Chapter 89
War God.
As the title suggested, it meant the god of war.
Even on the vast continent of Igrant, only one person had this illustrious title.
He had never lost in wars, and he was a strong Master as well.
It was said that the current Swallow Empire only existed because of him.
However, he wasn’t old as one would expect. He was young, and not even thirty yet.
He was the nephew of the current reigning emperor of the Swallow Empire, Verona bel Grace.
“Draxia bel Grace.”
A thin-eyed man muttered with his right arm stretched.
Rapiers came forward in response to his motion.
A streak of fresh blood splattered on the right cheek of the thin-eyed man.
“Keugh.”
The man in front of the thin-eyed man collapsed in a shower of blood.
The insignia of the Swallow Empire, which depicted an eagle, was on the deceased man's breastplate.
“Kekeke.”
The thin-eyed man giggled and licked the blood on his cheek.
“Arie, you can have a good time, but you know that we don’t have that much time.”
An old man wearing a monocle and white hair fixed in place swung his arms. His saber then plunged into the body of someone else, and he pulled it out in a spray of blood.
“Ugh.”
A man who appeared to be a soldier of the Swallow Empire fell with a cry.
“Please… save… save—”
Shing.
“Hoooh.”
The old man shook the blood off of his sword. He directed a disgusted look at his victim and spat.
The blood on the sword's blade dripped and formed a puddle on the ground.
Tak. Tak. Tak.
“...”
Count Arie Bron Sten whistled and turned around to face the old man.
He raised his thumbs up and smiled slyly.
“That was very clever, Duke Tremblin. You have never failed to amaze me whenever you’re in action. Are you really an old man?”
Geschhard kon Tremblin.
He was one of the five great Dukes. An absolute and a Master of over two decades.
Duke Geschhard kon Tremblin standing in front of Count Sten was one of the top three talented men throughout the vast Avalon Empire.
Geschhard frowned and said, “They said that this is the border zone, but it doesn’t change the fact that we are still in enemy territory. Isn’t it about worrying that we’re too laidback?”
“Oh, Duke. What are you so worried about? I think we can even go straight to the imperial palace and take Emperor Verona’s head, so why are you so worried?”
“A knight always has to do his best.”
“Sigh.”
With a disgruntled grimace, Arie stepped forward.
‘This old man doesn’t know how to have fun even though he’s very skilled. He’s not like Duke Agnus, who is very much more intriguing…’
Especially his strong-willed child…
Arie trembled when he recalled Joshua.
‘I have to wait a little longer until the fruit is ripe.’
Seeing Arie licking his upper lips, Geschhard asked, “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Why did you mention his name? Draxia bel Grace? Have you forgotten that the emperor has given you a warning about taking caution in both words and actions?”
At Geschhard’s scolding, Arie ruffled his bangs.
'This old man has sharp ears…’
Arie muttered to himself. Afterward, he fixed his expression and said, “I was merely expressing my dissatisfaction with the situation.”
“What are you displeased about?”
At Geschhard’s question, Arie answered, “I don’t like how Draxia bel Grace is forcing us around. It makes me feel like our great empire is joining hands with that brat who only knows how to kill.”
“It is His Majesty’s will.”
Geschhard took a deep breath and bent over. He got up after rummaging through the dirt and finding a piece of fabric.
As Geschhard examined the pattern in the fabric, Arie remarked, “I don't believe they'll be fooled by such a silly tactic.”
“It makes no difference whether they’ll get tricked or not.”
“...?”
Geschhard noticed Arie's confusion and explained, “People have a tendency to believe what they want to believe. If the guards in the border area near Thran were killed amidst the ongoing crisis.”
“The eyes of the people will naturally converge in that direction?” Arie chuckled as if he was amused and said, “Draxia bel Grace. That kid wants the throne, am I right?”
“...”
Geschhard looked around before responding, “Well—”
However, before Geschhard could even explain, Arie interrupted and said, “Since the Emperor of Swallow has no son to inherit the throne, the kid is probably aiming for it. Everything will be explained if this is the case.”
“...”
“Does he want the position so much that he would gladly join hands with the enemy for the sake of it?”
“Don't strive to know everything; His Majesty will make all the important decisions,” replied Geschhard.
As if he didn't care, Arie spread his palms out. “I’m curious, why are you moving so slowly? I mean, I don’t hate this place since it has blood and everything, but as you said, we don’t have much time.”
At that, Arie started walking away.
“...”
Geschhard let out a deep sigh while staring at Arie’s back.
Arie walked on the bloody path they had created as he returned the same way.
Perhaps there were thousands of bodies on the ground because even the greeneries had turned red from all the blood as Arie walked over the bodies.
The bodies had holes in vital spots, which were the forehead, heart, and nape.
‘He’s someone whose next move can't be predicted, so I can only take Evergrant’s advice and be extra cautious for now.’
Geschhard shook his head and started following Arie.
***
“I'll accompany you.”
“What?”
Joshua directed an incredulous look at the boy stopping him with arms extended wide.
After sending the formal withdrawal letter to the Dean’s Office, Joshua was currently on his way back.
However, someone stood in his way, and Joshua thought he was there to say goodbye.
“Icarus…”
Joshua quietly examined the boy in front of him.
Icarus’ light blue hair had a brilliant sheen resembling clear skies. His double eyelids drooped, and his larger-than-average eyes exhibited a vigorous and calming blue. His diminutive face also perfectly harmonized with his features.
Icarus had no idea, but Joshua knew that Icarus’ stunning appearance would be at the top of the list when a list of the desirable husbands for noble families in the area would be made in the future.
‘If he weren’t a man, then he would have been...’
“A beautiful and absolutely lovely—”
“What?”
Icarus jumped in astonishment. Joshua had accidentally said his thoughts out loud.
Icarus blushed. He definitely misunderstood Joshua’s intentions.
At that, Joshua chuckled. “You’ll accompany me? What do you mean?”
Icarus raised his head in response to Joshua's question.
“I mean it literally. You said that you’ll be going to the Imperial Palace, right? So please bring me along with you.”
“Do you even know what you’re saying right now?”
“Yes! Please take me in as your attendant. I’ll be Young Master’s attendant.”
“...”
Joshua shut his mouth and stared into Icarus’ eyes.
Icarus stared at Joshua as well without looking away despite the blush on his cheeks.
‘Is he serious?’?As he inwardly grumbled, Joshua's eyes stared at the ground in thought.
Attendant.
It literally referred to someone who rides with a knight as the knight’s assistant.
As a knight, Joshua needed an attendant who would run errands for him outside the palace or go with him wherever he was dispatched.
‘Yes, his roots are that of a commoner, but he has already become a nobleman, so why does he want to lower himself to become my attendant?’
Icarus opened his mouth as if to answer the inquiry as Joshua was completely immersed in his thoughts at the words that Joshua's common sense did not comprehend.
Joshua found it incomprehensible.
Icarus noticed Joshua’s confusion and answered, “I want a fixed contract with a clearly defined end.”
“A fixed contract?” said the perplexed Joshua.
Icarus nodded.
“The contract is effective while you’re still a part of the Imperial Knights Order, and it ends once you leave the imperial palace.”
Joshua chuckled almost immediately. He seemed to have an idea of what Icarus meant.
“Why do I feel like you’re already thinking that I’ll be successful in joining the Imperial Knights Order? A kid like me joining the Imperial Knights Order will be unprecedented, you know?”
“It doesn’t matter. I have trust in what I saw.”
“...”
Icarus’ confidence made Joshua sigh.
“If you don’t really want to be my attendant, what is your true purpose then?”
“That…” Icarus trailed off. However, he eventually confessed with a determined look. “I want to prove my worth next to you.”
“Prove your worth?”
“Yes...” After a brief pause, Icarus explained, “Didn’t you say that you want me to be one of your people?”
“Yes, I did.”
“I don’t want to be entitled to that place just because we’re friends. I want to amaze you with my abilities—I want to amaze you enough that you’ll go ‘wow!’ and recruit me as soon as possible.”
Icarus stared at Joshua.
“When the contract ends, I hope Young Master gives me the place I deserve.”
“...”
Joshua took a deep breath and said, “Let me ask you one question.”
“Anything.”
“Are you just betting on me because of my family?”
“No...” With a resolute expression on his face, Icarus shook his head. “Your name is Joshua von Agnus, but I believe that one day, you will grow and exceed that name of yours. At least that’s what I see every time I look at you, Joshua von Agnus.”
“...”
Joshua grinned.
Joshua was finally convinced that Icarus had become one of his men, similar to Cain.
However, Icarus didn’t really have to waste his time demonstrating his worth.
After all, Joshua was already aware of Icarus' power.
‘He’s charismatic, and in my opinion, it’s better to have Icarus on my side.’
While staring at Icarus’ lovely face, a warm light flashed across Joshua's eyes.
'However…’
With a determined look, Joshua said, “About your suggestion…”
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦