Chapter 186. The Fading Embers (1)

"Yes. According to the intel, the man in the iron mask has one of his ears cut off."

The moment he heard the soldier's report, Evan felt his heart drop.

‘A man who is missing an ear and leads Robern’s Knight Order…… Among the people I know, there is only one person like that.’

The Sword Saint, Robern.

He couldn't be certain just because of the missing ear, but when combined with the name ‘Robern’s Knight Order,’ his suspicion became close to a conviction.

But this was something that just didn't make sense.

‘Robern is definitely dead. I even personally confirmed that his soul was being punished on the Coast of the Dead…… so why on earth has he appeared here?’

The gods would not lie.

Besides, his face was hidden by an iron mask, so it could just be someone else with similar features. That was a more rational thought.

But an unidentifiable anxiety filled Evan’s chest.

‘That bastard Emperor also extended his lifespan using the Soul-Separation Technique. Why couldn't Robern use that method?’

It wouldn't be strange even if the Emperor, who defied the natural order, brought Robern back to life to pull some strings.

Despite it being an absurd speculation, all sorts of worst-case scenarios flooded his mind.

“How did they know one of his ears was cut off? Do you perhaps know him?”

Harashin, who knew nothing of these circumstances, asked Evan, and Evan shook his head with a dark expression.

“Right now, it’s just close to a delusion. It's not like I saw it myself. But if it is the person I'm thinking of, it will be a huge disaster for the Allied Forces.”

“More than Varkanon? You’re saying he’s more dangerous than the other Seven Extreme Stars?”

“Much more.”

Seeing Evan, who had defeated Varkanon with him, so anxious, Harashin also became tense.

“Who on earth do you think that iron mask is to be making such a fuss?”

“……Robern.”

The moment Harashin heard the name come out of Evan’s mouth, his tense face changed at once.

His expression meant ‘this is absurd.’

“Are you kidding me? That man died decades ago.”

“I know. I know better than anyone. And yet, I have this uneasy feeling that I need to confirm it. Can you also declare that the man in the iron mask is definitely not him?”

“……That’s true, but.”

Harashin replayed the soldier’s report in his mind.

The iron mask who had defeated the Great Mage Karin in an instant, and the man with a severed ear.

It was a situation that fit too well if you put the name Robern in it.

But,

“No matter what, it doesn’t make sense. Even if he were alive, by now he’d be an old man, shriveled up like a mummy. You’re telling me he defeated Karin in one blow in that state? That woman, Karin, is by no means an easy opponent.”

“You’re right, it must be. I can't be sure either. It's possible that a powerhouse who surpasses Robern has appeared in the meantime.”

“In any case, the situation has become complicated. I didn’t think a game going so well could get twisted like this.”

Just as the Allied Forces had gained strength through Evan’s efforts, the Empire now had a chance to turn the tide of the war once again with the appearance of Robern’s Knight Order.

“We’ll have to watch the situation for now. I want to go and help right away too, but my father, His Majesty the King, is strongly against it. A few days should be fine.”

However, the situation was deteriorating much faster than Harashin and Evan had anticipated.

* * *

The death of the Great Mage Karin was only the beginning.

The mysterious and powerful knights, called Robern’s Knight Order, advanced to the central front in just two days, and the imperial army, led by them, once again turned the tide of the war.

The Allied Forces, already shaken by the death of the Great Mage, were repeatedly defeated by the overwhelming power of the revealed Knight Order.

At first, they believed the rumors were exaggerated, but the moment they actually faced them, the soldiers collapsed helplessly.

They suffered the humiliation of having the territory they had shed blood to gain taken away in an instant.

But here, an even bigger problem arose.

The Knight Order did not advance beyond the Empire's original territory.

As if they knew that a cornered mouse would bite a cat, the Empire had clearly left some room.

As if to say, wouldn’t it be better to have a ceasefire at this point.

And the three invaded kingdoms, surprisingly, had the same thought.

‘At this rate…… it wouldn’t be bad to stop the war here.’

The appearance of an unexpectedly powerful enemy, and the fact that continuing to fight that mysterious Knight Order was too much of a burden, the three kingdoms were on the verge of laying down their own swords.

With the self-rationalization that they had secured both justification and practical gain.

But it was only a short-sighted decision to grasp the peace right in front of them while giving up the future.

Evan knew better than anyone that as long as the Emperor was alive, the invasion would never end.

“Harashin, this might be the last chance. The fact that the Knight Order isn't advancing further is a warning, but it also means they've used all their strength. They can't come any further!”

Evan persistently tried to persuade Harashin in the royal palace.

Now that all the kingdoms were already leaning towards a ceasefire, the only person who could reignite the embers was the last remaining Seven Extreme Stars, Harashin.

“Yes, you’re right. It’s not that I don’t know that. But…… everyone is too tired.”

“Karnak is here. There's no problem in defending the kingdom, so if we pull out even a part of our forces and strike the Empire’s flank, we can turn the tide once again.”

“Haa……. I know. But we’ll lose much more than we’ll gain. And to be honest, even though we’re under the name of an alliance, the other kingdoms are just relationships where we’re all looking for opportunities against each other.”

The situation on the continent had always been so precarious that one could never let down their guard.

It was a situation where if one showed even a slight weakness, they would become prey.

It was no different now.

It was just that they had formed a temporary alliance to fight against the great evil of the Empire.

“If our strength wanes, we might become the prey next time. That’s what’s scary.”

When his country was invaded, Harashin had fought fiercely as a martial artist, but now, he seemed to be coldly assessing the reality as a prince.

He was now thoroughly calculating profit and loss.

“It would be great if we could finish the Emperor here. But honestly, the chances are less than fifty percent right now. That’s why no one can easily step forward.”

If Karin hadn't died so meaninglessly, the situation might have been different.

But the tragic testimony delivered by the surviving Remshait mage had completely broken the will of the entire Allied Forces.

‘They’re scared. If a being that overwhelms even a Seven Extreme Stars has appeared, it’s as if we have no chance of winning.’

Evan was fed up with the cunning of the Emperor who had hidden such a powerful being until now.

But on the other hand, he was certain that this might be the last chance.

“Harashin, the fact that a being hidden so tightly has appeared means the Emperor has already played all his cards. If we break through this Knight Order, the Emperor has no remaining forces.”

“I know! I know it all! But it's the same for us. Just look at our kingdom now, if I die, it's over. It's even more so for the other kingdoms since their Seven Extreme Stars have died.”

Harashin and the other kingdom leaders were only worried about the immediate future.

Only Evan, with his thirst for revenge, was trying to end everything now.

“What if I take the front line? I can stop that Knight Order myself.”

“It might be possible if it's you. But your reputation is not enough. I trust you, but your name is not well-known enough to persuade the leaders of the other kingdoms.”

His achievement of defeating Varkanon was a joint effort with Harashin, so it was not enough to be known throughout the continent.

“If you had the reputation of a Seven Extreme Stars, we might be able to change the atmosphere again……”

In the end, what the Allied Forces needed now was a strong leader.

And Evan thought of a person who could do what Harashin couldn't.

“If we need Seven Extreme Stars, there’s still one left.”

Excluding the three Seven Extreme Stars on the Empire’s side, and the Seven Extreme Stars of the Remshait, Manoa, and Solaid kingdoms.

There was one being who did not belong to any side.

“Don’t tell me…… you’re going to drag that eccentric to the battlefield?”

“He’s the only Seven Extreme Stars with the reputation and skill you want. A being of that caliber should be enough of an ember to change the atmosphere again, don't you think?”

Evan had already figured out who all the current Seven Extreme Stars on the continent were.

However, unlike Harashin, he did not know what kind of person the remaining Seven Extreme Stars was.

“Hah, easier said than done. How are you going to bring someone who doesn't listen to anyone?”

Harashin could not hide his troubled expression.

But Evan judged that there was no other choice.

“We’ll have to drag him here even if we have to beat him up.”

“Haha! If he was someone who could be subdued by force, he would have already been part of some kingdom long ago.”

Unlike Harashin, who seemed to know something about the story, Evan showed no concern at all.

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring him here, no matter what it takes. Just promise me this one thing.”

Evan looked straight at Harashin and said firmly.

“No matter what, no ceasefire. Don't give up.”

“It’s hard to give you a definite answer, but…… if you really bring him, I will do my utmost best.”

The one who had saved the kingdom was Evan.

And he had made a request.

Harashin, the prince of the Solaid Kingdom, had no intention of taking this request lightly.

Especially if it was related to the loathsome Empire.

“If necessary, I will leave my entire group here, so you must hold on.”

“Alright. Just bring him. Then, even if the Empire attacks the Alliance again, I will try to make them hold on somehow.”

Having secured Harashin’s promise, Evan hardened his resolve.

To find the last remaining Seven Extreme Stars and reignite the fighting spirit of the Allied Forces.

“Right, but why haven’t you brought Kailam’s Armor yet?”

“Ah…… so you remembered.”

Evan grabbed Harashin by the collar as he cunningly averted his gaze.

“This bastard?”

“I’ll bring it right now. I already talked about it while you were unconscious. You have no idea how many times I fought with the vassals over it.”

And with those words, he called for a servant who was outside.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Go and bring Master Kailam’s Armor.”

“Understood.”

The servant, as if they had already agreed on it, left without any change in expression.

“See? Everyone knows, I tell you?”

“……”

Evan narrowed his eyes, suspecting Harashin to the very end.

But his suspicion melted away like snow only after the servant reappeared.

“It has been brought.”

The servant came with a leather box decorated with gold.

And he slowly opened the box.

‘Kailam’s Armor!’

Inside it was a brass-colored plate that had not rusted at all despite the passage of time.

The armor Kailam wore when he went into battle was revealed.

“How about it? I really brought it, right?”

“……”

Evan walked towards the armor in silence.

Harashin, thinking he was going to try on the armor, watched him quietly.

But.

“Heup!”

Evan kicked the armor with all his might.

—Teong!

Harashin and the servant were shocked as they watched the armor fly away with the box.

“What are you doing?!”

Leaving the two shocked people behind, Evan touched the armor that was rolling on the floor.

“It's real. If it was a fake, it would have bent.”

“Wow…… to treat our treasure so roughly……. Master Kailam, is it really right to give it to this guy?”

Harashin was disgusted, but this was the best choice of his life.

It would be a little later that he would realize that, though.