Chapter 172: Revival (2)

A massive military banner.

The momentum of the men seemed to press down on me and the Temple Knights.

*Schwing —*

Those at the front drew their swords. Each and every one was a familiar face; they were men of the First Knight Order.

“Leader of the Chur Church! State your purpose for entering the territory of Batenberg!”

A mana-infused shout struck my ears. I smirked at the sound, which was closer to a roar.

“Hmph, they’re doing something utterly useless.”

“Isn’t it a natural procedure?”

I said those words to Vallach, who had been with me since the front line, and looked around. Moritz and I had been erased from the Batenberg family registry long ago, so I expected them to be wary when we stood on this land again.

Moreover, I was accompanied by the men of the former Third Knight Division, who had now become the first legion of the Temple Knights.

*Stomp!*

The knights of Batenberg stamped their feet. The military spirit intensified, surging to pressure me. My hair stood on end like thorns.

They had merely heightened their vigilance, but the surrounding air seemed to shimmer. It was a martial spirit truly worthy of the name of the greatest swordsmanship family. Honestly, that spirit even made my mouth water.

“I said, state your purpose!”

The men of the First Knight Order emitted an aura like a blade. Behind them, the knights standing in formation were all individuals who could hold leadership positions anywhere. That made me want them even more.

It was like looking at a well-prepared feast. After standing silently for a long time, I finally spoke.

“I have come to receive something from your monarch.”

Something to receive. It was the pledge I had made with Rudbihi before leaving this place. Judging that the outcome of my bet had already been decided, Batenberg was practically in my hands.

If I take Batenberg, I gain the Northern Continent. Along with the Southern Continent, led by the Laplace Kingdom, if I even gain the Northern Continent, that would be the ‘Revival’ of the Hor Church.

Faith would boil over across the world, just like the time I remembered.

I walked straight into the pressure weighing down my body. The Temple Knights followed behind me. If they continued to block our way, we would simply break through.

That, too, would serve as evidence that the Hor Church had surpassed Batenberg. I was about to raise my status with that thought when…

“Knights, make way. The Lord has given his permission.”

A familiar voice made the men of Batenberg retreat. A handsome man stood between the men, who parted like the Red Sea.

“Please show courtesy as guests, believers of Hor.”

The second bloodline of Batenberg, who had played a part in slaughtering the Red Plague Giant. Sig Batenberg spoke in a stern tone.

However, he couldn’t seem to hide the deep joy in his eyes. It seemed he had no talent for acting.

“Let’s go.”

I walked between the men who had parted into formations. Just as I was passing the lead, a cheeky greeting caught my ankle.

“I’ve missed you.”

Addrun, the youngest of the First Knight Order. Starting with him, who was grinning broadly, all sorts of welcoming greetings poured in. They were still fools.

After proceeding for quite a while, I had the knights wait a short distance from the Central Palace. I would be the only one to face Rudbihi.

A meeting between the leaders of two groups. And a meeting between two Grand Swordmasters. I slowly caught my breath and climbed the stairs of the Central Palace.

With every step I took, a powerful aura flowing from somewhere sliced at my skin. Was this a trial, or pure competitive spirit? Whatever it was, there was nothing I couldn’t endure.

“Lord of Batenberg, Sir Rudbihi. It has been a long time.”

I squared my shoulders and stood my waist as straight as possible. I put authority into my raised chin. Thus, I faced the ruler of the Northern Continent.

***

*Sigh.*

Rudbihi’s eyebrows twitched greatly. Even earlier than that, his momentum had momentarily ballooned. Despite that, Richard’s arrogant posture did not waver in the slightest.

It was an utterly ridiculous provocation. However, for Rudbihi, who had never been looked down upon once in his life, it was extremely effective.

*Rumble —*

Streams of blade-like sharpness erupted from his body. Not to be outdone, Richard also drew out his status mixed with Light.

“S-Saint…”

Leon, standing in the corner of the room, felt his heart burn black in an atmosphere where a sword fight could break out at any moment. But that anxiety lasted only a moment.

*Rumble!*

Matching Rudbihi’s ever-rising momentum, Richard’s Light also increased its brightness. It was as if he was shouting with his whole body — ‘I, too, have achieved the same status as you.’

‘He said he obtained the Eight Swords of the Star…’

Leon swallowed hard. Sweat trickled down his clean face. An abnormal achievement reached in too short a time. Rapid growth achieved without firmly solidifying the foundation is like a child holding a sword—they have the power, but their mind is not yet mature.

Rudbihi had called it nothing more than bloating one’s size, and Leon had agreed. They thought that although he had grown, it would take a long time to fully master that power.

But in the Saint who appeared before them, there was no sign of a bloated child anywhere. There was only a mature man.

“I see. You are at least capable of being arrogant in front of me.”

Rudbihi spoke in a calm tone. The momentum of the two men slowly subsided. Silence lingered between them as if a storm had just swept through.

“Lord of Batenberg. You must have seen the sky. You must have also heard the story from my master.”

Had he stopped the attitude that could be either a joke or a provocation? Richard corrected his posture and opened the conversation.

“I saw it. And I heard it.”

“You saw it and heard it, so why have you not unified the military forces of the Northern Continent?”

“You’re saying something ridiculous. Do I have to follow your orders?”

Rudbihi’s eyes glowed fiercely.

“How very arrogant. Do not act as if you have already surpassed Batenberg.”

A quiet shout. Richard stepped forward in the face of that shout, which would have instantly overwhelmed an ordinary knight.

“The Baren Kingdom and Prot Kingdom of the Northern Continent, and all the nations of the Southern Continent. They have all gathered under the banner of the Hor Church.”

He had added two kingdoms on top of an entire continent. Richard seemed to be asking if the Hor Church had still not surpassed Batenberg. At that, Rudbihi tilted his head.

“It seems you don’t know the meaning of the word ‘influence.’ Since when did it mean physical size?”

Richard’s eyebrows flinched at the quiet question.

“In the Southern Continent, Batenberg has been an object of fear and hatred for hundreds of years. Not to mention our authority in the Northern Continent.”

Just by them moving, the Southern Continent feels fear. Just by their existence, the Northern Continent gains a massive sword and shield.

That was the influence held by the Batenberg family. It was an absurdly high authority and prestige for an emerging power to try to match.

Paradoxically, the Hor Church, which originated in the Northern Continent, had achieved great growth in the Southern Continent.

In other words, its influence had not yet reached Batenberg’s level within the Northern Continent, which was still hostile toward mages.

He didn’t expect Rudbihi to point that out. Richard’s face distorted naturally.

“You’re being more petty than I thought. After that sky breaks, everyone will seek the Light. At that time, the Hor Church will be at the center of the world.”

“Then come back after you are at the center of the world.”

“Do you truly wish for countless people to die indiscriminately? If Batenberg lends its strength, we can minimize the damage!”

The Saint’s voice grew louder. Anger mixed in his stiff eyes. Why was he so desperate? Rudbihi could catch a glimpse of deep desperation from his son.

It wasn’t a feeling he had just for this situation. It was desperation toward the entities of the Demon Realm that would soon break the sky and appear.

It was laughable. It was so laughable that Rudbihi found himself at a loss for words. To his son, Batenberg wasn’t even an object of desperation.

It was something he must obtain, and something he could easily obtain if he set his mind to it. Batenberg, which had ruled half the world, was nothing more than a temporary milestone to Richard.

“This family you wish to stand above has reached this position through the blood and land of many ancestors. If you want Batenberg, show that much sincerity and qualification.”

Rudbihi had also devoted his life to leading Batenberg. To Rudbihi, Batenberg was the world itself. No matter how much Richard appealed regarding the deaths of innocent people, this was an act that could not be tolerated.

Rudbihi stood up from his seat. Although he was clearly human, a giant-like presence began to fill the spot where he stood.

“If you truly want it, fight and take it. If you can’t even defeat me, you won’t be able to save the world anyway.”

The ruler of the Northern Continent decided to give the daring Saint a new opportunity. If he defeated him, he would recognize the Hor Church as a ruler encompassing both North and South.

If he couldn’t, the Hor Church would take its place under Batenberg.

“Fine. Do not forget those words.”

Richard and Rudbihi glared at each other. Then, as if they had planned it, they turned their gaze toward Leon.

“Huh?”

Leon let out a dumb sound and tilted his head.

The sudden duel was enough to make his soul leave his body, but the participants were staring at him, so he was understandably flustered.

“W-Why are you doing that? I am neutral! I don’t want to get caught in a fight between whales!”

Leon knew the thickness of the wall all too well. For Leon, who had not yet stepped over the threshold of the Grand stage, it was truly a fight between whales.

“What a strange thing to say. Why would we involve Sir Leon in our duel?” Richard said with a smirk to Leon, who was backing away and waving his hands.

“Then…?”

“An observer. I was wondering if I could ask you. Of course, I plan to ask my master as well.”

“…”

Leon quickly nodded. A duel between those who had reached the pinnacle. It was a very precious opportunity to achieve something just by watching.

“But where on earth are you going to duel? A place where both of you can pour out your power…”

Leon racked his brain. But no suitable place came to mind. Then, Richard spoke.

“I happen to know a good place.”