Natsuki was ordered to remain at the hotel with Ram, confined and not allowed to leave freely.
Adam accompanied Emilia and Roswaal to the Royal Capital.
After passing through multiple checkpoints, the three finally entered the capital.
The Royal Capital's interior was a testament to the nation's prestige — its luxury beyond words, as befitting such a place.
In the Assembly Hall, Adam finally saw the powerhouse he had been yearning to meet.
Though he knew staring so intently at another man might give a poor first impression, he couldn't help himself.
That man was the Knight among Knights!
He had short flame-red hair and clear blue eyes, a tall figure with dignified features. His mere presence radiated kindness. A magnificent sword hung at his waist, and his body emanated vast magical power — a declaration of his tremendous strength.
He was the strongest fighter in this story — and the most reliable man.
—The heir to the Sword Saint family, 『 Sword Saint 』 Reinhard van Astrea!
"Being stared at is quite embarrassing." Reinhard spoke to Adam, gentle as a deity.
"Sorry, sorry — seeing someone I've heard so much about for the first time made me a bit rude." Knowing this powerhouse disliked formality, Adam adopted a familiar tone, even adding a hint of playfulness.
"Please don't say that. I still can't bear such a heavy burden." Reinhard, who had grown up under his family's constant expectations, was nearly crushed by the immense pressure — hence his tendency to deflect such praise.
Indeed, An opportunity!
"My name is Adam, pleased to meet you."
"I'm Reinhard, pleased to meet you too, Adam."
The two introduced themselves.
"Adam, whose Knight are you?" Reinhard asked.
"Oh my, exposed already?"
"Well, I've never seen you in the Knights' Order, so you're probably not a member. Being able to attend this Council of Wise Men meeting means you must be someone's Guardian Knight, right?"
Though Reinhard wasn't skilled at scheming, he could piece things together.
Since it would be revealed soon anyway, there was no need to hide it. He immediately told him his current position.
"I'm Lady Emilia's Knight."
"The Royal Candidate? I thought you were a knight for one of the Council of Wise Men members. But are you alright, Adam? It must be tough, isn't it?" Reinhard's surprise held no prejudice — only genuine concern.
He really was a gentle man.
"Ah, raising a daughter is certainly tiring."
"Though I don't understand what you mean by raising a daughter, it feels somewhat disrespectful."
"Haha, well, it is disrespectful indeed."
The two chatted pleasantly.
At that moment, Felix the cat-eared man and his master Crusch Karsten entered the hall.
Felix, spotting the two, quickly approached.
He greeted them in turn, "Reinhard, long time no see, Adam."
Unlike his polite greeting to Reinhard, Adam was quite rude — payback for the cat-eared man's unsettling attempt to lick him earlier.
"Ugh, cat-man of all things!" Felix puffed his cheeks cutely, clearly disliking the nickname, "What were you two talking about?"
"Just discussing our respective masters."
"Let me join in!" Felix eagerly jumped into the conversation, launching into effusive praise of Crusch's wisdom.
Adam and Reinhard could only exchange wry smiles as they listened to his endless chatter.
Soon after, the confirmed Royal Candidates arrived one by one.
Purple-haired little Anastasia Hoshin, green-haired military beauty Crusch Karsten, silver-haired Emilia, and orange-haired proud lady Priscilla Barielle.
But most notably, behind Priscilla stood a carefree butler boy without any sense of dignity.
Why was he here in the Assembly Hall when Ram was supposed to come?
Adam glanced with deadpan eyes at Roswaal standing nearby. Though he'd assumed this was Roswaal's doing, the man wore a surprised expression.
It seemed he didn't know about this either.
Adam couldn't be sure.
Perhaps Ram, who treated Natsuki like a brother, had indulged him this once and let him leave the hotel.
This was a miscalculation. He'd thought Ram's presence would prevent any trouble, yet here the boy was.
Still, this could be a teaching moment, couldn't it?
Learning to respect and defer to those stronger than oneself was essential for surviving peacefully in another world, Natsuki.
Adam began formulating a plan.
When Emilia spotted Natsuki, she couldn't contain herself and hurried over — but just then, a clear voice rang out from the throne room.
"—My lords, everyone has arrived. Now, the Council of Wise Men members will enter!"
As these words echoed, the great doors swung open once more.
Knights in armor led the procession with measured steps, followed by several elderly figures. Their attire and bearing perfectly embodied the ceremonial nature of the occasion.
"Right? Actually, I dislike them just like you do, brother." Al moved closer to Adam and lowered his voice, "Those lords always act high and mighty, wielding their power to push around the Royal Candidates — especially Lady Emilia."
Al's sudden candor caught Adam by surprise.
Looking at him with curiosity, Adam waited as Al continued.
"Well, no need to hide it anymore — we're the same kind of people, aren't we, brother?"
"Oh my, was I exposed?"
"Yeah, your companions told me. That 'senpai' thing — sounds polite, but you're actually making fun of me, aren't you?" Despite his words, there was no anger in his voice.
Instead, the revelation that they were both from another world created an unexpected bond between them.
"Senpai, you've worked hard."
"Ah, it's really worn me out." The statement could have referred to either his years surviving in another world or serving the proud lady Priscilla — or perhaps both.
What deeper meanings lay beneath their exchange, only the two of them knew.
Knight Commander Marcus Gildark's voice, charged with magical power, brought immediate order to the chaotic scene.
Felix pulled Natsuki to Adam's side. Upon seeing Julius, Natsuki's face contorted with obvious distaste.
Adam remained silent.
"Lords of the Council of Wise Men — though presumptuous, please allow me, as Knight Commander, to proceed with this meeting."
"Mm... It's yours to handle." Miklotov McMahon, the Council of Wise Men representative, spoke from his seat below the throne.
With this approval, Marcus's voice rang out.
"Now, let the Assembly begin!"
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