25-153

EP.153 [Collaboration with the Imperial Knights, and Victoria von Bayern] 

"The Im-Imperial Knights??????" 

The Imperial Knights-a group currently considered the most powerful in the Elysium Empire and the pinnacle of official military force. 

When it was revealed that the second "Plus" collaboration request came from the Imperial Knights, all members of the Red Fox Mercenary Band except Ivan and Thomas, who had been told in advance, stared in shock. 

"Yes, that's right. The Imperial Knights of the Elysium Empire have requested to collaborate with us," Jeanne confirmed again. 

"Whoa... Imperial Knights..." Peter muttered, dazed. 

Unless you are a high-ranking noble, it is not easy to be directly involved with the Imperial Knights. Most only ever deal with public security-type orders like the Guard Knights. The Imperial Knights are a symbol of the Elysium Empire, a gathering of the nation’s top awakened and swordmasters. 

'She didn't even tell me in advance-no wonder. What a surprise.' Eugene looked at Jeanne, tongue-tied. It felt cute and mischievous; Jeanne had told him about the Alexandria job before it was announced, but not this time. Maybe it was to be extra cautious, but Eugene sensed Jeanne also wanted to surprise her comrades. 

Glance...! Glance...! 

Eugene’s intuition was spot on. He could tell from Jeanne’s frequent glances at him. 'She must feel proud. She always wanted to stand equal to her other family members. Even if she’s not completely there yet, collaborating with the Imperial Knights is enough to make her feel elated.' 

Eugene fully understood what Jeanne wanted to boast about. Jeanne wanted to step out of her ducal family’s shadow and become independent. Complete independence wasn’t realistic, but she wanted visible results from her own abilities. The clearest sign of that would be for the Red Fox Mercenary Band to become renowned on their own. If the Imperial Knights are requesting collaboration, that means they’ve at least reached that minimum standard-so Jeanne felt proud. 

"I see... If it’s the Imperial Knights, the level of secrecy must be far beyond even noble knight orders." 

With that, the details of the second Plus collaboration quest were discussed. 

Even Ivan, a former high-ranking mercenary, was amazed by the news. He nodded as Jeanne explained the new collaboration. "The negotiations seem even more complicated than with Alexandria. It doesn’t look like something that can be handled just with paperwork. It seems like people will have to go back and forth in person. The Imperial Knights have already requested that." 

Jeanne agreed, saying that the negotiations between the Imperial Knights and the Red Fox Mercenary Band would take considerable time. 

The Imperial Knights had requested collaboration but were keeping the subject confidential, likely due to high security. Both sides would send delegations to meet and assess each other before sharing quest details. Normally, such secrecy would be considered arrogant, but the Red Fox Band’s veteran leaders understood the special nature of the Imperial Knights and accepted it. 

"If we successfully complete a quest with the Imperial Knights, the settlement ratio with the association could be as high as 9 to 1, right, Marie?" 

"That’s right, Sophia. At that point, other regional associations will try to recruit us with special deals." 

Not only is it special, but just collaborating with the Imperial Knights is a huge boost to your career. The Mercenary Association is under imperial influence but isn’t a full government agency. It’s more like a semi-private company, so the money you can attract depends on your results. The four major city associations in Fedon each compete to recruit the best mercenaries, offering unofficial perks like better settlement ratios to keep top bands. 

"Me, Thomas, and Priscilla?" 

After the public discussion, Jeanne had asked Eugene to stay behind. Alone, she explained the core details. 

"Yes, those are the people chosen to go to the Imperial Knights’ arena." 

The Imperial Knights wanted to know more about the Red Fox Band, so they asked for a delegation to visit their arena. Jeanne included Eugene Schneider as part of the delegation. 

"Priscilla was specifically requested by the Imperial Knights, Thomas is included as a bridge, and you’re my pick," Jeanne explained. 

Eugene was more curious about why the Imperial Knights wanted the elf Priscilla than about his own participation. "Priscilla? That’s unusual. Why do you think they want an elf like her?" 

"According to Priscilla, they seem to have unresolved questions about their quest and want to ask her as an elf. Since they’re being so secretive, that makes sense. Even the Imperial Knights rarely get a chance to bring an elf to their arena." 

"Aha~" Jeanne crossed her legs and answered. 

Jeanne herself was puzzled when the Imperial Knights requested Priscilla as a representative, but after hearing Priscilla’s thoughts, it made sense. This also helped Jeanne interpret the background and attitude of the Imperial Knights' request. 

"So, we don’t really have anything to lose, do we? It’s basically a request for help." 

"That’s right. That’s why I agreed so quickly. I didn’t think we’d be at a disadvantage." 

Normally, the Imperial Knights wouldn’t need to ask for help unless they were truly in trouble or if the mercenary band had a unique merit. Jeanne and Eugene felt they were the latter. 

"No matter how powerful the Imperial Knights are, they can’t know all the small mercenary bands. After the Alexandria quest, our name spread nationwide, and when they saw an elf on our roster, they must have been intrigued." 

Jeanne explained her reasoning for why the Imperial Knights chose the Red Fox Band. Successfully completing the Alexandria quest with a Plus was enough to get noticed by top organizations. The Imperial Knights must have seen the elf on their roster and realized what a rare opportunity it was. 

"Elves are hard to meet, even for the Emperor. Seeing an elf in a mercenary band must have surprised them. They must have thought it would be easier to bring in such a rare elf through us." 

Elves avoid getting involved in human political and military secrets, except for religious reasons. The Holy See sometimes interacts with elves, but the imperial family or the Imperial Knights almost never do. So finding an elf working as a mercenary was like discovering a gold goblin for the Imperial Knights. 

"Hmm... I see... But is the reason you’re sending me instead of going yourself because someone might recognize you?" 

Once his questions about Priscilla were answered, Eugene turned to Jeanne. He thought Jeanne picked him as a stand-in for herself. 

"That’s right. But it’s also because I want you to check things out and see who’s in charge. If there’s no problem, I can reveal myself. If not, I’ll make other arrangements." 

Jeanne nodded, agreeing with Eugene’s suspicion. 

People in the Imperial Knights are on a different level from noble knight orders. Most noble ladies don’t join knight orders, but it’s not unheard of. Jeanne wanted Eugene to scout things out as her proxy. If it seemed safe, she’d step forward herself; if not, she’d make other plans. 

"Okay, got it. Honestly, I thought I’d just be a placeholder, but if I have a real job to do, I’m happy to go as part of the delegation." 

Eugene was satisfied to have a clear mission, even as a proxy. 

"Wow… So this will be my first time setting foot in Helios, the capital of the Elysium Empire. It’ll take about three days to get there, right?" 

"About that. No need to rush like with Alexandria." 

The Imperial Knights have both a headquarters and an arena in Helios, the capital of the Elysium Empire. The headquarters handles internal affairs, and the arena is for training and management. 

"Do you have any more information? Did they give the name of the person in charge, like with Alexandria?" 

Eugene asked if there was any advance info. 

"I did hear a name, but… honestly, I’ve only heard it a few times before. I don’t know her well." 

Scratch... scratch... scratch... 

Jeanne scratched her head, unsure if she could give Eugene enough information. 

"The eldest daughter of House Bayern, Victoria von Bayern, is the person in charge of this quest and the one we’ll be meeting." 

The person the Red Fox Mercenary Band representatives will meet at the Imperial Knights’ arena is none other than the youngest swordmaster and saber in history-a prodigy, Victoria von Bayern.