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Ryu's POV
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"Yes, Your Majesty." (Captain)

Doing as ordered, we lift our heads, allowing me to take my first look at the King.

He was a well-built, sturdy man wearing what looked to be a red suit, embroidered with gold along its edges, with pins and decorations made of the finest metals.

His blonde hair seemed to emit the same glow which the Palace had done when I was looking at it from outside.

His blue eyes seemed to pierce into me as I catch his gaze, and it sent shivers down my spine.

Even if he was the King, I don't think I'd be able to win in a fight against him.

Maybe it was treason to even think of fighting the King, but my instincts screamed at me to not get on his bad side.

The way he sat on the throne was that of a dignified manner, as if he'd been sitting the same way his entire life.

Until the King spoke again, silence echoed through the room, with only us and the King present.

"Hm? Captain Doujima, who is this child who kneels alongside you?" (King)

"That would be Ryu, Your Majesty. We picked him up after Airi's expedition." (Captain)

"So that means you now have 6 members." (King)

"That is correct, Your Majesty." (Captain)

"Then... I shall grant your squad the honour of being named." (King)

"I humbly accept." (Captain)

The King holds his chin in his right hand while thinking.

"Hmmm... Laplace Knights. That seems fitting." (King)

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty." (Captain)

"Now then, what happened in Alzibria?" (King)

Answering his question, Captain recounts the events of our time in Alzibria, missing mostly nothing.

"I see... So the No-Names are back." (King)

"I think it's safe to assume so from what the member named Kagei said." (Captain)

"So, this 'Kagei', could you not kill him?" (King)

"I... Believe it would be difficult to, Your Majesty." (Captain)

"Why would that be?" (King)

"He is a fast caster of wind, and maybe another element." (Captain)

"Hmmm. I see. So, how did you come to know his name? Unless you missed something in your recount, I don't remember him saying his name." (King)

"... We were told by an informant." (Captain)

"An informant. Hmm. An informant. Who would this 'informant' be?" (King)

"..." (Captain)

"Are you ignoring my question, Captain Doujima?" (King)

Massive amounts of bloodlust seemed to leak out from the King as he questions Captain, almost suffocating me under the pressure of it.

"... It was Ryu, Your Majesty." (Captain)

"...!" (Ryu)

"Ryu. Ryu. That boy? That boy knows things about the No-Names that we don't?" (King)

"... Your Majesty, he was a part of the group a few years ago." (Captain)

I can feel my heart get caught in my throat as Captain finishes his sentence.

I can feel my heartbeat through my chest as my mind starts to panic.

"So he's the child." (King)

"Yes, Your Majesty." (Captain)

"... Pff, this weak looking child is the son of the leaders? That's hilarious." (King)

My anger boils within me, but I clutch my hands into a fist as to not release it.

The King seems to notice this and smirks.

"Have you got something to say, boy?" (King)

I grit my teeth as I look up towards him.

"... Don't you dare talk about my parents with your mouth." (Ryu)

In response to my statement, the others jolt in surprise and horror at what I said, but the smile on the King's face grows larger.

"Hah! A boy like you, from some measly outlaws, has the nerve to speak against me? I commend you for your bravery. But only your bravery." (King)

His last sentence is singed with venom as the cold words leave his mouth.

"... I don't believe some 'measly outlaws' would give you such a hard time." (Ryu)

"They would not, but they're snakes that can't be simply crushed under a boot." (King)

"..." (Ryu)

"Nothing to say to that? I see. So you don't mind if I insult the outlaws?" (King)

"..." (Ryu)

"Then, tell me, how are your parents any different from them?" (King)

"... They had no other choice..." (Ryu)

"No other choice? My, they must have put some nice, beautiful words into your mind. Shame those words are lies." (King)

"They are not...!" (Ryu)

"Can't finish your sentence? So you can't disagree with me?" (King)

"..." (Ryu)

"You know the truth." (King)

"... The truth doesn't matter anymore." (Ryu)

"Hm?" (King)

"..." (Ryu)

"Staying silent, are we?" (King)

Like last time, the King's bloodlust emits itself from him as he finishes speaking, drowning us under the pressure, but I don't budge. I had already become accustomed to it.

"... I suppose this won't work then." (King)

As quickly as it came, the bloodlust disappears, and the others heave a sigh of relief.

"I don't think this will go any further, so you are dismissed." (King)

"Yes, Your Majesty." (Captain)

As we turn and walk towards the door we entered from, the King calls for me again.

"Boy. Remember this, Demons are as much like Angels as Angels are as much like Demons. Sweet lies soften the heart, while hard truths damage the heart. You must choose." (King)

I don't look behind me as he speaks, only stopping in the middle of my stride.

After he finishes speaking, I continue walking out of the room.

The servant who led us to the Throne Room also led us to the rooms that we would be using, as apparently there would be a banquet held soon for the commemoration of our squad name, the Laplace Knights.

The rooms shown to us were as big as the dining hall in the Inn at Alzibria, and everything looked so immaculate that it seemed like it would break if you even touched it.

A large chandelier hung from this room as well, and the walls were painted with a soft aqua colour.

Nothing in this room was spared from the colour of aqua, not even the bed which was pushed against the far wall, many times larger than any bed I've been in.

After we had all been accustomed with our rooms, we gathered in the room Captain had been given.

"Hey, Ryu! What the hell was that in the Throne Room?!" (Astrid)

"..." (Ryu)

"None of that silent treatment! That was the King! You could've been executed!" (Astrid)

"..." (Ryu)

"Argh! You piss me off to no end!" (Astrid)

"Ryu. Astrid's right. If the King hadn't been in a good mood, you likely wouldn't be here." (Etsu)

"And?" (Ryu)

"What do you mean 'And?'? That was your life at stake! You could be lost your life because of some stupid words!" (Astrid)

"... I've nearly lost it for less." (Ryu)

At my words, the room goes silent, so I stand up to leave.

"Ryu. Don't do that again, please." (Airi)

"..." (Ryu)

Without responding, I close the door behind me and make my way back to my room.

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Author Notes
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It's been a while since I've had a chapter in reserve. Honestly, it's surprising me how much school can affect how much motivation I have to write.

Since going back to physical school, rather than remotely, my motivation to write has lowered a lot, and I don't have as much time as I usually do, since I can't stay up as late into the night anymore.

But anyway, sorry that this chapter is mostly dialogue, but I wanted to set some things up for the later story, so I did it through dialogue.

Thanks for reading the chapter anyway!