Return of the Calamity-Class Death Knight

Chapter 227

—————–

Chapter: 227 Temporary instructor (1)

***

Afterwards, Damien headed to the nearby territory of Count Alpen, along with the three others.

Count Alpen, who could be considered the lord of this region, was actually one of the families secretly supporting the Extermination Squad.

“…The injuries of the two are quite severe. Come in quickly.”

Count Alpen generously provided healing potions to Rayne and Wilhelm.

This was because, given the nature of the Extermination Squad, they had to keep their existence hidden, and could not recklessly call for priests or doctors.

Fortunately, the healing potions provided by Count Alpen’s family were all expensive and highly effective. Rayne and Wilhelm’s condition quickly improved.

While Roger was nursing the two, Damien met with the Count.

“…To fight against giant evil and not have anyone die… All four of you are truly remarkable.”

When Damien briefly explained what had happened today, Count Alpen gasped in astonishment.

“As requested, I contacted the Sword Saint. He is on his way now.”

True to his word, the Sword Saint arrived at the Count Alpen’s territory before sunset.

“What the hell is going on? Why Rayne and Wilhelm are seriously injured?”

Sword Saint must have rushed here because hot steam was rising from his body along with sweat.

Damien recounted everything that had happened in the dungeon to Sword Saint.

The more Damien explained, the more bewilderment appeared on Sword Saint’s face.

“…You fought Salik and Barche alone?”

Sword Saint asked in disbelief, which was a natural reaction. After all, those two were bigshots whose names even Sword Saint knew.

Salik was one of the lovers of the Succubus Sla. Sla’s lovers were all known to have strength that rivaled the giant evils.

Salik, in particular, was a figure who had once risen to the position of giant evil. She was one of the top three strongest lovers Sla had.

Barche was also a formidable figure. He was the elite disciple of the Weapon Master.

‘The elite disciple’ referred to the disciples who received the favor of the Weapon Master and were taught all his skills. Although Barche was not the Weapon Master’s most powerful disciple, he was one of the most powerful figures among the elite disciples.

“If you don’t believe me, you can go and check for yourself. The bodies of those three are still in the dungeon.”

After listening to Damien, Sword Saint contemplated for a while before saying.

“…Well, come to think of it, there’s no reason for you to lie to me.”

Perhaps because it was such a preposterous statement, Sword Saint quickly believed Damien’s words.

“But… how did you fight and win against those two at the same time? Salik and Barche are on a whole different level from the Dark Knight who attacked the tournament. They’re on par with the giant evil.”

This was why Damien had tried to hide his strength as much as possible.

Damien was too young for his level of skill. So, it was easy for others to suspect him.

But since he had already been caught, there was nothing he could do. Damien decided to suppress Sword Saint’s suspicions even with a bit of stubbornness.

“Well, I guess I’m just that good.”

Sword Saint gave Damien a dumbfounded look. He even looked at Damien as if he was joking.

“Haven’t you heard similar things from the Imperial Supreme Sword or Sword Saint in your younger days?”

At those words, Sword Saint made an “Oops” expression.

Although they weren’t as good as Damien, they were also geniuses that could be ranked among the greatest in human history.

It was obvious that they were constantly met with people’s astonishment, admiration, and suspicion.

“…So this is how those guys felt. I thought they were paranoid, but I guess I need to change my mind.”

Sword Saint scratched his forehead with his finger and muttered.

“Come to think of it, I got the order of events wrong.”

Sword Saint put his forearm on his chest and knelt on one knee. Then, he said to the embarrassed Damien.

“Thank you for saving my disciples.”

It was a simple but sincere expression of gratitude.

Damien was once again overwhelmed by complex emotions.

In his previous life, Damien had killed Sword Saint and annihilated the Extermination Squad under Dorugo’s orders.

It was not Damien’s will. When he was turned into a Death Knight, he had lost all control over his own body.

Trapped inside his own body, he had no choice but to move as Dorugo commanded. But the fact that Damien had killed them in the end remained unchanged.

“I wish I could spread the word about your achievements, but all of the Extermination Squad’s activities must be kept secret.”

The Extermination Squad was a group created by the empire to counter Pandemonium. The most frightening thing about Pandemonium was that they operated in the shadows. That’s why the Extermination Squad also had to keep their identities hidden.

“Besides, it’s not good for you to have this known either. You might become a target for other giant evils.”

That didn’t scare him much. Damien was actually hoping that the giant evils would come looking for him. Then he could kill them without having to go looking for them.

However, Damien was not a glory-seeker, so he did not resent Sword Saint’s decision.

“Instead, if there’s anything you want, I’ll do whatever it takes. I want to make up for the fact that I have to cover up your achievements, and I also want to repay you for saving my disciples.”

Sword Saint was a figure known as one of the pillars of the empire, along with the Imperial Supreme Sword.

The opportunity to ask for something from someone with such immense power and authority was not common.

‘What should I ask for?’

Damien pondered for a moment at Sword Saint’s words.

Having reached Master Class, he now had to aim for the Grandmaster.

Of course, becoming a Grandmaster was never easy.

He had to overcome multiple walls of enlightenment. Physical strength and quantity of mana were also important.

‘I have enough enlightenment. All I need is physical strength and mana.’

Damien’s current physical body was already at a level that was unique even among Master Class. This was thanks to his extreme use of the Art of Sacrificial Raging Demon Manifestation when he ascended to Master Class.

However, he felt it was still insufficient to reach Grandmaster. He needed a stronger body and more mana.

“I would like to obtain an elixir. If possible, I would like something that can strengthen both my body and mana at the same time.”

“Oh… Are you thinking of aiming for Grandmaster?”

Damien nodded. Sword Saint looked at Damien with an amused expression.

“That’s good. I happen to have an elixir that’s perfect for you.”

“What is it?”

“Dragon Heart.”

Damien stopped and looked at Sword Saint. Sword Saint added playfully.

“…I have one of the fragments. It’s something I received from the previous emperor.”

Even as a fragment, it was still a great elixir.

“But I don’t have it on me right now. It’s such a precious item that I keep it stored separately. I’ll have someone send it to you later.”

“I understand.”

Damien could wait for a fragment of the Dragon Heart.

There was no elixir in the world that surpassed it.

“And I have one more request.”

“Speak.”

“Please help me enter the Imperial Academy.”

A look of bewilderment appeared on Sword Saint’s face as he heard Damien’s request.

“You want to enter the Academy? Do you mean to become a student?”

“Of course not. How could I become a student at the Academy at this age?”

The students who entered the Academy were all teenage boys. Damien was too old.

“A staff member, a guard, a watchman. The position doesn’t matter. I just need to be able to stay at the Academy for a long time.”

“Is there a special reason for that?”

“Sla is there.”

Sword Saint’s eyes widened like lanterns.

“…The succubus Sla is there? Where did you get that information?”

Damien was able to find Sla’s location because he had seen Salik’s memories.

However, he couldn’t just say that. So, Damien mixed in a lie.

“Salik dropped some information while fighting me. She talked a lot about the Academy in particular.”

“So, you think Sla might be at the Academy.”

Sword Saint fell into thought again.

“To be honest, it’s still just speculation. There is no concrete evidence.”

Just when Damien thought he was going to be rejected, Sword Saint added.

“But those of Pandemonium never show their faces. We can’t miss even a clue like this. I’ll grant your request.”

Sword Saint’s eyes changed. They were no longer the eyes of a drunkard or a master moved by the survival of his disciple.

It was the gaze of a hunter about to capture his prey.

“But why are you going to such lengths? Why are you, who is not a citizen of the empire, trying to catch Sla?”

“I saved the Mercenary King once before. At that time, I encountered Sla.”

“I know about that.”

“At that time, Sla showed great interest in me. At that time, looking at that woman, I felt this. I told myself that if I don’t kill her first, I’ll be in big trouble.”

Sword Saint nodded at Damien’s words.

Sla was a woman who never let go of a man she had set her eyes on.

She was a maniac who would not be satisfied unless she made him her slave by any means necessary.

“Moreover, Sla is the Grand Dark Mage of the Berserk Sect. She can transform into a monster, and conversely, she can disguise herself as a very ordinary human. That’s why the empire hasn’t been able to find Sla, right?”

It was the same in his previous life.

The other giant evils had been caught by the empire once or twice, but Sla had never been caught.

“As you know now, I’m much more skilled than is commonly known. It’s a good way to make Sla let her guard down. And besides, Sla is very interested in me.”

It was Damien who had foiled Sla’s plan to kidnap the Mercenary King.

“Sla will approach me in some way or another. And then I’ll catch Sla.”

With those words, Sword Saint had no choice but to agree.

“Will you help me?”

“Of course. But the problem is in what position to put you in…”

He is too old to be a student. However, it is not appropriate to put him in as a worker. There were many obstacles to putting him in as a guard knight.

“…How about an instructor?”

“An instructor?”

“Yes, for subjects like swordsmanship or practical training, we often hire temporary instructors from outside.”

“I don’t mind. I just need to get into the Academy.”

“But there’s a problem. I’ll write a letter of recommendation, but I don’t know if it will be accepted.”

Damien looked puzzled at Sword Saint’s words. Even with a letter of recommendation from someone like Sword Saint, it might be impossible?

“The Imperial Academy has a very long history. It was created by the first emperor of the empire to nurture future talents. In fact, the academy has produced a great many talented individuals.”

Sword Saint continued.

“That’s why the people of the empire are very proud of the Academy. Do you think they will let a knight from another kingdom like you be a teacher there? To be honest, I’m not sure myself.”

In short, it meant that many people would be displeased with Damien, a native of the Apple Kingdom, teaching imperial nobles.

“It would be possible if His Majesty the Emperor gave his permission, but… His Majesty is a man who strictly adheres to principles and rules. There is no way he would allow such a thing.”

Even for the Extermination Squad, there were things that could not be crossed.

In particular, this was something that would break the tradition and order of the Academy.

“I guess I should think of other ways just in case.”

“That seems to be the wise thing to do.”

Damien nodded at Sword Saint’s words.

***

“I shall grant permission.”

In a secret meeting held within the imperial palace, the Emperor spoke with a small but firm voice.

“Excuse me?”

“What do you mean by that?”

The high-ranking officials and nobles attending the secret meeting were greatly perplexed.

The Emperor spoke to them once more.

“I mean that I will allow Damien Haksen to be hired as an instructor at the Academy.”

***