Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: The Grand Duke Arrives
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“There must be hidden forces. Scout it out.”
At Damian’s command, a dozen or so reconnaissance knights scattered in all directions.
The rest followed behind Damian as they charged toward the group visible ahead.
Damian reined in his horse about thirty meters away.
He’d heard they rode Britannikers, but seeing them up close was truly impressive.
Their sharp eyes and sturdy builds exuded raw power, like they were forged for battle.
A knight order armed with such beasts would be a daunting sight.
And the black armor paired with a strikingly unique helmet.
But above all, the man radiating a noble aura drew the eye.
He was likely Arthur Julius.
Beside him, the middle-aged man in white robes with white hair riding a white horse had to be the Julius family’s guardian mage.
Next to him, the man in red armor and a skull helmet gave off the upright air unique to knights.
His skill seemed on par with Damian’s own—probably Skevin Maximus, captain of the Phoenix Knight Order.
Damian could guess the first three, but the other two were unknowns.
The man draped in beast hides emanated a feral aura, and he didn’t look like a pushover.
Finally, the woman in the blue robe with the hood gave off a pure, warm, yet mystical energy that set her apart.
Just these five alone showed that Julius Kingdom’s forces far exceeded his expectations.
Damian flashed a knowing smile as he regarded Arthur.
“To what does the king of Julius Kingdom owe the pleasure in Tomoya Kingdom?”
“Introduce yourself first.”
“Of course.”
Damian smiled faintly and bowed his head politely.
“I am Damian Peridri, captain of the Kingdom Knight Order.”
Millerph sent Arthur a telepathic message.
—He’s Grand Duke Natarsian’s son.
‘His son came out to greet me? There’s definitely something going on.’
Arthur pieced the situation together and spoke.
“I’ve come to see Valtre Tomoya.”
“His Majesty is quite occupied, so I’ve come in his stead. Whatever message you have, you can give it to me.”
“And if I refuse?”
“You wouldn’t try to make good on your words with such a small group, would you? If that’s the case, allow me to advise you: it’d be wisest to turn back.”
“Quite the confidence.”
Arthur smiled.
The Kingdom knights who’d gone scouting returned to Damian.
They shook their heads at him.
‘No way there are no other forces…’
Damian kept his relaxed smile, but his mind raced.
If they’d really come with just this group, it wasn’t for battle—some other purpose. Otherwise, it was insane overconfidence.
Even now, outnumbered, not one showed fear. Hard to predict.
‘Better play it safe until I gauge their intentions.’
Damian asked Arthur,
“Where did you leave your other forces?”
“There are none. Tell Valtre I’m here.”
“As I said, you can tell me.”
“This is everyone we brought. If we’d come to fight Tomoya Kingdom, we wouldn’t have shown up like this. And I wouldn’t be chatting with you.”
Killing intent flickered in Arthur’s eyes.
“……!”
Damian instinctively drew his sword in a flash.
The knights drew theirs in unison, unleashing a murderous aura.
Blyzan and Skevin stepped forward, matching the pressure.
Tension crackled in an instant.
Millerph stepped up and told Skevin and Blyzan,
“Stand down.”
They kept eyes on Damian but eased their auras.
“Why not sheath your swords as well? As His Majesty said, we’re not here to fight.”
“Then just tell us the reason.”
“It’s quite important, so I must speak to King Valtre directly. I ask for your understanding.”
Millerph bowed politely.
“I understand your position, but I must fulfill my duty as well. If you turn back now, we’ll consider this a non-issue.”
“Hmm…….”
As Millerph looked at Arthur with a stern expression,
Aria removed her hood and spoke.
“Greetings to the captain of Tomoya Kingdom’s knights. I am Aria, saintess of Anscent Kingdom.”
She clasped her hands at her chest and bowed her head.
Her hair shone blindingly white, radiating a holy aura.
Damian’s eyes widened at the sight.
It reminded him of his childhood visit to Scollas Sanctuary with his father, receiving the saintess’s blessing.
Her hair had glowed just like this, evoking the same ethereal presence.
Damian dismounted swiftly, knelt on one knee before Aria, and bowed his head.
“Damian Peridri greets the saintess.”
His knights followed suit, dismounting and paying homage.
Aria regarded them and said,
“You know Anscent Kingdom is allied with Julius Kingdom. Recently, I received a message from Lady Karen. We’ve come to discuss it with Tomoya Kingdom. So please, let us meet King Valtre.”
Damian pondered.
He hadn’t expected a saintess.
That explained the mystical aura.
A message from Lady Karen?
Visiting an enemy nation to consult on it was baffling.
How dire must it be to seek joint discussion?
‘What message could it have been…’
Damian couldn’t block them anymore.
But rather than take them straight to Valtre, he decided to report to his father first.
Knowing his father’s mindset, meeting them himself seemed best.
“Please wait a moment.”
Damian signaled one knight, who mounted and galloped toward the border as planned.
Soon after,
A group of at least a hundred thundered from the border.
Arthur and the others scowled at the sight.
“You bastard…….”
Blyzan surged with killing intent, poised to charge.
Skevin was frustrated that Damian blocked them, but he’d felt a flicker of respect for the knightly protocol—now he was pissed.
Even Millerph, who rarely showed anger, glared coldly at Damian in deep disappointment.
Only Arthur and Aria watched calmly.
Aria eyed the approaching force and said,
“Your Majesty, please bear with it a little longer.”
Arthur nodded calmly.
Aria turned to Damian.
‘What are you thinking?’
As all eyes fixed on the incoming troops,
‘That man…’
Millerph was slightly startled by the white-haired knight leading them.
It was none other than Grand Duke Natarsian.
Meeting Natarsian had actually been a key goal over Valtre, and Millerph’s lips twitched upward unconsciously.
Skevin recognized him too.
‘So he called the Grand Duke?’
He glanced at Damian, surprised.
Arthur instantly pegged the white-haired knight as Grand Duke Natarsian.
Damian greeting him instead of Valtre’s men meant it was his orders.
With Aria’s mention of Karen creating a grave atmosphere, this was either to assess before reporting to Valtre, or they had business with him.
The situation felt like a meeting born of mutual needs.
Handled well, it could yield the best outcome.
‘Thanks for setting the stage.’
Arthur smiled at Damian.
‘What’s that smile?’
Damian felt uneasy for some reason.
Like he was dancing in the palm of Arthur’s hand.
Smiling amid the tension—he wasn’t ordinary.
He wondered how his father would judge him.
And what revelation Lady Karen gave, and what Arthur intended to say about it.
Natarsian dismounted upon arrival.
He approached Damian, eyed Millerph, and said,
“Long time no see. You’ve aged quite a bit.”
“Yes, I hope you’ve been well, Grand Duke.”
Millerph bowed deeply in greeting.
Though now enemies, he’d once been Oscar Empire’s grand duke.
Emperor Ruan’s final bastion, the empire’s guardian deity.
The ceasefire with Namshar Empire held thanks to Marquis Tano too, but his presence was the backbone.
He looked much the same as ten years ago.
Younger even—like he’d found an elixir of immortality.
His aura was completely suppressed.
‘……!’
Millerph’s eyes widened.
No trace of advanced sword master energy meant he’d reached legendary heights.
Grand Sword Master!
Nothing short of that could fully contain such power.
Magic could mask it, but with limits—and only eighth-class mages or higher.
Millerph swallowed hard.
Natarsian smiled at his reaction.
“You’ve reached quite the height yourself. As expected of the World Tree’s heir.”
“You flatter me. How could I compare to you, Grand Duke?”
“Is that so?”
He smiled meaningfully and shifted to Aria.
“The saintess?”
His tone was impeccably polite.
Aria bowed graciously.
“Yes.”
“I heard you’ve come to discuss Lady Karen’s message.”
“I’ll convey that directly to King Valtre.”
“Very well.”
Natarsian accepted readily, then turned to Arthur.
His true target was Arthur.
He’d been curious, but this exceeded expectations.
“Impressive. Even Sir Jangjarban would struggle.”
“You overestimate me. I’m not as grand as you think, Grand Duke.”
“Then change your thinking from now on. In ten years, you’ll reach my current level. Not everyone inherits Tehran’s legacy and succeeds. Your vessel makes it possible.”
“Everyone’s the same.”
Arthur smiled knowingly and continued.
“Once you gain power, you become arrogant, looking down on all. It’s universal.”
“What?”
Natarsian frowned.
“So, why did you wait for me?”
“……!”
Natarsian showed a flicker of surprise.
Arthur grinned and pressed on.
“I figured someone of your station would at least observe basic courtesy toward a king.”
“Disappointed, then.”
“What’s there to expect from one who abandoned knightly honor? Anyway, what do you think now that you’ve met me?”
“Beyond expectations.”
“But that’s not all, is it? There’s more to your purpose.”
“Perceptive? Then guess my goal.”
“How should I know?”
Arthur met Natarsian’s gaze with a sly smile.
“You know my coming here isn’t for Valtre, but to meet you?”
“To see me?”
Natarsian’s eyes wavered slightly.
“Tell me the picture in your head.”
“……!”
Arthur added gravely,
“I’ll make it happen.”
“No idea what you mean.”
Natarsian smirked slyly, tilting his head.
“This is my first and last offer to an enemy—think carefully. No regrets later.”
Arthur’s gaze turned icy cold.