Episode 201
“What on earth is this…?”
Lakmos, having broken down the door to enter, wore a bewildered expression as he looked at the figures in the reception room.
His gaze shifted to Hanbit.
“Why are you here?”
As if recalling the memory of his broken wrist, he flinched slightly.
Hanbit looked at the group of knights and soldiers accompanying him and said,
“You brought quite a lot. Looks like you scraped together every last bit?”
“Tsk.”
Lakmos clicked his tongue at the sarcastic remark.
The expression “scraped together every last bit” was accurate. These
were troops specially reserved to seize control of the royal capital.
They had brought in even the reserves of those reserves to storm the palace.
Since the Holy Kingdom had seized the upper hand in the invasion, they had to achieve results at any cost to cover up the crime of betrayal.
'The only option would be to kill them all.'
Hanbit could see right through their intentions.
Killing the King, seizing the capital, and opening the castle gates.
It was the only way to have a chance of surviving.
However, it was not an easy task.
This was because there were certain Royal Guard Knights and troops beyond Artois's reach.
Just the Knight Commander and Vice Commander alone were skilled warriors whom Artois's elite knights would need to join forces to face.
“Lord Black Dragon, but why are they in such a state? They weren't fighting outside, were they?”
Haneul, standing beside him, asked in a low voice as he looked at the enemies. It
was because of their shattered armor and the various wounds scattered all over them.
“It’s because they forced their way through the traps. Except for one, the path leading to this reception room is a field of traps.”
The Secret Reception Room, one of the special spaces within the Royal Palace.
The passage leading here is known as a restricted area.
It was a path that the assailants who had stormed in to find the hidden King could never have passed through.
“…Incompetent Sword.”
Zenith’s face was colder than ever.
As he was the enemy of his family, his anger and hatred were all too deep.
“Lachmos!”
Just then, Emeter, who had been clinging to the King's trousers, spotted the incompetent sword.
Her voice spat out in rage, stifled by pain.
Stumbling to his feet, blood streamed from his eyes as he glared at Lakmos.
"How dare you betray me…!"
The cause of the plan going so awry lay with Lakmos.
While the skill of the adventurer who had captured him was a factor, he was convinced that the betrayal had the greatest impact on this disastrous failure.
"You look quite unwell."
Lakmos let out a sneer as he looked at the tattered Emeter.
Their relationship had been devoid of even a speck of respect from the start.
He had no intention of offering an excuse or an apology for the betrayal.
"Lachmos de Artois."
Just then, the King's voice, which had been observing the conversation, rang out low.
Stepping a few paces forward, he met the incompetent sword's gaze.
"Do you have nothing to say about the sin of betrayal?"
“Betrayal? What betrayal. How long did you think Artua would remain loyal to a fake dynasty? If it weren’t for the blood pact, we would have succeeded the Raven family.”
Lakmos, spitting out an irritated voice, glanced around.
He was calculating the gains he could make in the current situation.
“I don’t see the Knight Commander?”
Observing the enemies he was about to face, he realized a crucial fact.
The head of the Royal Guard was not by the King’s side.
No, there hadn’t even been any reports of him being sighted in the first place.
Smirking, he looked at Emeter and said,
“Choose. Hand over the artifact to sever the blood pact and save your life, or just get angry and die along with them.”
“You damn bastard…”
Emeter trembled at the choice thrown at her so abruptly.
However, if things continued this way, death was the only outcome she could envision.
Scrutinizing the number of troops that had stormed in, he glanced at Hanbit.
Then, he hurriedly rushed toward where Lakmos was.
“…I will hand over the artifact. In return, send me to the Holy Kingdom once the job is done.”
“Fine, I should do at least that much for you.”
Lakmos grinned and surveyed the guards surrounding the King.
Aside from the adventurer who had broken his wrist, there was only one main force:
Leon, the Vice-Captain of the Royal Guard.
“Don’t you need to call the Commander?”
“No problem.”
“You’re kidding. Who doesn’t know how strong the Commander is?”
Lakmos was convinced the Vice-Captain was bluffing.
Although they had arrived here suffering casualties and had failed to bring the knights of the House of Artua from outside the capital,
they were still the elite of Artua.
He believed he could overwhelm the adventurers and at least one vice-captain. With a quick
swipe,
Lakmos took a step back.
Then, brandishing the sword in his hand, he spoke.
“Kill them all.”
Ta-da!
At that command, the knights kicked off and charged.
The reception room, instantly transformed into a battlefield, was filled with chaos and terror.
At least, that was within Lakmos’s mind.
Whoosh!
The sky surged simultaneously, scattering afterimages of moonlight as it gracefully weaved through the enemies.
Its sheer speed alone was enough to overwhelm them.
Swish!
“Cough!”
“Ugh!”
Knights and soldiers, their throats severed by daggers, collapsed with their dying cries.
Whoosh!
A purple sphere appeared at the same time.
It indiscriminately sucked in the charging enemies.
“W-what is this!”
“Aaaargh!”
Those beginning to collapse under gravity screamed in agony.
Of course, there were some knights who stood out.
Ta-dat!
A knight charged along the wall, dodging the twins' attack.
The sharp tip of his sword was aimed at the King.
However, a shield named Leon stood in front of him.
Boom!
“Cough!”
She struck down one of the knights who had thrust his sword, shattering the ground as he slammed into the floor.
It was a force so immense that he immediately gushed blood from his mouth.
Whoosh!
Smack!
The successive attacks crumbled one after another under Leon’s fist.
It was not that she couldn’t wield a sword, but in such a confined space, fists were far more effective.
“This is insane…”
Lakmos was bewildered as he watched the knights and soldiers of Artua vanish in vain.
He knew of Leon’s power.
However, the skill of that boy and girl, who looked undeniably young, seemed odd.
There was only one person who could have brought them.
“Black Dragon!”
Lakmos let out a furious cry, kicking off his leg as he charged.
Hanbit, holding her sword in one hand, calmly parried it.
Clang!
Swords clashed with a sharp noise.
Hatred filled Lakmos's eyes as they met through their crossed blades.
Of course, that didn't change the situation.
*Thud!
* Hanbit deflected the sword and lunged in half a beat faster.
Lakmos couldn't even react to the speed.
Leaping lightly, Hanbit struck the creature's jaw with his knee.
*Smack!
* "Ouch!"
The brain-shaking shock made Lakmos's eyes roll back.
*Thud— *
The creature collapsed limply to the ground, motionless.
Turning his gaze to the surroundings, Hanbit confirmed that the other knights and soldiers had also been neatly dealt with.
It was the twins' excellent performance, of course, that had left Leon.
'Is there only one left?'
One person who had not yet revealed himself.
It was Knight Commander Kylo, who had sided with Emeter and contributed to the invasion plan.
Although he couldn't defeat him with his current skill, it was crucial to hold out and fend off his sudden attack.
Surely, that was what he had to do.
Ding-
[Main Quest #8 completed.]
[Received 4,000,000 Gold.]
[15 Stat Points awarded.]
[Experience increased by 8,000,000.]
[Progress rate increasing.]
[Main Quest #9: Epilogue]
The incompetent sword Lakmos has been captured.
Punishment is required for the treason led by the House of Artua, and for the cruel crimes committed by nobles throughout the kingdom.
Can the wishes of Riventia, Zenith, and the countless victims be fulfilled?
This is a moment requiring the King's choice.
Objective: Reach the ending of the story.
Reward: Episode Complete
*Current Progress: 99 percent
“……?”
Hanbit was flustered by the unexpected message.
Moreover, the only thing left was the Epilogue main quest.
Had the story ever concluded without the Knight Commander appearing?
At least in his 55th playthrough, it had never happened.
'Could it be those people?'
If one were to think of a variable, there was only one.
He is a player belonging to the Holy Kingdom.
Based on experience, Knight Commander Kylo is headed to the Holy Kingdom to realize 'war'.
If someone has accelerated that timing, what on earth could be the reason?
“I, I wasn't trying to run away! Didn't I say I would surrender willingly!”
With her new lifeline severed, Emeter returned staggering once again.
The King, who had been observing the entire situation, closed and opened his eyes for a moment.
Then, looking at the Vice-Captain of the Royal Guard, he said,
“I issue the order.”
***
“I heard the nobles were completely wiped out?”
“Don’t even get me started. It’s treason, a full-blown rebellion. They tried to install the exiled Crown Prince as the new king.”
“To think Artua would fall like this. It is truly baffling.” It was
the morning of the third day since the invasion.
The announcement made by royal decree was spreading rapidly throughout the capital, Radianor.
The forces that plotted treason were to be executed without exception.
The nobles who participated were to be held accountable according to the severity of their crimes.
“What is this full investigation into past events? Suddenly?”
“They say the nobles’ wickedness was severe. I heard many people died unjustly because of that incompetent sword.”
“Does His Majesty look after even such things…?”
There were far more innocent victims than expected, including Riventia and Zenith.
Lakmos was to be executed after enduring all the investigations and trials in the worst possible conditions.
Recalling Hanbit's memories, it would have been better if he had been executed immediately.
"I never thought I would be walking in the royal capital like this."
On the way to the palace,
Zenith quietly murmured as she listened to the voices around her.
"I felt exactly the same way when I walked through Edlen as Riventia."
Riventia, walking beside Hanbit, grinned as she spoke.
She, who had attended as a witness for Lakmos's investigation, was also traveling with the King after receiving a summons.
Hanbit's party members were following behind.
"But what was the Head of the Artua clan doing? Didn't he realize that the incompetent sword was incompetent?"
Riventia questioned the situation, ranging from the invasion to the arrest of the traitors.
Even if Lakmos had acted unilaterally, it was strange that such a powerful family had taken no action.
"There are several reasons. The most important one is that the Head of the Artua clan is ill."
“Are you sick? Where?”
“I’m keeping quiet about it, but in reality, my mind is all over the place. My only son is out on duty as an investigator, so there is no way he can handle the situation properly. There were times when I just had a moment of realization and chose to push forward instead.”
The head of the Artois family was a figure who instilled fear in the members of the household.
However, he is now suffering through ordeals due to an unknown illness that struck him suddenly.
Hiding this from the outside world was for the sake of honor.
“In any case, there is no chance for the Artois family to recover now. It will fade into the annals of history.”
“That’s good.”
“Me too.”
With such a conversation, Hanbit and his party arrived at the royal palace.
When they went straight up to the audience chamber, the King greeted them.
“It is good that you came.”
He looked quite weary, as if he had been overwhelmed by the immense workload in the aftermath of the rebellion.
However, it was evident that he was trying not to show it.
“I cannot take up much of your time. First, there is the matter of Lakmos. The number of victims he caused due to his flawed investigation amounts to hundreds. Furthermore, the damage caused by the nobles is also…”
Countless crimes reported by victims gathered within criminal groups.
The results of the initial investigation were conveyed to the two of them first.
This was because they had been assigned the role of serving as a channel for the victims' communication and recovery.
“I will pass this on once more detailed information becomes available. Here is the next.”
The King personally unfolded the scroll lying beside him.
Then, in a solemn voice, he recited its contents.
“I command the Adventurer Black Dragon and the four others. You shall rise as candidates for the new investigation team representing the Kingdom of Raven. I earnestly hope that you pass the trials of hardship and adversity and elevate the name of the Kingdom as members of the investigation team.”
Ding-
[Main Quest #9 completed.]
[Progress is increasing.]
[Progress has reached 100 percent.]
[Episode 6 completed.]
[Achievement: Defender of the Kingdom achieved.]
[Achievement: Candidate for the Raven Kingdom Investigation Team achieved.]
[Rewards are increased to the maximum for the first achievement.]
[Received 40,000,000 Gold.]
[60 Stat Points added.]
[Experience increased by 35,000,000.]
[Level increased by 3.]
[3 Stat Points added.]
[Player Black Dragon's party succeeded in defending the Raven Kingdom.]
[Players who previously cleared Episode 6 are granted a chance to reset and replay.]
[Partially opened private areas.]
The string of reward messages had become familiar before I knew it.
Did the disappearance of the special rewards mean the problem wasn't resolved?
I was curious about that as well, but the problematic message was something else entirely.
[The first update for the Record Project is in progress.]
