Betrayal Knight’s Joyful Faith - Chapter 464



Only Krnovel

The Cheerful God of Betrayal Chapter 464

Dirty name.

This was not an adjective that could be used in front of the Holy Sword. However, Laius did not regret what he said.

“Let me state it here: I completely agree with Arendt’s opinion.”

Laius continued to speak resolutely, conscious of Arendt’s gaze looking at him as if he had been hit in the back of the head.

“Based on what I saw and heard, and what Lord Arendt herself had investigated and reported, I decided to join Lord Arendt in her cause, figuring that no one would listen unless it was done in a somewhat crude way.”

“… … .”

“Since Lord Arendt was aware of the dangers of this matter and did not want to involve others, I unilaterally participated without consulting him. While going in and out of the temple and checking on the progress of the investigation through the priests, I also covered up the matter so that it would not be discovered by His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Cantares also looked at Arx and Henry with a bewildered look.

Until now, he had thought that Arx and Henry had blocked his eyes and ears to protect Arendt.

But behind it all was Laius.

The Union Chairman and Vice Chairman bowed their heads deeply toward the Crown Prince as a sign of apology.

“Then why have you been acting so suspicious all this time… … .”

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I will gladly accept the punishment for deceiving Your Majesty and Your Majesty.”

Laius bowed respectfully to the groaning Cantares.

“… …Why.”

Lumiel, who had been frozen, opened her lips after a long time.

“Why, Commander Leo? Aren’t you the hero chosen by Lady Luce?”

Even though she had maintained her composure while talking to Arendt, she could not hide her embarrassment.

“Don’t you know very well that what you just said is no different from betraying Lady Luce? How could you… … .”

“Is it because Sir Arendt is Commander Lyos’ benefactor?”

“No. Of course, that could be one of the reasons, but… … .”

Arendt stared at Laius as if she were dreaming. Somehow Laius’s voice sounded unreal.

Lyos continued to speak more clearly, as if to engrave into the heart of the apprentice knight who was clearly listening.

“Because the grace that Lord Arendt has shown me is more important than the grace that I thought I had received from Luce.”

“… … .”

Arendt tried to say something, but she had no choice but to keep her mouth shut again.

My hair had turned so white that I couldn’t even think of a line.

“It is as Arendt said. He never begged for his life to be spared by Lady Luce. I was the one who knelt before Lady Luce and begged for his life.”

“… … .”

“If you take up the Holy Sword, you will never have to go through the same thing again. So said Luce, and I took up the Holy Sword. Then, as if you were throwing a coin to a beggar, Arendt readily returned it to me.”

I was relieved that Arendt had survived, but at the same time I felt humiliated.

It was okay for him to be treated like a tool. If it meant protecting people, Laius was willing to fight as a single sword.

But I couldn’t stand the fact that Arendt was treated like a worthless coin.

I felt an unbearable disgust towards myself for having been chosen by the Holy Sword by sacrificing Arendt.

“Lucie’s kind voice, whispering that she would give me strength, sounded like this to me at the time.”

“… … .”

“If you do not take up the Holy Sword, everything you love will be destroyed. Just like the family you helplessly lost as a child.”

In effect, it was no different than taking hostage both Arendt and everyone Laius wanted to protect.

“Your Majesty the First Emperor, the previous hero Khan must have gone through the same process as me.”

Anger gradually began to show in Leo’s voice.

“Your Highness. I know very well what Luce means to you. However, I can no longer trust Luce. Because I know that Luce could take away those around me at any time.”

Just as Arendt had been fighting until now, Laius had to fight against anxiety from the moment he took up the Holy Sword until now.

Laius’s disillusionment could not help but grow as he watched Arendt suffer from insomnia from time to time.

“Watching us anytime, anywhere, and extending a warm hand… … But that is no different from saying that it watches us anytime, anywhere, and can punish us accordingly at any time. Can we call such an existence justice?”

Lyos suddenly reached out and pulled Arendt, who was standing behind him, next to him.

“Arendt is willing to pay the price to go against such a being and protect people. If you dare call Arendt a traitor and a blasphemer.”

The hand holding Arendt’s arm, which had been dragged out without warning, tightened its grip.

“I will no longer fight for the Empire. If anyone has any complaints.”

“Looking straight at Lumiel, Lyos added in a chewed-out tone.

“Take up the holy sword yourself and fight. I will hand it over to someone who volunteers. Please do not entrust this holy sword to me, a blasphemous person.”

“… … .”

The surroundings became as quiet as a mouse.

The only thing that could be heard was the occasional, somewhat agitated breathing of Laius.

Even Arendt, who was held captive by him, was so embarrassed that she couldn’t say anything.

Cantares habitually furrowed his brow.

‘Looking at that guy in the world, he is speechless.’

It seemed like a statement that had not been discussed with Arendt in advance.

Cantares asked sharply, taking his hands away from his face.

“… … Commander Leo. Are you serious? You probably know very well what kind of person you are in the current empire.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. That is why I speak to you so disrespectfully.”

Lyus answered politely, but coldly.

“To achieve my goal, I have decided not to be picky about the means and methods any longer.”

Eventually, Cantares burst into laughter.

“You’ve completely turned your back.”

I felt like I was being influenced by Arendt, but I never thought I would take such an extreme approach.

Laius was clearly imitating the rascally apprentice knight.

He used his power and position to commit suicide, while also pointing his sword at the necks of the nobles.

“Are you saying that we should all die together? I know very well that Captain Lyos is a person who cannot stand by and watch innocent people die.”

“Of course, no matter what your choice, I will continue to fight against the Chernion Cult. However… … .”

Laius answered the Crown Prince’s question while looking around the room.

“I can’t say for sure what will happen after we win against the Chernion Order. If we lose the fight against them anyway, none of us will survive.”

It was a chilling statement.

After defeating the Chernion Order, it was no different from declaring that they would target the Luce Temple.

“Captain.”

Lumiel called him in a much calmer voice.

“Didn’t you say just a little while ago that you would fight for your honor? Is that all your honor is worth?”

“I am telling you this because I am putting my honor on the line, Your Highness. Even if I have the approval of the gods, what good is honor if I cannot protect even one subordinate?”

But Laius did not back down.

“Therefore, I firmly refuse to use the name of the god Luce in my fights. I simply take up my sword according to my beliefs.”

“… … .”

“Your Excellency, and you all. I am not saying that you should apostatize right now. Nor am I saying that Arendt and I are innocent.”

When Lumiel closed her mouth, Leo’s tone softened somewhat.

“But I would like you to think about it at least once. Was the glory of the empire achieved in the name of Lady Luce really as flawless as you and your High Priest believe?”

“… … .”

“Why was it necessary to conceal the previous history after the Great War, and what did His Majesty the First Emperor truly wish for…?”

Only Laius’ calm tone resonated in the cold, settled air.

“How many sacrifices have been justified in the name of Luce’s grace?”

“… … .”

Even after the Knight Commander finished speaking, the Archon did not respond for a long time.

Lumiel just stared at Arendt, who was looking at him blankly, not responding to Laius.

Given the circumstances, even the nobles who had been strongly insisting that Arendt should be punished were unable to add anything.

At that time, a subtle standoff continued for a long time.

dripping.

Someone knocked on the firmly shut conference room door. After a while, a man with a pale face entered the conference room.

He was an official who worked in the emperor’s office.

“hmm?”

When Cantares raised her eyebrows slightly, he quickly bent down.

“Excuse me, I am interrupting an important discussion. There is an urgent matter that I must convey to Your Majesty… … .”

“Oh, sorry for suddenly ruining the mood. Come closer and talk.”

The emperor, who had been quietly hiding until now, suddenly revealed his presence.

As soon as permission was granted, he quickly approached the emperor and whispered something in his ear with a very low voice.

People’s attention was naturally drawn to that side. Everyone was puzzled.

Unless something really serious happens, there’s no way someone would suddenly barge into a conference room where the High Priest and the Emperor are sitting together.

After a while.

The emperor raised his head and smiled broadly at the audience.

“I feel sorry for those of you who took the time to come here. I think it would be best to end today’s discussion here.”

“yes?”

A commotion.

At that moment, the nobles began to murmur loudly. Regardless, the Emperor looked at Lumiel and asked again.

“Your Majesty, is that okay?”

“… … If Your Majesty so wishes, of course. May I ask the reason? Was it by any chance an enemy attack?”

Lumiel nodded coolly, but asked in embarrassment.

“That’s not it, but we have received an urgent message from the Kingdom of Everran.”

A look of doubt crossed Lumiel’s eyes. The Emperor turned his gaze towards Arendt, who was still standing there dumbfounded.

“Sir Arendt. I heard that in the Kingdom of Everan, a being believed to be a dragon was seen protecting you. Is that true?”

“……yes?”

“Are you talking about the dragon?”

As Arendt stupidly asked, a loud voice erupted from among the nobles.

“What, what do you mean, Your Majesty? A dragon?”

Everyone knew that dragons were no longer the stuff of legend. The Emperor continued speaking leisurely, his chin resting on his hand.

“Actually, quite a while ago, there was a connection between Lord Arendt and the dragon… … . The royal family did not interfere much because they thought that it was not the place for humans to meddle in the dragon’s actions.”

The Emperor’s blue eyes turned to Arendt.

“However, not long ago, the dragon revealed its identity in front of Prince Ludwin of the Everan Kingdom.”

The Emperor added playfully, looking at the young man standing awkwardly next to the captain.

“Prince Ludwin seems quite surprised. He said that the dragon would put the one who protects him in a position that is no different from a judge. If you offend the dragon, the empire and everything else will be scorched to the ground.”

“… … !”

The murmur among the people grew louder.

“The Everran Royal Family does not want to turn their backs on those protected by dragons. And in fact, I recently received contact from the Kingdom of Lucain and the Kingdom of Nephele.”

Arendt looked at the Emperor with frozen, uncomprehending eyes.

“Lord Arendt is no different from the benefactor of the two kingdoms, so please show mercy even if Lord Arendt is truly guilty. There is a possibility that this could develop into a diplomatic issue, so I tried to tell you in advance… … I’m sorry. I completely forgot.”

The emperor speaking thus seemed happier than usual.

The conference room was now as noisy as a market.

Some people were pestering their neighbors to confirm the facts, while others were asking the Emperor, Lumiel, and Leo about the dragon’s real existence.

“Wow, Sir Arendt.”

Amid the commotion all around, the Emperor looked at Arendt with a gentle gaze.

“The heroes, the dragons, and even the leaders of each allied nation are all on your side… … If you really put your mind to it, it’s not impossible to overthrow the empire.”

To the jokey remark, Arendt was still unable to respond.