CDTD 30

Chapter 30

The Emperor remembered the dismissal of Gudel Austin.

It was unfortunate for him, but there was nothing he could do.

―“Father… no, Your Majesty. Please lend me your support. I…”

As Emperor, he could not refuse the Crown Prince’s request.

He feigned indifference and continued speaking.

“…Yes, that happened. Are you asking me to reverse it?”

“Rather than reversing it, I hope Your Majesty will grant a favor.”

“A favor?”

The Emperor asked, puzzled.

“The Evnia Knights helped us secure victory in the final battle. I must repay that favor, Your Majesty.”

“A favor…”

The Emperor fell into thought again.

He, too, knew that the Crown Prince’s reinforcements had been delayed. If Ludice and the Evnia Knights had not gone, no one could guarantee how the battle would have ended.

Quinlan waited quietly for the Emperor.

He knew the Emperor would grant his request. If the Evnia Knights’ leader left the order in disgrace, opposition would grow.

However, if the Duke of Drefania requested his service and he went with their support, the situation would change.

By petitioning repeatedly and ultimately persuading the Emperor, his honor could be preserved.

Though unprecedented, there was no reason it couldn’t happen.

“If…”

After a long pause, the Emperor spoke.

“What will you do if others leave Evnia to follow him?”

“We will support the Drefania family in replenishing the order. It’s about time to recruit new knights anyway. Those who leave will be replaced by new knights.”

“….”

“The royal family will demonstrate generosity by granting a favor, and the Drefania family will be recognized as one that understands loyalty and gratitude.”

Quinlan finished speaking and waited silently for the Emperor’s response.

There was nothing for the Emperor to lose. He was a ruler who understood and valued both honor and practicality.

Even if the Emperor refused, Quinlan intended to make this happen.

Ludice… she wished it.

A faint smile appeared and disappeared on Quinlan’s lips as he thought of his wife’s red hair.

“Thank you for your words, but…”

Gudel bowed his head to Ludice—a polite but firm refusal.

He was a knight of the royal palace to the core.

He knew what the Nihil Knights were: an order tasked with the dangerous missions other official knights avoided.

No proper knight would desire such a place. Yet he hesitated.

Even if it was the Nihil Knights, it was still the palace order. He could not imagine leaving the palace knights.

Gudel continued in a calm voice.

“The Duchess used her seal, and I merely followed it.”

“But there are those who twist it into unfair accusations. They won’t understand why you obey orders willingly.”

They would assume he followed orders either out of weakness or because he lacked power.

“Is that so?”

Gudel Austin gave a rare, small smile. Honest and straightforward, his smile had no deceit, just like his character.

“It doesn’t matter. As long as I serve the palace knights, I must obey Your Majesty’s commands.”

“Your intentions may be pure, but others do not see it that way. That is why His Majesty the Emperor approved your coming to Drefania.”

“His… Majesty?”

Gudel’s voice wavered.

Ludice quietly regarded him.

In her previous life, she never imagined Gudel would face such trials. She had heard of him only after he had already left Evnia, and later she had been too busy to seek him out.

It was only later that she learned he had survived the brutal trials of the Nihil Knights, the darkness of the Empire.

She did not want to unknowingly let him fall into danger twice.

“Your Grace,”

A bitter smile appeared on Gudel’s lips as he watched Ludice’s expression darken.

“Drefania already has Sir Hugo and Sir Belmond. There is no place for me.”

“We will soon reinforce the knights for the territory. We need someone to lead them together.”

“You mean… you want me to?”

“Of course.”

Ludice smiled.

Just before coming here, she remembered Quinlan’s words:

―“Speak as you wish. Whatever you do, I will support you. Your will is my will.”

Could he have said that thinking she would one day take such a step?

“I am the leader of the Evnia Knights.”

The voice, finally spoken, carried a bitter undertone.

Gudel Austin was the face of the Evnia Knights.

As the youngest commander of the royal knights, he had devoted nearly all his time to them.

Now, he was leaving.

Following the Emperor’s orders to another palace knight order was different from completely leaving to join a duke’s household.

“I know. That’s why I came to request it from you.”

“….”

“Please reconsider, Commander.”

I do not want to fight with you again.

A bitter smile rose in her mind.

Gudel was a remarkable knight. In her past life and now, he had helped her without expecting anything in return.

Now, it was her turn to save him and repay the favor.

“I will wait for your answer.”

Ludice stood up.

She liked his steadfastness. Even if it became his weakness, she wanted him to retain it.

‘I will find a way, Commander. This time, I won’t let you go anywhere else.’

Ludice gave Gudel a brief nod and walked out. The bitterness in her mouth lingered.

Outside, she was met by Quinlan.

Leaning against the railing lost in thought, he straightened and approached her.

Seeing her dark expression, he asked calmly,

“Did you fail to persuade him?”

“It didn’t work. I’m upset. I wanted to persuade him, but he’s too stubborn.”

“I see.”

Quinlan’s expression darkened along with hers, and Ludice quickly gathered herself.

“I’m sorry, Quinlan. I offered him the commander position of the knights because you said I could do as I wish.”

“Even though Sir Hugo is there?”

“I hadn’t intended to bring up the commander role for Gudel yet… but he was too stubborn. I wanted to discuss the knight order slowly with you later.”

Ludice lowered her gaze briefly, collected her thoughts, and looked up again. Her eyes were more focused than before.

“When we go to Diarun…”

She placed her hand over Quinlan’s arm and let him lead her as they walked.

“We will need to manage a territory several times larger than now.”

“Yes.”

“In that case, our current knights won’t be enough. The Drefania Knights under Sir Hugo will oversee the entire territory.”

Even that alone would be an overwhelming task.

Diarun had long been a contested land between Boswell and the Empire of Evron.

No nobles had returned to Drefania during that time; only those who survived by carefully navigating both sides remained.

“It’s unlikely that those who survived there will be friendly to us.”

“…True.”

“To properly organize Diarun, we’ll need more troops. That’s why I thought we should create a new knight order.”

Quinlan looked at Ludice in surprise.

That had been his discussion with Belmond and Hugo just that morning.

Though she hadn’t revealed it, Ludice had understood the essential need perfectly.

“That’s why I asked him to come and lead a new knight order. Isn’t he the ideal choice?”

Ludice was correct. Gudel Austin was the optimal candidate. No one could surpass him in skill or character.

Quinlan smiled and spoke to Ludice.

“I see. It would be wonderful if he joins us.”

He held her hand firmly, as if lending her strength. The warmth of his grip comforted her greatly.

As they continued talking, they arrived at the carriage.

The servant opened the door, and Quinlan escorted Ludice inside. He was about to follow when he let out a short groan.

“I forgot something. I’ll be back shortly.”

Quinlan stepped out of the carriage.

“What shall we do? Shall we depart first or wait for him?”

“Will it take long?”

He shook his head.

“Not long. He’ll be back soon.”

“Then I’ll wait. I want to return with you.”

“Very well. I’ll be back shortly.”

Quinlan bowed lightly and turned.

Through the closing carriage door, Ludice caught a brief glimpse of his retreating figure before it disappeared.