The Age Of Arrogance

Within the Imperial Knights, a loud roar erupted.

 

“Two.”

 

The Imperial Knight Commander, his heart pounding, roared.

 

“How much longer will we listen to the traitor’s nonsense! Attack now!”

 

“How bad. The Knight Commander has shortened the time. Nine!”

 

The moment the number changed from two to nine, there was a commotion here and there in the Imperial Knights, and some of them began to break ranks.

 

They hurriedly ran towards Carlyle’s camp, as if to avoid being caught by the person next to them.

 

And what ended the commotion was Carlyle’s single word.

 

“Ten.”

 

The silence was deafening, as if even the sound of the wind had stopped.

 

“Those who have come over, step to the back. I cannot kill those who were my comrades until just now.”

 

His calm tone was even more chilling.

 

It was now the turn of the Death Knight, blessed by Aguiles, to end the game and unleash his merciless power.

 

* * *

 

As Carlyle’s army marched towards the palace, Decker, who was guarding Pervaz Castle in place of the lord and her huband, stopped walking down the third floor corridor of the castle and stopped in front of the ‘couple portrait’ of Asha and Carlyle.

 

In the painting, which vividly depicts the two of them defeating the Igrams, Asha was the embodiment of a Pervaz warrior with an indomitable spirit.

 

Decker would have no worries if Asha, who had followed Carlyle to Zyro, could fight as bravely as she did then, but the last time he saw Asha, he was a little worried.

 

“I don’t think you’re going to do something stupid, are you, Asha?”

 

His sigh echoed through the quiet hallway.

 

It even made Dorothea, who had followed Decker without realizing it, worry.

 

She hesitated and then cautiously stepped out from behind the corner of the wall.

 

“Baron Donovan.”

 

Decker turned his head quickly at her call.

 

“Lady Raphelt…? What brings you here?”

 

“I was just… walking around the castle and saw you, so I followed you.”

 

“Of course, with His Highness Carlyle and Lord Raphelt both away, you must be free.”

 

Dorothea was about to reply that she was actually more comfortable, but she stopped. Instead, she quietly stood next to Decker.

 

“This painting. I was surprised at first when they said it was a couple portrait, but the more I look at it, the more amazing it seems.”

 

“Really? I’m an outsider when it comes to art, so I don’t really know which one is better.”

 

Next to the painting they were looking at was another portrait of Carlyle and Asha posing in a typical aristocratic couple pose. It was a nice painting in its own right, but if you asked which one was more memorable, it was definitely the one they were looking at now.

 

“I don’t know His Highness Carlyle or Countess Pervaz very well, but I think this painting shows their character and emotions better.”

 

“I agree. It’s hard to believe that this painting is actually Asha.”

 

Decker could have sworn that Asha was awkward and uncomfortable when she painted the first portrait.

 

However, Dorothea had a different opinion on that as well.

 

“Actually, I think that painting also shows a side of Countess Pervaz. The Countess is more aristocratic than anyone I’ve ever met.”

 

“Yes? Asha?”

 

“Yes. She’s really aristocratic. Not in the worldly sense, but in the classical sense.”

 

Of course, a noble needed to have high culture and knowledge, but first and foremost, they needed to have high character as a human being.

 

A person who proudly accepts the responsibilities that come with the rights they enjoy, and whose arrogance comes from ‘fulfilling their duties’ rather than their rights.

 

That was the kind of aristocrat Dorothea thought of.

 

And Asha fit her idea of an aristocrat perfectly.

 

“I thought from the moment I met her that she was not lacking in the least to be a princess or empress.”

 

“Are you serious? That’s the position Lady Raphelt wants.”

 

At those words, Dorothea stopped and shook her head.

 

“I never wanted that.”

 

“Yes? But…!”

 

“I’m not fit for that position. I don’t know how to do anything, and I’m the kind of person who thinks I don’t need anything if I can just read books and live my life.”

 

At her self-deprecating smile, Decker brought up something he had never been able to ask before.

 

“Is Lord Raphelt forcing you?”

 

“……”

 

The silence was soon an affirmation.

 

Although he had roughly figured it out, it was different for Dorothea to admit it herself, who had been denying it all along, saying that she was fine.

 

He felt that she was being pushed to the point where she could no longer endure it.

 

“If His Highness Carlyle does not choose Lady Raphelt… what will you do then?”

 

“I don’t know. It’s my father’s decision.”

 

She spoke as if she had given up, but her eyes were filled with tears of resentment and sadness.

 

Decker looked down at Dorothea for a moment and then spoke.

 

“If you don’t give up, a way will surely open up.”

 

‘Thank you for your words. But in the Raphelt Barony, the opinion of the head of the family is the law.”

 

“The one who makes it the law is the one who accepts it. Who forced it into law?”

 

“But…”

 

“Life is finite and unique.’

 

His voice sank low, and Dorothea looked at him in wonder.

 

“If you live your life dragged down by the opinions of others, how resentful will you be when you die? You should live a life that you will not regret at the moment of death.”

 

If someone else had said this, she would have told them not to talk nonsense when they didn’t know her well.

 

However, Dorothea felt the weight of Decker’s words. Because Pervaz was a place where you were constantly reminded that life is finite and unique. It was a place where a comrade who had been laughing and talking with you just the day before would disappear overnight.

 

Dorothea smiled as if she found it embarrassing to see Decker sincerely advising her.

 

“But I don’t even know what kind of path I want to take. …Isn’t that pathetic?”

 

“It’s not that Lady Raphelt is pathetic, it’s natural that you don’t know. Because that’s how you were raised. But there will surely come a time when you have to choose. At that time, be sure to choose the future that you want.”

 

Decker did not laugh at Dorothea.

 

Dorothea was grateful for that, and at the same time, she became curious about Decker.

 

“Baron Donovan, have you… chosen?”

 

He paused for a moment, then nodded.

 

“Yes. Vincent, ah, that’s Asha’s youngest brother. I chose when he died.”

 

“What path?”

 

“To protect Pervaz forever. I wanted to protect Asha too, but that girl… She’s been out of my league for a long time now.”

 

Decker’s laughter was pure, but Dorothea could guess the painful past hidden beneath his smile.

 

And she could also guess what Decker was most afraid of.

 

“Countess Pervaz will definitely come back.”

 

“……”

 

Decker’s smile was tinged with bitterness.

 

“To be honest, I’m scared to death.

Asha, she’s going to explode with all the anger she’s been holding back.”

 

He couldn’t forget the way she had gritted her teeth and said she would take revenge. That anger that seemed like it would burn everything in its path…

 

Dorothea gently patted Decker’s arm.

 

“His Highness Carlyle will win. He is the one blessed by the God of War, Aguiles.”

 

At that small encouragement, Decker took a deep breath and raised his head.

 

“Yes. And Asha Pervaz is a woman who seems to have been blessed by the God of Death, Himero, so she will definitely come back alive.”

 

The two of them stood silently for a long time in front of the painting of Carlyle and Asha wielding their swords.

 

* * *

 

The advance of the “rebel army” from the Zyro North Gate reached the palace much faster than expected.

 

Betrayal by knights who had often been called upon for battlefield or demon extermination operations was a major cause.

 

However, the walls of the palace were sturdy, and there were many knights defending it.

 

Carlyle brandished his greatsword as he stepped forward.

 

“It seems difficult to catch a glimpse of Mother’s face!”

 

At that moment, the second deputy commander intercepted him.

 

“Her Majesty the Empress has only one son! How dare rebels insult Her Majesty!”

 

“Am I really supposed to consider that woman my mother? I wish these mocking remarks were toned down a bit.”

 

As Carlyle prepared to confront him, Asha stepped forward first.

 

“He is not worth your response. Don’t waste your energy here. They must be preparing something.”

 

“It seems like you’re always the one stepping forward first.”

 

“Well, those who step forward initially are usually the first to fall.”

 

That remark was enough to scratch the knight’s pride.

 

“Who is this woman? Is she just a woman carried around as decoration?”

 

“She is Her Highness the Crown Princess, you rude bastard!”

 

While Asha spoke with a dignified tone in front of Carlyle, she didn’t hesitate to curse at the knight.

 

At the same time, Asha rushed toward the knight, and both sides’ knights also charged toward each other to protect their respective parties.

 

“Your Highness…!”

 

“Ah, let it go. There seems to be a lot piled up.”

 

Carlyle instead calmed down the other knights who were worrying about Asha.

 

The second deputy commander had an unfamiliar face. He was probably the son of a family who had bribed Beatrice.

 

His swordsmanship seemed dazzling at first glance. To an unfamiliar eye, he might appear to be a remarkable expert.

 

But to Carlyle, it was utterly contemptible.

 

‘Even to me, who knows noble swordsmanship, it’s ridiculous. How amusing must it be in Asha’s eyes?’

 

There were too many unnecessary movements for survival and attack. If this knight had encountered a Pervaz warrior on the battlefield, he would have been chopped down by an axe before exchanging a few blows.