Duke Arden von Agnus greets the fourth light of the Empire. Duke Agnus bowed in front of the intent gaze of the 4th Prince; even while genuflecting, his pride and dignity shone through. His courtesy was neither excessive nor insufficient.

I am honored to meet Duke Agnus, the pride of the Empire. Kaiser stepped down from his horse.

The audience was dumbfounded when Prince Kaiser bowed his head with a gentle smile.

Prince! An embarrassed Evergrant shouted. No matter how high-ranking an aristocrat was, the fourth prince was a direct descendent of the Emperor himself, in an age where the Imperial family had never been stronger.

It was said that nobles treat dukes and princes much the same, but for a prince to treat a duke as a peer was uncalled for.

Not only the Imperial Knights, but the Dukes family are watching. The Princes actions could undermine the authority of the Imperial family Evergrant whispered worriedly into Kaisers ear. His voice was small, but most of the knightsincluding Duke Agnushad superhuman hearing. Curiosity twinkled in the Dukes eyes.

As a powerless fourth prince, if I have to posture in a situation like this Ill spend my life being ridiculed. Kaiser smiled at the Duke.

The Duke was subtly surprised. He wasnt wrongthe first and second princes had the greatest influence and were the most likely candidates for the throne. Even the third prince, who was relatively inferior, had a higher chance of taking the throne than the fourth prince. Power had a pride of its own, and power was precisely what Kaiser lacked.

I apologize for the sudden visit, Duke Agnus. I was appointed by the Emperor and was only fulfilling his will. So please, kindly understand my immature behavior

I dont mind, Prince.

Its odd that theres almost no talk of the Fourth Prince throughout all of vast Arcadia. This cub is keeping his claws hidden

Duke Agnus kept his thoughts to himself, just as Joshua did. Joshua had been staring at Kaiser with a bitter smile on his lips, like an old man looking back on his poor life choices.

This is the guy. A hypocrite who pretends to have no self-respect on the outside, acts like a gentleman, and dresses himself up with all kinds of rhetoric, but is exactly the opposite on the inside.

How many people bled for that false grace?

How many people died for that smile?

Joshua was one of them.

In the end, I was betrayed by my trusted master, and my life vanished in the nameless wilderness It will be different this time, Kaiser.

Did he feel Joshuas gaze? Kaiser turned his attention to Joshua. Startled when they suddenly met eyes, Kaiser forced a smile while a cold sweat trickled down his spin.

Hah! You must be the famed Young Master Joshua.

Joshua didnt answer, prompting Valmont to step forward. Though he was known for slacking, he knew what he had to do now. He was here to protect not only the lives of the Imperial family, but its prestige. Above all, this mission came directly from His Majesty the Emperor.

Dont be rude, Young Master Joshua. Compose yourself before the Prince. The entire 9th Battalion scowled at Joshua.

If it were Duke Agnus himself, I wouldnt say anything. But how dare a bastard Valmonts expression curdled. His sword was drawn in an instant, and the rest of the Imperial knights rested their hands on their own weapons.

The Dukes Knights tensed. To them, Duke Agnus was greater than any Emperor. When their master was threatened they would fight, Imperial Knights or otherwise.

Cheeky! Valmont clenched his sword.

Thats funny. Joshua laughed, bursting the tension like a soap bubble.

Wha-what? Valmonts eyes popped.

There cannot be two suns over the Empire. Excepting their liege lords, the law of the Avalon Empire states there is only one person a Knight can salute. In such a situation, is there any reason I would salute to a self-proclaimed fourth prince?

Isnt he just a kid? Valmonts jaw dropped. For the first time, Valmont discovered someone who was an even worse shitter than himself.

No other knights in the Avalon Empire could present such power as the Knights Templar did. Who else would they be escorting except the Imperial family?

Are you claiming they have to present His Majestys decree to receive courtesy?

What a cheeky kid!

How rude!

How dare you? He was cleaning horse dung not long ago, wasnt he? He mustve fallen into a dung heap and gone crazy! The Princes retinue was in an uproar.

There cannot be two suns over the Empire. at first glance, it seemed obvious. The Emperor, Marcus von Britten, was the center of their universe. It seemed like an expression of infinite respect, but under the circumstances it was obvious that he meant he refused to respect the rest of the Empire.

Damn! Joker, his cross-shaped scar pale against his reddened cheeks, drew his sword in anger. All of the knights followed suit, ready to kill for their respective masters.

Stop! A voice loaded with mana blanketed their surroundings. The knights groaned under the impact.

Duke Agnus strode forward with a grim scowl.

Showing this damn attitude in front of the princeDo you want to die? His voice chilled them to the bones. He swept his gaze across the crowd, implying his sermon was not targeted just at a certain somebody. Even the Imperial Knights couldnt challenge the weight of authority in his voice.

This is the power of the Nine Stars, Duke Agnus Admiration painted Valmonts face.

Knights! Sheathe your swords!

Yes! The Dukes knights obeyed without question.

Were in front of the Prince! Valmont came to his senses and shouted urgently, Please, sheathe your swords!

...Yes!

Duke Agnus then turned his overbearing charisma to Joshua, standing next to him.

Your hasty words and actions caused this. Apologize to the Prince.

Joshua smirked bitterly. Hed lived a whopping half century, and yet I thought my mind and body had grown enough, but my mind is like a childs. When you despise someone so much youre swept away by the moment Joshua steeled himself, but Prince Kaiser spoke just before he could step forward.

Dont mind it. Its already done and hes not entirely wrong.

Prince? Evergrant whirled around, bewildered.

Young Master Joshua is right. The only person who deserves the salutes of the Knights is my father, His Majesty the Emperor. Prince Kaiser wore a polite and benevolent smile. Im fine, so dont worry about me my dear knights.

Prince Some of the knights teared up. They thought he was putting his pride aside to resolve a meaningless conflict.

But I would be lying if I said that I, a scion of the noblest blood in the Empire, wasnt offended.

Also, knights need to prove themselves with their skills Prince Kaiser beamed at Joshua. I believe youre well aware, Young Master Joshua?

Joshua couldnt help but chuckle. Kaiser truly was a clever spokesman; hed quickly taken control of the atmosphere and affirmed the trust of his subordinates in one move, and now he smoothly segued into testing Joshua.

A master manipulator. Then, let me match your pace Joshua left the Dukes side with a sharp smile.

Anytime youre ready.

A cheeky bastard until the end, I see Joker came forward with a sly grin. Prince, Battalion Commander, I ask your permission to perform this mana test.

Joker? Valmont shot a worried glance at the Duke. Joker was careful to keep his fangs hidden.

Dont worry. I just want to see if the Young Master has the skills to back his words.

Hmm

Let him do it.

Prince? Troubled, Valmont turned to the Prince.

Sir Joker has already surpassed an experta B-Class intermediateright?

Thats

Taking the Young Masters safety into account as well, I think Sir Jokers experience would be helpful.

Joker beamed contentedly as Valmont was forced to zip his mouth shut.

Dont be nervous Young Master, if you can handle my first attack, you will pass the exam. Of course, the attack isnt the same for everyone

You talk a lot. The space was immediately filled with a suffocating silence.

It doesnt matter to me.