A few days later.
Invitation in hand, Rest arrived at the Royal Palace.
While he hadn't exactly been waiting with bated breath, the day had finally come for him to be formally granted his peerage in recognition of his achievements during the Subnock subjugation.
He arrived at the palace in a carriage provided by his guardians, the House of Marquis Rosemary. Rest was not typically one for dressing up, but given the gravity of the occasion, he was clad in elegant, noble attire.
The Rosemary sisters by his side were no different. Both wore exquisite dresses meant for formal outings, lending an air of radiant beauty to the group.
"Well! The day is finally here!"
"To have your hard work recognized by everyone, Rest-sama... it makes me so very happy!"
For some reason, Viola and Primula seemed significantly more excited about the day’s events than Rest himself.
"Let’s go. I’ll be taking your arm now."
"Your escort, if you please."
"Of course... your hands, ladies."
Rest offered an arm to each of them, escorting Viola and Primula as they made their way into the heart of the Royal Palace. Following a butler's lead, they walked down corridors framed by white marble walls and pillars until they reached the doors of a certain room.
This was the venue for the investiture ceremony—the Audience Chamber where His Majesty the King awaited.
"Ugh..."
A voice let out a strained groan of disgust from in front of the doors. One of the individuals already waiting there had a look of visible discomfort on his face.
"A groan right off the bat? That’s quite a rude way to greet someone," Rest remarked.
"Shut up... parading around with a woman on each arm like that. I don't know how you can stand it without your skin crawling."
The one rubbing his arms as if to ward off a chill was the Woman-hating Sword Saint, Wilhelm Lyubase. While Rest was dressed in formal noble attire, Lyubase wore a more rugged design—a ceremonial knight's uniform. Unlike Rest, he had come alone, without a partner to escort.
"Escorting women in dresses when it’s not even a party... have you no shame? I'm appalled," Lyubase grumbled.
"If it were a party, could you actually manage it? Despite your phobia, Lyubase-kun?"
"As if! And it's not that I'm 'afraid' of them, for your information. I just 'dislike' them!" Lyubase snapped back, practically baring his teeth.
From beside Rest, Viola leaned in and whispered softly into his ear.
"Rest... is this person perhaps...?"
"Yeah, that’s Lyubase from the first-year Knight Department."
"...He’s not at all what I imagined. I’d heard he was a terrifyingly skilled swordsman."
Indeed, looking at Lyubase now, there wasn't a hint of the ferocity he displayed with a blade. The moment he was forced into a space with women, he became utterly pathetic.
"Ah, Rest-kun. You've arrived."
"Gah...!"
Another voice called out from the front of the chamber. Lyubase practically scrambled backward in a panic.
Taking Lyubase’s place was a cross-dressing beauty, also clad in a knight's uniform. She possessed eyes that shone with a piercing light and a dignified, well-defined face. Had it not been for the subtle curve of her chest, one might have easily mistaken her for a strikingly handsome man rather than a woman.
"Hello, Calvert-senpai."
Isis Calvert.
A third-year in the Knight Department and the leader of the Student Council Executive Committee. Between her gallant features and commanding presence, she was the type of formidable woman who was more popular with the girls than the boys—she even had her own fan club on campus.
"I see you were also invited to the palace, Calvert-senpai."
"Yes. I’m being invested as a Baron. Officially, it’s for the third rank of merit in the Subnock subjugation." Isis curled her lips into a cynical, self-deprecating smile. "Apparently, my initiative in leading the student rescue operations as the head of the Executive Committee was deemed worthy of recognition. It feels a bit hollow to be cited for the subjugation when I never even laid eyes on the beast itself."
The honors for the Subnock subjugation had been ranked: Rest was first, Lyubase second, and Isis had been recognized as third. These three were the only students from the Royal Academy receiving awards today.
"We’re to be tasked with the development of the Subnock Plain, and supposedly, land will be granted for that purpose... though it seems there is a more pressing matter to attend to first."
"Hmph... crushing those brainless pests, you mean. It’s a disgrace that someone of 'noble' blood is among them," Lyubase added, clicking his tongue in irritation.
It seemed both of them had already been briefed on Marquis Eiger’s rebellion.
"Are you both participating in the suppression of the traitors as well?"
"Of course. I’m a member of the House of Marquis Rosemary now, after all."
"As a knight, I can't exactly ignore rebels who turn their backs on the Crown," Lyubase growled.
"I see... having both Rest and Wilhelm there is a great weight off my mind. By the way... um..." Isis trailed off, her gaze wandering aimlessly.
The dignified composure she’d held just moments ago had vanished, replaced by a strange, fidgety hesitation.
"You two... are you, well... skilled at sniping monsters?"
"Sniping?"
"Yes, with magic... shooting them from a distance where you can't be seen, that sort of thing..."
"............?"
Rest stared at her, confused. Why was she suddenly asking such a specific question? Was it related to the strategy for dealing with Marquis Eiger?
"I’m a swordsman. I’ve never even tried sniping," Lyubase answered bluntly.
"It’s actually one of my specialties. Is something wrong?" Rest asked.
"I-I see... No, if that’s the case, then it’s fine. Yes."
"............?"
Isis abruptly cut off the conversation and turned her head away.
"Calvert-senpai...?"
"N-now then! The audience with His Majesty is about to begin! Both of you, make sure you don't freeze up from nerves!"
"Er... right."
Isis’s behavior was baffling, but with the audience and investiture ceremony moments away, Rest couldn't afford to get distracted.
Beside him, Viola and Primula both straightened their backs, but their eyes narrowed as they watched Isis with a sudden, sharp wariness.