Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“Eat up, Khal.”

The table was laid out with refreshments like cookies and cakes.

The woman who prepared them had eyes sparkling with expectation… it seemed she had baked everything here herself.

‘This is uncomfortable.’

At her kindness, Khal’s facial muscles twitched.

The woman’s name was Sarah Stark.

The daughter of Lord Elliot from a region far from the capital, she had crossed paths with Ludger Stark during one of his random visits, and their fates became entwined.

To the original owner of this body, who had been consumed by despair, his mother Sarah—the only person on his side—had been a single ray of light.

However, after his deployment to Altair was decided, he had resented Sarah for failing to protect him and began treating her like she didn’t exist.

‘Did he want someone to protect him?’

To Khal, who had overcome every hardship in the world through his own strength, such an emotion was utterly incomprehensible.

But when Sarah pulled him into an embrace, a strangely warm sensation bloomed in his chest.

Khal was bewildered by this tenderness, a feeling he was experiencing for the first time in his life.

She expected nothing in return; she was simply grateful that he was safe.

‘…I don’t understand.’

Dissatisfied with his own restless heart, Khal furrowed his brow.

“Khal. If you scowl like that, you’ll get wrinkles. I baked some cookies—would you like to try one?”

Faced with Sarah’s gentle tone, Khal had no choice but to take a bite, the cookie crunching between his teeth.

A sugary sweetness coated his tongue.

Simultaneously, Khal’s complexion turned pale.

‘It’s too sweet!’

“Is it good?”

Seeing her brighten up, completely misreading his expression, Khal slightly averted his gaze.

“…I don’t like sweet things.”

Thump.

Upon hearing his answer, Sarah’s eyes began to well up with tears again.

“Sob. That’s so mean! Khal, you’ve been acting so cold lately… even so, you don’t have to lie about hating the cookies you used to love so much.”

“It’s not a lie. They really don’t taste good.”

“Uuuugh!”

Sarah immediately began to pout at Khal’s critique.

Her innocence, which didn’t match her age, left Khal feeling distracted.

Chuckling inwardly.

He was flustered again as she stepped in to give him a light, soft hug.

Normally, he would have stiffened and pulled away.

But he felt her body trembling slightly and couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“…Thank goodness. Truly, thank goodness.”

She repeated the words like a mantra, relieved that Khal was safe.

With her youngest son deployed to the front lines at Altair, she, his only sanctuary, couldn’t help but worry incessantly.

In fact, the only reason she had volunteered to accompany Count Ludger Stark was to see her son, Khal.

“This is getting uncomfortable.”

“Khal. You’ve grown quite cold since I last saw you.”

Sarah glared at him with a pouting face once more.

“A lot has happened.”

“I suppose boys really do grow up fast.”

Accepting the situation, Sarah pulled away and sat across from him to resume their conversation.

“I’ll talk to the Count and see if I can get you pulled out of Altair. Let’s stay away from those useless power struggles and live happily, Khal.”

“If that’s what you’re worried about, I’ve already settled that conversation, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Settled? Khal, you? You talked to the Count?”

Khal nodded and explained the details of his conversation with the Count.

After a moment.

“That’s impossible. Khal! Even in my eyes as your mother, you have no talent for the sword. How are you going to handle the harsh life at Partes?”

Though they were harsh words for Sarah, Khal continued the conversation calmly.

“No one knows until they try.”

“W-Well, that’s true, but what is it you’re trying to achieve by going that far?”

‘Achieve, huh…?’

A single question about his objective.

His true goal was to find and eliminate those who threatened this world, as per Chait’s wishes.

However, knowing she wouldn’t believe the truth, he decided to use the sentence the original owner of this body had written at the very end of his diary.

—I want to become a proper knight and be recognized.

Though the original owner never got to say it out loud.

This was also a long-cherished wish that Khal had to fulfill while living in this body.

Since it wasn’t exactly a lie, Khal spoke casually.

“I intend to become a knight.”

“A knight?!”

Sarah’s eyes widened in shock.

In this world, receiving a knighthood meant rising to a status equivalent to that of a nation’s nobility.

Knights were treated as a select group of core personnel.

Because of this, they were ranked based on their martial prowess, a system applied across the entire Lachman Continent.

The grades of a knight were divided based on their proficiency with mana and the density of the Aura they could emit.

The term ‘Star Grade’ was commonly used to refer to the level of refinement required to process mana into mana suitable for use as Aura.

Junior Knights were 4-Star Grade and below, Intermediate Knights were 6-Star Grade and below, High Knights were 8-Star Grade and below, and Top-tier Knights were classified as 9-Star Grade and above, as their level was difficult to measure.

A being recognized solely by their martial prowess and stage of cultivation, regardless of their title or wealth.

That was what a knight was.

Consequently, the public idolized knights, and chivalric literature was widespread throughout the world.

Honorable, sword-worshipping, wondrous superhumans.

Of course, reality differed from the public image, but being a knight was undeniably a highly prestigious and coveted position.

“And what will you do once you become a knight?”

Sarah, who had been looking serious just a moment ago, now had eyes sparkling with curiosity.

‘What will I do?’

Though it wasn’t his real goal, Khal decided to voice an ambition that the men of this world typically longed for.

“I’ll defeat foreign enemies and conquer the world.”

“…Khal.”

Upon hearing that, Sarah’s expression turned cold with disappointment.

The atmosphere in the room plummeted instantly.

‘What did I say wrong?’

Khal tilted his head in confusion and asked her.

“Why the sudden change in mood?”

“I don’t know much about politics or war, but I believe the virtue of a knight is knowing how to protect the weak, rather than achieving something grand right away.”

“Is that so?”

“Khal, if a war breaks out, who do you think will suffer the most?”

It was an unexpectedly serious question.

Since it wasn’t something he had ever really considered, Khal replied with a troubled look for the first time.

“Wouldn’t it be the low-ranking soldiers?”

“I think it’s inevitable for soldiers to die in a war.”

Stung by the correction, Khal narrowed his eyes slightly in annoyance and asked.

“Then what is the answer you’re looking for, Mother?”

“Those who suffer the most are the women and children who have no power. Because they are weak, they are easily victimized. They aren’t just robbed of their possessions; they are enslaved or even raped. I want you to always keep this in mind, Khal.”

“…….”

Khal fell into deep thought for a moment.

During his time as a Demon King in his past life, he had fought countless wars, but he had never once considered such a scenario.

This was because demons, regardless of whether they were male or female, were always trying to kill each other.

They were a rebellious lot who wouldn’t listen unless suppressed by overwhelming force.

Khal had grown disillusioned with that and chose annihilation over persuasion.

Thus, the concept of having to protect someone didn’t resonate with him easily.

“If your mother were in that situation, would you still ignore me for the sake of your ambition…?”

Looking at Sarah, who was staring into his eyes with such sincerity, he felt a weight in his heart.

He didn’t know why.

But he felt that if she were to die, his heart would ache terribly.

Therefore, Khal was forced to redefine his values.

“I will become a knight who protects the weak.”

“Fufu.”

Satisfied with Khal’s promise, Sarah gave a delighted smile and stroked his head.

“That’s my son.”

Khal made a sour face before slowly speaking up.

“May I ask for one favor?”

“What is it?”

“I would prefer it if you didn’t call me Khal.”

Sarah’s body stiffened as if she had received a great shock, but she soon began to stroke his head even more vigorously.

“No! Khal, Khal, Khal, Khal. You’re my son, why can’t I call you that! Khal!”

“Sigh.”

At her resentful reaction, Khal—no, Khal—sighed and thought to himself.

‘I’d better finish this rehabilitation quickly.’

* * *

To get Khal enrolled in Partes, Ludger Stark used his connections to submit a letter of recommendation.

And to fill the void of a commander for the next three years….

He ordered Lamas and Frua, knights of Stark and Khal’s brothers, to come to Altair.

About a month passed.

The two brothers arrived at Altair.

Their red hair and eyes, which immediately caught the attention of the villagers and vassals, proved they were of the Stark Family bloodline; there was no need to check their Identity Plates.

However, a closer look revealed distinct differences between the brothers.

The eldest son, Lamas, had red hair and eyes with a hint of brown.

He was about 190 centimeters tall, with handsome features and a well-balanced physique.

On the other hand, the fourth son, Frua, had mostly dark red hair and eyes… his gaze was fierce, and he rarely showed any emotion.

But soon, his throat twitched as he spoke in a voice dripping with discontent.

“Why did Father summon us here for the sake of such a pathetic failure?”

“The kid probably just wanted to make one last desperate struggle. I heard the term is three years.”

“Tsk!”

Frua scowled, clearly displeased.

Three years was a valuable time during which one could accumulate achievements and build a foundation of support.

However, in such a merciless land, such an opportunity would never be granted.

Step, step.

Right then.

A boy carrying a bag was walking toward them from the opposite direction.

Red hair and red eyes.

The boy also carried the characteristics of the Stark Family bloodline, yet he possessed his own unique traits.

Crimson hair and eyes that were reminiscent of a blazing fire.

Though his body was weak, for some reason, his aura was not inferior to that of the two brothers at all.

When they first locked eyes with the boy.

‘Who is this?’

Both brothers felt the same sense of incongruity and strangeness.

It took them about three seconds to realize that the boy was their younger brother, Khal.

“Good to see you, brothers.”

At Khal’s greeting, Frua replied with a mocking smile.

“It’s because of you that we have to stay in this rotten land. Once the mission is over, I’ll make sure you pay the price.”

“…….”

Khal started to say something but closed his mouth for a moment.

Thinking his brother was intimidated, Frua continued to look down on Khal even more.

“So there’s no need to cry and beg while calling us ‘brothers.’ After all, our brotherhood is nothing more than a facade.”

Frua let out a sneer, watching for Khal’s reaction.

He expected Khal to be cowering in fear and begging for forgiveness by now.

“I’m glad it’s just a facade. That way, there’s no need to grieve if someone dies in secret.”

But what came out of Khal’s mouth was a very metaphorical declaration of severance.

“What did you just say?”

Offended, Frua’s eyes flared, and Khal spoke with a vivid smile on his lips.

“I’ll leave Altair in your hands until I return. Don’t make too much of a mess.”

“Hey, are you crazy?”

Dumbfounded, Frua instinctively reached for his sword.

“Don’t do anything hasty.”

Lamas released his pressure, suppressing Frua’s momentum.

He had realized that Count Ludger Stark was watching them from behind the window.

While fratricide was a common occurrence within the Stark Family.

Taking such action while the head of the family was watching would provide a justification for exile on the grounds of taining the family’s glory.

Khal had cunningly provoked Frua while considering that exact situation.

Lamas looked at Khal, who was much younger than himself, and his lips curled into a thin smile.

“You’ve become quite cunning since I last saw you, Khal.”

“The world is a harsh place, so I had to change.”

“Why go out of your way to approach and provoke us? If you had just stayed quiet, you wouldn’t have caught our attention.”

“I have no ambition to become the head of the family, so stop being so wary. It looks pathetic when you keep doing that.”

Bulge!

A vein popped on Lamas’s forehead at the unexpected provocation.

“I don’t think it’ll do you any good to cut ties with me as well.”

“It’s probably the opposite. Getting involved with you lot only brings unpleasant things. Try not to touch me as much as possible. If you do, I’ll kill you.”

Glint!

Having finished his piece, Khal glared at the two of them and awakened the mana of the Demon King dormant within him.

Flash!

At the same time, the two brothers, sensing danger, drew their swords simultaneously.

But for some reason, they had taken stances that would allow them to retreat at any moment.

“What’s wrong? You’re acting like rats looking for a way out….”

Step.

Khal mocked the two brothers and walked right past them.

Drip.

Meanwhile, the two brothers were watching Khal, cold sweat drenching their foreheads.

Step, step.

On the contrary, Khal suddenly frowned, his expression turning unpleasant.

Drip.

Blood was belatedly trickling down his forehead.

His physical body couldn’t withstand even the slight release of mana and had been injured in the process.

“Ah, how annoying. I need to train this weak body first.”

Reaffirming his goal, Khal headed toward the carriage waiting outside.

“Y-Young Master. Did you have an argument with your brothers just now?”

Rain, the maid who had been waiting for Khal, was greatly shocked and pulled out a handkerchief.

“Stay out of it.”

Khal irritably snatched the handkerchief from her, wiped his face, and climbed into the carriage.

His destination was the continent’s finest educational institution, Partes.