Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

189. The Benevolent Princess [1]

[You have defeated ‘Garen von Reinhaver’!]

[The player’s lifespan has increased by 90 days.]

[…]

[……Error! The main storyline is severely damaged!]

[Current damage rate: 45%]

[The conclusion of Part 1 is approaching.]

[Move forward… for a …. new ending.]

———————————————

I was fully composed now.

Garen’s life was completely extinguished, and it was a situation where no one could deny my victory.

However, even in such a moment, I neither fell nor wavered, just standing upright.

Because I must show something to all the disgraces of the Reinhaver family who decided to follow Garen, who is now looking at me.

It was this

I defeated Garen von Reinhaver, and as the youngest of the Reinhaver family, I had the right to carve my own path without being swept away by their will any longer.

Furthermore, I never sought their recognition and will engrave the name Nox von Reinhaver in even greater heights. This will become a significant weapon for me later on.

The other members of the Elder Council.

Especially Theo’s brothers, needed to be strongly reminded of my presence.

Having killed Garen, I could not afford to miss this opportunity.

Thus, even as I steadied my wavering gaze and legs, I stood tall without collapsing, straightening my back. Standing in that spot, I simply stared at them with my characteristic spirit.

But this alone should be enough.

It was enough for them to feel a deep fear of my existence.

Hundreds of shadows hidden in the darkness.

But their fighting spirit was likely already broken.

With their pivotal figure, Garen, gone, they probably had no other way to escape. Christopher, realizing this, shouted loudly

“Young Master Nox has defeated Young Master Garen! In this situation, do you still trust the runaway eldest son of the Reinhaver family, who defiled our family’s name with the power of a demon and incited a civil war during these chaotic times…?!!” ꞦᴀΝǒΒËṡ

Christopher raised his voice further, halting everyone’s fighting.

He knelt briefly before me, offering a formal bow with sword ceremonial, and rose to declare

“Lay down your swords. Otherwise, all of you will be punished under the sacred name of the Reinhaver family. There is no future for traitors.”

Hearing this, their movement ceased. Soon, numerous vassals of the Reinhaver family began to lower their swords.

Some higher-ranking individuals, perhaps predicting Garen’s defeat, had already fled swiftly, but that was enough.

The goals I aimed to achieve here were already fulfilled.

The elimination of Garen, the consolidation of my position within the Reinhaver family, and the acquisition of the third form of supreme black sword

The last third, however, was uncertain. I hadn’t expected Nox’s devilization to progress so abruptly, catching me off guard. But at this point, it wasn’t something to dwell on.

The priority was resolving the incident at hand.

'The [Devilization] must be due to one of Nox’s innate traits manifesting. Those vertical pupils I saw when saving Eleanor… they’ve resurfaced. This phenomenon, which appeared during the ending credits when Nox became the final villain, is already beginning to show now.’

This means that my devilization as Nox von Reinhaver is approaching.

Earlier than expected.

Though the Reinhaver family is renowned for wielding the power of darkness, and both Theo and Nox undergo devilization later, an unexpected variable at this time can only be dangerous.

'But I can’t afford to spend too much time here. Solving the immediate problem is more urgent—especially… the Princess’s condition worries me.’

Penelope….

Is she alright now?

Even as I struggled to shake off my concerns, another question arose in my mind.

None other than Garen’s mother, Priscilla von Aurel.

Where could she be now?

'No matter how I look around, she’s not here. She’s been missing for quite some time.’

This means that any semblance of maternal affection or human connection she might have had disappeared long ago.

No, perhaps from the beginning, she was more captivated by her own power.

This will likely lead to a storm with even greater repercussions later.

‘… But such things aren’t important at this moment.’

Hadn’t I just overcome yet another wall?

I survived.

For the first time, I faced the past head-on under the name Nox von Reinhaver.

Garen von Reinhaver

The moment I completely severed one of the chains that bound me, an indescribable exhilaration surged through me, elevating me to a higher place.

Perhaps that’s why.

Words I would normally never say began spilling out as I addressed everyone in my sight.

“I, Nox von Reinhaver, have no interest in the position of family head. Tarnishing my name or labeling me as trash makes no difference to me. I probably wouldn’t even care. But.”

I clenched my fist tightly.

Shwaaaa!

Rain began to fall.

The smell of blood spreads.

The metallic scent diffuses, slowly consuming my body like a deadly poison. Standing for too long is a struggle, but I know better than anyone else what I must do next.

Thus, I must declare it here

I, Nox von Reinhaver.

“If anyone dares to obstruct or stand in my way, I will kill them. Even if it goes against the greater good.”

Shwaaaa——!

Gradually, the raindrops grow heavier.

It will undoubtedly be insufficient to wash away all the blood.

But that’s the nature of war.

No matter which side wins, or who achieves victory, the stench of blood and the pain that spreads within cannot be erased.

It may dilute slightly over time, as if mixed with water, but it will never vanish completely. Its limits are inherently clear. That is why those wounded by war must always make a decision.

Whether to numb themselves with more blood to forget the scent of it, or to carve the memories of those forgotten into their hearts while at the same time…

Choosing to devote themselves to the cruel present.

“Are you alright, Nox? Your wounds haven’t fully healed yet. Heading to Sidus now is far too dangerous.”

Eleanor de Rivalin looks at me and says like that.

But even she knows well, I will never change my decision. She always analyzes every situation and the person in front of her, drawing conclusions based on even the slimmest possibilities.

That is Eleanor, the merchant.

I head toward Sidus’ Hall.

Eldain Academy.

I will eradicate the forces of the First Prince, Louis von Arkheim, who have unlawfully occupied the place.

Thus, I speak a little more firmly.

“I believe you already know my decision.”

“…I do. I understand how dangerous the situation is and that I cannot persuade you. But this is… a shortcut to death. Couldn’t you reconsider just once more?”

“I’ve already used the potions and recovery medicines you gave me, as well as the emergency remedies prepared by Erina. I’ll be nearly fully healed before arriving. I’ll likely be in even better shape than before.”

“…Alright.”

I glance at Eleanor, who now looks dejected.

Reddish-brown hair was tangled with sweat. Because she was someone who always maintained dignity and did not allow unbecoming acts, I could understand how much effort she had put into helping someone like Knox.

The care she showed me, and her foresight in sensing the danger I would face and using the pendant, filled me with nothing but gratitude. So, just this once, I decided to be a little honest.

“Thank you, Eleanor.”

“…Huh?”

Eleanor looked at me with a startled, flustered expression, hiccuping in surprise.

Her pale face showed an uncharacteristic embarrassment, far from the demeanor of a [Genius of Acting]. When her uniquely captivating eyes turned to me, I couldn’t help but let out a faint smile.

“You realized it and came to save me. That’s what I’m thanking you for. Not to mention bringing Christopher and the army here, anticipating the danger ahead. I sincerely express my gratitude, Eleanor.”

It wasn’t like me, Nox, to express such feelings, it was something I had always been unable to say.

But at this moment, I thought, maybe it’s okay now?

Now that Yoochan has fully embraced being Nox von Reinhaver, perhaps I could afford to be a little more honest with someone.

If the people around me are willing to sacrifice for me, then I should be willing to do the same.

Not for anyone else, but because I wanted to.

Compared to their sacrifices, such words hold no real meaning.

But perhaps it can give them trust.

And that trust would make us stronger together.

“If that’s what you say… I understand. But we have to prepare thoroughly before we go. The forces of the First Prince Louis von Arkheim are far greater than we imagine. With the cooperation of Reinhaver’s Black Knights and the two Four Sages, I suppose it’s a bit better… but their backers are formidable, no?”

“Of course.”

As I replied. Louis von Arkheim

I thought of one particular individual aligned with him.

In a battlefield of this scale, her presence alone multiplies the danger. A monster who could even neutralize Astrid and Noah if she wields an ancient weapon.

She wasn’t a demon.

One of the three Sword Emperors, standing alongside Theo and Celsus.

A monster, wielder of the [Heaven-Breaking Sword (破天劍)].

There was no doubt.

She had sided with the First Prince Louis.

———————————————

Boom——! Swaaaaa——!

As the storm rages and Penelope’s attacks grow more ferocious.

A knight in a helmet emerges beneath the darkened sky.

Her height, roughly 170 cm, is not particularly imposing, but the aura and power emanating from her overwhelm everyone.

Princess Penelope continues to unleash lightning, despite her frail condition, recklessly expending her mana. Yet her limits are clear.

Though Leon’s undead army and Paracelsus’s [Living Sword] are fighting valiantly, defeat could come at any moment.

With the sheer imbalance of forces, there’s little they can do.

Furthermore, from the first Prince Louis position, his ultimate plan was to subjugate the entire South.

In other words, aside from the half-ruined Marvas family and the distant dark family Sader, he intended to destroy and absorb the last remaining family, Reinhaver.

Naturally, he couldn’t afford to expend too many soldiers to achieve this.

If so, there was only one viable method

To recruit an overwhelmingly powerful force to boost the morale of his troops and swiftly bring the war to an end.

With this in mind, Louis von Archheim brought forth the most exceptional individual among those who had sided with him.

“Now, it’s time to bring it to an end. My foolish sibling, eliminate her!”

“If you keep your promise, I will assist you, First Prince Louis.”

At the same time,

A woman’s voice began to emanate from the helmeted figure.

It was a voice that had never been heard on the battlefield before, unfamiliar even to all the nobles present in the area.

This was just natural.

Louis’s lips curled into a sly smile as he glanced around.

He stretched his arms wide in a gesture as if to encompass the surroundings.

The mysterious woman’s voice continued, resonating powerfully. The mana carried within her voice caused considerable unease among the soldiers, but she remained undeterred.

She drew her sword and declared.

“Hear me, all of you! My name is Ulysses von Fritschel, the sole surviving bloodline of the annihilated Fritschel family, and…”

From beneath her helmet, she let out a small but sharper smile than anyone could have imagined.

“Your enemy.”

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