The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World Chapter 618- Leona’s Strange Behavior
Previously on The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World...
Reinhardt could only offer a helpless smile.
The previous night, after their serious discussion concluded in the tavern, the group had resumed their drinking. And perhaps... Leona had indulged a bit too much. In fact, she had consumed far more than a little.
She had become unusually relaxed, in a manner no one had ever witnessed. The usually fearless commander, who typically exuded an aura of an icy queen, suddenly transformed... becoming clumsy and exhibiting a strange femininity. She babbled rapidly about topics that lacked any coherence.
One moment she was joyful, the next she was furious.
What astonished everyone even more was when she abruptly began scolding Reinhardt for reasons that she herself didn't appear to comprehend.
At one point, she had latched onto his arm, muttering complaints into his shoulder, completely oblivious to their proximity.
Naturally, the night didn't conclude there. Things escalated to become even more 'exciting.'
And the sheer power of one of the Seven Great Knight Commanders, especially when she was in such a spirited state, requires no further explanation.
It goes without saying that objects began to break. Chairs, tables, walls... By the time the commotion subsided, the entire tavern was teetering on the brink of collapse. The owner was visibly distressed, on the verge of tears.
The other commanders were compelled to cover the expenses for the damage Leona had inflicted. Fortunately, the knights of the Lunar Veil intervened just in the nick of time to escort her away, otherwise, the entire block might have been reduced to rubble.
Recalling the events now, Reinhardt let out a quiet sigh.
Across the hall, as if sensing his attention, Leona turned her head to look at him. Almost immediately thereafter, she snapped her head back, deliberately avoiding his gaze.
Reinhardt could only manage an awkward smile. It appeared that upon sobering up, she had indeed remembered everything.
The festivities carried on. After conversing with the other commanders, Reinhardt's gaze drifted back towards Leona.
She remained positioned at the far end of the hall.
Observing this, he began to walk in her direction.
The instant Leona sensed his approach, her eyes widened.
Oh no.
She immediately spun around and started moving in the opposite direction. With her focus not on her path, she collided with a servant carrying beverages.
This impact caused her to stagger backward, nearly losing her footing and falling.
Under normal circumstances, a Level-9 Extreme Knight like Leona would not falter like that, much less after colliding with an ordinary individual.
However, at this particular moment, Leona's state of mind could hardly be described as stable.
Hence, her misstep.
"Are you alright?"
Reinhardt caught her just before she could fall. While he managed to prevent her from toppling, the glasses in her hand were not as fortunate.
CRASH...
They met the marble floor, causing a minor commotion. Yet, this was the least of Leona’s worries.
Upon seeing Reinhardt’s face so close, his arms encircling her shoulders, his pristine white suit, his perfectly groomed hair, and his eyes that seemed to capture the very radiance of the Sun, Leona felt her heart begin to pound like a relentless drum.
BADUMP... BADUMP... BADUMP...
"Leona... I'm not here to discuss last night."
The moment these words left his lips, Leona's face flushed a deep crimson.
"W-WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT LAST NIGHT?!"
In the very next second, she positioned herself defensively in front of him, like an unyielding shield.
"Let's just forget about it."
At that instant, her expression turned frigid once more, and she reverted to her customary demeanor. The transition was so sudden that Reinhardt blinked in surprise.
"Alright."
Although he outwardly had no choice but to concur, inwardly, he was consumed by a fervent desire to understand what was transpiring with her.
Why had she clung to him in such a manner yesterday?
What was she attempting to convey while intoxicated?
He suspected he might never uncover the truth.
Not far away, two familiar figures observed the entirety of their interaction.
Raymond offered a warm smile and folded his arms.
"Well, well... It appears our son has finally found a woman he favors."
His gaze settled upon Leona, and he gave an approving nod.
"The daughter of House Valkyrie, eh? Not too shabby."
Beside him stood Verdia. However, in contrast to Raymond, her expression was considerably more complex. A faint ache resonated within her heart as she watched Reinhardt and Leona standing together.
She ought to be happy. Reinhardt finding someone he cared for was undeniably a wonderful development.
Yet... a quiet sorrow seemed to emanate from within her.
Positioned not far above the hall, seated near the royal balcony, the Queen was also observing the lively exchange unfolding below.
Before she could delve further into her thoughts, a familiar voice echoed within her mind.
"Look at what has transpired."
Her brows twitched slightly. She instantly recognized the source.
Minerva. The other consciousness residing within her, offering a lighthearted tease.
"Since you insisted on maintaining such formality with him at all times, you effectively drove him directly into the embrace of another woman."
"That's not..."
Unbeknownst to anyone around her, she silently engaged in a debate with her other self.
Nearby, Vanessa observed the entire unfolding situation, a slow smile beginning to play on her lips.
"How utterly fascinating."
The interaction between Reinhardt and Leona had proven to be far more captivating than she had initially anticipated.
They were not the solitary observers.
Numerous gazes within the grand hall were discreetly fixed upon Reinhardt's every movement.
Among the attendees was Marquis Boulevard, husband to Melissa and one of Reinhardt’s most ardent admirers.
While many gazes were fixed upon him, some already shared a deep familiarity, while others merely sought to comprehend the man before them.
This was understandable, as the individual gracing the hall was no common nobleman; he stood as one of the kingdom’s three most formidable knights.
A true hero, a warrior renowned for vanquishing fearsome foes and preserving countless lives.
It was only natural that a figure like Reinhardt would command universal attention.
.
.
In the vicinity of the capital's central sector, a small retinue emerged from the grand cathedral.
At their forefront strode a youth, appearing no older than fifteen, distinguished by short black hair and the considerable weight of a large, crimson shield. This spirited young man, practically vibrating with eagerness, was none other than Kevin.
Following in his wake were Gwen, Delicia, Rolan, and the gracefully poised actress, Eleanor. The group had just concluded a visit to the cathedral’s Altar, where they had checked their personal statuses.
"So, how did it turn out for everyone?!"
Kevin swelled his chest, proclaiming with evident pride, "I leveled up! I’ve finally reached Level 6 as a knight!"
"Fool, you need to be officially knighted to *be* a knight," Gwen’s sharp retort fell like a splash of cold water, dampening his triumphant declaration. Yet, a fleeting softness touched her expression moments later. "But you are correct about one thing. I also leveled up, and the Altar granted me a rare class."
Kevin’s eyes widened in astonishment. "Whoa!" He swiftly turned his attention to the older woman beside them. "What about you, big sister Delicia?"
Delicia offered a warm smile. "I leveled up as well. Although, the class I received is different from the one I obtained when I first reached Level 6 several years ago." Even as she spoke casually, a current of quiet contemplation ran through her. The class granted this time was significantly rarer and vastly more potent than her previous one.
"Is no one going to inquire about me?" A voice drawled from behind them.
Rolan gestured to himself. "Senior Rolan! Did you level up too?" Kevin inquired, his attention shifting.
Rolan patted his armor with a resounding thud. "Naturally. With my current strength, I could probably defeat Senior Vengeance."
"Haha, you might get into trouble if Senior Vengeance overhears that... though I admit, I’d be keen to witness that battle." Gwen rolled her eyes at the two males, their minds seemingly consumed by combat.
From a nearby vantage point, Eleanor observed their lively exchange with an amused glint in her eyes.
The group proceeded along the bustling thoroughfares of the capital. However, after a few minutes, an unusual observation began to dawn on them.
People were congregating in small clusters, engaged in animated discussions. The general ambiance within the city seemed conspicuously lighter, tinged with an almost celebratory air.
What could be the cause? Was there some sort of festival they were unaware of?
Driven by curiosity, Kevin approached an individual passing by. "Excuse me, what is everyone discussing so enthusiastically?"
The man regarded Kevin with a look of surprise. "You don’t know?"
Kevin blinked in response. "Sir Reinhardt Arcknight. The city is currently celebrating his remarkable achievements. He is being elevated to the rank of Viscount."
"What?" The announcement struck everyone in the group with palpable shock. Even Gwen and Eleanor appeared taken aback.
"Commander became a Viscount?" Kevin sputtered, his tone laced with disbelief.
"Commander?" The passerby glanced at them with a peculiar expression. "What transpired while we were away...?"
Kevin turned to his companions, a realization dawning. They had been engaged in an extended journey, escorting Lady Eleanor. The incident involving the "shooting" had led them through a myriad of locations. It was becoming apparent that a significant amount had occurred during their absence.
The passerby, still observing them with that unusual gaze, suddenly noticed an emblem adorning their armor, and his eyes widened considerably.
"Wait a moment..." He pointed directly at the insignia. "Are you knights belonging to the Order of the Temple of Light?"
Kevin and the others nodded affirmatively. "Yes."