Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Guardian of the Empire (1)
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“But the arena is quite a mess right now.”
The emperor seemed pleased that I had stepped up in earnest and raised a finger.
Then, in a voice louder than usual, he spoke solemnly.
“Taking into account that Sir Veil has just fought his first match, the next bout will begin in one hour.”
He adjusted the schedule on the spot, clearly eager to see the next fight right away.
“Do both Sir Veil and Sir Dark agree?”
“We agree.”
We answered in unison.
At that, the Black Knight vice-captain stared at me intently.
“I thought you were just a flashy talker who only yapped from the sidelines…”
Even after fighting Allen, his mana remained as vigorous as ever.
It overflowed with leisure.
“You’ve got some spirit. Not just a simple advisor, then?”
“...”
However, I paid no attention to his provocation.
I simply gazed at him with a cold, expressionless face before descending to the first-floor waiting area.
“Come back up once you’ve sorted out your feelings.”
Dark sat leisurely on a chunk of shattered arena debris with a relaxed smile.
He waved his hand, basking in the crowd’s cheers.
“...”
Leaving those sounds behind, I silently made my way down the stairs.
Then, reporters swarmed around me.
“You’re Sir Veil of the Capital Defense Knights, right?”
“Just one word, please! Why did you challenge the Black Knights?”
Among them was a familiar face, Victor.
I looked only at him among the reporters and responded calmly to the interview.
“You’re the first from the Defense Knights to challenge the Black Knights. Could we hear the reason and your aspirations going forward?”
“Yes, since I’ve caused a stir by suddenly barging into this sacred tournament, I’ll answer sincerely.”
Victor watched me with serious eyes.
To him, I replied adeptly.
“I am tasked with protecting the imperial capital here while safeguarding the people and His Majesty the Emperor.”
I answered matter-of-factly, knowing it would be broadcast to the public.
“And among those people are the knights of our own nation.”
I raised my index finger.
Then, I pointed at Dark, who sat boldly in the arena waiting.
“Yet this Black Knight who entered the tournament charged mercilessly at the injured Allen, intent on inflicting a grievous wound.”
I criticized young Dark’s actions.
At the same time, I lent legitimacy to my own by mentioning a figure far more renowned than him.
“That’s why Great General Valderian and I stepped in to intervene personally.”
Valderian.
At the name of one of the continent’s greatest war heroes, the reporters nodded in unison.
After all, nothing convinced the world quite like high rank and fame.
“The Black Knights committed a grave breach of decorum in this sacred match with actions unworthy of their reputation.”
I clenched my fist tightly.
And, like a knight of justice, I declared.
“I want to give them a ‘wake-up call’ this time.”
I narrowed my eyes.
Then, with a sly, fox-like glint, I shouted confidently.
“As long as our Capital Defense Knights stand, they must refrain from such reckless behavior!”
Valderian had returned after moving Allen to the medical tent.
Seeing my press conference, he chuckled until the wrinkles around his eyes smoothed out.
“You sly fox, you really know how to twist words.”
The great general knew my usual lazy demeanor as his subordinate well.
Thus, he saw through the fact that me stepping up wasn’t out of duty as a Defense Knight.
“I also want to hold the Black Knight captain accountable this time for failing to rein in his subordinate while the situation escalated.”
At last, he grasped my intent.
That my target was punishment for the Black Knights themselves.
“If the captain doesn’t want to watch all his subordinates get crushed, he should step forward against me first.”
As rumors spread that the Crown Prince’s top fighter, signed to Veil, the reporters grew excited.
Rozanna watched my display with a smile tugging at her lips.
Seeming to understand my aim, she sipped her wine and observed leisurely.
“Too many to beat them all, so you’re going for the head first, huh...”
The reporters clutched their pounding chests and bombarded me with questions.
In this moment, they looked happier than ever.
“Sir Veil, you were one of the top-rated knights in the first half of this year’s evaluations.”
“However, Vice Captain Dark and Captain Lin’s reputations far surpass that.”
Victor and his fellow reporters pressed in so close their cheeks nearly touched as they questioned me.
“Do you have the confidence to win against such opponents?!”
Reporters snapping photos of my face.
To them, I responded with a highly practiced poise.
Like a veteran knight.
“We can’t fail to call out wrongdoing just because the opponent scares us. Our Defense Knights will protect the people and His Majesty in any situation.”
“Thank you. Any final words?”
In response to Victor’s question, I looked up at the stands.
“...”
The attention of the entire nation poured onto me.
But I ignored it.
“I have exactly ‘two words’ for the Black Knight captain.”
I threw down the gauntlet to my enemies hiding among them.
“If you truly care for your knights as their captain, you must take ‘responsibility’ for this incident.”
I raised a finger.
And made the number 1.
“No need for a second match. If Sir Dark loses, come straight up to the arena.”
With that, I turned away.
And descended gracefully amid the frenzied reporters.
“This is huge...!! Front-page material...!!”
The empire’s top force, the Black Knights.
A Defense Knight declaring he’d take on the vice captain and captain consecutively.
Reporters scribbled notes so furiously their papers tore, then rushed to their newsrooms.
――――――.
In an instant, the Black Knights became brutal fight-mongers.
And the Capital Defense Knights solidified their image as guardians of the empire.
Thanks to that, the crowd cheered me nonstop as I left.
‘The momentum is set.’
Thinking that, I walked the corridor alone.
When I reached the waiting room.
A petite woman in a black dress waiting by the door caught my eye.
A cute girl charging at me with puffed cheeks the moment she saw me.
“You...!!”
The princess wobbling toward me in uncomfortable high heels.
Her twin tails bounced with each step.
“Why are you suddenly stepping up like this?”
The princess shouted, fists clenched.
She looked like a feisty little leopard cub.
“Don’t worry. Didn’t you want me to step up yourself, Your Highness?”
It was Lydia, who longed to go east with me and live like royalty.
So I figured she’d be pleased.
But the expression on Lydia’s face as we faced each other seemed unexpectedly pitiful.
Her ruby-red eyes wavered strangely.
“What nonsense is that!”
Her voice rose in a childish whine whenever she got angry.
“I’ll always be the top priority in your heart, you know.”
Lydia grabbed both my hands.
Then, steeling herself, she looked up at me with a reddened nose.
“You’re not trying to go through all this trouble for our sake again, are you...?”
I hadn’t even considered it.
This girl, who had been so clingy and even mentioned a license to kill when we first met.
Now she was considering my feelings first.
“No. I’m just stepping up to advance boldly on my own.”
Advancement.
It was an excuse I’d prepared to meet the princesses as equals, really.
But for now, I phrased it that way for the downcast Lydia.
“That’s still because of us...”
However, the empire’s Third Imperial Princess caught on immediately.
She wrapped her arms tightly around my waist and buried her face in my chest.
“You could just come east with me, so why risk yourself like this...”
I gazed down at Lydia’s twin tails.
Then, placing a hand on her slender back, I embraced her.
“Don’t worry.”
Her backless dress.
The bare skin felt directly against my palm.
Hot skin and soft texture.
“You know my skills. I’ll stay here with you princesses.”
I stroked the crown of the princess’s head with a gentle voice.
Yet Lydia still kept her nose buried in my chest, breathing shallowly.
“Um... could you let go now? I have to head to the match soon...”
“Mm...”
Her deep breath tickled.
Finally, the princess lifted her face.
Looking up at me shyly, she replied.
“In our east, we have a custom of embracing like this before big events.”
“Everyone does?”
When I asked, Lydia hesitated for a moment.
Then, releasing me, she muttered quietly to herself.
“Of course just between husband and wife... you dense commoner baron...”
Missing her words, I turned my shoulders and prepared for the match.
Adjusting the sword at my waist, I stepped forward.
“If we end up sharing a room... there’s a mountain of things I need to teach you...”
She walked ahead gracefully alone.
At that moment.
“Um, Veil...!”
I turned at Lydia’s calling voice.
“Did you call me?”
When I asked, the princess smiled brightly.
Not the pitiful girl from before, but back to her usual seductive princess gaze.
“Starting this winter, I’ll be an adult.”
I swallowed hard at her meaningful words.
Phrases I’d usually brush off without thought.
Lately, they felt to carry deeper weight.
“Win for sure.”
The princess grinned mischievously, like a little devil plotting some prank.
In response, I bowed politely.
Then, I headed down the corridor alone.
To the arena for the first match.
“...!”
Ahead, Lea and Irina stood side by side.
Under the fresh sunlight, they looked like goddesses escorting me to the battlefield.
Especially Irina.
Unlike Lydia, Irina’s face held not a trace of worry.
As if she was certain I’d win.
“Veil.”
The empire’s Second Imperial Princess approached me.
Was it the platinum dress?
Her figure seemed even more divinely beautiful than usual.
However, her following actions let me know.
Behind that pure face lay the healthy ambition of a conquering monarch.
Her hand, which I thought would just clasp lightly.
The princess slowly intertwined our fingers, feeling my body heat.
“I’ll pray for your victory.”
“Thank you...”
Then, I looked at Lea.
If silver-haired, pure-eyed Irina resembled a beautiful goddess of chastity.
Lea looked like the queen of the goddesses.
“I’m not particularly worried. Have some fun out there, moderately.”
She spoke leisurely, as if granting her husband free time.
As Rozanna’s daughter, she watched me with sensual eyes.
“Then, I’ll be off.”
I climbed the arena stairs once more.
But at that moment.
――――――.
I heard someone rushing toward me.
Familiar footsteps.
Like someone from my past life hurrying to my fallen side.
However, when I turned.
It was none other than the three princesses gently grabbing my collar.
“Still, be careful.”
Lea.
With each step she ran, her ample figure swayed subtly beneath her beautiful dress.
“Come back in one ‘healthy’ piece.”
Irina and Lydia too.
The three worried for my body.
As if laced with some subtle meaning.
“Understood.”
I smiled in response.
Then, I finally ascended to the arena.
「Waaah―――!!」
Thanks to the press conference just now?
Word had spread, and the crowd went wild for me.
“...”
However, I showed no reaction.
I simply...
“You’re finally here. Have you steeled your resolve?”
Focused solely on Dark, who lounged leisurely in the arena first.
“Hmm-.”
Behind him stood Rozanna.
She had come down to the referee’s seat, perhaps giving Dark further enhancements and advice.
Proving it, even denser dark blue mana blazed from his sword and body.
‘Not just simple body enhancement this time.’
He’d mixed his innate greed and desires with mana.
Maximizing his latent power.
He resembled a berserk warrior tribe pillaging other races.
“...”
Rozanna smiled contentedly at her masterpiece.
She shot me a challenging look, as if daring me to beat it.
In counter, I immediately assumed my stance.
I raised Irina’s holy sword before my face.
Dark followed suit, raising his sword.
Then, the referee announced the start as if he’d been waiting.
「Then, let the match begin!!」
His voice echoed grandly through the vast Rustium arena.
The moment the echo faded.
Golden aura madly enveloped my sword.
The crowd stared in awe at the brilliant glow.
But that was merely the beginning.
Soon, the golden sword energy shifted to dazzling white.
￣￣￣￣￣￣.
I hid nothing more.
I charged straight at the sword-wielding foe before me.
“Quite impatient.”
Dark immediately raised his sword to maintain a defensive stance.
Seeing me charge without probing, he smirked leisurely.
“Typical Defense Knight brute force.”
Moreover, bringing the sword overhead right before his eyes.
It looked like the most straightforward, crude attack.
“Hm...?”
But soon, he realized.
Despite the crude, obvious strike.
The moment that sword touched him, something bad would happen.
Kaaang―――!!
Our swords clashed.
The intense shockwave shook the arena walls.
“W-What...?”
His eyes widened at the sudden speed and power.
He’d thought he’d pushed his body to its limits.
Yet a single overhead strike made his whole body scream.
“Did you only train mindless overhead chops...?”
Dark questioned in disbelief at the unbelievable power.
But I ignored him.
I simply raised my sword again and swung at his defending blade.
“Huat...!!”
With each clash, his face twisted.
Gazing down at his ruined expression, I said calmly.
“Do you think power granted by someone else equals power you’ve forged yourself through pain?”
I raised my sword once more.
And smashed down at his defending blade like hunting a mole.
Without even targeting his body.
――――――!!
The first strike shook the ground like an earthquake.
The crowd clutched each other, staggering.
“In real war, there’s no room for fancy techniques.”
Even Rozanna staggered, unable to hide her alarm.
But that was just the start.
“You have to stake everything on one attack to survive.”
――――――!!
The second strike cratered the arena floor.
Under the intense blow, his body crumpled like a nail hammered into wood.
“Krgh...!!”
Dark’s wrists twisted protecting his head.
Making defense impossible now.
He had brutally attacked Allen against such a desperate foe.
Now, I’d gift him the same terror.
I eyed the chest wound Allen hadn’t finished.
Then, I ended it myself.
――――――.
The fear of death he hadn’t felt in ages.
Perhaps because of that.
This time, he didn’t gamble on sparing his mana shield.
His dark blue mana splattered everywhere like blood.
“Hah...”
Then, he collapsed in a daze.
“No way.”
From the start to Dark’s fall took just 30 seconds.
Only then did Leon and Rozanna realize.
Why I’d demanded the captain for the second match right away.
“You didn’t even consider him a proper opponent from the start...?”
I didn’t glance at the fallen vice captain.
Staring only at Rozanna’s blue eyes, I said.
“Call the captain.”
Rozanna had lived her life in the imperial court, witnessing every flashy sword art imaginable.
Yet the man’s swordplay she’d just seen was utterly crude.
“If you don’t, it’ll just be embarrassing for you.”
But instinctively, she could feel it.
The great sorceress knew.
The weight of the past in that single swing from the man before her.
“No... impossible...”
His sword wasn’t the polished skill honed through pretty duels.
Quite the opposite.
“How many has that kid cut down...?”
It was majestic, as if he’d faced an entire empire’s knights alone.
Not in spars, but staking his life.
“Not power received from those kids...?”
She’d thought his Grand Master power came only through inheritance.
Covering her mouth with her hand, she stared into the lifeless black eyes of the man.
“Then... truly qualities like Leonhardt, fit for emperor...?”