Chapter 130 : Chapter 130

Chapter 130 : The Knight Competition (1)

The next morning.

I cleansed myself in the stream and went to the High Dragon’s Nest.

There was a barrier, but it didn't block me like before.

I followed the single path deep inside the nest and once again, Baden was not there, only Hike.

After bowing my head to her in greeting, I asked about Baden.

“Did Sir Baden perhaps leave to mourn again?”

“Are you worried he will be gone for another three years?”

“To be honest, yes. There is a prediction that the Dome of Myeolji will disappear within that time.”

“Don’t worry. There was a rumor that a dragon remains somewhere, so he went to confirm it.”

I couldn't hide my surprise.

I had thought Hike and Baden were the only two dragons left.

If another dragon remained somewhere on the continent, it would be a good thing for them.

“You seem happier about it.”

“Haha, because it’s a good thing.”

“Do you know that if you overcome the third stage of Engraving, you too can be treated as a proper dragon?”

“Yes, I’ve heard that such an honor is bestowed even upon a half-human, half-dragon. So, I was wondering, shouldn't I be able to receive the third stage of Engraving soon? My heart is quite strong and……”

“Not yet.”

Hike instantly dismissed my expectations.

“But it seems it won’t take as long as before. The transplanted rim is already taking root in your heart.”

“Thank you. I will do my part well. So, what should I do when I get to the White Dragon Knights?”

“The Knight Competition is being held in the Imperial Capital. You are to participate in it.”

“Does it matter that I’m not a member of the knight order?”

Hike explained briefly.

“From the semifinals, they say you can substitute a player if someone was injured in the previous battles. It seems they don’t have to be a member of the White Dragon Knights.”

“So I’ve been chosen as a substitute player.”

“That’s right. That’s why the semifinals are said to be even more difficult. It seems mercenaries are flocking from all over the continent. Will you be okay?”

“Of course. If I use my strength there, I could make an even greater name for myself.”

I had already gained a considerable amount of fame.

I first made my name on the continent by being called a Morning Star and after becoming an Apostle of the Holy Order, there were few who didn't know my name.

But there’s no harm in having more fame.

This was especially true for me, whose future goal was to lead an expedition.

“Yes, as you are now, you should be able to do well.”

Hike said, as if she trusted me.

Then she opened a portal.

It was likely a portal connected to the Imperial Capital.

Before leaving for the Imperial Capital, I took out the Jar of Spirits from my subspace pouch.

Previously, when fighting in Myeolji, I had released all the spirits.

Some of them returned to the jar, but others went their own way freely.

I had benefited greatly from the jar back then, so I wanted to fill it with spirits again.

Hike noticed the identity of the artifact I had set down and asked.

“Do you want to fill it with spirits?”

“Yes, I’ll leave it here and be back. It seems there are many strong spirits near the nest.”

“If I see any, I’ll recommend they enter the jar.”

“Yes, I have already asked Sir Arandir to gather the sand spirits.”

Then I looked at the Dragon Speech Space where my colleagues were.

No one had come out yet, but I believed they would emerge safely.

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

***

The Imperial Capital, once again.

I had thought I would have a reason to visit again someday, but I returned earlier than expected.

“I have been waiting.”

“Ah, Sir Balan. It’s been a while.”

I met Balan, who was from the same batch as me and had placed 4th in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, for the first time in a long while.

We had never been in the same group during the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, so our relationship was somewhat distant, but meeting her like this outside, I felt a sense of gladness.

Balan must have felt the same, as she smiled and extended her hand to me.

Before I could take it for a handshake, I saw the bandage wrapped tightly around her hand.

As I stared down at the bandage, Balan withdrew her hand and said.

“It’s nothing.”

“But there’s blood soaking through it?”

“The quarterfinals ended just a little before I came to get you, Sir Polarin. It’s because I wrapped it hastily.”

Balan spoke quickly as if embarrassed, then walked ahead.

I quickly followed her and spoke.

“Let’s shake hands anyway. You’ve been well?”

“Yes, I’ve been well.”

We shook hands and then talked about how we’d been.

“We hear a lot about you in the knight order too, Sir Polarin. You’re truly amazing.”

“Oh, not at all. Anyway, how is life in the knight order?”

“Training, and more training, combat training……. It’s tough. But it’s rewarding.”

Balan said with a grin.

Her words about it being tough but rewarding must have been true, as Balan's aura was solid.

It was similar in nature to Pasion’s.

“We recently changed the focus of our training to dealing with beasts and demons, rather than person-to-person combat. Sir Pasion strongly insisted on it.”

“Ah, Sir Pasion……”

“Sir Pasion wishes to help you, Sir Polarin.”

Indeed, it was probably Pasion who called me here.

In the Adjak family, which was full of powerful individuals, there must have been no shortage of people to choose as a mercenary for the Knight Competition.

Nevertheless, the fact that he chose me specifically was in line with his words about helping to make me a hero.

“I too will train hard to help you, Sir Polarin.”

Balan said, as if firming her resolve.

“Yes, I’ll also work hard not to be a burden.”

As we chatted amiably, we arrived at the training ground where the Knight Competition was being held.

The Imperial Capital’s training ground was incredibly spacious and sturdy.

There were magic circles embedded in various places, designed to prevent it from being destroyed no matter what happened inside.

“We’re here. If you go that way, Sir Pasion will be waiting.”

“Thank you for guiding me. See you again!”

And so I said my goodbyes to Balan and we parted ways.

Pasion spotted me and said with a bright smile.

“Were you close with Balan?”

“Not really, but it was nice to see her again.”

“I’d imagine so. Being from the same batch is a more precious connection than you might think. Besides, your batch has a surprising number of talented individuals.”

“Do you know much about our batch?”

“There’s you, and Soler, who was chosen as one of the Five Morning Stars with you, is also promising. Furthermore, Keldric and Blaze are also getting attention in their families.”

“How about Sir Balan?”

“Of the White Dragon Knights participating in this Knight Competition, Balan is the youngest.”

“That means she’s that much more promising.”

“That’s right. She’ll grow enough to lead the White Dragon Knights one day. She’s a child with a strong body and mind.”

I felt inexplicably pleased.

I wanted to see the day, even if it was in the distant future, when our batch grew in our respective places and came together to join forces.

“Please remember Kiyot and Siriel, too.”

“I know. Aren’t they the ones you are particularly close to?”

As if that was enough for greetings, Pasion turned his gaze back to the training ground.

“The semifinals will begin soon.”

“I heard the quarterfinals just ended. Do the semifinals follow immediately?”

“The Knight Competition proceeds quickly. We were the last group in the quarterfinals, and unfortunately, we’ve been placed as the first group in the semifinals.”

“That’s not good. So, what should I do?”

“Watch.”

“What? Weren’t you calling me to participate in the Knight Competition?”

Pasion grinned.

It was a smile that seemed to be full of confidence.

“You’ve been active separately with Tello all this time, so you probably don’t know how strong our family is.”

“Um, yes. I haven’t seen many of the other organizations within the family.”

“Then this will be a good opportunity. See how strong we are, watch well and be glad. For when you become a hero, they will all be the ones to help you.”

Hahaha.

Pasion laughed triumphantly.

His tone was overflowing with pride for the White Dragon Knights.

Soon, the Vice Commander of the White Dragon Knights appeared and gave his report.

“Preparations for the semifinal match are complete.”

“Go, win, and return.”

“As you command.”

I was inwardly perplexed, as I had expected Pasion to participate as well.

The Knight Competition was a place where each knight order clashed with their honor on the line.

Therefore, I had naturally assumed Pasion, the greatest strength of the knight order, would also participate.

However, Pasion delegated command to the Vice Commander and calmly explained the rules to me.

“In the semifinals, twenty knights fight in a tangled mess. If you, who hasn't practiced with them, were to jump in, you wouldn't be able to pull your own weight.”

“Oh, but I might be able to fight well by being quick-witted.”

“No, a knights’ battle isn’t something you can do well just by being quick-witted or having outstanding individual abilities. The strength of a knight order lies in hundreds of men moving as one body to annihilate the enemy.”

“……I see, I didn’t know.”

“Watch the knights’ battle closely.”

Pasion continued to speak confidently.

He probably had no idea that I was inwardly thinking it was a very good thing I hadn't joined the knight order.

“We will now begin the first match of the semifinals. The White Dragon Knights versus the Guberger Knights. Line up!”

Clank, clank, clank.

Clank, clank, clank, clank.

The two knight orders appeared in perfect order.

I was startled and asked Pasion a question.

“The Guberger Knights, isn’t that the knight order of the Iron Chancellor’s family?”

“That’s right.”

“……Will it be alright even if you don’t participate, Sir Pasion?”

“They say that fellow Fesler has been running the Empire these days while the Emperor is away?”

The Iron Chancellor, Fesler Guberger.

The name of the Empire’s undisputed second-in-command had appeared.

The Guberger family had long reigned as the second-in-command of the Empire.

As such, their power was immense, and they were known to have invested heavily in their knight order.

……And Pasion was calling such a man ‘that fellow’.

“The Guberger family may be able to run the Empire, but they won’t be able to touch the Adjak family. Do I need to tell you the reason again?”

“……You said that we are also strong.”

“Right. You and I just need to watch from here.”

Pasion’s confidence showed no signs of wavering.

“We will be victorious.”

-Next up is the match between the Guberger Knights and the White Dragon Knights! Both knight orders are considered strong contenders for the championship in this Knight Competition!

Just before the two knight orders clashed in earnest, the announcer explained about them.

-Will the Guberger Knights, who took second place after being defeated by the Rosamund Knights in the last Knight Competition, be able to get their revenge this time?

Thump, thump!

The members of the Guberger Knights, stamping their feet, looked full of confidence.

-Or will the heroes, the White Dragon Knights of the Adjak family, who are participating after a very long time, be able to command the Knight Competition like they used to?

As the announcer’s voice grew louder, the atmosphere among the spectators also heightened.

“We will once again show the continent how strong the Adjak family is.”

Both sides would fight with their pride on the line. Moreover, it wasn't just the pride and honor of the knight orders at stake in this match.

The Iron Chancellor, Fesler, was a figure who, in the Emperor's absence, was leading the Empire's war alongside the 1st Prince and the Northern Archduke.

The faction opposing the war between humans and the faction supporting the war.

This was the stage where these two forces would collide.

I looked at the countless people watching the Knight Competition.

The Knight Competition was originally one of the biggest festivals held in the Imperial Capital, so there were many spectators.

But I also realized that quite a few big shots were positioned here and there.

From the 1st Prince sitting in the seat of honor, to the 2nd Prince whose face I was seeing for the first time, and the 3rd Prince who was glancing at me.

Next to the royalty, Fesler was also sitting with a tired expression.

Besides them, various other nobles were watching the Knight Competition.

“I don’t see Marquis Rodos.”

“I told him not to waste his time and to prepare for what comes next.”

It should have been about time for me to get used to Pasion's confidence.

“You just watch closely with your own two eyes, and get ready to enter the finals.”

The moment Pasion said that, the announcer shouted in a loud voice.

“Clash!”

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