Hate me, Miss Witch!

Joker. A strange name.

The source of the voice was not the two people on the bench, but from the dark shadows.

Shiayar looked towards the entity in the shadows, sensing a strong aura of the Spirit Realm emanating from it.

Shiayar raised an eyebrow. A spirit channeler?

"Sort of, but I prefer the term 'medium' a little more."

The hoarse voice moved from far to near, then settled back onto the black-robed woman seated to the left on the bench.

Her face, shrouded and indistinct in the shadows of her hood, spoke in a raspy female voice, "I had intended to introduce myself to you by name, Leader, but it seems you prefer using codenames."

She stood and gave Shiayar a military salute. "Military Department code name 'Dark Raven.' My Pet Beast specialization is primarily undead and Spirit Realm creatures."

On the other side, a girl who shared Dark Raven's features but with softer, more youthful lines, and who appeared slightly younger, also bowed, performing a standard knight's salute to Shiayar. "Jurisdiction Bureau code name 'Nightingale.' I specialize in stealth and assassination."

"You come from the same family?"

Shiayar glanced at Dark Raven and Nightingale. I thought descendants of Legendary Knights of the Round Table would all be sunny, cheerful champions of justice. I didn't expect one to be a necromancer and the other an assassin.

"We are descendants of the Feyron family. Our ancestor's title was 'Dark Knight,' and our expertise lies in spirit channeling, covert reconnaissance, and assassination."

"Or rather, in the original Round Table, our ancestor's role was that of a scout," Dark Raven continued in her raspy voice. "However, as you said, Leader, in the old Round Table families, those envoys of justice who shone like the blazing sun, sparkling with a golden spirit, were the mainstream. We were the outliers."

"Unfortunately, over the past few centuries, those proud and powerful Round Table families have either been destroyed or fallen into decline."

"Only three of the original outlier families, including our Feyron family, have survived."

Hmph, 'the three survivors,' as they call themselves... Still, it suits my taste.

Shiayar nodded.

Although the current style of these descendants of Knights of the Round Table was somewhat unusual, Shiayar was still quite pleased.

Whether it's spirit channeling, stealthy reconnaissance, or assassination, these are at least rare and useful abilities. Far better than being saddled with simple-minded brutes whose strength lies only in their limbs. When it comes to brutes—no, when it comes to a tough wife, I have Ennie, and she's more than enough. Docile, obedient, loyal, easy on the eyes, and a capable fighter—far better than any random person out there. Still... Shiayar's gaze swept over Dark Raven and Nightingale before him. He felt as though their respectful demeanor concealed something else.

"Why do you seem so well-practiced at this?"

A moment of silence filled the air. Dark Raven hesitated, but ultimately remained quiet.

Instead, Nightingale, who had only spoken to introduce herself and had been listening to her sister, spoke first.

She blinked, looking at Shiayar with her emotionless, pale green eyes. "After the fall of the Swordbearers, the Royal Family made twenty-seven attempts to rebuild them over the last one hundred and fifty years."

"The last attempt was four years ago."

The outcome of that attempt four years ago needed no elaboration.

If it had been successful, Shiayar wouldn't be standing here now as the newly appointed leader of the Swordbearers, delivering an inaugural speech.

Well, now. It seems the position of Swordbearer leader comes with its own accumulated baggage.

With this, Shiayar understood his current predicament.

Dark Raven and Nightingale, and even those Swordbearer members not currently in the Empire Capital, would indeed show me respect and deference. They would carry out my orders. But that's solely because of my current position. Their true loyalty lies with Her Highness the Second Princess. Although assigned to be Swordbearers, the truth is, after so many failures over the past hundred years, these descendants of the Knights of the Round Table have long since lost faith. Their morale is low.

Oh well. Since I'm accepting their support, I suppose I have to get the job done.

Shiayar rose and walked out of the lounge.

Enola and Dyres flanked him, one on his left and one on his right.

After exchanging a glance, Dark Raven and Nightingale also followed.

They, too, wanted to see how this new leader differed from the previous failures.

「Empire Capital, the suburbs.」

「Dewell Port Area.」

Compared to the solemn grandeur of the Upper City District and the youthful fashion of the Black Lily District, the Dewell Port Area was the most complex and chaotic zone in the entire Empire Capital.

According to the files Shiayar had found at the Secret Intelligence Division of the Military Department, numerous Titled Rank powerhouses from enemy nations had even infiltrated the port area, seeking information in this territory where saints and sinners mingled.

The Ashes Cult had also chosen to infiltrate through the Dewell Port Area for their attack on St. Roland Academy.

Casinos, hidden black markets, brothels, supernatural gatherings... In theory, as long as one had enough money, one could find anything one desired in the Dewell Port Area.

City of Eternal Night — "Thorns of Sin."

Officially, it was merely a bridge club.

But in reality, its footprint, much like its nickname, was akin to a city within a city.

Magictech lamps reflected neon glory on glass, casting light on the faces of gamblers consumed by greed, ecstasy, or despair.

Dazzling, yet steeped in gilded intoxication.