Episode 106
* * *
“Dale of Saxony, I report to Your Excellency the Duke.”
When Dale returned from Guild City, and was finally informed of what he had acquired.
“… … !”
These were things that even the world’s black magicians could not hide their shock at.
I thought I had already become somewhat familiar with his son Dale’s boundless talents and skills. But what Dale shows me is always things beyond even his imagination.
Shadow Church, City Master’s Ledger.
“… … Were the stories of the rich people true?”
Above all, the black ball muttered indifferently while looking at the obsidian box on the table. Inside the box, a living human heart was beating.
“… … How is this possible?”
Dale asked the continent’s greatest warlock.
“It’s a Life Vessel.”
“Are you saying that the drowned man became a rich man?”
Dale asked back, as if he didn’t understand. Lich, a forbidden magic that allows a warlock to obtain immortal life through the power of darkness.
“The principle itself is similar, but a little different.”
The black ball said, a sentiment that matched exactly what Dale was feeling.
“You said you made a deal with the sea devil and gained immortality.”
The black magician remained silent indifferently at Dale’s words. As the greatest black magician on the continent, it was not that there were no points that could be guessed.
“For now, let’s focus on fulfilling the contract you made with him.”
“Okay, Father.”
The black ball tried to change the subject. Dale nodded without asking any more questions.
“I am so glad that you came back safely.”
After finishing the story, the black ball finally smiled like a father.
* * *
A short while later, Dale’s thirteenth birthday arrived.
* * *
“Happy thirteenth birthday, Prince Dale!”
The Great Hall of the Saxon Duchy. Sir Helmuth Blackbear knelt down to celebrate his thirteenth birthday.
“I’ll give you a discount!”
At the same time, the Night Raven Knights inside the room all knelt down and swung their swords vertically.
“Raise your head.”
Dale smiled awkwardly.
“It is only because of the loyalty of my followers that I am where I am today.”
“Prince Dale… … !”
Helmut, Lord Baskerville, and the other Raven knights held their breath, unable to suppress their surging loyalty.
“This place today is not to celebrate my birth into this world.”
Dale continued blandly.
“I want to remember and express my gratitude for everyone’s dedication that has made me who I am today.”
With the dignity befitting the eldest son of a ducal family and heir to Saxony.
His mother Elena smiled at the sight of her son’s pride, and the Duke of Saxony could not hide his fatherly smile, even though he did not show it.
“Happy birthday, oppa!”
“Yeah, Lize.”
Finally, leaving her mother’s embrace, a respectable little lady smiled at Dale.
The people of the Saxon Duke’s family who made Dale who he is today. In front of them, Dale finally felt the warmth of family and smiled.
Leaving behind the world of winter nights filled with cold and darkness.
* * *
Dale’s thirteenth birthday was celebrated more grandly than ever.
However, as was customary with great princes of the empire, he did not invite influential figures from all over the continent, and he was far removed from the formalities and pretense of socializing among the nobles.
Because the festivals held in the Duchy of Saxony were strictly for the benefit of the people of the Duchy, that is, for everyone in the Duchy.
The whole of Saxony was filled with festive excitement. Furthermore, the serfs of the estates within the duchy also had their taxes for that month (eg. eggs and crops from the frozen soil of Saxony) reduced and were given a considerable number of days off, in accordance with the “will of the Prince of Dale on his birthday.”
In various parts of the duchy, small celebrations were held, each in its own way, all celebrating the birthday of Dale, the eldest son of the Duke of Saxony.
In a way, it was a truly un-aristocratic appearance, but at the same time, it was an appearance that suited the aristocracy more than anyone else.
* * *
That dawn.
Even as the night deepened, the fireworks of the festival that enveloped the entire city did not go out. However, in the Saxon Duchy where darkness had fallen, there was a girl who was absorbed in her training alone until late at night.
“shallot.”
“Dale!”
Charlotte gasped in surprise at the unexpected sight.
“You were swinging your sword all night again.”
“huh.”
Under the breaking moonlight, Charlotte nodded.
“I have to become stronger.”
Strength. Charlotte said as she adjusted her grip on the sword again. Glancing at her, Dale opened his mouth.
Sling.
He picked up one of the knight’s swords that happened to be lying in the armory and pulled the hilt out of its scabbard.
“So how strong have you become? Shall I test you?”
“good.”
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Charlotte nodded and smiled, then straightened her posture. There was no hesitation.
Taat!
A rush close to lightning speed. Charlotte rushed in front of Dale, and Saxon’s heavy sword swung. It was fast. So fast that even Dale couldn’t react. It was a light test of her growth, but an unexpected blow struck out of the blue. Dale hastily accelerated his four circles.
By the time I realized it, it was already too late.
“Huh.”
Charlotte smiled proudly, aiming her sword.
“You’ve gotten stronger while I wasn’t watching you.”
Dale also laughed at the sight. For a moment, Charlotte’s expression became filled with agitation.
“what’s the matter?”
“Yeah, it’s nothing.”
“I’ve never seen anyone who said they were nothing be nothing.”
At Dale’s words, Charlotte turned her head, puffing out her cheeks. For a moment, silence fell.
“just…….”
At the end of the silence, Charlotte hesitates and continues.
“I’ve been feeling like you’ve been drifting away lately.”
“I?”
“… … I, I don’t know, you idiot!”
Trying to suppress my embarrassment and pretending like nothing happened.
It certainly wasn’t a wrong statement. While he was already active as the eldest son of a respectable duke’s family, Charlotte was left alone to swing her sword… … At least, it wasn’t comparable to the days when they clashed swords all day long in the castle.
“So… … I want to become stronger.”
Charlotte said.
“So that we can protect the ‘Black Prince’ who is still active all over the continent, even just a little bit longer.”
Just to stay by Dale’s side. At those words, Dale held his breath.
Suddenly, the image of Charlotte’s father, Lord Barthel, who fell at the hands of a warrior, came to mind. And his daughter, in front of the one who stabbed her father in the heart… …is swearing loyalty to the knight.
How will her father, Lord Badel, react when his beloved daughter is reduced to a dancing puppet entangled in the threads of her enemy?
“shallot.”
An inexplicable sense of betrayal gripped Dale’s heart, and he opened his mouth.
“huh?”
“… … It’s nothing.”
“What, all of a sudden?”
Dale smiled, his words trailing off.
“Come to think of it, it’s not your birthday yet.”
“Yeah, not yet. Why?”
Dale, on his thirteenth birthday, spoke to twelve-year-old Charlotte.
“Then I guess I’ll have to call you oppa until then.”
Dale muttered as if it were someone else’s business, and Charlotte blushed and slammed the hilt of her knife down. It hurt a little.
* * *
A few days later, while the festive heat was still burning, a group of a thousand mercenaries returned to the Saxon duchy. However, they were not without the vulgarity typical of mercenaries, but were armed with iron discipline and discipline.
A heavily armored infantry unit, each and every one of them heavily armed with expensive black armor.
“Yones of Kennet, I report to you, Captain, on the Black Armor Company’s performance!”
“Yeah, how did it go?”
It was the Black Armor Company, the continent’s most elite mercenary unit led by Dale.
“I am reporting a safe victory in the Battle of Count Wilhelm’s territory! Also, the casualties on our mercenary side are… … .”
Dale nodded after being briefed on the details of the battle by Lord Yoness.
Now, they are somewhat out of Dale’s hands and are independent under the command of their lieutenant, Lord Jonas. Nevertheless, they have overcome a force nearly twice their size and achieved victory.
“You’ve put a lot of thought into it.”
It was a perfectly satisfactory tactic, and as a teacher, I felt a sense of satisfaction that I could not hide any longer.
“Well done, Sir Yoness.”
“It was a tactic that was possible thanks to the teachings of Confucius!”
Dale’s disciple who teaches everything from how to command soldiers to strategy and tactics. Lord Yoness was the kind of person Dale trusted and entrusted with the Black Armor Company that he had raised with great care.
No matter how capable the soldiers are, if the commander is empty-headed, it is not a big deal that the entire unit will be ruined.
“There’s still a mountain left to teach.”
In that respect, Sir Johnes was a man who knew the joy of learning, and he had the wisdom to match. Every time he heard Dale teach him a strategy, tactic, or military strategy, he would ask questions again and again.
“But it is still too early.”
After saying that, Dale shook his head.
“It’s my birthday celebration, and I’ve left some wine and meat for you all.”
“Oh, Prince Dale!”
“Let’s see after we drink to our heart’s content.”
Dale spoke, and Lord Jonath knelt and thrust his sword down, with loyalty that was beyond question.
* * *
“Haha, damn it! The color of the golden spoon is really amazing!”
Master Baro laughed heartily, sipping Saxon beer.
“Haha, happy birthday, black apostle.”
The shadowy saintess, her vision obscured by a black bandage, smiled beside him.
The location of the Grand Courtroom was no longer neutral ground for the Guild City Territory.
It is true that the ‘Shadow Court’ is still enforcing the law in Guild City, but at the same time, as the continent’s greatest assassin organization… … in order to command their every move, it was necessary to have the leadership directly by Dale’s side.
The leadership of the Supreme Court, led by Master Baro and the Shadow Saintess, had established their new nest in the frozen soil of Saxony, and were there under the protection of the Black One.
The Black Armor Company, the Shadow Court, Dale’s immeasurable powers.
“Master, I have a favor to ask.”
“Well, do you have any tips for me to pick for you?”
Master Baro said, sipping his beer. Dale shook his head.
“There is someone I would like to ask for education.”
“Oh, I’ll give you a hard time, so just say something.”
With Master Baro’s answer, a silhouette appeared from beneath Dale’s shadow. The silent sword that was always by Dale’s side, protecting his master from the shadows.
“As the continent’s greatest assassin… … .”
The virgin Aurelia.
“To remove the ‘chivalry’ that is embedded in Lady Aurelia’s sword, and to transform it into a thorough assassin’s sword.”
“Hey, Shippal. What should I do?”
Seeing Aurelia’s appearance, Master Baro muttered in mock bewilderment.
“I don’t have a dick to suck.”
* * *
Some time later, on his thirteenth birthday, Dale was granted a ‘territory’ in the name of his father, the Duke of Saxony.
