Episode 202
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“Please forgive the rudeness of entertaining guests of the House of Saxony in such a shabby place.”
The Orhart family’s mansion is on the path to decline after the destruction of the Teutonia Knights.
It was a dilapidated monstrosity that could not even be called a mansion, but even in the midst of the storm, the pride of the Orhart family was engraved everywhere. It was a reputation that had been renowned as the greatest military family in the Teutonia Knight Nation and the continent.
“… … Charlotte is said to be practicing swordsmanship under the guidance of the Heavenly Sword in the House of the Duke of Lancaster.”
“Yes.”
Officially, Charlotte was protected by the name of the Duke of Saxony. Even if she had left Dale and set out on her journey, it would not have changed. Although she could not protect her from all the dangers she encountered on her journey, the name of ‘Saxony’ behind her was not meaningless.
“Because Miss Charlotte is no longer a girl who needs to be protected unilaterally by me.”
“That’s right. You can’t fool the blood flowing through that child’s body. It’s all thanks to you, Confucius.”
Vanessa smiled quietly at Dale’s words.
“Lady Charlotte will also participate in the sword trial that will take place on the territory of the old knight kingdom. And I will not be an exception.”
“… … .”
Vanessa, who had been pondering the meaning of those words, remained silent as if she was confused.
“I heard that the Archduke of Lancaster had a deep friendship with his husband.”
“Yes, that’s right. And until the day that the Heavenly Sword was destroyed, he willingly declared himself the standard-bearer of the Empire, abandoning his friendship. Now, does he feel any pangs of conscience?”
“I’m sure you’re seeing a shadow of Charlotte’s swordsmanship.”
“It’s really not funny that you didn’t even look at him when he died and the Orchard family fell apart.”
Vanessa Orchardt said mockingly.
It is not as difficult as you might think to understand the thoughts of those who pursue the sword. And it is also what happens when such people witness Charlotte’s brilliant talent for the sword.
“Anyway, in order to take the Test of the Sword, that child will set foot on this land again… … .”
“A lot of things have changed.”
Dale said to Vanessa, who couldn’t hide her worry.
“The Holy Swordsman is dead. His son, the scoundrel Philip, who rules the territory of the old knight nation, is, as everyone knows, unfit to continue the Count’s line.”
“I owe you a debt that I can never repay in my lifetime.”
On that day, the Holy Swordsman was officially killed in action after suffering irreparable injuries in the War of the Roses. And the one who had inflicted the wound on him, and furthermore, broken his sword, was none other than the ‘Black Prince’ of Saxony.
“And yet, it seems to me that the child has left the House of Saxony and the Prince’s side… … .”
Vanessa lowered her head as if she had nothing to say.
“I respect Miss Charlotte’s decision. And I will hear it in the coming Trial of the Sword.”
“In the letters he occasionally sent me, he always liked to talk about Confucius.”
“Vanessa said. Dale swallowed quietly at those words.
“When I became a guardian knight to assist the prince, I spoke of it with great pride. I said that I had found a lord I could serve with loyalty, and that I would become strong like my father.”
“… … .”
I inadvertently recalled what happened before Charlotte left the Duke’s household. Charlotte had been greedy. That was why her pride could not tolerate being unilaterally protected by Dale.
She truly wanted to be the sword that could protect Dale. That must have been why, paradoxically, she decided to leave Dale’s side.
“Your Majesty, you probably know that child’s heart. Perhaps that is why the child decided to leave your side and practice asceticism… … .”
Vanessa said hesitantly. But Dale shook his head quietly, as if there was no need to say anything more.
“I will simply respect Miss Charlotte’s wishes until the end. However, I cannot do that in the Test of the Sword.”
“I know that you are truly shameless.”
Vanessa Orchardt bowed her head as if in apology.
“But lastly, can I ask you one more favor?”
“Please speak.”
“Beware of the new Count of Brandenburg, the lord of this knightly territory.”
Philip of Brandenburg. He was once the scoundrel of the counts, but is now the head of the counts’ house, succeeding his father.
“Since the Test of the Sword is officially taking place on his territory, there’s no telling what he might do.”
“I will engrave it deeply.”
Hearing that, Dale nodded silently. That was the end of the story.
* * *
A sword test held in the Blade Mountains.
The first stage of the test is to head to the top of the rugged Blade Mountains, to the Temple of Swords, once the home of the Teutonic Knights’ traditions.
As the name suggests, the Blade’s Edge Mountains are said to be the highest and most rugged mountain range on the entire continent. The mountains are infested with monsters that were intentionally left behind, and the mere act of climbing the mountain itself can easily cost an ordinary knight his life.
The first stage of the test is to climb the mountain range ‘alone’. Even if you do it quickly, it will take several weeks, and you will not be given any food or water.
But for those who are strong enough to reach a certain level, it was not a big deal. Dale was no exception.
A few weeks later.
Dale was already climbing a highland higher than the clouds, over a field of white snow. He hunted animals and even monsters that he encountered along the way, and made a pouch out of leather to stockpile water from the stream, securing food and water to climb to the top of the mountain.
In the distance, at the edge of the horizon, a towering structure finally came into view. As the paths merged into one, the figures of the testers, who were nowhere to be seen at first, began to appear here and there, and the test to determine the best swordsman on the continent finally began.
* * *
A few dozen people. That was the number of people who had climbed the mountain and gathered at the Sword Hall. People had gathered from all over the continent to shake off their swords, but most of them were very familiar faces.
These are the powerful men who, although they cannot match the martial arts skills of the five swords of the Seven Swords of the Continent, have already proven their reputation.
Of all of them, the one that caught people’s attention the most was, without a doubt, the newly born ‘Holy Sword Durandal’ sword.
A pure white virgin who is said to have been defeated by the ‘Black Prince’ on the island of Britannia, reduced to ashes, and then resurrected by a miracle from the goddess.
Not many people know her true identity.
And that wasn’t all.
The most noble bloodlines in the empire were also there.
The leader of the Knights of the Iron Cross, a knight organization directly under the Imperial Family, and the First Prince of the Empire, Lancelot. And the Seventh Prince, Modred.
‘I never thought the First Prince would show up in person.’
In reality, the strongest and second-in-command of the Knights of the Iron Cross, the swordsman Sepilia, is guarding them.
“Oh my, it’s nice to see you again, ma’am.”
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Likewise, Master Baro, who was guarding Dale’s side, chuckled, and the demon sword Sepilia scattered a cold aura. It was the aura that was on the demon sword ‘Soulbringer’ hanging on her waist.
“… … You are in the presence of the Prince. Shut your vulgar mouth that does not know the subject.”
“Oh, I am truly sorry.”
“… … .”
However, the First Prince, who was covered in full body armor, could only remain silent in the steel. The Seventh Prince, Modred, was no exception.
Like the First Prince, Modred remains silent inside his armor.
I tried to sense the presence beyond the armor, but I felt nothing. It was an ominous and empty feeling, as if there was an empty shadow inside. Like looking at an armor statue with nothing in it.
Perhaps, if it weren’t for the information that the First and Seventh Princes would be participating in the sword test themselves, they wouldn’t even have known their true identities. The only way to distinguish between the two princes was through the imperial rank marks engraved on their armor.
‘Suspicious.’
Dale turned his head, leaving behind a faint sense of discomfort. At that very moment, a very familiar face caught Dale’s attention.
There was a knight who could never be forgotten. As a disciple who trained with the sword at the side of the Archduke of Lancaster, the Heavenly Sword.
“I would like to meet His Excellency the Archduke of Lancaster.”
Dale bowed his head politely, and Cheon-geom answered coldly.
“Prince Dale.”
The master who taught Charlotte the sword, and at the same time, the father who lost his son Mikhail at the hands of the ‘Black Prince’.
“If Mikhail were alive, he would probably have been able to demonstrate his sword skills here with the prince.”
“It was truly regrettable. However, Prince Michael and I had already decided the winner on the battlefield that day.”
Cheongeom spoke, and Dale answered coldly. For a moment, a complex and turbulent emotion appeared on Cheongeom’s expression.
But it was only for a moment. Cheon Geum turned his head without saying a word, and Charlotte also opened her mouth with complicated emotions.
“Dale.”
“……shallot.”
There was a knight named Lady Black who once escorted the Viscount of Saxony, and a lady who had grown beyond recognition after leaving her lord’s side.
Without Dale knowing
“You still use the sword of Saxony.”
“huh.”
Dale smiled as if he were talking to an old friend, and Charlotte smiled quietly as well.
“It’s nice to see you again.”
Charlotte said, smiling. Her words still had an inexplicable awkwardness and distance.
“Ah, it looks like people are starting to gather.”
At the same time… …there were knights in mithril armor who would preside over the trials in the Hall of Swords.
Furthermore, the leader of the Knights of St. Magdalene, the lord who ruled over the territory of the old Teutonic Knights, waving the banner of the Count’s house, was also there.
‘Oh my, it had to be that kid.’
The Teutonic Knights were destroyed, and their traditions were ironically inherited by the usurper who had overthrown them. Vanessa Orchardt’s warning passed through my mind without my knowing.
“It’s nice to see you again. The greatest genius of the Empire.”
Philip, the Count of Brandenburg, now smiled. What had changed? What was certain was that at least the rascal Dale knew was no longer here.
“No, should I call you Shadow Lord now?”
“… … .”
The swords, each with their own hidden intentions, gathered in one place, and the test began in that place where the traditions of the old knight nation stood.
