A girl sat on the second-floor patio sipping tea, eyes darting quizzically. Charles, hair burning like a beautiful open fire, looked over the edge of the terrace where she heard voices coming from.

Cox? When she discovered Cox looking up at her with a flushed face, Charles tilted her head.

Princess! This is an emergency! I have to tell you something!

Calm down first, Cox, and then speak.

A new C-Class Knight was promoted here yesterday! Yes! Right here!

Cox, please. Rather than excited, Charles just frowned. You must have forgotten that this is the Agnus Estatetheyre famous for producing great knights. Such a fuss over a C-Class promotion. Hah. I expected more from you.

What if that C-Class Knight was only nine years oldeven younger than the princess?

What?! No way.

Yes! Fortunately, Young Master Joshua has finally been recognized by the Imperial Family! Now hes a legitimate mana user!

Yes, he is.

Arent you surprised? Cox was puzzled by Charless lukewarm reaction. Youve been cooped up in your room for quite some time now, so I thought the news wouldnt fly so fast to youbut I guess you already knew?

No, Charles shook her head. In fact, this is the first Ive heard of it.

Then why are you reacting like that?

Youre the weird one, Cox. This isnt anything new; we already knew his talent.

Yes, but this is different from such an informal evaluation. Official Imperial recognition means that he will be known across the Avalon Empire as the youngest mana user in history!

Coxs face scrunched up in frustration. His life revolved around money; he rarely thought of the knights as anything more than numbers in his checkbook. As far as he was concerned, money was the truest transcendental powerbut such boundless talent was a whole different story.

What happens when the world knows of Joshuas incredible talent? The world could not leave Joshua alone. Cox knew that better than anyone.

Honestly, when the Princess first took an interest in Young Master Joshua, my head felt heavy. Back then, he was just the bastard son of a concubine with a smattering of talentor so it seemed. But now, its clearly different. Never before in the history of the continent has someone become a mana user before the age of ten.

Charles stared silently at him, making Cox feel somewhat self-conscious.

The Pontier family have money and fame aplenty. However, even the most talented person can only do so much with it Sometimes, money isnt the solution.

...What is it? Curiosity crept into Charless expression.

Do you know why your father sent both of us here?

...He mustve sent me here to do something with Babels brother somehow, Charles muttered bitterly.

Half right, half wrong. Cox shook his head.

What?

The important issue is why he wanted the Princess and Young Master Babel together: the Mercenary King. Nobody thought he would be with the Marquis of Crombell.

Charles frowned.

The Mercenary King Barbarian: a Sword Master of common birth, with the skill of an A-Class Knight. Nohe would be more accurately described as an Ax Master. He wielded an ax the size of a grown man in one hand and with it battled his way across the continent, gathering mercenaries as he went. Thus, he was known as the Mercenary King.

He was widely considered to be just below the Nine Starsreally, he could be one of them if he wanted to.

Unfortunately for the Pontier family, there were rumors that the Mercenary King had secret ties with the Marquis.

Marquis Crombell was the second most wealthy noble in the Avalon Empire, after Duke Pontier. The head of the family lived in the same area as the Pontiers, so they inevitably bumped shoulders from time to time. In recent times, their clashes had intensified; now, it has reached the point where war could break out at any time.

If the rumors are not true, it doesnt matterbut if its the other way around, theres nothing we can do about it, Charles said with a serious expression. Its not like Im in a situation where I can tell the people around me about my situation.

You understand very well, Princess. Cox smiled softly and nodded.

Both families were closely tied to the merchants and were thus very sensitive to rumors. What if whispers arose of a war between their two families? Their customers would react poorly, and their competitors would come snapping at their heels. The Imperial Palace forbids warfare without justifications, but the investigation they would send was a problem in its own way.

Therefore, the struggle between the two families stayed within the shadows.

If a territorial battle takes place, the whole world would be watching. The best solution would be to finish the job in the shortest time possible In the end, the key is how quickly you can repel your opponent.

Money isnt the solution... You were referring to the Mercenary King?

You really are the daughter of the Pontier family. Cox nodded.

Thats why they were trying to curry a relationship with Babels brother If it develops, the Crombell family wont be able to sit still.

Yes, thats it.

...I like strong people too, but I cant help but feel bitter after learning the truth.

What? Was he mistaken, or had this free-spirited girl matured at some point? Then am I going to be the keystone of this operation?

Cant we just ask uncle1 for help?

I dont think so Dont you know this isnt a normal situation? Its the Mercenary King. I dont think hes solely driven by money, so its not an emergency. I dont believe its necessary to bow down and beg for help first. When Charless expression did not improve at all, Cox sighed. ...Thats what the elders of the family think You may not understand it yet, Princess, but for a noble, there is nothing more important than his prideeven more so in front of a higher-ranking noble.

You mean you dont agree? Charles looked up. ...At least I dont do anything stupid that would put my pride in jeopardy during a family crisis.

You say that, but I know you, Princess. You pretend to be interested, but you dont really like Young Master Babel at all. I have served the Princess for a long time; I hope your life will not be sacrificed in the name of your family.

Cox Charles looked moved.

But as a vassal of the Pontier family, this crisis cannot be ignored. It is my wish that the Princess and Young Master Joshua have a serious conversation at least once, if both of you are willing. For a brief moment, you were somehow different when you dealt with Young Master Babel versus Young master Joshua. There was nothing strange about itI felt, shall I say, sincerity?

Cox scratched his head.

Im sorry if I was mistaken It is indeed a great setback for the Pontiers for them to have a second child of such unprecedented talent. Dont worry too much about itI only said it because of greed.

No, Cox. Shaking her head, Charless dull eyes sharpened. Before we leave arrange a meeting with the Young Master. When that child is available I hope Cox would be kind enough to arrange a meal for the two of us.

Coxs expression brightened.

Leave it to me! Cox bowed and moved away from the terrace.

Is this really okay? Charles, left alone on the terrace, let the worry show on her face. Cox didnt know, but Charles still couldnt forget the way that child had reacted.

Charless sigh wafted quietly across the terrace.

Father and son sat across from each other in the Dukes room.

Do you understand why I said that? Duke Agnus was the first to broach the silence.

You dont want the family to bleed; the battle for succession is not just a matter between the heirs. Many will be purgedif it were within my abilities, Id make it so that no one would get hurt.

Duke Agnus examined Joshuas face without saying a word.

He has the right idea. Joshuas precocious talents made the Duke like him more and more.

Confidence and arrogance are separated by a thin line. The Duke chuckled. In that sense, your confidence is not bad.

Now, before you go to Arcadia, you will have to give up the name of Joshua von Agnus.

Huh?

Let me give you a present. Duke Agnus held out something to Joshua.

This is?