Episode 135
“Gah…!”
The final, undeniable blow. The pitch-black blade pierced the hero’s chest, emerging from his back.
”…!”
Witnessing this, the expression on Sephelia, the Ghost Blade, turned icy. She knew all too well the weight of the blood flowing through his veins.
“Damn it, this is bad.”
Master Baro was no exception. Yet, the Shadow Lord, who understood the implications better than anyone, showed no hesitation.
“Why, did you think…?”
“Did you think you wouldn’t die?”
The Shadow Lord retorted.
“Did you think, like Prince Mikhail at the Fight Club, that my blade would stop at the very last moment?”
“Ah, ah…”
“Let me tell you the real reason Prince Mikhail didn’t kill me that day.”
From within the avatar of darkness, the very essence of this world’s shadows.
“Prince Mikhail never had the resolve to die from the start.”
”…!”
“That’s why he couldn’t kill me, who bore the same weight of blood. Killing a duke’s kin would mean proving that Prince Mikhail himself could die. That’s why I was certain that day that he would never kill me.”
Mikhail couldn’t kill Dale because he was crushed by the weight of the blood that flowed as a member of the duke’s family. Paradoxically, killing Dale and denying that weight would be akin to denying his own blood.
“In this world, the weight of blood is not equal, and in that unfairness, he believed no one would dare kill a ‘duke’s kin.’”
“You damn brat…!”
“I told you, it was you who underestimated the world from the start.”
In agony, Mikhail’s face twisted beneath the hero’s skin.
“Death is equal to all, with no exceptions. Even if one is of the duke’s lineage, it makes no difference.”
In a battlefield where the lives of common soldiers were snuffed out like insects, it was common practice to capture nobles and their offspring for ransom rather than kill them. Even ordinary knights were no exception, for the weight of their blood was different.
Mikhail Lancaster was, in the end, a ‘prince’ who, as a beneficiary of that inequality, knew nothing of the world’s harsh realities.
Under the pale, dark winter night, the hero’s blood flowed. The ground was stained crimson. The hero’s end was there.
“How dare you lay a hand on Lancaster’s blood and think you can…”
The hero, Mikhail Lancaster, muttered weakly. But his words went no further.
The Shadow Lord, looking down at his past self, had no hesitation.
The black blade swung, and that was the end.
Dale turned his head.
Leaving behind the bodies of Mikhail and the Rose Cross knights, he stood as the god and Shadow Lord reigning over the winter night.
Beside him was Lady Shadow, the assassin of the Shadow Court, and Master Baro, the Sword of Death.
Facing the last of Lancaster’s side, Sephelia, the Ghost Blade.
“Well, it seems your situation isn’t looking too good, ma’am.”
“Shut up, you damn swindler.”
Sephelia, the vice-captain of the Iron Cross knights and one of the empire’s war heroes, had a face frozen in cold determination. Blue aura began to coil around her body, ready to unleash her full power as a knight.
It was then.
“There’s no need to worry.”
The Shadow Lord, Dale, spoke, dispelling the black avatar surrounding him.
”…!”
“Just make me one promise.”
“A promise, you say, you damned brat.”
Sephelia asked sharply, not letting down her guard. Dale nodded silently.
“The ‘Black Prince of Saxon’ and the Shadow Court were never part of this war from the start.”
“What…?”
“It was ‘Titania of York’ who defeated Prince Mikhail, and you, Sir Sephelia, are the witness to that act.”
“Do I look like someone who would just go along with your words?”
“Ha, this lady’s temper is something else.”
Master Baro interjected, seemingly incredulous.
“When a person needs to bow their head, they should do it quickly and quietly.”
“I’d be more than willing to cut off your head and bury it in the ground.”
“Baro, please, just shut up.”
Dale snapped, exasperated, and turned to Sephelia.
“As Prince Mikhail said, the weight of life is not equal in this world.”
And behind the Ghost Blade Sephelia was not just any ‘duke.’ She was the vice-captain of the empire’s most prestigious knightly order.
In other words, killing the Ghost Blade now would be the worst move, turning the imperial family into an enemy.
‘Besides, there’s no guarantee we could kill her with our current strength.’
Not all Seven Swords are the same. Regardless of their personal relationship, that was the true strength of Sephelia, the Ghost Blade.
“What if I accept your proposal now, and later reveal the truth?”
“I trust in you as a knight, Sir Sephelia. As the vice-captain of the empire’s proud knightly order.”
At least, the chivalry of Sir Sephelia, as remembered by the ‘Hero from Another World,’ was beyond doubt. Even if she revealed the truth later, it wouldn’t change anything. Plans were already in place for such an eventuality.
“Just swear on the name of the Iron Cross knights. That’s all I ask.”
”…”
Silence fell.
“Mikhail Lancaster met his end at the hands of Titania and the forces of York. I swear on my honor as a knight, this is the truth I witnessed.”
After a pause, Sir Sephelia spoke.
“That will suffice.”
Dale nodded silently and snapped his fingers.
The world of the winter night vanished, and they found themselves on the battlefield where the forces of York and Lancaster clashed. Screams echoed from all around.
The situation was already overwhelmingly in York’s favor, with Lancaster’s forces isolated by Dale’s strategy. It was nothing more than a massacre, with York’s soldiers annihilating Lancaster’s.
Lancaster’s strongest force was no longer of this world.
Thus, the curtain fell on the ‘Second War of the Roses.’
Dusk settled, and countless crows gathered to feast.
The leaders of York, having secured victory, gathered in a nearby fortress room to celebrate their glorious triumph.
However, when Dale revealed the ‘truth of Mikhail Lancaster’s fate,’ even the formidable Mistress Titania couldn’t hide her shock.
“What did you just say…?”
“As I said.”
Dale continued calmly.
“Prince Mikhail Lancaster fiercely resisted against you, Mistress Titania, and the forces of York, and fell in battle. Sir Sephelia was a witness to this act.”
“Do you realize what that act implies…?”
“Oh, I’m very well aware.”
Dale smiled coldly.
“Did you think you could toy with the heir of the Black without paying any price?”
Initially, Mikhail had been manipulated by York’s Titania, and then Dale was used as a puppet. Thus, cutting off the potential threat of ‘Mikhail Lancaster’ and taking the blame would fall solely on York.
”…!”
“But there’s no need to worry too much. Fortunately, the only one to succeed the ‘Lancaster heir’ will be the eldest son, Prince Richard.”
Dale continued.
“Moreover, our Saxon family is willing to respond to ‘York’s assistance.’”
Mikhail’s confidence was not without reason. He was right. And the political blow York would suffer from taking the blame was immeasurable.
”…You are truly cunning.”
But at the same time, there was something to gain. After all, publicly, the eldest son Richard was ‘York’s puppet,’ and with the situation as it was, the cornered Lancaster family couldn’t easily retaliate against York. Mistress Titania was wise enough to grasp that, and she soon regained her composure with a smile.
“It seems I underestimated your capabilities, Prince Dale.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Dale smiled as if it were someone else’s business.
“And as per our original agreement, the ‘Sorceress Council of the Blue Tower’ must fulfill its promise.”
The agreement between them was to secure victory for York in the war and, in return, convene the Sorceress Council.
“We will fulfill our promise.”
Mistress Titania nodded with a smile.
“But may I ask why you wish to convene the Sorceress Council?”
“You’ll find out when the time comes.”
Dale kept his cards close to his chest. Titania smiled, as if she had expected as much.
“When the time comes, someone from the Saxon family will come to you in a way you can recognize.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Dale nodded, then turned away without a moment’s hesitation.
“A celebration of victory is about to begin. Won’t you stay a little longer?”
“Regrettably, I don’t have the luxury.”
Dale moved forward without a hint of hesitation. He had secured victory as promised, and his mind was consumed by a singular thought. But that wasn’t all.
The spoils of this war were many: Mikhail’s death, the political subjugation of House York, and even the downfall of the despised Brandenburg family.
All Dale could do now was count his gains and quietly await the right moment.
The moment when the Blue Tower would finally break its silence.
The First War of the Roses ended decisively in favor of the Lancasters, thanks to Dale’s efforts.
However, after Dale’s departure, the Second War of the Roses brought losses to the Lancasters that were beyond measure.
From the start, Lancaster’s victory was credited to the “Black Prince.” Once he was gone, they suffered an irreparable defeat. Thus, the only name on everyone’s lips was the “Black Prince.” They spoke of his weight and worth on the battlefield, and his incredible feats, like capturing the Empire’s war hero and sacred sword during the First War of the Roses.
The Celestial Sword of Lancaster stood there.
Before him lay the body of his most trusted and beloved son, Mikhail Lancaster.
Meanwhile, House York expressed their deepest regrets over Lancaster’s death and offered Lancaster’s only remaining kin as a hostage.
The Celestial Sword suppressed the urge to slaughter York’s women, held back by the presence of his eldest son, Richard.
He envisioned the future of House Lancaster, doomed to become York’s puppet and fall into ruin.
As a father who never truly understood the real Mikhail Lancaster, and as a mere pawn on the stage Dale had orchestrated, the Duke of Lancaster, the Celestial Sword, clenched his lips tightly.
It was around this time that Lady Scarlet, a high elder of the Red Tower, came to see him.