Chapter 201
Clip clop
Joshua was the very picture of a mighty general as he rode his glossy black horse into Peril Castle.
He was followed by a hundred Wilhelm Knights. Each and every Wilhelm Knight emitted a barely perceptible mysterious aura.
“...”
The castle was almost perfectly silent, much to Count Keiros’s consternation. He had expected raucous applause and cheers, but most of the soldiers were too dumbfounded to open their mouths.
Everyone was quiet because Joshua had intimidated them. They didn’t dare to open their mouths or breathe too loudly as he passed by them.
“Haaa…” Count Keiros sighed before taking a step forward.
“Baron Sanders, we’re delighted to welcome you to Peril Castle.”
“I appreciate the hospitality, said Joshua before getting down from his horse with a brilliant smile. His voice definitely sounded young, and it proved Joshua’s age as a young man rather than an old timer.
Count Keiros found himself deeply troubled. Joshua had gone out of his way to help them, despite his young age. Despite their nominal ranks, Count Keiros couldn’t bring himself to treat the young Baron Sanders beneath him. As such, he was finding it hard to figure out how to treat Joshua.
It was a unique dilemma for a nobleman.
“Um… First of all, thank you. We’re enormously grateful for your—”
“Joshua.”
“...?” Count Keiros blinked upon being interrupted. “Lady Charles?”
“It’s been a while. Joshua's smile widened when he saw a young woman with ruby-like hair walking next to Count Keiros. “You changed a lot since the last time we met.”
“...” Charles' expression darkened.
When Icarus saw that, she ran up to poke Joshua’s side.
“Um…” Joshua hesitated. “It must have been difficult for you.”
“Well… It was a lot of work.”
It was strange.
Icarus’ ire melted like snow under the sun from a few short words from Joshua. It seemed that Joshua was also talented in the field of making people’s hearts skip a few beats.
“Long Live the God of War!” someone exclaimed from somewhere. The person who shouted had taken the words out of Icarus’ mouth as she hesitated. It was weird because Icarus felt like her heart was being plagued by something she couldn’t explain.
“Long Live Baron Joshua Sanders!”
“Lord Sanders, we are happy to have you here at Peril Castle!”
“Thank you so much, Master Sanders!”
In the proverbial blink of an eye, the Peril Castle became filled with applause and jubilant cheers.
The Wilhelm Knights smiled at the sight. They were both happy and proud. They were happy and proud to be able to stand next to Joshua. In addition, they were sure that they would get to stay by his side for a long time.
Count Keiros smiled at Charles and Joshua.
“Everyone, stand to attention!” Count Keiros suddenly shouted. “To Baron Joshua Sanders, who came from afar to help our family…!”
The soldiers of the Pontier Family stood bolt upright and prepared their weapons in response to Count Keiros' words.
“Salute!” screamed Count Keiros.
Thud!
They stomped and brandished their weapons as cheers filled the Peril Castle once again.
On that fateful Sunday afternoon, the sun covered Peril Castle in a golden glow.
***
“Do you want to die?”
“...” Cain broke out in a cold sweat at Icarus’ murderous gaze.
“Uh, what are you talking about, young lady?”
“Young lady? What do you mean, young lady?”
“...” Cain wisely kept his mouth shut.
“I’m not going to believe a single word that comes out of your mouth from now on. You have to be crazy to come up with a joke right now—you have to be even crazier to say it out loud, especially to your friend!”
“What did I do wrong? I was just kidding, so—” Cain started.
However, Icarus directed yet another deathly glare at him, forcing Cain to shut his trap.
“You think this is funny? What do you think of me?”
“...”
“What?”
“Do you really think of me as a mere colleague?”
Cain flinched when he followed Icarus’ eyes.
“That elbow.”
“You got yourself hurt pointlessly. You went in at the most dangerous moment possible without any idea of the enemy’s strength and tactics. If you had any faith in my strategies, if you ever thought of me as your friend—no, I guess not.”
“...” Cain remained silent for a while. Eventually, he bowed to Icarus.
“Sorry.”
The apology came from his heart. Icarus was right. He got too crazy earlier, so there was nothing else he could say.
It wasn’t that he didn’t care about what Icarus would think, but he simply failed to control himself. He got too eager to wield his sword alongside his master.
“...” Icarus sighed. She poked his lowered head and said,
“You better not do that again if you care about me at all.”
“I’ll remember!” Cain saluted. “It’s never going to happen again.”
“You better keep your word—”
“I swear on my title and name as the First Knight of Sanders, Cain de Harry!”
“You’re really having fun with that ‘First Knight’ moniker.” Icarus snorted with pursed lips. “It must be nice—”
“What are you two talking about?” a voice interrupted.
“Ah!” Cain was startled.
“...!” Icarus stared wide-eyed at the surprise guest.
“How are you guys?” Joshua smiled at them. This was the first time they were in the same place at the same time since the Reinhardt Masters’ Battle started.
“...” Icarus shivered wordlessly, but Cain…
“Master, let me hug you just this one. Please… just this once.”
Joshua stepped back and deftly avoided Cain’s lunge before hurriedly changing the topic by saying, “The main force will arrive soon. Marquis Crombell and the Mercenary King are on their way.”
Cain and Icarus revealed grim looks at the words ‘Mercenary King,’ and they immediately stood bolt upright.
“The Mercenary King is bringing a ton of mercenaries with him, and we can’t treat those mercenaries like they’re similar to the ones we fought earlier.”
“What are you…”
“Setting the Mercenary King aside, The strength of Marquis Crombell’s troops isn’t bad as well.”
“...”
Joshua’s companions covered their mouths with their hands. They couldn’t believe that their master was treating the threat so flippantly. War was no joke—who could fight when they were greatly outnumbered?
“Can we beat them?”
“...!” Joshua and Cain turned to look at Icarus. The young tactician was startled because she was sure that she could see ‘trust’ in their eyes as they looked at her.
“You will have to use your hidden cards,” said Icarus.
Joshua’s smile widened as he said, “Yes, it’s about time.”
“It would be ideal if I could pick somewhere near Reinhardt. To do that, we need a qualified, neutral, and well-regarded notary.”
“I know just the one.”
“Then, it’s settled.”
Cain frowned. He couldn’t understand what they were talking about.
“What are you guys—” Cain tried asking.
However, Icarus interrupted by saying, “First of all, can I ask you something?”
“Anything.” Joshua nodded as he stared at Icarus’ beautiful face.
“What is your ultimate goal, Master?”
“...”
Cain’s eyes narrowed. He was also interested in Joshua’s ultimate goal.
After a moment of silence, Joshua spoke in a low voice, “I want to rule the world.”
“...”
“I can say that it’s a personal goal of mine, but it’s mostly because I want to protect my people”
“Wow…” Cain’s jaw dropped. He looked around nervously. If a third party were to hear Joshua’s words, then it wouldn’t be surprising if Joshua was immediately sentenced to death for treason.
Icarus remained steadfast; however, as she asked, “In that case, are you thinking of doing it? As far as I know, only a Britten can become the emperor.”
Icarus disliked the idea of doing it. It was like sacrificing oneself for someone else.
However, it seemed that Icarus misunderstood.
“How old-fashioned. I didn’t expect that you also believe that only a Britten can become the emperor. In reality, one doesn’t have to be a Britten to become the emperor,” said Joshua.
“...!” Icarus’ eyes widened at that. It was an astounding yet obvious thought. Icarus was surprised that she couldn’t think of it until Joshua mentioned the idea. After a few moments, Icarus managed to compose herself as she revealed a pretty smile.
“Honestly, I have always been dreaming of becoming a member of the Imperial Knights Order rather than simply becoming a part of a noble’s household,” said Icarus while maintaining her smile.
Joshua smiled at Icarus as well.
Cain was annoyed at the sight, and he interrupted by saying, “I don’t really care what hardships we will have to face to get there, but Master, I want you to please keep in mind that I’m your first.”
“...?” Joshua and Icarus both directed an odd look at Cain.
Cain’s words were too ambiguous. Joshua was sure that If Iceline heard what Cain said, she would definitely have many weird ideas.
“A long time ago, the Seven Knights of the Emperor existed, right? It’s when the Avalon Empire was still at its peak.”
“Oh…” Joshua and Icarus both nodded in understanding.
Cain raised his chin and proudly said, “I’m claiming the position of your First Knight and Sword. Tell that frog-looking like dude to not overstep his boundaries.”
Joshua chuckled at that. “I’ll consider it.”
“Master!” Cain cried out.
“For the record, my First Sword can't get married,” added Joshua.
At that, Cain was forced to shut his trap.
However, he soon spoke once more in a low voice, “Now that I think about it, being the Second Sword doesn't seem like such a bad idea either. I mean, I don’t really think that the numbers mean that much. Even a three-year-old wouldn’t be so childish...”
“Pffft!” Cain’s change in stance elicited a peal of laughter from Icarus.
The Battle of Peril Castle actually ended on such a good note.
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