Chapter 281
Chapter 281
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 281
Chapter Title: The Golden Knight, Isabelle
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***
Clank. Clank...
The distinctive metallic sound of heavy armor grating with each step.
But the sound that rang out was of a completely different quality than that of ordinary armor.
—!
It was an exceedingly rare suit of armor, brilliantly polished with magitechnical treatments, that glittered even more splendidly in the scattered lights.
Armor made for a Golden Knight possessed a special quality that no other could compare to.
A subtle golden hue beautifully adorned the silver-based armor, but its performance was even more unbelievable than its stunning appearance.
It was armor that granted a mere knight the power to become a ‘transcendent being.’
And it was armor bestowed only upon the most exceptional individuals.
Swish...
Her short, golden bob shone with a luster that outshined even the armor's magnificent beauty. The woman’s placid face, however, was filled with a silent dissatisfaction that belied her beauty.
Thud.
As she stopped walking, her gaze naturally fell upon a man standing at the entrance of the portal station.
“Isabelle, do you really dislike going to the Academy that much?”
The former Golden Knight, Jaden, who had been waiting for her, offered a sly smile. Isabelle’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Yes. I am not pleased.”
A blunt reply.
Yet, Jaden’s smile did not falter.
“Well, what can you do? This is the decision of the current imperial family, and you were the only one suited for the role.”
Jaden provoked the woman called Isabelle, as if teasing her, but she offered no response.
“...”
She simply narrowed her eyes, glaring at Jaden, a knight who wore the same armor as she.
Even under her cold gaze, Jaden’s lips curled into a smirk.
“Heh heh... You’ve always been terrible at hiding your emotions.”
He seemed to find her reaction endlessly amusing. Realizing this, Isabelle’s lips parted slightly as she spoke calmly.
“Sir Jaden. Do you honestly believe this situation makes any sense?”
“Appealing to my sense of logic is useless, Isabelle. A Golden Knight is, in the end, nothing more than a shield that must follow the commands of the imperial family.”
Tap.
Jaden leisurely stroked his ornate scabbard as he replied, and Isabelle unknowingly ground her teeth.
Grit…!
The sound of her grinding teeth reached Jaden clearly, but he remained unfazed.
Faced with her obvious hostility, Jaden simply maintained his relaxed smile.
The current situation was simple.
Despite the overwhelming status and unique nature of the Golden Knights, they all had to obey the commands of the imperial family. They were the ‘Shield of the Empire,’ possessing both symbolic and practical power.
Not the ‘Sword’ of the Empire.
As the Shield of the Empire, their most crucial duty was to protect the current imperial family, a mission akin to a sacred calling. It was certainly not a position one could take on lightly.
Their rank was higher than even the most distinguished knights of the Imperial Knight Order, a station most knights could only dream of aspiring to.
But right now, standing before the portal, Isabelle was seething.
—It had been a single day.
An absurdly short amount of time for her assignment, her very mission, to be upended. Her destiny had been rewritten.
From a meaningful Golden Knight meant to protect the noble and distinguished imperial family to, abruptly, a Golden Knight assigned to protect a commoner at the Academy...
For her, it was all too brief, too sudden.
Sigh. Suddenly, with a look of near resignation, Isabelle spoke wearily.
“...Please step aside. I must be going now.”
“Yes, go on. I came to see you off, so don’t be too disheartened.”
Jaden replied with a faint smile, but Isabelle only glared at him coldly.
Clank.
As she headed toward the portal, Isabelle’s heart remained unsettled.
The injustice of a reality she had no choice but to accept.
Just yesterday, no matter how much she resisted, she had been crushed by an authority she could not defy. Even though her family was far from insignificant or lacking in history, the situation had been decided.
The imperial family's power was just that absolute, and the other Golden Knights were by no means inferior to her in terms of their family's standing or their own skill. Thus, the assignment fell to her.
It had been decided that simply.
—The Golden Knight with the least seniority and experience would be assigned this mission.
Even her gender was of little importance in the matter.
Clank.
Just as Isabelle slowly walked past Jaden.
...Jaden suddenly spoke.
“Well, the student you’re assigned to protect is said to be quite exceptional, so try not to be so cynical. If the Apostles are targeting him that relentlessly, there must be a reason for it.”
The voice that followed was serious, a stark contrast to his earlier playful smile.
Glancing at Jaden, Isabelle gave a slight nod.
“Yes. I am aware.”
Though her reply was still cold, Isabelle had spent the last day poring over all the information about the person she was to protect.
She had read and reread it until she had it memorized.
No matter how much she denied reality or wished to reject it, she had already come to terms with the fact that she had a duty to perform.
And as a result...
She knew that the person she was assigned to protect was not without value.
Thud.
As she stood before a portal, the imperial portal official finished processing Isabelle's documents and began to activate it.
Vwooom—!
A powerful light enveloped the large, golden, circular altar, immediately creating a passage to the distant Academy.
“The portal is ready, Sir Isabelle.”
The portal official spoke cautiously and gestured. Just as Isabelle was about to step into the portal, she stopped.
“...”
Her hesitation was not due to inexperience or unfamiliarity with portals. She had used the imperial portals several times before.
But once she stepped through this portal, she had no idea how long she would be gone.
The documents had stated the duration was ‘undetermined.’
“Haaah...”
With a deep sigh, Isabelle finally stepped into the portal.
Flash!
The light on the altar seemed to suck her in, and Isabelle vanished without a trace.
After about three minutes, the official deactivated the portal and began to service the altar. Jaden, who had been watching silently, nodded lightly.
“Han Cheon-seong...”
Tap.
Only after Isabelle was gone did Jaden utter the name. His previous gentleness and leisure had completely vanished.
“I don’t understand.”
His expression now cold and chilling, he muttered the name a few more times, genuinely unable to comprehend.
It was an unfamiliar name, but more than that, the boy was undeniably a commoner with no family name.
And yet, a Golden Knight had been assigned as his escort. A Golden Knight, whose life should have been one of utmost pride, protecting only the imperial family...
This in itself was an impossible event, something utterly without precedent.
Jaden realized that this entire situation was completely abnormal.
Someone was behind this.
“But which member of the imperial family... would make such a decision?”
Jaden murmured coldly, his words a strangely pointed remark about the imperial family. It was a statement that could be seen as a challenge to their authority.
Flinch.
The portal official, still on duty, shot him a startled look, but Jaden continued, unabashed.
“Could it be that a royal at the Academy interfered?”
With that cryptic remark, Jaden slowly turned and began to walk away.
***
The Academy’s infirmary.
Kalli had left around noon, and outside visitors were naturally barred.
For Cheon-seong, this environment was quite familiar.
“Hoo.”
He let out a short breath. It felt like déjà vu.
A feeling of having been in this situation before. The only difference was that this time, two other people who hadn't been there before were in the infirmary with him.
Karite, who had yet to regain consciousness.
And Leonhardt, who was calming his mind in a seated meditation pose.
After a brief glance at the two of them, he turned his gaze to the window.
It was so blue.
Despite the horrific tragedy of yesterday, the sky outside the window was clear and bright. Looking at it, all he could do was let out a foolish laugh.
Slide.
Just moving his arm slightly sent a creaking pain through his body.
If a movement this small caused such pain, moving any more would send an incomparable agony through his entire system.
I had expected some kind of backlash from using Unleashing, but my body had clearly been pushed too far.
“Student Han Cheon-seong. You can’t push yourself. Don’t even think about doing anything right now.”
At the sound of a firm voice, I turned my head.
“Instructor Adelia. Don’t worry, I plan to rest well.”
“Good. And as I said before, you must be extremely careful with even the smallest movements until tomorrow. The potion is helping you recover quickly, but that doesn’t mean you can afford to be reckless.”
The determination in Adelia’s eyes was undeniable. I could only nod without the slightest resistance.
I watched her for a moment, and a thought suddenly stirred within me.
The meeting with the Golden Knight would happen soon, and I couldn't shake the worry I felt about it.
“...Instructor Adelia. Do you happen to know about the Golden Knights?”
At my careful question, Adelia’s eyes widened before she burst into laughter.
“Of course. Ah, did Instructor Kalli already tell you that one is coming to be your escort?”
“Yes... she did. It’s just, I’m not sure how I should act around them.”
As I spoke, I realized that was exactly how I felt.
Until now, I had been able to prepare for characters and situations that appeared in the original story.
Even if I couldn't, I could usually figure out what to do in the moment.
But a Golden Knight was something else entirely.
“How you should act... Hmm. I think you’ll be fine just being yourself, Student Han Cheon-seong.”
“Even if I’m just myself...”
“I don’t think you’re the type to be rude or clumsy when dealing with a Golden Knight. I’m sure they will understand. Considering their level of mastery, power, and family background, they are all fine people.”
Adelia’s nonchalant reply felt a bit like grasping at clouds.
Come to think of it, Kalli had said something similar.
That the Golden Knights were truly incredible individuals in many ways.
“...Do you really think it’s okay for me to just be myself?”
“Of course. I believe you can make a good impression, Student Han Cheon-seong.”
Adelia’s gentle smile was reassuring, but I steeled my resolve.
‘I must not be rude.’
I decided I had to greet the Golden Knight who would soon arrive with the polite and proper demeanor of a student.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.