Chapter 48: The Gathering of Strength

A pale mist still lingered on the morning air.

In the plaza before the Boronia Palace, the inaugural deployment ceremony of the newly formed Crown Prince's Knights was quietly underway.

The knights, who had spent the night before eating their fill at the restaurant Rohan had reserved, all showed faces swollen from overindulgence.

Yet, their eyes shone clear and bright with burning resolve.

Beneath tightly fitted armor, their tension was unmistakable, but pride in being members of the "Crown Prince's Knights" was clearly etched into their very posture.

"At least their eyes are quite something."

Rohan muttered softly as he gazed across the plaza.

Among the ranks, he spotted knights who had once been dispatched to Gerald’s territory with Hans.

True to their elite status, they stood at the very front, showing off their imposing presence.

Meanwhile, the new recruit knights of commoner birth, not yet accustomed to the atmosphere of the Imperial City, stood stiffly with their shoulders tensed.

Some visibly sucked in a breath the moment their eyes met Rohan's, while others offered awkward salutes, faces flushing red to the tips of their ears.

But beyond all that awkwardness was an irrepressible excitement—one that came from standing at the Crown Prince’s side.

"Your Highness."

Martin spoke up cautiously.

"Everyone is ready."

Rohan gave a slight nod.

Then, he began to walk forward slowly.

It was the first time he would stand before the reborn order of knights.

Rohan came to a halt at the center of the plaza.

His steps were neither too heavy nor too light.

When he raised his gaze, dozens of eyes locked on him as one.

"Today."

Rohan began to speak.

His voice rang out clear and firm, like hammer striking steel.

"Here stand those who have gathered for my sake."

With just those words, the air in the plaza seemed to grow heavier.

No one even dared to breathe too loudly.

"I care not for your origins. What I believe in is the courage it took for you to stand here and the will you will show as you move forward."

Rohan’s gaze swept from the front row to the very end.

The maximum number of knights a private order could bring into the palace was 100.

In comparison, Rohan’s knights numbered a little over 50—a modest group, by any measure.

But each one had been chosen with care, their skills exceptional.

Under Martin’s command, they would only improve further, and before long, they would become a force that none would dare challenge.

Rohan intended to make them into the "finest of the finest" knights.

"From now on, we will move under a single banner. And that banner will become the symbol of our Boronia Knights."

At that very moment—

Flap!

The rope was pulled on the flagpole before the palace, and a heavy wind caught the great flag, lifting it high into the sky.

It was the symbol of the Boronia Knights—a black eagle spreading its wings to the heavens.

It looked as if it were alive, a magnificent sight.

Rohan slowly raised his hand, pointing to the flag.

"Take pride in it. This banner is not just for me. It symbolizes the honor and responsibility each of you will carry on your path."

Then, Rohan took one step forward and shouted.

"As of today, I, Rohan Schubert, declare the deployment of the Boronia Knights in my name!"

Uwaaaaaaaah!

As his words rang out, the entire order of knights raised their right hands to their chests, shouting in unison.

Clang, clang!

Armor collided as they saluted, filling the air with a clear, metallic sound.

It was a pure and resolute sound.

Rohan smiled slightly at Martin, who stepped forward holding a list.

"The following names, step forward as I call you."

Martin’s deep voice boomed across the plaza.

"Hans Lowfield."

"Yes, Captain."

"You are hereby appointed vice-captain of the Boronia Knights."

"I accept the command!"

Snap!

Hans saluted again, his face full of emotion.

"Liam Britz."

"Yes, Captain!"

"You are appointed as the First Squad's Decurion."

"I will carry out your orders!"

"Next..."

One by one, Martin appointed the squad leaders, then lowered the list and called out.

"Vice-captain Hans, take the squad leaders and lead the knights to the barracks. Unpack your things, then begin training immediately."

"We accept the Captain's orders!"

The knights shouted back, military spirit burning bright.

As the knights departed for the barracks,

Martin approached Rohan.

"Your Highness, you’ve worked hard."

"If anyone’s worked hard, it’s you."

It was true.

No one had been busier with the founding of the order than Martin—not even William or himself.

Every morning, Martin trained with Retina, and all day he guarded Queen Amanda.

In the midst of all that, he still found time to select the knights.

"From now on, let someone else guard my mother."

The job of guarding Queen Amanda was only meant to last until the order was founded, so as promised, Rohan reassigned the task.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Martin bowed, and Rohan asked with a smile,

"How is your training going these days?"

"I’m giving it my all."

Giving it his all.

That meant—

"Almost there, but not quite. This man’s got a surprisingly impatient streak, you know?"

Just then, someone in a hood appeared like a gust of wind.

"Retina."

At her sudden appearance, Rohan broke into a wide smile, while William jumped in shock with a startled cry.

"It’s been a while. Good to see you."

Lately, Rohan had been so busy that he hadn’t had much time for Retina or Martin.

It had become rare to see their faces at all, so their appearance today was especially welcome.

"You leave all the work to us, and then you don’t even show your nose?"

"Sorry. I’ve been really busy. Let’s see each other more from now on."

At Rohan’s apology, William gaped in disbelief.

Who was this non-human woman to speak so casually to His Highness the Crown Prince?

And for His Highness to apologize to her?

"I still don’t get it."

He wondered if he would ever truly get used to life in this palace.

"I’ve prepared a little dinner for everyone tonight. Will you come too?"

"Dinner?"

"Yeah, the others will arrive in time as well."

Retina let out a thoughtful hum, then nodded.

"Alright, I’ll come."

"Thank you."

To Rohan, Retina was a benefactor, and he did his best to treat her with respect.

She had come here with no connections, helped his mother walk again, and even assisted with Martin’s training.

Was there ever a greater benefactor than that?

A simple meal was hardly sufficient repayment.

---

Evening came, and everyone gathered together.

Martin, Zenon, Lucretia, Retina.

And William, too.

With the exception of Count Nidro, who had lent them the examination hall, everyone who had helped with the founding of the knights was present.

Though the meal was simple, the warmth around the table was clear, cutlery clinking and cautious laughter filling the air.

"It’s been a long time since we all sat down together like this."

Lucretia poured tea as she spoke, and Retina glanced at her with arms crossed.

"Too long, if you ask me."

"Haha, are you still upset?"

Rohan, feeling a bit guilty, laughed awkwardly, and only then did Retina let out a soft chuckle.

"I’m joking. I know just how busy and burdensome the role of Crown Prince is in the human world."

"It’s an honor that you understand."

Meanwhile, William’s eyes darted about.

'Isn’t that Lucretia Finch? What’s she doing here?'

She was a well-known figure.

William had spent three years serving under Count Nidro and knew every notable name in the capital.

"Ah, introduce yourself. This is your first time meeting Lucretia, isn’t it?"

"Ah… yes, Your Highness."

"Lucretia helped a great deal in securing funds for us this time."

"Excuse me?"

Did that mean the wagon filled with gold crowns had been her doing?

"Oh, it was nothing. I simply sold the items His Highness entrusted to me at a good price."

Lucretia downplayed her own efforts, but Rohan was still amazed by her abilities.

Zenon, perhaps sensing Rohan’s thoughts, chimed in.

"Getting a good price for those items is no simple feat. Truly impressive."

"Hehe, coming from the secretary himself, that’s high praise."

Lucretia’s gray eyes sparkled.

Meanwhile—

'So she’s not just a famous tailor, after all?'

Even from this brief conversation, William gleaned several things.

First, that Rohan had been in possession of some extremely valuable items.

Second, that Lucretia—whom he’d thought just a tailor—had discreetly sold those items and turned them into a vast sum of cash.

And then—

'A benefactor. So she was the benefactor!'

Thanks to her, William had been able to reserve restaurants and order new armor for the knights without any financial worries.

"Just…"

William shook his head, as if giving up.

He’d lost count of how many times he’d been blindsided since coming here.

"Everyone knows about William, right? He’ll be overseeing the general affairs of our palace—an elite butler."

"I looked into it when I heard there was a new butler at Boronia Palace. Quite a famous man, so I’ve heard."

At Lucretia’s words, William blinked in surprise.

"Famous? Me? Where?"

"What was your nickname again… ‘The Perpetual Second Place’…"

"Ah! That’s a misunderstanding. You’ve heard some strange rumors, I see."

"Oh my, is that so? Then please forgive me."

"Ahem."

William’s face flushed red.

'That cursed nickname, the man who’s always second place!'

It was one of the things William hated most.

Rohan raised his glass and spoke.

"In any case, everyone’s worked hard. The deployment ceremony was a success, and with this, our foundation is even stronger going forward."

At Rohan’s words, everyone smiled and nodded.

To outsiders, it might seem a small beginning, but to them, it meant everything.

Especially since most of them had been with Rohan since his days as a prince with nothing, it was all the more special.

"In truth, I gathered everyone here not just to celebrate the deployment, but for another reason."

With that, the mood suddenly grew serious.

"It seems Marquis Fabian is up to something."

"If he’s up to something…"

Rohan set down his glass and spoke.

"It looks like he intends to annul the very terms of succession."

"What?"

"Truly?"

In other words, even young Prince Elliot could now challenge for the throne.

"I finally relaxed after you became Crown Prince, but… as expected, that man is no ordinary opponent."

Especially for Lucretia, who bore a grudge against Marquis Fabian, her grip tightened on her skirt, teeth clenched.

"But."

Rohan smiled and continued.

"We can’t just let him twist the palace around his finger as he pleases, can we?"

At his words, everyone’s eyes sparkled.

"Do you have a plan, Your Highness?"

Rohan spun his glass and began to speak.

He had claimed the position of Crown Prince, founded the knights, and now had ample funds to move forward.

"Let’s try it this way."

Rohan clasped his hands and began to speak slowly.