Inkira City, thirty miles away from Solan Island.
Soldiers road the streets with religious fervor to defend the empire.
Each one was carrying boxes and weapons, supplies for the inevitable confrontation with the new Voidal Monarch inhabiting the Sea Bridge’s entrance. Not only the soldiers, but the people also played a role, organizing the supplies.
Even though thirty miles seed far away, it wasn’t that much distance for a Voidal Monarch.
If the Voidal Monarch settled there, the city would be in a constant state of unrest.
So, these soldiers also carried hope on their shoulders.
As of this mont, three legions have arrived in the city and have begun preparation to depart again.
Each legion numbers three thousand n—an intimidating force, especially considering that every one of them is at least Ascendant Spirit 5, with most having reached the Master Immortal Spirit rank. As for the elite among them, they are comparable to Master Immortal Spirit 3 powerhouses.
Naturally, these legions aren’t going to directly confront the new Voidal Monarch.
It would be suicide.
Since the enemy is a Voidal Monarch, nobles are going to participate in this battle.
And these nobles, along with the special forces under them, would be the ones confronting the Voidal Monarch.
In the worst-case scenario, the legions would probably clash against the Voidal Prince.
If all went according to plan without any hiccups, the legions would engage only with the underlings of the new Voidal Monarch instead, ensuring that none escaped into the many unprotected bubbles that are clustered near the Sea Bridge.
Due to that, they need an adequate number, not the quality of soldiers.
Near the city square where the heart of the city lies, built from pale crystal and shiny marble, a massive structure lood, crowned with a sweeping do that glead under the light. Its curves echo the architecture of the empire, reserved only for those with status.
The Hall of Order, a place where squires trained swordsmanship, etiquette, and life energy.
Only those who had been kissed by the Empress as Knights could enter this building freely.
At this mont, however, this place was devoid of squires.
Inside one of the office rooms of the Hall of Order is a man clad in full armor, bearing the crimson color of royalty, showing him as a royal guard. On his right pauldron was the symbol carved with magic and significance, shaped like a burning plud helt, the symbol of the Ashmantle Legion.
He was sitting at the table, cleaning his gleaming longsword with a rose-drawn hilt.
All of the people in the city would recognize the Defender of the Thirteen Mud Bubbles, Sir Rick.
Rick was cleaning his sword in silence.
A ritual of his that he always did before going to battle, and put his life on the line.
His serenity was broken when the door was pushed open, followed by a surprised gasp.
It was a young boy who got inside, wearing a plain white tunic—the uniform of a squire.
"I apologize for intruding, Sir!"
Almost instinctively, the young squire bowed ninety degrees, not expecting to see anyone in here.
Due to his punishnt for failing a test, he was told to stay behind by his Sire—and clean every single room inside the Hall of Order. Nobody was inside, but he wasn’t going to cheat his punishnt. He did not want to make it a habit.
Discipline is the utmost trait that a knight should have, and he was training his.
Raising his gaze a little, the young squire’s eyes fixed on Rick’s appearance.
’A red cape ans he’s a royal guard. A burning helt ant he ca from the Ashmantle Legion, and since the helt is a plud helt, he’s a captain. And that rose-drawn hilt...’ His eyes widened, realizing who this person was. ’Sir Rick?!’
Just as he ca to that realization, a heavy voice rang inside the room.
"Soone who aspired to be a knight shouldn’t bow their head so easily," Rick put down his sword on the table with deliberate slowness, and wiped his hands with the cloth, still not turning to look at the young squire. "Your back must always be straight. Only bow to your lord—or lady... and if appropriate, to your paramour."
Once he said that, Rick turned around to face the young squire—his eyes steady.
Hearing this, the young squire imdiately straightened his back.
"I’m grateful for your teachings, Sir!"
"You’re a squire; it’s the duty of knights to teach the next generations."
"Now, go," Authoritatively, Rick waved his hand, gesturing for the young squire to leave. "For breaking the silence and disturbing , swing the enchanted sword ten thousand tis. You can only leave after you finish it."
Not even uttering a single complaint, the young squire saluted and excused himself, leaving the room.
Just like earlier, silence enveloped the room again.
But it didn’t last long.
Once again, the door was pushed open.
Unlike earlier, the door was swung open wide as multiple figures stepped inside.
Impatience and anger could be heard in their steps alone.
Rick glanced toward the door again and found four other full-armored knights.
One glance is all it takes for him to recognize all of them.
"We want answers, Sir Rick."
A full-armored knight crowned with a golden circlet of thorns said with a demanding tone, summoning his helt up to reveal a blonde middle-aged man with sharp cheekbones and a face that will not waver in front of anything.
Knight Gallick of the Gold Pride Legion.
He clamped the helt between his arm and body, staring at Rick with golden intensity.
"You’re the Empress’ voice, so you can give us the answers."
"About what?"
Rick wasn’t disturbed by the intense stare from the four knights, calmly cleaning his longsword again.
He seed to already be expecting this to happen.
"Don’t act like you’re not aware. This random person, Rex, why is he one of the assigned knights?"
Gallick’s voice echoed with power.
Out of the knights in the whole empire, he wanted to know how Rex was one of the chosen ones.
"It’s quite simple. Sir Rex also fitted the requirents for this mission."
"Requirents? And what are the requirents?"
Another knight standing beside Gallick took off his helt, exposing a pair of dark green sunken eyes and a face that looked exhausted. He reeks of blood and death, muscular, and carries with him a shield and sword.
Knight Clive of the Dark Faith Legion.
Before Rick could even answer, Gallick already stepped forward, eyes blazing with unbridled anger.
"If the Empress wanted a loyal knight, I can recomnd her one! If she wanted a strong knight—I can recomnd her one! If she wanted anyone at all, I can recomnd her one!" He barked, nose flaring as he gazed at Rick intensely. "Why give this position to a random man who could co from peasant street for all I know? Why?! He’s only a knight in title!"
Instead of answering, Rick continued cleaning his sword.
Not a trace of anything on his face.
Just a neutral expression as he was cleaning his sword.
Gallick clenched his teeth harder, barely containing the heat bubbling inside his chest.
"Are you even listening?" His eyes narrowed as Rick continued polishing his sword.
As if his words were little more than passing wind.
Irritation flared into unbridled anger.
Gallick lunged, hand reaching toward the sword with the intent to snatch it away.
But the world flipped.
A deafening crash followed right after.
He felt the air knocked clean from his lungs as his back slamd into the ground with brutal force. Dust rose in a thick plu around him. Pain spiked up his spine, but it was the sheer disbelief that kept him frozen in place.
Rick hadn’t even broken a sweat.
His hand still gripped Gallick’s wrist like a steel shackle, unshaken, calm.
Gallick opened his eyes, fury boiling over.
He tried to rise, but paused.
Rick was already looming above him.
A pair of piercing yellow eyes stared down with unblinking intensity, cold but ferocious at the sa ti. Not a word escaped Rick’s lips. He didn’t need to speak—as his gaze alone carried the weight of a lion towering over a reckless beast who’d dared to bare its fangs.
One could that that this was a silent warning—thick, suffocating, and final.
Gallick felt it in his bones.
If he moved again, if he dared push further, he wouldn’t just not get an answer.
He’d lose far more.
And so, with clenched fists and burning pride, he stayed down.
"Good choice, Sir Gallick," Rick let go of his hand and straightened his posture, "It’s very impolite to grab a knight’s sword, and ungentlemanly to let your emotions take over like that. I’m sure you’re well aware of those things."
Clive and the other knights watched this in silence.
All of them were clearly disturbed by the sight, as Gallick shouldn’t be taken down that easily.
And due to that, all of them ca to the sa decision.
Rick has broken through once again.
Still remaining poised, Rick returned to tend his sword while Gallick climbed back to his feet.
"If you have any problem with how the Empress makes her decision," Rick finally spoke about the matter that the knights ca here for. "Then all of you should bring your concerns to her. She’s my lady—and I wouldn’t dare speak on her behalf. But if you ask what I think, then I’m guessing she decided to invite Sir Rex to gain Princess Davina’s aid."
Upon hearing this, Gallick clicked his tongue and turned around to leave.
It was a mistake to ask Rick for a legitimate answer.
Naturally, the other knights also walked out of the room unsatisfied.
But out of the four of them, one remained behind.
He closed the door gently and then turned to face Rick once again.
Before speaking, he took off his helt.
A younger man, around his thirties in human age, was revealed behind the helt.
Knight Haxel of the Iron Shield Legion.
Unlike the others, there was no hostility on his features as he stared at Rick, only the profound respect a knight would have for a fellow knight. "Is that true, Sir Rick?" He placed his helt down on the table with a light thud. "About what you think, is that true?"
"No, it’s not true." Rick shook his head. "One of them could be a snake, so why would I tell the truth?"
"Am I a snake...?"
Haxel spread his arms to the side a little.
Hearing this, Rick turned to look at him, smiled a little, and shook his head.
"No. I’ve known better than to doubt your character, Sir Haxel."
"Then tell , what exactly is the reason for the Empress choosing Sir Rex?"
"You think she’s doing this to get rid of the existing Knights and replace them with new ones."
"Is that true?"
Rick placed his sword down willingly and turned to face Haxel.
He understood why Empress Morgana chose Rex for such a prestigious mission—one that promised glory to all who took part—would make the other knights feel threatened. Replacing the existing knights would reflect poorly on the people, but if she has the Emperor’s full support, it could be done.
No matter how famous and important the existing knights were, the Emperor still stood above all.
And people would be more inclined to believe in him.
"Frankly, I do not know what the Empress has in mind," Rick said truthfully.
Just like the other knights, he, too, was surprised when Empress Morgana decided to invite Rex.
If she wanted Princess Davina’s aid, she could just ask her.
Princess Davina is known to always help with any problems that might risk the empire’s well-being.
So, there was no need to invite Rex.
"But if you ask why she chose him, I’d say it’s because Sir Rex is genuinely suited for this mission, not because she wanted more forces to be on her side by changing the order of knights. I truly believe that."
"Fit for this mission? How so?"
Rick took a scroll from the table and tossed it over to Haxel.
"Read it, and you’ll understand."
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