Updated: 2012-12-24
"Tonight may be the last night the Imperial Knights' Hall exists in this world. The final moment has finally arrived." Akinfeev's voice was as calm as ice. "Tell me, have you felt fear?"
"We have no fear, and we are willing to stand with the Empire." The ten Judgment Knight responded with a resounding roar.
Among them, some may have been involved in the struggle for the throne among several princes, or had grudges with the Empire-Protecting Martial Saint of the Empire, or played a dishonorable role in the legendary history of King of Chambord Alexander. Others are newcomers who were recently selected and promoted after the previous Judgment Knight died on the battlefield. In particular, the current tenth-ranked [ Silver Moon Knight ] Piasson is a newcomer who was promoted after the former [ Sun Golden Knight ] entered the Martial Saint Mountain. He is only eighteen years old this year and is a rare young genius.
However, regardless of their character or age, when the nation was in peril and they faced foreign enemies, they displayed the true indomitable spirit of the Zenit Grizzly of the North, showing no sign of retreat.
A true warrior's courage in the face of death has nothing to do with character or personality.
"Very well, then all of you go out and gather your entourages. You have three minutes to arrange all your personal matters and get everything ready." Akinfeev suddenly stood up from his stone seat. "Tonight, let us fight side by side, and shed our last drop of blood for the Empire."
"Yes!" The ten knights rose, their long, blood-red cloaks billowing, and headed toward their respective knight towers to hasten their preparations.
"[ Silver Moon Knight ], you stay." Akinfeev suddenly thought of something.
The youngest, Piasson, turned back, a look of confusion on his face.
Looking at this dashing young knight, the Grand Knight Commander felt as if he were seeing a reflection of himself from over fifty years ago. Back then, he was just as young and fearless as the young knight, following Emperor Yassin, always Charge ahead in every battle, willing to face any enemy for his ideals, Glory, and to prove his courage and strength... Time has passed, and everything has changed.
"Come here."
Akinfeev beckoned to Piasson, the Silver Moon Knight, and called him to his side. He took a sealed magic scroll from his storage ring and handed it to the young knight, saying solemnly, "Don't fight. Change into ordinary civilian clothes, take this scroll, escape, and deliver it to King of Chambord Alexander."
"Sir, this is..." The young Piasson, his face full of confusion.
"You'll know later. Young man, remember, this scroll is related to whether the future empire can rise from the Revive. It is more important than your life. I don't care what method you use, you must personally deliver this scroll to His Majesty Alexander, the Empire-Protecting Martial Saint of the Empire. There can be no mistakes." Akinfeev's tone was more solemn than ever before.
"Sir, I..." Piasson was somewhat taken aback.
Young and impetuous, he longed to grasp a longsword and fight alongside his companions against the Barcelona, rather than flee like a coward.
"This is an order. You are young and a newly promoted Judgment Knight, so the people of Barcelona certainly don't know you. I want you to disguise yourself as a commoner, a beggar, a child, a fool... whatever method you use, even if you choose to surrender in a critical moment, you must personally deliver this scroll to the Empire-Protecting Martial Saint of the Empire. Complete this mission, and you will be the greatest hero in the history of the Empire!"
"Yes, sir." The young [ Silver Moon Knight ] finally nodded, took the scroll, and carefully put it away.
"Take these two things too." Akinfeev thought for a moment, then took out a silver scroll and a gold scroll from his robes, instructing, "The silver scroll is a light prison that can imprison those below the Demigod level. Sealed within it is the power of Emperor Yassin's full-force attack. It can come in handy in a critical moment. Go quickly!"
"My lord, please... take good care of yourself!"
Piasson did not refuse. He took the scroll, knelt on one knee, bowed deeply, and then turned and walked out of the hall.
Akinfeev watched the [ Silver Moon Knight ] walk out of the hall, let out a soft breath, felt much more relaxed, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.
My child, you are still young and possess talent comparable to that of the Third Prince Alexander. It is not worth dying in such an irreversible battle. Take His Majesty's secret decree of succession and go to the Third Prince.
If you receive the Third Prince's patronage, you will become another Star of Martial Arts in the empire in the near future. The future of the empire depends on young judges like you, while we old folks have finally reached the end of our lives.
Soon, the other nine Judgment Knight returned with their respective knightly retinues.
Although they were puzzled by the absence of the Silver Moon Knight, they said nothing.
"Let's go, let's fight our final battle!"
Grand Knights' Hall Commander Akinfeev, the warrior later known as Emperor Yassin's most loyal henchman and hound, slowly descended from his stone throne, his blood-red cloak trailing on the smooth ground, and led his men into his final battle.
In the heart of the capital city stands the majestic Martial Saint Mountain.
The moment the [ Protection of Mother Earth ] magic circle shattered, Chris Sutton, the former [ Sun Golden Knight ] who had been meditating cross-legged on the cliff, sighed softly and opened his eyes.
Has this day finally come?
He slowly rose and saw the First Magic Tower in the center of the capital city, which was already collapsing beyond repair in the distance, and a sad expression appeared on his face.
In a short while, fifty or sixty figures with considerable aura appeared behind him.
They were all disciples of Martial Saint Mountain—the former disciples of the Imperial Martial Saint Krasich.
"My lord, what should we do now?" a disciple of Martial Saint Mountain asked.
"War!" Chris Sutton's answer was just one word.
Having said that, he reached out and made a claw in the air, and a knight's Long Spear made of black gold appeared in his hand. With a wave of his hand, the wolf beast he was holding nearby broke free of its chains and came to his side, its pink tongue licking his body affectionately.
"Old buddy, today, for the last time, lend me a hand!" Sutton looked at the reclaimed city walls rising into the sky in the distance, then looked down at the exotic wolf beast that had grown up with him since it was a cub, like a brother, and reached out to stroke its forehead, feeling a mix of emotions.
"Send someone to take care of Luffy's mother. If possible, escort her away from the capital to Chambord City." Sutton suddenly thought of this and said to the disciples of Martial Saint Mountain behind him.
"No need." A calm and gentle female voice emerged from the swaying shadows of the trees in the distance. It was the wife of the former imperial swordsmanship genius, [ One Sword ].
Second update