A blue haired knight entered the room carrying a box in her hands. She wore the same uniform form the party, with a few extra decorations showcasing her achievements.
Her silver eyes locked onto Luke containing a hint of gratitude.
She straightened her posture and introduced herself-
- I am the 4th princess escort, Anabel Valis, I was asked to deliver this to you on behalf of the princess for saving her life
She handed him the small box. A silver necklace was inside.
He took it out to inspect it, a small raven symbol with a gem on its center hanged from its silver chains. A small amount of mana could be felt from the gem.
He turned toward Anabel.
- Is this an artifact?
-Correct. It's a s rank artifact named Raven's light, it continuously drawn mana from the atmosphere, storing in the gem for its wilder to use. The gem is also indestructible, and its blood bound, you only need to drop a small sample on the gem.
This caught Luke by surprise. He was expecting the emperor himself to give sort of reward but nothing on the level of a s rank artifact.
Moreover, this was something gifted by the 4th princess, and he was sure that s rank artifacts under the royal family's possession weren't easily accessible.
That left him with 2 scenarios: either this was already in her ownership, or she took it out of whatever guarded place it was kept, and no one noticed.
'First she tells me she won't forget how I treated her and now she gives a gift?'.
He could not figure her out nor was his priority right now, so he pushed the thought aside.
- I will make good use of it.
He closed the box and put it in his pocket.
He turned to the knight at the door.
- Is there anything else?
- Yes. I've been ordered to escort you if your preparations are finished.
- Lead the way them.
She nodded and left the room, Luke followed.
**
As they walked the lavish decorated halls, an awkward silence hovered between them.
Anabel kept glancing at him from time to time, like she wanted to say something.
Luke stood still, deciding to take the initiative he asked.
- Is there something you wish to tell me, dame Valis?
Her steps came to a halt, she awkwardly turned around.
She started at Luke for a few seconds before letting out a short sigh. She went towards the silver haired boy, stopping a few meters before bowing.
- Thank you for saving the princess, even though her safety was my responsibility, you put yourself in danger to help her!
'So that's what it was'.
Luke kind of expected this since she was the princess's escort, but failed to notice her abduction as she was being kept in check by enemy.
- Please raise your head. As I have told her highness I only did it so I could sleep with a clear conscious, no need to express your thanks.
Her eyes slightly widened as she raised her head, in response to his declaration, she peered into his eyes, looking for any kind of falsehood but only to find nothing.
For a split second he fought of telling some noble response, but decided against, as the difference in the statements he made at the princess and her would cause his already bad image with her to worse.
Anabel let out a light chuckle, causing Luke to raise an eyebrow.
- You are different, young master Luke.
She turned around, resuming her escort.
- Let's go or else we will be late.
'She's friendlier than I thought'.
**
Few minutes later Luke and Anabel were standing in front of a large majestic golden door guarded by two knights dressed in a pitch-black medieval armor, armed with matching halberds.
'Looks like it's a balackium crafted armor type magic item.'
The standard forged armor was ditched in favor of the lighter, enchanted uniforms, but they still haven't able to match the protection provided by the armors, especially the higher end ones.
Especially for balackium crafted armor. Due to its special trait: high magic resistance, it could only be used in smithing using a special technique, now lost in time. Now anything made with this material was classified as an artifact due to its scarcity, leading to only the wealthiest individuals having access to it.
Naturally the royal family held most of the ownership.
Anabel turned to Luke.
- Once the others arrive you shall enter. I trust you know how to carry yourself in front of the king.
He gave a slight nod flowed by a question.
- Do you know who the others are?
She shook her head.
- Personally no, all I know is that they are the captain of the steel guards and the vice-captain of the royal guard.
She then turned her head to the left, 2 people in uniforms were coming towards them.
- They are here.
A man in his early 30s and a boy no older than 20 walked towards the duo.
The man had a neatly combed black hair, along with a well-trimmed beard and red eyes. He wore dark blue cloak along with a dark blue uniform that perfectly fitted his well-built physique.
The boy had long blue hair tied into a ponytail, clear green eyes that complemented his sharp facial features. He a bright red uniform, with a red cape hanging from his left shoulder.
Both the captain of the steel guard, and the vice-captain of the royal guard stopped once they made eye contact with the duo.
Both raise their right hand to their chest, followed by a light bow, Anabel did the same.
'Must be some kind of greeting between the knight order'.
The young man turned his attention to Luke.
- So, you're the boy who saved her highness Laya.
He approached the boy, a one-step distance separated them.
He kept staring into his eyes for a minute before extending his hand.
- The name's Javier Blaze, vice-captain of the royal guard.
Luke hesitated for a bit, but in the end accepted the handshake while also introducing himself.
- I am Luke Argenti.
Most nobles would be offended at the short response. But Javier responded in a lighthearted tone.
- So you're the youngest of the Argentis! I see the talent for magic runs in your blood if you managed to best such powerful opponent.
- Thank you for the compliment.
He tried to retract his hand, but Javier's grip hardened.
- Still…
His eyes narrowed and a huge pressure descended on Luke.
- Even if you an Argenti, its suspicious how a 1st rank mage defeated a bishop rank knight, even if he had ascended mid fight…
Despite reinforcing his body with mana, the burden did not decrease. After all a 1st rank mage was leagues below a peak bishop knight.
'He's clearly testing me'.
Luke mustered a forced smile in response to his provocation.
- It was a joint effort between me and the princess sir Javier. Even so it was still challenging.
Javier responded with a doubtful tone.
- Really?
As he was about to increase the pressure, the captain of the steel guard interrupted.
- Enough Javier, anymore and it will cause a serious injury. Besides the princess already told you how they bested their enemy.
- Relax Cassius, I was just messing with him.
Javier retracted the pressure and released Luke's hand. The silver haired boy also released his enhancement, the relaxing sensation almost made him stagger, but he managed to keep a composed attitude.
He turned his attention the captain, who gave a light bow.
- Forgive my comrade's behavior young master Luke, he sometimes does this type of prank when he takes interest in someone.
- It's fine, I Kind of expected this, given his position. I Assume you are the captain of the steel guards.
The man nodded extending him hand.
-Correct, my name is Cassius Wake, Bishop rank knight and the current Steel Guard captain.
Luke accepted his handshake without hesitation.
'He's on par with Javier'.
Just from a handshake, Luke felt the same type of strength he felt from Javier's pressure, but they were also different. Javier's pressure was akin to a hunter cornering their prey, while Cassius was like an unbreakable wall.
'No wonder he's responsible for the safeguard of the kingdom.'
The Steel guard knights are the largest knight order in the kingdom, they are stationed in every territory and act when the police are unable to eliminate the problem.
They essentially have the same role as the police but are capable of a wide range of tasks.
They are also one of the two orders who the captain and vice-captain can overrule a noble's authority, except of the 4 dukes, in case of dispatch.
* AHAM
Luke released Cassius hand and turned to the source of the sound.
- Now that everyone has arrived, can we proceed to the ceremony?
Anabel's question remedied the three of why they were here.
Cassius let out a small chuckle.
- You're correct Dame Valis, we mustn't keep his majesty waiting.
Anabel turned to the guards, giving a small nod of confirmation, one of them pulled out a translucent orb.
-The guest of honor have arrived your majesty.
-Very well, Send them in.
Once the confirmation came from the communicator, the guards placed their hands on the large door. Blue lines flashed in a certain pattern, unlocking it.
- You may enter
At the guard's permission, the trio stepped into the throne room.