Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Explanation (2)
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After that, Holy Knights from the Church arrived.
It was an impressive force that included no less than two 1st Grade Holy Knights, who were said to rival High-class knights.
"Your Highness! Where is the heretic who wielded the demon sword?"
"Well... he's already dead."
"?!?!?"
The Holy Knights were greatly flustered by the king's words.
"Take a look at this."
The king showed the two 1st Grade Holy Knights the corpse of Alexander Apple.
The two Holy Knights frowned at the intense black magic emanating from the body.
"Such dense black magic... It confirms he used a demon sword."
"Who on earth dealt with this man?"
At the two Holy Knights' question, the king gestured. Demian, who had been waiting in advance, appeared before the Holy Knights.
"Demian Haksen?"
"Isn't that the guy who took down the corpse puppet not long ago?"
Having ties to the Church, there was no way they wouldn't know.
"Did you defeat this man?"
"Even so, that's..."
According to the reports the two Holy Knights had received, Alexander Apple wasn't just a High-class knight—he was a demon sword user.
That made him equivalent to more than a typical High-class in terms of power. For a Middle-class knight to take him down?
"It wasn't me who defeated him."
"I knew it! So what exactly happened?"
"Alexander Apple had already suffered severe internal injuries from Sir Liam Bluegreen. During his fight with me, he was consumed by the demon sword's power and self-destructed."
The two Holy Knights, hearing Demian's explanation, asked back with dumbfounded expressions.
"...Wouldn't most people just say they defeated him?"
"...But the enemy is dead, isn't he?"
Demian shook his head at the two Holy Knights' questions.
"I didn't fight him evenly; I just stalled until he self-destructed, so I can't call it a defeat."
The two Holy Knights looked at each other.
As Demian said, it wasn't a formal victory.
But for a Middle-class knight to hold out against a High-class demon sword user—it was shocking in itself.
"They said he took down the corpse puppet alone... He truly lives up to the reputation."
"It's a shame to leave such a fine talent in the secular world."
The two Holy Knights gazed at Demian with fervent eyes. Demian felt intensely burdened.
'Why do these guys always try to drag me into the Church the moment they see me?'
To change the subject, Demian pulled out the demon sword's core.
"I found this in Alexander Apple's corpse."
The moment they saw the core, the two Holy Knights' eyes widened.
"This is... a demon sword core!"
"I've never seen one this large before!"
The Holy Knights examined the demon sword core in astonishment.
"Sir Demian, what do you plan to do with this item?"
One of the Holy Knights asked urgently. A demon sword core held the power of a devil.
It could be used in many ways, so if Demian misused it, there was a high chance of major problems.
"I plan to entrust its disposal to the Church."
The two Holy Knights sighed in relief at Demian's answer.
"To think of the Church first..."
"Truly devout. It's been ages since I've seen such pure faith."
The two Holy Knights sent burdensome gazes once more. Demian broke out in cold sweat.
"I plan to visit the Church soon. I'll offer it up then."
"Excellent idea! The headquarters will be thrilled!"
"The headquarters rewards faith in kind. They'll grant you compensation befitting the core's offering."
It was very welcome news.
"Please visit the Church as soon as possible!"
"A demon sword core is akin to a devil's power. Holding onto it too long brings no good."
Worried Demian might change his mind, the two Holy Knights quickly added their pieces.
Demian nodded.
* * *
After the meeting with the Holy Knights, Demian was summoned by the king.
"Forgive the humble accommodations."
With the king's residence palace destroyed, he had no choice but to use another place.
"Sir Demian, I—no, the kingdom—owe you a debt too great to repay. I don't know how to express my gratitude."
The king's eyes toward Demian brimmed with sincere thanks and affection.
"I called you here because there's something I must give you."
The king held out a rolled-up parchment before Demian.
Pure white, it attested to its highest quality.
"This is the royal decree elevating House Haksen from viscount to count and granting you territory."
One reason Demian had taken on the role of the prince's swordsmanship instructor was this.
Gaining a countship and territory would greatly benefit his family.
"I'd love to hold a grand investiture ceremony, but... the capital's state is far from ideal."
The palace where the king resided had been utterly demolished in the coup.
No way could they hold a banquet in such circumstances.
"And this is the Sea Serpent's inner core I promised you."
The king offered a wooden box. Inside was an inner core emanating a thick aura of magic.
"Your Highness, thank you."
Demian bowed his head. But the king's rewards didn't end there.
"And this is a modest token of appreciation for resolving this crisis."
With those words, the king presented a circular silver badge.
"What is this?"
"With this, you can commission the Refinery Academy to craft an elixir."
Demian looked at the silver badge in surprise.
The Refinery Academy was the oldest and largest among existing alchemist academies.
It housed numerous renowned alchemists, producing a wide variety of potent elixirs.
So famous and popular that even a kingdom's monarch struggled to meet them.
"I'd been saving it for a dire moment. Seems now is that time."
The king said, gazing at the silver badge.
"Take it to the Refinery Academy, and they'll craft the elixir you need. The kingdom will cover all material costs."
The elixirs from the Refinery Academy were anything but ordinary. The materials alone would cost a fortune.
For the kingdom to bear it all—it was an enormous gift.
Yet Demian hesitated to accept the silver badge.
The Refinery Academy could craft an elixir capable of reviving even those on death's door.
A token granting direct commission to such a place without waiting.
It was too grand a gift to accept.
"Don't hesitate."
As if reading Demian's mind, the king spoke.
"Compared to what you did for our kingdom, it's a trifling gift."
After much deliberation, Demian accepted the silver badge. Only then did the king look relieved.
"It feels like I've repaid a fraction of the grace you bestowed."
* * *
After the audience with the king, two visitors came to see Demian.
"Sir Demian! It's been too long!"
It was Gaol Heinrich, the High-class knight from the Goldpixie Ducal House, who had come personally.
The elderly knight, advanced in years, immediately offered a handshake upon seeing Demian.
"The royal family requested aid, so I rushed here. But you'd already resolved everything."
"It was just luck. Otherwise, it would've been disastrous."
"Surviving a fight with a High-class isn't luck. It's your skill."
With that, Gaol Heinrich looked at Demian with burning eyes.
Eyes very much like the Holy Knights'.
"His Grace was quite disappointed. Said you haven't visited once since."
"I've been too busy."
"I'm getting on in years now... It's time to retire. I'd rest easier with a reliable successor."
"I see. A fine candidate will appear soon."
"I'd love for you to take that role."
"My house duties keep me occupied..."
The ducal knight was persistent.
Having recognized Demian's talent early, he was determined to recruit him for the ducal house somehow.
"You're a man of conviction. Rare these days."
When Demian wouldn't budge, the old knight spoke regretfully.
"Still, do visit the ducal house. His Grace will welcome you warmly."
With that, the old knight departed.
* * *
Next to visit Demian was the Ryanbloom Marquis.
"Uha hat, Sir Demian, good to see you. Delighted."
The Ryanbloom Marquis greeted Demian with a pleased face.
But unlike the marquis, Demian couldn't smile. It was because of Michael, gripped in the marquis's hand.
"B-bro! S-save m... Mmph!"
"Ignore this fool."
The marquis said, clamping Michael's mouth shut.
"Uh... I'm sorry for involving your son in such rough business."
"Nonsense! It was all his own doing! If anything, he's grateful for learning at your side."
The marquis laughed heartily.
"Still, he needs some punishment. I told him not to go when I had other tasks for him. He defied my orders."
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
Michael looked at Demian with desperate eyes. Demian had no choice but to look away.
As an outsider, he couldn't meddle in family matters.
"Then we'll be off. Oh, and Sir Demian."
The Ryanbloom Marquis's eyes changed. The friendliness vanished, replaced by the sharp glint of a beast facing prey.
"I'm impressed by your growth."
High-class.
The stage right below Master-class, where one is called superhuman.
Even a powerhouse at that level felt threatened by Demian's exploits.
"You might soon stand on equal footing with me. I hope we maintain good relations afterward."
It was both a request and a warning.
From the marquis's perspective, Demian was too dangerous to leave alone.
If he couldn't be made an ally, he had to be crushed now.
"As long as nothing like what happened with your second son occurs again, I will remain Your Grace's ally."
Demian said calmly.
Erwin Ryanbloom, the Ryanbloom Marquis's second son, had once caused a scene at House Haksen.
In other words, Demian meant he would stay quiet if not provoked first.
"That's delightful to hear."
The marquis smiled thinly. Only then did he leave the capital.
Taking Michael Ryanbloom with him.
"Ah, that jerk... Leaves before we even finished our match."
Veronica Sanchez said, watching Michael dragged off by his father.
"Demian, you know, right? I actually won? That guy's no match for me."
Veronica Sanchez boasted. Demian looked at her pitifully.
Purely in terms of talent, Michael was slightly ahead of Veronica.
Moreover, Michael was the eldest son of the renowned knightly house, Ryanbloom Marquisate.
Michael led in both talent and background.
"Well, I'll head out too. Thanks to you, I wasn't bored."
"Yeah, safe travels. And no more killing from now on. Behave."
"No worries! I learned my lesson this time! The only one worth killing is you!"
She was spouting another headache-inducing line.
"To survive that monster! First time I've seen someone as tenacious as you! Killing a tough opponent like you would be such a thrill!"
"Shut up and go already."
"Got it! See you next time!"
Veronica Sanchez dashed out the castle gates right then. Without even packing.
"Truly a wild mutt."
Demian clicked his tongue, watching her go.
With everyone gone, Demian no longer needed to stay in the capital.
It was time to return to his family.
* * *
A few days later, Demian slipped out of the capital at dawn.
Every time he mentioned returning home, the king held him back, leaving no choice but to sneak away.
As Demian approached the castle gates to leave—
"The night air is chilly. Out for a stroll?"
Oliver Apple was waiting for him.
"How did you know I was leaving?"
Demian was genuinely shocked. He'd left without anyone knowing—how did Oliver Apple know?
"I asked the servants to monitor your movements. That's how I knew when you'd depart."
Demian marveled inwardly. In that short time, he'd even turned the servants to his side. The former wastrel had become so meticulous.
The experience preparing for the orc subjugation must have transformed Oliver Apple.
"Sir Liam asked me to relay a message. He's sorry he couldn't visit due to his injuries. He hopes you'll stop by Bluegreen Marquisate later."
Liam Bluegreen had been under constant medical care. His wounds were too severe.
"You won't stay and help me in the capital, will you?"
"You already know the answer, so why ask?"
Oliver Apple let out a wry chuckle at Demian's words.
"Thanks to you, Sir Demian, I could change. I'll live with eternal gratitude."
Oliver Apple said with a resolute face. Toward the crown prince, Demian replied.
"You don't need to say that. I don't believe in Your Highness's promise anyway."
Oliver Apple was greatly flustered.
"Pardon?"
"Your Highness, I know well because I've been through the same. How weak and deceitful the human heart can be."
In his wastrel days, Demian ignored his family's pleas.
Even after being cast out, he only slightly regretted his actions. But just slightly.
His regret for his family was overshadowed by sorrow over losing his indulgences.
Even as a mercenary, he nearly fell back into vice multiple times.
"The human heart is frail. It's wired to seek pleasure over hardship."
Oliver Apple was the same. He seemed reformed now, but who knew when he'd revert.
"S-Sir Demian... I-I would never..."
"You might think so today, but tomorrow's another story. As the saying goes, a hungry man's heart differs from a full one's."
Demian gazed at Oliver Apple with utterly cold eyes. Oliver Apple swallowed dryly.
"So doubt and guard your heart endlessly. Be wary of desire. When you show meaningful results, then I'll believe in you, Your Highness."
Oliver Apple fell into thought.
His eyes were deeper than moments before.
"I'll etch your words into my heart forever, Sir Demian."
Only then did Demian show a satisfied expression.