Ch.223EP.50 – The Knight Ruminates on Defeat (2)

The next day, the academy was abuzz with endless discussions and debates about the “great incident” that had spread throughout the southern region.

“A temple collapsing, and simultaneously at that… I still feel like I’m dreaming.”

“Indeed. Fortunately, I heard they caught the terrorists. Heh, it’s hard to believe they were commoners.”

“It’s terrifying. How could anyone commit such an atrocious act!”

“…We shouldn’t look at it that way. After all, they were all victims themselves. It actually feels like justified revenge—”

“Hah! Are you believing those baseless rumors!?”

“There’s nothing unbelievable about it. The temple’s abuses didn’t just start yesterday.”

“You!”

News of the Grand Temple burning and attacks on temples near other territories spread rapidly, less than a day after the terrorism occurred.

Suspiciously quickly, in fact…

Newspapers reported the incidents promptly, as if they had been prepared in advance, and all the details about how the incidents occurred, the reasons, and the terrorists’ motives were revealed.

…Along with the temple’s shameful secrets.

Because of this, some muttered “It’s propaganda! A conspiracy!” and spouted conspiracy theories, while many others nodded and said, “Is this really true? Ha, I knew it all along!”

This made sense because it wasn’t just commoners who had suffered abuse from the temple.

Among nobles and knights, many poorer ones had histories of mistreatment by priests, and many nobles knew the truth about the incidents and contents reported in the newspapers.

Especially wealthy nobles with plenty of time who enjoyed uncovering the truth, or information guilds that sold information, made it not difficult to verify the facts in the newspapers.

As a result…

“I challenge you to a duel! How dare you insult the Light!”

“You’re the one who needs to face the facts! There’s abundant evidence! You ignorant fool! The temple is merely an organization that spreads the teachings of the Light of Radiance, not the Light itself! They’ve lost their qualification as God’s representatives through this incident!”

“You—!!”

Since over 80% of the citizens in the southern region, especially in Pendragon, were followers of the Light of Radiance, many were angered by insults to the temple. Even if the temple had committed sins, they questioned why it was such a big issue and willingly threw down gauntlets at those who insulted the temple.

Conversely, those who argued that the Light of Radiance should not be equated with the temple also threw down gauntlets.

Fights broke out throughout the academy due to differences in religious views, ideologies, and positions. This wasn’t limited to students but also occurred among academy staff like instructors and professors.

…Or rather, to be more precise…

“Those damn nobles! They act like this because they weren’t victims themselves, the rotten bastards!”

“You, whose side are you on?”

“Why, did I say something wrong?”

“!?”

It could be called chaos erupting throughout the entire kingdom.

…Meanwhile, there was a rare place where such debates, conflicts, or fights didn’t occur, namely…

“……”

[……]

The Academy’s Swordsmanship Department.

“S-someone say something.”

“W-what do you want us to do?”

“The instructor looks very upset. I think we’ll die if we speak to him. Just leave him be.”

“…Kunta, that’s a very intelligent thing to say.”

“Kunta was always intelligent?”

“……”

It was more like a forced absence of debate.

Amusingly, even among the Swordsmanship Department members, there were those who wanted to discuss the current situation, but since their respected master was sitting in a peculiar posture maintaining silence, they couldn’t carelessly open their mouths.

…One thing was certain—he looked extremely displeased.

Knowing that speaking carelessly might result in their limbs being torn apart today, they wisely chose silence and focused diligently on their sword training.

Unintentionally, while disputes broke out across the kingdom, these passionate youths maintained a forced peace born of fear.

Perhaps peace truly does come from force and fear.

And the person embodying this not-quite-teaching was…

“……”

Sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.

Then…

“Sigh…”

Among the 80 students, perhaps the most seemingly fragile but most courageous woman.

“Um, Master…”

Levi Jeanne d’Arc took a step forward and addressed their instructor.

“…What is it?”

He responded after a brief pause.

His voice was unusually subdued, as if deep in thought.

While some might lack the courage to speak further due to the natural pressure he exuded, Levi was no ordinary girl.

“…I just thought you might have something troubling you.”

“……”

“So… yes, so I just wanted to talk to you. Worrying alone is too, no, very painful, isn’t it?”

“……”

“A-although someone like me might not be able to offer much advice, I want to share your concerns.”

“……”

…Suddenly, the eyes of the man sitting in meditation slowly opened, and at the corner of his mouth…

“-Ha.”

“D-don’t laugh! I-I know it sounds silly…”

A twisted smile formed.

Levi made a tearful face, embarrassed.

She feared she might have spoken out of turn.

But…

“…You’re right. Concerns should be shared with someone.”

“…Pardon?”

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I think I know what I need to do now.”

“M-Master?”

Levi cautiously looked up at him again, and as he turned his gaze toward her…

“I’ll be going out for a while. Conduct today’s class independently. I’m counting on you. Ah, and dump all the remaining work and paperwork on Assistant #1. Understood?”

“…Y-yes!”

Levi could answer with a bright smile and vigor.

She was overjoyed to see him finally smile.

It was her master’s usual self—the one who made her feel more reassured than anyone else.

He quickly disappeared, and Levi watched his retreating figure with a warm smile.

“Instructor, there’s a meeting today… Huh? Where did he go?”

“He left. Said he had something to do.”

“S-something to do?! There’s a m-meeting!”

“Yes, he said to ask Assistant Damian to handle the rest of the work.”

“……”

“I should get going now, I need to start my training…”

“……”

She went to find her place to pick up a wooden sword.

To train hard.

‘I must become helpful to Master!’

Though still weak, she wanted to someday become strong enough to firmly support his back.

Though infinitely weak, Levi was filled with determination as sturdy as a mighty tree.

“Aah! That damned man!! J-just one hit! Please let me hit him just once-!!”

With the assistant’s pitiful wail as encouragement, she swung her wooden sword.

To become stronger.

* * *

…Ihan moved straight ahead.

Whoosh!

No one could stop his now-resolute steps, and no one even tried to block him due to the aura he emitted.

His pace gradually quickened, and he ran through the streets.

Whoosh, the surroundings changed rapidly, and soon…

Tap.

“Lord Turtle?”

“It’s been a while.”

“What brings you here today…”

“Never mind that, I’m going in.”

“Pardon?”

“Keep up the good work.”

“Uh…”

The captain of the royal palace guards should have stopped Ihan according to protocol.

After all, due to the brawl at the palace the previous day, Ihan wasn’t supposed to enter for the time being.

However, both the captain and the guards could only watch blankly as Ihan entered.

“Huff!”

Taking a deep breath, he instantly passed through the palace gates and arrived at his original workplace.

The Order of the Silver Lion, 3rd Knight Division.

As always, numerous knights were stationed there, and the moment Ihan appeared, their attention focused on him.

“W-why is that guy here?”

“???”

“Eek!”

Though they hadn’t encountered a plague demon, the knights were terrified when Ihan appeared.

Especially those who had suffered at his hands.

…Strangely, even new knights who were seeing him for the first time or hadn’t experienced much from him were quick to avert their eyes.

Normally, they would have shot him hostile glances or at least whispered among themselves, but it was unusually quiet.

With neither Jake nor Yord present to break the awkwardness…

“-Hehe, did your homing instinct suddenly activate? What brings you to see me without even being called?”

A middle-aged man appeared behind Ihan with a languid, light movement.

Though he appeared frail, as if barely able to wield a staff…

No, no one in this continent would underestimate this middle-aged man.

Because he was…

“I never said I came to see you, old man. Aren’t you being self-centered?”

“Self-centered? You’re the one emitting such a fierce aura. Can’t you see everyone’s too scared to know what to do?”

“……”

“Hehe, still refusing to listen. You insolent fellow.”

Baltar Grace.

The continent’s universally acknowledged greatest knight and idol.

A one-man army superhuman.

An Aura user who was both feared and respected by countless people.

And to this great superhuman, Ihan…

“…Fine, honestly, as you said, I came today because I have some questions for you.”

“While emitting such an aura?”

“Today I need some answers, but I also want to vent my foul mood.”

“…What impudent words.”

“I’m sorry, I apologize. But I can’t help it. I feel like I’m going to go mad.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well… it means I feel like I’m going crazy.”

“That’s… hehe, certainly a serious matter.”

Baltar wore a benevolent smile.

It was such a kind smile that one might expect him to offer pocket money, but instead of money…

“Well, a mad dog needs a good beating.”

Thwack.

He delivered a light flick to the forehead.

It looked like a gentle flick, just a simple tap…

BANG—!

…But the miracle created by that flick was anything but gentle.

CRASH!

“R-run away!”

“C-crazy!!”

A person went flying.

Spinning like a windmill, rotating dozens of times per second, Ihan’s body…

CRASH!

Only stopped after crashing into the castle wall hard enough to leave a deep impression.

…After performing this seemingly impossible, physics-defying flick, Baltar smirked.

“The kid must have wanted his mind cleared. Deliberately taking a hit like that.”

…Excuse me?

Someone’s stupid reaction, though it wasn’t clear whose.

But the next moment…

CRACK!

…A loud rupturing sound enveloped the knight division as the castle wall crumbled.

Flinch!!

The knights instinctively stepped back.

Thud, thud.

The sight of “it” walking out with eerie, glowing eyes while destroying the castle wall evoked the image of a beast…

An uncontrollably fierce, mad beast beyond compare.

And the beast…

“-Today I’m going to be serious.”

Crackle!

It spoke human words while manifesting aura like ghostly fire all over its body.

To this, Baltar…

“When were you ever not serious when you got hit?”

Merely wiggled his fingers.

Come anytime.

At this leisurely gesture, the beast grinned fiercely.

As if confirming that coming here had been the right decision.

CRASH!!

The beast that could even destroy castle walls lunged at the superhuman.