NOVEL NEXT Chapter 84.1
Stage 3-17. “Become My Knight, Chris Ragnika”
Since that day, I’ve hated ‘evil’ and dedicated my time to exposing the misdeeds of the Androus family, all while honing my swordsmanship.
I finally got a lead, but then I realized we weren’t even standing on the same stage.
…In the end, I couldn’t avenge Captain Lily. I was expelled from the Holy Knights and ended up in an underground fighting arena.
I’ll never forget the despair I felt when I was dismissed.
The sole pillar of support I clung to—avenging the wicked nobles and fulfilling the mission Captain Lily left behind—was gone, leaving me reckless and desperate.
It was Lord Ogre who reached out and saved me.
Without meeting Lord Ogre, I likely would’ve achieved nothing and walked straight into hell.
But fate changed. The goddess of destiny smiled upon me.
She granted me another chance to exact vengeance like this.
Several hours passed as the carriage traveled. Soon, the night would fully give way to dawn.
Having safely entered the Androus domain, I disembarked and walked through the dim streets toward the designated location—the mansion of Duke Androus.
“…What a horrible town this is.”
A stark contrast to the Velette domain. At this hour, the people there would already be working, but here, not a single light was lit.
The houses were dilapidated, patched together with amateurish repairs.
This town was anything but prosperous. The burden placed on its people was crushingly clear, proof of the Androus family’s tyranny.
It only strengthened my resolve: he must not be allowed to live.
“…So, he’s here.”
The grand mansion stood in sharp contrast to the shabby homes of the townsfolk.
Painted black to blend into the darkness, it was befitting of a corrupt lord. I sneered at the sight.
“…Watch over me, Captain Lily.”
Placing my hand on the door, I pushed it open with all my strength.
The double doors swung wide with force.
As I stepped inside cautiously, brilliant lights suddenly illuminated the entire mansion.
“…?”
The brightness, blinding to eyes accustomed to the dark, didn’t herald an attack as I had expected.
As my vision adjusted, the first thing I noticed was a round table neatly placed in the center.
Along the walls on either side stood men in tailcoats, lined up like decorations.
It was as if I had walked into the venue of a lavish party.
At the center of it all, standing before me, was the host of this spectacle.
“As promised, you’ve come alone, haven’t you, Chris Ragnika?”
A gaunt old man chuckled, stroking his neatly groomed purple mustache.
His skeletal frame, with its jutting bones, still housed eyes brimming with ambition.
His crescent-shaped sneer, as if mocking everyone around him, was unforgettable.
“…Yes, I’ve come to kill you, Duke Androus, just as you wished.”
I drew my sword, pointing its tip directly at him.
This man—this one man—had to fall to my blade.
“I never thought I’d see your face again. Fate works in strange ways, doesn’t it? It seems we’re tied together somehow.”
“Don’t worry. That tie will be severed today.”
“Now, don’t be so harsh. Such a lovely face shouldn’t look so grim.”
“Your compliments do nothing for me.”
No other presences could be sensed nearby.
It was clear that the black-clad men here were his primary line of defense.
They stood silently, heads bowed and backs hunched, creating an unsettling scene.
But their power didn’t come close to threatening me. They might as well have been ordinary civilians.
Captain Lily’s detailed notes flashed through my mind.
…This man had no aptitude for magic.
Yet, his confidence was unshaken. There had to be something—some vile trick like the one he used to ensnare Captain Lily.
“Why hesitate? Didn’t you come to avenge yourself against the man who cast you down?”
“…I’m not doing this just for myself.”
Whatever he was hiding, I would cut through it, just as I’d trained to do.
I raised my sword to gather strength.
“This is for everyone who suffered because of you!”
And then, I unleashed a strike meant to claim his life.
“[Blossoming Slash Barrage]!”
Three rapid slashes sent shockwaves tearing through the air.
No martial skill. No magic. That frail body couldn’t possibly endure this!
“–Become a wall.”
“What?!”
Six of the black-clad men suddenly leaped into the path of my attacks, shielding Androus.
Their bodies were torn apart, scattering flesh and blood everywhere.
“Why… why would they…?”
“Perhaps it was their wish? Such loyal subjects. I’m a fortunate man, aren’t I?”
Androus smirked, unperturbed by the carnage.
These men were nothing more than his disposable shields.
…But something about them was off.
They didn’t cry out, not even as they were cut down. The others showed no reaction at all.
There was no fear of death.
It was as though they were battle-hardened soldiers, yet they didn’t resist or show any strength.
The contradictions were glaring.
The only explanation was that they were being controlled—by him.
“…So, it’s you.”
Past mysteries suddenly connected with the current scene.
Their mechanical movements.
Captain Lily’s dying words:
“…Thank… you, Chris… for… stopping me…”
The meaning behind those words finally became clear.
“You did all of this…!”