[Nox von Reinhaver. If you kill him, I will lend you the army of the Demon Realm.]
Amdusias.
Recently, when Garen visited the western city to seek him out, Amdusias issued him his first mission.
To kill Nox von Reinhaver.
This matter was of significant importance to Amdusias and the other members of Pandemonium, including Rick.
After all, how many Grand Dukes had already fallen victim to Nox?
Though a mere human, Amdusias had experienced seeing the Seven Stars of the continent, this was why he preferred not to face Nox von Reinhaver directly.
Amdusias doesn't want to confront anyone possessing even the slightest possibility.
That was his difference from the other belligerence Grand Dukes.
So, who would be the most suitable person to confront Nox?
'Naturally, a blood-relative that coveting of his power'
Amdusias understood.
Regrettably, blood ties often cause deep wounds and deficiencies in others.
For instance, when an older sibling gained comparatively more, the younger sibling inevitably received less.
Affection, possessions, or power.
The relative word is like a deceptive lie, led individuals to compare what they held with others, ultimately lead people to unhappiness.
Amdusias knew this well.
That was why he planned to use Garen to eliminate Nox.
For Garen, it was an offer he could not refuse. an offer to eliminate his troublesome youngest sibling as part of a task assigned by a Grand Duke for the first time?
He thought there was no better offer than this.
It was a win-win situation for both sides.
And to speak, now is that moment.
Garen bowed swiftly in response.
"Of course, This is Grand Duke Amdusias first directive to me, isn't it? I, Garen, will ensure the mission is carried out successfully."
[Then, you must. If we don't stop him, unforeseen variables may arise. Handle it thoroughly.]
After their conversation and departure from the western city, Garen resolved.
That he will get rid of his foolish younger brother no matter what.
And, there was a process he needed to follow beforehand.
None other, the existences on his sides. Formidable beings, including Noah.
Without the support of the Demon Realm's army, Garen lacked the strength to handle his companions. While overestimating the enemy would be unwise, underestimating them could be a poison.
The enemy was none other than Nox von Reinhaver
Not only he had recently gained favor from his father, but he also secured the position of the top seat of Eldain, and he was a person who won against the first Prince Louis in a duel. There were likely even more secrets he had hidden.
But Garen had no intention of confronting him unprepared.
For example, his own ally and mother, Priscilla.
Her ability to track Nox's whereabouts was critical.
"Nox von Reinhaver was reportedly in a village quite far from Eldain. Seeing that he vanished without informing anyone of where he went, he must be fleeing"
"Though he once boldly declared war, it appears he has now had a change of heart. It's almost laughable that the Grand Duke would bother with such trash."
"True. But never let your guard down, my son. You must climb even higher. Unless you surpass Theo von Reinhaver, you'll remain second best, unable to persuade the family and the Elder Council."
"Yes, Mother. I will remember that."
The mother and son, not only both worshiped demons, they also shared a common goal, to dethrone Theo von Reinhaver. Their father and husband respectively.
Now is Reinhaver. Moving forward, the mother and son believe they will obtain much more.
Nox von Reinhaver would die cursing his reckless decisions, his life ending miserably as a fugitive.
For both of them, Nox von Reinhaver was someone who needed to be completely destroyed.
Only then would Garen seize control of the family's power.
Even conspiring with demons to overthrow imperial authority was just part of the process. at least to them.
——————————————
The metallic scent of blood filled the air. There was no need to confirm whose it was.
It was my blood. More precisely, blood gushing from my neck.
Pierced by a lightning-quick thrust from Garen's blade.
As expected, the difference in our abilities was clear.
My opponent is Garen von Reinhaver
The eldest son is mentioned to become the head of the family.
In the end, I wasn't yet skilled enough to face him with a sword.
Despite acquiring various items and growing stronger, I couldn't win against someone who had trained for years. That was the unyielding rule of this harsh world.
Keep moving forward.
That was the only thing I could hold onto for my future.
Garen smirked coldly.
"You've certainly grown stronger, but you're far from ready to fight me. Foolish little brother. Running away to this remote village…"
"I ran away? What a joke."
I laughed in disbelief. My words seemed to momentarily bothered Garen, but he quickly regained his arrogant expression.
"If you think you can deceive me and escape like that, you are mistaken. Many who follow me are already here. Your death in this place is inevitable."
"Listen carefully, Garen. I'll say it just once. I didn't run away, nor did I plan to die quietly. This place will become your grave."
"Such arrogance, huh."
"No, the one who is wrong is you."
Clang!
Siblings swords are crossed. Though I lack memories as Nox. I know that half of the blood running through that man's body is the same as mine. Theo von Reinhaver. A fleeting thought crosses my mind. what is he thinking now?
And why did Christopher ask me to save him? From my experiences playing the game, I know he's clearly a villain.
There's still so much I don't understand, but at this moment, I can only focus on one thing.
I must kill him.
The man with white hair like mine in front of me,
My blood relative brother, the firstborn.
Because in this world, I can't survive if I don't do it.
[Activating the skill "Genius Time+"]
For a moment, time slows.
Everything that etches into my retinas. Every part of the scenery,
Every leaf that rustles in the air. All freezes in place.
Now I understand.
This sensation is mine alone. Though it lasts only for a fleeting moment, the time that make me stronger than anyone is my biggest weapon.
Step.
I take a single step. As my body moves, I see my opponent's view shift abruptly.
The first step of the Light step. Taught to me by Vernon is a basic movement technique. Yet, combined with this time that is unique to me, it gains immense value.
"What the…!"
A voice close to a scream escapes Garen's lips.
He should never expect to be outpaced by his youngest sibling in a battle of speed. But what can he do?
I have the skill.
A skill that grants me a time no one else in this world possesses.
A skill that belonged to Nox, but now belongs to me.
A cold smile involuntary forms on my lips.
As if I truly enjoy it, I raise my sword toward Garen.
The first half, the first form of the Black Sword, [Black Blade Flash].
The sword, transformed into a flash slash, its blade aims precisely for the enemy.
Shwat! The sound of a spray of blood follows as I feel my blade bites into his shoulder.
But the situation isn't that good.
'Shallow.'
"How dare! The son of a lowly woman!"
His voice drips with contempt.
But it doesn't bother me.
If anything, his excessive words only confirm that he's beginning to falter. Garen von Reinhaver. I'm sorry, but I won't kill you so easily.
Not with all those eyes watching us flickering candles, though they are my relatives, they are hoping for my death more than anyone else. I have to show them.
Nox von Reinhaver
I have to show them what kind of person I am.
"Curse it….! What are you doing? Kill him immediately!"
With his scream, countless soldiers began to pour down from the top of village where we fought. Clad in black, they are members of the Reinhaver family's branch lines.
Now, I can say they are clearly my enemies.
I understood now. Sharing the same blood doesn't make us family.
This world is no cradle.
"By the young master's order!"
"Kill Nox von Reinhaver"
"Kill him!"
Their voices echo along with torrents of murderous intent from the Reinhaver's swordmanships.
The soldiers uniformly wield black blades. I'm aware of the threat they pose. Still, I smiled involuntarily. They're behaving exactly as expected. isn't that right?
Cheeeengg!
Despite the onslaught of swords aimed at me, I remain unbothered and just stand. Maybe I could react quickly enough to dodge.
But is it physically possible to handle all these numbers?
No
Yet, there's one reason I can just remain confident like this.
Every blade shatters before they can touch me.
"Young master! This Christopher has arrived without late! Though the journey here was long and arduous, my loyalty to you, young master Nox, has never wavered! This Christopher will prove it to you…"
"Nox von Reinhaver"
I ignore Christopher's rapid and verbose declaration entirely. And incline my ear instead toward the clear, ringing voice of a young girl.
Reddish-brown hair, a gaze that I've been meeting more frequently than ever these days. While looking at her, I made a expression of 'as expected'
"Eleanor."
"What were the rest of us supposed to think if you suddenly decide to start a war and then disappear? I-I was shocked!"
"Hmm, you?"
I replied nonchalantly, but her expression was quite serious this time. Was she acting? I wasn't sure.
Regardless, she continued.
"If it weren't for this pendant, I never would've known you were here. I thought something had happened to you. That you might've abandoned…."
"But you came, didn't you?"
Eleanor's pupils widened. As if it were natural, I kept speaking.
"I knew you'd come."
More accurately, I knew she'd show up with an entire army, just as I could see behind her now. But I didn't say that. Mentioning it might shatter the trust I'd built. So instead, I simply stated that I trusted her. As I did that, for some reason..
"…. If you are saying things like that. how am I supposed to…."
What?
Suddenly, Eleanor's face turned bright red. Don't know what to do when dealing with people was just like past Yoochan.
Apparently, she's really just as bad at dealing with people as he was.
Calmly thinking this, I shifted my gaze back to Garen.
He muttered in a dazed voice.
"Nonsense! You couldn't have contacted anyone before arriving here…"
"Didn't I tell you?"
I smiled coldly as I replied.
"I didn't run."
For a moment, the matching necklaces Eleanor and I were wearing emitted a brief flash of light. The beautiful pendants glowed with a brilliant hue, radiating shimmering water-like colors that scattered like magnificent fireworks.
These necklaces were one of the critical components of my plan this time.
Eleanor's quick wits are the same.
"…It seems you've resorted to shallow tricks"
Garen quickly assessed the situation and remarked.
However, judging by how he regained composure shortly after, he did not seem overly flustered. The sheer number of troops the man had brought along was overwhelming after all. I can say that's normal.
The quality of the forces too far exceeded what a single family's heir could command.
By the laws of the Imperial family, it would be a grave crime for a noble family to possess an army of this scale. but…
Either way, the war had already begun. This was an act revealing his future plans, in other words, after seizing the central powers and imperial authority as a Dark family, he will reject the Holy Families and Arkheim.
'I operate under the authority of the princess, who has granted me the right to lead and mobilize forces. But, he isn't. This is clearly rebellion.'
"You stain the name of Reinhaver to its end, huh. Foolish bastard."
"Not something I want to hear from the disgrace of our family. Nox von Reinhaver. Hey bug. If you just stay still, you might have barely kept your life. Why do you dare oppose me?"
"Save your nonsense and grip your sword properly, Garen. Unless you wish for news to spread that you were slain by the ignorance blade of the family's disgrace"
"…. In the end, you truly insist on provoking me."
Garen gripped his sword.
A unique black blade emanated a power that reached me.
Christopher stood faithfully by my side to help.
"Young Master, This Christoper, I will assist you if you just give me a command…."
"You may step back."
"…. Is that fine? No matter how exceptional a knight you are, Young Master, Garen-nim was once praised as the rightful heir of the Reinhaver family. This Christopher cannot help but be concerned for your safety…"
"Laughable concern. Let me make this clear. I, Nox von Reinhaver, will not lose to such a worthless piece of trash."
————————————————
"….."
Christopher fell silent for a moment.
Though he knew his young master was strong, this felt premature. It was true that in their earlier swordsmanship clash, Nox had slightly edged out Garen.
But that alone wasn't enough. Garen had already mastered the first three forms handed down in the Reinhaver family.
The third form, in particular, was overwhelmingly stronger than the first two, and for this reason, Christopher wanted to dissuade Nox.
However
"If it's the family's third form you're worried about, don't worry. I can endure it. Trust in me, the one you swore loyalty to, Christopher."
Gleemed eyes of a knight enchanted by the sword.
When he saw those eyes in his young master, Christopher couldn't help but be determined. He realized. He had denied it until now, but Nox was showing that the true head of the Reinhaver family was not Garen who colluded with Demons, but himself.
To prove this, Nox needed to showcase his skill to the imperial faction that followed his father.
Nox was putting his life for a kind of show against his older brother, who was several years older.
"You seem confident, Nox. But your sword will never reach me. From now on, I'll get serious. There won't be any luck like before, so prepare yourself"
"They say a long-tongued knight doesn't live long. Ever heard that proverb?"
Chaeengg!
Their swords clashed again. In the series of exchanges, they had already assessed each other's fundamental abilities.
From here, it was a matter of whether one could press the other harder or finish it quickly.
Meanwhile, Christopher moved to handle the forces under Garen's command.
His skill with the frost sword had reached a new level. However, it wasn't yet perfect. While Following Nox, watching his explosive growth made him realize many things.
Despite his young age, Nox was cool-headed, and he demonstrated a remarkable understanding of balancing magic and swordsmanship.
For Christopher, who had struggled with stagnation in his swordsmanship, Nox was a ray of light. A person who helped him achieve astonishing progress. therefore, Christopher was convinced
'The young master is heaven beyond the heaven (天外天). He couldn't just be described as outstanding now. He has broken through yet another wall recently, but…. Young master must be realized that his first and second forms, [Black Blade Flash] and [Black Blade Chain of Flashes], may not yet be enough to overcome the third form of the first half.'
Sure enough, the young master has a plan?
Though the thought crossed his mind briefly, soon Christopher completely dismissed it. How could he, who couldn't match Nox's genius talent, understand what Nox has? This wasn't logical.
His older age and hard work couldn't fill that gap.
This was why people called it talent. Christopher was sincerely convinced.
Nox von Reinhaver. His young master would soon pierce the heart of his blood relative.
————————————————
The swords collided.
Caeng! Sparks flew, scorching the edge of a sleeve.
But it was useless. The chainmail underneath stopped this. This level of attack was manageable.
The equipment was crafted and equipped for a moment like this.
I had worked with the talkative dwarf Arson, gathering materials from Chaders, and the result was this chainmail, usable until the mid-phase.
An item for clearing the heightened difficulty the reality's Inner Lunatic
"You seem prepared to fight me, but if you think that equipment will suffice, I will let you know that you're mistaken…. it's time to end this."
Caeng!
With that sound, Garen distanced himself from me. He raised his black blade upright, pressing it to his chest as he began concentrating all his mana into it.
The mana spread like a colossal dark cloud, and formed a shape. I recognized it.
'Petals. Swaying and falling…'
Black petals, imbued with death.
————————————————
When Eleanor and Christopher had left to support Nox.
The only ones aware of his whereabouts were Zitri and Rona.
Other members starting from Thalia, and even Princess Penelope, were unaware of the fact that he had gone there to kill his half-brother.
They only knew that he had borrowed troops under a mana oath, promising not to betray each other at least during this war.
While Nox might be abrasive and unpredictable, he would never break his promise. They already know this.
However…
Their situation was not as favorable as expected.
The first Prince Louis
The first reason was that he had employed an extraordinary strategy to achieve his goals.
This place is the rooftop of the Sidus' Hall.
Special troops, starting from the prince's royal guard had occupied the Eldain Academy
Even with the mighty imperial family influence, Eldain Academy hosted students from various nations. No one had anticipated this.
Professors had been captured by the royal guards. After Astrid and Noah get out of the academy, they are in the middle of observing the situation.
It was because no hostages had been harmed yet, and the other Seven Stars didn't intervene.
And if they prepared something like an ancient kingdom's artifact to capture them? This would create a significant problem.
About five minutes earlier, Penelope realized her brother had arrived at the Sidus' Hall and taken control of it.
The reason was simple.
'To take noble heirs and ladies from various nations as hostages.'
Penelope bit her lip. A blood dripped to the floor. The once aloof rose called the princess seemed as though it was wilting.
Her furrowed brows marred her graceful face as she stepped onto the balcony, where a sea of troops stretched endlessly before her.
"Brother… What on earth are you doing?! Taking the students of Eldain Academy as hostages for the imperial struggle? This is a blatant overreach!"
"Disgusting. Stop calling me brother, Penelope. From now on, I am here to claim what is rightfully mine."
The first Prince Louis smirked and continued,
"Listen carefully, all of you. A new sun will shine its light upon the Arkheim Empire from this very place. The thunder that strikes down will punish the vermin who oppose me. If you choose to submit to me, bow your heads, and kneel!"
The first prince Louis proclaimed himself as the empire's new sun.
However, as the students become frozen, unable to move easily. He furrowed his brow and turned to one of his knights.
Schring!
Drawing his sword, Louis pointed it at a trembling commoner who couldn't speak to follow him, and decapitated his head.
The first prince Louis sneered and said.
"Be it commoners."
Splat!
A fountain of blood spurted out.
Penelope's eyes were filled with deep emptiness as she witnessed this.
That man is supposed to be the new sun of the imperial family?
No. That could never happen.
This is wrong.
No.
I must say it is not.
As her thoughts filled with these convictions, the first prince Louis proceeded with his next action.
This time, he beheaded another noble who also didn't kneel.
It was no different from before. However, no matter how many times one witnessed it—twice, thrice—the shock did not lessen. It was still horrifying. Their gazes grew colder.
"Or nobles are no exception. If you defy me, you will all die the same way. Now, swear your allegiance to the new sun!"
Meanwhile, in the background, Goff, the head of the merchant guild, who had been passively observing the first Prince Louis's insane behavior, trembled uncontrollably. He urgently asked Rick, who was waiting behind him,
"Rick…! I wasn't informed about this! If the prince continues acting like this, our guild won't be able to establish trade relations with other territories, not to mention, if those noble armies ever reach this place, no matter how many troops we have, it will be impossible to handle….!"
"You still don't realize? You really are human trash too, huh"
With a cold reply, Goff's pupils narrowed.
For a moment, heavy silence enveloped the air, but Goff knew better than anyone else that speaking up here might lead to his death.
'Damn it… Rick! What was that bastard's true identity from the very beginning?!'
At that moment, the insignia that Rick had hidden beneath his newsboy cap that blewn away by a gust of wind began to stand out more vividly than ever.
'A black goat with two horns… wearing a dark crown…!'
Goff's expression froze.
It was the look of a merchant realizing his judgment had failed. No, it went beyond that, it was the look of a human sensing the imminent threat to his very life.
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