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Chapter 242

“Always keep up with your peers...”

“Always strive to be above everyone else…”

“You are the family’s only hope…”

Valmont had always been doing his best to meet the family’s expectations, and the family’s expectations, beneath the mask of love, became an obsession. Valmont increasingly found it difficult to get along with his one and only older brother.

Eventually, Valmont got fed up with that environment and simply gave up. He took refuge with the Imperial Knights Order and escaped the family, even though he had already become more than qualified to inherit the family.

Valmont wanted to be completely free from his family’s obsession with his success.

Fortunately, Knight Commander Rod lent a hand, and he was able to pass the entrance exam with ease, with the help of Knight Commander Rod, who had already become akin to a father for him.

However, even in a place where Avalon’s finest had gathered, Valmont still managed to remain the best. No effort was invested. No effort was necessary. He was so talented that he could still be one of the greatest, even if he didn’t train.

Such was the tale of Valmont dun Brown—Avalon’s Fastest Star.

“Hah…” Valmont sighed upon recalling that certain day. It was a day that started out as usual. Valmont expected it to be the same as the other days he had spent—boring and monotonous.

With such expectations, Valmont decided to enjoy a long nap.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Someone knocked on the door and said, “Sir Valmont.”

“What? Stop knocking. I don’t want to see anyone right now,” Valmont grumbled, but his eyes widened in shock when he turned around and saw who was talking to him.

The man who had entered after knocking thrice was one of his subordinate knights.

“His Majesty the Emperor has passed down an Imperial Edict.”

“What?”

“The Imperial Edict states that my lord has to pack up his bags right now.”

“Huh?”

“Sir, it’s about time you start working. Otherwise, Knight Commander, sir, will get mad.”

“Huh…” This was Valmont’s first time since he joined the Imperial Knights Order that he received a direct order to mobilize outside the Imperial Palace. The order also meant that his monotonous routine would change.

“I really don’t think it’s an edict.” Valmont stood up and straightened out his clothes. “Do you have an idea what this is about?”

“I think it’s a mana test.”

“A mana test? Isn’t that for newbies? Come on! Isn’t it overkill to dispatch me for a mere mana test? I really think that the old man is lying about how this is an edict. Geez, that lying old man.”

“No, I don’t think that he was lying, sir.”

Valmont stared at his subordinate knight, seemingly doubtful.

“Your destination is the Agnus duchy.

Valmont was sure that his life had changed when he met a boy who was more monstrous than human.

***

Valmont raised his head and stared blankly forward.

He knew that the boy was great. He also knew the boy was very talented, and that was why he tried… Valmont thought that if he worked hard enough, he would be able to surpass him. After all, he had always believed that he was more talented than anyone else.

However, he had committed a huge mistake. He had gotten too complacent.

“How did you…”

“The Brown Family’s swordsmanship really is excellent. I can see it now.”

“...!” Valmont was convinced after hearing Joshua’s words. His family’s techniques were top secret, and not even Duke Agnus knew about their techniques.

Valmont was finally convinced of Joshua’s talent.

After all, the latter was talented enough to perform Valmont’s sword technique after only seeing it once. Valmont’s eyes darted from side to side, flashing with a strange light as he examined the young man.

‘I got it.’

Joshua noticed the subtle change in Valmont’s demeanor and smiled faintly.

“Are you going to keep going?”

“No…” Valmont shook himself out of his thoughts and bowed his head with sincerity. “I admit defeat. And… thank you.”

Joshua’s smile deepened.

“The 6th Battalion will withdraw from the fight.”

There was a brief buzz from the crowd, but it quickly subsided.

“You’ll do me a favor, then?” asked Joshua.

“If it’s within my power.”

“You can do it—I’ve seen your potential.”

Valmont sheathed his sword, a sign that he was ready to talk seriously.

“If you lack the motivation, try to find a sense of purpose.”

“Huh?” Valmont stared blankly at Joshua.

“What I’m saying is that if you’re aiming for the top, then you should stay where you are right now.”

“What do you…” Valmont muttered.

“You’re better off where you are than out here helping me. I’m sure you have your ambitions as well, no? Especially taking that spot,” said Joshua with a smile.

“Knight Commander, sir…” Valmont surreptitiously glanced at Knight Commander Rod.

“I’m sorry to say, but—” A handsome man jumped out of the crowd and onto the stage in the middle of the training hall. “It’s rude to talk about becoming the Knight Commander in front of me, Count Sanders.”

Joshua\'s eyes narrowed. “Galahad.”

“And I’m not even sure if the Imperial Knights Order will have a future with him at the helm as the Knight Commander,” added Galahad.

“...” Galahad’s cold words froze the air.

“What do you know?”

“Everything… I don’t know if you can tell, but he used to be my subordinate. That guy is…”

Joshua glanced at Valmont. The older knight’s expression told Joshua everything he needed to know.

“If we put a lazy fool at the top of the Imperial Knights, I think even a child would be able to deduce what would happen.”

“You haven’t changed at all…” Joshua muttered.

“Hmm?” Galahad tilted his head.

“You haven’t changed. You’re still selfish and self-centered,” said Joshua.

“...!” Galahad’s facial muscles visibly twitched at Joshua’s scathing remark.

‘The reason why Valmont had never managed to achieve much in my past life didn’t really have anything to do with his personality. It was all because he had been taking orders as a subordinate knight of this bastard,’ Joshua inwardly lamented.

Having made his decision, Joshua spoke, “Are you afraid of his talent?”

Galahad flinched.

“I knew it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I am truly delighted, Galahad du Lancelot.” For the first time, Joshua’s smile was bright. He managed to confirm that Galahad hadn’t changed at all, and Joshua’s heart became filled with delight and child-like joy.

“You won’t be able to defeat me.”

“Are you trying to dissuade me from trying because you’re afraid?”

“Oh? Isn’t that what you came here for? Why don’t you come up here, then?”

“...!” Galahad’s eyes widened at Joshua’s remark, and he rushed toward Joshua without warning.

Joshua simply stared at Galahad with a smile.

***

“Listen to me, Imperial Knights!”

Just before Galahad made a mad rush for Joshua, Knight Commander addressed his knights.

“Anything that happens from here on is beyond you.”

“What does Knight Commander, sir, mean…?”

“It pains me to say this, even if everyone here attacked him at the same time, you still wouldn’t be able to defeat him.”

“...” A suffocating silence settled on the knights.

It was a startling statement because it came from the mouth of the Knight Commander of the Imperial Knights himself, no less. Rod den Hogg’s words basically meant that he was willingly admitting defeat.

“Our reputation will take a hit if we were to lose because he’s not a part of the Imperial Knights Order anymore,” said Knight Commander Rod as he slowly unsheathed his sword.

A strange anticipation took hold of the knights as the intricately engraved dragon on the pure white blade was revealed. The famed sword, Dragonia, was said to have been awarded to Knight Commander Rod by His Majesty the Emperor himself.

However, it had been such a long time since the sword appeared in the eyes of the public.

“Looks like Galahad is going to make his move.”

“Knight Commander, sir…”

“If both the present and future of the Imperial Knights are in disarray, then even the slightest internal problem will be hard to resolve.”

“Are you planning to personally make a move, Knight Commander, sir…?”

Knight Commander Rod nodded. “At this rate, we will be buried in shame. In addition, this fight is for Superhumans only.”

"Then…”

“We have to prepare for the great battle,” said Knight Commander Rod as he made a sidelong glance at one of the balconies overlooking the training hall.

Galahad was already rushing toward Joshua, and Knight Commander Rod’s words invigorated him.

At the sight of that, Knight Commander Rod revealed a bitter smile as he muttered to himself, “I guess this battle will be a bit long.”

Galahad du Lancelot…

Knight Commander Rod wasn’t certain of his talent, but Knight Commander Rod was sure that Galahad could match him in a battle. Throughout the vast Avalon, there were certainly no more than five men capable of defeating Galahad.

He was often touted as an unofficial Master across the continent, and it was clear that he deserved to get appointed as the successor of Knight Commander Rod in the Imperial Knights Order.

Knight Commander Rod’s eyes lit up as booming thunder filled the training hall. Galahad was engulfed in a white light that was so bright that Knight Commander Rod had to squint.

Galahad was showcasing the Lancelot Family’s secret technique. In addition, the Lancelot Family’s techniques specialized in obliterating their enemies in the proverbial blink of an eye.

“The Thunder God’s Charge…!”

Galahad’s impressive sword technique—the Thunder God’s Charge—had defeated many powerful men in mere moments.

It was all because of the special power hidden within Galahad—a power that even Knight Commander Rod couldn’t afford to ignore.

Knight Commander Rod was sure that Joshua Sanders would be in a world of hurt if he were to underestimate Galahad’s sword technique, so he was sure that Joshua would respect Galahad’s sword technique.

However, the unbelievable happened…

“I… what was that?!” Knight Commander Rod stared wide-eyed.

‘That’s ridiculous…!’ Admitting that what he had seen was the reality meant that he would be turning his worldview upside down. However, aside from doing that, there would be no other explanation for what he had seen.

Knight Commander Rod’s eyes widened until they looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets. He had no other choice but to admit it. The terrifying boom of thunder he had heard was too real for him to remain in denial.

Joshua Sanders was truly a monster beyond common sense.

Immediately afterward, Knight Commander Rod hit the ground running with all his might as he made a beeline for his successor, Galahad, who was currently falling to the floor with lifeless eyes.

Persephone\'s Thoughts

Unedited