"What did you say!"
Encrid, who had unintentionally memorized the name Pullman Vertes, looked at the shouting man with a flushed face.
A constable—clearly a bureaucrat.
And, of course, a noble.
Seriously, do they just pull nobles out of some bottomless pouch here in the Royal Palace?
'Aren't there too many of them?'
Everyone is either a Baron, Viscount, or a Junior Knight with noble blood.
Have they been handing out titles too freely?
That pointless thought flashed through his mind briefly before fading away.
It wasn't Encrid's business how many nobles there were.
Still, it did cross his mind that there were enough to trim down a bit.
"Hey, you."
Rem, picking at his ear, spoke towards the fuming Pullman.
"Listen here, alright?"
"You fool! Do you even know where you are!"
This was the Captain of the guards, likely a Commander responsible for a different gate.
Smack!
As the enraged man shouted, the southern gate's guard Captain slapped his own forehead.
It was clear what he thought: 'Why is this guy stepping up and making a scene?'
Encrid knew the military, and he knew soldiers.
How many here had come by their own choice?
Soldiers who were quick-witted and alert wore uncomfortable expressions. They knew what the people in front of them had done.
These were the ones who had taken care of the Moonlight Beast, securing the safety of their families, citizens, comrades, and friends.
They had done what the soldiers themselves should have done.
Their discomfort was apparent in their eyes and their faces.
Especially around the southern gate Captain, there were many such soldiers.
Rem ignored the shouting fool and continued speaking.
"The Moonlight Beast was killing and threatening citizens. But, you see? When it wasn't getting handled, even a Junior Knight had to come and help capture it. And it turns out, the beast was that fool from Bentra, or whatever he was called. And now you're saying, what, murder?"
"You scoundrel!"
One of the guard Captains, his fury now at its peak, grabbed a spear taller than himself.
He looked ready to charge at any moment.
Rem lowered the hand that had been picking his ear and stared in his direction.
If the man charged, Rem would cut him down without hesitation.
"Wait, hold on."
The southern gate guard Captain urgently stepped forward.
If this continued, it would turn into a huge disaster. He had seen Encrid's group fight.
Pullman, his jealousy boiling over, saw this as his chance and charged ahead, but the southern gate Captain held him back until the end.
If the situation got too complicated, he knew it would be impossible to hold his current position.
Still, nothing had changed.
In the end, he, too, was dragged into this. Could he risk dying for insubordination? It was like licking ghoul blood, knowing it was poison, but coming here anyway.
But he couldn't just stand by and watch.
If he did nothing, all his men would die. His comrades' heads would be severed and roll on the ground, hacked apart by axes or swords. He couldn't allow that.
"There's been a misunderstanding."
Pullman, seeing the southern gate Captain step forward, raised his eyebrows.
"Stand down! How dare you step forward here!"
Where does authority and dignity come from?
You can see it when you look at Krang. It radiates from the person themselves. The way they walk, the way they speak—everything is different. Their words carry weight.
The trust and faith they've earned through their actions give their words power.
"Kneel at once!"
Now, did the man in front of them possess authority and dignity?
The energy in his voice was like a mosquito buzzing, faint and irritating.
Before them stood a petty fool, blinded by jealousy.
His voice, low and trying to mimic dignity, sounded more like the whining of a spoiled child. Well, perhaps his very presence here was a tantrum.
'Maybe I've been around too many great people.'
Krang, the Marquis of Octo, Luagarne, Asia—even the whip-wielding escorts had come to face the Moonlight Beast.
Their priority was protecting their Lord, but they knew that protecting their Lord's wishes came first, so they moved accordingly.
You could sense honor, duty, purpose, and conviction in their actions.
They didn't seem like mere tools of Krang but humans who had made their own choices.
Comparing them to the man whining in front of him made him seem pitiful in contrast.
Encrid had ears. He had heard that the constable was gnashing his teeth in jealousy because Encrid had attended the party.
"If you're not here to talk, we might as well get this started."
Ragna said, taking a step forward.
Smack.
The southern gate Captain hit his forehead again.
It was driving him crazy.
The constable thought he had endured enough.
These bugs dared to disrespect the dignity of a noble.
There was no way this had anything to do with the fact that the lady he was enamored with had fallen for Encrid at first sight.
He was, after all, a constable and a noble. Encrid was just a lowly soldier.
If the rumors circulating were to be believed, hadn't he just stolen the credit from his comrades?
The rumors spread by those jealous of Encrid continued to grow, like snowballs rolling downhill.
Moreover, the constable, whose ears were completely closed, only heard what he wanted to hear.
He ignored anything about Encrid being a hero of the Border Guard.
So, Viscount Bentra had turned into a monster?
Regardless of the fact that it had actually happened, this was the constable's opportunity.
Even Viscount Mernes had subtly encouraged him to go and settle the matter.
And that's how it had come to this.
"Arrest them!"
"Arrest them!"
At the constable's command, two Captains and a few cavalrymen dismounted and approached.
Their demeanor was menacing.
Even if the rumors were just gossip, the accomplishments were astounding. Even if only part of it was true, these were not people they could easily handle.
Yet, the fact that they were taking this step showed how widely these false rumors about Encrid had spread.
Encrid watched the approaching group indifferently.
Should he go along quietly? No. Even if they asked nicely, he shouldn't follow.
Encrid knew instinctively.
'The situation has already escalated.'
Otherwise, why would they come to arrest him with Krang and Marcus present?
"Arrest Baron Andrew too. He's charged with the same crime. Kill him if he resists."
"Hmph."
At those words, Andrew snorted. Sure, let them try if they dare, that was his attitude.
Pullman's eyes swept over the weapons of Encrid and his group.
It was as if he was praying for a fight. His wish was granted.
A big battle wasn't even necessary. Ignoring the approaching group completely, Encrid spoke.
"Dunbachel, bring him over."
Even Ragna and Rem didn't need to step in.
One beastkin leaped forward. A white shadow stretched out, lengthening as it moved. Her short white hair flowed like a long streak.
One of the Captains thrust his spear instinctively.
He was a master of spear combat, known for his skill. Among regular soldiers, he was an elite, but Dunbachel was someone even Asia had acknowledged as a formidable beastkin.
As she dashed forward, she flicked the spear's blade aside with her claws, altering its path, and then grabbed the spear shaft, tossing it to the side.
"Ugh!"
The Captain holding the spear rolled to the ground.
Behind him, three or four more soldiers blocked the way. Dunbachel didn't even draw her sword. She tripped one with her foot, sending him sprawling, then thrust her fist into another's chin.
Their helmets didn't protect their jaws.
Especially against a close, upward punch, they were completely vulnerable.
Jaw, crack. Thud, smack.
After a few more sounds, the soldiers who had been blocking the constable's path collapsed in a heap.
Dunbachel didn't stop there. This was just part of the process.
She advanced further, and the constable, seeing her approach, grabbed the sword at his waist. It was a broad sword with a wide blade.
As he reached for the sword grip, Dunbachel swiftly closed the distance to his horse and grabbed his wrist.
The constable's horse neighed and reared in alarm, lifting its front legs.
"Whoa, whoa!"
The startled constable, with his wrist caught, was dragged down from his horse.
His left foot came free, but his right foot got stuck in the stirrup, twisting his ankle painfully in the wrong direction.
"Arghhh!"
The constable screamed in sudden pain.
Dunbachel pulled him down with brute force.
The constable's scream, which had started atop his horse, ended in front of Encrid.
In a flash, Dunbachel had taken down five soldiers and dragged the constable, holding his wrist, right in front of him.
The Chief of the city guards, the highest-ranking officer next to the constable, froze as he started to move.
'What the hell is this?'
To be honest, he didn't even dare to intervene. He was standing right next to the constable and had barely managed to draw his sword.
The sound of the sword coming out of its scabbard, ting, seemed to reflect his state of mind. It sounded weak, like a sound without confidence.
Or perhaps it only sounded that way to him.
He raised his sword forward.
But could he even swing it?
Just by looking, it was obvious these were not ordinary people. He should've brought Knights. They needed a Junior Knight.
In fact, he himself had been a Squire and had brought soldiers, but given the situation, it was clear this was a terrible decision.
The men with him were Squires, not Junior Knights.
"Can you stop them?"
The guard Captain lowered his voice to ask. The Squire beside him, eyes wide, didn't look away as he replied.
"They're far above me."
'Far beyond.'
The Squire thought, although he didn't voice it. Just by looking, he could tell.
Could he handle that beastkin if she came at him?
Though the outcome of a fight is never certain until it happens, the difference in skill was clear at a glance.
You could tell just by watching the movements. She was at least on par with the highest-level Squires, perhaps just shy of a Junior Knight or already at that level.
Her techniques and movements were refined, fully utilizing the unique athleticism of the beastkin.
What felt even more dangerous was that there was someone giving her orders—and others who watched without a care.
The soldiers were already overwhelmed by the sheer presence of it all.
No one said anything. The Chief of the city guards and the Squire alike all kept their mouths shut.
After all, the highest-ranking officer here had just been captured.
The constable lay sprawled on the ground in front of Encrid, unable to stand because of his twisted ankle, sweating profusely.
"How dare you!"
Though his spirit was broken, he still resisted in the end. He had no authority or dignity left, but at least he had stubbornness. Then again, you had to have some tenacity to hold that position.
Encrid looked at the constable and asked,
"Was Junior-Knight Asia involved in the murder of Viscount Bentra?"
"Junior-Knight Asia? You think bringing up Knights will get you out of this? They are all traitors! What are you all standing around for!"
Blinded by jealousy, the constable had completely lost his grip on the situation.
He screamed in frustration.
At this point, the Squire stepped forward.
Someone had to speak up properly, after all.
The Chief of the city guards beside him showed no intention of speaking, and part of the reason the Squire had come here was to say this.
"That's correct. Junior-Knight Asia has denied all charges."
The Squire said, raising his voice.
"So, was she captured as well?"
Encrid's gaze shifted toward him, locking eyes with the Squire. His blue eyes stared intently.
"She is a Knight."
The Squire replied, swallowing hard. The tension increased the moment their eyes met. Still, outwardly, he maintained his composure.
Encrid thought about what the Squire had said.
So, they couldn't hold the Knight responsible for something like this? It sounded like Asia hadn't been captured.
But what about everything else that was happening?
At the very least, something had clearly erupted within the Royal Palace. As Encrid made sense of the situation through a series of assumptions, the constable continued his obstinate tirade.
"What are you doing! Why haven't you arrested these traitors yet!"
Tear streaks around his eyes lessened the weight of his words.
He was crying from the pain, yet still talking tough. The only thing separating him from a ghoul seemed to be his tongue.
Encrid chose the fastest method to persuade this man. Honestly, the constable was getting a little too loud.
Thwack!
Encrid kicked the constable straight in the jaw, knocking him out.
He kicked him with enough force to kill, and they all heard the sound of his neck cracking. But whether through bad luck or good, he didn't die.
His neck twisted to the side, drool dribbling from his mouth as his face hit the ground. A quick glance confirmed he was only unconscious.
"What the hell, if you were going to kill him, you should've let me know."
Rem chuckled from behind, adding with a grin,
"Don't you remember my nickname?"
The Noble Hunter—his hobby was certainly unique.
Encrid, ignoring the unconscious fool, spoke again.
"So, who's the next one in charge? If anyone's thinking about ordering a full-scale attack, I'd suggest thinking carefully. I'm not planning to turn Andrew's estate into a graveyard."
He was offering them some level of kindness. The southern gate Captain was still there.
That man had fought for the people, for the security of the Capital.
That alone was deserving of some respect, wasn't it?
Encrid walked the right path. He had seen enough to use that as a standard for judgment.
Since he couldn't know everything, it made sense to base his decisions on what he had seen and heard.
That's what Encrid did.
"I would appreciate it if you could explain what's happening at the Royal Palace."
Afterwards, Encrid spoke.
Something had clearly happened. Otherwise, a situation like this wouldn't be possible.
A personal act of rebellion from the constable?
If he were the kind of person to act on his own, he would've barged in long ago with any excuse.
The fact that he had come here now? It meant he had received permission.
Krang had mentioned that Viscount Mernes was the real problem.
A tense, unsettling atmosphere prickled at Encrid's skin. As he spoke, his attention shifted to the side.
Clatter! Clatter!
The sound of hooves carried urgency. It was coming closer to the estate.
"Help me!"
A shout was mixed with the sound.
Encrid abruptly pushed off the ground, leaving the people in front of him, and leapt up onto the estate wall in one swift motion.
Rem followed, kicking off the wall with ease, almost soaring upward.
He had an exceptional knack for climbing walls.
Some of the constable's men flinched at the sight, attempting to move.
"Stay still."
Ragna stopped them. The sheer force of his presence made everyone freeze in place.
From atop the wall, Encrid saw someone running frantically along the stone-paved path.
It was Marcus.
The cry for help had come from him.
Behind him, someone was chasing, sprinting after him.
Their appearance was strange. They wore something like a cloak layered with several pieces of leather, and floating above both their shoulders were spears, as if following them.