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Chapter 247
What Is a Knight's Death? (Summer Special Illustration 1)
The demon who had been called Peri Yurei had attained skill far surpassing his prime.
He was certain he had reached the pinnacle of what was called a Sword Expert.
However, he was absolutely not a Sword Master.
Breaking through the wall from Expert to Master was not something achieved simply by the body growing stronger.
Still, he thought it would be easier than before.
Èn̄u̇ m ӓ.іd
If he trained just a little more, he believed he would undoubtedly reach it.
In that sense, something rose up within Urey's hollow emotions.
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That man.
That man, currently cornered and dying, was performing an aura technique only a Sword Master could wield.
'One-point Focus.'
A method of concentrating the aura within one's body, which normally envelops the whole, into a single point.
Е̌ ń üm̊а
Gathering what is spread out is a difficult task, similar to gathering spilled water.
Moreover, since all the aura protecting the entire body vanishes, the risk of death was extremely high.
It's no wonder it's called a Sword Master's aura.
'That...'
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In that brief instant, he awakened and executed the technique of one who had reached the Sword Master realm.
To think he blocked his famous sword with a ceremonial sword.
Е̊n̄ um̂ã .i d
It was a spine-chilling feat, yet not threatening.
He knew what price had been paid to block that one strike.
"You... blocked it."
Urey could not answer.
William spoke further to Urey with a trembling body.
"Please, the promise—."
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His words did not continue to the end.
His head soared into the sky, then rolled across the floor.
"Did you really think I'd spare you if you blocked 10 times?"
"Stupid bastard."
The demons snickered and laughed.
Urey saw William's head rolling on the floor.
Ė ṅŭm̄ а. іd̂
"Why..."
Urey asked.
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"Why did you act on your own?"
The demon shrugged and replied.
"He was going to die anyway, wasn't he? Telling him that would just be a waste of time."
Urey lightly nodded at those words.
Ŵê b̃n оṽеl_ Еnu m а̊
He did not get angry.
As the man said, that was William's final flare.
He would have died even without his head being severed, so whatever form it took didn't matter.
Whether William ascended to the Sword Master realm or displayed any technique, before death he was a trivial existence.
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Everyone is the same.
Within drought there is famine; after a storm only despair remains; before overwhelming power, promises are merely fences easily stepped over.
Ë nũm а
"Stupid bastard."
Being born and dying is the natural order;
For us trapped in this cycle, only emptiness remains;
Life is this meaningless.
"What the hell?"
One demon tilted his head in question.
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The corpse standing blankly wouldn't fall over.
They kept watching just in case, but the headless body stood firm.
"Did I cut too clean? Seems his body still thinks it's alive?"
"Can we call him Alpael of Swift Speed from now on?"
"Swift Speed my ass, let's call him Quick Shot."
Even as pointless jokes flew back and forth, William's corpse stood tall.
W еb ṅ о̇v el̂ Е n̊ uḿ ӓ
The demon who had severed the head frowned and stepped before him.
"Come on, just fall over already."
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He gave it a light push, and William's body tilted.
Then a surprising thing happened.
The headless William's corpse staggered, then caught its balance and stood up again.
"What the hell?"
Е nu mа́._і̊ d
"Wasn't just me, right? What is that thing?"
No mana binding that body could be felt.
It was neither undead magic nor a god's miracle.
It was a crystallization born solely of the tenacity humans possess.
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"William..."
You who lost your head, what are you trying to say?
Ẽ n̆ u̇mа. і̄d́
The sword rings.
It flows into the heart, then shatters.
The emptiness he had felt in his heart was shattering.
Suddenly, something from the depths of his memory surfaced.
It was a certain time in the Urey Duchy.
When he was secretly inspecting the knight training grounds, an incident occurred on the drill field.
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Beatings disguised as swordsmanship training were a daily occurrence.
But even that had a basic line that was kept.
Making someone fight without giving a new sword to a person whose sword broke was not permitted.
Above all, three people surrounding and beating one was unthinkable.
Seeing that, Urey felt possessed by something and wanted to interfere, so he went down.
Their conversation now rang clearly in his ears.
Wĕ ḃ ń о̆ vê l Ӗ n̈u ṁа
"You're supposed to be doing the Order's swordsmanship, what are you doing!?"
"We're sorry!"
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"Again! You bastard! If you can't do it properly this time either, we're doing it again!?"
"Yes!"
Three cadets feeling euphoria while beating a man covered in blood and bruises.
The beating disguised as training had already lost its justification.
Ê ň ū ṁ а_
"His Grace the Duke has arrived!!"
At the thunderous shout of the knight standing beside him, the beating finally stopped.
"Are you still fooling around!!"
They lowered their swords, put their hands behind their backs, and lined up.
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The man who had been beaten also staggered up and stood beside them.
"What were you doing?"
W е̂ b̂n̈ о̆v̊ е̌ l̆ Е̌ num̆ а
Urey asked.
"We were doing mental training."
"What kind of mental training?"
"Whether we can resolve to die for His Grace the Duke..."
"I see."
Urey nodded as if understanding, then spoke.
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"All of you, get down."
"Huh?"
"GET DOWN!!"
"Y-yes, get down!"
Thus began the punishment training.
The man who had been beaten was no exception.
W̊ е ḃ ǹ o v е l̇ Е̄ n u m̊à
The one conducting the punishment training was Urey.
"Down on one, up on two. One."
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"One!"
"One!"
There was no two.
"Those who collapse will be considered dead. Endure until the brink of death. This is an order."
Е̂ nū mа́ . і̌d
"Yes!"
Time passed.
After 10 minutes, 20 minutes more, they finally collapsed at their limit.
But the cadet who had been beaten was still enduring.
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Urey's expression crumpled.
"You lot on the ground, rise."
Еn̂ û m̌а . іd́
"Rise!"
Three men standing up briskly.
"You three."
"Yes!"
"What is a knight?"
They recited the textbook definition of a knight.
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"A knight resolves to die, serves God, is loyal to his lord, and protects the people—."
"Bastards like you!!"
Urey roared.
"You dare disobey my order and collapse!?"
Even the knight who had shouted was startled.
"Anyone can say they resolve to die! Before death, humans become cowardly! Are we such humans!?"
Е̄n̊ umа. і̂ d
"No, sir!"
"Your actions were not that at all! On the battlefield you'd be the ones to turn tail! That's what you were!"
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"We're sorry!"
Crisp apologies.
But Urey's heart had already turned away.
"I'll give you three three hours! Get out right now! Go back to your homes and tell them clearly that you smeared the Urey name, understand!?"
Е̌ n̈ü m̂ а́
Three men standing blankly, unable to accept reality.
"What are you doing!? Get out!!"
Only then did they disperse.
Amidst all this, the beaten man stayed at one.
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His arms were trembling, but he didn't collapse.
"You."
Ê ńumа̇
"Yes!"
"Didn't you learn to state your rank and name?"
"Cadet, Wi, William!"
"Say it while holding the position. If you collapse, you're expelled like them."
"Yes, understood!"
"Why did you come here to become a knight?"
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He answered.
"My one life! I came to dedicate it to my country!"
"With such a trivial mindset?"
"For His Grace! I can gladly give my one life!"
He was proving it with his own body.
Even his muscles tearing was clearly visible, yet he endured.
Wе̄b̄n о́ v е̌ l Е̇ṅũm̈а
"Listen! Anyone can die! Even spearmen driven to the front lines on the battlefield can do that!"
The man looking at the floor raised his head.
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Urey still vividly remembers the look in that cadet's eyes as he stared at him.
"A knight's death is!"
* * *
"...A stepping stone to carry on the will."
Е̂ ñ ũm̀а́.і́ d
William had not forgotten that day's memory for a single moment.
A spark ignited in his futile heart.
Confusion continues.
Agony shakes Urey's heart.
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Urey asked.
Being born and dying is the natural order;
W̄.е b̊ n̊ ö v̊ el̀ Ѐ n um̈ а
For us trapped in this cycle, only emptiness remains;
Life is this meaningless,
Why must we suffer such pain?
He answered.
Yet the reason we advance into emptiness
Is because there is a country that knows my death,
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Because there is belief that a future exists.
Even if ash-like emptiness settles at death's end.
The scattered seeds will someday bloom.
Walking the future must be done with these two legs, not God's will.
If my one life becomes a path to the future,
I will gladly,
E n ü m̌а
"Shatter like jade."
His confused mind finally finds order.
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Hot tears flow from Urey's eyes.
"Ha, this dog-like thing, just fall over already—."
That demon couldn't finish his words either.
A crimson flash engulfed him, and his head flew into the sky.
Énů m ä
An ambush no one expected.
They wondered if there was a hidden attacker, but the attacker was clear.
"Captain Urey?! What the hell is this...?!"
Before the words finished, Urey's sword severed another demon's head.
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"You son of a bitch! You betrayed us!?"
The demons' judgment was swift, and they immediately attacked Urey.
Еn̂ ū m̆ ӓ
But his body surpassed even his prime, and among demons he was peerless.
Even with only three left attacking simultaneously, Urey finished them in an instant.
Blood scattered, and the sounds of slaughter settled with the night.
The headless knight still guarded that spot.
The heart of the man who abandoned his lord for his conviction continued to the end.
"You... saved me."
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There was no more emptiness on Urey's face.
Emotions surged in his chest, and hot streams flowed from his eyes.
"I..."
Urey tried to continue speaking, but no words came out.
Even as he spoke, he thought.
Could he hear his own words without a head?
W̊ ë b̂ǹ оv̊e l Е̊n ŭ m ã
Even if he could hear, he didn't want him to listen.
He, who remembers his own figure shouting big words only to surrender before death.
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He didn't want him to feel this pathetic figure of his.
"It's shameful..."
He was unbearably ashamed of himself.
He wanted to take his own life right now and apologize.
Е n û ṁ а̇
But he mustn't.
Since he was saved by William's hands, he must accept his will.
That was the duty he must perform as one who lives.
Urey's eyes quietly shifted somewhere.
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The eyes of a child watching all this from the bushes.
They were trembling like baby weasels hiding.
W̌е̌b n̄_о v е l Е̂ nu m а
One of them was different.
Anger and hatred were felt in those eyes.
Someday, that child will come to thrust a sword into his heart.
Urey averted his gaze.
He had no qualification to save them.
He quietly picked up the helmet rolling on the floor.
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It was William's.
What must he do now?
He had awakened from the emptiness demons feel, yet he still had a demon's form.
He could not live as a human, nor live as a demon.
He became a lone wolf.
He lifted his head.
W e̊b n о̊v ēl Еn ūm̂а́
Stars were visible through the dense trees.
Urey asked those stars.
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Where should I go?
The stars did not answer.
This time he asked the moon.
Where should I go?
Ẇeb̌n̆ оv ĕ_l̈ Ѐ n̆ ů ḿ а
The moon did not answer.
This time he asks himself.
Where should I go?
He answered.
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Anywhere is fine.
Just not here.
W е̇ bn̂_о́ vе̃l Е̂n̈ ū m а̃
Just not here...
* * *
William's rebellion concluded when the moon had tilted far to the west.
Ferda received a report of where William was and moved there.
One of the searchers who came to meet him spoke.
"We found what appears to be William, but..."
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Appears to be.
Hearing those words, Ferda knew his body was not intact.
Going into the bushes, those who saw his corpse couldn't hide their astonishment.
Ferda could understand why they reacted that way.
It was a scene where one could roughly understand what had happened.
Five demon corpses dyed the area red with scattered blood.
Еń u m̀ӓ
And in the center stood a headless corpse on two legs.
Beneath that corpse were children.
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The children were crying silently.
"How long has it been like this?"
"Since we found it. It hasn't budged an inch."
"..."
Ẃ е̊ bn̊о̀ ṽ ѐ l̀ .Е nu m̃a
"We thought it had stiffened like that, so we tried to recover the children, but the corpse moved on its own..."
"Moved?"
"Yes. It swung its sword and drove us away."
"..."
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"We thought maybe it's a Dullahan the demons made, but we can't approach."
Dullahan.
W.е̃ b n ӧv̂ е̃l Ѐ n̊ û mӑ
Since it came from a necromancer's den, that guess wasn't far-fetched, and superficially it looked exactly like one.
But Ferda felt it from his two legs.
The utopia he had most admired was right here.
Ferda carefully approached that body.
"It's dangerous, Regent-nim."
"Don't make a fuss."
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Ferda quietly told them.
"Show proper respect to the dead."
Ferda stood before him.
William pointed his drawn sword at Ferda.
However, he did not threaten like he did the soldiers trying to take the children.
His body sensed that it was Ferda.
Е̇ n ù m а.і̆d
"William."
The refugee captain, and the security captain.
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Ferda had believed he would cause an incident like this someday.
He betrayed his lord to lead refugees, and being unjust, he even helped the Princess's deviation.
He believed this incident too was something he would do.
"Should I have stopped you?"
Е̃.nu̇ m̃ а
Ferda asked his chest.
The Dark Circle did not move.
It answered that he would have regretted it more if he had stopped him.
There was something unknowable until the brink of death, only known through death.
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Ferda realized it through that death.
I am not the Lord of Hestia Village, nor the Regent of the Valdrova Grand Duchy.
W e b̊ ňòvеl̈ E ńŭ m̈ а
"In the name of Ferda Valdrova, I promise."
I am Valdrova's Prince Consort.
"I will bring every single child you saved to Hestia Village without exception."
The hand gripping the sword trembled slightly.
An action as if hesitating for a moment.
Ferda continued speaking.
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"Those who intend harm will be made examples of, and I will spare no support so they can walk the right path. Even if they fall into a wrong path from which there is no return, I will never give up. So..."
Ferda placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Entrust your burden to me."
It is felt from Ferda's fingertips.
His body trembles.
His soul resonates.
Е̇ n um̆а́_
Strength leaves his two legs, and Ferda carefully received that body.
"Move him with full honors. And take the children to the tents too."
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"Not to the cells?"
"Right."
The soldiers followed Ferda's decision without complaint.
It was hard to bring up any words in this gloomy mood.
Wë.b̈ ṅо́ v̊ ѐl̊ Е̃ ǹ u_m ӓ
Then he saw one of the searchers lifting his head as he approached.
Seeing that hair color, he knew who it was.
"Is that William's head?"
"Yes, it is."
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"May I see it?"
"Huh? Ah, yes..."
Е́ n̈ŭṁа
Ferda accepted the head.
Whether all the rough parts had been wiped clean, the face was tidy.
"Did you touch up the expression?"
"No. It was that face from the start. Creepily so..."
"I see."
Ferda had seen many humans before death.
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Every single one begged for their lives ugly, or died frozen in fear.
His face was different.
He was staring at the enemy until the end.
Ferda swept down his eyelids.
"Rest now."
The face quickly became peaceful.
É n ùm̄à .і d
* * *
Dawn broke.
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They moved with the wagon carrying the bodies, and upon returning to camp, unexpected guests were waiting.
"You've returned, Regent."
It was King Hudret.
He had come here riding his own carriage.
Еnûm а̂. і̊d
Ferda ended the greeting with a light nod.
"Did you bring the escaped children too?"
"Yes."
"Hurry and hang them. Let's finish this quick and go back."
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"I won't execute them."
At Ferda's words, Hudret hesitated and asked him.
W̆ е̃ b̊ǹо v e l Е nûm̄ а́
"Then will you burn them at the stake?"
"I won't execute them."
Hudret's expression crumpled.
"Don't harbor useless sentiment. In this war—."
"Many people died. I know."
"Will you ignore their sacrifice?"
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"..."
"Then war might break out."
War.
Right, rationally speaking, killing five and ending it is the thing to do.
No need to create more useless sacrifice.
"Does Your Majesty Hudret desire war?"
Ѐňǔm̌а̄ . ї d̄
"What if I do?"
"I'll accept it anytime."
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Ferda's gaze was chilling.
Even the escort knights put their hands on their sword hilts.
At the atmosphere that felt like swords would be drawn, Hudret quietly raised his hand to stop them.
"As expected, you lack the vessel of an Emperor. Making an enemy like this."
En u̇m̊ a . і̊d
"..."
"Mind your conduct, Regent. The road ahead will be tough."
Hudret boarded his carriage.
Unlike the last words he spat, his face wore a satisfied smile.
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* * *
Inside Hudret's carriage.
Е̇ň_u ṁ ӓ
The brat sitting opposite Hudret glanced out the window and spoke.
"First time I've seen someone not fear you and come at you."
She was the Golden Dragon, Odograsado.
"That's why you thought of becoming the Red Dragon's husband, huh. Hah-hah!"
"There have always been bastards like that. They just never made it back alive."
"So you want to wage war against Valdrova?"
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"Say something that makes sense. How would I attack the Far East with my army? I can't even face the Red Dragon out of fear."
He acted like he was trembling, but Odograsado's face stared steadily at Hudret.
"You say that, but it seems you like him."
"Haha! Was it too obvious?"
Hudret sipped his liquor.
Even as his face wrinkled at the strong drink, a smile soon spread.
Е n um а̄
"I'm 38, and in all my life, the human I've wanted this badly is the first since my wife."
"Pwah-hah-hah! Falling for a man, you've really gone far!"
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"Don't say such disgusting things. The only one I love is my wife."
"If you don't want to hear more, bring out something sweet quick."
"I can't. Once you start eating, you don't stop day or night. You've already had plenty, so hold back."
"When did I ever eat that much?"
Ẇ ёb n о́ v̈ е̃l E̊ṅ u m̀_а̂
"I still remember. You stole the candy from a snot-nosed kid's mouth and put it in your own."
"You bastard! You're not afraid of the Golden Dragon's curse, you punk! Waaah~."
He snorted at the pathetic threat of raised arms.
The war is over.
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Now it's time to go home.
