Chapter 53

Chapter 53

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You know the rest, what I did and what happened to the EU.

..I didnt know that.. but your mother! You saved your mother, didnt you?

..No, she died. I, you know.. didnt really know anything, really.

(Past again.)

You would have died if I hadnt come along, Sieg.

Command center of a huge transport vehicle.

Here, on the frontlines of the EU war, Sieg and Rhode meet on the battlefield.

Already Rhode has the air of royalty about him, and Rhode acknowledges Sieg.

In the past, he used to resent Sieg for killing his uncle.

But on the battlefield, Rhode knows that it is the war and not the soldiers that he should resent.

They can only follow orders.

Having understood what it means to be a professional soldier, Rhode no longer holds a grudge against Sieg.

Besides, he owes Sieg a debt of gratitude for saving him.

My mother and myself could have died there.

That is why Rhode does not resent Sieg, and Sieg also respects him.

I didnt think there was such a strong man in the EU.. I remember he said he was Thor, but I was lured in by him. If Master Rhode hadnt come, I would have died. Thank you very much.

If you are only brave, one day you will lose your feet. They are desperate. They are risking their lives. But with this..

Rhode gives his final instructions.

Check it out.

The Rhode have won their 100th victory on this day in a breakneck pace.

It has been a long road, but he has fulfilled the condition of recognition proposed by the emperor.

***

Well, at last. All right, you may meet.

After a year, Rhode and Scarlett were allowed to see each other again.

But the boys dreams of an emotional reunion are dashed.

Rhode is taken to another room.

And his mother was seated in that room.

Come on, Scarlett. Hes your son. And.

The emperor chuckles and closes the door.

You have destroyed your home.

Rhode looks straight at his mother.

He hasnt seen his mother in two years. She looks familiar but terribly tired.

Rhode, who must have been worried about her, is heartbroken.

Mother..

I slowly approached my mother.

I wanted her to hug me. I had worn out my soul for nearly two years, trying to free my mother.

I wanted her to admire me and praise me for my greatness.

And I wanted to return the love as much as I wanted to.

For an eight-year-old boy, his mother was everything.

I studied for her for a year. I won for her continuously for a year.

I am sure she would have been waiting to see me.

She would give me a gentle hug and praise me.

Thats why I tried to jump into my mothers heart.

But then.

Slap.!

Eh?

Ughhhh.. I.. I..

But instead, Rhode was hit hard in the cheek.

I hold my cheek and look at my mother, who looks at me with a resentful face, crying.

Mother..?

I, I was wrong. You should have died then. And me too!

What are you talking about? Mother..

Scarlett had been told.

That he was half royal blood of the emperor, and scarlet.

That he used to fight for the EU, but because of his mother he made a contract with the Emperor to fight against the EU.

And that he is now an Royal Family and wants to end the war.

He did not say more than that.

Only Sieg and the emperor knew what my mother had done to Rhode.

I see..

So, Kenya. You have to make me emperor. I have to end this sad world. Besides, you saw Jin-kun and Reelbert-kun today and you understood.

..Hmm.

Thats the result of education in this country, its not their fault. So

But Rhodes words do not continue.

And the words he spun as if to change the subject were.

Thats why Im going to be emperor.

They are silent for a while, with grapes on their cheeks.

Im sorry, Rhode. My selfishness.. and its not for me to say, but are you alright?

Your todays deed? It fucking disaster, to say the least.

Ugh.

Phew. But I dont know why, it doesnt feel so bad. Well, youre at a considerable disadvantage, but Ill take care of it.

Sorry..

Next time youll have to think a bit more about what youre doing. But if the same situation comes up again, youll behave the same way, wont you?

Ah.. ah..

Im afraid Ive chosen a very difficult knight..

Rhodes face is somewhat happy.

The two of them then finished off all the grapes.

Kenya takes Rhode on the KOG back to the military camp.

On his return, many Asgard, including Jin, see Kenya.

Awe, fear, anger.

All kinds of emotions are directed at Kenya, as an enemy.

Then Rhode steps forward and speaks.

About today.. I gave the order. Do not kill those who do not resist.

Hey!

At these words, Kenya stares at Rhode, but he decides to remain silent as he is stared at with an atmosphere that tells him to shut up.

Many of you know what I have done to my captives. So I expect the same from my knights. I have differed from my brothers orders this time, but this was a mistake on my part and on his. Kens loyalty to me as my knight is the result and he is not to blame. Please forgive him.

The soldiers then agree that they get the point.

Everyone in Asgard Empire knows that the Rhode is forgiving of those who surrender.

So it is no surprise that the knight Ken would behave in the same way.

Odins order was to kill them. But if the Rhode was also a member of the royal family and a knight of the Rhode, it would be more natural for him to follow the Rhodes orders.

Then todays action was understandable.

An unforeseen accident caused by an unfortunate error in the chain of command.

If that is the case, they are forced to accept it as unavoidable.

Fortunately, there were no deaths and no serious injuries, and since Rhode has said that he will take full responsibility, there is no reason to be angry any more.

In fact, Kenyas reputation as a loyal soldier is enhanced.

I see, Ken. Thats how it is, Im sorry.

Im sorry too, Ken-kun. I guess there were circumstances like that.

Jin and Reelbert also apologize to Kenya.

No, no. I didnt explain myself well enough. Im sorry for pointing my sword at you too!

Kenya bows his head.

With this, the matter is settled for the moment.

This is how we can manage this situation. But there is no way my brother will let it go for free.. I hope it doesnt affect the Imperial Sword Festival.. no. He will surely cut his way through.

Only Rhode understood the future that lay ahead, though, and that the enemy had a weakness that could not be excused.

***

Odin laughs loudly when he hears the report.

This is a good card to get.. Isnt it Katherine? For the loss of only about 20 KOGs.

Yes, we couldnt get Lord Rhodes weakness so easily, and one day we will surely be able to use it as a trump card. But the boy does a good job, as a double agent.

Rhode and Ken are now in Odins deadly hands.

Little did they know that this one incident could decide the fate of the world.

And after nearly six months had passed towards that fateful day, it finally began.

The Holy Knight examinations.