Episode 104 Summary (2)
After the incident, the church sent in their holy knights.
Among them were two first-class holy knights, a force said to rival even the high-class warriors.
“Your Majesty! Where is the heretic who wielded the cursed sword?”
“Well… he’s already dead.”
“What?!?!”
The holy knights were visibly shocked by the king’s words.
“Take a look at this.”
The king showed them the body of Alexander Apple.
The two knights grimaced at the intense dark magic emanating from the corpse.
“Such dense dark magic… It’s certain he used the cursed sword.”
“Who on earth faced this man?”
In response to the knights’ question, the king gestured, and Damian, who had been waiting, stepped forward.
“Damian Haxen?”
“Isn’t he the one who dealt with the necromancer?”
Being part of the church, they were well aware of him.
“Are you saying you defeated this man?”
“That can’t be…”
According to their reports, Alexander Apple was not only high-class but also a user of the cursed sword. That meant he possessed power beyond a typical high-class warrior. How could a mid-class warrior defeat such a figure?
“I didn’t defeat him.”
“Of course! Then what happened?”
“Alexander Apple was already severely injured by Sir Liam Bluegreen. During our fight, he succumbed to the cursed sword’s power and self-destructed.”
The knights, puzzled by Damian’s explanation, asked again.
“Isn’t that what you call defeating someone?”
“Well, the enemy is dead, isn’t he?”
Damian shook his head at their questions.
“It wasn’t a fair fight. I merely stalled for time until he self-destructed. I can’t claim victory.”
The knights exchanged glances. Technically, it wasn’t a formal victory. But for a mid-class warrior to hold his ground against a high-class opponent, especially one wielding a cursed sword, was astonishing.
“They said you took down the necromancer alone… You truly are a remarkable talent.”
“It’s a shame to leave such a gifted individual in the secular world.”
The knights looked at Damian with fervent eyes, making him uncomfortable.
‘Why are they always trying to recruit me into the church?’
To change the subject, Damian pulled out the core of the cursed sword.
“I found this on Alexander Apple’s body.”
The knights’ eyes widened at the sight of the core.
“This is… the core of the cursed sword!”
“I’ve never seen such a large core before!”
The knights examined the core with great interest.
“Sir Damian, what do you plan to do with this?”
One of the knights asked urgently. The core contained demonic power and could be used in various ways. If Damian used it recklessly, it could lead to significant problems.
“I plan to entrust it to the church.”
The knights sighed in relief at Damian’s answer.
“To think you would consider the church first…”
“Such devout faith is rare these days.”
Once again, the knights gave Damian a burdensome look, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.
“I plan to visit the church soon and offer this item.”
“That’s an excellent idea! The church will be delighted!”
“The church rewards those who prove their faith. Offering the core will surely bring you rewards.”
It was a welcome promise.
“Please visit the church as soon as possible!”
“The core of the cursed sword is akin to demonic power. Keeping it for long won’t do any good.”
The knights added quickly, fearing Damian might change his mind. Damian nodded in agreement.
After the meeting with the holy knights, Damian was summoned by the king.
“It’s not much, but please bear with it.”
The king had to use another place since his palace was destroyed.
“Sir Damian, I… no, the kingdom owes you a debt we can hardly repay. I don’t know how to express our gratitude.”
The king’s eyes were filled with gratitude and affection as he looked at Damian.
“I called you here because there’s something I must give you.”
The king handed Damian a rolled-up parchment. The parchment was pristine white, indicating its high quality.
“It’s a decree elevating the Haxen Viscount family to an Earldom and granting you land.”
One of the reasons Damian had taken on the role of the prince’s swordsmanship instructor was this. Gaining an Earldom and land would greatly benefit his family.
“I wish I could hold a grand ceremony for your appointment, but… the state of the royal palace is not ideal.”
The palace had been completely destroyed due to the coup. Holding a banquet in such circumstances was impossible.
“And this is the promised inner core of the Sea Serpent.”
The king handed over a wooden box containing the core, which emitted a strong magical aura.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Damian bowed his head in gratitude. But the king’s rewards didn’t end there.
“And this is a small token of appreciation for resolving the recent crisis.”
With that, the king handed over a round silver medallion.
“What is this?”
“With this, you can request the Alchemy Guild to create an elixir.”
Damian looked at the medallion in surprise.
The Alchemy Guild was the oldest and largest guild of alchemists, known for its many renowned members and the exceptional quality and variety of its elixirs. Even a king found it difficult to meet with them.
“I saved it for a crucial moment, and it seems that moment is now.”
The king said, looking at the medallion.
“With this medallion, the Alchemy Guild will create the elixir you need. The kingdom will cover all the costs for the ingredients.”
The elixirs made by the Alchemy Guild were anything but ordinary. The cost of the ingredients alone would be astronomical. Covering all those costs was an incredible gift.
However, Damian hesitated to accept the medallion.
The Alchemy Guild was capable of creating elixirs that could save even those on the brink of death. Having a medallion that allowed immediate access to their services was an overwhelming gift.
“Don’t hesitate.”
The king seemed to read Damian’s mind.
“This is a small gift compared to what you’ve done for our kingdom.”
After some thought, Damian accepted the medallion. The king looked visibly relieved.
“I feel like I’ve repaid a small part of the debt we owe you.”
After his meeting with the king, Damian received two visitors.
“Sir Damian! It’s been too long!”
Gaol Heimrich, a high-class knight from the Goldpixie Duchy, had come to see Damian personally.
The elderly knight extended his hand for a handshake as soon as they met.
“The royal family requested my help, but by the time I arrived, you had already resolved everything.”
“I was just lucky. Otherwise, it could have been disastrous.”
“Surviving a fight with a high-class warrior isn’t luck. It’s your skill.”
Gaol Heimrich looked at Damian with intense eyes, similar to those of the holy knights.
“His Grace was quite disappointed. He mentioned you haven’t visited since.”
“I’ve been busy with work.”
“I’m getting old… It’s about time I retired. It would be reassuring to have a capable successor.”
“I see. I’m sure a suitable candidate will appear soon.”
“I was hoping you would take on that role.”
“I’m busy with my family’s affairs…”
The duke’s knight was persistent. Having recognized Damian’s talent early on, he seemed determined to recruit him into the duchy.
“You’re a young man with conviction. That’s rare these days.”
Seeing that Damian wasn’t swayed, the knight expressed his regret.
“Still, do visit the duchy. His Grace will ensure you’re well taken care of.”
With that, the knight took his leave.
Next, Damian was visited by Marquis Lionbloom.
“Haha, Sir Damian, it’s good to see you.”
The marquis greeted Damian warmly.
But unlike the marquis, Damian couldn’t bring himself to smile. The reason was Michael, who was being held by the marquis.
“B-brother! P-please save me… Mmmph!”
“Don’t mind him.”
The marquis said, covering Michael’s mouth.
“Um… I apologize for involving your son in such a dangerous situation.”
“What are you talking about? He brought it upon himself! I’m actually pleased he learned so much by your side.”
The marquis laughed heartily.
“However, I think he needs some discipline. I had given him tasks, but he disobeyed my orders.”
“Mmmph! Mmmph!”
Michael looked at Damian with pleading eyes. But Damian had no choice but to look away. It wasn’t his place to interfere in family matters.
“Well, we’ll be off then. Oh, and Sir Damian.”
The marquis’s demeanor changed. The friendliness vanished, replaced by the sharp gaze of a predator.
“I’m truly impressed by your growth.”
High-class.
The level just below the master class, known as superhuman.
Even those in positions of power felt a sense of unease at the remarkable feats of Damian.
“You might soon stand as my equal. I hope we can maintain a good relationship even then.”
It was both a request and a warning.
From the Marquis’s perspective, Damian was too dangerous to be left unchecked. If he couldn’t be turned into an ally, he needed to be crushed now.
“As long as nothing like what happened with your second son occurs again, I will remain your ally,” Damian replied calmly.
The Marquis’s second son, Erwin Lionbloom, had once caused a scene at the Haxen estate. In other words, Damian was saying that as long as they didn’t provoke him, he would stay out of their way.
“That’s good to hear,” the Marquis said with a smile before leaving the royal palace, taking Michael Lionbloom with him.
“Ah, that guy… leaving without even finishing our duel,” Veronica Sanchez muttered, watching Michael being dragged away by his father.
“Damian, you know, right? I actually won. He’s no match for me,” she boasted, puffing up with pride. Damian looked at her with a hint of exasperation.
In terms of sheer talent, Michael was slightly ahead of Veronica. Moreover, he was the eldest son of the renowned Lionbloom family, known for their knights. He had both talent and background on his side.
“Well, I should get going too. Thanks for keeping things interesting,” Veronica said.
“Take care, and try not to kill anyone. Stay out of trouble,” Damian advised.
“No need to worry! I’ve realized something important. You’re the only one worth killing!” she declared, her words causing Damian a headache.
“To think you survived against that monstrous opponent! I’ve never met anyone as tenacious as you. It would be thrilling to take down someone as challenging as you!”
“Enough. Just go,” Damian said, waving her off.
“Got it! See you next time!” Veronica dashed towards the castle gates, not even bothering to pack her things.
“She’s like a wild dog,” Damian muttered, shaking his head as he watched her leave.
With everyone gone, there was no reason for Damian to stay at the palace any longer. It was time to return to his family.
A few days later, Damian left the palace in the early morning. Every time he expressed his intention to return home, the king would try to keep him, so he had to slip away quietly.
Just as he was about to pass through the castle gates, a voice called out to him.
“Out for a stroll in the chilly night air?”
Oliver Apple was waiting for him.
“How did you know I was leaving?” Damian asked, genuinely surprised. He had been careful to leave unnoticed, yet Oliver was there.
“I asked the attendants to keep an eye on your movements. That’s how I knew when you’d be leaving,” Oliver explained.
Damian was impressed. To think Oliver had managed to win over the attendants in such a short time. The experience of preparing for the orc subjugation had clearly changed him.
“Sir Liam asked me to pass on a message. He apologizes for not being able to see you off due to his injuries and hopes you’ll visit the Bluegreen Marquisate someday.”
Liam Bluegreen was still under medical care, his wounds severe.
“Would it be pointless to ask you to stay and help me at the palace?” Oliver inquired.
“You already know the answer,” Damian replied with a small smile.
“Thanks to you, I’ve changed. I’ll always be grateful,” Oliver said with determination.
“You don’t need to say that. I don’t trust promises,” Damian replied, his words catching Oliver off guard.
“What?”
“I know how weak and fickle the human heart can be. I have a past too,” Damian said, his gaze steady.
In his reckless days, Damian had ignored his family’s pleas. Only after being cast out did he begin to reflect, but even then, it was more about missing his indulgent lifestyle than feeling remorse.
“People naturally seek pleasure over hardship,” Damian continued. “Even you, Oliver. You may seem reformed now, but who knows when you might revert to your old ways.”
“Damian, I would never—”
“You might think that now, but tomorrow could be different. There’s an old saying about how a person’s heart changes when they’re hungry versus when they’re full.”
Damian’s eyes were cold as he looked at Oliver, who swallowed hard.
“So always question and guard your heart. Be wary of your desires. When you show meaningful results, then I’ll believe in you.”
Oliver fell silent, deep in thought, his eyes more profound than before.
“I’ll keep your words close to my heart, Damian,” he finally said.
Only then did Damian look satisfied.