Dont greet him nowisnt there something more urgent we need to attend to? Duke Agnuss soft voice rolled over the knights. Joshua eventually closed his mouth.

Viscount Vigs voice was lingering in Joshuas mind for some reason.

Considering the total population of the continent, aristocrats were a rarity. Physical ability? Irrelevant. Inherited status, caste, origin, and blood ties determined everything; commoners were less than bugs to the ranking nobles.

Still, Joshua smiled bitterly.

You. Ill watch you, muttered Viscount Vig with a glimmer of contempt in his eyes before towards the Duke with a sunny expression. Duke, its a little modest, but I humbly prepared dinner why dont we head inside and unwind a little before we set off

My knights are not that weak. Duke Agnus shook his head firmly. If it was a break, everyone would have been too drunk to continue moving. Hmm howeverANYONE WANT TO REST?!

Who could say yes before such an intimidating presence?

We will leave right away.

Please allow us to accompany you. Viscount Vig spat his thoughts out into the open. When subjected to the Dukes questioning gaze, he continued: Unfortunately, my abilities are too lacking to handle it myselfbut as the Lord of the estate, I cant just bite my fingers on the sidelines, can I?

Duke Agnus showed a worried expression. Seeing this, Viscount Vig pressed forward.

The knights and the soldiers gathered are thinking the same thing.

Yes!

We want to be of help to the Duke!

We are honored to accompany the Duke!

The shouts of the assembled knights of Locke, in such numbers, filled the air.

Duke Agnus sighed.

What do you think, Anna?

Oh! You dont have to worry about her at all! My daughter will certainly be of some help to the Duke.

Are you saying you want to take this child into that dangerous place too? The Duke frowned.

Sylph. A gust of wind blew, followed by murmuring. Then, the ground and wind shook.

What? muttered Armand, the 4th-Class wizard.

As it turns out, I just recently learned that my daughter has a talent for elemental arts! Viscount Vig stepped forward with a pleased expression.

Ah, I see Duke Agnus let out a small sigh.

Joshua turned to examine Anna. There were only a tiny number of people with a talent like Anna: like magic, the elemental arts are exclusive to those born with the talenteven the lowest rank of Elemental Artists, the junior Elemental Artist, had only a few hundred members across the entire continent.

The rarity of Elemental Artists was no different here in the Empire. At that age, with that kind of talent, her renown would quickly spread across the Empire into the entire world. However, this Anna was entirely absent from Joshuas memory.

This girl her face is familiar, somehow Maybe I saw her somewhere? She had a pretty but commonplace visage, yet something about it tickled his memory.

Hmm Oh? Joshua tilted his head. He realized Annas gaze was firmly fixed on one place.

Babel von Agnuswho, on the other hand, had his eyes still glued to Joshua like he hadnt even noticed the girl.

Babel and this girl

Great, lets go together, the Duke decided.

Ah!

However, the Red Knights will take the lead, and the Locke Estates forces will be in the rear. The rest of us will stay in the center.

Understood!

We heed and obey!

Duke Agnus nodded.

Prepare to depart immediately! The troops quickly erupted into a hubbub of preparation.

Joshua, however, couldnt shake the uneasiness lingering in his heart.

If its someone important enough to affect my plans, Ill think about it For now, well keep moving. Joshua set his thoughts aside and followed the Duke towards the gloomy forest.

Depart!

In the glorious palace of the Avalon Empire, the Iron-Blooded Emperor sat upon his throne.

...I mean, it was the Emperor muttered softly to himself, while the man who just delivered his report prostrated before him. The silence stretched for a long moment while the Emperor mused.

Its fun! Marcus burst into laughter. Not only did he live up to the rumors, he even made the B-Class Knightsthe pride of the Empireback down.

Genuine joy danced on Emperor Marcuss face.

Evergrant, how did he look to you? We want to hear your personal opinionnot as a knight, but as the greatest wizard in our Empire.

As Your Majesty said, it is difficult to make a hasty evaluation. The mana of a wizard and a knight are too different, particularly in the way they exercise it.

Just your hunch is enough for Us. How far do you think that child will grow?

Evergrant fell into a deep contemplation while the Emperor waited with a patient smile.

...It would be too abstract to speak from the perspective of a wizard, so Ill use the Imperial Knights as an example.

Thats good. The Emperor nodded. He was a swordsman himself, so it was only natural that he would understand it better this way.

First: Sir Valmont, who was with me a few days ago. While I just met him in person, I can say that if I ever had the chance to face him in a one-on-one battle Evergrant paused. I would never be bored.

Ha! Emperor Marcus nodded eagerly.

Valmont is the youngest battalion commander in the EmpireI could count his ilk with my hands and have fingers to spare. Though, Your Majesty could do much better.

Emperor Marcus was the only one who recognized Evergrant in Avalon, a country that habitually disrespected wizards. He was also one of the few people who understood Evergrants true skill.1

But Young Master Joshua? He indeed felt different.

Are you saying you couldnt win a fight with him? The Emperors eyes were wide with surprise.

It certainly felt different, but, Evergrant shook his head. I wouldnt for now.

Then you mean

Within the next ten years, possibly sooner, I will begin to lose. That is my sincere feeling.

Astonishment colored the Emperors eyes. The wizards were terribly rational beings, and Evergrant was a wizard among wizards.

By the way

Answer Us one question.

Anything, Your Majesty.

What do you think the outcome would be if you and I had a one-on-one match?

Evergrants eyes widened with astonishment. In the end, he could manage no words.

...Ha. Emperor Marcus eyed Evergrant. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

His laughter grew tinged with madness.

THIS IS FUN! A shame We only could send the prince. If We knew, We would have come to see the child ourselves! If nothing else, We must see the child.

The Emperor snapped his fingers. A man in black slipped out of the shadows without a sound and prostrated himself before the Emperor.

Jaken, can you keep that child tied up here in the Imperial Palace, even for a little while?

From what I know, the Fourth Prince is already preparing to do so.

Kaiser? Emperor Marcus was surprised.

A little while ago, the Imperial Knights received a letter of recommendation from the Fourth Prince. The subject of the letter was, of course, Young Master Joshua von Agnus.

A letter of recommendation, you say So thats his way. Although it was made for a specific purpose, the idiot battalions, the 11th and 12th, were bothering Us Emperor Marcuss smirk deepened as he spoke. Report the progress of that situation regularly.

I heed and obey, Your Majesty.

Joshua von Agnus Maybe hes perfect for the job.