14.

“Are you okay?”

Ban nodded slightly in response to Adelhardt’s question. Recently he seemed to be asking if it was okay if we just met. It is said that he was poisoned, but he has now fully recovered. It was truly a monstrous recovery, but others seemed unable to believe it.

“it’s okay.”

“Then I’m glad. By the way, it’s the funeral of Her Majesty the Empress. “What are you thinking, my lord?”

“Do you need to know that?”

“yes?”

Ban spoke in a stern tone.

“We are knights of House Devine. “You must not question your master’s actions.”

“That’s true.”

Adelhard looked away with a embarrassed expression. I could see people in the imperial palace moving around busily. This was because the funeral date was too short. Since it was the empress’s funeral, the basics had to be met, so I had no choice but to move diligently.

‘I have a lot of questions.’

How does Devine plan to move on after the funeral? Will the crown prince be spared? There was no information that came down to them. I knew that he was always a self-righteous lord, but I didn’t expect him to be like this even at times like this. If there wasn’t a class centered in the middle, some people might have complained.

Because the person they were loyal to was the previous Duke. Like Adelhard.

“I hope everything ends safely.”

“I guess so.”

At times like this, I was jealous of the unwavering class. How can one achieve such hardness? Adelhardt followed behind Van. As the funeral got closer, the number of intruders increased. There were also disturbing movements outside.

Richt frowned as he looked at the news Cheongmae delivered. The Confederate raccoon began to move. Graham is hard to deal with, but even a raccoon moves. He is a great man who should have stayed still until the end.

‘I’m very cautious.’

However, as if he thought the Empress’s funeral was a sign, he started to move. Well, I can guess roughly what you are thinking. She thinks Richt is going to do something, and she’s moving to get some honey too.

‘I’m sorry for breaking your expectations.’

Richt saw a small bag lying on one side of the room. It contains some jewelry, checks from banks accepted on the continent, and cash. Knowing his poor physical strength, he was prepared to reduce and reduce his volume.

Two days now. Archduke Graham said he was still four days away, so if he ran out in the middle of the funeral, he wouldn’t be able to meet him. Because he’s going to go a different way on purpose. Let’s endure just a little longer.

I closed my eyes for a moment and opened them. A familiar figure was visible outside her window. She hadn’t called him again since she was half awake. Theodore also did not visit. He refused even though I kept calling him. That may have made him anxious, but he couldn’t help it.

I’m going to go far away now, so what should I do to make it more affectionate? Time passed quickly, and soon the day of the funeral arrived.

The closed door of the imperial palace opened. High-ranking nobles invited to the funeral entered, and Crown Prince Theodore appeared before them.

“Your Majesty the Crown Prince!”

Contrary to concerns, there was no member of the Devine family visible next to Theodore. He had to be careful though. He didn’t know that maybe he was hiding and watching on purpose. To find out how they treat the crown prince and which side they stand on.

‘Everyone is thoughtful.’

Richt looked at them from afar and shrugged his shoulders.

“Ain, are you ready?”

“Yes, it is finished.”

Ain seemed to have a lot to ask, but didn’t ask.

“Then go.”

Now, behind the imperial palace, in front of the abandoned palace in the corner, the Knights of Leviathan were gathered. They were standing there without knowing why, but when Richt appeared, they straightened up with their backs straightened.

“See you my lord!”

“it’s okay. Quiet.”

Richt quieted the knights and looked at Van’s face. He had only seen her for three days and her face had become thin.

‘Is this an aftereffect of the poison?’

I should have told Ain to pay more attention. He is a person who doesn’t really take care of his body. He clicked his tongue without realizing it and turned his head.

“I called you because I had something to tell you.”

The knights’ eyes turned to Richt.

“As of today, the Knights of Leviathan will be disbanded.”

At first, the knights could not believe their ears. Disbanding the historic Leviathan Knights of the Duke of Devine. It was an unbelievable story. In particular, Van seemed to be greatly shocked. The exposed hands were shaking.

Adelhardt, who came to his senses quickly, asked as if to confirm.

“Are you saying you are disbanding the Knights Templar?”

“okay.”

“Why?”

“Because the Devine family is over now.”

Adelhard opened and closed his mouth several times.

“I know that you have served the family so far. That’s why I’ll give you my fair share at the end. “Ain.”

“yes.”

Ain came out dragging a cart full of pockets. In each pocket, there was enough property for three generations to live on and a certificate to guarantee one’s identity. A third of them are nobles. Here, even if Richt lets go, there is a place to return to.

Another third are commoners. These are the people gathered by the previous Duke, who invited people regardless of their status. They also have a place to return to. Even if not, the wealth and tokens in your pocket could go somewhere else.

The Knights of Leviathan were famous for their outstanding skills as well as their notoriety. As long as you give up your loyalty to the Devine family, you can survive. The problem is the rest of us.

Those who were former slaves, including Van. They may never become knights again. Either become a mercenary or live a normal life. So I put in some extra money.

“Share it.”

Each knight was given a pouch. Of course, there were some who did not accept it. Ban was one of those people. He didn’t even think about accepting the bag Ain held out. The bag, which had been floating in the air for a long time, could not move even if it fell at my feet.

He looked like a stone statue, not even able to breathe properly. Then another knight shouted.

“You can’t do this!”

He was one of the knights who was a former slave.

“We’ve been loyal to you for so long, but you’re abandoning us!”

You may feel like you are being abandoned. But no matter how strong they are, confronting Archduke Graham is dangerous.

This was because Archduke Graham’s military power was superior to what they had heard through rumors.

The few dragons left in this world were not a collection of intelligences or wise men like in common novels, but they were very clever and strong. And the author described Archduke Graham as a strong man who could kill a dragon alone.

In other words, it is said that Archduke Graham could kill a being who could collapse a mountain, destroy a river, and destroy a country.

‘Is that possible?’

No matter how small a kingdom is, it takes a considerable amount of time to walk from end to end. But can you kill something like that by yourself? Doesn’t it look dangerous at first glance? Richt had no confidence in dealing with such a being.

Considering the fragility of this body, Archduke Graham would die if he just swung his palm. However, he had no intention of forcing the knights to their deaths. The disbandment of the Knights Templar was a natural progression. It seemed that there were some who did not think so.

“My lord!”

Richt chose to ignore the cries of the knights, who were spitting out blood. If he explains in more detail here, he will only waste time. It’s a pity, but I wanted you to understand that it just happened that way.

“Stop it. “It is Richt’s decision.”

Even in this situation, Ain took Richt’s side. It looked completely without even the slightest shaking. At this point, everyone seemed to realize that this situation was real. Several noble knights left. As a few people moved, others also seemed to be shaken.

In that situation, when Richt turned his back, the departure accelerated. Richt put his bag, which he had left at the entrance, over his shoulder, and entered his abandoned palace. The talented Ain succeeded in saving part of the interior of the imperial palace and found a way out through the abandoned palace.

“Ain, you too are free.”

Of course, freedom was also given to Ain. But the answer that came back was rejection.

“I am okay.”

“It would be better to leave.”

At Richt’s words, Ain smiled with a gentle expression.

“I will remain in the Devine family estate.”

Although most properties were disposed of, there were some that were not. Something huge and immovable, like the Devine family fiefdom.

“It might be dangerous.”

“I want to decide for myself where I will die.”

Richt looked at Ain’s words. He was capable and became Richt’s butler when he was young. And he has been serving the former Duke the whole time.

“Stay healthy. “If you ever want to come back, you can come back any time.”

“… … I’ll think about it.”

Richt left Ain behind and walked down the path he had already known. At that time, there was a commotion from behind. Something that rushed like the wind clung to Richt.

“Go, don’t go!”

It was half.