“…”

Marquis Lanford neither confirmed nor denied the statement, but that alone was enough to convey the message.

Cantares has taken over.

“Marquis Lanford, while we’re on the subject, I’d like to make it clear. Are you still wary of Lord Arendt?”

“It’s not about being wary of him. It’s about being concerned.”

As the calm voice continued, Cantares chuckled and passed the ball back to the Marquis.

“Concerned… It’s quite different from what you said just a little while ago.”

“I am sorry, but I have changed my mind a little. I have had several conversations with him recently, and I can fully understand why Your Highness trusts him.”

“But why do you call him the first step that went wrong?”

“Lord Arendt is certainly capable, but I think all the dignitaries and guests here are well aware that he was in a very precarious position from the start.”

As the Marquis finished speaking, a heavy silence settled over the room.

There was no rebuttal.

It meant that many people had been secretly thinking like Marquis Lanford.

“These are difficult and dangerous tasks for a young apprentice knight to handle.”

To say it was dangerous might actually be a polite way to put it.

Just before the East Safe incident, Arendt would be executed for any mistakes, and when he discovered the trading post hidden beneath the strange bakery, he was forced to fight off a group of mercenaries with just three people.

And what about the magic stone mine?

A precarious friction occurred with Marquis Grieg and there was fierce battle that followed.

It was fortunate that things worked out well, but if they had been careless, they could have lost three capable knights and a nobleman with a promising future.

And what about the jewel auction?

Even though they considered themselves lucky, if things were handled wrongly, everyone would have been killed that day.

Arthur glanced at Arendt, who was standing next to him, with a nervous heart, and then had an ominous premonition.

A very interesting smile passed across Arendt’s lips.

‘Are you crazy?’

It was just a fleeting moment, too brief for anyone else to notice, but Arthur, who had seen all sorts of hardships by his side, could sense it.

This was the place where all the Empire’s leading figures gathered.

Those who held administrative positions, as well as the magicians and priests… everyone who filled the conference room was a person of some significance in this empire. In the midst of all this, Arendt’s name was mentioned.

Yet Arendt just quietly watched their conversation as if he were watching someone else’s business.

Those eyes, which seemed indifferent but sparkled unusually, clearly captured everyone in this place in their field of vision.

He felt a strange sense of foreboding.

Apparently, at the banquet held just before the mine incident…

Arthur, who had been standing there blankly, suddenly came to his senses when Arendt took a step forward.

His hand that had been hanging down rose up and gently touched his chest. The smile that had been on his lips disappeared in an instant.

It was as if his face had been replaced.

‘What?’

Clearly, just a moment ago, he had been as relaxed as a cat brought near a fireplace.

“Excuse me, Marquis Lanford.”

But the moment his lips parted, his voice was so cold that it even gave Arthur, who was standing next to them, the chills.

“Are you trying to tell me that my abilities are lacking?”

“I, knight…”

Someone licked their lips in embarrassment.

How dare he interrupt the conversation between the Crown Prince and the Marquis, but the reprimand didn’t last long, because Marquis Lanford responded to the words as if they were a given.

“No way. Sir, you have been doing a great job so far.”

“But why do you say such things? Are you saying that I am of no use to His Highness the Crown Prince?”

Arendt’s questioning tone was filled with anger that he could not hide.

Cantares, who had been listening silently, burst into laughter.

“Marquis Lanford, I fully understand your feelings, but I ask that you also understand Lord Arendt’s position.”

“I understand your position, so I am taking the liberty of telling you this. He has taken many risks in carrying out His Highness the Crown Prince’s wishes.”

As Marquis Lanford continued to speak, the commotion among the nobles grew. Depending on how it was interpreted, this could be a direct criticism of the Crown Prince.

“I also fully understand why Arendt is angry now. Anyone would be angry when their life is at stake.”

The knight commanders also narrowed their eyes.

“If your abilities are not recognized, you will die. That is certainly what Arendt would think. However, we need to reconsider whether the actions that come from such a mindset are truly for the good of this Empire.”

“…”

“As a knight, I beg you to let his loyalty be entirely directed to His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince.”

It was Marquis Lanford who had maintained his position that Arendt could not be trusted until recently. Those who did not know the details could not help but be puzzled by the words that came out of his mouth to protect the arrogant apprentice knight.

Moreover, those who shared the same views as Marquis Lanford and insisted that he should be guarded against until the end also nodded and added a word.

“I think what Marquis Lanford is saying is right.”

“Lord Arendt is still young. What he has done so far is enough. It is not right to burden a young person with too much.”

Arthur looked back and forth between Arendt and them, feeling uneasy.

He realized that the ministers who had just opened their mouths were the ones who had recently invited Arendt to their mansion. The Third Knights, who had also noticed the same fact, began to glare at Arendt with a murderous look.

In their eyes, Arendt was simply trying to absolve himself of his guilt by dragging the nobles into conflict with the Crown Prince.

But Arendt just looked straight ahead.

That calm and composed appearance made the knights’ hearts swell even more.

“That kid… doesn’t even know the kindness of being saved and betrayed us again?”

“Stay still.”

As Rider gritted his teeth and murmured, Richt quietly stopped him.

Even in this situation, Richt remained calm.

Rider grumbled in discontent, but obediently kept his mouth shut.

The Crown Prince started speaking again.

“I understand that you highly regard the merits of Lord Arendt, so what do you want to say?”

“I think his innocence has already been proven by what has happened so far.”

After a brief pause, Marquis Lanford finally spoke what he had prepared.

“I think it would be right to give him a not guilty verdict rather than a temporary release and allow him to be released from surveillance now.”

“…Hmm.”

Cantares’s brow furrowed slightly.

Meanwhile, the expressions on the three captains’ faces became increasingly strange.

“That bastard has no choice but to follow…”

It was a sentence that made them laugh out loud. Diana also let out a deep sigh, perhaps thinking the same thing.

She got a rough idea of ​​the situation.

“What do other people think?”

Cantares’ question was returned to those who filled the conference room. The nobles simply moved their lips but could not easily respond.

It was a really funny situation.

There had always been a fight between the Crown Prince and the nobles, but it was ridiculous that in the middle of all of this was just an apprentice knight.

On the surface, it seemed like they were merely discussing whether or not to pardon him, but the details were quite different.

It was already a settled fact that the Crown Prince would take care of the nobles. There was no room for refutation on that point. The justification had been created because of Marquis Grieg’s incident.

At that time, it was clear that the Crown Prince would stir up the nobles by moving the Imperial Knights and Arendt. Especially since Arendt’s life was at stake, he had no choice but to act as a loyal dog of the Imperial Family.

But what if Arendt were free?

Since Arendt, who had been favored by the nobles, would turn to their side, Cantares’ movements were bound to be restricted.

In such a situation, even those who usually supported Arendt could not easily express their agreement.

At that time, Duke Lancelot was the first to speak.

“I agree with you. Although it was a bit extreme, Lord Arendt risked his life for the Empire, so he deserves a reward, not a punishment.”

Marquis Lanford’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected assistance.

When Duke Lancelot, who presided over Arendt’s trial, said something like that, there was no room for further disagreement.

The same was true for Cantares. No matter what, it was difficult to ignore Duke Lancelot’s opinion.

Laius, who had been silent, also started to speak.

“It may be presumptuous, but I also beg you, Your Highness.”

“Even Captain Laius says that.”

Cantares, who had been thinking while briefly touching his chin, slightly curved the corners of his lips.

“Congratulations, Lord Arendt. It seems you have accumulated a lot of virtue.”

“…”

It was a ridiculous statement.

Arendt kept his mouth shut and did not answer, as if it were not worth it.

It was obvious to anyone that Marquis Lanford had the upper hand.

Cantares didn’t have many options. Finally, he nodded slowly with a reluctant expression.

“Very well. If that is what you wish, I will formally suspend the sentence of Lord Arendt von Eckhart.”

The faces of some nobles began to brighten. On the contrary, the faces of some were distorted into misery. Most of them were members of the Imperial Knights.

Regardless, Cantares winked at Laius.

Laius realized the meaning and took out the crude magic stone he had always carried in his pocket. It was an item that enabled the bracelet to be activated and execute the sentence immediately.

As Laius easily shattered the magic stone, the bracelet that had been shining on Arendt’s arm snapped and fell to the floor.

It was the moment when the chains that had bound him for months were finally thrown off.

Arendt felt a momentary emptiness and touched his empty wrist several times. Then he raised his gaze and scanned the inside of the conference room.

Marquis Lanford was smiling happily, and Count Eckhart next to him had his eyes closed as if things were going the way they should.

Several other nobles following the Marquis also noticeably had brightened expressions.

On the other hand, the familiar faces of the Third Knights, starting with Arthur right next to him, all had complicated expressions.

Arthur stared at him with a look of concern, while his other companions glared at him as if they were going to eat him right away.

It became a little more fun.

They were all convinced that Arendt, with the support of Merchant Neumann, would now abandon the Crown Prince and side with the nobles.

His favorite moments when he’s on stage are times like this.

A surprise twist that hits the audience on the back of the head.

“I am at a loss for words, Your Highness, for you to trust me so much.”

The ball had already passed to him. From now on, it was his turn.

Arendt took a step forward, fully accepting the countless gazes directed at him.

“Then I guess I have to pay a price for the freedom I have gained.”

With large strides, Arendt broke away from the line of knights and began to walk toward Cantares.

“Hey, hey…!”

Arthur hesitated as he tried to grab him timidly.

For some reason, he felt like he shouldn’t interfere in Arendt’s actions.

The others were the same, momentarily forgetting the situation and losing their minds as they followed Arendt’s movements with their eyes.

Step by step.

It was so quiet that the sound of footsteps moving alone was clearly engraved in the frozen air.

Finally, he stopped right in front of Cantares.

And then, a clear voice that could never be missed filled the large conference room.

“I hereby once again swear my loyalty to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

With those words, Arendt knelt down on one knee and bowed deeply toward Cantares.

It was both a pious and loyal oath of a knight, and a powerful blow to the back of someone’s head.