Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

Chapter 68

A stalwart of the Inner Lunatic’s elite units, he bore the moniker ‘Black Lion.’

His other name is less commonly known.

He’s also referred to as the Patriarch, the Youngest of the Commanding Houses.

This title was especially suitable for someone who, at a mere twelve years old, assumed the role of Patriarch and began to exhibit remarkable abilities.

Leon is a prodigy of unprecedented talent.

His talent is so extraordinary that even his origins from House Marvas, the weakest among the Three Great Dark Houses, did not undermine his authority.

Thus, he became a family leader at a tender age.

His power has a distinct trajectory, unlike that of Paracelsus, Nox, Penelope, Echidna, Talia, and others.

He might appear precarious, but in reality, he has ascended the ranks to solidify his position.

However.

Even such a prodigy remains a boy of just fifteen.

His current achievements merely represent a small fraction of the challenges that lie ahead for young Leon, which would be insurmountable without effectively suppressing the Inner Lunatic.

In essence, his survival in the ongoing battle hangs in the balance.

Krrrr……!

(keureureureu……!)

“Hey, Leon or Nabal, where the devil has your leader gone, and what are you doing? You’ll lead us all to doom!”

Paracelsus emitted a rarely heard, unsettling sound.

Exhaustion from protecting the Princess was evident.

The battle had been raging for three long hours.

Most of them were running on empty, with their magic nearly depleted, and Rion’s undead lay in ruins on the battlefield.

The situation was perilous.

An ominous foreboding sent shivers down their spines, yet Leon, unruffled, responded with equanimity.

“Nox is embroiled in a struggle far more intense than ours. All we can do is keep our enemies at bay. Spare us your lamentations. You may only end up sapping our morale.”

“Damn it.”

An expletive burst from Paracelsus.

Talia, her breath becoming ragged, stood, her sword’s tip wavering. As darkness descended, her nerves were understandably frayed.

Maintaining sanity in the wake of hours-long combat was impossible.

‘Nox… where on earth are you?’

Unconsciously, Talia found herself yearning for Nox.

She recalled his valiant image, the one who had arrived in the nick of time and saved her life when she was on the brink of death in Mia’s forest.

Regrettably, she wasn’t alone in her remembrance.

‘If you’re going to lead, you shouldn’t abandon your group…… Nox, you haven’t even unveiled your objective yet!’

‘Golden fox.’ Eleanor too was channeling her magic while muttering this.

Primarily wind-based, her magic merely facilitated the movement of the knight candidates at the forefront, but it was significantly more efficient than standard combat tactics.

Efficiency. A fight for survival, a spectacle Nox would have applauded, if only he had been present.

But he wasn’t.

“Nox… I have to admit, his absence leaves a larger void than I had anticipated.”

Tsk, tsk, tsk…!

Suddenly, Princess Penelope, with a grim expression on her face, started to accumulate magical energy at her fingertips. She seemed resolved.

Soon, she began to recite a spell. An incantation that would enable her to harness the magic of the Imperial Family. It was a gamble, but she was out of options.

Everyone dies, or she uses her magic.

The choice was obvious.

But Echidna, standing beside her, had other thoughts.

“Princess! You must retain control of your jade body! That magic is dangerous…!”

Feeling Penelope’s magical energy building, Echidna, at her side, cried out in desperation.

She dared to oppose the Princess, but she had her reasons.

‘The Princess has always been frail. Using such a potent spell could harm her……!’

Unknown to them, Penelope too was nearing the end of her magical reserve. Afflicted with the same condition as Nox, [Weakling], she was unsure when she might falter.

Despite this, Penelope was resolute.

“There’s only one way to defend myself here, and that’s to fight alongside you, Echidna, or we all perish.”

Echidna had no reply.

Everything Penelope said was objectively true.

“… Princess Penelope is right. My magic is nearing its end. One shot left. That’s all I can manage with my remaining holy power.”

She used Holy Attribute Magic. While [Holy Arrow] was powerful, it consumed an exorbitant amount of magic and thus couldn’t be used frequently.

The spell also boasts a mystical recoil, benefiting primarily snipers.

Penelope, however, outstrips even Echidna’s prowess, who herself is celebrated as a prodigy.

Her skills are unparalleled here, with Leon von Marvas being the lone exception. Even her instructors pale in comparison.

Her participation in the battle would undoubtedly be a significant advantage.

Moreover, the symbolic representation of the Princess should not be underestimated.

“No.”

Leon’s voice cut through the air at that moment.

“With the utmost respect to the Princess, it falls to me to intervene. I made an oath to Nox to safeguard everyone here.”

“…Yes? That Nox… Von Reinhafer?”

Without uttering a word, Leon extracted a gem from his pocket.

A Top Grade Magic Crystal.

Pricey even in this era of dormant artifact creation, yet Nox had posed a question when he handed it over.

-Is that more valuable than a life?

‘It can’t be.’

Leon refuted instantly, reducing the spirit stone to rubble.

Holding the shards of the Top Grade Magic Crystal, magic radiates into his body. His eyes begin to shift to a deep green.

Simultaneously, the ground shakes, a massive magic circle forms, and the demonic beast slain by the students earlier starts to fissure.

Pristine white bones jut through the remains.

-What the…!

-…Undead?

-He still possesses magical power?! That level of magic should at least be intermediate…!

-A high-grade magic crystal! You’re a third-rate Dark Lord! I can’t believe you carry something like that!

-Will we… survive?!

Whispers ripple through the crowd, but they fall on deaf ears.

He barely mutters,

“I declare myself Lord of House Marvas.”

His tone morphs, and a chilling grin creeps onto Leon’s face for the first time.

“Under the House’s name, the deceased will resurrect here, and none of the living shall perish.”

With his black hair whipped around him, the revived dead rise beside Leon, revitalized with newfound power.

House Marvas.

Once the forsaken of the East, this dark dynasty could even claim death as its own.

Krrrrr!

(Kreurreung!)

The thunderous roar of a mighty lion echoes from the distance.

Only Leon and Nox know the link between the roar and this power.

The sobbing subsides soon.

Lars quickly regains his composure, albeit without his full strength. Still, his duty as a professor propels him forward.

Ludwig’s body lies cold.

A student’s life has ended, eyes still closed. Rath walks over, closes his eyes, and after a solemn moment, addresses me.

“Nox-kun.”

“Yes.”

“What should I do?”

My brow furrows at this.

A hint of fluster strikes me at that point.

With as much calm as I can muster, I respond,

“……What do you mean?”

“My research indicates…… that theses exist solely to uplift the disadvantaged.”

Lars’s fists tighten.

“But now, I don’t know if my research holds any meaning……. If it falls into the wrong hands, there could be countless victims. I’m asking you, what should I do?”

I don’t know why Lars is asking me these questions.

But it’s clear to me what I need to do right now.

I need to clear my mind and act on behalf of the survivors.

So, with determination, I respond,

“Why not return and leave the rest to us?”

“……I’ve lost my life’s purpose.”

“What could I, a mere student, possibly know?”

“No, you’re different. I’ve seen countless students in my time, but you’re special, and I need to ask. I… I’m lost, and I don’t know where to go from here.”

I pause for a moment, pondering.

To convince him to abandon his research here.

It was an understanding.

‘Professor Lars von Celestia’s thesis must be published to open the artifact creation and enhancement system. He must persist with his research.’

It may seem harsh.

The inevitability of his work falling into the hands of malevolent people cannot be ignored, and there’s no guarantee that nobody will die because of it.

Or maybe, just maybe, it’s all inevitable.

But if everything is abandoned here, it’s all over.

The only strategy to deal with the extreme difficulty of Inner Lunatic is through the buffing system. We need to open the artifact crafting system.

So…… there’s no other choice.

I can only aid him here.

“From where I stand, I can only help. Just promise me you won’t push me too hard.”

“…You, what are you saying…….”

“The paper’s value is for you, professor, to discover. But I’ll be there as your assistant. I’m not your son, nor am I Ludwig, that’s a promise.”

Additionally, I can’t help but utter one falsehood.

It’s the one most in conflict with me, nay, a man named Nox…….

And, perhaps.

“I will not die.”

A promise that will never be fulfilled.

“…….”

Silence reigns.

As time trickles by, I gradually sense the magic permeating the forest.

It seems Leon has taken my advice and is letting his power go wild. It’s going to be a struggle for a while, but he has a way with words.

This is ideal, as I need to preserve my key units, including Princess Penelope. It’s risky to awaken other units here.

There’s ample space for them to poison me.

Leon at least is gentle, so he’ll be easier to handle…

As I was musing over this,

Suddenly, Lars regains his composure and rises.

Having made up his mind, he smiles at me.

His lips, stiff, part.

To my relief, his answer aligns with my expectations.

“…… That’s your choice.”

Somehow, I’d managed to sway him.

I clapped my chest in relief.

‘I’ve got equipment to enhance, and this professor almost derailed my plans. Damn it……! One more worry…….’

I internally scream as I traverse the unnamed forest with Professor Lars.

Now, having to save the rest of the students, I think I can pick up the pace a bit.

While running, I ponder.

Are the others somehow still alive?

Leon seemed invincible in this darkness, leaving even Paracelsus in awe.

With an eerie power, he continuously resurrected those he’d slain to serve him over and over.

It was a monstrous capability.

Even if he had utilized the power of a top-grade spirit stone, it was indicative of his unparalleled talent.

‘I cannot lose.’

Paracelsus unsheathed his first bowblade, releasing its sword technique.

Gilded (Metal).

His blade’s power surged manifold, releasing a powerful burst. A single slash decapitates several surrounding demons.

Talia also fights with exceptional prowess, her swordsmanship vastly superior to her past, and her fear is virtually non-existent.

Even in the face of the enemy, she is adroit at dodging and weaving.

She would later be known as the White Knight.

The other Academy students, including Fel, were doing reasonably well, although not as stellar as these two.

They haven’t developed any coordination yet, so when a formation breaks down, someone else steps up to take their place and repeats. But it’s only their first time.

This was enough to see them through.

Moreover.

“You bastards-!!! Don’t you dare mess with my students!!!”

A figure emerges from the grass.

An irate Vernon appears, shifting the atmosphere instantaneously.

Vernon, relieved that no student was killed, uses every ounce of his strength to protect the students.

This creates a positive synergy.

Student morale is bolstered.

Professor Lars and Nox von Reinhafer join the fray, and the situation improves.

Revived in action, Lars casts an area-of-effect spell.

Nox, on the other hand, cuts down dozens of enemies with a single swing of his sword.

He showed no signs of fatigue. He massacred enemies as if it were an everyday task.

Nox was indifferent to his white hair, matted with blood.

He kept swinging his sword, his expression icy.

It was then that the student’s perception of him began to alter.

-Nox… maybe he’s not as terrible as we thought…….

-Although she’s absolutely right.

-Well, she’s right in saying he’s a jerk.

-It’s true that he was harsh to his subordinates.

-I heard he was bullying Eleanor’s squire in the alley before.

In the midst of these discussions, a question arises among the students.

-Well… so is he a good guy or a bad guy?

At that moment, Echidna’s last Holy Arrow whizzed past Nox and hits a demon beast’s muzzle.

Nox barely ducks to avoid it.

Though the attack was not aimed at him, it seemed like he’d been holding his breath for a long time.

In that moment, their minds clear, and a conclusion is drawn.

-I don’t know what else he is. I just think he’s dirty.

-I concur.

…… However, Nox had a vastly different thought.

‘Echidna, that jerk… she shot at me intentionally, right?

Nox was well aware of Echidna’s sniper skills.

Her abilities are described in the game as follows.

[Echidna, a sniper-type mage with holy attributes. Her bows never miss, earning her the title of divine archer].

That was a perfect shot.

Nox continues his onslaught, planning to exact his revenge later.

First, let’s exterminate this damned horde of demons.

Then…….

Extract a reward for cleaning up the mess and rescuing the princess.

‘What compensation should I claim this time?

A hint of a smirk creeps up Nox’s face. Excited about the upcoming reward, the other students interpret it differently, unfortunately.

The case was closed.

The next day, rumors circulated that Nox was a madman, driven to insanity by the sight of demon blood.

I yank at my hair in frustration, then quickly pull my hand away from my head, lest I end up like Vernon.