The Dragon King Knights. I've never actually seen it in person, but I've heard of it, if only because of its existence.

　It is probably the most famous knightly order in the Westland Kingdom.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''As I recall, it's a unit directly under His Majesty Alfred, isn't it? Wasn't it also responsible for the defense of the royal capital?''
That's right. They're special among the Order's many.

　Carmine, in a very natural manner, sat down on an empty chair in the office, which was not his room.

'You know that the original Knights, including the Silver Wing Knights, were the military organizations of the nations His Majesty the King conquered. The only exception to that is the Knights of the Dragon King.
Exception: ......?
'They are the army His Majesty led from the beginning. They're not enemy knights whom you have subjugated by conquest, but a group of knights who were already on your side when you ascended the throne.

　I see, that's how it is, and I can easily agree with it.

　His Majesty had conquered many countries, and by absorbing the military power they possessed--an organization made up of local knights--he had accomplished the feat of extending his version of the continent to almost the entire continent.

　However, the only force that they led at the time they started their conquest was not included in that category by any stretch of the imagination.

''In the first place, the name of the Knights itself was the title they originally called themselves. I think the name at the time was the Black Dragon Knights. The other knights' names were rechristened afterwards to match theirs.

　It must be said that they are truly a special knightly order.

　It's because only the Dragon King Knights are clearly in the position of the 'victor' while the other knights are a defeated army that has been swallowed up by the enemy.

' ...... You know what? To talk about such things in this vein, you can't possibly be ......
Yeah, well, no way. Your Kingsguard, the Order of the Dragon King, has been added as a candidate for your knighthood.

　Oh my God. I can't help but hold my head in my hands.

　Just getting involved in a skirmish between the Silver Wings and the Golden Fang is a lot of work, but if the conversation spreads to His Majesty's Kingsguard, it's going to completely exceed my capacity.

''I've been meaning to say this for a while now, but I can't serve as a knight.
'There are people in this country who have risen from adventurer to king. Many people don't think it's impossible because they are adventurers.
No, well, ......, that's certainly the kind of history His Majesty has, but... ......
''Of course, in the case of the Silver Wings (us), we're only going to have you become a knight in name only. I don't know what the Golden Fang and the Dragon King have in mind.

　It seems that Carmine also didn't expect the Dragon King Knights to participate in the tournament, and a hint of confusion is evident from every word and action.

　For now, it would be better to draw out all the information that can be drawn out in the current situation.

　Because there aren't many opportunities to exchange words directly with Carmine, the head of the knight's group.

''I'd like to confirm, but I also have the right of refusal, don't I?
'Of course. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends and family. The Silver Wing Knights, as the leader of the Knights, I accept the refusal of the order, but I'm sure your father ...... former commander would have a hard time stomach it.

　The former head of the Silver Wing Knights, Garnett and Carmine's father, has retained a strong influence even after he retired for political reasons.

　I've heard that it was the former leader's idea to give me a knighthood and make me a member of the order in the first place.

''One more thing: ....... It's only a new candidate, and I'm not talking about a decision already made by the Dragon King Knights.
'Yeah. They are famous for only taking new members from their own people. However, it's not an explicit rule, and apparently there are a certain number of people who agree with them in this case.

　Carmine began to explain the situation of the Dragon King's Knights as he held up one finger in turn.

''I heard that they too have different opinions internally. There are those in favor who think that they should accept the request, assuming that the arrangement regarding new members of the Order is not important. And the opponents who think we should focus on tradition: ......
'......?　By the way you put it, didn't the Dragon King's Knights come up with this?
'Oops, I forgot to mention that. This case was requested by the Royal Court. I guess they wanted to check the internal strife between the knights.

　It's probably the internal struggle between the knights ...... and the Silver Wing and Golden Fang's dispute.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get the most out of your new job.

　However, the Dragon King was also divided in his inner circle, and my treatment was once again up in the air.

I'm not a fan of this," he said, "but I'm a member of the pro- and anti-support group, and also the conditional support group. These three groups are torn between the three, and no conclusion is likely to be reached yet or something.
Conditional?　What do you mean?
'These are the people who only want to take the new group members from their people, but they think they're in favor of making you one of their people and then ordaining you.

　I have a very bad feeling about this.
　I didn't want to hear any specifics, but Carmine finished explaining it before I could tell him.

I'm sure there are many ways to do this, but the most likely form is to marry you and one of your relatives and have them become your son-in-law.
'Huh!　What does that mean?

　It wasn't me who screamed.
　It was Garnett, who was supposed to be watching the situation with Felix.

　Garnett spoke up and grabbed onto Carmine and started to shake him hard and forcefully, not caring that he was my brother and Knight Commander.

'Why are you talking like that, dude!
I don't know. This kind of marriage has always been the norm for knights and aristocrats, even though it's on the decline these days, right?　Besides, as I recall, there was a precedent for joining the Order of the Dragon King like this, too.

　Carmine laughs, not seeming to mean it at all, even as Felix is shaken with enough force to panic.

　If my sister is my sister, then my brother is my brother. It seems that Carmine is no ordinary specimen after all.

'But you know what, Garnett? If you are not convinced, there are still effective ways to counteract this. Here's an example: ......

　I thought Carmine whispered something in my ear, and Garnett frowned deliberately, as if to paint over the expression that naturally came to his face.

　Then he walked back to us at a big walk and grabbed my arm and pulled me to him.

'Let's go, white wolf!　He said he's done with your brother's business!
Wait a minute. One last thing.

　Carmine stopped Garnett as he was leaving the room with me and briefly told him the rest of his business.

'The Royal Court has other plans for your treatment. Maybe there will be more incredible stories rolling in than this one, but ...... even then, you can at least listen to me.
...... Yes, I understand. If you just want to talk.

　As I answered, I was taken out of the office and the door was closed vigorously.

　Why did you suddenly decide to cut off the conversation - I looked at Garnett to ask him that question, but he quickly swallowed the words.

　Garnett's cheeks and ears are slightly flushed.

　It was obvious that the cause of this was Carmine's proposal, and the content had some degree of predictability.

　It might have been easier if I had tried to ask him why without a shred of delicacy, and it would have been easier if I had gotten angry and become indecisive, but I'm not that perceptive of a person, unfortunately.

　That's why I couldn't help but feel awkward about questioning him face to face.