Duke Pendragon

"The female Pendragon scarecrow who likes monsters and the baby Pendragon scarecrow – they were almost kidnapped by whoever, right?"

"Right. Which is more the reason for us to meet with King Pendragon and…"

"Kuku! Did you forget already? It's only been so many years. Don't you remember the type of person the Pendragon scarecrow is?"

"Uh…"

Eltuan closed her mouth with a frown.

That was right.

The orc warrior next to her was unrivalled. He had been journeying for the past few years, beating up a number of famous orc warriors and monsters known for their strength. However, Alan Pendragon was even stronger than Karuta. In addition, he had the Dragon Queen and Isla by his side.

It would make little difference even if she and Karuta joined forces with him.

"Well, I guess it wouldn't make a difference even if we did find him. Hmm, it seems you've matured a little."

"Mature? I don't know things like that."

Karuta responded while revealing his large fang, and Eltuan frowned.

"Kukuek! There's only one reason why I'm heading to the kingdom. As long as Lord Soldrake and the Pendragon scarecrow are together, Mirin and those assassin bastards won't even dare to approach. So then what will they do? It's obvious that they'll come to the kingdom where everyone's relatively weaker, right?"

"Ah…!"

"Kukaka! Do you get it now? Those scarecrows will surely send the strongest of the lot. Which means I can even more fun."

"…..!"

Karuta laughed excitedly, and Eltuan seemed to find him absurd.

She had forgotten about the essence of Karuta's being.

Orc warriors loved to fight even more than they liked to eat.

***

"Your Majesty!"

A slim beauty of brown skin approached the group as fast as possible before bowing politely. She could not hide the joy in her expression.

"Ah, Mayor Mandy. How have you been?"

Elena responded with a bright smile.

Iriya Mandy.

She was the daughter of the South's Gold King, and she was currently serving as the mayor of York Town. Elena was happy to see the brave woman after a long time.

Elena adored Iriya. Even though she was a woman, she was extremely responsible and competent in dealing with matters related a city that could be counted as one of the five largest in the world, including the empire. Elena did not regard Iriya as a stranger, since she had been set to become one of her son's concubines in the past.

Of course, Iriya did not climb to her position relying on her solid status as a tycoon's daughter and a potential member of the royal family.

In the past, Vincent Ron had served as both the kingdom's regent as well as the city's governor-general. However, more than half of the city's 100,000 residents and visitors were foreigners. A caste system was prevalent in the Aragon Empire, and the Pendragon Kingdom wasn't free from it as well. As such, York Town was the most exotic, liberal area in the entirety of the Pendragon Kingdom.

As such, Vincent came to the conclusion that a traditional system of aristocratic ruling was insufficient to maintain York Town.

His idea was bold and innovative – something only capable of coming from the Pendragon family. They would eliminate the position of a governor-general, but instead create a parliamentary body consisting of 10 of the most reputable, influential figures of York Town. The members would then vote to elect the mayor of the city.

Iriya was the second elected mayor of York Town. Although she was a woman, she was as talented as her father, Karl Mandy, and she possessed both splendid speech and beauty. She was highly intelligent, and she wasn't swayed by personal connections, which made her an excellent choice as mayor.

Others were likely to prioritize the interests of their associations before all else, and there were fewer things to worry about with Iriya. Thus, Iriya was elected as the mayor of York Town last year. The term to serve was three years, and she would be represented by the royal symbol of Pendragon during her time.

She became the only woman ruler in all of the Aragon Empire and the Pendragon Kingdom.

"I have been well thanks to you, Your Majesty, and the people of the castle. Hello there, Princess Elsia."

Iriya spoke respectfully towards Elena, then bowed towards Elsia with a smile.

"Uh, hello."

Elsia nodded with a little embarrassment and quickly hid behind her grandmother's back. She had not had the chance to meet with Iriya very much in the past.

Iriya's expression instantly became stiff, and her body quivered ever-so-slightly. It was as if she was angry. However, the officials and soldiers of York Town knew her well, and they held back their laughter.

At first glance, the daughter of the Gold King gave off a cold, rather haughty impression. It appeared that she would only have interests in fancy, expensive things. However, she was actually…

'S, so cute…'

She was completely enamored by cute things, contrasting to her passionate, cool appearance.

"W, would you like me to hold your hand, Princess Elsia?"

"Um…"

Elsia was rather puzzled. Iriya was looking towards her with bright red cheeks. There were many people who liked her, but it was Elsia's first time seeing such a reaction. It felt rather strange.

"Mayor Mandy is a good lady. She is also very close to your mother."

"Really? Then here."

Her grandmother was one of Elsia's favorite people in the world alongside her mother. At Elena's words, she took off her mittens and held out her teeny hands towards Iriya.

'Heup!'

The soft, small touch of Elsia's hands caused Iriya to pause for a moment, but she forced a calm expression and started walking.

"Now, this way, please. I prepared a present for you, Princess."

"A present? Yes, please!"

The fairy-like girl replied excitedly with a bright expression. Iriya could die today with no regrets.

"Hmm, I see."

"Yes. I have delivered a document regarding all of the year's revenues and expenditures to Regent Ron, Your Majesty."

"I know I can trust the things you and the Regent do. You know that I'm no expert when it comes to these matters. In addition, thanks to Mayor Mandy, the imports and exports from York Town increased by 30 percent, right? Regent Ron was very happy about it."

"I am flattered, Your Majesty. I simply did what I had to do as a resident of the Pendragon Kingdom and the mayor of York Town."

Elena's smile deepened as Iriya lowered her long eyelashes.

She was truly beautiful and talented. Elena wanted to take her in as her son's concubine right now, but that was impossible. The lady who seemed to have a heart for her son in the past was actually…

"Anyways, you heard already, right? The king has returned safely."

"Ah, yes. It was so great to hear. Everyone in York Town has been in a festive mood lately because of it, including me."

Iriya spoke with a bright expression. Elena's smile deepened when she saw Iriya's reaction. Her eyes and facial expression did not belong to a woman who was hearing of her beloved's return, and Elena had a good guess as to the reason behind it.

"Then you must have also heard that His Majesty Isla will be meeting with one of his bride candidates, Joshua Lindegor, in the imperial castle."

"Ah, yes…"

Iriya recoiled slightly, then took on a sullen expression.

'As expected…'

Elena was convinced that her guess was right.

The beautiful, talented lady did not have Elena's son in her heart, but rather, the knight of Pendragon and Knight King of Valvas.

"I know Joshua Lindegor very well. She is very confident and beautiful."

"Yes."

"She is very bright and true to her feelings, so she will likely express herself as soon as she meets His Majesty Isla, since His Majesty Isla is truly a hero of a knight."

"That's… right…"

Iriya's voice continued to diminish. Elena continued to speak while holding back laughter.

"As far as I know, His Majesty Isla likes women to be straightforward and true to themselves, since he was born in the South. If it's Joshua… Perhaps she will be to his liking. Maybe they will become engaged in the imperial castle."

"….."

Iriya sank into complete silence.

However, her sullen expression only lasted for a moment.

"Unfortunately, however, His Majesty Isla left for Mirin along with the king to punish Mirin's Margrave, who dared to point his blade against our kingdom. It really is unfortunate for His Majesty Isla, but isn't it truly befitting for him as Pendragon's knight?"

"What? Yes, yes! That's right! Exactly what I would expect from His Majesty Isla. He is a true knight. Yes!"

Elena could no longer hold back her laughter when Iryia's attitude transformed in an instant.

"Hohoho! I had heard that Mayor Mandy would cause merchants would quiver like trees facing a storm, but I guess it must have been false rumors."

"What? Your Majesty, w, what do you mean by that…?"

Iriya responded with embarrassment, and Elena continued with a bright smile.

"Hoho! You may be far superior to men as a mayor and a merchant, but a relationship between man and woman must be your nemesis. Oh, that man is quite naughty as well. He's been feigning ignorance for such a long time with such a cute lady in front of him."

"W, w, who do you mean by that? With all due respect, I have no idea what Your Majesty is…"

Iriya finally understood Elena's words and hurriedly manipulated her expression. However, it was impossible to hide her stutter and her beet-red face. The nobles and officials gathered at the reception hall quickly figured out the situation from the queen's words and the mayor's reaction.

"The mayor and His Majesty Isla…?"

"Oh my! So that's why they are always traveling to and from the South every time."

"The heart is said to be the most complicated…"

The nobles and officials whispered even though they were in the presence of Iriya and Queen Elena. Such behavior might have been unimaginable in the royal castle, but this was the free-spirited city of York Town. The embarrassment was left to the person discussed.

"Ah, no, I…"

She couldn't even pretend to be angry at the kingdom's queen. As such, Iriya was left to stutter with a blush.

***

"Hmm."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Raven asked with a puzzled expression when Isla suddenly shivered while stoking the fire.

"It's nothing, just…"

"Maybe you've caught a cold? Here, eat."

Knowing very well that it couldn't be true, Raven grinned and held out a skewer with a well-roasted, golden-brown fish.

"No, please go ahead first, my lord."

Isla shook his head, and Raven handed him a leather pocket filled with fine.

"Let's have a drink together."

"Yes."

"Give it to me, too."

Soldrake stepped between the two, and Isla looked at her with surprise.

"You drink things like this as well?"

"Yeah. I don't have to, but I'm trying to eat just the same as humans."'

"I see."

Isla nodded in understanding. He was already made aware of Soldrake's condition from Raven. The Dragon Queen had given up her throne and returned for the sake of being with her soul's companion.

It was truly amazing but wasn't surprising.

Isla dared not pretend he knew how deep the relationship between his lord and Soldrake was. Moreover, he would have willingly made the same choice for his lord.

"Hey, you eat as well."

"Yes! Master!"

Berna bowed her head and politely received a fish with both hands. She had been squatting near the edge of the bonfire while carefully gauging the three people's atmosphere.

"Hmm, I thought you were a vampire. Are you able to eat things other than blood?"

"Yes, yes! I'm not sure about others, but it's possible for me because I have the blood of two tribes and since my mother is human!"

Berna immediately answered Isla's question. She came to realize after spending quite some time with Raven's group. King Pendragon and the Knight King of Valvas shared a relationship that wasn't as simple as a lord and his subordinate. In addition, they weren't rivals competing for the title of the era's strongest knight, as some people liked to imagine.

Instead, they were a monarch and his knight. At the same time, they were knights. They were comrades who could entrust their lives to each other. Berna never believed in the secular relationship between humans, whether it was love, friendship, or loyalty, but she was quite shocked after observing the bond shared by the two men.

And she came to another realization.

It was clear which of the two was stronger, but it wasn't very important. The important thing was…

'Even one of them alone would be unbeatable, but the two absolute monsters are acting together like one body.'

She took a bite of grilled fish while thanking the heavens for allowing her to serve King Pendragon as her master.