Chapter 241

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 8, 2025

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When Edmilra crossed the drawbridge and entered the royal palace, she was immediately confronted with the pitiful sight of powerless city guards sprawled everywhere.

Passing through that scene and nearing the entrance to the inner city, she also had to witness the similarly ineffectual state of additional royal guard forces lying around.

Among them were some of Edmilra’s own holy knights.

However, what immediately caught her eye wasn’t that.

“…Is that it?”

One girl. One wretched individual.

And a steel-clad warhorse.

I think I understand why he compared it to a magical construct.

But from Edmilra’s perspective, this…

‘Is it a returning spirit?’

Though it sat prominently near the inner city entrance, it didn’t appear to be deliberately obstructing their entry.

If anything, it seemed to be… waiting.

“So, shall we take action?”

At the question from the adjutant who’d joined along the way, Edmilra shook her head.

“If they don’t show hostility, let’s leave them be for now.”

Even as they spoke, they had already reached the inner city entrance.

‘It’s not a monster.’

The two humans mean nothing.

However, that warhorse which appears to be a returning spirit… was clearly unusual.

The moment their red eyes met, chills surged through her as if her heart had been gripped.

‘So if his steed is like this…’

Then that knight, the owner of this creature…

From the fact that he hadn’t killed or defeated anyone on the way here but simply pushed them aside, it was already clear that this was beyond normalcy.

‘There can’t be many people capable of doing that.’

And that’s not all that’s suspicious.

The fact that the magic battalions and mages couldn’t properly use or control their magic.

Even the unique magic barrier of Faceulan was effortlessly broken through by him.

This was the biggest problem.

Had it not been for that alone, no matter how powerful he was, it wouldn’t have been this easy to break through.

‘What’s important now isn’t that.’

Pushing those thoughts aside, she increased her pace.

The atmosphere of fierce battle coming from deeper inside only added to her urgency.

‘The captain of the guards.’

Young though he may be, he represents the practical hope of this country in terms of military might.

He has excellent character, intelligence, and potential.

In ten years, he would undoubtedly become one of the real powers in this land.

But when Edmilra entered the audience chamber…

“Huff! Huff!”

The captain of the guards was clutching his sword, half-kneeling.

His condition and appearance were far from good.

It seemed he had been thrown around and rolled on the ground several times, judging by the state of his armor and cloak.

Blood trickled from his forehead, and faintly from his nose as well.

“…”

A heavy breathing sound.

The deep breaths coming from the pitch-black knight were causing an oppressive pressure on her chest.

Though not particularly gigantic, the mere presence radiated such overwhelming intimidation that it made him seem like a towering colossus or an unreachable giant.

“Stop!”

At Edmilra’s shout, neither the pitch-black knight nor the captain of the guards turned their heads or reacted.

One was indifferent.

The other… too focused on his opponent to dare look away.

“Edmilra-sama! Finally!”

Blendur, the palace steward, approached with relief evident on his face.

Still, the precarious state of the young mage king clinging to the throne remained unchanged.

“Regardless of the circumstances, this is unprecedented! Do you truly have no knowledge of the proper respect and duty owed to a monarch chosen by heaven?!”

“You people always spout the same line: ‘Beneath the heavens, only the gods are noble.'”

With a heavy voice, the pitch-black knight declared.

“Can a king’s status stand shoulder to shoulder with the divine?”

“…They are the heavenly appointed representatives of the gods.”

“No. Are you seriously going to keep spouting that nonsense about royal authority acting on behalf of divine power? If that’s the case, why does the pope exist? Why do we even have bishops here?”

“Division of roles. Before that… what’s the intention behind your words? More importantly, reveal your identity and standing clearly.”

“Does one’s status determine the severity of their crimes?”

“No. I’m asking so I can point out your offenses accordingly.”

“In that case, it’s unnecessary.”

Turning his body, the pitch-black knight advanced toward the king again.

“Stop! The duel isn’t over yet…”

“Spare me the tantrums. Save that for your parents or the cross.”

The blunt and ruthless pitch-black knight asked as he reached the steps leading to the royal presence.

“How long do you plan to keep up this pathetic act? Do you really think running will avoid your fate?”

“Exactly what grievance drives you to such extremes?! If you have petitions or demands, there are proper procedures―”

“That procedure is what turned that kid into this mess.”

Now he doesn’t even refer to him as king.

“It’s inevitable, this reality. This is the best we can do for now. Such absurdities and negligence are what corrupt you and rot this country.”

Suddenly, from the hand of the knight who had never properly wielded a weapon until now…

A pitch-black sword rises.

“If it ends now or later, the result is the same, right?”

“Y-y-you old man! T-this act is clearly! Clearly…!”

Treason? Wasn’t his rudeness already beyond that point?

Impoliteness? Hadn’t it surpassed that stage long ago?

My head won’t process it.

My mouth won’t open properly.

While Blendur trembled like a leaf, drenched in cold sweat, blocking the young king,

The pitch-black knight continued to glare at the king standing across from him.

“Do you see this brief reprieve as rest? You’ll never escape, whether alive or dead.”

“Aaaahhhh!”

The young king goes berserk.

“Then I’ll take that life first.”

“A-are you insane?!”

“What the hell is wrong with that guy?!”

As the captain of the guards lunged,

Edmilra finally kicked off the ground.

Surely he wouldn’t actually carry out such madness…

The pitch-black sword gripped in both hands swelled violently, transforming into a massive greatsword.

When he pulled it back and slashed down as if to split the world in two…

Zzzziiing!

The enormous blade cut through everything – Blendur, the royal court, the young king, and even the wall behind him.

“AAAAHHHH!”

While Blendur collapsed on his butt screaming,

Kwa-chak!

The rear wall and its decorations were crushed, cracked, and split apart.

“I-it’s… this…”

As the young captain of the guards stood pale-faced,

Edmilra began considering her next move coldly.

‘What a horrifying…’

Still, the instinctive chill and goosebumps couldn’t be controlled.

Just what kind of mad knight is this, and why did he create such carnage?

No one except the pitch-black knight himself realized it.

“Uuuh… uuuuhh!”

While the royal throne split in half and liquid flowed in straight lines across the floor,

There lay the young king, sprawled on the ground covering his face with both hands.

“Eh? E-e-eh?”

Realizing nothing had happened after a while, Blendur regained his composure.

He felt his upper body as if disbelieving what had occurred.

‘What…?’

I definitely…

“Hooooh…”

With a heavy breath, the young king finally collapsed onto the crimson carpeted floor.

The pitch-black knight stood before him, lowering his stance.

Still maintaining firm eye contact.

“Stop pretending to be insane.”

The pitch-black knight placed his heavy hand on the king’s head.

Though still trembling, the king’s complexion and gaze had changed slightly from before.

Looking closely despite bowing his head,

“The weight of your sins will only grow heavier in that moment.”

He stated thus.

“You know what needs to be done. Why do you flee?”

“…”

Though seized with fear,

The king’s eyes were clearly different from before.

Still, the despair bound within them,

And the deep frustration threatening to overwhelm him,

Were more vivid than ever.

And observing all this from above,

A small voice could be heard.

“I…”

The pitch-black knight who had retracted his formed black sword,

Released the strength in his right hand resting on the king’s head.

“I’ve come to forgive you.”

“…”

In an emotionless tone, he declared.

“To grant you at least minimal penance and absolution so you can start anew.”

This young king definitely deserves death.

Yet if even this pitiful being isn’t given the bare minimum chance,

Who will save him now? Who will redeem him?

I lack the qualifications,

But at least he himself should have the right to redeem himself.

To be abandoned even by oneself…

What a pitiful, cruel, and tragic form this is.

“May my humble forgiveness give you the courage to rise again and face adversity.”

I will return.

“When that time comes, if I judge that you cannot save yourself, then I will certainly take your life.”

Remember this.

“This moment.”

Unless you’re reborn here,

“You will have no hope.”

===

“He’s coming out.”

After making an earth-shattering noise, followed by a long silence, he emerged unscathed.

“How did it go?”

Delica cautiously approached and asked.

“Go.”

“Where?”

“…”

There he goes again.

Ignoring Delica’s irritated glare,

The pitch-black knight approached his warhorse while looking down at Reiman nearby and asked,

“I took you in because I saw more potential in you to repay and surpass your past sins than to cause harm.”

“Me?”

“Of course, in your current state, those days will never come.”

His fate and destiny have already sunk to rock bottom.

“The path is yours to forge. I merely provide the opportunity.”

“Are you saying you’re saving me?”

“No.”

The knight firmly drew the line.

“Only you can save yourself.”

Grabbing the lifeline someone offers,

Holding onto it until the end,

All of it comes from one’s own will and effort.

No matter how much a great teacher gives, absorbing and accepting it is the student’s responsibility.

Even if a great prophet foretells the future,

Believing and following it is up to the listener.

“The choice is yours. What will you do?”

“This is definitely an opportunity.”

But honestly, I’m not sure exactly what he wants from me.

He’s definitely my enemy who broke my arm.

But now, the anger seems less pressing than wondering if I can follow even a fraction of his footsteps.

Why me?

Am I not someone the world and god have abandoned?

“Don’t misunderstand my words.”

As if reading his mind, the knight warned.

“This world, the gods, no one can abandon you. The only one who can abandon you is yourself.”

“Ah…”

Those words hit me with waves of regret and repentance, if only for a moment.

Thinking about it, I…

Every moment was filled with resentment and despair.

I never once tried to save myself.

Just making excuses.

Missing opportunities through hesitation.

Falling into frustration.

What was the reason behind all this flailing and struggling?

I was starving to death.

Freezing to death.

The future seemed impossibly distant, painful, and unbearable.

I just didn’t want that, so I did whatever I could.

Calling my efforts to save myself meaningless.

Living as a vagrant is all I’ve done.

“Go.”

Seemingly understanding Reiman’s realization, the knight mounted his horse.

“Why don’t we get a carriage if we’re not in a hurry?”

Delica said irritably,

“Guess we’re in a hurry then.”

“…”

She got what she gave.

Without any issue, the pitch-black knight held Delica and Reiman in front and back of him.

Krroooorrr!

Without waiting for permission, Caligula the warhorse explosively galloped backward across the drawbridge.

And then,

Edmilra burst out from the inner city entrance.

Frowning deeply, she massaged her temples.

“Such events… such calamities… hah.”

How am I supposed to report and handle this?

Even if a thunderbolt fell from the sky overnight, it wouldn’t be this bewildering.

Still, definite changes have occurred.

“…”

What kind of omens these will bring,

Is something the Sixth Saint of the Irene’s Order, the saint of governance, cannot possibly foresee.

===

Through reckless galloping and roof-hopping, they managed to leave the city kingdom before sunset, though only when it had dipped below the horizon.

Finally stopping,

“Uuuuaaaaagh!”

Reiman, having endured it all, finally leapt off the horse in convulsions and started vomiting.

Having eaten little, only yellow bile mixed with saliva streamed down, prompting Delica to cover her mouth in disgust upon seeing it.

“You idiot bastard.”

“…”

Cariel showed no particular reaction.

“Did you prepare clothes?”

“…Since you asked.”

If I’d known those were for that guy, I would’ve gathered something roughly suitable.

“There should be a stream connected to the river downstream nearby.”

“…Hmph.”

Understanding, Delica kicked the still sprawled Reiman’s side and ordered him to follow.

“…”

Cariel quietly set up a simple camp.

Though he didn’t need it himself, he prepared for the other two – building a fire and pulling out food from his storage space.

Then, as if waiting, he rose and moved to one side.

Krrok!

Caligula trotted alongside his master like a farewell.

…

Not long.

About ten minutes’ travel distance.

There, as if waiting for precisely this moment, someone stood against the fading sunset.

“Reading the future now? Dodging everything I go ahead to like you predicted it all. On purpose, right? Made my stomach hurt with disappointment.”

A familiar yet strange voice.

Though forgotten and deemed irrelevant long ago,

Seeing it now ignites uncontrollable rage.

“Do you know who I am?”

Judging by appearance alone, one could never identify him as Cariel.

Yet recognizing his true nature…

“Wow, Cariel. What kind of relationship do we have where we don’t recognize each other?”