Ch.27992. You Still Don’t Know? (2)

# The Atmosphere in the Arena Turned Strange

At some point, the atmosphere inside the arena had become peculiar.

Perhaps it began when their conversation fell silent.

Or was it right after the knight in pure white abandoned his duty and principles as a knight?

And more than the audience.

To the point where even official intervention was being seriously considered.

The championship match was, even to their eyes, unfolding in a truly bizarre manner.

“Kariel has appeared at the Imperial Palace?”

In the arena’s spectator seats.

That particular area stood in stark contrast to the densely packed seats surrounding it.

Formed like a private terrace, it featured spacious chairs and sofas.

On small round tables sat drinks in pure silver cups, along with plates of colorful fruits piled high.

The Hero Emperor, who had just picked up a grape, narrowed his blue eyes at the news that had just arrived.

And that wasn’t all.

Eyewitness accounts of Kariel being spotted were beginning to accumulate, arriving at different times.

Moreover, this was just the beginning.

“……”

Along with inexplicable phenomena throughout the Empire, there were brief reports of ghosts and specters openly roaming in broad daylight.

Even this information was only available because it was the Empire; an ordinary nation would have been unable to even guess what was happening where.

Let alone the fact that these manifesting specters were forming an army.

Let alone the fact that among these apparitions were fragments of beings once called Demon Kings—something only key figures would know.

“The Imperial Palace…”

He unconsciously repeated the words.

The reason the eyewitness account of Kariel appearing at the palace troubled him was because something he needed to recover was placed there.

That was also why Rashid and Loroana weren’t present here.

“……”

Still.

Something felt strange.

When had it started?

The feeling that things weren’t adding up.

Nothing seemed wrong, but his instincts were warning him.

‘Even the Empress’s prophetic dreams… detected no signs of this.’

Yet such bold, grandiose, absurd events were occurring one after another.

Above all, the greatest source of discomfort was…

The two figures battling in the arena.

One was the Emperor’s only son.

And the one opposing him was…

“Your Majesty.”

“……”

Lueld discreetly urged him, mindful of their surroundings.

“Have preparations made.”

The one who introduced himself as the Weakest Demon King.

That man, Korin, had said.

That this very place would be where Kariel would intervene.

He had even considered the possibility that Kariel might strike unexpectedly, knowing they would be here.

…The reason they had deliberately placed that thing—believed to be the Magical Artifact of the Demon King of Wisdom—in the Imperial Palace was to account for any variables that might arise if Kariel approached or even glimpsed it.

Moreover, they had set up multiple layers of vicious traps there.

…While it wouldn’t be life-threatening, at a point where even Gazef and Nedess admitted they had no countermeasures against Kariel, whether head-on or by surprise… restraining him through normal means would be nearly impossible.

Furthermore, considering Loroana’s stubborn insistence on keeping her promise to Kariel, they had included Rashid among the surveillance personnel.

“……”

But why?

Despite thorough preparations.

Why did he feel an alarm ringing, as if every aspect of their plan was crumbling?

“We could never win at mind games. It was always so.”

“…Your Majesty?”

Lueld questioned, but the Hero Emperor was half-lost in his own thoughts.

“The Demon King of Wisdom.”

That’s what it means to be blindsided.

Being just slightly ahead of your opponent is enough.

Deceiving your opponent even a little is enough.

Being just a bit faster is all it takes.

Being just a bit stronger is sufficient.

Then the scales of consequence will judge you. And reward you.

“How far did he foresee… how many moves did he plan ahead?”

“……”

Lueld instinctively glanced at the Empress, Melineos, seated beside the Emperor.

Then he turned to look at Ermina, sitting in a separate seat to the left.

She was anxiously watching the battle inside the arena.

Her complexion appeared extremely pale and precarious.

—-

*Tap!*

In a world of pure white, I glared at the translucent chess piece the girl before me set down.

A soldier with a spear.

A small piece that looked like a miniature version of it.

Like the soldier figurines we used to move around on maps during war simulation training at the academy.

“This sort of thing isn’t really important,” the golden girl sneered.

“Anyone can win at this with just good memory.”

Then, with her characteristic mockery.

*Tap!*

Another piece I moved.

*Tap!*

…For some reason, she leaves it.

A knight piece placed diagonally, as if inviting me to capture it.

“But what if you set aside memorization here? Then you need good intuition. Or quick calculations. And if you don’t have those either? Then you need to form a good strategy. What kind of strategy? One that will defeat your opponent. One that will let me win.”

“……”

Young Kariel couldn’t quite understand what she was saying.

He was too busy trying to comprehend the given rules and master them.

Even after thirty defeats, there was little sign of improvement.

Perhaps that was to be expected.

“The goal is simple. Either kill the king or remove all pieces. That’s the victory condition of this game.”

And there would be additional conditions to achieve that.

“But the real world isn’t so clear-cut. That’s why we can’t help but love those variables too.”

“……”

“A model student who follows the mold. Someone who diligently follows the rules can neither rule nor conquer the world. That’s why.”

She said this and sneered.

As if chewing, tearing, and swallowing even her own laughter.

“So, the past you who used the excuse of lacking resourcefulness to pose as a model student. That’s the first thing you should erase.”

That’s impossible?

“Then die.”

“……”

*Tap!*

With my black soldier piece, I reluctantly capture her knight.

“You’ve captured it.”

The golden girl declared.

“That move just sealed your defeat.”

Then she proclaimed.

“In eight moves, you will lose.”

And indeed, her words came true.

“……”

How is this even possible?

“Kariel. Manipulating the world is much easier than this. This is just a game. A game. Even a limbless worm could play it if they just memorized well and knew how to place the pieces.”

“So, what do I need?”

“It’s not difficult.”

This is much easier than tests of strength or direct confrontation.

“Whoever your opponent is, you just need to be a little smarter, a little more perceptive, and have more decisiveness. Oh, and lastly.”

She told me with a smile.

This time, strangely, gently and demurely.

“If you can be more cruel than your opponent. And… if you can deceive them completely? Your opponent can’t help but be deceived.”

That’s my secret, she said.

“The secret to why everyone can’t help but be deceived by me.”

Saying that, the golden one burst into laughter.

Vulgarly, basely.

Yet somehow, never losing her dignity.

She laughed continuously.

—-

*Clang!*

The legendary sword and the tournament sword collide.

Yet strangely, it’s the blue knight holding the legendary sword who’s being pushed back.

“Kugh!”

Like capturing a knight with a pawn.

Sometimes that seems like the greatest advantage.

And you have to make your opponent believe it for traps and bait to have meaning.

On my journey here, I’ve practiced and proven what I’ve learned.

Even those results.

*Clang!*

“Urgh!”

The swordsmanship I once named the Fool’s Sword has now been refined into the swordsmanship of its originator, the Weakest Demon King.

Septentrions—it has created a clear boundary within me.

Breaking free from the limitations of form and format.

Now, I am no longer bound by shape or movement.

I could use it, and it would be far more efficient, I can’t deny that.

…But there’s no need for that now.

Besides, the moment I reveal it, my identity would be immediately exposed.

*Clang!*

“Ugh!”

I glimpse the future.

I even foresee how the tournament brackets will be arranged depending on what time I register.

Considering all this, I deliberately entered this tournament aiming to face him in the finals.

Once in the main bracket, doesn’t that become meaningless?

Perhaps.

Yet strangely, the results changed with just minutes or seconds of difference.

Truly curious.

‘Every action must have direction, meaning, foundation.’

The golden one told me this.

Even breathing should have meaning and direction.

Make every movement grounded in reason.

Only then can you control and govern all outcomes that come to you.

And only when that’s in place…

Can you design the future.

‘I…’

Since leaving Ardisus, I’ve planned everything.

Glimpsing the future ahead, correcting any potential mistakes one by one.

I’ve been running constantly to determine the design I want.

All of it was learned.

If I hadn’t neglected my life.

Everything would be integrated into my existence.

Her teachings.

And all the experiences I’ve gained and acquired.

All the inspirations that have taken shape, and the firm discernment that has formed a system.

All of that would be the foundation of my actions and judgments.

*Clang!*

“Ka…riel! You! How could you leave your sister and engage in this farce!”

*Clang!*

“Kheuk!”

“Do you have the luxury to run your mouth? What if your sister never wakes up? Will you convince yourself it’s because of your weakness?”

“You bastard?!”

An agent sent by the Demon Kings who opposed me.

Someone among them must have realized that when I stormed into the demon realm, I would command them as my subordinates.

Even if not, his status as the Imperial Prince would have been quite useful to exploit.

…If I hadn’t intervened, how would things have unfolded?

In truth, I don’t care about that guy either way.

But regret remains.

That regret brought me here to engage in what he calls a farce.

“Kariel. You… that damn armor! Could you remove or change it at will all along?!”

“……”

At first, it was impossible.

I only became free from that restriction just before entering the Empire.

But during my journey from Ardisus to Dabas, was there any need to reveal such details to anyone?

The same goes for openly or subtly trading on Grandeus’s name.

I rarely did it myself.

Here… the Salvation Knight Order’s influence played a significant role.

Using the pretext of saving Rupert, the former leader of the Snake-Eye faction, I made that proposal to Userp.

I don’t ask for much.

Follow my path, and achieve what you want on your own.

I knew how they would move in the future.

And Userp was a man who had built his wealth through Rupert’s ability to glimpse the future.

With just a few words of guidance, even though it wasn’t a certain future.

He understood clearly and displayed remarkable insight, spreading and inflating my existence conspicuously.

Did he see it as an opportunity to elevate Grandeus’s reputation from the start? He was truly enthusiastic.

They were still his followers, after all.

*Clang!*

“?!”

The momentum shifts, and the presence changes around that time.

Blue light streams from between the helmet.

His movements have become drastically different from before.

First, his reflexes have become extremely sharp.

Earlier, he could barely block my sword, but now he seems able to see and respond.

But that’s not all.

I feel it the moment we clash.

His strength, the weight he puts into it, the pressure that rises… it’s completely different from before.

Yet even this is just the beginning.

Enhanced physical abilities, skill that draws them out to their limits, and reflexes that have risen to another dimension.

The result…

*Tang!*

…split my tournament sword in two.

Originally, he would have aimed to cut through my torso with that strike.

“Let’s end this charade—”

I…

…kicked up a spear shaft lying at my feet and struck his chin with it.

*Pung!*

The tournament spear made a strange sound as it collided with the armor.

Despite hitting him quite hard, as expected.

The end of the spear that struck him was half-split and dangling.

Probably because everything except the spearhead was made of wood.

Even so, he’s definitely changed from before.

“Grrrr…”

Though he staggered for a moment, he soon charges at me.

The broken sword that left my hand.

And the damaged spear I just released.

Though I was half unarmed…

“Here I’ll—!”

Who was it that created this situation in the first place?

…I wonder.

*Tung!*

His descending sword loses its way and wanders through empty space.

As if flailing.

“Eek!”

Because I stuck close to him.

Because I entangled his hand and arm along with it.

His sword can neither advance nor retreat, just held there.

“A sword is a tool.”

For a knight, a sword might be like fate, a proof of belief, a symbol.

“You should have let go earlier.”

Climbing up his arm, pushing at his shoulder and arm joint.

While his attention is diverted.

I trip his leg.

“?!”

Half a turn.

I spin his entire body and throw him to the ground.

The heavy armored figure rotates and crashes headfirst into the ground.

The sword in his hand also half-rotates and sprawls on the ground.

…How pathetic.

“Kuhek!”

This blow probably penetrated more clearly than any attack I’ve allowed so far.

What struck him wasn’t a sword or spear.

Just his heavy armor and the ground that simply exists.

With just that, he was half-incapacitated.

People can have their faces shattered, bones and joints cracked, even broken or twisted just from falling.

The human body is weaker than one might imagine.

“Such… contemptible acts!”

Though he tries to stand, he staggers several times from the impact.

Even that is impressive.

…He must have received some blessing that enhances physical durability or regeneration.

What the Demon Kings bestowed upon him is a kind of tribute.

Hoping he would somehow defeat me with it.

“You once asked me. Whether I seriously intended to become a knight.”

“What? What nonsense are you spouting now…”

“I didn’t.”

Back then, he earnestly led his group to pressure me.

Asking if I truly had the resolve to become a knight.

If I had the will to follow my great father.

Saying that if so, I shouldn’t live like this.

“…That attitude of yours, pretending to sincerely care about me while hoping for my downfall. It was… deeply disgusting.”

“……”

“Moreover, the thought of becoming a knight, kneeling before someone like you, bowing my head.”

Even more.

“It didn’t move my heart at all.”

If you think about it, it’s a simple conclusion anyone could guess.

…Yet bound by our given environments, we couldn’t think of any alternative except escape.

As if we were criminals bearing the heavy burden of original sin.

As if we had no choice but to follow our given fate.

“How is that different from the situation of a criminal imprisoned?”

“……”

“What about me bothered you so much?”

There are certainly such beings in the world.

Beings that provoke antipathy just by existing.

Or those who incite wariness or unpleasant emotions.

“I was neither your trial nor your crisis.”

Yet you treated me as such.

As something that had to be suppressed.

“Don’t make excuses about Elhermina. That was merely the trigger, the beginning.”

“……”

“You’ve rested enough? Get up now.”

Alesius forcibly raises himself.

He picks up the sword sprawled at his feet.

To help him abandon hesitation.

With the intent to urge him on, I spew forth fragile venom.

“Alesius. This is your last chance. From now on, use any means necessary.”

If you don’t want to roll on the ground miserably like before.

“…Kariel.”

Alesius grits his teeth.

So forcefully that the sound of teeth grinding against each other spreads.

“Huh.”

His trembling, agitated appearance is quite pitiful.

But no matter how much he suppresses it.

The outcome won’t change.

Blue light shines more clearly through the gaps in his blue helmet.

He grips the sword he almost dropped with renewed strength.

Then an excessive blue light extends from the handle along the blade.

More vividly and intensely than anything.

Even just touching the heat haze emanating from it.

That alone causes the ground to crack and the surface to split.

“Fine… as you wish… I’ll give you what you want! As much as you want!”

As he raises the sword and firmly grips it with both hands, a violent gale mixed with blue heat haze explodes and swirls.

The sight naturally evoked awe in those watching.

Some could only express shock at what he displayed.

‘Such dense mana…?’

‘Is, is that even possible?!’

Even dragons, said to possess endless mana, would find it difficult to manifest mana of such density.

Yet here was this young northern hero, achieving it.

‘Isn’t that too much… against an unarmed opponent?’

‘Someone’s going to die at this rate!’

Even to those who didn’t understand, the overwhelming sight of space seemingly vibrating and fluctuating…

Perhaps it was closer to fear and despair than admiration and longing.

“……”

And.

Standing quietly against it, the knight in pure white is.

Compared to that, extremely, extremely…

“I.”

The blue light extending like a pillar of light strikes down toward him, as if dividing heaven and earth.

Yet still.

The knight in pure white did not react.

Only.

“Rule sin.”

He whispered so softly.

With that.

The deep blue light engulfing the white knight suddenly vanished.

“?!”

Everything returned to nothingness.

The one who experienced the most severe backlash was, of course, Alesius himself.

The endless wellspring of power.

The heightened nerves.

The raised senses.

The high-speed thoughts.

Above all.

Even the mana that had been rising without limit.

Everything collapsed in an instant.

…Scattered away.

“What… did you do?! What did you just do?! How—?!”

Moreover, now.

Even the future a few seconds ahead that he could always see.

It had become invisible.

No.

Kariel, that guy, had never been able to see it at any moment.

‘Has he… become inhuman?’

Though he hadn’t dismissed Eras’s words…

…He hadn’t realized it was something so different in scale, so different in nature…

Thus, the blue knight was instantly rendered powerless in every way.

“……”

Then.

*Click!*

Kariel.

He steps forward without any warning.

Then he murmurs.

“Your sin.”

Like a declaration.

Like a proclamation.

*Click!*

“Is your.”

*Click—!*

“…fate.”

Just three steps.

Though they were surely further apart than that.

Somehow in just three steps, he stood before Alesius.

“So, accept it gracefully.”

Unlike before, a light tone without weight.

…Making it all the more unsettling.

“Certainly.”

Through the pure white helmet, that voice came clearly.

Certainly, everyone in this world has their own hell.

“Part of my hell originated from you.”

So accept it gracefully.

That is cause and effect.

That is.

…Just retribution.