Side Story Chapter 93
Kireua felt like Uraxen and the paladins were out of their minds. He couldn’t believe his eyes.
“What are you all doing?!” Lunsworth shouted. On behalf of his absent captain, Lunsworth was acting as the Second Battalion’s captain.
With the white-clad paladins drawing their swords, the arena was divided into exactly two groups: the paladins of Hubalt and the other knights.
“Arrogant Avalon, you brought this upon yourselves,” one of the paladins solemnly stated.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You insulted the Hubalt Empire using the name of Martial God.”
“Insulted?” Kireua repeated.
“Are you going to say you didn’t? I can see through your wicked scheme. This tournament is so preposterous that it isn’t even funny. I’m rather disgusted.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Are you seriously pulling this kind of stunt in another country’s capital based on mere conjecture? ”
“We are paladins in the service god. We never condone evil regardless of time or who is involved.”
Kireua thought that the blonde paladin surely knew how to gold-plate shit. By his logic, anyone who was against him was evil. How could a paladin who served god say such a thing?
‘The Hubalt Empire will become isolated if they continue to use logic like this.’
Kireua’s assumption was right. The knights from the other countries, who had been exchanging glances due to the sudden turn of events, turned serious. They knew that with that kind of reasoning, they could end up becoming Hubalt’s target at any time.
“I am Uriel, the fourth paladin of the Hubalt Empire. Avalon has crossed a line and committed two inexcusable crimes.” Uriel raised his voice, noticing the tension in the air.
Kireua's eyes widened. ‘Uriel? Isn’t that one of the Four Great Angels?’
The Holy Empire of Hubalt held the names of gods and angels sacred, so it was forbidden to name a baby after them. Nevertheless, the paladin introduced himself as Uriel, which could only mean one thing: he was one of Hubalt's famous Four Paladins.
“The first crime of Avalon, the Demon Empire, is attempting to disrupt the long peace by using the name of the Martial God. They exploited the fact that the mere mention of him makes some people gnash their teeth in anger,” Uriel went on.
“We tried to disrupt the pace? What the…!”
“Then where is your emperor now?”
Lunsworth closed his mouth. The Emperor of Avalon’s whereabouts were the most confidential information in the country. Even if Lunsworth knew it, he wouldn’t dare to say it, as someone who guarded the Imperial Family.
“Why are you not answering?” Uriel asked.
“You’re a knight too, so you know very well why I can’t answer that question.”
“I knew it. You’re trying to talk your way out of it.”
“His Majesty didn’t insult any of our distinguished guests. He hasn’t made an appearance due to personal reasons, but he’ll be here.”
“That is why I’m saying it’s wrong. There are so many guests who have come a long way from home, but the host has been absent for days. What else can this be other than an insult? No matter how I try to frame it in a positive light, this just looks like an attempt to wrap everyone on the continent around your finger.”
The atmosphere changed. As a matter of fact, everyone had been feeling rather put-off by the Martial God’s absence.
When the murmuring became louder, Uriel coldly smiled. “Or is this what Avalon calls etiquette? Then you are truly barbaric.”
“B-Barbaric?” Lunsworth stammered. He finally released his murderous energy. “How dare you! That can’t possibly be the reason why you demand justice right now. You make up a story of your own just because you haven’t met His Majesty and draw your swords in another country’s Palace. Is that what Hubalt calls etiquette?”
“Of course not. That is why I told you Avalon committed two inexcusable crimes.”
Lunsworth flinched. At the same time, the murmuring grew louder just as it was starting to quiet down.
“It’s not just Avalon. Everyone here must have heard about a witch who was born in the Hubalt Empire but has manifested the authority of a Demon King,” Uriel said, deliberately using mana so everyone there could hear him.
The spectators reacted immediately.
“A witch who has manifested the authority of a Demon King… That’s Cardinal Erman’s daughter, right?”
“Yeah, Lilith Aphrodite, the Silver-Eyed Ghost Sword. She does have a surreal beauty, but who could have known that she’s a real witch?”
“Maybe she’s a succubus.”
“But why is he suddenly mentioning that witch?”
The louder the people murmured, the more Uriel’s smile grew.
“I have received intel that Avalon is protecting Lilith Aphrodite, the enemy of the entire continent and a witch!”
A collective gasp rose from the crowd.
“And the person who made that happen was none other than Joshua Sanders, the Martial God!”
“That’s crazy!”
“That is why we’re certain that Avalon has committed unpardonable crimes! So we, the Hubalt Empire, request a formal explanation from the Martial God.”
Shock rippled through the arena. The sheer gravity of what Uriel had said forced them into silence.
“Th-That’s not true, right?”
“…No, it’s not completely implausible. The Silver-Eyed Ghost Sword and Martial God’s long history together is famous.”
“Well, they were thought to be lovers, so…”
The situation took a strange turn. Lunsworth had to admit this wouldn’t be resolved without the Emperor of Avalon’s direct intervention. In fact, what Uriel said wasn’t a complete lie, given that many people had witnessed Lilith Aphrodite’s presence in the Palace.
‘I did think it was a potential problem, but… fuck,’ Lunsworth thought.
Nevertheless, no one could say anything because it was the Emperor of Avalon who had made the decision—but that very same Emperor was still absent.
At that moment, another faint explosion roared from behind the annex.
“What in the world is that sound…?”
One person’s reaction was as fast as lightning.
“P-Prince Kireua…?”
“Hey, you, Uriel or whatever! I’ll bring His Majesty right now, so stay put and don’t start any more bullshit!” Kireua yelled at the top of his lungs.
Uriel froze, his confident expression turning stiff.
A shadow followed Kireua a little later.
“Prince Selim…?” Lunsworth mumbled.
During their bizarre confrontation, Uriel had stopped paying attention to the two princes. From the beginning, Uriel had only two missions: to tear apart the relationship between Avalon and the other countries and recruit more allies. The other Four Paladins and the Battle God would take care of the second mission.
“Well! He says that he’ll bring the Martial God for us, so all we have to do is wait.”
Lunsworth narrowed his eyes.
“After hearing his explanation, we, the Hubalt Empire, will make a decision.”
A vein bulged out of Lunsworth’s forehead. Uriel was treating Avalon like a weaker and smaller nation.
“…Damn it.”
Nevertheless, Lunsworth let it go so as to not aggravate the situation any further. He could only hope that the princes would bring back the Emperor of Avalon and sort everything out.
* * *
The first thing Kireua could see behind the annex Palace was Cain, whose head was dripping with blood.
“Wh-What in the world…?” Kireua stammered.
Worse, Cain was already a mess, and most of his sword was chipped away.
“Who could have possibly wounded someone like Sir Cain…?” Kireua quickly turned his gaze past Cain.
A handsome man with masculine features stood arrogantly. He had a few scratches here and there, but they were nothing compared to Cain’s wounds. That shocked Kireua once again.
“…He’s strong.” Selim caught up to Kireua and eyed the man grimly.
“Hehehe, I must have gotten old. Ah, I’m so ashamed that I can’t even lift my head,” Cain murmured.
“Combat Emperor, you’re stronger than any of the men whom I’ve gone up against. Not one could leave a single cut on my clothes, let alone on my body.” Bel shrugged.
“Shut your mouth. I’m already too embarrassed to look my master in the eyes.”
“Haha, you two are definitely close.” Bel turned back with a grin.
“Don’t lose to him, Cain,” Joshua said. He’d only observed the fight so far.
“I’ll try… but I’m not really confident in my victory now.” Cain shrugged.
“You won’t be able to see me for a while if you lose.”
“…Umm, I know you’re trying to raise my spirit, but that's a terrible joke.”
“Do I sound like I’m joking?” Joshua quietly asked.
Cain realized what Joshua meant and slowly pushed himself to his feet.
“For goodness’ sake…” Cain mumbled, his golden aura fluctuating around him. “I can’t catch a break.”
“Come.” Bel beckoned Cain with his finger.
Cain disappeared at the speed of sound, so fast that Kireua couldn’t even follow his movement.
“…Ack!” Cain was catapulted with multiple times more velocity than he came in with.
“My hand is numb,” Bel remarked, examining his clenched fist.
Kireua and Selim were left speechless. They instinctively knew that they couldn’t guarantee victory even if they attacked Bel together.
“Martial God, are you not going to fight? Your dear subordinate will die at this rate.”
“…I have no other choice.” Joshua finally came forward, a black spear in hand.
-I’ll leave the rest to you two.
Kireua and Selim’s eyes widened.
“W-Wait, Your Majesty!”
They didn’t even have time to say anything to him.
“I’ll discard my vessel,” Joshua quietly mumbled.
The area was overwhelmed with energy that was more immense than anything they had ever felt.
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