Chapter 439
Episode 126. Someday, when you’ve all forgotten, like an unforeseen calamity (Part 2)
A sharp, resonant voice tore through the dark night sky.
The energy carried in that voice caused the raindrops to scatter harmlessly, unable to reach the Exile.
“Rosa Runcandel, Knight… come forth and hear our words.”
Anyone living in the Garden of Blades would have doubted their ears at such a summons.
Not even the Execution Knights or the Black Knights would dare address Rosa that way.
It felt like a dream. To the disciples and guardian knights passing nearby, this was a scene so unbelievable it could only be a nightmare.
‘No wonder the weather was strange and gloomy… this must be a sign of what’s to come.’
‘Why did he stand so still in front of the main hall? It felt ominous!’
Shing!
The guardian knights drew their swords, their minds swirling with confusion. Judging by the strong, heavy aura, this was definitely an Execution Knight—but why was he doing this?
They knew they stood no chance against him. Their only hope was to hold out until other Execution Knights or riders waiting inside could intervene.
The Exile easily deflected the blades of the guardian knights who attacked from two directions.
With a single strike, the knights were sent tumbling across the wet grass, and the Exile roared once more.
“Remember my voice, Rosa Runcandel! Show yourself!”
From various points around the main hall, riders looked down upon the scene.
“Wow… I thought I was hearing things.”
“I’ve never seen someone this insane before. What on earth is going on?”
Mu and Anne, sitting in the study, nearly dropped their teacups. So did Lan and Vigo, who sat nearby.
“Judging by his skill, he really is an Execution Knight.”
“Old-style armor… was he expelled from the family long ago?”
When Lan and Vigo spoke, a vein throbbed in Mu’s neck.
“Damn it! What’s wrong with the family’s discipline? The youngest always causes trouble, and now even the lower ranks are in chaos. Isn’t that right, brothers?”
Deepus and Mary were watching the Exile from another room, speechless for a long moment.
“…What is this? Do you have any idea, brother?”
“No. But somehow… I feel this person is connected to the youngest.”
“The youngest? Judging by the armor, this knight existed before the youngest was even born. Could it be?”
“Just a hunch.”
“Well, it is the youngest’s style—turning the family upside down without warning. Hmm… Let’s go down and see. Before he’s killed, we need to hear what kind of mindset an Execution Knight has to commit such an act. And whether he really is connected to the youngest.”
The Exile continued to push back the guardian knights who joined forces against him.
Though the might of a nine-star knight known as the ‘One-Man Army’ was impressive, this was the Garden of Blades.
He couldn’t keep fighting so many guardian knights alone, and the senior knights, sensing the emergency, began to appear one by one.
Knights clad in gray armor nearly identical to the Exile’s started emerging throughout the garden—the family’s Execution Knights.
Despite the unprecedented chaos, they showed no sign of panic.
They cared little about why the Exile was doing this or which faction he belonged to. Their sole focus was to subdue him as quickly as possible so the family’s leaders could quietly make their decisions.
Graaah!
The guardian knights near the Exile staggered back at his roar.
That was the Exile’s last desperate struggle. Ten Execution Knights’ blades pierced through the ranks, and he had no strength left to resist.
At first, he managed to deflect a few strikes, but soon the Execution Knights, equal or superior in skill, tore through his sword and armor in an instant.
Like shimmering mirages, their aura-illuminated blades shredded the Exile’s old gray armor.
The vambrace was pierced, the breastplate sliced, the cuirass crushed, and the greaves shattered.
Blood and mud splattered wildly, but the fierce rain washed away any trace of his crimson stains.
“Ugh…!”
Blood poured from beneath the Exile’s helmet.
Finally, the Execution Knights forced him to his knees in the center of the courtyard.
Thud, thud!
They pinned him to the ground by stabbing their swords into his thighs, preventing any further rampage, and stomped on his back to keep his head bowed.
It was like young hunters displaying a captured, aged, and ferocious beast.
The Exile didn’t utter a single scream as the blades pierced his legs or when his arms broke and dangled uselessly.
The subjugation was complete. Now, only the decision of those in power remained.
All the riders, except Luna who had gone to the Black Sea and Runtia on a continental mission, were making their way to the courtyard.
As Joshua approached, the Execution Knights prepared to remove the Exile’s helmet so he could see the face clearly.
But at that moment, Mary shouted.
“Stop! Show him the mercy to remove his own helmet.”
Mary believed that no matter the reason for the Exile’s rebellion, he deserved the honor of taking off his helmet himself.
The Execution Knights obeyed only after Joshua nodded.
It took a long time for the Exile to tremble and remove his helmet with his broken arm, during which the riders and key family members arrived.
The steel carriage carrying the elders, including Jorden, entered the courtyard, revealing the battered, distorted face of the former Execution Knight.
Jorden’s chest tightened painfully as he arrived. He knew that the moment the Exile started babbling nonsense, his own position would be in jeopardy.
But he couldn’t just call for his death outright. Suppressing his anxiety, Jorden silently observed the situation.
“State your name.”
Joshua’s eyes locked with the Exile’s.
Instead of answering, the Exile raised his voice again.
“Rosa Runcandel! You still won’t show yourself. But I know you’re listening.”
“I told you to state your name.”
“I have no name to give you, Second Rider. We were broken and trampled by Rosa before we even had the chance to serve you. If you want to know my name, ask your mother.”
Joshua’s eyes widened.
He had no idea that the former Execution Knights had been purged by Rosa.
“What are you talking about?”
“Ha ha ha, what am I talking about? You mean to say you know nothing? I can’t help but laugh.”
“Speak so I can understand.”
“My comrades and I once served the former head of the family, the First Rider. But we could never serve the Second Rider—you. Rosa Runcandel judged us unfit to be your sword. She decided you couldn’t control us like the First Rider did.”
Comparisons to Luna always stirred a deep inferiority complex within Joshua.
Yet, he showed little sign of being shaken by those words.
“So, you rebelled out of resentment?”
“Rebellion? I’m only revealing the truth. The real traitors are elsewhere. Isn’t it strange, Second Rider? Even though the Black Panther personally purged us, I’m still alive.”
The Exile struggled to turn his head toward Jorden and the elders. Jorden felt an urge to strike him down but managed to restrain himself.
“Black Sword Chairman, Jorden Runcandel. He saved me and some of my comrades. Without your mother knowing.”
The riders shifted their gaze to Jorden.
Only Joshua looked at Jin instead of Jorden.
‘You… are despicable.’
‘Your Runcandel is filled with lies and betrayal, Joshua.’
As their thoughts crossed, Jorden finally exploded in anger.
“How dare you spout such nonsense, you filthy traitor! I saved you? It was under the acting head’s orders that I confirmed your deaths to the very end.”
“So you faked our deaths to save us. Quite the actor, Black Sword Chairman.”
“Besides, you weren’t purged because the Second Rider was lacking, but because you committed treason. Now that death is near, you suddenly have a false sense of honor and spin lies?”
“Lies? I came to the Garden of Blades on my own, seeking my death. Nothing else could explain it if it’s not the truth.”
Before Jorden could respond to that desperate cry—
“As the Black Sword Chairman said, there’s no proof you’re not a traitor.”
Joshua spoke.
“And everything the acting head does is for the family. A few words from a filthy traitor won’t tarnish the faith the entire Runcandel family holds. Your plan has failed.”
Those words were meant for Jin as well.
Shing—the blade of the Black Sword Kainer slid from its sheath.
“If you have any last words, speak them now. I will listen.”
“Someday.”
The Exile’s dying words were fixed on Jin.
“When you least expect it, like an unforeseen disaster.”
The Exile cracked a faint smile through his torn lips, and Jin chose to forget that this was the man who had tried to kill his comrades.
“A vengeful spirit will rise to expose your filthy deeds to the world.”
Shk—!
“Thank you, Twelfth Order.”
The moment the black blade Kainer severed his throat, the Exile thought of the last remaining exile, Luton Perman, who would one day be resurrected through the Twelfth Order and set foot on this land again. The day the souls of the unjustly slain Execution Knights would return.
Thud…
The Exile’s head dropped to the ground.
“Leave the body for the dogs.”
Joshua said as he turned away, and those gathered in the central courtyard began to disperse.
Those who witnessed the Exile’s end couldn’t help but wonder one thing:
Was he truly a traitor?
Amid betrayal, doubt, and death, Jin stood firm, holding his ground until everyone had left the courtyard.
Then, from within his cloak, he took out a single artificial flower he had prepared, placing it gently over the Exile’s chest. He retrieved the broken sword as well.
One day, he would plant it in the Garden of Blades.