Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 487

This was the first time people in the palace had encountered Stellar properly.This was because he always followed Lexion and never acted alone. Furthermore, he usually stayed hidden in Lexion’s shadow.

“I look forward to working with you.”

Even at the elf warrior’s awkward greeting, Stellar only gave a curt nod, lips tightly sealed.

As the embarrassed elf warrior began shifting his gaze around awkwardly, Stellar looked at Arendt.

“Do we really have to move together? I could just teleport there on my own.”

“Are you stronger than our captain right now? If you’re confident you can face a homunculus without a single scratch, then go ahead and do it. I can’t wait to hear what Lord Lexion will say to you later.”

“…”

Stellar clenched his jaw with a displeased expression. He had nothing to say in rebuttal.

It seemed that he was very displeased with the idea of moving according to Arendt’s words.

But despite his complaints, Stellar followed the instructions more obediently than expected.

It was just as Arendt had boldly claimed.

“Remember what I said earlier? Once you’ve dealt with the homunculus, go after Nikephoros’ trail immediately.”

Arendt tossed him a small bundle.

.

Stellar caught it easily, then looked at Arendt as if to ask what it was.

Arendt explained.

“It’s a communication crystal ball. If anything unusual happens, use it to contact me immediately. If you succeed in finding any trace of Nikephoros, report it immediately.”

“Understood.”

“Warren will be leaving soon, so after you’ve defeated the homunculus, move with him. He’ll have a communication crystal as well.”

Stellar’s discomfort became more obvious the longer Arendt spoke.

Thanks to this, the elf warriors waiting behind couldn’t help but tense up in response.

Because the dragon’s confidant was not someone to be taken lightly.

“Can I go now that it’s over?”

“One more thing. Your target isn’t Nikephoros, but the core of the ghouls. Don’t rush at Nikephoros unnecessarily. If you encounter him, run away immediately.”

“…”

Stellar’s expression grew even more displeased. Arendt frowned slightly.

“Answer.”

“…Got it.”

Stellar finally gave a reluctant nod.

“And one more thing. Even after finding Nikephoros’ base, you have to consider the possibility that Lord Lexion might not wake up. He’s tough so I doubt that will happen. If you detect even the slightest movement from Nikephoros, report it here immediately. We need to prepare countermeasures.”

“Got it. You talk too much.”

A hint of genuine annoyance began to creep into Stellar’s face. Arendt clicked his tongue and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Let’s both make it back in one piece.”

“I’d rather not hear that from someone who’s barely in one piece himself.”

The reply was far from polite.

Stellar’s magical power swallowed up all the waiting troops at once.

When the black magic dispersed, the place where they had stood was already empty.

Kendrick, who had been watching the whole process, groaned.

“I thought he’d be difficult to work with, but he’s surprisingly cooperative. What on earth did you promise him?”

“It’s nothing special. Just… a little deal.”

Arendt answered indifferently, hands in his pockets.

“Just in case, I told him to pretend to be Lord Lexion once they arrive. It’s already well known that we have a dragon on our side.”

“Not our side, but your side.”

Arendt shrugged as Kendrick corrected him.

“You didn’t have to come all the way out here to watch, you know.”

“When else would I get a proper look at Stellar’s face? I should take the chance when I get it.”

Kendrick, who answered jokingly, changed the subject.

“We don’t know how many more homunculi will appear in the future… I’m planning to split up the units and dispatch them in rotation. His Highness also sent word to the Allied Forces.”

“Oh?”

Arendt glanced at Kendrick.

“Instead of approaching the capital, we designated cities for each nation’s reinforcements to stay so that we could easily respond to any situation from anywhere.”

“You’ve dispersed the troops.”

Kendrick nodded at the apprentice knight’s casual remark.

“That’s right.”

From the Lucain Kingdom, Prince Louis had come. From the Nephele Kingdom, it was Crown Princess Isabella herself.

And from the Everan Kingdom, Prince Ludwin personally led the reinforcements.

They gathered in the Empire with the intention of destroying all the enemies.

The stage was now narrowed to the Caerleon Holy Empire.

“And we’ve established strongholds for elf warriors throughout the capital. Lord Ragnald, Lord Zakar, and Lady Shekhinah will be moving to those locations. And if homunculi appear after Warren…”

After a brief pause, Kendrick added:

“I plan to head out myself.”

Arendt, who had been listening silently, finally raised his head.

“What?”

“The capital is probably better off being guarded by younger people than someone like me.”

Kendrick answered calmly.

“I can roughly understand your intentions. You want to maintain the forces gathered in the capital as much as possible. The enemy’s main force will inevitably come for the palace. In that case, it makes sense to leave the elf captains behind and send me out first.”

After all, they were far stronger than Kendrick. Right now, the best option was to keep the strongest warriors stationed at the capital.

But it was an awfully cold calculation to make about oneself.

Thanks to this, Arendt also faltered for a moment.

“…That’s up to the captains to decide. But why you?”

“What I have is experience, not overwhelming force.”

Kendrick answered leisurely.

“And when I judge the situation with that experience, what’s needed now isn’t experience, but overwhelming force. Everything we’re facing is unprecedented, so my experience and prestige don’t really matter anymore. That’s probably why His Majesty chose to step back as well.”

“…”

Arendt didn’t respond. He simply stared at Kendrick with eyes that were hard to read.

“At this age, it’s honestly a bit pathetic. If only I were half as capable as Laius… then I wouldn’t have to drive my subordinates to their deaths. I wouldn’t be thinking these kinds of things.”

There were no deaths in the Third Knights, who were at the front lines.

The result must have felt quite meaningful to Kendrick and Diana.

“Being able to raise subordinates to be that strong… And Sir Arendt, it’s also Laius’ ability that allows him to keep such an oddball like you by his side. Honestly, I’m envious.”

Kendrick added, smiling as he locked eyes with the apprentice knight.

“But I still have to show that even veterans can be useful. Isn’t that right?”

“Well…”

Arendt frowned slightly and tilted his head to the side.

“I agree with the first and last statement, but most of the rest is wrong.”

“The first and the last?”

Arendt responded briefly to Kendrick’s puzzled question.

“That you’re pathetic, and that that even veterans can be useful.”

“…”

For a moment, Kendrick clenched his jaw. A moment later, he let out a dry chuckle.

“As always, I can’t tell if that’s an insult or a compliment.”

“Who knows? But did you realize that it’s quite pathetic to say such things to a young apprentice knight?”

“Yeah, you little rascal.”

Kendrick raised a hand and playfully feigned a smack.

“I spoke nonsense.”

“You’re only going up against a homunculus. Why’re you talking like you’re walking off to your death? And it’s not that Captain Laius is so amazing, it’s that I’m competent.”

Arendt scowled and took a few exaggerated steps back to put distance between them.

“Do you know why those idiot seniors got so strong? They’re afraid of being overtaken by me. So, in the end, it’s all thanks to me.”

Kendrick, who had been listening quietly, burst out laughing.

“Unbelievable. Aren’t you trying to say that it wasn’t my fault?”

“I’m telling you to stop talking nonsense and focus on what you need to do. Don’t get all worked up over a single homunculus. There are other important matters at hand.”

With a casual shrug, Arendt turned on his heel and strode off first. Kendrick watched him go, still wearing a half-bemused expression.

“What a personality…”

He let out a few small chuckles.

A report came in saying that a homunculus had appeared near the capital. It was just as Arendt had predicted.

After Warren’s deployment, less than half a day later, reports of the next homunculus arrived at the palace.

With the Allied reinforcements still in place, Kendrick did as he was told.

No one could break Kendrick’s stubbornness in insisting on going out in person.

Just like the Emperor, who had already stepped back from the frontlines…

By stepping out of the spotlight, Kendrick had redefined his role.

From a distance, the scorched earth appeared. The acrid smell of burning stung his nostrils, putting Stellar in an even worse mood.

As if trying to shake off the smell, Stellar ran even faster.

As the giant dog began to run quickly, the elves riding behind had no choice but to spur on their horses as well.

But the closer they got to the scene, the stronger the smell of blood and acrid smoke became.

‘That arrogant brat.’

Actually, he could tolerate the stench to some extent.

The reason why Stellar was upset was none other than that damn apprentice knight.

Since Lexion was friendly to him, he felt he had no reason to reject him either.

‘But to think I’d end up doing errands like this.’

But somehow he couldn’t ignore it.

Stellar naturally recalled the conversation from the previous morning, before dawn.

The palace, still tinged with the smell of blood, was in its darkest hour before dawn.

In front of the training ground where the giant dragon was sleeping, Stellar bared his teeth with the intention of truly killing Arendt.

“Don’t disturb the person who’s resting. If you plan on putting him in danger again, I’ll kill you first.”

“Who said you’re a mangy dog, your loyalty’s something else. I don’t get why you’re taking it out on me just because you’re useless.”

But the apprentice knight seemed completely oblivious to such things, and simply muttered words that provoked his temper.

“And when did I ever put Lord Lexion in danger?”

“It’s no different. You’re forcing Lord Lexion to fight.”

Lexion’s injuries left Stellar half-out of his mind. He grew even more furious at the thought that Lexion, after returning to the palace, had immediately sought out Arendt.

“Know your place. As a human being, don’t even think of trying to manipulate him.”

“As I said before, don’t misunderstand. We’re just working together because we share the same purpose. And I’ve never ordered him around. Do you think a dragon would meekly let himself be ordered about?”

Arendt snapped irritably, continuing.

“If he wanted to boss people, he would’ve smashed the palace to pieces and locked whoever he wanted away in some lair. He knew it was a fight he had to fight, so your master threw himself into it, you idiot.”

Arendt stuffed his hands into the pockets of his baggy coat.

“Lord Lexion and I simply have a cooperative relationship. It’s a give-and-take.”

“As you said, you have gained unparalleled power. But what has Lord Lexion gained?”

Stellar shot back fiercely, radiating a murderous intent as if ready to bite at any moment.

But Arendt remained completely unfazed and asked an unexpected question.

“Is it only Lord Lexion’s well-being that you want?”

“Yes.”

“Then I think you and I have some common ground.”

Towards Stellar, who did not bother to hide his anger, Arendt made a suggestion with a blank expression.

“I think we could collaborate, just like Lord Lexion and I did. You don’t plan on hiding in Lord Lexion’s shadow forever, do you?”

The image was still vivid.

In a space devoid of light, his eyes were shining a bright golden color like a bonfire.

“You have to work for your own goals. I think you’re starting to get a little annoyed. Lord Lexion is secretly treating you like a puppy.”

“…”

“There’s more you can do than you think. You’re not a dog that just follows its owner around. Don’t you think it’s time to start standing on your own two feet?”

His voice, which had been mocking, softened considerably.

“You know very well what Lord Lexion and I are aiming for.”

A cold smile appeared on the apprentice knight’s face.

He took a light step back and breathed out calmly.

“I don’t know when this fight will end, and I don’t know if I’ll see it in my lifetime… but I can promise you one thing.”

At some point, Stellar was concentrating on his movements.

“At the end of this fight, I will be able to grant Lord Lexion true freedom. I swear it.”

Arendt spoke clearly, one word at a time, under the watchdog’s gaze.

“If you cooperate with me, that time might come a little sooner.”

It was a remark that completely ignored failure or defeat. It wasn’t arrogance or empty boasting, but rather a statement about an inevitable outcome.

“…”

For a long time, Stellar used all his senses to gauge Arendt’s true intentions. He sniffed, observed his expression, and checked his complexion.

Arendt waited leisurely, as if telling him to observe carefully.

Stellar nodded slowly, his expression dubious.

In the end, he had no choice but to admit it.

For Lord Lexion in this damn world…