An Uninvited Guest

The celebration entered its liveliest phase: the parade.

On the viewing platform within the Royal Inner Grounds, attendants moved through the crowd carrying silver trays, serving exquisite pastries and drinks to the guests.

The pastries were masterpieces from the imperial chefs. Gold-rimmed crystal goblets held chilled mead, small silver plates bore sugar-dusted almond cookies, and there was hot tea imported from the Celestial Continent.

"Please enjoy, my lord." An attendant in a neat uniform smiled as he offered a drink.

Kade politely accepted it and took a careful sip. "Is this... Kevlar Mead? I've never had it before!"

Celia accepted a cup as well and tasted it curiously. The drink was sweet and refreshing, with a faint hint of mint that cleared the mind.

"Everything here is so dreamlike," Celia said softly. "I never thought... I'd be able to stand in a place like this."

"Look! It's the Dawn Sword Knights!" Kade suddenly grabbed Xia Lin's sleeve in excitement.

The parade officially began.

The first group to appear was the [Dawn Sword Knights].

Twenty paladins in silver-white full plate armor rode tall warhorses forward in a neat formation. Their armor reflected dazzling sunlight, while the Iomedae Holy Emblem on their chests gleamed brilliantly.

Every warhorse wore a red barding embroidered with the order's crest: a longsword surrounded by the light of dawn.

Leading them was none other than the legendary Sir Leonardo Radiance. Though advanced in age, he still cut an imposing figure atop his horse, his holy sword emitting a faint golden glow.

Kade clenched his fists excitedly, staring at the procession without blinking.

"That's my dream," he murmured. "One day... one day, I'll join them too."

Next came the procession from the [Holy Shield Monastery].

Unlike the resplendent knights, these monks wore plain gray robes, went barefoot, and