“The enemy… Captain Welch?”
None of the Wolf Knights could believe it, and they were shaken.
‘Luckily, the Wolf Knights aren’t dismissing this lightly, as I had feared.’
Kassel explained slowly.
“What Suvel said isn’t a lie. As Master Irine said yesterday, the ‘resurrected from death’ attacking here tomorrow is someone who once went by the name Welch.”
“Then why didn’t you mention that name specifically yesterday?”
Malra, who had recently become closer to Kassel through various hometown stories, asked.
“I wasn’t certain then. Also, at that time, the resurrected one didn’t have the forces to break through the Gold Gate, so I thought it wasn’t the stage to mention a specific name. Master Irine probably thought the same.”
Kassel’s explanation left Malra with a bitter expression.
“And the army coming now is the Excelon Knights our predecessors defeated?”
“Of course, their strength isn’t comparable to the knights who attacked the Gold Gate ten years ago.”
Kassel added.
“We’ve increased in number since then.”
Alex, who had been a Wolf Knight even ten years ago, spoke up.
“And the level of today’s Wolf Knights is certainly not lower than back then.”
“Regardless of skills, they have the power of immortality. I’ve already seen them resurrect from death several times. They may be different from the monsters I saw in Camort, but I think they use the same power.”
Franz, who had been listening quietly, tilted his head and asked.
“That’s strange. You’ve been silent since yesterday, so how do you know all this?”
Suspicion filled Franz’s eyes.
“I heard that you met with Her Majesty separately yesterday. Not Jaymer, but you! Since yesterday, we’ve all been excited about one of the two newcomers becoming the Wolf Captain. But I never thought someone who can’t even wield a sword would be the captain. The situation seems to be pushing you into that role, how come?”
Jay, who made brief eye contact with Kassel, just shrugged his shoulders. Kassel closed his eyes for a moment before speaking.
“I don’t want to evade the issue, but I’d like to discuss that after we repel the Black Knights who might attack tonight.”
“If you don’t want to evade it, then speak now. If a battle is about to start, someone needs to lead. Is that so difficult?”
Franz spoke in a strong tone. Then Sildire intervened.
“Stop it, Franz. Kassel is right. Now’s not the time for this. If those bastards are targeting Her Majesty, we should be preparing to fight with all our might.”
Sildire spoke harshly, poking Franz in the chest with her finger.
“Leader? Front of the battle? Have we ever had trouble with battle formations without a captain? If that’s so important, why hasn’t Azwin become the captain before? Make your position clear, Franz. Are you trying to drive Kassel away, or are you trying to force him into the captain’s role?”
Kassel didn’t want to see two Wolf Knights fighting over him.
“Please, Sildire, stop. And Franz, don’t misunderstand. I just want to give everyone the information I know.”
Kassel calmed Sildire down. With an angry face, Sildire kept glaring at Franz as she stepped back. Franz looked utterly flustered.
This wasn’t written in Sheyden’s notebook, but without needing long observation, one could quickly guess the nature of the relationship between the two.
Sildire had always listened to Sheyden and followed Franz closely. Franz probably treated Sildire like a younger sister. But now, that very person was suddenly taking the side of someone who appeared out of nowhere yesterday and pointing fingers at him. It was natural for him to be flustered. Kassel understood his feelings, but he felt uneasy, fearing that the help he just received might turn into an arrow aimed back at him.
“Now, Franz. And everyone. What’s important now isn’t who I am. So please listen to me. You all need to prepare for a possible surprise attack tonight, but the real battle seems likely to happen after sunrise tomorrow, so I hope you don’t stay up all night unnecessarily. And…”
Putier raised his hand and spoke.
“You might not know, but the White Gate doesn’t have any space for defense. So if they attack at night, we will be completely vulnerable. It’s obvious from the outside, so why would they wait until morning to attack? If I were the enemy, I’d definitely strike at night. It’s like a chess move you can see from six moves ahead but you can’t stop it.”
At Putier’s words, only Kassel and Coen burst into laughter. The rest didn’t understand why they were laughing amidst such a serious situation.
To avoid an awkward atmosphere, Kassel quickly spoke.
“Though they are ‘resurrected from death’, they are knights of Excelon by discipline. At least Black, or Welch as I saw, wouldn’t attack civilians at night.”
“It sounds plausible, but will it go as planned?”
Putier still looked uneasy.
“My bigger concern is why they are coming here. I thought Black resurrected to make up for the defeat at Gold Gate ten years ago. But according to Paval, Gold Gate suffered almost no damage except for a few injuries. Then Black’s real target must be here.”
“Suvel said to hand over Her Majesty.”
Alex, the eldest, said. Kassel shook his head.
“I don’t know why Black wants Her Majesty, but we can’t just comply with that.”
Eryl, who had initially guided Kassel to Quain’s office, asked.
“Then what’s the meaning behind what Suvel said about their march?”
“I don’t really know either.”
Kassel shook his head.
Eryl asked again.
“Then what should we do? If we don’t understand its meaning, won’t Nadium fall?”
“I’m in an advisory position. I have no right to give any orders to you.”
As they looked at each other and discussed at length, Kassel didn’t say a word. Tanya had approached at some point.
“I want to help you with your decision. Her Majesty also wants my advice to reach you.”
Tanya, who hadn’t been seen since they parted in the library that morning, looked extremely tired, probably having not slept at all. Kassel too felt a bit fatigued, having only managed to nap for about an hour apart from staying awake. Tanya held up a bead around her neck and said.
“It’s not just the Black Knights approaching us. Why they are coming here, I don’t know either. But one thing is certain: among the horde of Black Knights, there is a dark sorcerer who controls the undead, heading this way! That immortal knight order might be mere puppets leading him here.”
Tanya’s bead glowed blue. Inside the bead, the figure of Black standing in the darkness appeared, likely a visualization of what she had seen a few days ago.
“Block the advance of the Black Knights. Do not let them pass beyond the White Gate. As Kassel said, they won’t massacre civilians or burn down houses once they cross into Nadium. Instead, it’s the demonic power mixed among them that will bring destruction to Nadium.”
To this straightforward proposition, Franz stood up, brushing off his hands.
“There’s no need for deep thought. Our task is simply to prevent the Black Knights from passing, right?”
Zainon tapped Kassel’s shoulder and asked.
“Hey, Kassel, just one question. How did the White Wolves in Camort kill those immortals?”
“They killed the one who had resurrected them. But this time, we don’t know who is behind the resurrection.”
They took this as the answer.
One by one, the Wolf Knights dispersed to don their armor and fetch their weapons. Some returned to the dimly lit training grounds to practice simple battle formations. Like always, they were preparing for what’s next on their own.
Only Jaymer, Tanya, and Sildire remained around Kassel.
“I should go get my armor too. Oh, and thanks for earlier.”
Sildire said.
“No, I’m the one who should be thankful.”
Sildire awkwardly smiled, then feeling awkward about her own smile, she headed back to her quarters. Tanya commented.
“She’s a sweet kid.”
“You wouldn’t say that if you saw her wielding a sword.”
Jay remarked.
Kassel agreed with both statements.
☆ ☆ ☆
“There was nobody in the library.”
Kassel said, standing in front of the locked library door.
“You’re the odd one for wanting to read books at a time like this.”
Sheyden grumbled as he unlocked the door. He was still dedicated to treating his injury, but from another perspective, it seemed like he was conserving energy for a big fight ahead. Sheyden only opened the library door for Kassel and then turned to leave, a seemingly invisible burden weighing on his back.
Sheyden didn’t head towards the quarters but towards the village.
“Where are you going?”
“To Lergo. My spear will be completed soon. I want to be there when it’s done. Why do you ask?”
Sheyden, noticing that Kassel had something to say, asked.
“You seem troubled.”
“Can you see that? Everyone thinks I’m idle because I’m like this.”
“It doesn’t look to me like you’re healing or resting, but rather, you’re, I don’t know, pushing yourself? That’s how it seems.”
Sheyden laughed hollowly. Kassel approached and asked.
“Right? You’re struggling, aren’t you?”
“The burden of responsibility that was shared by five is now on my shoulders alone. Before, I thought it was okay because there were four others besides me. Seems like the others also shrugged off their responsibility onto each other.”
Kassel, being tall, pulled Sheyden into a shoulder hug, imitating something Azwin used to do.
“You’re the only one who thinks that way, Sheyden. It wasn’t mutual reliance, but reliance on you. Loyal, Azwin, Gerald, Dunmel – all of them! You’re the big brother of the White Wolves. But now, I’m the captain. You can share some of that burden with me.”
“I know. That’s why I can leave everything else to you and focus solely on the upcoming battle. I’m glad you’re here.”
Sheyden casually gave Kassel the reassurance he most wanted to hear and left.
“I’ll be waiting for your orders, Captain.”
Even after hearing such words from Sheyden, Kassel couldn’t just sleep peacefully. He didn’t understand why, but he felt the answers were in the books. This had been true when he skimmed through books in the library yesterday, and when he heard Suvel’s words – the answers seemed to be in the books.
Already on his fifth cup of tea, Kassel turned the pages.
‘I need to know the truth, not just rumors. That will help predict the next move of the resurrected Excelon.’
As Kassel was about to get up for another cup of tea, battling the oncoming drowsiness, he noticed a steaming cup already placed beside him.
“I’m not sure if you’re overdoing it.”
Tanya’s expressionless face had become familiar to him.
‘She really cares about me. That means she must have been considerate even in the moments I didn’t realize.’
Kassel grasped the teacup with both hands.
“Thank you.”
Tanya, holding a similar cup, sat down in front of Kassel. She nodded towards the book.
“Does that actually help?”
“I’m hoping it will.”
“Everything isn’t in the books… That’s what the Master used to say.”
“Books are records of the past. So let’s read diligently… That’s what my father used to say.”
“That’s an oddly contradictory statement.”
“My father himself is a bit of a contradiction.”
“Sometimes, when you talk about your father, I can feel the love between you.”
“Huh, really? Then would you like to hear another of my father’s beloved sayings about books?”
“Go ahead.”
“If you buy books with the money meant for grain, you’re doomed.”
“Ah, that’s truly… overflowing with… affection.”
Tanya barely finished her sentence.
“It’s also a prophecy that comes true if you don’t heed it.”
Kassel took a sip of tea and then picked up another book, opening it to a bookmarked page.
“This is one of the more interesting records. Did you know most of the Excelon Knights were criminals?”
“I didn’t know, I wasn’t much interested in the history of Acrand…”
“Even if you were, you wouldn’t have known. I only found out from a retired Excelon Knight, and there’s more detailed record in this book.”
Kassel showed her another part he had found in a different book.
“But there’s also this record. Excelon, selecting knights based solely on skill, didn’t receive as good treatment compared to the purely noble royal knight orders… in contrast to the Wolf Knights, who are chosen for skill and are treated well.”
“That’s common in most countries. Aranthia is the odd one.”
“That’s one way to see it.”
Kassel pointed to sections in both books.
“They were chosen for skill, including criminals, which gives a rough idea of Excelon Knights’ composition. A hastily assembled knight order for a sudden war, essentially expendables made up of disposable individuals.”
“That can’t be? From what little I know, there’s no more dutiful knight order than them.”
“True.”
Kassel sipped his tea and paced nearby. The drowsiness required occasional movement to stay alert.
“It might not be all of Excelon. But it seems they were classified as expendables. However, centered around a captain with tremendous charisma, they brought down Irophis’s royal knight order and became an undefeated legion.”
Kassel continued in a whispering voice, building the tension.
“Moreover, their original purpose was dragon hunting! Humans hunting dragons? Isn’t it clear from such a purpose that ‘You shall die alongside the dragons!’ was the founding intent of the knight order? Yet, this tremendous order actually achieved that purpose.”
Kassel paused to organize his thoughts before flipping through another part of the book he had been searching for.
“Look here. The really important part is this. The army of Lontamon, which should have stopped there, suddenly turns towards Aranthia. Why, do you think? Probably something happened in between, something unknown to us and unrecorded in history.”
“Lontamon invaded Aranthia for reasons unknown, leading to the famous battle at the Gold Gate?”
“Yes. But… this is only a single line and even the narrator expresses uncertainty because it’s based on rumors, so it’s a bit ambiguous to say…”
Kassel showed her the section. Tanya quietly read the one-liner and tilted her head.
“It’s possible if the Excelon Knights who participated in the last battle at Gold Gate were all criminals.”
“That’s it. The man I know, Falcon, did not go as far as Aranthia. It’s a bit of a weak argument to make based solely on that, but if what the narrator says is true, then it might be plausible that all members of the Excelon Knights who fought the Wolf Knights at Gold Gate were criminals. The Excelon Knights were sort of mercenaries. Mercenaries with a contract to act as a knight order until they destroy the dragon knights of Carnelock. But for some reason, that contract was extended.”
Kassel reread the sentence he had shown to Tanya.
‘If the Excelon Knights advance as far as the White Gate of Aranthia, they will receive the reward of never being constrained by their past crimes.’
Tanya fiddled with her necklace out of habit. The images of Billy and Black from her memory appeared faintly in the gem.
“If what you’re saying is true, then it’s an incredible coincidence. That Excelon Knight named Billy, wasn’t he the one who led criminals and attacked a High Lord to capture you? And then you both headed to Nadium.”
“Exactly. The criminals, originally serving a different leader, coincidentally met Billy at the Gray Gate. They believed that with Billy, they could accomplish something great and that reaching the White Gate might miraculously clear their past. Their hope, however, was shattered by a hunter named Jaymer.”
“In the end, Billy, knowingly or not, was precisely following what Captain Welch had attempted in the past. Like a mercenary bound by a contract.”
“It’s unlikely that Billy knew, as Lontamon would not have shared such a scandalous story. Since Black had lost his past memories, they could not have known each other’s history. So, the two incidents are completely coincidental.”
“But for Black, who had lost his memories, it must have been a significant influence.”
Tanya’s words struck Kassel like a blow. The behaviors of Black up to now, his determination to reach only Gold Gate changing to head towards White Gate, the followers he wouldn’t have had originally… the current Excelon Knight Billy and Suvel, who might have become a Wolf knight!
‘Is this really just a coincidence?’
“Black must have regained his memories. He would know who he was in the past and is now leading his former subordinates. My goodness! Then there’s only one thing he must do.”
Tanya did not show surprise during their conversation, perhaps having already realized this. She simply nodded in agreement with Kassel’s opinion.
“They are executing the orders they received ten years ago. This was the meaning of Black’s march. To free themselves from past sins by advancing the Excelon Knights to the White Gate!”
Unlike the excited Kassel, Tanya remained calm. She erased the images in the orb and spoke.
“Even so, nothing changes. Knowing they have returned from death to carry out past orders doesn’t make them any less dangerous, does it? It’s not like we have to open the White Gate for their rest.”
“That’s true.”
Kassel sat down to calm his trembling heart.
He organized the thoughts in his head along with the books he had spread out. Tanya helped by placing bookmarks back in the books.
The titles of the thick books passed under Kassel’s gaze one by one. The secrets of the Excelon Knights, their records, the last whereabouts of Captain Welch. The theories and data proposed by many historians. Some wrote like storytellers, others filled their pages with mere information.
“Maybe it’s just what I hope to believe…”
The Black Knights only passed through the Gold Gate without destroying it, possibly because the Wolf Knights weren’t there. If they came here to avenge a past defeat, it would be enough just to stand before the White Gate.
They could also be mere puppets sent by the Lord of the Undying. All possibilities must be considered. Yet, Kassel wanted to stick to his initial thought about Black.
‘He’s not being controlled! He must be acting on his own will.’
Kassel pulled a book he hadn’t read yet closer and said,
“Anyway, if Welch is at the center of this, we need more detailed information. The Queen had nothing to say, unfortunately, and Master Quain and Master Irine just brush me off, saying they’ve already told me everything.”
“Did you ask them?”
“I went to them forcibly, but they insist it’s my job to handle from here on. They say they’ve told me everything they can. So, my only reliance is these history books.”
Tanya responded with an emotionless smile, picking up a book Kassel had set aside.
“Then I’ll help too.”
“Aren’t you tired? You were also…”
“I’m a sorceress, so it’s okay.”
“Sorceresses need sleep too.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I worry because I want to.”
“Why?”
“Well…”
Kassel fumbled and then asked,
“About this morning’s incident…”
“Let’s not talk about that.”
“No, I want to.”
Tanya frowned at Kassel’s words.
“You’re surprisingly stubborn?”
“So are you, Tanya.”
“If you are stubborn, then I’m just stating my opinion.”
“That’s being stubborn.”
“Do you want to continue this morning’s argument?”
“Then let’s hold hands first.”
“Why?”
“Because we argued while holding hands this morning.”
“Why do we have to start the argument from there?”
“Well…”
Kassel confidently opened his mouth but had nothing in particular to say. Just then, an odd sound was heard. It was a sound that Tanya didn’t make with her mouth. So, Kassel thought she spoke with magic.
“What was that?”
Kassel asked.
Tanya looked puzzled and asked back,
“What was what?”
“Didn’t you just say something? You used magic to speak, didn’t you? I know.”
“What do you know? I didn’t use any magic just now. If I did, I would have cast a spell to shut your mouth.”
“Really, you didn’t say anything?”
“Not at all.”
It had turned into a foolish conversation. Just as Kassel awkwardly tried to apologize, that sound was heard again, clearer this time.
‘Kumu…, dru…, moor, aift, piat, mo…’
Kassel stood up so abruptly, knocking over a chair noisily, that if a librarian had been present, he would have been ejected immediately. He mimicked the sound he heard aloud.
“Kumu dru moor aift piat mo… I’m hearing this. Am I the only one?”
Tanya looked surprised.
“That’s an ancient language. Also a language of magic. How can you…?”
Kassel had an intuition about where this sound was coming from.
“Can you translate it?”
“I’m not proficient in ancient languages, but it’s simple enough that I think I understand the meaning. ‘Come here… Seek me.’ Who would be saying that to you?”
Tanya added with a face full of unease, as if sensing something ominous.
“Could it be the Grey Sorcerer?”
“No.”
Kassel had heard a similar language about a month ago. Even in his faint memory, this voice was remarkably clear.
“It’s the Sword of Aranthia.”
“The sword?”
Even for a sorceress, such a thing was surprising.
“The sword is calling me.”
☆ ☆ ☆
“Where are you going in the middle of the night?”
Kassel rushed to the stable and led out a horse. Despite Tanya’s protests, he did not listen.
“To the sword. I must follow the voice of the sword.”
“Isn’t it usually the person who is the master of the sword? If you follow the voice of the sword, then you’re not its master, the sword is yours.”
“I’d love to have another lively debate with you about that.”
Kassel said with a grin.
“I think if Black is at the center of this, then the Sword of Aranthia is the key to resolving it. It made him from a hero of Lontamon to a loser, so it must stand at the center of this fight too.”
“It could be a trap. With darkness so powerful, who knows what could happen if you leave the White Gate.”
“I still have to go.”
“Being stubborn again?”
“Please don’t try to stop me with force.”
“I was thinking of stopping you with magic. But I won’t. Instead, I’ll accompany you.”
“Really?”
“You’ll need a bodyguard.”
Tanya’s body seemed to lean back slowly, then in the next moment, she transformed into a wolf with shining silver fur in the darkness. Her wolf form spoke in a deep voice.
“As you said, the battle will happen tomorrow morning. It’s unreasonable to search for a sword whose location is unknown on horseback. Ride on me. It will be faster.”
“But, that’s…”
“Do you think I’ll be burdened? I carried Shayden for hours. And it’s more comfortable than you think without a saddle, so don’t worry about that.”
“I can’t possibly ride on your back.”
Tanya paused for a moment before speaking.
“You are a strange man, Kassel. Even in such a moment, you say such things. Are you being considerate, or are you afraid of me? Just yesterday and today, too. Amidst such powerful knights, most men would feel intimidated or run away. The second test of the Wolf Knights was meant to be that. But you boldly stepped in, even taking care of and looking out for a young knight.”
“That’s irrelevant to the second test. I was simply happy to be among the Wolf Knights. I admire them, and being with them was enough for me. Sildire…”
Kassel hesitated, wondering if he should say this, then continued.
“Sildire kept saying she didn’t deserve to be in the Wolf Knights. It reminded me of how I used to berate myself for not being worthy of being a captain, and I just wanted to help. The same goes for the other Wolf Knights. They are my heroes. Why would I feel intimidated seeing the Wolf Knights, whom I’ve admired since childhood, reading about them under candlelight?”
“Such words make you even more peculiar.”
“Since you put it that way, I’ll ride. If I’m hesitant, it’s just because I feel awkward about it. It would be different if I only knew you as a wolf, but having seen you in your human form…”
Kassel sheepishly climbed onto the wolf’s back.
Tanya was right. It was much more comfortable than riding in a saddle, almost like floating on air.
“It sounds like you’re bothered because I’m a woman.”
“Yes, that’s exactly it.”
“Why not think of me as a fearsome witch you’re afraid of? The appearance fits, after all.”
“Ha ha, appearance is something one gets used to. It’s more like you who’s concerned with appearances, Master Tanya.”
The back of the wolf’s head tilted slightly, probably pondering his last remark.
“We’re off. Tell me which direction.”
The wolf began to move slowly.
“Yes. We should head towards the Gold Gate first. How long will it take?”
“Two hours.”
In the next moment, Kassel had no chance to look around. The wolf sped off at an incredible pace. It was hard to even keep his eyes open. When he managed to, the surroundings were a blur, indistinguishable.
Kassel clutched the silver fur tightly, praying not to fall off.
–TL Notes–
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