Ch.86Chapter 86 – The Lion King (3)

Kyle Leonhardt was an emperor beloved by his people.

He was fair, merciful, and honorable.

Ascending to the throne amidst universal blessings, he devoted himself to his people. Though the position of monarch typically led to intoxication with power and corruption, he never engaged in anything that would shame his conscience. Inheriting the glorious title of “Wise King” from his ancestor Hermes Leonhardt, Kyle ruled for the benefit of his people.

He rooted out and executed demonic agents who had infiltrated human society,

mediated between the Magic Tower and the Papacy who were constantly at odds with each other,

and strengthened border defenses through military expansion to ensure security for nearly a century.

He was both a wise ruler and one of the continent’s most renowned warriors. Blessed by the sword, Kyle was loved by his weapon as much as he loved it. He first held a sword at nine, defeated a knight in a duel at ten, and manifested sword energy at twelve, becoming the youngest Sword Master of his era.

His imperial position allowed him to have many excellent teachers. All were considered the greatest swordsmen of their time. Boheim, captain of the imperial guard; Gaon, the ambidextrous Sword Master; Argo, the Weapon Master… Kyle surpassed them all and claimed the title of the greatest swordsman of his generation when he was twenty.

His reputation naturally attracted talent like a massive planet drawing in satellites. Scholars became his loyal officials, and exceptional warriors became knights who pledged their swords to the emperor. Kyle personally selected the most outstanding knights to form his own order.

The Silver Lion Knights.

The Silver Lion Knights blindly followed Kyle Leonhardt, Emperor of the Empire and their Grand Master. Firmly believing their king made the wisest decisions, they followed his orders even unto death. A militant group fanatically devoted to one person could cause great calamity depending on the leader’s character, but Kyle operated the knights for one purpose only: Protect the people. And Kyle himself fought alongside his knights, charging into the most dangerous battlefields.

When charging into the heart of enemy territory following their king, the knights would shout:

“For The King-!!!”

“Long Live The King-!!!!!”

***

The dance of the two combatants continued in a trance-like state. The Black Knight unleashed his sword techniques like a raging storm, while the Paladin deflected them with smooth spear techniques. They continued their duel until dusk, when the sun disappeared behind the mountains.

At some point, the ground beneath their feet changed from dirt to paved road. Upon reaching the solid surface, the Black Knight drove his sword with even greater ferocity. The rugged mountain path had many obstacles that made footwork difficult, but on the flat asphalt, he could move his feet more aggressively.

After taking a couple of steps, he instantly closed the distance to Shin Jaehyuk. It was a distance too far to be hit by the mace, but close enough for his sword to reach. Shin Jaehyuk noticed he had lost control of the spacing and retreated, but the Black Knight immediately responded and stuck close to him.

‘Damn it-‘

He who controls the distance controls the fight. By observing the slightest muscle tremors and pupil changes, Kyle could see through Shin Jaehyuk’s psychology and predict his movements. He was already moving before Shin Jaehyuk could solidify his guard.

“-!”

The Black Knight used a superhuman wrist snap to suddenly twist his zweihander. As Shin Jaehyuk’s spear was pushed aside in that direction, his neck was completely exposed. It was already too late to defend with the mace. Certain of a fatal blow, Kyle thrust his sword without hesitation.

‘It’s going to cut…!’

“…Protect me!”

Shin Jaehyuk desperately called out an aria. Just before the blade’s tip touched his Adam’s apple, a barrier deployed and pushed back the attack. After that perilously close moment, Shin Jaehyuk wiped his sweat and touched his neck.

“…What a shame. I was so close.”

The Black Knight looked at the barrier that had blocked his sword with displeasure, then struck it several more times as if venting his frustration. Though powerful ripples shook the barrier, it showed no signs of breaking. It was an absurdly effective barrier that could almost perfectly block physical force as long as holy power supported it.

Since Shin Jaehyuk could drop the barrier and launch a surprise attack at any moment, Kyle retreated to maintain distance. Meanwhile, Shin Jaehyuk calmed his rough breathing and glared at his old friend.

“…Must you go this far?”

Shin Jaehyuk couldn’t understand. Though perhaps not as devout as himself, once called Master Paladin, or the Holy Maiden Orthesia, the Kyle Leonhardt he remembered was a deeply faithful believer in the Light. He was a good man who, though not perfect, never acted against the teachings of the Light.

But what about his current state? Red demonic energy swirled around his entire body as if denying the Light’s teachings, and his sword overflowed with killing intent toward someone who had once been a close companion, with no trace of the mindset that valued comrades.

Shin Jaehyuk looked at Kyle with complicated eyes. Honestly, he could escape if he wanted to. Using the scroll Kwak Taewoo had given him, he could instantly leave Kyle’s detection range and safely rejoin his companions.

But Shin Jaehyuk didn’t want to do that.

Even at the risk of having his heart pierced or his neck cut, he wanted to know.

What had happened after his death, what had happened to him.

“The will of the man I knew as Kyle was not something that would fade with the mere passage of time. It could become firm like an old tree, but not the kind that would weaken and disappear.”

“…Even an old tree cannot remain straight forever.”

“You cherished your people. You loved each one like your own son. You mourned each fallen warrior as if your own child had departed.”

Why did you fall?

Why did you become a servant of demons, something you once so despised?

But instead of answering the question, Kyle suddenly recited:

“Longino, oh Longino. Do not love too many things.”

A sinister energy began to swirl around the zweihander held at a downward angle. Kyle struggled to control this vast energy. The violent demonic energy followed his intent but tore through his body and wounded him like a rebellious adolescent. Feeling the acrid pain, the Lion King muttered bitterly:

“For one day, they will all carve out your heart.”

Red electricity ran along the blade, crackling with sparks. Black blood suddenly gushed from the dead man’s mouth. Untamable ferocity was the innate nature of demonic energy, and it disliked being controlled. Yet despite the internal damage destroying his body, the Black Knight did not stop.

“You….”

Shin Jaehyuk understood Kyle’s actions and swallowed hard.

This should be impossible.

There are no Sword Masters among Death Knights. This doesn’t mean that Sword Masters cannot be resurrected as undead. It means that the moment they are resurrected, they cease to be Sword Masters.

This is due to the nature of demonic energy. The fundamental nature of demonic energy and mana is not different. More precisely, demonic energy is created when mana is corrupted by the evil influence of demons. Therefore, demonic energy follows the essence of demons—powerful but ferocious, evil, and difficult to control. Extremely difficult.

If mana is like the flat surface of a calm lake, demonic energy is like a storm-tossed sea. It possesses destructive energy, but controlling it perfectly is nearly impossible. This was true even for ancient demons who existed since the beginning of time, which is why demonic energy was only used to strengthen the body or simply release energy, rather than for precise magic like mana. Occasionally, genius magicians like Belphegor could completely control demonic energy to their will, but these were extremely exceptional cases.

That’s why an undead Sword Master cannot exist. The moment they are resurrected as undead and their internal mana is converted to demonic energy, they lose the sword energy that symbolizes a Sword Master. It’s impossible to precisely control the raging demonic energy to form an aura.

Yes, it should have been impossible.

‘But… how?’

The crimson energy drawn from the mana heart evenly covered the blade. Each thread was densely woven together, creating a sophisticated fabric. The sight was like manipulating each strand of raging wind, controlling thousands upon thousands of wind directions to subdue a storm.

No, it only appeared calm on the surface. That was a sword wrapped in a living storm.

Shin Jaehyuk recognized the lawless violence and danger contained within it and swallowed.

“Insane….”

He revised his earlier assessment of the Sword Ghost. Talent comparable to Kyle? What nonsense. He felt apologetic for even comparing the Sword Ghost to Kyle. A sword energy reaching a hundred meters in length? So what? If Takahashi and Kyle clashed swords just once, Takahashi’s sword energy would shatter like glass.

Wiping blood from his mouth, he threw away his cumbersome helmet.

“It took about 400 years of training. I couldn’t eliminate the recoil from the demonic energy’s inherent nature… but I can endure that much.”

The dead man’s hand caressed the miracle born of obsession. Following his caressing hand, crimson flames rose from the blade. He raised the sword to cover half his face. The ominous colored sword energy flickered, casting shadows on the dead man’s face. The evil light clearly illuminated the Black Knight’s torn cheek, highlighting the exposed muscles, gums, and teeth within. Seeing this, Shin Jaehyuk was reminded once again that Kyle had become undead.

“Before what you love gets hurt, I shall first grant you rest.”

Kyle, now a Death Knight emitting sword energy, exuded an intimidating presence worthy of a final boss. It would be believable if the master of the S-rank gate that opened in Pyongyang was the Black Knight before him. Shin Jaehyuk naturally thought of the coolest villain from the best sci-fi movie he knew.

‘Shit, this is just Darth Vader swinging a lightsaber….’

Unfortunately, the situation was worse than the movie. Although Kyle couldn’t use Force grip, unlike Darth Vader whose physical abilities were weakened by burns, the undead Sword Master could swing his sword faster with tireless stamina and strength greater than when he was alive.

Superior physical strength, more advanced swordsmanship, and more destructive sword energy than when he was alive. The Lion King, possessing all three essential elements a swordsman needs, had uniquely surpassed his living state.

‘One hit would be fatal. If that vicious demonic energy hits me directly, even regeneration would be difficult.’

From now on, Shin Jaehyuk needed to be prepared for the fight. Prepared to risk his life.

All kinds of thoughts swirled in his mind.

That sword is dangerous.

Who knows how many people that sword will cut down.

I should flee from here.

I should finish my fallen friend with my own hands.

‘Fuck… Master, what should I do in this situation…’

Perhaps there wouldn’t even be time to use the scroll. This was the last chance to retreat, to preserve his life. It wasn’t too late even now.

But…

Will you run away, Longino? Like that day?

The hallucination that came in his master’s voice, the paladin’s sense of responsibility taking the form of an auditory hallucination, held his ankles. There was a ringing in his ears. The sound was like a child crying. At that moment, the option of retreat completely vanished from Shin Jaehyuk’s mind.

‘An ideal paladin doesn’t run away, doesn’t cry from helplessness, stands proudly against evil… That’s how it should be.’

Shin Jaehyuk bit the inside of his mouth hard. Pointing his spear at the one who was once his friend, he steeled his resolve.

“…Kyle Leonhardt. I shall return you to the Lord’s embrace here, and protect the honor of my tainted old friend.”

“Come, Paladin. I will teach you that death is not a curse, but rest.”