Chapter 96

"Why is the Earl smiling?"

"Because it's cute."

Earl Selenyev deftly countered the King of Astrossa's reprimand.

The king, who had been searching his confused eyes, cleared his throat and glanced at me.

"Hem. Then... since there seems to be some time left, I would also like to learn a move from your lover..."

"It's not possible."

"Why not?"

"My wife is delicate. Don't torment her."

"What? Delicate? Who is?"

The Earl's smile deepened at the outright refusal.

"My wife."

"Then what about me?"

"Do I have to say it?"

It felt like the power dynamic had just flipped.

King Astrossa, who had shaken his head, raised one hand to declare the examination over.

"This is so frustrating. Well. Then, the entrance examination will be concluded..."

"Your Majesty."

Someone boldly interrupted the king's declaration.

"...Garosh Berkleygretton? Do you have something to say?"

"I request to take the entrance examination, even though I'm late."

Are you crazy?

'No, how did he...?'

King Astrossa was as surprised as I was, but he quickly regained his composure and calmly spoke.

"The examination is not open to just anyone. You need a recommendation from a Roquei priest, Garosh Berkleygretton."

"I have it."

Andret's boldness had a reason. The recommendation letter he presented to the king was that reason.

'...Could he have followed me from the beginning, targeting this?'

Was it the Sword Saint's plan to infiltrate Andret into Roquei?

But my suspicion seemed baseless.

"Is this the recommendation letter you received yesterday?"

"Yes."

"Hmm."

I had a rough idea of where the recommendation letter came from.

'While I was in the castle with the golden key yesterday, he must have intimidated one of the nobles.'

Tsk tsk. Pathetic young lambs, picked off by a bully.

King Astrossa's expression now showed a certain level of resignation.

"Fine. Since you are also a special guest, let's proceed quickly. The examination will be held here..."

"No, I want to be examined by someone else."

Andret's gaze was fixed on one person.

Not Schuld, not the examination committee, not even the king, but Earl Selenyev.

"I want to be examined by Earl Selenyev. Of course, if you're afraid, you can refuse."

One of the committee members stepped forward, flustered.

"Earl Selenyev is not an entrance examination committee member..."

"I don't mind a private examination, Earl."

His overt appeal drew everyone's attention to Earl Selenyev.

I thought the king or Schuld would try to dissuade him, but they only looked at Earl Selenyev.

'Why is he suddenly targeting Lu? Is there something I don't know between them?'

This is suspicious. Could Andret have figured out Earl Selenyev's true identity?

But they've only met once.

Earl Selenyev frowned and scolded Andret.

"You're acting like a child, Garosh. This is not the empire. This is not a place where you can do as you please."

I thought it was a typical warning, but then a short, cold smile appeared under his icy gaze.

"...But I should warn you. It's been a while since I've been courted by a young man, and I'm a bit curious."

Earl Selenyev extended his hand to Schuld.

Schuld, who had been staring at him, handed over the sword he was carrying.

This was a sign that he accepted Andret's proposal.

"Earl Selenyev."

King Astrossa tried to dissuade him, but his response was cold.

"I will conduct a private examination for Garosh Berkleygretton, Your Majesty."

His attitude was firm, indicating he would not accept any objections.

This is clearly overstepping in front of the king.

However, no one, including Schuld, could stop Earl Selenyev's announcement. They didn't even ask for a reason.

Earl Selenyev, as if it were natural, sent everyone except Andret to the back.

The next day.

Andret appeared as one of the first-stage entrance examination passers.

* * *

On the day of the journey to Roquei.

After entrusting a few matters to Jin, I moved to the meeting place.

"Stick to Earl Selenyev. If you tell him you want to learn from Calepha, he will help you create an opportunity."

"Can I really do that?"

"Executing it is your choice. But this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so think carefully. Tell Yeger about today's events in broad terms. When the time comes, have him leave for Midwinter immediately."

"Understood. Don't worry."

After an audience with King Astrossa in the audience hall, we moved to the canal side of the castle.

I wanted to ask Andret what happened yesterday, but I didn't.

I knew he wouldn't answer.

'I'll ask Lu later.'

A dilapidated boat, unsuitable for the royal family, was floating on the canal.

Surely we're not going to Roquei on that...

"Where is Earl Selenyev?"

"He left, saying he had urgent business. Hmm. Earl Selenyev is always busy. Busy and all that..."

In response to Dscherro's question, the king turned his head toward the canal with a gloomy expression.

The canal was connected to one of the annexes of the castle. The waterway leading inside the annex was shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to see clearly.

Dscherro carefully examined the darkness.

"You seem tense, Baron Dscherro. You won't be entering there anyway. You seem to have many questions, so go ahead and ask."

Dscherro, encouraged by the king's consideration, asked without hesitation.

"How far is the main campus of Roquei from here, Your Majesty?"

"Are you interested in Roquei?"

"I am also a soldier who participated in the Magic War. Moreover, my superior is Duke Raphael de Jena, a hero of the war. I remember receiving various forms of support from Roquei during the war. Recalling the difficult situations at the time, I can't help but be interested."

"I understand."

"Over the past four years, the imperial court has sent countless requests for talks, but Roquei has consistently refused. The Emperor was very disappointed. We received a lot of help from Roquei, not just the Magic Alliance. He was very curious about the reason for their strong refusal."

King Astrossa looked at Dscherro with a subtle, unreadable gaze.

"Are you here as an envoy, Baron?"

"No. I mentioned the Emperor, but it's also out of personal curiosity."

"You're a friend with a great thirst for knowledge. It's not a complicated story. Roquei originated in the Eastern Continent, not just any part, but the Far Eastern Continent. Initially, Roquei was much more religious, centered around the belief in a single god."

The king's story was not long.

To summarize briefly:

The reason the Northern Continent is closed to diplomacy is due to the large amount of refined stone buried in the Northern Deus Mountains.

For a long time, various countries and organizations have continuously invaded the Northern Continent, targeting this refined stone, including early Roquei followers.

The reason the religious aspect of Roquei has diminished in modern times is due to significant internal conflicts over the refined stone.

After the Holy Church's drug smuggling incident, the Northern Continent Union of Churches completely closed its diplomatic channels.

"However, we have recently felt the need for communication. The Magic War had a significant impact. Hmm. We can have a more detailed conversation after they leave."

King Astrossa patted Dscherro's shoulder and stood in front of me and Andret.

"As you've seen, this year's first-stage entrance examination passers are only you two."

"..."

"According to Roquei's regulations, all examination passers must move to the outskirts of Calepha with the examination committee for the second stage. The Calepha mentioned here is the Holy Land of Calepha, and it takes about two months to arrive."

"Two months?"

Are you kidding?

"But this time, we will open the castle's secret passage. Through this route, it will take no more than half a day to reach the outskirts of Calepha."

Ah, thank goodness.

"By the way, the information I just gave you is a state secret. To be prepared, I need you to swear an oath of secrecy. All of you."

We ended up swearing an oath of secrecy to maintain the confidentiality.

As a result, I now have a fourth oath mark on my arm.

In order: Calepha, Sword Saint, Weatherwood, and King Astrossa. Quite a luxurious list.

"From here on, your vision will be blocked. I wish you good luck."

King Astrossa extended his hand first, and I shook hands with him for the last time.

After that, blindfolds were placed over my and Andret's eyes. We boarded the boat to start our journey.

We moved continuously.

First, the boat, then a carriage, then a cart, and then... something unknown.

At some point, the fresh air of the ground was completely blocked, and the damp, earthy smell of the underground began to permeate.

After riding in a basket-like vehicle that jolted worse than a mine cart, we fell down a long, steep slope.

At times, I wondered:

'Are we actually being sold?'

I don't know how many hours have passed.

I can only guess that about half a day has passed, but I can't be sure about anything.

Suddenly, the blindfolds were removed.

It was dusk, with the red sun setting behind the mountains.

We had arrived at the outskirts of Calepha, the Holy Land of Roquei.