Chapter 37: Evan’s First Step as a Knight

Evan walked slowly down the hallway of the mansion.

He could see the servants bustling about up ahead.

“Hurry up, everyone! We have to finish this today!”

At the butler’s shout, many servants were removing furniture and belongings from the rooms of Heres and Hilton.

Since these rooms no longer had owners, they were being emptied and cleaned out.

Heres and Hilton would never return here again.

‘By now, they must be on their way to prison.’

It was said that Clyd had punished Heres and Hilton right away and sent them off to prison.

This news had been delivered to every member of the count’s household except Emily.

The shock must have been considerable.

You could tell from how Delian had lingered by Hilton’s room last night, his face dark.

At times, he even wore an expression so sad it looked like his heart was breaking.

‘He’s too soft-hearted.’

One day, that personality would come back to bite him.

He reminded Evan of a certain foolish someone.

‘Hyunseong…’

Evan wore a bitter expression.

His hand clenched and unclenched repeatedly.

It felt like he could grasp it, yet it always slipped through his fingers.

He had come to this world, taking a risk, to obtain the Resurrection Scroll.

He desperately wanted to earn enough merit points to buy the Resurrection Scroll right away, but it was impossible.

Even if he gathered all the merit points through quests, he’d still have to unlock the final stage of the shop.

In the end, it was the same as saying he’d have to raise his level all the way to the top.

‘Anyway, I’ve cleared away the obstacles. The urgent problems have been solved.’

He would steadily build his foundation for growth and conquer the quests of this world.

Now was the moment to take that first step.

From now on, he had to focus on quests and growth and move quickly.

To do that, it was best to make full use of what he had now.

He needed a way to grow and expand his influence while naturally being active.

The answer was simple.

He would become a knight and act as one.

In his previous world, hunters dealt with monsters and raided dungeons and gates.

Here, various professions filled those roles, but the most prominent was the knight.

It was only natural for the lord to manage the gates and dungeons that appeared in his territory.

However, not many families maintained their own knight orders.

That was why families with knight orders often received requests to handle missions.

‘If I become a knight, it’ll be natural for me to travel throughout the kingdom.’

That was one of the reasons Evan had to become a knight.

Evan headed to the training grounds for his practice.

***

Two weeks passed.

Early in the morning, Evan boarded a luxurious carriage waiting at the front of the mansion.

It was the family’s exclusive carriage, reserved only for members of the Kerthen Family.

Alan and Reynold would follow on horseback, escorting the carriage.

“Depart immediately.”

At Evan’s command, the carriage began to move.

The destination was Kelrutan, the city of knights.

He was hurrying to take the Knight Examination.

Fortunately, if they traveled quickly, the well-paved road meant they could reach it in half a day.

Clatter! Clatter!

The carriage rattled and shook, but it wasn’t too uncomfortable.

Evan gazed out the carriage window, lost in thought.

Though he was headed to Kelrutan for the Knight Examination, Evan had another goal as well.

Kelrutan—and further south than that.

The Cursed Forest.

The branching quest…

That was the place where Evan’s next quest awaited.

Since it wasn’t far from Kelrutan, Evan had set it as his next target.

Furthermore, there was a village nearby that piqued Evan’s interest.

‘Was it called Banher Village?’

Banher Village lay just below Kelrutan and was the largest blacksmithing village in the Kerthen County.

Equipment produced here was sold to knight aspirants and knights in Kelrutan, or even traded throughout the entire kingdom, making it an important place for the Kerthen County.

The quest’s goal was to purify the Kavre Forest near this village.

‘I’ll have to stop by after the exam.’

***

By the time Evan arrived in Kelrutan, the sun was high in the sky.

Thanks to setting out early in the morning, he had arrived by now.

‘So this is Kelrutan, city of knights.’

Evan observed the cityscape through the carriage window.

Tall, splendid buildings lined the streets.

The structures were built to accommodate many people.

It seemed the city was designed that way, since it attracted so many visitors.

Below, the roads were neatly paved, and knight statues stood at intervals.

It was a city where artistic harmony was well achieved.

‘Of course, since knights and knight aspirants from all over the kingdom gather here.’

It was said to be several times larger than Valles, the capital of the Kerthen County.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the revenue from this city made up a huge portion of the county’s income.

The streets of Kelrutan bustled with people.

Men and women, young and old—everyone wore a sword at their side.

Most of them had come to become knights, or to be promoted to a higher rank.

Of course, some stayed for the many knight training facilities and educational institutions here as well.

“Young master, we’ll be arriving soon.”

Alan, who had been escorting the carriage, spoke.

They were heading to the central institution in Kelrutan.

Delian and Hilton always stopped here first when taking the Knight Examination.

“Alright.”

Evan gave a brief reply and took out a rolled-up parchment from inside his coat.

It was a letter written personally by Clyd.

When Evan told Alburton he was going to Kelrutan, Clyd had heard and given it to him directly.

When he arrived at the central institution, there would be an official in charge of Kelrutan.

If Evan handed this letter over, he would take care of all the arrangements.

‘He’s one of the Kerthen Family’s retainers, I think.’

He hadn’t heard the details, but apparently, the man had once been an outstanding swordsman in the Royal Knights.

Now, he served as Clyd’s right hand, managing all the knight trainees and aspirants in Kelrutan.

Evan was curious what kind of person he would be, but he was certain the man wouldn’t show him any particular goodwill.

‘The infamous reputation is unavoidable.’

He expected no special treatment.

He was only here to take his first step as a knight.

***

In the heart of Kelrutan, lined with grand mansions.

From here, the crowds vanished.

The central institution of Kelrutan controlled this area.

Only those with permission could pass through.

‘Of course, that doesn’t apply to me.’

The carriage drove straight to the gate of a large mansion.

Creeeak!

Thunk!

The carriage stopped, and the door opened.

Evan stepped down and looked ahead.

Alan and Reynold had already dismounted and were waiting.

“Young master, please wait a moment. The official will be here soon.”

A report must have gone in as soon as the carriage entered.

Soon, just as Alan said, a man in uniform and carrying a sword approached.

He had dark navy hair and distinct features.

He looked gentle, but the aura sleeping deep inside him couldn’t be ignored.

As the man arrived, he greeted them with proper etiquette.

“I am Jelande, steward of the Kelrutan central office. I came in a hurry when I saw the Kerthen Family carriage…”

Jelande’s expression was a bit wary as he finished.

The handsome blond man in front of him was someone he’d never seen before.

The only ones allowed to ride that carriage were the Kerthen Family’s children.

Jelande had met all the Kerthen Family’s children.

This man was not in his memory.

But it was clear he was related to the Kerthen Family.

Jelande gave him the utmost courtesy.

“If I may ask, who are you?”

Evan handed over the rolled-up parchment from his coat.

“Evan Kerthen. Sorry to come without prior notice. My father asked me to deliver this personally.”

“…What?”

Jelande looked even more flustered at Evan’s words.

The name that should never be spoken had just come from his mouth.

Evan Kerthen.

The eldest son of the Kerthen Family, infamous for his wild reputation.

Jelande had seen Evan a few times in Valles.

But the Evan Kerthen in his memory was a trembling, overweight pig.

But this man—far from a pig—was so handsome you’d believe he was a forest-dweller.

Jelande stared at him in disbelief, and Evan just smiled wryly and raised his hand.

On his finger was a ring, engraved with the Kerthen Family crest of two swords and a shield.

That was proof enough of his identity.

Jelande looked stunned, as if he’d been struck on the head.

But he quickly regained his senses.

“I understand. I’ll show you in right away.”

Jelande’s face showed the beginnings of a headache as he led the way.

The notorious young master had come to visit.

He looked completely different on the outside, but…

He doubted the personality had changed at all.

‘I know better than anyone just how rotten that brat’s personality is.’

‘He’d treat him as best as he could without provoking him, and send him on his way.’

With that thought, Jelande led Evan into a large building.

Inside was a spacious hall, with the Kerthen Family’s crest engraved in the center of the floor.

People in uniform moved about inside.

All their gazes turned to Evan.

“Who’s that…?”

“He looks pretty good.”

But Evan ignored the stares and followed Jelande.

When they reached the central staircase, Jelande spoke.

“From here, Guard Knights are not allowed entry. You’ll have to go alone, Evan.”

Evan nodded and turned to Alan and Reynold behind him.

“Wait here.”

Reynold had been silent as a mute since earlier.

He seemed overwhelmed by the luxurious atmosphere.

Alan, on the other hand, nodded as if it was all familiar.

“Yes, understood.”

Leaving the two behind, Evan followed Jelande upstairs.

They stopped in front of an ornate door.

The family crest was inlaid in gold.

Jelande immediately grabbed the handle and opened the door.

Thunk!

As the door swung open, a large room that looked like an office came into view.

Jelande entered, and Evan slowly followed.

The moment he stepped inside, Evan felt a heavy pressure weighing on him.

He glanced around the room.

Seated at their desks were several middle-aged men and one elderly man.

It was obvious at a glance.

They were the top officials in charge here.

Their uniforms were adorned with golden insignias, and their hair was neatly slicked back.

They exuded aristocratic dignity, but at the same time, their presence pressed down on Evan’s chest like a physical weight.

‘Are these the highest-ranking people here?’

Evan’s eyes sharpened for a moment.