TPITT - Chapter 142

Knights from the Imperial Guard were called to the palace and began to build the foundation of the knightly order.

Thanks to their efforts, the reformed Knights Templar, commonly known as the 'Imperial Ten Knights' was gradually taking on an organized form.

This reorganization is a common matter for the 10 Imperial Knights.

It was carried out with royal funds under the permission of King Desmond II.

However, the imperial family, whose knights were directly under the Templars, were not satisfied with the leveled reorganization.

The royal family considered the order of knights commanded by their own direct knights to be their own order of knights.

Because of this, the mentality of competitively decorating and showing off one's direct subordinates was also applied to the subordinate knights.

'The royal family's twisted sense of ownership helps in times like this.'

The royal family mobilized all their financial resources and poured them into their knightly orders.

First, they built a dedicated Templar facility and increased supplies. Next to the Colosso Arena (the Homunculus Training Center within the Imperial Palace), they built restrooms for each Knight's Order and worked hard to decorate them beautifully.

He also adorned the knights with equipment more precious than jewels. He gave them new swords.

Not only did he give them all the gear, he even gave them each a magic stone that would be helpful in the battle against the Great Dragon.

In addition, he often gave out small artifacts that could be carried around as rewards.

At first glance, it appears to be a wasteful competition. But Michael knew that this competition was meaningful.

'This is also part of privatization.'

Homunculus is not much different from humans. Dry brainwashed loyalty quickly reveals its limitations. Ultimately, money is the most effective means of encouraging loyalty.

Of course, most homunculus have not yet learned materialism.

Not only is personal property not legally recognized, but there is no need to engage in economic activity at all.

Because they spend their entire life in the palace.

But that will change this fall when a saga unfolds in the Frontier District.

It costs money to stay outside the palace. At this time, they will receive a gift from the imperial family.

Magic tools will be a good means of exchange.

Having learned the concept of the market, Homunculus will realize the value of money and will be willing to sell his loyalty.

'Moved by money and power. Isn't that truly inhuman?'

The picture Eve drew was still being steadily completed.

The corners of Michael's mouth naturally curved in a faint curve of pleasure.

But it didn't last long, because the battle unfolding before his eyes was extremely frustrating for him.

Chaeng! Chaeng!

"...You said.”

Michael was currently watching the group battle of the Punisher Knights in the Colossus Arena.

When I put a training Mithril Golem up against four Homunculus, they couldn't even fight each other, let alone pincer strike. Individually, they were strong, but as a group, they were weak.

'That was expected.'

At that moment, a spy came. He approached with an impure purpose, but his face was welcoming. He was none other than Sylvestian 

Sylvestian, who had come closer while watching the battle of the Knights of the Punishment, let out a bitter smile.

“The punishment is the same. I thought it would be a little different for you, Michael.”

“Have you seen the same thing in the white night?”

“Yes. You said there would be a battle to subdue the Demon Dragon soon, so we joined forces. When I was worried about whether it was a good idea or not, I thought it was just a unique idea, but this is something that we all have to take responsibility for and worry about. I knew this was going to be a problem.”

It seemed that not only the Punishment and the White Nights, but all the knights were in a similar situation.

“I think it will take a lot of effort and time to improve.”

After finishing his speech, Michael suddenly became curious. As the commander of the knights, he evaluated the members.

Because he remembered that neither he nor Sylvestian had learned anything about joint attacks.

Michael immediately asked Sylvestian for his opinion.

“Sylvie, what would happen if you and I fought together?”

“I think it’s better than those guys.”

“You too? I think so too.”

It was an unfounded confidence, but Michael thought he might be able to match Sylvestian's strength. Maybe it was because they had played together so many times.

'Come to think of it, the great sage of the spruce forest said that a bond would be formed between these guys centered around me.'

Michael still doesn't know exactly what that bond is, but the great sage insists on it.

He had hoped that it might be a useful element if it was worth mentioning.

That's when another spy appeared.

“Oh, bro! You were playing with Sir Millard again without me?”

“...Lord Halsten.”

“Hey, bro. What's with the rigid wonder? You can affectionately call me Eli.”

Elijah smiled as brightly as his eyes. Seeing this, Sylvestian whispered to Michael with a trembling face.

“Michael, I always think about it, but I really can’t get used to Lord Halsten’s transformation.”

“I wonder why he got burned like that.”

Elijah turned his head away, pretending not to hear. The battle of the Knights of the Punishment was also visible to his eyes.

He assessed it harshly.

“Hey, is there fratricide here too?”

The punishment had to be done by Michael. He said it with a sense of discomfort.

“What brought your knights here? If the Third Princess finds out, she’ll be furious.”

“Ah, bro. That’s..."

It was then that Elijah pretended to put on a pitiful expression.

“I was a discarded card. To the Third Princess, I was already a direct subordinate knight..."

The way he spoke vaguely and averted his gaze was very believable.

As expected, Sylvestian's clear eyes became clouded with pity.

“Oh. Lord Halsten, if you happen to be expelled, tell me. I will report to Her Highness the Eighth Princess and see if I can have you join the Knights of the White Night.”

“...No, Sir Millard. I lost. I’m going to be punished.”

“What? Was that an act?”

“You need to learn to be more tactful. Well, you don’t really have any tact, so you always get in the way of my relationship with my brother.”

By that time, Michael had abandoned his knight training, which seemed to have little meaning.

'The joint attack problem was solved by instructors dispatched from the Zodiac Guard. We'll do it somehow. We'll learn the tactical aspects of how to deal with the dragon. I think that would be good.'

Time was supposed to be spent on productive work.

“Now that I think about it, the summer rainy season is coming soon.”

It was an excellent time to look at the data as it was the official holiday season.

As Michael muttered involuntarily with such thoughts, Sylvestian’s eyes turned gloomy.

“Whew, that’s right. Just like you said, Michael, it’ll soon be... a week of pleasure.”

“Hey, Sir Millard. Did you learn that kind of language?”

Elijah patted Sylvestian on the shoulder, either to comfort or to appease him.

“It’s your first time, so you might be nervous. It’s okay. If you clear your head, time will pass quickly.”

“I see.”

“Yes. Trust what your senior says. And the summer rainy season. It’s not all bad. The three days before the rainy season are completely free. We’re not allowed to go to the ball.”

“Ah, that sounds good.”

Surprisingly, Elijah also had a positive influence on those around him.

His words seemed to have comforted Sylvestian quite a bit.

But for Michael, it had the exact opposite effect.

'I can't go to the ball with Eve.'

Isn't this a banquet that is rumored to be full of decadent and sinister pleasures?

He must send his precious Princess alone into the den of evil.

The first day he heard about it, he couldn't even sleep at night.

Even now, when he recalls the reality again, he feels the stuffiness rising from his stomach and suffocating him.

That was when.

“Sir Agneto, Sir Halsten, Sir Millard. All three of you are gathered here. I found you.”

“...Count Isidore?”

Michael immediately recognized the middle-aged man with gray hair and a gentle expression.

He was the man of Desmond II.

'Why is the Emperor's man looking for us?'

Indeed, the matter seemed to be something extraordinary.

The attendant moved to a less crowded place before opening his mouth.

“I am secretly conveying the imperial edict.”

The three knights, including Michael, immediately knelt on one knee and bowed.

“Sirs, take this.”

Instead of the imperial edict, he was the messenger who delivered something similar to a black letter.

After asking for understanding, the three knights opened the seal and read the contents inside.

"For a more enjoyable play, the Knight Commander of Punishment, Michaelis Agnito is ordered to attend 'A Midsummer Daydream'."

The identity of the black letter was a special invitation.

It seemed like Sylvestian and Elijah had received the same content, just with different names.

First, the knights of the century set an example.

“I obey the Emperor’s command.”

The attendant smiled as if he had finished his role and quickly disappeared.

When only three people were left again, Sylvestian and Elijah talked about the invitation.

“Becoming a Knight Commander raises your status to the point where you can receive an invitation as an individual. However, I am a bit concerned about the fact that attendance is mandatory rather than optional and that it is for fun.”

“Ah, very good job, Sir Millard.”

“Lord Halsten, you have more experience in the palace than we do. Do you have any idea?”

Elijah blasphemously waved the Emperor's invitation fluttering from his fingertips.

“One of the events of the Masquerade is called the Sacrifice Hunt. I think His Majesty wants to use us as sacrifices for the game.”

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