I stood before a mansion, clad in a black suit.
Naturally, I arrived in a Roach family car, accompanied by a chauffeur as usual.
However, the chauffeur who brought me here stepped out of the car and bowed deeply.
"I wish you luck, Frondier-nim."
This chauffeur is someone my father, Enfer, hired. He's usually a taciturn driver who leaves without a word, no matter where he takes me.
"Why are you acting all of a sudden?"
"I think you'll need it. Luck."
"More than when I went to the Tyburn or Yeranhes?"
The chauffeur nodded without hesitation.
"Then I will take my leave. Please return alive, Frondier-nim."
With another bow, the chauffeur got back into the car and departed.
It was the most courteous exchange I'd ever witnessed from him.
"...Anyway, this is it."
I took a deep breath, taking in the imposing grandeur of the mansion, which was larger than I expected.
While the Roach family mansion is also large, it exudes an air of elegance and simplicity. Lily's mansion, on the other hand, is excessively opulent.
Not just the mansion itself, but the path leading up to it and the surrounding gardens. This level of extravagance suggests a purpose beyond mere personal preference.
'For the next month, I will live here as a knight.'
I came here to fulfill my promise to Lily.
Of course, I was the one who proposed it, but the image of Lily's joy upon hearing my offer remains vivid.
...In truth, everyone reacts to the idea of becoming Lily's knight as if it were some kind of horror story, but hardly anyone knows what Lily's knights actually do. Only Lily and her knights know.
The reason people fear becoming Lily's knight is that all who have entered her service end up pledging their unwavering loyalty to her within a few days, becoming true 'Lily's knights'.
It's as if they transform into different people, willing to lay down their lives for Lily, and no one knows what she does to them.
'There are no traces of magic, no drugs, no use of money or women...'
People fear the sudden transformation of these loyal knights. However, since Lily hasn't committed any illegal acts and hides nothing from the Imperial Palace or the police investigations, there's no way to stop her.
More importantly, there's no justification to prevent the knights from willingly following Lily.
"Well then, shall I try the doorbell?"
I had already informed them of my arrival today.
But since no one seems to be waiting at the main gate, I press the doorbell.
I definitely pressed it, and the button depressed, but no sound came out.
Despite that, the sound of the main gate unlocking echoed, and the gate opened automatically.
A silent doorbell. I guess with magic, there's no need for it to make a sound. How extravagant.
I slowly walked inside.
As I leisurely strolled down the neatly manicured path leading to the mansion, my 'Sixth Sense' detected several people inside.
'I'm not being welcomed at all.'
While not quite murderous intent, it was a level of vigilance close to it. The number of people I sensed was considerable.
And some of the knights I sensed finally approached me.
He was a remarkably handsome man. Not just him, but all the knights who came towards me possessed exceptional looks.
The man directly in front of me was reminiscent of Aster Evans. In my opinion, he fell slightly short, though.
"Who are you? This mansion does not permit visits from outsiders."
The man in front of me spoke, his hands already on the swords at his waist.
"I am Frondier de Roach. From today, I will be serving as Lady Ria Lis' knight for a month."
"A knight...? Someone as young as you?"
The man in front remained skeptical of my words, but another knight beside him reacted differently.
Perhaps my name had become more famous than my face and image, as one of them recognized me.
"I don't know which Frondier you're referring to, but my name is indeed Frondier."
"Hmph. A feeble attempt at humility. The black-haired boy who defeated the Manggot's leader. That's you, isn't it?"
The man correctly identified me, yet he showed no intention of relaxing his hostile stance.
"If you are aware, then please step aside. I have no intention of fighting you."
"The story of someone like you becoming Lady Ria Lis' knight is unheard of."
They should have been notified beforehand.
'They still want to fight me even after hearing that I defeated the Manggot's leader. Are they disregarding the Manggot's leader, or do they think the story is a lie? Or perhaps...'
Is it simply their fanatical loyalty to Lily that drives them to act this way?
"Prove it. Do you truly have the qualifications..."
One of the knights uttered those words and reached for his sword, but he couldn't draw it.
My Obsidian blocked it, firmly stuck between the scabbard and the blade.
The knight struggled to pull out his sword, but he couldn't overcome the strength of my Obsidian. Admittedly, it's difficult to exert force when drawing a sword from its scabbard. It's not an action that typically requires strength.
Seeing this, the other knights also attempted to draw their weapons, but my Obsidian was already faster.
"I told you, I have no desire to fight you."
It is said that Ria Lis, with her exceptional abilities, only desires good looks from her knights.
It seems that statement holds true, as their skills do not match their appearances.
"It seems you are mistaken. My lack of desire to fight means that you are incapable of fighting me."
They failed to notice my Obsidian clinging to their swords and lacked the strength to draw them in that state. Without their weapons, they couldn't even contemplate fighting.
"Even if you demand proof from me, I have no particular inclination to provide it."
I walked past them, retrieving my Obsidian as I went.
Well, I've demonstrated a certain level of difference in our abilities, so even if I take back my Obsidian, there shouldn't be any idiots who would draw their swords and attack me.
Surprisingly, there was. An idiot.