Chapter 495: The Serenade

Captain Pablo, the loyal head of Duke Rubio Sundancer's personal guard, had served faithfully for many years. Although Estalia was a relatively peaceful country, seldom attacked by external forces, Pablo's skill was not to be underestimated. His rapier, as swift as a serpent, aimed directly at Ryan's face from below.

Estalian duelists were well-versed in their art. Typically, when facing the sharp point of a rapier, people instinctively recoil in fear, especially when the blade is thrust towards their face. Most would instinctively step back.

Pablo was fueled by indignation. No matter how powerful or revered Ryan was, facing a fully armed opponent without armor or weapon was an enormous insult!

He was determined to at least make Ryan struggle. That would suffice!

"For Marguerite! For Myrmidia!" The tip of Pablo's rapier was already perilously close to Ryan's face.

Ryan made a single move—a swift sidestep. Then, with a speed that far surpassed the rapier's thrust, he reached out his hand.

"Ugh!" Pablo felt the grip tightening around his collar before his sword even made contact. Ryan had seized him by the chest, and the constriction around his throat was robbing him of breath. "Gah!"

The immense force left Pablo gasping for air. He tried to hold onto his rapier, but soon felt himself lifted off the ground.

Ryan had effortlessly hoisted him with one hand. The pain forced Pablo to drop his sword. Desperately clinging to Ryan's hand, he struggled to speak. "I... will never..."

Before he could finish, the world spun around him. The stars in the night sky whirled in his widened eyes until a heavy thud broke the silence of Mor's Garden: "Boom!"

Pablo landed unconscious in a flowerbed.

Ryan turned his gaze towards the distant gazebo. His message was clear: Have you finished testing me?

"Clap, clap, clap." Duke Rubio Sundancer emerged from behind the gazebo, applauding. With a smile, he spoke, "I am honored to witness your strength, Sir Ryan. Please forgive my little test. I am Duke Rubio Sundancer of Marguerite, and this is my son, Juan Sundancer."

"Good evening, Duke Rubio. I believe this wasn't just a coincidence," Ryan replied, his tone polite yet firm. His blue eyes gleamed with psychic energy as he waited for the Duke to continue. "Of course, if I hadn't passed your test, it might indeed have been a coincidence, wouldn't it? Duke Rubio? Sorry for the disturbance?"

Ryan's words left the Duke looking slightly uneasy and made the surrounding Falcon Knights visibly indignant. However, they glanced at their fallen Captain Pablo and realized even collectively, they wouldn't stand a chance against Ryan—a formidable opponent.

Unlike Estalia, which lacked strong warriors save for duelists and a few notable knight orders like the Sun Knights, the Falcon Knights, and the Spear of Justice, the land of Tilea, known as the "Dogs of War" or "Kingdom of Mercenaries," boasted some powerful fighters. Tilea even had a mercenary group led by a dragon-riding Elven Prince and a bunch of towering Orcs.

In Estalia, aside from the three knightly orders, the rest were hardly competent. At Marguerite, one could easily buy a knighthood for fifty Estalian gold coins, known as Excellents.

For a hundred gold coins, you'd get a knightly title, a set of shabby knight armor, and a poor-quality farm horse.

With three hundred gold coins? You'd get a hut as a headquarters and a public announcement from the Duke of Marguerite: a new knight order has been founded in Marguerite!

"Sir Ryan, it's a great honor to meet you!" Juan stepped forward to break the awkward silence. "I have been your fervent admirer. I swear by the goddess Myrmidia! Ever since I was nine, I've aspired to become a knight like you!"

The young knight made a formal apology gesture and smiled shyly. "I'm terribly sorry, Sir Ryan. This situation arose because of me. I apologize on my behalf."

Ryan nodded understandingly. Juan's behavior was quite normal. Many fervent fans, upon meeting their idols, either felt overwhelmed with excitement or wanted to test if their idols matched their expectations. Juan's urge to test Ryan was inevitable. "Let's not repeat this."

The Lady of the Lake's chosen champion shook hands with Juan, observing the young man's overwhelming excitement. Ryan thought he might not wash his hand for days. "So, Duke Rubio, Sir Juan, why have you sought me out? If there's nothing else, I should get some rest. We're leaving Marguerite tomorrow."

"What?! Sir Ryan, you're leaving tomorrow?!" Juan was visibly shocked by the news.

"Could I have the honor of inviting you to chat in the gazebo?" Duke Rubio asked sincerely. "The Sundancer family has a request."

The name Sundancer reminded Ryan of the Sunstrider family—a notable Elven family. Estalia, like other parts of the Old World, had once been a colony of the High Elves. It was said that the Sundancer surname came from the High Elves, and the family had a trace of Elven blood, faintly visible in Rubio and Juan's features.

As a guest, Ryan decided to oblige the host.

The three of them, escorted by several Falcon Knights, sat in the gazebo. Servants brought tea and snacks. With a serious and earnest tone, Duke Rubio expressed his request to Ryan.

He wanted his son, Juan Carlos Sundancer, to serve under Ryan as a full knight, not as an apprentice but permanently. Juan would fight as Ryan's subordinate.

Dukes sending their legitimate sons to serve under Ryan wasn't unusual for him. Many of his knights were sons of various noble families in Britannia.

Noble families often sent their young members to train under other knightly families. Big noble families frequently dispatched their non-heir sons to serve other lords, allowing them to earn their titles. This practice was common, and Ryan, with his world-renowned hero status, often received such requests from noble families.

"Are you serious, Duke Rubio? If he becomes my subordinate, he must adhere to the knightly virtues and fight evil to the end. I won't favor him because he's a Duke's son, nor will I suppress him intentionally because of his status. His future will depend on his own efforts." After understanding Rubio's intention, Ryan spoke earnestly.

"I swear by Myrmidia! I will serve you faithfully, Sir Ryan!" The young Sun Knight's eyes burned with fervor. With clenched fists and kneeling on one knee, his tousled brown curls added to his earnest expression. "Believe in me, Sir Ryan!"

"Juan is my son, Sir Ryan. I entrust him to you until he earns his noble title or until I pass away. His salary will be drawn from the treasury of the Duchy of Marguerite. His full knightly gear and horse are ready, as are his servants and squires." Rubio added.

With this clarification, Ryan had no further objections. Juan, after all, had completed all the courses at the War Goddess Academy on his own merits and was now a full-fledged Sun Knight of mid-level elite status. Accepting such a capable and financially independent knight was a no-brainer for Ryan.

Seeing Ryan nod, Juan let out several joyful cries. The young Sun Knight was overwhelmed with happiness, eager to share his joy with everyone in the duchy.

Observing Juan's elation, Ryan smiled. He knew the young man might struggle to sleep that night. This was a common affliction for the young. Ryan himself had felt the same way when he was knighted for his military achievements.

Today's Juan was yesterday's Ryan. The legacy of knighthood passed down through generations, binding them together like the flower of hope, blooming with each new knight.

After discussing the details of the next day's departure, Ryan bid farewell to the Duke and his future subordinate. It was late, and he knew it was time to return.

By now, the banquet at the Eastern Palace was winding down. After finalizing the peace agreement, Grand Master Enzo Moretti had a couple of drinks with Frederic before leaving. Veronica, eager to open more trade routes, had also had a few extra drinks, networking with key members of the Estalian Merchant Alliance.

In Ryan's territory, Sulia, the hostess, always excelled at such events. Compared to the naturally gifted Sulia, Veronica was still learning the ropes. However, she had done remarkably well, and the major merchants, aware of her legitimate status and protection as Ryan's court mage, were willing to extend her respect and cooperation.

The one faring the worst was Templar Knight Alfred. Alone with his drink, Alfred found no interest from the merchants, who preferred not to engage with someone overly righteous. Upon seeing Ryan, Alfred stood up excitedly. "Ryan, you're finally back!"

"Why so eager for my return, Al?" Ryan grinned. "Want to head back and see Miss Claudia? I think she might be off duty by now."

"No…" Alfred sighed at Ryan's teasing. "My good friend, you and Frederic spent half an hour advising me. Do I seem like someone who can't take advice? I just wanted to say it's about time to head back to the embassy and rest."

Ryan pondered for a moment, then leaned in and whispered to Alfred, "Al, if you're serious, if you truly fancy Miss Claudia, mention her name to Mr. Amancio now. It might help your pursuit. But think carefully about what might happen next—nobody knows."

This was indeed a shortcut. Mr

. Amancio would certainly honor Ryan's request. However, this didn't guarantee that Claudia would reciprocate Alfred's feelings. They might end up in a fleeting relationship, common in this open southern culture. Estalian women were known for their fiery independence and often didn't mind such brief encounters.

It was, in essence, a form of straightforward transaction.

Alfred fell silent, the slightly inebriated Templar Knight contemplating Ryan's implication. "So, she'll be wrapped in a blanket and sent to my room?"

"The choice is yours," Ryan chuckled. "Do you want to sing a serenade in your room tonight?"

Alfred's eyes flickered with indecision. Frederic approached with a glass of wine, speaking softly. "It's about time, Sir Ryan. Let's have Miss Veronica and Sir Alfred rest early. We depart from Marguerite at dawn. My father's Sea God Fleet is already approaching the coast, ready to land."

"Indeed," Ryan nodded. It was time to wrap things up.

"Forget it." Alfred finally made his decision. The Templar Knight's expression seemed both lighter and heavier. "This way means nothing. You and I share the same view on this, Ryan. You know what I seek isn't this."

"Glad to see our Al has made his choice," Ryan laughed heartily. The Count wasn't surprised by his childhood friend's decision.

After a brief word with Amancio, the banquet officially ended, and everyone returned to the embassy.

Amidst the envious and jealous gazes of several maidservants, Ryan carried the radiant Veronica in his arms into their room.

"Dear~" The coquettish Garland witch snuggled in Ryan's embrace, her slender feet encased in flesh-colored stockings, toes playfully dangling her black peep-toe heels. Veronica's cheeks were flushed as she wrapped her arms around Ryan's neck. "Want to sing a serenade with me tonight? Just like you suggested to Alfred?"

"Absolutely." Ryan gently kissed her. "I can't wait."

... A serenade in the night ...

Two days later, on the Moros Plain in Estalia.

Hundreds of yellow and blue tents bearing the emblem of the Sea God's Trident stretched for over a kilometer.

Duke Bodric of Bordeleaux had led the Sea Knights and a small contingent of retinue soldiers to set up camp here. They were ready to ambush the rogue knights.

The theft of the Sea God's Trident was about to reach its conclusion.

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