Chapter 235
Rumors circulated among the nobles residing in the Imperial Capital.
The once-rising star, Baron Yan, who had achieved numerous feats, had somehow incurred the Emperor’s wrath.
No one knew exactly how he had provoked the Emperor, but the reality that soon befell Armenia and Yan made the nobles believe the rumors.
The first sign was the downfall of the Armenian Trading Company.
Not long ago, Yan’s invention, the “Artificial Elixir,” was selling like hotcakes due to its incredible performance. The Armenian Trading Company, which handled the elixir, grew rapidly, rivaling the empire’s largest trading companies. This made Armenia’s territory wealthy and Yan untouchable.
However, suddenly, Marquis Zion and Duke Beowulf, the biggest buyers of the elixir, ceased their transactions. The nobles were puzzled but didn’t stop buying the elixir due to its outstanding performance.
But then, a count’s family, who were also major buyers, was annihilated overnight. Initially, the nobles saw no connection between the elixir and the massacre. However, despite the efforts of the Security Corps, the Inspection Bureau, and the Special Task Force, the case remained unsolved.
These three agencies were known for their exceptional investigative skills, yet they couldn’t identify the culprit or the mastermind. The case grew more mysterious, and soon, similar massacres occurred in two more count families and three baron families, all major buyers of the elixir.
The nobles began to suspect the involvement of the Imperial Family. The fact that the three agencies couldn’t solve the case and that such events continued suggested a powerful backer. Only the Imperial Family could annihilate noble families without leaving a trace.
The nobles then realized that Marquis Zion and Duke Beowulf had likely received a warning from the Imperial Family, prompting them to cease their transactions. Consequently, the nobles stopped their dealings, and the massacres ended as unsolved cases.
The second sign was Marquis Zion himself. Once a staunch ally of Yan, he abruptly terminated all contracts with the Armenian Trading Company and left the capital, Avalon, for his territory. If it had ended there, the nobles might have thought he had personal reasons.
However, Marquis Zion locked his gates as if fearing something and barred entry even to long-time trading partners. His noble acquaintances were bewildered by the sudden loss of contact, and the eastern nobles, who followed him, were enraged by his disappearance.
Even the politically adept Marquis Zion, who was close to Yan, showed such behavior, causing the nobles to feel uneasy. The final incident that confirmed the rumors occurred in the Imperial Palace.
The Crown Prince, who had always roamed freely, had incurred the Emperor’s wrath and was confined to the palace.
There were whispers that the Crown Prince might be dethroned.
The Emperor, who had been smoothly transferring power, suddenly confined the Crown Prince? There was only one explanation.
The Crown Prince had committed a grave offense, severe enough to warrant punishment. And if it was serious enough to lose his position, it could only be one thing.
Treason!
He had dared to rebel against the Emperor, the ruler of the empire! As the events intertwined, the nobles understood why Yan had incurred the Emperor’s wrath.
The Crown Prince, who had committed treason, was most fond of Yan.
Baron Yan was also involved in the treason!
The rumors soon became accepted as truth, spreading throughout the empire. Yan, once hailed as the hero who saved the southern empire from the revolutionary army, was now labeled the empire’s worst traitor and the demon who corrupted the Crown Prince.
A week later, shocking news spread across the empire.
“Baron Yan, the empire’s worst traitor, has challenged the Eastern Duke to a duel!”
The unbelievable news that Yan had challenged the Duke of the East caught the attention of all nobles and institutions.
* * *
“Hey, aren’t you scared?”
“Should I just stick my neck out and ask to be killed quickly?”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“For once, I agree with that mad dog.”
“Roman, you too…!”
“Sometimes, the best way forward is the most straightforward one. You usually are smart, but now you’re being foolish.”
“Hey!”
While Kasa and Cruel Roman were debating whether this challenge was the right move…
“We’ve arrived.”
Yan’s words abruptly ended their conversation.
They looked around.
The dozens of knights following them also expressed their amazement at the sight before them.
“This is insane.”
“Now I understand why they call it the City of Flowers.”
“In terms of beauty, it rivals the Imperial Capital, doesn’t it?”
In front of them, right before the Eastern Duke’s territory, lay a vast flower field.
These weren’t wildflowers growing haphazardly but a meticulously maintained garden. Each section had different types of flowers, evidence of careful cultivation.
The faces of the territory’s residents were filled with fresh smiles. Children laughed and played tag, while their parents watered the flowers.
Feeling puzzled, Charles whispered to Yan.
“Is this really the place where the revolutionary army’s strategist resides?”
“Yes.”
Despite Yan’s answer, she looked around skeptically.
Shouldn’t the revolutionary army be full of bad people?
But there was no shadow on the faces of the people living in this territory.
Some knights also wondered if they should be intruding on such a happy place. They thought of the challenge as a form of invasion, so their doubts were understandable.
Yan didn’t address their questions and kept walking forward.
After a long walk, they were greeted by a massive castle gate.
The gate itself was imposing. It was at least three to four times larger than the gates of the Sun Duke’s or Duke Beowulf’s territories, adorned with flowers and vines.
Guarding the gate were not ordinary soldiers but knights of at least the 6th rank, showcasing the Eastern Duke’s power.
Cruel swallowed hard at the sight of the gate.
“This is the territory of the Duke of the Garden, Benedict Yuliano.”
Yan walked past Cruel and approached the knights guarding the gate.
Clang!
The knights crossed their spears, blocking Yan’s path.
“How dare you try to enter Yuliano’s territory without a proper inspection!”
“Show your identification and kneel immediately!”
Yan frowned at them.
“I am a challenger here for the martial proof. Haven’t you received the official notice?”
The knights frowned in response.
“Martial proof?”
Challenges to the dukedom had not occurred for decades, so even the knights were unaware of this imperial law.
Yan explained smoothly.
“Anyone with sufficient martial prowess has the right to challenge for the dukedom. This is a sacred law established by the founder, Bahamut. So, please step aside and open the gate.”
The knights were momentarily stunned by this unexpected information.
But only for a moment.
Shing!
They pointed their spears at Yan with cold eyes.
Yan sighed deeply.
“Don’t act like you were going to listen in the first place.”
He hadn’t expected them to comply. The Eastern Duke, Werner, would try to weaken his power by any means.
Yan had anticipated that the gate wouldn’t open easily.
As the knights refused to step aside, Cruel, who had been observing, smirked.
“I’ll handle these small fries.”
He stepped forward, but Yan extended his hand to stop him.
“No, this is actually perfect.”
“What?”
Cruel frowned, and Yan smiled slyly at the knights blocking his way.
“Let’s consider this the start of the martial proof.”
At that moment, Yan unleashed all the mana within him.
Whoooosh!
Yan’s overwhelming aura engulfed the surroundings, causing the Eastern knights’ eyes to widen.
“This… this is…!”
“A… a superhuman!”
The tangible energy seemed ready to crush them. Three knights foamed at the mouth and collapsed.
At that moment.
“Aaaah!”
One knight, who still had some sanity left, lunged and rang the emergency bell behind him.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
The loud bell rang out, and soon, three knight orders rushed out from the castle.
‘The Rose Knights, the Lily Knights, the Tulip Knights.’
Despite their gentle names, these knight orders were known for their formidable strength and unwavering loyalty.
Especially the Rose Knights, who were almost on par with the Sun Duke’s Blazing Knights.
“You scoundrel!”
The leading knight roared in fury and charged at them with terrifying speed.
It was the Rose Knight Yan had seen during the recruitment period.
‘A 4th rank superhuman.’
Not someone who could be subdued with mere intimidation.
Yan drew Ascalon from his waist, but Cruel placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Leave him to me.”
A thick hand landed on his other shoulder.
“No, this time it’s my turn.”
It was Roman.
The two began a fierce staring contest, each wanting to take the lead.
Yan chuckled and said.
“Whoever catches him first gets him.”
With that, he disappeared in a whirlwind.
He had brought the Armenian knights to give them opponents to solidify their war experience.
So, he headed towards the familiar aura inside.
The aura of Werner, whom he had faced in his father’s subconscious or the past.
As Yan vanished, Cruel clicked his tongue.
“I barely reached the superhuman level, but the gap still doesn’t seem to close.”
“Agreed.”
The two laughed bitterly, unable to sense Yan’s presence, and turned their attention to the charging Rose Knight.
Grin.
Smirk.
They both smiled and said.
“Whoever catches him first!”
“Gets him!”
They leaped towards the Rose Knight simultaneously.
Thus began the battle between Armenia and the Eastern Duke’s territory.