‘Checkmate...’

    Duke Garcia scanned his surroundings.

    From the castle gate, the Third Prince and the royal army were advancing towards him, while Ian and his knights stood ready with drawn swords from the Garcia Castle side.

    He was completely surrounded by enemies, not only in front and back but also on both sides.

    It was clear that there was no escape left.

    ‘The troops from the castle may be few, but they’re all knights.’

    In contrast, there were no usable knights left on the Duke’s side.

    In front stood the Seventh Prince, while behind him was the Third Prince.

    It was almost unbelievable that he, the lord of the Duchy of Garcia, would be pinned down by such brats

    ‘In the end, the First Prince couldn’t come to the rescue in time.’

    Is this the end?

    Just as Duke Garcia smiled bitterly,

    “Your Grace! Please escape at once!”

    “We’ll hold them off as long as we can! Please, hurry!”

    His faithful retainers and even the soldiers thrust their spears forward, ready to defend their lord at any cost.

    The unexpected display of bravery from his subordinates caused Duke Garcia to raise his eyebrows in surprise.

    However, at that moment...

    Swish!

    Thud, thud, thud!

    Nathan effortlessly sliced through the spear tips with a single sword stroke.

    He then taunted the soldiers with a mischievous grin.

    “Anyone else care to try?”

    Shaking their heads in defeat, the soldiers could only gesture helplessly.

    No matter how loyal they were, they couldn’t fight a monster like that.

    The retainers, on the other hand, reacted differently.

    “You cowards! Duke Garcia has supported you and your families!”

    “Will you cower in fear and abandon your honor?”

    “Out of my way! As a retainer of the House of Garcia, I will never retreat!”

    They all began to lift their swords, prepared to fight to the death.

    At that moment, Duke Garcia stepped forward.

    “Enough. Stand aside, everyone.”

    “B-but, Your Grace...”

    “Must I repeat myself?”

    “I-I apologize, Your Grace.”

    Quickly, Duke Garcia’s retainers made way, creating a path as if the Red Sea had parted, leaving an open space before him.

    Soon, his gaze met Ian’s.

    ‘After all, there’s no way to escape from here.’

    Looking into the eyes of the Seventh Prince, Ian, it was clear that all routes of retreat were blocked.

    As the lord of the great House of Garcia, he had no intention of turning his back and fleeing.

    Thus, he spoke in a calm voice.

    “I never would have imagined a mere serf would grow this strong. It seems the son of a lion is indeed a lion.”

    “Well said, Duke. Please accept your fate gracefully.”

    “Indeed.”

    “!”

    The Duke’s indifference left everyone taken aback, their eyes widening in surprise.

    However, with a neutral expression, the Duke asked, “By the way, there’s something I’m curious about.”

    “What is it?”

    “Why undertake such reckless actions?”

    “Reckless actions?”

    “It doesn’t quite make sense. To act so rashly when the throne is within grasp.”

    Ian tilted his head in confusion.

    Reckless? Rash?

    But he quickly understood.

    ‘Is he talking about how I personally burned the supplies and seized the castle?’

    It was indeed a risky move.

    Fortunately, things had gone smoothly.

    If Ian had been caught, the outcome would have been vastly different.

    Ian approached the Duke and whispered, “It’s not reckless. It was the best choice for me, considering who you’re waiting for.”

    “What do you mean...?”

    “The First Prince. I had to capture you before he arrived.”

    “!”

    Duke Garcia’s calm facade cracked at the implication that stalling would be futile.

    Did Ian know about this?

    He hadn’t anticipated the Seventh Prince being aware of the First Prince’s involvement. However, given the Third Prince’s actions, some suspicion was understandable.  R?AN?BE?S

    Ian was several steps ahead.

    “Of course, he won’t be able to come to your rescue. I have mercenaries under my command blocking his path.”

    “Do you think mere mercenaries can stop him?”

    “Absolutely.”

    “?”

    “They’re not just any mercenaries.”

    Ian’s lips curled into a smile.

    It was an inevitable reaction.

    The ones blocking the First Prince were not just Helgaia’s mercenaries.

    ‘The Mercenary Captain Gerard and the Devil Strategist Line. Those two will suffice.’

    In his past life, both were exceptional enough to establish a mercenary nation.

    Upon hearing they were stalling the First Prince, Ian felt victory was near.

    This battle wasn’t solely about outright victory.

    ‘All I need to do is stall until I can capture Duke Garcia.’

    Even the great First Prince wouldn’t find it easy to break through two men who were simply stalling.

    As Ian maintained his confident demeanor, Duke Garcia’s gaze turned menacing.

    “Indeed... I should have dealt with you sooner.”

    “Were you able to?”

    “What...?”

    “Your Grace!”

    It was Commander Alby.

    Of course, he wasn’t in good shape.

    Though he appeared disheveled, as if he had clawed his way out of the ground.

    “I’ll save you! Just hold on a little longer!”

    Commander Alby rushed in to rescue Duke Garcia.

    Ian’s eyebrows twitched at his sudden appearance.

    ‘As expected, he will not surrender without a struggle.’

    Without delay, Ian issued a command.

    “Sir Nathan!”

    “Y-Yes! I am on it!”

    Nathan dashed toward Alby at Ian’s command.

    As the two knights clashed, an intense battle began.

    At that moment, the Third Prince, Louis, arrived on the scene.

    “Impressive... indeed.”

    He looked surprised, which was unusual for him.

    No, he was looking at Nathan and Alby with greedy eyes.

    It was clear that he wanted them desperately.

    Ian chuckled.

    ‘He’s always been greedy for knights.’

    There was a reason why the Third Prince Louis had more knights than anyone else.

    But Ian wasn’t just going to watch.

    ‘Sir Nathan is being pushed.’

    The other knights didn’t dare to join the battle between these two great knights.

    It was only natural, considering that even Louis was watching with sweaty palms.

    Ian turned to Louis, handing him Duke Garcia who was filled with hope due to Alby’s sudden appearance.

    “Brother, could you take care of the Duke for a moment?”

    “Hmm? What do you mean? Where are you off to at such a critical moment?”

    “It seems Sir Nathan is on the losing end.”

    “W-Wait a moment! What are you thinking...?”

    Before Louis could finish his sentence, Ian charged toward Commander Alby.

    ‘I can’t give Duke Garcia any hope.’

    In his previous life, Duke Garcia was frightening, but Commander Alby, who stood by his side, was even more terrifying.

    Even against the combined efforts of the Third Prince Louis and Nathan, Alby seemed almost invincible.

    He always stood in front of Duke Garcia, ready to give his life for him.

    ‘So, this time, I’ll cut off all ties to my past misfortunes.’

    Specifically, Ian aimed to erase Commander Alby, who was a giant in his memories, eliminating all of his traumas.

    ***

    Prince Louis was so shocked that he was speechless.

    “He... he’s insane!”

    No matter how confident he was, he never thought Ian would rush into a fight between two such great knights.

    Especially against Alby the White Hawk.

    ‘The greatest knight the Duke of Garcia had. An undefeated knight who would never be defeated!’

    It was truly insane.

    But his shock was short-lived.

    ‘Crazy... Does he actually think he can fight like that?’

    It felt like Nathan was multiplied into two.

    Countless attacks seemed to be pressuring Alby from all sides.

    Nathan and Ian were wielding their swords at an unimaginable speed.

    Louis, as well as the commander of the royal army, were naturally astonished.

    “Is this an even match? Against Captain Alby?”

    “He was a man even Duke Lavaltor acknowledged!”

    Yet, in reality, Louis was surprised for a different reason.

    ‘No, it’s not an even match. That guy, Ian, is winning.’

    It was a very slight difference.

    But that difference was gradually widening.

    Clang!

    “Ugh!”

    In a fleeting moment, Alby could be seen falling with his leg cut by a passing sword.

    Though he tried to rise again using his oath but,

    Swish!

    After being overwhelmed by a powerful sword strike, Alby’s body was left battered, causing him to slump down.

    Louis swallowed hard.

    ‘Could I have done that if I were in his place?’

    No matter how much he thought about it, it seemed impossible.

    It wasn’t merely a matter of strength or speed.

    ‘How could they... synchronize so perfectly?’

    Their movements were so perfectly aligned that he questioned if they were twins.

    It wasn’t solely about the timing of their attacks.

    ‘It’s not just about timing. There are no repetitive attack patterns in their collaboration.’

    It meant it wasn’t a pre-planned attack.

    Had they been, Alby, an experienced knight, would have anticipated and effectively defended against them.

    What Ian and Nathan displayed was a profound understanding of each other’s intent.

    They moved as if they were one person.

    At that moment, Louis recalled a legend.

    “Could it be... one of the ancient legends... the Royal Roader?”

    Upon hearing this, the commander of the royal army reacted.

    “Are you talking about the legend of the First King, who reigned above all knights?”

    “Not only did he reign over the knights, but he also united the hearts of all knights?”

    As Louis hesitated to answer, his eyes trembled.

    Drrr.

    A faint light emitted from Ian’s ring.

    It was the Small Subspace Ring, and one of the three items within was reacting.