On the castle’s observation platform, Anke rested his hand on a telescope mounted on a stand, looking out at the city walls. Under the escort of thirty knights, several carriages were gradually entering.
“The three earls’ carriages have arrived. Everyone remember your tasks. Do not make any mistakes.”
Anke pulled back the telescope and turned to remind Vera, Mustafa, and the rest of the retainers standing behind him.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Anke’s retainers replied in unison, then, except for Vera who remained behind Anke, everyone else left the observation platform to head to their positions.
The carriage at the front, bearing the Oka family crest, drove into Border City Castle under the escort of the Imperial Guard Knights.
“Earl, we have arrived.”
The captain of the Imperial Guard Knights stepped forward and gently tapped on the carriage door.
“Already here? That fast?”
A steady, middle-aged male voice came from inside the carriage.
Immediately after, the door was pushed open from the inside by a male servant.
The coachman, who had been waiting outside, quickly placed a low stool in front of the open door so the master could descend the carriage with ease.
“As I recall, it used to take at least until noon to reach the border. Did the horses run faster today?”
Leaning on his servant’s arm as he slowly stepped out of the carriage, Earl Oca looked up at the sun, which had only recently risen, feeling as though it was unreal.
“To answer the esteemed Earl Oca, it’s because the Fourth Prince specially funded the repair of the road from Iron Spear City to Border City, so today it’s about half a day faster than before.”
A voice answered Earl Oca’s confusion.
“Oh? Is that so?”
Earl Oca looked toward the source of the voice and saw a tall, cleanly dressed butler with blond hair and an impressive bearing—it was Kamal, the smartest centurion of the Iron Jaw Tribe.
Because Kamal had an excellent appearance, Anke had assigned him to receive the three earls, also giving him some experience in hosting distinguished guests.
Anke’s idea was indeed good and effective.
However, he had overestimated the tolerance of the old nobles of the Black Cross Kingdom toward someone like Kamal, a barbarian.
When Earl Oca first looked at Kamal, there was indeed appreciation in his eyes, and his expression was very pleased.
“Young man, are you the one assigned to receive me?”
“Yes, Earl Oca. I am Your Highness’s retainer, Kamal, sent specifically on his orders to receive you, as well as Earl Rohak and Earl Pauly.”
Kamal focused intently, his voice loud and clear, his words concise—he performed perfectly.
“Not bad, young man, very—”
Earl Oca wanted to praise Kamal, but when he looked closer and noticed the horse ears among the blond hair on top of Kamal’s head, realizing this person was a barbarian, his face instantly showed undisguised disdain.
“Ha, a barbarian? Is Border City so short on people that a barbarian is qualified to receive guests?”
Earl Oca tapped the ground with his ruby-studded scepter, then, as if avoiding something unclean, he quickly passed by Kamal with his attendants and guards, giving him no chance to respond.
“Mr. Kamal, are you… are you alright?”
The young attendant behind Kamal, having witnessed his humiliation by Earl Oca, asked him with concern.
“It’s fine. The Prince mentioned this to me. I was mentally prepared.”
Kamal glanced back at the young attendant, then took a deep breath to steady himself and continued to receive the remaining two earls.
Fortunately, the other two earls did not treat Kamal as harshly as Earl Oca.
Even if their eyes still held the same discrimination toward Kamal’s barbarian identity, they did not, like Earl Oca, make it blatantly obvious to embarrass him.
Inside the castle, Anke and Vera were met by Earl Oca, who arrived with a face full of anger and dissatisfaction, along with over a dozen of his attendants and knights.
“What’s wrong with Earl Oca? Why did he bring so many attendants and knights inside? Couldn’t my people arrange their accommodations properly?”
Anke looked at the crowd behind Earl Oca and asked him in confusion.
“Prince Anke, you are quite carefree, aren’t you? Do you have any idea what a big problem has occurred?”
Earl Oca spoke sternly to Anke, pressing both hands over the gem atop his scepter.
“A big problem? Could it be that one of my retainers spoke out of turn and offended you, Earl Oca?”
Anke inquired of Earl Oca.
“A retainer? Prince Anke, are you saying that barbarian is your retainer?
Prince Anke, you actually took a barbarian as a retainer! And had him openly receive a count of the kingdom!”
Earl Oca frowned, gripping his scepter and striking the carpet beneath him hard.
“Wait, wait, Earl Oca, I understand your meaning. My retainer didn’t fail in his duty to receive you, but rather, you feel that his barbarian origins have offended you, correct?”
Anke raised his hand to calm Earl Oca down before continuing.
“Naturally. Prince Anke, you are young and may make small mistakes, so I won’t hold it against you too much.
But as an elder, I must remind you: these barbarians are an inferior race. If you employ barbarians, it is an insult and a provocation to other nobles!”
Earl Oca spoke to Anke with alarming words.
“Earl Oca, I do not agree with your view. While Kamal’s origins are foreign and he is not a subject of our Black Cross Kingdom, in my eyes, he is not much different from us.
As long as he is genuinely willing to become my retainer and serve me, then I should give him the same respect, not discrimination. I sent him to receive you, an honored guest, and he was only following my orders.
If Earl Oca feels offended, you may directly express your dissatisfaction to me, rather than using prejudice and discrimination to blame a retainer who performed his duty earnestly.”
Anke countered Earl Oca.
“Clap, clap, clap—”
Suddenly, applause came from behind Earl Oca’s retinue of attendants and guards.
“Well said. Prince Anke, if I were your retainer, after hearing that, I would pledge my life to serve you.”
Earl Pauly stepped out from among Earl Oca’s attendants, clapping as he praised Anke.
“I think so too, ahem. Since a lord accepts a retainer, he must take on the responsibility of being a lord.
Ahem, but Prince Anke, you were still a bit impulsive. Earl Oca’s words, though unpleasant, are not without merit.”
Earl Rohak, supported by his wife, slowly walked in, acting as a peacemaker.
“I meant well. If Prince Anke does not understand these rules, he will certainly suffer for it in the future.”
After hearing Earl Pauly and Earl Rohak’s remarks, Earl Oca had no choice but to follow Earl Rohak’s lead.
“Then I thank Earl Oca for his good intentions.”
Anke did not continue to press Earl Oca.
Since Earl Oca was willing to back down, Anke let him take that step back.
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