Ghislain nodded at Count Palantz's challenge for a duel.
"A duel… very well, I accept."
At Ghislain's arrogant response, Count Palantz bit his lip. Yet, he swallowed his frustration, feeling a flicker of hope.
The brat might have gained some fame recently, but he didn't believe Ghislain was strong enough to defeat him.
After all, Palantz had been one of the kingdom's foremost masters long before Ghislain had even risen to prominence.
Belinda, standing beside Ghislain, whispered.
"Why not just crush him outright? Why bother accepting?"
"Trying to set a record."
"A record? What record?"
"Taking the capital without spilling a single soldier's blood. Doesn't that sound fun?"
For a man like Ghislain, accomplishments like this were irresistible. It wasn't necessary, but since it was possible, there was no reason to refuse.
The Royal Knights were known for their exceptional skill. While the overwhelming difference in numbers meant they would fall eventually, Ghislain couldn't guarantee that no soldiers or knights would get injured in the process.
With a gesture from Ghislain, the crowd moved back, making space for the duel. Even the palace guards and Royal Knights complied, leaving a wide-open area.
Belinda, knowing how stubborn Ghislain could be, shook her head.
"He's impossible to stop. Well, at least this keeps the other soldiers safe."
Belinda's words implied her confidence in Ghislain's victory. Hearing this, Count Palantz's breaths became heavier. The two's nonchalant attitude made him furious enough to want to kill.
"You arrogant brats… Do you take me for a joke?"
"Not really… but I don't think I'll lose."
"So, your arrogance precedes you. Today, I'll teach you a lesson."
Whirl!
Count Palantz's sword burst with a fierce aura blade.
Seeing this, Ghislain readied his stance and smirked.
"Let's see how good the 'second strongest' in the kingdom really is."
"You bastard!"
That was the one insult Palantz hated the most. He had always been ranked second, overshadowed by Count Balzac.
Of course, he didn't agree with that ranking. He firmly believed that if they fought for real, he would come out on top.
This was his chance to prove just how strong he was.
Boom!
Count Palantz brought his sword down on Ghislain's head like a bolt of lightning. His plan was to overwhelm him before Ghislain had any time to breathe.
Clang!
Fwoosh!
Ghislain blocked the attack with his sword, his body enveloped in a black energy.
Palantz quickly redirected his blade toward Ghislain's flank, aiming for a vital area. It was a simple yet swift and precise move—befitting a knight's swordsmanship.
Clang!
Once again, his attack was blocked. Palantz, unfazed, continued to strike, targeting only vital points that could deal fatal damage.
'My technique is superior!'
He truly believed it.
He had heard much about Count Fenris's growing reputation. For his age, the man could certainly be called a genius.
But youth was a weakness. No matter how many wars he had won, one-on-one combat required experience, which Ghislain surely lacked.
'This young fool's recklessness ends here!'
There was no way someone like Ghislain could keep up with his relentless offensive—at least, that's what Palantz thought.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
'W-what?'
With each exchange, Ghislain blocked his strikes with increasing ease. Not only that, but the occasional counterattacks were unnervingly sharp and powerful.
Despite Palantz's relentless offense, he found himself being pushed back.
"This… this can't be…"
Palantz's hands began to tremble, his stance faltering. Meanwhile, Ghislain's strikes grew heavier and more precise.
Clang! Clang! Boom!
Finally, Palantz's posture broke, exposing his chest.
Slash!
"Argh!"
His armor split open, and blood gushed from a deep wound across his chest. Staggering back, he gasped for breath, a look of disbelief on his face.
"How… how could you…?"
In technique, in strength—he was outmatched in every way. It was unthinkable that this young man had surpassed him so thoroughly.
Enveloped in black energy, Ghislain's red eyes glowed as he spoke.
"You've never fought seriously before, have you?"
"W-what did you say?"
"Those rumors about you being pampered in a greenhouse, achieving master-level through royal support—they were true. You didn't even train properly afterward."
"You insolent…!"
Palantz gritted his teeth in humiliation.
He had always been extraordinarily talented, which had earned him the royal family's support and even a dragon heart to achieve master-level.
But it was true—he had grown complacent. He assumed no one in the kingdom could surpass him.
As one of the kingdom's only two masters, his arrogance had blinded him to the rise of others.
'This is the price of my laziness…'
As Palantz's face twisted with regret, Ghislain shook his head.
'His level is on par with Tenant's.'
Palantz's skill wasn't so low as to be laughable, but compared to the formidable opponents Ghislain had faced, he didn't measure up.
It was painfully obvious that Palantz lacked real combat experience. As the Royal Knight Commander, he had neglected his training and grown soft.
"There's no need to see more. You don't measure up to Count Balzac. Even back when I stole that artifact, you were slower to react than he was."
"You bastard! How dare you!"
Enraged, Palantz charged again, burning his life force to unleash an enormous aura blade.
Even if it cost him his life, he needed to erase this humiliation.
Ghislain responded by intensifying his own black energy.
Boom!
A tremendous shockwave erupted, shaking the ground and tearing apart the surroundings.
Crack!
Each clash of their swords, each step they took, fractured the earth. Mana storms raged around them, threatening to engulf everything in their path.
Onlookers retreated, unable to withstand the overwhelming energy. Anyone caught in the crossfire would surely be annihilated.
Boom! Boom! Crash!
Sizzle!
Ghislain's black energy flared even more violently. He couldn't suppress a grin.
'A master is still a master.'
Palantz, his hair now completely white, burned through his life force. Each strike carried immense power, enough to impress even Ghislain.
To the point where…
"I'm finally getting warmed up. This is getting fun."
"Shut up, you brute!"
"You call yourself a knight, but you're all ego."
"You insolent wretch!"
Palantz's face contorted with fury as he swung wildly.
He had failed to stop the king's atrocities, instead aiding him under the guise of loyalty. He had no defense against Ghislain's ridicule.
To Ghislain, Palantz wasn't a knight at all—just a beast in armor.
The duel dragged on, but anyone could see that Ghislain had the upper hand.
Palantz, having exhausted his life force, was rapidly deteriorating, unable to keep pace with Ghislain's amplified strength.
Eventually, his movements slowed, and his body became riddled with wounds. At last, he collapsed.
"Guh… you bastard…"
Slumped on the ground, Palantz looked utterly defeated. Ghislain approached and placed his sword at the man's throat.
"At least you gave it your all. No regrets, right?"
"You dare… a traitor like you… against the Royal Knight Commander…"
Ghislain stared at Palantz, whose white hair and eyes burned with hatred, and said coldly.
"The dragon heart was wasted on you, fool."
Slash!
With a single stroke, Palantz's head was severed. Even in death, his face was twisted with rage.
Seeing their commander's head roll, the Royal Knights lowered their gazes. The palace guards, following orders, dropped their weapons and prostrated themselves.
"Arrest everyone. Investigate their actions, then punish or reorganize them based on their crimes."
At Ghislain's command, the Fenris soldiers confidently moved in, binding the defeated troops.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"Uraaaaah! As expected of Count Fenris!"
"The Royal Knight Commander couldn't match him!"
"Count Fenris is the strongest!"
The people celebrated as if they had won the battle themselves, thrilled by the spectacle.
Forisco approached Ghislain, radiating holy energy.
"I'll heal you, Count."
"I'm not hurt, though?"
"Just go with it. It looks good. You're ridiculously good at fighting—I knew you'd win."
Forisco whispered, flashing a benevolent smile. The victorious warrior being healed by a priest—it was a picture-perfect moment.
The people's cheers grew louder as the two rumored "Saints" stood together.
With Count Palantz defeated, no one remained to block their way. Ghislain and the Fenris knights strode confidently into the royal palace.
Most of those within the palace had already fled. Those who hadn't were either cowering on the floor or hiding.
Ignoring them, Ghislain made his way directly to the king's quarters.
Boom!
The door shattered as Ghislain barged in. Inside, a terrified Berhem crouched behind his attendants, shaking. Beside him stood Marquis Domont, his face somber.
Ghislain scanned them briefly before speaking.
"Marquis Domont, I hear you were the one who brought the Salvation Church here."
"It was to treat His Majesty's illness, by His Majesty's order."
"Don't make excuses. Do you think I don't know you saw this as your chance to seize power?"
"..."
"You had your fun. I hope it was worth it."
Domont had enjoyed unprecedented power under the king's oppressive rule. He'd acquired lands, diverted the kingdom's finances to enrich his family, and even siphoned military supplies.
For a time, he wielded immense authority as a noble backed by the king. But that fleeting dream ended the moment his military support crumbled.
He never imagined things would collapse so quickly. Domont had believed the royal army would hold out until the Duchy forces arrived.
In a trembling voice, Domont spoke.
"I surrender. Judge me through fair trial and procedure."
"A fair trial? Procedure?"
Ghislain gave him a bewildered look. Fair trials and procedures? In a kingdom where all high officials, including the chief justice, had been replaced with the king's cronies? Most of them had already fled.
Ghislain stepped toward Domont and spoke.
"Now that your death is near, you're spouting nonsense. Did you use fair procedures to turn the kingdom into this ruin?"
"You're no better—a traitor yourself!"
"Exactly. So why would you expect anything from a traitor?"
"... Still, isn't it over now? As a noble of this kingdom, shouldn't you uphold the law?"
"Fine. If you want a trial, I'll give you one."
Before Domont could react, Ghislain grabbed him by the throat.
"By my authority as the commander of the northern army, I sentence you to immediate execution under martial law."
Domont had embezzled military supplies—more than enough grounds for execution. As commander, Ghislain had the right to carry out such a sentence during wartime.
"Kuh… Wait! You're the northern army commander, not—"
Schluck.
Before Domont could finish, Ghislain's sword pierced his stomach.
"Kuhh…"
Blood gushed as Domont collapsed, lifeless. Berhem screamed at the sight.
"Chamberlain! Chamberlain!"
Crawling toward Domont's body, Berhem shook him, but it was no use. Domont was already cold and still.
Trembling, Berhem turned his gaze to Ghislain. The sight of Ghislain holding a blood-soaked sword filled him with terror.
No longer the proud and furious king he once was, Berhem could only beg.
"S-spare me! You can't kill me! I'll pardon your rebellion!"
"..."
"I'll give you the title of duke and all the royal territories!"
"..."
"I'll give you all the gold and treasures in the royal vault! Whatever you want, it's yours!"
Berhem's desperate pleas fell on deaf ears as Ghislain stared at him coldly.
Ghislain turned to Forisco, who approached with quick steps and spoke.
"Hear me, tyrant who has fallen to heresy!"
"What?"
"By the authority of Forisco, 'Archbishop' of the Juana Church in the Kingdom of Lutania, speaking on behalf of all remaining clergy in the capital, I declare—"
"W-what nonsense are you spouting now?"
Berhem's face twisted in disbelief.
Most of the priests in the capital had either fled or been executed. How could Forisco claim to represent them all?
He never imagined that Forisco had stayed behind.
Forisco maintained a dignified expression as he continued.
"The four great churches in the capital have unanimously decided to revoke your right to the throne and excommunicate you! You are no longer king!"
Forisco was the only priest left in the capital, so "unanimously" wasn't technically wrong. With the high priests gone, there was no one to contest his claim as archbishop.
'I've made it!'
Forisco had finally secured the title of archbishop, a dream he had once lost. The title of saint was now also within reach. This was a personal victory for him.
Berhem, hearing that his right to the throne was being revoked, flew into a frenzy.
"Who dares revoke my right? I am the king! I am the king!"
Forisco was not one to lose a verbal battle.
"The right bestowed by the heavens has been rescinded by the heavens. Repent to the goddess for your tyranny! The new king shall be Marquis Zwalter Perdium!"
"Silence! I won't accept this!"
The four great churches held authority across the continent. They did have the power to excommunicate kings and revoke their divine right to rule. Though rarely invoked, it was a useful tool in situations like this.
It gave Zwalter's rebellion undeniable legitimacy.
Forisco sneered as he looked down at the frenzied Berhem.
"What can you do now?"
The tide of power had already turned. Berhem could do nothing.
Realizing this, Berhem crawled to Ghislain and clung to his trousers, wailing.
"Spare me! Just let me live! I don't want to die! I'll live as a slave if I have to!"
The pitiful sight made Ghislain frown. Was this the man for whom Marquis Branford and other nobles had sacrificed so much?
He could understand Berhem's desperation, but his crimes were far too grave.
For the sake of the new era, Berhem had to die. An old king lingering on would only cause problems.
But first, Ghislain had questions.
Slowly pulling out a necklace, he asked.
"Tell me about the Shadow Knights. And about this so-called holy relic."
He intended to satisfy his curiosity before delivering the final blow.
[T/L: I am not getting any support from webnovel platform, so please support me and read ahead chapters on my ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]