Chapter 56
Luke couldn't move. It wasn't just because the boy had gripped his throat, either. Something that more closely resembled murderous intent had radiated from Caron and suffocated him, wrapping around his lungs like a vise. But it was only for a moment.
"Oh, I've made another mistake. My apologies, Sir Luke. I must've gotten too caught up in the duel," Caron said, quickly pulling back the murderous intent as if nothing had happened. He loosened his grip on Luke's neck and stepped back, bowing politely and reiterating, "Once again, I'm sorry."
Luke gasped for breath, clutching his throat. The boy's strength was unbelievable for someone so young. And even now, he still couldn't breathe properly. After a few deep breaths, he finally managed to steady himself. He bit his lip, looking down at Caron.
He had lost. Utterly and undeniably, he had been defeated. Anyone who had watched the duel would have no trouble recognizing the victor.
Luke glanced at the wound he had inflicted on Caron's side. His sword had pierced deeply. It was a wound that required immediate care. But Caron merely patted the area casually, as if it was nothing.
Luke recognized what Caron was doing. It was a battlefield technique that knights often used to stop bleeding. But it only served to stanch the blood, not to alleviate the pain.
"Are you... alright?" Luke asked cautiously, still trying to catch his breath.
Caron waved a hand dismissively with a nonchalant expression and replied with a faint grin, "This? It's nothing. Maybe it's because I consumed something good yesterday. I should heal up in no time."
His tone quickly grew more serious as he continued, "But Sir Luke, about that Moonlight technique you used just now... Who did you learn it from?"
He asked the question again, his earlier excitement fading into a cold curiosity.
There was no doubt about it. Luke's technique bore traces of Kerra's Moonlight . A technique that was supposed to have vanished fifty years ago along with Kerra, the day he died during the fall of the Malevolent Emperor.
Caron's mind was full of complicated thoughts. He wondered if Kerra had somehow survived that day. Because if Kerra was alive, it was possible that the others, the subordinates he had once commanded, were as well.
But Luke's response dashed those hopes.
"I am not obligated to answer that question," Luke replied, sounding as if he had been insulted.
Caron realized immediately that this wasn't the right moment to press the matter. Whether Luke's reaction was out of shame, anger, or something else entirely, he couldn't be sure. But the fact remained that Luke, a knight highly regarded as the next vice-commander, had just been humiliated by a boy who was thirteen years old. It was no surprise that Luke wasn't in the mood for conversation.
Caron sighed quietly as he put Guillotine, which had been vibrating relentlessly, back into its scabbard. Now wasn't the time for questions. The mere possibility that some of his subordinates could still be alive was enough for him.
I'll have to ask Halo about this, Caron thought.
If anyone knew the truth, it would be Halo. If those men had survived that fateful day, then chances were high that they were still alive now. After all, knights who had surpassed 7-Star enjoyed incredibly long lifespans unless they faced an accident.
But if Halo refused to talk...
Then I'll just have to find them myself, Caron decided. He was already considering how he would search for traces of them across the vast continent. But first, he had to grow even stronger.
As Caron's mind wandered, Luke interrupted his thoughts by asking, "...What do you know about Moonlight ? The real moon hiding behind the fake one. You already knew that technique. How did you...?"
Luke had been left utterly unable to understand. That was a technique that had claimed the lives of many enemies, even in real combat. Even knights of a similar rank, those at 6-Star, had fallen to its lethal precision. It was a flawless, one-hit kill technique.
But Caron had seen through it perfectly, as if he had known it all along.
Caron let out a small laugh and replied, "I don't really have an obligation to answer that question either, do I?"
He tossed Luke's earlier words right back with a grin. Luke frowned slightly, recalling Caron's question from moments before:
"That Moonlight... Who taught you that technique?"
It was as if Caron already knew the origin of the technique. But Luke had learned this version of Moonlight from a senior knight, a man who had fallen in battle over thirty years earlier during an operation.
That man was Sir Kerra, the last of the imperial guards who had stood by the imperial palace with Cain Latorre until the bitter end. Luke had inherited this Moonlight from him, and Luke himself was the only one within the imperial guards who had ever mastered it. No one else knew the origins of the modified version except him.
Luke pondered that and was about to open his mouth to speak, but Caron casually sheathed his sword onto his belt and interrupted his thoughts.
"Well, I'm not entirely sure, but wouldn't it be better if there were multiple fake moons?" Caron suggested.
"...Excuse me?" Luke questioned.
"Or maybe you could give the fake moons more physical weight... That would make the opponent harder to deal with. Ah, maybe not, they're just my thoughts," Caron added.
Caron smiled awkwardly as he looked at Luke. Perhaps because he had seen Kerra's Moonlight , unnecessary advice slipped out of his mouth. He knew that Luke was a knight aligned with Marquis Diaz, someone on the opposite side of the Leston Duchy. So this was just a whim of his, a strange way of repaying Luke for giving him hope that his old subordinates could still be alive somewhere.
"Was that unnecessary advice? Just forget what I said—" Caron began.
"...No, I appreciate your valuable advice," Luke said, his voice softening slightly. "Thanks to you, I've realized a lot."
"Well, if so, I'm glad to hear that," Caron said with a laugh, noticing the softened expression on Luke's face.
It's a little gift for you, he thought.
In a way, Caron had just given Luke the key to opening the path to reach 7-Star. To reach that level, Luke would have to perfect his own version of Moonlight.
At least he's not a completely lost cause, Caron mused. Initially, he had pegged Luke as someone swallowed up by politics. But seeing the newfound brightness in Luke's expression told a different story. That emotion on his face was unmistakable. It was elation.
There was no doubt Luke had gained some kind of realization.
Caron subtly glanced toward where the imperial guards stood. Most of them were now casting wary looks his way, except for Amy, who had woken up at some point. Her eyes were gleaming, as though she, too, had learned something from the sparring match.
"Sir Luke," Caron said.
"Yes?" Luke responded, his attention fully on Caron.
"Because I'm an outsider, I won't interfere in the Imperial Guards' internal matters. However..." Caron continued.
Luke quietly observed Caron, wondering what this monster was about to say.
"I think it's a waste to let such a raw gem go unpolished. Or is that just me? So please, take good care of her, Sir Luke. Politics are fine and all, but knights should speak with their swords, don't you think?" Caron concluded.
"You're asking me to watch over Amy?" Luke asked.
"Hehe, I thought I already paid for it with that advice earlier. Or am I wrong?" Caron replied with a playful grin as he dusted off his leather armor. He then offered Luke a polite nod and said, "It was a good duel."
Luke returned the gesture, bowing his head respectfully and replied, "It was a good duel."
And with that, the duel was officially over.
***
As soon as the duel ended, the first person to run toward Caron was Zerath. He pulled a potion from his robe and handed it over. He said, "This is a top-tier potion. I even had a priest bless it, just to be sure. It should work wonders."
Caron chuckled as he accepted the potion, saying, "You really didn't need to go this far."
He drank the potion, and the bitter taste lingered as he finished every drop. Then he cautiously glanced at Zerath, asking, "Are you not going to scold me?"
"For what?" Zerath asked.
"For sparring recklessly with Sir Luke. You could have stopped it easily..." Caron said.
Zerath let out a deep sigh and replied, "And yet, knowing that, you still insisted on sparring. It was an unnecessary provocation, and you directly went against the head's orders not to cause trouble."
"Are you going to tell him?" Caron asked.
"You won't need me for that. I believe word will spread soon enough," Zerath answered. After all, a thirteen-year-old boy had just bested the next vice-commander candidate. It wasn't something people could keep quiet about.
"Sir Zerath," Caron said as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. He continued mischievously, "You know, turning a blind eye is also a sin. So remember, you share the blame for not stopping me."
"Your shamelessness never fails to amaze me," Zerath said.
"Oh, come on, you probably knew that I was going to stir up trouble... Why didn't you step in?" Caron asked.
Zerath's voice dropped a notch as he replied, "I wanted to see your limits. Even if you lost, I thought it would be a valuable experience."
Caron raised an eyebrow, glancing at his own wounded side before saying, "Can you really say that after watching my side get pierced?"
"If Sir Luke's blade had been aimed at your neck, I would've intervened," Zerath said calmly.
That moment when the sword had punctured Caron's side had only lasted a split second. For someone to be able to read the sword's trajectory and intervene at such a time was beyond human ability. But Caron knew Zerath wasn't lying. As the Commander of the Oceanwolf Knight Order and an 8-Star knight, Zerath could have easily stepped in during that brief instant.
"So, did you see my limits?" Caron asked.
Zerath shook his head slowly and replied, "I did not. But I believe I've gained insight into the kind of sword you seek."
"I used a bit of Imperial Sword technique during the duel... Are you not going to reprimand me for that?" Caron asked.
"No, it was an excellent adaptation," Zerath answered.
"You're too lenient. I'm getting spoiled because you keep indulging me," Caron said.
Zerath watched as Caron stretched, and reflected on the duel he had just witnessed. He had felt the same thing Luke had during the match. The swordplay Caron had shown was so extraordinary, it was hard to believe it had come from a child. Though Zerath had heard plenty about Caron's feats during the train ambush, what he'd just witnessed went far beyond mere rumors.
That was the swordplay of someone who had been through countless battles, he thought to himself.
Judgment and adaptability were qualities only earned through experience. That was a commonly held belief among knights. But Caron had shattered that notion right before their eyes. A boy who hadn't fought many battles had wielded a sword that could only be mastered through years of combat. The only explanation was that his talent transcended experience.
The next four years will be crucial, Zerath thought.
What Azureocean Castle needed to provide for Caron was the strength to back up such raw talent. Caron was like a brilliant gemstone, and it already seemed that he had found his own path.
Looking down at Caron, Zerath said, "Once we return to Azureocean Castle, we'll increase your mana training hours."
"I was just going to ask you for that," Caron replied.
"Our top priority is getting your Ocean Dominance Arts to 6-Star. Alright?" Zerath said.
Caron was a gem that would refine itself. If they could teach him the Oceanwolf Sword Arts and expand his mana capacity, this monster would push himself beyond anyone's expectations.
As they talked, Luke, who had lost the spar, approached them. He bowed respectfully to Zerath and said in a low voice, "Thank you, Sir Zerath. I've learned a great deal."
"It seems you've gained some insight," Zerath observed.
"I've finally been able to grasp what I could only vaguely see before," Luke acknowledged.
"That's wonderful news. Congratulations," Zerath said.
Luke replied in a humble tone, "It's an achievement I wouldn't have reached without your permission to duel."
Zerath let out a long sigh and said, "...He's not someone I could stop, even if I tried."
"Ah, I see," Luke responded.
After the brief conversation with Zerath, Luke turned to Caron and offered his hand for a handshake. He said, "I would like to cross swords with you again someday."
"Looks like it'll be in four years," Caron replied with a smile. "I'm under probation now. As you can see, I cause quite a bit of trouble."
"Four years... I see," Luke mused.
"That Moonlight... If you refine it a bit more, I think it'll become a truly devastating technique. I'm looking forward to seeing it after four years," Caron said.
Luke nodded in response. If he hadn't sparred with Caron, he likely would have found that comment arrogant. But because he had crossed swords with Caron, he knew better. This boy was far more extraordinary than anyone could ever have imagined.
The certainty that four years would raise this boy to an even greater position filled Luke's mind. He glanced at Caron's face, recalling the thoughts he'd had earlier. His vow to break Caron's wings for the sake of the Imperial Palace...
Now, that vow felt utterly meaningless.
...How shameful, Luke thought.
He had even harbored ill intentions. Surely Caron would have sensed the hostility in his blade. And yet, Caron hadn't said a word about it. Instead, he had offered advice that would help Luke grow.
I lost in every way, Luke realized. Both in swordsmanship, and as a person. He had been completely defeated by this young boy. And yet, he accepted that defeat.
"There are so many things I've missed. I truly thank you for allowing me to see that," he said.
Caron smiled in response and said, "I look forward to seeing you again in four years."
"Of course," Luke replied with conviction in his voice. That answer alone was enough to satisfy Caron.
"Well then, we'll be going." Caron waved casually and gave his farewells. He then asked, "Alright, Sir Zerath, where are we headed now?"
"We'll be resting at the lodging for a while. Then, in the evening, you'll visit the Sixth Prince's place," Zerath replied.
"Ugh, that's bothersome," Caron sighed, already feeling weary.
"It's the head's command," Zerath reminded him.
"Ha... It's such a hassle... Don't you think, Leo?" Caron quipped.
Leo responded with a sigh, "...Dealing with you is even more of a hassle."
With that, Caron shared a few more jokes with Leo as they made their way out of the training ground. He couldn't force the Imperial Guards to change or rise beyond their current state. That choice was theirs alone to make. From here on, it was their journey to walk. He could only watch what decisions they make. But he still felt satisfied.
I think I can look forward to it, Caron mused as he remembered the look on Luke's face, and the distant gaze of Amy, who had been watching him from afar.
As a senior, he had done everything he could for them. If, after all that, they still didn't change...
I'll deal with them myself, Caron thought, his determination unwavering.
With that final resolution, the former Commander of the Knight Order left, vowing to see them again in four years.