Chapter 244 Fragile Bond

Chapter 244 Fragile Bond

The stunned expression on Jake's face was evident as I intensified my grip on the sword, applying more force and causing his stance to waver momentarily.

Seizing the opportunity, Jake managed to deflect my sword, causing mine to swing through the air. Without hesitation, I swiftly grabbed onto his wrist, my left hand closing around his gripping hand. In a fluid motion, I raised my leg and delivered a powerful kick to his shoulders. n--0veLB1n

A groan escaped Jake's lips as he absorbed the impact, but he managed to maintain his stance. His sword swiftly swung toward me, and I evaded the attack by bending my body backward. Capitalizing on the moment, I seized his outstretched arm and utilized his own momentum to hurl him away from me.

"Ruah, envelop," I muttered, tapping into a deeper level of power. A surge of energy enveloped me, augmenting my speed even further as I darted forward to intercept Jake mid-air. Our swords clashed again, the impact reverberating through the air.

As we engaged in this intense exchange, I could see the hint of a smile forming on Jake's face. Our blades met with a resounding impact, and I pushed my concentration to its limits. The speed of my strikes escalated as I deftly parried his rapid attacks.

Unexpectedly, a graze from his sword marked my cheek, a droplet of blood trickling down as evidence. I seized the moment and retaliated, driving my elbow into his arm. The impact caused Jake to grimace, his grip on the sword momentarily faltering.

Capitalizing on his momentary weakness, I swiftly pulled back my arm. Infusing my fist with Ruah's power, I unleashed a powerful punch.

The impact resonated loudly — a resounding BAM! Jake's cheek visibly deformed upon impact, and he was sent sliding back several meters, his head tilted to the side. Despite the bruise forming on his cheek and the blood trickling from his mouth, he managed to offer me a smile.

"You're strong, Milord," he uttered, his voice tinged with respect amidst the pain.

Wiping the blood from my cheeks, I tossed aside the sword and surveyed my surroundings. The once respectful gazes now held a sense of admiration. It seemed they had realized I wasn't just a pampered kid from a weaker realm, but someone who possessed the strength to defend his place here.

"Twenty-six million," I exclaimed loudly. "Does anyone here know what that number signifies?"

Silence hung in the air, their attention locked on me, waiting for my explanation.

"That's the population of Sancta Vedelia, encompassing all races without discrimination. We're a community of twenty-six million souls, and unfortunately, not every one of them is skilled in combat. That's a given truth. A nation's functioning isn't solely dependent on physical prowess."

My words prompted chuckles among the knights.

"Yup, physical prowess," I nodded. "But you guys, even with your brawn, hold the most crucial responsibility in Sancta Vedelia – safeguarding all its citizens. And I have to admit, I'm disappointed by what I've witnessed today."

The smiles on the knights' faces faded, replaced by puzzled expressions.

"You're paid, and you're fed by your Queen, my Aunt Lydia, yet I see you all going through the motions of training while not truly dedicating yourselves."

"M-Milord—"

"Quiet, I'm talking," I raised my hand, silencing Francis, and turned my attention back to the knights, many of whom seemed displeased by my words.

"The Eight Great Houses – let's take a look: The Zestella House boasts over 82,250 trained knights; Dolphis House stands at more than 90,000; Moonfang House fields 105,000; Teraquin House commands 115,000; Elaryon House trains 135,000; Tepes House holds 147,000; and finally, the Raven House possesses a force of 150,000 knights. I don't expect you all to recall these numbers individually." My statement struck a chord; most of them likely had no idea of their allies' knight counts.

Why would they, right?

"Remembering such details might seem pointless to you. Instead, you might recall the overall number of knights in Sancta Vedelia – approximately a million soldiers."

Many knights looked away, acknowledging the truth in my words.

"With the Olphean House and Central Vedelia combined, that number could escalate into millions, but I don't view it in those terms," I added, my tone growing colder.

"The Olphean Army's 120,000 knights aren't merely a contribution to satisfy Sancta Vedelia's ego. Before we even talk about Sancta Vedelia, we're talking about the Olphean House. And I'm telling you this now because I sense an innocent and naive perception of Sancta Vedelia in your eyes. This nation was founded on a history of bloodshed, its alliances formed through conflict and sacrifice. Do you grasp my point?"

My words held a weighty seriousness as all eyes were fixed on me, waiting for my next words.

"It's a fragile and superficial bond that's held together mainly because of external threats. If those external 'issues' weren't a constant reminder – the constant attempt to seize what belongs to us – this alliance, I dare say, wouldn't have survived this long. You can label it as greed, ambition, or a desire to protect our homeland, but never forget this: your allies, the ones standing around you in this very Kingdom, are your only true allies."

The knights stared at me, some with realization dawning in their eyes, while others seemed uncomfortable under my unrelenting gaze.

"Your duty is to protect this Kingdom, these people, not only in times of war but in times of peace as well. Training shouldn't be a half-hearted routine. Your enemy is not just external, it's the complacency that's lurking within you, the belief that because you belong to the Olphean House, you're automatically invincible."

I took a deep breath, letting my words sink in.

"Today, you saw me fight. You saw my strength. But I want you to understand that strength isn't just about power. It's about determination, discipline, and unity. I challenge each and every one of you to train as if your lives depended on it, because in truth, the lives of the citizens of this Kingdom do."

A murmur ran through the gathered knights, a mixture of emotions apparent on their faces.

"My other Aunt, Thelma Olphean, has been kidnapped. Amael Olphean, bearing the same name, has been killed. Kleines Falkrona, your Lord, has been slain. Recently, Connor Olphean suffered the same fate. Yet what I witness here is your knights treating these tragedies as if they were minor inconveniences," my voice sliced through the air, chilling them to their bones. "I've heard that Connor often joined your ranks, but do any of you recall his words about discipline?"

The knights' heads drooped in shame, the weight of their actions finally registering.

"Such laxity is intolerable, and it makes me wonder – what would happen if war were to strike Sancta Vedelia, or worse, Pallas itself? Can any of you envision the outcome? Do you honestly believe the other Houses would rush to our aid?" I inquired, a derisive snort accompanying my words. "They would undoubtedly prioritize protecting their own territories over spilling their blood for a cause unrelated to them. This is the stark reality of Sancta Vedelia. And don't even entertain the notion of trusting the other Great Houses. I hope you're not naive enough to think that Kleines Falkrona and Connor Olphean were merely slaughtered by random mobs. The culprits are almost certainly among the Great Nobles. And when I uncover their identities, don't anticipate a measured response from me. The guilty party, even if they hold the title of a Demigod, will pay with their life – I couldn't care less."

My final statement prompted audible gulps from the assembled knights. The shift in their demeanor was palpable.

"Sooner or later, the reckoning will arrive. We'll be forced to confront not only external foes but also the hidden adversaries lurking within. Don't cast blame on those who retaliate – we share culpability for this brewing conflict. But what I demand now are disciplined, earnest, and unflinching soldiers willing to lay everything on the line for their Queen, their Princess, their kin, and their Kingdom. I want 120,000 knights who are not idle, who are not rusting away. Our adversaries lie both beyond our borders and within them. Inject a renewed seriousness into your training, as if every moment could usher in a terrorist assault. Rest only after you've discharged your duty to your family."

Silence gripped the knights as they absorbed my words, before a loud and even chorus of determined voices answered, "YES!"

"Unfortunately, I'm no Kleines or Connor, so don't anticipate a benevolent Lord who joins in comradeship. However, mark my words..." I tapped into the mana suffusing the surroundings, causing the ground to tremble beneath us. A surge of purple flames coalesced behind me, forming the terrifying visage of a dragon's head which earned horrified expressions from them. "I'll be present to remind each of you of your identity and loyalties."

With a snap of my fingers, the manifestation dissipated, and I grinned broadly. "Now, back to work!"

I pivoted and strode away. "Francis, we're departing."

"Yes, Milord!"

[<Always that need to show off, eh?>]

'Always.'