7 What Does It Has To Do With Me?

After packing his belongings, Kael was walking through the castle to find his way out when he rounded a corner and suddenly heard voices ahead—both male and female.

This corridor was near the castle's outer wall, leading to a small, domed chamber resembling a hall that connected the left and right wings of the castle.

Could this be a maid's secret rendezvous with a knight? Kael wondered, stroking his clean-shaven chin.

Having read plenty of popular novels like Knight Albin since fighting in the arena, he knew such affairs were common among the nobility.

Thinking this, he approached.

Not that Kael was hoping to witness anything scandalous, but after wandering for last 2-3 hours like a madman he was finally encountering people. At the very least, he needed to ask for directions.

As Kael rounded the corner, the scene in the chamber unfolded before him.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Seven pairs of eyes turned toward him simultaneously.

Before him stood five White-Robed Iron Guards in silver armor, brandishing longswords, surrounding a girl and her guard.

"Ahhh!" A man scream pierced the air.

No, now there were six.

As the guard fell to the ground, Kael fell silent, then finally spoke.

"If I said I was just passing through, would you believe me?"

Guess if we would.

The group, startled by Kael sudden appearance, didn't speak, but their eyes clearly conveyed their surprise.

"Alright, I admit I got lost and accidentally wandered in here. It's not my fault, so I won't disturb your gathering."

Kael turned to leave, but the very situation he'd hoped to avoid materialized.

A delighted female voice called out from behind him.

"Kael! What are you doing here? Save me!"

"Oh Hello, Miss Lia, it's been a while."

Kael froze, forcing a smile as he greeted her.

Damn it, this was exactly why he'd wanted to leave.

Surrounded by the armored Iron Guards was none other than Lia Tulvarein.

Lia, trapped in the center of the White-Robed Iron Guards, looked at Kael with the relief of someone seeing a life savior. She hadn't expected to encounter the knight she had personally knighted in such a place.

"Stop him," the lead White-Robed Iron Guard ordered, gesturing at the pair.

Two guards immediately moved to surround Kael and block his path.

Hemmed in by five menacing White-Robed Iron Guards, Kael ignored Lia's delighted expression and spoke in a low voice.

"Give me a chance!"

"A chance for what?" the lead guard asked, his expression puzzled.

"I had no choice earlier, but now I realize I don't actually know this woman."

Lia froze, stunned by Kael words. Her image of him plummeted.

"Heh," the White-Robed Iron Guard captain sneered, his expression radiating disbelief.

Just as he was about to give the order to attack, a subordinate whispered in his ear.

"Captain, this Knight is rumored to be the legendary champion of the Colosseum of Duskmere, having won multiple consecutive titles."

"Oh?"

The captain's demeanor instantly shifted as he studied the small figure before him.

The Colosseum of Duskmere was a prestigious tournament open to the entire Southern Territory, attracting warriors from across the region. Winning multiple consecutive championships there was no ordinary feat. The captain himself had once participated but failed to even reach the top twenty.

He had heard tales of this legendary champion—rumor had it that the Knight had single-handedly slain a Great Earth Brown Bear in the Sunset Forest.

His mission was to capture Lia Tulvarein, and there was no need to provoke a conflict with this seemingly formidable Knight.

"Are you truly the legendary champion?" he asked, confirming one last time as a precaution.

"As you can see in flesh" Kael replied with a slight nod, projecting the air of a seasoned warrior.

The thrill of being recognized washed over him like a refreshing ice cube on a scorching summer day, sending shivers from his toes to his scalp.

It was no different than being stopped on the street and asked for his home by a beautiful maiden.

Had his fame truly spread so far?

The White-Robed Iron Guard couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, "Knight Kael, you could have claimed the Arena championship for three consecutive years and earned the ultimate reward. Why did you stop competing after two and a half years?"

He was a devoted admirer of this legendary champion, and this question had always puzzled him. Now, finally meeting the undefeated champion of the Colosseum of Duskmere, he couldn't resist asking.

Kael's expression turned complex, his eyes reflecting a distant memory.

"If you have nothing further to discuss, you may leave," the lead White-Robed Iron Guard interrupted Kael's reverie.

"Huh? Kael, you're a knight I knighted, my vassal! How can you act this way?" Lia finally couldn't help but remind him, watching Kael instantly align himself with the White-Robed Iron Guards.

"My apologies, Miss Lia," Kael replied. "When I swore my oath, I pledged allegiance to Duke Duskmere, not House Tulvarein, nor you!"

Kael felt it necessary to warn Lia to watch her words, lest she tarnish his reputation.

Lia was stunned. Recalling the oath, she realized Kael had indeed sworn allegiance to the Duke of Duskmere. As this was her first time witnessing such a ceremony, she hadn't noticed anything amiss at the time.

Now, upon reflection, she understood she had been tricked from the start.

"As a knight, you've violated the Knight's Code and dishonored the Osborne Family name!" Lia declared angrily.

Kael gave her a curious look.

"I did swear by the honor of the Osborne name back then, but my current surname is Drakaryn. What does dishonoring the Osborne name have to do with me, a Drakaryn?"

When he became a Pioneer Knight, Kael had severed ties with the Osborne Family, gaining the right to adopt a new surname and establish his own house.

He had merely used the Osborne name during the oath-taking ceremony for future problems like these.

"Ah?"

Lia was completely dumbfounded, finally grasping the treacherous nature of human hearts.

Though intelligent, she lacked the harsh lessons of experience, making her no match for Kael's seasoned cunningness.

Only her mother, Olivia or her grandfather Silon could have outmaneuvered him.