Lucia looked down at her hands, neatly folded in her lap.
The slight trembling of her fingertips revealed her complicated feelings.
"50 million Shillings...."
An absurd sum, bid by Crown Prince Zenon.
Far from feeling honored, it felt like a massive boulder was weighing down on both her shoulders.
'I shouldn't have put it up for auction.'
It was certainly a good thing that the proceeds would go to help the underprivileged and benefit society.
She tried to console herself with that thought, but the burden wouldn't lift.
It was obvious what Crown Prince Zenon had in mind when he so generously offered that enormous sum.
She'd secretly worried something like this might happen.
I should've withdrawn it in the waiting room earlier. Lucia closed her eyes as regret washed over her.
-Our next item is a keepsake of the late General Vermang, former commander of the Empire's 3rd Corps. It's the Ring's General's Star Sword!
At the auctioneer's shout, Lucia's eyes flew open.
General Vermang. It was a name she knew well.
A Ring Knight and an old general who never broke his sword to the very end.
Others might remember him only as an old general, a knight forgotten amid the tides of change.
"General Vermang...."
To Lucia, the name Vermang was anything but insignificant.
Lucia, the only daughter of a fallen baronial family in the frontier region.
The reason she'd been able to enter the Academy so easily was that many people had helped her.
Among them, the support of someone whose name she didn't know had meant the most.
Lucia had learned the identity of her benefactor only three months ago, after the man had passed away, when her biological father finally told her.
—General Vermang. Never forget his name.
In the past, while serving in the frontier region, Vermang had received a great kindness from House Elzerna.
To repay them, he had secretly cleared the baronial family's debts and covered all of Lucia's tuition.
Vermang had gone to great lengths to erase his name from the matter.
He could have faced political suspicion that a senior officer in the regular army was colluding with a noble family.
Even after his death, Vermang had hoped no one would learn what he'd done.
To this day, few people knew of the connection between Vermang and House Elzerna. Lucia herself had only learned of it recently.
".......4.2 million Shillings."
"4.5 million."
"Here, 4.7 million."
The bids rose at a sluggish pace, nothing like before.
Lucia's brow furrowed slightly. She was offended by the very idea of putting a price on it.
-5 million Shillings! Any higher bids?
Ordinary luxuries had fetched well over 10 million. Her benefactor's sword hadn't even reached half that price.
Something surged inside Lucia's chest.
She couldn't let his final honor be trampled like this. Lucia gripped her bidding paddle tightly.
'10 million Shillings.'
Twice the current bid. She had to call out that amount, if necessary, to restore her benefactor's dignity.
She firmly believed that was how she could honor his memory.
She didn't want to go this far with money, but....
If money could do it, then she had no choice.
-If there are no more bids, then it's sold...
Lucia took a deep breath. She was just about to raise her paddle when—
-Paddle 326! Please state your bid!
The auctioneer's gaze shifted toward the shout, away from Lucia. Her eyes naturally followed.
A man stood there, holding his paddle high.
It was Astin von Kardenos.
He quietly opened his mouth.
"50 million Shillings."
The moment the bid was called, every breath in the room stopped. Silent stares converged on Astin alone.
-O-oh... 50 million Shillings? Did you just say 50 million Shillings?
Astin gave a nonchalant nod. He neither lowered his bid nor took it back.
Bang! Bang!
The auctioneer finally came to his senses and brought down the gavel.
-S-sold! It's sold! Paddle 326 has won it for 50 million Shillings!
"Is he insane? He's blowing 50 million on that old hunk of metal?"
"Young Master Kardenos must be completely crazy."
"It's just showing off. He's saying, 'I can afford to indulge like this without it hurting me.'"
The sound that had died away surged back to life. Scorn and shock mingled in the slanderous remarks.
Amid the commotion, Lucia stared blankly at Astin.
She didn't even know what expression she was making.
"No, seriously, is he in his right mind? He could've bought Young Lady Lucia's item with that money. Why waste so much on such an old sword...."
A young nobleman let out an openly derisive remark. Lucia's brow furrowed as she looked at him.
His character was truly shallow, to disparage the General's keepsake by bringing up someone else's auction item. He was a shallow person through and through.
"You called it an old, worn-out sword?"
Before Lucia could speak, that man beat her to it again.
"Ahem! I-I misspoke, Young Master Astin."
"You didn't misspeak. You're just ignorant."
Astin openly singled him out.
"It's not old and worn-out. It's a medal of honor. That sword spent 30 years on the front lines, stained with the blood and sweat of those who fought, and helping hold up the Empire. It carries 30 years of hardship and toil on the eastern front. Do you still not understand?"
"Y-Young Master, why are you...."
"It's nothing like your toys. And its worth isn't something you can casually judge."
Even amid the commotion, his voice carried with strange clarity.
"If I had to put a price on it, it's worth far more than Young Lady Lucia's item. At least, it is to me. So don't ever say something like that in front of me again."
"Y-yes, Young Master...."
Lucia stared absently at his profile. His face was all she could see.
Thump—thump—
The sound of her heartbeat. Lucia found herself with her mouth open.
Perhaps he'd felt her gaze, because Astin turned his head. Their eyes happened to meet in midair.
Astin's golden eyes, sunk deep and still. Lucia's ruby-colored eyes, wavering.
Astin's brow creased almost imperceptibly.
—He sure notices when people insult him.
Astin muttered under his breath, then looked away.
"......."
Even after he turned his head, Lucia couldn't take her eyes off him.
***
In front of the massive main gate of Etherna Imperial Palace.
Long after everyone had entered the banquet hall, a carriage arrived late.
Creeeak—
The door opened, and someone carefully stepped out. It was the knight Julian.
"Hold. We need to verify your identity."
An Imperial Guard stopped Julian. Two spears crossed in an X.
Julian unfolded the letter of investiture in his hand and showed it to them.
"Julian of House Calvert. I've been formally knighted."
"Calvert? Is there a family by that name?"
"...It's a fallen house."
"Ah, I see. You may enter."
Julian passed through the checkpoint and continued on without issue.
"What kind of noble looks like that?"
He heard a jeering remark from behind.
He had to admit, Julian agreed.
His appearance was wretched for a noble attending the Founding Day Festival.
His face was swollen and blue, one eye barely open, and bandages covered his crooked nose.
He looked less like a noble at the Founding Day Festival and more like a patient who'd been bedridden until recently. Which was actually the case.
"Don't pay attention to it."
Julian didn't care.
What did it matter what his face looked like?
He hadn't come here for some social gathering.
He'd come to take 'responsibility' for what he'd done.
Bang—
The banquet hall doors swung open, drawing quite a few eyes to him.
"Oh my, look at him. What happened to his face?"
"Isn't that Knight Julian? Good grief. I heard Young Master Astin gave him a thorough beating, but he looks awful."
Julian walked with his head held high. He felt no shame. He'd gained more than he'd lost.
His steps and gaze swept busily across the banquet hall.
"Isn't Young Master Astin amazing? 50 million Shillings for an old sword."
Julian stopped dead at the sound of the conversation as he passed by.
"He won General Vermang's keepsake for the highest price in auction history. His intentions are obvious, which makes it even more moving."
"Exactly, exactly. The rumors that Kardenos's young scoundrel was a disgrace must have been nonsense. He's a true young master who understands honor and glory."
The tale of his good deed spread among the elderly nobles.
A faint smile spread across Julian's lips as he listened. His heart even swelled with emotion.
—You lot are always like this. Even when someone tells you, you don't get it. Then you dismiss us as wraiths who just go around the Infinite Ring in circles. You ought to respect the knights who endure such trials.
Astin respected the old knights and retired soldiers to the very core. He'd shown it not just in his heart, but through his actions.
Overwhelming skill and unwavering conviction. The courage to protect the honor of retired soldiers.
Julian was glad he'd finally recognized Astin's true character, even if it was late.
So my defeat wasn't in vain after all.
"True young master, my foot. Can't you see it's all a transparent ploy?"
A young nobleman scoffed loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"His reputation's in the gutter after he assaulted Young Lady Rosenthal. He's trying to make up for it with his family's money. I'd do the same."
"Well, 50 million Shillings must be pocket change to Kardenos. If he wanted to put on a show, he'd have to spend at least that much."
They snickered, saying behind his back what they wouldn't dare say to his face.
Julian's brows furrowed fiercely. He dragged his limping leg toward them.
"You there."
The young nobles flinched and turned around.
"Could you spend that much money yourselves?"
"W-what? What are you talking about, barging in like that?"
"This isn't about repairing his reputation. It's about a man's courage. Don't casually disparage another person's actions."
A knight whose face was half-crushed glared at them with killing intent. The young nobles could only stand there, struck dumb.
"Sir Julian?"
Then a gentle voice came from behind him.
It was Young Lady Lucia, known as the star of high society.
Julian had been about to speak informally to her as he usually did, since she was his senior at the Academy, but he closed his mouth. This was a formal occasion.
"Young Lady Lucia. How do you do?"
"Oh.... I'm sorry about what happened with Azelin."
Concern filled Lucia's eyes as she looked at his battered face.
"I didn't expect you to come. Your injuries look serious. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. It's all my fault."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. It wasn't your fault. The one to blame...."
For some reason, Lucia let her words trail off. Julian gave her a bitter smile.
She seemed to think this tragedy had happened because he'd tried to protect Azelin.
"Do you happen to know where Young Master Astin is?"
Lucia narrowed her eyes.
Was he going to challenge him to another Duel in that state? Or perhaps try to hurt him?
"Why are you asking?"
"I want to apologize to him."
".......Apologize?"
Lucia blinked repeatedly. Apologize?
"Did you just say you wanted to apologize?"
"Yes. While I'm at it, I also plan to thank Young Master Astin."
"No, what do you mean.... Why would you apologize to Young Master Astin, Sir? And what do you have to thank him for?"
A victim who'd been thoroughly beaten was going to offer his assailant an apology and his thanks.
It made no sense at all.
Where should he even begin explaining?
Julian opened his mouth with difficulty, weighed down by bitter regret.
"Like I just said, it was all my own doing. Young Master Astin...."
The truth came from the person involved.
Lucia's pupils trembled ever so slightly as his calm confession continued.
"......Oh."
Her lips parted in disbelief.