Episode 61. Become My Knight
Everyone witnessed today's miracle.
A miracle that covered the once shabby black ground.
Just before Kassius arrived, the first sword, crafted from the scales of a black snake, arrived.
Renisha, accompanied by Brixton and her people, welcomed the sword.
A pale man presented the sword to Renisha.
"I present to you, Lady Renisha, Ashkarod, the first sword of Hiloshine."
It was a heavy and sharp blade, forged by Hiloshine men from the scales of a black snake harvested by Hiloshine women.
The blade flashed black. It looked like the black snake itself.
Swish!
The sword, lighter than it appeared, was pulled out smoothly.
"Ashkarod. What does it mean?"
"It's named after Hiloshine's right molar. I am confident it will be the strongest sword I can forge."
The blacksmith knelt on the floor.
Renisha slowly examined the sword.
Just as the blacksmith had confidently stated, it seemed a fitting sword to bear the name Ashkarod.
Renisha gently lifted her lips.
“This is a truly fine sword. The Duke will be its owner. I will make sure to convey your hard work.”
“Thank you, Lady Renisha!”
“Please continue to craft fine swords for us.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Renisha paid the blacksmith generously for the sword.
A good thing deserves its own price.
Renisha gazed at the deep black blade for a long moment.
As Renisha sheathed the sword, Kassius returned.
“Renisha? Have you come to greet me?”
Kassius smiled sweetly.
His face was pleasant. It was only natural, having achieved what he had hoped for, and confirmed the possibility of what he believed he could achieve.
Furthermore, the fact that Renisha had met him as soon as he arrived at the mansion made his mood even brighter.
Kassius spoke with a slightly excited tone.
“Renisha. Today, I discovered a new potential in my power. I learned that my power wasn’t solely destructive. I thought my power might be a curse, but it wasn’t. It was a divine grace. The power to protect and bring life to others! That’s the secret of Keros’s power.”
Renisha smiled slightly.
“Kassius. I never thought of your power that way. Your power saved our empire and saved me from the Emperor. And you delivered my father and mother’s will to me. You were my salvation.”
Kassius rubbed his chin, embarrassed.
He had never imagined he would be seen that way by anyone.
He remembered the enemy soldiers’ gazes at him on the Chorpa Plains. Kassius was the very embodiment of fear to them, even though they, too, were no longer in this world.
“Isabella, I’m sure it was the same for her. Now you’re finally giving me a proper thank you, Lord Kassius.”
Brixton stepped forward before Renisha.
“Thank you for saving my daughter.”
Brixton bowed politely.
“I heard you brought Isabella back here alive. Her great quality is her honesty. Isabella said you were like an angel.”
Kien pulled out the pouch he had been hiding in his bosom.
Inside was a round, jade-colored badge.
It was an identification badge that the Yi tribe had made and carried in the past.
“...Hisham!”
“Hisham Kassius is looking for the Yi tribe. Lead me to them.”
Luna fiddled with the badge with trembling eyes.
No two-tribe would fail to recognize this.
"Kassius..."
"He intends to lead the tribes to a peaceful land, so follow him."
Kien said with a confident expression.
Everyone witnessed today's miracle.
A miracle that covered the once shabby black ground.
Just before Kassius arrived, the first sword, crafted from the scales of a black snake, arrived.
Renisha, accompanied by Brixton and her people, welcomed the sword.
A pale man presented the sword to Renisha.
"I present to you, Lady Renisha, Ashkarod, the first sword of Hiloshine."
It was a heavy and sharp blade, forged by Hiloshine men from the scales of a black snake harvested by Hiloshine women.
The blade flashed black. It looked like the black snake itself.
Swish!
The sword, lighter than it appeared, was pulled out smoothly.
"Ashkarod. What does it mean?"
"It's named after Hiloshine's right molar. I am confident it will be the strongest sword I can forge."
The blacksmith knelt on the floor.
Renisha slowly examined the sword.
Just as the blacksmith had confidently stated, it seemed a fitting sword to bear the name Ashkarod.
Renisha gently lifted her lips.
“This is a truly fine sword. The Duke will be its owner. I will make sure to convey your hard work.”
“Thank you, Lady Renisha!”
“Please continue to craft fine swords for us.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Renisha paid the blacksmith generously for the sword.
A good thing deserves its own price.
Renisha gazed at the deep black blade for a long moment.
As Renisha sheathed the sword, Kassius returned.
“Renisha? Have you come to greet me?”
Kassius smiled sweetly.
His face was pleasant. It was only natural, having achieved what he had hoped for, and confirmed the possibility of what he believed he could achieve.
Furthermore, the fact that Renisha had met him as soon as he arrived at the mansion made his mood even brighter.
Kassius spoke with a slightly excited tone.
“Renisha. Today, I discovered a new potential in my power. I learned that my power wasn’t solely destructive. I thought my power might be a curse, but it wasn’t. It was a divine grace. The power to protect and bring life to others! That’s the secret of Keros’s power.”
Renisha smiled slightly.
“Kassius. I never thought of your power that way. Your power saved our empire and saved me from the Emperor. And you delivered my father and mother’s will to me. You were my salvation.”
Kassius rubbed his chin, embarrassed.
He had never imagined he would be seen that way by anyone.
He remembered the enemy soldiers’ gazes at him on the Chorpa Plains. Kassius was the very embodiment of fear to them, even though they, too, were no longer in this world.
“Isabella, I’m sure it was the same for her. Now you’re finally giving me a proper thank you, Lord Kassius.”
Brixton stepped forward before Renisha.
“Thank you for saving my daughter.”
Brixton bowed politely.
“I heard you brought Isabella back here alive. Her great quality is her honesty. Isabella said you were like an angel.”
Kassius cleared his throat.
“An angel, you say?”
“Yes.”
Brixton smiled softly.
“Isabella seemed happy as she said that. So, I’d like to say Your Excellency, your worries were needless.”
Kassius rubbed his cheek.
An angel...
Kassius cleared his throat and noticed the knights behind Renisha.
They were grinning, as if they’d seen something delightful.
Terion looked at Kassius with a slumped jaw.
Wait a minute.
A beautiful lady, a puppy, and an angel.
Why do those people have such good timing?
Kassius’s jaw bulged.
But he couldn’t express any discontent in front of Brixton, who was smiling sincerely.
"I wish I had a fancier word."
"That would have been the best word for Isabella."
"Tell Isabella that the angel was Isabella. I, too, found solace in her. She was the first life I ever saved on the battlefield."
"Thank you for saying so."
Brixton and Kassius exchanged pleasant smiles.
Brixton stepped back behind Renisha.
Only then did Kassius realize the atmosphere was unusual.
Renisha's people were following her.
The knights, sensing something strange, were also approaching.
Before Kassius could ask what was going on, Renisha held out the sword she was holding.
"Ashkarod."
"Huh?"
"It's the first sword forged by Hiloshine. I want to give it to Kassius."
Kassius's smile vanished.
“An angel, you say?”
“Yes.”
Brixton smiled softly.
“Isabella seemed happy as she said that. So, I’d like to say Your Excellency, your worries were needless.”
Kassius rubbed his cheek.
An angel...
Kassius cleared his throat and noticed the knights behind Renisha.
They were grinning, as if they’d seen something delightful.
Terion looked at Kassius with a slumped jaw.
Wait a minute.
A beautiful lady, a puppy, and an angel.
Why do those people have such good timing?
Kassius’s jaw bulged.
But he couldn’t express any discontent in front of Brixton, who was smiling sincerely.
"I wish I had a fancier word."
"That would have been the best word for Isabella."
"Tell Isabella that the angel was Isabella. I, too, found solace in her. She was the first life I ever saved on the battlefield."
"Thank you for saying so."
Brixton and Kassius exchanged pleasant smiles.
Brixton stepped back behind Renisha.
Only then did Kassius realize the atmosphere was unusual.
Renisha's people were following her.
The knights, sensing something strange, were also approaching.
Before Kassius could ask what was going on, Renisha held out the sword she was holding.
"Ashkarod."
"Huh?"
"It's the first sword forged by Hiloshine. I want to give it to Kassius."
Kassius's smile vanished.
"Cassius. I will become the Emperor of Hientri."
Kassius's golden eyes wavered. He had a vague idea, but it was far different from nailing it down like this.
Kassius swallowed.
The Emperor of Hientri.
The path Renisha was taking.
"I want you to hold the sword for me. I want you to not only be my family, but also my knight."
Renisha continued in a calm tone.
She had brought the people here to greet Ashkarod.
To witness the majesty of the sword, forged with the smith's heart and soul.
And Renisha judged it worthy. She intended to give it to Kassius.
"Swear to me, Kassius. Promise me you'll lift me to that high place."
Renisha smiled sweetly.
Kassius approached her, entranced, his every step filled with meaning, his shoulders slumping.
"I will make you a savior, not a destroyer."
"Renisha."
"If I lose, you will be a destroyer, but if I win, you will be the savior who saved Hientri. So, Kassius..."
Kassius knelt before Renisha.
Looking up at Renisha with a reverent expression, Kassius began to speak.
“I, Knight Kassius, swear to Renisha Lottera. Your path will be my path, and your dreams will be my dreams. I will crush your enemies with my sword, and protect you with my shield. I swear this with the life of Kassius Lottera.”
Kassius kissed the back of Renisha’s hand.
Renisha bit her lip.
Her heart swelled with emotion.
No one would stop her from doing what she wanted.
Not her parents, not her last sibling, not even her husband.
It felt as if countless people were following Renisha.
Count Calliot, who had been observing the situation, knelt behind Kassius.
“Knight Calliot also swears.”
He and the other knights of Lottera knelt one after another.
“Knight Terion swears.”
Their faces, previously smiling, were now filled with piety.
Meteo, who had been drawn out by the commotion, also stepped forward.
"I, Prince Meteo of Shamdir, declare that I support the will of Renisha Lottera. My will is the same as Shamdir's, and Shamdir will stand with you."
Meteo knelt like a knight.
In the end, only Renisha remained standing.
A shiver ran through her.
It felt like hot blood was coursing through her from fingertips to toes.
Her hair stood on end.
Transparent tears flowed down Renisha's cheeks.
It all stemmed from the Duke and Duchess of Lottera.
If they had deemed Renisha's innate prophecy ominous and cast her out, this moment would never have happened.
If it weren't for them, who sacrificed themselves to protect their daughter, Renisha would never have dreamed.
They had protected Renisha's life.
Even though nightmares still haunt her, consumed by the guilt of sacrificing her parents, she could not abandon her dreams.
As a child, Duke Lottera, holding Renisha's hand as he left the palace, said,
"Renisha. If you wish, you will have that position."
"Will my father grant it?"
"No. But I can be of help."
Duke Lottera always lamented the thousand-year history of Hientri in decline.
It was time for a new wind of reform in Hientri as well.
Did Duke Lottera see that potential in Renisha?
"My beloved daughter, Renisha. May every moment of yours shine."
Just as Duke Lottera had wished, Renisha was now shining brighter than anyone else.
Ashkarod had become Kassius' sword.
And Kassius became Renisha's sword and shield.
Just as she had wished.
Luna's footsteps slowed.
Her breathing was puffy, and her heart pounded wildly.
Fear dried her mouth, yet her body could no longer muster the strength.
"Huh... Why are you talking like this..."
"What are you talking about?! You came here knowing I was a dwarf!!"
Luna screamed shrilly. She dodged the man reaching out for her.
Hearing that someone was chasing her, she prepared to tidy up and disappear, but she was grabbed by the scruff of the neck.
Even after escaping her life as a slave gladiator, she had never let go of her sword, but it was useless against the man before her.
Luna adjusted her grip on her sword.
If I die, I will die honorably!
"Yaaaap!"
"Wait! I'm a dwarf too!! Listen to me!"
The man shouted, blocking the sword.
Luna's sword, crooked and misaligned, fell to the ground.
Luna, who stepped back with a surprised expression, was grabbed by the man.
“I understand why you’re doing this... but I’m also one of your kind.”
The man sheathed his sword and said,
“Kassius sent me. Do you remember Kassius?”
Luna’s eyes widened.
Kassius.
He was a boy she knew from her days as a slave gladiator.
The two-tribe boy who ran forward with a sharp gaze.
She knew he was extraordinary, but...
“Kassius sent you?”
“Yes. I’m a fellow knight working with Kassius. My name is Kien.”
Luna let her guard down.
“...Why did you come to me?”
“Massius is looking for the Yo tribe.”
Kassius's golden eyes wavered. He had a vague idea, but it was far different from nailing it down like this.
Kassius swallowed.
The Emperor of Hientri.
The path Renisha was taking.
"I want you to hold the sword for me. I want you to not only be my family, but also my knight."
Renisha continued in a calm tone.
She had brought the people here to greet Ashkarod.
To witness the majesty of the sword, forged with the smith's heart and soul.
And Renisha judged it worthy. She intended to give it to Kassius.
"Swear to me, Kassius. Promise me you'll lift me to that high place."
Renisha smiled sweetly.
Kassius approached her, entranced, his every step filled with meaning, his shoulders slumping.
"I will make you a savior, not a destroyer."
"Renisha."
"If I lose, you will be a destroyer, but if I win, you will be the savior who saved Hientri. So, Kassius..."
Kassius knelt before Renisha.
Looking up at Renisha with a reverent expression, Kassius began to speak.
“I, Knight Kassius, swear to Renisha Lottera. Your path will be my path, and your dreams will be my dreams. I will crush your enemies with my sword, and protect you with my shield. I swear this with the life of Kassius Lottera.”
Kassius kissed the back of Renisha’s hand.
Renisha bit her lip.
Her heart swelled with emotion.
No one would stop her from doing what she wanted.
Not her parents, not her last sibling, not even her husband.
It felt as if countless people were following Renisha.
Count Calliot, who had been observing the situation, knelt behind Kassius.
“Knight Calliot also swears.”
He and the other knights of Lottera knelt one after another.
“Knight Terion swears.”
Their faces, previously smiling, were now filled with piety.
Meteo, who had been drawn out by the commotion, also stepped forward.
"I, Prince Meteo of Shamdir, declare that I support the will of Renisha Lottera. My will is the same as Shamdir's, and Shamdir will stand with you."
Meteo knelt like a knight.
In the end, only Renisha remained standing.
A shiver ran through her.
It felt like hot blood was coursing through her from fingertips to toes.
Her hair stood on end.
Transparent tears flowed down Renisha's cheeks.
It all stemmed from the Duke and Duchess of Lottera.
If they had deemed Renisha's innate prophecy ominous and cast her out, this moment would never have happened.
If it weren't for them, who sacrificed themselves to protect their daughter, Renisha would never have dreamed.
They had protected Renisha's life.
Even though nightmares still haunt her, consumed by the guilt of sacrificing her parents, she could not abandon her dreams.
As a child, Duke Lottera, holding Renisha's hand as he left the palace, said,
"Renisha. If you wish, you will have that position."
"Will my father grant it?"
"No. But I can be of help."
Duke Lottera always lamented the thousand-year history of Hientri in decline.
It was time for a new wind of reform in Hientri as well.
Did Duke Lottera see that potential in Renisha?
"My beloved daughter, Renisha. May every moment of yours shine."
Just as Duke Lottera had wished, Renisha was now shining brighter than anyone else.
Ashkarod had become Kassius' sword.
And Kassius became Renisha's sword and shield.
Just as she had wished.
***
Luna's footsteps slowed.
Her breathing was puffy, and her heart pounded wildly.
Fear dried her mouth, yet her body could no longer muster the strength.
"Huh... Why are you talking like this..."
"What are you talking about?! You came here knowing I was a dwarf!!"
Luna screamed shrilly. She dodged the man reaching out for her.
Hearing that someone was chasing her, she prepared to tidy up and disappear, but she was grabbed by the scruff of the neck.
Even after escaping her life as a slave gladiator, she had never let go of her sword, but it was useless against the man before her.
Luna adjusted her grip on her sword.
If I die, I will die honorably!
"Yaaaap!"
"Wait! I'm a dwarf too!! Listen to me!"
The man shouted, blocking the sword.
Luna's sword, crooked and misaligned, fell to the ground.
Luna, who stepped back with a surprised expression, was grabbed by the man.
“I understand why you’re doing this... but I’m also one of your kind.”
The man sheathed his sword and said,
“Kassius sent me. Do you remember Kassius?”
Luna’s eyes widened.
Kassius.
He was a boy she knew from her days as a slave gladiator.
The two-tribe boy who ran forward with a sharp gaze.
She knew he was extraordinary, but...
“Kassius sent you?”
“Yes. I’m a fellow knight working with Kassius. My name is Kien.”
Luna let her guard down.
“...Why did you come to me?”
“Massius is looking for the Yo tribe.”
Kien pulled out the pouch he had been hiding in his bosom.
Inside was a round, jade-colored badge.
It was an identification badge that the Yi tribe had made and carried in the past.
“...Hisham!”
“Hisham Kassius is looking for the Yi tribe. Lead me to them.”
Luna fiddled with the badge with trembling eyes.
No two-tribe would fail to recognize this.
"Kassius..."
"He intends to lead the tribes to a peaceful land, so follow him."
Kien said with a confident expression.
"We've finally found the tribes!"
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