Ch.94Chapter 94. Of All Things (3)

Ordin of the O’Neil Kingdom.

A name already famous enough, but one that particularly stood out in my memory.

The man who directly confronted me during the Dragon Heart theft incident.

Back then, I was brimming with confidence.

I had discovered new applications for teleportation and had begun applying them seriously in combat.

I was filled with confidence bordering on arrogance, believing I couldn’t lose to anyone.

That’s why I boldly declared I would enter the O’Neil Kingdom’s vault and take the Dragon Heart.

And it was Ordin who shattered that arrogance.

His swordsmanship was superior to mine, for starters.

Ordin quickly adapted to my sword attacks that poured down from across spatial jumps.

I wasn’t able to face him calmly due to the urgent situation, but even accounting for that, his adaptability was incredible.

His skill immediately made it clear why Ordin carried the title of “Genius Knight.”

Quick thinking that didn’t match his massive physique.

After just a few exchanges, Ordin had figured out the nature of my technique and launched counterattacks.

He would predict where I would teleport next and swing his sword accordingly, and sometimes deliberately show openings to lure my attacks.

All within less than 10 minutes.

The last Ordin I remembered was a man with a body that seemed about to burst with muscle, solid-looking, with a quicker mind and combat sense than anyone.

That was definitely how he was, but…

“So today’s the day. The kingdom welcomes the Empire’s promising talents. I hope you gain something during your stay, however small.”

‘Uh…’

I wondered if the Ordin before my eyes was the same person I remembered.

His physique remained the same.

Still a muscular build that looked like it might explode.

Outwardly, the only difference might be the strands of white hair mixed in here and there.

Otherwise, his appearance hadn’t changed at all.

If anything, his muscles seemed even larger, as if he’d been working out intensely all this time.

However, his aura was completely different.

The Ordin who had persistently chased after me when I fled with the Dragon Heart exuded confidence in the best sense.

Not confidence bordering on arrogance like mine back then, but solid confidence truly born from skill.

Because of that, he had seemed larger and more formidable.

But now, that aura was completely absent from Ordin.

‘What happened to him?’

Loser.

That was my first thought upon seeing Ordin.

He was enveloped in a deep sense of defeat.

Like a knight facing retirement after losing hopelessly in a battle where he had staked everything.

“Any questions?”

“…”

No one spoke up.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who sensed something off about Ordin.

Professor Amillion was trying not to show it, but she was clearly taken aback, and Elizar the knight wore a bitter expression.

“If not, I’ll be going now. I’m rather busy.”

“Yes, thank you!”

*Nod*

As Ordin nodded in response to Elaine’s thanks, Elizar guided us outside.

Ordin appeared so powerless that I felt foolish for having worried he might recognize me.

To think that such a strong person could be so consumed by defeat.

‘I learned a lot thanks to him.’

“You probably won’t see the Grand Commander again. As you saw, he’s very busy.”

“Did something happen?”

“Um…”

Unable to contain my curiosity, I questioned Elizar.

Elizar looked at me with surprise, then quickly put on that bright smile from before.

“That’s adult business!”

“…”

Elizar spoke brightly but firmly.

It was a clear indication that she wouldn’t entertain any further questions.

‘I wonder if it’s related to black magic.’

Her response only heightened my curiosity.

“Then we’ll end today’s schedule with a tour of the knights’ dormitory! That’s where you’ll be staying too!”

Elizar guided us with an energetic voice and lively steps.

It almost seemed like she was deliberately trying to raise the energy level.

**

“The timing was bad.”

“No, it couldn’t be helped. It was something we’d been discussing beforehand.”

“…”

Amillion gave a bitter smile as she watched her friend trying to appear cheerful.

Amillion was well aware of what had recently happened in the O’Neil Kingdom.

Though it hadn’t been widely publicized, it was quite a significant incident.

The annihilation of the “Silver Eagle Knights,” the strongest fighting force among the O’Neil Kingdom’s knights.

Those who knew what kind of order the Silver Eagles were couldn’t believe the news when they first heard it—it was a shocking incident.

The annihilation of O’Neil’s Silver Eagles? Unthinkable.

Even Amillion couldn’t believe it when she first heard, thinking it must be misinformation.

After all, a knightly order with enough power to capture an entire city couldn’t be wiped out so easily.

Moreover, they hadn’t been annihilated in war or during a mission.

According to the O’Neil Kingdom’s announcement, they were completely wiped out in a simple training accident.

That’s why people suspected black magic might be involved.

Because it was such an implausible incident.

“So, is it something you can’t talk about?”

“…Yes. It’s top secret even within the knights.”

“Must be tough these days.”

“Everyone’s going through something. I heard there was an incident at your academy too.”

“At least we had almost no casualties.”

Elizar smiled bitterly at Amillion’s words.

The mention of no casualties—how enviable.

“A senior I respected was in the Silver Eagles.”

“Ah…”

“I never could have imagined seeing that senior fall like that. Hehe.”

“…”

Amillion couldn’t easily respond to her friend’s sorrowful words.

She understood how great the sense of loss was when losing someone close.

Instead, Amillion gently took Elizar’s hand.

Elizar chuckled at the gesture.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Commander Ordin struggling this much.”

“…He did look troubled.”

“Yes. He was the only survivor that day.”

“What?”

“This isn’t classified information. Commander Ordin was there that day too.”

“Then maybe…!”

As soon as Amillion heard Elizar’s words, she thought of Yuria.

Yuria, who had been investigating black magic and the undead.

Perhaps they could get more clues about black magic from Commander Ordin.

“No. The Commander absolutely refuses to talk about that day to outsiders.”

“…I suppose so.”

Amillion nodded at Elizar’s words, but she didn’t give up immediately.

Amillion had come to the O’Neil Kingdom partly because of her friend, but she also had her own purpose.

To investigate the incident that had occurred in the O’Neil Kingdom.

Though no one had asked her to, Amillion had been working with Yuria.

Thanks to that, Amillion had learned a fair amount about black magic, the undead, and the organization behind them.

And now she was curious herself and wanted to help Yuria.

After all, what Yuria was doing was for the benefit of not just the Empire, but the entire world.

“Do you think I could…”

“Yes?”

“Visit the place where it happened?”

“Um…”

Seeing Elizar’s contemplative expression, Amillion was certain.

She could probably go there.

If it wasn’t possible, Elizar would have immediately said no.

Apparently, the location of the incident wasn’t classified information.

*Woong*

Perhaps because they were too focused on their conversation.

Neither of them heard the soft “woong” sound coming from inside the room.

**

‘So to summarize.’

I organized what I’d learned from wandering around the knights’ quarters.

Perhaps because of the Silver Eagles’ annihilation, the entire O’Neil Kingdom’s knighthood seemed depressed.

Well, with the Grand Commander Ordin in such a state, it was no wonder those below him weren’t faring well.

Starting with eavesdropping on the conversation between Professor Amillion and her friend Elizar, I gathered as much information as possible from within the knights’ order.

First, contrary to my expectations, it was true that the Silver Eagles had met with an accident during training.

Whether intentional or coincidental, they had encountered trouble while out for training.

And contrary to what was publicly known, I learned there was a survivor from the incident.

Grand Commander Ordin.

Thinking of him as the sole survivor, I could understand the sense of defeat I’d seen in Commander Ordin earlier.

He probably had to watch his subordinates fall helplessly before unprecedented black magic, unable to do anything.

Considering that even someone of Commander Ordin’s skill barely escaped alone, let alone resist, the opponent must have been quite powerful.

And surprisingly, the location of the incident wasn’t far from here.

Despite thorough investigations by the knights and the kingdom’s investigation team, they couldn’t find any traces to track the enemy.

‘This is when we need Yuria.’

I regretted that Yuria wasn’t with me.

If Yuria were here, she might be able to find traces of black magic that O’Neil couldn’t detect.

After all, O’Neil was facing black magic for the first time, while Yuria had been aware of and researching black magic for some time.

If I visit the site and can’t find anything, I should quietly bring Yuria here once.

And if even that yields nothing…

‘I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.’

Constant worry can prevent you from doing what you can do.

For now, I should focus on the steps I can see clearly.

‘But before that, one last thing.’

In my mind, I recalled the ceiling of Ordin’s office that I had seen earlier.

Normally, I wouldn’t risk sneaking into Ordin’s office due to the high risk, but somehow, after seeing Ordin earlier, it seemed like it would be okay.

*Woong*

I carefully opened a spatial portal.