Chapter 229: Epilogue of Lord of Happiness [1]

Chapter 228

───────────

Episode 58 - Epilogue of Lord of Happiness [1]

─────────────────────────────────

"Ahh...."

I slowly inhaled, then exhaled. My breathing was calm and steady, like gentle gusts of wind.

Then I opened my eyes and looked at my opponent.

"....."

He wore such an unhinged grin and stared at me with eyes that seemed to say, "I’m going to kill you."

It was the Psychopathic Knight.

The same man I had hit with a Mana Bomb in Chapter One, melting away half of his face.

The same man who had challenged Raon to a Sacred Duel several days ago.

"How about putting a little makeup on the other half of your face?"

The corner of my lips slowly curled into a mocking smile.

"Heh, at first I had no idea which bastard threw that Mana Bomb at me, but fate really is incredible, don’t you think?"

"At first, I was pissed when I heard Raon wouldn’t be coming and that his squire would take his place... no, not his squire anymore. His heir, the one who inherited his title as a Knight."

I shrugged while letting out a yawn, pretending to be sleepy.

"So what? I’m going to beat the hell out of you. No, not just beat you—I’ll cripple you as an Awakened. You’ll never wield a sword again, let alone use Mana."

I held no grudge against the Psychopathic Knight. In fact, I wouldn’t have even known who he was if it weren’t for Williams’ memories.

And there was a reason for the anger I was feeling now. Over the past few weeks, Williams’ emotions had been steadily growing stronger, and recently, they had surged all at once.

And the source of all that emotional torment was standing right in front of me.

"Watch your filthy mouth, commoner. And you’re mistaken about one thing—you’ll be the one getting beaten."

A twisted smile spread across his face as he cracked his knuckles.

At that moment, I stood in the center of a massive combat arena deep within a forest.

The only people present were Raon, Teresa, and the Psychopathic Knight’s subordinates.

’Ah, today’s the last day, isn’t it?’

I briefly looked up at the black sky.

Eight days had already passed in the outside world, and inside this Memory Gate, today marked the 192nd day since I entered.

"Very well, the rules of the Sacred Duel are simple. Whoever can no longer continue loses."

"Now then, let the Sacred Duel begin."

I assumed my stance, relaxing every muscle in my body.

For this fight, I wouldn’t battle as Adel.

I would fight as Williams.

’This is going to be tough. Williams is weaker than I am.’

But before that, we need to go back a couple of days—to the moment I officially became a Knight.

---

"I’ll take Sir Raon’s place."

Raon and Teresa looked at me in surprise, as though they had never expected those words to come out of my mouth.

’Those were the exact words the original Williams spoke in the historical records.’

However, Raon didn’t agree so easily.

"W-What are you saying, Williams...? Do you even know who that man is? Do you know what he’ll do to you if you’re not strong enough...? Williams, you..."

I raised my hand and cut him off.

"I know who he is. I know what he does to those weaker than him. Even so, let me take your place, Sir Raon... no, Master."

"....."

Raon stared at me in silence, his eyes wide.

It was probably the first time Williams had ever called Raon "Master."

Raon had never viewed his relationship with Williams as that of a master and disciple.

’But the original Williams had always seen him as his master... and as family.’

Williams had been rescued by Raon after his entire family was killed.

He had stayed by Raon’s side for many years, and Raon had taught him everything he knew.

It wasn’t the relationship of someone repaying a life debt or returning a favor for being saved.

Williams saw Raon not only as his master, but also as part of his family.

’I know you, Raon Rosenberg, understand exactly how the original Williams felt.’

Raon had always known how Williams saw him, yet he had deliberately never brought it up.

’So the choice is yours.’

I silently looked at Raon. He returned my gaze.

Then...

"Ah, you’ve really grown up, haven’t you, Williams?"

A faint smile tried to form on his face.

"You’ve been with me since you were just a child. Even now, the way you look at me hasn’t changed... even though I’m nothing more than a sick old knight..."

He lowered his gaze, staring at his bloodstained hands.

"You never changed who you are. You’ve always been yourself. You’ve followed me everywhere, and of all people, you chose to follow me. We’ve faced death together more than once."

I watched him in silence, waiting for what he would say next.

"If you wish to take my place, then you must become a knight."

Raon drew his sword and said,

"Kneel, Williams, Squire to Knight Raon Rosenberg."

Doing as he commanded, I knelt before him.

Then he rested the blade of his sword just above my shoulder and declared,

"From this day forward, you inherit my title as a Knight. You are no longer Raon Rosenberg’s Squire. You are now a full-fledged knight, bound by honor and virtue. Walk your own path, Knight Williams."

From that day on, I used only Williams’ original strength.

The Memory Gate allowed me to use either my own original power or Williams’ abilities.

And I had decided to rely on Williams’ strength for the Sacred Duel.

***

I didn’t know whether my decision to use Williams’ strength came from his emotions or because it was what I truly wanted.

Even so, at that moment, the urge to smash the Psychopathic Knight’s face in was overwhelming.

’Whether it’s Williams’ emotions or my own choice, it doesn’t matter.’

The Psychopathic Knight was no different from a villain—someone who merely hid behind the title of Knight when, in truth, he was nothing more than a villain.

So the moment the duel began, I shot forward.

Boom!

The air twisted around me as I closed the distance between the Psychopathic Knight and myself.

My eyes widened, and the world around me slowed to a crawl.

I watched the way he gripped his sword and read the possible trajectories of his attack.

’Left side, straight for the shoulder.’

Clang!

I swung my sword and blocked the Psychopathic Knight’s attack.

His eyes widened for a brief second in surprise before he attacked again.

I watched every movement of his muscles, reading the path of his blade.

’The thrust from the left is a feint.’

I didn’t move my body as I tracked the path of his sword.

Instead, I focused on the true target of his attack.

’My neck...’

Clang!

I twisted my sword and knocked the Psychopathic Knight’s attack off course.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

I leaned my body backward as the tip of his sword shot toward me. Then I spun on my heel and, using my body’s momentum, struck his side.

Crack!

"Arghhh!"

The sound of bones breaking echoed from his ribs.

The Psychopathic Knight gritted his teeth and answered with a relentless barrage of attacks.

"...."

My eyes widened as I read the trajectory of every single strike.

I twisted my body from every angle, weaving through his countless thrusts and slashes.

Again and again, countering and deflecting every move he made.

Clang!

Sparks rained down every time my sword collided with his.

Then I spun and, with precise footwork, glided across the combat arena.

After that, I moved my sword like the gentle waves of a calm, tranquil sea.

It was Raon’s swordsmanship—the style Williams had learned.

A sword art that emphasized a smooth, tranquil flow, reflecting the heart of a great knight who lived by honor and virtue.

"Argh... y-you damned bastard..."

"Shut your mouth and fight."

A mocking smile spread across my face as I deliberately tried to wound his pride and throw his emotions into chaos.

"Y-you son of a bitch..."

"...."

I swung my sword at the exact moment I concentrated Mana into my legs, propelling myself forward at an overwhelming speed.

Then, appearing right in front of the Psychopathic Knight, I severed his left arm.

"...."

His arm flew through the air before crashing onto the ground. Blood burst from his shoulder, and before the Psychopathic Knight could scream...

Clang!

I stepped in and slammed the hilt of my sword into his chin. His head snapped backward.

Then I clenched my fist and drove a punch straight into his throat.

Bang!

The Psychopathic Knight was sent flying backward, crashing through a row of trees before finally coming to a stop.

At that moment, while I still held my fist in the same position from the punch...

Silence settled over the battlefield.

"...."

Ignoring the stunned gazes of the Psychopathic Knight’s subordinate knights,

I lowered my eyes to a brooch lying on the ground.

It was known as the Brooch of Honor.

I walked toward Raon, whose face was filled with shock, as if asking, "Since when did you become this strong?"

Then, before the gathered knights, I knelt down and presented the Brooch of Honor to him with both hands.

"Master, I’ve reclaimed all the honor and every achievement you lost as a Guardian Knight."

"From this day forward, you can finally rest as a Great Knight who pursued his dreams."