If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 121

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Power that seemed ready to burst surged into his hardened, well-trained arm. Starting from the shoulder, passing through the forearm to the back of his hand, bulging veins writhed dynamically. The sword imbued with mana flashed with a pure white light and split the air wide open.

 

“Keugh!”

 

The knight in the blue uniform, struck head-on by the attack, was mercilessly pushed backward, carving a deep groove into the ground. As his back slammed into the arena wall, a loud crash rang out, and a cloud of yellow dust billowed up.

 

When the view cleared, the knight was twitching, embedded in the caved-in wall. Although he had wrapped his entire body in mana like armor, the impact that pierced through twisted all of his internal organs. The knight coughed up a mouthful of blood, then lost consciousness as his limbs went limp.

 

The red-haired knight flicked his sword downward as if shaking something off and shouted. “Next!”

 

“Sir Kilieon, victory!”

 

Kilieon’s combat style was refreshingly decisive. Until he dealt with all seven challengers, he hadn’t allowed even a scratch on his body, nor had his breathing faltered.

 

The imperial guard charged in. While exchanging blows, Kilieon swung his sword in a wide upward slash from below. Unfortunately, the blade cut only through the empty air instead of his opponent.

 

A powerful strike always came with a significant opening as its price. His opponent seized the opportunity, leveled his sword horizontally, and thrust toward Kilieon. But at that moment, Kilieon twisted the trajectory of the blade with monstrous strength.

 

“Gasp!”

 

Kilieon’s sword shoved the opponent’s blade aside. The misdirected force veered off in the wrong direction, failing to reach him. As his opponent panicked, Kilieon pressed in deeply. In the end, his opponent gave up his shoulder.

 

“Keugh, uaaack!”

 

Luring the opponent into a trap and counterattacking. This was a technique Kilieon had learned long ago from Regenhart.

 

From the spot where Kilieon’s sword was pulled free, red blood sprayed in an arc. The knight staggered back, clutching his shoulder, but he couldn’t go far before stopping. Before he knew it, Kilieon had already taken position behind him, holding his sword in a reverse grip. The blade poised at his throat.

 

“Sir Kilieon, victory!”

 

Cheers and applause poured from the stands. People praised him as the knight of Princess Golden Deer. Some even began to wonder about his origins.

 

“Kilieon Ifrit. So you were alive as well.”

 

Among those who knew the knight’s past well, a subject everyone was curious about, Emilio looked down at the arena with gloomy eyes.

 

In the ninth match, Kilieon continued to excel. Even under the disadvantageous rules of consecutive battles, his steadfast performance began to intrigue even the mad emperor.

 

“Dominic.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

“What do you think of that knight?”

 

“He could last about ten minutes against me.”

 

“Impressive.”

 

Before long, the final match began. After nine consecutive duels against strong opponents, Kilieon’s mana and stamina were significantly depleted. His movement began to slow, and he focused on dodging with minimal effort.

 

The tenth challenger, who had been relentlessly pressuring him, spoke with a feigned regret. “My apologies. It may be unknightly, but I will take your place.”

 

At the moment the tenth challenger tried to finish with a rather flashy strike, Kilieon’s eyes flashed as he charged fiercely. Caught off guard by the sudden difference in speed and strength, the opponent widened his eyes in shock.

 

Kilieon grinned, scattering droplets of sweat. “You thought I was tired?”

 

“…!”

 

His mana exploded, sending the tenth challenger flying backward. Kilieon’s legs kicked off the ground at superhuman speed, catching up instantly. He then raised his sword to the still-airborne opponent. Against one who sought to take Nanaen away from him, there was no mercy.

 

“Uaaargh!”

 

A surge of mana that seemed capable of splitting his head descended upon the tenth challenger. The bloodied imperial guard collapsed onto the ground, his body convulsing. As he barely managed to open his blood-soaked eyes, a dark shadow loomed over him. The sharp tip of a sword traced a straight line from his solar plexus to his throat, then stopped.

 

“Say it.”

 

“Y-You have won.”

 

The crowd erupted in deafening cheers, chanting Kilieon’s name.

 

“I hereby declare that Sir Kilieon is the final victor of the first Knight Wheel Battle!”

 

Overcome by exhaustion, Kilieon’s body staggered for a moment. Still, he steadied himself and raised his head. His blazing golden eyes were directed toward the mad emperor.

 

“State your wish.”

 

The stands fell so silent to the point it was hard to believe tens of thousands of mouths were present. Everyone held their breath, listening with curiosity and anticipation. The same was true for his master, Nanaen, seated among the princesses. The lovely honey-blonde beauty showed none of her usual smile.

 

Axellion, the mad emperor, was revered as an absolute ruler with a power rivaling that of a god. To solidify his transcendent authority, he was likely to grant wishes even dangerously bold.

 

The kind of wish a former war prisoner turned personal knight was easy to guess. Freedom. Liberation. It was the perfect opportunity to be freed from the status of a sl*ve knight bound by a forced oath.

 

The princesses couldn’t help but empathize with Nanaen’s situation. Shumel, her eyes red from crying, examined Nanaen’s expression.

 

Receiving the gaze, Nanaen spoke. “I will respect his choice.” Her low voice sounded like a vow to herself.

 

After catching his breath, Kilieon sheathed his sword. Kneeling on one knee in proper etiquette, he raised his voice and released his ‘earnest wish.’ “

 

“I humbly beseech Your Majesty, the great emperor of the empire! Even if I am eliminated from the competition, please do not put Princess Golden Deer up for auction!”

 

A minimal safeguard for someone else. For that, Kilieon willingly used up his wish.

 

The crowd murmured at the unexpected plea, then soon erupted into cheers, moved.

 

“To give up freedom and think of his master first!”

 

“That’s what a true knight is! Amazing!”

 

The mad emperor clicked his tongue. “Tsk, these love stories between princesses and knights spreading through the public have ruined my subjects.” Contrary to his words, his eyes were rather lenient. “Kilieon. The loyalty and affection you now offer Nanaen, those may not be your own feelings. Are you aware?”

 

Kilieon clenched the fist he had placed on the ground. “Even so.”

 

“…”

 

“I have protected the one I must protect. I have no regrets.”

 

A wave of moved sighs swept through the audience once more. Only the mad emperor sighed differently.

 

“You look fierce, yet you are utterly devoted. In any case, my daughter picked a knight lacking in ruthlessness. A knight is only interesting when he’s like Dominic.”

 

Standing nearby, Dominic only curled the corner of his lips into a dry smile.

 

“Very well. Your wish shall be granted.”

 

“Waaah! Long live Your Majesty the Emperor!”

 

Before leaving the arena, Kilieon glanced toward a spot in the stands. To be exact, the direction where Nanaen sat.

 

Nanaen, who had been dazed until now, finally came to her senses. Avoiding his gaze, she tilted her head down and muttered. “Idiot.” Her scolding voice trembled faintly. “Seriously, isn’t he a fool?” Her hands resting on her knees and her round shoulders trembled as well.

 

Shumel, who had been sniffling all day beside her, glanced at Nanaen and hiccupped in surprise. “Sister Deer, are you crying?”

 

“I’m not.”

 

“You are though.”

 

“I said I’m not!”

 

“I-I mean, it’s okay to cry… Why are you getting mad…”

 

Sasha, sitting between them, rummaged through her belongings. She offered Nanaen a handkerchief, but Nanaen refused, taking out her own and dabbing her pooled tears carefully so as not to ruin her makeup.

 

“What if you run out of a handkerchief later, Sister? Just keep it.” Even while crying, Nanaen looked at ease. The crisis that had been crushing her heart had finally passed. But the other four princesses didn’t share her relief.

 

“We will now begin the second Knight Wheel Battle!”

 

A knight with soft, light brown hair that matched his gentle impression stepped into the center of the arena.

 

“Noah…” Orlette bit her lips. Gone was her usual icy composure. Only deep concern remained.

 

Noah’s right hand gripped the hilt of his sword. With a clear ringing sound, the blade slid free.

 

A brutal battle began.