Chapter 8: Audience II (part 1)

What exactly is a knight in the world of “She Heals a Wounded World”?

A genius among geniuses.

Even among the most talented, only a select few stand at the very peak. In simple terms, a knight is someone granted a title reserved only for those at the pinnacle of power.

Take, for example, the Crown Prince’s social debut. Over thirty assailants launched an attack during the event. Yet, only four knights—including my father—were assigned to escort him. Two guarded the fatally wounded Crown Prince, while the other two handled all the attackers targeting the other nobles.

The result? Not a single death.

That alone is astonishing. But if the venue hadn’t been a ballroom prone to collapse—or if there hadn’t been so many nobles around—one knight alone would have been enough to wipe them all out in an instant.

The knights possessed strength equal to hundreds of ordinary soldiers. Such exaggerated modifiers suit them without seeming out of place.

And it isn’t just about raw strength. 

A knight must master strategy, tactics, leadership, resourcefulness, magic, and more. No matter how hard one trains or how many skills they refine, most can barely touch the hem of a knight’s robe.

That is why knights are so highly respected, granted numerous rights and privileges without complaint.

For example, a commoner knight would receive lifelong imperial support—for themselves and their family for up to three generations. They would also be awarded a noble title upon achieving merit, becoming the founder of a new noble house.

If one hailed from nobility, the prestige and influence of their family would rise significantly. Depending on the situation, they could even rise to the highest positions of power.

Moreover, every knight is honored in death by being laid to rest in the Tomb of the Knights, their name forever etched into the empire’s history.

Such is the weight and honor carried by the knights in this world.

***

“You mean I have to compete in the Knight Competition in Heros?”

“Did your father not tell you that?”

But because knights are such exceptional beings, they also come with strict limitations.

One of the most representative is this: they cannot participate in Knight Competitions.

Knight Competitions are meant to be an opportunity for aspiring knights, not those who already hold the title. If an actual knight were to participate, it would be seen as completely upending the rules—the competition would be over the moment it began.

“I’m the second son of the Duke of Axus. Participating in a Knight Competition is…”

The Axus is a family of knights that has remained loyal to the Empire since its founding. Every child born into the family—regardless of gender—is gifted with the talent of a knight.

That’s why, even before officially becoming knights, none of the Duke’s children ever take part in Knight Competitions.

“Addos said you clearly expressed your intention to participate.”

When I tried to metaphorically decline, the Emperor narrowed his eyes and asked.

Where did this misunderstanding even come from?

…I’d better explain everything I remember.

In the original novel, the Emperor appears stern, but he’s more cheerful than expected. It would be wiser to speak plainly than to talk in circles.

“I didn’t even know there was a Knight Competition in the Duchy of Rogelia.”

“Then why did you think you were summoned to the imperial palace?”

“My father said he would be visiting the Duchy of Rogelia this week, so I thought I was tagging along for family matters. Since it’s my first appearance, I assumed I was going to greet people.”

“…I see. Addos.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Explain. If you’re forcing him to enter the competition, I’ll be very disappointed.”

“It’s true I said it, but I only mentioned that Ike expressed a desire to participate.”

What?

Where did you get that idea?

“Last Monday, Miss Reina from the Duchy of Rogelia came to me personally and said it, so I assumed it was true. But it seems there was some kind of misunderstanding.”

…Last Monday? Reina?

I can’t recall what I talked about with her last week.

She’s the original heroine—the one I met two weeks ago. I’d been too caught up trying to understand the changes in the storyline and figuring out what to do next.

“Then I’ll speak to the Duke,” she’d said.

Now that I think about it, Reina had said something like that.

But I still don’t know why she brought it up—or how things escalated to this point.

What kind of conversation did we have?

No matter how hard I try, I can’t remember.

***

“Then you should speak directly with the eldest daughter of Rogelia.”

“…I will go.”

“Hmm?”

“I wanted to test my skills for real. Thinking of it as a good opportunity, I’ll participate in the Knight Competition in the Duchy of Rogelia.”

If this is something Reina truly wants, I don’t have much of a choice.

“But once word gets out that the second son of the Duke of Axus is participating in the Knight Competition, many people will protest. Is that alright?”

I had made up my mind to enter the Heros Knight Competition, but I couldn’t ignore the possible repercussions.

No matter my current skill level, the fact remains—I’m the second son of the Duke of Axus.

And for most people, that alone makes me indistinguishable from an actual knight.

“It doesn’t matter, Ike.”

The one who responded was the Crown Prince.

“It’s just a tradition that the Duke of Axus’s children don’t participate in Knight Competitions. Isn’t that right, Duke of Axus?”

“Yes. In fact, most ordinary citizens don’t even know the tradition exists. It’s a custom, not a law.”

After the Prince spoke, my father turned to look at me.

“Originally, I would’ve stopped you at all costs, but…”

He bit his lip as he looked at me.

“Ike, you’ve seemed stuck lately. You’ve never frozen up from pressure before. So there must be a reason you didn’t come to consult me.”

“…Father.”