Chapter 86: Those Who Follow the Darkness (2)
The monster legion that had surged with overwhelming montum was successfully held back with the Northern Army’s arrival.
However, upon sensing the absurd gap in power possessed by the Ragnar Family, the Royal Army’s montum completely collapsed.
The sa was true for Duke Zaira’s forces—their morale was utterly shattered.
Duke Zaira, standing motionless, felt a chill run down his spine as though he had endured the North’s bitter cold while staring at the scene unfolding before his eyes.
‘……If I had chosen to attack the Northern Army from behind, my head would have been sent flying without rcy.’
The Master’s offensive was truly terrifying.
Kyle Ragnar’s sword was ruthless and unrelenting.
Having now witnessed the presence a single Master commanded, it was safe to assu Seros was of the sa caliber.
A warrior capable of cutting off his head even after breaking through the knights.
Seros’s participation would undoubtedly further raise the Northern Army’s montum.
At that mont, Deira appeared before him, her armor shattered and dented.
“Father…….”
“……Are you unhard?”
“I’m fine. But what exactly is going on? Why are you together with Sir Kyle Ragnar…….”
“……It was the only way to protect the family and you.”
At Duke Zaira’s powerless voice, Deira clenched her fist and lowered her head deeply.
Grasping Deira’s shoulder, he gave a faint smile.
“This isn’t your fault, so don’t bla yourself. It’s simply ti for
to take responsibility for the sins I’ve committed all this while.”
“Father, but…….”
“There’s no need to say more. I can’t allow your life to be ruined because of . I alone will bear the stigma of being a traitor.”
He was a son who had suffered as the commander of the Royal Knights Order under a father blinded by ambition.
More than anything, he knew well the hardship of lowering himself beside a deeply suspicious king so as not to bring disgrace upon the family.
That was why, just this once, he had no intention of being greedy.
Turning his back on Deira, he looked at Kyle, who was walking toward him with ease.
“Is this your final decision?”
“……Yes, it is.”
“I would have welcod either choice. Still, you made a better decision than the worst possible one.”
At Kyle’s calm words, Duke Zaira felt goosebumps rise all over his body and couldn’t bring himself to lift his head.
Seeing his hands trembling uncontrollably, Kyle curled the corner of his lips and shifted his gaze.
“Sir Deira, this makes our second eting as of today.”
Passing by Duke Zaira, Kyle stopped in front of Deira.
Looking disheveled and wearing a dazed expression, Deira soon shook her head sharply, forcing herself to regain her composure.
“I greet Sir Kyle Ragnar.”
“Call
Grand General. Titles are easier on the ears than nas.”
“……Understood, Grand General.”
“While facing the monsters, what did you realize?”
At Kyle’s sudden question, Deira took a deep breath.
Not only was she unable to adjust to the current situation, but this was also the first ti she had properly faced him and spoken like this.
‘Get a hold of yourself.’
This wasn’t a question thrown out casually.
Thinking there must be an answer Kyle wanted, Deira pressed her lips tightly together.
As the silence dragged on, Duke Zaira lifted his head.
He looked at his daughter with visible anxiety, but Deira maintained her composure.
“I realized that there is absolutely no family that can replace Ragnar.”
“I’m not looking for flattery.”
Though his voice was flat, to Deira it felt as sharp as an awl.
She needed to grasp what kind of answer Kyle was seeking.
After pondering for a long while, Deira finally forced open her tightly shut mouth.
“I didn’t know how to face them.”
“If you had known how, do you think you would’ve won?”
“……We still would have lost.”
“Then what do you think is the difference between the Northern Army and the Royal Army?”
The differences between the Northern Army and the Royal Army were too nurous to count on ten fingers.
Among them, one could point to the presence or absence of a Master as a major difference, but the most decisive factor lay elsewhere.
“……It’s about who stepped forward to deal with the large monsters.”
“Then why didn’t you step forward yourself? In the end, the only way to break this situation was for a powerful individual capable of facing monsters to move.”
At Kyle’s question, Deira lowered her head.
She had wanted to step forward, but if sothing were to happen to her, there would be no commander left to lead the Royal Army.
‘But that’s nothing more than an excuse.’
When Deira said nothing, the knight beside her hurriedly stepped forward.
“May I say a word?”
“Are you from the Royal Knights Order?”
“Yes.”
The knight who had prevented the commander from jumping down from the defensive wall stepped forward. Deira tried to stop him, but Kyle spoke first.
“Speak.”
“The Commander attempted to go down below the wall, but I stopped her.”
“For what reason?”
“I believed that if the Commander were to lose her life, the Royal Army’s morale would completely collapse.”
“So you didn’t trust her. Despite her being the greatest knight of the Kingdom of Daon.”
“……I wanted to be cautious, just in case.”
“That’s nothing but an excuse. Have you forgotten that trusting and following one’s commander is also a knight’s duty?”
“……I was short-sighted. I apologize.”
Unlike his cold rebuke toward the knight, there was a smile at the corner of Kyle’s lips as he looked at Deira.
Even so, she seed fairly capable of controlling her knights as a commander.
He thought it was highly likely that Slo and the knights who had faced him previously had also remained there to buy ti for Deira’s sake.
“One knight of the Royal Knights Order claid that Ragnar was a traitor.”
“What do you an by that…….”
“So I killed him. Since I brought the bodies of the dead knights with , I’ll hand them over shortly.”
At Kyle’s words, Deira wore a blank expression.
She had vaguely expected it to be about Slo and the knights who had stayed behind to buy ti in her place, but…….
‘Killed him…… Does that an he personally killed Slo?’
Seeing Deira’s disbelief, Kyle shook his head.
“Isn’t it an arrogant thing to say? To dare call the Ragnar Family re traitors.”
“…….”
“In any case, he had suffered severe internal injuries and wasn’t in any condition to survive. Still, staying behind with the resolve to die for the one he followed was sothing worthy of praise.”
“Did you personally kill him?”
“Yes.”
It was sothing he could have easily concealed, but Kyle conveyed it honestly.
Deira also knew of Slo’s loyalty toward the royal family, so she could guess what kind of words he must have spoken.
‘Get a grip. Right now, I’m in no position to do anything. Once the dynasty changes, I’ll be restrained and monitored even more harshly.’
The opponent was far too strong to seek revenge for her fallen subordinate.
If it was revenge that could never be achieved, then it was better not to even think about it from the start.
“Thank you. For at least recovering the knights’ bodies.”
Deira bowed her head and expressed her gratitude sincerely.
In response, Kyle ford a faint smile and placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Will you follow the Ragnar Family? Depending on your choice, I’ll tell you a way to break through the wall blocking your path.”
Talent : Swordsmanship Grade A
Potential : Swordsmanship Grade A, Mana Sensitivity Grade S, Magic Grade S
Unawakened Ability : Essence of a Magic Swordsman Grade SS
In so aspects, she failed to et the standard, but in others, she earned a passing mark.
Above all, Deira was still soone who didn’t even know what kind of talent she possessed.
An opportunity to obtain an uncut gemstone had presented itself, and there was no reason to kick it away.
‘The reason I endured the trouble of persuading Duke Zaira was because of Deira.’
As if she couldn’t easily believe Kyle’s words, Deira’s eyes widened.
On the other hand, Duke Zaira showed no sign of surprise, having already decided to help the Ragnar Family.
He simply hoped that Deira would follow Kyle.
“……Then, rather than following the Ragnar Family, may I follow you, Grand General?”
“Even if the dynasty changes, I’m in a position where I must remain in the North and guard the mountain range. If you follow , you’ll distance yourself from power. Are you fine with that?”
Deira had always stood at the center of power.
She was the heir of the Kingdom of Daon’s chancellor family and the commander of the Royal Knights Order that upheld the king.
However, she had always felt uncomfortable in that position.
Perhaps because of the prestige surrounding Duke Zaira, she had endured countless bouts of envy and jealousy.
Even King Clover had kept her close in order to thoroughly keep her in check.
She no longer had any lingering attachnt to a position where she had to constantly endure suspicion and restraint.
“I’m fine. Since you recognized my worth, I want to follow you, Grand General.”
While Kyle advanced into the interior lands of the Kingdom of Daon and shook Duke Zaira and Deira to their core, Pramo, who was in the Ragnar Territory, did not remain idle either.
After receiving word, he ca to the Rak Territory and entered the mansion together with Aron.
There, the Rak Viscount, who had been waiting at the entrance, bowed his head to Pramo.
“Welco, Family Head.”
“Where is he right now?”
“He is waiting for you in the reception room.”
At the Rak Viscount’s words, Pramo briskly headed toward the reception room.
Perhaps because his nerves were on edge, his tense state was evident even in his gait.
Unable to bear watching it, Aron stopped Pramo for a mont.
“You don’t need to be nervous, Family Head. The advantage is on our side.”
“I know.”
“You can take it slowly. I’m by your side.”
At Aron’s calm voice, Pramo took a deep breath and knocked on the door of the reception room.
Then, a deep and dignified voice ca from inside.
“You may co in.”
When he opened the door and entered, a bearded middle-aged man rose from his seat.
“I am Pramo Ragnar, Head of the Ragnar Family.”
“I am Shan Suid, Head of the Shan Family. It is an honor to et the Head of the Ragnar Family like this.”
Pramo and Marquis Shan bowed their heads to each other at the sa ti.
Aron, who followed behind, also bent at the waist respectfully.
“By the way, who is the person behind you, Family Head?”
“He is the Ragnar Family’s military officer and also soone who follows my elder brother.”
Kyle Ragnar.
He was a man who could be called the entirety of the Ragnar Family’s strength.
Having heard that everyone he brought along was a monster, Marquis Shan’s eyes sparkled.
“A pleasure to et you. I am Marquis Shan of the Kingdom of Daon.”
“I am Aron.”
After exchanging greetings, they finally took their seats.
The mont he sat down, Aron stared intently into Marquis Shan’s eyes.
It wasn’t difficult to predict the reason he had co to the North.
“Marquis, are you weighing the Ragnar Family against the Daon Family?”
At Aron’s question, Marquis Shan ford a faint smile.
He had no intention of denying it.
It was just a bit unexpected how straightforward the remark was.
“I can’t say that’s incorrect. I know the Daon Family well, but I don’t know much about the Ragnar Family, so I ca to confirm things for myself.”
“You made a good choice. I’ve heard that your attachnt to the Kingdom of Daon is stronger than anyone else’s, Marquis.”
“That’s just a distorted rumor. My interest lies in the safety of the kingdom’s citizens and their peaceful lives.”
He had long since let go of any lingering attachnt to the Kingdom of Daon.
After all, since King Clover ascended the throne, the country had been in turmoil.
However, committing rebellion would have violated the beliefs he upheld, so he had rely endured and waited.
“Then let
ask you, Marquis Shan. Do you consider the Ragnar Family’s raising of arms to be treason?”
“If I thought it was treason, do you think we’d be sitting face to face like this? The Daon Family alone did not found this nation. It would be more accurate to say that the Ragnar Family established the nation and entrusted its operation to the Daon Family.”
At Marquis Shan’s words, Aron grinned and leaned his previously inclined upper body back.
He could have continued the conversation, but this was a place Pramo needed to lead.
Marquis Shan, who accurately understood Aron’s intent in stepping back, t Pramo’s gaze.
“Family Head, I’d like to hear the reason why I should stand on the Ragnar Family’s side.”
Pramo slowly closed his eyes, then opened them.
The nervousness he had shown earlier was nowhere to be seen; only a razor-sharp killing intent remained in his gaze.
“Do you know what has happened while you’ve been here, Marquis Shan?”
Rather than answering, the way he asked the question caused a glint of intrigue to appear in Marquis Shan’s eyes.
anwhile, Pramo precisely pointed his finger to the very center of the table.
What it indicated was the heart of the Kingdom of Daon—the capital city.
“My elder brother is marching on the capital. Duke Zaira has already surrendered, and an army of one hundred thousand, including the Northern Army, is advancing toward the royal palace.”
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