Knight Lost

Hong San said there's a banquet tonight, should we make some preparations?

Kang De was wondering what was so special about preparing for the banquet.

He knows now.

He also understood why Hannah said she needed to go back and prepare when she said goodbye.

"Because changing clothes is a lady's daily routine."

A servant knocked on the door, bringing the Viscount's invitation. The banquet at Glimmering Sand Castle was about to begin. Stepping out of the room, he saw Tina gracefully emerging from next door. The young woman wore a pure white dress, the crinoline supporting the magnificent skirt, revealing her alluring white skin, adorned with a sapphire necklace.

The noble young woman lifted her skirt and bowed to him, her demeanor graceful and captivating.

When asked about Hannah's recent visit, Tina said with a smile.

According to her, the empire's etiquette and rules were outrageously complicated. And to make matters worse, they were copied directly from the elves. Over the years, this had drawn countless complaints from ladies and gentlemen—elves have long lifespans and immense patience; they have plenty of time to create trouble. Humans copying them is just asking for trouble.

Despite their inner complaints and criticisms, the elves' aesthetics still dominate the trends on the mainland, and as long as this situation remains unchanged, the ladies will continue to endure this lengthy process.

Because noble ladies have plenty of time.

Simply put, if the ladies and socialites of the empire spend a total of six hours each day changing clothes, grooming, and removing makeup, it means that the husbands and gentlemen of the empire will have a full six hours of leisure time every day. This is simply a wonderful gift from the gods. This alone is enough for the empire's nobles to ignore the scholars' appeals and suggestions for improving etiquette.

--Of course, this kind of talk is more like a joke within aristocratic circles.

At least when Tina brought this up, Kang De laughed heartily.

"At least Goth's etiquette and rules are far fewer than those of the Empire, which is why the Empire's nobles look down on us... after all, it's a rural area."

Tina first made a self-deprecating remark, then showed Kang De her dress, her beautiful eyebrows furrowing slightly. "But since setting foot on the empire's soil, it means I'll be dealing with these dresses and clothes from now on. During my stay at Glimmering Sand Castle, I'll be doing some shopping..."

Her words reminded Kang De of what had happened earlier.

He asked, "I went out for a while and when I came back I found you weren't here. Did you go to see the Viscount?"

Tina glanced at Hong San, who was following far behind, and nodded, "Yes, I told him about it. He was very surprised and agreed to cooperate, after all, this is a matter of life and death for the world."

Kang De then asked, "So, how many days are we going to stay here?"

Tina didn't answer immediately, but glanced at Kang De: "Aren't you used to it here?"

Kang De hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, I don't know why, but I always feel a bit awkward. Maybe it's because of what happened at the dock... or maybe it's just me."

The guard in one's heart will never be easily lowered, especially after that incident... Approaching the world with a vigilant mind will only result in vigilance and unease.

Tina looked troubled.

Seeing this, Kang De said, "Don't worry about it. I'm not used to living here, so I'll go back to the ship. There are more people there, so it'll be more relaxing... You go about your business."

Tina thought for a moment and said, "Kang De, originally, after arranging everything and replenishing supplies, we could have set sail immediately without lingering here. If we wanted to wait for the rumors about the Veil to spread, we could have stayed at sea for a few more days. But this afternoon, I sent my aunt our spatial coordinates through Eternal Tranquility's Protection, letting her know our location. She will be coming to meet us soon..."

Kang De's expression shifted. "Your aunt?"

"Uh-huh!"

Tina looked on with admiration and anticipation, indicating that she had a good relationship with her aunt.

"She has been cultivating in the Battle God City for many years. When the great war broke out between Goth and the elves, she had to return to her country to help in the war. However, my father believed that my journey would be no less dangerous than the front line of battle, so he asked my aunt to accompany me to the capital first. But time was tight, and it would be a waste of a lot of time if I waited for her to return to Goth before I set off. So we made an agreement that I would set off from Goth by sea, and she would set off from the Battle God City, and we would meet in the Empire."

Tina explained succinctly, "Once I reach the Empire, I can use the Eternal Tranquility's Protection that my aunt gave me to send her a signal, and she will surely sense it."

The girl pointed to the sapphire on her chest. "It's this one."

Kang De looked in the direction she was pointing.

The dazzling sapphire looked even more captivating against her fair and delicate skin.

Wow...

In Kang De's eyes, this dazzling sapphire shone with pure Element brilliance, its various Element weaving into an intricate array, one ring after another, far more complex than any enchanted equipment he had ever seen before. In terms of value, it must be far superior to enchanted equipment such as Crimson Blood Flame Edge.

Moreover, he encountered another Element he had never seen before.

"... Kang De!"

The civil engineering dog, engrossed in studying composition, was brought back to the human world by the beautiful woman's coquettish pout.

Tina covered her chest, glaring at Kang De with a mixture of anger and shyness.

--I said, are you misunderstanding something?

Fortunately, Kang De still had some sense and didn't say it aloud. He said seriously, "Eternal Tranquility's Protection... This must be a very remarkable magical item."

However, he was more interested in another function of this equipment. "Can it send messages?"

Her Highness replied, "It's not exactly a message, more like a location tracking device, because Eternal Tranquility's Protection and the other ornament in my aunt's possession are a set, and their owners can sense each other's location..."

Seeing Kang De's eyes darting left and right, she blushed for some reason, covered the sapphire necklace, and said to Kang De, "I can't give you this..."

"Of course, of course." Kang De wasn't asking for anything; he was just curious...

"Even if I'm curious, I can't give it to you," Tina muttered softly. "The other one is..."

"... What?"

"Nothing!"

Watching Tina run downstairs, Kang De was somewhat puzzled.

Well... when I first met Tina, this girl was elegant, intellectual, noble, and poised. Her conversation with Kang De made him feel like he was basking in a spring breeze. But I don't know when it started, she would occasionally throw a tantrum. Sometimes she would inexplicably become shy or angry. I really don't understand.

Now that the princess had run off, Head Lady Bedela, who had been following at a distance, quickly caught up. She turned to look at Kang De and said, "Your Excellency Kang De, you resemble the Grand Duke more; that's a good thing."

Kang De asked in surprise, "Huh?"

The head maid of Bedela bowed to him, and then followed Tina away.

Hong San, the temporary lackey, also came over.

He waited until the princess and her maid were out of sight, then pressed, "Sir, could it be that you've taken a fancy to this princess?"

Kang De glanced at him sideways. "None of your business."

Hong San whispered, "Not that I'm saying anything, but sir, we Eastern Lands should still marry women from our own tribe."

Kang De said calmly, "What, do you think she's not good enough for me?"

"It's not a matter of whether she's worthy or not..." Hong San hesitated for a moment, as if he had thought of something, and then spoke hesitantly, "Sir, you have a kind heart and treat me well. I just want to say that although this barbarian princess is beautiful, it might cause trouble if you, a dignified man, get too close to her..."

Kang De turned his head and asked, "What do you mean?"

Hong San kept silent and shook his head without answering.

"I hate doggerel with missing chapters more than anything in my life," Kang De said, glaring. "Just say it."

Hong San was in a difficult position.

"Since you're going to sell me this favor, then sell it thoroughly. If anything goes wrong, tell me where the problem lies. If I'm prepared, I won't suffer any losses in the future, and I'll remember your kindness."

Being in a foreign land, Kang De was extremely wary. Hearing Hong San's words, he couldn't help but take them to heart. He said, "Tell me what you said, and I'll be on guard and won't betray you. In fact, I'll remember your kindness and give you some money. But if you don't tell me..."

He smiled at Hong San.

"No, no, sir, if I tell you, you can't sell me."

Hong San gritted his teeth, then looked at Kang De and said with a fawning smile, "And that..."

Kang De rolled his eyes and tossed his entire money pouch over. "Speak."

Hong San took the money pouch, and with a quick weighing of it, his face lit up like a blooming chrysanthemum. He said directly, "Sir, it's like this. I've been in this business for a long time and I'm good at reading people. Earlier at the docks, the eldest son of the Viscount's family kept staring at you, especially when you were standing side by side with that foreign princess in the same carriage. His gaze was a bit intimidating, although he quickly looked away, I still noticed it."

At this point, he couldn't help but boast, "Not to brag, but my skill at reading people is truly remarkable..."

Kang De ignored this nonsense.

The eldest son.

So... that Knight Lost?

His impression of the viscount's eldest son was limited to a knight who never showed his emotions. Whether it was welcoming Goth and his men or the quarrels that broke out on the docks, everyone on the docks had different expressions, but this Knight Lost seemed detached from worldly affairs, as if everything was none of his business.

Then, he looked at me?

Especially when he's with Tina?

What the heck? They're treating me like a love rival?

When asked, Hong San Hong San didn't know either. He only noticed that the usually calm and collected eldest young master seemed off, and that was all...

"I see."

Kang De patted Hong San on the shoulder. "Thank you for reminding me."

He felt somewhat displeased.

This is completely baffling.

With these thoughts in mind, he and Hong San went down the stairs to the restaurant on the first floor. The butler was already waiting at the door and respectfully invited him inside. There were already people inside.

Just then, a voice came from the corridor. "Kang De!"

Kang De turned his head and saw it was Cleveland. A smile appeared on his face, and he quickly went over. "You go..."

His smile froze for a moment.

Because the knight had a fairly clear bruise on his face.

Kang De's voice turned cold. "Who did it?"

Cleveland shook his head and said, "It was Knight Lost... a slip-up during a sparring match, just a minor injury, nothing serious."

He pulled Kang De aside and whispered, "That's not important. What's important is that Lost asked me about you during the fencing match, which is very unusual... because he's a very proud person and usually doesn't care about mundane matters. I have a feeling something's not right..."

Kang De was startled.

If it were just Hong San's one-sided statement, it would be worth questioning, but since Cleveland has said so, it means that the Knight Lost... really has a problem.

Damn it.

I didn't cause any trouble, but trouble came knocking on my door.

Anger welled up in Kang De's heart, but the knight pulled him back, his expression grave, and said in a deep voice, "Kang De, you must remember, the fact that Her Highness the Princess passed on the Armor-Donning Ritual to you must never be told! Absolutely no one must know, do you understand?"

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS1: First update!