Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

Chapter 206

206. The head of the Rovelia Family [1]

“N, no, that’s not it… I made a mistake because I was so shocked by what I heard…!”

“Can’t you shut up? Her Majesty the Emperor has not yet granted you permission to speak.”

At Echidna’s icy voice, the others retreated in shock. The only one who remained calm was Nox von Reinhaver.

As if this situation were natural.

Nox was enjoying the moment, watching Vortex’s face crumble.

Of course, his true feelings were not like that at all.

‘Why is the princess… no, Emperor Penelope helping me?’

Initially, after pressuring Rovelia moderately, Nox had planned to reveal that the legitimate and direct heir of the family was in the Reinhaver family, and reclaim the Rovelia family to Zitri. But he hadn’t expected things to escalate this much.

Why?

The Emperor, who had just been crowned a few days ago.

She should be extremely busy, so why show up now?

A chill ran down his spine, but he ignored it and asked.

“I don’t think this is a matter worthy of Your Majesty’s attention.”

“No. You are the first knight I appointed after ascending to the throne. This level of treatment is only natural.”

'No… saying that makes me uneasy. Damn it.’

Nox couldn’t help but tense up, unsure of what would come out of those beautiful lips.

Vortex was still waiting, unable to say anything.

After a moment of thought, Emperor Penelope asked Vortex.

“You… I haven’t seen your family before. State your family and affiliation.”

“I am Vortex von Rovelia, the head of the Ro,ro,ro, Rovelia family.”

The nobles burst into laughter.

Despite all his preparations, the result was far from satisfactory.

Given the situation, they couldn’t laugh openly, but Vortex, the current head of the Rovelia family, had become quite the laughingstock.

“I’ve heard that you seized power by inciting bloodshed over the legitimate succession. You killed Doren, didn’t you?”

“It was only because those who shared my ideals could not agree with his ideology and could not endure Doren’s tyranny.”

“Doren’s tyranny… He opened the granaries and saved countless people. I still remember how he asked the Empire for help many times.”

“He embezzled funds, causing many to suffer.”

It was a lie, but who would know?

Vortex tried to solidify his position by discrediting the previous head.

But the youngest son of the Reinhaver family and the Emperor’s knight was a stronger opponent than he had imagined. Far beyond his imagination.

“Oh? So you’re saying that Her Majesty and I are lying now.”

'…Huh? That’s not it.’

Vortex glanced up in panic.

There, the Emperor was looking down at him with cold eyes. It was said that his father’s gaze was like the sun, radiant and warm. But the cold, golden eyes before him were beyond imagination.

The rumors were exactly right.

The head of the Rovelia family, Vortex, involuntarily shrank back.

The Emperor continued, addressing him.

“You are quite rude, Vortex von Rovelia.”

“S-sorry, Your Highness… no, Your Majesty.”

At Vortex’s mistake, the murmurs of the nobles in the social gathering grew louder.

— That man is done for.

— How dare he defy the Emperor? How could he do that?

— The light of the Arkheim Empire, known as the Apostle of the Sun… Where did such a lowly thing come from?

— He doesn’t belong at Her Majesty’s celebration. Let’s kick him out.

Various opinions converged. At the same time, Nox made an unavoidable proposal to the Rovelia family.

“In the name of the Reinhaver family, I formally challenge Vortex von Rovelia to a knight’s duel. 'I swear by the ancient tradition of the Black Sword.’ I have never lied, and you are not the rightful heir to the Rovelia family.”

This began to shake Vortex’s heart, like the whisper of a cunning snake. The beginning of a game where only one survives, and refusing would mean admitting his guilt.

This was a perfect event to ignite the nobles’ excitement.

Could he refuse in such a situation?

Vortex, the head of the Rovelia family, even in that brief moment, thought this.

Even if he’s a knight, isn’t he just got a pretty face? No, maybe it’s just family and political influence that got him there.

Of course, that was a natural reaction.

Rovelia is a remote family and doesn’t fully understand how the world works.

Nox is just past his coming-of-age ceremony.

So he answered carelessly.

“I hope you won’t regret it, Nox von Reinhaver.”

Little did he know that this answer would take everything from him.

**********

In the Reinhaver family’s office.

A man sitting in the low-lit darkness and another man with neatly combed hair across from him began to appear.

The head of the Reinhaver family, Theo von Reinhaver, and Rodwell.

The two were about to discuss the future of the family.

Of course, there was a matter that needed to be resolved first.

“Garen von Reinhaver. The eldest young master died in a duel with the youngest young master.”

“…I see.”

Theo spoke indifferently, but his true feelings were different.

He had lost his son.

Even though he had rebelled and allied with demons, he was still Theo’s son, and this had led to direct scrutiny from many vassals.

He knew deep down.

This would happen, and unless Garen’s body was returned after his death, he could not return here after losing his family name.

“Are you thinking about Young Master Garen?”

“No. There’s no need to dwell long on someone who abandoned the family name.”

Rodwell knew that wasn’t true but didn’t show it.

How could he console the head of the family who had lost his son with words?

It was absurd and absolutely impossible. Sadly, he couldn’t help either. He might not even dare to use the word 'help’ to the head of the Reinhaver family, but the most important thing was that the family’s foundation was gradually deteriorating.

“Some vassals are questioning why I didn’t intervene in the imperial struggle.”

“…Yes. That seems to be the case. They must think there’s no reason for the Reinhaver family not to change this flow when the sun is changing.”

“Even setting aside the Black Sword Knights, you are the only one who knows why I couldn’t move. Rodwell”

“Yes.”

Rodwell felt a deep sorrow. His lord was quite weakened. It was no lie when he had said that one of his sons would have to kill him.

The 'curse’ deeply engraved in his body was taking Theo’s strength.

No, to be precise, it was taking his life force. It wasn’t that his strength was weakening, but this was the decisive reason why he couldn’t participate in this war.

Theo von Reinhaver had only a few chances left to use his strength.

“If the other vassals find out, they will surely incite internal rebellion and question the Reinhaver family itself.”

weren’t even his brothers like that?

Theo knew that petty power could easily lead someone to ruin. And now, there was no more time to delay.

“I must pass on my position. To that child.”

Even if it is too heavy.

Of course, there was no need to explain who would take that position. It was Nox von Reinhaver. The true successor of the Black Sword and the one who had proven his right to be the head by cutting down his blood-relative in front of all the vassals.

No one but Nox could take the position of the head.

That was what Theo and Rodwell thought.

“But I heard that Young Master Nox recently became the knight of the newly crowned Emperor. It seems like a difficult matter to easily overcome. I hope he can endure and return safely…”

“It’s a matter involving the imperial family. I know. It’s dangerous.”

“…Yes.”

“I will move soon. I will go to meet the youngest. Prepare for it.”

“You will go personally… my lord?”

“Keep it a secret from the family. No one will listen a father’s heart to meet his son.”

“Understood. I will keep the escort knights as they are. If the vassals find out, they might have dangerous thoughts.”

“Rodwell.”

At that moment, Rodwell felt a deep sadness at Theo’s low voice calling his name. He had already intuitively realized what the head was about to say.

“Even after I die, protect that child by his side.”

It was a request as the head of family, but also a request to a friend who had been loyal to him for a long time.

A hint of the end. In that, Rodwell felt an overwhelming sense of loss as he looked at his lord’s face. The body that was beginning to weaken. The scene he had tried to ignore began to really show the end now.

The sky wept, though it did not rain.

It was a day worthy of it, Rodwell thought, unconsciously clenching his fist.

“Yes.”

He answered.

In the training ground prepared for the imperial duel.

Many nobles and Emperor Penelope had gathered.

The person in charge of the duel, Yung, spoke with a heavy expression.

“I am Yung of the Carlos family. Nox von Reinhaver and Vortex von Rovelia. You cannot take each other’s lives in this battle and must fight a noble battle. Remember that any action is allowed until the word 'defeat’ is heard from your opponent. We will begin soon, so prepare.”

Yung von Carlos.

A man who had long been loyal to the imperial family began the preparations for the duel, and a slow, deadly silence flowed through the octagonal training ground.

It was natural.

Noble battles were quite common, but a battle in such a situation, that is, a battle in the imperial family, was not common. It was only permitted in the worst of the worst cases.

But the authority to declare this war was none other than the Emperor’s guard. Nox. He intended to show these nobles not only that he would reclaim Zitri’s family but also what position he had taken on the first day.

If he couldn’t move quietly, he would use it from now on.

That was Nox’s mindset.

“If I win, you must return the family to the legitimate heir of the Rovelia family, and if you win, I will hand over the treasures of the Rovelia family that I possess.”

“Treasures… you say?”

When Vortex, standing in the training ground, spoke in surprise, Nox chuckled. Then he had Zitri use his subspace pocket to pull out its contents.

Then, even Zitri didn’t know what was pouring out.

First was the ancient bow of the Rovelia family. It was something the head had used, mainly for hunting.

Second was a magical detector for the protective barrier of the family, and third were artifacts for security to keep other families in check.

These were all items Vortex had recently traded on the black market to gain the middle name 'von’ with the backing of other families. As he couldn’t hide his surprise, Nox slightly raised the corner of his mouth.

“Your finances couldn’t have been so bad that you had to put these items on the black market. Your aims are suspicious from the start.”

“…Will you really return these items after the duel?”

“Don’t you know the oath of the Black Sword?”

Just before the duel began. Vortex approached and whispered softly.

“I know. I also know that a brat like you shouldn’t mention it lightly. You’re trying to swallow the family I raised with absurd logic, but do you think I’ll let you? You’re a joke.”

— Begin!

Yung, who was judging the duel, nodded after the two had sufficiently distanced themselves and opened his mouth.

“Begin!”

Whoosh!

At that moment, for some reason.

The spectators, nobles, Emperor, and Zitri’s pupils were filled with nothing but flying blood.

Something rarely seen in a sword fight. Especially since wasn’t a fight with a wooden sword? But blood had already splattered. What is this, the expressions of those looking down showed a truly shocking scene.

“Weaklings always have long tongues.”

There was Nox.

To add, Vortex’s tongue had been cut off by something sharp and was rolling on the ground, and blood was splattered everywhere.

“You can’t declare surrender now, bug.”

Nox laughed.

**********

Some people asked about the disappearance of the Disqus comments. They were deleted. I received a notification from Disqus that the site is violating their terms, so they will delete the service.

In fact, it’s not just this blog. If you’ve been to Mangapark, you might have noticed that Disqus is no longer available there as well, likely for the same reason