Arthur being given separate missions was something that had happened often before.

Among the honest and upright knights, Arthur was a rather flexible person. As a commoner, he was good at blending in with the common people, and he did not hesitate to get involved in illegal activities when necessary.

He was different from the knights of noble birth who pursued perfectionism to the point of obsession. However, he also possessed the integrity of a knight, so it was natural for Laius to trust him.

Arthur also knew why Laius trusted him.

He didn’t blame his old-fashioned seniors.

It was always the law of the knights who wielded their swords for the Emperor to have clean hands. Only then would they be able to remain dignified even when they were covered in the blood of their enemies.

So if they need someone to do some dirty work, it would be right for him to do it.

Arthur always thought that.

Humbling yourself for others. That is the beginning of chivalry.

Arthur hid himself in the darkness, and the thought occurred to him without him knowing.

Lately, he’d been hanging out with Arendt a lot, unintentionally, so he’d been thinking about that unfortunate face from time to time.

“Tsk.”

This was not the time.

Arthur tried to shake off his thoughts by scratching his head irritably. But that didn’t mean that the stray thoughts that had once occurred would easily disappear.

‘That cheapskate.’

It was easy to picture a face that seemed indifferent and cold to everything.

That expressionless look blended perfectly with Arendt’s pretty face, creating a distinctively cold impression, but his golden eyes, as if looking into the person’s soul, often had an eerie anticipation.

Examples included: when his concentration was at its peak during a duel, or in the courtroom, when he would openly mock the leaders and nobles while bursting into laughter.

Was it like that originally?

Suddenly, that thought occurred to him.

Arthur had no way of knowing, having never seen Arendt up close until recent events.

It was Arendt who first avoided them. He hated associating with the seniors who were commoners more than he hated death.

Considering that, you could say that his recent actions were not like him.

Arthur’s mind was becoming more and more tangled, although it was hard to notice because of his dirty temper.

‘… did he do that on purpose?’

On the one hand, he deliberately kept his distance so that he could easily blend in with the enemies, and on the other hand, so as not to involve other knights in what he was doing.

Arthur, whose thoughts about that suddenly crossed his mind, was startled and slapped himself on the cheek.

“What the hell are you talking about.”

If that were true, Arendt should have been treated not as a traitor, but as a hero who did not hesitate to have dirty water splashed on him for the emperor.

Of course, if it was looked at really, really positively, it wasn’t an impossible assumption… but Arthur’s image of Arendt standing there awkwardly and gently poking people in the eye naturally came to mind, and he turned around violently.

“What kind of hero is that? He’s just a bad-tempered, unlucky kid.”

He was barely able to break his train of thought when he felt something coming from outside.

Arthur instinctively pulled the robe that covered his face closer and checked the situation again.

Across the alley where Arthur was hiding, a few people were gathered in front of a small house, seriously discussing something.

Because of the distance, he couldn’t hear their conversation properly, but he could clearly tell that they weren’t a normal group.

There was a subtle scent of blood mixed in the dreary night air.

They were the source.

It seemed like no one was seriously injured, which meant that someone had just been killed.

Arthur’s face hardened.

Arthur, who was checking his well-sharpened sword as if it were a habit, thought about it. It would have been dangerous to get closer, but the distance was too far to find out anything.

‘If I get a little closer…’

Arthur hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind and took a cautious step forward.

Just then, he felt an eerie sensation at the back of his neck.

“There was a rat.”

Arthur reflexively drew his sword and parried the attack that flew towards him.

Kaaaaang!

The loud sound of clashing iron broke the silence of dawn.

The group that had been talking looked up in surprise.

“Who are you!”

“…”

But Arthur couldn’t react to that. He was so distracted by the person in front of him.

‘There was no sound.’

The moment he realized that death had passed him by a hair’s breadth, a chill ran down his spine. The enemy, who seemed to have suddenly emerged from the shadows, looked down at his sword, which Arthur had just deflected, with an indifferent expression.

“You’re quite the man. I thought I could immediately get rid of you. Are you capable of claiming to be His Majesty the Emperor’s dog?”

A faint smile could be seen beneath the hood pulled up over his head.

Arthur grabbed his sword and growled fiercely.

“Reveal your identity.”

“You’re the one who followed me, and you’re asking me for my identity? That’s why you’re called knights.”

A tone of disbelief came back.

Those behind him answered Arthur’s question. One of them let out a short groan.

“Mr. Bethel.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t blame you, but I won’t tolerate a second mistake.”

The man named Bethel continued speaking in a soft voice.

They nodded and each began to take out their weapons.

Arthur forced the corners of his mouth to twist as he heard the sound of a sword being drawn.

“It looks like you’re their superior.”

“That’s right. It’s natural for those in power to protect their subordinates, unlike His Majesty the Emperor, whom you keep so safe.”

Bethel nodded emotionlessly and strode towards Arthur.

Arthur tried to step back, wary of him, but soon realized that enemies were approaching from behind as well.

He was completely surrounded.

“Shit…”

Arthur had no choice but to chew on a curse.

Even if he somehow managed to get rid of the enemies, it didn’t seem like he would be able to deal with someone like Bethel easily.

Against the dark night, he looked like a huge mass of darkness. The presence of Bethel, who no longer made any sound, weighed on Arthur.

‘Even with this momentum approaching….’

It was unbelievable that he didn’t notice at all.

That also meant that the guy in front of him was a real powerhouse, and with all the rest behind him, he honestly didn’t have the confidence to handle him.

In that case, running away would be the best option.

But.

‘Was it possible?’

Against that person?

To be honest, it was true that the possibility was slim.

Bethel opened his mouth.

“Capture him no matter what. We had something to find out anyway, so this is a good thing.”

Arthur’s expression hardened even more at those words.

Bethel, who had been looking at him expressionlessly, added a word.

“Unknown knight, this is unfortunate for you.”

At that signal, those waiting behind rushed towards Arthur all at once.

Arthur had no choice but to grit his teeth and respond.

“Oh, damn it!”

Arthur slashed away all the swords flying towards him.

Kaaaaang!

At the moment when the enemies hesitated as they were pushed back by the strong force, Bethel kicked the ground and rushed forward.

Arthur twisted his body forcibly and blocked him with his sword.

Kwaaang!

A loud crash occurred as two people collided in a deserted alley.

Sarak.

The two men’s hoods blew down in the strong sword wind, revealing their faces under the moonlight. Arthur’s sharp gaze and Bethel’s cold eyes entangled in the air.

Arthur held his sword tightly and held on with his whole body, but even his efforts were in vain as his feet, pressed by Bethel’s power, began to move backwards.

Arthur’s arms were trembling.

Squeak, squeak, the sword screamed in pain.

Bethel’s cold eyes scanned Arthur. Unlike Arthur’s distorted face, he was calm.

“It’s a good sword.”

“This is a sword bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor. It is not something fit for you.”

Arthur growled ferociously like a possessed beast.

Bethel, who burst into laughter, simply shook him off. The next moment, Arthur lost his balance and staggered, and a kick landed in his stomach.

“Cough!”

Boom!

Arthur’s body rolled awkwardly on the floor.

Arthur, who had barely managed to pull himself together, tried to get up. However, the moment he raised his upper body, a sword with a sharp black aura flew at him again.

“…!”

Arthur reflexively rolled over again.

Kwaaang!

A large dent appeared on the floor where Arthur had just been.

Before he could even recover, Bethel kicked Arthur in the jaw with his foot.

Bam!

Arthur was thrown again with a dull thud.

“I will show mercy, for young lives are precious.”

Arthur barely managed to raise his shaking head at the voice heard directly above his head.

Sling.

The cool blade touched Arthur’s nape.

Bethel continued, emotionless.

“Come with me. Just give us the information we want and we’ll let you go.”

“I don’t know what you’re so curious about, but I’m sorry, but you won’t find out anything. I’m just His Majesty’s sword, and the Commander’s errand boy.”

Arthur forced the corners of his lips to turn up.

The sharp blade touched the soft skin of his neck, leaving a small gash.

“No, even the lowest of the low would know. It happened just a little while ago.”

Beneath the hood, Bethel’s cold eyes glowed coldly.

“A lot of our comrades lost their lives at your hands not long ago. I heard that you knew where we were going before we did. You laid a trap and waited for us like rats.”

It was the job at East Safe.

Bethel continued, noticing that Arthur’s face unknowingly turned pale.

“I see, it is clear that information was leaked. Who passed that information on to you? If you tell me that, I will spare your life. I swear it on my name.”

“….”

Arthur was sure at that moment.

They didn’t know Arendt yet.

Arthur, who had calmed his mind, forced the corners of his lips to twist into a smile.

“I have only one thing to say to you. Go eat some shit.”

“That’s too bad. Then we have no choice but to find out by force.”

As Bethel nodded, those waiting behind him slowly approached.

Arthur reflexively tensed his body.

Then the blade threatening his neck went in deeper.

“Cut off his legs. Let’s drag him away.”

“Yes.”

Enemies wearing black robes surrounded him.

Arthur held onto his sword even tighter, even as his situation became grimmer.

If he couldn’t survive, he could at least fight to the death.

He could not get caught..

Once he made that decision, all the hesitation in his mind disappeared.

Arthur’s eyes were filled with venom. A murderous voice flowed from between his bleeding lips.

“I won’t do as you wish, even if it means giving up my life.”

“Oh, dear, I guess I’m a little late.”

At that moment, a voice that was completely out of place came out.

Bethel and his men instinctively turned their heads toward the sound.

Arthur did the same.

Arthur’s eyes gradually grew wider as he confirmed the appearance of the intruder.

Before they knew it, the clouds had cleared away, and a large moon hung in the sky. A figure with pure white moonlight at his back sat on the wall at some point, and was looking down at them.

The pure white silver hair, which seemed to contain its own light, sparkled like moonlight. The uniquely indifferent expression was revealed under the moonlight shadow, and the golden eyes that seemed to be looking through people, had a cold chill.

Arendt’s eyes slowly moved towards Arthur.

On a face that at first glance seemed gentle, a bitter smile that scratched at people’s hearts was drawn.

And then, tap tap.

Arendt tapped his neck with his index finger.

“Senior, is your neck still attached?”

It was an extension of a conversation they had some time ago.

Arthur had no choice but to force the corners of his mouth to turn up, even though his forehead was bleeding and blood was gushing from his burst mouth.

Arthur muttered, laughing like he had lost his mind.

“That shameless kid…”