Against the Dark (4)

“Now, let’s stop talking about this.”

The topic had already changed by the time of the evening banquet, but Kleio couldn’t stop thinking about Melchior.

‘There’s something strange there.’

Maybe the dynamics between Tasserton and Melchior weren’t the same as in the previous manuscript.

“The last version didn’t explain it.’

“Anyway, alcohol! The vice-captain hasn’t allowed you to drink, so it’s time to go crazy!”

“Even the hunters have returned safely now, so drink like this!”

With the wild animals taken care of, there was no more danger to the estate. Only Kleio managed to calm the anxiety in his heart that erupted in the exhilarated atmosphere.

‘Is this really the end? Author, there are no reversals this time?’

As if to answer Kleio’s question, the huge parlor doors opened loudly, causing even the wall to shake a bit. A giant rolled into the parlor with a shout.

“Everyone, gather your armor and your swords!”

“Why? Why?!”

“Is it an intrusion? The trumpet hasn’t sounded.”

“What intrusion? The captain’s back! And-.”

As soon as they heard the giant’s words, the knights who had been stretched out joking and chatting quickly started to leave the parlor.

“Hurry!”

“Into action!”

The knight who announced the news shouted again.

“Listen to me until the end! He has arrived with Prince Melchior! You have to double your efforts!”

The crowded knights rumbled away, leaving Kleio in a hard wooden chair inside the parlor. It seems ghosts arrived when you spoke of them.

‘No, I didn’t say anything. I only thought about it!’

***

Now the devastation was over; the crown prince had led photographers and reporters up the mountain to inspect the damages. Rotan, Lysa, and about 40 knights and 100 soldiers were lined up for inspection in a display unlike what they usually showed. When all the castle was lit up as it was now, the training grounds were as bright as daylight. The cold didn’t even seem to be a bother anymore as Melchior stood before the brave northern army that had hunted fearsome beasts. Kleio watched it from a distance, mingling with the maids and servants of the castle.

‘Aslan suddenly grew so fast, so he came here to use the press…there are too many humans who might not know what really happened. But is there another purpose?’

He turned on Perception, curious of the conversation Melchior and Rotan were having. The topics between them were about the duke, the mana stones, and the monsters, but Arthur’s name wasn’t mentioned.

‘I thought the onyx would be helpful, so they brought it to the duke’s residence, but his condition…what…’

This was just after a crisis, and they had no special relationship with the prince.

‘He couldn’t have come to discuss that.’

Kleio’s doubts deepened. Although not yet a king, Melchior stepped forward and began his speech with the same gravitas as before once he had heard the status report. His voice echoed throughout the training grounds, and the eyes of those knights grew hot. Kleio had a roughly touched expression just like the others.

‘He’s not even using his skills today, but it’s like that. Ah.’

Although the speech was nothing special, everything about him, from his voice to his posture, stimulated the emotions of those before him. Melchior’s personal visit to this faraway land moved their hearts. Oddly enough, even Baku, who was out with a cane, seemed thrilled.

“I’ve seen the coronation eclipse three times in my life, but this is the first time that a crown prince has set foot in this distant land…”

He repeated those words over and over.

“There are many who speak of courage in times of peace, but few act in front of a trial. You are all my heroes, and each of you is a great person who has contributed to Albion’s survival.”

Melchior praised the knights and soldiers for their amazing work despite the odds and suddenly turned his eyes down as if he was sincerely sorrowful. At that moment, dozens of pairs of eyes were completely focused on his voice and movement. His following words sounded quite sincere.

“I hope that Tristein will win the final battle against these enemies.”

Kleio thought of using appropriate judgment, but he endured out of fear Melchior might catch him.

‘Even when I focus on it, it sounds so sincere.’

In Kleio’s eyes, it would be to his advantage if Duke Theo Tristein died quickly. If you wanted to change the way of the knights, the duke needed to be replaced.

‘Rather than picking out only three or four knights at a time to come to the capital, the situation would change if dozens of Tristein’s elite knights were stationed in the capital.’

These knights were unique. All expenses during training were covered by the duke, and anyone with etheric sensitivity could be trained. He heard that when a child with ether sensitivity was born to a poor family, they were often sent to the duke’s residence. So, unlike the Defense Corps, which selected only outstanding quality, the young knights weren’t very high-leveled.

‘But the older knights are quite strong. The vice-captain and deputy are level 5 and 6.’

The inherent limits of the etheric vessel were difficult to overcome. However, it could miraculously rise after one experiences extreme conditions.

‘There are only forty of them, but these people are different from the capital’s guards and knights.’

Melchior was raising powers in the north that none were aware of. When the speech concluded, cheers and applause burst out from the castle. No one had ordered it, but it was a genuine reaction that had come from deep inside. The reporters’ cameras flashed light before the prince before the knights could move. After that, the door to the hall, which was closed during winter, opened wide. The hall, which was still cold and covered in dust due to the urgent preparations, was filled with knights and soldiers.

All of them were able to participate in the banquet, regardless of rank, leaving out only the guards and reserve personnel. Of course, nothing like champagne was served at this banquet. Three Springs, that distilled liquor, was instead making the rounds. Freshly baked bread and stew, alongside grilled sausages and pickles, were placed on the tables. The knights, comfortable, made toasts and boasted of their adventures and achievements. Tasserton Tristein and Melchior were among them.

‘Tristein’s order has great discipline and loyalty.’

Arthur and Isiel had volunteered to stand on guard, not wanting to get involved in any troublesome things. After finishing her report, Lysa had taken up guard at the entrance of the banquet hall. It was by her logic that security should be thorough with noble guests that are about. Cel had followed her. The twins didn’t even try to enter the hall, as cleaning their game was more important than drinking alcohol. That left Kleio, who was standing still in a shadowy corner of the banquet hall. He listened carefully to the conversations happening around him, so someone had snuck upon him. He didn’t notice them until a big hand landed on his shoulder.

“Hey, hey, what are you so surprised about?”

“Mister Mietsu…”

He had a large bottle of spirits held tightly in his hand as he laughed.

“Oh, I’ve nothing to do here. You have to drink in the corner, isn’t that right, Asel?”

He wasn’t wrong, so Kleio nodded hesitantly. If he volunteered for a night watch like Arthur, this could’ve been skipped, but it was too cold outside.

“When I was young like you, I was full of energy, but you’re like a very old man.”

Kleio’s lips tugged upward as he accepted a glass Mietsu poured him.

“Arthur runs around enough for my share.”

He accepted the cup before taking the bottle and filling up Mietsu’s cup. His attitude was rather mature, unfitting of his red face. The more he looked, the stranger it was. The subjugation team had given their report to a messenger on what had happened while Mietsu was away. With his strong magic and excellent situational judgment, and the wealth of the Asel family, Mietsu couldn’t understand why he had picked Arthur.

“I don’t understand. Why did you choose Arthur?”

Kleio looked down at his liquor upon hearing Mietsu’s question.

“Because it must be him. There’s no option; it’s a matter of necessity.”

It was in the form of an answer, but it offered no explanation. Mietsu watched the pale boy smiling in the shadows, an expression that seemed to be both embarrassed and distanced. Kleio was only telling the truth, but Mietsu didn’t take it that way.

“My word, Arthur has a friend like you. I can’t understand if this is God’s or the devil’s work.”

“It’s just a normal arrangement. Drink some more.”

“You’re just a kid, so why do you act like an old man until the end?”

“Isn’t it nice to have a friend like me to keep Arthur grounded? Isiel and Cel are good, but they’re more active.”

“Friend… Okay, will you jump in with him into the fire? What the hell are you trying to get?”