Chapter 151: The Duke's Invitation

By now, the moon shone brightly in a sparse array of stars. Accompanied by the court attendant, Shaya walked all the way to the Emperor's grand pavilion. Along the way, he distinctly sensed an atmosphere of tense vigilance. Although the number of patrolling Royal Guards had not visibly increased, they were now fully armed. Following a repositioning of the camps, two new garrisons had been set up on either side of the Emperor's pavilion, stationing two squads of Royal Guards in close proximity.

The Emperor's pavilion resembled a massive building. When the supreme ruler of a nation traveled, the tent was less of a temporary shelter and more of a detachable, mobile palace.

The pavilion featured multiple courtyards and chambers. The guards on both sides were clearly elite warriors exuding an intimidating, murderous aura. As Shaya walked past them, he could distinctly feel the ferocious battle-hardened presence radiating from every single guard. During his days in the capital, he had heard some rumors about the imperial household. It was said that these most trusted personal guards of the Emperor were known by a name something like the "Dark Night Royal Guards"...

When Emperor Kontos saw Shaya enter, he did not stand up, instead leaning back against a soft couch. A look of fatigue still lingered on the Emperor's face. Clearly, the heavy drinking of the previous day had placed an immense burden on the aging and frail Lancer Emperor's body. Even after a day and a night of rest, the Emperor's spirit had not fully recovered. As Shaya entered and looked at the old man, he could clearly discern a trace of frailty in the other's complexion.

Seeing Shaya approach, the Emperor sat up slightly, then raised a hand to signal the attendants to withdraw from the room. Soon, only one person remained by the Emperor's side—the plain-looking middle-aged man Shaya had seen standing behind the Emperor during his first imperial audience. This middle-aged man stood quietly in the corner, lingering like the Emperor's shadow.

Shaya merely glanced at the middle-aged man before standing straight and declaring, "Your Majesty, I have arrived."

The Emperor lifted his eyelids, a faint smile touching his lips. "Shaya, I heard you sustained some minor injuries today?"

"Yes." Tension gripped Shaya's heart, but he forced a calm and relaxed expression onto his face. Without waiting for the Emperor to question him, he took the initiative to recount how he had gone into the woods hunting that daytime, how he chased a snow fox, lost his way, became separated from his companions, and arrived at the lakeside where he coincidentally met "a young lady" and happened to thwart an assassination attempt.

When speaking of the assassination, Shaya's tone grew more solemn as he carefully described the assassin's appearance and martial prowess.

"That man's archery was exceptionally formidable! He used a longbow with iron-spined heavy arrows. An archer like that must possess astonishing arm strength, and he seemed well-versed in the arts of jungle concealment—Your Majesty, I am a hunter from the mountains, and I can tell that the adversary was an old hand!"

"Hmm." The Emperor listened quietly to the end, noncommittal. He seemed somewhat lost in thought and did not speak immediately.

Today's events were indeed peculiar.

Emperor Kontos was not startled in the least by assassination attempts; even he could not count how many such attempts he had faced throughout his life. It was just that... the target of the assassination happened to be his own daughter-in-law, which complicated matters.

Regardless, if hostile factions were making a move, he himself should have been the primary target, shouldn't he?

Moreover, the strange part was this: it happened precisely when Delphine had gone to the Royal Gardens to relax! It happened precisely at that moment when her horse was startled and bolted! It happened precisely when her servants ran off to search for the horse! And it happened precisely when she was left all alone by the lake!!

Where did so many coincidences come from?! Hmph!

Frankly speaking, upon first receiving the news, Emperor Kontos had even harbored a trace of suspicion toward Shaya: why did Shaya happen to encounter this assassination at this exact moment?

The Royal Gardens covered a vast expanse of land. Even if he had lost his way, where couldn't he have gone? Why did he so coincidentally run into Delphine?!

Thwarting an assassination? Was it intentional, or accidental?

One could not blame Emperor Kontos for being deeply suspicious; given his status and position, he had experienced far too much in his life and was bound to think twice upon encountering such events!

He had also carefully questioned Delphine, but Delphine's explanation had been quite clear: "Baron Shaya did not know my identity. I only told him that I was the daughter of a noble. This Lord Baron seemed somewhat unfamiliar with the rules of the hunt, and thus remained unaware of who I was."

If Shaya had intentionally hired people to stage this performance in order to win the credit of saving the Crown Princess... then he shouldn't have pretended not to know the Crown Princess's identity! Otherwise... how could he claim his reward?

Furthermore, deep in his heart, Emperor Kontos refused to believe that this young man he favored was such a despicable character. Hailing from the wild mountains, the fellow likely possessed no hidden factions capable of hiring a powerful assassin to sneak into the Royal Gardens and stage such a charade with him... As for Shaya, he lacked that kind of influence.

Then, was it a coincidence?!

The squad of Royal Guards who had rescued the two of them in the forest today had already been immediately transferred back to the city by the Emperor, under strict orders to maintain absolute silence!

Meanwhile, the personal servants and attendants of Crown Princess Delphine—those who had left into the forest to search for the horse and abandoned the Crown Princess alone by the lake—had all been secretly arrested under imperial orders and subjected to rigorous interrogation.

As a result of the interrogation, two servants had committed suicide out of fear of punishment, ultimately leaving behind no valuable clues.

Well then... at the very least, this proved that the matter had nothing to do with Shaya. Those two servants by the Crown Princess's side had served Delphine for several years. Several years ago... Shaya was still hunting in the mountains.

While the Emperor remained lost in thought, Shaya stood quietly without speaking, silently awaiting the Emperor's next move.

Finally, after a long silence, the Emperor let out a soft sigh and sneered, "Open spears are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows shot from the dark are hard to guard against! Hmph, Shaya, you've worked hard today. I heard you were struck by an assassin's arrow, but seeing that you appear to be in good shape, I am relieved."

Pausing for a moment, the Emperor said indifferently, "The young lady you rescued is someone closely tied to the imperial family—a royal noble. However, speak no more of this matter. Whatever you saw or heard today, bury it completely in your belly. Is that understood?"

Shaya nodded solemnly and finally breathed a sigh of relief—good, it seemed this matter truly had nothing to do with him.

"Hmph, I don't know how many assassination attempts I've faced in my life... Heh! Let whatever comes, come. I'd like to see just who these clowns hiding in the shadows really are!"

Seemingly emboldened, the Emperor laughed heartily and stood up.

Shaya hesitated for a moment as he looked at the old Emperor, observing the forced vigor the Emperor displayed on his face—suddenly, a faint trace of pity stirred within Shaya's heart.

To be honest, Shaya held a favorable impression of Emperor Kontos. After all, stepping out into the wider world from the Wildfire Plain, apart from General Adrik and Fatty Rul, the person who had treated him best was none other than this Lancer Emperor.

Regardless of the Emperor's underlying motives, ever since their first meeting, the Emperor had shown him great appreciation. During his initial audience at the palace, despite some feigning on his own part, the Emperor had still offered him generous encouragement, followed by titles and promotions, and during this imperial hunt, had even promoted him publicly. Drinking wine amidst the scars of bare skin—that heroic spirit had truly compelled Shaya to feel a measure of admiration.

At this thought, Shaya lowered his head slightly and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, I implore you to take good care of your health. Since these assassins dared to sneak into the Royal Gardens, I fear they may still harbor ill intentions toward you..."

The bumpkin hardened his heart, unbuttoned his outer garment, and pulled an oval-shaped object from his inner pocket—it was precisely the scale of a dragon he kept close to his body.

Holding it in both hands, Shaya stepped forward a couple of steps and said slowly, "Your Majesty, this is an item I carry for personal defense. It is exceptionally sturdy and impervious to blades and swords! Please accept it to protect yourself, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Kontos froze for a fraction of a second, staring at the object in Shaya's hands. As supreme ruler, what rare treasures had he not laid eyes on? At a single glance, a strange glint flashed across his eyes, and even the shadow-like middle-aged man standing in the corner could not help but let a flicker of astonishment pierce his stoic gaze.

"Eh? This..." A note of shock colored Emperor Kontos's voice. "This... could it be..."

"It is a dragon scale," Shaya said. "I obtained this protective item purely by chance. Please accept it, Your Majesty! With this item kept close to your person, even if assassins strike, it can ensure your safety, Your Majesty."

At that moment, Emperor Kontos was genuinely moved.

Naturally, he knew the value of a dragon scale! To a martial artist, such a powerful piece of defensive gear could practically be equated to a second life! In critical moments, such formidable defensive equipment could save a warrior's life! Moreover, Shaya was soon to depart for a frontier posting. The borderlands inevitably experienced warfare, making sturdy protective gear indispensable for survival. Yet this young fellow had handed it over to him without the slightest hesitation, which alone spoke volumes of his sincerity...

The Emperor was slightly moved, looking closely at Shaya. Pure sincerity filled the young fellow's face—unbeknownst to the Emperor, Shaya still possessed at least a hundred such scales! Most of them were simply stored back in his old home in the mountains, and the ones he carried on his person numbered only three or five.

Greatly pleased, the Emperor gazed at Shaya and laughed heartily. "Put it away! As the dignified Emperor of the Empire, how could I accept your beloved treasure? Besides, you serve as a general in the military, fighting for the Empire on the battlefield—you are the one who truly needs such items."

Then the Emperor said proudly, "I command thousands of iron-clad, fiercely loyal royal guards. Those rats hiding in the shadows could never hope to harm me. Your loyalty, however, I accept!"

Shaya laughed heartily, refusing to take the item back, and said straightforwardly, "Your Majesty, I still have more of these dragon scales, and what I keep for myself is quite enough, so there is no need to be polite with me."

With that, he insisted on placing the dragon scale on the table before the soft couch, then stepped back a few paces.

Touched in his heart, the Emperor looked at the young man. What Shaya spoke was the truth; it meant he harbored no desire to claim merit. Such a simple-hearted and loyal youth filled the Emperor with immense joy.

He glanced at the dragon scale on the table, a thought stirring within him... The defensive power of a dragon scale was universally acknowledged. Keeping such an item close to one's body was lightweight, covert, and undeniably advantageous.

Pondering for a moment, the Emperor smiled. "Very well, I shall accept your gift! However, I cannot take your item for nothing."

Observing Shaya's heroic and stalwart posture, the Emperor pondered briefly before raising his voice and shouting, "Come here!"

A response came immediately from outside.

A middle-aged warrior clad in soft armor strode in and took his stand beside Shaya. The man sported cropped hair, soft armor, brown eyes, dark skin, and a steady gait. As he stood next to Shaya, Shaya felt an immediate sensation as if a fierce beast had suddenly materialized beside him!

Radiating sharp brilliance from his eyes, the middle-aged man looked steadily at the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty!"

"Junker," the Emperor's attitude toward this incoming middle-aged man was quite casual. "The person beside you is Baron Shaya Trembling, a young talent I hold in high regard."

The middle-aged warrior named Junker glanced at Shaya and nodded slightly. "Lord Baron!"

"Heh! Lad, you must have heard of the Dark Night Royal Guards. Junker is the commander of the Dark Night Royal Guards and one of the people I trust most." The Emperor smiled faintly, then turned serious. "Junker, I have a task for you! Baron Shaya will soon assume a post on the frontier, and the borderlands are perilous. Upon returning to the city, fetch a top-tier set of equipment for Baron Shaya from the imperial armory. Hmm, Shaya, I don't know what weapons you excel at using, but I'll leave it to Junker. Prepare a full set of both long and short weapons, armor, and horse gear!" At this, the Emperor added an instruction to Junker: "Pick the finest ones!"

Hearing this, Junker purposely cast another evaluating glance at Shaya, a flicker of astonishment flashing through his eyes. Having served by the Emperor's side for years, although the Emperor had frequently promoted young military officers of late—particularly striving to bolster the hawk faction's strength—it was exceedingly rare for him to bestow such profound favor upon a single officer.

After conversing a little longer, Emperor Kontos grew somewhat fatigued and signaled for Shaya and the others to withdraw.

As soon as Shaya stepped out of the tent, Junker followed him and called out, "Lord Baron."

Shaya halted and turned to face Junker. For reasons unknown, standing before Junker always gave Shaya an unnatural sensation, akin to standing in close proximity to a ferocious beast. Though Junker appeared utterly ordinary in appearance, he invariably evoked a sense that "this person is extremely dangerous."

"Ah, General Junker, is there something else?"

Junker said indifferently, "I am a legion commander; please refrain from using the title of general." His tone was rigid and unyielding, neither humble nor arrogant. "His Majesty has given instructions for me to select weapons for the Lord Baron. Please provide your residential address, and I shall have someone deliver them immediately upon our return."

After leaving his address in the capital, Shaya departed swiftly.

Remaining in the Royal Gardens for one more night, the hunt concluded early the following morning.

The Emperor symbolically held an awards ceremony, publicly praising a number of noble youths who had performed exceptionally during the hunt. This naturally included Shaya—though the game he had bagged over the past two days was actually quite modest, the Emperor had made his intention to promote the newly emerged young baron crystal clear. Who among the others would be foolish enough to pick faults at such a time?

Shaya and a few other young men received public words of encouragement from the Emperor, each rewarded with a set of bow and arrows alongside a brocade robe. The young men present did not necessarily hold such items in high regard; coming from prominent aristocratic families, none of them lacked daily necessities. However, capturing the Emperor's favor and attracting his attention meant their future prospects would be immensely bright.

Having witnessed the Emperor's attitude toward Shaya over the past two days, the various noble houses had secretly instructed their own younger scions to seize opportunities to grow closer to Baron Shaya.

Thus, as soon as the awards ceremony concluded, these young nobles who had been honored alongside Shaya flocked over to strike up a conversation. Following an enthusiastic exchange, they promptly extended invitations to several banquets on the spot. Shaya accepted them all without hesitation. While he understood the Emperor's intent—that he shouldn't appear overly ambitious—he saw no need to put on an unapproachable and obnoxious front when others were showing goodwill.

The camp was subsequently struck, and accompanied by the vanguard of the Royal Guards, several thousand men triumphantly marched back toward Osigilia.

Upon returning to his residence, Shaya had rested for barely half a day when Soyit entered to announce: a visitor had arrived.

A visitor?

Shaya pondered briefly. He truly had no friends left to speak of in the capital... Could it be that Kavihir had come to trouble him again?

Yet Soyit's expression turned rather peculiar as he added, "My lord... the visitor claims to be from the household of Duke Minas."

Shaya sprang up as if propelled by a spring!

Duke Minas?!

He was far from unfamiliar with that name!!

Duke Minas was the Empire's most senior and prestigious military veteran! Although he no longer held military command and had even retired from active official duties in recent years to live in leisure at home, who in the military failed to recognize his towering prestige? Nearly all the backbone commanders of the hawk faction traced their origins to this old man's tutelage! Even within the warlord factions, former subordinates of the aged duke were in ample supply!

Among the people he knew, both General Adrik and Rul could be considered disciples of Duke Minas! Oh... and that mad dog Green as well!!

Now, such a veteran of the imperial military had sent someone to see him?

A sudden leap occurred in Shaya's heart!!

Upon returning, he had made subtle inquiries around his household and had already learned the background and origins of the Crown Princess he had encountered!

That Crown Princess seemed to be none other than the youngest daughter of Duke Minas... Uh... could it be that he had flirted with the man's daughter, and now the old man had come seeking revenge?!

Fraught with a degree of trepidation, Shaya immediately strode out into the courtyard to welcome the guest.

There, standing in the courtyard, was a single figure.

The visitor wore a coarse linen robe, dressed merely in the attire of an ordinary servant. He had short, pale golden hair, long limbs, and a robust, upright build—truly worthy of someone from a veteran military household, where even a servant appeared so stalwart.

Yet upon seeing the servant's visage, Shaya was left dumbfounded.

This fellow... how should he put it? Judging by his age, the man was well into his thirties. His facial features originally belonged to the heroic and handsome type, but... he insisted on sporting a full beard of thick, bushy whiskers!

Generally, individuals with full beards projected a wild and heroic aura, but on this man, his slender eyes imparted a touch of effeminacy to his otherwise handsome features, and combined with that incongruous bushy beard, the overall effect was somewhat bizarre.

Even though the visitor was dressed merely as a servant, coming from the household of Duke Minas, he might well be some sort of disciple or follower—after all, not a single one of Duke Minas's students was a weakling! One only needed to look at Adrik, Rul, and Green to know that.

Furthermore, though the man stood there casually and lazily, at his core, Shaya sensed an indescribable, upright martial aura emanating from him.

Consequently, Shaya approached with utmost solemnity, nodding slightly without a trace of contempt as he said formally, "I am Shaya Trembling. May I ask if you are under the lineage of Duke Minas..."

"I'm just a servant by the Duke's side; my humble name isn't worth asking. If Lord Baron has any commands, just call me Rody." The visitor grinned, though his smile carried a slightly flamboyant edge. Giving Shaya a deep look, he chuckled, "I've heard that Baron Shaya hails from the grass roots, and seeing you today, you truly retain the true colors of a warrior."

With that, he pointed outside the gates, where a carriage stood parked on the main street: "His Grace the Duke invites Baron Shaya for an interview. If the Lord Baron is convenient right now, please accompany me."

Facing an invitation from someone of Duke Minas's stature, throughout the entire Empire, who would utter a single word of refusal? Let alone having nothing pressing to do, even if one genuinely had urgent matters on hand, one would set them aside first.

Without the slightest hesitation, Shaya replied, "Very well, I shall go with you!"

Turning back, he issued a few instructions to Soyit, then walked out the door with the servant. Arriving at the entrance, the servant pointed at the carriage and smiled, "Please board the carriage, Lord Baron."

Shaya shook his head and said solemnly, "Though I have never met His Grace the Duke, I once heard a saying of his: A soldier does not ride in carriages!"

With those words, Soyit had already led his horse over. Shaya vaulted into the saddle, looked down at the servant, and said, "Please lead the way ahead; I shall follow on horseback."

The servant, Rody, blinked slightly in surprise before fixing a profound gaze on Shaya. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, though he raised no objections. He hopped onto the carriage, took a seat in the front, cracked his whip with a shout, and drove the carriage forward to lead the way.

The moment Shaya witnessed the flick of the man's whip, his eyes lit up brilliantly!

Though Rody was merely a servant, that single motion of snapping the whip—with merely a gentle flick of the wrist, the flexible leather strap instantly cracked straight as an iron wire—exhibited an execution of breathtaking crispness and precision!!

That kind of flexible wrist strength and technique was something even Shaya, confident as he was, might not be able to pull off! To claim this Rody possessed no martial arts skill would be an absolute lie!!

This household of Duke Minas... truly harbored hidden dragons and crouching tigers! Even a humble coachman possessed such extraordinary prowess!

A solemn respect settled in Shaya's heart as he slowly spurred his horse to follow behind.