Dirty title.
This wasn’t a descriptive phrase worthy of being used against the Holy Sword. But Laius didn’t regret what he had said.
“Let state this here: I fully agree with Arendt’s opinion.”
Laius continued to speak steadfastly, conscious of Arendt’s gaze, which looked as if he had been betrayed.
“I based my judgnt on what I saw and heard, and what Sir Arendt himself had investigated and reported. I believe that without a more forceful approach, no one would listen, so I chose to stand with Sir Arendt.”
“…”
“Sir Arendt recognized the dangers of this matter and was unwilling to involve others, so I unilaterally joined in without consulting him. While visiting the temple and checking on the progress of the investigation through the priests, I also worked to conceal the matter from His Highness.”
Cantares also gave Arcus and Henry a bewildered look.
He had always believed that Arcus and Henry had blocked his eyes and ears to protect Arendt.
But behind it all was Laius.
The Union Leader and Vice Leader bowed deeply to the Crown Prince as a sign of apology.
“Then why have you been acting so suspicious all this ti…”
“I apologize, Your Highness. I will gladly accept the punishnt for deceiving Your Majesty and Your Highness.”
Laius bowed politely to the groaning Cantares.
“…Why.”
Lumiel spoke after a long ti.
“Why, Captain Laius? Aren’t you the hero chosen by Lord Luce?”
Even though she had maintained her composure while talking to Arendt, she could not hide her embarrassnt.
“Don’t you realize that what you just said, Captain, is no different from betraying Lord Luce? How could you do this…”
“Is it because Sir Arendt is Captain Laius’ benefactor?”
“No. Of course, that could be one of the reasons, but…”
Arendt stared at Laius as if caught in a dream. For so reason, Laius’ voice felt strangely unreal.
Laius spoke more clearly, as if to impress upon the heart of the apprentice knight who was clearly listening.
“Because the grace that Sir Arendt has shown holds more weight than the grace that I thought I had received from Lord Luce.”
“…”
Arendt tried to say sothing, but he fell silent.
His mind turned so blank that he couldn’t even think of a line.
“It’s as Sir Arendt said. He never begged for his life from Lord Luce. I was the one who knelt before Lord Luce and begged for his life.”
“…”
“If you take up the Holy Sword, you won’t have to go through the sa thing again. Was what Lord Luce said, and I took up the Holy Sword. Then, as if tossing a coin to a beggar, He readily returned Arendt.”
He was relieved that Arendt had survived, but at the sa ti he felt humiliated.
He was okay with being treated like a tool. If it ant protecting people, Laius was resolved to be nothing more than a sword and fight.
But he couldn’t stand the fact that Arendt was treated like a worthless coin.
He felt an unbearable disgust towards himself for having been chosen by the Holy Sword by sacrificing Arendt.
“Luce’s kind voice, whispering that He would give strength, sounded like this to at the ti.”
“…”
“If you do not take up the Holy Sword, everything you hold dear will be destroyed. Just like the family you helplessly lost as a child.”
In effect, it was no different from taking Arendt and everyone else Laius wanted to protect hostage.
“His Majesty the First Emperor, the previous hero Khan must have gone through the sa process as .”
Anger gradually began to show in Laius’ voice.
“Your Excellency, I know very well what Lord Luce ans to you. But I can no longer trust Him now that I know He could take away those around at any mont.”
Just as Arendt had been fighting until now, Laius had to fight anxiety from the mont he took up the Holy Sword until now.
Laius’ disillusionnt could not help but grow as he watched Arendt suffer from insomnia from ti to ti.
“He watches over us anyti, anywhere, and extends a warm hand… But that’s no different from saying He watches us anyti, anywhere, and can punish us at any ti. Can such a being be called justice?”
Laius suddenly reached out and pulled Arendt, who was standing behind him, to his side.
“Sir Arendt defies such a being, and is willing to pay the price to protect the people. If you dare call him a traitor, a blaspher.”
His grip tightened around Arendt’s arm, which he had grabbed in the heat of the mont.
“I will no longer fight for the Empire. If anyone has any complaints…”
Looking straight at Lumiel, Laius added, his voice cracking.
“Take up the Holy Sword yourself and fight. I will hand it over to soone who volunteers. Please do not entrust this Holy Sword to , a man so blasphemous.”
“…”
The whole place beca as quiet as a mouse.
The only thing that could be heard was Laius’ occasional, sowhat agitated breathing.
Even Arendt, who was caught by him, was so flustered that he couldn’t say anything.
Cantares habitually furrowed his brow.
‘Seeing even him at a loss for words…’
It seed like it was a statent that had not been discussed with Arendt in advance.
Cantares asked sharply, taking his hands away from his face.
“…Captain Laius. Are you serious? You probably know very well what kind of person you are in the current Empire.”
“Of course, Your Highness. That is why I speak so disrespectfully.”
Laius answered politely, but coldly.
“To achieve my goal, I have decided not to be picky about the ans and thods.”
In the end, Cantares let out a hollow laugh.
“You’ve completely lost it.”
He felt like he was being influenced by Arendt, but he never thought he would take such an extre approach.
Laius was clearly imitating a rascally apprentice knight.
He used his power and position to make a reckless move, while at the sa ti, pressing a blade to the nobles’ throats.
“Are you saying we should all die together if it cos down to it? I know full well that Captain Laius is a man who cannot stand by and watch the deaths of innocent people.”
“Of course, regardless of your choice, I will continue to fight against the Chernion Cult. However…”
Laius answered the Crown Prince’s question, looking around the room.
“I can’t guarantee what will happen after we defeat the Chernion Cult. If we lose the fight against them, none of us will survive.”
It was a chilling statent.
It was no different from declaring that they would target the Luce Temple after defeating the Chernion Cult.
“Captain.”
Lumiel called him in a much calr voice.
“Didn’t you just say you’d fight for your honor? Is that all your honor really ans?”
“I speak to you with my honor at stake, Your Excellency. Even if I have earned the favor of the gods, what good is honor if I cannot protect a single subordinate?”
But Laius did not back down.
“Therefore, I firmly refuse to use the na of God Luce in my fights. I simply take up my sword according to my convictions.”
“…”
“Your Excellency, and everyone here. I am not telling you to renounce your faith right now. Nor do I wish to claim that Arendt and I are without fault.”
When Lumiel fell silent, Laius’ tone softened sowhat.
“But I hope you’ll consider this at least once. Was the glory of the Empire achieved in Luce’s na truly as flawless as you and your High Priest believe?”
“…”
“Why was it necessary to conceal the history of the past after the Great War, and what did His Majesty the First Emperor truly wish for…?”
Only Laius’ calm tone resonated in the cold, settled air.
“How many sacrifices have been justified in the na of Luce’s grace?”
“…”
Even after the Knight Captain finished speaking, the High Priest did not respond for a long ti.
Lumiel just stared at Arendt, who was looking at her with a blank expression, not responding to Laius.
Given the circumstances, even the nobles who had been strongly insisting that Arendt should be punished were unable to add anything.
At that ti, a subtle standoff continued for a long ti.
Knock.
Soone knocked on the firmly shut conference room door. A mont later, a man with a pale face entered the room.
He was an official working in the Emperor’s office.
“Hmm?”
When Cantares raised his eyebrows slightly, he quickly bowed.
“Pardon the interruption during this important discussion. There is a matter I must urgently convey to His Majesty…”
“Oh dear, sorry for ruining the atmosphere out of nowhere. Co closer and speak.”
The Emperor, who had been hiding quietly until now, suddenly revealed his presence.
As soon as permission was granted, he quickly approached the emperor and whispered sothing in his ear with a low voice.
People’s attention naturally turned to him. Everyone was puzzled.
Unless it’s sothing truly serious, there wouldn’t be any sudden intrusion into a eting room where the High Priest and the Emperor are both present.
After a while.
The emperor raised his head and smiled brightly at the audience.
“I apologize to all of you who took the ti to co here, but I think it’s best to wrap up today’s discussion here.”
“Huh?”
Murmur.
Suddenly, the nobles began to murmur loudly. Regardless, the Emperor looked at Lumiel and asked again.
“Your Excellency, is that alright?”
“…If that is your will, Your Majesty, of course. May I ask why? Has the enemy attacked?”
Lumiel nodded calmly but asked with a hint of bewildernt.
“That’s not it, but we have received an urgent ssage from the Everan Kingdom.”
A look of bewildernt crossed Lumiel’s eyes. The Emperor turned his gaze toward Arendt, who still stood there, dazed.
“Sir Arendt. I heard that a creature believed to be a dragon was seen protecting you in the Everan Kingdom. Is that true?”
“…Huh?”
“Are you talking about a dragon?”
Just as Arendt, looking dazed, was about to ask again, a loud voice erupted from among the nobles.
“What, what do you an, Your Majesty? A dragon?”
Everyone knew that dragons were no longer just creatures of legend. The emperor, resting his chin on his hand, continued speaking leisurely.
“Actually, quite so ti ago, a connection was made between Sir Arendt and the dragon… The Imperial family thought it best not to interfere much, believing that humans should not recklessly ddle in the movents of dragons.”
The Emperor’s blue eyes turned to Arendt.
“However, not long ago, the dragon revealed its identity to Prince Ludwin of the Everan Kingdom.”
The Emperor added playfully, looking at the young man standing awkwardly next to the captain.
“Prince Ludwin seems quite shocked. After all, he heard that soone favored by the dragons was placed in a position no different from a trial. Offending the dragons’ temper could an total devastation, not just for the Empire, but everything else as well.”
“…!”
The murmur among the people grew louder.
“The Everan royal family doesn’t want to turn their backs on those protected by dragons. And in fact, I recently received contact from the Lucain and Nephele Kingdoms.”
Arendt, uncharacteristically frozen, stared at the emperor with a bewildered and uncertain expression.
“Sir Arendt is no different from the benefactor of both kingdoms, so even if he is truly guilty, please show rcy. I ant to convey this in advance, as it could easily escalate into a diplomatic issue… I’m sorry. I completely forgot.”
As he said this, the emperor seed happier than usual.
The conference room was now as noisy as the middle of a market.
So people were pestering their neighbors to confirm the facts, while others were asking the Emperor, Lumiel, and Laius about the dragon’s existence.
“That’s great, Sir Arendt.”
Amidst the commotion all around, the Emperor cast a gentle gaze toward Arendt.
“The hero, the dragon, and even the leaders of each allied nation are all on your side… If you really put your mind to it, it’s not impossible to overthrow the Empire.”
Despite the jokey remark, Arendt remained speechless.
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