Chapter 273 (2): Auston, What Have You Protected?

Countless elemental monsters charged toward the pale reef, colliding with Darkness before shattering into pieces and being ruthlessly devoured. Auston swung Twilight Despair tirelessly. He kept growling due to the pain, and his sword-wielding motions were becoming skewed. The more pain he was in, though, the stronger the sword aura of Darkness became, which required more pain to fill the emptiness...

Pain and Darkness cycled endlessly. After some time, white filled the dark world, leaving only a few areas spared. Alan had gradually lost control over his vitality field. He was forced to reveal his true form, his face pale and drenched in cold sweat.

His vitality field was about to be destroyed.

Alan persisted because the goddess’s messenger had told him that Auston couldn’t bear Twilight Despair’s power, that he could endure it, but not for long. By continuously pressuring Auston, the latter would reach the limit of his tolerance and collapse. Then Alan only had to pick up Twilight Despair and reclaim part of the Darkness Knight’s power.

Of course, Alan could also challenge Auston head-on, experiencing Twilight Despair’s fierceness personally. While an open challenge would be impressive, a sneak attack was more efficient, though. Alan chose to avoid the blade without hesitation. He didn’t need to fight Auston to the death; driving him mad would suffice.

Everything was under Alan’s control so far. Auston dropped to one knee with his sword. Pain had paralyzed his thoughts, preventing him from swinging the sword.

Alan’s vitality field had also reached its limit, but he didn’t care. He laughed maniacally as he let it fall apart. Twilight Despair was within reach. With the power of the chosen knight bagged, why would he care about the meager power of a legendary mage?

Boom!

The two returned to the alleyway. A pale Alan was laughing nonstop on one side, and the Darkness Knight was struggling to stand up with the support of his sword on the other side. Auston was nowhere to be seen.

The two Dragonbloods and the Princess’s knight fell silent. Silvia clutched at Juno’s collar, stunned into stopping her assault on the knight. They stared at the Darkness Knight in horror, all showing disbelief like they were seeing a ghost.

“Dark-Darkness Knight?!”

Dragonbloods’ punches weren’t easy to take. Juno, her arms held up by the dragon-blooded mother and daughter, had taken a beating and received a few strange questions. As a result, she was still swollen in several parts of her body even though her mastery over Holy Light magic granted her incredible regenerative power and stamina.

She opened her eyes in confusion, staring at the Darkness Knight in astonishment. After a moment, she gasped.

Holy, her mother’s ex-boyfriend—the Queen’s first love—was the Darkness Knight. That was absurd. Why would it be Auston? Just because his hair and eyes were black? Alan’s were, too, but he didn’t—

“Auston, you stole the power of the Darkness Knight. Hand over Twilight Despair. I’m the true chosen knight!” Alan stalked up to Auston while laughing.

¯\(°_o)/¯

Oh

, Juno thought with wonder.

So those with black hair and black eyes are supposed to be Darkness Knight. I’ve learned something strange again.

Silvia and Veronica stared in complete befuddlement, their minds blank. They tried to separate Auston’s and the Darkness Knight’s overlapping forms, but reality wouldn’t lie. Instead, reality spoke nothing but the harsh truths and urged them to abandon their illusions, facing their bleak lives bravely.

Auston Lando was the Darkness Knight!

One of them was the Darkness Knight’s wife, and the other his daughter. This was a landslide victory for the Goddess of Darkness. They had brought shame to the Goddess of Nature.

“Bastard!”

Silvia tossed Juno aside and strode straight to her bastard husband, reaching Auston’s side before Alan could. She asked no question, shielding Auston and facing the weakened legendary mage, assessing her chance of defeating him. Soon, Veronica went up to Auston as well, reaching out to help the Darkness Knight steady himself. Since the beating was coming either way, it would be better to take it standing up.

“Don’t touch him!” Silvia scoffed, resenting Auston for all the lies he had told. Her fury, however, soon shifted to Alan, and she fixed her gaze on him.

Bastard, there’s an outsider here, so I’ll wait until we go home to talk about divorce!

Celeste appeared at that moment, staring at the Darkness Knight beside the two Dragonbloods in disbelief, his heart sinking. So that was Auston’s secret. He had to admit that he was shocked.

Looking from Alan’s weak form to Auston’s unsteady gait, Celeste straightened his back. As the only strong person present, he felt like he could do something.

Such as seizing control over the Darkness Knight!

“Master, heal me,” Juno said, covering her face. Her short blonde hair was sticking out like a bird nest, and half her collar had been torn off. She looked terrible.

Celeste snapped to attention. Times had changed. He was no longer simply a legendary mage of the Ministry of Magic, and there was no point in assuming control over the Darkness Knight. If he wanted to gain something, he should sell the information to the Papal State.

“What do we do now, Knight Juno?”

“Stick to the plan.”

The master and student exchanged a glance. No matter who Auston was, it didn’t change their original goal.

Boom!

A massive white dragon flapped her wings to make a landing, spreading her wings to shield the family of three. She glared at Alan with fierce eyes and growled lowly, ready to unleash her dragon breath.

Megan and Celeste’s battle had concluded. She finally believed his goodwill.

Alan watched Celeste and Juno take Auston’s side. “My friend, is this how you’re treating me? What about our friendship?”

“People must grow, Alan. There’s a long way ahead of us, and I’ve simply made my choice. You should understand that reality.” Celeste spoke earnestly, as if he had his friend’s best interest at heart. “Give up. You’ve lost. You’ll only die here if you continue this fight.”

“Oh, and what do you intend to do with me?” Alan asked with interest.

“Stay at my manor in the suburbs for a while.” Celeste didn’t want to kill Alan, nor did he want to let Alan spread rumors about Auston being the Darkness Knight. Later, once Celeste had sold the information at a high price, he would let Alan return to Londan. Then they could still be friends.

“Haha, ack, ack—”

Alan laughed heartily before choking and breaking into a coughing fit that sounded like death. “I understand your resignation and your upcoming resignation. Don’t worry. I’m not mad at all.”

He waved and splayed his fingers, conjuring a wisp of black light. Behind him, a black fissure opened silently, and a black-robed figure emerged—the goddess’s messenger.

Another major player!

The newcomer’s ability to ignore the spatial barrier and move freely surprised everyone, especially Celeste. He deeply regretted his rashness. He shouldn’t have taken a side so quickly. Grabbing Juno’s sleeve, he pulled her several steps away from the Lando family.

A legendary mage helped the winner. There was no shame in that.

Juno frowned tightly. First impressions were important. Celeste was making it difficult for her to befriend Wayne. Still, she said nothing. When in doubt, wait and see. There was nothing wrong with Celeste’s way of handling things.

“Hahaha—” Alan nodded while laughing at his wise friend. He declared, “Auston, the goddess’s messenger is right here. Hand over Twilight Despair. I am the chosen knight.”

Auston snorted. With Veronica’s support, he steadied himself and tightened his grip around Twilight Despair’s hilt, trying to take greater pain from it.

Just then, the sword flew from his hand without him being able to do anything.

His black light armor dispersed, and the Darkness enveloping Auston contracted, retreating deep into his heart. An intense pain and fatigue hit him. He hastily rummaged through his pocket for his antique silver coin, looking at the ‘messenger’ holding Twilight Despair in disbelief.

Alan, you really are used. He seems more like the chosen knight of Darkness.

Alan was still laughing. The plan was proceeding smoothly. He had depleted Auston’s power, allowing the goddess’s messenger to reclaim Twilight Despair from the thief. Next would be to return the item to its rightful owner—him, and he would become the chosen knight.

“Don’t keep the goddess waiting, Messenger.” Alan extended his hand, gazing at Twilight Despair with yearning. This was the future he had chosen.

“You’re right.”

The messenger nodded calmly and turned the blade around, piercing it through Alan’s chest all of a sudden.

The blade penetrated through his chest, splattering crimson blood and causing Alan to freeze in place with widened eyes. He slowly looked down at the divine artifact that had pierced through him, not understanding what was happening.

Was this the way of succession for chosen knights?

Alan knew what had happened, but he couldn’t accept it. His vitality was ruthlessly devoured by darkness, and the world before his eyes turned monochrome.

Grasping the blade with one hand, he reached his other hand toward the messenger to clutch his collar.

“Why...?”

“You’re too foolish to be the chosen knight. You’re only fit to be a stepping stone.”

The messenger withdrew Twilight Despair, bisecting Alan. Darkness surged from beneath his feet, drawing all of Alan’s power into himself.

“Auston Lando, you once made a deal with the goddess and promised to find the real chosen knight. During the time, you would bear the curse and gain the power of the Darkness Knight.”

The messenger walked toward Auston with the sword in hand. “You betrayed your promise and wasted the goddess’s precious time. Now, as the chosen knight, I hereby reclaim Twilight Despair and give you a death of despair and pain under the command of the goddess.”

Roar!

Scorching dragon breath overwhelmed the messenger with violent pillars of fire. Amid spreading black mist, the messenger raised Twilight Despair, and all flames were swallowed by the all-encompassing darkness as soon as they touched the sword.

“Do you see that, Auston? This is how you use Twilight Despair.” The messenger raised the divine artifact, shooting black light toward the sky. The next second, a pillar of black light descended and pierced through the white dragon’s back like lightning, protruding from the dragon’s abdomen to pin her firmly to the ground.

The dragon howled and roared. Darkness spread from the wound, gradually turning her body black.

“Auston, she seems to care about you a lot. She holds a protective love for you...” The messenger smirked sinisterly. “Loyalty and love are emotions that allow no betrayal. She’s far superior to you. From now on, she shall be the Darkness Knight’s mount.”

“Megan!” Silvia’s eyes widened. When Auston grabbed her shoulder, she turned around coldly, her eyes filled with rage.

Ignoring her anger, Auston said with a sigh, “If we hadn’t been so stubborn back then, I wouldn’t have become the Darkness Knight, and you wouldn’t have run away from home. Our family wouldn’t have so many regrets...”

“I’m glad to have known you. Take good care of Veronica and don’t let Wayne bully her.”

The way he spoke his last words made Silvia’s eyebrows twitch. She stared coldly at the bastard who was going to abandon his responsibility and wordlessly shielded him with her own body.

She would put aside the matter about the Darkness Knight for now. She had always been the one with the final say in this family, and today would be no exception.

Auston was in agony. Watching the messenger approach with sword in hand, he could already foresee what would happen. He growled, splaying his fingers at Twilight Despair in an attempt to awaken his dormant power of Darkness so that he could take the weapon. It didn’t work. Twilight Despair did not respond.

“It’s useless. You don’t know pain...”

The messenger scoffed, his gaze shifting between Silvia’s and Veronica’s faces, finally settling on Veronica. “Your love for your daughter is far less than your love for your wife. Then let’s start with her. The greatest pain should be saved for last, shouldn’t it?”

“No!”

Auston howled in anguish, dragging his feet with agony. Every part of his body ached, yet it was all he could do to watch the messenger throw Twilight Despair at Veronica, its Darkness shooting toward her.

Silvia moved quickly to take the hit for her girl.

Clink!!!

A grey ray of light shot from the other side of the alley, brushing past a helpless Juno and knocking down Twilight Despair before it could penetrate Silvia. Two knightly swords fell to the ground in a crossed heap, one wreathed in darkness, and the other swirling with deathly energy.

“Shadow Nightmare...”

Silvia stared blankly at the other sword that had suddenly appeared, her heart racing uncontrollably. Beside her, Veronica turned to the end of the alleyway in confusion, having caught a familiar scent.

Crack!

Space shattered like a mirror. Wayne stalked into the alley with a dark look on his face, stretching his fingers toward Shadow Nightmare from a distance.

Shing—

The sword returned to his hand like a ray of light, the blade making a resonant sound that was unusually clear in the silent alleyway.

“Auston, what have you protected...”

“You’ve disappointed me!”