[One year later, the day finally arrived when the Kazdel delegation was scheduled to arrive.]
[Over the past year, you have effectively become the new king of Kazimierz. As the King of Knight, you carried out countless worthy duties—from attending diplomatic meetings in full holy armor, to leading Silverlance forces with your uncle in reclaiming rebel-held borderlands.]
[You later united all four mobile cities of Kazimierz, gave names to previously neglected nomadic cities, abolished laws discriminating against the Infected, and allowed them to join the army to defend the nation alongside you.]
[While these policies were initially met with resistance, you constantly pushed for integration by befriending both the Infected and the homeless across the land. You even built new housing for them and created communities where they could live together in peace. You also established orphanages and rehabilitation centers for severely Infected individuals, as well as medical research facilities focused on Oripathy within Kazimierz.]
[Because of these actions, you gained immense love and respect from the Infected population. However, you were also hated by powerful elites and ordinary citizens who despised the Infected. This led to multiple assassination attempts by various organizations, including the infamous Armorless Union, led by the ever-smiling young man Roy, the emotionless Monique, and the beautiful assassin codenamed Platinum (a different person from the in-game Platinum). Yet none of the attempts succeeded. In fact, you often paid personal visits to the assassins and their contractors, kicking their asses into the city dungeons to rot—unless they had skills worth using, in which case you recruited them into your army.]
[A few months after your victory against Ursus, the attacks ceased. There were no further movements from Ursus nor the Emperor's Blades. However, it appeared that malicious parties had forged information about you and your army, submitting it to Laterano and Victoria. They claimed your weapons and armor were divine gifts from Sargata and the last Unius, and used this as a pretext to demand you surrender them. That marked the first time Laterano and Victoria collaborated—for the sake of acquiring a few weapons and suits of armor.]
[Laterano dispatched nine Apostolic Knights and a heavily armed military unit to your border.]
[Victoria sent six Steam Knights, artillery machines, and a group of highly skilled officers.]
[To demonstrate the power of the King of Knight, you incinerated their entire mechanical army, weapons, and gear in one stroke using your holy sword. Instantly, both nations surrendered and handed over a mountain of reparations, along with official ceasefire treaties.]
[Since then, both Laterano and Victoria have been terrified of your power. They pulled their mobile cities back from the borders and promised not to invade Kazimierz for the next 20 years.]
[Leithanien and Columbia, witnessing your might, also sought alliances. They offered you highly favorable treaties and even proposed the creation of a national federation with you as its leader.]
[You weren't interested in leading a federation—it sounded too complicated. Instead, you requested raw materials and knowledge in exchange for alliances. From Leithanien, experts in Originium Arts came to educate your people. From Columbia, you requested advanced knowledge in weapons and armor engineering to improve your knightly forces.]
[After one year, Kazimierz had developed into the third most powerful military force in all of Terra. During that time, the Kazimierz Major League tournaments continued as usual. Kazimierz General Chamber of Commerce didn't cause any trouble since you remained in power. No matter how much they wished to control or eliminate you, your overwhelming military power made them powerless. You couldn't destroy them either—they controlled key economic arteries that, if tampered with, could devastate the country. So instead, you made plans to deal with them later.]
[Though you appeared busy and disconnected from family life, you actually returned to the Nearl family estate five times a week. Despite being the King of Knight, family life remained your top priority.]
[Your grandfather regained his health thanks to your divine blessing, which cleansed the demonic aura from him, likely extending his life enough to meet his great-grandchildren. He now serves as a training director for new knights, determined to produce a new generation equal to those of the past.]
[Uncle Młynar's face remained paralyzed, but emotionally, he had returned to who he was during the time of his adoptive father, Schnitz. He now serves as your right-hand knight, although to you, he's more like a stern father who constantly scolds you for your mistakes.]
[Sophia became the new head of the Nearl family and greatly increased her wealth through family businesses in design and trade. She frequently visits your office and offers help.]
[Margaret became more composed and less shy. Now a skilled knight and master of the spear, she often spars with you—and you can clearly sense her skills approaching your level. One day, she might even surpass you.]
[Maria, now 10 years old, attends school like any other child. As King of Knight, you found Kazimierz's education system lacking, so you transformed the knight training center into a full academic institute with various disciplines: invention, Originium studies, medicine, and commerce, not just knightly arts.]
[Maria, though aspiring to become a knight like her older siblings, also showed an interest in invention. She displayed a talent never before seen in the Nearl family—she built a toy car out of scrap metal and household materials that could move... and explode. Yes, explode.]
[The Nearl family was terrified of Maria's brilliance and even hired Toland,Uncle Młynar's trusted mercenary friend, to watch her closely at school—just in case she accidentally built another explosive toy. Otherwise, your newly founded institute might someday make headlines for having a little girl try to blow up the school with her own creation.]
[Finally, the day came. Two separate Kazdel delegations arrived at Kazimierz.]
[The first was led by Theresis, heir to Kazdel—a handsome young man with pink-white hair and a sincere-looking face. It was hard to believe someone like him could be a vile tyrant who once tried to steal the throne from his sister. Three bodyguards stood with him: one was a mysterious figure in a black cloak and golden deer skull mask holding a twisted, root-like sword-staff. Another was a smiling but eerily ominous-looking Sarkaz man. The last, also Sarkaz, appeared the most normal—serious and composed.]
[The second delegation was led by Theresa, a beautiful pink-white-haired woman who radiated the aura of a storybook princess. She was guarded by many more protectors, including four notable ones: a green-haired cat-eared woman with a paralyzed face like Uncle Młynar's; a red-horned Sarkaz girl with twin spikes on her head; a hooded, fully shrouded figure whose skin and hair were completely hidden; and a handsome Sarkaz man who looked cold but gentle—an aura drastically different from the first group.]
It was a bizarre gathering indeed.
That was what Wang Fei thought as he watched the two groups enter the conference room. Uncle Młynar, standing beside him, whispered the names of each individual, allowing Wang Fei to understand who was who.
Wang Fei, clad in his majestic holy armor, sat quietly without saying a word. The sacred aura he emanated seemed to heavily pressure the Sarkaz, natural adversaries to such purity.
After a long silence, Wang Fei finally spoke:
"Welcome, Crown Prince Theresis and the current monarch of Kazdel, Queen Theresa."
"..."
Theresa offered a faint smile, while Theresis's expression remained unchanged. One of his nearby guards, however, stepped forward and said:
"Forgive me, King of Knight, but Princess Theresa has not officially ascended the throne. Therefore, she is not yet the Queen of Kazdel."
—Manfred, head general of Kazdel and close ally of Theresis, spoke seriously.
"Oh really? Wasn't it your great master who caused Lady Theresa to lose her right to the throne? Causing an incident during the coronation like that—how dare you speak so brazenly, you mutt!" sneered the white-haired woman, making Manfred frown in displeasure.
Wang Fei looked at her. He thought he heard Uncle Młynar say that she was a mercenary who went by the codename "W." Her insane personality was... quite impressive. Were they seriously about to start a war in his meeting room, right in front of him?
"W, don't act like this. We are in the presence of the King of Knight," Theresa scolded her mercenary with a gentle smile, like a mother gently chiding her beloved daughter. And yet, W seemed surprisingly obedient. She responded with a musical hum and stood still, as if nothing had happened.
"My apologies, Commander Manfred. I hope you'll forgive the inappropriate behavior of my escort," said Theresa.
"It's a minor matter, Princess Theresa," Manfred replied with a stern smile.
If no one had told him these two groups were at odds, Wang Fei might've thought they were just here for a picnic in his meeting room.
"Let's get to the point... Could you tell us the purpose of your visit with the King of Knight?" Uncle Młynar, ever the efficient right hand, interrupted to draw attention back to the meeting.
"We wish to propose an alliance with the King of Knight" said both Theresa and Theresis simultaneously. They exchanged a brief glance. Wang Fei noticed the resolute gleam in Theresis's eyes toward Theresa. But Theresa's expression was unreadable, as if this were all just a game to her... which felt rather strange.
"And what does the King of Knight gain from such an alliance with you?"Uncle Młynar asked on his behalf.
Theresis looked at his younger sister. When she didn't speak, he took the lead.
"Once I ascend the throne, I will conquer Ursus and Victoria. Kazimierz will be granted a portion of the territory we seize, along with access to its wisdom and resources. Of course, in exchange, we may request reinforcements to support us—just as we will offer mercenaries and troops to assist you. We've also heard that you're searching for a cure for Oripathy. As Kazdachs, we possess a secret art that can delay its progression. We will provide it to you free of charge if you join us in alliance."
Theresis's lengthy proposal left the room in stunned silence. Theresa squinted slightly, eyeing her brother's profile. Even the cat-eared woman named Kal'tsit raised her eyebrows at the bold offer. What had gotten into him to propose such massive benefits to a small land like Kazimierz?
"...That's quite an offer, Lord Theresis. I'm intrigued," Wang Fei admitted. "But I don't think your side is that generous."
"Of course. I do have a request: would you play a game of chess with me?"
"...What?" Wang Fei blurted without thinking, then quickly cleared his throat and asked more formally, "Lord Theresis, you're not joking, are you?"
"I never joke," Theresis replied with a straight face. He reminded Wang Fei of Uncle Młynar for a moment.
"Well, if you insist, then after Lady Theresa—"
"I can wait!"
"I'll wait until you finish your match to present my proposal," said Theresa with a smile.
"...Am I really at a picnic right now?" Wang Fei muttered. He signaled to Uncle Młynar, who shrugged and radioed someone. Not long after, a servant wheeled in a chess set and placed it carefully on a table.
Wang Fei and Theresis sat across from each other. As they waited for the board to be set, Theresis asked, "Do you play chess often, King of Knight?"
"...Occasionally, but I'm not very good," Wang Fei replied, feeling a burning gaze from Uncle Młynar nearby.
"Same here," Theresis said, though Wang Fei suspected he was being modest.
Once the board was set, the game began. Theresis made the first move. Strangely, his style was defensive, which clashed with his aggressive personality. After about 20 minutes, the game reached its climax: Theresis was down to a queen and three pawns. Wang Fei had a rook, a knight, and a queen. No matter how Theresis dragged it out, he'd lose within six moves. Yet strangely, Theresis moved his king toward Wang Fei's queen—deliberately letting his queen be taken. And then he continued playing, sacrificing his queen to take Wang Fei's in return...
"You understand my message now, don't you, King of Knight?" Theresis said after that move. Wang Fei looked up and nodded.
Yes... You're insane. What kind of sane person keeps playing after losing their king?
"And your answer?"
"Regrettably, our ideologies do not align. I must decline your offer, Lord Theresis," Wang Fei replied.
"...I see." Theresis stayed silent for a moment before sighing and rising from the table. "At least the trip wasn't a waste. It's a pity we disagree... Let's hope our next meeting won't be on the battlefield, King of Knight."
"Wait... Lord Theresis," Wang Fei stopped the group at the door. He reached under the table and yanked out a leech-like creature.
"Please ask your companion to take this back with them." Without another word, his body turned into golden light and appeared in front of the smiling Sakaz man, shoving the creature into his chest.
BOOM!!!
The man was blasted into the wall and passed out cold. Theresis's eyes twitched, Manfred gaped, even the cloaked figures were stunned.
Only the red-tufted woman clapped enthusiastically.
"That was awesome!!!"
Wang Fei looked calmly at Theresis and warned, "This is only a warning. Next time, don't expect me to be so polite."
"...We'll be careful. My apologies for our man's behavior, King of Knight." Theresis sighed and gestured for Manfred to carry the unconscious man out.
After they left, Wang Fei sat back down.
"Let's resume. Lady Theresa, your proposal—"
"Just call me Theresa! Now that my annoying brother is gone, let's relax a little," she said cheerfully, catching Wang Fei off guard. As he was about to decline, she suddenly said:
"King of Knight, may we see your face? I've heard rumors that the King of Knight is so beautiful that even he's enchanted by his own reflection. As a hopeless romantic, I'd love to see it. Would that be too much to ask?"
"Rumors... What?!" Wang Fei turned to Uncle Młynar, who coughed and explained:
"It's because you turned down your betrothal in Victoria. And all the women who've come to court you. Plus, you said you wouldn't marry anyone who couldn't defeat you... Naturally, rumors started. I told you to get engaged to Sophia and be done with it."
"If I'd known it'd be like this, I'd have done it already!" Wang Fei groaned, burying his face in his hands. Was that how the public saw him now? No wonder Margaret had been giving him odd looks lately...
"Sigh... At least help dispel that rumor, Lady Theresa," Wang Fei said, removing his helmet with a sigh. As he wiped his sweat, he noticed the stunned looks on the faces of Theresa's group.
"Wait... You're—mmph!" W, shocked and about to speak, was silenced by a Sakaz man beside her.
"W, don't say anything. Got it?" Logos smiled, then quickly pulled his hand away from her mouth before she could blow it up.
"Why... Why do I keep seeing that face everywhere I go..." the cat-eared woman muttered. Wang Fei didn't understand her words, but Theresa looked especially excited.
"I've decided! Our deal: If you agree to be our ally... I'll marry you!"
"What?!" W looked like the world was ending. Wang Fei was equally shocked.
"I refuse! The King of Knight is already engaged!" Oddly enough, it was Uncle Młynar who replied before Wang Fei could.
But... Uncle... when did I get engaged?
"Then how about I marry him inste—mmph!"
"Sorry about our princess saying something so ridiculous. Let's just forget everything that happened today. We only came to visit the King of Knight. We'll be going now," the cat-eared woman quickly silenced her friend and dragged her out. Before leaving, she turned back.
"May glory guide your path, Your Majesty"
And then they were gone. The last to leave was the hooded figure, who turned, nodded at him, and left without a word.
"Sigh... So is this supposed to be a conference or a matchmaking picnic...?"Wang Fei could only hold his aching head as he watched the whole group leave. His headache worsened when he heard Uncle Młynar speak beside him.
"If you're interested, I actually have a few matchmaking opportunities lined up for you. There are several women on this list who would be a perfect match—especially the princess from the Kingdom of Yan—"
"Uncle Młynar, I was being sarcastic!"