"This is impossible!"
Rachelia's eyes widened, and Jeremiah, Villetta, Joan Roe, Gino, and Aureline von Zed stood up in shock. Only Anya, Monica, and Orpheus von Zed looked at the others in confusion, not understanding what the reward Yang Hui had received signified.
"Would I dare joke about something like this?" Yang Hui spread his hands, looking at them with a smile. "Besides, what benefit would I gain from lying to you?"
"...But Prince Yang Hui, you are carving out power from His Majesty's hands. His Majesty could not possibly agree to that." As the only noble present who had inherited a title, Jeremiah understood the inner workings of the Empire's upper echelons best. This was simply impossible.
"That only shows you don't yet understand his old man's confidence and arrogance."
"This..."
"Enough, this is already a fait accompli. The formal orders will be issued soon. There's no point in arguing now."
"...Yes, your highness."
"As for why I gathered you all..." Speaking, Yang Hui scanned everyone present, the corners of his mouth curling up. "...This unit is my Knight Order. Are you willing to become members of my Knight Order?"
"This! Yes, your highness!"
Villetta and Joan Roe did not hesitate for a moment, immediately kneeling on one knee to swear their loyalty to Yang Hui. It was true they were both outstanding students of the Royal Military Academy, but they were born into minor families, marginal figures in aristocratic circles.
If it were before, they certainly would have looked down on the "Nanny Prince" Yang Hui. But after hearing about his glorious deeds in Africa, it was absolutely impossible to refuse Yang Hui's recruitment. Furthermore, having now obtained special privileges—equivalent to a share of the Emperor's power—while things were just beginning, the future was bound to be bright.
"Yes, your highness." Next were Gino, Orpheus von Zed, and Monica Krushevsky. They had no other choice. One was a branch member ignored by his family, one was an orphan abandoned by his family, and one was an illegitimate daughter of the Emperor whom no one cared about. Their own thoughts didn't matter; even if they were unwilling, they lacked the power to refuse.
Then there was Anya. Lacking expression, she didn't answer with words but followed the other three in bowing. She was currently in the stage where Marianne's soul had just entered her; her conscious mind was still unclear, and she didn't even have her past memories, so she could only comply.
"Little—er, Fourth Highness, might I ask what you brought me here for? You're looking for Knights, and I'm just a frail doctor," Rachelia asked.
"For the Knightmares, of course. Rachelia, I've read your papers; they are exceptional. If not for your youth and lack of seniority, you should be in charge of the Empire's Knightmare development department by now. As the pace of war quickens, a new round of arms racing will begin. The fourth-generation Knightmare, the Glasgow, can still maintain a certain lead for now, but... only just.
"My Knight Order will be the sharpest of blades. The enemies we face will be the strongest, the missions we execute will be the most difficult, and the battlefields we head to will be the harshest. I do not want my people to lose their lives on the battlefield due to equipment issues. Therefore, the next generation of powerful Knightmares must be put on the agenda."
"I can take it to mean... the Knight Order's Custom Machines will be my responsibility, correct?" The corner of Rachelia's mouth twitched upward. She was a genius, so naturally, she wouldn't ask stupid, useless questions. She had guessed why Yang Hui had called her from the very beginning; she just wanted to negotiate terms.
"You, and Lloyd Asplund."
Upon hearing this, Rachelia's face darkened, and she stood up to leave. Before Yang Hui's people found her, she had already intended to leave the Empire due to a clash of ideologies with Lloyd. Now, a new choice had been placed before her, one that could support her in defeating her old rival, only to be told she would still have to work with Lloyd. She couldn't accept that.
"What? Running away again?"
"What did you say!?" Just as Rachelia was about to pass Yang Hui, his mockery incensed her.
"Is it not so?" Yang Hui spread his hands, a playful, disdainful smile on his face. "Your conflict with Earl Lloyd is merely a clash of ideas where neither can convince the other. But instead of choosing to defeat him with superior results, you choose to leave. If that's not running away, what is?"
"You..."
"Leave and continue to run, and it will prove my judgment was wrong and that you are just a coward. Stay, compete with him, and prove with facts that you are better than he is."
Rachelia trembled with rage, but Yang Hui's words echoed in her ears like a demon's whisper. Leaving just because she was angry would be running away—it would be admitting she was inferior.
Staying to confront him head-on and prove her excellence was the other option, but she didn't want to see his face.
What should she do? How should she choose?
The others held their breath, while Yang Hui waited with a smile for Rachelia's choice.
A few minutes later, Rachelia closed her eyes, then snapped them open to look at Yang Hui. "You will give me sufficient research space and treatment, right?"
The reason Rachelia had chosen to leave, besides the conflict, was her status. She was not a native-born Britannian, so she was marginalized and discriminated against in the research institute. No matter how outstanding her abilities were, the Empire would not give her fair treatment, leaving her ambitions with nowhere to be realized and giving her no platform to compete on equal terms with Lloyd.
"Of course." Yang Hui knew she was won over. "I am not like those fools in the Pureblood Faction. Exceptional talent is an asset regardless of its origin. You will receive the exact same treatment and support as he does. This is the stage I am providing for you."
"..."
"Of course, that's only at the start. Based on the results each of you produces, I will adjust your respective status and treatment. There is only one position for the Head of the Research and Development Department."
"Heh." Rachelia let out a cold laugh, but her eyes shone with the light of confidence. "Is that so? Then that position is mine!"
"Then... your answer?" Yang Hui did not arrogantly demand Rachelia's submission but instead extended his hand to her.
Rachelia shook it, giving her answer: "A pleasure to work with you."
"A pleasure to work with you."
Rachelia was settled. All that remained was Jeremiah, who had yet to give Yang Hui an answer. Yang Hui also knew what Jeremiah was struggling with, so...
"The rest of you may leave for now. Rejeta, get them settled. I will tell them what to do in two days. Jeremiah, stay behind."
"Yes, your highness."
The others departed one by one, leaving Yang Hui and Jeremiah alone in the drawing room.
"Prince Yang Hui, forgive me, but I cannot accept your invitation." Only after everyone else had gone did Jeremiah give his answer. This was also to protect Yang Hui's pride; after all, refusing Yang Hui directly in front of others would be a slap in the face.
"Is it because of consort Marianne?" Yang Hui sat down and asked directly.
"...Yes." Jeremiah was once Marianne's Knight and was a very loyal man. Even after Marianne married Charles zi Britannia and left the Knights of the Round Table, he remained her vassal, giving all his loyalty to her. Now that Marianne was "dead," the objects of his loyalty had become Lelouch and Nunnally.
"You know of my relationship with Lelouch and Nunnally, don't you?"
"I do."
"You know the current situation Lelouch and Nunnally are in, right?"
"Yes, I know."
"And yet you still persist in your choice?"
"Yes."
"Then... Sir Jeremiah, I now command you in the name of Hui Y Britannia..."
Hearing this, Jeremiah was startled and immediately knelt on one knee to await Yang Hui's command. If before he had been asking for his opinion, now he was commanding him as a member of the imperial family; he had no choice but to obey.
"...Jeremiah Gottwald, become my apprentice Knight immediately and join my Knight Order. In three years, if you have met my requirements, you shall become Nunnally's personal Knight, guarding her side."
"Prince Yang Hui!" Jeremiah looked up in surprise, staring at Yang Hui in disbelief.
Hearing the first half, his heart had turned cold, because it seemed Yang Hui did not intend to respect his loyalty and was going to use his royal status to force his allegiance.
But the second half was an act of fulfillment, making him an apprentice Knight only because Yang Hui believed his current skills were insufficient to protect Lelouch and Nunnally.
"Your loyalty is worthy of recognition, but your ability does not match your loyalty. Stay with me for these three years, and I will make you a capable guardian."
"...May I ask your highness, why a Knight for Princess Nunnally and not for Prince Lelouch?"
"I have other arrangements for Lelouch. He is different from Nunnally; he has his own path to walk."
"Then Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally's current..."
"I have arranged everything. There is no need to worry about their safety."
"I see. I have been disrespectful, Prince Yang Hui."
"It's fine. Go now and rest well for these two days. Once the imperial order is officially issued and everything is prepared, it will be difficult for you to find time to rest."
"I shall not fail your highness's expectations!"
"Mm. You may go."
"Yes, your highness."
After Jeremiah left, Yang Hui didn't linger. He went to the study and began formulating the plan for the Knight Order's formation, as well as their training programs. Jeremiah, Villetta, and Joan Roe only needed to follow established routines without specific arrangements, but the others required careful consideration. They were still children, and their schooling, training, and so on required a detailed cultivation plan.
"Hmm, their situations are all different. I can't just follow the route I set for her. I need to think carefully. Though... I wonder how that girl is doing. It seems I haven't contacted her in a while. I'll probably get scolded, won't I?" Thinking of this, Yang Hui shook his head with a wry smile.
It was at this moment that Regene Regetta returned.
"Mr. Yang Hui, everything has been arranged."
"Mm. You should also take a rest these two days, until..."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible, Mr. Yang Hui."
"What's wrong?" Yang Hui's gaze sharpened, and his aura became heavy.
"Clovis sent an invitation, inviting you to attend an art exhibition this afternoon and a banquet tonight."
"Clovis? That guy..." Thinking of this younger brother of his, Yang Hui shook his head with a chuckle. "...Alright, I understand. Reply to him that I will attend as scheduled."
(End of chapter)