The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World Chapter 560- News From Rune

That a man hailed as the knight among knights, a hero dubbed the Last Fortress, would also possess such potent virility, came as quite a shock. Reflecting on this, she suddenly grappled with a burgeoning sense of unease. While she had always felt secure regarding the place she occupied within his heart, the tide might be shifting.

With a steady stream of women gathering around him, the future felt increasingly unpredictable. Deep in contemplation, Verdia made her way out of the room.

Not long after, under the brilliance of the midday sun, a caravan of carriages materialized before the Arcknight estate.

"I’ll be departing now."

Reinhardt offered his farewell. His stay, though brief, had been filled with significant moments.

"Ensure you take care of yourself."

Raymond replied with a stoic expression. Nearby, Verdia, appearing as radiant as a winter sunflower, gazed at him with visible reluctance. Arthur shared the same sentiment.

"Big brother, will you train me in swordsmanship again sometime?"

Reinhardt smiled, playfully ruffling the boy’s hair. Wasting no more time, he boarded the carriage bound for the Capital.

As the vehicle pulled away from the grounds, Verdia turned to look at Raymond. "There is much I wish to discuss with you concerning Arthur’s future."

Three days later, the convoy reached the palace gates.

Leaving his men stationed at the perimeter, Reinhardt proceeded toward the inner chambers. Since he had been granted the rare privilege of audience at any time, the guards allowed him to pass without interference. He soon found himself standing before the grandeur of the Audience Hall.

King Solaris the Third occupied his throne, while a group of ministers gathered below the podium, engaged in hushed discourse regarding the state of the realm. As Reinhardt made his entry, their chatter ceased, replaced by obsequious smiles directed his way.

Following the country-wide purge, the nobility had finally been shaken from their complacency. Those who had been intoxicated by their own influence now grasped the reality that power in this era rested not with titles or status, but with the strength of the knights. Those recognized as heroes held the true authority, with the world’s affairs effectively circling them.

Consequently, nobles eager to safeguard their standing sought to ingratiate themselves with the commanders of the Seven Great Knight Orders. Reinhardt, fully aware of their intentions, ignored them and addressed the King directly.

His declaration left the ministers stunned, bordering on horrified. To them, he was a madman recklessly throwing himself into the demons’ lair. The King, however, remained composed, having already received Reinhardt’s correspondence. Moreover, the Queen had already secured the resolution and dispatched it to the other six kingdoms, complete with their royal seal.

Still, despite the prior knowledge, experiencing the gravity of the announcement firsthand was jarring.

After outlining his intentions, his eyes scanned the hall before resting upon the vacant seat beside the King. "Where is the Queen?" he asked plainly.

A ripple of agitation stirred the ministers. While they remained ignorant of his specific relationship with the Queen, they were keenly aware that the power dynamics within the palace were in flux. Although the King was technically the supreme ruler, he had largely become a figurehead; the truly pivotal decisions were now orchestrated by the Queen.

The ministers had been attempting to corner the King on a related matter when Reinhardt arrived, prompting them to hide their guilt as they panicked.

Before the King could formulate a reply, the doors to the chamber swung open.

The Queen of Solaris entered. Her presence descended upon the room like a sudden, breathtaking gale. Clad in midnight-blue silk woven with silver runes, she moved with ethereal grace, her long hair spilling behind her like liquid moonlight. Her allure, sharpened by her authority and mystery, was intoxicating—a dangerous beauty that drew every eye, whether they wished to look or not.

Entering the room, she ignored the King, the ministers, and everyone else present. From the moment she stepped inside, her focus was locked entirely on Reinhardt, as if everyone else were mere furniture in her path. For her, only Reinhardt possessed any reality.

Walking across the hall, she stopped just paces before him before finally breaking the silence.

"Your request has been sanctioned. You and the Order of the Temple of Light are authorized to explore the deepest depths of the Tainted Lands." Her voice, smooth and commanding, carried clearly across the vast space.

The announcement landed with immense weight, leaving the room in shock. Even Reinhardt felt a flicker of genuine surprise cross his features.

He had anticipated fierce resistance, political gridlock, or even an outright refusal from the royalty of the Seven Kingdoms. The memory of the Bloody Rain—that catastrophic event which had decimated entire legions and scarred the continent—still haunted the hearts of many monarchs. Yet, the approval had come with unexpected haste.

Noticing his reaction, the Queen’s lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile.

"Under ordinary circumstances, this would be deemed insanity. No sensible leader would allow an expedition into those depths, especially after the failure of the previous great trek. The losses endured haven't even been fully mended."

Pausing momentarily, her eyes lingered on his sharp profile. "However, the situation has shifted. Your actions in Aetherion were decisive. By intervening during the crisis, saving countless lives, and annihilating the threats you and your Order faced, you earned the gratitude of the people and the steadfast trust of Aetherion’s royal house."

Whispers erupted throughout the court, with ministers staring at Reinhardt in disbelief. They had previously condemned his decision to engage in battle within Aetherion, fearing that leaving their Majesties to his subordinates was reckless. Now, that very action had secured him not just praise, but leverage across nations.

"The royal council reached a unanimous decision. Once Aetherion’s approval was secured, the balance of power shifted, making further hesitation from others pointless." She continued, her voice tightening slightly. "Nevertheless, some dissented. The Kingdom of Lunaris, in particular, fought the motion with vehemence. Their rapport with us has deteriorated, particularly following the demi-human incident."

Reinhardt offered a faint nod, fully grasping why they regarded him—and Solaris—with such hostility. The Kingdom of Lunaris was utterly dependent on a rigid slave and class system for its economic survival. From the labor needed to assemble Air Engines, automobiles, and communication crystals, to the mundane chores of daily life, their entire infrastructure relied on exploitation.

They were fervent believers in the philosophy of profiting from the labor of the oppressed. Distressing reports of the horrific working conditions within that kingdom had already begun to circulate.

"Regardless, the final tally favored you. The expedition is officially authorized. Should you require resources, manpower, or passage through fortified borders, you need only present this letter."

She placed a document into his hand. It contained the authority granted to its bearer, validated by the royal seals of four kingdoms, Solaris included.

"I am deeply grateful." Reinhardt replied, taking the letter immediately.

A warmth stirred in his chest. Only recently had he relayed his intentions to the Queen via a hurried message under less-than-ideal circumstances. In such a whirlwind of time, she had lobbied the Seven Kingdoms, pushed through deliberations that should have spanned months, and emerged with the necessary support. Borders would now yield to him; his path into the Tainted Lands was finally clear.

The Queen met his gaze. Although a veil obscured part of her face, the raw relief and profound concern visible in her eyes remained unmistakable.

"For you, there was never any doubt." She whispered, a sentiment intended for him alone.