Roman looked at his fist after hearing that someone from the palace was coming.
A large, solid hand full of scars.
'I shouldn't hit the guy sent by the Royal Family, right?'
It was an obvious thought. Still, he hesitated.
Are you loyal to Naurillia?
Would you fight for the Royal Family if danger approached?
If someone were to ask him those questions, Roman would nod without hesitation.
And if they added, "Would you beat to death a noble you didn't like?" he would nod twice as fast.
A vow of loyalty comes from the heart, after all.
'But wouldn't it be better to just give me the authority for instant noble executions?'
When Roman was serving in the palace as a member of the Knights, he had thoughts like that.
After all, the palace was full of idiots who never made sense whenever they opened their mouths.
Oara was dead.
His master had left this world.
Even in the damp weather, her body didn't rot easily.
Grief, mourning—those were only important to the people of this city.
What about the one sent by the Royal Family?
As soon as the palace heard the news, they sent someone.
It was a remarkably quick response.
Was it obvious? Of course it was.
After all, a Knight of the order had died.
One of the pillars of the nation had fallen.
Not knowing everything that happened here, they'd have to worry about suppressing the Demon Realm and the political implications.
'They must have mountains of concerns, huh?'
That's why someone from the Royal Family came before a cedar coffin.
That person would question why a Knight died here.
That person would blame them.
Why was there a need to fight here?
Annoying noble bastards.
Roman's hand clenched tightly. Veins bulged across the back of his hand.
He would tolerate it, as long as he could. As long as he could.
And if he couldn't? Wasn't the nickname of that guy under Encrid 'the noble hunter?'
The rumor was widespread that he had killed some noble who was acting like a jerk.
Roman thought he might steal that nickname himself.
Today was the funeral of Knight Oara, his master.
"Sigh."
Roman sighed once and stepped outside.
Flames flared up.
Even though it was daytime, torches were lit everywhere because the city was filled with fog.
On days like this, the monsters usually went on a rampage.
It happened sometimes, the day after the Twin Moons appeared.
It was because the monsters, drunk on their bloodlust, would go wild.
But that wasn't the case this time.
"There are no signs of anything."
The scouts had been diligently patrolling since dawn and confirmed that the Demon Realm was quiet.
Just as his master had said.
The Demon Realm was silent.
The monster that was the core of the Demon Realm had died. The Demon Realm had poured out everything it had.
Now, it was nothing more than a collection of colonies.
Oara wanted to bring an end to the Gray Forest of the Demon Realm.
A Knight is a disaster.
They are called that because of the immense power they possess.
Even with that destructive power, it's hard to close off the Demon Realm. But Oara had managed to do it.
Do you not know? What his master had done for this city? How much this city loved her?
If the guy from the Royal Family belittled his master's achievements, Roman wouldn't be a Junior Knight of the Red Cape Knights, but a thug.
'Show some respect for my master. Please.'
His turbulent emotions automatically tightened his grip. It seemed better to leave his weapon behind.
Roman did just that. He left his weapon behind.
A Knight who some called a disaster.
But to Roman, she was a blessing, leaving her mark all over the city.
"Hey, do you really want to live by begging for a few coins from those girls?"
"What are you talking about? You want to die?"
It was when he first came to Thousand Bricks as a soldier.
Judging only by appearances, he picked a fight and got beaten until he could see stars in the middle of the day.
"You need education. Follow me!"
At some point, Roman started to admire Oara.
It wasn't romantic. It was respect.
Without her, he might have ended up as a petty thug crawling in the back alleys or living as the master of some criminal guild.
That would have been his life.
No one was leading the funeral, but the townspeople all gathered.
There were hardly any children, women, or elderly in the city.
It was like a massive military camp.
Oara loved the city, but it also pained her.
"If only the Demon Realm didn't exist, wouldn't the people laugh and chat more? I want to hear the laughter of children in this city."
That was Oara's dream.
She would make it come true. She never gave up, even in death, and laid the foundation.
Roman planned to erase and clean up the remaining parts of the Demon Realm.
Then, children would laugh in this city too.
Roman told all of this in detail to a friend named Encrid.
Encrid quietly listened and nodded.
No, just the fact that he listened well brought comfort.
He was a strange guy.
Before he knew it, he had become part of the city and had shared in his master's final moments.
The central platform of the city came into view. Someone stood atop it.
It must have been the person from the Royal Palace. His face was unfamiliar. It wasn't anyone Roman knew.
'Obviously. What noble would I know?'
The man stood on the platform without a cloak. No armor. His clothes gave off an air of luxury, befitting a noble.
But his hair was covered in dust, and his clothes, soaked in sweat and dried, bore white salt stains.
The man stood on the platform and looked at everyone.
In Roman's eyes, everything the man did seemed to command attention.
Before saying or doing anything impressive, just his gaze made it happen.
The atmosphere, the attention, the flow of the air—all were drawn toward the platform.
"I ask for forgiveness."
The man's mouth opened.
Instead of introducing himself, he spoke of seeking forgiveness first.
"I am grateful for the efforts of Knight Oara, but I cannot claim to be without fault in her death."
He wasn't crying, yet he looked as if he were.
What was he grieving for? The loss of a Knight?
No. It wasn't that. He truly seemed to be feeling sorrow.
That's what Roman thought.
The man's expression didn't change. He stood quietly, speaking only with his eyes and breath.
"I'm sorry."
He was sorry that he couldn't do anything for the one who had defended this land, and it weighed on him as guilt.
Who was this man to show such arrogance?
Roman's anger flared up in an instant. His emotions were hard to control.
Just as he was about to shout something, the man on the platform opened his mouth again.
"My name is Kdianath Rangdias Naurill, the name of the man you may resent and curse."
What?
Roman widened his eyes and glared at the platform.
What did this bastard just say?
"As Knight Oara's dream was to protect this city, I, too, swear this: Until Naurillia falls, or even if it does, I will protect this land and this city."
The Royal Family had sent someone, and that person vowed to protect the city.
That person showed sorrow over the death of Knight Oara.
And it wasn't just about the master. He knew each of the fallen soldiers by name.
After the civil war ended, Roman had heard that the newly enthroned King had done such things.
The King did the same thing this time.
As soon as he heard the news, he ran without stopping day or night.
With a body that looked like it might collapse at any moment, he stood on the platform, speaking of sorrow and making vows.
"You may throw stones at me if you wish."
There was once a Knight who loved this city.
That Knight, in the end, protected the city.
And the King who was supposed to protect that Knight said that the people's resentment should be directed at him.
Even if this were a lie.
Roman thought as tears welled in his eyes.
Defending this city was, in the end, defending the Kingdom.
By protecting the city, Oara had maintained her loyalty to the Royal Family.
Roman himself would do the same.
For a King like that.
Since he would protect the city in Oara's place.
Roman raised his head.
The fog lifted. The Twin Moons, the Red Moon, and Darpina set, and the rising sunlight shattered everything.
The gray fog that had come from the Gray Forest of the Demon Realm dissipated, and sunlight surged in like waves.
The sunlight, crashing in like waves, stopped in place and brightly illuminated the world. It shone on the King, on the people, and enveloped the fallen Oara.
In the midst of the sunlight, the blonde King looked at everyone.
"Honor Knight Oara."
The King saluted.
* * *
Krang, who had descended from the platform, opened his mouth.
Behind Krang, in the corner of the platform, Encrid quietly listened to him.
"Did I arrive just in time? Or was I late? Or perhaps I should blame my ignorance for the past days when I couldn't do anything for the Knight who protected this land."
Political positions, power, the strength of the Royal Family.
This wasn't a calculated move.
He had come to comfort those who would mourn someone's death.
If cynical advice had been necessary, Krang could have done that.
But he didn't.
Instead, he stood on the platform and delivered a speech, not quite a speech, with all his heart.
They say sorrow lessens when shared.
Krang divided the grief among all the citizens.
Oara was dead.
But no one would forget her name.
"From today, I will call this city Oara."
The King spoke and descended from the platform.
"I'm exhausted."
Only then did Krang speak in a whining tone, looking directly at Encrid. Encrid, who had been watching, scolded the King.
"You should have at least brought a coffin made of cedar."
"Exactly."
Well, if he had thought about it, he wouldn't have come like this.
The guards who accompanied him didn't seem too comfortable either.
"Ha. Damn monsters, the Demon Realm."
Krang looked up at the sky. Even under the glaring sunlight, he didn't frown and closed his eyes. He continued speaking with his eyes still closed.
"I'll erase the Demon Realm. Even if I have to dedicate my whole life to it. This land is my responsibility and my Kingdom. A Knight died in my land. So, I will erase the entire Demon Realm."
You could feel the will. The will wrapped in determination and conviction.
Krang's words carried weight.
It was the same as when he first met him in the infirmary.
His tone, his gaze, his gestures—everything flowed as if predetermined. Like the sun rising and the moon setting.
Krang spoke like that.
He spoke with all his heart.
Encrid listened properly. He understood. He read the will embedded in Krang's words.
Though it wasn't fast or slow, just one simple statement, he would do it.
He would erase the Demon Realm.
This King would burn his flame for that purpose.
A vision appeared once more.
Knights, Junior Knights, squires, soldiers—all raising their swords for one King.
They would swing their swords and thrust their spears.
Toward the monsters, toward the King's enemies.
The King takes responsibility and sets the direction.
The Knights remove the obstacles on that path.
That was each person's role.
"My sword will be there with them."
Encrid replied.
"That's good to hear. Let's walk a bit."
Krang quickly returned to his usual self. The same light attitude as when they first met in the infirmary.
"You look like you might collapse if we keep walking."
"If I collapse, just help me up."
"Why should I do that when you've got your guards?"
"True enough."
With trivial jokes and faint smiles, they both walked.
The day that has passed will not return.
The dead will not return.
It was the same thing.
Was this the best? Could there have been a better path?
Encrid dismissed such thoughts.
Regretting the day that had passed, imagining 'Wouldn't the road not taken have been better?'
There was nothing more foolish than believing there was a better choice. Such thoughts and regrets were more dangerous than a curse.
If he had lived burdened with that weight, he would never have come this far.
So, he brushed it off and walked, honoring the day that had passed, the people who had died.
Just because it had passed didn't mean it was forgotten.
Perhaps until the day he dies, it would never be forgotten.
So, was Oara truly dead?
Her body had perished, but her spirit would live on in the city of Oara.
At the forefront of that...
He wasn't sure why Roman, that bandit-like friend, was crying, but he would likely stand at the front.
It wasn't a prophecy, but it just felt that way.
Roman wasn't the only one crying. The grief that Krang had shared swept through the city.
People too overwhelmed to even shed tears before now cried.
If their tears continued the spirit of Oara...
Some of her skills will be passed on by me, Knight Oara.
In other words, her spirit, her skills, her will—those things would remain and be passed down.
Though she was dead, she would continue to protect this land.
With that, you could say that Knight Oara had preserved her will and conviction.
Encrid thought this as he walked along, making a soft sound with each step.
Krang followed beside him, and the guards trailed behind.
Once again, Luagarne came to Krang's other side, walking with Encrid between them.
"When the contract with the former Queen ended, I asked you to help with my tasks. And here you are, Luagarne."
Krang leaned his head forward as he spoke.
Luagarne puffed up her cheeks with a gurgling sound and laughed before replying.
"My interest lies not with that, but with this."
Luagarne pointed her tongue at Encrid as she spoke. Even with her tongue sticking out, her speech was clear. If it was a skill, it was quite a skill.
"You said you were interested in my face?"
"Illuminating faces is just something we Frogs do naturally, and it doesn't necessarily mean I'm contracting with you."
"I know. I just find it disappointing."
Gurgle, gurgle.
Luagarne only laughed. It seemed she found joy just by looking at their faces, and Krang was included in her peculiar taste.
Encrid and Krang walked through the split beams of sunlight.
No significant words passed between them.
The future, politics, the issues arising from the absence of a Knight—none of that mattered to either of them.
"So, you killed a ghoul that fought like a Knight? Your skills have improved."
"It just happened."
"You can't just say it 'just happened', can you?"
"Of course not. It's an incomprehensible learning ability."
Luagarne chimed in from the side. From her perspective, it was nothing short of miraculous that he had perfectly replicated a Knight's strike in one try.
How could that be possible?
She asked, but there was no answer that Encrid could give.
Various conversations passed by, like fleeting thoughts.
Encrid listened to Krang's stories and shared his own.
Mostly trivial things.
Though the content was important and some of it secret, to them, it was nothing but idle chatter.
For example, something like this:
"Oh, by the way, I got married."
For a King, having heirs was part of the job.
Krang mentioned his duty with indifference.
Encrid congratulated him.
"Is it really something to be congratulated for?"
Krang joked.
The two laughed.
The city of Oara was filled with countless problems.
But those problems could be solved by others.
They simply handed over the issues and continued their conversation.
"What kind of person was Oara?"
Krang asked about the hero who protected the city, whom he hadn't seen.
A person who shone brightly.
Like sunlight.
Encrid recalled and answered.
( Hey readers, I hope you're enjoying the novel so far. I received a bad news two days ago. My buymeacoffee account got suspended permanently and I have lost all those members. I any of the member of that platform is reading this, you can subscribe to the same memberships on this platform. And to my regular readers, please support me in these difficult times. I don't know why this is happening to me. First my free sites got suspended and now my paid site got suspended too. I am now working on building my own novel website where all the novels will be available and no one will be able to interfere with that site. So please support me guys.)
[T/L: Please support me AND read further chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans.]
[Additional Info: If anyone is facing the issue of payment on Ko-Fi, please contact me on [email protected]]