Chapter 140……………………………..
“How are you planning to get into the temple? I heard the temple doors are locked.”
“I heard it before from Sir Yankeller. There’s a secret passage they sometimes use at night to sneak in and out of the temple.”
The High Priest Fenayo had sealed off the temple, and no priests were allowed to leave the grounds.
He claimed the closure was an expression of strict neutrality, but in truth it was nothing more than bat-like behavior—waiting to side with whoever won.
Even though there were surely people inside, the place felt bleak and desolate, as if it were completely empty.
Thanks to that, Everett and Ventus were able to enter the temple without drawing anyone’s attention.
“Sir Yankeller’s bedroom is on the top floor, he said.”
Ventus nodded in understanding and took the lead, walking ahead to guard against any possible danger.
“I think this is it.”
Unlike the other rooms, light was leaking out from beneath the closed door.
“Sir Yankeller.”
Everett carefully knocked, lowering his voice as much as possible while calling his name.
“Maybe he’s in his office? Shall we go there instead? I’ve been there before with Sir Kyle, so I know where it is.”
“Shall we?”
Just as they were about to turn around, Yankeller’s door opened.
Blinking as if he couldn’t immediately grasp the situation, he alternated his gaze between Everett and Ventus standing behind him.
“Sir Yankeller, wouldn’t it be better to come inside for now?”
“Ah, right. Please, come in….”
As Yankeller stepped aside, Everett and Ventus hurried into the room.
“Have you been well, Sir Yankeller?”
Everett greeted him, pushing back his hood.
“Everett, I didn’t expect you to come in person.”
“It didn’t seem like you’d be able to come out yourself. You might not know since you’ve been in here, but it looks like a battle is about to break out.”
“Already? Ah, wait a moment…. I think I made a few things.”
Yankeller busily went back and forth between his bedroom and the small study connected to it.
A short while later, he came out holding a small bag.
“Everett, I did try making them, but….”
“Thank you, Sir Yankeller. You made so many in such a short time.”
Ventus opened Yankeller’s bag. Inside were numerous spheres, both small and large.
He picked one up and asked,
“What is this?”
“Be careful, Sir Ventus. That’s a bomb sphere made with explosive powder.”
Startled, Ventus gently placed the bomb sphere back into the bag.
“A bomb, you say. Don’t tell me you made these yourself, Sir Yankeller?”
Scratching the side of his head shyly, Yankeller replied,
“I learned how to make them from Lady Hilde. I added a bit of magical knowledge of my own, but… the problem is I haven’t been able to test them, so I’m not sure if they’ll explode properly.”
“So this is the trump card Sir Yankeller mentioned, milady?”
“Yes, it really is a trump card, isn’t it?”
Everett was certain of it.
Yankeller would be able to make far better use of explosive powder than Hilde ever could.
It hadn’t been difficult to get Hilde’s permission, but persuading Yankeller had taken time.
“Everett, I made them because you asked, but will these really help?”
“Of course. Sir Yankeller’s bomb spheres will change the fate of the Bartman Empire.”
Yankeller took out two more spheres of different colors from the bag.
“This one is a standard bomb. After it explodes, flames burst out. And this one emits a powerful flash of light, blinding anyone nearby for a short time.”
“That’s amazing, Sir Yankeller.”
At Everett’s enthusiastic reaction, Yankeller smiled shyly and lowered his gaze.
“I’m glad… that they’ll be of help to you.”
Just as Yankeller was about to say something more, a tremendous shout echoed from outside the temple.
“So it seems you couldn’t leave the capital after all.”
Everett let out a faint sigh.
“That noise… is that Kyle and Duke Bacard fighting?”
Everett simply nodded once and told Ventus to take the bag.
“Sir Yankeller, we should be going now.”
“Everett, is there anything I can do to help?”
Everett shook his head with a gentle smile.
“You’ve already helped us immensely. Please pray for Sir Kyle’s victory.”
Kyle and the enemy knights who had left the imperial palace were crossing the plaza.
It was the fastest route to the eastern gate.
After the massacre of the Divine Empire Alliance, rumors spread that a massive battle would soon erupt in the capital.
More and more people stayed inside their homes, and the once-lively air of the capital grew heavy and tense.
Even considering the early hour, the plaza was nearly deserted.
The rebel forces could be seen chasing after the enemy knights, who were riding straight toward the center of the plaza.
“Sir Kyle, there’s some distance. It looks like we can pass through as is.”
Just as Alfred was shouting that to Kyle—
“Uraaaah!”
A thunderous roar erupted, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound cutting through the air.
“Your Highness! Arrows! Be careful!”
At the scream-like warning, Kyle ducked quickly and took cover near the shops lining the plaza.
Arrows continued to rain down, but fortunately, no one appeared to be seriously injured.
“Sir Kyle, are you all right?”
Alfred’s right temple had been torn open, blood streaming down his face.
His horse had been struck by an arrow and collapsed, sending him tumbling to the ground.
“That’s my line. Alf, you’re bleeding.”
“Ah, this… I’m fine.”
Alfred said indifferently, wiping the blood away with the back of his hand.
“Do you see that one over there? The one wearing the flashy armor.”
“That must be Duke Bacard.”
Kyle let out a short, humorless laugh.
“Coming onto the battlefield dressed in something that conspicuous. The duke must be desperate to die.”
Alfred and the knights beside him snickered.
“With the archers, it’ll be hard to launch an attack first.”
“Send the knights with bows to higher ground. Once we get close enough, attack the archers first with arrows and spears.”
“Yes, sir.”
Following Kyle’s orders, Alfred positioned the knights on elevated spots.
The remaining knights lowered their bodies, spears pointed forward, waiting for the rebels to approach.
The archers under Duke Bacard boasted their numbers, firing arrows without pause.
When the rebels entered spear range, Alfred shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Attack!”
The knights hidden on the rooftops stood and fired their arrows.
At the same time, the knights behind the plaza’s statues thrust their spears.
The leading soldiers were pierced by arrows and spears, collapsing to the ground. At the sight, Duke Bacard shouted for an attack as well.
Thus began the first battle between Kyle and Bacard in the capital’s plaza, once crowded with citizens.
Though outnumbered, they were the imperial knight order that had hunted monsters.
Faster and more precise than anyone else, they cut down the rebels one by one.
Whenever a red cloak fluttered, blood would spurt from a severed neck.
“As expected of Archduke Kyle’s knight order.”
Hugo, guarding Duke Bacard’s side, spoke in a trembling voice.
At that moment, despite clearly winning, they all felt as though they were losing.
Duke Bacard’s hands, gripping the reins, trembled uncontrollably.
Kyle’s red hair and the countless splatters of blood on his face strangely suited him.
It felt like witnessing one of Ruber’s battle paintings come to life.
Duke Bacard was afraid.
Even if everyone else died and only Kyle survived, it felt like it would never truly be a victory.
“Hugo, press harder. Kill every last one of them. Leave none alive. Only then will there be no future trouble.”
Hugo immediately understood what Duke Bacard meant.
He ordered the waiting soldiers to kill Kyle first.
“Hah… huff….”
Meanwhile, Kyle, having just taken down two soldiers, breathed heavily.
Like waves, the rebels kept coming no matter how many he killed. Looking around, he saw quite a few fallen knights as well.
Before long, another group charged forward with swords raised, shouting.
Kyle was exhausted, but there was no fear in his eyes.
“Hoo….”
He quickly flicked the blood from his sword and glared at them.
“Come on. I’ll show you properly how the legend of Ruber began.”
His green eyes flickered even redder than his hair.
“Let’s go! Bartman!”
At Kyle’s shout, the knights roared until their throats were hoarse.
At that moment, a massive explosion rang out from the rebels’ side.
Amid gray smoke, the bodies of dead soldiers and the agonized screams of the wounded could be seen.
Explosions followed one after another, and some of the rebels charging toward Kyle died on the spot.
“Now! Attack the remaining ones!”
As chaos spread among the rebels from the sudden blasts, the knights’ swords tore mercilessly through them.
With a few more explosions, the tide of battle turned in an instant, and a shocked Duke Bacard hastily ordered a retreat.
“Do not pursue.”
Kyle stopped the knights who tried to chase after the fleeing rebels.
