Chapter 233: 233 Hemulinp Jinas
For Solok, his appearance was merely an episode to Reiger and the rest.
The one they truly had to confront today was not Solok, but the most noble existence within the kingdom.
Under Yuri’s lead, the group soon arrived at a magnificent and large gate.
Beyond this gate lay the King’s Chamber.
"Yuri Franzel, Marquis, and Sir Reiger Brillhaut! Summoned to an audience!"
At the gate, a civil officer, seeing Reiger and Yuri arriving, immediately shouted towards the interior.
As his shout arose, two knights stationed by the gate promptly stepped forward, slowly pushing open the great doors.
It was then that Marilyn stepped aside, evidently unable to proceed any further.
As an attendant, Marilyn could only follow up to this point; beyond was not a place she could tread, so she had to wait here.
Only Reiger and Yuri stood in front of the grand gate, greeted by the King’s Chamber now laid open before them.
"From here on, it’s all up to you."
Before the gate was fully opened, Yuri had said this and immediately walked in first.
Reiger watched Yuri’s retreating figure and only after a moment did he quietly smile and follow.
The magnificent gate thus fully opened, revealing the entire expanse of the King’s Chamber to Reiger’s eyes.
And so, Reiger saw.
He saw a chamber carpeted in red, exuding an aura of solemnity.
Inside the hall, rows of stone pillars neatly arranged on both sides extended forward, supporting the lofty ceiling.
In front of the pillars, over a dozen people clad either in knight or noble attirestood in two rows, further intensifying the already solemn atmosphere.
At the very end of the hall, there was a raised platform, elevated above the surroundings.
On that platform sat a strikingly handsome middle-aged man, appearing to be around 40 years old.
He wore a crown on his head, was draped in a royal robe, and also held a very lavish sword in his hand, grasped like a scepter before him.
He was Hemulinp Jinas, the King of Jinas Kingdom.
"Your Majesty," greeted Yuri, as she approached about three meters from the throne, bowing to King Hemulinp.
Standing beside Yuri, Reiger also bowed slightly toward the King, just as Yuri did.
However, this act elicited a sharp rebuke from a civil officer.
"Disrespectful!" the officer shouted loudly: "Why do you not kneel in the presence of His Majesty?"
The surrounding civil officers and knights likewise turned their gaze upon Reiger.
In that instant, an intangible pressure bore down on Reiger, tension escalating within the King’s Chamber.
This was not an ordinary show of power.
In front of a King, even the high nobles such as Dukes, Marquises, and Earls must kneel on one knee to show respect and allegiance.
Yuri did not kneel due to her special status.
Across the continent of Acasha, in any country, there was an unwritten rule that only Sword Saints and Magicians of the strategic level were exempt from kneeling before a king, barring those of equal regal rank.
But, such a privilege was preserved only for Sword Saints and strategic-level Magicians as a sign of respect for those who had attained the highest honors in the world.
Thus, while Yuri could refrain from kneeling, Reiger was indeed required to at least kneel on one knee.
Yet, despite the critical gazes and invisible pressure from all present, Reiger did not change his expression, merely glancing at that civil officer before returning his gaze forward, wordless.
As expected, he still did not kneel, continuing to stand there.
"You..."
The furious officer was about to shout again but was stopped.
"Enough," said King Hemulinp with a calm tone, "although Lord Brillhaut is neither a Sword Saint nor a Magician of the strategic level, he is no ordinary Swordsman or tactical-level Magician either. His dual capacities make him a very special presence in this nation, and he should not be excessively troubled."
"Yes," the officer immediately bowed his head and retreated.
The others around did the same, their gazes receding, which made the pressure on Reiger dissipate.
Of course, Reiger’s expression hadn’t changed from the start to the end, as if nothing had happened.
King Hemulinp then gazed deeply at Reiger before finally turning to Yuri.
"Welcome back to the capital, Marquis Franzel," King Hemulinp said in his usual calm tone, his demeanor rather gentle, "I am relieved to see that you are well."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty," Yuri replied, her head bowed slightly and her tone respectfully, "I am no longer in grave danger."
Clearly, Yuri had not forgotten that she had last left the capital under the pretext of a "grave injury and flight."
Even though that reason was only superficial in the eyes of many, as long as the real intents remained unspoken, those here would continue to act according to that superficial reason.
Yuri did so, and so did King Hemulinp.
"The Basoro family’s attack on your estate has been addressed by the kingdom, and the main culprit has already received the severest of punishments. There will no longer be any threat to the Franzel family from them," King Hemulinp said to Yuri, "The Marquis of Basoro is also willing to accept his punishment and will provide compensation to the Franzel family. He should contact you soon, at which time you can discuss this matter in detail with him."
"Yes," Yuri responded, although whether she was actually interested in the so-called compensation was unknown.
One thing for sure was that since King Hemulinp had openly stated that the Basoro family could compensate, Yuri had essentially obtained a royal decree, and she could now fully capitalize on this opportunity to impose a hefty cost on the Basoro family.
This was indeed a good turn of events.
After this matter was discussed, King Hemulinp turned to Reiger.
"Reiger Brillhaut," King Hemulinp’s demeanor towards Reiger was also quite gentle as he spoke, "I had heard of your name a long time ago. A commoner, yet you possess rare qualities and were assessed by Spurller Academy as having the potential to become a Tactical Level Magician. You are quite remarkable."
"However, it seems everyone has underestimated you," said King Hemulinp, his words carrying a pointed meaning which led many to observe Reiger more closely.
"You flatter me," Reiger responded calmly, "This extent of ability is not even half of what Marquis Franzel has."
This statement raised Yuri’s eyebrows slightly.
But this was Reiger speaking the truth.
After all, Yuri had become a Tactical Level Magician at the age of 12 and a Strategic Level Magician by 15, earning the title of one of the continent’s strongest magicians—a prodigy beyond compare.
Her achievements and talent were unmatched, and Reiger was simply stating the facts.
King Hemulinp actually smiled slightly and said, "In my eyes, both of you are equally excellent. To achieve so much at such an age, anyone would feel inferior."
Because of King Hemulinp’s words, many people at the scene realized something for the first time.
That is, whether Reiger or Yuri, both were just young adults who had recently turned 17.
Yet, at the age of 17, when most people might still not have set aside their playful instincts, these two had already accomplished what many could not hope to match.
Yuri was already a Strategic Level Magician, one of the highest-ranked magicians on the continent.
Reiger was both an experienced Swordsman and a Tactical Level Magician. Either achievement, at his age, would place him among the top tiers of the kingdom. To have both was to be at the peak of the continent, just like Yuri.
Many then understood why King Hemulinp had not pursued Reiger’s act of disrespect in not kneeling.
Indeed, as His Majesty stated, this young man was also a special existence. In terms of uniqueness, he might even compare with Yuri, a Strategic Level Magician.
Such a rare and special talent was not to be overlooked by anyone.
Kingly Hemulinp, naturally, felt the same.
"Now that you are a Tactical Level Magician, according to kingdom law, you can be directly conferred the title of Viscount."
King Hemulinp finally brought up this matter.
"The ennoblement ceremony is set for two days from now. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Reiger finally lifted his eyelids.
On the other hand, Yuri, conversely, slightly lowered her head, leaving everything to Reiger.
She believed that Reiger could certainly handle this situation.
"I’m sorry, Your Majesty,"
Under everyone’s gaze, Reiger voiced his long-held intention.
"I have no intention of accepting the title."
Upon these words, the entire room fell silent.
"Oh?" King Hemulinp said unflinchingly, "And why is that?"
"Because I do not intend to settle in one place," Reiger explained calmly, "I wish to travel across this continent."
This was equally a truthful statement.
Reiger was not using this as an excuse; it was indeed his genuine desire.
"I have no interest in titles or becoming nobility, but I am very keen to explore various places on this continent, meet the strong, and combat magical creatures," Reiger told King Hemulinp.
"So, let us forgo the ennoblement," he added.
Reiger’s words still did not change King Hemulinp’s expression.
Clearly, he had already approximately understood Reiger’s character through other channels.
For instance, Viscount Philippe Charlirol had once been commissioned by His Majesty to summon Reiger and Yuri to Wendini; he saw Reiger’s demeanor then, and reported it all back to King Hemulinp.
Given such circumstances, it was not strange for King Hemulinp to guess that Reiger would not accept the title or become a noble.
However...
"This seems contrary to your initial desires," said King Hemulinp pointedly. "As I understand it, did you not leave your hometown and come to the royal capital to attend Spurller Academy, precisely to be conferred a title and become a noble?"
It was clear that the royal family had extensively investigated Reiger.
They had investigated thoroughly.