The Lich of Glory Knight Spirit: Moving towards Krimasha!
Chapter 69 - 04: Welcome Ceremony (Part 2)

Chapter 69: Chapter 04: Welcome Ceremony (Part 2)

The night has fallen.

Tonight, a silver moon has appeared just at the right time. The entirety of Lion King City is celebrating Gray’s arrival, and of course, that includes the Lion King Palace.

The guard gently pushed open the grand doors, unveiling a thousand-square-meter hall filled with splendor and opulence. Truly, only "splendor and opulence" could describe it.

The dazzling light emitted by the massive crystal chandelier was reflected off the ceiling and walls, turning into a luminous golden hue.

The floor was laid with gray-and-white interlocked marble tiles, with a red carpet bearing golden patterns running through its center. The walls displayed colorful murals depicting the history of Isaac Kingdom from its founding to the present day. All the sculptures were gilded.

The entire hall was filled with people, each dressed in extravagant attire and holding fine wine.

"Let us welcome the delegation from Beisher Duchy!" The King announced from the high platform.

Immediately, the hall erupted in thunderous applause.

If Gray’s journey from Castle Caspar by the Salted Fish Port to the White City was like stepping into another world, then moving from the White City to Lion King City was akin to stepping into yet another world.

All eyes were fixed on Gray, though he appeared indifferent to the gazes. Instead, his focus was on the decor.

"Oh my! This place is so beautiful!" he whispered in awe.

"This is the King’s great hall. The King is so wealthy, far wealthier than Yilin," the Black Cat replied smugly, though it was unclear what it found to boast about.

"More money than a treasure trove?"

"Indeed."

"Then why doesn’t he distribute his wealth to the poor, like in knight dramas?"

"Gray, not everyone harbors knightly dreams."

"Are you saying the King is someone without knightly dreams?"

"Uh, that question stumps me. But the world doesn’t only revolve around knights, right? People can have other aspirations."

"Alright, but I still think knightly dreams are the best."

"I agree," the Black Cat replied helplessly.

Following Yilin, Gray—with Count Gruglu, Shelley, Pas, Jones, Dora, Abi Robert, Huoersi, and Mike—walked up to the King and respectfully bowed alongside the others.

"Arise," said the King, stepping down the platform and extending both hands to assist Gray and Yilin. He softly added, "Tonight, you are the stars of the evening. I’ve been pondering how best to welcome our heroes, but I couldn’t come up with anything suitable. After all, the emotions of a Holy Knight are beyond the understanding of ordinary people like us, wouldn’t you agree? It’s quite frustrating. In the end, I chose the simplest approach—a ball. I hope Count Gray doesn’t mind."

"How could I?" Gray exclaimed in awe. "I truly love it!"

"Really?" The King beamed with joy.

"Of course. This palace, the people here, except for..."

"Except for what?"

"No, nothing. I love everything."

"I’m glad you do; that makes me very pleased." As music began to play, the King loudly proclaimed, "May you all have a wonderful evening!"

The nobles broke into enthusiastic applause.

"I was so afraid you’d blurt out ’except you,’" the Black Cat muttered.

"I wanted to say it, but I recalled Catherine’s warning," Gray whispered back.

"Thank heavens you remembered Catherine’s warning. Wait, where’s Catherine? Catherine?"

No answer.

"Catherine..." the Black Cat continued calling.

Gray stood motionless, still not responding.

"Alright, she’s wandered off again. From now on, you’re on your own."

"I’ve attended balls before; don’t worry."

"Oh, you mean the one in White City? The one where I took my eyes off you for an hour and you ’fell in love,’ then in the next hour ’confessed, proposed, and broke up’?"

"Although the process was a bit bumpy, I succeeded in the end, didn’t I?"

"So, what’s your plan this time? To encounter another ’beautiful romance’?"

"No, I’m loyal in love. I already have Shelley!" Gray declared firmly.

Indeed, while the others had dispersed, Shelley remained at Gray’s side, guarding him like a cat whose fur had been ruffled, her sharp eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings. She had already sensed that plenty of petty women were gearing up to seduce her Holy Knight. After all... that’s exactly how she had managed to win him over herself.

"No matter who comes! I won’t back down!" she silently cheered herself on.

However, as it turned out, she had underestimated the fervor of Lion King City’s noble young ladies for the Holy Knight.

Heads and bodies flooded in her direction.

"Ah!" Shelley was stunned.

"Holy Knight, greetings! My name is..."

Before the name was even out, someone pretended to stumble and pushed her aside.

"My name is Andrea! May I..."

Another was shoved away.

"May I request a dance with you?"

"Her dancing isn’t great. You should dance with me instead!"

"What did you say? My dancing isn’t good?"

"Was it excellent then?"

"I should be the best dancer here!"

"Step aside! Your behavior is disgraceful! You’ll embarrass Lion King City’s nobility!" Finally, a young lady stepped forward to end the commotion, saying, "Holy Knight, don’t bother with these tasteless women. Dance with me instead!"

"No! Dance with me!"

"Dance with me!"

"Dance with me!"

A sea of hands reached out to Gray, every head tilted upward with smiling faces.

Gray found himself utterly at a loss.

"Are these really nobles?" the Black Cat muttered.

Shelley, meanwhile, had been squeezed out of the crowd. She fought desperately to return, almost on the verge of tears, but couldn’t make her way back. Who could have imagined these young noble ladies—normally appearing so delicate—could form an impenetrable wall at crucial moments?

It seemed, amidst their intense competition with each other, that all of them had reached a tacit agreement when it came to Shelley, their greatest rival.

From a distance, Count Gruglu’s expression grew increasingly grim. "They wouldn’t dare act like this without the King’s approval."

"But why would the King approve of this?" Abi Robbs asked in confusion. "If it’s simply based on rumors, their target should be our Duke. But judging by their actions, they’re clearly targeting Miss Shelley. This suggests they already know the truth. And yet, knowing the truth, they still act this way... Could something have happened during our journey to Lion King City?"

"I’m uncertain. I’ve already sent someone to investigate," Count Gruglu replied with a soft sigh. "I learned before that, following the Battle of White City, the Royal Family’s prestige plummeted sharply in Lion King City, while the Church’s reputation soared to unprecedented heights. Everyone now wants to align themselves with the Church. But even that isn’t sufficient to explain this level of madness. There must be something else that we’re unaware of yet. We should find out shortly."

Abi Robbs nodded respectfully. "Then I shall await the news from Count Gruglu."

Gently parting the sea of noble ladies, Gray made his way to Shelley, bowed politely, and extended a hand: "Miss Shelley, may I have the honor of dancing with you?"

"Ah!" Shelley froze in startled surprise. After a brief pause, she nodded heavily and, somewhat dazed, held Gray’s hand as they walked into the dance floor.

Behind them, a group of noble ladies clattered their teeth in frustration.

"Are you alright? You seem a bit unhappy," Gray quietly asked.

"No, I’m very happy!" Shelley sweetly smiled as she clung to Gray, then turned and secretly made a face at the noble ladies. "The Holy Knight is mine!"

Count Gruglu finally exhaled in relief.

Standing on the other side, the King watched the pair from a distance in the dance floor and asked softly, "The Holy Knight... our Count Gray, truly always wears his armor, never revealing his face to anyone?"

Yilin replied, "At least, I’ve never seen it."

"Why is that?"

"Perhaps... he has already given his soul to the Holy Spirit. The armor helps him preserve his purity."

"Oh, really? Yet he has arranged a marriage. Of course, I’m not saying that Holy Knights shouldn’t marry; in fact, the Church even encourages it. But I feel the person at his side ought to be replaced. Replaced by anyone—anyone at all—or even no one. Just not the one he currently has."

Yilin hesitated before replying, "Your Majesty, I don’t quite understand what you mean."

"Let’s talk," said the King with a wine glass in his hand as he turned and walked to the side.

The attendant stationed by the floor-to-ceiling glass doors promptly stepped forward to open the door for him.

After some thought, Yilin could only pick up her wine glass and follow.

Guided by the King, Yilin entered a room connected to the grand hall—a smaller chamber. Inside, there was a fireplace, sofas, and everything one might need. The sofas were arranged in a circular formation around a table, enough to seat twenty people.

The attendant quietly closed the door behind them.

Now, the spacious chamber was left only with Yilin and the King.

"Please sit," said the King, gesturing toward a seat.

Yilin quietly bowed and sat down.

Taking a seat across from Yilin, the King held his wine glass, pursed his lips as though deep in thought, and then opened his mouth. "I wish to strike a deal with you—to ask for a person."

"Who?" Yilin asked.

"Gray."

"What kind of ’ask’ are you referring to?"

"I mean ’reassignment.’" The King straightened his posture, leaning back against his seat and speaking softly. "Currently, he is your subject—in name, also mine. But we both know, in reality, this isn’t the case. His loyalty is solely to you. I hope you will dissolve your oath with him so he may pledge allegiance to me."

Perhaps she had somewhat prepared herself mentally, for Yilin replied without hesitation, "Gray won’t agree."

"Don’t be so quick to refuse; listen to me first," the King said, swirling his wine glass. He continued, "In return, you’ll receive a rich territory. Naturally, he will too. This is guaranteed. Moreover, you’ll regain control over the lands currently under his name. If I remember correctly, his current fief includes a part of the original Caspar family’s territory, encompassing the Salted Fish Port and the former Count Caspar’s castle. That’s quite a substantial holding. You would effectively gain two territories at once. Mind you, even your father, Old Duke Beisher, never accomplished something so significant for the family."

"I refuse," Yilin replied expressionlessly.

The King smiled at her response—it seemed he wasn’t surprised. "No need to hurry; let’s consider the underlying reasons before you make any hasty decisions. Trust me, you’ll want to hear what I have to say."