Chapter 302

Through the thick dust, the two figures slowly became visible.

The black outlines began to regain their color, and their forms became clear.

At the sight of this, the faces of the two who had rushed from each faction showed mixed emotions of joy and sorrow.

The rough breathing, the contorted faces.

White hair scattered in disarray. The severed right arm was rolling on the ground, and the earth was soaked with blood.

The sharp blade was aimed at Kalen’s beard.

The clean blade of Caliburn, imbued with sharp mana, shone dazzlingly just from being seen.

“Are you conscious now?”

Kalen, whose blood vessels had calmed down and whose face had turned pale and white, stared at Theo with a look of resentment.

“Wh-what have you done…! Cough, cough!”

Kalen’s body tilted significantly as blood sputtered from his mouth.

Behind him, Timothy tried to approach quickly, but—

“Do you want to die together?”

Theo’s cold gaze pierced Timothy and stopped him.

At the same time, Julius moved swiftly, blocking Timothy’s path.

“To be honest, I was impressed. I didn’t think you’d be so obsessed with this light beam.”

“Obsessed…?”

Kalen felt a ripple in his chest.

He knew that what Theo was saying now was simply a play on words.

Jealousy and obsession.

The difference between the two was just a hair’s breadth.

Looking back, it was true that Kalen had admired and envied Kyle.

However, he didn’t want to admit it.

It was simply his pride.

It was something Kalen, as a member of the Narsio family, could never allow himself to have.

“...You never stop talking.”

Kalen’s sword slowly tilted downward.

“Still, you did well.”

That was a compliment without falsehood.

Upon hearing that, a faint smile appeared on Kalen’s face.

At the same time, light beams were drawn wonderfully in front of him.

‘Right... this was it.’

The light from that day, the one he had wanted to emulate, to possess.

Kalen closed his eyes peacefully, as though he was satisfied.

As his vision gradually brightened, the face of his son, Tamuth, appeared in his mind.

“I’m sorry.”

Kalen whispered quietly.

Theo had no way of knowing who Kalen’s last words were directed at.

Scrape-

With a short, cutting sound, Kalen’s head shot up into the air.

His body crumbled.

With a dull thud, his head hit the ground.

There was no sound of cheering.

For a moment, silence lingered.

It was as if the world mourned for Kalen, and only quietness remained.

Then, as Theo turned and raised Caliburn high, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd.

“Such a brilliant battle.”

Julius remained behind.

He didn’t know how Timothy, having just lost his father, would react.

Timothy slowly approached Kalen’s body and kneeled in front of it.

He simply stared at Kalen’s face, which had closed eyes, with a hollow and emotionless expression, his face devoid of any hope.

Seeing no intention of fighting, Theo raised his hand.

Immediately, the Blue Sword Guard led by Magnus approached.

“Secure the traitor and handle the body.”

“Yes, understood.”

Magnus gestured behind him, and two guards approached Timothy, expertly restraining him and dragging him away.

His expression was vacant, as if he had become a lifeless husk.

Theo immediately turned toward the Narsio family’s gates.

Caliburn’s blade still gleamed.

Though the battle was over, the Narsio family might still present themselves in a last-ditch effort.

Theo’s soldiers, too, slowly moved forward, as if following his will.

Theo stood at the gate and shouted loudly.

“Anyone who dares to step forward, come now!”

Theo’s voice echoed, spreading across the area.

It was well known that the Narsio family had a strong bond between its vassals and family members.

Anyone among them would be willing to die in loyalty, so it was not strange to see this.

It was the final warning.

A stir within the fortress could be felt.

Since the three core members of the Narsio family were absent, it created confusion.

However, the overwhelming display of force by the head of the Ragnar family made them hesitate to act.

Even their bodies were nearly unharmed.

At most, only minor scratches or torn clothes were visible.

This all appeared as a great terror to Narsio.

There was no more waiting.

If they did not comply, only slaughter awaited them.

“Open the gates!”

At that, the gate slowly began to rise with a loud noise.

Theo smiled.

This was the moment he had aimed for — a bloodless entry.

As the gates opened, the Blue Sword Guard swiftly entered the fortress.

“Everyone, lower your weapons and gather here!”

With the command of the Radiant Dragon, the Narsio knights reluctantly laid their weapons on the ground.

Ke-eeek!

Above, dragons with shimmering silver armor roared as they soared through the skies.

It didn’t take long to subdue the area.

As the gates opened, Magnus approached Theo with a horse beside him.

“Everything has been safely suppressed. Let us go inside.”

Theo mounted the horse and confidently entered the fortress.

Once inside, on one side, the knights who had been bound were kneeling, their hands on the desk in front of them, showing their surrender.

The common people of the territory were trembling in fear, gathered in another area, being closely watched by the guards.

Theo, Julius, and Magnus passed through this scene.

They were leading Timothy with them.

The expressions of the common people as they looked at Timothy were sorrowful.

Some were even crying.

“Please don’t kill him!”

“Please! Don’t kill him!”

“Please! Show mercy!”

Some even begged.

Though Theo didn’t know much about them, it seemed that Timothy had some strong public support.

Ignoring them, he proceeded into the family’s main hall.

On one wall of the main hall were portraits of the Narsio family.

Among them was also a painting of Wellington.

Theo gazed at it for a moment.

A strange sense of bitterness filled him.

‘...Wellington, what would you want?’

Even in this dire situation, he wanted to give Wellington a tribute worthy of him.

The answer seemed to be only one.

Step, step.

A dignified elder in servant robes appeared at the top of the hall.

“Greetings. I am Ralph Nagnik, the head butler serving the Narsio family.”

Ralph greeted with proper manners and descended the stairs.

‘His skill… can it rival Kalen’s?’

An extraordinary presence emanated from Ralph, and naturally, Theo’s grip on Caliburn tightened.

“I do not wish to fight. Please, lower your killing intent.”

Ralph said this and knelt before Theo.

Magnus checked to make sure he wasn’t carrying any weapons, thoroughly searching him.

When nothing was found, Magnus nodded once.

“If you are the head butler, should you not avenge your master’s death?”

At those words, Ralph flinched slightly.

He was desperately suppressing the burning desire for revenge.

“...If Timothy’s life is taken, this old man will follow my master.”

In other words, he was pleading not to take Timothy’s life, while subtly threatening Theo.

“How dare you act so boldly in the presence of safety!”

Magnus was enraged, while Julius merely sneered.

This response was natural, as Ralph’s words had completely disregarded them both.

“Do you think you can be safe after insulting my vassals?”

A sudden cold atmosphere filled the room.

Normally, they would have immediately been punished, but—

‘...A crafty old man.’

If he killed him now, the meaning of the previous battle would be lost, so Theo withheld his strike.

Moreover, to fully absorb the Narsio lands, killing at this point was not an option.

Theo smirked at the realization that Ralph’s provocation had been intentional.

“I hope the current head of Ragnar will show great mercy.”

“I understand. Call the Narsio vassals to gather here.”

“They are already waiting in the conference room.”

For a moment, Theo wondered why such a person was in the Narsio family.

Just as Ralph was about to turn to lead them, Magnus spoke up.

“You haven’t set any traps, have you?”

“Who would dare oppose? Narsio is not so foolish as to disrespect a judge sent from the Imperial Palace.”

That was a valid point.

If Narsio were to make such a mistake, they would truly be erased from existence, and Ragnar would gain justification to lodge a formal complaint to the Empire.

“Lead the way.”

At Theo’s words, Ralph smiled kindly and headed toward the conference room.

The round table in the room was packed with Narsio vassals.

They had not drawn their swords but instead placed their hands visibly on the desk, showing their surrender.

‘At this point, it’s suspicious.’

They were clearly showing their complete submission.

‘I wonder how Narsio has fallen this far.’

Honestly, it was a bit regretful.

But upon further thought, this was the only way they could survive.

If they resisted now, they would have to fight not only the Ragnar army but also the Golden Lion Knights.

‘They know what it means to be gathered in this small room.’

Given that no one else was watching, if a purge took place here, no one would know.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Not the Narsio people, nor the soldiers who followed them.

Though Theo didn’t know what kind of schemes Ralph had planned, it was clear that the resolve of these men had been conveyed.

“This will be a quick conversation. The resolve you showed to preserve Narsio’s bloodline will not be forgotten.”

Theo couldn’t be sure if Timothy was the only direct descendant of Narsio, but the resolve these men showed to protect their family’s bloodline was enough to earn his admiration.

“Thank you.”

Still, looking at the faces of those around him, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of humiliation. Their expressions were pitiful.

Theo took his seat at the head, with the Maruyong and Hwanryong standing behind him.

“Lastly, I will show mercy. With the death of your head and the patriarch, your issues will be resolved by holding these two responsible.”

No one felt relief at Theo’s words.

What they felt was shame.

None of them were pleased about surviving after losing both their masters.

At least, Timothy had been saved, and the bloodline of Narsio had been preserved.

They stood their ground, holding onto that pride.

“For the time being, Timothy will remain in Ragnar as a hostage. Any objections?”

“No.”

“Good. Then, this is the end. Everyone, leave.”