Chapter 100
Joshua unconsciously looked toward the voice, and his gaze turned friendly.
“Viper?”
Viper stood tall at over two meters. His two sunken eyelids glowed brightly as if ready to spit fire at any moment. The man’s thick mustache was nowhere to be found, but his face was exactly as Joshua remembered.
“Why is the Vice Battalion Commander here?”
“I heard he’s on vacation, so why is he here?”
The amiable-looking, large-framed man carefully approached Joshua as the murmurs of the 12th Battalion knights echoed throughout the training hall. The tall man’s figure loomed and cast a shadow over the ten-year-old Joshua.
“I have heard the rumors. Are you Young Master Joshua von Agnus?”
“You’re Viper Vison, right?” Joshua peered intently up at him with a slight smile.
“Oh?” Surprise flashed across Viper’s face as he said, “You know me?”
Joshua seemed to be thinking about something as he said, “I have heard a lot about the red bull in the Imperial Knights Order.”
Viper looked at Joshua, seemingly confused.
‘He’s still the same.’
Joshua's grin widened as he recalled the old times.
Viper was more loyal and obedient than anyone else, and he remained amiable even when facing the people whom most knights considered as nothing but mere mercenaries. Joshua could remember Viper standing at the front lines, bravely breaking through anything in their path. He was a trustworthy leader, well-regarded by both his superiors and subordinates.
He was one of the reasons why Joshua chose to join the Imperial Knights Order.
‘I knew we would meet sooner or later, but I didn’t expect that we would meet this early.’
Joshua was about to say something, but Viper beat him to the chase.
“How well do you know Berche’s Bloody Battle, Young Master?”
Joshua thought for a moment before responding, “Your comrades asked me the same thing.”
“...”
Viper noticed how Joshua called the other knights his ‘comrades’ rather than ‘subordinates’.
“Hmm. Do you know the rules of Berche’s Bloody Battle?”
“Rules?”
Joshua tilted his head.
“A battalion commander or two vice commanders has to be present as overseers at the very least. The rule was established to prevent people from selling their rank for money.”
At that, Joshua chuckled and said, “So you’re here to overturn the results? But from what I know, only the 1st through 10th Battalions have battalion commanders. It is said that the battalion commanders of the 11th and 12th Battalions’ are just nominal for formality’s sake.”
Viper remained calm as he said, “I was just explaining the rules. Even if the overseeing battalion commanders are just nominal battalion commanders, they can still oversee the Bloody Battle according to the rules.”
Once Viper was done speaking, another voice echoed from the side.
“Vice Commander, sir...”
“Cazes?”
Cazes was covered in blood, and he shakily raised his body upon hearing Viper’s response.
A few dozen knights witnessed his defeat, so it didn’t really matter whether they followed the rules or not. After all, his fate could already be considered sealed. As such, his heart sank when he saw Viper trying to defend him.
“I’m… I’m alright, Vice Commander.” Cazes propped himself up on his unsteady knees and gingerly wiped the blood from the corners of his mouth. “Vice Commander, haven't you always said that even if we want to run away from the painful truth, we should keep our pride intact at the very least?”
“Cazes, but…" Viper muttered and Cazes shook his head in resignation.
“I know what you want to say. You meant to say that my daughter wouldn't want his father to lay down his pride just to keep his knight title.”
“...”
"My daughter said that she hoped for me to become a cool knight instead of risking my life as a mercenary. But… I guess I don't have a say in this anymore…"
“And what’s going to happen to your daughter? You know the reason your daughter is able to receive treatment from a high priest in Arcadia’s temple is your status as a knight, right? What will happen if you returned to being a mercenary? The priest will start demanding donations you won’t be able to afford, that is what’s going to happen.”
At Viper’s words, Cazes kept his mouth shut.
“...”
“All right, your pride was damaged, but will pride save your daughter and feed your family?”
Cazes bit his lower lip, and he looked like he was about to cry.
At that, Viper sighed and turned to face Joshua.
“I apologize on their behalf for showing you a very unsightly scene, Young Master.”
Joshua shook his head and said, “No… I’m actually grateful that nothing has changed.”
“Yes?”
Joshua took a step forward and explained, “Since you’re worried about your comrades, can’t you just take one for them?”
“What are you implying?”
“I know that the rules are a bit different if a battalion commander or vice commander loses the fight, am I right?”
“...!” Viper's eyes widened.
“Vice Commander! This is ridiculous!”
“I would rather resign than let you fight the Young Master!”
“What is this trash—”
“...”
Viper's gaze fell profoundly on Joshua as the voices of the surrounding knights got increasingly louder.
“Do you understand what you’re saying, Young Master?” asked Viper.
“Of course.”
Joshua knew more about the fight than anybody else since he had experienced it before. Every battalion had two seats for two leaders. Whenever the battalion commander was absent, the vice commander would have to take command.
If either of them was defeated…
‘They can stay with the Imperial Knights Order, but their rank in the battalion will be dissolved. In addition, they will never be able to rise up the ranks anymore.’
In other words, if a battalion commander or vice commander were to lose, they would forever be a normal knight with no chance of promotion.
This was a great humiliation and dishonor for any knights because their peers and previous subordinates would certainly rise up the ranks as time went on. However, the knight in question would remain stuck, and they would have to obey the commands of the people whom they considered their peers.
“It’s alright even if I give up my position as the vice commander. In the first place, I've always thought that this position was too much for me to bear.”
“Vice Commander, sir!”
“This cannot be…”
“Enough.”
The training hall became dead silent at Viper’s command. He looked around the knights and continued with a gradually stiffening look. “I never took this role seriously since it was just created to maximize our survivability during battle.”
“Vice Commander, sir...”
“In addition, I always considered you my comrades—my friends, rather than my subordinates…” Viper swept his gaze across the knights, and they all bowed to him as they met his eyes. When he had enough, he looked back at Joshua and said, “Young Master, you have to achieve the recognition of at least three members from the upper divisions for you to properly replace me, and to do that—”
“I just need to defeat them,” replied Joshua with a faint smile.
Viper nodded and said, “Are you sure? I mean, I’m ashamed to say this, but the skill level gap between you and the knights here is significant. We have received formal training, and that is the reason why we are called the Empire’s strongest knights.”
Joshua took a step back and swept his gaze across the knights after hearing Viper’s words.
“...?”
Afterward, Joshua stared at the bewildered Viper with Lugia standing tall by his side.
‘I can do this much. I can imitate it…’
Having made a decision, Joshua revealed a determined look and spoke, “Really? Then what is this trampled pride I’m smelling in the air?”
Amidst the silence, Joshua continued. “Five years...”
“...”
“In five years, I will transform the 11th and 12th Battalions into the greatest armed force of the great Avalon.”
With that, Joshua pumped an immense amount of mana into Lugia.
Woosh.
Lugia became filled with mana it could barely contain, and it hummed.
“..!” All of a sudden, the knights heard thunder. They had no idea where it came from, but they were sure that it was related to the spear Joshua was holding. The energy looked similar to when Joshua summoned his Aura, but what happened next caught everyone off guard.
Clank.
Between Lugia's two spearheads, another spearhead manifested with a crackle. The energy that manifested the spearhead was so strong it seemed like it could tear the world apart. The newbies among the knights even had to close their eyes and cover their ears because the lightning was so bright and loud.
Viper started at the spear and muttered, “Aura… Blade.”
***
“I greet the sun and the dazzling brilliance of Avalon, Your Majesty the Emperor.”
“Ah, Babel. It’s been a long time—I recall the last time I saw you was when you just graduated from the academy.” Emperor Marcus smiled at the boy. Babel had grown up quite a bit, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to call him an adult now.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The blond boy bowed once again.
“Now… Now, please raise your head.”
“I shall obey your will.”
Emperor Marcus’ eyes seemed like they were smiling as well at Babel’s prim and proper behavior.
“I heard that you’ve made quite the progress. C-Class Intermediate, right? That’s a great achievement! You truly live up to being the treasure of the Empire.”
“It is all because of Your Majesty's grace.”
Babel bent his head once more. Emperor Marcus easily saw through his skill level.
“Oh, please. It’s all because of your overflowing talent. You’re simply gifted beyond measure.”
Emperor Marcus laughed heartily and asked, “How old are you now?”
“I am fifteen this year, Your Majesty.”
“Even your father wasn’t at that level when he was your age! You’re fast approaching B-Class as well. Keep up the great work! I’m expecting great results.”
“...”
At Emperor Marcus’ words, why did a boy's face briefly appear in Babel's mind?
‘Is it an inferior complex?’
Babel smiled bitterly and responded, “Your Majesty, I still have much to do. I’m afraid I am still far from meeting Your Majesty’s expectations.”
At that, Emperor Marcus’ smile deepened, and he leaned closer to Babel before saying, “Yes, it’s not enough at all in comparison to that boy.”
“...?” Babel was confused.
“I'm referring to your brother, Joshua von Agnus.”
“...” Babel's eyes widened.
“But worry not! I shall bestow you with a gift.”
Emperor Marcus boisterously laughed and snapped his fingers.
Immediately afterward, Jacken appeared and presented Babel with a diamond vial filled with a clear liquid.
“My apologies, Your Majesty, but may I ask what this is?”
“It is my gift to the empire’s greatest treasure. You will be able to obtain a large amount of mana through this vial.”
“Really?”
The performance of every vial that could increase one’s mana varied, but most of them constantly had something in common—they were very expensive.
“This is such a priceless gift, Your Majesty, I can’t—”
“This is an order.”
“...” Babel muttered something incomprehensible.
Emperor Marcus urged. “Actually, take it now. Since your father is busy, I can help you manage the effects of the elixir.”
“How can I trouble Your Majesty like this—”
“It will be an order as well.”
“In that case, I shall heed and obey Your Majesty’s will.” Babel accepted the elixir gracefully, oblivious to Emperor Marcus’ ulterior motives.
Pong!
Babel opened the vial. He seemed bothered by the delightful aroma that tickled his nose, but he immediately consumed the elixir upon recalling that it was Emperor Marcus’ order.
Gulp.
Emperor Marcus momentarily revealed a look of satisfaction.
“...”
Soon afterward, another man emerged and slowly approached the stiff, glaze-eyed young man.
The man briefly checked on the young man before nodding away.
“It was a success, Your Majesty.” Evergrant bowed humbly.
“You've worked hard, Evergrant.”
Emperor Marcus rose from his throne and stared at Babel.
“We met pretty frequently when you were a student at the academy. I'm not sure if you recall anything right now,” he said.
“...”
“You made a pledge to me at the time, and for you to accomplish your promise, you must succeed Aden von Agnus. You must not let your half-brother take your position away. Do you understand?”
Emperor Marcus smiled eerily when he found a faint golden glimmer deep within Babel’s vacant eyes.
“I have faith in you, Babel ben Britten.”
“Father…” muttered the delirious Babel.
At that, Emperor Marcus' smile widened.
After the revelation of this truly shocking secret within the Imperial Palace, five years passed in the blink of an eye.
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