Both the Emblem and Gray knights, led respectively by the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, successfully completed their subjugation mission without any significant clashes.
Additionally, during the subsequent transportation efforts, they seemed to compete with one another, which led to such remarkable efficiency that the Lowes Mountains quickly regained their former tranquility.
Not only that, but spectators from all over the nation gathered to witness the traces left behind by the Emblem and Gray knights in the aftermath of their operations.
Baron Cortiz’s territory, which had previously depended on the Lowes Mountains for sustenance, experienced an unexpected tourism boom, bringing about a cry of joy. As a token of gratitude to the imperial family, they were even able to send thirty boxes of gold bars.
“Look at this! The clean cut of this tree—it’s evidence of Gray’s sharp and precise swordsmanship!”
“Look at how the grass has been neatly sliced in a line! This is undoubtedly a trace of Emblem’s powerful and flamboyant swordsmanship.”
Visitors from afar, along with enthusiasts analyzing every mark left by their swords, vividly recalled the battle of that day.
The tragic events at the Lowes Mountains were quickly forgotten by the people, overshadowed by the overwhelming influence of the Emblem and Gray knights.
With both knight orders fully engaged in this mission, the public’s attention was predictably intense.
However, no one could have foreseen the almost fanatical obsession of the nation’s people with the Emblem and Gray’s rivalry.
“I saw more traces of Emblem’s swordsmanship in the Lowes Mountains!”
“Most of Gray’s knights were injured early on and had to rejoin the extermination and transportation efforts later. Even so, the sheer number of traces they left shows just how exceptional Gray’s skills are!”
“Hah! Despite the ferocity of the monsters that caused such injuries, Emblem’s knights reportedly suffered no major casualties. Isn’t that the true measure of skill?”
In the Lutinas Empire, disagreements between fans of Emblem and Gray were commonplace. However, the rivalry between the two knight orders over the same mission escalated these disputes significantly.
“What nonsense! Emblem’s success is thanks to the excellent leadership of the Crown Prince.”
“And Gray didn’t benefit from the Second Prince’s involvement? Once the Second Prince joined the mission, Gray’s knights seemed to transform completely. If they were truly skilled, they should have performed well from the start!”
The conversation shifted from the knights’ abilities to a debate about the leadership skills of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.
This naturally brought attention to the Second Prince, whose presence had been relatively subdued due to the Emperor assigning him few responsibilities thus far.
“The Second Prince may not be in the spotlight often, but when he takes on a task, he handles it impeccably.”
“Doesn’t he seem to complement Gray’s knights perfectly?”
As time passed, people began associating the Emblem knights with the Crown Prince and the Gray knights with the Second Prince.
This perception took hold effortlessly, leading many to ponder a singular question.
“What would happen if the two knight orders chose different masters?”
The Emblem and Gray families, though enemies who would growl at each other at every meeting, both serve only one master: the Emperor.
This loyalty is what makes the Emperor of the Lutinas Empire shine even brighter.
After all, he holds the allegiance of two knight orders that everyone admires.
“This latest transportation effort involved only young knights who will lead these orders in the future. They have yet to swear full loyalty, so who knows what could happen?”
This possibility, which arose from recent events, had the people buzzing with excitement. If such a scenario were to unfold, it would undoubtedly become a fascinating spectacle.
The empire’s excitement soon began influencing both families.
“Why can’t I spar with Enoch? We’ve always sparred before!”
“There’s a long line of people who want to spar with you after hearing about your manifestation of sword energy. Even your mother couldn’t turn down some of those requests, no matter how hard she tried.”
At the Emblem estate, people were clamoring to learn from Cherrya Emblem, who had achieved tremendous growth and was once considered lesser compared to Enoch. Even within the Emblem knights, Cherrya was overwhelmed by requests due to her newfound mastery.
The situation was no different at the Gray estate.
Enoch, who had reportedly manifested sword energy alongside Cherrya, also found himself inundated with offers and requests.
“I am far from ready to take on the position of Commander of the Gray knights.”
“If not you, then who else could possibly lead them? This old man will help you, so take your time and prepare for the responsibility.”
Enoch’s grandfather, Jade Gray, was the most insistent about passing the mantle of Gray’s leadership to him, driven by pride in his grandson’s achievements.
Jade even announced this decision publicly, much to Enoch’s dismay, who only learned of it through the congratulatory messages brought by visitors.
“Ah, this is a disaster.”
“We have no time.”
Both Enoch and Cherrya found themselves so busy that they even had to forgo their regular sparring sessions.
At the time, neither thought much of it.
They had known each other since childhood and assumed they would always have opportunities to meet and talk.
But then,
[Enoch Gray, Valedictorian of the Continental Academy!]
Refusing the position of Gray knight Commander, Enoch had suggested that he might consider it after graduating from the Continental Academy.
Jade Gray, however, had him take the entrance exam immediately, where Enoch’s manifested sword energy earned him top honors.
Cherrya, too, wanted to enroll in the academy alongside Enoch.
However, the demands on Melsia, the interim Commander of the Emblem knights and acting duke, had grown overwhelming. She pleaded with Cherrya to temporarily take over the position.
[Cherrya Emblem Becomes Leader of the Emblem Knights! The Emergence of a New Commander…]
What Jade Gray had failed to achieve with Enoch, Melsia succeeded in accomplishing with Cherrya.
Though the title was prefixed with “interim,” Cherrya had to take on the full responsibilities of leading the Emblem knights.
“…Have I ever lived a life so distant from Enoch Gray?”
“It feels like Cherrya might jump out at any moment.”
As Cherrya and Enoch accumulated different experiences in separate places, they gradually began to forget the promises they had made to each other and the problems they had faced.
***
Five years later.
“Commander!!!”
“What now?”
“An invitation has arrived!!”
“I get dozens of invitations. Just ignore it.”
“This one can’t be ignored!”
“…Why not?”
I took the invitation handed to me by Jack. It bore a familiar yet unfamiliar emblem.
“What in the world is this…?”
The sender’s name and family crest weren’t indicated on the outside of the invitation. As I furrowed my brow, trying to figure out what it was, Jack, seemingly frustrated by my confusion, raised his voice.
“Ah, it’s an invitation from the Continental Academy!”
“Continental Academy?”
“Yes! The very academy you’ve been grinding your teeth about, Commander!”
“What!”
I gasped sharply and tore open the invitation. Finally, the official invitation to the Continental Academy’s event revealed itself.
“You are cordially invited to our graduation ceremony…”
I muttered the opening line of the invitation under my breath, savoring each word. My eyes surely glistened with excitement. How long had I been waiting for this moment?
The Continental Academy was a place so secure that no one except current students could enter. Even family members or guests of the enrolled students could not visit, and any meetings had to take place outside its grounds.
The only ways an outsider could set foot in the Continental Academy were through admission as a student or receiving an invitation to events like entrance or graduation ceremonies.
“See? I told you this one couldn’t be ignored! Do you know who’s graduating this time? Enoch Gra—”
“My future adjutant.!”
I shouted with excitement.
“My future adjutant is finally graduating!!!”
