Chapter 82
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Master of the Dragon (1)
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Even with the hood pulled low, it was impossible to fully block the relentless patter of raindrops.
The faster we rode, the more fiercely the rain pelted our faces and bodies.
Nothing could be heard over the drumming rain on our ears and the thunder of dozens of hooves.
Not long after leaving Cornik, dark clouds began to gather in the sky.
By sunset, they had thickened even more, blanketing the end of the highway in gloom.
From atop the hill, the White Guard Knight surveyed the scene and warned everyone to brace for the storm.
I turned to Clemence, riding alongside me.
She had her hood pressed down tight, but the silver braid draped over her shoulder was already soaked through.
When the White Guard Knight asked if she shouldn't lag behind a bit, she refused outright.
It couldn't have been easy keeping pace with those of us trained in horsemanship, yet she pressed on with grim determination.
Before long, we spotted a massive city shrouded in dark clouds.
Elgrace, the capital of the Lesion Kingdom.
True to its reputation as one of the great cities, its expanse couldn't be taken in at a glance.
White buildings of all sizes packed the horizon, overshadowed by thick, ominous clouds.
We crested the hill and crossed the plains.
As farmhouses grew more numerous around us, the rain began to fall.
The downpour thickened into a torrent that showed no signs of letting up.
Dark skies hid the sun far earlier than usual.
Lamps were lit at the front, and the horses followed the light.
The landscape shifted once more.
A dark street dotted with rundown old buildings. It was a village outside Elgrace's walls.
As our dozens of horses sped through the rain, grubby-faced locals turned in startled surprise.
At the road's end stood massive gray walls and a gate.
The Lesion Kingdom's flag hung limply atop the stone gate.
The White Guard Knight raised his hand. The lead horses gradually slowed.
There was no choice.
The gates, which should have been flung wide to welcome our delegation, were firmly shut. More than ten knights stood blocking the way.
Clad in metal armor emblazoned with flower crests and cloaks, they were unmistakably from the Royal Knights.
Their uniforms matched those led by Sir Gerard.
Yet they stared up at Prius's banner with obvious tension.
The atmosphere was far from welcoming.
They wouldn't have left such heavy gates closed to the pouring rain if they'd known Prius's delegation was coming.
And the knights' expressions held no trace of hospitality.
With a glance, the White Guard Knight ordered the vanguard knights to hold their distance and sent the clerk Wilton back to fetch Sir Gerard.
Then, alone, he dismounted, took a step forward, and threw back his hood.
Rain poured over his white hair in an instant.
"I am Petron Lesis, White Guard Knight of Prius. We come at your invitation as a delegation. Open the gates."
His low, resonant voice cut clearly through the rain.
The royal knights exchanged uneasy glances and murmurs. One stepped forward, hand on his sword hilt.
A lean man in his forties, wearing a knight's uniform with distinct decorations from the others.
"Vice Captain Rozwood of the Lesion Royal Knights. Prius's delegation may not enter Elgrace. Turn around and leave Lesion territory at once."
Several knights, including me, gasped in shock.
What in the world?
"...May I ask why?"
The White Guard Knight remained calm and unshaken.
He seemed to have some inkling from the closed gates and vigilant knights.
"By order of King Caron Lesis and Crown Prince Raymond Lesis. The Lesis Duke's family and Prius have conspired in rebellion. You are barred from entering Elgrace..."
"What nonsense is this!"
A furious shout boomed through the rain.
It was Sir Gerard, galloping up. He reined in beside the White Guard Knight, dismounted, and strode toward Rozwood.
"Sir Rozwood! What do you think you're doing?"
"Sir Gerard. I am carrying out His Majesty's and His Highness's orders."
Rozwood's expression didn't flicker as he calmly drew a paper that looked like an official decree from his breast pocket and handed it over.
Sir Gerard snatched it and scanned the contents. His face hardened.
"There must be some misunderstanding. I need to see His Majesty myself."
"That's impossible right now. Knights are currently arresting nobles and retainers suspected of treason in various districts."
With that, Rozwood stepped back from Sir Gerard.
Two royal knights had quietly flanked Sir Gerard.
"Sir Gerard, you are also under suspicion. Come quietly."
"What did you say?"
It happened in a flash.
As the two royal knights grabbed Sir Gerard's arms and reached for his sword, he twisted free with a shake.
He swiftly created distance and drew his blade on them.
"Sir Gerard!"
Rozwood bellowed, and the royal knights drew their swords in unison.
Sensing the gravity, Father dismounted and approached the White Guard Knight.
The White Guard Knight raised a hand to hold back Prius's knights, his own face tense.
"Defying the royal command? Sheathe your sword and surrender at once!"
"Treason? Rozwood, do you think it's right to accuse our invited guests—who traveled far—of treason without even hearing them out?"
Rozwood's face slowly twisted.
"That's always been your problem. Nitpicking right and wrong every time—that's why things end up like this."
As he drew his sword toward Sir Gerard, the air froze taut.
"Last warning. If you persist, even as captain, I can't let it slide."
"If you don't weigh right and wrong, you're no better than a dog. Is that what you want, Rozwood?"
"Captain!"
A dozen or so royal knights behind us surged forward, swords drawn to aid Sir Gerard.
Royal knights facing off against each other in a powder-keg standoff.
Whoever struck first would inflict fatal wounds—it was inevitable.
Numerically, Rozwood and his dozen were at a disadvantage, but backed by royal authority, they wouldn't yield easily.
"...Ah."
Clemence, glancing back, let out a short sigh.
Royal knights were pouring from alleys outside the walls.
They swiftly encircled us, brandishing spears and shields menacingly to force us back.
"There! Duke Lesis!"
A spear-wielding royal knight pointed at the carriage.
"Seize the traitor!"
Duke Lesis and the Duchess were dragged from the carriage in an instant and surrounded.
The White Guard tried to shield the couple but had to yield to the royal knights' aggression.
"What is the meaning of this—traitors?"
Duke Lesis roared in fury, but the royal knights wordlessly gripped his arms.
The pale-faced Duchess, lips pressed tight, fared no better.
"Father, Mother...!"
Clemence paled, clapping a hand over her mouth.
I instinctively grabbed her arm.
Rushing in to save her parents in haste could strip us of Prius's protection.
Weddin and Shuren, sharing the worry, subtly blocked her path.
"Stay here. It'll be fine."
Shuren said, face tense, hand on his sword hilt.
If Clemence got involved, we'd have no choice but to draw steel. Clashing with royal knights was a nightmare even to imagine.
"Insolent fools—treason? Without even knowing the facts...!"
No one truly listened to Duke Lesis.
Neither we nor the family knights could stop the royal knights.
The ducal couple was helplessly dragged before Rozwood.
The White Guard Knight's expression darkened rapidly at the sight of his son and daughter-in-law hauled to the gates.
"Father, will you stand by like this? They're pinning absurd treason charges on them!"
With no one heeding him, the Duke turned his shout to the White Guard Knight.
The White Guard Knight grimaced and looked away.
Then he strode boldly between Sir Gerard and Rozwood, still at swordpoint.
"Sir Rozwood."
Rozwood flinched as his sword tip swung toward the White Guard Knight, pulling it back.
The White Guard Knight pressed on without hesitation.
"I must hear from the King himself what grounds you have for these treason charges. This is clearly a misunderstanding. Not as Prius's White Guard Knight, but as Uncle to King Caron Lesis—I wish to see him."
Invoking blood ties had its effect.
Rozwood had come out boldly on royal orders, but he was reminded that the White Guard Knight was also royalty bearing the Lesis name.
His momentum softened.
"That... That's impossible. His Majesty is in hiding under protection until all traitor factions in the city are captured."
"Then guide me there. I go alone if need be. Even if it means returning later, this misunderstanding must be cleared."
"White Guard Knight, you can't go alone!"
Father cried out in alarm.
The White Guard Knight glanced at Father with a faint smile, then turned back to Rozwood.
"Royal Knights Captain Sir Gerard and the Lesis ducal couple will remain here with our Prius delegation. If talks with the King fail to resolve this, we'll return to Prion, and you can take Sir Gerard and the couple as you will."
Rozwood eyed the White Guard Knight, Sir Gerard, the ducal couple, and Prius's knights.
He seemed to weigh the casualties if conflict erupted here.
The calculation didn't take long.
Rozwood nodded slowly.
"...Very well. So be it."
Only after Rozwood sheathed his sword did the royal knights behind him follow suit, one by one.
The knights surrounding the ducal couple lowered weapons and stepped back.
"But only you, White Guard Knight. Our knights will watch the rest."
"Understood."
Rozwood ordered knights to open the gates.
Knights and gatekeepers bustled, slowly creaking open the heavy doors.
Meanwhile, the White Guard Knight turned to Father, the Silver Guard Knight, and Clerk Wilton.
All wore grim faces. No one could feel easy sending him alone.
The Silver Guard Knight, long his escort, looked unwell but couldn't defy orders.
"Hold this position, everyone. Above all, prevent our knights from clashing with the royals."
"Are you sure you'll be all right alone?"
"Don't worry. I've forsaken power, but I'm still the King's uncle—that hasn't changed. I didn't want to resort to this if possible... Protect Sir Gerard and the young couple well."
The White Guard Knight's gaze swept over the ducal couple, Sir Gerard, and the royal knights.
Father sighed and nodded.
"Please take care."
There was no time for more words.
As the south gate half-opened, Rozwood called to the White Guard Knight.
"This way. His Majesty is at Edelria Villa, under the protection of Crown Prince and the Court Mage Chief."
Court Mage Chief.
At those words, the White Guard Knight startled to a halt, and our knights tensed visibly.
Duke Lesis's sharp voice cut through the gap.
"That witch has His Majesty? Have you lost your minds, you royal knights? That witch is the real dangerous demon!"
"What? Demon? Duke Lesis, what do you—"
As the flustered Rozwood turned toward Duke Lesis, the rain-lashed sky suddenly flashed white.
Kraka-boom!
A terrifying bolt of lightning crashed down, its deafening thunder swallowing all other sounds.