226 Side Story Chapter Riftan’s efforts proved to be in vain, as Maximilian soon slipped out of the banquet hall with her maidservants. It was almost as if she were expressing her disdain for the deplorable spectacle. Feeling deflated, Riftan lowered his half-empty goblet. He briefly considered going after her before realizing that forfeiting the drinking match would make his feelings far too obvious. Besides, he had already made multiple unsuccessful attempts to apologize for what had happened in the forest. He smirked as he recalled how she would practically run away from him whenever he tried to approach. In her eyes, he was now not only a rake and an eavesdropper but a drunkard as well. “Wonderful,” he muttered before emptying his goblet. Perhaps it was for the best. It was unlikely he would ever have to interact with her again, in which case it was better that she despised him. Maybe then he would finally be able to abandon these unrequited feelings. Riftan filled his goblet once more. The premium liquor tasted revoltingly bitter as it burned its way down. At first light the next day, the Remdragon Knights set out for Drachium Castle. The duke’s vassals were expected to remain at Croyso Castle for several weeks, while Wedon’s royal knights were tasked with staying back to protect the duchy until the Dristanian messengers returned to their kingdom. Since the Remdragon Knights’ mission had been to provide military aid until the end of the conflict, they no longer had any reason to remain on Croyso lands. They galloped through vast fields that seemed to roll on forever. Every now and then, they passed well-organized markets and villages spaced between green wheatfields in the early stages of ripening. Further north, an expansive pasture dotted with thousands of grazing sheep stretched out before them. Riftan was once again astonished by the Duke of Croyso’s immense wealth. Rumors of the Lord of the East being wealthier than the king had long since swirled at court. Clearly, they were not mere speculation. After four days of hard riding across farmland, the knights passed the northern wall marking the edge of the duchy. The other side of the towering structure, which stood at nearly a hundred kevettes (approximately 30 meters), was where the gentle plains ended and the rugged terrain of the Kalik Mountains began. They had to traverse three or four inclines before they finally arrived at the capital. Curious residents began to crowd the road as the knights rode through. Ursuline trotted his steed up to Riftan. “How long will you be staying in the capital?” Riftan glanced at the knight before saying bluntly, “Only for a few days to rest. I’ve been away from Anatol too long.” Discontent flashed across Ursuline’s face. “Why the rush? Will you not stay at the palace for a month or two? Many nobles visit at the start of spring. I could introduce you—” “I’ll pass. I would rather not waste time on pointless activities.” With that, Riftan spurred his horse on. Hebaron, who had been listening in, snickered before roaring with laughter. “It appears the young master of House Ricaydo has been rejected once again.” Ursuline shot the burly knight a menacing glare before flicking his reins like a whip. As soon as the group arrived at Drachium, servants came rushing out of the castle doors to greet them. Riftan entreated the groom to take good care of their wearied horses, after which he immediately set off toward the audience chamber. Soon, the Remdragon Knights found themselves kneeling on the crimson carpet of the grand hall. King Reuben III was seated on his throne, languidly skimming through the commander’s report. When he had read enough, he passed it to the attendant standing at attention in the wings. The king appeared younger than the last time Riftan had seen him. His long beard had been trimmed short, making him appear closer to his mid-thirties, and his newly slim jawline accentuated his features. Riftan had never met a man as ever-changing and unpredictable as King Reuben. He could be as fickle as a child or as prudent as a wizened old man — one minute ruthless, the next remarkably tolerant. Even the most experienced courtiers in their sixties were out of their depths before the king. Presently, the King of Wedon’s golden-brown eyes seemed to be deliberating on the most amusing way to toy with them. Riftan suppressed a sigh. After letting the stifling silence drag on, King Reuben finally spoke. “The conflict lasted longer than I expected.” “As previously reported, Your Majesty, the heightened animosity on both sides made negotiations difficult,” Riftan said, keeping his tone respectful. King Reuben fixed his gaze on Riftan before conceding with a smile. “I do know how obstinate the Duke of Croyso can be. So? How much damage have we suffered?” “Though some areas were destroyed by the raiders, they have been sufficiently rebuilt. The number of casualties is in the report.” The king stroked his chin before slowly nodding. “I cannot claim I’m completely pleased, but considering how the situation could have escalated, I suppose you ought to be commended.” It was hard to tell whether the almost-murmured remark was a compliment. A moment later, the king’s face broke into a benevolent smile. “You have done well. I am sure you must be tired. Rise, and I shall bestow rewards as soon as my knights return. As for you, Riftan Calypse…” Riftan, who had been obediently rising to his feet, paused and looked up to the throne. With his cheek resting on his fist, the king declared, “You had better not think of leaving Drachium right away. The appointment ceremony to name you the new commander of the Remdragon Knights will be held within the week.” Riftan’s face stilled. Though he had been prepared for this, he had not thought the king would bring it up upon their arrival, especially with Triton present. When Riftan turned, the commander thumped his shoulder in an expression of his blessing. “I am well aware of your order’s traditions,” King Reuben said after quietly watching them. “Are there any among you who disagree with this decision?” All the knights remained silent. Looking satisfied, King Reuben waved his hand. “That’s settled, then. We will start the ceremony preparations soon. For now, you had best leave the hall. I should like to relieve my nostrils of the stench of horse.” Out of the audience chamber, Riftan asked his comrades for their thoughts, to which they wordlessly nodded their consent. While the cynic in him knew no one would dare voice an objection in such a somber atmosphere, he did not bother asking a second time. He currently held the highest rank, and it was the absolute, unwritten rule of the Remdragon Knights that the strongest among them would lead. A few days later, his appointment ceremony was held in the presence of Wedon’s nobility. King Reuben himself presided over the proceedings. Immediately after the complicated formalities was Triton’s ceding ceremony. Where there should have been a sense of achievement, Riftan only felt empty. Bidding farewell to his commander felt close to being pushed out from the sturdy fence that had always protected him. It made him feel more alone than ever. Of course, he would never reveal such a thing. Triton took a break from his departure preparations to address Riftan. “I’m thrilled to be returning home.” The man truly did look lighthearted. With an iron grip over his emotions, Riftan replied curtly, “As am I. I will be free of your nagging.” “Hmph. I know full well you don’t mean that. I can already see you soaking your pillows with your tears tonight.” Riftan gave him an annoyed glare before a faint smile softened his face. “Be well.” “As should you,” replied Triton. He mounted his horse, then pinned Riftan to the spot with an intense gaze. “I have no doubt you will go down in history as an exceptional knight. If you make it to thirty, that is. Don’t be too reckless.” “I will keep that in mind.” The viscount Lord Triton set off with ten of his men in tow. From his vantage point at the top of the hill, Riftan watched the man who had changed his life ride away like the wind without so much as a glance back. *** The Remdragon Knights settled into their new home. While they took on the task of patrolling the construction site to quash the monster problem, Riftan threw himself into the management of the estate. It was going to take some time to figure out how he could afford to pay the stipend of some three hundred knights. Upon concluding that tax revenues alone would not cover Anatol’s expenses, he made up the additional funds by accepting monster raid commissions from the southern nobles. Despite the Remdragon Knights being made to do the work of mercenaries, none of them seemed to mind. It was a short-term solution, Riftan realized, and he knew he could not manage the estate or the order in this way forever. Sitting at his desk, he began to mull over other methods for increasing Anatol’s revenue. He was thus immersed in his lordly duties when he received a royal summons. After skimming the contents, he remained wordlessly at his desk with the letter clutched in his hands. Ruth observed him like this for a while before finally asking, “Why do you look so grim? Does the king call us to battle again?” With a sigh, Riftan handed Ruth the letter. “So, the king has something he wishes to discuss with you?” Ruth said, frowning as he read. “What could it possibly be this time?” Rubbing his forehead, Riftan shook his head. “I couldn’t say.” He rose from his seat and walked over to the bird cage, where he chose a pigeon homed to the capital. “Wait,” Ruth said, still frowning. “Surely you’re not going to answer that.” “I am the king’s vassal. I can’t decline a summons without good reason.” ... Recognizing the truth in Riftan’s statement, Ruth yanked at his hair. “King Reuben expects too much. Why does he insist on working you into the ground when he has hundreds of other vassal knights?” “I’ll be sure to ask him once I’m at Drachium,” Riftan replied half-heartedly. Picking up a scrap of parchment, he replied with the date of his departure and his estimated arrival. He rolled it up and slotted it into a message tube. Though he had not revealed so to Ruth, the king’s message contained several coded words that conveyed the urgent nature of the summons. No doubt it was a grave matter that needed to be kept secret. “Then, who will oversee the construction? You’re not planning on fobbing off the task to me again, are you?” Riftan offered no reply as he secured the tube to the pigeon’s leg. As he walked toward the window with the bird, Ruth hastily blocked his path. “No!” the mage cried, both arms spread wide. “You cannot leave!” The determination on Ruth’s face made it clear he was bent on standing his ground. After scrutinizing his expression, Riftan walked to the adjacent window and let the bird fly. Ruth shrieked. Finding the mage’s response strangely satisfying, Riftan said with a smirk, “Life can’t always be a bed of roses, can it?”