Chapter 91
“A newly appointed Knight Commander, huh… I’m looking forward to it.”
“I came all the way here after hearing of the exploits Marquis Rebrun announced.”
The square, said to be the venue of today’s investiture ceremony, was already crowded and noisy with people.
For those who had been trembling with fear at the news of monsters invading not only their villages but even the capital, the presence of Maya, who had awakened the legendary power, was more than welcome—it was something they could only revere.
“I wonder what kind of person she is…”
“Ahem, but isn’t it a woman? I can’t say I’m too convinced.”
Of course, not every gaze was favorable.
“And if it’s the Pendragon family… that house has always been notorious for gambling. I worry His Majesty may have made a mistake.”
The bad rumors surrounding House Pendragon had spread even among commoners, so the perception wasn’t great.
Naturally, some of these murmurs were also stirred up by those Graham had secretly bribed to lower Maya’s prestige.
“Well, you’re not wrong there…”
Once a seed of doubt was sown, others were quick to echo it.
“Ah, here they come.”
“His Majesty first.”
Taking the highest seat was, of course, Lyserfield. For today’s occasion, he wore a cloak and crown studded with rubies and diamonds so lavish they glittered excessively.
In contrast, Maya’s knight commander’s uniform looked plain.
The citizens could hardly fail to notice such a difference.
“We’re struggling just to eat these days…”
“I can only imagine how much that crown of His Majesty’s must be worth.”
Just as resentment toward Lyserfield was beginning to rear its head, Maya appeared. With her curly hair tied back, she walked toward Lyserfield, a pure white dragon clutched in her hand.
“…Is it really such a big deal that a daughter of House Pendragon awakened House Pendragon’s power?”
Feeling the stares drawn toward Maya, the white dragon squirmed in embarrassment.
“It is—because it’s a family with that kind of worth. Which also means they’re easy to exploit.”
Maya waved to the crowd, whispering softly to herself.
“He must have prepared something again today.”
Though rumors of Maya’s exploits had been spread far and wide, those who had not seen them firsthand were always quick to doubt.
‘Graham isn’t someone to submit so easily.’
Sure, he had been cowed by direct threats before, but he would no doubt continue his behind-the-scenes schemes.
The honor of commanding the imperial knights was far too attractive for someone like him to ignore.
‘He must have been dissatisfied that our last fight ended so quickly.’
For Lyserfield, who preferred grandeur, that battle had been anticlimactic.
‘Which actually works in my favor.’
The harder Lyserfield tried to exploit Maya, the more leverage and weaknesses he would create for her to seize upon.
Surrounded by the crowd along the path, Maya felt something strange stir inside her.
In her past life too, she had received cheers when she became a Knight Commander, yet this time the feeling was different.
And soon she realized why.
‘…It’s because of Tristan.’
Knowing that somewhere in this place Tristan was watching—that fact alone made even this battlefield of enemies and shadows from her past feel bearable.
Standing before Lyserfield, Maya knelt with a calm expression.
“As the daughter of House Pendragon, and current Grand Duchess of House Bearden, I hereby appoint you as the Empire’s new Knight Commander.”
“I accept this honor.”
“Wooooaaahhh!!!”
Thanks to amplification magic, both Lyserfield’s and Maya’s words rang clear for everyone to hear.
“From now on, serve the Imperial House with loyalty. You are no longer a mere member of one family, but the commander who protects our imperial line.”
His words carried weight. Maya deliberately did not affirm them outright.
“I shall bear those words in mind, Your Majesty.”
She promised only to remember them, nothing more.
‘I never said I’d obey.’
Her usually still facial muscles moved flawlessly, masking all dissent.
Now was not the time to defy him openly.
The more Maya built her image as Knight Commander, the greater advantage she would have later when she moved to enthrone Tristan as Emperor.
‘The deeper the trust I earn, the better.’
Yes. Every action she took now wasn’t for Lyserfield—it was for Tristan’s future. With that thought, she smiled.
“Still, many here may not yet grasp the power you hold. So, I have prepared a duel. What say you?”
“A duel, Your Majesty?”
Maya had expected something like this. She feigned surprise and asked.
“Yes. I’ve arranged opponents rarely seen in the capital. Both for the audience and for you, it should be entertaining.”
“I understand.”
There was no reason for Maya to refuse.
Though, she was curious about who the opponents would be.
Would Graham appear again? She wondered as she headed to the prepared arena.
The dueling grounds were directly connected to the square.
‘Familiar…’
She remembered: this had originally been Lyserfield’s arena.
In the past, she had slaughtered countless men before him there.
The image of herself drenched in blood came back, making her gag. She quickly covered her mouth, then forced her hand down.
“There will be three matches in total.”
The first opponent stepped out.
The man, trembling under his helmet, was obvious at a glance.
“To honor the former commander, I’ve called upon Graham.”
“Woooaaahh!!”
A fight between the old and new Knight Commanders—what could be more thrilling?
The crowd buzzed, eager to see with their own eyes the subject of so many rumors: the reclusive Imperial Knight Commander Graham.
“Sir… Lady Maya, it was not my choice to come. His Majesty summoned me.”
Graham, already knowing the extent of Maya’s power, was terrified of how badly he might be beaten today.
“In other words, you’re asking me to go easy on you.”
Maya dismissed her white dragon and instead checked the blade she now held.
“Did your dealings with Oprahje’s shop work out?”
She hadn’t followed up after connecting Graham with Oprahje. Seren had agreed to keep watch, and besides, such matters weren’t Maya’s specialty.
It was better to stay uninvolved than to risk exposing ignorance.
‘People will imagine on their own what I must be doing.’
Graham, recalling their previous duel, swallowed hard.
“Yes, as you instructed. Please keep it in mind…”
Because of the amplifying spell, they had to whisper carefully.
Still, from Graham’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad arrangement.
He had long struggled with being second to the Baker Trading Company.
Though he tried to siphon what he could, Baker had shrewd tactics.
‘And Oprahje, who is closely tied to Seren Baker…’
It was a gamble worth taking.
He wondered why Maya insisted on working through Seren Baker and Oprahje.
‘Could she be aiming for a countship?’
But Seren was just a woman; Graham saw no reason to consider her a threat.
His real problem was Maya, right in front of him.
After their last duel, Graham had resolved never to challenge her again.
If not for Lyserfield luring him with land and treasure, he wouldn’t be here now.
Above all, it was an imperial command—he could not refuse.
‘Especially with that ledger hanging over me.’
Bitterly, Graham gripped his sword.
“I’ll try to make sure nothing breaks.”
The instant Maya finished speaking, the duel began.
Whoosh!
She swung her sword in large arcs, deliberately making her movements expansive so that even from afar, the audience could see her swordplay.
It was swordsmanship for spectacle, like watching a magnificent fountain.
Overwhelmingly dazzling.
‘A real expert would exploit these openings instantly…’
But Graham had no such skill.
Each time her blade neared him, Maya would press lightly.
‘He’ll be badly bruised, but that’s manageable.’
She regretted not being able to break bones, but she had to restrain her strength.
Sweat poured down Graham’s face, while Maya moved gracefully, as if strolling in a garden.
To the spectators, the new Knight Commander was a marvel beyond compare.
Even Lyserfield felt chills of excitement.
‘…Even her beauty alone would have justified her appointment. But her skill as well? Perfect.’
Surely the gods favored him.
She was Pendragon’s true heir—and his servant!
The final piece to his reign of tyranny!
His grin nearly split his face with joy.
Clang!
At last, Graham dropped his sword.
“The first duel is over!”
The announcer stepped forward.
“Ahem, I suppose I wasn’t in good condition today. A fine match, nonetheless. May you honor the Imperial Knights with your service.”
Graham, forcing down his pain for dignity’s sake, clasped Maya’s hand.
“Yes. Thank you.”
Maya gave only a short reply before letting go, then readied her sword again.
It was time for the next opponent.
‘Three matches, he said.’
She just wanted to finish quickly and return home to rest with Tristan.
“….”
But when she saw the next opponent, Maya froze.
‘…What is this?’
