Return of The Unrivaled Spear Knight

ung Master Joshua is a formidable opponent.”

Obviously, Joshua’s superhuman senses heard everything.

This is… The boy was greatly perplexed. If this tomboy actually cries right now, the rumors will spread like wildfire.
Everyone will be trying to figure out who I am.
No good.

Joshua grimaced.
It would take him at least five years to restore his strength to a decent level; all his plans would be foiled, however, by Charles’s shenanigans.

I don’t have to use it if I take it.
After all, Arcadia is huge—I won’t see them unless I go looking for them.

“…Okay?” Charles awkwardly extended the pendant towards Joshua again.
“Are you going to embarrass me like this? I’m just trying to make amends for my prior indifference—”

“Ah! Okay! I get it!” Joshua grabbed the pendant.
A teasing little smile flickered across Charles’s lips, but Joshua was too preoccupied to notice.

“We have a long way to go.” Duke Agnus coughed politely but wore a mischievous little smile.
“We’d best leave soon.
Charles, may I visit as well?”

“Of course, uncle—no, Duke! You are always welcome.”

“I’ll have to prepare the Heart Kingdom De Bellue in advance! Your father is rumored to be quite the drinker! Hahahahaha!”

“Then I’ll see you again, Princess Tomboy.”

“Indeed, Duke!”

“Stay well, Cox.”

“Duke.
I’ll see you next time.”

“Depart!” The Duke spun around.

“Depart!”

Duke Agnus eyed Joshua’s back as they departed.

Perhaps you don’t know what it implies for a lady to bestow their family crest to someone.

The Duke’s smile was as bright as the rising sun.

Jaken, head of the Emperor’s intelligence agency, prostrated himself before the Emperor’s throne.

“Your Majesty, we have received new information regarding Duke Agnus, as you ordered.”

“Tell me.” A glimmer of light shone in his dark eyes.

“Duke Aden von Agnus and his second son, Joshua von Agnus, are expected to arrive in the capital in three days.
And…”

“And?”

“The Fourth Prince Kaiser’s recommendation to the Imperial Knights Templar… was declined.”

“What?” Marcus’s eyes popped wide open.
“He refused?”

The power of the Imperial Knights could not be overestimated.
No noble below a count could take on even a single member.
It was no exaggeration to say they were the most powerful military force in the Empire, with the rise of the Imperial family’s power.

Suffice to say, Emperor Marcus believed he was the most powerful man on the entire continent.
Joshua, apparently, disagreed.
A second son—a bastard, no less.
In most families, he would live or die by the eldest son’s grace.

“…Do you believe you can seize your family with just your own strength? I’m disappointed.”

“It didn’t seem that way.”

“I don’t follow.”

“According to Joshua von Agnus’s letter to Prince Kaiser, ‘I don’t need the Prince’s approval.
I will obey His Majesty the supreme Emperor’s will in accordance with the laws of the Empire.’”

Emperor Marcus’s eyes slowly opened.

You will obediently carry out my commands? That could only mean one thing—and it was the safest and most straightforward method for an outsider to control the situation with just their own strength.

Only you would be so exceptional.

“Are you going to tear it down? Our Imperial Knights, the Empire’s pride and joy?”

Jaken tried his best not to attract the Emperor’s attention as his madness rattled the court.

“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!”