Chapter 13

The Imperial Knights' Training Grounds No. 1 stood proudly at the very heart of a vast area.

Adjacent to the training grounds was the Hall of Orr's Glory, the core institution of the Knights, constructed to oversee the site. It was here that most administrative tasks, mission assignments, significant events, and duties carried out by knights of deputy rank or higher took place.

In other words, it was the nerve center of the military force that protected the capital and powered the entire empire.

For the Imperial Knights, it was a deep disgrace that these individuals, who had been mere nobodies just a few months ago, were now setting foot in such a hallowed place.

"Look over there. A few more of them are coming."

A sharp voice rang out as Gakane and Yuder entered the training grounds. A group of knights, barely hiding their contempt, sneered at the members of the Cavalry.

"Look at those arms—no muscle to speak of. And those hands, not a single callus! What can they possibly achieve? Can they even read?"

"I can't believe something this disgraceful is happening in the thousand-year history of the Imperial Knights. What could His Majesty and the Commander be thinking?"

"…"

Yuder gave them a glance before dismissing them entirely. Gakane's face reddened slightly, but he held back any further reaction.

"Welcome, Gakane."

They soon joined the newcomers and other members already gathered at the training grounds. Their expressions were equally grim, having already heard the knights' mocking remarks.

A woman with tightly bound long hair stepped forward, greeting Gakane first.

"Ever. You got here early."

'Once she receives her surname, she'll be known as Ever Beck,' Yuder thought.

He had known her for some time. She was one of the first Awakeners to gain fame in the empire after the Red Stone fell two years ago. Once an ordinary country girl, her story had captured widespread attention.

A slender woman who single-handedly took down a horde of monsters that had descended from the mountains in search of food. There was no more shocking news at the time.

Her story spread like wildfire, fueled by the accounts of those who witnessed her feat. Nearly all the members who passed the Cavalry test and learned her true identity knew of her legend.

Her ability to enhance her muscles and skin enabled her to tear apart even formidable monsters with her bare hands, without the need for a weapon. Until Yuder's death, she had undertaken several critical missions as part of the Cavalry.

One should not underestimate her just because she appeared ordinary. Though others had greater strength or defensive power, few could wield their abilities as effectively as she could.

According to Yuder's memory, Ever was also appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Shin Division.

"It's quite noisy for our first training session since the division. Well, there's nothing we can do about it."

"Have they been like that the whole time?"

"Yes. They've been at it non-stop. It's as if they've been doing it since dawn. Well, I suppose busy nobles wouldn't bother with that."

Ever spoke with a cool expression, and a faint smile spread among the Shin Division members.

"I almost thought they wouldn't let us in at all."

The small boy standing next to Ever waved his hand, his face brightening as he grumbled. He was one of the famous early Awakeners, just as well-known as Ever. A commoner boy of only ten years old, Jimmy Ocker, had once split a rock with a single branch.

'Of course, before receiving his last name, he was just Jimmy.'

Two years had passed since the Red Stone fell, and now 12-year-old Jimmy had left his parents' side and confidently passed the Cavalry test.

It was said that his parents, though commoners, owned a decent store and were able to support their son without hesitation.

Among the 330 Cavalry members, he was the youngest to pass, but everyone believed he possessed abilities comparable to the legendary Swordmasters. His ability to imbue a weapon with energy, using it much like a Swordmaster's aura, was more than enough to strike fear into his enemies.

"I don't see why I can't. After all, children who join the Imperial Knights as squires usually start at 10 years old, and I'm already 12."

As Jimmy pointed out, most prestigious knights began their training as squires under senior knights around the age of 10.

Since they usually apprenticed with knights who had connections to their parents, they didn't face many hardships and mostly learned by observing their mentors, occasionally receiving private lessons in swordsmanship.

As they grew older, they officially joined the knight order and were commissioned. It was a world that those of lower status could hardly ever enter.

"Show your true strength during the training later. That's all you need to do."

Gakane ruffled Jimmy's hair and offered advice, prompting the Shin Division members to nod in agreement. Many of the Shin Division members were commoners, even more so than those in Sul.

Though they were intimidated by the Imperial Knights' haughtiness, they were doing their best to overcome it.

'Yes, it's still a difficult task for now.'

In a few years, this issue would be resolved, but not yet. Breaking free from the deeply rooted social class consciousness and gaining confidence would take time and experience. And Kishiar La Orr was meant to facilitate that change.

Yuder looked at their faces and nodded. It was then that a voice interrupted.

"I wondered what all the noise was about. Turns out it's the newbies."

A young knight, his face set in a frown, appeared along with several junior knights. Unlike the others, his knightly uniform bore three additional lily patterns engraved above the golden eagle emblem on his chest.

"What do the lilies mean?"

Jimmy asked, his expression puzzled. Gakane answered without taking his eyes off the knight.

"The golden eagle is the symbol of the Imperial Knights. The lily represents nobility. Five lilies on the uniform signify a knight commander, four indicate a deputy commander, and three denote the rank just below."

"So, he's a very high-ranking person."

"Yeah. Most people don't even earn a single lily before they retire."

Gakane had once shared that he had aspired to join a prestigious knight order and trained in swordsmanship during his childhood. However, he had to give up that dream because, despite his family's prestigious name, they lacked the financial resources needed to support his journey to knighthood.

The reason there were no commoners in famous knight orders was simple: the gleaming uniforms, armor, swords, and horses were not provided by the order. Knights had to spend considerable amounts to maintain their dignity, especially within the Imperial Knights, where all members were nobles.

The blue uniforms they wore were made of the finest fabric, and their swords were as renowned as the heirlooms of their respective noble houses.

The situation was entirely different for the Cavalry, where almost none of the members owned a personal sword, except for their recently issued black uniforms.

"Who told you that you're allowed in here?"

The knight with the three lily badges approached the Cavalry members. Most of them couldn't confidently stand up to such an arrogant nobleman, and a sense of panic spread among them. Even Gakane, usually so confident, showed a flicker of worry.

"We're here under the command of our Commander for training."

"The Commander? You mean the Duke of Peletta?"

"Yes."

Although the knight clearly knew the answer, he asked anyway, his arrogant expression making his disdain obvious.

"I've known him since we were young. He was always a man of many indulgences, but I never imagined he'd stoop so low as to gather the likes of you and call himself a Commander. This must be his greatest whim yet. His knights in Peletta must be weeping."

"..."

As the knight mocked their relationship with Kishiar, anger flickered across the faces of the Cavalry members. Someone clenched their fist, and the knights behind the one with the three lilies placed their hands on their swords, scowling as if ready to draw their weapons at any moment.

Yet, amidst the tense atmosphere, Yuder remained calm and expressionless.

"Excuse me, but who are you?"

Yuder genuinely didn't know who the man was. It wasn't just because Yuder had few interactions with the Imperial Knights in the past due to his commoner background.

He believed he had a good grasp of the nobles he had encountered since becoming captain, but there were only a few reasons he could think of for not recognizing the man before him.

One, the man had died or retired before Yuder became captain. Two, the man had returned to his own territory.

Neither reason was particularly honorable for a young knight in his prime, especially if he came from a noble family with enough influence to live comfortably in the capital.

The man in front of him must have disappeared from the scene before two years had passed. Knowing that, there was nothing to worry about.

'Even if he's alive in the future, it doesn't matter.'

"Who am I?"

The knight with the three lilies laughed incredulously, glancing around as if Yuder's question was absurd. His bright brown hair, almost golden, was neatly combed back, and his smooth face was handsome enough to be considered aristocratic anywhere. But in Yuder's eyes, the man was nothing more than a young fool lacking discernment.

"Kiolle da Diarca. Have you ever heard of the Duke of Diarca, commoner?"