Return of the Calamity-Class Death Knight

Chapter 352: Epilogue

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A week had passed since Dorugo, the worst disaster in history had struck the Imperial capital.

During this time, the Emperor focused on rebuilding the ruined capital alongside his officials.

However, no matter how much time they invested, the situation showed no signs of improvement. The damage to the Empire had been that catastrophic.

While they still had a long way to go, another headache-inducing issue emerged for the Emperor.

It concerned Damien Haksen.

"Your Majesty, you must not tolerate Damien Haksen\'s existence!"

The Emperor looked at the nobles who had suddenly visited him with a disgruntled expression.

He had planned to visit injured citizens today but these uninvited guests had barged in.

Though it was unpleasant he couldn\'t ignore them because they were all high-ranking nobles representing the Empire.

"Lord Aldeir, what do you mean?"

The man leading them was particularly problematic.

Aldeir Bonal.

He was one of the few Dukes in the Empire.

"Your Majesty, according to our investigation, Damien Haksen has transformed into a Death Knight. While we couldn\'t determine how this happened, this information is certain."

Duke Aldeir spoke in a firm tone.

"That\'s not all. There are numerous undead actively operating in Spring Castle where Damien Haksen resides! What could this mean?"

Duke Aldeir\'s eyes sharpened.

"It means Damien Haksen has betrayed us! How can we leave such a dangerous individual unchecked?"

The other nobles nodded at Duke Aldeir\'s words.

The Emperor asked with a somewhat bewildered expression:

"Damien Haksen has helped our Empire eliminate Pandemonium\'s dark mages multiple times. He even went as far as helping the elves alongside the Imperial Supreme Sword."

Though going to help Alfheim was the Imperial Supreme Sword\'s unilateral decision.

The Imperial Supreme Sword hadn\'t hidden his actions and reported everything to the Emperor.

This included everything about Damien, of course.

"While it\'s truly suspicious that Damien Haksen has transformed into a Death Knight and commands undead, we cannot consider him hostile based on that alone."

"Your Majesty is being deceived!"

What nonsense was this now? The Emperor\'s eyes widened.

"Dark mages are cunning people! All of Damien Haksen\'s actions were nothing but tricks to deceive the Empire!"

The Emperor felt a headache coming on. He suppressed his emotions and addressed Duke Aldeir.

"Duke Aldeir, those enemies inflicted mortal wounds on Imperial Supreme Sword and devastated our capital. If they had wanted to, they could have destroyed the Empire. Why would they bother with such troublesome schemes?"

Though shameful to admit, the monsters who attacked the capital this time far exceeded the Empire\'s military strength.

Many nobles and knights, including the Emperor, had prepared themselves for the Empire\'s downfall.

"I don\'t know about that!"

"...You don\'t know?"

"How could I possibly know what goes on in the minds of dark mages! But surely there must be some horrifying plot we can\'t even imagine!"

The Emperor felt his headache intensifying.

"Your Majesty! Lord Aldeir speaks true! If Damien Haksen truly has no connection to the dark mages, then how do you explain someone who was human until recently becoming a Death Knight!"

"Having a Death Knight\'s body and commanding undead... how can we tolerate such a dangerous element!"

"What guarantee do we have that the Empire won\'t be attacked again like this time! We must strike before our capital suffers damage again!"

The nobles who came with Duke Aldeir chimed in one after another.

The Emperor started feeling annoyed at their obstinate attitude. He sighed and asked them.

"Then, how do you plan to deal with Damien Haksen?"

At the Emperor\'s question, Duke Aldeir replied with a confident expression:

"Please grant me command of the Imperial Supreme Sword, the Sword Saint, and the Imperial Knights."

"Would that be enough?"

"I will send an official request to the Holy Church for cooperation."

The Holy Church was an organization that rivaled the Empire in power.

If the main forces of both powers united, they could exert tremendous strength.

"I will certainly bring Damien Haksen\'s head before Your Majesty!"

Duke Aldeir declared with overflowing confidence.

The Emperor glanced at him sideways and muttered quietly:

"Has this bastard really lost his mind?"

"P-pardon? Your Majesty, what did you just..."

"Nothing at all. By the way, while you seem well-informed about external matters, you appear quite ignorant of internal affairs."

"What do you mean?"

"The Imperial Supreme Sword and Sword Saint have decided to support Damien Haksen."

At the Emperor\'s words, the Duke\'s expression went blank.

"W-why would those two..."

"It seems they don\'t consider Damien as an enemy of the Empire."

Duke Aldeir was dumbfounded at the Emperor\'s response.

"Your Majesty! Those two must be deceived! Please, you must persuade them!"

"The Holy Church has also decided to form an alliance with Damien."

"Th-that\'s impossible! The Holy Church never compromises with heretics... W-when did they make such a decision?"

"I received their letter this morning."

Duke Aldeir staggered at the Emperor\'s words. His reaction was as if the sky had fallen.

"...Your Majesty, it\'s not too late."

Duke Aldeir regained his composure surprisingly quickly. He looked at the Emperor with determined eyes and said.

"Please use your authority to persuade the Imperial Supreme Sword and Sword Saint! Then I will change the Holy Church\'s decision!"

"Ah, and I forgot to mention the most important thing. I too support Damien Haksen."

"...Pardon?"

Duke Aldeir\'s brow furrowed sharply. In contrast, the Emperor said with a bright smile.

"So stop spouting nonsense... and get out now! I\'m busy enough as it is, stop wasting my time!"

At the Emperor\'s thunderous command, Duke Aldeir and the nobles hurriedly left the office.

"What pathetic fellows."

The Emperor clicked his tongue and leaned back in his chair. Then, a man emerged from behind the bookshelf and spoke.

"Fear naturally paralyzes reason, doesn\'t it? Your Majesty should be understanding."

It was the Sword Saint, known as one of the Empire\'s pillars.

They weren\'t originally this dim-witted. Rather, they had been quite capable.

However, they couldn\'t make proper judgments after experiencing the unprecedented crisis of the capital\'s destruction.

"By the way, has the Holy Church already made contact with Damien Haksen?"

"Yes, they sent a paladin who had close ties with Damien Haksen."

"Paladin? Don\'t tell me it\'s a woman?"

"It is."

The Emperor frowned at the Sword Saint\'s answer.

"As expected of those lecherous bastards. There\'s nothing they won\'t do in the name of God."

Their declaration to form an alliance with Damien was proof enough.

They usually went around proclaiming they would never compromise with heretics, yet they changed their stance as easily as flipping their palm.

"I heard that due to the Holy Empress and Cheongyeum strongly pushing for the alliance with Damien Haksen, the opposition within the Holy Church couldn\'t exert any influence."

At the Sword Saint\'s words, the Emperor\'s expression grew even more displeased.

"And according to news just received, the Fafnir Mercenary Company has sent someone to House Haksen."

"What? Why would those barbarians...?"

"The Mercenary King has a daughter. Apparently, she has some connection with Damien Haksen."

At those words, the Emperor slapped his forehead with his palm.

"So despite only being interested in women, he doesn\'t miss opportunities like this."

"And..."

"...What else is there?"

"House Lichteawer has also sent someone."

"And why them?"

"Rachel, the eldest daughter of House Lichteawer, apparently has deep ties with Damien Haksen. So..."

"Such cunning...! How dare they without even consulting me!"

The Emperor exploded with anger.

While he had been preoccupied with rebuilding the capital and couldn\'t pay attention to Damien Haksen, others had been approaching him like stray cats.

"Ugh... if only I had a daughter...!"

The Emperor clenched his fists. It was the first time he regretted having only sons.

"I must do something too!"

"I hear the daughter of House Haksen is pregnant. Perhaps sending an appropriate gift would be wise?"

"An excellent idea! I\'ll open the treasury, so choose something and visit them!"

He wanted to go himself but rebuilding the capital was urgent.

"And when you go to that house..."

The Emperor gestured. The Sword Saint brought his ear closer.

"Find out their family tree in detail."

"...Family tree?"

The Sword Saint asked incredulously at the unexpected request.

"...When I say find out, just do it without asking questions!"

The Emperor suddenly thundered, as if trying to hide something.

* * *

"Oh my!"

Countess blushed and rejoiced.

It was because of the three young ladies sitting before her.

Though they came from different places, all three possessed outstanding beauty and charm.

"I believe I\'ve met you before, what was your name?"

"It\'s Agnes."

"Oh my, what a lovely name."

"Y-you\'re too kind."

Agnes replied with a slight blush. Countess watched her with a pleased expression.

Countess then asked the girl beside her.

"And where are you from?"

"I\'m from the Fafnir Mercenary Company! I\'m Athena Hopper!"

Athena shouted and jumped to her feet. Her booming voice momentarily startled Countess.

"Fafnir Mercenary Company... where the Mercenary King is?"

"Yes! The Mercenary King is my father!"

Countess asked the girl with sparkling eyes.

"Do you work as a mercenary normally?"

"Y-yes, I do!"

"You\'d suit our Damien well."

"R-really?"

Athena bowed her head shyly. Countess looked at her with an expression that said how cute she was.

At that moment, the last girl stood up. As she stood before the Countess, she bowed politely and said.

"I am Rachel Lichteawer. Please forgive my sudden visit."

"Not at all. Any friend of Damien\'s is welcome. But Lichteawer... could it be... the Ducal House Lichteawer?"

Rachel nodded. Countess covered her mouth with both hands.

"My goodness, to think my son knew someone from such a prestigious family... Damien never tells me these things."

"Damien can be a bit reserved."

"Indeed. He should at least tell me when he has such beautiful friends."

Countess could barely contain her joy. She whispered to the girl beside her.

"Veronica, what shall we do? You have more rivals now."

Veronica who was in the middle of eating an apple replied with a disgruntled face.

"...Mother, please don\'t say such creepy things."

* * *

While Countess was entertaining guests, Louise was spending time in the dressing room.

"Let\'s see, it was definitely here..."

Louise searched the back of the dressing room and pulled something out. It was a white dress full of frills.

"Found it! Here it was!"

Louise turned around. Miya was bristling in the corner of the dressing room.

"Kya!"

"Come on, just try it on once."

"KYAA!"

"Just once is all."

Louise approached step by step holding the dress. Despair appeared in Miya\'s eyes.

"Got you!"

Louise finally caught Miya and dragged her to the changing room. Shortly after, Miya emerged wearing the clothes as desired.

"Kyaa! I knew I was right! Honey, look! Isn\'t she super cute?"

Balhard who had been sitting quietly turned his gaze to Miya.

Indeed, it suited her well as Louise said. Miya\'s eyes were sunken and exhausted.

Recently, Miya had been suffering under Louise. That fatigue showed clearly on her face.

"What do you think? How is it?"

Miya looked at Balhard with a desperate expression. Her face plainly begged him to make it stop.

But Balhard had to ignore Miya\'s gaze.

"I-it suits her well."

"Right? What should we try next?"

Louise started rummaging through the dressing room again. Miya glared at Balhard with a resentful face.

But Balhard had his reasons.

Stress was the enemy of pregnant women.

For Louise, who had been struggling lately, Miya was like rain in a drought.

"Please bear with it a little longer..."

At Balhard\'s plea, Miya hung her head dejectedly.

* * *

"Kyaaa!"

Abel paused briefly at the sound of Miya\'s cry from the dressing room.

"Sister has started again today."

Abel clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"Whoof."

Munchi who was walking beside Abel made a crying sound. It seemed to agree with Abel\'s words.

"Looks like you think the same as me."

Abel reached out to pet Munchi.

Though he was an undead made of shadows, his fur was no different from any other animal.

"Where should we go today... maybe have a picnic with Olivia?"

"Whooof!"

"You like that? Well, you always did prefer open spaces."

Abel disappeared along with Munchi.

* * *

While the family was spending their personal time, Damien was sitting on the roof of Spring Castle.

"So you were here again."

Count Haksen said as he climbed onto the roof. Damien spoke worriedly.

"Father, it\'s dangerous to keep coming up here."

"Don\'t treat me like an old man. This much is nothing."

Damien looked at his father with an unconvinced expression.

As far as he knew, everyone in House Haksen was poor at physical activities. Damien was the exception.

"The view is quite nice."

Count Haksen sat beside his son and looked at the sky. Then suddenly, he asked Damien.

"Can that body be returned to normal?"

"It will take some more time."

Damien had twisted his fate to manifest a Death Knight\'s body.

Currently, Damien\'s fate was like a tangled skein of thread. His original body could not be restored until it was unraveled.

"I see..."

The father silently looked at Damien. His eyes were full of concern.

"Damien, I understand how you feel."

Count Haksen carefully began.

"You must be scared to meet people with that body. They\'ll all see you as a monster. That\'s why you\'re always here avoiding people."

A Death Knight\'s body was two or three times larger than a normal human\'s.

Moreover, it was embedded with magical implements and covered in scars.

"But you\'ve done nothing wrong. Rather, you\'ve done things worthy of praise. So don\'t be afraid of people\'s gazes and act with confidence."

"What are you talking about...?"

Damien asked with an incredulous expression. His question left Count Haksen flustered.

"Eh, eh?"

"Why would I be afraid of others? Other humans should be afraid of me. If anyone dares curse at me, I\'ll crush them."

Damien spoke with murderous intent in his eyes.

Being his father, he could tell. That look was genuine.

"Then why are you always here?"

"Because I can see well from here."

Damien said while watching Abel and Olivia heading to the fields.

"I can see everyone\'s figures... clearly."

A faint smile appeared on Damien\'s lips.

At that warm smile, Count Haksen couldn\'t help but smile too.

"As long as you\'re satisfied."

(The End of "The Return of Calamity Class Death Knight")

[Tl/n+Pr/n: THE END ]

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