872 – Is this the Land of the One-Eyed? – 6

There has been no contact from the Armenian side since Fine’s overwhelming 17-game winning streak.

I don’t know if it’s because they want to enjoy a peaceful and cozy honeymoon until Ryutis’ wedding, or because they’re analyzing the reasons for their defeat among themselves. Either way, it doesn’t matter as long as the result is good.

Anyway, since no one bothered me, I could enjoy the tour leisurely. Although the prince’s wedding was just around the corner, there was a bustling atmosphere wherever I went, but tourist spots that were somewhat far from the capital had relatively few people.

For example, the place where the founder of the Armenian nation first rose up in arms, the place where the great Armenian knights defeated monsters, or the plain where 500 Armenian central forces defeated 40,000 rebels.

‘Something about the category is strange.’

As I walked around the tourist sites, I felt a strong sense of discomfort. Even though Armenia is a kingdom of knights, not all of the country’s systems and culture revolve around swords. Even in a country where only sword lovers gather, there are places where normal tourist attractions and culture flourish.

But what is this? Doesn’t every tourist destination I visit have a military atmosphere? They tried to weaken Fine’s military power, but ended up strengthening it even more.

“Hey, Fine. Are you okay with just looking at a place like this?”

“It’s okay. No matter what anyone says, the symbols of Armenia are martial arts, chivalry, and the military traditions based on them. These are things that can only be seen in Armenia, so we should appreciate them at times like this.”

However, since Fine was truly enjoying the tour, I couldn’t bring myself to lead her to another tourist destination.

A honeymoon is an event for a husband and wife to enjoy. In the midst of such a joyful and happy event, you can’t ignore your wife’s wishes by making up a bizarre excuse for having to let her go. And especially since she’s usually the type who doesn’t show her own desires.

Yes, what’s so important about the nature of a tourist destination? It’s not what you see that matters, but who you see it with. If a loving couple enjoys traveling together, even a swamp can become an antique and rustic historic site.

Of course, I really have no intention of going to the gutter.

“Then, shall we go to the Unknown Plains next? That place seems to be famous too.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw Fine’s eyes sparkling at my suggestion.

Moln Plain. This is where the rebel army that had risen during the reign of the third king of Armenia was surrounded by royal troops from all over the place, and the rebel army that had set out for a final desperate struggle suffered a crushing blow. If the death of the rebel leader, the king’s brother, was a fatal blow that destroyed the rebel army’s justification, the Battle of Moln was a confirmed kill that destroyed the rebel army’s physical power.

However, the rebels who had lost their cause, their morale was low, and they were surrounded fought so hard that the Moln Plains became a famous place in Armenia. In a way, the rebels became immortal through death. There was even a joke that said, “In Armenia, the army that rebels is stronger than the army that fights to protect the country.”

‘Rebellion.’

Soon, the gentle smile towards Fine turned into a bitter smile.

Rebellion. That damned rebellion. A deadly rebellion that once put the third king of Armenia in danger, and perhaps even led to the rebels’ victory.

Because of that incident, the third king of Armenia intentionally lost the jewel. The jewel that was lost then jumped back hundreds of years and ended up in the hands of the empire. How much of a headache did I and the emperor have when we suddenly got our hands on the symbol of the Armenian royal family. Even now, when I think back on that time, I don’t think I can look at the plains of Moln with a smile.

‘Didn’t you say you were bringing a wedding gift with you?’

Even to this day, the fact that the Empire has acquired the Armenian Orb is unknown to even the King of Armenia. It was kept a secret in order to be presented as a wedding gift to Lyutis.

Receiving a lost relic from one’s ancestors at a child’s wedding. An unexpected gift is a welcome thing for both the father and the monarch, and the empire can gain a relatively advantageous negotiating position. If you are going to give something anyway, it is the basic principle of diplomacy to give it with the greatest possible reward.

However, I couldn’t help but think that if only the jewel had been discovered a little sooner… if it had become a bargaining chip for the Empire a long time ago, I wouldn’t have had to cut the sky in Geomto.

They say life is all about timing. There is nothing wrong with what our ancestors said.

After a few days of silence, I received a call from Armenia. They asked if I had time and would send someone to meet them.

Honestly, I was going to decline at first. If I had something to do, I should have taken care of it on the first day of my visit, or if not, I should have asked after the wedding. It’s annoying to do business when I’m having fun.

But as soon as I heard the name of the person who was sending it from Armenia, I agreed right away.

“It’s been a long time, Sir Villar. It’s so good to see you again.”

Villar Ganelli, Vice-Grand Master of the Royal Armenian Knights. If someone asks me about my friends at home, I have to point to the graves, but if they ask me about my friends abroad, I can answer confidently. He is a precious person.

If it’s just to meet Villar, not someone else, I can make time for it. We’re comrades who’ve been together in the hell that is the Academy for three years. In fact, if Villar hadn’t come to me first, I might have gone to him first.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Excellency.”

Villardo responded to my welcoming remark with a faint smile.

It is clear that Villar feels friendship with me, just as I feel friendship with Villar. Otherwise, how could that stiff, strict, and serious knight have laughed?

“Would you rather be called the greatest swordsman on the continent than Your Excellency the Count?”

He even makes jokes like that. This isn’t a one-sided friendship, it’s a two-sided friendship.

Thank goodness. I was worried that after several years since graduation, you might have forgotten your memories from the Academy as you rose to the position of Vice-Captain of the Royal Knights. I was worried that you might have erased the terrible memories we had overcome together in exchange for promotion.

But that wasn’t the case. Even though he was promoted to vice-captain, Villar still remembers that time.

“Haha, call me whatever you want. I’m a knight too, so you can call me Sir Carl.”

“I will just call you Your Excellency the Count.”

I nodded readily to Villar’s words, which made me laugh.

Yes, Your Excellency the Count is the most acceptable title. If I call Villar Sir Villar, then it would be okay for him to call me Sir Karl, but from Villar’s perspective, it would not be very flattering.

“By the way, I should also greet the lady. I am Villar Ganelli, Vice-Captain of the Royal Armenian Knights.”

“He will soon become the father-in-law of His Highness Prince Ryutis.”

Fine bowed politely at my comment.

Although the current Villar is a random noble, he is the vice-captain of the Royal Knights and the father-in-law of the prince. Since he has all three qualities of status, ability, and position, he will soon receive a title of single-handedness. In that case, Pinera, who is also a countess and noble, should show respect.

“I am Fenelia Youth of Sirdi, the head of the Imperial Inspectorate’s Special Department. I have heard that you have been working with my husband for three years.”

“To match the sum, that is too kind of you. Your Majesty the Count has unilaterally helped me when I was lacking.”

“He said that if he were in the Empire, he would have been able to become the backbone of the Imperial Knights. If we lack someone like that, who else would be capable?”

At Fine’s words, my eyes and Villar’s met awkwardly.

Even if you make friends in hell, it’s the knight’s way of being stingy and embarrassed when praising others. I, who was caught praising someone out of the blue, and Villar, who heard the compliment, couldn’t help but feel strange. Not a negative strangeness, but a positive and embarrassing strangeness.

“If Your Excellency the Count were in Armenia, I would be serving him as his superior.”

“You are too kind.”

The mystery became even more profound.

“But Sir Villar. I am very happy to see you after such a long time, but unlike me who is on vacation, Sir Villar is busy with work. And with the royal wedding just around the corner, I am sure you will be even more busy. Would it be okay for you to spare me some of your precious time?”

That’s why I tried hard to change the subject. I couldn’t just end up looking embarrassed in front of a close friend I hadn’t seen in a long time.

And it was by no means an ordinary thing for the vice-captain of the Royal Knights, Villar, to personally attend. Usually, the captain and vice-captain never leave the palace. Even in the Imperial Knights of the Empire, the captain is responsible for the entire palace security, and the vice-captain is responsible for the emperor’s personal escort.

In addition, Villar is scheduled to level up as the prince’s father-in-law and the king’s brother-in-law. Not only the royal knights, but even the Armenian military will try to keep Villar hidden in the palace.

“Please don’t say such things. Thanks to Your Majesty the King’s excessive and embarrassing trust, I have been appointed to the honorable position of Vice-Captain. However, I too am a knight who has devoted myself to the royal family, my subjects, and my country, and I am a man who cherishes friendship. How could I waste my time meeting Your Majesty?”

‘ah.’

He straightened up his relaxed posture as he spoke for a long time.

I sighed inwardly. If you just listened to it, it sounded like the words of a close friend who had gone to great lengths to show his friendship, but if you looked inside a little, you could immediately see the unpleasant truth behind it.

‘They say that the vice-captain was also given instructions to take action.’

It is true that the Royal Knights are under royal command, but if the royal order is given, they must leave the palace. And to the extent of sending Villar, who has a connection with me? That means that they have to say something regrettable to me. And it is a royal person who has to say something to me.

‘Fuck.’

I was letting my guard down. I was so happy to see Villar after such a long time that I didn’t expect this obvious situation.

Unlike me, who goes around as a private citizen, Villar is a thorough public figure. With the wedding just around the corner, he has to be more careful than usual about his behavior. If Villar comes to see me first, it must be because he has business to attend to, not to say hello.

“That is very much appreciated. I would be very happy if I could make Sir Villar’s time golden.”

First, I answered with a faint smile.

It may not be pleasant, but considering my friendship with Villar and the hard work I’ve put in to get here, I can at least listen to your story. If it’s a problem I can handle, I’m willing to solve it.

‘Who the hell sent this?’

Who else would send the man who would become the prince’s father-in-law as an errand boy? Could it be the king?