Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight-Chapter 212

212. The Head of the Reinhaver Family [1]

[I’ll give you a chance.]

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.

[Surrender now and open the gates, and I’ll spare you. But if you don’t…]

[I will kill everyone as an act of defiance against the Reinhaver family.]

[I won’t give you a second chance, so keep that in mind.]

[Ah, and one more thing. I’ve already rescued the civilians who aren’t soldiers, so I hope you make a wise decision.]

Thug——

**********

The cracks in the Anti-Reinhaver Coalition spread in an instant.

This was because the words that came from Nox’s mouth were enough to plunge anyone into a state of panic.

What was the cohesion of the soldiers held here like from the beginning?

It wasn’t built on dedication or loyalty to the nation.

While many nations have such people, the situation here was even worse.

‘Essentially, these are nations created solely to fill the pockets of those at the top. Even the so-called allied forces are nothing more than a ragtag group of men conscripted from those who had no prior interaction. A disorganized mob, lucky if they’ve ever held a farming tool like a sickle in their lives.’

From the start, I had no intention of fighting them head-on.

That’s why I used Prim to organize a retreating force back to the mountain ridge.

By now, they’ve already crushed a few squads and taken the hostages.

“Haha, my brother is truly too merciful! To think of rescuing the families of soldiers who opposed you first. They should be grateful for your generosity.”

Grain, who had approached me as I sent a message to the enemies through the crystal orb, spoke these words. As he said, I knew that the enemies would use the soldiers’ families as hostages to fight me. The more one has to protect, the weaker one becomes.

Some say that this can also make one stronger.

But in most cases, the fear of losing what one holds dear is the most terrifying.

Why? Isn’t there a story like this?

About forcing soldiers to kill their own families in a foreign land before sending them to the battlefield, driving them to seek death. Such tales often come from the lowly bards living at the bottom of the continent.

That’s why I gave them hope.

It was a small spark,

but one that could grow into a blazing fire at any moment. I gave them a small chance to protect what was precious to them.

Also, whether they accept it or not is up to them to decide.

“By the way, the country is rotten to the core. They opened the gates of the capital for a few gold coins. The so-called sentinels fled long ago. Well, it’s a good result for us.”

“It’s a chaotic time, after all. I can understand their feelings. How many would want to stay loyal to a doomed nation?”

“True enough.”

Grain casually replied, glancing at the countless soldiers below.

A scale that would make any knight’s chest swell with pride.

It took considerable effort to mobilize a force of this scale.

The first was funding.

‘This was contributed by me, Grain, and Eleanor. Zitri also helped diligently with managing the accounts. Genius units are indeed different. Grain was quite resourceful too. Anyway, it’s surprising.’

The second was public opinion.

‘This was filled by my previous efforts.’

And the most important, the final piece

‘The Imperial Family’s permission.’

The permission and qualification to mobilize a force of this scale.

To obtain this, I didn’t have to put in much effort.

How was this possible?

The reason was as follows

— I appoint you as the Emperor’s Knight, Nox von Reinhaver.

The Emperor’s Knight.

The weight and privilege that came with it.

The overwhelming military authority to command up to 5,000 soldiers at will.

That was now in my hands.

Considering that without the Imperial Family’s permission, even a Duke’s house could only mobilize up to 10,000 soldiers.

This was an absurd number for an individual to possess.

‘Though it’s irrelevant to me now.’

Moreover, once recognized as a principality, I, like other Dukes, would be able to command 10,000 soldiers separately.

This would be my own army, entirely unrelated to the Reinhaver family.

Given that this happened in the dark family, the Imperial Family should have restrained it, but….

My position and relationship with the Emperor made it all possible.

Nox von Reinhaver.

Though walking a dangerous tightrope, if there’s something to be used?

‘I’ll use it decisively.’

“Then let’s set off. We need to reduce the number of soldiers who don’t agree with our stance as much as possible.”

Either way, even after all these measures, there will always be those who refuse to listen to me.

Moreover, they are not under my protection, and I had to wake up from the childish fairy tale of being able to save everyone, including them.

**********

Romwell, the Knight Captain.

The strongest knight leading the Allied Forces.

Once a vagabond from the barren south, he rose to his current position through sheer skill.

Yet even he feared someone.

“Nox von Reinhaver… a dangerous enemy. Everyone, stay on guard.”

“He’s certainly a knight with a reputation. But is he really that strong?”

A man standing beside Romwell, the Knight Captain, asked this.

His name was Quetzal, a hot-blooded knight with considerable skill.

His abilities were slightly better than the average soldier, but he truly believed he was one of the continent’s top geniuses.

‘It’s just bad luck that I’m rotting in this backwater. With my talent, I could easily cut this guy’s head off and become one of the top figures in Arkheim!’

Though Romwell said.

that Quetzal was a frog at the bottom of a well, he believed Romwell was simply jealous of his talent.

It was arrogance, but that was inevitable.

Some things can’t be learned without experience.

“Anyway, don’t worry too much. That Nox guy, just a few years ago, was called the disgrace of the Reinhaver family, wasn’t he? The only one of his kind. Those who follow him and he himself are nothing special.”

“The Reinhaver family teaches their direct descendants three basic Black Sword forms. Don’t you know what that means?”

“So, are you saying cheap mercenary swordsmanship like us can’t win? Ha, it’s just swordsmanship, right? A technique! It changes depending on the user’s ability, doesn’t it? If The Knight Captain is already scared…”

“…Focus, Quetzal.”

In an instant, Romwell’s voice turned icy cold.

Like frost descending, an immense mana began to flow. Romwell slowly moving his sword, his movements filled with urgency.

But.

Shwat——!

A spray of blood proved his preparations futile as his vision flashed red.

Quetzal’s pupils narrowed, unable to follow what had just happened.

‘This is… What just happened?’

A massive wave of mana froze his body in the next moment, followed by a chilling sensation that paralyzed his central nervous system.

‘Gasp!’

Strange.

Just moments ago, he was perfectly healthy. Why had his body suddenly frozen?

This was a level of fear he had never experienced, even in countless battles.

As a voice reached his ears, his anxiety grew to its peak. It was the same arrogant, cold voice he had heard earlier.

“I said I wouldn’t give a second chance.”

Nox von Reinhaver.

Even without turning his head, he knew who the voice belonged to.

But Quetzal’s mind was filled with questions. How had he gotten here?

The place where Romwell, the Knight Captain, and he were stationed was in the central part of the residence. It was also a suitable location for a siege. The defenses were solid, and breaking through wouldn’t be easy.

Yet Nox von Reinhaver was here.

Gulp.

His Adam’s apple moved. Quetzal finally realized he was being crushed by immense mana.

Nox had lowered the concentration of mana in the air, making it possible. But it was meaningless.

The Knight Captain of Anti Reinhaver Allied Forces, Romwell, who he followed and believed to be the most outstanding knight, had a bright red line drawn across his shoulder, and at that moment, he had completely lost his will to fight.

“Nox von Reinhaver… as expected, no, even more impressive than I imagined.”

Romwell spoke calmly. His tone was detached, as if speaking to someone who held his life in their hands, but that was perhaps Romwell’s nature.

Nox had already sheathed his sword and looked at Romwell, slowly opening his mouth.

“How dull.”

“Is that so?”

Romwell replied indifferently. Then, locking eyes with Nox, he conveyed his message without words. kill me. It was an unspoken conversation between them.

Puhwat!

A draw so fast it was impossible to tell when the sword had been unsheathed.

It sprayed a line of blood in the air before slamming Romwell’s massive body to the ground.

‘This… no! I need to run!’

“The Knight Captain is dealt with.”

An unexpected voice reached Quetzal, who was barely twisting his body to move.

Quetzal stumbled and rolled a few times before reaching out toward the barracks. Just a little more.

If he could just get a little further away from that guy, he might survive.

A strong will to live drove his body, but.

why was it?

He couldn’t take another step forward.

“What!”

“I heard an interesting story outside. Perhaps.”

Nox began, walking toward Quetzal. His white hair swayed disheveledly.

“There’s a guy with orange hair inside who raped his wife and killed his daughter. He’s supposed to be near the Knight Captain, so finding him shouldn’t be hard.”

“…! Wait! There’s a misunderstanding! They lied…!”

Realizing his mistake, Quetzal shouted, but it was no use.

Nox shrugged as if it didn’t matter and stood over him.

Soon, the reason he couldn’t move became clear.

“Oh… Hm. If it’s a misunderstanding, I’m sorry.”

As Nox said this, Quetzal, with his blurring vision, tried to turn his head. But before he could complete the motion, his body froze cold.

Just before losing consciousness, he finally realized.

‘I’ve… already been cut. I was really just an insignificant frog. Romwell was right…oh’

Quetzal’s upper and lower body were cleanly split diagonally. Only then did he realize that the sword he had been so confident in had betrayed him at the last moment.

‘No, maybe the core had changed from the start…’

Relying on his meager talent, Quetzal had never put in effort.

Moreover, he had chosen to play the king in a small pond instead of seeking a wider world. Because of this, he met his end here.

He had mocked the Reinhaver family’s disgrace, confident he could surpass him, but now it was brutal.

Since it stemmed from the past, it was all the more fierce, baring its teeth at himself.

Nox had already known this.

**********

By the time Nox had dealt with Romwell, the Knight Captain, and Quetzal, the Vice Knight Captain, on the battlefield.

A new movement was detected within the Reinhaver family.

“Then let’s begin.”

Theo von Reinhaver had gathered the elders of the family.

There was only one reason.

“At this moment, I will decide the next head of the family to succeed me. Nox von Reinhaver.”

The eyes of the direct and collateral descendants with white hair and merciful eyes narrowed.

They had doubted it, but he had finally made the decision.

Before they could even protest, Theo’s declaration left his lips.

“My youngest son will be the next head of the Reinhaver family.”