For a moment, the entire table fell silent.
Cindy was the first to react. "…Wait."
She slowly leaned forward, eyes narrowing at Knox as if she had just heard something completely unbelievable.
"What did you just say?"
Rick blinked.
Simon looked up from his drink.
Meilyn stopped mid-bite.
Even Claudia's calm expression shifted slightly, and Merida, who had been quietly nibbling on another konpeito candy, paused.
Knox rested his chin on his palm casually, looking far too relaxed for someone who had just dropped such a statement.
"The royal family of the Dresden Kingdom," he repeated lightly.
Cindy's eyes widened. "THE royal family?!"
Rick nearly spat out his drink.
"Hold on—hold on—!"
He raised both hands. "You mean that Dresden Kingdom?"
Knox nodded. "Yep."
Claudia folded her arms thoughtfully. "…Why would the royal family request you specifically?"
Merida spoke quietly between small bites of candy. "…Troublesome."
"That's exactly what I was thinking!" Cindy said immediately.
She leaned closer across the table, curiosity written all over her face.
"So what kind of mission is it? Escort duty? Political stuff? Monster extermination?"
Rick suddenly snapped his fingers. "Oh! Maybe they invited you because of the music thing!"
He grinned. "You know. Famous singer, famous author, Special Entry Number One. Sounds like the perfect guest for some fancy royal event."
Meilyn rolled her eyes. "Rick. Not everything revolves around music."
"But it could!" Rick protested.
Simon, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke.
"…If the royal family contacted Kizen directly, then it must be something important."
Knox gave a small shrug. "Well, the request wasn't exactly for a mission in the usual sense."
Everyone looked at him again.
"They sent an official request to Kizen," Knox continued.
"Basically asking for a delegation from the academy to attend an event at the Dresden royal castle."
Cindy blinked. "…A delegation?"
"Yep."
Knox raised a finger. "And in that request, they specifically mentioned one name."
He tapped his own chest. "Knox Aznable."
Rick let out a low whistle. "Well… that doesn't sound suspicious at all."
Claudia tilted her head slightly. "So the royal family themselves requested your presence."
Knox nodded. "Something like that."
Merida swallowed her candy and murmured, "…That really does sound troublesome."
Cindy suddenly leaned closer again. "Wait wait wait."
"So you're telling me the royal family personally asked Kizen to send you there?"
"Pretty much."
"…Why?"
Knox leaned back in his chair lazily. "Well, there are a few possible reasons."
He held up a finger.
"My reputation as a bounty hunter."
Another finger.
"My work as a writer."
A third.
"And apparently, my music."
Rick chuckled. "Wow. A royal invitation because you're too famous."
"That's not necessarily a good thing," Claudia said calmly.
"Being invited by a royal court can also mean being dragged into political matters."
Meilyn nodded slowly. "…That's true."
Cindy crossed her arms. "So this isn't just some friendly dinner invitation."
Knox smiled faintly. "Probably not."
He popped another konpeito candy into his mouth.
"But from what the request said, it's mainly a formal event."
"Something like an exhibition and a performance gathering."
Rick whistled. "So basically you're going there to show off your talents in front of nobles?"
"Something like that."
Cindy suddenly grinned. "Well! That sounds exciting!"
Meilyn scoffed. "Only you would say that."
Claudia chuckled quietly.
Meanwhile, Knox simply continued eating his star-shaped candies as if receiving a personal invitation from the royal family of Dresden was nothing more than a mildly interesting inconvenience.
Then Knox suddenly added, "But… I have a strong feeling something troublesome might happen later."
The words made several people at the table pause.
Cindy blinked.
Claudia's brows knit slightly.
Even Simon looked at him with quiet concern.
The others from both Group 8 and Group 7 instinctively turned their gaze toward Knox.
"…Troublesome?" Rick repeated.
But Knox only held their attention for a second before his expression suddenly changed.
A relaxed smile spread across his face.
"But!"
He raised a finger playfully.
"I also hope something fun and interesting happens too. Hehe~"
The sudden shift made the tension evaporate almost instantly.
Cindy rolled her eyes.
Claudia let out a small sigh while shaking her head.
Meilyn clicked her tongue.
Rick burst out laughing.
Even Simon couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Meanwhile, Merida simply watched Knox for a moment before quietly returning to her candy, as if she had already expected that answer from him.
Knox suddenly turned his attention to Simon.
"Oh, by the way, Simon."
Simon looked up.
"Yeah?"
"What about you?" Knox asked casually. "What kind of mission did you take?"
Simon answered without hesitation. "It's a Solve Disappearance Case mission."
Knox raised an eyebrow slightly. "Hm? Isn't that the mission whose difficulty was recently raised from D to B?"
The moment those words left his mouth, the members of Group 7 instinctively turned toward Simon.
Their gazes were… complicated.
Concern. Worry. And a little disbelief.
Rick scratched the back of his head. "Wait… the difficulty jumped that high?"
Meilyn frowned slightly. "That mission sounds dangerous."
Camibarez looked worried. "…Simon."
Seeing their reactions, Simon quickly waved his hands.
"Hey, hey, don't worry!"
He laughed awkwardly.
"I can handle it."
Then he added, "Besides, I already got Professor Jane's approval."
Hearing that name immediately eased the tension.
Rick exhaled. "Well, if Professor Jane approved it…"
Meilyn nodded slowly. "…Then it should be fine."
Camibarez also looked visibly relieved.
Simon smiled reassuringly.
Meanwhile, Knox quietly watched the scene. Then something suddenly surfaced in his mind.
This morning.
He had been called to Jane's office. And during that meeting, Jane had explained something important regarding his own Commissions.
Earlier that morning.
Jane's office.
Knox was already sitting comfortably in front of her desk, casually munching on some snacks he had taken from a small plate nearby.
Jane sat across from him, her expression as calm as ever.
"Knox," she said.
"The reason I called you here is to tell you about your mission."
Knox let out a small sigh while chewing.
"…Yeah, I figured."
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"But what kind of mission is it, sis?"
He narrowed his eyes a little. "Somehow… I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Correction." Her voice remained completely calm.
"It's missions. Not a mission."
Knox froze. The snack in his hand stopped halfway to his mouth.
"…Excuse me?"
He slowly lowered his hand. "Did you just say… missions?"
He stared at her blankly.
"Not one…"
"…but two commissions?"
A long pause followed. Then Knox asked cautiously, "…Can I refuse?"
Jane stared at him silently.
Then she asked back, "What do you think?"
Knox's eyebrow twitched. "Sister Jane."
He raised a hand dramatically. "I demand my human rights!"
"Rejected."
Jane answered instantly without even blinking.
Then she continued calmly, "Next, I will explain the details of your commissions."
Jane folded her hands neatly on the desk. "The first mission is relatively simple."
Knox raised an eyebrow. "Whenever you say something is simple, it usually isn't."
Jane ignored the remark and continued. "As you already know, the Dresden Kingdom has formally sent a request to Kizen."
Knox leaned back slightly in his chair. "For a delegation visit?"
Jane nodded. "Yes. The royal family of Dresden will be hosting a cultural gathering."
She paused briefly before continuing. "The location will be the Winter Palace."
Knox blinked. "…Winter Palace?"
Jane nodded. "It is a palace located in Langerstine."
"It used to be the seasonal residence of the Dresden royal family during winter."
She adjusted her glasses slightly.
"However, the royal family now resides in the main palace throughout the year. The Winter Palace is currently maintained as a historical palace, functioning as both a museum and a royal garden that preserves records and artifacts from various periods of the kingdom."
Knox rested his chin on his palm. "So basically… a fancy historical palace."
Jane did not deny it. "The palace is occasionally used for formal events, exhibitions, and cultural gatherings."
She slid a document across the desk toward him.
"This upcoming event will include an art exhibition, literary presentations, and musical performances."
Knox glanced down at the document.
Then he sighed softly. "…I see."
Jane continued calmly.
"The Dresden royal family has requested that Kizen send several representatives to attend the gathering."
She paused briefly.
"And in that request, one particular name was mentioned."
Knox slowly pointed at himself. "…Let me guess."
Jane nodded. "Knox Aznable."
Knox leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead.
"Of course it is."
"The royal court of Dresden appears to have taken interest in you."
Knox muttered under his breath. "That's not exactly comforting."
Jane continued as if she hadn't heard the comment.
"You are widely known as the former bounty hunter 'White Devil,' a popular author whose works have spread beyond the Dark Alliance, and a musician whose performances have recently gained considerable attention."
She looked at him directly.
"In other words, you represent influence in several different fields."
Knox scratched the back of his head.
"…That sounds suspiciously like I'm being used as a decorative centerpiece."
Jane replied without hesitation. "You are."
Knox stared at her. "…You're not even trying to deny it."
Jane calmly continued.
"Kizen will send a small delegation to attend the event."
She tapped the document lightly. "And you will be participating as one of the central guests."
Knox tilted his head.
"So what exactly am I supposed to do there?"
Jane answered simply.
"Attend the exhibition."
"Possibly present your work."
"And perform music if requested."
Knox stared up at the ceiling for a moment.
"…So I'm basically going to a royal party."
"Something like that."
Knox sighed again.
"Let me guess."
He looked back at Jane.
"There's going to be politics involved."
Jane gave a faint smile.
"You're not wrong."
"The Dresden royal court contains several factions with different views regarding Kizen."
Knox groaned quietly. "…Of course it does."
Jane continued calmly. "Your presence there will naturally attract attention."
Knox rubbed his temples. "So I'm basically walking into a political battlefield."
Jane corrected him. "A diplomatic environment."
Knox looked at her. "That's just a polite way of saying the same thing."
Jane ignored the remark. "In any case, your role in this mission is simple."
She looked at him directly.
"Attend the event as a representative of Kizen."
"Maintain proper conduct."
"And avoid causing unnecessary trouble."
A brief silence followed.
Then Knox slowly raised his hand.
"I have a question."
Jane nodded. "What is it?"
Knox looked at her with a completely serious expression.
"…What are the chances that trouble will happen anyway?"
Jane answered immediately.
"Very high."
Knox sighed.
"…Yeah."
"I had a feeling."
Then Knox leaned forward slightly, a faint smirk appearing on his face.
"But, Sister Jane… I have a question~"
Jane instantly felt a bad premonition.
Somehow, she already knew this question would not be a simple one.
Still, she composed herself and replied calmly.
"What question?"
Knox rested his chin on his hand.
"What if the 'trouble' you mentioned… comes looking for me on its own?"
His smile widened a little.
"Can I handle it… my way?"
Jane stared at him silently for a few seconds.
Then she let out a quiet sigh.
"…Be more specific."
Knox shrugged lightly.
"Well, based on my calculations, guesses, and a few theories…"
He lazily twirled a piece of snack between his fingers.
"I'm pretty sure someone from the anti-Kizen faction will try to stir up trouble during the event."
His tone was casual, but his eyes were sharp.
"And if they dare to do that, it's probably because they have backing."
He paused for a moment. "Most likely their queen."
Jane's eyes narrowed slightly.
Knox continued, "So if that kind of situation happens… and I get dragged into it…"
He smiled again. "…can I deal with it my way~?"
The room grew quiet.
Jane's expression slowly changed.
The gentle calm in her eyes disappeared, replaced by a colder, sharper gaze.
"Knox."
Her voice was firm.
"You don't need to worry about that."
She folded her arms.
"Because I will also be there with you."
Knox raised an eyebrow.
But Jane continued, "However."
"If trouble truly comes looking for you…"
Her gaze became even colder.
"…then they will either have to face me."
"Or you may deal with it yourself."
Knox's smile widened slightly.
Jane added one final condition.
"But unfortunately for you, you must handle it in a lawful and proper manner. Understood?"
Knox immediately straightened his posture.
He gave an exaggerated salute. "Yes ma'am! Order received!"
Seeing her little brother suddenly acting like an obedient soldier made Jane pause for a moment.
The coldness in her eyes gradually softened. A small smile appeared on her lips.
She shook her head slightly. "…Honestly."
Her voice carried a mix of exasperation and affection.
"I really don't know what to do with you sometimes."
Knox simply grinned.