Chapter 141
Once more, Joshua found himself in a place with nothing but darkness.
However, something changed. Joshua was no longer alone in the dark.
- Speak your name.
A consciousness had invaded Joshua’s mind.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Joshua became sure of the voice’s owner.
“Duke Altsma.”
Joshua lifted his head and stared up ahead. In this place between reality and who-knows-where, Duke Altsma was no longer a rotting corpse. There stood Duke Altsma in his prime, an honest-looking middle-aged fellow. A human being and a Master as well.
“My name is Joshua Sanders.”
- Joshua… Sanders.
Duke Altsma tilted his head slightly before nodding.
- Are you the one they call a monster of Avalon?
“...” Duke Altsma had just accurately guessed Joshua’s identity, but he seemed unsurprised by it. After experiencing an entire lifetime and regressing, nothing surprised Joshua anymore.
“Do you regret it?” asked Joshua.
- ...
Duke Altsma didn’t say anything.
“A death knight can only be made from the body and the soul of a knight at the summit of power, but a death knight could not be made without the knight’s consent.”
-...
“It is the reason why death knights rarely appeared throughout recorded history. Unlike mages, who are simply in pursuit of the truth. Knights value their pride and honor as a knight more than anything else.” Joshua’s eyes brightened as he said, “A knight serves their nation, and there is no greater shame for them than to degenerate into an undead monstrosity.”
- I know.
“Is it about revenge?”
- Revenge?
Duke Altsma thought about it for a moment before shaking his head.
- This is not about Ulabis. We were enemies, so it was only natural for him to fight me.
“...”
In Joshua’s past life, Ulabis and Duke Altsma were still being compared to each other even though Duke Altsma had died long ago. Ulabis would someday be known as the Knight of the Red Flame and one of the Nine Stars, but that day was still far away.
For now, Ulabis was a knight who had just become an A-Class Knight. The fact that he bested a behemoth like Duke Altsma rattled the continent, so it was surprising to see Duke Altsma casually shrugging off his defeat.
However, Joshua wasn’t really talking about Duke Altsma taking revenge on Ulabis.
“Demero bel Grace.”
- ...
As soon as Joshua uttered that name, the space trembled. They were currently in a space inside Joshua’s consciousness. The mere mention of that person’s name agitated Duke Altsma t to the extent that he started influencing Joshua’s consciousness.
“Did you not know the identity of the one who killed you?”
- Is that it? Did you see it?
“Perhaps I know something you don’t…”
-...
A lengthy pause followed. After a while, Duke Altsma muttered.
- His Majesty—no, Demero bel Grace was the first lord I served after I became a Knight.
“...!” Joshua's eyes widened slightly at the newly found knowledge.
“Then…”
- It’s more than just revenge. This is a betrayal. Even when he vanished, leaving only word that he would cede the throne to his younger brother, I remained silent, even though I was his knight.
- I had to have been a terrible person in my past life. I ended up being weaker than the master I swore to protect. I have never felt like this before. I felt like if I wanted to protect my master, then the only way I could do so was to become a monster.
Joshua was starting to feel Duke Altsma’s feelings. Moreover, he was intimately familiar with those emotions—Frustration, despair, powerlessness, rage—all these emotions filled the empty void they were in.
Joshua knew what it was like to get betrayed by one’s master, so he was furious.
A man’s face suddenly popped up in Joshua’s mind. It was the face of Duke Altsma’s first master, who seemed to be covered in light. In addition, Joshua could also feel the pain Duke Altsma had always been enduring under the pretext of loyalty.
He also found out the thoughts he had been having, as well as how many sword strokes he had swung to ensure that he wouldn’t go rusty by the time he had to protect his master from adversaries.
‘If by any chance we meet again, I can introduce a wonderful lady to be your liege…’?Joshua shook his head in vain. He knew that there was no way something like that would happen.
Meanwhile, Duke Altsma continued speaking.
- You must be wondering why a man with no regrets like me had done such a thing. Honestly, I want to take revenge for the betrayal I had experienced, but I was more curious than anything else. I wanted to understand his motives.
“Have you heard of the saying that those with neither dreams nor hearts are the ones in power?”
- ...?
Duke Altsma seemed confused.
However, Joshua quickly enlightened him by saying, “the unification of the continent.”
-...!
Duke of Altsma's eyes widened.
“It would be a pipe dream for him to do such a thing when his home country was weak and powerless back then. However, it would be a different story if his home country grew more powerful as time went on. Still, even if there were enough power, it would be…” Joshua trailed off.
- Is this about Avalon? I’m also wondering if he really conspired with Avalon.
“Avalon? What are you talking about?” Joshua seemed confused.
Duke Altsma continued.
- You must have heard that his son, the War God, escaped to Avalon, no?
“...!” Joshua's eyes widened as Duke Altsma continued speaking.
- Demero definitely knew that Draxia bel Grace and Emperor Marcus were connected in some way.
It was possible, but it was most likely a transactional or a transient connection. After all, Draxia bel Grace would be standing on the Fourth Prince’s side in the future rather than next to Emperor Marcus ben Britten.
Still, Joshua had to consider every possibility.
Joshua grimaced when he recalled how there was a huge chance that the individual who defeated Sir Christian and the one who turned Duke Altsma into a death knight was one of Kaiser’s people.
The pattern he had seen etched on the door aroused his suspicion.
'I don’t know where it came from, but it seems genuine. If the lich, Heinz, was the same person and not just someone linked to him…’
It was a very powerful force.
Joshua unknowingly clenched his fists.
Meanwhile, Duke Altsma took a step forward and said in a low voice.
- Such things have become irrelevant to me now that I have become like this. Now, you have to kill me.
“...!” Joshua blinked in astonishment. He still had no idea about what he performed to be able to wield that much mana, but Joshua didn’t have to think about it anymore.
- The power you possess is capable of liberating me. You’re a total stranger, yes, but please…
“So you’re regretting it?”
At that, Duke Altsma nodded and said.
- I do. I regret it. I was overcome with fury after being betrayed. I am curious about his motives, but it does not warrant being the puppet of a dark mage.
- If I do not escape, I will be manipulated against my will. So before my honor is completely tarnished, destroy me.
“...” Joshua remained silent. He stared into Duke Altsma's eyes for a while.
Eventually, he shook his head and said, “I refuse.”
-...
“You have made the incorrect choice, but you made it with your own will. Therefore, you alone have to take responsibility for your choices.”
- ...Haha.
Rather than offended, Duke Altsma chuckled hollowly before collapsing to the ground.
- You are correct. I cannot allow someone else to carry my burdens.
“...”
- Defeat should be mine alone, yet I’m beating around the bush even though I am the great Altsma brun Edenhaits.
Step.
At Duke Altsma’s regretful voice, Joshua took a step forward.
“I have a suggestion, although you may have realized it already.”
- A suggestion?
Joshua nodded when he saw the doubtful look on Duke Altsma’s face.
“I shall accompany you on your journey.”
“...!” Duke Altsma’s eyes widened momentarily.
“I am not a particularly pleasant person. I’m not even old enough to shoulder someone else’s burden, but a mutually beneficial agreement is a different matter.”
“...” Duke Altsma remained silent.
At that, Joshua continued.
“This is a reasonable bargain. You lend me your strength, and I will follow you on your journey. Even if that path is thorny and filled with sorrow and anguish, I will accompany you. Even though you hail from another nation and have your own people to rule, I will be with you… These are all I have to say.”
- ...
The space they were in became filled with a lengthy silence. Duke Altsma’s expression looked odd, and it was hard to deduce what he was thinking. Meanwhile, Joshua was simply staring into his eyes.
After a while, Duke Altsma’s eyes shone.
- How interesting…
Duke Altsma chuckled.
- I think it would be more exciting to watch the growth of the continent’s greatest talent than becoming a dark mage’s servant.
Joshua’s eyes brightened at that, and he immediately asked, “So you agree to the terms of the contract?”
-...
Duke Altsma remained silent. However, Joshua was well aware that sometimes—silence meant consent.
At that, Joshua hurriedly cried out. “Lugia!”
Gwaaaaa.?
The demonic power dormant in Joshua’s body was unleashed.
- I’m looking forward to it.
Duke Altsma said a few words before transforming into a black sphere that Joshua immediately absorbed.
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