Chapter 82
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: A Delightful Rebellion 2
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1.
-Youre telling me you still havent heard from Owen?
Yes, thats correct. Hes not responding to the communication device.
-It was a simple escort mission for Karron Leston. They werent even passing through a dangerous area. Nothing could have happened.
Dekal, the vice-commander of the Leven Knights, was speaking with Marquis Leandro through a communication device.
Perhaps theyre just living it up in Thebes?
Thebes was a city famous for its entertainment.
They should have arrived in Thebes by now, and the lack of contact suggested they might be indulging in the citys pleasures.
Marquis Leandro replied, his displeasure evident.
-Hes not that thoughtless. You left a message on the device about the southerners provocation, didnt you?
Yes.
-Tell them to contact me the moment you get a reply from Owen. By the way, is it true that Prince Rebellio is really in Leven?
It is. Hes currently speaking with Nur at the auction house.
-Of all the times Did you ask him why?
He said he came to acquire a unique slave. It seems Karron Leston was bragging to the Sixth Prince about his elf slave.
-Treat him with the utmost hospitality so he has no complaints. Ill return as soon as the southerners stop this madness, so you and Nur need to buy some time.
As you command, Lord Marquis.
The communication ended, and Dekal put the device back in his pocket.
He let out a small sigh and walked toward the window.
This was the headquarters of the Leven Knights.
Ten knights had been assigned to Karrons escort, and eighty percent of those who remained had been dispatched to the southern border.
Only four knights, including himself, were left at the headquarters.
There was only one reason they remained here while their lord was away at war.
The holding cells in the basement of the knight headquarters.
Someone had to guard the expensive slaves imprisoned there.
If it were empty, we would have gone with the lord But we have to watch over those monstrous bastards in the basement.
Currently, several hard-to-acquire slaves were being held in the underground cells.
Specifically, a Tigerkin woman and a Giant man.
The Tigerkin was so skilled in martial arts that two knights had been seriously injured during her capture. Shed managed to wound them both while fighting fifteen to one, making her a slave that could never be left unguarded.
And then there was the Giant.
A creature of immense size, nearly three meters tall, with incredible strength.
Whats more, his regenerative abilities were so potent that someone had to go down every hour to sever his tendons.
Theyre a pain, but theyll fetch a fortune at auction.
Beastkin, especially Tigerkin women, were as expensive as they were difficult to capture.
The same went for the Giant.
He could be sold for a very high price to the mages and other characters who frequented the slave market.
Therefore, Dekals one and only mission was to remain in the city and guard the underground cells.
And in the midst of it all, an incredibly troublesome nuisance named Prince Rebellio had appeared.
Hoo.
Just as he sighed and reached for the cigarette case in his drawer.
Creeak!
The door flew open, and a pale-faced soldier burst into his room.
Sir Dekal! We have an emergency!
Whats with all the fuss?
Weve received a report that an unidentified force is approaching the knight headquarters!
At those words, Dekal shot up from his seat and shouted.
What are you talking about?
An armed force is marching on the headquarters! A knight in black armor is leading them, with the riffraff from Koblers Manpower Office backing him up! Its a rebellion. A rebellion!
Kobler? Has that crazy slaver completely lost his mind? Assemble all available troops in the city at once!
The soldier replied with a troubled expression.
Most of the troops are currently gathered at the plaza.
Why are they at the plaza at this hour
His Highness, Prince Rebellio, announced he would bestow his teachings upon the citizens of Leven Most of the forces have been deployed to escort His Highness.
Dammit.
Kobler.
That peculiar slaver.
A slaver who, for some reason, treated his slaves like precious gems. In short, a madman.
Why would a man like that raise an army?
The most he could muster would be thirty men at best.
It was a pathetic number, even compared to other slavers.
That disgusting bastard certainly has a creative way of committing suicide.
Dekal ground his teeth, the mere thought of Koblers appearance filling him with disgust.
He didnt know what the man was thinking, but this was ultimately a suicide mission.
The number of soldiers stationed at the knight headquarters alone exceeded fifty.
With four knights present as well, it was not a force a mere slaver could handle.
But there was one thing.
That black knight said to be with Koblers group kept getting on his nerves.
So, Dekal checked the information with the soldier once more.
That man in black armor, are you sure hes a knight?
Were not certain!
It could just be some worthless thug dressed in black armor.
There was no way a mere slaver could hire a knight.
Knights were beings of immense pride.
They would rather die than work under a slaver.
Having calmly reached his conclusion, Dekal picked up his sword and stood.
If the madman wants to die, we should grant his wish. Declare a state of emergency for all troops within the headquarters and have them assemble at the front gate immediately.
Yes, Sir Dekal!
The soldier took his orders and hurried out.
Dekal clenched and unclenched his fists, taking a deep breath.
I have a bad feeling about this.
It had been twenty-five years since he became a knight.
His intuition, honed over those long years, was telling him that something was terribly wrong.
But all he could do was his duty.
Slowly steeling himself, he left the room.
2.
In less than ten minutes, all the troops remaining at the headquarters had assembled before the main gate.
The soldiers equipment was in excellent condition.
Well-maintained armor and weapons.
Despite the bewildering situation, their discipline held, their expressions as composed as possible.
They looked every bit the soldiers of a border city.
Dekal and the other three knights stood before the soldiers, silently watching the path ahead.
The streets were eerily quiet, as the Sixth Prince had summoned all the citys citizens.
Theyre coming.
Dekal said to his men in a low voice.
A group was approaching in the distance.
There had to be at least fifty of them.
Unlike the orderly ranks of the soldiers, they walked haphazardly, as if advertising their status as a disorderly mob.
They looked more like a gang of neighborhood thugs.
But in this fortress city, to bear arms without the lords permission meant only one thing.
So they really intend to start a rebellion. The madmen.
Dekal muttered, his face twisting into a scowl.
Their opponents were clearly a rabble of misfits.
There was no way that scum who captured and sold slaves in the shadows could defeat elite soldiers who had undergone rigorous training.
Yet no one present could afford to underestimate the rebels.
It was all because of the black knight standing at their forefront.
So he wasnt a fake.
Dekal let out a small breath as he stared at the knight in black armor.
The moment he saw him, he knew.
That was the real thing.
It wasnt just some vermin dressed in armor; a true knight stood on the other side.
Otherwise, there was no explaining this oppressive aura.
The knight didnt just exude pressure.
Fear.
The dread spreading from within that immense aura began to ripple through the soldiers at a terrifying speed.
It felt as if a calamity itself was striding toward them.
Everyone, remain calm.
Dekal said to the soldiers, his voice deliberately steady.
Perhaps he was saying it to himself as well.
Clank.
The rebels finally reached a distance of about fifty paces and halted their advance.
Dekal drew his sword and shouted at them.
Disarm yourselves and surrender at once! You are committing an act of rebellion! If you repent for your wrongdoing and allow yourselves to be arrested now, I will see to it that you are spared execution!
But his words were met only with ridicule.
Khahaha! Did you hear that, Young Master? That mustached bastard seems to have lost his mind! Hell spare us from execution? Hey, Dekal! Ive always dreamed of setting that mustache of yours on fire!
Kobler!
A vulgar slaver was insulting a knight to his face.
It wouldnt be a problem to draw his sword and cut the mans throat right now.
But Dekal could only bite his lip and maintain the standoff.
He couldnt gauge the skill of the black knight.
Youre the ones who should be surrendering! I doubt you knight-sirs will, since you have to lick the lords ass But its a different story for the soldiers!
Kobler bared his yellow teeth and yelled at the soldiers.
Join us now! If you do, you might just keep your lives! Youll want to lessen your crimes, wont you?
It was utter nonsense.
Dekal immediately raised his voice in response.
How dare rebels speak of crimes. What crimes do you accuse us of?
Kobler grinned at Dekal and said.
Those crimes our Young Master will tell you all about them! Isnt that right, Young Master?
Kobler looked at the black knight and whispered vilely.
The black knight then removed his helmet, letting out a light breath.
Didnt I tell you to brush your teeth? Your breath stinks, so please back off.
Gleaming blond hair.
Blue eyes that shone with a dazzling light.
Dekal remembered exactly who this man was.
Karron Leston?
The youngest son of the Leston ducal family.
And the very customer who had purchased an elf slave here just yesterday.
Why was Karron, who should have been in Thebes with the Leven Knights by now, here?
Dekals face crumpled as he spoke to Karron.
What is Sir Karron doing here? And why are you with those rebels
Karron grinned and replied.
Did I come somewhere I shouldnt have?
Im not sure what youre thinking, but please disarm yourself immediately. Even you, Sir Karron, will not be able to escape responsibility for this.
What crime have I committed? I dont quite understand, so could you explain it to me?
I dont know the details, but what you are doing, Sir Karron, is a clear act of rebellion! At a time when the Sion Kingdom is stirring trouble at the border, an act like this is a great threat to the Empires security
But its fine for you to use soldiers who should be defending the border to engage in illegal activities like slave trading? Talk about double standards, wouldnt you say?
Karron, having scoffed at Dekals words, slowly drew the Guillotine from its sheath. He spoke in a sly voice.
As a result of His Highness Prince Rebellios personal investigation, evidence of treason has been found against Marquis Leandro.
Nonsense! The Marquis would never do such a thing!
That guy named Nur has already confessed everything. Oh, right, youre the vice-commander of the Leven Knights, arent you? Arent you curious what happened to your colleagues who were escorting me?
At those words, Dekals voice trembled as he replied.
Dont tell me.
Owen, the commander of the Leven Knights, and ten others resisted fiercely during their arrest and were summarily executed on the spot Thats my official statement, at least. Of course, the unofficial version is a bit different. Curious? I can tell you if you are.
Karron readjusted his grip on the Guillotine and beamed.
Now, whos the rebel?