NOVPUB“All done. There’s a wire inside the nose section—don’t forget to pinch it tight for a snug fit.”
“Stop fiddling with me. I said I’d do it myself.”
Asella, wearing a mask for the first time, kept poking at her face like it felt weird.
Now that I’d actually put it on her, I realized I’d made it °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° a bit too large. Her face was smaller than I’d estimated.
“The reason masks work is because infectious viruses mostly spread through droplets. That’s how infection happens. Viruses are technically living organisms, and—”
“I get the gist. No need to explain medical theory. Just make sure you understand it.”
“Is it hard for you to follow?”
At that, Asella frowned slightly, clearly stung in the pride.
“Do you understand my magic?”
“Of course not. How could someone lowly like me possibly comprehend Your Highness’s boundless realms on equal footing?”
“Exactly. Same goes for me.”
...Was that a compliment?
“Do you have enough masks for the knights?”
“I haven’t made that many yet. I do have extras for Your Highness. I recommend you have only your closest servants and escort knights wear them for now. More importantly—”
I pulled out a bottle from my coat.
It rattled with white tablets inside.
“I’ve prepared a medicine for the plague.”
“For real?!”
Asella shouted as she took the bottle in both hands.
She inspected the contents carefully, and for the first time, I saw her genuinely excited. It was a refreshing sight.
“This will cure the infection?”
“The common cold is technically incurable, so it’s not a full recovery. But it does greatly alleviate symptoms. The knights should be able to function.”
“If we have this, then the martial tournament...”
Asella nodded firmly, then called for the head maid and instructed her to distribute the medicine.
“Warn them not to overdose. No more than two pills a day.”
“Understood.”
The knights popped the aspirin tablets into their mouths one by one.
They might’ve thought the act felt awkward, but since it was their lord’s command, they complied without hesitation.
I’d noticed it before—Asella’s faction had unusually strong loyalty.
After a short rest, the knights who’d taken the aspirin were already regaining their energy and rising to their feet.
Looks like the effect was solid.
Watching them, Asella’s shoulders finally seemed to relax.
“Lord Las.”
“Yes.”
“This martial tournament is my one chance to leave a lasting impression on His Majesty.”
“I see.”
“His Majesty is naturally a man of ambition. For now, he’s named the First Prince as his successor for the sake of stability, but that man is far too timid to be worthy of the throne.”
Asella suddenly began rambling about things I hadn’t asked.
“If one of his children shows great talent and leadership, the old fire in His Majesty’s heart will reignite—just like in his youth. And then he’ll change his mind.”
“I understand.”
“Second Prince Georg and First Princess Heike both know that. They’ll pull out all the stops in this tournament to flaunt their power. I have to outshine them.”
“There’s something I’ve been curious about.”
Without thinking, I asked her.
“Why do you want to become Empress, Your Highness?”
Asella didn’t answer.
Instead, she countered with a question of her own.
“Would my answer affect your loyalty?”
She didn’t seem keen to answer.
And I didn’t feel like poking the beehive.
“Not at all. I’ll serve Your Highness no matter what.”
“Good.”
That was all she said. No explanation followed.
“I’ll count your treatment of the knights as distinguished service. What reward do you want, Lord Las?”
“A mage who can cast levitation magic.”
“I can use that. Why?”
“No reason. Just kidding.”
If I asked her to help me commute, she’d probably charge me hundreds of times the going rate.
“You still have the envelope with my list of requests, right?”
“Yes. I’ve cast a preservation spell on it so it won’t get damaged. No one can open it unless I activate a geas. Do you want it back? That doesn’t seem like enough merit for that.”
“Of course not. As long as Your Highness hasn’t forgotten it, that’s enough for me.”
“So you’re leaving the reward up to me.”
“Uh...”
With Asella, there was always a risk she’d bring out something absurd and demand a price from me.
Let’s see—something I’ve needed lately...
The most annoying thing has been how small Asella’s faction is—so small that people look down on it.
Maybe I should take a stroll around the southern barracks.
“I’d like to borrow your knights temporarily, if that’s acceptable.”
“Sure. That’s fine.”
“Then shall we measure your blood pressure now?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
Having resolved her concerns about the knights, Asella followed me obediently back to her chambers.
***
The next day, I gathered twenty of Asella’s knights in the rear courtyard of Moonlight Palace.
All of them wore the same serious, humorless expression—just like Asella.
“Did I accidentally walk into a statue exhibition? Hey, you there—Statue Number One. Had breakfast?”
The knight I called on froze in place, holding his breath.
He looked completely confused whether he was supposed to pretend to be a statue or answer my question.
So jokes don’t land here.
“Never mind. At ease.”
God, I hate stiff atmospheres like this.
It gave me a small glimpse into how Asella usually trains them.
“I assume you’ve already been briefed. Today, instead of your usual drills, you’ll be accompanying me. This is by order of Her Highness.”
Still silent as stone.
Come to think of it, the Imperial Knights had this rule: never speak unless a superior explicitly gives permission.
They really took it to heart. No need to go this far.
Their training was too thorough.
“First, a quick check. Everyone here is loyal to Princess Asella, not Consort Camilla—correct? If anyone isn’t, speak up now.”
No answer, of course.
“Who’s in charge here?”
“That would be me, Professor Gotberg.”
One knight raised his hand.
“You’re a squad leader?”
“I’m the leader of the Moonlight Palace squad, yes. Technically, the title ‘Commander’ refers to the head of a regiment. Since our group is organized as a squad, my rank is officially Squad Leader.”
“I see. Then Tanya is a pretty big deal, huh?”
“Please stop teasing. You know as well as I do, in the Imperial Palace I’m just another knight.”
True, the provinces and the capital operated very differently.
“Squad Leader, tell me—why do you serve Her Highness?”
“I became convinced she would be the next Empress based on her dignity and strength of character.”
“Hmm, good answer. Looks like we’ve got some sharp eyes here.”
These guys picked the right horse.
“You serve the next Empress. That means you, as her direct knights, need to be just as worthy. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you know how people see us on the outside?”
“...Shamefully, yes. We do.”
The squad leader clenched his fist, visibly seething.
“I plan to show Her Highness our full strength during the martial tournament so we don’t disgrace her. Thanks to you, our entire squad is in good health again.”
“I think we should show it before the tournament. I went down to the southern barracks—those facilities are top-tier.”
I looked out over the group.
“Shouldn’t we be training in a place like that too?”
At my suggestion, the squad leader looked flustered.
“Of course, that would be ideal, but... we’re from a different unit.”
“Let’s go borrow it.”
I said it lightly, like suggesting a walk around the neighborhood.
***
Together with Asella’s knights, I headed for the southern barracks.
“Which unit are you from—huh?! Professor Gotberg!”
The guard saw me and flinched, stumbling backward. Same guy as last time.
“Good work. Why are you on duty alone?”
“Ah, well...”
The guard sniffled mid-sentence. He looked disoriented, and soon enough the captain came rushing out behind him.
“Professor! What brings you here again?”
“Nothing major. Just want to borrow your training facilities. Got any open space?”
“Tr-training facilities? The southern barracks belong to our Second Regiment, but...”
“Any Imperial Knight can submit a request to use any training ground. Go ahead and file the paperwork.”
“W-well, technically that’s true, but...”
The captain was clearly stuck, not sure whether to argue or submit.
Probably felt like a bolt of lightning just hit him out of nowhere.
“Isn’t this a bit much? You can’t just barge in unannounced.”
“C’mon, half your knights are out sick from the plague. It’s not like the facilities are at capacity.”
“Isn’t that the same for your side? The whole palace is infected. Why go out of your way to train here?”
“My knights are perfectly healthy. Show him.”
At my command, Asella’s knights instantly snapped into formation and performed a precise series of movements.
The captain’s jaw dropped at the sight of their sharp, focused eyes.
“Huh? How...?”
“Professor treated us.”
Tanya stepped forward and answered.
“You, Professor? Huh...”
He scratched his head and finally stepped aside.
“Well, if you’re going that far, then sure, go ahead. We weren’t planning to use it today anyway.”
Thanks to that, Asella’s knights got to train in a high-end facility today.
The place was fully stocked with enchanted training swords and armor that could adjust difficulty levels, plus all kinds of simulated combat environments.
Knowing Tanya’s level, the other knights eagerly paired off with her for sparring.
“Wow... they really are all fine.”
The captain scratched his head as he watched our knights.
“Your unit’s not doing so well?”
“Our entire Second Regiment is almost wiped out. And the tournament’s just around the corner. The healers from the infirmary have been working on us nonstop, but it’s no use. How’d you do it?”
“You think I’d give that away for free?”
“C’mon, help us out. We’re all Imperial Knights here.”
“Why should I treat you? It’s not like you’re loyal to Princess Asella.”
The captain hesitated, then leaned in and whispered.
“I’ve been doing those stretches you taught me, just like you said. Doesn’t that count for something?”
“That’s actually disgusting.”
“Then... at least treat my company. It’s hard watching my men suffer. How about this—what if we fought for Princess Asella’s faction during the tournament?”
Now that was interesting.
“Aren’t you with the Second Prince?”
“Well, technically... but it’s not so black-and-white around here. Honestly, Prince Georg’s been working us to the bone over the tournament, and morale’s low.”
“How many troops?”
“One hundred and twenty.”
Hmm.
Asella’s faction only had twenty knights.
They were sorely outnumbered to make a real showing in the tournament.
“Captain, think you can go all in?”
“Of course! I’m a knight, aren’t I? I wouldn’t go back on my word.”
“Hold on.”
I quickly drew up a contract.
“If you break this agreement, I reserve the right to take your head. You can read, right?”
“Hey, now. We Imperial Knights are all highly educated.”
He signed it without hesitation.
And just like that, First Company of the Second Regiment became part of Asella’s tournament force.
The condition: give it everything they’ve got. And I decide if they lived up to that.
“So, does this mean you’ll treat my knights now?”
“Hope you’ve got the stomach for bitter medicine.”
I pulled out a bottle of aspirin from my coat.
***
Three days later.
“Professor! I was referred to you—please!”
“I’m the Second Company Captain! I heard you can cure—no, treat this plague instantly!”
“Please include our unit too!”
A crowd of burly knights barged into my office.
I covered my mouth and told them,
“Try not to spit when you talk.”
