Duke Pendragon

"….."

Silence descended between the four people gathered around the bonfire. Soon, Isla stood up from his seat.

"I will go procure some more firewood, my lord."

"Ah! I will do it!"

Berna quickly stood up as well, having read the air.

"It's fine."

However, she flinched after receiving Isla's cold gaze and stood awkwardly in place. When Isla left, Raven spoke with a bitter smile.

"It's only natural for Elkin to behave like that. He has been taking care of Raymond for the past seven years while I was absent."

"Ah…"

"He's not like me, and he won't see you in a favorable light. Unlike how he looks, he can be quite stubborn. He doesn't easily change his mind."

There were still plenty of firewood remaining. In addition, those gathered around the fire would not be significantly affected even if it became colder. Nevertheless, Isla had left, and Raven knew why. To put it simply, he was sulking.

His affection for Mia and Raymond ran deep. Berna had been trying to kidnap and bring harm to the two people, and he would not forgive her easily.

However, since his lord made such a decision, he would not be in a good mood, though he would not voice it.

"If you can change Elkin's mind, then I might see you in a new light as well. It will be an arduous path."

"I will do my best."

Berna became determined.

In order for her to belong to King Pendragon, she would first need to start by building a favorable relationship with 'his people'.

"Anyhow, I purposely settled in a place like this, but there aren't many people around because of the weather.

"Should I scout ahead and see if there are any villages nearby, master?"

"No. It will cause unwanted commotion if we take the griffons down to a village."

Raven shook his head at Berna's words. There was a reason why he chose to set up camp in a place close to the road, where one could take shelter from the cold. It would be sufficient to obtain information while preventing the party from becoming too exposed.

As such, it was better to meet travelers and listen to their stories in a place such as this rather than staying in an inn or a pub of a village.

"Ray."

Soldrake turned towards Raven with a glimmer.

"Hmm."

Raven's eyes also flashed coldly for a moment. Isla also returned with quick steps as if promised.

"My lord."

"Hmm, I feel it too. Six of them?"

"Yes. All of them are capable of utilizing the spirit. One of them is quite capable as well."

"Are they knights from Mirin? Or…"

"I don't believe they are from the Shadow Brotherhood. It's impossible for them to know where we are since we travelled on griffons. In addition, free knights and mercenaries rarely travel to and forth from Mirin, so it's highly likely that they are Mirin's knights."

Berna was puzzled by their conversation. However, she soon turned her head with wide eyes.

"Ah! About 200 meters in that direction…"

She was even superior to elves when it came to hiding her presence and detecting others. As such, she was surprised that the three people were able to detect newcomers even faster.

"You truly are quite useful. It seems we are having guests because this is a good place to stay."

Raven shrugged.

The four people were currently staying at an empty temple located a short distance from the road. The roof and walls had collapsed in places, but what remained was sufficient to block the cold wind of the northeast. It was an ideal location for travelers to stay the night, and it appeared that those approaching were coming with the same objective.

Clop. Clop.

"Hooh? I think there are people here already."

"Is that so strange? There's no place like this in the vicinity…"

Soon, voices could be heard along with the sound of hooves.

"Sol."

Raven called out softly. It would only cause trouble if others saw her unrivaled beauty, especially in such a remote location with so few people.

"Excuse me!"

Soon, a shout resonated from outside the building.

"We are Mirin's knights! I would like to ask for your understanding since you arrived first. Would that be okay?"

Identifying oneself was a declaration of one's intention. It meant that they weren't picking a fight or trying to do harm.

"There is plenty of space, so come in."

Raven responded.

Arriving first did not entitle him to the entire space, and even if they had other intentions, he could simply kick them out. Moreover…

"We can obtain some information if they are truly Mirin's knights."

"Right."

Raven nodded when Isla whispered. They were on the same page.

"Thank you. Phew! The wind is very cold and sharp today."

A group of men entered through a makeshift barrier made of fallen branches and leaves. Fitting the characteristics of Mirin's people, all six men were quite tall and broad. The spacious interior quickly felt rather full when they entered.

"You can have a seat here."

"Ah! Thank you very much."

A man in his early 30s was the first to enter. He possessed an amicable appearance and started sitting himself down with a grin.

"Hey! The captain's here…"

"Ah, oops, right. Hehe, captain, have a seat here."

The burly man smiled awkwardly and tried yielding his seat to the one who entered last.

'Captain?'

A glimmer appeared in both Raven and Isla's eyes for a moment. A group of knights would not use such a title to describe their leader. In other words, the young knight entering the compound was the head of a knight order.

"It's fine. You should say hello to our friends before anything else. Nice to meet you, I am Lucas Mirin."

"…..!"

Raven became slightly wide-eyed as he looked at Isla. They had briefed themselves with Mirin in the imperial castle, so it was impossible not to recognize the name.

Wasn't Lucas Mirin the eldest son and successor of Mirin's Margrave?

"Well, I never thought I would have the pleasure of meeting the captain of the White Skull Knights and the son of His Excellency Mirin. It's an honor. My name is Raven Valt."

Raven shook Lucas' hand with a smile.

'Hooh?'

Lucas was slightly surprised.

Everyone knew his name in the land of Mirin.

Moreover, it was apparent that all four of them were mercenaries or free knights rather than ordinary travellers. If that were the case, they should have been making a fuss after hearing his name. However, the one called Raven Valt, who appeared to be the group's leader, remained very calm.

'Is he a noble? Hmm, I can't find any gaps in his posture. Raven Valt, was it? He might be a great figure…'

Having lived all his life in Mirin, Lucas wasn't greatly familiar with renowned knights and mercenaries from other parts of the empire. His knowledge was quite superficial.

The name 'Raven Valt' was unfamiliar to him, but he shook the man's hand without underestimating the opponent.

"Nice to meet you, Sir Valt. These are my subordinates… No, my colleagues."

"What!? This is upsetting."

"What the! Isn't this too much? We even gave up such luxuries and followed you out of loyalty."

The men accompanying Lucas grumbled after hearing his introduction. However, judging from the smiles around their lips, it was clear that they weren't truly upset or angry.

However, their words caught Raven's attention.

'Not subordinates, but colleagues? And they gave up everything to follow him?'

There was something more here. Otherwise, there was no reason for the margrave's eldest son and successor, Lucas Mirin, to appear in such a remote place.

Above all else, to reveal his identity during their first meeting was…

"To think that the captain of the White Skull Knights, the strongest of Mirin, would come to such a place at this time. Are you here on a mission?"

"Not necessarily…"

"Ah, by chance… Is it something to do with the recent events in the imperial castle…?"

"Hmm?"

Lucas' expression changed at Raven's words. Moreover, the atmosphere surrounding his 'colleagues' instantly transformed. The friendly air disappeared, and the men glared at Raven as if to eat him alive.

Mirin's capital, Valeran Castle, had been thrown into chaos because of the matter. The overwhelming majority agreed that the emperor and King Pendragon were making excuses to invade Mirin, but there were others who thought otherwise.

Lucas and his followers were few of the ones who knew the truth. The men trusted and followed Lucas. They agreed with his words, that the best course of action would be to head to the fortress at the battlefront to examine the movements of the barbarians while preparing for the worst. As such, they had chosen to follow him.

Like Lucas, they were true knights of Mirin. They cared for the land of Mirin itself rather than the margrave.

"It seems Sir Valt isn't an ordinary traveler, seeing as you know that. And where might you come from, Sir Valt? I don't recall ever hearing of the Valt family…"

Lucas looked over Raven and the others with a sharp gaze. Although he left behind everything, he was still a knight of Mirin. He had a responsibility to confirm the identity and motives of such unusual figures.

'Especially this man…'

His gaze skirted over two of the figures. One was covering their face with a hood, and another possessed a neutral appearance that made it hard to differentiate their gender. Lucas' gaze came to rest on Isla.

It was obvious from Isla's brown skin that he was from the South. Although Isla did not arouse any spirit, Lucas felt pressured by the man's sharp gaze.

In particular, Lucas caught the man's reaction when his subordinate knights had become aroused just a moment ago. He clearly felt the sensation similar to a thousand needles prickling his entire body.

"I…"

Isla started speaking, but Raven stopped him by raising his hand and smiled.

"I think I should introduce myself again."

"Hmm? What do you mean by… Hmm!"

Lucas turned to Raven, then instinctively reached for his pommel with great shock. The man named Raven Valt appeared somewhat ordinary. However, the spirit contained in his eyes was truly overwhelming.

Lucas felt all of the hairs on his body standing on end as he came to face with the enormous spirit.

"Keugh!"

The other knights or Mirin desperately attempted to counter the sudden spirit while clenching their teeth. Lucas also tried resisting in a cold sweat. However, he could not stop his arms from trembling.

"W, who are you…?"

Lucas' tone changed.

The spirit being exuded by the man was greater than that of his father and sister Fiona, even though they were the strongest knights he had seen in person. It was obvious that the man was of extraordinary origin.

"My name is Alan Pendragon. I am the man responsible for making that remark in front of the emperor and the nobles at the imperial castle."

"…..!"

Lucas was struck with great shock.