Chapter 76 : Black Cloud Knight Order (2)
Black Cloud Knight Order (2)
Gregory and his companions started to become familiar with each other's faces through self-introductions.
After a while, as Walter had said, the commander of the Black Cloud Knight Order came to the Dawning Knight Order's hideout. The knights were clad in jet-black armor, and trailing behind them were fluttering capes.
On the capes was an emblem representing the Black Cloud Knight Order. Gregory and Walter, more serious and solemn than ever, waited for them to approach.
There was a reason for their tension. Subtle power struggles between knight orders—the possibility that the established hierarchy might be disrupted—resulted in silent mental battles, where each side tried not to be outdone.
'Why are we having a power struggle among allies when it's already not enough even fighting enemies?'
It's not wrong. Perhaps cooperating to defeat the enemies would be a better choice.
However, it was also true that this tradition of hardening one's resolve and instilling both awe and grace in allied soldiers through inter-order power struggles had long persisted. This atmosphere was part of Arme's unique, time-honored tradition wishing for the endless development of each knight order.
The Black Cloud Knight Order Commander, darkreon Bürgenfelt, was the first to reach out his hand. For Walter and Darkreon, it was their first meeting since Gregory's knight order examination.
Gregory observed the scene and thought,
'What is this? Reaching out first—does that mean he's admitting defeat in the power struggle?'
Walter readily took Darkreon's hand. At once, a wave rippled between the two—Gregory's assumption that the mental battle was over was mistaken.
Slight smirks appeared on both Walter's and Darkreon's lips.
"It seems you've become much stronger."
"That's exactly what I wanted to say. I haven't spent all my time idly either, and to match my strength in a contest is no small feat."
Watching this, Gregory shook his head and lowered his gaze in thought.
'Carefree people. This is no time to be showing off their strength.'
***
The Black Cloud Knight Order and the Dawning Knight Order moved inside towards the conference room for an emergency meeting.
However, because there were so many people that it could become crowded, some members couldn't enter the meeting room.
The most trusted members from each knight order were selected: Walter, Gregory, garneth, Seria, and Kylas represented the Dawning Knight Order.
From the Black Cloud Knight Order, five knights who had passed repeated verifications also attended.
'I'm not sure how I ended up sitting here, but it's not half bad.'
Although the Black Cloud Knight Order and the Dawning Knight Order introduced themselves to one another, Gregory more or less let it go in one ear and out the other.
Most of the Black Cloud knights had their faces hidden under helms, so apart from Darkreon, he couldn't see their faces. Moreover, Gregory thought they bore much of the responsibility for how badly things had turned out, so he didn't completely trust them.
However, Gregory was the only newcomer in this meeting, so the introductions focused on him.
All eyes turned to Gregory, and feeling awkward, he bowed his head.
"Hello. I am Gregory Ashborn."
Everyone's attention was on Gregory. He silently reviewed whether he'd left anything out. If these were truly the Black Cloud Knight Order's executives, their skills had to be overwhelming.
Unlike the elite, small Dawning Knight Order, other knight orders had masses of recruits, and to become an executive among them was only possible for someone genuinely skilled.
Of course, one might rise to the top through strategic talent alone, but for an order like the Black Cloud that valued real battlefield prowess, it was safe to assume that every executive was a cut above what was apparent.
As his embarrassment showed on his face, Walter was the first to guide the mood.
"You all know why we're here, right?"
"I heard from the Knight Order Commander."
They seemed to have a friendly relationship. Darkreon got straight to the point.
"First, I want to apologize for our concern. We've been focused on other matters and failed to pay attention to this. It is undoubtedly our fault, and we acknowledge that."
Darkreon apologized to the Dawning Knight Order for the Black Cloud Knight Order's failure to preemptively deal with spies and traitors.
Walter waved it off.
"Let's not worry about what's already past. We still have a mountain to deal with now."
Then, darkreon laid out some documents about the kingdom's soldiers.
Curious about what Darkreon had brought, Gregory asked,
"What is this?"
Darkreon pointed at the suspicious papers and answered, explaining what they were.
"These right here? They are lists of those suspected as traitors within the kingdom and information on soldiers currently working as spies."
At a glance, there were hundreds of papers. All except Gregory were bewildered to learn that so many enemies had been hiding inside the kingdom. The thought that many more people than expected might be active even sparked fear.
Among them were faces familiar to them as well. Garneth asked Darkreon,
"This one... Are you saying there are this many traitors?"
"It's uncertain, but I brought the most reliable information possible. We'll need to conduct intensive interrogations to be sure. But actually, the sheer number may not be the most important issue."
On hearing this, Gregory instantly grasped the heart of the problem. Suddenly, he cut in, interrupting.
"Are you saying there was higher-level involvement?"
Darkreon hesitated for a moment, but couldn't hide his reluctance as he nodded. He spoke in a quiet voice.
"Regrettably, from the information we currently have, it's hard to deny. While thorough investigation is needed, we can consider this practically confirmed."
He nodded to Gregory, acknowledging his sharp insight.
"Gregory, was it? I was impressed with you during the knight order exam. The intellect you showed then, it wasn't an act. I feel you didn't just join this meeting by chance."
Gregory bowed slightly and answered modestly.
"You flatter me."
Regret briefly crossed Darkreon's face. As someone who had watched Gregory during the knight order examination, his disappointment was perhaps greater.
With a bitter expression, he said,
"You really should have joined our knight order. I envy Walter. In any case, to the point: we have to compare this information with what we know about the current soldiers."
Everyone glanced between Walter and Darkreon, then nodded. Since accuracy was the foundation, no one disagreed with his suggestion.
At this point, Seria asked,
"And after that? What are you planning to do?"
"After that? What do you mean?"
Seria spoke again, worriedly.
"I mean, after you identify who the enemy is, what will you do then?"
Although Darkreon understood the question, he didn't understand the sentiment behind it. For him, as someone who believed in killing any who became an enemy to the kingdom for its prosperity, this was a lifelong creed.
He spoke as if he couldn't see the problem,
"Well... Burn the information and eliminate them. Isn't that our job?"
A momentary silence fell across the room. Gregory soon refuted Darkreon's plan.
"There is a better way. One that will let us deal with them and also gain greater benefits against our enemies."
Gregory's suggestion was to blackmail the enemy. Interrogate the traitors, obtain information they had passed to the enemy nation, and then write threatening letters to send to the Blandi Kingdom using this information.
Even if it was inhumane, Gregory thought any means was justified if it protected the kingdom's citizens and secured a decisive victory in war.
Darkreon shook his head and objected.
"There's no need to resort to such cruel methods. With so many traitors inside, and even in higher ranks, this plan would definitely leak to the enemy."
Gregory paused for thought. Darkreon's counterpoint was reasonable.
He did not want this to turn into a disastrous setback.
Since higher-level intervention was already confirmed, if that information leaked the wrong way, it could become an excuse for a counterattack. Such variables must be guarded against.
Gregory frankly admitted that his judgment had been immature.
"Hmm... On reconsideration, you're right. I got so focused on the chance to win now that I failed to consider other possibilities."