Overpowered Extra Noble in a Novel

21.

“Master… ahem. Your Highness, Duke! If you move, the bandage won’t wrap properly.”

Lani, who had lightly tapped my arm, continued to wind the cloth around.

On the cut on my palm, a bitter salve was applied, and on top of it, a clean and soft bandage was placed.

Is she practicing separately or something? Her movements were more skillful than the last time she applied a temporary fix to my leg.

‘The Empress is watching.’

The Empress seemed rather intrigued by the adept treatment from a servant smaller than herself.

Though she tried not to show it, Iris’s gaze, which had been reviewing documents until now, was now following Lani.

“Done!”

“Oho. No pain at all? You might be ready to open a clinic.”

“Really?”

I nodded at Lani’s shining eyes.

While professional healing skills require deeper study, her abilities seem sufficient to assist a healer and would be welcomed anywhere.

In high spirits, she raised her arms, and I handed her a hidden snack.

As Lani took the snack and left the Audience Chamber, a calm voice resonated throughout the room.

“Your Grace.”

“…?”

Turning my head toward the direction Iris was in, our eyes met – her violet irises locking with mine.

She must have called me just now, despite her muffled pronunciation. The title she usually called me with was unmistakable.

Iris remained silent, merely watching me with pursed lips.

Inside the Audience Chamber, she wasn’t wearing her veil, and her beautiful eyes were shining unhindered.

Her fingers resting on the desk twitched absent-mindedly until she finally pointed at my palm and spoke.

“…That wound.”

“Ah, this…?”

The cut on my hand seemed to have caught her attention.

It’s difficult to mention that this wound was caused by bluffing in front of the Dukes.

It’s just a small injury, so let me cover it up.

“It’s nothing. I probably cut myself while moving documents.”

“…I see.”

Iris stared at me directly before picking up her quill again.

“…”

Our brief conversation was familiar.

However, ever since the national tour, these exchanges and the following silence had become more comfortable… but right now, it felt somewhat stifling. Was she in a bad mood?

I decided against initiating a conversation again and turned my gaze to the stack of documents on the desk.

Squeak. Squeak.

The gentle sound of the quill spreading in the Audience Chamber made my mind calm, like white noise.

I picked up a document from the pile on the desk and began reading.

“Hmm. I can’t fully grasp what this says.”

The education provided by the experts was proceeding well. I understood the content of the document to a degree, but there were still many things I didn’t know.

It felt like reading texts from a field entirely unrelated to what I was familiar with.

I diverted my gaze while pretending to read and organized the tasks I had to do next.

What methods exist for infiltrating a group that’s already formed?

The simplest method involves creating another group that opposes the original one.

In this case, I would bring the neutral factions within the Imperial Palace on board.

By gathering them and gradually pushing out the existing powers, I could fill the vacant spots with my people.

“Not easy though. There are too few neutral nobles…”

The Inner Palace and Foreign Affairs Palace.

With their grasp on these two key power structures, their influence far outweighed the resources I could muster with only a small number of people.

And it wasn’t even just two groups—both the Eastern, Western, and Southern factions are firmly in place.

Even if I managed to form a new faction under the imperial name, it would be a futile effort, eventually getting wiped out.

Especially after making an indirect declaration of war at the council with the two dukes.

“Ultimately, there are those who need to be cut out.”

A hypothesis that began forming when I heard about the situation in the capital from Ruben.

Could there have been artificial interference in the scenario where only Iris remains from the Falenberg bloodline?

Although the words exchanged between the two dukes indicated their own involvement, I couldn’t confirm it yet.

It might have been Kierson who assassinated the royal family.

Or perhaps Barnel.

“Or both.”

Although it’s unclear how it was possible with Alberto still around, I’m not planning on leaving it be.

Starting from the outside.

I will gradually eliminate them and replace their positions with my own people.

To defeat the two head figures of the factions, I need to build up my power within the Imperial Palace, which is truly Iris’s strength.

There are individuals I’ve kept an eye on while carrying out my tasks.

Among them are those who maintain neutrality, and others who work diligently regardless of factions or affiliations.

I’ve also noticed people within factions who could potentially switch sides at any moment.

“First, the Royal Knights.”

There are many knights within the Imperial Palace.

If they indeed belong to the Royal Knights, there would be no problem, but most of them are knights of the Central Nobles.

According to the Empire’s law, no other armed group aside from one attendant is allowed within the Imperial Palace. Yet, the Central Nobles bring their knights around openly.

There’s a saying: “Righteous self-cultivation leads to a peaceful state.”

I should start by cleaning up the Palace. But first, I need to normalize the power granted to me.

“Is there anyone outside?”

At my summons, the door of the Audience Chamber opened cautiously.

“Did you call, Your Grace, Duke?”

“Tell Deputy Commander Milene to come here. Inform her that this is a call from the Knight Captain.”

“Yes, understood.”

After the maid bowed and left, I smiled at Iris who was gazing at me intently.

“I’ll go check on my subordinates for a moment.”

Soon after, the unique creak of armor sounded.

Thud. Thud.

“It’s Deputy Commander Milene!”

“Enter.”

The front of the Audience Chamber door faced Iris’s desk, and I stood by the window next to it.

The blonde female knight entered, showing signs of tension as she bowed.

When she glanced at Iris, the Empress subtly nodded her head.

“Deputy Commander Milene.”

At my call, Milene turned her head. When our eyes met, she was momentarily startled but then spoke calmly.

“Yes, Your Grace. I hear you have summoned me. Do you have any orders?”

“Not yet. I simply haven’t seen your team’s faces yet. It’s improper for someone who’s the Captain of the Knights.”

“Captain… Yes, you’re right.”

The somewhat uncertain knight nodded. I gave her a smile and spoke.

“Deputy Commander, gather all the Royal Knights at the training ground. Everyone except those on duty. Dress in your uniform.”

The Captain of the Royal Knights, Cain MacBilian, issued his first command.

*

As I passed by the training grounds, I would always think:

The only place suitable for practice within the Imperial Palace is the Training Ground located between the Imperial Palace and the Foreign Affairs Palace.

However, every time I passed by the training ground, all I would see were members of the Guard Command or soldiers from the Empire’s military. And of course, knights belonging to noble families.

I’ve never seen a royal knight.

Occasionally, Milene and a few others would make an appearance.

Even when I quietly checked the armory, there was quite a bit of dust accumulated.

This meant one thing: most of them don’t even train.

Surely they must be practicing somewhere less visible?

The aura of those currently present before me is rather pitiful.

“Approximately one hundred knights? About twenty are upper-level knights, right?”

That is a small number to protect this vast Imperial Palace and inner defenses.

Before my eyes were the uniform-clad upper-level knights and the nervous novice knights, standing tense as they observed each other.

The ones meeting me for the first time looked at me with a puzzled expression, while those who had witnessed my honor duel remained silent, filled with tension.

“Report the number of personnel present in each division!”

At Milene’s shout, the knights from the left began to speak.

“First Sword Squad, Lunya Aishiling reporting. Everyone is present.”

“Second Sword Squad, Lieutenant Hexion reporting to the Deputy Commander. Everyone except on-duty personnel is present.”

“Fourth Sword Squad, Cruel. No issues aside from those on duty, dispatched or absent.”

These words from the captains of each squad.

Milene nodded and fixed her gaze at one point, speaking again.

“Third Sword Squad. Where are the squad leader and the upper-level knights?”

At Milene’s question, the novice knights exchanged glances.

Their inability to respond indicates they don’t know their exact location.

Milene sighed.

“Everyone except the Third Sword Squad is present.”

“Ho, is that so?”

I chuckled, finding it amusing. A startled Milene then opened her mouth with tense eyes.

“I’ll search right away.”

“No need. Deputy Commander, it’s fine to leave them for now.”

“…Understood.”

Hmm. Let’s see.

Everyone seems listless and lacks vitality, looking truly formidable.

The First Sword Squad is relatively decent, perhaps representing their maximum strength currently.

And even that strength is about the same as that of knights from other noble families.

The Second Sword Squad seems to lack a squad leader.

And the Fourth Sword Squad has only four knights gathered. Are they being overworked because it’s a junior squad?

“Perfect.”

Even just having one well-functioning squad makes this a decent turnout.

Though it’s puzzling how the Royal Knights have fallen so far below average.

Whether they disobey orders, lack motivation, or are solely focused on their salaries…

Even if they’re weaker than the knights of noble families and fall short in protecting the palace…

None of it matters.

“Because we can rebuild them.”

The Royal Knights, who should serve as my hands and feet, need swift adjustment.

I have the power to train them.

The countless sword skills and experiences forcibly instilled by my mentor, Landeck.

“Greetings, esteemed members of the Royal Knights.”

In the chilling wind at the training ground,

Under the warm sunlight, I spoke to the curious eyes that looked at me.

“As you all know, I’ve recently taken the position as Knight Captain, Cain MacBilian. Feel free to call me Captain.”

A ripple of murmurs spread among the knights upon my brief introduction.

Since the appointment ceremony and my nationwide tour have already taken place, everyone should know who I am.

You may be wondering why I’m here after being summoned by the deputy commander. I instructed it to be this way.

Retrieving a wooden sword from the armory behind me, I held it up.

“I’ll not beat around the bush. All of you, take the wooden swords behind me.”

Driving the wooden sword into the ground, I gestured to the armory behind me.

Confusion spread among them as several stood still. Deputy Commander Milene then shouted.

“What are you standing around for! It’s the Captain’s order. Move now!”

Her shout compelled them to finally grab the wooden swords.

Once everyone was holding a wooden sword and standing in line in front of me, I started speaking as I observed their blank expressions.

“I shall now test whether you all deserve the title of a knight who protects the crown.”

The weather was pleasantly crisp.

Perfect day to get beaten up.

“First, the upper-level knights. You can use any method. You can even attack me in groups. Try to land a single hit on me. If you fail…”

Furrowed brows greeted me from the upper-level knights.

Among them, a mix of nervous junior knights and Milene, who looked at me in shock.

“By authority of the Royal Knights Captain and protector of Her Imperial Majesty the Empress, all who prove themselves unfit will be expelled.”

“What kind of…!”

Startled knights looked at me.

A few of them, with irritated expressions, gripped their wooden swords and took position quietly.

To the confused crowd, I raised my wooden sword and shouted.

“If you understand, swing your swords and prove your worth, you useless dogs!”

At that, the royal knights dashed madly toward me.

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