Chapter 115
There were two men who shared the same name but different family names in the Imperial Knight Order. One of the two was Joker rick Friedman, the Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion, second only in authority to the Knight Commander, while the other was Joker Bersium, the Vice Battalion Commander of the 9th Battalion under Valmont’s command.
The chances of finding two people with the same name in a small area were astronomical—there were so many names and surnames in the vast expanse of the Avalon Empire. Everyone assumed it was a bizarre coincidence, but there was a reason why their names were identical.
A long time ago, the two received the same name from the same individual.
***
There was a seventeen-square-meter office that was used as the personal office for the Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion, and the office was currently surrounded by the transparent barrier of silence magic, which prevented sound from leaking outside.
There were two men seated in front of each other, one was a young man with an unremarkable look, while the other was a middle-aged man with wavy blond hair and a lovely beard.
“B-Battalion Commander, is it really okay for us to talk in an open space like this? We were given orders to be extra careful for now, so—” spoke the young man. He was the Vice Battalion Commander of the 9th Battalion, Joker. He seemed confused about what was going on.
“Do you really think I called you here without knowing that, Higs Bersium?”
“...!” Joker Bersium’s eyes widened. He was astonished when the bearded man uttered his real name.
However, he quickly fell to the ground and smacked his head into the floor with a dull thud.
“I have spoken something foolish, please forgive me.”
Joker rick Friedman, the Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion, furrowed his brows before speaking in a low voice, “We have a problem.”
“Yes? I-If there is an issue…”
“I got a message from him.”
“...!” Higs' eyes widened.
Higs slammed his head into the floor three times and exclaimed, “May Heimdall's light shine on the whole continent! Long live!”
Friedman stared at Higs and said, “He wants us to lie low until we get the opportunity to assassinate His First Highness, Kiser ben Britten.”
Higs started trembling at that.
“His Majesty has always been a madman. If Duke Agnus disappears, he will definitely wage war on the entire continent.”
“Are you saying…” Higs muttered in a trembling voice.
Friedman continued with a deep frown. “His Majesty is one of the best out there, but it’s still taking him long to deal with Duke Agnus. I am not sure what His Majesty wants to accomplish, but if it continues on, there will be a significant setback in his plans. That’s probably the reason he gave us this order. He wants us to provide Avalon with a compelling ‘justification’ to wage war, he wants a justification even Duke Agnus wouldn’t be able to refute…”
“That…” Higs broke out in a cold sweat.
“The plan was ready. It was even flawless. My men were clearing the way, acting like escorts to His First Highness. We even hired the best assassin out there. However, the assassin never showed up.” Friedman smirked and licked his lips before saying, “Anyway, stay on a low profile for the time being. Keep your activities to a minimum, but try to keep your ear to the ground.”
“It shall be done!” Higs exclaimed, slamming his head into the floor once again.
Friedman’s eyes shone even brighter at the sight.
***
Emperor Marcus smiled at the young man entering the throne room.
“Now, now. Look who's here? Isn't this the Reserve Battalion Commander of our Imperial Knights?” Emperor Marcus yelled out as if he wanted everyone to hear him.
Joshua seemed intimidating when he had just gotten inside the throne hall. His deep blue hair swayed gently, and his eyes were bright as he politely said, “I greet Your Majesty the Emperor.”
Emperor Marcus smiled.
“Ah, yes, I believe you said something about the Masters’ Battle, was I mistaken, perhaps?”
“It is just as His Majesty heard. I will take part in the Masters’ Battle on behalf of Avalon.”
As Joshua’s words echoed throughout the throne room, the nobles started whispering among themselves. It was obvious from their expressions that they all had something they wanted to say, but none of them were willing to speak up before Emperor Marcus’s imposing presence.
“You went to Reinhardt years ago to participate in the Reinhardt Martial Arts Competition, and you brought glory to our Empire back then. There isn’t anything bad about your desire to return to Reinhardt, but…” Emperor Marcus’ eyes gleamed. “Do you understand that the Masters’ Battle is different from the competition you once brought us glory from?”
“Yes,” Joshua quickly responded with confidence.
Emperor Marcus went silent for a moment before asking, “How old are you this year?”
“I’m fifteen.”
“Fifteen. Yes, you had always been someone who stubbornly refuses to follow others.” Emperor Marcus chuckled. He then got up from his seat and said, “In that case, then you will have to show us. Show everyone that you have what it takes to represent our Avalon in the Masters’ Battle.”
At Emperor Marcus’ words, the nobles’ mutterings surged. They all acted as if a cold bucket of water was poured on them. Of course, most of them were curious if Joshua was all bark, no bite, or if he was truly capable of representing Avalon.
“...”
Amidst the mutterings of the nobles, Joshua finally opened his lips.
“Before I prove myself... I have a few conditions.”
“How impudent!”
“How dare you speak to His Majesty in such a manner?!”
“What an arrogant young man!”
The nobles kicked up a fuss.
“Stop.”
However, a voice that was barely audible silenced them in an instant.
“...”
Duke Agnus grinned at the sight while Emperor Marcus boisterously laughed.
“Hahaha. How amusing… I didn’t expect that you were ballsy enough to discuss conditions with me. You are the first person to speak to me in such a manner, but worry not, it is to my enjoyment.”
Had anyone else dared to speak to him in such an arrogant way, Emperor Marcus would have long ordered their limbs to be severed. However, it was a different situation when it came to Joshua, who had always managed to add a bit of excitement to Emperor Marcus’ mundane existence.
Since Joshua had always brought him joy, such a cheeky remark from him could be forgiven.
“All right, go on, then. I will fulfill anything but a request to leave the Imperial Palace.”
“...” Joshua didn’t say anything.
Emperor Marcus placed one of his palms on his cheek and tilted his head before saying, “It can’t be. Are you trying to say that you want to leave me? You know I hate losing what’s mine more than anything else, right?”
A few nobles were astonished by Emperor Marcus’ quick shift in temper.
“I joined the Imperial Knights Order through Berche’s Bloody Battle, and according to the laws—” Joshua started.
However, Emperor Marcus interrupted. “I am the law of Avalon.”
Joshua stopped speaking. After all, he knew of Emperor Marcus’ violent tendencies.
Emperor Marcus stared at Joshua for a moment. He started walking toward an imperial knight standing still on one side before saying, “Since you are harboring such thoughts, I will add on another condition. But before that…”
Emperor Marcus snatched the imperial knight’s sword and hurled it at Joshua.
Swoosh!
The sword flew through the air at a speed difficult to track with the naked eye.
Emperor Marcus had long reached the highest level of ‘Sword Heart.’ He could manipulate a sword in mid-air and freely wield it with his own power, even if it was out of reach.
“...!”
The eyes of the nobles widened at the unexpected sight.
The sword under the control of Emperor Marcus’ Sword Heart should have pierced Joshua, but it stopped right in front of Joshua’s face.
Brrrr.
The sword trembled incessantly as if Emperor Marcus and Joshua were in a wrestle for control over the sword.
This only meant one thing: Joshua had also achieved the highest level of Sword Heart.
Clink!
The sword was finally thrown into a corner due to backlash.
For a moment, Emperor Marcus stared into Joshua's eyes without saying anything.
However, Emperor Marcus soon opened his lips and spoke with amazement, “I was just trying to test your Aura Blade, but it seems that you have gone one step further and mastered Sword Heart.”
Even an entry level A-Class Knight wouldn't have been able to handle Emperor Marcus' Sword Heart.
“Kukukukuku… hahaha!”
The meaning was clear, and it made Emperor Marcus lose his mind as he cackled in delight.
“Aden. I have never been jealous of you until now.”
“...”
Duke Agnus silently stared at Joshua. He pretended as if what Joshua had done wasn’t noteworthy, but the stupefaction in his eyes clearly betrayed his expression.
“Great… hahaha… How am I supposed to childishly keep you by my side when you’re already at that level?” Emperor Marcus walked back and sat on his throne once more before saying, “Feel free to soar. Give us a good result, and your requests shall be granted by my name.”
Upon hearing Emperor Marcus’ astonishing words, the nobles stared at Joshua.
In response, Joshua took in everyone’s attention and spoke, “It will be more than just good.”
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