Chapter 63

Chapter 63

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Chapter 63

"I am a visitor and wish to ask for something."

"Excuse me?"

As soon as Alik spoke, the Knights halted their steps in unison. Alik quickly scanned the blue uniform of the leading knight, noticing the golden eagle emblem and three lilies engraved on it.

"I heard that somewhere around here, the Cav... no, the Duke of Peletta... is staying. I got lost while trying to find him. Could you kindly help me?"

Alik swiftly changed his words as he caught sight of the knight's expression twisting at the beginning of the word 'Cav'.

Every Imperial Knight they had encountered so far disappeared as soon as they heard the word 'Cav', but this was the first time one had become outright hostile.

"The Duke of Peletta? For what reason do you seek him?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't disclose that."

How could he tell them that he was a mage from the Pearl Tower, who had heard about the Red Stone and came to conduct some research? Moreover, he wasn't even an invited guest.

As Alik awkwardly smiled and shook his head, the knight studied him and Thais standing behind him, lost in thought. His deep, black eyes, shining arrogantly, turned fierce after a moment.

"Take these men and lock them up."

"Pardon?"

Alik couldn't believe his ears. Yet, the Knight's orders continued unabated. Diiscover new stories at nove/lbin(.)c/om

"Considering they're hiding their purpose of visit, there's no doubt they're suspicious. They must be connected to those vile insects. We need to find out what they're planning. Arrest them immediately!"

The Knights behind him bowed their heads in response and rushed to seize Alik and Thais. Alik had been through a lot while serving his research-obsessed master, but being arrested by knights and facing the risk of imprisonment was a first.

"Wait, sir knight! We're not suspicious! We even have proper passes! If you check them, you'll see!"

"Such things can be easily forged."

"Then we can go to the imperial palace...! We have everything there to verify our identities!"

"The imperial palace? You expect me to believe that now?"

The knight smirked, looking them over in their shabby attire.

Today, Alik and Thais had dressed as commoners to maintain their anonymity. Therefore, they had left their pearl badges, which signified their membership in the Pearl Tower, at the Palace Mages' Tower.

If they had known this would happen, they would have definitely carried their badges! Alik heaved a deep sigh, but it was too late.

'Master, this is all your fault. You need to say something!'

As Alik internally fumed and turned his gaze towards his master, Thais, who had been quietly observing the knights holding his arms, finally spoke.

"Young knight, may I know your name?"

"I have no name to tell suspicious people."

"Shut your nonsense! You came here knowing I was present! Fine. Now that I've finally seen with my own eyes that you weren't expelled, let's settle this!"

Kiolle roared, but the man remained unruffled. He simply blinked his eyes slowly, as if looking at a stranger.

"Um... I apologize, but when have we met? I can't seem to remember who you are."

"...What?"

Could there possibly be a more humiliating and insulting situation?

Alik thought for a moment that Kiolle's face might explode. The other knights seemed to share the same sentiment, as they all held their breaths and glanced towards Kiolle.

However, seeing the strange expressions on the faces of the man's companions standing around him, it appeared that Kiolle and the man truly did not know each other.

"You... are saying... you can't remember me?"

Kiolle stammered, seeming unaware of his own stuttering.

"Was there something memorable? I don't think there was... Gakane, do you remember?"

The red-haired man referred to as Gakane gave Kiolle and the man a sidelong glance and awkwardly smiled.

"Uh... Yuder. You really don't remember? That... time when you, uh... did that thing to his sword. And he fell over... And the Commander even came and said something..."

"...Oh. That time. I remember now."

A flicker of light finally returned to the man's eyes, which had been dim until he heard the word "Commander." In contrast, Kiolle's face paled even more, consumed by extreme anger.

"How dare you insult me in such a way and hope to live? Fine. Draw your sword! I challenge you to a duel!"

"I'm not a knight, so I'm not obliged to accept a duel. Also, this sword is... just a blunt practice sword made of iron."

The man named Yuder calmly drew his sword slightly from its scabbard. As he had said, it was a worn and old practice sword without an edge.

Thanks to that, Kiolle ended up looking like a fool for recklessly challenging someone wielding a practice sword to a duel without even recognizing his opponent. The knights standing behind him couldn't bear to look at Kiolle anymore.

But the people standing behind Yuder had no need to hold back their laughter, and they openly shook with laughter. Alik felt regret that he couldn't join them in their mirth.

'What an impressive man. To reduce his opponent to a fool with such calm demeanor.'

"That's right. It's a waste to use a sword to punish mere insects!"

In the end, Kiolle lost his reason. Instead of a sword, he swung his hand to slap Yuder across the face.

"Yuder!"

Yuder's companions hurried to intervene. However, Alik felt a sudden strange wind gusting around Yuder at that moment.

"Uh... oh...!"

Kiolle's body twisted in the wind. He missed his target and swung his arm into thin air. Unable to resist the recoil, he tumbled forward, landing face-first onto the ground.

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