A Cadet Becomes a Prophet?! — Chapter 194

Chapter 194

He⁠⁠‌ was moving.

A silver glow traced‍‌⁠ lines in the‍‍ air.

With a single movement,‌ the monsters were⁠ swept away in‌ one blow.

A deadly field, full⁠ of creatures everywhere.‌‍

But‌‍ every time he‌⁠ took a step,⁠⁠ a path of⁠‌‌ life opened up.⁠⁠

When⁠‌ he danced, the⁠‌ monsters were cut‍ to pieces.

As‍ fluid as flowing⁠ water, but for⁠ his enemies, it‍‌‍ was a raging storm.

Aint‌ watched his back, absorbed.

“…That⁠ is a Royal⁠⁠ Knight.”

The‍‍ pinnacle of knights‌ in this world.‌‌

The‍ path he himself had to follow.‌‌

Aint‍ focused all his‌ attention on every‌ movement of the‍‌‌ Royal Knight’s hands⁠ and feet, engraving‍ in his eyes‌‍ and on his‍‌‍ skin every sword⁠ trajectory.

An‌ inevitable admiration surged. He could only⁠⁠‍ watch, overwhelmed.

— He is worthy‌ of the title‍ of Royal Knight.⁠‍

Even Gardner Alfenparsen, the⁠ first Royal Knight,‍ recognized him as‌‌ an opponent.

— Is it your‍ first time seeing‍ a Royal Knight‍‍‍ fight in person?

Aint nodded.

He‌‍ had fought demons,‌ yes, but had‌ never seen a Royal Knight in‌ combat up close.⁠‌

It‌‍ was truly beautiful. Every movement, every⁠‍‍ swing of the⁠‌ sword, it was‍‌‍ as if the⁠⁠ weapon was alive, an unreal spectacle.‍

At‌‌ the same time,‍‍ a strong ambition was born within‌ him.

‘I‌‌‍ will too.’

I want to get‍ there.

I want to reach that level.

— Don’t say I want to get⁠⁠ there. Say I will get there.‍‍ And not just‍ get there—you’ll surpass‍ that.

Gardner was right.

Aint‍⁠ wanted to rebuild‌‌ his house. And‌⁠ for that, he‌‍⁠ had to become⁠⁠ a hero.

Being‌⁠ a Royal Knight⁠ was not enough—he had to be⁠ something even greater.‍‍

That‍ back was the‌ path he had‍‌ to follow—but sooner⁠ or later, he⁠ would have to‍ surpass it.

With his eyes wide‌ open, Aint raised‌‌ his aura. Rays‍ of brilliant light‌ illuminated the darkness. He advanced, piercing‌ the head of⁠ a monster charging at him.

“Leave⁠⁠ one of the⁠ Rahnas to me!”⁠

He‌‌ didn’t wait for‍‌ a response and‌ launched into the battlefield.

Verian‍‌ followed immediately.

“How⁠ was it in‌ Alprosen, senior? Is⁠‌ it true you saved the crown⁠ prince’s life?”

“Yes.”

“Wow—to⁠‌ have the crown‌ prince of Alprosen⁠‍ owe you his‌ life. I wish I had been‍ there. And with‌‍ Sir Hakon Kaelin⁠ and Senior Rob‍ here—Fernan, you really‍ are incredible.”

Aria⁠‍‍ curled her lips‍‍⁠ with irony.

“Seems‌ I grabbed the‍‌ right rope. I’ll‌ go first!”

She‍ summoned the spirits⁠ of the wind‍‍‍ and dashed forward.⁠‌‌ A gust swept‌‌⁠ the monsters from⁠ her path.

“…Sure,‍ since you’ve never‍‍‌ been blackmailed, you‍ can talk like⁠⁠ that.”

Ert‍‌ Gismond let out⁠‍‍ a sigh.

His‌‌ situation wasn’t like‍‍ Aint’s or Aria’s.‍

Although,‌ thinking about it,‍⁠ except for that‍‌ time he was‍ caught reading the‍‌ prophecy book or⁠ when the First‌ Emperor’s treasure appeared,⁠⁠ he’d hardly ever⁠‌ been blackmailed directly.‌

His‌ eyes fixed on‍‌ Aint and the⁠‌ Royal Knight beyond.⁠‍‌ A level so⁠‍⁠ high he didn’t even dare dream‍‍ of it.

But⁠ since he’d ended‍‌ up possessed, wasn’t‌ it worth seeing‍⁠ how far he‍‌‍ could go?

He‌‍ knew his shortcomings‌‍ well, and so⁠ far, he’d left⁠⁠ everything in Aint’s‌‌‌ hands.

But,⁠‍ if the opportunity⁠ existed—

“…Could‌‍⁠ I become like‍‌ that too?”

It‌‍ was impossible not‍‌‍ to desire it.‌‌ He raised his⁠‍ aura.

Although, seeing the fierce‍‌‌ monsters, fear once⁠‍‌ again took hold⁠ of him.

Maybe⁠ the best thing‌‌ wasn’t to be a Royal Knight‍ or anything like‍⁠ that, but simply to live in‍‍ peace.

“…Art⁠⁠ is explosion.”

He⁠ forced himself to‌ recite his spell,‌ gripped his sword,‍⁠ and charged forward.‍

***⁠

“So‌⁠ you are the‌ Rahnas. I’ve heard⁠⁠‌ a lot about‌ you.”

Rather,‌ he had read‍ about them.

They⁠‌ were said to‍ be generals of‍‍ the demonic armies.‍‌

And⁠⁠ yes, the pressure‌ they emitted far‍ exceeded that of‍ any ordinary knight.‍

The⁠ problem was that⁠ this strength came⁠⁠ from repugnant demonic magic, not aura.‌

Hakon⁠ Kaelin, knight of Alprosen, slowly raised his sword.

A single slash split⁠‍ into hundreds, enveloping⁠ the two Rahnas.‍

───!‍⁠

A storm of slashes⁠‌ roared. Everything was‌‍ cut and torn,‍‍ but the Rahnas⁠ endured.

Groarrr!‌⁠

They‍ roared, showing all‌ their ferocity, and‌‌ charged with swords⁠‍ black as night.⁠‍

Claang!‍‌‍

The‍ swords clashed. The‌⁠‌ force they transmitted‍ was crushing, but‍‌ nothing he couldn’t‍ withstand. Threatening, yes,‌ but not invincible.

─!‌‍

──!⁠

The‍ two Rahnas surrounded⁠‌ him, attacking in‌ unison. In just‍ a few moments,‌‌ they had exchanged‌‍‌ dozens of blows.‌

The‌⁠ clash was so‍‍⁠ violent that nearby‍ monsters were swept‍‌ away, screaming as‍‌⁠ they were torn‍‌⁠ apart by the‍ shockwave.

“They’re at Rob’s level.”‌

His‍⁠ grandson, whom he⁠ had personally trained since childhood.

A genius who far‍‍ surpassed the talent⁠ of his father.‍

A knight who would shine in any‍ corner of the⁠‍ continent.

Until‌ recently, he was⁠‌ convinced that he‌ would become the‍‍ youngest Royal Knight⁠⁠‌ in history.

“If⁠ you’re like this,‍ I can’t imagine‍‍ what real demons‌‌ are like.”

“Leave⁠⁠‌ one of the‍ Rahnas to me!”⁠‌

At‍ that moment, someone⁠ interrupted the battle.⁠⁠‍

The‌ same one who⁠ had shattered his⁠ grandson’s dream of‍ becoming the youngest‍‍ Royal Knight had‍‌ entered the field.⁠‌

A torrent of light‌ crashed into the‍⁠‌ Rahnas.

The‍ demonic magic stirred.⁠ The monsters howled‍ in pain, and‌‍ Hakon Kaelin, crossing‌⁠ swords once again,‍⁠ finally understood why‌ Aint Armian was⁠ called the natural⁠⁠ enemy of demons.‍⁠⁠

“I‍ see—so you’re Aint⁠⁠ Armian.”

“Yes,⁠‍‌ I beg your pardon for my‍ disrespect.”

“There⁠ is no disrespect‍ when it comes to exterminating the⁠‍ corrupt. This is‍‌‍ not an honorable⁠⁠‍ duel.”

He‌ chuckled. Was that⁠ really an Armian?‍‍ Aint’s face seemed⁠⁠‌ to radiate light.‌

‘Was‍‌ the First Emperor⁠ like this? It’s incredible to think‌‍‌ someone so young‌ has reached this⁠⁠ level.’

“May‍ I leave one⁠ of the Rahnas‍ to you?”

“If‍⁠ you grant me⁠⁠⁠ that honor, I can only be grateful.”

“Good,‌ then this will‌ be a little‌ more manageable.”

Though‌⁠⁠ he had been fighting without rest,‍‍⁠ the sharpened senses‌ of the Royal⁠ Knight allowed him‍ to read everything‌⁠ on the battlefield.⁠⁠‌

The⁠‌ monsters going wild,‌ the third prince⁠⁠ of Esrin moving‍‍⁠ nervously, the corrupt‌ trying to flee,⁠ and Fernan along⁠ with Luina keeping‍ them in check,‍ plus his own grandson.

“The‌‌ corrupt will be‍ caught by those‍ youngsters…”

I’ll‍ take care of‌ the other traitors.⁠⁠

The‍ two knights surged‌‍ forward at the‍ same time, as if they had⁠‍‍ agreed on a signal.

───!‍‌

“…This⁠⁠‌ can’t be.”

Tulwin⁠‍ Esrin brushed aside‌⁠⁠ falling chunks of⁠⁠ earth with a swipe of his⁠⁠‍ hand as he‌ muttered.

Nothing‌ seemed real.

Why‍‍‍ did those monsters‌ that once seemed‌‍ so imposing now⁠‌ look so insignificant?‌‌

Why‍ was a Royal‌‌⁠ Knight of Alprosen⁠⁠ here?

“Why⁠ the hell is‌ a Royal Knight‍ of Alprosen in‌‌ this place?! Why!?”‍‍⁠

If‍‍‍ not for that‌‍‌ Royal Knight, everything‍‌ would have gone‌‍‍ as planned. He‌ would have regained‌⁠ his position and‌ everything would have‌⁠ proceeded as expected.‍

And⁠⁠ to confirm his⁠‍‍ fears, the confrontation⁠ that until just⁠‌ a moment ago‍ had seemed even‌ between the Royal‌ Knight and the⁠⁠‍ two Rahnas turned‌‌ one-sided once Aint‍ joined the battle.⁠‍⁠

“Your‌‌ Highness, you must⁠ retreat. We’ll buy‍ time.”

“Retreat?‌ And where to,‍ exactly?”

The‍ monsters were fighting.⁠‍‌ His knights could‍ risk their lives‍ to buy him‍ a moment and⁠ open an escape⁠ route.

But⁠ after that?

Aint‍ Armian, Fernan Pellenberg,⁠ and the Royal‌‍ Knight Hakon Kaelin⁠⁠ were there.

He‌ had already confessed‍ with his own‌ mouth that he‍‌ had allied with‌‍‍ the corrupt and⁠ planned to overthrow‌‍ the kingdom.

Even‌‌ if he managed⁠‌ to escape from‌‌ there alive, no‌ future awaited him.‌‍

He‍ had no alternative.‍

To⁠ catch prey the⁠‌ size of Aint⁠ Armian, he also‍ had to offer‍⁠⁠ an equivalent bait.‍‌‌

He had played the‍‌ best card possible.‌⁠

What‌ he hadn’t foreseen‌‍ was the appearance of Fernan Pellenberg, and even less‍ that he would‍⁠ bring Hakon Kaelin⁠ with him.

“I‌ have no other‍‍ choice. Do you⁠ think my brother‌⁠ will waste this‍ opportunity?”

He‌‍ had no qualms about allying with‍ the corrupt, even⁠ though he was⁠‌ aware of their‌⁠‌ terrible reputation.

Getting out of there‍ meant giving up‍‌ the dream of⁠ becoming king.

“…It⁠‍ doesn’t matter anymore‌ whether I live‌ or die. Only‌‍⁠ one path remains—turn‌⁠⁠ Hakon Kaelin into‌‍ bread or soup,‍ but kill him.”⁠

“B-But⁠ Your Highness, he’s⁠ a Royal Knight!”‍

Tulwin’s‍‍ senseless words baffled‌ his knights.

Accepting‍‍ that he allied⁠ with the corrupt‍‌‌ was one thing;⁠ ordering them to⁠⁠‌ kill a Royal⁠ Knight was something⁠ else entirely.

“Don’t⁠‌‍ you understand the‌‌⁠ situation yet? It’s‍‌ not a matter⁠ of whether we‍⁠‍ can or not.”‌⁠‌

It’s⁠⁠ that we must‍ do it.

Otherwise, there will be no future.

“…If‌⁠ that is Your⁠ Highness’s will, we‍ shall obey.”

“But…⁠ where is Count‍⁠ Daniel…?”

Then.⁠‌‍

Boom!‌‍

A body was violently⁠ thrown through the‍ monsters, landing at⁠‍ their feet. It was, without a doubt, the severed‌ head of a Rahnas.

“Hakon‌‍ Kaelin…!”

“Prince of Esrin. After⁠‍ orchestrating such a conspiracy, where do‌⁠⁠ you think you‍ can flee?”

He⁠‍‍ extended his hand.⁠‌

“Come⁠‌ with me. At⁠ the very least,⁠ I’ll guarantee your⁠⁠‍ safety.”

“Nonsense!‌ I’ll kill everyone‌ here today!”

“What⁠‍ a curious statement.‍ Do you really‌⁠ think you can⁠⁠ do that?”

He didn’t say it⁠ mockingly or angrily,‍ but with a calm so natural‌‌ it was even‌‌ more terrifying.

“Of‌‍ course.”

A knight who had‍ served the third‍⁠ prince since childhood‍‌‌ stepped forward.

“And‍⁠ you are…?”

“Knight Baylor Harper, servant‌⁠ of Prince Tulwin.”‌⁠

“I‍ see the traitor‌ to humanity has⁠‍ a capable knight⁠‍ by his side.‍‍ Are you going‌ to stop me?”‍

“I‌ will. Because His‌‍ Highness has so‍ ordered.”

“Your‌‍ resolve is strong,⁠‌ but do you really think you⁠ can succeed? Surrender,‍ and at least‍‍ your lord will‌ be spared.”

“I⁠⁠ tried, but His‍ Highness refused. Then‍ my duty is‌‍‍ to follow my‌‍ lord’s will.”

He‌⁠ pointed his sword‌⁠‌ at him.

“Nonsense.”‍

Hakon‍‍ Kaelin clicked his tongue.

“If‍ your lord takes‌‍‌ the wrong path,‌‌ a knight’s duty‌‌‌ is to correct‍‍ him with counsel,‍⁠ even by force⁠ if necessary.”

“I‌ tried… but I couldn’t.”

No‍‍ one was unaware⁠‌ that the corrupt‍ were an abomination.⁠ Everyone knew, but closed their eyes⁠⁠ and kept silent.‌⁠

Baylor⁠⁠⁠ knew his lord‌‌ was on a twisted path, yet⁠‌ still failed to bring him back.‌‌‌

“And⁠⁠ yet you call‍‍⁠ yourself a knight,‍ letting your lord‌‌ fall into ruin?”‌

“I⁠‍‌ have no excuses.‍‍ I know I was wrong.”

He bowed and assumed‌‌‌ a combat stance.‍‍

“Maybe‍ it sounds like‍ an excuse, but‍ at that time⁠ there was no⁠‍‌ other way out.”⁠

“That’s‌‌‌ nothing but a justification.”

“It⁠ is. Perhaps that’s⁠‌ why now I’m‍ paying the price.‌‌ The punishment for not stopping His‍ Highness back then.”‍‌

Baylor’s⁠‌ aura burst forth.‍ A blood-red energy‍‌ enveloped his sword.‌⁠‍

“Whether⁠‍ it’s punishment or‌⁠⁠ not, it no⁠ longer matters. I knew His Highness‍‍‌ was on a misguided path and‌ still didn’t oppose‌ him. The only‌ thing left for⁠‍ me is to‌‌ follow him to‌⁠ the end, even with my life.”‌

That‌⁠ was his knightly code—to risk his‍‍‌ life following his‌‍ lord, even knowing he was wrong.‍⁠

He⁠ silently apologized to‍‍ the sacrificed citizens,‌‍ but still thought⁠ it wasn’t so bad—he would have‌ the honor of‍‍ facing a Royal‍‌ Knight in his‌ final moment.

“Repulsive.”⁠⁠

Did‌ he say it‌‌ was an honor to face a Royal Knight after‌ sacrificing so many‌ innocents?

“You‌ call it an⁠ honor to cross‍‍ swords with me?”⁠

Hakon‍ Kaelin sheathed his‌ sword.

“W-What⁠ are you doing…?”‍‍

“You⁠ don’t have the‌ right to cross‍⁠ weapons with me.”‍⁠⁠

Trash‌ remains trash, even‍‌ if you dress‌‌ it up in‍⁠ chivalrous words.

“You‍‌ uphold the chivalry‌⁠ of serving your‌‍ lord but ignore the chivalry of⁠‌‍ protecting the people?”

The⁠ elderly Royal Knight⁠‌ clenched his fist.⁠‍

────!⁠

The‍⁠⁠ body of the⁠‍ knight who had‌⁠ remained by his lord’s side until‍ the end was‌ sent flying like⁠‍⁠ a puppet with‌⁠ its strings cut.‍