Side Story Chapter 193


    Hu-Hubalt crossed the border? Valmont, who was following the two princes, was surprised. Up until now, he had been exchanging silly banter with Duke Tremblin. Hed suggested they bet on who would kill more of the death knights, Kireua or Selim.


    O-Old man, Valmont stammered, did you hear that?


    Its Your Grace to you when other people are around.


    What do you mean? No one is here except us


    Look up.


    Valmont raised his head and his eyes immediately widened.


    It wasnt just the Emperor of Avalon on the battlefield right now. Cain, the Combat Emperor; Icarus, the Heavens Mind; Iceline, the Cold-Blooded Murderer; bis, the me Emperor Every one of them, worried about the emperor, had dropped what they were doing and hastened to the battlefield.


    It wont be easy to buy an artifact of levitation even with ten years of my sry, but Valmont trailed off.


    Why are you worried about that? The greatest artifact crafter in the continent is right over there.


    That was what I was going to say. I was thinking that this is my chance to get on Her Majestys good side and ask her to make one for me.


    Hahaha! Youre one of the famouszybones in the Pce, so Im not sure if Her Majesty Iceline would give you a discount.


    Come on, Im part of the Pces secret knights. Of course she would give me a discount.


    You still dont know that Her Majesty Iceline is the most frugal person in the Pcemaybe even in the entirety of Avalon, do you.


    Huuuh? Why would she? Valmont questioned.


    She watched her family copse due to ack of power when she was very young. Ever since then, Her Majesty has saved up every coin. And when His Majesty had no nobles on his side, she was instrumental in recruiting them. That is who the Queen Consort is.


    No matter how much money she earned, she didnt use it wantonly. She always knew the right moment to use it, especially when it was for the sake of her beloved family.


    Ahhh. I should marry a woman like her too


    Isnt it a bit toote for you to get married?


    I want to make it clear that, unlike someone, I chose not to get married, I wasnt unable to get married. Look at my handsome face. If I go out into Arcadia, women will line up for a date with me.


    By someone, do you mean Sir Cain? Tremblin asked mischievously.


    Ahem. Valmont quietly cleared his throat, neither confirming nor denying.


    Im going to tattle on you.


    Your Grace, you should protect your dignity as the almighty duke. Thest thing you should do at your age is tattle, you know, Valmont grumbled.


    Valmont and Tremblin had definitely heard the messenger say that Hubalt was invading, but they had already regained theirposure and were cheerfully exchanging jokes. It was no surprise, really, knowing who stood in the sky above them.


    It would be perfect if His Majesty recovered his real body, Valmont murmured.


    Itll happen.


    Oh! Valmont jumped as the pieces of a death knight came hurtling toward him. Oh, sheesh. Hes already taken out four of them?


    The dismembered bits came from Selim. The First Princes spear had eliminated four of the death knights. Even Valmont, Avalonsziest genius, could only take out two death knights at once.


    I give up now. With that kind of talent Valmont shook his head.


    Tremblin nodded. Hes definitely got better than he was before the war. The duke could sense extraordinary power behind each thrust of the spear.


    Furthermore, Longin was throwing off brilliant white arcs of electricity that immediately brought to mind the Emperor of Avalon.


    Has His Highness Selim awakened a new attribute of mana? Ive never seen lightning like that.


    Well have to ask himter, Tremblin replied.


    It looks like you won the bet, old manahem, Your Grace. Your money was on the First Prince, yes?


    Tremblin slowly shook his head. Look over there.


    Before Valmont could turn his head to look, a charred lump came flying toward him.


    Urgh! Theyre awfully boisterous, arent they! What is this? Is that a head? Valmont examined the lump and realized it was a death knights head. He was surprised to find that several parts of the helmet had been meltedan impressive feat, given that a Master wouldnt even be able to scratch it no matter what attribute their mana carried.


    His Highness Kireua also took out three of them? Valmont whispered. He couldnt help but stare at the other two more death knights who had been reduced to a smattering of g scattered around Kireua.


    This doesnt make any sense


    The First Prince, Valmont could understand. Ever since he was young, Selim had been known as a perfect copy of the emperor for his physical resemnce, his personality, and his talent for the spear. The Second Prince was the exact opposite; he resembled Queen Consort Charles more and had no affinity for the spear to speak of. Disappointed in himself, Kireua had left for the faraway Thran Kingdom to study.


    ...He got better, Tremblin said.


    ...He uses ebon mes freely now.


    Its not just the fire. His mastery of the sword has also reached a stable point. He truly seems like a totally different person, Tremblin observed.


    Valmont nced at Joshua, who was unleashing his energy at the demons.


    His Majesty has fathered monsters. No one can deny they are the Martial Gods sons, Valmont murmured.


    Valmont and Tremblins sentiments were echoed by those watching over the princes in the sky. Cain was nodding to himself, but biss jaw dropped to the floor. He had technically been Kireuas teacher for the longest time and he barely recognized Kireua.


    What in the world have you done to Kireua? bis asked Cain, his voice dripping with disbelief.


    Hes your student, so why are you asking me?


    Im not joking. The sword techniques that Kireua are using right now weve seen those a lot before, bis said with a serious look.


    There was a reason why bis was so shocked. Kireua was currently holding an ordinary longsword, but had he been holding a greatsword


    Hes using the Agnus familyno, the Dark Gods sword techniques! bis yelled.


    I taught him.


    You taught him?


    You know that the previous Duke of Agnus personally taught me, right? Cain reminded bis.


    No, no His mastery with the techniques isnt something that can be taught


    Sir bis. Cain turned to bis with a serious look.


    Although they hadnt said anything, Icarus and Iceline were listening intently to the conversation between Cain and bis. The Dark God was taboo, and Joshua''s wives were always on guard when it came to him.


    There is one fact that never changes no matter what sword techniques he uses, Cain continued.


    What?


    The man down there is the child of my lord anddyand he is your student.


    bis bit his lip.


    Cain was one of the people most familiar with Kireuas current condition. As soon as Kireua had awakened, he had gone to find Cain. After seeing that Cain hadpletely recovered, Kireua had shed tears and confessed that he felt guilty for everything that had happened. Afterward, Kireua had immediately told Cain a story that would no doubt cause an uproar if it became known to the public.


    <em>The former duke tried to take over his body and use him to harm His Majesty That was what His Highness Kireua told me.</em>


    Of course, the Dark Gods soul had been erased, but Kireua had told Cain one more surprising and miraculous fact: the memories and knowledge of the Dark God were still left in Kireua.


    <em>The world may have dered him a monster, but Aden von Agnus was undeniably a genius swordsman whose prowess will be remembered. Once His Highness makes those memories his own</em> Cain stared at Kireua as he cut down yet another death knight, and a smile crept onto his lips. <em>...he could catch up to Prince Selim. Thepetition for the throne will be very interesting.</em>


    * * *


    Numerous horses hooves churned the ground.


    Weve just passed the border of Avalon, Your Excellency!


    This is so easy. Its so easy it makes me want to yawn. Bel then yawned.


    Not a single border guard could be seen because Bel had already beaten every one of them on the way over here.


    Maybe I should have spared some so this would feel like an actual war, Bel mumbled to himself.


    In addition, Cardinalno, <em>Emperor</em> Kurz has sent emissaries to every single country, the knight reported to Bel. The fact that the emperor of Hubalt was subordinate to Bel did not seem to give the knight pause.


    Bel nodded. How do you think theyre going to reply?


    Umm Ive received reports that bad rumors about us are spreading in other countries.


    Bad rumors?


    The pdins came to the Pce of Avalon as delegates and then used the invitation tounch a surprise attack


    Bel chuckled before the knight could finish speaking. Well, that isnt wrong.


    But wouldnt it be problematic for our n if people believed that rumor? Our reason for starting a war is Babel von Agnus and Carmen von Agnuss attempt on your life


    Forget it. Its just a nuisance at this point. Whatever the winner says will be history anyway, so why are you so worried about it? Bel grumbled.


    The knight knew he couldnt say out loud that he was nervous about entering Avalonsnd. They were, after all, going up against Joshua Sanders, the Martial God.


    Anyhow, I hope the Emperor of Avalon likes our gift. Hehehe.


    Ah! The knight nced back at the boxy metal cage. Its interior was so dark that not a trace of color could be seen within.


    Youve heard what the guy inside said, yes? They think well head straight to Arcadia, but were heading for northern Avalon, Bel reminded the knight.


    Yes, Your Excellency!


    Tell everyone that well exterminate every human and monster we encounter on our way. Leave no witnesses. No one can know about where were going. Got it?


    I understand, Your Excellency! The knight spurred his horse to deliver the order to everyone.


    Bel smiled wickedly at the knights back. The snowy mountain in north Avalon. Hehehehe. If its true, then this will be very interesting.