Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

Chapter 204

204. Coronation [2]

[Hello, Nox. It’s been a while. First, I must greet you.

You’ve done really well so far.

Thanks to your efforts, one of the pillars that supported the world has finally tilted, and this event will help you achieve what you truly desire. Really. You’ve done something to be proud of. You can take pride in it.]

The beginning, as expected, was talking about something I had accomplished.

“Done well…huh.”

It was a somewhat unconvincing sentence.

It’s true that I’ve worked hard in my own way so far.

But if you ask me whether I’ve really done well?

Countless people have died. I also contributed to that.

I killed, and killed again.

I even executed my own blood-relative, the eldest, Garen. Because I thought it was the best course of action.

Considering all the circumstances, I couldn’t survive without killing him. It was solely my decision.

If I were to grieve and repent for someone’s death now, that would truly be hypocrisy.

At the very least, even if I commit evil deeds, I won’t be a hypocrite.

That’s also one of the ways I’ve lived.

Meanwhile, the system message continued.

[Not only have you killed many Grand Dukes, but you’ve also grown far beyond the strength I envisioned. Nox, but you must understand that this can sow hostility in your enemies and can also become poison to yourself.

There are still countless forces trying to plunge the continent back into a period of chaos.

The demons will become more cunning, and the world testing you will continue to torment you. In fact, the world’s damage rate has already exceeded 80%. You must realize this.

It’s dangerous to think that everything is now in the palm of your hand.

You must grasp it and grow stronger.

You must counter everything your enemies have and continue to climb to even more unreachable heights.

You already know this.

The end of this world as you know it will only be completed by your death. I can’t divulge much information yet, but I’ll tell you one thing.

Nox von Reinhaver, the future of your death has not yet changed.

Whether you change it or not is entirely up to you.

I hope you stay healthy. Your dear——.]

At the last moment, a static sound echoes in my head.

Then, the last phrase that appears begins to change. My pupils narrow as I clearly see a shocking word appear and disappear before my eyes.

It was written as follows:

[Your dear Mother.]

**********

What is death?

Some might say it is stopping.

Others might say

It is the breath ceasing and never being able to see loved ones again.

No word or sentence could sadly define the word “death.”

What world do we go to after death? What kind of life can we lead?

Because we know nothing, humans fear it.

But I am someone who cannot even reach that fundamental question.

Every morning when I wake up, I look at the stopwatch attached to my heart and watch as the countdown to death begins.

Every second, my life flickers like a candle in the wind, swaying back and forth, and it continues to urge my death like an alarm.

It’s undoubtedly an unpleasant thing.

But even so, I’ve come to realize that my life is precious.

Only recently have I realized it.

Amidst the bloodshed and deaths for the coronation, I realized.

I want to live.

Right now, my desire to live is stronger than ever.

I want to spend a little more time with my people.

But to do that, I must remove this bomb attached to my heart.

The mysterious letter said it.

My bomb has not yet been removed. The future Nox von Reinhaver still dies.

Why?

The world’s damage rate has already far exceeded what I thought.

The original world has already been destroyed.

Especially Nox, who was thrown into a completely new world but survived.

So why.

Why am I still a damn terminally-ill patient facing death?

“Mother… huh.”

The word that briefly appeared and disappeared at the end of the message.

It keeps cutting off the flow of thoughts in my mind.

Even if I try not to think about it, it keeps surfacing and tormenting me. The name “mother”, a heavy name called family that didn’t exist in my past, chokes me.

Actually, I had thought about it at first.

Who is the person writing this letter and calling me with affection?

Maybe it’s family. Or maybe it’s some transcendent something else.

But no matter how well-founded the speculation, it’s still just speculation. Not reality.

The moment it’s confirmed, it’s no longer fiction.

That’s exactly how I felt now.

Even though I don’t consciously acknowledge it now, I have a biological father named Theo, and brothers like Grain, Allen and Hats brothers. But this was a different dimension.

After all, I thought of them as nothing more than strangers at the beginning.

But mother….

Mother, huh.

A name I’ve never thought of before, and at the same time, a resonance that doesn’t even evoke longing.

‘Another reason has been added for me to see the ending of this world.’

I coolly calm my brain and cover it with thoughts.

Mother. So, I’m still suspicious of the existence that appeared in the letter.

How did she bring me from another fictional world to this place?

What was the reason for sending me here in the first place?

What does she want from me?

Various questions mix turbidly. Like limewater, they blur and mix, emitting a pungent scent. It was like undiluted vodka.

“Theo von Reinhaver. Rodwell said it. After losing my mother, Theo lost interest in women and became even colder. The Night of Slaughter… That day, she died.”

The Night of Slaughter.

The day when Paimon swept the battlefield and it rained blood…

The day when three of the Seven Stars gathered.

If this is true, and she is my mother, would she have had a reason to fake her death to Theo? Honestly, I’m not sure.

If she really loved him, she wouldn’t have been able to do that.

'I’m not sure either… but if my comrades were to disappear’

If they were to leave me without a promise, I would definitely feel a deep sense of emptiness.

It might even destroy me.

“After the coronation and the festival, I’ll have to investigate properly.”

There are still things to solve.

Also, things I can’t handle now must be forgotten.

The damn thing is, I don’t have time. It’s regrettable, but it’s true.

A terminally-ill genius. Plus, a dark knight who uses the supreme black sword.

The students and faculty of Eldain Academy watched me fight riding on Carl this time and started calling me.

The Terminally-ill Genius Dark Knight . They said.

**********

The palace of the Arkheim Empire.

In the audience chamber at the center of the capital, a nobleman raises his voice.

“Princess Penelope! I cannot accept this! Appointing a scion of the dark family as your guard knight!”

“What nonsense are you spouting to Her Majesty, who has now become Emperor? Arl von Gillang.”

Assisting her is, as always, Echidna von Zenos. She, who has supported her until now, has been recognized for her merits and given a high position to continue supporting the Emperor.

Before the two is a bald man with a long mustache, Arl, who appears to be in his 40s. He is the head of the Gillang family, which developed in the center of the capital, and seems quite enraged due to recent events at the coronation.

“Do you know how many years I, Arl, have been loyal to the Empire? This is a serious problem! Please reconsider! Relying on trash like the dark family is something that should never exist in the great Arkheim Empire.”

“Arl.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Arl von Gillang still seemed unsatisfied, but he barely responded to the Emperor’s voice and briefly raised his head. It was an act that implied he had some authority, even if not officially granted.

Echidna was about to point it out, but at that moment, Penelope stopped her. Her lips were filled with her characteristic relaxed smile. It was proof of the qualification only those who have ascended to the throne can show.

“If you can say the same thing to the three great dark families, I won’t make an issue of this. But if you can’t, you’ll have to take responsibility. Insulting other families is a grave crime under imperial law.”

“…..!”

Arl von Gillang seemed flustered by Penelope’s words.

The princess he knew in the past was not like this.

He thought he could manipulate her because she was still young and didn’t know the ways of the world.

Moreover, although he didn’t openly show it, he was a leading figure in the faction that supported the first Prince Louis.

There could still be backlash from the people, so they haven’t dealt with him yet, but the situation could change at any moment.

The princess killed her own blood-relative and ascended to the throne.

It’s also true that she received help from the dark family in this process.

Thus, the Gillang family, fearing they would lose their power, decided to strike first. They began to slander the dark family and restrain Nox von Reinhaver.

Though even that bold move ended up being meaningless.

“I’ll take my leave.”

Arl said that and disappeared beyond the audience room without even receiving permission. Not following minor imperial laws is a challenge to the Emperor’s authority.

Echidna exploded in anger.

“How dare…! A dog of a family!”

“Echidna. Don’t worry too much.”

Echidna thought for a moment at the Emperor’s warm words, then reluctantly said.

“Your Majesty, do you really not regret it?”

“Regret what?”

“Appointing Nox von Reinhaver to that position.”

She took a breath and continued, observing her lord’s expression.

“The Gillang family is just the beginning. Gradually, the extremists may revolt against Your Majesty’s decision to appoint a scion of the dark family.”

“You’re right. It’s certainly not impossible. In fact, it’s highly likely.”

“Then…!”

“That’s why.”

Emperor Penelope smiled benevolently and took a sip of the cooled tea.

Then, calmly looking out the window at the green scenery, she continued.

“But do I have any reason to fear those who don’t support me?”

“…Yes?”

“Echidna. You’re wise. Devoted, and you understand me well. But there’s one thing you must keep in mind.”

“Could you tell me what that is? Whatever it is, I’ll immediately…”

“You must be able to clearly distinguish between your enemies and allies. I will not stand by and watch forces that threaten the Arkheim Empire rise. There will no longer be excessive discrimination between commoners and nobles. I will simply help the continent move in the right direction. That’s what I believe the position of Emperor means.”

“The reason you appointed Nox von Reinhaver to that position.”

Echidna bowed her head and asked.

“Is that also part of Your Majesty’s big picture?”

“Of course.”

The Emperor chuckled softly. As if there was nothing to fear anymore. Having lived in constant anxiety, even building a separate residence in the capital to hide, Echidna was a bit surprised by her demeanor.

The princess who couldn’t straighten her shoulders after dozens, hundreds of assassination attempts.

The princess she knew had now hatched from her egg and become the ruler of the continent, the Empire’s hegemony.

And at the center of all events was one person.

Nox von Reinhaver.

But one question still remained, so the worry continued.

Echidna carefully looked at her.

“Nox von Reinhaver. I agree that he is Your Majesty’s ally. But… to firmly secure him, we must purge the opposing forces, and a new form of the Empire with the support of the dark family will be completed. To do that, we must more firmly tie the Reinhaver family to the Empire.”

“The coronation is coming to an end. When the three-day banquet is over, we will start a new story.”

The Emperor, the new sun of Arkheim, stood up with a relaxed smile. It was warm, and it was the same as the princess Echidna remembered.

Even from her very young, innocent days.

Emperor Penelope, as if thinking of something amusing, revealed nothing of her inner thoughts and simply said.

“I plan to use a traditional method, even if it’s a bit old-fashioned.”

With that, like a little devil. No, such an expression might not be appropriate for the new sun of the Arkheim Empire, but anyway. Emperor Penelope, making such an expression.

Her expression clearly showed a rather thick playfulness towards someone.

‘…He’s going to have a hard time again. That guy.’

Echidna shook her head inwardly, showing awe, respect, and a bit of pity towards someone. No matter how she think about it, there’s only one person who can receive the new Emperor’s pranks.

**********

“….It’s strange. My ear is itching.”

At the same time, Nox von Reinhaver, wearing an ill-fitting white uniform, was barely sitting on the edge of the bed in his room.

Since the wounds had not yet fully healed, I managed to successfully slip out of the banquet hall by making all sorts of excuses, but something felt off as my ears had been itching persistently since earlier.

Zitri, folding laundry, responded from the side.

“If I may be so bold, perhaps someone is cursing you, Young Master… They say your ear itches when that happens.”

“Zitri. That’s a superstition. And let me tell you one thing. I’m not particularly hated by…”

“Not particularly…?”

“…Probably not.”

Nox sighed, unable to give a proper answer.

He judged that continuing this conversation wouldn’t even break even.

What can he do?

It’s his own karma.

Thinking that, Nox threw off his clothes and lay down on the bed.

…Even the pillow is uncomfortable. He thought while muttered to himself.

This is really a bad omen….

While thinking that, a deep sleep overcame Nox. He felt the warm body temperature overlapping on his chest exactly 30 minutes later.