30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 104

The Silver Lion Knights.

They were the kingdom’s most elite knightly order.

The knights numbered 300. Considering that the salary for one knight was comparable to the value of a thoroughbred racehorse, one might wonder how such a force could be maintained. Fortunately, the wages for Silver Lion members were far lower compared to other knightly orders.

The reason? Simple.

The Silver Lions weren’t paid to serve; rather, knights were willing to pay for the honor of joining.

Founded alongside the history of Pendragon, the order boasted profound tradition. Its countless legends matched its long-standing history, and its symbolism as an eternal ally to Lionel was unmatched.

To belong to the Silver Lion Knights meant inheriting this legacy, legends, and prestige.

For this reason, the sons of high-ranking nobles dreamed of joining the Silver Lions. There was no greater honor, nor a better opportunity to establish ties with the royal family.

Thus, those who became Silver Lions were elite knights who had passed through grueling competition, with odds of thousands to one.

But...

“Gasp!”

“Why... why is he here?”

“I heard he was demoted!”

“Stay away—don’t make eye contact...”

“...”

...That didn’t necessarily mean they had all earned their places fairly.

‘Nothing’s changed here.’

The Silver Lion uniform felt unbearably stifling after so long. Maybe his muscles had grown, or perhaps his frame had become broader. Either way, it was uncomfortable. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

As he endured the awkward uniform and walked through the palace, countless eyes turned his way.

The 1st Division, the 2nd Division, and even his own 3rd Division.

Not a single gaze was friendly.

Not that Ihan cared, as he wasn’t feeling particularly friendly himself. Still, he couldn’t help but smirk.

It wasn’t because of their laughable hostility.

It was just...

‘Did I step into enemy territory?’

The place he had returned to felt foreign, like a hostile camp.

This was undeniably his old workplace, yet it filled him with the unpleasant sensation of having entered enemy lines.

After spending months around pure-hearted academy students and straightforward knights like the Blood Eagle Order, this den of “snakes” was jarring.

‘I’ve only been gone five months, yet this place feels utterly alien.’

He had once likened knightly orders to the major leagues. Like promising players in the minor leagues, knights here were undoubtedly talented.

But this was the palace, the heart of the capital.

It wasn’t a place where one could survive on personal prowess alone...

It was a domain where politics was essential.

To thrive in the palace ecosystem was to inevitably be involved in politics. As such, over 80% of the Silver Lions were either relatives of court officials or beneficiaries of their sponsorship.

The 1st Division aligned with the royalists, while the 2nd Division sided with the noble faction. The 3rd Division was a mix of minor nobles and peculiar oddballs.

Thus, Ihan found it amusing.

A major league infused with factions, connections, and bloodline politics—a bizarre melting pot, to say the least.

‘My standards have gotten too high.’

Having spent time among true knights, these slippery, scheming individuals only drew sighs from him.

Moreover...

‘How is it possible for them to stagnate so much?’

The level here was shockingly low, which disappointed him even more.

He recognized a few faces and was sure of one thing: not a single one of them had progressed in the past few months. Despite their major-league talent, they wasted it on political games rather than honing their skills with the sword.

‘It’s infuriating.’

Was this some occupational hazard? Having taken on the role of a teacher, he now understood how aggravating it was to see talent go to waste.

And the person responsible for dragging him into this mess...

No, not just a person—a being one might call...

“Her Highness Isis Elaine de Pendragon, Crown Princess of the Kingdom. Knight Ihan seeks an audience as summoned.”

The clear, respectful voice of a steward with the rank of baron echoed.

And thus...

[Enter.]

The Crown Princess, poised on the cusp of her ascension, had summoned him. Ihan stepped into the White Lion Palace, feeling an intense displeasure akin to entering a snake pit.

Ambrosia.

A mythical elixir said to have existed in ancient times.

It wasn’t a restorative medicine or a tonic to recover strength. Rather...

“Ambrosia?! That Ambrosia said to cure all curses and diseases, even innate allergies or congenital illnesses?”

“It cures allergies too?”

“Wow... I didn’t know it actually existed.”

The most detailed explanation he’d ever heard came from his all-knowing, omnipotent status window. Nodding, Ihan thought it was fortunate he had asked.

“Can you make it?”

Tired of being dragged around by his tyrannical older sister, Ihan wondered if this was his chance to escape. With some hope, he asked his status window if Ambrosia could be created.

Given that the alchemical skills displayed so far had even handled the Heart of the Demon King, his expectations were high.

“Hmm... I don’t think it’s possible.”

“...!”

The response dashed his hopes.

Annoyed, Ihan pressed on.

“Is it because you lack the ingredients? If so, I’ll get them.”

“No, it’s not about the ingredients.”

“Then is it the formula? If it’s that...”

“No, the formula is easy. You just mix Mandrake, Siren’s Tears, and Queen Bee Wax.”

“Then why can’t you make it?”

“Because only witches can make it.”

“??”

“Ambrosia is a potion exclusive to witches—a creation requiring their touch, magic, and mystery. As a regular human, how could I craft a witch’s elixir?”

“Then how did this one get made?”

“Probably hired a witch. Whoever did it must be impressive. Witches are among the rarest mystical beings—a 0.000001% chance of encountering one.”

“So you’re saying...”

“Meeting a witch and having them create Ambrosia is an astronomically rare chance. And even if you did meet one, they’d likely kill you on sight.”

“Urgh...”

He could almost see the smug face of the princess mocking him.

‘Oh, my foolish little brother. Do you think I wouldn’t see through your petty schemes? Stop wasting your time.’

Frustration boiled in him. Ihan hated that he felt like grabbing the back of his neck, even though he hadn’t lost in combat or argument.

‘She toys with people.’

Suppressing his irritation, Ihan finally met with Isis.

She greeted him with an amused smile, as if relishing the sight of him.

“So, did you enjoy my gift?”

“...Yes, I was deeply moved. Brought to tears, in fact.”

“Good. I’m glad.”

“...”

“Now, I suppose it’s time I received something in return for my gift.”

She extended her foot.

“Kiss it.”

“...”

Isis demanded he kiss her foot, and Ihan’s expression turned blank.

“...Sister, your tastes are... unique.”

While he respected her preferences, he couldn’t help but think forcing them onto others was going too far.

The White Lion Palace.

A symbolic residence reserved for the next heir to the throne.

To enter it was a sign of immense honor and achievement for any noble or knight. And its current occupant was none other than Isis Pendragon.

Renowned as the kingdom’s greatest beauty since her debutante ball, Isis’s allure had once caused foreign royalty to fall into lovesickness, endlessly vying for her favor. Though she no longer attended grand parties, her reputation as the kingdom’s most beautiful woman remained unchallenged.

With the noble blood of royalty flowing through her veins, her youth would last for a century to come.

For this reason, countless nobles and knights desperately longed to enter the White Lion Palace, eager to receive the honor of kissing the royal heir’s hand—or foot.

And yet...

“You ungrateful fool. Men and women alike are desperate to kiss my foot, yet you...!”

“Is everyone in this kingdom alright? They all seem like perverts.”

“You insolent wretch!”

Smack.

Her fan struck Ihan’s head.