Chapter 996

Very few among the Cavalry knew how to properly dance the lancha, so unlike at the Imperial Palace party, only a handful joined the dance this time. Still, since they were all invited after achieving a great feat, there wasn't much pressure or judgment toward those who didn’t participate. That said, if things continued like this, the only thing anyone would remember from tonight’s party would be the dance between the Cavalry Commander, the Duke of Peleta, and his aide.

Two men, yet of different sexes—an unusual relationship. If Kishiar had intended to leave the image of a dual-sex being embedded in the minds of the southern crowd, then this dance could only be called a success.

Even if there were few dancing, the ones who did were the main contributors to the recent victory.

How could anyone not look at such a combination?

“Anyway... this is going to be one of those eat-and-chat parties, isn’t it.”

Just as Lusan thought that with a relaxed smile—

Voices, loud and agitated, suddenly broke out not far from him.

“Now what’s going on?”

He turned his head, and his expression immediately darkened.

“That’s...”

In a corner of the ballroom, away from the spotlight, a distinct cluster of bright red hair stood out. Among them, one tall figure Lusan instantly recognized—it was Kachien Bollenvalt.

A southern noble and Cavalry member, often called the face of the unit thanks to his striking looks.

He now stood with his back to the group of red-haired people who resembled him, shielding them as he faced someone in clear confrontation.

“Leaving your hometown and finding success—looks like you’ve forgotten your place, Kachien!”

Kachien frowned, staring into the face of the man before him.

“Even on a day like today, you know yelling won’t get you anything good.”

“...”

“Brother...”

“Oppa...”

His younger siblings, frightened by the sneering tone, murmured behind him.

“It’s alright. Giten. Gaila. Come over here...”

Their parents, just as anxious, tried their best to keep composed as they called the younger ones in a calm voice.

‘What the hell... how did it come to this again?’

Kachien sighed, reflecting on the events of the day.

Just as the other man had said, today was supposed to be a day of great celebration. As a member of the Cavalry, he'd been formally invited to the Duke of Hern’s succession ceremony. His contributions were recognized, and he’d even received a monster crystal engraved with the crest of House Hern.

It had felt similar to the award ceremony at the Imperial Palace after the western mission—but the issue was, this was the South. His hometown.

‘Kachien!’

‘M-Mother? Father? You’re all here... even my siblings? What’s going on?’

‘Of course we were invited too, dear. Hoho. Surprised?’

After the ceremony, just as he was heading to the ballroom, Kachien had been called out by his family who had come all the way from Ulan. He’d been stunned—but also happy. Yuder had once mentioned in passing that it would be good to prepare for the possibility that Kachien’s family might come to Sharloin someday. It seemed he'd really done something to ensure they received invitations.

Having received dual invitations—from [N O V E L I G H T] the Cavalry Commander and the Duke of Hern—the Bollenvalts had traveled in a top-class carriage and were staying in a place even nicer than their own home.

‘You have no idea how many people out on the streets are talking about your name. We heard all about what you did. We’re so proud of you, Kachien.’

‘I always felt guilty that we couldn’t support you when you said you wanted to be a knight... but you’ve achieved your dream so beautifully. God bless you.’

His father had teared up as he patted Kachien’s back, while his mother clasped his hands and offered a short prayer of thanks. Overcome with emotion, Kachien embraced them briefly, then chuckled when he saw how unusually quiet his normally noisy siblings were.

‘Are those little rascals actually overwhelmed by Sharloin?’

‘Haha. It’s their first time in a place like this, you know. They’ve been in a daze since we got here—I'm worried they’ll get lost.’

He understood the feeling. When he first left Ulan and arrived at the capital, he’d felt the same. But back then, despite being a noble, he had no money, and ended up staying in the shabbiest inn he could find. It was more hardship than awe.

It was during that time he met Yuder, and everything had changed since. Now it was a fond memory—but back then, it had been complicated.

Kachien smiled brightly and gathered his siblings close.

‘Once the party’s over, let’s go to the Cavalry’s southern branch together. I’ll introduce you to my friends! You’ll love them—especially Yuder and Kanna...’

“Well, well. Kachien Bollenvalt. Long time no see, huh?”

That’s when a voice called from behind.

He turned and saw a familiar figure from his youth, back when he’d still dreamed of becoming a knight. The man was a noble of similar age, and as was typical for low-ranking noble sons who aspired to knighthood, he’d served as a squire in a knight order since childhood.

Everyone knew that to become a knight, you first had to be accepted as a squire to an existing knight. Years of devoted service to a mentor were necessary before a proper knighting could happen. The problem was, becoming a squire depended less on skill or effort, and more on family name and wealth.

That man had neither ridiculed Kachien, who—poor and without talent—failed to become anyone’s squire, and awkwardly floated around the order doing chores. He mocked him for getting beaten up by senior knights, scoffing that no one would ever accept a pretty-faced pauper like him.

Now, he appeared to have achieved knighthood, wearing a formal badge on his chest.

“You disappeared after all that fuss about marrying a commoner. And now I hear you joined the Cavalry?”

“...”

“Back then, you cried while shoveling horse shit, saying you wanted to be a knight... You really made something of yourself, huh?”

As expected. Kachien let out a short, bitter laugh inside.

He’d anticipated running into people like this when he returned to the South. But hearing these things in front of his family still stung and made his blood boil.

“Kachien...”

“Just ignore him. I’m fine.”

He gestured to his uneasy family with a smile, urging them to head inside the ballroom. They turned away—but the man followed, grabbing Kachien by the arm.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Where? Isn’t it more bizarre to keep facing someone I have nothing to say to?”

His voice came out colder than even he expected. The man flinched. Kachien easily shook off his grip and brushed off his sleeve.

“You bastard...”

“What exactly do you want from me?”

The man blinked rapidly, clearly flustered that Kachien wasn’t reacting the way he’d expected.

In the past, Kachien wouldn’t have been able to deal with hostility this calmly or clearly. But now, he could read his opponent’s aggression, assess his unimpressive skills, and stay perfectly composed.

That was thanks to everything he’d gone through in the Cavalry.

The monsters and enemies he had faced there were far more terrifying than this man. A guy who probably had never fought a single real monster couldn’t possibly hurt Kachien now.

The man seemed to regain his composure only after catching sight of Kachien’s parents behind him.

“Money.”

“Money?”

“You still owe me. You broke my sword and ran. Time to pay me back.”

A vague memory resurfaced—just before Kachien had quit the knight order, this man had picked a fight. He’d struck first and, during the scuffle, smashed his own sword on a rock. Still, Kachien had been punished, barred from becoming a squire. It was the final straw that made him leave.

He’d been devastated at the time. Now, it was just laughable.

Kachien stared at him and finally spoke.

“Money? I could give it to you—I have plenty now. But... why should I?”

“What?”

“I didn’t break it. I didn’t run away. So why should I pay you?”

“You arrogant—! Then I’ll get it from your parents!”

The man’s face flushed red with fury. People around them began to stare. And then—

“Kachien? Kachien Bollenvalt, right? That red hair—you must be.”

“What’s going on?”

Surrounded by the curious murmurs of southern guests, Kachien sighed.

What a mess. On such a joyful day, this was humiliating. He couldn’t bear to face his fellow Cavalry members after this.

“I need to end this before it gets worse...”

Poverty wasn’t shameful—but making a scene like this in his hometown definitely was. Already more recognizable than most Cavalry members thanks to his family name, he always felt a bit guilty for not having done more to deserve it.

As the man continued to rant, oblivious to his surroundings, a shadow crept underfoot, inching toward him.

Just as Kachien was thinking of a clean way to shut this down—

Two figures abruptly stepped in front of him.

“Megdolgen Mizelskhan. Scammed 3 million gold in gambling debts, swordless, horseless bum, pervert. You’ve attracted quite the weirdo, Kachien.”

“...”

It was Kanna.

And Yuder, standing right beside her.