Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: The End of Ambition (1)
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Avilon Aleyas harbored ambitions.
But they weren't the same as his father Greutus's—to ascend to the pinnacle of the Holy Knight Order.
Avilon viewed the world from a different perspective than his father.
Not one ruled by the order established by the Holy Spirit Church, but by a more primal "power."
"Someday, war will break out again."
About twenty years ago, the war with the Dialogue Church had finally come to a close, ushering in an era of peace.
But that wouldn't last forever. Signs of unrest were already appearing in various places.
The Dialogue Church would surely invade once more. And in the all-out war that followed, the Holy Knight Order would struggle.
When that happened, the standoff between the Dialogue Church and the Holy Knight Order would collapse. The Holy Spirit Church and the Sacred Empire would each form their own armies to fend off the Dialogue Church, and independent factions like the Edel feldt family might rise up.
In such an age, positions like Knight Order Leader wouldn't matter.
There would be only one thing of importance... absolute power.
"Yes, the power of that man I saw on the battlefield long ago..."
Avilon recalled a man he'd seen on the battlefield twenty years prior, when he was still a greenhorn knight.
The Dialogue Church's strongest warrior... Archbishop Hausel.
But that man had failed to conquer the world with his power and died.
"I won't end up like that."
He would navigate the chaos with absolute power and seize the world for himself.
To achieve that, he was willing to ally with the Dialogue Church if need be.
"The Dialogue Circulation Method... If Archbishop Brishura is right, mastering it will make me the strongest."
The dream of becoming the ultimate being.
To realize that dream, Avilon had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away.
"I'll use Princess Atria as a sacrifice and convert to the Dialogue Church!"
Avilon no longer held any faith or loyalty.
He was prepared to abandon everything and join the Dialogue Church to gain absolute power.
* * *
After scouting the venue and coordinating with the Guard Knights, the day of the party arrived before they knew it.
"Sir Cassius, the Emperor and Empress aren't coming, right?"
"Indeed. It's been quite some time since they last ventured outside the palace."
They weren't as reclusive as the Pope holed up in the Papal Palace, but the Emperor and Empress didn't seem to be in the best of health either.
"Still, plenty of high nobles will attend. Even Archduke Yostans, the crown prince's predecessor, is coming."
"Hope nothing goes wrong."
"You said it."
Security at the party venue was divided into three main layers.
On the outermost perimeter, Imperial Army soldiers patrolled a wide area.
Inside that, Guard Knights and Holy Knights from the Southern Branch were stationed to ensure not even an ant could slip through.
Finally, inside the venue itself, Sion, Sena, Cain, Robel, and Liz would stick close to Atria for intimate protection. Cassius would oversee the whole operation nearby.
"Sion the Undefeated Knight."
A sharp-featured man approached them as they arrived at the party location.
Sion recognized him from the clan meeting.
Greutus's son, Avilon Aleyas.
"It's our first formal greeting. I'm Avilon Aleyas, currently acting as head of the Southern Branch."
"Pleasure to meet you, Acting Branch Head."
They shook hands.
"You've probably heard, but there was an unfortunate incident at the Southern Branch recently. It was solely the fault of the former branch head, though. I'd appreciate it if you kept in mind that the regular knights there were uninvolved."
"Of course. Especially since you're cooperating with security like this."
"The Southern Branch knights will follow your orders during this assignment. Let me know if you have any requests."
Avilon said this while still clasping Sion's hand.
"By the way... Sion the Undefeated Knight."
"Yes?"
"You seem to wield mana at an 8-star level with complete freedom, despite being only sixteen. Even if you lucked into that mana while captured by the Edelfeldts, mastering it is all your own skill."
"..."
"How exactly did you acquire such power?"
"I've told others already—it's from self-studying mana control until I grasped it."
"That's what intrigues me. The mana control technique mastered by the Aleyas family's genius boy."
Avilon met Sion's eyes with a smile.
"Someday, I'd like to ask you for some guidance."
"I'm not at a level to teach others yet, Acting Branch Head."
"You're too modest. Couldn't we at least exchange some light insights?"
"Understood. How about we set a time after the party ends?"
"Not a bad idea. Let's do that."
Avilon then greeted Princess Atria and the others before taking his leave.
Watching his retreating figure, Cassius stroked his chin.
"What a confident man."
"You think so?"
"Yeah. Even after his father lost his life to some scandal, he doesn't seem fazed at all."
"..."
"There've been rumors for a while. They say Avilon Aleyas has a bigger vision and greater ambitions than even Greutus."
A bigger vision and greater ambitions than Greutus?
"I'm not so sure."
"What?"
"He probably has ambitions. But..."
Sion murmured while gazing at Avilon's distant back.
"That's all there is to it."
* * *
When the time came, guests began arriving in carriages.
Men and women in rare, lavish dresses filled the place, making it feel like they'd stepped back into the Middle Ages.
"Sir Sion, stay close to Her Highness the Princess. As naturally as possible."
"Got it."
Dressed in formal attire, they provided close protection for Atria.
Some nobles flinched at the sight of their swords, but the atmosphere was decent enough.
"Hmph. I never imagined they'd hold the party here. And on such a grand scale, no less."
"Thank you for coming to celebrate my birthday. I hope the Yostans Archduke's family enjoys the party as well."
"...We won't be staying long."
A venomous-looking blonde girl, surrounded by attendants, traded barbs with Atria.
She seemed to be Archduke Yostans's daughter—the one who'd argued with Atria's sister.
"Still, looks like the plan's working."
Eavesdropping around, Sion heard nothing but praise.
As expected, among the nobles near Romancia, the splendor and scale of a party was a major point of pride.
"Your Highness, would you grace us with a song?"
"Certainly."
As the mood warmed up, a dance like a ballroom waltz began.
"Then we'll dance close by as well. Get ready."
"I-I'm not confident..."
"Sena sis, you've practiced hard, so you'll be fine!"
"..."
During the dance, Sion, Sena, Cain, and Liz were to dance nearby for protection.
Sion had planned to leave the men's parts to Cain and Robel, but Robel's steps kept tripping up, so Sion ended up dancing.
"Brother Robel, keep a sharp eye on the surroundings."
"Don't worry. Gulp."
"Easy on the eating."
After scolding Robel, who snatched food at every chance, Sion took Sena's hand and began to dance.
"Sis, I'll lead, so just follow the flow."
"O-Okay. Thanks."
Sion led the tense Sena, circling around Atria while dancing.
"Why are you so good at this? Where'd you learn?"
"Self-taught."
"Liar!"
Truth was, he'd learned it during assassin training back at the Dialogue Church.
They'd said it might come in handy someday... but he'd never properly used it before dying.
"Looks like it's time to switch partners. Dance with Brother Cain now."
"You're such a mystery..."
Sion handed the grumbling Sena to Cain and took her place opposite Liz, who'd been dancing with Cain.
New music started, and Sion took Liz's hand, stepping in time.
"You're quite the dancer too, Liz sis."
"It's like swordsmanship. Just step right and move your body."
"A very you-like answer."
"You're one to talk."
"Hm?"
"It's a you-like dance skill."
"What does that mean?"
"Who knows."
"..."
They continued dancing while scanning the area.
Liz was more skilled than Sena, so Sion had some leeway.
"I have a bad feeling."
Liz, who'd been quiet, suddenly spoke up.
"The identities of those who attacked us are still unknown."
"..."
"Will the party really end without incident?"
"Who knows."
As he said that, Sion stopped moving.
Liz, whose step had tangled, bumped her face into his shoulder.
"What's wrong?"
"Sorry. Suddenly need the bathroom."
"Not like you."
"What's 'like me'?"
"..."
Brushing off Liz's suspicious gaze, Sion quickly headed to the venue's outskirts.
* * *
Robel clutched his stomach as he hurried to the bathroom.
"You ate too much..."
Too much delicious food was the problem.
He'd been nibbling whenever he could, and now he'd overeaten.
"Why is the bathroom so far away!"
The facilities for palace staff and guards were quite distant from those for guests and invitees near the venue.
By the time he reached it, Robel was at his limit.
"Hey, Robel."
"Ah, Sir Erwin of the Iron Guard?"
Just as he arrived at the makeshift restroom, Erwin Aleyas—the one who'd guided them from Ruschia—called out.
"You too?"
"Yeah. My post is full of stiff types, so hard to find a bathroom break."
"I-I see. Sorry, but I'm in a hurry..."
As he fumbled for the door, Erwin suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
"I just went in. Sorry, but wait a bit?"
"I-It's fine! No need to worry about that!"
The moment he tried to shake off Erwin's hand.
"You should heed advice, Sir Knight."
"Huh?"
Whoosh!
A white "cloth" suddenly burst from Erwin's body, wrapping around Robel's face.
"Mmph...!"
"Quiet down, Robel."
Erwin's voice changed.
From a slightly arrogant man's tone to a bewitching woman's...
"I'm using your skin to sneak in, after all."
Unable to breathe, Robel's consciousness faded.
For some reason, he couldn't use mana either.
'Damn it! Help! Brother! Sena sis! Liz! Sion...!'
Just before blacking out.
Fwoosh!
The sound of wind cutting through, and suddenly his face was free.
"Gah, haah, haah...!"
As he gulped air and looked up.
"You should've eaten in moderation, brother."
There stood Sion, recalling the pitch-black Demon Spirit Sword Xantia to his hand.