The next day.
Natsuki was ordered to remain at the hotel with Ram, confined and not allowed to leave freely.
Adam accompanied Emilia and Roswaal to the Royal Capital.
After passing through multiple checkpoints, the three finally entered the capital.
The Royal Capital's interior was a testant to the nation's prestige — its luxury beyond words, as befitting such a place.
In the Assembly Hall, Adam finally saw the powerhouse he had been yearning to et.
Though he knew staring so intently at another man might give a poor first impression, he couldn't help himself.
That man was the Knight among Knights!
He had short fla-red hair and clear blue eyes, a tall figure with dignified features. His re presence radiated kindness. A magnificent sword hung at his waist, and his body emanated vast magical power — a declaration of his trendous strength.
He was the strongest fighter in this story — and the most reliable man.
—The heir to the Sword Saint family, 『 Sword Saint 』 Reinhard van Astrea!
"Being stared at like this is quite embarrassing." Reinhard spoke to Adam, gentle as a deity.
"Sorry, sorry — seeing soone I've heard so much about for the first ti made a bit rude." Knowing this powerhouse disliked formality, Adam adopted a familiar tone, even adding a hint of playfulness.
"Please don't say that. I still can't bear such a heavy burden." Reinhard, who had grown up under his family's constant expectations, was nearly crushed by the imnse pressure — hence his tendency to deflect such praise.
Indeed, An opportunity!
"My na is Adam, pleased to et you."
"I'm Reinhard, pleased to et you too, Adam."
The two introduced themselves.
"Adam, whose Knight are you?" Reinhard asked.
"Oh my, exposed already?"
"Well, I've never seen you in the Knights' Order, so you're probably not a mber. Being able to attend this Council of Wise n eting ans you must be soone's Guardian Knight, right?"
Though Reinhard wasn't skilled at scheming, he could piece things together.
"Bingo, you got it."
Since it would be revealed soon anyway, there was no need to hide it. He imdiately told him his current position.
"I'm Lady Emilia's Knight."
"The Royal Candidate? I thought you were a knight for one of the Council of Wise n mbers. But are you alright, Adam? It must be tough, isn't it?" Reinhard's surprise held no prejudice — only genuine concern.
He really was a gentle man.
"Ah, raising a daughter is certainly tiring."
"Though I don't understand what you an by raising a daughter, it feels sowhat disrespectful."
"Haha, well, it is disrespectful indeed."
The two chatted pleasantly.
At that mont, Felix the cat-eared man and his master Crusch Karsten entered the hall.
Felix, spotting the two, quickly approached.
He greeted them in turn, "Reinhard, long ti no see, Adam."
"Ah, it's Ferris."
"Yo, cat-man."
Unlike his polite greeting to Reinhard, Adam was quite rude — payback for the cat-eared man's unsettling attempt to lick him earlier.
"Ugh, cat-man of all things!" Felix puffed his cheeks cutely, clearly disliking the nickna, "What were you two talking about?"
"Just discussing our respective masters."
"Let join in!" Felix eagerly jumped into the conversation, launching into effusive praise of Crusch's wisdom.
Adam and Reinhard could only exchange wry smiles as they listened to his endless chatter.
Soon after, the confird Royal Candidates arrived one by one.
Purple-haired little Anastasia Hoshin, green-haired military beauty Crusch Karsten, silver-haired Emilia, and orange-haired proud lady Priscilla Barielle.
But most notably, behind Priscilla stood a carefree butler boy without any sense of dignity.
—It was Natsuki!
Why was he here in the Assembly Hall when Ram was supposed to co?
Adam glanced with deadpan eyes at Roswaal standing nearby. Though he'd assud this was Roswaal's doing, the man wore a surprised expression.
It seed he didn't know about this either.
Was it Ram?
Adam couldn't be sure.
Perhaps Ram, who treated Natsuki like a brother, had indulged him this once and let him leave the hotel.
This was a miscalculation. He'd thought Ram's presence would prevent any trouble, yet here the boy was.
Still, this could be a teaching mont, couldn't it?
Learning to respect and defer to those stronger than oneself was essential for surviving peacefully in another world, Natsuki.
Adam began formulating a plan.
When Emilia spotted Natsuki, she couldn't contain herself and hurried over — but just then, a clear voice rang out from the throne room.
"—My lords, everyone has arrived. Now, the Council of Wise n mbers will enter!"
As these words echoed, the great doors swung open once more.
Knights in armor led the procession with asured steps, followed by several elderly figures. Their attire and bearing perfectly embodied the ceremonial nature of the occasion.
"Flashy."
"Right? Actually, I dislike them just like you do, brother." Al moved closer to Adam and lowered his voice, "Those lords always act high and mighty, wielding their power to push around the Royal Candidates — especially Lady Emilia."
Al's sudden candor caught Adam by surprise.
Looking at him with curiosity, Adam waited as Al continued.
"Well, no need to hide it anymore — we're the sa kind of people, aren't we, brother?"
"Oh my, was I exposed?"
"Yeah, your companions told . That 'senpai' thing — sounds polite, but you're actually making fun of , aren't you?" Despite his words, there was no anger in his voice.
Instead, the revelation that they were both from another world created an unexpected bond between them.
"Senpai, you've worked hard."
"Ah, it's really worn out." The statent could have referred to either his years surviving in another world or serving the proud lady Priscilla — or perhaps both.
What deeper anings lay beneath their exchange, only the two of them knew.
"Silence!"
Knight Commander Marcus Gildark's voice, charged with magical power, brought imdiate order to the chaotic scene.
Felix pulled Natsuki to Adam's side. Upon seeing Julius, Natsuki's face contorted with obvious distaste.
Adam remained silent.
"Lords of the Council of Wise n — though presumptuous, please allow , as Knight Commander, to proceed with this eting."
"Mm... It's yours to handle." Miklotov McMahon, the Council of Wise n representative, spoke from his seat below the throne.
With this approval, Marcus's voice rang out.
"Now, let the Assembly begin!"
✧✧✧
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