Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight-Chapter 202

202. The End of War [2]

A light lingers.

It is a light that sweeps away the cold, both warm and piercing.

When the sun of the First Empire rose, everyone recalled it at the tragic end of this war. Some heard it through oral tradition, while others witnessed it firsthand, the birth of the Arkheim Empire. It was a monumental event that shook the history of the world.

— Under the name Esteban von Arkheim, I will build a new empire upon the ruins of the old kingdom!“

Esteban, the former king, spoke these words and ascended the throne with the support of the people.

It was the beginning of a new era, a future that was to be the true golden age of the continent.

No, it should have been…

But in the end, it did not turn out that way.

Thump. Thump.

I try to ignore the violent beating of my heart as I look at a girl and a boy.

In that moment, there is neither benevolence nor cold-bloodedness, only warmth remains.

When the sun of the empire rose. Like the warm light that settled upon us.

Only then does the girl realize.

Penelope von Arkheim realizes.

That she has become the emperor.

And that she has, even if only slightly, stepped out of the shadow of the father she so admired.

"…Nox von Reinhaver.”

A soft, trembling voice echoes.

In this moment, no one moves.

Only one person, Penelope, continues to speak with difficulty.

“I thought you were my enemy. I also thought that even if you helped me now, you might betray me someday. The issues entangled with the empire and its powers have always been brutal.”

But.

The conjunction carrying a sense of denial breaks through the girl’s dark, unstable inner self, gradually clouding her golden eyes with moisture.

“Now, it doesn’t matter what happens. If you do not betray me, I will not betray you either. In the name of the empire, I swear here that the Arkheim Empire will alleviate the discrimination between the holy and dark families.”

Nox had already lost consciousness.

Perhaps he would only hear these words long after.

But if she doesn’t speak now, she feels it will be difficult to make this decision again, so she continues.

Because the current Penelope must move forward.

Penelope smiled faintly for the last time, not with benevolence, but with an utterly innocent expression, and whispered.

“Nox von Reinhaver. I will appoint you as a member of the Imperial Guard Knights.”

**********

When the end of the war approached, Luna had already left her position. There was no need to worry anymore. The war was over. She had done all she could.

The same was true for Duff, Marin, and the other vice-captains nearby.

First, Cain, a man with an eye patch, speaks.

He was one of Lunatic vice-captains, a prodigy skilled in ambushes.

“That Nox guy’s abilities were truly unbelievable.”

Cain’s acknowledgment, who earned remarkable achievements in this war and his success in completing a mission of eliminating the close aides of the first Prince Louis, was something even Luna rarely saw. But everyone here had no choice but to agree.

What Nox had shown was far beyond the level of a rookie.

“I agree. I thought the Moonlight Sword’s successor was just some brat who caught Captain Luna’s eye, but there was a reason after all.”

The next to speak is Cregoil. He is the largest in size after the giant Duff and, having lost an arm, has overcome his weakness by attaching a hook-like prosthetic.

His innate defensive prowess needs no further explanation.

“But to call this end of war… As expected, isn’t it dangerous? It might not be a bad idea to eliminate the princess.”

The woman who speaks next has striking white skin and wears electrifying attire.

Her voluptuous figure, clad in a combat suit that emphasized her allure and firmness, was famous as a symbol. She was also the strongest fighter among the vice-captains.

Her name is Izel. She has been pondering the next steps after the war. In fact, she serves as the strategist for this criminal organization, Lunatic.

Because Izel is also gifted with a brilliant mind.

“Turmoil is coming. The continent’s war may not be over yet. With the brat princess becoming emperor, the forces that followed the first Prince Louis will face one of two outcomes. Death, or… rebellion.”

“Excuse me, Izel-nim, but is there no chance they might submit to the imperial family?”

“Oh, Marin. I’m sorry, but it’s an inevitable issue. Once humans start doubting, there’s no end to it. How can they trust those who have already drawn swords against them?”

“Izel-nim's… words… are correct. The princess’s forces… are still weak…”

The tragic fate of a nation without a centralized system?

We experienced it fully during the rebellion of the five eastern nations.

If such a thing happens again, Lunatic will not survive either.

Moreover, if the tender-hearted princess fails to handle the situation properly and it escalates?

If she spares those who raised their swords against her, a great disaster will unfold. If signs of such a situation arise, they will not hesitate to kill the princess.

Lunatic’s goal.

It is a revolution from below.

Perhaps it can be seen as closely related to the civilian resistance group, but in reality, it is closer to a profit-seeking organization. Any group would be.

Those here have all endured difficult times and hold deep resentment toward the imperial family. Helping the imperial family in this war was merely a matter of aligning interests.

But.

“I heard the princess plans to appoint Nox von Reinhaver as her guard knight.”

It was Luna’s words.

Everyone froze at the news, unable to speak.

A member of Lunatic joining the imperial family’s forces?

This is something impossible to comprehend.

“Hmm… That kid seemed decent. Should we eliminate him along with the princess?”

Marin quickly shook her head at Izel’s words.

“P, perhaps we should consider it a bit more? Izel-nim… Nox still has… many uses…!”

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

“Marin. Since when have you been able to question my words?”

“Huph… my, my apologies.”

Marin realized she had unknowingly made a mistake and bowed her head deeply.

No matter how much she had inherited the power of the mermaid tribe and made recent progress, she was no match for Izel. Though she had never seen a proper fight, rumors suggested her combat prowess was already comparable to Luna’s.

It was only natural that issues would arise given their ranks.

“Well, he does seem to have a strange charm, doesn’t he? I think it’s not just because Marin is a young fangirl that she’s protecting him…”

“Don’t push it too far, Izel.”

“Cregoil. Stop your ignorance, how about using your head for once?”

“Both of you, restrain yourselves. Have you forgotten we’re in front of the captain?”

At Cain’s words, the two fell silent.

Luna continued after a moment.

“We won’t kill that kid now. He’s the successor of the Moonlight Sword, and after all, he also once saved my life. Even though there was no reason for him to do so.”

“That’s the part I still don’t understand… Why is Nox von Reinhaver, a dark family member, caught between the holy family and the criminal organization Lunatic…?”

Luna nods, half in agreement with Izel’s words.

“True. But it doesn’t matter much. For now, we’ll watch him. Even in this situation, which could be seen as a rebellion, Nox did not betray us. He moved as if he had foreseen everything, even at the risk of his life.”

Luna takes a deep breath and continues.

“He still has uses for Lunatic. So we’ll let him live. The end.”

“Yes!”

The vice-captains of Lunatic, the candidates, Duff, and Marin all bow their heads. The word “The end” is the trigger. When Luna utters it, they must immediately show their obedience.

That is the absolute discipline of Lunatic.

Just as a new sun has risen for the empire, so too does the moon rise in the shadows. Though it may not cast its own light, it is intense, drawing other ephemeral beings to gather here…

**********

Gasp!

Like a calf taking its first steps, I barely manage to exhale and reflexively raise my body.

Then I reflect.

Where am I now, and how is the end of war?

And who is that woman looking at me?

My vision is still unfocused, and I can’t see clearly.

A throbbing headache pounds in my head, and I ignore the noisy demon in the mirror.

Then I look around again.

“Is this… a blue flag?”

It’s strange. Clearly a strange sight.

In the Arkheim Empire, there is only one place where a blue flag can be displayed in a mansion.

That was the Empire itself. Or the castle in the capital, built for the imperial family to reside in.

But here, a blue flag hangs boldly on the wall as if it’s natural.

As my vision, which had only been able to distinguish colors, returned to normal, I finally realized who the woman looking at me was.

“…Your Highness. Why have you brought me here…?”

My mind races, quickly deducing where I am.

It’s the princess’s annex where Penelope stayed. But why?

Questions fill my mind.

“I can’t attend the coronation without my guard knight. So I’m waiting for you.”

“….?”

Guard knight?

It’s the first I’ve heard of it, but I instinctively sense it.

Penelope von Arkheim.

This girl has caused another big mess, huh.

How will I get out of this alive?

Questions creep up my spine, and a chilling sensation, along with the recoil from the battles, begins to overwhelm me.

This time, I really pushed my lifespan to the limit.

Memories of the hardships rush past.

‘But well, it was expected.’

Yes.

From the start of the battle to the end of the war?

Using Apollo to exclude my masters from the battle?

Ulysses’s participation… and so on. I had anticipated and moved according to all these situations, but this time was different.

“Could you tell me how I became Your Highness's… no, Your Majesty’s guard knight?”

“I don’t really want to explain, but… fine. I’ll tell you.”

Penelope takes a deep breath, then stares at me intently. Then she smirks and places her hand on my face. She brushes my flustered cheek and smiles brightly.

“I told you before. I like you. That’s why.”

“….what”

“Let’s rest a bit and then move, shall we? Even you can’t delay the coronation, or the people won’t be happy.”

“…Yes.”

Though I didn’t understand the reason, I answered vaguely.

I thought I could brush it off this time too.

Damn it…

If I had known Penelope’s words were more sincere, I might have made a better choice. But what can I do? It’s already too late.

“Let’s go!”

Penelope, grabbing my hand, looked like a child.

It seemed too lighthearted for a princess, no, an emperor. But at the same time, she looked happy. Like a child who had just woken up from a long nightmare.

**********

[I didn’t expect much from him, but… it’s a pity.]

Amdusias.

The voice of one of the 72 demons echoes. In the dark underground of the west.

There, the flickering light of countless candles illuminates various shadows.

But their forms do not exist above ground.

The shadows here come solely from one demon.

[We need to consume stronger humans. At this rate, we cannot revive Duke Baal.]

Muttering to himself, lost in thought.

By discarding Zepar and a few other dukes to buy time and hasten the war, he had a true goal.

To extract one person from the imperial palace. To make it seem as if they were dead, completely erasing their existence.

And that person was a most unexpected one.

As the coronation begins and the princess ascends as the new sun of the empire. The sun of the past has already set. The light crumbles, held in someone’s grasp.

[Your daughter has become the new sun, supporting the empire… Are you fine being here like this?]

As the man tied to the chair lets out a low groan, Amdusias grabs his chin and coldly calls his name.

[Esteban von Arkheim.]