Chapter 28: The Night of Ennoblement (Part One)

“Do you have any requests?” asked Knight King Shaya.

“Knight King, I think you’ve misunderstood something. We agreed on the reward from the beginning. I was hired as a mercenary to assist you. These spoils of war belong to you—you may do with them as you please,” Samimi replied with sudden, unexpectedly high emotional intelligence.

“Child…” Such a noble and selfless statement left even the honor-bound Knight King Shaya solemn and respectful.

At that moment, the mischievous Fabiana hadn’t actually left. She was eavesdropping just outside the door.

Hearing Samimi’s sincere words, Fabiana was the one most emotionally moved.

Because she knew what kind of rotten woman Samimi used to be—and now, she really had become a good person.

If it was all an act, and she’d maintained the charade so flawlessly for days on end, then… even if she were lying, Fabiana felt she’d willingly be deceived.

“The prince has agreed to host an ennoblement banquet for our family. After that, we’ll officially become House Diarmuid, Barons,” said Knight King Shaya. “Child, your grace toward us is far more than mere money can measure.”

“Just having your words, Knight King, is enough,” Samimi smiled.

“If you ever find yourself in trouble, the Giant Whale Knights and the House of Diarmuid will come to your aid without hesitation. I, Knight King Shaya, give you my word,” he said solemnly.

Samimi knew this was the best way to win over a loyalty-driven old man like him.

Unlike the scheming and cunning noblewomen, Shaya was a pure-hearted good man.

“Child, I hope you’ll attend our ennoblement banquet,” he added.

“Knight King, I’m a wanted woman. I have many enemies in the capital—it’s not convenient for me to return,” Samimi tactfully declined.

“If you’re not there to witness it, this tiny title is meaningless to me,” said Shaya, his voice low and serious.

“In that case, since you put it that way…” Samimi replied with equal gravity, “I’ll find a way to be there. I won’t let you down.”

“Thank you.” Shaya rose, the countless things he could say reduced to those two words.

“Knight King, I hope you’ll train my companion well—teach her how to defend herself in this chaotic world,” Samimi said with heartfelt sincerity. “And lastly, may our friendship last forever.”

“No problem. I’ll teach her the essence of my swordsmanship in the shortest time possible,” said the old man, clearly charmed by her sweet tongue.

To repay the favor, even the barony he had worked for all his life now seemed secondary. That’s how persuasive Samimi could be when she wanted to.

After Shaya left, Fabiana stepped in, her face full of tenderness.

But Samimi’s sweet expression from moments earlier vanished in a flash when she saw her. Her face immediately fell.

“I need rest. Please give me some privacy.”

With a wave of her little hand, she used magic to shut the door in Fabiana’s face, clearly not interested in talking.

“That’s fine. You rest well—don’t overexert yourself. I’ll brew some medicine for you.”

Even after being shut out, Fabiana didn’t get angry. She stood outside the door speaking softly in a voice that was… eerily calm. Like one of those beautiful housewives who poison their short and ugly husbands.

“Did she take the wrong medicine? She must be up to something…”

The sudden gentleness gave Samimi goosebumps. She had to stay on guard.

The next few days passed peacefully.

“Harder! Is that all the strength you’ve got and still want to learn swordsmanship?!”

Everyone was enjoying their rest—except for Niubao, who had become the Knight King’s personal sword disciple. She was undergoing hellish training: only four hours of sleep a day, the rest spent learning the old man’s sword techniques.

What astonished everyone was—Niubao never once complained.

She gritted her teeth and completed the full secret curriculum of the Knight King’s swordsmanship in the allotted time.

The Giant Whale Knights, who had all been whipped into shape by the Knight King in the past, no longer teased and played around with Niubao. Their expressions had turned deadly serious.

Because they knew exactly how brutal the Knight King’s standards were—barely humanly possible.

If anyone could finish that training, then surely—they weren’t human.

That was the point. The training wasn’t designed for a student to finish. It was meant to push them until they collapsed.

But Niubao pushed herself until Knight King Shaya was the one who had to rest.

It must be said: Shaya had a good eye.

Why else would he take a half-beast girl as his direct disciple? He must’ve known Niubao was no ordinary person.

If she didn’t have talent, even Samimi begging him wouldn’t have moved that stubborn old man.

To him, swordsmanship carried the same weight as honor and loyalty—it meant more than titles or rank.

Soon, it was time to return to the capital.

The Giant Whale Knights had all made preparations, along with Samimi and Niubao.

They were heading to the capital for the ennoblement banquet.

Samimi’s method of hiding her identity was simple: a custom-made nun’s hood with a veil of black gauze to cover her face.

She could still use a Clarity Spell to see through it, so the extra layer didn’t bother her.

She even got a nun’s robe custom-made for Niubao, with holes in the hood to let her horns stick out—thus disguising her as a beastkin nun in the procession.

Beastkin nuns were a common sight. Most church-run orphanages took in beastkin orphans, who often ended up as the lowest-ranking, unrecognized members of the clergy—working themselves to death with no hope of promotion.

In other words, if the church never recognizes them, anyone can pretend to be one. No certification needed.

Samimi and Niubao rode in a carriage.

The rest of the Giant Whale Knights rode warhorses, forming a protective ring around the convoy.

One large wagon was especially built to carry the entire dragon skeleton, requiring dozens of strong draft horses.

This was the gift for the Third Prince—and the reason the House of Diarmuid was being ennobled.

“It’s a dragon!”

“A dragon? Where?! Run!”

“You idiot, it’s dragon bones!”

Leading the procession were Knight King Shaya and Pure White Knight Fabiana. Wherever they passed, crowds gathered to watch in awe.

“Welcome, Knight King!”

“Welcome, Knight King!”

“Welcome, Knight King!”

As they neared the capital gates, elite royal knights came to escort them—clearing the path and ensuring the Giant Whale Knights reached the prince’s palace safely.

The capital had been informed well in advance, and the whole spectacle had been arranged to be as grand as possible.

The streets were lined with spectators.

After all, the whole point of this gift was for everyone to see it—for everyone to know the prince had received a full dragon skeleton.

That’s nobility for you—if there’s no glory, the dragon bones are worthless.

The ennoblement banquet for the House of Diarmuid would be held alongside the ceremony.

The prince had invited nearly every notable figure in the capital to his palace—truly giving Knight King Shaya the highest possible honor.