Chapter 190 (2): Operation Sleeper Agents x Sir Wayne

Minister's Office.

Yvette, who had departed earlier, waited for Auston and Wayne at the entrance to the awards auditorium. Opening the door, she led the father and son inside, walking on the red carpet covering the floor.

Auston slowed down, gesturing at Wayne to walk in the front, also reminding him to keep his glib tongue under control and simply nod when he met the Minister. With a solemn expression, Wayne followed Yvette with his gaze fixed ahead. At the end of his gaze was the Queen of Windsor, Sophelia Arthur Windsor.

The Queen had a long name. Following her first name was the name representing her royal status, followed by her surname. She held herself with grace, beautiful yet dignified. Judging by her appearance alone, she seemed to be in her thirties. Her gentle, soft-featured face was well taken care of.

Since she was older than she appeared to be, she was likely a mage.

She’s beautiful!

Wayne kept his gaze from wandering as he followed Yvette and Auston’s example and bowed in greeting.

Sophelia smiled slightly. “Auston, is he really not your illegitimate son?”

Auston scowled.

When he didn’t give a direct answer, Sophelia turned to Wayne and observed him. “Wayne, are you Auston’s illegitimate son?”

“I am whatever Your Majesty wishes me to be.” Wayne pressed a hand to his chest and spoke politely. “Even if you say that I’m a demon’s illegitimate son, I will accept it.”

Auston scowled harder. He told him not to run his mouth!

Sophelia nodded. “You are very similar to Auston. I’ll consider you his son for now.”

According to the regulations regarding noble inheritance, an illegitimate son did not enjoy the right to inherit a title. A child was only as noble as their mother. Thus, it made perfect sense why Auston had gone to such lengths to make Wayne his heir, even arranging a marriage between Wayne and Veronica.

An illegitimate son couldn’t inherit a title, but the daughter and son-in-law could.

Sophelia had received reports from the intelligence agencies, which proved that it was unlikely for Wayne to be Auston’s secret son. However, he could be a Lando. Such resemblance was unusual, and the agencies couldn’t easily reach a conclusion. Auston was the only one who knew the truth.

The award ceremony was simple, more so than Wayne had imagined. He didn’t have to get on one knee, and the Queen didn’t rest a longsword on his shoulder. Instead, Yvette brought the medal and a certificate. Sophelia handed Wayne the certificate before putting the medal on his chest.

That was it.

It was a medal of Knight Commander, which was the second-highest grade of Windsor’s orders of chivalry. The blue enamel medal came with a star-shaped insignia, usually awarded to businesspeople who had made a great achievement in their field or a high-ranking official. There were only eight hundred and forty-five such medals in the world.

Recipients would gain knighthood and be allowed to use the appropriate title. In other words, Wayne was now considered a noble, addressed as Sir Wayne.

It didn’t have any practical benefit, though.

Since the medal was also awarded to businesspeople who had made a significant contribution to the country, it opened the door for it to be bought. Wayne received one only to commend him for being a good Windsorian, saving High Reverend Filomina of the Church of Moonlight, as well as the Ministry of Magic’s precarious reputation.

“I heard that you’re talented in magic. Work harder. Windsor needs someone like you.” Sophelia gave him a polite smile and offered some words of encouragement, though it was only pleasantries.

Wayne declared, “Since I began to pursue magic, I’ve only learned three things: be loyal to Her Majesty, be loyal to Her Majesty, be loyal to Her Majesty.”

Sophelia smiled. The declaration was too blunt and could use some polishing, but his heart was in the right place; the young man was smart.

She couldn’t help but glance at Auston once more. Their similarity was uncanny; they even made almost identical declarations of loyalty.

“One more thing,” Sophelia reminded him indirectly. “In the future, travel less and attend more business functions. Windsor needs you. Don’t waste too much time on trivial matters.”

Wayne nodded respectfully. He understood. The next time he ran into another high reverend being attacked by the Ministry of Magic, he would do his best to keep his distance.

***

Soon, it was another dinner the Lando family shared.

Wayne attended wearing the medal, accompanied by a smiling Silvia. As a clergywoman, Silvia naturally wouldn’t hold the Queen in higher regard than her goddess, but her student’s achievement proved her a successful master. It was something that should be encouraged.

Across from them, Auston and Veronica gripped their utensils with matching scowls, staring at Wayne as they cut their steak into pieces.

Wayne blushed.

As it was said, there were a thousand different Harry Potters in a thousand readers’ imagination[1]. Wayne’s bashful expression was particularly irritating to the father and daughter. They wanted nothing but to stab him with their forks. However, to Silvia, it simply showed that Wayne was naturally shy.

As expected of her. She had learned from her experience and managed to find the right student.

After dinner, Auston left with a huff, telling Wayne to find him in his study. Veronica also huffed particularly loudly, telling Scum Jr. to find her before going to Scum Sr.

“You’re busy.” Silvia chuckled with a hand covering her face. She patted Wayne on the shoulder and adjusted the medal on his chest. After a moment, her eyes reddened.

The career woman didn’t want to show her weak side to her student. She quickly changed the subject and said with a frown, “I heard that you received the Ministry of Magic’s mission and have been acting close to High Reverend Filomina of the Church of Moonlight. Is that right?”

Yeah, we’re close. Our distance is in the negative.

Wayne nodded. “I don’t want to, Master, but I don’t have a choice. The Ministry of Magic pressured Auston, and since my relationship with him has only just improved, I have to accept the mission for the family.”

“I understand. You’ve sacrificed too much for the family.” Silvia sighed. She could follow the goddess without concerning herself with other matters, but not Wayne. Veronica wasn’t as bright as Silvia was, so Wayne had to be the one to take on the dirty work as the heir of the family.

“It’s fine, Master. I don’t find it difficult.”

“What did the bastard say? You became the family heir, but he never talked to me about your marriage. Has he brought it up to you?”

“No.”

“Bastard, trying to drag things out even after recognizing you.”

“We can’t blame him, Master. He is a father. It’s natural for him to be reluctant to give his daughter’s hand away. He has to be cold-blooded to immediately arrange the marriage.”

“You’re understanding. I’m not in a position to bring the matter up, so Veronica has to be the one to. It’s going to be unfair to you.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

The two of them chatted for more than five minutes. Then Silvia patted him on the shoulder and went back to talking about the churches. “You may not know Filomina well. There’s something wrong with her. Although she’s magically talented, she has an aggressive and extreme personality, making her difficult to deal with. She has to be after something by tying you down through the Ministry of Magic.”

“That is the case.” Wayne sighed. “To be honest, I think she may have guessed that I have the original bloodline.”

Silvia lost her composure. “What? How?”

“She’s not the only one. The legendary mages of the Ministry of Magic may have all guessed it.” Wayne spread his hands. “Gold glitters no matter the environment. There’s no hiding it.”

Silvia smiled bitterly. She knew that, but she hadn’t expected others to find out so soon.

She sucked in a breath and said through clenched teeth, “I get it now. That hag is trying to taint you with the faith magic of Moonlight and steal you to her church. How shameless. I claimed you first.”

Master, have you considered that Kristen was the first, which automatically gives Filomina priority?

Wayne maintained a serious expression. “I can tell that’s what she’s planning. And she said that she was first...” He paused like he was hesitating before clenching his teeth and declaring, “Please don’t worry. I’ve rejected her. I’ve brought my talent to the Church of Nature. I can’t possibly turn my back on Nature, and I have no reason to.”

“Good boy. I knew you wouldn’t do that to Master.” Silvia brightened up. “She won’t give up easily, though. Be careful. You’re too kind. She may seize you by your weakness and leverage it against you!”

Wayne nodded vehemently. She hadn’t just grabbed it, but devoured it.

1. The original is a common Mandarin expression, “There are a thousand different Hamlets in a thousand readers’ imagination,” meaning everyone reads and interprets a story differently. ☜