Chapter 36
“It seems they hoped our knights would step up and protect them somehow. They probably didn’t want to bother the commander, so they called me instead, thinking I’d be easier to approach.”
“Ugh, those idiots! I always knew they’d cause trouble one day.”
The knight commander felt his neck stiffen at the thought of the huge mess caused by the same fools who typically spent their time chasing women.
Joseph, who lost the nerve battle, was let off with a warning, but Terry and Angelo found themselves in a situation where punishment was unavoidable.
Kicking them out would be satisfying, but the problem was the unspoken rule within the order that “members are loyal to the commander, and the commander protects their knights.”
“What on earth am I supposed to say to the captain of the guard! How humiliating.”
It was already awkward dealing with the captain, who was much younger, and now he couldn’t even face Laszlo.
Edmund, who had been quietly reading the cooperation letter the commander set down, whispered while glancing around.
“If you don’t quickly remove the rotten fruit from the basket, the rest will spoil. These troublemakers are no exception, and this might be a good opportunity to cut them loose.”
“Sir Milton…?”
“You might think I’m being heartless, but if we don’t deal with them decisively, the responsibility will fall on our entire order. We need to make it clear this was solely their fault.”
It was a cold statement from someone usually seen as “a good person,” but it was exactly what the commander needed to hear.
“Indeed, no need to drag the entire order through the mud for something we didn’t even order.”
To be honest, he didn’t want to take responsibility for this mess. He also didn’t want to grovel before Laszlo.
“So, what do you suggest we do?”
“We should declare this as the reckless actions of individuals and assure that we will hold them accountable. Let the captain of the guard decide their punishment.”
“The captain seems intent on handling this by military law, which could result in severe punishment…”
“I understand how much you care for your knights, but if we don’t distance ourselves from this, innocent members will suffer.”
This made the commander feel more at ease.
“Yes, it’s for the sake of the other knights.”
He nodded, as if making a decision.
“I understand. Although it will be difficult to face those fools, I can’t let the other diligent knights be harmed by this disgraceful incident.”
Edmund responded with an understanding expression.
“I’ll take care of it. After all, they called for me, and the captain doesn’t seem opposed to my going.”
“But…!”
“I know every knight is like a child to you, regardless of their flaws. It’s tough to make such a cold decision, but I’ll handle this for the greater good.”
The commander was deeply moved by Edmund’s consideration. Thanks to him, there would be no difficulties ahead.
“You are truly a reliable friend. Having someone like you as my deputy is a great comfort.”
“You’re too kind. In the meantime, please oversee the training of the knights.”
“Of course! Don’t worry.”
“Then, I’ll be off.”
Edmund left the knight’s hall with a smile.
—
There were two reasons why Edmund went to the Crissus County instead of the knight commander.
First, to keep the commander from discovering that he had been the one to tell those three fools about Idel Lancaster.
Second, to personally check out the Crissus estate.
“How absurd.”
Led into the Crissus estate, Edmund stifled a sneer as he looked around the interior, which was far from what one would expect of a count’s residence.
His second goal was more than accomplished.
Cheap framed paintings, gaudy decorations of gold leaf and fake jewels, tacky artificial flowers, low-quality carpets and curtains, and furniture of a vulgar design…
Not a single thing matched the dignity of a count’s household.
‘I must somehow make Laszlo hold a party here. The nobility needs to see this disgrace.’
That way, Laszlo’s reputation in society would be utterly ruined, though it seemed there wasn’t much further for it to fall.
However, it was Edmund’s mood that plummeted upon seeing Laszlo arrogantly seated, with two men bound and kneeling before him.
“You’ve arrived.”
In the armory near the training grounds, aside from Laszlo and the two men, there were also several men who seemed to belong to <Calliope>.
They were as well-disciplined as the bodyguards of any other high-ranking noble family.
‘Mercenaries pretending to be knights, and Laszlo, who carries them as his guards, are all a mess. Tsk tsk.’
Edmund intensely envied Laszlo, who had already risen to the top at their age, but he consoled himself by belittling him.
Of course, outwardly, Edmund maintained a polite, kind, and cultured demeanor.
“It’s been a while, Lord Crissus. I regret that we must meet under such unfortunate circumstances.”
“Indeed. Since neither of us enjoys dragging things out, let’s skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point.”
As soon as he saw Edmund, Laszlo nodded towards the two men, who brightened as if they had seen an angel coming to save them.
“I assume you’ve already read the cooperation letter. Those men insisted that I call you before they are brought to a court-martial.”
“I have reviewed the contents.”
“So, what is the stance of the Royal Knights?”
Terry and Angelo were certain Edmund would somehow rescue them.
However, Edmund didn’t even glance in their direction.
“There’s nothing unfair about Lord Crissus’s request, and we’ve decided to expel them from the Royal Knights.”
Laszlo chuckled as if he had expected this.
Edmund was displeased, but surely not as much as the two men, who were utterly shocked.
Their mouths hung open as they questioned their hearing. Then, without any prompting, they crawled on their knees and clung to Edmund.
“Sir Milton! How can you do this to us?”
“How can the knights abandon their own? This is absurd!”
Edmund, not Laszlo, furrowed his brow and scolded them.
“What’s truly absurd is that Royal Knights would commit such foolish and disgraceful acts! Do you have any idea how shocked the commander was? Or how furious the other members are?”
“But it was just a maid, and nothing serious even happened…”
“We’re deeply sorry. Please, forgive us just this once, please!”
Terry and Angelo sobbed as they begged.
Even in this desperate moment, they pleaded to Edmund, not Laszlo. Laszlo found it amusing.
‘Why beg someone who can’t do anything for you?’
Even if Edmund could do something, he wouldn’t lift a finger unless it benefited him.
Laszlo despised ‘politicking knights’ like Edmund Milton, and had never seen someone more deceitful.
‘He pretends to be kind and gentle on the outside, but inside, he’s as black-hearted as they come.’
In any case, what went on between them was none of Laszlo’s concern.
“So, the Royal Knights are leaving the matter of punishment entirely in my hands. Am I correct in understanding this?”
“Yes, Lord Crissus. We agree with whatever decision you make.”
“Very well, then. To be honest, I’d like to cut off their arms, but the victim insisted we follow civil law. I suppose I should respect her wishes.”
The mention of the ‘victim’ reminded Edmund of the incident that led to this mess.
“Oh, right, the victim was the former Duchess Lancaster, wasn’t it? Is she alright?”
“Those brutes probably bruised her arm when they grabbed her… Should I just go ahead and cut off their arms?”
As Laszlo’s expression turned harsh, Terry and Angelo shrieked and scrambled backward, causing Laszlo to click his tongue as he looked them over and then turned away.
This strangely bothered Edmund.
‘Why does it feel like Laszlo is protective of that woman…?’
It could have been half a joke or just an excuse, but it was too significant a statement coming from Laszlo Crissus, who was usually indifferent and brusque with everyone.
So, on impulse, Edmund made a proposal.
“If it’s not too forward, I’d like to apologize to her on behalf of the Royal Knights.”
