Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

191: The traitor prince and the Sword Emperor

The rightful successor of the imperial family, known as the [Benevolent Princess]

Penelope von Arkheim, furrowed her brows more fiercely than ever.

Though she was halfway consumed by rage, she quickly recognized the figure standing beneath her, looking up at her feet.

She was none other than, the Emperor’s closest confidant and one of the three Sword Emperors, the one Penelope had admired since childhood. Ulysses von Fritschel

‘An ally of my father… In the end, has she sided with my brother? No, the traitor?’

Ulysses had undoubtedly been Esteban’s ally.

The founding Emperor, once called the great sun that would swallow the entire continent.

Esteban von Arkheim,

Therefore, she was someone Penelope had grown familiar with.

The distinctive dark violet hair, now tangled like seaweed from the fierce battles of the battlefield. The shadow cast by the helmet, and above it, a face arranged in delicate features.

This was the face of the one who had, on countless occasions, pushed Penelope’s swing, stood guard while she bathed in the Ark River, and saved her from dozens of assassination attempts.

Though she now stood as an enemy, Penelope remembered those memories. They weren’t so far in the past.

Penelope legs trembled uncontrollably.

The shock and sense of helplessness overwhelmed her, but she quickly regained her composure. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

'It’s so common that I’d trip over it. People I thought loved me, turning their backs and trying to kill me….’

When Penelope became accustomed to such things, she felt she was growing up.

From the moment she severed the neck of her uncle, who had pointed a blade at her.

To this very moment when her own blood, the first Prince Louis, was doing everything in his power to bring her down and seize the throne, she had been enduring the pains of growth all along.

Penelope clenched her lips tightly before muttering a single, trembling word.

“Ulysses.”

“Princess Penelope, I apologize for meeting you under such circumstances.”

Penelope, keeping her expression as possible, stared straight into her eyes.

The calm glow of the imperial family’s characteristic golden eyes met the fierce gaze typical of a knight

“Why did you make such a choice? Was it to reclaim the family you lost in the past? Father, was it to take back what Esteban failed to give you?”

Removing her helmet and offering a moment of courtesy, Ulysses nodded briefly.

“… In any case, it would be best for you not to get too deeply involved in this matter. This is a story between our Fritschel family and His Majesty Emperor Esteban.”

A reply as cold and sharp as frost. Hearing this, Penelope unknowingly clenched her fists tightly. Her life up until now had always been like this.

Even when she gave her wholehearted love, shared it generously, not a single person tried to reciprocate that love.

Instead, it had only attracted parasite worms, trying to exploit that.

It was the same reason why she didn’t easily open her heart to others.

Eleanor de Rivallin.

At first, she stood in direct political opposition to her. Yet, when talking to Eleanor, Penelope felt a small sense of ease. She now thought she understood why.

It was because both had been deeply scarred by others, not by each other. Since it wouldn’t matter if either of them betrayed the other someday, they could share a conversation comfortably.

'That was because of Nox von Reinhaver… It was thanks to him. Though I don’t want to admit it…’

Suddenly, the brazen face of a man came to Penelope’s mind.

A man from a dark family, yet someone who had always been generous toward her.

At first, it felt strange. That’s why Penelope had doubted him, even refusing to grant him access to the Ark River.

But…

'It’s definitely different from what I first thought.’

Now that she had barely regained her composure, Penelope thought back to Nox.

He had always tried to save everyone without abandoning anyone.

From the moment he rescued Eleanor during the entrance ceremony, to when the Ludger incident unfolded, it was the same. From the very beginning, he had acted as if he already knew what was going to happen, dismantling each situation flawlessly and earning trust along the way.

That’s why Penelope had worked hard to bring him.

'….Of course, he also agreed to leave me behind, but still…’

A memory surfaced suddenly.

It was the day Eleanor and Nox had visited her. Eleanor had made a demand.

Though he was merely a candidate for the husband position, Eleanor dared to ask that Penelope disregard imperial law and relinquish him. But Penelope had complied without hesitation.

And Eleanor had chosen the perfect moment, the imperial family’s weakest moment. She had wedged herself in and made her demand.

'In truth’

She could have demanded much more.

She could have demanded exclusive rights to military supplies, like the Goff Merchant Group. It wouldn’t have been unreasonable.

But she didn’t. Was it out of consideration?

No.

It was nothing more than erasing the name of a mere husband candidate from the imperial family’s list. That was all it took. And yet, why? Why were her emotions in such turmoil?

She had thought it would be difficult to understand, but it wasn’t.

One day, after a strategy meeting, Eleanor had spoken to her.

— Princess, if you win this war, you will gain many things.

— What? What do you mean all of a sudden…

— But I won’t.

When Eleanor said this, her expression had unknowingly grown serious. Penelope realized something.

That expression was filled with sincerity.

Surely, it was just that he was needed. Their current relationship would continue as it is.

That was what the princess thought until the words that followed pierced her like a wedge.

— Give him to me. Nox von Reinhaver.

A dizzying, fleeting memory passed by.

Soon, her vision returned to normal, and before her, the knights lined up in formation came into view.

Countless enemies aiming for her life stood alongside the Sword Emperor.

Seeing this, the princess’s rationality began to snap once again, and a cold smile emerged on her face.

As if adding fuel to the fire, Ulysses spoke.

“Unfortunately, Princess, you are not the rightful successor to Arkheim.”

It was an excessively scornful statement.

Even though the princess was indeed at a disadvantage in terms of power dynamics, such behavior was unbecoming. Even if the rebellion succeeded entirely, it was not the attitude a knight would display toward someone who might become a ruler

But Penelope knew the truth behind her words.

Crackle—!

Penelope began to draw out her mana to its fullest extent.

Echidna, cutting down attacking knights while climbing the Sidus staircase, flinched at the overwhelming surge of unnatural, immense mana.

She urgently cried out.

“Princess! Stop…! If you keep using your mana like this, your life will undoubtedly…”

However, Penelope, as if entirely unfazed, she leaned against the railing with her chin resting on her hand, and spoke.

“It’s because of your daughter, isn’t it? Ulysses von Fritschel. Did that traitor promise to bring her back to life? Is that why you’re opposing me?”

“….You have crossed the line.”

Ulysses’ expression twisted, and at that moment, the first Prince Louis insidious voice echoed.

“Indeed. That issue is not one for you to interfere in. It is a matter requiring conversation between His Majesty Emperor Esteban and Ulysses von Fritschel….”

“Traitor, shut your mouth.”

Boom!

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck. It narrowly missed the first Prince Louis shoulder,

No, to be more precise, someone deflected it just in time.

It was a scene that only an extremely skilled knight could have noticed. But Penelope knew exactly who was behind it. It was just as it had been before.

“Now that the pleasantries are over, let’s begin in earnest.”

“Of course, Ulysses.”

Cutting down the lightning with precision, Ulysses started to show her sword skill.

The enormous sword resting on her shoulder began to condense an impossibly dense amount of mana. That mana soon flowed into the blade, radiating a blue light. She raised her sword high, pointing it skyward.

[Heaven-Breaking Sword]

Initial stage, third form. Sky Compression (天縮)

The sword, imbued with the meaning of compressing the sky, created rippling waves that spread outward in circular patterns.

These waves coalesced into a massive force, directly striking Penelope and the knights surrounding her. The swordsmanship perfectly nullified Penelope’s lightning strikes, gradually building its power.

This was the most fearsome aspect of Sky Compression.

It grew stronger by consuming the surrounding mana. Its ability to devour magic made her the ultimate counter against mages.

This was the sword that cut through the world (天下), passed down to Ulysses family.

If it’s about destructive power, she was the upright existence that blocked the Princess’s lightning strike, which its destructiveness was second to none.

Her feat of deflecting lightning attacks, famous for its dazzling and difficult-to-block with a single sword earned her the name of one of the three Sword Emperors, Ulysses von Fritschel.

“You are strong, but not yet fully matured. Princess.”

Ulysses’ cold evaluation.

As she watched the first form of the initial stage sweeping through the allies like a storm, bloodshot appeared in Penelope’s eyes.

“Ulysses…!”

“The more I watch… I can’t stand this any longer. Leon, take over here”

“What? What do you mean…?”

Leon exclaimed in confusion. Paracelsus suddenly intervened and straightened the old sword he had been holding.

Then, he leapt toward the first Prince Louis, channeling mana into his sword.

[Living Sword]

The initial stage, second form. [Salvation Sword].

The explosive surge of energy hurtled toward the first Prince Louis.

Even though it was the basic form of the initial stage, the sword aimed for the vital spots, so its impact was beyond imagination.

A shocking sword dance unfolded as numerous enemies blocking Louis’ front were swept away, their blood rising under the sky.

Just as Paracelsus showed no mercy.

Someone closed the distance and swung their sword at him.

An overwhelming pressure that had never been felt before surged as sparks flew. With a clang, a shocking impact climbed up Paracelsus’ wrist and up his spine.

This is dangerous.

Instinctively, a small grunt escaped Paracelsus’ mouth.

This time, Ulysses, who blocked the attack from this side, smiled faintly.

She had a look of pure interest on her face.

“That Celsus. I wondered where he went in his old age… Looks like he raised an interesting disciple and died. He was the weakest among us… Well, I guess it’s not a big deal if he got caught up in some petty intrigue and died.”

“…. Don’t speak ill of the old man. I’ll kill you.”

Paracelsus said, showing his gritted teeth.

But Ulysses, the sword emperor with [Heaven-breaking Sword], the sword that literally breaks the heavens, only smiled faintly.

“If you can, go ahead. Young knight.”

Your sword is still far too weak to endure the long winter.

Ulysses added with a faint smile.

In the cold, piercing gaze, Paracelsus, for some reason, had the same expression as hers.

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