Chapter 58…
“It feels kind of… underwhelming.”
Zionhac looked around and spoke his impression.
“Right? I thought it would be more bustling.”
The other knights agreed.
The Aquites family was so famous that their name echoed not just throughout the Empire, but across the continent.
The head of that house was none other than Zenon Aquites—
the Sword of the Empire.
Among nobles, there wasn’t a single one who didn’t know the name.
So naturally, they all expected the Aquites Marquisate to match its reputation in splendor.
But when they actually arrived, it was no different from any other ordinary territory.
No—if anything, it was even more modest.
There were far more places that felt like small villages than proper cities.
They thought at least the direct domain where the Aquites estate stood would be different.
“It’s because of geography.”
The answer came from Milleon, who was riding alongside Dante.
“Geography?”
“Yes. We share a border with Caldrion.”
There was no need for lengthy explanation.
One sentence was enough.
Seeing Zionhac and the others nodding in understanding said it all.
“Those lunatics kept invading, so there was no chance for cities to be built, huh.”
It was only quiet now—barely a decade ago, Caldrion had constantly drawn their swords and invaded the Empire.
If the current Emperor had been even slightly more aggressive, there would have already been a great war.
“That’s correct. So instead of prioritizing comfort, we had to focus on functioning as a fortress.”
“Something you must’ve learned from the Silver Cross Knights, eh?”
Zionhac asked with a teasing look.
The Silver Cross was the Aquites family’s proud knight order, which Milleon had once belonged to.
He only ended up moving to Acrassion because he followed Dante to the Duchy.
“…Yes.”
Milleon nodded with a faintly uncomfortable expression.
Even if it hadn’t been his choice, meeting his old comrades and superiors again still felt awkward.
“Do you regret it?”
At that moment, Dante asked quietly.
He was asking if Milleon regretted following him to the Duchy and spending the years as part of Acrassion.
But Milleon didn’t hesitate even for a second.
“No.”
Elaine, riding nearby, also shook her head firmly.
As if the very idea was absurd.
“Not once have I ever regretted it.”
Her tone and expression were resolute.
“Really?”
“It was an honor.”
Elaine mumbled in a whisper, lips trembling slightly.
At their answers, Dante gave a faint smile—
because he was pleased.
Then, naturally, his gaze shifted left.
There, Einah, who had noticeably improved at horseback riding, was grinning with delight as she urged her horse forward.
“Having fun?”
When Dante asked, she laughed brightly.
“It’s been so long since I’ve come back.”
For Einah, this place was basically home.
She had served as a maid in House Aquites since she was very young.
Her real birthplace was probably just a faint blur in her memory by now.
“I can’t wait to arrive. I want to see the sisters and uncles again soon.”
The last four years—
countless people had endured hardships.
Einah was no exception.
Not going to the battlefield didn’t mean she escaped unscathed.
She had watched soldiers she’d spoken to only hours before never return.
She had received news of knights she’d sent off in farewell dying in battle.
And she had spent four years waiting anxiously for Dante, who might never return.
Every hour, every minute, every second had been agony.
She must have had nightmares multiple times a day.
She must have broken down crying multiple times a day.
And she must have prayed for everyone’s safety multiple times a day.
Yet she welcomed Dante back with a cheerful smile, without a single word of complaint.
Dante knew well the sacrifice Einah had borne.
“You’ll see them soon.”
He answered softly, watching her bright face.
“I hope they’re all doing well…”
Seeing her so excited made Dante’s heart feel heavy.
They said there were quite a few missing people…
Surely, among them, many were those Einah had once worked with.
He could only hope she wouldn’t be too devastated…
Looking at her so radiant and pure it almost hurt, Dante let out a quiet sigh.
And then—
He tightened his grip on the reins and looked ahead.
The other knights did the same.
In the distance—
a group was approaching.
Knights?
They wore gleaming silver armor.
But they weren’t the Silver Cross Knights, pride of House Aquites.
Because the Silver Cross did not exude such foul, oppressive magic.
“Sir Dante.”
Milleon called softly.
“They seem to wield the same power as those who ambushed us.”
The mysterious assailants who had repeatedly blocked their path home.
These knights were using that very same power.
Only, the power radiating from these silver-armored men was far greater.
“Looks like my dear stepmother feared her son might lose his way coming home, and sent guides.”
A cold smile spread across Dante’s face.
To dare wear silver armor on this land…
If Zenon had seen it, he would’ve shredded them to pieces with a single sword.
As Dante was thinking that—
“How touching, sending an entire knight order to escort the captain.”
Zionhac smirked faintly, resting his hand on his sword.
Shk—, shk—
The entire Acrassion order did the same.
No one else spoke.
The tension in the air was thick with one intent—
that if need be, they would cut them all down.
“Enough. If they have any brains, they won’t point their blades at me here. Don’t rise to provocation.”
There were about twenty knights in silver.
Dante urged his horse forward slowly, toward them.
It was like a silent demand for them to show respect.
Did they not expect this?
The oppressive magic they’d been flaunting wavered for a moment.
“Either show courtesy… or clear the way.”
Dante murmured coldly, and one man stepped forward.
He looked less like a knight and more like some refined noble son of high society—
his appearance was so delicate and handsome.
All except for the rancid magic oozing from his body.
“How insolent. State your name first.”
It wasn’t Dante who spoke, but Milleon.
With a hardened face, he glared as if ready to cut the man down.
“Ah, my apologies for the discourtesy.”
The man gave a shallow bow, but there wasn’t a shred of respect in it—
mere empty formality.
“I am Versian Deyan, knight of the newly formed order, the Silver Obscura.”
A new order?
Zenon had gone to the border to keep Caldrion in check.
In his absence, there should be no founding of new orders.
Where had such a thing come from?
But Dante didn’t press it.
Whatever justification they had, surely Lucia had prepared it.
Arguing in the absence of the true head would only waste words.
“So? Why are you here?”
Dante asked. Versian smiled faintly.
“Lady Lucia, acting in place of the marquis, has ordered us to personally escort you, Sir Dante.”
Acting lord, huh…
That single word grated more than the command to ‘escort.’
“And yet, for an escort, you looked quite hostile.”
“How could that be?”
Versian’s smile deepened.
“We were only patrolling. Recently, mysterious armed groups have been attacking people near the domain. As knights, it’s our duty to ensure the safety of the people, is it not?”
“Patrolling, you say?”
“Yes. Is it not the role of knights to protect the peaceful lives of the people?”
The mocking undertone in his smile only further irked Dante.
“I see.”
Dante’s eyes cooled as he gazed at Versian.
It seemed they believed that because they bore Lucia’s official orders, even Dante couldn’t move against them.
Not entirely wrong.
As Lucia’s son, Dante could not openly oppose knights who were following her commands.
But that was only back when he had been an obedient child.
Now, Dante was a knight personally invested with authority by the King of the Duchy, and captain of Acrassion.
Which meant—
He was free to act on his own will.
All the more so, here in the Aquites Marquisate.
“Sir Milleon.”
At Dante’s quiet call, Milleon nodded.
Words weren’t needed between them.
He knew exactly what Dante wanted.
“Sir Zionhac, Sir Elaine, Sir Cain.”
After naming the three knights, Milleon drew his sword.
Shiiiing—
The sound was razor-sharp, almost chilling.
Versian’s face hardened.
“What are you—”
“For daring to stand before the heir of House Aquites without proper courtesy, I shall strike you down.”
Milleon’s voice was fierce and unyielding.
At the same moment, Zionhac, Elaine, and Cain also drew their blades.
“What?”
Silver Obscura.
Clad in radiant silver armor, exuding dark, revolting magic—
their faces showed signs of alarm.
They all turned to Dante.
As if asking—what is the meaning of this?
But Dante had no intention of stopping it.
This was his will, his command.
He only added in a quiet voice:
“Since they’re my stepmother’s men, don’t kill them.”
“We obey.”
At Milleon’s reply, the four knights spurred their horses forward.
Thunderrrr—!
Four against twenty.
By all appearances, Acrassion was at a disadvantage.
Yet not a single one of their comrades’ eyes wavered.
As if this was nothing.
And so the two orders clashed.
KWA-BOOOOM—!
