With that, he walked away at a brisk pace and beckoned for Sunny to follow.
"Now, please come with me!"
Sunny suppressed a frustrated groan and hurried after the steward.
"Coming, coming... but, where are we going?"
The middle-aged man answered in a refined manner:
"As a Knight Commander, you are to receive a list of items. Two sets of full dress attire, two finely dyed tabards, a parade cloak with an embroidered crest, an unadorned winter cloak, an embroidered battle banner, a painted household banner, a leather waist belt with an engraved silver buckle..."
Sunny silently covered his face with a palm.
***
Some time later, he was standing alone in one of the courtyards of the Castle, holding a sizable pack. His expression was absent.
The steward had basically chased him away from the keep after assembling the list of items that a Knight was eligible to receive. The man had refused to answer Sunny's tentative question until the very end, finding inventive ways to tactfully dodge them every time.
It was just that... how could Sunny put it?
Steward Sebastian did not seem to have kept the truth from him on purpose. Rather, it looked like the dignified man was too embarrassed to answer directly, as if saying it aloud would be a disgrace.
Sunny stared into the distance silently.
‘...I guess I am a Knight of Valor now.’
Weirder things had happened.
Granted... just a few.
In any case, at least the whole thing was such a formality that he had not even been forced to give an oath of allegiance. Neither had he been issued any Memories - with the war approaching, Clan Valor did not seem keen to waste resources on a fake Knight. lіghtnоvelworld~. That was a good thing for Sunny, because he did not want to receive a sword forged by Anvil.
Nor was he capable of receiving one there was no Spell to facilitate the transfer of Memories between him and its carriers, after all.
He would also be receiving a monthly stipend of soul shards.
Sunny sighed.
'Wow, Nepotism is truly the best.’
By now, he had figured out that his sudden knighthood had something to do with his connection to Nephis. It was just that the initiative must have come from some other entity in the Great Clan, which was why the signals had crossed.
So, there was nothing left to do except return home.
Sunny was ready to take a step forward, but then froze for a moment.
He was currently in a courtyard... a different one from where he had duelled young Master Tristan, but the mood was quite similar.
There were more than a few unfriendly gazes aimed his way. Looking around, he saw various Knights and Squires, all staring at him with cold expressions.
Sunny gulped.
They had already hated him before for having the audacity to accompany their princess. Now that Morgan had knighted him for no good reason...
It did not look good! Even Sunny was starting to hate himself a little.
Who wouldn't hate a handsome freeloader?
'Gods... I won't have to fight another duel, will I?’
As a matter of fact, he had the feeling that, this time, there would be no duel.
Instead, there would be a thorough beating.
Or an attempt of one, at least!
Sunny looked around once more, noticing that several Knights were already approaching him slowly with dark faces,
'Right. I just need to defuse the situation. Be polite and keep calm. Be polite
One of the Knights snarled through gritted teeth:
"I didn't believe it... hey, you! Mongrel! Have you no..."
Sunny's eye twitched, and he opened his mouth to retort.
Before he could, however, there was a rustle of wings, and suddenly, a breathtaking figure was standing between him and the incensed Knights.
Shielding him with her radiant wings, Nephis frowned and looked at them scornfully.
"...What is going on here?”