Chapter 124
Chapter 124
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Awakening
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Skevin, standing at the front of the platform, scanned the surroundings with a stern expression.
In the training grounds, a thousand knights stood in formation, their faces filled with grim determination.
At the back, the banners of the Julius Count Family hung in neat rows, fluttering vigorously whenever the wind blew.
The only sound was the flapping of the flags, underscoring the palpable tension in the air.
A moment later, footsteps approached.
Escorted by Drakan, Medlin and Aild appeared in the training grounds.
Medlin and Aild ascended the platform, while Drakan waited just below it.
Skevin bellowed loudly.
“Death Knights!”
The knights simultaneously offered their salute.
Clang—.
Thud—.
Thump—.
The Phoenix Knight Order, Basil Knight Order, and Keda’s group performed sword salutes.
The Lannister Knight Order and Defen Knight Order slammed their black spears and shields into the ground.
The Del Knight Order held their bows across their chests.
And the Horcamun Tribe and Sten Knight Order clasped their fists in a fist salute.
Despite the variety of movements, the actions of so many synchronized perfectly without a single deviation.
Medlin and Aild let out gasps of admiration.
“Ah!”
“This is…….”
Medlin had heard a lot about the changes in the knight orders lately.
The most shocking was that the Phoenix Knight Order had been renamed the Death Knights.
She had also occasionally spotted the new helmets and armor, along with Britannicas and Giant Wolves roaming the castle.
Since she had never faced them directly, she hadn’t fully grasped what or how much had changed.
She had only accepted it intellectually, but now, witnessing the knight orders’ inspection firsthand, the shock left her mind blank.
This was no longer the old Phoenix Knight Order.
It felt just like seeing the “invincible knight order” that Count Malcolm had so desperately yearned for.
‘What you dreamed of…… it seems to have finally come true.’
Her eyes reddened, and tears welled up.
Aild, who had been silently gazing at the knight orders alongside her, felt his chest swell with emotion.
Had he ever even dreamed of an order like this?
Had he ever tried to rebuild the invincible knight order?
If Arthur hadn’t been there, he would have knelt before the emperor and begged for his life.
But Arthur was different.
He had declared war on the emperor.
At first, everyone thought it a reckless and foolish decision.
But as time passed, the knight orders grew stronger, and nearby families joined one by one, shifting people’s opinions.
Moreover, when it became known that Arthur had inherited Tehren’s legacy, the forgotten pride of the count family was revived in everyone, and he became the center that united the seven families.
Thinking of all Arthur had accomplished, “amazing” was the only word that came to mind.
Looking at the knights’ faces, they showed no fear of war with the emperor.
The only thing emanating from their fierce gazes and sharp auras was a thirst for victory.
‘The Empire’s Spear has fully revived…….’
Joy, anticipation, and resolve crossed Aild’s face.
Medlin held back her tears and stepped forward.
She then addressed the knight orders.
“I have only this to say. You are the knights of the Julius Count Family. Let the world know that the invincible knight order! The Empire’s Spear! Has been revived!”
Aargh—!
A short, heavy roar echoed through the grounds.
The fervor they exuded made the air around them heat up.
Their strength sent chills down her spine.
In the end, Medlin could no longer hold back her tears.
“Sniff, sniffle.”
Aild approached and comforted her.
“Mother…….”
Medlin nodded as if to say she was fine and raised her right hand high toward the knight orders.
“For the golden glory!”
Aargh—!
Intensity and grandeur swirled around them.
***
“It’s over there.”
Arthur looked where Aria pointed.
He had expected the sanctuary to resemble an Earth cathedral or church.
But it was completely different.
It was about two-thirds the size of the count family estate, composed entirely of curves and white stone.
It exuded a majestic yet lofty atmosphere.
Atop the roof, pillar-like structures rose toward the sky, about twice the height of the sanctuary itself.
“An unusual structure.”
“People often say that because of the Pillar of Light.”
“That’s called the Pillar of Light.”
“Yes, it’s where the Saintess offers her prayers.”
“I see.”
Arthur, who had arrived first and was examining the sanctuary, turned his horse around at the sound of hooves approaching from behind.
It was Millerph and the Devil Squad.
Dark approached Arthur and glanced at the sanctuary ahead.
“Is that the place?”
Millerph drew near, nodding with a wistful expression lost in memory.
“That’s right. That’s Scollas Sanctuary. It’s been preserved exactly as it was built two hundred years ago.”
Aria looked at Millerph with a worried expression.
“Uncle, we’re almost there, so hang in just a bit longer.”
“It’s still bearable, so don’t worry.”
As Millerph offered a kind smile, a group appeared at the sanctuary’s entrance.
Arthur frowned upon seeing them.
They were the ones from the docks.
Yet one he had clearly killed was standing there unscathed.
“What happened?”
Arthur’s face showed clear puzzlement.
Dark’s eyes widened at the sight of Boika alive.
“He was definitely dead……?”
“We’re in big trouble! They followed us all the way here.”
Aria looked distressed and anxious.
They spread out widely, surveilling the area around the sanctuary, while Boika stayed near the main gate.
“What should we do?”
When Arthur asked Millerph, he replied with a hardened face.
“It’s my fault. I told him we were coming to see the Saintess.”
“Then they’ll wait until we show up.”
“That’s likely.”
As Millerph watched Boika with self-reproach, he noticed something odd.
“What’s…… that?”
Arthur asked at the bewildered tone in his voice.
“What’s wrong?”
“Look at the guy’s neck.”
Arthur examined Boika’s neck.
As Millerph said, veins protruded starkly over his armor.
But they were a dark gray, almost black.
The others were the same.
“They’ve done something strange. That might be why they’re alive.”
“This doesn’t feel good.”
Just then, someone suddenly appeared beside Arthur.
It was Roth, one of the Seven Priests who had accompanied him.
“Uncle!”
Aria greeted him joyfully, and Roth bowed politely to her before speaking to Arthur.
“It’s traces of their mana running rampant.”
“Running rampant?”
“I once faced a guy with the same traces. Right before dying, he pulled out a gray vial, swallowed what was inside, and his mana surged, making him stronger.”
“He ate something from a vial?”
Arthur’s face twisted.
At the same time, Millerph and the Devil Squad recalled the Awakening Agent used by the Nanshar Empire’s extermination squad.
Dark quickly asked Roth.
“Did he turn into a monster?”
“No, but a Sword Expert beginner suddenly showed strength on par with mid-level Sword Expert.”
“Damn it!”
It had to be the Awakening Agent.
Dark looked gravely at Millerph.
Millerph, having experienced its explosive power firsthand, was equally serious.
If Vulcan had allied with the Nanshar Empire or joined Artisans’ forces……
And the one they called Saintess was from Nanshar, with the goal of seizing Anscent Kingdom, it was extremely serious.
Her escort forces were likely waiting somewhere, strong enough to rival the extermination squad.
Millerph looked at Arthur with a worried expression.
Arthur stared at them thoughtfully for a while before calling the Seven Priests.
“Yes.”
The other four appeared beside Roth.
They first bowed politely to Aria, then to Arthur.
Seeing this, Millerph tilted his head.
‘They’re the same Seven Priests, but…….’
From what he knew, the Seven Priests only bowed to their leader. And since the Saintess hadn’t changed, their leader should still be Priest Niang.
He couldn’t understand them bowing to Aria.
He decided to ask about it later and wondered what decision Arthur would make.
Arthur issued orders to the Seven Priests.
“When combat begins, head to the sanctuary and protect the Saintess.”
“Understood.”
“And Devil Squad, pair up in twos to engage them and await my support.”
The Devil Squad bowed in unison.
He then turned to Dark.
“You protect Millerph and Aria here. No matter what happens, do not intervene in the battle.”
“Aargh.”
Dark responded immediately.
Arthur fixed a chilling gaze on Boika and continued.
“A word like immortality is wasted on scum like that.”
***
Boika, staring ahead, smirked as Arthur emerged from the thick brush.
“Finally here.”
Whoosh—.
The mana he had been suppressing exploded outward.
His subordinates, spotting Arthur and his group, unleashed their auras as well.
As a dozen mana signatures erupted simultaneously, waves of pressure rippled through the area.
The aura surged like a tidal wave, crashing over Arthur’s group.
“Parthia.”
At Arthur’s word, a sudden gust blew up, dissipating the wind.
“Handle these guys.”
The gust vanished in an instant. No, the wind’s energy scattered toward the Devil Squad.
The Devil Squad, unaware of the wind spirit Parthia, blinked in confusion at the unfamiliar sight.
But they quickly steeled themselves with resolve and glared at the enemy.
Boika, meanwhile, dismissed the scene as coincidence and scoffed.
“Not even the heavens can help you now!”
He drew his sword, and a grayish aura rose from him, enveloping the blade.
A terrifying killing intent flowed out.
At the same time, his subordinates charged forward.
“Kill them all!”
The Devil Squad drew their swords and met them head-on.
The two groups clashed.
Boom! Kwang!
Each clash of aura-wreathed swords produced explosions and shockwaves.
Following Arthur’s orders, the Devil Squad fought in pairs.
“Stay sharp!”
Kassan and Latel shouted, heightening their comrades’ vigilance, while Boika’s men drew up even more mana for relentless assaults.
As the two groups battled without quarter, Arthur and Boika glared at each other.
“I’ll tear you to shreds.”
Boika licked his lips like savoring a meal, eyeing Arthur’s openings.
Watching the berserk man radiating savage aura, Arthur was reminded of Blyzan, who had gone wild from Beastly Temperament.
The power was no less.
Likely on par with a Sword Master, or perhaps surpassing it.
This was a chance to properly test his own strength.
Arthur didn’t even draw his dagger but crooked a finger at Boika.
His provocation twisted Boika’s face.
“You dare!”
Boika spurred his horse hard.
Neigh—!
The horse charged at Arthur, exuding its own ferocious killing intent.
Arthur stood with arms crossed, unmoving.
To allow the Seven Priests to infiltrate the sanctuary, he needed to draw the gate guard farthest away.
That’s why he kept provoking.
As Boika moved away per plan, the Seven Priests seized the chance and entered the sanctuary.
Normally, Boika wouldn’t fall for Arthur’s scheme, but revenge burned in him.
Thus, he took the bait all too easily.
With the Seven Priests’ presence gone, Arthur drew his dagger.
“Shall we begin?”
He channeled mana into the dagger.
As red aura wrapped around it, Boika entered striking range.
“Take this!”
He swung the dagger with full force.
An aura blade infused with four-star power flew fiercely.
He decided to end it quickly with all his might from the start.
“So you’re a Sword Master?”
Far from fearing, Boika grinned viciously and gripped his sword tight.
The grayish aura darkened to deep gray, flaring like flames.
“I’ll smash you to pieces!”