Then, Jack recalled something and smacked his forehead, realizing he had forgotten.

“Come to think of it, I didn’t mention that person to His Grace the Duke.”

Dwayne opened his eyes wide and then hit his palm with his fist.

“Ah, that person! Damn, it’s all because of these guys. I was so surprised to hear they’re still clinging to the duchy that I completely forgot.”

Dwayne glared at the imperial knights, blaming them. The knights who were suddenly blamed while standing still looked dumbfounded. Jack put his hand on his forehead and waved his hand as if shooing away dogs.

“Well, whatever. Since you’re staying here, just keep quiet. What good would it do to cause a commotion and embarrass His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Don’t worry about His Highness the Crown Prince, we’re taking good care of him.”

A knight who looked as sly as a country thug sneered. He didn’t stop there and brought up the topic that Jack and Dwayne would be most sensitive about.

“You have someone you should be more worried about than us.”

The other knights snickered as if they already knew what he meant. Dwayne had a blank expression as he pondered who it could be. But Jack, who immediately understood their meaning, hardened his face.

“Vernon, that useless cripple.”

“!”

Jack gritted his teeth, and Dwayne, who finally understood, shot fire from his eyes.

“Huh…”

Dwayne let out a small sigh, wiped the expression from his face, and took a step forward. At times like this, he was usually difficult to stop. Jack quickly stepped forward to block Dwayne’s path.

“Did you leave your guts in the empire? Why are you acting like there’s no tomorrow? If we start a brawl here, what will become of His Highness the Crown Prince and His Grace the Duke’s reputation?”

“Our captain will take care of that. Your incompetent Captain Vernon couldn’t do it even if he died trying.”

Another burst of laughter erupted. Jack felt the heat of anger radiating from behind him and gulped.

“Let’s not do this. Instead, let’s have a duel.”

Jack quickly tried to change the nature of the fight. At this rate, it could escalate into a full-scale war between the empire and the duchy.

“One-on-one. We’ll stake everything on one match.”

He raised his index finger and whispered enticingly like a witch trying to lure customers.

“One knight will claim all the glory.”

“…”

Ambition could be considered an essential quality for a knight. After all, the desire to achieve merit and elevate oneself often drives a knight’s skills to a higher level. Moreover, these guys were the runts who couldn’t even breathe in front of Jack, Bradley, and Dwayne when Vernon was the captain of the royal guards.

‘They’ll think our skills have rusted living in the countryside, so they definitely won’t refuse.’

In fact, they might even fight over who gets to participate. Although it was annoying to be looked down upon by such lowlifes, he decided to put it aside for now. He would pay them back several times over soon.

“Not a bad idea. I guess your brain hasn’t completely rusted.”

“…”

Jack just smiled without replying. But internally, he was cursing. If you’re so afraid of rusting, why don’t you change your job to a blacksmith!

He spoke with a kind expression.

“Then, shall we take this as agreement and move to a different location?”

They walked towards the training grounds. When such large men moved together, it inevitably drew people’s attention. But that didn’t last long.

“Hm? Why is it so busy?”

Jack frowned and looked around. The maids and servants who would normally look at them with admiring eyes were all moving busily. As if some urgent matter had occurred.

“Looks like you have the leisure to pay attention to other things?”

Oh my, so confident it’s scary, I might just wet myself. The Crown Prince’s knights burst into laughter, pretending to tremble. Jack closed his mouth with a disgusted expression.

Soon they arrived at the training grounds. They had timed it well, as the grounds were empty. On this side, Dwayne was chosen to go out. From the Crown Prince’s knights, the largest one who had first picked a fight stepped forward.

“Ah, I almost forgot. Let’s agree not to hit above the neck to avoid getting caught by the higher-ups.”

Dwayne pouted at Jack’s words as he was swinging a wooden sword. The opponent also agreed while ostentatiously stretching his muscles. The two walked to the center and glared at each other. One of the knights announced the start.

Bang!

Dwayne stomped his foot and swiftly rushed in, swinging his wooden sword. As the opposing knight raised his sword to block it, Dwayne suddenly threw his sword away.

“?!”

As everyone’s eyes widened in surprise, Dwayne’s fist struck the knight’s face directly.

Crack!

There was a sound of something breaking, and the opposing knight’s body fell straight back.

“?????”

Question marks appeared on everyone’s faces except for Jack and Dwayne. Jack ran his hand down his face and muttered internally. This guy really doesn’t understand his job.

The first knight to regain his senses protested roughly.

“Are you crazy? We agreed not to hit above the neck!”

Another shouted.

“Jack! Was this your plan from the beginning?”

Jack calmly replied.

“Didn’t you know? He doesn’t listen to me either.”

Eek! The knights jumped up and down, enraged.

“His Highness the Crown Prince will not let you off easy if he finds out about this!”

Dwayne replied nonchalantly.

“Maybe it’s because I only clean my ears once a year, but I can’t hear very well?”

Then he charged at the knights again and started beating them up enthusiastically. It was a crazy act befitting his nickname as the mad dog of the imperial palace, but no one could stop or subdue him. Jack stood with one leg crossed and clicked his tongue internally.

‘Dwayne is unofficially ranked second in the empire.’

He was a bit weak in formal duels, but in a brawl, no one could match him. And now he was flailing about like a fish in water, pummeling the knights. He seemed quite happy, showing his teeth in a wide grin. Jack folded his arms and started giving advice.

“Rock coming from 11 o’clock. Oh, he’s tripping you there? Headbutt him there and… That’s right, well done, stone head.”

Dwayne grinned again when Jack praised him. The knights, who were busy frantically trying to avoid the madman, became increasingly agitated.

“Hey, take this!”

The knights grabbed wooden swords piled in a corner of the training grounds. One of them charged at Dwayne with a battle cry. Dwayne easily dodged him and picked up a wooden sword that had fallen on the ground, swinging it.

The opposing knight raised his sword with the blade pointing downward, and the wooden swords clashed with a loud noise. Dwayne quickly pulled his sword upward.

With a grating sound, the crossed swords caught on the opponent’s cross-guard. Dwayne applied force and sent the sword flying.

Whoosh. People’s heads moved in unison, following the sword as it flew in an arc. The knight who lost his sword in just one exchange stood dazed for a moment before startling. Dwayne was swinging his sword slowly with a devilish smile on his face.

“Wah! I lost, okay? It’s over, so stop now!”

The knight shouted, jumping like a grasshopper to avoid the sword.

“It’s not over yet? I’m still not satisfied?”

Dwayne chased after him, laughing eerily. Soon, there were endless sounds of thudding, as if someone was hitting a sack. Jack wore an expression of disgust.

‘That guy never gets tired when beating people up.’

As he shook his head, suddenly a shrill voice came from behind.

“Sir Jack? What is all this about?”

Rita, who seemed to have rushed over, took a deep breath. She had just seen the knights piled up and groaning as if they were stacked like luggage.

Dwayne, who was walking over humming a tune with the last knight he had knocked out slung over his shoulder, waved happily when he saw Rita.

“Oh, Rita. Long time no see~”

“Is this the time to be saying that? His Highness the Crown Prince is returning to the empire right now!”

Rita shouted angrily. Jack was taken aback.

“What? No, this suddenly?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Who announces such things on the day of? The castle is in an uproar preparing for it right now.”

Ah, so that’s why it was so chaotic earlier. Jack ruffled his hair roughly.

“He’ll be looking for the knights…”

“Of course! They weren’t in their quarters, so I’ve been searching everywhere… and here they are, all comfortable, really now.”

Rita shook her head and then clutched it with both hands.

“How am I supposed to clean this up… Oh no.”

“…”

Jack felt like crying too, sharing the same sentiment. Dwayne, who had been watching their reactions, quietly approached the knights and started waking them up by punching their heads.

“Hey, your lord is returning to the empire. Aren’t you going to come to your senses?”

“Ugh…”

The knights staggered to their feet. Just as they barely managed to stand upright, a sharp voice came from behind.

“So this is where you all were. I’ve been looking everywhere for… you…”

Amy was also taken aback seeing the tattered state of the knights, but quickly regained her composure. She turned around and said to the two lords.

“It seems the knights were having a sparring match. This is a good way to demonstrate the friendship between our two countries. It’s truly a pleasant sight.”

“…”

But no one answered. It was obvious to anyone that they had been one-sidedly beaten up. Martin, standing behind the Crown Prince, gritted his teeth and covered his eyes with his hand. Losing face like this on the last day, he dreaded to think what the Empress would say.

The Crown Prince didn’t hide his contemptuous expression as he raised the corner of his mouth crookedly.

“Sir Martin.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Martin quickly jumped forward at the Crown Prince’s call. The Crown Prince gestured towards the knights with his chin.

“Can those things actually be of any use?”

“…Of course, Your Highness. The match was just intense, but they are all glorious knights of the empire…”

“That’s enough then. We’re leaving right away.”

The Crown Prince turned around without even listening to the end. Martin and the knights hurriedly followed behind him. In the spacious courtyard, horses with armor, carts, and carriages were lined up, and servants were busily loading their masters’ luggage onto the carts.

Under Melvin’s direction, blacksmiths were checking the horseshoes, and tents and raincoats coated with tar to prepare for bad weather were being neatly loaded. Lady Weaver was moving food for the journey to the capital with the maids. Everyone was moving frantically due to the rushed schedule.

The Crown Prince, who had been silently watching the people preparing, suddenly turned around. Then, as if feeling regretful, he gazed at Amy with longing eyes and reached out his hand.

“Amy…”

At that moment, a large, gnarled hand was placed on top of his. The Crown Prince turned his head with a questioning look to find Noah standing there with a blank expression.