Act 53

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“I’ve lost…” A knight, with a twisted face from defeat and a low groan, finally admitted his defeat.

Looking at him, I let the sweat beads that had formed drip down as I gave a faint smile. “Is there no one else?”

Julian was defeating knights with unfamiliar weapons. Before long, spectators gathered at the training ground, and even formal knights appeared, hoping to challenge the reputation of ‘Julian.’

‘It turned out like this unexpectedly.’ 

Of course, it wasn’t too bad from my perspective. If I had faced only mediocre opponents instead of these formal knights, my skills wouldn’t have improved in this manner. Like this.

[You have acquired Aura Transformation.] 

Without these opportunities, I wouldn’t have gained new traits either. Initially, applying aura to weapons other than ‘swords’ was quite difficult. However, as time passed and I repeated duels, I quickly adapted to any weapon, which allowed me to acquire new ‘traits’ in this manner.

“It seems there’s no one else. How disappointing. Is this all who aspire to protect the royal court?” With a sneer on my lips, I addressed the surrounding knights, who could only swallow their saliva.

Regrettably, it seems there are no more challengers. Thinking this, I hung up the rapier I usually didn’t use on the weapon rack.

“Well done, Sir Julian.” A knight who had been watching nearby rushed over and handed me a towel. His face seemed strangely familiar. I think I’ve seen him before.

Ah, I remember now. He was a member of the Chevalier Order I visited in the Yulin special district. Ah… I remember his surname, but what was his name?

“It’s Fern. It’s been a while, so you might have forgotten…” 

“Sir Fern Tellund. Don’t doubt my memory. Haha, by the way, has Sir Heinrich fully recovered?” I added his surname to the name he provided, and Fern’s face began to show signs of happiness.

I’m not sure why he’s so pleased. “Yes, yes! He was hospitalized because of the wound from the demon but has just completed rehabilitation!” 

“Is that so? That’s good to hear. The demon we saw then was merely a Bihorn, after all.” As I wiped the sweat off with the towel Fern gave me, he laughed awkwardly.

“Haha… Only Sir Julian could refer to a Bihorn demon as ‘merely.'” 

In truth, reflecting on that time, it would be inappropriate to attach ‘merely’ to it. At that time, I hadn’t perfected the ‘Moonlight Sword,’ and I hadn’t fully adapted to my body, nearly dying to a ‘mere’ Bihorn demon.

“Indeed, being able to freely apply aura to spears and thinner swords than those usually used indicates the level you’ve reached, allowing for such comments.” 

Fern must have been visiting this training ground often recently. It sounded like he had witnessed me testing aura on various weapons multiple times.

“Also… maybe it’s just me, but the aura I’ve seen from Sir Julian before seems sharper now than it was.” 

I looked at Fern at his straightforward compliment. Sharper than before. Indeed, I had thought so myself. Compared to when I first became ‘Julian,’ the difference is like heaven and earth.

“To reach such a high level and still continue to refine oneself…”

“Sir Fern, you also possess talent.” 

Hearing about my own growth from a third party, which I had been solely content and happy with, didn’t feel bad at all. Thanks to this, I found myself offering encouragement to Fern, which I wouldn’t usually do.

“Excuse me?” 

“You will grow to be a fine knight as well. Perhaps, you might even enjoy a reputation similar to mine.” 

“Such… thing…” 

“Ah, if it’s a reputation like ‘The Smiling Executioner’, it might be somewhat unpleasant, though.” 

Did I say something unnecessary?

I returned the towel Fern had handed to me, and he muttered a ‘thank you’. Was he thanking me for returning the towel? It wasn’t mine in the first place, after all.

I turned around and began to leave the training ground. ‘Stronger than before.’ I realized that I no longer needed to tremble as I had when I first became ‘Julian’.

I had finally reached the point where I could fully utilize this body. 

‘Besides, considering what lies ahead, there won’t be much for me to do.’ 

At most, pretending to be a part of ‘Dawn Society’ while carrying out the duties of ‘The Closed Eyes’.

Though there are things I must keep hidden, haven’t I managed well so far? Sufficient power. A stable daily life. No longer cringing at my own acting. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I’ve now settled into this world. 

‘That is, as long as it doesn’t deviate too much from the world I knew.’

***

After finishing training and taking a shower, I returned to the office of ‘The Closed Eyes’. 

“And, Sir Pintel has successfully secured the soulstone.” 

Hmm.

As I received the report on Dawn Society’s activities from Razlot, I sighed internally. 

‘Why?’ 

I had heard before that Pintel planned to raid a merchant guild to secure the soulstone. The more soulstones Dawn Society secures, the closer ‘Demon Lord Barbatos’ comes to revival, and I cannot stand idly by and let that happen. I must prevent Dawn Society from securing the soulstones.

However, the news of ‘Pintel’ moving to secure a soulstone didn’t feel particularly threatening. That task is meant for the protagonist of this story, Hayden Reich, and his dual identity as the ‘Black Knight’. 

‘No, it’s not about appearing during the raid but perhaps intercepting on the way back?’ 

No.

No matter how much I try to recall, the ‘Black Knight’ is supposed to thwart them during the raid. I clearly remember that. The ‘Black Knight’ is one of the key contents of <Let’s Kill the Demon Lord>. 

The reason I remember the name ‘Pintel’ is because of this… The debut of the ‘Black Knight’ was one of the iconic scenes of the story. The knight of justice thwarting Pintel. A scene that received cheers from many users for its impact and coolness.

Therefore, it was disconcerting to hear that Bishop Pintel had safely secured a soulstone. 

‘Why isn’t he doing his job, Hayden Reich…?’ 

This is practically dereliction of duty. 

“Sir Julian… Are you feeling unwell?”

Lost in thought, I hadn’t fully caught Razlot’s words and looked up at his voice.

“Did someone… not appear?” I inquired, causing Razlot to look puzzled.

“I mean, when Sir Pintel raided the guild. Wasn’t there someone exceptionally strong… wielding a sword fiercely, who showed up?” 

“No, there hasn’t been such a report…”

Razlot’s precise ‘no’ response meant the possibility of the ‘Black Knight’ having appeared and been defeated by Pintel was off the table.

‘Really a dereliction of duty!’ 

Frustrated, I bit my lip hard.

Part of the reason I felt settled in this life was under the assumption that the ‘Black Knight’ was out there making moves.

Because it’s the ‘Black Knight’ who intercepts the soulstones meant for the ‘Dawn Society’, gradually taking down its key members, eventually leading to the current Arch Bishop ‘Tenellon’.

‘The Black Knight should have appeared by now… not showing up at all during the crucial moment.’

The bitterness that started to spread at the tip of my tongue made me frown slightly, surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

“Do you happen to know Sir Pintel’s return route?” 

Razlot, taken aback by my sudden question, asked back.

“Considering contingencies. We’re not the only ones after the soulstone, after all.”

Understanding dawned on Razlot, and he nodded before speaking, “Sir Pintel, who successfully secured the soulstone, is expected to enter the city through the western gate today.”

“I see, probably planning to enter the city late to avoid the royal court’s eyes.”

“Yes, that seems likely.”

Even as I listened to Razlot, the bitter taste and ominous feeling lingering in my mind wouldn’t fade.

Yet, deep inside, like a child believing in Santa Claus, I held onto the hope that the ‘Black Knight’ would appear.

‘It would reduce my workload if he just did his job!’ 

Although this belief stemmed not from innocence but purely for my own convenience.

Rising from my seat after receiving Razlot’s report, I began preparing to leave the palace.

“Where are you going, Sir Julian?”

“Ah, I just remembered something urgent. Could you please pass on the message to Commander Odwin?”

One of ‘The Closed Eyes’ Julian’s privileges was not needing to adhere to office hours on days without assignments.

“Yes, I understand.”

Razlot, knowing this, naturally nodded.

“Should I also pass these documents to the Commander?”

Glancing at the pile of documents on my desk, Razlot looked at them.

“Yes, and please thank Commander Odwin for me.”

“Sure…”

***

Taking a deep breath, the cold from the walls seeped deep into my lungs.

Maybe my trained body helped, as I didn’t feel the cold too much, but still, an inexplicable irritation arose.

‘With Hayden Reich’s intelligence network, he should be aware that Dawn Society has secured the soulstone.’

I was perched atop a large tree near the western gate, as mentioned by Razlot, hidden from sight by my hood, waiting for the carriage carrying Pintel to arrive. In my opinion, this place was the last line of defense, ‘He has to appear. He must.’

If the carriage passed through here, the ‘Black Knight’ would no longer be able to prevent Dawn Society from obtaining the soulstone. Inside the city, Dawn Society’s combatants, the Monsignors, and Bishops, would be waiting, and it would be dangerous even for a ‘Sword Saint’ if they were to gather in force.

‘Is it not time yet?’ Amidst a whirlwind of emotions, I spotted a carriage approaching the gate from a distance. Despite the pitch-black night, Julian’s eyes could clearly see. Reflected in those eyes was a symbol recognizable only among those of Dawn Society.

‘That’s it.’ 

The carriage carrying the soulstone secured by Pintel. That must be it. 

‘What are you doing, Hayden Reich…’ 

But still, there was no sign of the ‘Black Knight’, not even an owlet in sight. At this rate, the carriage would pass through this gate and enter the city. That would mean crossing a point of no return.

I sighed inwardly. There was no inkling why the ‘Black Knight’ hadn’t appeared here, but one thing was clear. This was going to complicate matters further.

As the sound of horse hooves grew louder, I rose from my kneeling position atop the gate. 

‘Had I known this would happen, I should have practiced for it.’

Then, with my mind firmly made up, I launched myself towards the carriage.

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