Chapter 253
Episode 78: The Feat of the Prospective Knight (Part 2)
Screech!
A magical beam sliced through Sigmund, shattering into fragments.
“Ahhh! Aahh!” The sudden attack sent the crowd in the square into a reflexive scream. The paladins of the Golden Shield Order leapt onto the dais.
“Protect Sir Rani!”
“Everyone, get down! The attack’s sweeping through!”
The paladins formed a protective circle around Rani, shouting orders to the citizens. Fortunately, most of the people obeyed quickly, dropping flat to the ground.
But not everyone was so composed. Many panicked and scattered in confusion.
If they weren’t careful, innocent citizens could get caught in the crossfire of the G-PL mages’ assault.
The mages attacking Jin were all at least seventh-rank experts. For ordinary people, even a graze could cause serious injury or death.
Yet the mages showed no concern for casualties among the civilians. They continued chanting spells relentlessly, as if indifferent to who lived or died.
Even if dozens of innocent bystanders perished, they had no intention of stopping until Jin was dead.
G-PL no longer cared about symbols of justice.
But if they failed to kill Bamel and Jin Runcandel here, they would be looked down upon forever.
No, it wouldn’t just be disdain—they risked losing all credibility. Letting Bamel slip away meant the entire G-PL would be toyed with over the ‘Runcandel Prospective Knight’s’ defection.
That had to be prevented at all costs.
“We must take down Jin Runcandel before he escapes the square!”
“Drive him back to the center!”
The mages fought desperately. They knew that if Jin got away, the main house would not spare them, no matter the reason.
Jin calmly assessed the mages’ positions.
“Four on the left, six in the center.”
That was the formation for now.
That was all in the square, but including outside, there were several times more mages aiming for him.
“Oddly, the six in the center are weaker.”
He had to break through them and get out of the square first. If reinforcements arrived and he got surrounded, escape would be impossible—and he absolutely did not want innocent citizens caught in the battle and killed.
Of course, he had considered that innocent bystanders might get caught up even before revealing his identity.
But this was the best option.
He judged that revealing himself with as many neutral media, third parties, witnesses, and ‘helpers’ present as possible would ensure G-PL took the full blow.
Rani had pleaded earnestly.
If innocent citizens died, it would be because of her request, so she begged him to reveal his identity in the square.
If anything happened, she would take full responsibility.
Though Jin was uneasy about risking innocent lives, he did not refuse.
He trusted Luna.
‘I was worried innocent people might get hurt…’
Jin glanced toward Luna.
‘That won’t happen. As expected of my sister.’
Under Luna’s command, the Runcandel Paladins and Hupester warriors moved in perfect unison, swinging their weapons with precision.
Amazingly, every time the mages’ attacks passed over the citizens, not a single one slipped through their defense.
These were the paladins who had come as a condolence delegation to complete the first, second, and third knight ranks.
Each was nearly on par with an executioner knight, and most of Hupester’s warriors were outstanding members from their respective clans.
“If even one innocent dies in the Holy Kingdom today, the honor of Runcandel and Hupester will be utterly destroyed. Stop them, then disperse! There will surely be fighting outside the square as well!”
Clang!
The paladins and warriors fought fiercely, as if their own clans were under attack, protecting the citizens with all their might.
Fighting alongside Luna was the greatest honor for them.
The noble White Whale, Baekgyeong.
The greatest legend since Siron, a name Hupester’s warriors revered above all.
They didn’t know when they’d next have the chance to wield swords alongside Luna. Disappointing her in this glorious moment was unthinkable.
Meanwhile, Luna thought to herself:
‘Little brother, seeing your satisfied expression, I’m glad I understood your wishes well.’
Her heart raced, knowing her younger brother Jin Runcandel was succeeding in his first mission as her sword.
She could no longer imagine anyone else leading Runcandel after their father, except Jin.
Screech, clang!
Countless spells flew, but it was as if caught in a net—they all targeted Jin alone.
The civilians, under Luna’s protection, were orderly evacuating, while a few brave reporters risked their lives trailing behind the paladins, capturing the scene in their notebooks.
“First Knight, this is no time for hesitation.”
Joshua sought out Luna.
“What is it?”
“Shouldn’t we save the prospective knight? Even if he broke clan rules, if he dies at G-PL’s hands, the clan’s reputation will suffer.”
“Second Knight, what does the death of a prospective knight have to do with Runcandel’s honor? This matter is his alone to bear. The kingdom’s goodwill takes precedence over his safety.”
“…Then wouldn’t it be better if we ourselves punished the prospective knight? That’s a more important issue than protecting civilians. Please consider this carefully.”
Luna’s eyes instantly hardened with a deadly glare.
“Your Black Knights aren’t here. What makes you think you can defy me? Behave yourself if you want to avoid disgrace.”
Joshua’s face paled.
Though Luna was right that the Black Knights were absent, executioners disguised throughout the square were waiting.
They could have easily defied Luna’s orders.
They would prioritize their own commands over hers.
If that happened, Luna would be the one embarrassed, not him.
But Joshua chose not to argue further.
‘I can’t sully Runcandel, which will soon be mine, over a moment’s humiliation. Besides, opposing my eldest sister here would cost me the trust of other clans.’
Rank struggles belonged within the clan. Openly clashing with Luna here would only diminish Runcandel’s dignity.
Though Luna’s arrogance boiled his blood, there was no need to act foolishly.
“Understood.”
Joshua replied calmly.
Though anxious that if Jin was harmed, he might lose the contract with Solderet, looking back, it seemed unlikely.
Krrrrr—!
A blue lightning bolt struck from the dry sky.
The Lightning Sword of the Underworld King— the very power that had led the world to mistake Bamel as ‘Paitel’s Contractor.’
The six mages blocking the center of the square were caught off guard, collapsing one after another.
‘The power of the Underworld Clan. When I faced them in the Cheongsae Archipelago, they didn’t even use this ability, yet still showed such strength. Without high-ranking tower mages, it’s tough.’
Though prophecy pointed to him, Jin had no idea why the heavens favored him so.
Crack! Boom!
Each lightning strike shattered the square’s floor, sending stones and mages flying.
Confident that Luna was perfectly protecting the citizens, Jin had nothing to fear.
The six mages died in an instant.
‘The Lightning Sword is truly something else. Unless you’re a genius, the first time you face it, you’re doomed.’
Of course, the six central mages were considered prodigies by the world—that’s why they belonged to G-PL’s main house.
But by Jin’s standards, they were mediocre. Compared to the formidable foes he’d faced, they were mere small fry.
“Stay calm! Respond as you would against an electric mage! Keep laying down spells to prevent him from closing in!”
The four mages on the left were considered talented even by Jin.
They skillfully blocked the lightning’s path with shields, tightening the encirclement.
They also twisted various ice spells to disrupt Jin’s vision. The ice pillars surrounding him made it hard to pinpoint the lightning’s target.
He could trust the Hupester knights and slash through the pillars with his sword, but—
Having broken through the center, there was no need to waste more time in the square.
“Shuri!”
Jin pulled out a red gem from his chest pocket. It hummed and glowed, and from within emerged Shuri.
“What on earth…?”
“A c-cat?”
Even the talented mages were stunned, stepping back. Anyone seeing a cat larger than a carriage for the first time would react that way.
Especially one that shot magical beams from its eyes.
[Kyaaaah!]
Shuri leapt up, roaring as she blasted beams at the mages. Jin used the ice pillars as footholds to leap toward her.
The moment Jin mounted Shuri’s back, the mages were too busy blocking the beams with their shields to react.
Lightly landing on the ground, Shuri roared again.
At once, the civilians who had been standing confusedly, and the reporters desperately recording everything, collapsed to the ground, their legs giving out from the roar.
The roar was calibrated so the trained warriors could endure it.
Could this really be the Runcandel Prospective Knight…?
Not only the Hupester warriors, but even the fallen civilians and the surviving G-PL mages shared the same thought.
A scene straight out of a children’s fairy tale was unfolding before their eyes.
As all the civilians fell, the path suddenly opened wide.
Shuri effortlessly launched herself forward, sprinting through the clear way. She moved with frantic speed, yet not a single civilian was trampled or lost their breath beneath her feet.
“Myaa!” Shuri asked, “Which way should I run now?”
Jin pointed toward the teleportation gate.
They were heading for the harbor. The mountain of gold bars that Zipple had brought was piled there. Jin’s final plan was to melt down every last piece of gold and sink it into the sea, then make their escape.
Reaching the teleportation gate took only moments. Zipple’s mages, waiting outside the square, couldn’t keep up with Shuri’s pace.
The loyalists of the kingdom, who had been waiting in advance, opened the gate as soon as Jin and Shuri arrived.
“Thank you, Prince Jin. I wish you good fortune.”
“And to you as well.”
But the moment Jin stepped into the harbor, he was confronted by someone he hadn’t expected to see.
“…Jin? Is that really you!?”
A silver-haired young man’s eyes lit up as he recognized Jin.
It was Veradin Zipple, the heir apparent to Zipple’s house.
Veradin had just arrived at the harbor as well. And behind him—
A roaring blaze.
The gold bars were burning fiercely.