Chapter 13 - Royal Smoke and Mirrors II
Looks like you’re newly Transcendent. Krist had instantly deduced Raiden’s level. Those who have entered the level where their mana pool is as large as a lake and can freely emit chi have crossed into the realm of a Master. Only 1 out of 1000 can truly enter this top-tier and elite class.
In Lukedonia and far eastern countries, they abide by an unorthodox assessment where mana is the focus of the power of an individual, whereas, the rest of the world follows the Star Pyramid System. A Master is typically in the 5-Star to the 6-Star level, being that the former may have the mana pool to constitute a Master, however, their mana manipulation is not up to par. Therefore, most people recognize 6-Star Knights as a true Master.
“Your Highness, please hide in the forest! This is not an ordinary person!” Krist warned the Crown Prince which he adapted quickly.
Axel Van Solidor and Raiden in collusion? Predictable! Krist had emanated Blade Energy to his knife that extended to a full-fledge sword.
“Ha! You’re far too arrogant to show that to me!!” Raiden had resolved himself before the battle and would not let any surprises get the upper hand. In response, a downward slash was initiated by the masked assassin and Krist repelled the attack, even for a second.
“KURGHHH!” Krist took some internal damage due to limiting his full power. In most cases, a Master will always slay enemies with one attack. Such people at that level carry that undisputed fact.
“So you were a 4-Star all along! Although quite impressive for your age, your life ends here!” In sequence, Raiden continued the attack with an upward slash.
I’m sure he’ll be here right about now!
KACHINGGG!!!
In a split-second, Forris Zecht swooped in and countered the powerful attack enhanced by Sword Aura. His black hair was flowing with the wind and repulsed Raiden with a mana outburst.
“You keep surprising me, Krist! For you to block an attack from a Force Master? Kuku!” Forris Zecht made his status known. “I greet the Crown Prince of Carceron! I am Colonel Zecht and have been dispatched from Lukedonia!”
Several soldiers wearing Lukedonia’s colors had entered the scene and Ragar made his presence known to Krist with a subtle mana impulse that is unique to the Poison Demon.
“Guard the Prince!” Zecht was ready to fight someone on his level. Someone who's just like me! In other words, Forris was claiming that the assassin was on the same level as him, a 5-Star Knight or a Transcendent.
At a speed that the human eye can not foresee, Zecht and Raiden were clashing in a spectacular sense. Raiden held a bright red mana, whereas, Zecht’s Blade Energy was crimson.
“Crazy! One hit equals to several hits each second!” A soldier was stuck seeing the battle.
With one hit, you’re able to inflict ten attacks into one. You usually dual-wield but you’re using a single sword. Krist made the correct assessment. Without the 2 Mana Breathing Methods that enabled Krist to have a supernatural sense, the attacks would be impossible to comprehend.
In each attack, Raiden was able to deduce the precise level of Forris Zecht. My mana is stronger, but, I’m not sure whose mana control is superior. In a battle between two Masters, the one whose skills are affluent in mana is often the victor. I know this for certain. The longer this fight drags on, the more advantageous it is for me!
Raiden was right in that regard, he was able to cut Zecht’s calves and upper torso. In the instance that Forris had faltered, Raiden sheathed his katana and performed a drawing technique.
KACHINGGG!!!
Unbeknownst to Raiden, Zecht had intentionally lowered himself for the one moment where he accurately split the katana in two. All along, Forris was acting and had patiently damaged the katana over time for this special opportunity.
!!
It can not be! Raiden performed his movement arts and leaped back. This mission is lost! Not willing to take a risk with a broken weapon and surrounded by enemies, Raiden fled the scene.
Zecht did not give chase, “Hunt him down soldiers of Lukedonia!”
When the soldiers were unable to see the assassin in the dark, they returned and escorted Krist, Zecht, and the Crown Prince. Being close to Lowgarden, Axel Van Solidor was there to receive Prince Emeric.
“Your Highness, thank goodness you made it unharmed!” Axel kneeled, the acting was impeccable with that conceited smile.
“And who might you be?” Although the Prince went through quite the ordeal and his appearance was raggedy, his attitude was dignified and always has been.
“I am Axel Van Solidor, successor to Count Ludwig Van Solidor,” Axel was proud to say such a statement.
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“Solidor you say~?” Prince Emeric put the pieces in his head and that this Noble in front of him was the one to commission the escort job.
“Your Highness, your carriage awaits you..”
“I’ll be seeing you, Knight Krist!” Prince Emeric hurried to the carriage.
“Safe travels, Your Grace,” Krist bowed. When standing upright, a subtle grin was present to Axel. In response, the Noble held a sour face. The night ended with Krist in his tent resting from the long escort mission. Unbeknownst to the main character, Axel Van Solidor was preparing a mischievous plan under the cover of the night.
***
“Knight Krist! Orders have been sent!” Morcok was by Krist’s tent yelling at the top of his lungs.
The sun was bright in the morning and Krist exited his tent. Axel you bastard. Krist was expecting such events to occur. “What is it Morcok?” Krist was apprehended and cuffs were forcefully put on him by several soldiers.
“Knight Krist, under the order of Count Ludwig Van Solidor… You are to be arrested for the suspicion of collusion and the attempted kidnapping of Carceron’s Crown Prince!”
“Absurd!” Krist replied, though, there was not much he could do.
He was escorted and Reddas, Laciel, Saix, and Loutch were witnessing such a scene. “Krist!” Reddas, the tanned man protested. “You dare to take my Commander?!” The anger could be felt as Reddas held an intimidating aura.
Loutch placed his hand on Reddas’ shoulder, “Calm yourself, Reddas.”
“Worry not. This will be over soon,” Krist assured his friends.
What’s going on, Krist? Loutch was perplexed at the even before his eyes.
Morcok and the guards escorted Krist to the Court in Lowgard, “I apologize, Knight Krist, even for a Noble like me can’t do anything.”
“Your sentiment is appreciated, however, I’ll be handling this alone.” Krist was sincere in this remark and held his head high.
“Enter, Knight Krist.” A guard opened the door to the court hearing.
“He’s young,” a Noble spoke.
“The Medical Sage…” Another commented.
The head of the precedence was Count Ludwig Van Solidor who was situated in the middle of the court hearing, “Axel Van Solidor, begin the investigation with a thorough explanation.” Count Ludwig is a Noble in his late fifties and holds a physique that is battle-hardened.
“...Finally, Count Ludwig deployed a retinue of Knights which had rescued the Crown Prince of Carceron and completed the rescue mission.” After a long explanation of the sequence of events, Axel completed the report and added personal opinions.
“Your Excellency, it was suspicious that groups of monsters and assassins were able to infiltrate the protected areas that are Highgarden, Lowgarden, and Greenlot. Not only that, Krist had taken Prince Emeric away from the ambush of assassins and had traveled to who knows where. This smells of collusion and treachery!” Still the same old conniving bastard! Krist held his thoughts internally and held a stoic expression.
“Now why would Knight Krist plan such an incident?” One of the sitting Nobles posed a question.
Axel was quick to answer, “Why, to raise one’s status and reputation by being the focal point of a foreign Prince’s safety!
All these so-called “Nobles” have their agenda and would hate it if another public figure were to enter the Higher Society. The cold calculation to exile me, the truth does not matter in places like this.
“Your Highness, a court proceeding is currently in session!” A squabble was heard outside of the courtroom.
“It matters not when the case includes my name!” A familiar voice replied.
Kick door! “The Crown Prince of Carceron enters!”
With his dignified appearance, Prince Emeric barged into the mischievous court, “Who permitted to speak on my name?”
“Your Grace…” Prince Emeric was standing side-by-side with Krist.
“It’s good to see you unscathed, Major Hughes,” Prince Emeric greeted Sergeant Major Nelson Hughes who was in the court hearing. He was the person assigned to him as a personal guard in the escort mission.
“Your Highness…” Major Hughes held a stoic expression but could not conceal the drop of sweating falling from the side of his face.
“Such a court procedure done on my name besmirches my office. Don’t you agree, Count Solidor?” Prince Emeric pressured the Lukedonians. This was a power move that could be done exclusively to Royalty.
“Indeed, Your Grace,” Count Ludwig had no choice but to acquiesce.
Prince Emeric placed himself in the middle where Count Ludwig was seated, “Well said!”
Hoo! “I declare Knight Krist as innocent!” After immediately seating himself, Prince Emeric declared the final ruling.
“Your Highness, I beseech you! Please think rationally about this!” Axel pleaded with the foreign Prince.
“I will have no back-talk in this precedence!” For the first time, Prince Emeric was assertive.
“Your Highness…” Axel was visibly angry at this point.
“Oh? To dare show a hostile act upon this Prince! Major Hughes execute this treasonous Noble who dares to show such unsightly manners towards Royalty!”
Major Hughes could not belay the order from Royalty, for if he was to not acquiesce, would place the Major’s life as forfeit. Therefore, Hughes could do nothing but have his grip on the sword.
“W-Wait! Forgive me…” Axel saw his life flashing before his eyes. “A-AAH! Father!” The son of Count Ludwig pleaded to his Lord Father.
Keeping the dignified expression of a Lukedonian Noble, Count Ludwig spoke with grace, “Your Highness, my son has yet to ascend to this position. I beseech you, for my son is that of a child. No ill intent was ever garnered towards Your Grace.”
“Hmm… is that truly the case, Your Excellency?” Prince Emeric played his cards well. “Lord Kenesis has fully delegated the matters between Lukedonia and Carceron entirely upon me. Must I bother the Lord Emir?” It was a power move, one that can only be executed by those who have power.
“...No, Your Highness. The ruling is correct, Knight Krist is innocent.” Count Ludwig could do nothing but submit.
The ruling was made and Krist and Prince Emeric left the court, “Krist, you must come with me to Greenlot!”
“It would be my honor, Your Grace.” Krist had fully made himself known to the foreign Prince. My Umbral Spear. How I have longed for you!