Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Repelling the Marquis
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An invisible barrier spread out before them, blocking the aura blade.
“These bastards are playing tricks?”
Tano swung his sword with all his might.
The aura blade, infused with immense power, flew forward in the shape of a crescent moon.
Kwaaaang—!
A massive explosion rocked the area, sweeping everything with shockwaves.
“Enemies!”
“Battle stations!”
Bwooooong—.
Trumpet blasts rang out as knights poured from the tents.
They were about to charge after Marquis Tano, who was leading the assault against the mysterious group.
Then, countless fireballs rained down from the sky.
“Evade!”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
“Argh!”
“Aaah!”
The knights scattered in panic, plunging into a cauldron of chaos.
By the time Tano had deflected all the fireballs and looked ahead, the enemies had already vanished.
“Provoking me with magic, eh...”
His eyes bulging, he turned back to Ashan.
The man, charred black, murmured in a voice barely audible.
“I... completed... the mission...”
He died before finishing his words. But his face bore an unsettlingly radiant smile.
“You unlucky bastard.”
Tano swung his sword at Ashan’s face.
Then he shouted to the assembled knights around him.
“Switch to combat readiness!”
***
“Mm...”
A massive man sat on a huge chair entwined with a black dragon.
He was Emperor Atishan Sharman of the Nanshar Empire, radiating an aura so intense it was suffocating.
Having heard the report from Anso, the head of the mage corps who had just returned, he wore a grave expression.
“I had anticipated it to some degree...”
“The opponent was Marquis Tano. It might have been an expected outcome.”
“What?”
Killing intent poured from Atishan.
Anso hastily bowed deeply and replied.
“My apologies.”
“There are no such things as expected defeats in my dictionary. Understand?”
“Khek.”
Foam bubbled from Anso’s mouth as he collapsed, unconscious.
“Tsk tsk.”
Atishan shook his head in disdain and gazed out the window.
Even in broad daylight, the sky was pitch black.
At some point, the sun had vanished from the sky, leaving a world shrouded only in darkness.
Every method had been tried to resolve this bizarre phenomenon, but to no avail.
With the light gone, people, lands, and all life forms began to sicken.
It was no longer a place where humans could live.
They had to escape this hellish place as soon as possible.
As resolve hardened on Atishan’s face,
A massive black hawk flew in and alighted lightly on the window sill. It was the one planted in Marquis Tano’s camp.
“Hm.”
Atishan extended his hand toward the sill, and the tightly shut window opened.
The black hawk flew in and perched on his thigh. It bowed its head as if in greeting.
Atishan untied the small scroll from the hawk’s leg and placed it on his palm.
The letters inscribed on the scroll floated into the air and expanded.
[Marquis Tano’s forces are advancing toward the border.]
[Confirmed that only one of the dispatched assassins appeared at the border. Will report again once the whereabouts of the others are identified.]
“...!”
Atishan’s brow furrowed instantly.
‘Only one assassin, not the full squad? Then where are the rest?’
The unexpected revelation left him bewildered.
He was surely overlooking something.
‘What could it be?’
Atishan’s gaze deepened endlessly.
At that moment,
Arthur checked on Blizan’s condition.
All visible wounds had healed completely, but he had yet to regain consciousness.
“When will he wake?”
Millerph replied with a cautious expression.
“It’s hard to say.”
“Why?”
“He forcibly drew out his latent abilities, suffering a mental shock as a result. The physical injuries are treated, but the mental aspect is beyond my control. From here, it’s up to him and his own fight.”
“Mm...”
Arthur’s face hardened.
Every time he saw Blizan, guilt and pity welled up, igniting his rage.
“Ugh...”
As Blizan groaned, Millerph immediately cast a spell to soothe his mind.
Arthur left quietly, suppressing his fury.
“My lord!”
Alteon, who had arrived from Shangrni Territory leading the Horcamun Tribe, stood supported by Bukas. His upper body was wrapped tightly in bandages.
Arthur frowned as he looked at him.
“Why are you out here?”
Tears welled in Alteon’s eyes as he glanced cautiously toward the treatment room.
“How is... my brother?”
Arthur approached and patted his shoulder.
“Millerph is doing everything he can.”
“He’ll be alright... right?”
As Arthur nodded, Blizan’s scream echoed.
“Aaah!”
“Brother!”
Arthur stopped Alteon from rushing forward.
“Leave it to him.”
“Please let me see my brother!”
“Take care of yourself first.”
Arthur signaled Bukas, who calmed Alteon and led him away.
The Horcamun tribesmen who had followed them glanced at the treatment room once before turning away sadly.
Arthur waited until they were all gone, then headed to the office.
Antar and Golrba were waiting for him there.
Arthur swept them with cold eyes before sitting in his chair.
“You had something to say?”
“How is he?”
“Still unconscious.”
“Hm.”
Antar’s face stiffened.
Without Blizan, they all—Horcamun Tribe included—would have fallen to those monstrous foes.
He owed him a debt too great to repay in a lifetime.
His chest felt tight.
Golrba spoke up with a grim expression.
“Is he a member of the Phoenix Knight Order as well?”
“No.”
“Then a mercenary?”
“That’s not it either. He’s my comrade.”
“...?”
Not only Golrba but Antar too looked puzzled.
“A comrade? You mean a noble?”
“Anyone who shares my will can be my comrade. Status means nothing.”
“That way of thinking shows your youth. In a world where you can’t even trust blood brothers.”
“That’s the world you see.”
Arthur continued, alternating cold stares between Antar and Golrba.
“What did you think when the Horcamun Tribe faced those foes? What were you doing while Blizan fought them with his life on the line?”
“...”
“What did you feel from them? Weren’t you ashamed?”
Antar bit his lip and cast his eyes downward.
Arthur shifted his gaze to Golrba.
“Do you even have any knightly honor?”
“...!”
Golrba flinched at the sudden question.
“Watching silently as Blizan was torn apart by them—that was your knightly honor?”
“I was protecting Lord Antar...”
“Shut your mouth!”
Arthur unleashed his pent-up rage.
Golrba’s eyes shook violently as he dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
“My apologies.”
“You! You just watched as dozens died and were wounded! There’s no knightly honor in the world for scum like you!”
Arthur turned his blazing fury on Antar.
“The type of people I despise most are the likes of you. You must never forget what Blizan did, nor pretend ignorance of his grace. If you do, I’ll never forgive you.”
Overwhelmed by the intensity, Antar knelt like Golrba.
He resisted bowing his head stiffly at first but couldn’t withstand the overwhelming pressure.
“Kh.”
He ended up bowing fully, as if prostrating before Arthur.
“I’ll act like the world-conquering ruler you imagine. And you.”
“Speak!”
Golrba replied in a tense voice.
“From today, you and the Sten Knight Order will serve under the Horcamun Tribe and assist them.”
“...!”
Golrba and Antar’s faces twisted.
For a knight order captain and baron like himself to serve commoners was unthinkable.
But refusing Arthur’s command would mean losing their heads.
Arthur fixed his stern gaze on Antar as well.
“While Blizan recovers, take his place and reorganize the Horcamun Tribe.”
“Hm...”
He disliked taking charge of what was essentially a mercenary band despite his count’s status.
But it was a good chance to settle the debt.
Antar bowed his head solemnly and replied.
“Understood.”
Tang!
“Gasp!”
Antar jumped in shock and looked aside.
The floor was deeply cratered.
Upon closer inspection, aura lingered, emanating intense heat.
Arthur, having summoned his Sig Sauer, aimed at Antar’s face.
“If you want to live, watch your behavior.”
Antar stared fixedly at the crater before speaking heavily.
“...Understood.”
“I’m your master now. Step out of line with your master, and your head might explode.”
Arthur rose after his chilling rebuke.
He aimed at the Nova Family’s symbol of pride—a large statue of two clenched fists touching—hanging on the wall beneath the count family banner, and pulled the trigger.
Kwaang!
It shattered to pieces.
“...!”
Golrba’s eyes widened.
Antar whipped his head toward the sound.
“Gasp!”
His face went blank with shock.
Arthur spat one last remark before leaving the office.
“You lot have no pride.”
***
That evening,
Skevin arrived at Norshey Castle.
He headed straight up to the ramparts where Arthur was.
Today, his back as he gazed at the territory looked lonely and melancholic.
It seemed best to leave him alone for now.
As he turned to go,
Arthur asked in a low voice.
“What of our casualties?”
Skevin bowed politely and replied.
“None.”
“And the Daban Count Family?”
“Their archer unit was nearly wiped out.”
“What of Daban and the knight order captain?”
“No one matched the young master’s conditions. Sir Helm will manage for the time being.”
“Good work.”
Arthur turned, meeting Skevin’s eyes.
Skevin stiffened at the murderous glint in Arthur’s gaze.
Something must have happened to Blizan.
“How is Blizan?”
“Still hasn’t regained consciousness. Millerph says it’s a mental issue—nothing to do but wait.”
“Hm...”
Skevin’s face hardened.
From watching Arthur closely until now, he knew this wouldn’t be let go easily.
He could feel the burning rage toward the Nanshar Empire.
Mixed in was fury at Count Antar for standing by while Blizan and the Horcamun suffered.
If anything happened to Blizan, the dormant tyrant’s nature would awaken.
‘If that happens, the Nova Family...’
Skevin’s mouth went dry. He waited in that state for what came next.
A long while passed.
Arthur opened his mouth, eyes flashing with resolve.
“Go back to the count family, lead the Phoenix Knight Order, and head to Aslan and Norshey Territories. Plant the Julius Count Family banners there.”
“Y-Young master...”
“I was foolish. The war has already begun.”
Arthur walked past Skevin, his tone unyielding.
“From now on, anyone who won’t follow me faces only death.”