Chapter 226
Chapter 226
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 226
Chapter Title: Part 2 Chapter 10: Contract (2)
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"I..."
Bianca wore a hesitant expression, struggling to get the words out.
The man before her was a black sorcerer.
Even in this form, her essence was that of a knight.
How could a knight join hands with someone who wielded such profane power?
Yet memories of her mindless rampages remained vivid.
Among them was the fight with this man.
It had been a brief exchange, but even with this power, she hadn't laid a finger on him.
More than that, he had been utterly relaxed throughout.
He hadn't even fought seriously—like toying with a child.
The real extent of his power must be far greater.
She understood that relying on his help would be better than going it alone.
But still, the aversion lingered.
"That look says you couldn't serve under a black sorcerer no matter what."
"That's right. I know better than anyone how powerful you are, having experienced it firsthand..."
"The power you faced was mere dust. Don't claim to know my strength based on that alone."
Jamie narrowed his eyes and spoke in a warning tone.
Was it bravado?
Bianca eyed him with a hint of suspicion.
But that wasn't what mattered now, so she finished what she'd meant to say.
"In any case, I get that you're incredibly strong, but as a knight, I'm reluctant to ally with a black sorcerer."
"So you'll take on a whole kingdom alone? You serious?"
"As I said, if I can just drive my sword into the king's heart, I don't care what happens after."
"You're so damn frustrating."
"I've heard that plenty before. Like I said earlier, I am grateful to you. So, if that's all..."
Bianca tried to end the conversation and leave on her own.
Jamie watched her back for a moment before speaking up.
"I'm not the kind of black sorcerer you think I am, Bianca Adrey."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Damn it. What am I getting out of going this far?"
Jamie raked back his bangs and grumbled in exasperation.
Bianca's case was special, and he was eager to bring her under his command somehow.
With a slightly dissatisfied look, Jamie extended his left palm toward her.
"You do recognize this symbol, right?"
The emblem of the Twelve Orders was famous enough that even children knew it.
Especially for someone who had been knighted in a kingdom.
Sure enough, upon seeing Pyro's symbol, Bianca murmured in surprise.
"That's... the Pyro Church emblem?"
"Yes. This is the mark of the Goddess Pyro."
"Why do you have that...? Aren't you a black sorcerer? I saw you use black magic with my own eyes. Why would you have that symbol etched into your palm?"
Bianca pressed him urgently, her face a mix of confusion and disbelief.
Then, as if remembering something, her eyes widened.
"Come to think of it! When we fought, you definitely used holy power...!"
She had only remembered his overwhelming strength, not the details, but the symbol sparked a clear memory.
Jamie lowered his hand and replied.
"This is the mark of a saint."
"A saint? You're saying you're a saint of the Pyro Church?"
"I showed you."
He raised his left hand again, invoking Pyro's divinity. She recoiled with a grimace of discomfort.
To her, an undead, divinity was like deadly poison.
Jamie withdrew the power and said,
"Something like that."
"Hard to believe. Can a black sorcerer even become a saint? It doesn't make sense. Black sorcerers are humanity's enemies, marked for extermination. They wouldn't be allowed to live, let alone become saints."
"Because the power I wield is different from those mongrels. And that power you possess? It was originally mine."
With a snap of his fingers, the black mana inside Bianca resonated briefly.
Bianca clutched her chest at the sudden surge and glared at him.
Jamie just shrugged.
"My influence is a big reason you became such a powerful death knight."
"...What the hell are you? I knew you weren't ordinary, but your very existence is beyond my comprehension."
"Don't try to understand with a mortal's mind."
Jamie's eyes glowed purple.
"No more excuses. Choose. Serve under me, or walk away now. I promise, if you join me, I'll make your wish come true. But if you leave, that's it. I won't stop you again."
Bianca swallowed hard at his sudden shift in tone.
Instinct told her this was her last chance. But she still hesitated.
She got that he wasn't your average black sorcerer.
His words hinted at him being far more significant than she'd imagined.
But wasn't it reckless to pledge herself to someone whose true nature she didn't know?
In that brief moment, countless thoughts raced through Bianca's mind.
Then one realization hit: this agonizing over it was pointless to begin with.
"I..."
Jamie watched her silently.
The wind blew, sending her golden hair fluttering beautifully.
She spoke.
"I'll make a contract with you."
Jamie grinned.
"The contract is sealed."
Purple light enveloped them both.
When it faded, a knight knelt on one knee before him.
"Knight Bianca Adrey. I pledge to serve you as my liege and swear my eternal loyalty."
"One question. Why choose to serve me?"
"There was no reason to hesitate."
Bianca looked up at him.
Her eyes, though undead, shone with resolute light.
Proof of her uniqueness.
"What do you mean?"
"To avenge my comrades, I don't need to care about the means."
The fellow knights of the Royal Guard, who had treated her like family, were all dead.
She had a duty to avenge them.
The fastest path to revenge was right in front of her. Clinging to a knight's honor and kicking it away made no sense.
"I see."
Jamie nodded, his expression inscrutable.
Then, lips curling into a smile, he drew his sword from his belt and raised it overhead.
Bianca bowed her head again.
He slowly lowered the blade over her head, then tapped each shoulder once, declaring,
"Bianca Adrey, I dub thee my knight."
"I shall serve with utmost loyalty, my liege."
"Welcome, Bianca."
In the empty forest,
under the gaze of the stars alone,
the ancient black sorcerer claimed a death knight.
Jamie summoned the gate to Defying Heaven.
"This is a space made from my power. As my retainer, you'll stay here."
"...It looks awfully rundown."
"Eh, it'll be cozy enough."
"You sure?"
"Don't worry, just go in. There are a few intelligent folks inside. I'll introduce you properly later. Might be rough making friends right away, though."
"Why's that?"
"You'll see. I've got some loose ends to tie up, so catch you later."
The gate opened. Bianca peered into the dark interior before stepping through.
It might look shabby, but her instincts told her it was safe.
The only concern was the others inside.
"Raiza should keep things in check."
He wasn't sure if Raiza could rein in those two wild ones alone, but they couldn't die anyway, so they'd sort it out.
Jamie headed back to Pivion's house.
Things should have calmed down, and he needed to discuss their future arrangements.
He arrived in an instant.
The house was pitch black without a single candle, but the family's warm chatter drifted outside.
"Mommy's gonna work hard and live properly again. So you and Pion can eat whatever you want and wear whatever you like."
"I don't want just you suffering, Mom. I'll help hard too!"
"Me too! Me too!"
"My only babies."
Jamie paused to listen.
A warm feeling spread through him.
"They're probably all asleep by now."
Father Argent Welton, mother Sears, little sister Sara.
Far away as they were, Jamie always felt them near.
Because he thought of them every day.
That's what family was.
No matter the distance, bound by blood, closer than anyone.
Pivion's family was the same.
Once living in luxury, they lost it all overnight but endured the hardship leaning on each other because they were family.
Not all families were like that, of course, but Jamie believed the world needed more who cherished this warmth.
"It's me."
"Ah! Coming out now."
"Let's go out together."
"I wanna go too!"
Just one word, and the whole family rushed outside.
"Where've you been? We were going to thank you properly. Um... we don't have much, so this is nothing special."
Irina handed him something wrapped in fine cloth.
Clearly a relic from her noble days. Valuable enough not to sell even in these hard times.
"This is..."
"A hairpin I used to wear. He gave it to me when we first met. No matter how tough things got, I couldn't part with it."
"You're telling me to take this now?"
"Heh. Holding onto it is just clinging to the past. To move forward, I need to let go. So please accept it."
Jamie glanced at the wrapped hairpin and chuckled softly. Then he shook his head and pushed it back.
"Priests have no desire for such things. And I only did what needed doing—your thanks are enough."
"But..."
"Save something that precious to pass to your kids when they're grown. Which brings me to a proposal."
"A proposal?"
As Irina tilted her head, Jamie thought of someone who could understand their plight and arrange their care.
"Go to Harmonia."
"The Kingdom of Harmonia?"
"Yes. Take this with you."
He handed her a letter of introduction he'd prepared.
"Show this to Guard Captain Hawks in the capital, Kium. He'll arrange a place for you."
"Eh...? Why would the guard captain there...?"
"It's a connection of mine. He'll take good care of you. It's peak hiring season, so jobs won't be hard to find. Starting over won't be tough."
"Why go this far for us?"
"No big reason. Just..."
Jamie gazed at the Milky Way crossing the sky and said,
"Felt like it."
"...May I have your name?"
"Hm. Call me Jay. See you."
"Wait!"
Irina reached out, but he vanished completely.
Where he'd stood lay a small glowing stone—a night light.