Minerva El Aegis, the Shield of the East, silently studied the man standing before him. Even before they spoke, he could tell this man was a free spirit. 0

Unlike the other nobles who styled every strand of hair to perfection, the windswept, loosely dried hairstyle was a clear giveaway. Only the last three buttons were done on his shirt, which was still made of fine fabric, exposing his firm chest through the open shirt. The belt around his waist was loosely tied; one good sprint and it looked like it would slip off entirely. Even his shoes were crushed at the heel and worn like slippers.0

But more than anything else, what stood out was that full, carefree grin stretched across his face—it was relaxed and bold, but also charming.0

“Are you Mr. Keter El Sefira?”0

“If that’s what you want to call me.”0

As Keter responded with a frivolous wave of his hand, Minerva, who had risked his life to come to Eslow’s palace, felt the tension drain from him. The man before him looked perfectly fine—even comfortable.0

“I am Minerva El Aegis. I’ve come representing Aegis, your sponsor.”0

“I hear they call you the Shield of the East. But coming all the way here… You must be quite free these days.”0

“I was curious about the person the notoriously stingy Lord Panir of the Royal High Court’s Advisory Committee praised so highly, so I came to see for...0