Reincarnated with the King’s Power

Chapter 25

“We were delayed by the heavy rain. I am Demian Eurasia, in charge of the subjugation force.”

Demian dismounted from his horse and stepped forward.

Alessandro nodded his head silently.

“You’ve all worked hard coming this long way.”

Alessandro Bastoni. The head of the Bastoni Family and a knight who had mastered the 6-star level.

Clad in black leather light armor, he welcomed the three young masters of Eurasia and their Knight Order who had come to the family's main castle.

‘An extraordinary aura.’

Alessandro looked at the two young masters dismounting from their horses behind Demian.

The large man with impressive curly hair must be the Second Young Master, Paian Eurasia, and the smaller, somewhat frail-looking man must be the Third Young Master, Julian Eurasia.

“Thank you for coming all this way despite the unexpected rain.”

Alessandro gave a light sword salute to the three young masters.

The Knight Order had arrived at the family estate a week after the subjugation had begun due to the torrential downpour.

From Alessandro’s perspective, he had spoken out of a sense of apology.

“We heard about the search party on our way here. We will punish the monsters of the mountain range, even if it means extending the period of the subjugation.”

Demian vowed to avenge the blood shed by their allied family, the Bastoni.

“I'm grateful to you for saying so. Our family will also provide as much support as we can to help.”

“Thank you.”

“For now, let us head inside. We have prepared a meal for the knights.”

At Alessandro's gesture, the servants came forward to take the young masters' luggage, and the Eurasian knights dismounted and entered the castle one by one.

His gaze turned to Paian and Julian, who were following behind.

“We have prepared a separate table for the young masters. As it happens, a guest who arrived earlier has been waiting for you.”

“A guest, you say……?”

“The Fourth Young Master of Eurasia…… no, Sir Killian, the Tactician of the Blue Knight Order, has arrived and is staying here.”

“…….”

“……!!”

“……?”

At the unexpected name, the three young masters looked at Alessandro with expressions that begged for an explanation.

Having suddenly drawn the attention of the three young masters, Alessandro gave a troubled smile.

‘As I thought, they didn't know.’

He felt much the same as the young masters.

If he had his way, he would have asked immediately. Why had Killian Eurasia visited the Kurt Mountain Range alone, and how had he managed to achieve a high level of 6-star at such a young age?

But a promise was a promise.

For now, the rest of the knights who had traveled a long way for the sake of his family was the priority.

“I will explain later, but for now, let’s go inside. I hope the food we've prepared suits your tastes.”

Alessandro led the way, guiding the young masters to the banquet hall.

The three young masters followed him silently.

***

It was just after the banquet had ended and the servants had left tea and refreshments.

Demian, who had been looking at Killian who had taken a seat late, opened his mouth.

“How did you get here first?”

“I used a warp stone.”

At the nonchalant reply, Julian, sitting beside him, stiffened his face.

It was Paian who reacted, not Demian.

He had a much larger build than the other young masters.

Bang!

As Paian slammed his hand on the table, the long dining table shook violently.

“Do you not even know the meaning of a subjugation?”

Killian met eyes with Paian, who was glaring at him.

“To save an allied family from the threat of monsters. And also to foster the growth of the family's knights through an experience akin to real combat. I am well aware of the meaning of this subjugation.”

“A man who claims to know well…… has the nerve to use a warp stone on the day of departure?”

Killian calmly received Paian’s gaze, which seemed to want to tear him to pieces.

The longer the silence, the stronger Paian’s fighting spirit became.

It was Julian who opened his mouth amidst the suffocating pressure.

“Calm down. It was all…… my order.”

“What?”

“…….”

Paian, glaring, and Demian, meeting his eyes nonchalantly.

Either way, burdensome gazes were fixed on Julian.

Ahem.

Julian, after a small, dry cough, raised his voice.

“Isn’t it obvious? Killian is the Tactician of the Blue Knight Order. I gave him permission to use the warp stone for reconnaissance.”

“The two of you have gone mad together.”

“Watch your words. Brother.”

Julian shot a glare at Paian.

Regardless of age, their positions were equal. The previous statement had clearly crossed the line.

“Don't get cocky just because you've been given a position beyond your station. Do you think all commanders are the same?”

“Commander Paian! Watch your mouth!!”

“Hmph. A man for whom the commander's post would be too much if not for Sepia. Who do you dare bare your teeth at?”

“How dare you……!!”

Julian’s voice rose at Paian’s provocation.

Killian watched the argument between the two young masters and swallowed a laugh.

‘What interesting older brothers.’

Paian, as massive as Hector, acted as if he didn't possess a broad mind, and Julian was being swayed by him.

And Demian.

Slurp.

He was just quietly drinking his tea, unconcerned with the current commotion.

‘I can understand why Julian has an inferiority complex. His talent as a knight is certain.’

Uncontrolled 5-star Mana was extending like threads from Paian's body.

He appeared to have the best martial frame among the four young masters.

At this rate, he would be able to aim for Master level before two years had passed.

‘And…….’

Killian's gaze shifted to the First Young Master, who was drinking tea by himself.

‘Is this one a genius of the age?’

6-star at the age of twenty-six. A talent that would be counted among the few in the continent's history.

At this rate, Demian would master the 6-star level within 10 years and reach the realm of a Superhuman.

Killian drank his now-cold tea and reflected on his own achievements.

I had reached 6-star at twenty-one. My understanding of Mana was not lacking even for a Master, and with about two years of training, I would be able to create a Master’s body.

‘I also have the Cheonghwageom. If I push myself, it might be possible to draw out a Master’s power for a short while.’

It was an unprecedented record in human history since the beginning of the civilized era.

If this fact became known, it was obvious that not only the Frontier but the entire continent would be turned upside down.

‘It was a good thing I told the lord.’

To Alessandro Bastoni, Killian was the family's savior.

Since I had asked him to keep silent about me, there would be no information leaks through him.

In a short while, the argument between Paian and Julian was also coming to an end.

“Struggle all you want. It'll be in vain, though.”

“We shall see about that!”

Julian blatantly revealed his fighting spirit at the dismissive remark.

Paian ignored him and looked at Killian.

“You, you've formed a Mana Heart, haven't you?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm…… I heard you had an awakening after taking a secret medicine, and it was true.”

His eyes narrowed for a moment.

Fwooosh.

A blue Mana swept over Killian's body.

At that, Killian quietly cloaked his body in the aura of 1-star. There was nothing to gain from facing a 5-star aura with a bare body.

A moment later, Paian clicked his tongue and opened his mouth.

“1-star? That’s not enough for the role of a Tactician. Subjugations are not child's play.”

“I believe that is none of your concern, brother.”

“Are you also failing to grasp the situation, like Julian?”

Contrary to his mocking attitude, Paian was inwardly surprised.

‘He had an awakening…… he seems at least more useful than Julian.’

He was different from Julian, who fell for every bait thrown at him.

Killian was coolly retorting to his insults.

‘Shall I test him a little more.’

The moment Paian tried to raise his Mana to pressure the Fourth Young Master.

“It seems things have been sorted out, more or less.”

Demian, who had been focused on drinking tea as if uninterested in the squabbles of the three young masters, opened his mouth.

Clink.

The gazes of the three young masters focused on the sound of the teacup he set down.

“The knights are exhausted. The subjugation will begin after a two-day rest.”

“There's no need for that. One day is enough for the Black Knight Order.”

“The same goes for the Blue Knight Order.”

Paian and Julian raised their voices.

Demian scanned the two commanders with an indifferent gaze.

“I understand the desire to accumulate merit for the family head competition. But.”

Swoooosh.

Demian’s abruptly changed aura filled the banquet hall.

“Rest is also part of battle. I don't need to remind you of that, do I?”

Swoooosh.

The 5-star Mana, rising like a heat haze, gave weight to his words.

“Under…stood. I will follow the overall commander's orders.”

Julian quickly backed down under the pressure that constricted his body.

But Paian was different.

“The recovery speed of each knight is different. Even as the overall commander, you cannot force us like this.”

Paian, not avoiding Demian's eyes, emitted his own aura in return.

The Mana used by Demian, a 6-star knight, and the Mana used by Paian, who had just entered the 5-star level.

The Mana of the two knights intertwined like threads.

“Paian, do you not know why Sir Escardo entrusted the overall command to me?”

“Hahaha. The Commander of the Knights is quite the old-fashioned one, isn't he.”

Fwoooosh.

“……!!”

Paian couldn't finish his words due to the sudden heaviness in the air.

The Mana that had been intertwining like threads was spreading throughout the banquet hall.

‘Carpe……!!’

Paian released his Mana at full power. He was not ignorant of the importance of the first response to Carpe.

The Mana extending from his massive body intertwined with Demian's Mana.

Rumble.

The space vibrated as the Mana trying to dominate the space clashed with the 5-star Mana trying to block it.

“Heup…….”

Julian belatedly emitted Mana and cloaked his body with it. It was to avoid being caught up in his older brothers' power struggle.

Crack. Craaack.

Cracks appeared on the plates on the table.

Craaaash.

They finally shattered, and fragments scattered.

“You’re being a nuisance.”

Tzzzz.

An even more powerful Mana erupted from Demian's body.

He had raised the Mana he was using to match Paian's level to that of a 6-star.

“Kuh…… heum……!!”

Paian let out a groan that was like a scream.

The Carpe that had been maintaining an equal level began to be overwhelmingly pushed back.

‘He really did achieve 6-star…….’

Paian bit his lip.

Just when he had reached 5-star after much effort, Demian had gone even further ahead.

“You won't always be able to have your…… way like this…….”

He warned, as if spitting out the words.

“I have no intention of having my way. However, this time, you will follow my opinion.”

“…….”

Paian averted his gaze from the unwavering eyes staring at him.

“Damn it…… I'll concede this time.”

The 5-star knight's Mana subsided.

Subsequently, as Demian’s Carpe was released, the pressure that had been weighing down the space vanished in the blink of an eye.

Only the broken dishes on the table indicated that there had been a power struggle through Carpe.

Killian silently looked at Paian, who was catching his breath.

‘He deliberately provoked him to confirm his level. Paian Eurasia, he has a more cunning side than he appears.’

He possessed both the skill worthy of being called a genius and the personality to lead knights. He had both virtues required of a Knight Commander.

‘He’s not just a guy who relies on his strength as he looks.’

In contrast, Julian, who was on the same boat as me.

“Hahk…… hoo…… hoo…….”

“…….”

His gasping figure was pitiful to see.

“I will go to see Sir Alessandro. I will send the Vice-commander regarding the subjugation, so you may all leave and rest now.”

“Understood.”

“……Understood.”

“Understood.”

Demian watched his younger brothers leave.

“I still have a long way to go myself.”

Left alone, he scanned the table, which was a mess from the commotion.

He couldn't fully control his 6-star Mana.

If he were at an intermediate level, he could have easily subdued them without damaging any objects.

‘That Paian, he's just needlessly combative.’

Ever since they were young, he would stop at nothing to beat him, which was quite tiring.

Scrape.

The moment Demian stood up from his seat to call a servant.

“Hm?”

His gaze lingered on the spot where Killian had been sitting.

Unlike the places of Paian and Julian, which were cluttered with broken and powdered dishes, it was clean, as if that spot alone was a different space.

“…….”

He tried raising his Mana once more.

Crumble.

The dishes broke just from the Mana touching them.

It was a natural reaction for them to have touched uncontrolled 6-star Mana.

In Demian's mind, the gaze that had been observing him from the very beginning came to mind.

The corners of his twitching lips began to curve upwards.

“How interesting.”