Chapter 92
“T-The Agnus Family Crest!”
Ribery's eyes widened when he discovered the coat of arms depicted the Knight’s Tomb encased in pristine white armor.
However, Ribery was confused.
‘Why is this kid wearing a surcoat with the Agnus Family crest on his chest?’
“Please forgive my rudeness, Young Master!”
The quick-witted Bunto bowed his head right away.
“...!” Upon seeing that, Ribery immediately followed and bowed his head low.
“The holder of the Agnus Family Crest! Welcome to the Imperial Palace!” Bunto exclaimed while Ribery started scolding himself for judging a book by its cover.
‘What the heck…’?Ribery inwardly grumbled as the boy started moving. Amidst the deafening silence, only the boy’s movements, as well as the faint clanking sound of metal, could be heard.
‘What the hell?’
The Agnus Family Crest.
As far as Ribery knew, the artifact Joshua had just used was definitely a Deon Ring.
If his assumption was correct about the strange armor, it meant that Joshua would probably become the successor of Duke Agnus.
Ribery didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
He's been married for 10 years, and now he's 30 years old.
‘Why do I find myself desperately thinking of my children and my wife, whom I love so much…’
“Oh my God…”
Ribery wasn’t really religious, but he sincerely prayed to God.
Fortunately, God responded to Ribery’s wishes in a surreal manner.
Clank.
The faint sound of metal clashing against each other could still be heard, and those noises terrified Ribery. Eventually, he opened his eyes when the noises had disappeared.
His co-worker—Joshua went to his co-worker and passed by him.
He looked at the boy’s back, which was gradually disappearing into the distance.
'He left just like that? He didn’t punish us or anything?'
When Ribery realized that he had just escaped punishment, he sighed. “Haaa…”
Bunto saw Ribery sighing as if he had just received an imperial pardon. “What happened to you, Ribery? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Ribery looked into the distance where Joshua was last seen.
Meanwhile, Bunto asked, “If he didn’t say that he’s Duke Agnus’ son, what would you have done?”
“That’s… Anyway, I’m glad that he did not strike me down.”
At Ribery’s reply, Bunto held his hand out toward Ribery and helped the latter up.
Ribery stood up and shook off the dirt on his buttocks before muttering, “Was he serious? Berche’s Bloody Battle?”
Berche’s Bloody Battle.
It was a uniquely violent type of combat, named after Grand Duke Berche, the Avalon Empire's first commander-in-chief of the Imperial Knights Order, and it was initially created as a competition of pure skills and strength between battalions.
However, the generational rivalry grew more intense over time, and the Imperial Knights' status grew along with their popularity. There was a reason why Berche’s Bloody Battle also received the name Battle of Blood.
The reigning emperor, Marcus ben Britten, was dissatisfied with the current system and proposed a new one.
~
Battalions are divided from 1st through 12th, and the higher divisions enjoy more privileges. Rewards can be accessed and utilized by every battalion member aside from the battalion commander. Knights of a lower division may challenge knights from a higher division at any time. Accidents are the sole responsibility of the injured. Anyone is allowed to participate in Berche’s Bloody Battle, and that included normal civilians of Avalon. The 11th and 12th Battalions are responsible for the event.
~
Emperor Marcus' announcement elicited a massive uproar throughout the empire at the time. Emperor Marcus' proclamation basically meant that any Avalonian could become an imperial knight regardless of bloodline and background.
In addition, a challenged knight could not decline requests for a fight.
Even among the upper divisions, namely the 1st through 3rd Battalion, the difference in privileges was significant. Many people believed that the competition would only get more intense as time went on.
“I didn’t expect that Duke Agnus’ son would participate in Berche’s Bloody Battle,” said Bunto.
“I understand why you thought that way. However, isn’t the bloody battle like a legend to outsiders?” asked Ribery.
Bunto nodded and said, “The loser will be stripped of their position as an imperial knight. For the knights who value honor more than their lives, could there be a greater humiliation than that?”
“That’s the reason why the challenged never spared the challengers. Everyone knows the consequences of going soft while in the middle of Berche’s Bloody Battle. If they spare the challenger, the challenger would have the chance to challenge them again. That’s also the reason why the bloody battle has become a legend to the general public.”
.
Bunto stared into the distance and said, “He was just as old as your son…”
Ribery tilted his head at Bunto’s words. “He’s the treasure of the empire and Duke Agnus’ successor, right? Babel von Agnus, was it? Yeah, I guess he looks a bit younger than I expected. He didn't have the rumored golden hair too…”
“Wait!”
All of a sudden, Bunto exclaimed upon recalling a few rumors.
“Duke Agnus has another child! A mana user at the age of nine. He’s so much younger than Young Master Babel.”
“What?”
Ribery’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes… I can never forget Young Master’s name...” Bunto stared at the imperial palace and muttered, “His name is Joshua von Agnus, the empire’s new Rising Star.”
***
Emperor Marcus was sitting in a stylish chair.
Meanwhile, Black Wind’s Leader Jacken spoke and reported, “Your Majesty, Duke Geschhard and Count Arie will soon return to the capital. They have successfully completed their mission.”
“Great,” replied Emperor Marcus with delight. He glanced at Jacken and asked, “How did Swallow react to the situation?”
“There hasn’t been much of a response. However, I believe that they are observing the situation for now to prepare for their next move.”
“Hmm… That’s interesting. They’re the bloodthirsty barbarians of the north, after all.”
Emperor Marcus smirked and chuckled. “Perhaps this is because of that old man, Verona bel Grace?”
Jacken nodded and said, “It seems like Prime Minister Marco, the known sage, has a part to play as well.”
“Hmm.”
Emperor Marcus nodded. He smacked his lips and revealed an unhappy look before saying, “This is unexpected. If only Demero bel Grace were the emperor! He rivals me, after all.”
Jacken bowed even deeper as if he recalled something.
“Your Majesty, I have one more thing to report.”
“One more? What’s this?”
“Vig beck Stek was apparently murdered.”
“Vig beck Stek? Who’s that?” Emperor Marcus frowned and muttered, “I believe I've heard of this name before. Where did I hear it?”
“He was the Lord of Locke Estate, a mansion of the Agnus, and he previously approached His Majesty for help.”
“Oh! That pig!” Emperor Marcus nodded as if he had just recalled the individual in question. Then, Emperor Marcus asked with an uncharacteristically solemn expression, “Don’t tell me that Aden von Agnus has caught on to our plans?”
“After further investigation, I found out that Vig’s death had nothing to do with Duke Agnus.”
“Oh, is that the case?” Emperor Marcus seemed doubtful.
At that, Jacken respectfully answered, “Yes… It was said that Duke Agnus was in Arcadia during the time of Vig’s death, and there was nothing suspicious going on in their household as well, they were not even aware of his death, and—”
Emperor Marcus interrupted. “So you can't verify the identity of the killer at all?”
“Please accept my apologies.”
Knock!
Jacken bowed and hit his forehead hard against the floor. Emperor Marcus shook his head lightly and said, “Fine. I guess Black Wind has its limits as well.”
“It is our mistake…”
“Hmm.” Emperor Marcus held his chin with his hand and glanced at Jacken before muttering, “I guess I’ll have to meet him, maybe he knows something we don’t.”
“...”
The emperor wanted to meet 'him'?in such a situation.
Jacken was scared, so he didn’t dare to say anything. He knew that all he could do right now was obey the emperor’s commands.
No one could possibly challenge the emperor’s commands.
Jacken was once reminded of that fact once again, and he promptly opened his mouth upon recalling something. “His daughter, who had been with him in the Locke Estate, has apparently enrolled at the Avalon Imperial Academy.”
“Our academy?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Marcus' eyes gleamed.
Jacken continued. “She’s known as Anna beck Stek, but her real name is Anna bel Grace.”
“...”
“It is unclear if she is his biological daughter, but he clearly adores her.”
“That's right. That was one of the conditions…” Emperor Marcus suddenly recalled something, and he soon ordered Jacken. “I have to meet her first, bring her to me.”
“It shall be done!”
Jacken bowed and quickly disappeared.
Alone in the room, Emperor Marcus' eyes glimmered as he pondered over something.
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