I Became a Dark Knight the Empress Is Obsessed With

187 – Epilogue: The Only Way to Survive – (1)

“It’s really broken.”

After a long journey, a middle-aged man got out of the carriage and said this while stroking his mustache.

Before his eyes stood the ruined palace. The damage was so severe that not only the palace but also the entire capital city was devastated.

The attack on the religious order’s capital. More than three months have already passed.

But the damage was so extensive that it has not been repaired yet.

“What a pity, what a pity. This beautiful courtyard has become a heap of ashes.”

A middle-aged man, or rather, the Iron-Blooded Grand Duke Mitterrand Hatzfeld, swept the garden floor of the inner castle, which was left ashes due to the bloodstains scattered by the Apostle of Blood. Instead of the fresh scent of grass, only dust remained on his palms.

It was after the post-war recovery was over that Hatsfeld, who was supposed to rule over Lumenel, finally returned to the capital.

Like the capital, Lumenel was also hit by numerous refugees and raiders. Astronomical sums were spent on repairing the damage, and only the vassals of Hatzfeld and others died.

“Todd, are you tired?”

“Ah, hmph?! Oh, no!”

Todd Schminner, Hartzfeld’s valet.

Todd, true to his name, sat up straight, wiping away the drool that had dripped down his four-layered chin like a toad. Hartsfeld laughed in vain at the sight and walked away.

The situation in the palace was dire, but even so, numerous servants were running around quickly and performing their duties. Although the cult’s attack had left the palace in ruins, it was the Empire that had won.

Three of the apostles were defeated, and the remaining one was taken into custody. The last of the Ayrne bloodline, Lincia Hodie, survived and declared eternal victory in front of all the people of the empire.

“Haha. That’s steep.”

Hartsfeld chuckled and walked down to the basement of the castle.

“Oh, I’m the Iron Blood Grand Duke.”

The self-introduction that began with the words was enough to make the sentry lose his liver.

“Chu, loyalty!”

After explaining his identity to the sentry and receiving a polite salute, Hatzfeld passed through the iron gate and soon stood tall in a corner of the dungeon.

“… … .”

What was in front of me was a small iron bar with dark red blood running down it.

There was no one inside.

But Hatzfeld knew who was there. He had already heard the whole story.

“He committed suicide, Aranion.”

Slumping down on the cold brick floor, Hartsfeld narrowed his eyes.

Winter Prince Aranion Elderheart. He quietly committed suicide here after everything was over. His body was said to have been taken north to Eisenward as per his will, so Hartsfeld, who was his old friend, could not help but come.

“You are truly foolish.”

Only the cold air returns.

As if he didn’t welcome it.

Todd, who was following along, also shivered as if the cold was creeping in.

“but…….”

Hartsfeld said.

“This is how it should be, Winter Duke. I must turn back coolly to live up to the name of Iron Blood.”

With his chin clenched, Hartsfeld twisted his lips in pain.

“But, you know, no matter what, I can’t do that.”

Reach out and grab the iron bars.

His hands were shaking.

“How can you abandon your best friend and go first, you bad boy?”

After all, the title of Iron-Blooded Grand Duke did not suit him, thought Hatzfeld.

“You were here?”

At that moment, a beautiful voice was heard.

Looking back, a knight with lavender hair was looking at Hartsfeld with a sullen expression. The prosthetic arm on her shoulder was impressive.

His vassal, Aina Agathon, whom he left behind in the capital for the sake of the empire’s fortunes.

“Oh, Eina. Are you finally able to speak?”

“huh.”

Of course, every time Aina opens her mouth, a terrifyingly powerful mana still fills the surroundings. Todd fell flat on his face as soon as Aina spoke.

Of course, Hartsfeld, who had already become immune to Aina after spending a long time with her, responded indifferently.

“How have you been?”

“no.”

“Well, it seems like it won’t go well. But Eina, aren’t you a hero of the reversal? Even Rumenel heard the news.”

“… … That’s annoying.”

Chuckling, Hartsfeld continued.

“Aina Agathon. Smash the Apostle of Blood single-handedly.”

But Eina shook her head.

“It wasn’t short.”

“Then who were you with?”

“Yes. A woman with a great sense of mission. And a stupid woman.”

Eina’s expression cooled as she said that.

Hartsfeld, who had roughly guessed the situation, shrugged his shoulders.

“Of course I’ve heard other news. I heard you’re thinking of becoming a Guardian Knight again. Is that true?”

“huh.”

“No regrets?”

“at all.”

Aina Agathon was once again elevated to the position of Guardian. This was partly due to the recognition of her achievements in this case, but also because the position of Guardian had become vacant.

That was understandable, as Captain Uriad Ielback had announced his retirement, and Millia the Swift had also announced that she would be stepping down from her position as Guardian Knight due to injury.

Still, couldn’t he at least say a word to his former master?

Hartsfeld felt a strange sense of resentment, but that ruthlessness was also part of Eina Agathon’s charm.

“Have you come to see Aranion?”

Aina changed the subject.

“That’s right. Now that I think about it, wasn’t Eina a child who had quite a deep connection with you?”

“that’s right.”

Aina also looked at the iron bars where Aranion was with gloomy eyes.

To the elven elder Eina, Aranion was a child she had watched since he was a baby. He was a bright, purposeful, and passionate elf. He was also a promising talent.

“Are you sad?”

“huh.”

“I guess that can’t be helped.”

“still.”

Eina took a deep breath and continued speaking.

Not long ago, he thought of his comrade who had sacrificed his life so bravely.

“Even so, you must not forget. Even if you are sad, you must not pity the lion. That is courtesy to the lion.”

“That’s what it is.”

At those words, Hatzfeld laughed until his eyes crinkled.

*

Now, the palace was in a state of great turmoil.

“Lucy!”

A shout from behind.

The maid Lucy shuddered.

“What are you doing now! Where is Your Majesty!”

“Ahaha, that, that’s… … .”

I looked back and saw a slender man approaching me with brisk strides. The monocle he had placed in his eye socket sparkled, reflecting light.

Senior Executive Corald Heggins.

Koreld, who hadn’t been able to sleep properly since the attack because he was busy dealing with the damage, had dark circles under his cheeks, and perhaps because of that, his eyes seemed to be filled with venom.

“Where on earth is Your Majesty? I see He’s not in his office.”

Coreld said this while glaring at Lucy.

The empress who should be there has disappeared, and in these times.

Of course, it is safe to say that this is a state of emergency.

But Lucy tilted her head calmly and scratched her cheek.

“well?”

“Lucy!”

Coreld’s Noh Ho Sung.

But Lucy avoided his gaze and laughed stupidly.

Of course, it was not that he didn’t know where the Empress had disappeared to. In fact, Lucy herself had helped him escape from the office.

But I couldn’t tell the truth.

If you do that, you never know what kind of scolding Lucy might get.

“ha.”

Coreld rubbed his throbbing forehead.

It seemed like they were all determined to raise his blood pressure.

The Empress was particularly like that. She had been running away from her post every other day for three months. There might still be remnants of the religious order left, and there were still various events scheduled.

“Lucy, tell the truth.”

“Umm… … Soot… … Is it strong? Maybe it’s because I’m stupid, but I don’t really know… … Right?”

“If you don’t speak up, you’ll get a pay cut.”

“Ahh! That’s fatal!”

Lucy screamed.

The pay cut was her Achilles heel.

Lucy, who had finally succumbed to Coreld’s overwhelming power, had no choice but to confess.

“His Majesty has gone outside… … .”

“Where? Did you go to the mausoleum?”

Coreld frowned.

Many people died in the attack. Although a formal memorial service had been held a month earlier, it would not have been at all unusual for a thoughtful empress to attend the memorial service for personal reasons.

But Coreld’s expectations were off the mark.

That too, completely.

“No. In the city… … .”

“What?!”

You went completely outside the palace?

In these times? Really?

“Lucy, what the hell are you!”

“Ahhh! I’m sorry! But… … Your Majesty’s face looks so happy… … .”

“Are you… happy?”

Coreld’s mind was caught by those words.

And then, just one thought crossed my mind.

“Did you accompany Hoguk-gyeong?”

“Yes, yes.”

“What is the purpose?”

Coreld said so with a glare, and Lucy answered with a bashful smile.

“I heard you’re going to look into various things related to weddings and travel… … .”

“What the heck… … .”

The monocle that Coreld was wearing broke with a cracking sound.

*

“Etch!”

“cold?”

The weather is what it is, so it’s bound to be cold.

Because it was already early winter.

But the reaction of the girl in front of me was quite different.

“Oh, no. That’s not it… … .”

Lincia Airen, a girl with platinum hair and green eyes, smiled bashfully and touched her nose. Then she leaned her head against my shoulder.

“I wonder who will tell my story.”

“Of course I will. A lot.”

Because the last remaining member of the royal family and the empress has vacated the palace.

Wouldn’t things have been a total mess by now?

In fact, I was also against it, but Lincia’s will was so stubborn.

So, I was dragged out and had to go shopping.

Well, I didn’t think it would be dangerous.

Anyway, right now it’s a period of time floating between the 8th act and the final act.

The period from now on, about a year or so, has been virtually peaceful.

“Oh, isn’t that really pretty?”

“I know.”

Lincia’s appearance, smiling absentmindedly while looking at the dress, was certainly beautiful.

He had matured so much over the past year that it was no longer strange for him to be considered an adult. Furthermore, after promising to marry, he strangely felt a little burdened by the thought of being teased.

As I stroked Lincia’s hair, which was leaning against my shoulder, I brought her cheek closer and rubbed it gently. The soft sensation touched my palm.

That was the moment.

“Hahahaha! A foreign messenger!”

“Then I will be a patriot! A patriot!”

Near the square, I noticed children playing soldiers with sticks.

It was a common occurrence. It seemed that my name was somewhat known within the empire, along with the label of warrior who repelled the sect’s attack.

But, how can you play like that when the capital hasn’t even been restored?

I guess there’s nothing we can do about it since they’re children.

I was looking at that sight with a bitter smile.

“……town.”

however.

Lincia’s expression darkened noticeably when she saw this.

He staggered and turned around abruptly, as if trying to suppress his nausea.

“Lincia, no way.”

“Huh, huuu. It’s okay. Don’t worry, I… … .”

Lincia took a deep breath.

I looked at her with a worried expression, then I briefly reached out and hugged her.

Only after you were held in my arms did your body stop shaking.

After a few minutes, Lincia’s condition seemed to improve and her breathing became quieter.

“Status.”

Tiring.

=

Lincia Hodier Airen

[Achievement Level: 9 / Eternal Empress]

[Leadership 14] [Strength 18(+5)] [Intellect 32(+4)]

[Mental Power 15(+7)] [Charm 18] [Luck 14(+2)]

[Stress 9/10]

[List of characteristics]

– Obsession

– Delusion of persecution

– Panic disorder

[Remaining survival points 0]

=

I bit my lip slightly as I looked at the status window.

The stats themselves were truly monstrous.

Thanks to investing the survival points she earned into strength and mental power, Lincia has now reached a considerable level in both magic and swordsmanship.

But the problem is the negative characteristics underneath.

Among them, panic disorder.

Even in Raising the Empress, one of the most hated traits, panic disorder, was still holding Lincia back.

“If it’s hard, should we go back and rest for a while?”

“Oh, no. It’s okay. I can do it… … .”

Lincia raised her head.

Her complexion was still pale, but she was trying to smile.

I silently wiped away the tears that had formed at the corners of my eyes.

“More than anything, isn’t it time for a festival?”

“I know.”

I looked at the square again.

Although there were many buildings that were partially destroyed here and there, preparations for the event were being made steadily.

For three days starting today, a festival commemorating the victory was scheduled to be held.

“Let’s have fun, us.”

“huh.”

“i love you.”

Lincia buried her face in my arms as she said that, and I held her in my arms.

However, it felt like I was taking care of a younger sibling rather than a lover.

I decided to just leave it alone.