Compared to the wildly varied antics of the Imperial Nobility, Mephit’s bold move was only somewhat surprising when done in public. In private, Imperial Citizens played much wilder games.

’Nothing surprising about it. Nothing at all.’

"My Lord, while you were recuperating these past few days, many Knight Lords have arrived and stationed themselves in Gale Heart. A lot of them have yet to meet you."

Even though her previous behavior had been difficult to describe, when it came to official business, Mephit was strictly by the book.

"If all went as expected, the Lord of Dusk Lamp Territory and that Empress Princess should have finished their suppression efforts. Nearly all the Knight Lords of the Country of Yonglan have gathered here. Perhaps you should go and see them."

"Just like this? Alright."

Westheid left his bedchambers with Mephit following close behind. The blue-haired Grand Knight’s attire was neat, her demeanor cold and imposing. Her gait was vigorous, cutting a dashing and heroic figure.

It should have been a harmonious scene of a monarch and his subject. However, the constant clanking of a chain soured the picture somewhat.

"Your Majesty. And... Lady Mephit?"

Just after turning a corner in the corridor outside the bedchambers, they encountered patrolling Knights. These elite Knights, dressed in platinum capes and Armor, clearly belonged to the Zitherheart Clan. They froze for a moment upon seeing the state of their own Patriarch.

But after a brief silence, they immediately bowed. The gazes from beneath their helms did not linger on Mephit; instead, their reverence for Westheid grew.

Just as Mephit had said, when the Yonglan People saw this scene, their first thought wasn’t a dirty joke. Instead, it was a heartfelt sentiment: ’The Knight King is terrifyingly powerful. He has completely subdued a Powerhouse. How fearsome.’

To completely turn a Grand Knight into a lapdog was, in itself, proof of one’s strength.

The minds of the Yonglan People were filled with nothing but battle. Every last one of them was a hardcore power-level fanatic. Their obsession with strength was the bane of their existence!

’What? I’m one of them too? Oh, well, never mind then.’

Westheid cheerfully walked to the end of the hall. After taking the lift down, he saw Reiya and Mivana at the far end of the oncoming corridor.

The silver-haired Dragon Girl and the Beast-eared Maiden with purplish-black hair covering one eye walked over. Both were in military attire, looking as if they had just come from a battle that wasn’t particularly fierce.

Upon seeing Westheid leading Mephit by a chain, both women had rather peculiar expressions, though they weren’t surprised. ’This is exactly the sort of thing Westheid would do.’

Reiya simply ignored it. The Silver-haired Princess’s magnificent Cang Tong reflected only the image of her lover.

"West, how long have you been awake?"

"Just this morning. It took a bit longer to settle things. I’ve already heard about the situation these past few days from Mephit. Thank you for your hard work."

The White-haired Dragon Lady shook her head. "It was just a minor nuisance, easy enough to handle. It was incomparably simpler than the battle a few days ago."

Mivana, however, took a step forward, leaning close to Westheid and Mephit, her delicate nose twitching constantly.

Then, she furrowed her lovely brows, pointed at the chain, and spoke bluntly.

"Why are you wearing this? And you have West’s scent on you. It’s so strong."

"Because every inch of my skin has been stained with my Lord’s scent, branded clearly upon me."

Mephit’s cheeks were crimson. She stroked the leather collar on her elegant neck, then tapped her delicate, snow-white chin with a slender finger, saying ecstatically:

"Yes, my body and soul—both my flesh and my spirit—have been marked with my King’s brand. From now on, I am Lord Westheid’s dog! WOOF! WOOF WOOF WOOF!"

The Zitherheart Grand Knight certainly knew how to play the part. She barked without any inhibition right in front of everyone, as if afraid the news wouldn’t spread.

But what was even more absurd was Mivana’s reaction. Hearing the blue-haired girl’s declaration, the Wolf-eared Maiden bared her sharp canines in displeasure and retorted:

"Huh? I’m West’s dog! You’re not allowed to steal my spot!"

Mephit crossed her arms, which further accentuated her already indecent figure.

"Hmph, I’m afraid not, Mivana, Lord of Dusk Lamp Territory, my sister’s student... Even though you have a pair of wolf ears, when it comes to loyalty and devotion to my Lord, you are far inferior to me!"

"Nonsense! Compared to someone like you, of course Teacher West loves me more."

Mivana’s golden eyes turned to Westheid, who naturally understood the pecking order and said without hesitation:

"Ah, of course. Mivana is more special to me."

The referee was clearly biased, but Mephit seemed completely unfazed, even letting out a cold laugh.

"That’s why a lover should just stick to being a lover. Did you think my feelings for my Lord are as shallow as romantic love between a man and a woman? No! That doesn’t even begin to describe it. I believe my Lord is the true chosen one who carries out the will of the Divine Ancestor, the king most capable of fulfilling our long-cherished wishes!"

"I offer him my strength and wisdom, my loyalty and honor, my life and future! I only wish for my Lord to ascend to even greater heights and display the absolute supremacy of the Path of the Knight! For this, I would gladly give my all and die a thousand deaths! I have no desire for possession, only to devote myself and follow."

The blue-haired girl swatted away the hand Mivana had placed on her and rebuked her.

"And you? You’re merely infatuated with our Lord’s handsome looks, his virility, and his gentleness. It’s nothing more than common admiration. Know your place!" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"You clueless thing! Do not dare taint the position of my King’s number one loyal dog with your foolishness!"

Mivana was furious, but she wasn’t as eloquent as the Zitherheart Grand Knight. She stammered for a long while, unable to form a retort, and could only grind her pearly teeth.

"Grrrr... I really don’t like you. Are you really blood-related to Teacher Viona? Your personality is so detestable."

Mephit: "My apologies, then. I’m completely different from my sister. If you prefer that kind of gentle, weak person, then you could never appreciate someone like me, who truly possesses the soul of Yonglan."

"..."

Seeing that the two of them would be arguing for a while, Westheid slipped over to the White-haired Dragon Lady’s side. Reiya had been observing the farce, and it left her at a loss for words.

"Is competing to be a dog some kind of Yonglan custom? I don’t understand what’s there to fight about."

Duke Qinghui put a hand to her forehead and shook her head.

"...Actually, I don’t quite understand it myself. It’s just that some Yonglan People do develop an unparalleled sense of devotion toward a Powerhouse who has conquered them. Mephit is probably like that. Her way of expressing loyalty and admiration is just a bit... extreme."

"So this Grand Knight of Yonglan has completely sided with West?" Reiya asked, tilting her head.

"Yes. It took some effort. I had no choice; she was dead set on unlocking the ’defeat CG’."

Westheid didn’t forget to put on an act in front of the Silver-haired Princess, feigning a look of "helplessness."

And it wasn’t even a lie. Mephit really had done it.

"She’s quite powerful. Having a completely loyal Grand Knight is excellent for our cause."

Reiya completely understood Westheid’s desire and need to expand his power. As a Monarch, using a honey trap to secure a crucial asset was not something shameful; on the contrary, it was a virtue.