Riftan’s POV (Under the Oak Tree Side Story)

Riftan’s lips twisted at the side as he recalled Maximillian who was always busy running away from him the moment he tried to approach her. Now the girl would probably think of him not only as a nosy man, but also a drunkard and a reveler.

Great. Riftan muttered sarcastically and chugged down the rest of his drink. Who knows, maybe it’s for the better.

There was no chance that he would get to stand by her side anyway, and even if that could be the case, Maximillian would probably terribly despise him. At that point, he would be able to get rid of his foolish feelings as well. He filled his glass again. The finest wines seemed to taste disgustingly bitter.

At the next day’s break of dawn, Riftan and the other knights left for Drakium Palace. The Duke’s vassals were staying at the Croix Castle for several weeks while the Royal Knights needed to stand guard until Dristan’s delegates leave. The Remdragon Knight’s mission was only to provide military support and they had fulfilled that, so there was no reason to stay in Croix any longer.

They travelled endlessly across vast plains, occasionally passing through well-stocked markets and villages in between the sprouting light green paddy fields. Moving a little north, they encountered a huge ranch where thousands of cattle and sheep grazed. Riftan clicked his tongue upon realizing how wealthy the Duke was. The rumors spreading that the eastern Lord may be wealthier than the King was no exaggeration.

After riding their horses across the lands for four full days, they finally reached the northern wall that bordered the Duke’s territory. Beyond the magnificent walls that stood nearly a hundred kvet (30 meters), was the rugged Callic Mountains, marking the end of the gentle plains. The royal capital appeared before their eyes after crossing around three or four hills.

“How long are you planning to stay in the capital?”

Uslin Rikaido drove his horse near and asked as they marched through the castle gates and saw the streets full of spectating people. Riftan glanced at him and replied bluntly.

“I’ll rest for a few days here and leave at once. Anatol has been left empty for too long.”

A hint of dissatisfaction clouded Uslin’s face. “How about staying at the palace for a month instead? A number of nobles will be visiting the capital for the coming spring. I will introduce them to you so that…”

“There’s no need for that. I have no intention of wasting my time on meaningless matters.”

Riftan cut him off, retorting coldly. Hebaron chuckled, watching the scene unfold between the two.

“It seems like the young master of the Rikaido household has been rejected again.”

Uslin glared at him ferociously and swung the reins like a whip, driving his horse at a nervous speed. The servants rushed to assist them as they arrived at the Drakium Palace. After Riftan asked the stable keepers to take good care of their horses that had suffered from the long journey, he headed straight to the throne room.

After a few moments, they kneeled down on one knee, facing the King in a magnificent room donned with a red carpet. Sitting on the throne was King Ruben III, who read through the reports written by Triden with a bored glint in his eyes and then handed it to the servant waiting next to him.

For some reason, the King’s appearance looked younger than the last time he saw him. His scruffy beard had been cleanly shaved off, and his rounded cheeks had thinned out, making his features more distinct and revealing a face that looked like that of someone in their mid-thirties.

Riftan had never met someone so erratic and unpredictable of a figure as Ruben III in his whole life. The man displayed the vigilance of a ninety-year-old man while being fickle as a child, yet the next moment he could show remarkable patience and generosity whilst acting like a cruel and dull man. Even the older nobles of the palace, aged fifty or sixty, couldn’t breathe comfortably in his presence.

Riftan looked up to meet his golden brown eyes, swallowing a sigh that blocked his throat and measuring the atmosphere. King Ruben finally opened his mouth after holding their breaths for a long period of time.

“It took longer than I thought.”

“It is as I have reported Your Majesty, the negotiations took a difficult turn as both parties involved their prides.”

Triden reasoned in a polite manner. Ruben III stared at him intently, then smiled, agreeing with his statement.

“The stubbornness of Duke Croix is remarkable indeed. Well, what’s the situation, the damages?”

“Some areas have been ransacked by the bandits, but they are now almost completely restored. The number of casualties remains the same as the number written on the report.”

The king stroked his chin with a thoughtful expression and slowly nodded.

“I am not completely satisfied with the outcome. However, considering that the dispute could have resulted in an all-out war, I would say that you did a great effort.” The king mumbled vaguely, his words neither praising nor condemning, then smiled generously. “You’ve suffered a lot of hard work. You must be tired, rise to your feet. As soon as the Royal Knights arrive, I shall reward everyone. Also, Riftan Calypse, as for you…”

Riftan paused from rising, looking up at the King with a hesitant expression. The king leaned his cheek against his fist and slowly declared.

“There will be an appointment ceremony within the knighthood in a week’s time, so don’t even dream of leaving immediately.”

Riftan’s face hardened. He had anticipated this coming his way, but he didn’t expect it to be declared so soon. Moreover, not directly in front of the current commander. He looked at Triden, but the leader just tapped his shoulder firmly in support without saying anything. King Ruben, who gazed down at the scene, further added formally.

“I am aware of the internal rules and traditions of the Remdragon Knights. Do any of you have any objections to my decision?” All of the knights were silent and he waved a hand with a satisfied expression. “I don’t think there is any. If that’s the case, prepare for the ceremony of appointing the position. Now, go forth. You all stink of horses.”

Riftan came out of the throne room and asked his colleagues once again about their opinion. All of them conveyed their answers by nodding their heads silently. A rather cynical thought crossed his mind that even if someone did not agree with his appointment, they wouldn’t dare voice it out in the midst of the grim atmosphere, but Riftan refrained from asking twice. He currently topped the ranks among the Remdragon Knights and the knighthood’s absolute unwritten rule was to be led by the strongest member.

A few days passed and the ceremony of his appointment was held in the presence of the nobled. King Ruben personally headed the ceremony and appointed him. After the trudging appointment, it was then immediately followed by Triden’s retirement ceremony. Rather than feeling a sense of accomplishment, Riftan felt empty and lonely. He never wanted to display those feelings but he felt like he had been pushed out of a sturdy fence upon Triden’s departure, his loneliness becoming nothing but more vivid.

“At last, I’m glad I can finally go home.”

Triden declared, looking at Riftan from over his shoulders as he prepared to head for his estate. The man looked genuinely lighthearted. Riftan replied to him bluntly, desperately suppressing his true feelings.

“I’m relieved that I’m being freed from your nagging.”

“Hmp, do you know that I know you don’t mean that? I can already see your pillowcases drenched from tears when I’m gone.”

Triden teased him. Riftan shot him an irritated look, then reluctantly gave him a small grin.

“Take care of your health.”

“You too.” Viscount Triden mounted his horse and stared at him intently. “You have the potential of being a legendary knight that will go down in history shall you live up to the age of thirty. Please, refrain from being so reckless.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Triden headed to his estate, bringing ten men with him. Riftan stood on the hill with the knights and saw him off. The man who had changed his life went away without looking back, like a passing wind.

***

The Remdragon Knights had adapted suitably to their new home. While they took the role of patrolling the areas near the construction sites to defeat monsters, Riftan had to manage the estate funds, figuring out a way to compensate the knights, composed of around three hundred members.

When the conclusion came that the tax collected from the estate could hardly make up for their operating expenses, he embarked on commissioned expeditions to subdue monsters by the lords from the southern areas to earn money. It was practically mercenary activities, but the knights did not give a damn. However, he should not keep operating the territory that way and subject his knights to such activities.

Riftan was sitting at his desk, figuring out ways to expand Anatol’s tax revenues and fulfilling his duties as a Lord, when he received a telegram bearing the royal crest.

“What does it say that you look overbearing? Is it another order for you to be dispatched?”

Ruth asked curiously as he looked at him, who silently sat and eyed the king’s letter for a long time. Riftan sighed and held out the letter to him. The wizard read it with a serious expression, his eyebrows furrowing.

“A matter that should be discussed… what will it be this time?”

Riftan massaged his forehead and shook his head slightly.

He stood up and walked to the cage, picking up a pigeon that knew the way to the royal capital and placed it on a perch. Ruth frowned at the sight.

“You’re not thinking of going, are you?”

“I am the King’s vassal. I cannot disobey his orders unless I have an acceptable reason to do so.”

Ruth pulled his hair as Riftan’s point made sense. “Isn’t King Ruben being too much? He has hundreds of vassal knights at hand, why does he always call for Lord Calypse?!”

“I’ll make sure to ask him this time when I go to Drakium Palace.”

Riftan responded insincerely and took out a palm-sized parchment, writing down the date of his departure and the expected day of his arrival and rolled it, placing it in a letter pouch.

Unbeknownst to Ruth, the king’s letter had several hidden codes that indicated the urgency of the matter. There must have been a serious matter that should not be known to the world.

“How about supervising the construction? Are you going to leave that to me again?”

Riftan did not answer and walked to the window, tying the pouch tightly to the pigeon’s leg. Ruth then ran to stand in his way.

“No! You can’t go!”

Ruth shouted firmly; his eyes spread wide open to block him. Riftan looked down at Ruth’s determined face, evident that he would not back down and walked to the other window and sent the pigeon off. Ruth squeaked in agony. Riftan grinned, feeling oddly exhilarated with his reaction and muttered.

“You can’t live off drinking only sweetwater. Right?”

Note – LF: Basically means life isn’t simple.

Nymeria: I think we all know what’s the urgent matter, right?