Chapter 226
Half a day before Crevasse’s shadow was cast over Arcadia, Joshua and Ash were talking to each other while they were on their way to Crevasse.
“That’s not fair!”
Joshua frowned and said, “Ash, you promised.”
“This isn’t the same! Didn’t you say you’ll grant me freedom in exchange for further information about Tempest Stormwind?! And why do you keep calling me Ash? That’s not my name! My name is Ashteras Fairy Ellonburse Norn—”
“That’s too long,” grumbled Joshua while glaring at Ash.
“Hieeek!”?However, Ash didn’t back down. He stood steadfast under Joshua’s gaze and exclaimed, “Anyway! Even if you hit me or burn me alive, I can’t do it! I’m sorry!”
“Are you scared?”
The elf’s eyes widened. “Wh-What do you mean, scared? Who’s scared—”
“You’re afraid of heights.” Joshua pointed out.
“How—” Ash hurriedly covered his mouth.
Joshua smiled. He remembered how long he laughed when he first discovered that Ash was afraid of heights. It seemed that High Elves’ homes weren’t in the eaves of the tall World Tree, unlike the Forest Elves, and the fact surprised Joshua.
Meanwhile, Ash had stopped walking. He stood rooted and unmoving.
At the sight, Joshua chided. “How are you going to face the fury of your previous master? This is a crucial part, so why are you dilly-dallying? You know I can’t help you with that, right? I’m a bit scared of him as well.
“Can’t you tell me what you were talking about with him?” Ash eventually asked. “I mean, you’re technically my master now, so I don’t see why you have to hide it from me.”
Joshua chuckled as if it weren’t a big deal and started speaking, “We were talking about Asmodeus’ contractor.”
“Asmodeus…?” Ash’s eyes bulged out of their sockets as he hurriedly clarified by asking, “Asmodeus… Is that the same Asmodeus that I know?”
“Maybe…” Joshua said ambiguously.
“J-just what exactly is going on…?” Ash wasn’t even surprised anymore.
It had been a thousand years since demons vanished from Middle-Earth, which was basically the Human Realm. The strongest of the demons were definitely older than Ash. The presence of Asmodeus’ contractor meant that Asmodeus was here as well.
“What?” Ash was startled when Joshua suddenly wrapped his arm around him.
“If you keep acting like this, I’m going to drag you there.”
“I’m sorry…!”
“Don’t move,” Joshua chastised the struggling elf. Ash’s fear was replaced by bewilderment as a beam of warm energy slipped into his body, calming his mind.
“Look, just close your eyes. I’ll be here, and I’ll help you work it out.”
“Help me what now?”
“Help you get over your fear,” Joshua firmly replied. “Don’t tell me you never want to go to Yggdrasil.”
“What the—How did you…” Ash’s eyes widened.
Joshua laughed out loud. “I don’t know much about you, but I know one thing…”
“Running away is often not the answer.” After saying that, he removed his robe and wrapped it around Ash. He could feel Ash’s subtle trembling.
If running away could fix everything, then Joshua would have done the same. Of course, Joshua had never tried running away from any obstacles before, and even if he thought about doing it once out of exhaustion and despair, he never did it.
Rather than running away, he broke through and leaped over all the obstacles in his way. Joshua had already done it in his past life, and he was determined to do it again for the second time around. He wasn’t afraid to face any adversities. In fact, he was about to visit the den of his enemies, which was Avalon’s Imperial Palace.
Joshua stared at Ash firmly and said, “Let's go.”
***
Demas and Porter, Knights of the 2nd Battalion, were slacking off during training.
Demas leaned against a wall in a corner and yawned. “Hey, whether we’re C-Class or B-Class, do you think our boring life is going to change at all? Training, training, training. I’m so tired that I could die.”
“But isn’t it good to die while you’re in your prime?”
“What?”
“Nothing, it’s just what people say these days. You’re a virgin with no hair on your head and a lot of hair on your chest. Apparently, that’s a sign of low vitality.”
Demas grunted. He had a cross on his forehead. “Are you done?”
“No, I just mean… There’s no smoke coming out of the chimney, you know?”
“There’s no fire lit, duh. What are you on about?”
“Ah, jeez. If you’re too tired to think straight, just go home and rest.”
Demas’ shoulders trembled. He wanted to tell his colleague off, but he had to admit that Porter had a point.
“Ahem.” Porter frowned to clear his throat. He then glanced to the side and stared at a group of people. “What are those worthless people doing here?”
“The 12th Battalion?” Demas followed Porter’s gaze and spat on the ground. “They only know how to act like knights.”
Their insulting words didn’t escape the ears of the members of the 12th Battalion.
“Watch what you’re saying, man.” Porter sarcastically said, “Their commander, Baron Sanders, is a proud Master of our Avalon.”
“Oh, shit! You’re right. Damn it, I’m scared. I’m so scared right now. I’m literally shaking in fear…!” Demas exclaimed.
“Those bastards…” one of the 12th Battalion knights couldn’t take it anymore. He was about to make a move, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him in his tracks.
“Vice Battalion Commander, sir…” said the knight upon recognizing Ranger.
“We can hold it in, so why can’t you?”
“But…” the knight wanted to say something, but he shook his head in the end.
Vice Commander Ranger gnashed his teeth.
It wasn’t just the nobles who were looking down on Joshua, but the reason for their mocking wasn’t because they truly looked down on Joshua. It was simply because they were jealous.
Before Joshua became a baron, he was an Imperial Knight and a living legend. He was the Battalion Commander of the Imperial Knights Order Reserve Forces, the youngest Master in history, and an unprecedented talent.
It was no wonder the 11th and 12th Battalions were always walking with their chins held high, and it was equally obvious why the other battalions would be envious and angry at Joshua and at the 11th and 12th Battalions.
“That’s right, bow your heads. Yeah, at least you people know how to act right.”
“Hey, hey, your Battalion Commander is basically a criminal right now, and it would actually be weird if he doesn’t die in the next few months.”
“All right, that’s it, you jerks…!”
“Wait, you’re the one who told me to calm down…!”
In a sudden reversal, the knight was now holding back Vice Battalion Commander Ranger.
“It’ll be quick! Let me punch him in the balls!”
“No! Vice Battalion Commander, sir! I can’t allow you to sully our Battalion Commander’s name!’
The other knights of the 12th Battalion watched them and shook their heads sadly.
Demas threw his head back and laughed.
“Huh?”
He could swear that he had seen something dark flying through the clear skies.
“What are you doing?” Porter asked when he saw the frozen Demas.
Porter’s expression immediately changed.
“T-that’s…!”
Two great wings blew gusts of wind down at the Imperial Palace. Porter and Demas had seen that creature before, but they had seen it in a book detailing myths and legends.
“A dragon…!”
***
“Run! Damn it!”
“They received orders from the crystal ball! Knight Commander Rod is summoning everyone to stand in front of the Imperial Palace!”
Even without the knights who had been dispatched, there were still well over a thousand Imperial Knights garrisoned in the Imperial Palace, and their numbers were enough to swallow any lesser nation without much resistance.
Ranger was running so fast that he was quickly drenched in sweat. He knew that despite the forces here, there was no way they could match a dragon.
“Dragon! A dragon!”
“In the middle of Arcadia? How?!”
The dragon in question was so huge that it cast a shadow that engulfed the entire Imperial Palace.
“Take the high ground!” Knight Commander Rod’s mana-infused voice boomed. “1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions protect the Imperial Palace!”
“Understood!”
“4th, 5th, and 6th Battalions rush toward the Imperial Palace! Protect the other nobles, but prioritize His Majesty’s safety first!”
“Understood!”
“Everyone else, to your stations! Those of you who just got here—”
“Sorry, we’re late. I am Vice Battalion Commander Ranger, the 12th Battalion is here to help.”
“Ranger!” Cazes, Viper, and the rest of the 11th and 12th Battalions were present.
“Hmm…” Knight Commander Rod thought about it for a moment before he nodded and said, “The Battalion Commander of the 11th and 12th Battalions is still missing, so they will remain in reserve. Hurry up and move, everyone!”
“I see…”
“Hey, trash reserve battalion! Didn’t you hear what the knight commander said? Get out of the way! Move!”
“These fuckers!” Ranger’s face flushed bright red. He couldn’t believe they were shit-talking in a situation like this.
“Incoming!”
“...!”
They barely heard the warning because they were busy staring at the dark creature quickly descending from the sky. They could clearly see it, even though the creature was still a few hundred meters away.
“The Imperial Mages are done casting the barriers that will protect the Imperial Palace! Remain calm, everyone! Just execute your orders, and everything will be fine!”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
In spite of their answer, the knights couldn’t hide their nervousness. It couldn’t be helped. After all, the enemy they were about to fight was a literal dragon.
“Hold on, isn’t that…” Ranger’s eyes widened as he stared agape at the figure sitting on the black dragon.
The other knights were stupefied as well. However, the knights who received the most impact were the knights of the 11th and 12th Battalions. They looked like they had seen a ghost when they clapped their eyes on the figure riding the dragon.
“B-Battalion Commander?!”
“My God…! Isn’t that Battalion Commander Sanders?!”
The young man seemed like he was in a freefall as he rode the dragon down.
It was a bit strange, but even from a distance, the young man still looked as handsome as ever with his distinct features. His abyss-like eyes also seemed like they were sparkling at the moment.
“Battalion Commander, sir!” Ranger finally shouted. It hadn’t even been a year, and yet he already had so many things he had to say to Joshua. He wanted to ask the latter how he had been in the past year, and he also wanted to hear Joshua’s stories.
Right now, the naysayers disappeared from Ranger’s mind.
He looked up and yelled, “Our Battalion Commander has arrived, you dipshits!”
In response, the knights of the 11th and 12th Battalions laughed until they cried.
Read 𝓁atest chapters at fr(e)ewebnov𝒆l.com Only