The black energy mass seemed to have exploded, but it was still there. It was too far away forăWorld Rulerăto give information, but it cannot be left as it is.
My right hand was bleeding due to the shattered stone fragments. So I usedăConvenienceăto wash it off with water, and healed the wound withăHealing Magică. The stone is shattered, but⊠I hope the Earl wouldnât scold me too much.
ăYour Majesty, Border Earl, please stay here.ă
ăYou should let the Knights Order take it on from here.ă
ăâŠWell, the young lady ordered me to protect everyone.ă
I donât know if my answer was wrong, but the Holy Kingâs lips curled up, as he put on a ferocious smile.
The Holy King tossed me the small knife that El handed him. It was a single-edged curved blade. The blade was dull, but it was probably used for ritual purposes. According toăWorld Ruleră, the knife turns out to be extremely old. Other than that, it looks like an antique.
The Holy King nodded, and Border Earl raised his hand. I glanced at Louisâ corpse for a brief moment, and then started running. In return, the Knights Order rushed to the Holy King.
(To think that that boy is deadâŠ)
I met Louis many times when I escorted the young lady to the tea parties. Since I was with the young lady around the clock, he was burning with jealousy whenever he saw me. He was just a normal, ordinary boy.
(He didnât deserve to die like this.)
I gripped the knife tighter.
âŠI will annihilate that black energy without a trace!
Knights ran up to the Holy King worriedly, but the Holy King waved them off with his hand annoyedly. He then turned to his sworn friend who stood right next to him.
ăâŠBorder Earl, what are you thinking?ă
Border Earl Muleâs clothes were torn here and there, blood smeared. Most likely from the mediatorâs attacks that he failed to dodge.
ăThat boy attacked an object that was fired at that speed.ă
ăCan you do that, Your Majesty?ă
The two of them could barely follow the attack with their eyes, so being able to attack it when it was moving at that speed is, quite honestly, impossible for them.
ăHmm⊠I wonder if I can get him married to my daughter, Mira?ă
ăWhat!? Are you plotting to take him in your territory!?ă
ăItâs not enough no matter how many capable talents I have in my territory, after all.ă
ăIf so, he should be in the Holy City. This is the capital of the Holy Kingdom, after all.ă
ăI see. When word gets out that [Holy Sword Technique] has been lost, those trying to take advantage would start popping up.ă
The Holy King started massaging his temple with his right hand.
ăâŠDonât say that. Shit. It just hurts my head.ă
Seeing the Holy King in that state, the Border Earl stifled a laughter.
ăThis is no laughing matter. If the country falls into chaos, your territory will be hit by the aftermath too.ă
ăYes, but it doesnât hurt my head.ă
Border Earl pointed to the nobles who had evacuated away from the temple grounds and the noble children who were the protagonists of todayâs award ceremony.
A child hugged by his parents. A child crying his eyes out. And Earl Sillys, Reijiâs employer, was talking to his daughter Eva about somethingâbut of course, even the Holy King couldnât have imagined that he was giving her theăMana Controlăskill orb.
More importantly than that, the Holy King caught Kluvshrat and Mira coming over to them.
ăSomehow those kids got out safe.ă
ăâŠYeah, thatâs right.ăthe Holy King exhaled in relief.ăBorder Earl.ăhe said.
ăâŠIf I lose myself again, get me back on the right path, even if you have to send me flying.ă
The Border Earl was large as a bear, but when he heard the Holy King say that, he smiled like a little boy.
ăIâll hit you with all Iâve got, so be prepared. Grenjido.ă
I rushed out of the Holy Royal Palace, and entered the 1st Holy District. Several officials were gathering around the place unearthed by the black energy mass. Following that trace of destruction, I arrived at â2nd Wallâ.
The wall had collapsed over several tens of meters. Some noble Houseâs mansion was completely destroyed, the residence was partially destroyed, and debris was scattered all over in the vast garden.
The visibility was poor due to clouds of dust. I heard voices crying and pleading for help.
At that time, it was good that I was able to change the direction of the energy mass, but as a result, some people over here may have gotten injured, or may have even died. When I thought about that, guilt spread in my heart.
A familiar voice came from behind.
ăYou are the cleaner, right?ă
Captain Arthur of the 2nd Knights Order was there.
ăYou came at a good time. It seems that the mansion there has collapsed and some people are injured, so we need the knights to rescue them!ă
ăWhat!? That is House Riviereâs mansion!ă
House Riviere, one of the 6 Great Dukes.
ăDid you all hear that? Weâre commencing a rescue operation!ăArthur hollered.
I feel grateful. Manpower is most important in such cases.
Suddenly, I remembered that Captain Arthur was Louisâ escort, but I didnât say anything. Itâs not something that I can say right now.
In the meantime, I headed in the direction of the black energy which I could still feelâin the middle of the large garden.
The well-maintained lawn garden was large and dotted with plants. However, right now it was covered by sediments and wreckages. And I found the black energy in the center of that.
(âŠWhat an ominous feeling.)
The black flame-like energy stood upright. It was much taller than I was, about 3 meters tall and 2 meters wide.
When I gripped the old knifeâI saw a huge silhouette moving in the flames.