As the lively court banquet concluded, the nobles began to depart one by one.
In the morning, Ronin was summoned by His Majesty the King and led by guards to the latter's study.
"Sit wherever you like, Ronin."
Bruno said with a smile, "I hear Karda chose to follow you last night?"
This opening line made Ronin feel a bit awkward.
Philimon was the Leader of the Royal Knight Order. His expression of interest in Karda all but confirmed that the order had come from His Majesty the King.
Ronin had also extended an offer to Karda and ultimately succeeded, which felt a lot like he had poached him.
Faced with Bruno's question, he chose to answer honestly.
"When the martial tournament began yesterday, Reis Knight from Sharp Horn City introduced me to Karda. I learned he hadn't pledged his loyalty to any noble, so I had the idea of recruiting him. I made him the offer during the championship match, but he didn't accept at the time."
