Chapter 57 - I Won't Stay Still Anymore

I closed my eyes for a moment to the brilliant light, and when I opened them, I and my men were already back in the middle of the stadium where the opening ceremony was held.

Thousands of troops were definitely packed into this stadium during the opening ceremony, but now only our Black Lion Knights were lined up here.

"Oh my gosh."

As a result, we naturally monopolized the crowd's attention, and eventually a sigh and a scream mixed with admiration escaped from one of my men.

It was understandable for my men to panic. This was the first time I, too, had been surrounded by such a large crowd since the ceremony.

'Is this really the end?'

It seemed that the battle with the Frost Knights was the last. This was a bit unexpected.

No matter how harsh the battlefield environment was, I thought there would be at least one knight order that avoided conflict until the end and waited for an opportunity.

Honestly, even after winning the battle against the coalition of potential winners, I was prepared for a boring chase.

But perhaps it was because the finalists were all knights who knew honor. It seemed that no one had been so desperate for victory.

Still feeling slightly dazed, I turned my gaze to look around, and the announcer wearing a half-mask shouted from the broadcasting booth with a loud gesture.

"The final winner is the Knights of the Black Lion!"

—Wowaaaaaaaaa!!!

My ears were ringing as the hundreds of thousands of spectators cheered in unison.

"Commander of the Knights of the Black Lion! Please look here!" 

"Wolfgang! Wolfgang! Wolfgang!"

Then, the sight of countless people chanting my name without stopping. Only then did it start to feel a little real.

The Knights' Competition, where the best knights in the empire gathered in one place to compete.

It was an important event that the entire empire was interested in, but this time, His Majesty personally intervened and exerted influence, so the topic was even more intense than usual.

In such a place, we proudly won.

Of course, it was difficult to say that we became the strongest knights in the empire just because we won the competition. However, it was clear that we were given an enormous honor.

I don't remember the specific details, but I heard that the material rewards were also considerable.

I think the prize money alone was in the millions of gold. If you include all the various prizes, it would probably be even more incredible.

In addition to that, I wonder if we will experience many changes in the future.

"Okay! Please give another round of applause to the Black Lion Knights who won the championship and to Lord Wolfgang who displayed overwhelming force!"

—Clap clap clap clap!

"Captain…! Did we really win?" 

"Yes, that's right, Vice-Captain."

When I saw the Vice-Captain's face shining next to me after returning to normal, I felt happy but slightly awkward.

After saying such a heartbreaking farewell, I didn't know that we would be reunited so soon. Well, I guess I should just think of it as a good thing.

"Hahaha! Captain! We won, we won! It's all thanks to you, Captain!" 

"Keuk… Until last year, I couldn't have imagined that we would be given such an honor…"

Applause, cheers, and the excited chatter of my subordinates rang in my ears.

[Congratulations on your victory]

Finally, when I heard the Emperor's congratulatory speech, a strange joy welled up in my chest.

......…

After that, small events such as congratulatory performances continued, but we were able to leave as quickly as possible due to our convenience.

I heard from the person in charge that a separate banquet was prepared for the winners, but most of the subordinates were happy and rushed straight to eat and drink.

The vice-captain and I looked at the backs of the subordinates and smiled bitterly.

The captain and the vice-captain could not miss the banquet, which was no different from an after-party, so we were about to follow the subordinates.

—Snap!

At the entrance to the banquet hall, the vice-captain grabbed my arm and spoke with an extremely serious expression.

"Captain. A wish… you know. Actually, I've already thought about what I'd like to ask for. However, it's a bit much to say it now." 

"Well, please try to think carefully." 

"No. It was already decided from the beginning without any further thought. When we're alone later…"

I had already guessed what she wanted.

I should probably be mentally prepared. However, right now, it wasn't the time yet, just like she said.

"Yes. I'll wait. For now, let's celebrate the victory with my subordinates." 

"Yes, Commander."

As she said that, Vice Commander Agnes leaned her head against my left arm armor.

She then blushed as if embarrassed and ran into the banquet hall first.

A lot of thoughts came to mind at that sight, but I decided to put off the complicated thoughts for later.

"Whew… Okay, let's take a breather now."

Because my body was already demanding alcohol and meat right now.

Since it was a banquet for the winners, there was no need to worry about the taste or quality of the food.

'What the hell.'

However, contrary to my expectations, I was unable to relax completely.

As soon as I entered the banquet hall, I was swept away by the crowd of nobles that surged in like a tidal wave.

—Woo-roo-roo!

"Sir Wolfgang! I've heard of your reputation as a war hero. The martial arts you showed were like the god of war." 

"Do you have any plans to recruit new knights or squires?" 

"Nice to meet you, Sir Wolfgang. I heard that you haven't had a woman yet. I have a daughter who is of marriageable age, and she is very pretty..."

When on earth did you hear the news and wait for her?

I had clearly thought that I wouldn't be able to live quietly like I had been living until now.

But it's already like this. It really was a bit crazy.

I had avoided social activities as much as possible because I didn't like the scheming nature of noble society, but now that I was noticed, there was nothing I could do.

"I will politely decline any personal contact or requests."

I was annoyed, so I did my best to respond roughly, but the nobles who were already half-blind would never back down.

"No, don't do that..." 

"There's a higher position prepared for you. Are you interested in a high-ranking position in the Unified Command?"

I wish they'd all just disappear. I'm hungry right now.

Suddenly, I was seriously contemplating whether I should yell at them or not.

—Crack, crack…

At the sound of a woman approaching from afar, the crowd of nobles who had been gathering around me split left and right in an instant.

A dazzlingly beautiful woman approached me with an extremely splendid and elegant appearance, accompanied by attendants and imperial guards on both sides.

"Hmm... Are you the winner of this Knights' Competition, Lord Wolfgang?" 

"Yes, that's right. Your Highness."

Her true identity was none other than Alicia.

Not naked, or in a lewd or perverted manner that made her look like she was not in her right mind, but properly dressed and showing off her elegance, it didn't seem like the Alicia I knew.

But that was that, and I had never felt happier than today.

I knelt down on one knee toward Alicia and paid my respects to the royal family.

She nodded her head in a pretended manner as she greeted me.

"But, it's really noisy. I know this banquet is supposed to honor the honor of the winner, so what on earth are you guys here for?"

Soon, Alicia began to express her displeasure somewhat openly.

Considering her reputation known to the public, her attitude was unusually aggressive. Even I was surprised by her eerie demeanor.

"That, that…" 

"No, no. We just…" 

"I don't think it looks good that you came here for any other purpose than pure celebration. I don't want to spoil the pleasant atmosphere, so I won't say anything else."

As Alicia's cold blue eyes stared intently at the face of a certain marquis who was talking about a high-ranking position, most of the nobles gathered here, including him, left like the tide.

I looked up at her face with blank eyes.

I was grateful for now, but what on earth were you doing?

Of course, she was the direct descendant of the royal family, so she didn't need to worry about what other people thought. However, she had a reputation that she had built up over time.

Furthermore, Alicia was a noble whose every little action could be interpreted in ten different ways. Who knew what kind of rumors would spread because of her current actions…

—Smile

No, looking at that meaningful expression, it seemed like it was intentional from the beginning.

"Commander of the Black Lion Knights, Wolfgang von Schwarz. I sincerely congratulate you on your victory in the Knights' Competition. It was truly an admirable achievement." 

"…Thank you."

When our eyes met, Alicia twitched her lips for a brief moment so that only I could see her.

'Master, I did well, didn't I?"

…Well done, darn it.

I'll have to give you a good spanking later.

—Tsk!

"Where did the ice come from on this hot day?!" 

"…I'm sorry."

And then, the vice-captain, who had been watching us from afar, ended up freezing an entire table.

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