Episode 352: Epilogue
A week had passed since the catastrophic disaster known as Dorogo had struck the heart of the Empire’s capital.
During this time, the Emperor had been tirelessly working with his officials to rebuild the devastated city. Yet, despite their efforts, the situation showed no signs of improvement. The damage inflicted on the Empire was simply too vast.
Even with so much left to do, another issue had arisen to trouble the Emperor: the matter of Damian Haxen.
“Your Majesty, you cannot allow Damian Haxen to remain!”
The Emperor looked at the nobles who had suddenly appeared before him with a mix of irritation and disbelief. He had planned to visit the injured citizens today, but these uninvited guests had barged in.
Though it was an unwelcome interruption, he couldn’t ignore them. They were high-ranking nobles representing the Empire.
“Lord Aldair, what is the meaning of this?”
The man leading the group was particularly problematic: Aldair Bonal, one of the few dukes in the Empire.
“Your Majesty, our investigations have revealed that Damian Haxen has become a Death Knight. We don’t know how it happened, but the information is reliable,” Aldair declared firmly.
“And that’s not all. There are reports of undead activity at Spring Castle, where Damian Haxen resides. What do you think this means?” Aldair’s eyes were sharp.
“It means Damian Haxen has turned against us! How can we allow such a dangerous individual to remain?” The other nobles nodded in agreement.
The Emperor, looking somewhat incredulous, responded, “Damian Haxen has aided us numerous times in defeating the dark sorcerers of Pandemonium. He even helped the elves alongside the Empire’s greatest swordsman.”
The mission to aid the elves had been a unilateral decision by the Empire’s top swordsman, who had reported everything to the Emperor, including details about Damian Haxen.
“While it’s suspicious that Damian Haxen has become a Death Knight and commands undead, that alone doesn’t make him our enemy.”
“Your Majesty, you are being deceived!” The Emperor’s eyes widened at the audacity of the claim.
“Dark sorcerers are cunning! Damian Haxen’s actions are nothing but a ploy to deceive the Empire!” The Emperor felt a headache coming on but suppressed it as he addressed Aldair.
“Lord Aldair, they inflicted severe damage on our capital and could have destroyed the Empire if they wished. Why would they bother with such a ruse?”
It was a humiliating truth, but the enemies who attacked the capital were far beyond the Empire’s capabilities. Many, including the Emperor, had braced themselves for the Empire’s downfall.
“I don’t know!” Aldair admitted.
“You don’t know?”
“How could I possibly understand the minds of dark sorcerers? But I am certain they have some unimaginable, sinister plan!” The Emperor’s headache worsened.
“Your Majesty! Lord Aldair is right! If Damian Haxen has no ties to the dark sorcerers, how did a mere human become a Death Knight?”
“With a Death Knight’s body and control over the undead, how can we tolerate such a threat?”
“What’s to stop another attack on the Empire? We must strike before the capital suffers again!” The nobles chimed in one by one.
The Emperor, growing weary of their obstinacy, sighed and asked, “So, how do you propose we deal with Damian Haxen?”
Aldair, brimming with confidence, replied, “Entrust me with the Empire’s greatest swordsman, the Sword Saint, and the Royal Knights.”
“Will that be enough?”
“I will also send a request for cooperation to the Holy Order.”
The Holy Order was a powerful entity rivaling the Empire. If their forces combined, they would wield tremendous power.
“I will deliver Damian Haxen’s head to you, Your Majesty!” Aldair declared with confidence.
The Emperor glanced at him and muttered under his breath, “Is this guy out of his mind?”
“Pardon, Your Majesty? What did you just say?”
“Nothing at all. It seems you’re well-informed about external matters but lack insight into internal affairs.”
“What do you mean, Your Majesty?”
“The Empire’s greatest swordsman and the Sword Saint have decided to support Damian Haxen.”
Aldair’s expression turned blank.
“Why would those two…?”
“They don’t see Damian Haxen as an enemy of the Empire.”
Aldair was left speechless by the Emperor’s response.
“Your Majesty! They must be deceived! Please, persuade them!”
“The Holy Order has also decided to ally with Damian Haxen.”
“That’s impossible! The Holy Order never compromises with heretics… When did they decide this?”
“I received a letter this morning.”
Aldair staggered as if the sky had fallen.
“Your Majesty, it’s not too late.”
Aldair quickly regained his composure, looking at the Emperor with determined eyes.
“If you persuade the Empire’s greatest swordsman and the Sword Saint, I will change the Holy Order’s decision!”
“Oh, and I forgot to mention the most important thing. I, too, support Damian Haxen.”
“What?”
Aldair’s brow furrowed deeply, while the Emperor smiled broadly.
“So stop spouting nonsense and get out! I’m busy enough as it is!”
At the Emperor’s outburst, Aldair and the nobles hurriedly left the office.
“Fools,” the Emperor muttered, leaning back in his chair. Just then, a man emerged from behind a bookshelf.
“Fear has a way of clouding judgment, Your Majesty. Please be understanding,” said the Sword Saint, one of the Empire’s pillars.
They weren’t always this foolish. In fact, they were quite competent. But the unprecedented disaster that had befallen the capital had left them unable to think clearly.
“By the way, did the Holy Order already make contact with Damian Haxen?”
“Yes, they sent a paladin who was quite close to him.”
“A paladin? Surely not a woman?”
“Indeed, a woman.”
The Emperor frowned at the Sword Saint’s confirmation.
“Those sly devils. They hide behind the name of God to do whatever they please.”
Even their decision to ally with Damian Haxen was suspect. They had always proclaimed they would never compromise with heretics, yet they changed their stance in an instant.
“The Holy Emperor and the Blue Flame pushed for the alliance with Damian Haxen so strongly that the opposition within the Order couldn’t resist,” the Sword Saint explained, further displeasing the Emperor.
“And there’s more news. The Fafnir Mercenary Corps has sent someone to the Haxen estate.”
“What? Why would those brutes do that?”
“The Mercenary King has a daughter who has some connection with Damian Haxen.”
The Emperor slapped his forehead with his palm.
“He’s always chasing women, yet he never misses an opportunity like this.”
“And…”
“Is there more?”
“The Lichteauer family has also sent someone.”
“What are they up to now?”
“Lady Rachel, the eldest daughter of the Lichteauer family, has a deep connection with Damian Haxen. So…”
“Those cunning…! How dare they act without consulting me!”
The Emperor’s anger flared. While he was preoccupied with rebuilding the capital, others were sneaking around Damian Haxen like thieves.
“If only I had a daughter…” The Emperor clenched his fists, trembling with regret for the first time over having only sons.
“I must do something as well!”
“The Haxen family’s daughter is expecting. Perhaps a suitable gift would be appropriate.”
“That’s an excellent idea! I’ll open the treasury; you choose something and deliver it!”
Though he wished to go himself, the capital’s reconstruction took precedence.
“And when you visit that house…”
The Emperor gestured, and the Sword Saint leaned in closer.
“Find out more about their family tree.”
“Their family tree?”
The Sword Saint asked, bewildered by the unexpected request.
“If I ask you to find out, just do it without questioning!” The Emperor suddenly barked, as if trying to hide something.
“Oh my,” Lady Haxen exclaimed, her cheeks flushed with delight.
The reason for her joy was the three young women seated before her. Each had come from different places, yet all possessed striking beauty and charm.
“I believe we’ve met before, Paladin. What was your name again?”
“Agnes,” the paladin replied.
“What a lovely name.”
“You’re too kind,” Agnes said, blushing slightly. Lady Haxen looked at her with a satisfied smile.
Turning to the next young woman, Lady Haxen asked, “And where are you from?”
“I’m from the Fafnir Mercenary Corps! My name is Athena Hopper!”
Athena sprang to her feet, her voice booming with excitement. Mrs. Haxen was momentarily taken aback by the intensity.
“The Fafnir Mercenary Corps… does that mean the Mercenary King is involved?”
“Yes! The Mercenary King is my father!”
Mrs. Haxen’s eyes sparkled as she inquired further, “So, do you work as a mercenary too?”
“Y-yes, I do!”
“You’d get along well with our Damian, then.”
“Really? You think so?”
Athena blushed, lowering her head in embarrassment. Mrs. Haxen looked at her with a fond smile.
Just then, the last girl stood up, approaching Mrs. Haxen with a polite bow.
“My name is Rachel Lichtauer. Please forgive the sudden visit.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all. Any friend of Damian’s is welcome here. But wait, Lichtauer… as in the Duke of Lichtauer?”
Rachel nodded, and Mrs. Haxen covered her mouth in surprise.
“To think my son knows someone from such a prestigious family… Damian never tells me these things.”
“Sir Damian can be a bit reserved.”
“Exactly! You’d think he’d mention having such lovely friends.”
Mrs. Haxen could hardly contain her delight. She leaned over to whisper to the girl beside her.
“Veronica, what are we going to do? It seems you have more competition now.”
Veronica paused mid-bite of her apple, looking displeased.
“Mother, please don’t say such creepy things.”
While Mrs. Haxen entertained guests, Louise was busy in the dressing room.
“Now, where did I put it… Ah, here it is!”
She pulled out a white dress adorned with frills.
“Found it! I was wondering where it went.”
Louise turned around, dress in hand, to find Mia bristling in the corner.
“Come on, just try it on once.”
“Meow!”
“Just once, I promise.”
Louise approached step by step, and despair flickered in Mia’s eyes.
“Gotcha!”
Mia was eventually caught and dragged into the changing room. Moments later, she emerged, dressed as Louise had envisioned.
“Eek! I knew it! Honey, look! Isn’t she adorable?”
Ballad, who had been sitting quietly, glanced at Mia. The dress did suit her, but her eyes were sunken with exhaustion.
Recently, Mia had been at the mercy of Louise’s whims, and it showed.
“What do you think? How does she look?”
Mia looked at Ballad with a pleading expression, silently begging for rescue.
But Ballad could only avert his gaze.
“Y-yes, it suits her well.”
“Right? Now, what should we try next?”
Louise began rummaging through the wardrobe again, while Mia glared at Ballad with a look of betrayal.
But Ballad had his reasons.
Stress is the enemy of a pregnant woman.
Mia was a welcome distraction for Louise, who had been struggling lately.
“Just hang in there a little longer…”
At Ballad’s request, Mia’s head drooped in resignation.
Abel paused at the sound of Mia’s cries from the dressing room.
“Looks like she’s at it again today.”
He clicked his tongue and shook his head.
Beside him, Mungchi let out a low growl, as if in agreement.
“You think so too, huh?”
Abel reached out to pet Mungchi. Though made of shadows, the undead creature felt as tangible as any living animal.
“Where should we go today… Maybe a picnic with Olivier?”
“You like that idea? I know you love open spaces.”
With that, Abel and Mungchi vanished.
While the family members were occupied with their own activities, Damian was spending time on the roof of Spring Castle.
“There you are again.”
Count Haxen climbed up to join him. Damian spoke with concern.
“Father, it’s dangerous for you to keep coming up here.”
“Don’t treat me like an old man. I can handle this much.”
Damian looked at his father skeptically. As far as he knew, the Haxen family wasn’t known for athletic prowess. Damian was the exception.
“The view is quite something.”
The count sat beside his son, gazing at the sky. After a moment, he asked, “Can you return to your original form?”
“It’ll take some more time.”
Damian had twisted his fate to embody the form of a Death Knight. His destiny was now a tangled web, and until it was unraveled, he couldn’t return to his original body.
“I see…”
His father looked at him with eyes full of sympathy.
“Damian, I understand how you feel.”
The count spoke cautiously.
“Meeting people must be frightening in that body. They’d see you as a monster, which is why you avoid them by staying up here.”
The Death Knight’s form was two to three times larger than a normal human, with magical devices embedded in its body and covered in scars.
“But you’ve done nothing wrong. In fact, you’ve done something praiseworthy. So don’t be afraid of people’s gazes. Hold your head high.”
“What are you talking about…?”
Damian asked, incredulous. The count was taken aback by his son’s response.
“Huh?”
“Why would I be afraid of them? They should be afraid of me. If anyone dares insult me, I’ll crush them.”
Damian’s eyes glinted with a dangerous light.
As his father, the count knew that look was genuine.
“Then why do you stay up here all the time?”
“The view is great.”
Damian watched Abel and Olivier heading out to the fields.
“I can see everyone… clearly.”
A faint smile appeared on Damian’s lips.
The warmth of that smile was contagious, and the count found himself smiling too.
“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
(The End of “The Return of the Catastrophic Death Knight”)