Hunting Dog
"Your Majesty has granted it, so please choose any knight you wish."
"…Anyone?"
"Except, of course, for those who have work to do. Just like me and the deputy commander."
Gilbert said a little playfully. But Carl knew how heavy those words were.
Speaking of being an imperial knight, is a position that all knights of the empire dream of. Naturally, not only lower-ranking nobles but also children of high-ranking nobles are targeting them.
In other words, as long as Carl says he wants it, Carl will put him/her under his control, even if the other person is a son of a count or a son of a duke.
'Is this old man senile? There's no way Azgoth would do something like this?'
No matter how much you try to raise it, this is too much.
What if Carl suddenly takes a knight from a powerful family?
'… indeed! Is this also a test?'
Following Gilbert's words, Carl shook off the thought of choosing a knight from a family as strong and noble as possible.
If Carl takes a knight like that now, he won't be able to control it, and after this incident is over, they will leave him without looking back.
If Carl wants to secure the knight in his hands, he must choose a knight who is currently weak.
"Can I see the list of knights?"
"Yes, as much as you want."
Even though Gilbert willingly showed the list to Carl, he felt puzzled.
Of course, he thought that this would increase his prestige by picking a famous and strong knight whose name was widely known, but he did not know that he would even check the list.
Carl secretly sighed with regret after looking at the list of knights.
Considering the timing, he thought it would definitely be there by now, but strangely, it isn't.
If this happens, Carl's plan goes awry.
There is no way for Carl to know who the potential knights are within the order.
The knights he knows are those whose names only appear briefly in the original work, but they are all members of prestigious families, so it would be a burden to take them with him.
Carl quickly opened his mouth before Gilbert, who was quietly observing him, could get suspicious.
"I want to see the knights in person."
Carl can't help it. He have no choice but to see it for himself and judge for himself.
***
The Imperial Knights were full of dissatisfaction with the sudden convening, and even group training made everyone's faces grim.
Moreover, it is said that all of this is because of Carl, the sickly 4th prince who has no power and no ability to help in the future, so everyone is on the verge of bursting out of their minds.
There are several ways to join the Imperial Knights.
First of all, naturally, those with skills are selected and become imperial knights.
For political reasons, those of noble families become imperial knights.
Since imperial knights rarely participate in actual battles, only a few are selected based on their skills and remain as knights until their death. This is the case with Knight Commander Gilbert Eville.
The majority of those who remain are those who briefly became imperial knights to add decorations to their careers and then take a different path. In other words, they are the sons and daughters of a truly high-ranking noble family.
They had no intention of becoming the knights of the 4th Prince Carl, who had nothing to gain, thus ruining their bright future.
'It's a mess.'
Carl muttered to herself as he saw the knights standing in ceremonial attire wearing splendid armour next to Gilbert.
Everyone seemed to have let down their guard because they thought Carl was an incompetent 4th prince, but thanks to Lucas's memory, Carl was able to read their expressions.
Lucas was fully discharged as an Army sergeant, worked part-time at a convenience store and a bar, and even had experience surviving in a small business that was no different from the wild.
He was really angry because he was being forcefully dragged in, but he can see that he had no choice but to manage his facial expressions because he was watching.
When the army gathered for work on the weekend, they would make that exact expression like they want to kill their head.
'Yes, I don't want to leave a mark by becoming the knight of the 4th prince, who stands to be defeated. I know that feeling well.'
Carol shook his head with his eyes sparkling with an innocent face in front of the handsome-looking imperial knights.
"After all, it is the Imperial Knights. It seems to glow even when standing still."
"Hehehe, when you say that, my shoulders, which have drooped over time, are lifting."
Gilbert laughed and matched Carl performance. There was no way Gilbert didn't know that Carl, who seemed to be counting the numbers with cool eyes just moments ago, was acting foolish.
Those who are different on the outside and inside are only criticized by insignificant people. Honesty is the quality of the poor, and the noble must know how to decorate themselves.
'Yes, I guess I'm dissatisfied. But I also don't want useless things for a knight like you.'
Carl smiled, pretending not to notice the looks in the eyes of the sons and daughters of the noble family who were secretly glaring at him.
The 'real knights' who keep their mouths shut and do not move at the very back of the rows of knights are the talents that Carl wants.
Low-ranking nobles who became imperial knights through skill, not family origin, carrying the future of their insignificant families on their shoulders, and commoner knights who jumped into the world for their family's livelihood and their dreams...
The knight that Carl needs is not a noble knight who won't listen to others, but a loyal knight who will serve as his spear and shield to defeat his enemies and protect him.
If they become Carl's knights, they will have no choice but to follow Carl even if it means risking their lives.
If the string breaks, his life will end.
With an excited child-like face, Carl watched the Imperial Knights divide into two and form ranks.
"Start."
Starting with Gilbert's stern voice, the imperial knights, divided into two, rush at each other.
Carl looked at it all with deeply sparkling green eyes.
Carl's need to find Knights that he can use.
For him, he needs a hunting dog that will follow any command and even risk his life, a loyal dog that can be broken when necessary.
It's a cruel thing to do, but it can't be helped because Carl also has to live.