“I think the Marquis sent an assassin to the young knight.”

“You’re talking about the Silver-Haired Knight, right? He’s the one who guarded the East Safe. I heard that the young knight is quite eccentric.”

“But still, how could he do that to a young man who is not even half his age…”

They were whispering and muting their voices, but the Marquis heard all of their conversations clearly. On the other side, the capitalists surrounding Manager Neumann were chatting happily about business.

“You acquired a few ranches separately, I guess. They’re different from the ones that were supplied from the East Top.”

“Yes, that’s right. We recently imported a special breed of sheep and are raising them. They were not originally bred in the Caerleon Empire, but I heard that their fur has a very pretty color.”

“I’ve heard that too. They’re considered a very high-class product in the kingdom. If they can be bred successfully within the empire, they’ll be a huge success.”

“Yes, I am looking forward to it too.”

This was the first time something like this had happened. Even those who made eye contact with him seemed busy avoiding him rather than greeting him warmly.

There was no place for him here.

There was no place to interfere.

He made a mistake.

This was clearly his mistake. He thought he would look good if he showed up after a certain number of people had gathered, so he entered later, but it seemed that was the cause of the trouble.

If he expected that Manager Neumann would have taken control of the atmosphere earlier, he should have come out earlier…

“No, no.”

There was no need to give any other reasons. The root of all his troubles was Arendt von Eckhart.

If only he had killed him from the start instead of merely scaring him!

“If you disappoint Him…”

He gets thrown away.

He had to somehow salvage this situation.

At that moment, someone spoke carefully next to him.

“Marquis Grieg, could I borrow your time for a moment?”

The Marquis, who had been lost in thought, looked back in surprise, then sighed in relief upon seeing a familiar face.

“Baron Gunther.”

“Yes. I don’t know if it’s rude to ask this, but… are you okay?” Baron Gunther asked with the utmost caution.

Baron Gunther did not come alone. Behind him were several others with similarly pensive expressions.

His sense of relief was short-lived, and Marquis Grieg began to feel uneasy again at the thought that he had put on such an embarrassing display that they had come asking with such anxious expressions whether he was okay.

“What could be wrong? There’s no problem.”

“If that’s the case, then that’s great. Over there, that…”

When Margrave Grieg answered curtly, Baron Gunther smiled awkwardly.

“The garden… there’s no problem either, right?”

“Of course. What problem could there be? Or… are you doubting what I’m saying?

“Doubting it, that can’t be!”

Baron Gunther jumped up and shook his head. Those who came with him also could not hide their anxious expressions the whole time.

Marquis Grieg clicked his tongue inwardly.

“You can rest assured. If you do as I say, you will benefit greatly.”

“Yes… that, that’s right. I will only trust you, Sir.”

Only then did Baron Gunther’s pale face come to life. The other nobles who came with him also showed signs of relief.

‘How weak.’

Well, it’s inevitable that they’d feel anxious, since it’s an issue with a lot of money on it.

Moreover, they still didn’t know exactly what kind of business they would be collaborating on.

Marquis Grieg’s expression softened slightly, but just then, an uninvited voice suddenly interrupted the conversation.

“How can you believe the words of a person who only chants like a parrot that there is a chance of great profit?”

“…!”

They turned around simultaneously.

A young man with an extremely familiar face was suddenly standing right behind them.

Baron Gunther’s eyes met indifferent golden eyes and he spoke in surprise.

“Oh, Lord Arendt? When did you arrive…”

“Oh, are you surprised? It’s become a habit for me to keep quiet, even though I don’t mean to.”

Arendt bowed his head cheekily, not at all apologetic.

Marquis Grieg’s face, having barely regained composure, began to turn bright red.

“Where on earth is this place…”

“Where is it? It’s the Imperial Palace. There is no place within the Imperial Palace that a knight of the Imperial Knights Order cannot go. If necessary, they can even enter His Majesty’s quarters.”

“What, what?!”

Arendt said in a sarcastic tone, twirling the champagne flute on his fingertips, pretending not to notice the people who were shocked by his irreverent remark.

“I heard it over there. Are you also preparing something new, Your Lord? It’s a big deal, so I’m starting to get interested. I guess these people are also interested in Your Lord’s work, so they’ve gathered here?”

Arendt’s eyes scanned Baron Gunther and the others one by one.

Those whose eyes met his slowly turned their heads away.

Arendt shrugged and looked back at the Marquis.

“By the way… the timing is not good. It seems like it would be difficult to gather people to provide capital right now. Is that okay?”

“…It’s not something that an apprentice knight would know.”

Urgh, the Marquis gritted his teeth.

But Arendt didn’t stop there.

“Well, I think it’s natural that Manager Neumann seems like a much more trustworthy businessman than the Marquis.”

“What?”

“Wouldn’t you be more trusting of someone who is excited about the amount of new profit they have brought in than someone who just keeps repeating that they will make a big profit without even explaining what it means?”

Arendt’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“So I also entrusted my small fortune to Manager Neumann. Manager Neumann said that I will be the first shareholder of the ‘Neumann Group’ that he will start in the future. I am very grateful.”

Arendt tilted his head to one side, resting his chin gently on his hand.

The gesture contained an obvious mockery.

Those lined up next to the Marquis were absentmindedly listening to Arendt’s words.

“Manager Neumann said he would never forget the favor. In fact, we were just doing what we had to do as knights, but it would be wrong to deliberately refuse.”

The Marquis must not allow the knight to continue talking.

Marquis Grieg’s fists clenched and began to tremble, his mind turning blank from anger.

“Besides, he wouldn’t send an assassin just because he didn’t like someone. No matter how I think about it, that person seems really petty.”

“That person…”

“Huh? Your Lord, you don’t look well. Are you still feeling unwell?”

Arendt cooed, looking closely at the Marquis’ face, which was turning red and blue.

“Just kidding, kidding. Do you think the Marquis would have done something like that? The assassins would have been sent by other guys. Recently, there have been subversive forces that have been trying to oppose the Imperial Family. Thanks to those guys, I’ve even been able to see an underground prison that I never thought I’d be in.”

As the young knight continued to speak, the faces of Baron Gunther and others became paler by the minute.

“It’s a nice day, so you should smile. Shall I bring you a glass of wine? The wine is also delicious. The Crown Prince said that he specially ordered the chef to make it.”

The Marquis no longer seemed to be able to hear Arendt. His shoulders began to rise and fall rapidly.

“The music is good, the people are good, and the hall is very nice, but the Marquis seems to be in a bad mood. Hmm, surely it’s not like he’d behave like this because a young knight half his age was nagging him?”

The Marquis’ gaze was fixed on Arendt’s lips, which were continuously pouring out words.

Arendt babbled cheerfully.

“Oh, I understand. I’m also curious about the work that the Marquis is doing. Would you mind telling me your story? Since no one is interested in the Marquis, I’ll listen to the story myself.”

Dduk.

Then, the little patience that Marquis Grieg had left was completely cut off.

Baron Gunther screamed when he noticed the change.

“Your Lord!”

“Damn this kid!”

The Marquis, who had burst into anger, swung his fist at Arendt’s face.

Those who were watching them also let out a short scream at the sudden commotion, but all of that was completely unheard by Marquis Grieg. His angry eyes were filled only with Arendt’s indifferent face.

The Marquis’s fist struck Arendt squarely in the cheek.

No, he tried to hit him.

Whoosh.

A hand suddenly shot out from behind Arendt and grabbed the Marquis’ arm.

The Marquis’ eyes widened.

Arendt also looked back with a slightly surprised look at the unexpected event.

A stranger was standing there.

The tall man was holding the Marquis’s wrist with a hardened face. The monocle hanging from his pale face reflected the appearance of Arendt and Marquis Grieg.

“Your Lord, you seem very excited.”

“…Ah, Count Stadler.”

The Marquis called his name hesitantly.

He carefully let go of the Marquis’ arm and turned his gaze towards Arendt.

“I think it would be best for Lord Arendt to stop here.”

Arendt, who had been staring at him blankly, took a step back from the Marquis instead of responding with a few words. It meant that he would not argue with him any further.

Actually, there was no need for that anymore, because his goal had already been achieved.

‘I never thought someone interesting would show up.’

It was the moment when an unexpected giant appeared.