As former commanders of the Royal Covert Division, George and the late Leslie were familiar faces in His Majesty's office. Upon arrival, George announced, "Former Knight Commander George and the late Knight Commander Leslie, of the Royal Covert Division, Inquisition Knights, reporting for post-mission debriefing and review." George said, still carrying Leslie in his arms, as he requested a private audience with the king.

The guard quickly let them in after confirming with the king.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," George said with a somber expression, "I regret disobeying your orders and pursuing the demons responsible for Knight Initiate Melody's demise. I appreciate your consideration in sending Leslie as my backup, though I regret to inform you that she gave her life while attempting to subdue the demons."

Just a short while earlier, the king had already received word about George's and Leslie's fight in the slum. Upon hearing what George said, a doubt surfaced in his mind, "The report only mentioned a fight. Were there additional demons involved?"

The king's expression turned contemplative as he furrowed his eyebrows, his gaze fixed intently on George, who still held Leslie's lifeless form. He was not worried about his safety, thanks to the guards in the room surrounding his workspace and the corridor. However, this was a man he just ordered to kill; and the same man carried the corpse of the assassin that he sent with him. So, he was being wary and pondered, "What's his game? Is this an act, or is he genuinely oblivious to my attempt on his life through Leslie?"

"What of the demons' status?" the king asked, as if he was only interested in the mission.

George began to "debrief" his mission. He made up a story about looking for the demons who killed Melody in the capital, about how they found a lead through the slum and the black market, and how he tried to ambush the demons when they were exchanging information near the slum.

"I know that you have eyes and ears around the capital." George thought, "It must have matched with everything that you know, including how Leslie followed me into the slum."

At the same moment, the king continued to be wary of George. Meanwhile, without sensing any discrepancies in George's words nor his acting, the king pondered, "Perhaps Leslie prioritized the demons over George."

The king gave out a long sigh and said, "Now, tell me, what is it that you desire?"

"I've brought her here, Your Majesty, so that I might be acknowledged as her family, thereby gaining the authority to personally arrange her funeral." George said, his tone filled with loyalty and humbleness, "Given the circumstances, the formal marriage procedure is no longer feasible. I humbly request your blessing, Your Majesty, in posthumously recognizing our union."

George wanted to fulfill his promise to Leslie, to place her in the final resting place at the orphanage, which only a family member could do. On the other hand, the king was thinking, "Ha! There is your real aim, you wanted Leslie's fortune!"

Believing he had uncovered George's true intentions, the king's tension eased, though he struggled to suppress a sly smile, mindful of George's sorrowful demeanor.

"I shall grant your request, of course," the king said, his voice laced with a mix of nostalgia and pretension, "for, despite my duties to the Goddess and her people, I have always regarded you both as dear friends. Wait here for a moment."

"Yes, Your Majesty." George replied as the king drafted a letter to the church.

Of course, despite claiming the two as his dear friends, the king didn't offer to attend Leslie's funeral. Once the letter was complete, the king handed it to a nearby guard, directing him to personally deliver it to the church, thereby expediting the process.

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"That's it. You have both my blessing and my condolences for Leslie's passing," the king said to George.

George's expression turned resolute as he continued, "If I may be so bold, Your Majesty, I have one final request I would be honored if you would consider. I humbly request, Your Majesty, a temporary knight clearance, valid for a period of two years, to facilitate my pursuit of justice for Knight Commander Leslie's and Knight Initiate Melody's untimely demise."

The temporary knight clearance was occasionally granted to Adventurers when they assisted the government in official cases.

"I know that you and Leslie were close. However, I do wish that one of my best friends could," the king, as if on purpose, slightly paused before saying, "leisurely enjoy his retirement life." George understood that what the king really meant was, "I really wish that you'd have been enjoying your retirement as a dead person." He could feel the king's intense gaze upon him, looking for any signs that he might know about the assassination attempt.

George then thought, "You know that we were close and still, you sent her to kill me; and I had to kill her with my own hands."

"I could not rest until the killers of Knight Commander Leslie and Knight Initiate Melody are brought to justice!" George said, hiding his frustration behind their death.

The king's thoughts turned inward, a sly smile dancing on his lips as he mused, "Ah, you seek vengeance for those who shattered your playthings. I must admit, I find your fervor... intriguing. I'll let you swim around a little while longer."

"Very well, you have one year to complete this task. I expect results by then," the king replied swiftly, without seeing anything out of place from George.

The king's expression turned matter-of-fact as he continued, "This, however, will not be deemed an official mission. Instead, I shall create a quest at the Adventurer's Guild, with you, George, designated as the quest's undertaker."

The king himself had treated his subordinates as if they were disposable pawns, and treated those that he liked as toys. He assumed that everyone beside him was the same, who were only interested in their own life, power and money. Raised amidst the cutthroat world of royal politics, the king's cynical perspective had, more often than not, proven accurate. Having worked alongside the king for decades, George was well aware of this and exploited it to his advantage in manipulating the king. On the other hand, the king had never bothered to truly understand George, viewing him merely as another expendable piece on the board, which unknowingly disadvantaged him in this situation.

George bowed his head in appreciation, his voice sincere as he replied, "I understand, Your Majesty. I shall remain eternally grateful for your benevolence in granting my requests with such alacrity."

The king's tone turned slightly more affable as he bade George farewell, "Farewell, my trusted knight. May fortune smile upon you," before nodding to a servant, who then presented George with the requested paperwork.

"I bid you farewell my king. May the kingdom's sun forever shine bright," George said, his voice laced with a mix of sorrow and resolve, as he departed with Leslie's lifeless form cradled in his arms.

Many of Leslie's former subordinates attended her funeral, somberly paying their respects. With a heavy heart, George, now formally recognized as Leslie's husband, extended his sincerest gratitude to the mourners in attendance. Once all the paperwork for Leslie was finalized, George visited the Merchant's Guild to inquire about Leslie's estate and the distribution of her assets. Like George, she had a will to donate all her wealth to the Adventurer's Guild's orphanage.

"I'd like to allocate ninety percent of Leslie's estate to the orphanage, as stated in her will. However, the remaining ten percent is my money. Transfer them to my account please." George instructed the clerk on how he wanted to distribute her money as her husband. George deliberately emphasized the phrase "my money", aiming to provoke the clerk into disputing his claim, thereby furthering his own agenda.

Just as expected the clerk replied, "No, you can't do that. That's her money, the entire sum have to go to the orphanage."

George produced a document, his tone firm, and declared, "In that case, I shall commence formal legal proceedings to reclaim my rightful share. Here is a letter from my attorney, outlining our position." George discreetly disseminated the rumor of his supposed dispute over Leslie's estate, ensuring that the king would become aware of it. A significant factor in George's long survival was his ability to largely anticipate the king's thoughts; and had evaded topics that the king would dislike. By orchestrating this ruse, George hoped that the king's guard would be lowered, thereby reducing the likelihood of future assassination attempts.

"Next, the demons that killed Melody," George thought, and started to focus on his next task. "My apologies for pinning Leslie's death on you, but to throw the king off my back, I'd have to send you to the Goddess."