Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 267: Light the fuse.

Of course, there was more nagging than expected, but Arendt overcame it wisely.He gave a summary of the previous night’s events to Arthur, Richt, and Laius, who were surrounding him noisily.

“The Count suddenly came to visit in the middle of the night. Would it be possible to rest comfortably in that room?”

They knew that the relationship between the two was extremely bad, so they had nothing more to say about it.

Instead, the knights’ anger and frustration were directed entirely at Count Eckhart.

To summarize the outpouring of resentment, it was as follows: Why are you picking on someone who has been quietly doing nothing and making a fuss?

Arendt, who had successfully retrieved his sword and communication device, contacted Llewellyn.

As soon as the connection was established, a panicked voice sounded.

– What, what’s wrong with you? They said you were sick in bed?

“It was only for a day or two. More importantly, what about the dragons’ locations?”

Llewellyn responded in astonishment at the meaning of cutting to the chase and getting straight to the point.

– Uh… I don’t even know where to start pointing out the issues. Sir Arthur couldn’t have lied, so why are you already up and about? And on top of that, what’s with suddenly bringing up dragons? Are you kidding me?

“This guy and that guy, they’re making so much noise. I’m just up and about because I can be. Just answer my questions.”

Llewellyn screamed from beyond the communication port.

– Don’t I know you? You must have just run out because you were frustrated!

Arendt added irritably, holding one ear and briefly moving the communication port away.

“If you’re not going to answer, I’ll just hang up.”

– What should I do with this shameless bastard?

After muttering in confusion for a moment, Llewellyn let out a deep sigh.

– It was noisy here and there, but it suddenly became quiet last night. There was some evacuation due to the earthquake and thunder and lightning, but there was no civilian damage at all. That’s fortunate.

“It got quiet?”

– Oh, uh. Actually, I didn’t directly track the dragons, I just roughly guessed their location based on things like abnormal weather and earthquakes, so it might not be completely accurate. you want me to list the locations one by one?

Despite everything, Llewellyn was flawless regarding these things.

Arendt thought for a moment and then answered.

“No, that’s enough. I’ll ask later if I’m curious. By the way, I guess you haven’t joined the Knights yet?”

– I think we’ll be joining soon though. I’m also on the move. I’ve moved my troops and am searching first, but there hasn’t been much progress yet.

“Well, I guess so.”

Arendt spoke calmly and adjusted his grip on the communication port.

“If they were that easy to find, Lexion wouldn’t have wandered around.”

– Is that so… I told them to report immediately if they sense anything and then withdraw. They won’t be able to deal with those guys anyway.

Llewellyn’s voice hardened.

– I heard from Sir Arthur about the situation. Now, homunculi can pop out from anywhere?

But Arendt, on the other hand, was as indifferent as ever.

“Because Jin was able to create a fake spirit stone. I should have killed her then.”

– Don’t say scary things so calmly, please. I know it’s late now, but do you know how scared I was back then? What kind of guy would say, “You die and I die,” so grimly?

“You lack guts.”

Arendt was the only one who could say such things to the third prince of the Everan kingdom, who was known as a daring explorer.

While Llewellyn was dumbfounded by what he had heard for the first time in his life, Arendt changed the subject.

“By the way… how long has it been quiet?”

– What? Oh, oh, right. But didn’t that story just end a while ago? Why are you asking that all of a sudden?

Llewellyn, who had been answering blankly, asked curiously.

Arendt paused for a moment, then tilted his head to the side.

“Now that things have been sorted out, I think it’s time for him to show up.”

– Huh? …wait a minute, aren’t you still at your family home?

“Family home?”

When Arendt raised his voice slightly, Llewellyn quickly corrected himself.

– The Count’s house. Anyway, is he going that way? Why?

“Why, you ask? Because I’m here.”

– …

He wanted to say that it was reckless confidence, but Llewellyn simply stayed silent.

At that very moment, a loud scream erupted from the entrance of the castle.

“Whoaaaaaaaah!”

He knew this would happen.

Arendt let out a short sigh and got up from the sofa.

“Did you hear that?”

– Hey, take care. I’ll contact you again when I have time.

Llewellyn quickly said goodbye and then immediately hung up.

Arendt shrugged, put the communication port away, and walked slowly toward the source of the scream.

Lexion was quite a sight.

His face, hands and feet were covered in blood, and one side of his thigh was tattered and looked as if it was almost torn off.

Since he appeared out of nowhere using teleportation, it was only natural that the servant who happened to run into him would foam at the mouth and faint.

“That, Lexion.”

Laius, who had come running because of the commotion, asked calmly.

“First of all, may I ask if you are alright?”

“Ah.”

It was only after that nonsensical remark that Lexion realized the problem.

The servants who had rushed over hearing the screams were terrified at the sight of Lexion and were trembling in fear at a distance.

The knights standing behind Laius also had hesitant expressions.

“Do something about that blood. I thought you were a ghoul.”

Lexion, who clicked his tongue at Arendt’s criticism, used his magic power.

“No, wait. Not here…”

Laius, who suddenly came to his senses, tried to stop him, but it was already too late.

A sudden burst of bright light filled the surroundings in an instant.

A while later, Lexion reappeared in the light, looking neat and tidy.

“Is this enough?”

Lexion asked plainly, shaking off his cleaned clothes.

The servants nearby were on the verge of fainting from the magic that was suddenly cast.

Laius just gave up everything and nodded.

“If it’s okay with you, Lexion, then it’s fine.”

“That person doesn’t seem to be okay.”

At that moment, Arendt, who had been silent, gestured behind him with his chin.

There was Count Eckhart, who had rushed over after receiving a report that a bloody man had suddenly stormed into the castle.

“Ah.”

A sigh burst from the knights’ mouths.

At first glance, he looked no different than usual, but unlike his expressionless face, his pupils were shaking like crazy.

It was natural.

The Count, noticing the gazes, suddenly came to his senses and straightened his expression.

“…I’m not sure, but since it seems a guest has arrived, I will prepare a seat.”

After a while, Lexion and the knights who remained in the castle gathered in the reception room provided by Count Eckhart.

After the servants who had brought out the refreshments fled, trembling, Laius was the first to speak.

“I’ve received a rough briefing on the situation from Prince Llewellyn. Are your injuries alright?”

“As you can see, there is no problem maintaining this appearance. The body will also recover in a week.”

Lexion added, furrowing his brow in annoyance.

“Stellar won’t be able to move for a while. That fool had the audacity to get involved in a dragon’s fight.”

“Is he badly hurt?”

Lexion waved his hand dismissively at Laius’ worried question.

“I brought him to my lair, so he’ll be okay if he rests for a bit. The bigger problem is that I lost the guy… though I didn’t think it would be so easy to finish him off.”

Lexion frowned in displeasure.

Still, it was a pretty big win just to be able to keep Nikephoros from interfering while the knights dealt with the homunculi.

Arendt, who had been listening quietly, intervened.

“How was it? It must have been a long time since you had a chance to catch up with your fellow countrymen.”

“Yes, I solved it very well., for three days and nights.”

Lexion smiled bitterly.

“What kind of dragon is he?”

“Well, I can’t really define him in one word…”

Lexion frowned, as if just thinking about him made him feel uncomfortable.

“His name is Nikephoros. He is a very old dragon and must be twice my age. He has been living under the gods for a long time, so he has become very spoiled. He was like that in the past, but he is worse now.”

“…”

“Remember his features. He usually moves around in the form of a fog forest elf, and his main body is golden. He has a natural affinity for light magic. You should be able to recognize him easily, as he rarely changes his appearance.”

Lexion clicked his tongue in annoyance after saying that.

“The crazy old man, I thought he might have weakened a bit, but that was far from the case. Anyway, you all should be careful too. He’s not in his right mind, and he seems to be paying quite a bit of attention to the captain and the kid.”

Red eyes looked straight at Laius.

“Especially you, Captain. You are a person of interest in the cult, in a different sense than that arrogant guy. Be careful.”

“Okay, thanks for the advice.”

Laius nodded.

Lexion’s stiff face relaxed a little, as if he was quite pleased with that simple answer.

“By the way.”

But when he turned his gaze back to Arendt, he frowned.

“What the hell have you been doing? Your magic is a complete mess.”

“What do you mean by that? Even if you look again, I’m still handsome.”

“…”

Lexion looked up at the ceiling in annoyance at the shameless response.

But that was only for a moment, as he sighed deeply and snapped his fingers.

It meant for Arendt to come closer.

“Why?”

“Just shut up and come.”

“Tch.”

As Arendt approached with a sullen face, Lexion immediately cast a healing spell.

The moment Lexion’s hand touched him, a warm feeling permeated his entire body.

In an instant, the pain disappeared and his body felt light.

As Arendt’s eyes widened, Lexion spoke briefly.

“At this point, you should be able to move. If I treat the internal injuries carelessly, there may be side effects, so just endure it to some extent. Judging from the fact that you’re walking around as if you’re fine, I think there’s no problem.”

Even the arm that had several holes in it moved normally.

Arendt, who had been clenching and unclenching his fist several times, spoke again.

“You’re more useful than I thought. Anyway, thanks.”

“You’re probably the only crazy person in the world who tells a dragon they’re useful. I haven’t even confirmed the terms of the contract yet, and if you’re already like this, it’s going to be difficult.”

Lexion, who had responded angrily, stood up.

“If there is anyone who needs to return to the palace, gather them all. I will bring them there.”

“Yes?”

Laius, who didn’t understand what he was saying for a moment, asked back.

Lexion waved his hand in annoyance.

“I’ll take them there via teleport. From the looks of it, it looks like you were planning to stay here until you heard the news, and then join them at some point.”

“…!”

The knights’ eyes widened.

Even Arendt seemed momentarily speechless.

Silence fell in the large reception room.

After a while, Arendt was the first to open his mouth, full of doubt.

“What, why are you suddenly being so kind to us? What’s your plan?”

“This bastard is the same even when you treat him well.”

Lexion immediately spit out a harsh curse.