Chapter 484: I Have a Question (2)
"Where… did you hear that name?"
Only a handful of people in the kingdom knew of the existence of the Shadow Knights.
For someone from the Ferdium family, who had grown up in the northern frontier and was not a central noble, it was an impossible name to know.
The Marquis of Branford furrowed his brows.
He had felt it before, but Ghislain Ferdium had an eerily exceptional information network. No, rather than just information, there were times when it felt closer to prophecy.
Even so, knowing the secret intelligence of the royal family?
"Don't tell me… you planted a spy in the royal court?"
If not, there was no way to explain it. That bastard was the type who really might do such a thing if necessary.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Ghislain confidently spoke to clear the misunderstanding. He had a convenient excuse for times like this.
"I heard it from a priest of the Salvation Church."
"……?"
"They said they fought the Shadow Knights a long time ago. That they once attacked the royal court."
"What… are you saying…?"
"I'm asking because I believe the current war is a continuation of that event."
Blaming someone else was surprisingly effective.
Besides, it wasn’t even a complete lie, was it?
As Ghislain shamelessly spoke, the Marquis of Branford swallowed hard.
"Hmm…"
Since he had supposedly heard it from the enemy, there wasn’t much room to argue. It was still suspicious, but there was no way to dig further.
After pondering for a moment, the Marquis of Branford let out a sigh and spoke.
"I don’t know the details either. Only that they protected the royal family from the shadows."
This time, Ghislain frowned.
How could the Marquis of Branford, the kingdom’s most powerful figure with access to all intelligence, not know?
Seeing Ghislain's blatant skepticism, the Marquis of Branford let out a hollow laugh and continued.
"It’s an organization that no longer exists. There are only records that they once were. Even if I wanted to investigate, I wouldn’t be able to find anything."
"Then, does the Chancellor know?"
"No, he doesn’t know much either. The Shadow Knights were an extremely secretive group. I asked him once, and all he said was that they simply provided support when requested."
"Then… does that mean there’s no one left who truly knows about them?"
"Exactly. That’s what makes them a secret organization. Even Maurice, the Supreme Commander of the Royal Army, doesn’t know they existed."
"Then… is there any information on why they disappeared?"
"There’s only a record stating they vanished due to internal conflict."
Ghislain stared directly into the Marquis of Branford’s eyes and spoke.
"It’s hard to believe that such a secretive group existed within the royal court."
"I didn’t believe it at first either. But hearing what you just said, it seems they have been fighting against the Salvation Church for a long time. They didn’t disappear due to infighting."
"Yes, the Shadow Knights and the Salvation Church fought once long ago."
"Hmm… Do you know why they targeted the royal family?"
"I don’t know that much either."
The Marquis of Branford contemplated for a moment before speaking.
"It seems the Ducal House didn’t simply seek power and rebel."
"It does appear that way. They have been operating in the shadows for a long time. What I know for certain is that their plans were thwarted once by the Shadow Knights."
"His Majesty might know. He was leading the nation personally when the Shadow Knights existed."
Ghislain's eyes gleamed at those words.
"Now that you mention it, I would like to meet His Majesty."
"Hm? For what reason?"
"I’d like to ask about the Shadow Knights and learn what happened long ago."
Then, Marquis of Branford firmly shook his head.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“His Majesty is in very poor health. And he dislikes talking about the Shadow Knights.”
“He dislikes it?”
“Yes. That’s why, even after the Shadow Knights were disbanded, no new group was formed. Instead, more power was given to the Royal Knights.”
Thanks to that, the Royal Knight Commander was able to receive significant support, including a Dragon Heart Shard, and reach the level of a Master.
In other words, there were no longer any secret organizations left within the Ritania Royal Family.
“Why did His Majesty dislike the Shadow Knights?”
“They were known as a group that obeyed no one’s orders.”
“I see.”
Ghislain nodded in understanding. No king would favor an uncontrollable force.
Even so, he wasn’t ready to give up so easily.
“Not even for a moment? Honestly, I hate to say it myself, but… it's me we’re talking about.”
At those words, Marquis of Branford smirked.
Indeed, Ghislain was the very hero who had saved the kingdom. Even the king would find it difficult to refuse his request. In fact, with all that Ghislain had accomplished, it would only be proper for him to meet the king and receive due recognition in person.
Yet, Marquis of Branford still gave a negative response.
“Not right now. His Majesty is truly unwell. I’ll inform you once I have assessed his condition.”
“Tsk, understood.”
‘Well, I can just put on a mask and sneak in to meet him anyway.’
Despite Marquis of Branford’s refusal, Ghislain remained unfazed. It wasn’t as if he was going there to assassinate the king he just had a few questions. What could they possibly do to stop him?
There were plenty of skilled individuals in the royal palace, so the chances of getting caught were high. But if it came to that, he could simply force his way in. All he wanted was a brief conversation, after all.
Just then, Marquis of Branford shot him a sharp glare and warned,
“You’re not thinking of sneaking in to meet him, are you?”
“…Of course not.”
“No, you definitely are. You’re the kind of person who would sneak in wearing a mask if necessary.”
“……”
It seemed he had spent too much time with the Marquis. The man had come to understand him all too well.
With a weary sigh, Marquis of Branford spoke in a lamenting tone.
“Absolutely not. If you suddenly show up or cause a commotion, His Majesty might suffer a heart attack and pass away.”
“…It’s that bad?”
“Yes, so don’t act recklessly. I don’t want you becoming the king’s assassin.”
“……”
An awkward silence fell between them. As if to change the subject, Marquis of Branford spoke again.
“By the way, weren’t you originally planning to advance directly to the south?”
That had indeed been the original plan to eliminate the Second Legion, then move south to lure the remaining enemy forces and shift the battlefield to the southern front.
“I figured they wouldn’t take the bait, so I opted for a strategy of defeating them in separate engagements. Fortunately, it worked.”
“Then when do you plan to advance south? Wouldn’t it be best to strike as soon as possible?”
It seemed Marquis of Branford shared the same thoughts as Maurice. He, too, recognized that now was the perfect opportunity.
However, Ghislain had no intention of rushing forward recklessly.
“First, I plan to properly reorganize our forces before moving south. The Ducal Family won’t be an easy opponent. But I won’t delay too long.”
“Alright, I understand. At this pace, there shouldn’t be any major issues. I’ll leave the war in your hands.”
Ghislain nodded. He also believed there wouldn’t be any major issues.
Ereneth and Parniel were there, and Belinda and Gillian had also reached the level of transcendence. Additionally, Vanessa and Tennant were present.
But he couldn't afford to be complacent. The opposing force was formidable. They had the Kingdom’s Strongest Sword, the Kingdom’s Greatest Mage, and Aiden, one of the Seven Strongest on the Continent.
Moreover, it was unclear how many of the Salvation Church's high priests remained. Their leader had yet to reveal their identity.
Rather than overextending, this was a chance to rest and reorganize their forces.
After discussing the current political situation a bit further with Marquis Branford, Ghislain rose from his seat.
Before leaving, he asked once more, just in case.
“Have you ever seen the Commander of the Shadow Knights, even for a moment?”
“...No. I only read what remains in the records.”
“I see. Understood.”
Ghislain bowed and withdrew.
It wasn’t the right time yet to reveal that the Commander of the Shadow Knights had been his mother. There were still too many unknowns, leaving him uneasy.
As Ghislain departed, Marquis Branford was lost in old memories.
‘To think I would hear that name again…’
In truth, he had seen the Commander of the Shadow Knights before. And he knew a bit more than he had told Ghislain.
He simply didn’t want to tell him everything.
Because he didn’t want to acknowledge it.
"Hah-hah, this is my son-in-law. He will assist me in serving His Majesty and leading the government from now on."
It was an intimate gathering he had been summoned to in his youth by the Chancellor. A woman wearing a mask and dressed in comfortable clothing was present.
Even the Chancellor, a man of the highest rank, treated her with utmost respect. Confronted with such a scene, Marquis Branford, still young at the time, was too stunned to say anything.
The woman chuckled and spoke.
"What’s this? So, the successor you’ve chosen is your son-in-law? Aren’t you keeping everything within the family?"
"Ahem, it’s not like that. He is competent. More than capable of protecting the royal family."
"Well, he does have a stubborn look about him. Kids like that tend to do their jobs well."
The woman’s voice carried a trace of amusement. Her face was hidden, but from her voice alone, she sounded quite young, which only deepened the mystery.
Who in the world was this woman?
Even when Marquis Branford pressed for details, the Chancellor refused to elaborate. He only repeated that she was someone of great stature who protected the royal family.
That was the first time Marquis Branford realized—
This kingdom’s true power lay in her hands.
Those chosen by her became the kingdom’s most powerful figures.
And there was another family in the shadows, protecting the kingdom from the darkness.
"Do your best. I will help you."
With those parting words, the woman disappeared. The Chancellor sternly warned him—
He must never speak of this. That this meeting was only to introduce him and let him remember her face, as she would be nurturing him from now on.
At the time, still young and without much influence, Marquis Branford had no choice but to comply.
What followed was extraordinary. Everything he did went exceptionally well.
Of course, he worked hard, and he was talented. He had been born into a noble family of power, and as the Chancellor’s son-in-law, he naturally received many advantages.
But his fortune was simply too good.
No matter what he attempted, he succeeded. Even the most difficult challenges eventually resolved in his favor.
It felt as if the entire world was conspiring to aid him.
Marquis Branford was both overjoyed and terrified.
‘The true force that moves this kingdom.’
Everything was going according to her design.
Everyone was merely her puppet.
Even the royal family.
Was this truly right?
In his younger days, full of passion, Marquis Branford could not accept it. How could such an existence be allowed to operate within the kingdom?
Many times, he tried to discuss this with the Chancellor. He wanted to demand an explanation what kind of family had the power to control the entire kingdom?
But the Chancellor always avoided the subject. No he feared it.
"We are only responsible for the kingdom’s daylight. The night is not ours to control. Never forget that."
"How does that make sense? Why has the royal family allowed this to continue?"
"They do not only protect the royal family. They also watch them."
"They… watch them?"
"Yes. Do not try to find out more. I do not know the details either. Just understand that this is how this country operates."
At the time, faced with the chancellor's firm stance, Marquis of Branford suppressed his frustration and withdrew. And he made a decision.
'If I seize power, I will never tolerate that organization.'
Power must be transparent. There should be no invisible hands manipulating from behind. Only then can the kingdom function properly.
That was his belief.
However, his goal was achieved much sooner than expected.
Kurrurung!
It was a stormy night. Marquis of Branford, who had fallen asleep late due to work, suddenly woke up with a jolt.
And then, he saw the woman standing before him.
"Y-You are…"
"Shh."
The woman was the leader of the Shadow Knights.
However, her appearance was unusual. Her entire body was covered in blood, as if she had just come from a battle. Part of her mask was broken, revealing one of her eyes.
For the first time, Marquis of Branford saw a part of her face.
The woman, Annette, spoke to the marquis.
"I am leaving now."
"W-What do you mean?"
"The Shadow Knights have been disbanded. Just as you wished."
"N-No, what are you—"
"That is not what matters. I have taken care of all the people who could hinder your path. There should be no obstacles to you seizing power."
"……"
Annette smirked slightly as she spoke.
"Well, with your abilities and your family's strength, you would have achieved it eventually anyway. But there’s no harm in making it easier. One can never predict all variables."
"I do not understand what you are saying."
"There was a slight problem. From now on, you must protect the royal family."
Marquis of Branford could not collect his thoughts.
The mighty Shadow Knights had been disbanded? Who could have possibly done such a thing?
"W-Who did you fight?"
"Darkness."
A chilling gleam flickered in her eyes. Marquis of Branford suppressed his fear and asked,
"What is that?"
"Do not try to find out now. There is no need. I have killed all the darkness that revealed itself. One day, you will understand."
"Then what should I do?"
"From now on, keep the Delfine Ducal House in check."
"The ducal house…?"
"Yes. The only place I could never touch was the ducal house. They were too afraid of me to act all these years."
Marquis of Branford was deeply shocked.
The heads of the ducal house had always lived extremely quietly. They even avoided official gatherings, hiding their presence.
He had always found it strange that they possessed such immense power yet did not seek authority. And now, he learned it was because of the Shadow Knights.
Just how powerful was the person standing before him?
Annette looked at Marquis of Branford with an icy gaze and said,
"Once they are certain that I am gone, the ducal house will inevitably reveal its ambition. The battles fought in the shadows are over. Everything will have to be done out in the open now."
"When… when will that happen?"
"For the first ten years, they will be busy searching for me. The next ten, they will cautiously maneuver to take control of the kingdom. But beyond that, even I cannot predict."
"……"
"Seize power within that time. Make it so that no one can challenge you. That is why I cleared your path."
"The heir of the Ducal House, Ernhardt, is my close friend. He… he would never do such a thing."
"…Yes, it would be good if that were true."
She knew Ernhardt well. He was someone indifferent to everything, living in perpetual boredom.
But no one could predict the future. The darkness would not leave him alone.
Annette’s body began to fade.
"Do not forget my words. From now on, you are the only one who can protect the royal family."
"W-Where are you going?"
"Who knows… Anywhere but the royal family would do."
Paahk!
With those final words, darkness spread, and her form vanished.
Marquis of Branford stood in place for a long time.
When morning came, the day continued as if nothing had happened.
No incident occurred, and no rumors spread. The world remained unchanged.
So, Marquis of Branford doubted whether he had dreamt it all.
Until he learned that several nobles had gone missing or were found dead.
'Even then, I did not believe it…'
As per her plan, he became the most powerful figure in the kingdom. Marquis of Branford tried to erase that memory, refusing to acknowledge it.
Everything was the result of his own efforts. That was an undeniable fact.
After all, only those with the ability could receive assistance in the first place.
As time passed, his memories of her faded. He did not bother to recall them.
Yet, the look in her eyes behind that broken mask remained vividly etched in his mind.
‘Yes, those eyes…’
A shiver ran down his spine, and Marquis of Branford shouted loudly.
"Steward!"
"Y-Yes, My Lord!"
The steward rushed in, flustered. It was rare for the marquis to raise his voice like this.
Marquis of Branford took a moment to steady his breath, then glared at the door Ghislain had exited through.
"Bring me the portrait of the Marchioness of Ferdium."
"T-The portrait of the Marchioness, My Lord?"
"Yes, as quickly as possible."
Marquis of Branford swallowed hard.
‘Yes, those piercing, chilling eyes that refused to be forgotten—’
‘They resembled Ghislain’s far too much.’