Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Knight Order (4)
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“Gaaah!”
“Uwaaak!”
Screams echoed through the audience chamber. With every swing of Gestain's sword, fresh blood sprayed across the hall. Even though the Shades had been summoned, there was no need for them to step in.
The ten elders who had gathered at Captain Ivan's emergency summons included three high-ranking knights and seven upper-class knights. Their combined strength alone could handle an entire elite knight order, but before the Sword Saint's aura blade, they were utterly powerless.
“D-Damn it!”
Arok spat curses as he retreated. He had tried sending the other elders forward to buy time, but it was all in vain.
Not even the elders, who were upper-class knights approaching the pinnacle of their realm, could withstand a single strike from Gestain.
There was nowhere left to fall back to now, and only three elders remained, including Arok and Sian. Though all were high-ranking knights, after witnessing Gestain's prowess moments ago, no hope of facing him stirred in their hearts.
“U-Uwaaa!”
An elder who had only recently reached the high-ranking knight realm charged forward, swinging his sword. Gestain closed the distance in an instant and unleashed his aura blade.
“Receive the judgment of the imperial throne!”
“Kuhuk!”
The aura blade sliced clean through the elder's left arm in a flash. He was a knight who had ascended to great heights, yet he couldn't even block a single strike from the one-armed Sword Saint.
Gestain had been a knight deeply versed in swordsmanship even before reaching the Sword Saint realm, so it was no surprise that a freshly minted high-ranking knight like this elder was no match for him.
“You who mocked the imperial throne must pay the price for your sins!”
With a sharp cry, Gestain severed the elder's neck. The headless body crumpled lifelessly to the floor, and the one-armed Sword Saint turned his cold steps toward Arok and Sian.
“Your Majesty! This cannot be!”
Arok raised his voice.
“The Knight Order will not stand idly by!”
It wasn't an emotional plea but a veiled threat. Each of them commanded at least one or two personal factions within the Knight Order. Yet the young emperor Raymond showed not the slightest fear at the threat—instead, he even flashed a sly smile.
“Do you think I moved without a plan? The purge of those who follow you has already begun.”
The Central Intelligence Agency's assassins had mobilized. There was no need to eliminate everyone loyal to the Mountain Duke's faction elders.
Dealing with just the mid-level officers would naturally draw the rest under the emperor's banner.
“T-This can't be!”
Arok recoiled in shock at Raymond's words that the purge had already started, while Sian silently raised his mana-infused sword without a word.
“Lord Arok... It doesn't seem like words will get through to him.”
“Damn it all!”
The two elders knew victory was impossible, yet they pointed their swords at the Sword Saint. They had no desire to die helplessly like this. Though they had betrayed the empire, they were high-ranking knights. They yearned for a knight's honorable end.
“Execute them, Gestain. No mercy.”
“As Your Majesty's command!”
There had never been any intention of showing mercy from the start. To pave the way forward, the fates of those who dared oppose the imperial throne had to serve as a stark example.
“Gaaah!”
“Kyaaak!”
The aura blade flashed like lightning, cleaving through the two high-ranking knights. Crimson arcs of blood sprayed with their screams, and they collapsed limply.
“Shades, hear me.”
“All Shades await Your Majesty's command.”
“Sever their heads and hang them along the central road leading from the outer to the inner citadel.”
An example was needed. The fact that the imperial throne had been strengthened must be broadcast across the entire Philius Empire.
The central road from the outer to the inner citadel saw frequent traffic from noble carriages, so displaying the elders' severed heads there would drive the point home.
That very day, the elders' heads were strung up along the central road. Though it was a thoroughfare bustling with nobles and wealthy merchants—where an outcry over the atmosphere of terror might have arisen—no one dared speak up, with imperial army knights standing guard, radiating a fierce aura.
The next day, the Knight Order's elders were summoned once more. This time, it was those not on Ivan's list—those who still upheld loyalty and righteousness toward the empire.
While they gathered, Raymond awakened additional Shades in the underground of the imperial citadel. Even after rousing over thirty more, plenty of dominion power remained, a testament to the Mountain Duke's immense influence in this world.
“Next up is the Royal Guard...”
Raymond murmured to himself as he gazed at the Shades lined up before him. With dominion power to spare, he planned to visit the sanctuary to strengthen the throne further by awakening a large number of Royal Guards.
But first, confirming the loyalty of the remaining Knight Order elders was the priority.
Though they had supported the Mountain Duke, ten elders had lost their lives. The survivors would be deeply shaken, with some undoubtedly wavering. A mix of pressure from the whip and reassuring carrots was needed.
“Your Majesty. The Knight Order elders have arrived in the audience chamber.”
He was deep in thought when Marquis Blizzard of the Royal Guard entered from the terrace. Raymond, who had been gazing at the clear sky, nodded and rose from his plush chair.
“Let's go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We shall escort you.”
Stepping into the corridor, the waiting Royal Guards formed ranks. At their forefront stood the one-armed Sword Saint Gestain and Desia, who had recently ascended to high mage.
“Your Majesty, this way.”
Desia said with a bright smile. Raymond nodded and took the lead, with his escorts following behind.
They soon arrived before the audience chamber.
“Lord Ivan and the elders await inside.”
Reported an imperial army knight guarding the main doors to the chamber.
“Open the doors.”
“Understood.”
The doors swung open. An imperial army knight strode in, his cloak billowing.
“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”
The scattered elders hurriedly formed ranks. Though called elders, all held at least upper-class knight titles, and their movements were swift.
Raymond walked along the red carpet laid across the audience chamber, surveying the assembled elders. Sixteen in total, including Ivan.
They had gathered from across the central region at the Knight Order captain's call.
“We pay respects to His Majesty the Emperor!”
Ivan and the elders shouted in unison. Raymond maintained a heavy atmosphere as he approached the throne at the far end of the chamber and took his seat.
Raymond said nothing. He merely scanned the elders with calm, sunken eyes.
Having summoned them only to remain silent drove the elders mad with tension. Normally, they wouldn't feel this way, but the recent purge was still fresh.
Those gathered here had no ties to the Mountain Duke, the Haifell Empire, or the Tripartite Alliance, yet the faint lingering scent of blood in the audience chamber kept them on edge.
“I did not summon you to reprimand you. No need to be so rigid.”
Though spoken in a quiet voice, the elders' expressions didn't soften, as if some deep unease lingered in their hearts.
Silence stretched on again. After about thirty minutes, a few elders stepped forward and knelt.
“Your Majesty! Forgive our disloyalty!”
“We turned a blind eye knowing a faction in the Order sought to cling to the Mountain Duke!”
“Forgive us for failing to safeguard Your august imperial throne!”
“Mercy, please!”
Perhaps fearing collective responsibility, the other elders rushed forward and knelt as well.
A faint smile tugged at Raymond's lips at their display. He had known of their awareness of the Mountain Duke's ties to certain elders thanks to reports from Count Potas and the Central Intelligence Agency, but with so much blood already spilled, he had intended to let it slide.
Yet here they were, voluntarily confessing their faults and begging forgiveness—perfect for portraying a merciful sovereign by embracing them.
“Do you desire my mercy?”
He spoke in an intentionally cold tone. The elders only glanced at each other, offering no reply. Raymond addressed them again.
“You know I could have executed you on the spot?”
Empty words from the heart. Though the throne had partially recovered through events like the Mountain Duke's death, summarily executing all Knight Order elders would be too much to bear.
“Your Majesty... Mercy, please...”
“We shall stand at the vanguard in every front Your Majesty declares henceforth.”
Things were unfolding as desired. Raymond barely suppressed the smile creeping onto his lips. What mattered now was the atmosphere, the staging, and performing the role of a stern yet merciful emperor.
“Your Majesty! Grant us mercy, we beg!”
The elders cried out desperately once more. Raymond's eyes sharpened as he swept his gaze over them, then held his silence.
Silence for dramatic effect. When the air grew sufficiently heavy, Raymond spoke.
“Very well. I shall forgive you.”
“Thank you! Your Majesty!”
“But on the coming fronts, you must prove your loyalty remains unshaken.”
The Tripartite Alliance's involvement in the Bloody Funeral was certain, with the Central Intelligence Agency gathering irrefutable evidence.
War with them was imminent. Before then, Raymond needed to bolster the throne and forge a unified empire.
The Knight Order, once the 1st Prince's staunch support base, would now stand at the forefront under Raymond's command to strengthen the imperial throne.
“If you are resolved, swear your loyalty anew.”
“We gladly pledge our loyalty!”
“Glory to His Majesty the Emperor!”
The elders drew their swords in unison and saluted. This time, Ivan joined them.
He had proven his loyalty by handing over the list, but renewing the oath would steel his resolve fully.
“Raise your heads, all of you.”
At Raymond's calm command, the captain and elders lifted their gazes.
“This time, ensure your loyalty does not waver.”
A faint smile graced Raymond's lips as he watched the elders flinch under his icy gaze and tone.
With this, the Knight Order was his.
After reconfirming the Knight Order elders' loyalty, Raymond headed next to the sanctuary. At this sudden imperial procession, Count Dancihi—who had been recuperating from the civil war's toll in the provincial castle—led a small contingent of knights to greet him at the territory's border.
“Your Majesty! What brings you to my county?”
“I have business at the Ruler's Sanctuary.”
“I shall escort you safely.”
Having fought together against the Mountain Duke's forces on the Belfiang front seemed to have warmed his relationship with Count Dancihi considerably.
The two rode side by side, exchanging various tales. After two more days of travel, they arrived at the 'Ruler's Sanctuary' where the Royal Guards slumbered.
Armed patrols still circled the sanctuary. Since the Bloody Funeral, Count Dancihi had stationed armed soldiers there for guard duty.
“Your Majesty, I shall camp nearby until your business is concluded.”
Truly unwavering loyalty. It didn't displease him. Raymond spoke with a bright smile.
“So be it.”
“Yes! Your Majesty!”
Leaving the vigorously saluting Count Dancihi behind, Raymond descended into the sanctuary's depths via a secret method.
There, the Royal Guards lay in hibernation, awaiting the emperor's call. Upon reaching the hibernation chamber, Raymond invoked his dominion power to awaken them.
'Awaken as many as possible...!'
Dominion power drained in chunks as golden energy spread everywhere. The hibernating Royal Guards responded to the emperor's summons.
One by one, they stirred from their long slumber and lined up before the emperor. Among them, the Royal Guard bearing the marquis insignia stepped forward, confirming his highest rank among the awakened, and bowed to the emperor.
“I am Marquis Tempest. Responding to the call of the rightful heir to the Philius imperial throne, His Majesty the Emperor, 81 have assembled.”
Raymond nodded quietly as the man introduced himself calmly and reported the number of awakened Royal Guards.
Though he had expended all his dominion power, he hadn't expected over eighty—including the ancient hero Marquis Tempest—to awaken, so surprise was evident on his face.
'A total of 100... That's more than enough.'
A number sufficient to flaunt the imperial throne's might.