Chapter 196

Charles’ trio of loyal knights were staring up ahead of them. The legendary Dark Knight of Dennis River was up ahead and was carving a path for them.

“I think he’s at least A-Class…”

“Can you see that? There’s smoke all over his body like he’s burning.”

“How is that even possible?”

The knights were covered in dust after their frantic escape, but it seemed that they were fortunate enough to escape their pursuers. After confirming that no one was chasing after them, they gradually relaxed and started talking to each other.

“I heard something about him…” said a knight in a low voice. He looked around, seemingly wary of eavesdroppers, as though he was about to share a secret.

The knight’s name was Tor, and he was the one who had been carrying His Grace Pontier before Cain arrived.

After making sure that there was no one else aside from them in the vicinity, Tor finally continued. “The Dark Knight is apparently a member of the Sanders Family. There are some rumors that he’s the second knight of Baron Sanders.”

The other two knights stiffened as if they had been struck by lightning.

Cain was walking alongside Charles and Icarus and turned back to give the three knights a confused look.

“What’s going on?”

“

Uh…

Nothing, sir.” Tor smiled awkwardly and gestured for the other knights to come closer to him after Cain looked away.

“Is that true?”

“If it is true, then it’s going to turn the entire Avalon Empire on its head,” the knight whispered excitedly. “See! No matter where you go, there are very few people who can lead two of the most exceptional knights on the continent. Two A-Class Knights! And they’re under a fifteen-year-old lord, to boot!”

“Yeah, and the genius of the century, Icarus-nim, is a member of the household as well. Wow, the Sanders Family is amazing.”

“I don’t know…” One of the knights shook his head. “Maybe there’s even more of them in the Sanders Family that are just not known yet…”

The three knights went silent at once.

Tor decided to break the ice by dropping a bombshell on his fellow knights. “Should I jump ship onto the Sanders Family?”

The two knights glared at Tor.

“Are you serious? Have you forgotten how much you owe His Grace?”

“That’s not funny.”

“Well, you’re right.” Tor awkwardly smiled and scratched his head. In the end, he decided to change the topic and spoke, “However, there’s a good chance that the Empire’s going to be rattled when Baron Joshua returns. When it comes to wielding the carrot and the stick, His Majesty is the best at it.”

“I think he’s going to jump at least two ranks.”

“His accomplishments are great, sure, but I don’t think he’s going to become a part of the upper nobility at once.”

“We’ve seen what happened with Count Sten. It has been a long time since he was acknowledged as a Master, but he’s still a Count. Considering that, I don’t really know what the Imperial Palace will do.”

“The issue is that ranks are more precious than a noble’s ability, especially among the Twelve Families. I’m pretty confident that it’s the reason why Marquis Crombell desperately wants to become a duke.”

The knights revealed unhappy looks. They were once again reminded that they were still in a dire situation, even though their reinforcement was a powerful individual comparable to an A-Class Knight and equal to at least a thousand soldiers.

“Baron Joshua Sanders,” Tor muttered.

“

Hmm?

”

“His achievements so far are absolutely incredible to the point that it’s almost unbelievable. If he comes here, do you think he can change the tides?”

The three knights pondered in silence.

Joshua Sanders.

It was a name that had become a beacon of hope for the Pontier Family.

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

“Master is becoming increasingly popular these days. He has many admirers, I’m sure of it.” Cain heard what the knights were discussing, and he puffed his chest out in pride as the knights complimented his master.

Icarus saw that and chuckled. “Hohoho. He definitely has many admirers, especially from the opposite sex.”

“That’s totally uncalled for!” Cain flushed and exclaimed, “Stop it!”

Icarus decided to let Cain stew in his own imagination. She left Cain’s side and approached Charles before saying, “My lady…”

“Yes?” Charles looked up in surprise. It seemed Icarus had startled her out of her own thoughts.

“I apologize.” Icarus bowed.

“What is this, all of a sudden…?” Charles looked perplexed.

Thankfully, Icarus immediately explained, “I should have pushed forward with my work, despite the confusion. I already knew that there were more traitors hidden among the crowd.”

“Please don’t say that.” Charles chuckled as she spoke, “Our family would have vanished off the face of the earth without Icarus and Sir Cain. Perhaps I would have lived and died as Marquis Crombell’s plaything.”

“...” Charles’ blunt words made Icarus freeze. One could only imagine the terrible things a young woman who had just become an adult had gone through for her to casually say such things.

Icarus felt bad for Charles, and the frustration made Icarus feel like going crazy.

“My lady…” Icarus frowned sternly at Charles.

“Don’t worry. You may not be my liege, but I will save you from this hell. And him…” Icarus watched Cain’s energetic march for a moment before saying, “He’s my master’s friend, and he’s a very good man, even though it looks like he hasn’t realized it yet.”

It was unknown whether Cain knew that Icarus was staring at him, but he chuckled to himself while marching energetically.

“You can trust him. He’s a decent man.”

Charles smiled at Icarus, but her gaze held a different meaning now. “He is trusted and loved by someone.”

“Yes?” Icarus' eyes widened at the seemingly cryptic remark. However, Icarus had a decent head between her shoulders, so she quickly caught on to what Charles was implying with her gaze, and she frantically said, “I mean, he’s reliable! Yes, he can get the job done.”

“I see…” Charles seemed to be contemplating something.

At that, Icarus took advantage of the opening to compose herself.

“Since we have already escaped, shouldn’t we change our destination?”

Charles shook her head. She instantly understood what Icarus was trying to say.

“Peril Castle should be fine. Baron Ashbal must have considered it comprehensively before bringing it up.”

“You mean…” Icarus muttered.

Charles smiled wanly and said, “My uncle is the lord of Peril Castle.”

***

“We lost her…!” said Baron Ashbal while bowing.

“You fool!"

A foot slammed into Baron Ashbal’s stomach, sending an acute spike of pain throughout his body.

It was a kick of an inexperienced man, and Baron Ashbal could have easily avoided it, but he decided not to do so. After all, he knew that if he avoided that kick, he would definitely receive more than a kick from the hellish man known as Marquis Gehor don Crombell.

“You scumbag! Stupid bastard! How did you fail a task that should have been a cakewalk?!” Marquis Crombell flung anything within arm’s reach at Baron Ashbal while cursing.

Baron Ashbal was struck several times, but he didn’t even groan. He simply bit his lips and held his anger in.

“I hope you'll give me a chance to—”

“To what?”

Marquis Crombell glared at Baron Ashbal.

“Lady Charles must have arrived in Peril Castle right now. She’ll assume that they’re safe, but it’s a trap ready to be sprung. Give me one more chance, please, and I’ll bring you Lady Charles and His Grace.” Baron Ashbal’s words were laced with desperation.

“Dumbass! Are you really on my side? Why do I feel like you can’t wait to give them the ball,” Marquis Crombell fumed. “Gehog is already going there! You have already failed, you useless moron!”

Clench!

Baron Ashbal clenched his fists so hard that his fingernails dug into his palms. He had never been treated like this before—never—not even in the Pontier Family, which was one of the five ducal families. After all, he was an A-Class Knight, and an A-Class Knight was a force to be reckoned with.

‘Damn it all…!’

Baron Ashbal madly cursed inside.

“I’ll be giving you a chance.”

“...!” Both Marquis Gehor and Baron Ashbal abruptly turned to look in the same direction. They were staring at where the Mercenary King was seated. The Mercenary King was leaning on his chair with a calm look.

Upon receiving the perplexed gazes of both Baron Ashbal and Marquis Crombell, the Mercenary King explained, “The guild has received the summons, but it will take some time for our mercenaries to arrive.”

“Gehog and my knights are enough to take over Peril Castle.

“Have you already forgotten the people in their group?”

Flinch!

Marquis Crombell flinched as the Mercenary King stared at him with sunken eyes.

“They have at least two A-Class Knights with them, and one of them is the Dark Knight.”

The Mercenary King briefly saw the Dark Knight. He managed to sever one of the Dark Knight’s arms, but the Mercenary King still felt a sense of foreboding against the Dark Knight despite having injured the latter.

Moreover, the Dark Knight’s skill with the sword was a grave threat.

“If the Dark Knight is that person…” The Mercenary King grinned. He was happy because exciting things were happening. It was a fresh breath of life into his monotonous existence and boring daily routine.

“Anyway, even the dumbest A-Class Knight is useful. If they don’t know how to use the head between their shoulders, they just need to be able to carry out orders.”

“What?” Marquis Gehor looked at Baron Ashbal. “You are an A-Class Knight?”

Baron Ashbal shivered. The Mercenary King’s comment about dumb A-Class Knights was basically tantamount to an insult tailored for him, but he wasn’t really shivering because he was angry and felt offended by the Mercenary King’s words.

Baron Ashbal was shivering because he was fearful of the way the Mercenary King was looking at him. The Mercenary Kng’s eyes seemed to be capable of peering into his heart and mind.

The Mercenary King chuckled as he stood up. “It would be wise to be prepared for anything. With enough manpower, he could be taken down in less than a day.”

Marquis Crombell swallowed nervously. Enough manpower meant that the Mercenary King would need a force capable of contending with a small nation.

“Escort him directly to Peril Castle… and…” The Mercenary King trailed off before revealing a vicious smile reminiscent of an apex predator that had discovered its prey. “I will be going there as well since I’m getting hungry.”

***

At the Reinhardt-Avalon border...

“If they are your knights, then there aren’t any problems,” said Count Castar.

The Wilhelm Knights seemed relieved as they sighed.

“Baron Joshua Sanders,” Count Castar started.

“...?” Joshua seemed perplexed at the sudden utterance of his full name and title.

“Did you ascend the throne of Reinhardt?”

“...” Joshua remained silent. However, Joshua’s silence seemed to have satisfied Count Castar as he nodded. “Very good. I guess we can say that there aren’t any issues with their identities.”

“If you get implicated somehow, I’ll take responsibility and explain to His Majesty.”

“No, it will be my honor to do that.”

“Yes?” asked Joshua, seemingly confused.

“I’m proud that we’re fellow compatriots.”

“...!” Joshua's eyes widened.

“May I ask you another question, if you don’t mind?”

“Go ahead…”

“Do you seek to recover your former position? You have become the monarch of a city that could already be considered a nation, after all.”

There were multiple possible answers to Count Castar’s questions.

The Agnus Family’s history was a well-studied topic. Count Castar’s question touched upon many things. Did he want to restore the status he had lost because of his poor background?

He was capable of it, so was he going to free himself of that humiliation?

Unfortunately, Joshua had zero interest in doing such things.

“No.”

“Really?”

Joshua nodded without hesitation before asking in a low voice, “Do you really think that I will be satisfied with just inheriting the title of Duke Agnus?”