Chapter 91: The Immortal Dark Knights

Andor Marquisate’s capital, Belbaton.

A territory where magic and swordsmanship blend to form its unique culture.

Perhaps because of this, unlike Kerten County, there were many integrated facilities dedicated to both magic and swordsmanship.

If the Count Kerthen Household gave off the vibe of disciplined knights, this place exuded a more diverse and fusion-like atmosphere.

No, it had to be that way.

The culture of a territory follows its lord.

The lord of this place was Marquis Endor Alton.

He was said to have reached the level of a Magic Swordsman capable of forming up to seven Aura Circles.

His prowess had attracted many magicians and swordsmen to the Marquisate.

But even here, something caused Evan’s brow to furrow.

“L-let go of me! I didn’t do anything!”

“I’m innocent! I’m not a heretic!”

Even in Belbaton, Evan witnessed the Sacred Knights of Bellium arresting Lamakria People.

‘They’re conducting massive arrests. This is serious…’

Worry crept into Evan’s mind as he quickly glanced around.

He had to find the Ignis Guild.

Asking passersby, Evan managed to reach the Ignis Guild.

Clatter!

He hurriedly pushed open the door and approached the receptionist.

“W-welcome. Wh-what brings you here?”

The receptionist, a young-looking girl, tensed slightly upon seeing Evan’s handsome blonde appearance.

Her heart seemed to race at the sight of such a tall, striking man.

But Evan paid no attention and bluntly asked, “Has Rolten come here?”

“R-Rolten? Who’s that… ah!”

The girl remembered Rolten and asked Evan,

“May I ask your relation to Lord Rolten?”

Evan immediately showed the ring he wore—the ring of a son of the Count Kerthen Household.

At that moment, the girl’s eyes widened.

“Ah! A son of the Count Kerthen Household…”

She repeated the phrase like a broken record before snapping back to her senses and standing abruptly.

“I-I’m sorry! I dared not recognize Your Highness.”

“No, it’s fine. More importantly, Rolten should be here. Please tell him I want to meet him quickly. Also, please prepare some writing materials for me.”

“Understood! But Lord Rolten hasn’t arrived at the guild yet…”

“What? He hasn’t arrived yet?”

Evan was a bit startled to hear that Rolten hadn’t arrived yet.

He had assumed Rolten would arrive first and wait.

‘Did something happen?’

As Evan pondered, the girl cautiously asked, “If you’re waiting, may I show you to the VIP room?”

Evan nodded.

‘I don’t even know where that is. I should just wait for now.’

Guided by the girl, Evan moved to the VIP room.

Clatter!

As the door opened, a spacious room with luxurious decorations came into view.

It was clear they had prepared for an important guest.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll bring writing materials and a pen. If you need anything else, please let me know immediately.”

Evan lightly nodded and sat down.

‘If Rolten doesn’t come back soon, I’ll have to leave first.’

Meeting the marquis was the priority.

Finding Rolten could come afterward.

‘He’s at Sword Master level anyway; nothing serious should have happened.’

Just as Evan thought this, the VIP room door swung wide open.

“Evan!”

Rolten, covered in blood, staggered inside.

Evan, surprised, asked, “What happened? Did you encounter those cult scum?”

“No! More importantly, we need to hurry!”

“Huh?”

“Beron was kidnapped by those bastards.”

“What do you mean?”

“A suspicious group clad in black full-body armor swarmed us. Their numbers exceeded a hundred.”

Evan’s eyes narrowed at those words.

The power of the chosen.

‘Am I seeing things wrong? Why are there over a hundred of them?’

He had always believed that there was only one chosen.

When it came to Agarrus, there was only one person with such extraordinary power.

But this case shattered that notion.

And one new concept solidified in his mind.

‘If the power of the chosen has ranks and isn’t something as absurd as Agarrus’s, then multiple chosen could exist?’

It was a plausible idea.

One couldn’t definitively say there was only one chosen.

But that didn’t mean Beron’s power was insignificant.

And with over a hundred of them, this was a serious matter.

“Black armor? Can you describe them in more detail?”

Rolten slumped into a chair, leaning on the backrest as he spoke.

“We were moving smoothly when we encountered a Crimson Oath. It seemed to have been active for a while. Monsters had emerged en masse and were attacking nearby small villages. So, we detoured to avoid them.”

Evan’s expression darkened at the mention of the Crimson Oath.

He had thought things had quieted down recently, but that was a misconception.

Bad omens were appearing here and there.

“A Crimson Oath? Suddenly?”

Rolten nodded at Evan’s question.

“Recently, they’ve been popping up frequently across the entire Marquisate. The Marquisate has stabilized, but throughout the kingdom, Crimson Oaths continue to appear. It’s not unusual.”

“Actually, it’s strange that the Marquisate is safe.”

“Exactly. That’s why I was traveling around investigating. Anyway, we avoided it, but other enemies were waiting for us.”

Evan understood immediately.

“So those are the ones in black armor?”

“Yes. Their power is so abnormal it’s a miracle I survived.”

Evan prepared to move immediately.

“Where are they?”

“You’re not planning to go alone, are you?”

“Don’t worry. I want to fulfill my mission.”

Though he said this, he was already preparing to deal with them.

At times like this, using the excuse of being the family head’s shadow was convenient.

Evan pulled out the Memory Crystal he’d purchased here.

Rolten chuckled upon seeing it and said, “Good attitude. Just don’t do anything too dangerous.”

Rolten explained where he was ambushed.

Evan hurried outside the walls of Belbaton Castle.

But as soon as he stepped outside, he saw many Sacred Knights of the Order stationed there.

Among them were Paladins, high-ranking Sacred Knights.

Evan’s eyes sharpened.

‘Who are these people?’

He wanted to move stealthily, but it seemed difficult with them here.

‘They’re standing with their backs to the walls, probably guarding against something.’

***

After some thought, Evan decided to ask them directly.

They showed a very friendly attitude toward him.

As he approached, several Sacred Knights noticed him and bowed politely.

“Your Highness! You’re here. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Glad to see you as well. But what are you doing here?”

“I’ll explain.”

One of the Paladins stepped forward.

He also bowed and spoke politely.

“We were clearing heretics in this area. But upon sensing unusual activity, we urgently requested reinforcements. Corrupted ones are heading this way.”

“Corrupted ones?”

“Look over there.”

The Paladin pointed ahead.

Evan turned to see a group clad in pitch-black armor emerging from the forest.

‘Just as Rolten said. But there are far more of them than he saw.’

Several of them were visible, but the hundred Rolten mentioned were only a fraction.

The crowd approaching the castle was several times larger.

‘Trying to seek them out sounds impossible.’

They all wore Living Armor, making them look identical.

Beron must have been like this, too.

It was practically impossible to distinguish between them.

Moreover, they all seemed to have lost reason.

Only rage and bloodlust radiated from them as they charged.

“They are corrupted beings. No longer human,” the Paladin said, pointing angrily.

But Evan thought differently.

It wasn’t only their fault.

He recalled Beron wielding the power of Living Armor.

‘If they’re Lamakria People, their hostility would naturally be aimed at the Order.’

They had their reasons.

The Order itself hated the Lamakria People.

And events like the village purification only fueled the fire.

They kept creating bad blood, breeding hatred and revenge.

‘It’s not confirmed they are Lamakria People yet, but if the Tower of Wishes built by the chieftain is a medium for creating the chosen, then the possibility is high.’

He had to investigate.

Where they came from, and what their purpose was.

“Everyone, prepare! If we fail to stop the corrupted, the continent’s future is lost! For peace!”

The Paladin and Sacred Knights began drawing on their divine power.

Behind them, priests prepared holy magic.

‘With this combination, they won’t break through.’

Evan also drew his Elemental Sword from his inventory.

He would fight alongside them.

‘It’s better to leave a good impression while I’m at it.’

He would stand at the front, fight, gather information, and build goodwill with the Order.

‘Besides, this is a Marquisate. If they know I’m involved, the Marquis will at least be favorable.’

This fight held many benefits for Evan.

He raised his Aura and began activating buff skills.

[Fighter’s Spirit activated.]

[Stamina consumption reduced by 50% for 15 minutes.]

[Strength and stamina temporarily increased by 50% while Aura is active.]

[Warrior’s Roar activated.]

[Attack power increased by 5% per stack, stacking up to 10 times while Aura is active.]

Evan stepped forward to the front line.

“I will lead and strike them down. Please provide cover.”

All the Order members present looked at Evan with respect.

“A hero fights alongside us!”

“A warrior sent by the gods!”

“May the goddess’s blessing be with you.”

Their morale soared as the Sacred Knights charged forward with Evan.

Thus, the two forces clashed, and the siege of Belbaton Castle began.

Evan formed a sword aura and cut through the Living Armor enemies.

Slash!

Even the tough armor couldn’t block his sword aura.

‘Their strength is definitely high…’

But it was easy to fight those filled only with madness.

They charged mindlessly, without any sword technique.

They were no different from living monsters.

‘Good. This is manageable.’

Watching them fall one after another, Evan felt confident of victory.

But it didn’t last long.

[The chosen rise again when called.]

[The immortal knights, Dark Knights, appear.]

Damaged armor began to regenerate, and all who had fallen before Evan stood up again.

“Insane.”

The curse naturally escaped Evan’s lips.