Chapter 215: Knight A (1)
Chapter 215: Knight A (1)
Pyoyang County, the home of the Twin Dragon Sect.
There were two martial sects in this region.
One was the Twin Dragon Sect, which had been established there for a long time.
The other was the Peach Blossom Sword Sect, a group that had rolled in like an interloper a few decades ago.
Normally, when two sects occupy the same territory, friction is inevitable, even if they both belong to the Orthodox Faction. However, the leader of the Peach Blossom Sword Sect was different.
[Master Lee, have you been in good health?]
[Haha, I have been well, thanks to you.]
He always showed the utmost respect to the leader of the Twin Dragon Sect, making sure to send greetings and small gifts every year.
This was only possible because the gap between the two sects was incomparable.
The leader of the Peach Blossom Sword Sect was a former secular disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. His martial prowess was first-rate, and he commanded over eighty disciples.
He operated more than two inns as businesses and even dispatched disciples to escort agencies. In the vicinity of Pyoyang County, he was the leader of the most successful sect.
In contrast, the Twin Dragon Sect was a third-rate sect housed in a dilapidated thatched cottage with only a handful of disciples.
They weren't even competitors to begin with, so there was naturally no reason for hostility. In fact, it was better to stay on friendly terms.
The leader of the Twin Dragon Sect was known as a gentleman and a man of virtue. Simply by being close to him, the leader of the Peach Blossom Sword Sect was also perceived as a good person.
Jincheon, the Radiant Dragon Hero, also remembered their first meeting as being quite pleasant.
[Oh, so this is the disciple you have taken in, Master.]
[His name is Jincheon. I named him myself.]
[Hahaha. He has a very sharp gaze. Work hard and become a fine swordsman.]
Jincheon clearly remembered the relaxed demeanor of the Peach Blossom Sword Sect Leader as he offered those words of encouragement.
However, the relationship between the two sects began to change as the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon’s fame grew.
As Jincheon’s exploits increased, the Twin Dragon Sect’s influence expanded.
When the reputation of his master—who was already highly respected for his benevolence in Pyoyang County—was combined with Jincheon’s skill, the Twin Dragon Sect’s prestige surpassed that of the Peach Blossom Sword Sect in an instant.
Eventually, the Peach Blossom Sword Sect Leader began to distance himself from the Twin Dragon Sect, ultimately turning hostile.
And in the end…
‘That man acted as a spy for the Unorthodox Faction and informed them of my absence.’
Taking advantage of that opening, they attacked. As a result, many disciples fled, and the master and junior brothers who stayed to fight were either killed or wounded.
It was one of the most painful betrayals in the entire life of the Radiant Dragon Hero.
Why did the Peach Blossom Sword Sect Leader make such a choice?
In his hot-blooded youth, Jincheon had simply thought the man was a piece of trash, the lowest of the low. But thinking about it now, he felt he understood the reason to some extent.
‘He was probably anxious. He was terrified by the reality of his position being threatened and being pushed further and further back.’
That was why a member of the Orthodox Faction, a former secular disciple of the prestigious Mount Hua Sect, became a stooge for the Unorthodox Faction to destroy the Twin Dragon Sect.
He realized it then.
People loathe having their positions threatened.
To the point where you never know what they might do if left unchecked.
‘I can’t afford to be stabbed in the back like that again.’
Patrick wanted to focus on the pioneering of the Great Forest from now on. That was why he had come here today.
“I will uphold your prestige, Count. I will continue to respect the authority of the Margrave of the East. So, stop the interference directed at House Schneider.”
“And if I refuse?”
Had Patrick’s surprisingly humble approach given him an opening?
Count Parmas pushed a step further. Then…
“Well, you see, Count…”
Patrick scratched his head with a troubled expression. Then, he spoke nonchalantly.
“Wouldn't it be quite troublesome for you to have me as an enemy?”
At those words, Count Parmas let out a sigh.
He had tried to poke at a fruit he couldn't have just to see what would happen, but he hadn't even broken even.
‘It was my mistake.’
If he had known the boy would become such a significant figure, he wouldn't have sent him to the capital. Or, even if he had, he would have sent him only after attaching a definitive shackle.
He should have made Patrick his own man, even if it meant forcing his only daughter into his bedroom, before helping him grow.
But now, it was all nothing but late regrets.
‘If I can’t keep him under me, I must at least ensure he doesn't become an enemy.’
Ultimately, he decided to accept Patrick’s proposal.
“You said you would uphold my prestige?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Tell me how.”
“Understood. Well, it’s nothing much…”
* * *
A few days later.
A large number of Eastern nobles gathered at the Count Parmas estate.
“Baron Hank, you came as well?”
“Ah, Baron Ost, you’re here too.”
“The Count called, so I had to come.”
“Indeed. He is still our representative, after all…”
“For now, at least.”
The nobles, who were quick to catch rumors, already knew.
They knew that the Double Dragon had returned to House Schneider.
With the rapid growth of House Schneider over the past few years, the return of the Double Dragon was reason enough for the leadership of the East to change hands.
The East was, by nature, a land ruled by the strong.
Now that the power of the Schneider Viscounty had surpassed that of the Parmas Countship, there was no reason to object even if the leader was replaced. Just then…
“Count Parmas has arrived.”
Following the attendant’s announcement, Count Parmas made his appearance.
However, he did not enter alone.
“Huh? Who is that person beside him?”
“Could it be?”
“Yes, I think so. I saw him once in the capital.”
Beside the Count was Patrick Schneider, following along with a face full of dissatisfaction.
As the Eastern nobles looked on, bewildered by the two appearing together, Count Parmas spoke.
“Thank you all for coming despite your busy schedules. I called you here today because there are a few things I wish to say.”
He then addressed the confused nobles.
“I have heard that recently, many nobles in our East have borrowed money from House Schneider and are failing to repay it.”
In an instant, more than half of the nobles looked startled. Patrick then cut in and shouted.
“How dare you swindle my father while I was away! You bastards are dead me—”
“Young Master Schneider!”
Patrick, who was acting like he was about to fly into a rage, flinched at Count Parmas’s word and stepped back.
“Am I not in the middle of speaking?”
“……”
“Step back for now.”
“Yes… Understood.”
Having silenced the exploding Patrick, Count Parmas spoke again.
“Dishonest financial transactions can damage the friendship and solidarity of the East. As the one responsible for the East, I cannot overlook such matters.”
“But, Count.”
“We have our own circumstances.”
“Please, listen to us.”
Count Parmas raised his hand to silence the nobles attempting to make excuses.
“It’s not that I don’t understand your situations. With the continuous poor harvests lately, everyone is struggling. Even with the will to repay, it must not have been easy.”
The nobles felt relieved when the Count stepped forward and spoke as if he understood their plight.
But he wasn't finished.
“However, it is a fact that you borrowed the money, and it is also a fact that the repayment of the debt is being delayed. That is why Young Master Schneider here has resorted to forced execution.”
The fact that Patrick had completely overturned five neighboring territories in a single night had already spread throughout the East.
The victimized nobles had kept quiet out of shame, but such a thing couldn't be hidden forever.
Count Parmas let out a sigh as if he had a headache.
“First, Young Master Schneider. You will stop forcibly seizing the property of the nobles.”
“But Count! Then what about the money my family lost?”
“Extend the deadline a little. For about a year.”
“No, that’s…”
“Young Master Schneider.”
“……”
“Do you intend to disobey me?”
At Count Parmas’s words, Patrick made his reluctance incredibly obvious as he spoke.
“Since it’s your command, Count, and no one else’s, I suppose I must follow it. I’ll follow it, but… Argh! This really pisses me off!”
Seeing Patrick fuming and radiating blatant killing intent, the indebted nobles broke into a cold sweat.
‘I heard the rumors, but his temper is truly something else.’
‘Where did such a thug come from?’
‘Is he really the son of that pushover?’
‘Anyway, Count Parmas is actually able to control that mad dog.’
‘Is the position of the leader of the East still secure, after all?’
The conversation between the two shown here today implied more than one might think.
It confirmed not only that Patrick Schneider was a far more violent individual than the rumors suggested, but also that Count Parmas could control him to some extent.
The nobles who had thought the pinnacle of the East might change began to revise their opinions.
‘Come to think of it, he entered the Academy through Count Parmas’s recommendation.’
‘Perhaps there’s a deal at the family level.’
‘To be able to control the world-renowned Double Dragon like that…’
Who was the Double Dragon?
He was the lunatic who didn't back down even against the regular army of the Caesar Kingdom.
Count Parmas was controlling such a mad dog with mere words.
As long as this relationship continued, no one in the East would dare challenge the hegemony of House Parmas.
A short while later.
The Eastern nobles all departed.
The nobles indebted to the Schneider Viscounty left after signing contracts promising to repay their debts within a year and putting up collateral in case they failed.
The name of the Margrave of the East, Count Parmas, was written as the guarantor on the contracts.
With this, they absolutely had to repay the debt. And as quickly as possible.
As a result, Patrick neatly settled the debt relationships his father had entangled himself in and redefined his relationship with Count Parmas.
Now that he had proven the Count held the authority to control the Eastern nobles, the Count would not act hostile toward House Schneider.
In fact, the Count even held Patrick back to invite him for a meal.
However, Patrick declined and returned home, promising to meet again next time.
“Now, it’s time to slowly get started.”
It was time to be busy for a while.
* * *
Around the time Patrick returned to the East and began preparing for the pioneering of the Great Forest.
Something else was happening in the northeastern part of the continent.
“All troops! Advance!”
“Wooooooo!”
War had broken out.
It was a war between the Yuzef Kingdom, one of the four Eastern nations, and the Flame Kingdom.
The one who declared war first was the Yuzef Kingdom.
The pretext was a failed royal marriage.
King Sierion, who had ascended to the throne of the Yuzef Kingdom, had sent one of his sisters to marry a prince of the Flame Kingdom.
Princess Heminia, known as the most beautiful princess in the Yuzef Kingdom, was Sierion’s half-sister.
It was a political marriage intended to strengthen the bond between neighboring nations and was proceeding smoothly.
But it went wrong.
In the worst possible way.
“Hey, did you hear? Princess Heminia, who was sent to the Flame Kingdom, was murdered by an assailant.”
“What? Is that true?”
“Yeah. They say the body was found in a horrific state, covered in dozens of wounds.”
“How could this happen? Why?”
The reason was not revealed.
However, the princess sent for a royal marriage was murdered by an assailant on her wedding night.
The body was in a truly gruesome state, and the culprit was never found.
Ultimately, the Yuzef Kingdom’s delegation returned with the princess’s body, and the Flame Kingdom expressed its regrets to the Yuzef Kingdom. And then…
[In the name of Sierion Baisus Yuzef, I command! The Flame Kingdom shall be held accountable for the death of my sister!]
King Sierion declared war.
He declared war on the Flame Kingdom to avenge his fallen sister.
At first, the people of the Yuzef Kingdom were confused by what was happening. But…
“Hey, have you heard the rumor?”
“The war? Of course I heard. I don’t know what they’re thinking…”
“No, not that. About the death of the princess that caused this war. The truth is…”
“…What? Really?”
“They say there’s no doubt about it.”
“How could they? If that’s the case…”
Rumors of unknown origin began to circulate.
The culprit who killed Princess Heminia was actually a member of the Flame Kingdom’s royalty.
That royal, lusting after the princess’s beauty, harbored dark intentions and tried to take her by force, killing her when she resisted.
This rumor spread throughout the entire Yuzef Kingdom.
And that rumor was more than enough to enrage the citizens of the Yuzef Kingdom.
“Those Flame Kingdom bastards, how dare they…”
“How lowly must they think of our country to dare do such a thing?”
“It’s only natural that His Majesty Sierion declared war.”
“Of course. This is a matter of national pride.”
“We must soothe the princess’s grievance and make those Flame Kingdom bastards pay for their crimes.”
Public opinion began to rally behind Sierion’s justification for declaring war over the princess’s death.
In any country, the tragic death of a beautiful woman creates enough empathy for people to become indignant.
Even more so if she is the princess of the nation.
Ultimately, the Yuzef Kingdom attacked the Flame Kingdom with a total force of 30,000.
At the vanguard stood King Sierion himself, incensed by his sister’s death.
“Out of my way!”
At the site where the main forces of both nations, the knight orders, were clashing fiercely, King Sierion came charging in on a white horse, his red cloak fluttering behind him. Then…
“Everyone, fall back!”
“Do not hinder His Majesty!”
At Sierion’s shout, the knights hurriedly retreated. And then…
“Wooooooo!”
A massive Aura Blade surged from the sword of Sierion, who stood at the very front.
The sword of light, rising over twenty meters high, boasted its singular majesty amidst the chaotic war.
The Imperial Sword Form he had realized during his duel with Patrick.
Sierion had internalized it as his own.
“Uh… Uhhh…”
“Run!”
The enemy knights, terrified by that fearsome Aura of Intent, tried to scatter in haste, but it was already too late.
“Haaaaah!”
Lord of Sword.
The massive king’s sword, swung down without hesitation, swept away the entire enemy knight order.
BOOM!
It was a radiance of victory for his allies and a symbol of despair for his enemies.
King Sierion, who had crushed an entire knight order with overwhelming power, swallowed the blood rising to his throat and held the giant sword of light high.
Then, he shouted in a voice full of dignity.
“Warriors of the Yuzef Kingdom! Advance! Justice is on our side!”
“Ooooooh!”
“Long live the Yuzef Kingdom!”
“Long live His Majesty Sierion!”
Starting from this day, the army of 30,000 led by Sierion would bring the Flame Kingdom to its knees within three months.
It was the moment the path of the Overlord began.