Unlike the Grand Duke’s Guard commander, the Imperial Knights commander had a pretty lousy reputation. He loved women just as much as the cavalry commander, and even though he had a young wife, he went around hitting on other men’s wives. He caught plenty of flak for it in noble society, but he kept climbing the ranks thanks to his connections.

The Knights commander could afford to provoke the War Ministry because he was the second son of Marquis Offenburg, ruler of the northern territories. The Offenburg marquis family was untouchable even among the princes. They’d played a crucial role in establishing the Duchy of Beren, so they wielded tremendous influence.

Which meant they didn’t exactly get along with the central nobility.

Appointing the son of Beren’s most powerful prince as commander of the Grand Duke’s personal knight order was a political compromise. Plus, he had the skills to lead the Imperial Knights without any problems. It was an indirect way for the Offenburg marquis family to show their support for the Altringen royal family.

But the relationship between Marquis Offenburg and my father-in-law was terrible. Count Euz might butt heads with my father-in-law, but he generally cooperated. Marquis Offenburg didn’t even do that much. Unless it was a major French invasion, he basically ignored local conflicts in other territories.

That’s why he refused to send reinforcements during the recent war between Épinay and Euz. From my father-in-law’s perspective as the man responsible for the duchy’s defense, how could he not be furious?

On top of that, the already-annoying Imperial Knights were composed entirely of noble sons, so they were completely full of themselves with their elite mentality. Along with the Grand Duke’s Guard, they were an independent military force that answered only to the Grand Duke. So the War Ministry, which commanded the duchy’s army, couldn’t control them.

When a prince’s son and self-proclaimed elite knights joined forces, the results were explosive. The two groups became bitter enemies, and it all started at a tournament. When a tournament was held to celebrate the coronation, the Imperial Knights and the War Ministry literally beat the crap out of each other.

Michael lost the individual competition due to the Imperial Knights commander’s dirty foul play, and in the team competition the two sides collided so violently that dozens were injured. It was a miracle nobody died.

The animosity only deepened, fueled by constant provocations and insults.

Just from Michael’s account alone, reconciliation seemed damn near impossible.

What did Grand Duke Karlus do about these two groups that hated each other so much? Obviously, as long as they didn’t cross the line into murder, he let them fight it out. A man who enjoyed pitting his ministers against each other wasn’t about to play mediator.

Actually, before I became the War Minister’s son-in-law, I didn’t think much about the Imperial Knights. I barely considered them rivals and didn’t want to bother keeping tabs on them. But today I found out just how bad things were. The Knights commander was a real piece of shit.

He crossed the line right in front of me.

Watching him so casually cross the Rubicon gave me chills.

I thought the cavalry commander was the craziest bastard around, but this guy was worse.

The Offenburg knights themselves seemed pretty shocked by their commander’s actions. Caught between the Imperial Knights led by their master family’s younger son and the established War Ministry, they just stood there looking uncomfortable. Maybe they were the real victims here? The Offenburg knight who had fought Fiel had really good manners.

The man in charge of the Offenburg knights was probably having a fit.

"You son of a bitch! Dunkelbumser!"

"Fick dich selber, du Arschloch!"

"Damn it,"

All kinds of curses flew from the War Ministry’s side. My father-in-law especially tried to charge out there despite his injured shoulder. If Michael, Viscount Loewenbert, and the other knights hadn’t held him back, there would’ve been a brawl. Since weapons were banned during the tournament, they would’ve fought with fists.

The Knights commander’s actions insulted not just me but the entire War Ministry.

The Imperial Knights were cheering their commander on, making us even angrier.

He was drawing aggro from all directions without a care in the world.

And the Grand Duke, who should have been putting a stop to this, was laughing his ass off.

The high nobles looked uncomfortable at this unexpected turn of events.

But the angriest person was me. Hitting on a man’s wife right in front of him? For nobles who lived and died by honor and reputation, the Knights commander had delivered the ultimate insult. And all these bystander nobles were watching the whole spectacle as if it were the most entertaining thing they’d ever seen. That pissed me off even more.

Sure, just sit back and watch from a safe distance.

According to my Manager Scouter, his disposition was deceit (evil). The Knights commander was clearly trying to break my composure and reap the benefits. The moment I confirmed that, my burning rage cooled. Lava was still bubbling inside me, but I needed to stay calm.

Hilda, who’d been looking distressed, firmly rejected the Knights commander’s request.

"My flower is only for my husband. I can’t give you a flower or a handkerchief."

"It doesn’t matter. I will dedicate the glory of victory to you."

Despite Hilda’s rejection, the Knights commander calmly turned his horse around.

What part of "no" don’t you understand? As he passed me, he said smugly:

"I look forward to a good match, Lord of Feuzen."

The Knights commander’s casual "good game" was probably meant to bait an emotional reaction. So I clenched my jaw, poured all my effort into keeping my expression in check, and made it clear I was holding back with everything I had. I channeled the restraint from my office worker days, when I’d dealt with unreasonable bosses. And I really was incredibly pissed off.

"Grrr, you better get ready to fall off your horse."

"Haha, I’ll knock you down and receive a flower from your beautiful wife."

The Knights commander seemed pleased with my reaction and casually waved as he rode toward the jousting field. But while I glared at the back of his head, I was coldly collecting myself. The outcome he wanted was to easily defeat me after I’d lost my composure, completely humiliating the War Ministry.

Thinking about it objectively, his plan had worked brilliantly. He’d definitely gotten everyone’s attention. But he’d underestimated me. So I acted as though I’d fallen for his provocation, and he probably thought I’d lost my cool. Now he’d see me as an easy opponent.

My Manager Scouter showed that his psychology was displaying mockery. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

I probably looked like pretty tasty prey to him. A young noble who was the War Minister’s son-in-law and had become a lord through wartime achievements—if I lost pathetically as he intended, wouldn’t his stock rise considerably? That single provocation had so many angles to it.

[Medieval Knight provides medical service for Wolfgang. Miraculously heals vitality recovery, external injuries, and internal injuries. However, severed parts cannot be regenerated, so be careful]

I used the medical service to get my body in top condition.

I’d already taken painkillers, but those literally only dulled the pain.

5,000 points disappeared in an instant. Watching my points drop from 13,500 to 8,500 stung, but it wasn’t a waste if it meant ruining this bastard’s plan to exploit Hilda and humiliate me. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs. This was what I’d been saving points for.

[Applying medical service]

The fatigue I’d accumulated from grinding through the tournament completely disappeared. The shoulder pain I’d been suppressing with painkillers, the strained lower back, the aching thigh muscles—I couldn’t feel any of them. And most noticeably, this ridiculously heavy tournament armor felt light.

To guarantee I’d take down my opponent, being in top physical condition was essential. That’s why I used the medical service, and as a bonus, the faint scar on my left cheek disappeared. Beyond that, I felt something welling up inside me. Had it felt like this when I first used the medical service? It was so long ago I couldn’t really remember.

Oh right, there was vitality recovery too. My body felt light as a feather.

I suppose I’d only ever thought of it as a way to treat injuries.

Thanks to that, all the fatigue from the tournament vanished, and the tremendous energy born from deep rage seemed to fill every fiber of my being. I hadn’t had any particular feelings about the Knights commander before, but now, from this moment on, my resentment grew like Jack’s beanstalk.

I’d thought well of the Imperial Knight I faced in round 2 because he was relatively respectful, but I never imagined his commander would pull this kind of sweeping provocation. I finally understood what makes a derby match a derby match—that bitter, spicy edge to it. Maybe I’d been too soft until now. You bastards!

Anger! Anger boiled up!

Hot anger and cold reason coexisted.

My condition was perfect.