And, it wasnt just Redas who went and greeted Inglis and Rafinha.
Welcome! Weve been waiting!
Knights of the Imperial Guard Order under Redas command. They bustled in a large crowd, bowing their heads to Inglis and Rafinha fervently.
W-, what?! Something is off?
Y-, youre right
The number was too many for a mere welcome. There were enough of them to surround Inglis and Rafinha in a circle.
Come, you two, this way. His Majesty is waiting.
Said Redas, apparently he would be their guide. Indeed they saved their Kings life, but did that give them enough warrant for such an extravagant treatment?
Confusion still in their mind, Inglis and Rafinha continued to follow Redas from behind. The other Knights followed them in a circle. Was this some kind of protective formation?
Th-, theyre kind of pretentious huh, Glis.
Youre right, RaniPerhaps we should be careful
Inglis and Rafinha started to whisper to each other.
Eh? What do you mean?
Maybe theyll lead us to a trap and attack us all at once there?
Such a rigorous escort atypical for mere students of the Knight Academy. It was as if they were treated like some princesses of a Kingdom or the most important bigshots.
Eeh?! We didnt do anything wrong!! Or maybe we actually did? After all, you were going so wild back then, Glis
My fault?
Well, you picked a fight with a Highland envoy then kicked him away to oblivion Also, picked up His Majestys fallen off harm and fixed it. You did a lot of things, you know?
Aah
Not to mention, that Abel kid, he died at the end, right? It wasnt you who killed him, but
I also bear the fault I guess.
Maybe? They might say he died because he was injured so badly beforehand.
Ultimately, it wasnt Inglis but the leader of the Ironblood Chain Brigade, Black Mask, that delivered the final blows to Archlord Envoy, Abel. However, it was also an indisputable truth that Inglis had dealt a major blow to Abel before that. Saying that she was responsible for Abels death on the battlefield was not an overstatement.
W-, well, dont you think they can stretch it like that?
As it turned out, Abel was a huge player of one of the two major factions of the Highland, which was the Church Founders Union. The Union had no intention to reconcile with this country, but
For example, if they changed their policy after Abels death and would accept reconciliation in exchange for offering the person responsible for Abels death, then it would be way faster to put all the blame on Inglis compared to chasing after Black Mask whose whereabouts were unknown.
King Charleas seemed to accommodate any kind of high-handed oppression from the Highlanders, so it was not entirely impossible.
Even if it came to that, Ill still look forward to it, you know? Fufufu
From what Inglis could see, King Charleas was by no means incompetent. That was why he should know that he couldnt capture Inglis with just this much, regardless of how much of an elite squad the Imperial Guard Order was.
In other words, Inglis could conclude that he prepared some kind of trump card to oppose her. She would like to see it. It was just, if it came down to that, they wouldnt be able to feast on the food, so
S-, stop it! Well be rebels if that happened!
Perhaps. But its okay, I will tell them that youre not involved in it, Rani.
I dont want that! Were a family! Were basically sisters, and we will be actual sisters in the future, too.
No, I have no intention to
For Inglis and Rafinha to be actual sisters, that would mean Inglis and Raphael would have to Naturally, Inglis wouldnt want that to happen, at all.
Still, arent we supposed to be together forever? I wont let you be all by yourself, okay!
Perhaps anxiety started to get on her, Rafinha grabbed the sleeves of Inglis dress tightly. She looked so cute to her, Inglis couldnt help but squint.
Okay, I understand. Itll be fine.
Then, as their hushed discussion was finished. Their noses were suddenly attacked by a most pleasing scent.
They had infiltrated the Royal Palace as maids the other day, so they had a general idea of the internal structure. This was near the kitchen. Which meant A feast is being prepared?!
Ah! Uwaah, smells sooo good!
Rafinha couldnt help but exclaim.
Of course, we have the feast ready! Please listen to what the King has to say to you first, and then well have our big celebration!
But what are we celebrating?
Asked Inglis. As a result of the recent incident, not only was King Charleas unable to achieve the reconciliation he aimed with Churchs Union, the damage suffered from the engagement with the Ironblood Chain Brigade was not small. That incident provided Inglis a good fight and training, and she was deeply satisfied by it, but it gave the country not a single upside.
Its one thing to invite someone over dinner to thank them for the work they had done but to throw a huge celebration party was odd. Just what in the world was happening?
I still cant say it to you, but youll know it soon enough. Please look forward to it.
Hey, hey, Glis. It seems that theres nothing to be worried about, huh?
Maybe?
Redas expression was full of elation and joy, he didnt seem to bear any lies. Besides, if they were to ambush Inglis, they didnt need to bother to prepare a feast beforehand.
However, she still couldnt get behind the reason for throwing a party at all. But that was beside the point, the point was that the feast had become reality. To be honest, she couldnt hold back her joy.
Th-, thats great! Im really happy!
Yeah, me too Rani.
Come, the audience hall is this way. Let us go.
Yes!!
With excitement filling their chests, Inglis and Rafinha stepped into the hall where King Charleas had been waiting.