Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Rebirth of the Death Knights
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Adlan spotted Dark in his black attire and immediately loosed an arrow without hesitation.
Ping!
A sharp whistle cut through the air as the arrow flew.
The moment she released the bowstring, Dark instinctively threw himself sideways to dodge.
He then sprang up like a coiled spring and charged at her.
But in the blink of an eye, Adlan fired another arrow.
Ping!
"Damn it!"
Dark threw himself sideways again.
He dodged the arrow this time too, but Hellot barreled into him, slamming his shoulder.
Thud!
"Gah!"
Dark flew backward limply.
Clutching his chest as if from a massive impact, he rolled on the ground.
"You're not escaping this time."
Hellt approached Dark, exuding a massive aura. Behind him, Adlan had her arrow trained on her target.
It was practically a siege.
"Ugh..."
Dark struggled to his feet.
Every movement sent throbbing pain through the spot where he'd been hit—it felt like broken bones.
It was the worst possible situation.
The one silver lining was Hellot's presence; if he removed his mask, no further attacks would come.
But doing so would expose that this was all part of Arthur's plan, so he couldn't reveal himself until Arthur gave the signal.
'No choice.'
Dark gritted his teeth against the pain and glared at Hellot.
Tendons bulged on the forearm gripping the mace.
He was about to attack.
Sure enough.
Hellt swung the mace with all his might.
Whooosh—
A heavy whoosh accompanied the incoming weapon.
Dark tried to back away, but his chest throbbed, causing him to falter.
'Damn!'
He clenched his teeth and retreated.
He barely avoided the strike, but a greater danger flew in.
Adlan's arrow!
The sharp whistle rang in his ears, setting off alarms in Dark's head.
He tried to dive away, but the impact from Hellot made his body sluggish. The arrow buried itself in his left shoulder.
Thud!
"Grk!"
Dark groaned and collapsed in a heap.
At the same instant, Hellot's mace plummeted toward his head like lightning.
"......!"
Dark instinctively twisted away.
Crack!
"Arghhh!"
He saved his head but sacrificed his right shoulder.
The bone-crushing pain blanked his mind, and the shock stole his scream.
He simply knelt on one knee, trembling like a man lost to the world.
Hellt noticed Dark was too consumed by agony to fight back.
He slung the mace over his shoulder and stared.
Adlan reached the same conclusion and approached Dark.
As she stood before him and reached to pull off his mask—
Dark's bloodshot eyes flashed, and he pressed a dagger to her throat like lightning.
"Gasp!"
It was too fast to react.
Adlan's face twisted in horror, and Hellot scowled viciously.
"You bastard."
As Hellot gripped his mace and stepped forward, Dark pressed the dagger slightly.
A cut opened on Adlan's throat, blood trickling out.
"You damn..."
Dark glanced at Adlan, then swiftly snatched her bow. He moved behind her, fully subduing her, and headed toward the wall stairs.
Unimaginable agony surged with every step.
As he climbed the wall stairs one by one with Adlan, involuntary groans escaped his lips.
"Grk."
But the dagger at Adlan's throat didn't waver an inch, trapping her completely.
Hellt followed at a distance and spat.
"You're dying by my hand today."
"Grk."
Dark's ears were deaf to Hellot's words or any other sound.
His only thought was completing the mission.
Reaching the top of the wall, he backed toward the flagpole Arthur had mentioned.
"Now all that's left is your death."
As Hellot ascended the wall, radiating murderous intent and glaring at Dark—
His eyes lit up, a smile curling his lips.
Arthur stood behind Dark.
"It's over...?"
But Arthur wore the same black attire.
Hellt's face went blank.
Then he sensed someone approaching fast and turned.
A man in black attire raced nimbly, with Drakan in pursuit.
"Wh-what the hell is this...?"
Hellt's eyes widened in shock.
Drakan, chasing Perry, spotted people atop the wall.
Hellt and Adlan subdued by the black-clad figure. And behind him, another in black...!
Drakan's eyes bulged as he skidded to a halt.
"Lord Count...?"
Dark saw Perry racing up and his eyes wavered.
"Why are you here...!"
Only then did he sense the familiar presence behind him.
He could guess why Hellot wore that expression.
Dark withdrew the dagger from Adlan's throat and turned.
"I'll kill you!"
Adlan whirled too, radiating killing intent.
They spotted Arthur in black attire simultaneously.
"Lord Count..."
Dark staggered toward Arthur, barely staying upright.
An arrow protruded from his left shoulder, but he endured the pain and offered the bow.
"Mission accomplished."
Arthur gazed at the bowed Dark with a stern expression, then said to Perry.
"Bring Millerph."
"Yes, sir."
Perry dashed down.
Arthur let out a long whistle.
Preeeeew—!
The Britannikers rampaging through the castle grounds fell silent.
***
A moment later.
Devil Squad members gathered atop the wall at Arthur's signal.
They grimaced at Dark's condition.
Meanwhile, Hellot, Adlan, and Drakan waited silently for Arthur to speak.
Arthur kept his eyes fixed on Dark for a long while.
The sight stirred a molten heat deep in his chest.
It was just training, but Dark had thrown himself into it with real battle resolve to complete the mission.
Arthur felt both pride and foolishness.
From their first meeting, Dark clung fiercely to his words.
It had seemed reckless, pointlessly prideful.
But watching him over time revealed otherwise.
He was a man of strong responsibility, valuing trust above all—a steadfast soul.
This incident deepened Arthur's faith in him, erasing any negativity toward those born with dark energy.
It also solidified his trust in Jackal, sent to Nibbon Territory.
In contrast, he couldn't hide his disappointment in the knights.
Arthur eyed Hellot.
Their gazes met, and words Hellot had bottled up spilled out.
"Please explain why you orchestrated this."
Drakan and Adlan said nothing, but their eyes asked the same.
Arthur glanced at each before replying.
"Only disappointment."
"L-Lord Count..."
Drakan and Adlan realized it was a test.
They reflected swiftly.
They'd failed to judge accurately, acting on emotion.
Above all, arrogance had blinded them.
The castle lay in ruins, smashed by the Britannikers' rampage.
"My lord!"
Millerph rushed up, alarmed.
He glanced at Arthur in black, then at Dark bowed before him.
"Oh no!"
Millerph hurried to Dark, checking his state.
His shoulder blade was shattered, an arrow in the left.
"Who the hell did this..."
He frowned, then recalled Perry's words.
This was all Arthur's plan.
He glanced sidelong at Hellot and Adlan.
The right shoulder was his doing, the arrow hers.
"Hmm."
Millerph shot Arthur a meaningful look.
He couldn't fathom why Arthur created such a reckless scenario.
But if Arthur acted, there must be a convincing reason.
Valtre Marquis came to mind.
He'd gone to Yarve and clearly learned something.
Curious as he was, treating Dark came first.
"Relax; I'll heal you."
"...Yes."
Dark rasped a reply.
Millerph knew mental fortitude alone kept him going.
He cast Heal swiftly.
Dark's body glowed green; color returned to his pale face.
He followed with a stabilizing spell.
Soon, Dark's twisted features eased.
"Thank you."
Dark bowed politely to Millerph.
Millerph smiled kindly, then turned to Arthur.
"More injured below; I'll treat them."
Arthur nodded, and Millerph descended with Perry.
"Assemble at the training grounds."
At Arthur's command, Hellot dashed down immediately. As Drakan and Adlan followed—
Dark suddenly blocked Adlan's path.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Adlan scowled at his rude interruption amid her hurt feelings.
"Please wait a moment."
"Why should I?"
Adlan waved him aside.
But Dark gently caught her hand and pulled a potion from his pocket.
He quickly sprinkled it on her throat wound.
"What are you—!"
As Adlan yelled and touched her neck, the wound healed.
"Ah!"
She realized he'd done it to heal her.
But since he'd inflicted it, gratitude faded fast. Frowning, she snapped.
"I don't like it."
Adlan shoved Dark aside and descended.
Dark watched her back with a sorry expression, then turned.
The Devil Squad focused on Arthur.
Arthur strode to the flagpole atop the wall.
He hung each order's flag beside the Phoenix Knight Order's, then descended.
Four flags fluttered in the wind.
The squad members guessed Arthur's intent.
Arthur addressed them.
"This training showed what each lacks. If you want to come with me, grow stronger than now."
"Yes, sir!"
They replied without hesitation.
"Follow."
Arthur led the way down.
***
All knight orders assembled at the training grounds.
Tension hung over their faces.
The chaotic hell moments ago fell silent in an instant.
But the captains' grim faces signaled trouble.
As questions clouded faces—
A group in black appeared.
"Huh? Those guys..."
"What?"
"What's going on?"
Confusion reigned until they recognized Arthur leading.
"Why is Lord Count...?"
"No way?"
"All this..."
Faces darkened rapidly.
Arthur mounted the platform; Devil Squad stood proudly facing the knights.
Arthur scanned the gathered knights and spoke.
"Were you arrogant from beating Yarve Count? Or is this your true level?"
Heads bowed, mouths shut; Arthur frowned.
"Heads up!"
At his fierce shout, they snapped to attention. Tension peaked like walking on thin ice.
A fierce wind whipped hair.
"No long speeches."
Arthur summoned the K1 Rifle to his right hand.
Eyes wavered at the weapon; dread spread.
'No way!'
Anxiety and impatience crossed faces.
Arthur aimed at the castle gate; eyes followed the barrel.
"Huh? That's..."
Four flags fluttered.
'What is he planning?'
When they overlapped as one, Arthur pulled the trigger.
Bang!
"......!"
A hole pierced the center.
Eyes bulged.
He'd defaced the family and order symbols.
Unthinkable, unforgivable.
Rage boiled in the knights' chests.
Arthur ignored it and fired again.
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!
No mercy this time.
The flags shredded like rags, fluttering down.
"This is wrong."
"Even so..."
"Why...?"
Faces full of fury, like ticking bombs ready to explode.
Arthur eyed them coldly.
"From today, you are reborn."
"......!"
Eyes widened.
Drakan asked, voice trembling.
"H-how, my lord?"
Arthur turned to where the flags had hung.
Eyes followed.
"Huh?"
One flag rose.
Wind unfurled it.
Three times normal size, flapping vigorously.
Red field with golden dragon!
"That's!"
The Julius Family's from the Demon King war.
Red vowed no monster left alive.
Symbol of absolute might, it terrified the Empire with its brutality.
Arthur surely knew.
'Then...!'
Drakan's eyes shook fiercely.
Arthur surged mana to its peak.
Golden aura bloomed; lightning wrapped the K1.
His overwhelming presence crushed all.
"Absolute strength! Death Knights! That's what people will call you henceforth."
Drakan and all felt chests blaze with fervor.
Hearts pounded wildly.
They showed utmost loyalty.
Phoenix Knights saluted sharply.
Lannister and Defen struck shields and spears.
Del Knights drew bows skyward.
Then all knelt on one knee, roaring.
"Yes, sir!"