"A tournament to select the future husband of the Princess?" Gabriel asked, slightly taken aback. That was the last thing he could've expected this tournament to be about.
"That's right. It's a tradition in the Arecia Empire to select the husband of the Princesses through the Knight Tournament." Yuan nodded. "Last time the tournament was held around twenty years ago for our current King's sister. In the current generation of Royalty, this is the first time it is being held."
"That's why, not just Knights, but anyone can take part in the Knight Tournament. Moreover, there is no limit on participation. You don't have to be a citizen to Arecia to take part. The only limitation is that the person needs to be younger than thirty."
Yuan explained the most basic of rules to the young man before him who was completely unaware.
"So, changed your mind now?" he asked Gabriel. "If you can win this tournament, you can really open the doors of destiny for you. The Princess is a real beauty, and also the most talented person in the Knight Academy who not only is a powerful Knight, but can also use magic to fight."
"Her beauty is praised even in faraway lands. I also heard that a few of the neighbouring Princes are going to come personally to take part in the Knight Tournament."
Now that Gabriel was informed about the essence of the tournament, Yuan didn't believe that Gabriel could say no. Gabriel was a young man after all. Which young man could reject the chance of being married to a beauty that everyone was after? Moreover, once he won, he could become the Son in Law of the Royal Family. The offer was just too alluring.
"If I wasn't older than thirty, even I would've taken part in the Tournament. But my luck is so bad. I turned thirty one last month," Juan sighed, taking another sip of his wine.
From his eyes, his disappointment was quite evident. Since he couldn't take part in the tournament, he had already given up on trying to pursue the Princess.
"What kind of a person is the Eldest Princess of Arecia Clan?" Gabriel didn't answer if he was going to take part or not. Instead he asked a question of his own. He wasn't interested in taking part in it either. He hadn't even seen the Princess and felt nothing for her.
Moreover, he wasn't here to fight. He couldn't just enter a battle for no reason. What was worse was that one of the Holy Priests was going to attend the Knight Tournament as a guest along with the current Generation of Holy Knight. Fighting before then had the risk of exposing his identity. He didn't want to do that until he found what be came here for.
"Arecia Clan?" Yuan responded, slightly taken aback. "What do you mean? The Princess isn't from the Arecia Clan. A friendly advice, you shouldn't even mention those traitors when you're in the city."
"Traitors? Is Arecia Clan not the Royal Clan of Arecia?"
The first Saint King was from the Arecia Clan. And according to Novius, his family was the Royal Family. How could the man say otherwise then? Did something change? What happened to the Arecia Empire?
"You are right. The Arecia Clan was the one who established the Arecia Empire. It was the Clan created by the Saint King after all. However, things are different now. Arecia Clan isn't the Royal Family now," Yuan responded but stopped right after, letting out a sigh.
"Sigh, I'm afraid I can't tell you more than I did. Just remember that you should forget that the Arecia Clan even existed and don't mention their name ever again."
"Anyway, we are done here. We will be leaving now." For some reason, not only did Yuan not answer, but he also stood up, placing a few gold coins on the table.
The others also stood up. They had finished eating as well.
"Young Man, I really hope to see you in the Knight Tournament. Don't miss this opportunity as it doesn't come often. Also, remember what I said. Don't mention that Clan anymore..."
After giving the last bit of advice, Yuan left with his men, leaving the restaurant.
Only Gabriel was left behind, sitting in silence. Even though he hadn't shown it, his heart was filled with concern and anger.
He couldn't understand. Just what happened to Novius' family? They were the Royal Clan of the Empire and now even their name was considered a taboo?
"Novius was so happy when he mentioned his home, telling me about his family on his last day. He asked me to check up on his family once. Who knew something like this would've already happened? The Arecia Clan is long gone, replaced by another Clan? But why?"
This also created some troubles for him. He was expecting to ask for the treasure from the Arecia Clan directly, citing his relationship with Novius. But now that the Royal Family was different, he couldn't do that. Even if he tried, they weren't going to listen nicely. Things had become slightly complicated.
He also stood up. Even though the Knight Academy students left gold behind, he also did the same, paying for everything he ate. He didn't want to owe anyone.
After placing the same amount of gold coins, he also left.
Leaving the Restaurant, he walked to his horse and climbed on it. The horse started racing toward the Royal City.
Even as Gabriel moved closer to the City, his thoughts were still on the Arecia Clan. If they were truly dead, that meant the entire lineage of Novius was wiped out? For some reason, that thought made him feel somewhat sad.
Novius had left this World to help him climb up the tower. Even until his last moment, he still believed that his family was fine.
Gabriel couldn't help but remember the moment Novius wondered if his little brother would've already had cute little grandchildren by now. If possible, he wanted to see them.
Gabriel glanced up, looking at the beautiful moon in the sky. "The World never stops changing... I am sorry, Novius. But we are too late. Your family has fallen, it seems..."
****
The world was vast. There were many kingdoms and Empires, but each of that place was quite careful about who they allowed in their Royal City since there were still a few Dark Mages in existence.
There were a lot of cities who didn't allow entry without checking the hands of a person to make sure that they weren't a Dark Mage. The Arecia Empire's Royal City was the same.
Gabriel stood near the entrance of the majestic City but didn't move closer.
