Chapter 32
“…Lilac.”
“Yes, Master!”
“I’ll step out for a bit, so keep listening to the explanation.”
“Yes!”
As I left the building inspection, the landlord, giving me a ‘truly a noble’ look, continued his explanation.
Once out of sight, I turned and dashed up to the second floor.
Reaching the second floor, I stood still, mentally reviewing the layout.
Kitchen, living room, storage, Lilac’s room if we buy the building, my room.
And two empty rooms.
I drew my hunting rifle and loaded it with buckshot.
“There are empty rooms, but I wasn’t planning on taking in tenants.”
Wild Instinct (Lv 1) has detected a powerful enemy’s ambush.
“How dare you spurn the chance to serve the Princess.”
My door opened, and the Golden Princess stepped out.
Meeting her golden eyes, cold sweat trickled down.
Wild Instinct (Lv 1) warns not to lower your guard.
It has detected additional ambushes.
“My income isn’t enough to serve Your Highness. I couldn’t even afford the food expenses. And to accommodate Your Highness’ ardent fans, there aren’t enough rooms.”
What a woman.
How did she know I’d come to see this building today and wait for me on the second floor?
“You’ve got good instincts.”
At the same time, shadowy figures in black robes emerged from the house’s shadows, standing by the Princess’ side.
‘Damn it. The Shadow Knights?’
The empire’s strongest elite force, obeying only the Emperor’s commands.
‘If I use Flash magic, I could at least escape with Lilac.’
Assuming the worst, I planned the optimal escape route.
“I apologize for mistaking you for Peacemaker.”
Unexpectedly, the mood was peaceful.
“All the evidence pointed to you like magic, so I had no choice.”
“…I’m relieved my innocence has been proven.”
It seems the real Peacemaker caused a stir in the past few days.
“Still, you seem quite useful. Your performance at the Academy was far more impressive than most veteran knights.”
“I’m uglier than you’d think.”
“Oh, how dull. A warning: never make such jokes in front of me again.”
“….”
One wrong word, and instead of easing the mood, my head might roll.
“I’m going to entrust you with a few tasks. Don’t worry. The rewards will be generous. I hope you won’t disregard my sincerity.”
Look at those mad golden eyes.
Ignoring her would likely cost me my head too.
“Is today’s visit to entrust the first task?”
“Correct. This weekend, the imperial family is holding a dungeon tournament.”
A dungeon tournament, like a hunting competition?
‘…Come to think of it, was there such an event?’
The protagonist’s party meets weekly to bond, and one day, they invite Gilbert to join them for the imperial dungeon tournament.
Fearing his identity might be exposed, Gilbert declines.
During an unplanned weekend break, Gilbert goes for a walk and stumbles upon a clue to a new case.
In other words, it’s a side Chapter without the protagonist.
“You’ll need to conceal your identity and participate in the tournament as my knight.”
My brow furrowed.
Participate as her knight?
‘…Damn.’
Refusing would likely mean she’d never approach me again.
I had to be cautious.
The Golden Princess before me… is one of the calamities that will lead this world to its end.
She’ll ascend the throne someday, plunging the entire Imperium Empire into a crucible of chaos as the Lord of Apocalypse.
It’s an utterly unappealing offer.
But the adage about keeping your enemies close exists for a reason.
More importantly, the Golden Princess might be one of the few apocalypses that can be redeemed.
She’s too valuable a connection to dismiss outright.
‘The next case Gilbert investigates… was it the cadet demon terror incident?
It won’t fully surface until next week.
If I just endure the weekend, I’ll have enough time….’
Ugh, I don’t want to.
Why should I participate in an imperial dungeon tournament?
“…There must be plenty of knights better than me lining up.”
“They’re too fond of me, which is annoying. Are you going to be clingy too?”
“If you wish, I could be cling—”
Her eyes flashed with irritation.
I can’t oppose those eyes.
…Not when it could put Lilac in danger too.
“Clean dealings are best. Our transaction too.”
“I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Is an advance possible?”
“…An advance?”
***
“Master, take care.”
Lilac looked at me with a face full of worry.
“You’ll be back before lunch…?”
“No, it’ll take longer.”
“Before teatime…?”
“Longer.”
“Before dinner….”
“Long—”
Like a dejected puppy, Lilac’s eyebrows drooped.
“Master, wherever you go, you must eat three meals a day.”
“Got it.”
“And brush your teeth after every meal.”
“Sure.”
“And no dangerous tasks. I trust you, Master, but only if you stay sober. Understood?”
“Y-Yeah.”
I couldn’t delay any longer.
“I’m heading out now.”
“Okay….”
Carrying Lilac’s overprotectiveness in my heart, I headed toward a dark alley.
In the past, it would’ve taken a while to get there.
‘Flash.’
The mysterious power, Stellar Force, activated an unknown magical system.
My body flickered, and I was in the underground waterway.
The Princess’ dogs were waiting.
“Follow us.”
“….”
Following them, I reached the imperial palace in no time.
Arriving through a secret underground passage, the palace was bustling with festival preparations.
‘To think my first entry into the palace would be like this.’
Without a moment’s rest, I headed to the changing room.
“Oh, come in.”
The Princess was waiting.
I’d often faced the madness in her golden eyes in the dark, but under bright light, they looked noble and alert, like those of an enlightened person.
Beside her was black armor.
This was the advance I’d requested.
A powerful full-body armor that could conceal my identity without restricting movement.
“Put it on. It’s a gift from me.”
“Is it cursed?”
“…You make me sound petty. Suspicious or not, it can’t be helped. A knight bearing my name can’t go out in such rags. So, put it on!”
Rags?
It’s the best outfit I own.
“Understood.”
Fine.
The sturdy yet sleek Black Knight armor was appealing.
The golden magic circles engraved across it looked stylish.
“Consider it an honor. It was made for you by my people.”
“The gun too?”
“Yes, exactly.”
The design matched the gun she’d brought when she mistook me for Peacemaker.
But the gun, unlike the armor, was pure, silent black without golden patterns.
As I stepped forward to change, the Princess grabbed my hand and placed it on the armor.
Then, with her long nail.
“…I can do it myself.”
“I wanted to try.”
She pricked the back of my hand.
The bead of blood that welled up was absorbed into the armor.
The armor turned into black mist, dispersed, then reformed as a black bracelet around my wrist.
“The activation phrase is ‘Hound Mode.’ I thought long and hard about what suits you.”
Hound, as in a hunting dog?
“…Hound Mode.”
A black aura spread from the bracelet, enveloping my body.
Soon, I was fully clad as a Black Knight from head to toe.
“Good. Can you hear my voice?”
“…I can. My vision is clear too.”
Despite the helm completely covering my face, I could see outside vividly.
The Princess looked at me, her lips curling into a smile.
But her eyes weren’t smiling.
“Now, let’s go. My Hound. My Black Knight.”
***
The Imperium Empire’s banquet hall was the epitome of human luxury.
Adorned with gold, silver, and all manner of gems, the imperial banquet hall was both opulent and protected by the world’s strongest defensive magic.
In this world, gems weren’t mere stones but catalysts for magic.
Though unproven, the maker boasted it could withstand a dragon’s attack for a day.
Thus, the empire’s nobles invited to the dungeon tournament enjoyed the banquet carefree.
“It’s been a while since the last dungeon tournament. I’ve missed such fine competitive events.”
“Haha, I hope the imperial family or the Four Great Ducal Families produce the winner again.”
“Hehe, as you say, but I’ve brought a secret weapon to challenge them. It’s fitting that the heirs of the Four Great Ducal Families and the imperial family are 17 and competing directly. Quite meaningful, don’t you think?”
“Oh, you had the same idea? Hahaha, we shouldn’t talk too long.”
“Still, isn’t it nice to gather and bond?”
“Indeed! Hahaha!”
The extravagantly dressed nobles laughed and flattered each other.
Naturally, fierce political maneuvering was underway beneath the surface for the dungeon tournament.
Some children still disliked such adult games.
“Ugh, Gilbert and Lina aren’t coming. The identity badges we made are useless now.”
“Really?”
Elisha sighed.
Bord tilted his head, surprised.
“It’s rare for Gilbert to skip an event like this. He’s quietly obsessed with strength.”
“He said he had urgent business. It sounded… like an excuse. Is he uncomfortable with the imperial family?”
“G-Gilbert isn’t coming…?”
Mary trembled with anxiety.
She’d always hated noble social circles, despite her genius intellect.
She knew the evil of power-hungry humans.
To timid Mary, Gilbert was nearly the sole embodiment of ‘justice.’
“Don’t worry, Mary.”
“It’s okay. We’re here.”
Elisha was always the unyielding ‘strength,’ and Bord was the ever-caring ‘devotion.’
“Okay… I’ll try to be strong.”
The dungeon tournament was a talent-scouting event.
Its main participants, aged 17 to 30, reflected this.
Participation was open, but the Four Great Ducal Families bore duties even in nominal traditions.
Elisha, Bord, and Mary, now 17, were no exception and had to compete.
The three shared a thought, looking at the banquet hall’s main entrance.
‘I imagined Gilbert walking through that door.’
‘It’s a shame.
Having Gilbert would’ve been reassuring.’
‘Gilbert….’
The head butler was announcing the arriving nobles.
“Marquis Bergogne enters.”
“Baron Pivar enters.”
“Count Peradine enters.”
Just as the banquet started feeling dull.
The head butler signaled the orchestra playing classical music to stop.
“Everyone, show respect!”
In the silence, all bowed.
Only members of the Four Great Ducal Families didn’t.
Not just Elisha, Bord, and Mary, but the ducal members scattered throughout the hall held their heads high.
“His Highness, the First Prince, enters!”