Episode 118
Some time later, as Mikhail Lancaster’s efforts began to bear fruit and the development of the Northern Demon Lord’s territory was well underway, a visitor arrived in secret to meet him. It was, without a doubt, an envoy from the Lancaster Duchy.
The development of the Northern Demon Lord’s territory was no small feat. It required years of effort, subduing demons, cultivating the land, and constructing new fortresses. Yet, Dale couldn’t dedicate his entire life to this endeavor. He never lost sight of his true purpose, even as the Viscount of Saxon.
With the arrival of the Lancaster envoy, the time had come for Dale and Mikhail to fulfill their promise. The succession battle between the Lancaster Duchy and the York Marquisate was about to begin.
Thus, Dale left trusted individuals to manage his viscounty and returned to his father, the Duke of Saxon’s estate, to support Mikhail Lancaster, the future adversary and apostle of fire and light, as the heir to the Lancaster Duchy.
“The Great Demon Alliance, you say.”
In the Duke of Saxon’s study, Dale sat with his father, the Duke, and another guest—Mikhail Lancaster, the second son of the Lancaster family.
The Duke listened silently as Mikhail explained the situation and his proposal.
“Of all opponents, it had to be the witches of York. This won’t be easy.”
The witches of York, the most powerful marquesses in the empire and skilled black magicians, were formidable adversaries. The Duke knew many truths about the empire and the world.
“Even if the Grand Duke Lancaster is a master of the celestial sword, facing both the ghost sword and the holy sword won’t be a simple task.”
The clash of three of the continent’s seven legendary swords promised a fierce battle, one that would have significant repercussions. It was not a stage for Dale to shine alone.
Thus, the Lancaster Duchy sought the strength of the Saxon family, the most powerful northern marquessate, ruled by the continent’s greatest black magician.
“Our Lancaster Duchy will never forget the Saxon family’s kindness,” Mikhail declared, proudly displaying the red and white rose emblem of his family on his breastplate.
“If we win this war, as the heir to the Lancaster Duchy, I intend to forge an ‘unquestionable alliance’ with Saxon, alongside the Great Demon Alliance.”
He began to persuade the Duke of Saxon about what each side could offer and gain.
“Neither I nor Sir Helmut can move to the Lancaster Duchy.”
The powerful are often bound to their seats, especially in the northern Saxon Duchy. While Dale was away, his father, the Black Duke, would oversee the development of the Demon Lord’s territory.
“But Dale, it seems your resolve is firm.”
”…”
“The succession battle between Lancaster and York is not something you can control.”
“I understand that fully. But it’s a risk worth taking.”
“What do you mean?”
“Prince Mikhail will become a formidable force in this empire and a worthy ally to our duchy.”
”…”
“And supporting him in his time of need is an investment in the future.”
Dale answered without hesitation, causing Mikhail Lancaster to swallow hard.
“You seem to have great faith in the prince.”
Despite the age difference, Mikhail Lancaster was a good match for Dale. He was the only noble peer Dale had truly bonded with, and the fact that he belonged to the Lancaster Duchy was significant.
The apostle of fire and light, Mikhail’s vision of peace was clearly twisted. Whether he would become an enemy in the future was uncertain. However, forming an alliance now could prevent such a scenario, achieving two goals at once.
“Lord Dale…”
Mikhail smiled awkwardly, and Dale turned to his father, the Duke of Saxon.
“I don’t ask for much. Lend me the Night Raven Knights and the elders of the Black Tower.”
“The York Marquisate has allied with Lady Sephilia and the Brandenburg Count. Even if the imperial family claims neutrality, the participation of the Iron Cross Knights’ vice-captain suggests otherwise.”
“We can’t rule out the possibility of the Red Tower’s involvement.”
“The Lancaster family won’t be easily defeated. But the forces you’re asking for won’t significantly impact the battle.”
Knights and the elders of the Black Tower were decisive forces in minor noble skirmishes. However, in a clash between the empire’s leading marquessates, they were not enough.
There was no ‘exceptional force’ among them.
“You needn’t worry about that.”
Despite this, Dale smiled knowingly.
“There is a powerful ally who can influence the battle without drawing the empire’s attention.”
”…?”
It was time for the assets Dale had acquired to shine.
Facing the celestial sword of Grand Duke Lancaster, the ghost sword of Lady Sephilia from the York family joined the fray. With the engagement of York’s second daughter, Catherine, to Brandenburg’s eldest son, Philip, they had secured the ‘holy sword.’
With two of the seven legendary swords aimed at the Lancaster Duchy, there was only one way to balance the scales.
Considering the Saxon Duchy’s situation, it was impossible for Sir Helmut, one of the seven swordmasters, to leave his post. The Black Duke’s participation was equally unlikely.
However, Dale had another ‘sword’ at his disposal.
At that moment, in the shadowy court of the Saxon Viscount’s Demon Lord’s territory, the heart of the empire’s most feared assassin organization, the Shadow Court, a man sat with his legs crossed on a table, spewing curses as he choked on his beer.
“Did you just say it’s a succession battle between York and Lancaster?”
Dale spoke casually to Master Baro, the man with the title of ‘Killer Sword,’ one of the seven swordmasters, who showed no knightly decorum.
“Yes, the York family, having betrothed their daughter to Lancaster’s eldest, Richard, is protesting the decision to name the second son, Mikhail, as heir. They’re willing to go to war over it. The imperial family, seeing it as a matter of ‘tradition,’ has no reason to intervene.”
“Then the ‘Ghost Sword’ lady from York’s branch will join too.”
The mention of the Ghost Sword, Sephilia, made Dale’s expression falter. As the vice-captain of the imperial guard, the Iron Cross Knights, she was a name he couldn’t ignore.
“Ghost Sword, Holy Sword, Celestial Sword. Those monstrous bastards are meddling in a children’s fight?”
“Unfortunately, we must also get involved in this ‘children’s fight.’”
“Don’t they have anything better to do?”
Master Baro grumbled.
At that moment, the Shadow Saint, who had been listening silently, spoke. Her eyes were covered with black bandages.
“Have you seen Mikhail Lancaster’s avatar?”
The Shadow Saint, who could see the unseen, asked. Dale nodded solemnly.
“The apostle of fire and light.”
Recalling the avatar Mikhail had shown, Dale replied.
“He is dangerous. In the future, he will be one of the greatest threats to the ‘Shadow Lord’s’ darkness.”
“I’m aware of that.”
Dale said.
“But for now, that’s not the case. Our alliance with the Lancaster Duchy offers greater value.”
“Is that a decision made as the ‘Apostle of Black’?”
The Apostle of Black, destined to overthrow the empire of fire and light and bring forth the empire of shadows. The Shadow Court served the Saxon heir for this purpose. Betraying their trust would not be wise.
“Yes.”
Dale nodded without hesitation.
“And to fulfill my mission as the Apostle of Black, I need the Shadow Court’s strength.”
As he spoke, Dale’s shadow stirred. It wasn’t his beloved shadow cloak.
From the shadows emerged the silhouette of a person.
A knight who had been abandoned by the gods, who pledged herself as Dale’s puppet in a godless world. An aura master and one of the ‘Grave Guards,’ she had taken a vow of silence.
In the shadows, there stood the ‘Black Maiden,’ ever vigilant in her duty to protect Dale.
“It seems the time has come to finally test Aurelia’s training,” Dale remarked.
The Black Maiden, Aurelia, nodded silently in response.
“Haha, I trained that girl to the bone… I mean, I trained her exceptionally well. I was on the brink of losing my head if I hadn’t,” he chuckled.
Under the rigorous training of the Shadow Blade, Aurelia had cast aside the ‘Sword of the Knight’ to fully embrace the ‘Blade of the Assassin.’ This transformation had turned her into the formidable Black Maiden she was now, each new layer of ideology reshaping her into a new avatar.
A warrior of unmatched caliber, capable of standing against the Seven Swords of the continent.
“Alongside the elite assassins of the Shadow Court, we will serve as the formidable force of the Lancaster Duchy.”
In the peace of the Empire, a battlefield was set for the first time where two grand dukes and extraordinary warriors would clash with all their might.
“Yet, our existence and deeds will remain shrouded in the shadows.”
As one of the key players in this impending battle, Dale spoke as the leader of the Shadow Court, the ‘Shadow Lord,’ commanding the continent’s most feared assassins.
“Haha, do I have to go around risking my neck again in this life?” Master Baro muttered under his breath, facing Dale’s solemn tone.
“Oh, and for the record, I do have a neck to risk,” he added.
“Stop with the nonsense,” Dale replied, exasperated.