The Heavenly Knight

Chapter 4 - Decision

Haruki Enjou’s residence is now being visited by one of the Tsukigawa Kingdom’s War Commanders—his name is Souta Kuroba.

General Souta is one of four descendants of the nobility, and for wealth, Souta’s noble lineage is the wealthiest.

Since Souta’s family is a business family, they even have many business branches in various regions, extending even to other kingdoms.

The Tsukigawa Kingdom currently has partnerships with foreign kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Fengrui, the Kingdom of Hwangjeon, and the Kingdom of Tharondel.

“Commander Souta! Welcome. Please come inside!” greeted Haruki Enjou, accompanied by three servants.

“Mr. Haruki! How is the child whom you found back then? Is he feeling better?” asked Souta Kuroba.

“Yes, Commander. He felt scared yesterday, but now he can go outside and is in the backyard!” replied Haruki Enjou.

It was actually Souta Kuroba and his hundred soldiers who found Shinra Kazan.

When Souta Kuroba returned from his meeting with Haruki Enjou, he headed back to the Kingdom, and on the way, he stopped at the edge of the forest because it was lashing.

At that moment, he heard the sounds of a battle coming from deep within the forest, so he took some of his soldiers to search for and investigate who was fighting there.

The heavy rain made it difficult for them to locate the battle, but after some time, when the rain let up a little, they finally found the site of the battle.

They found four knights they recognized, all dead in a gruesome state; not long after, the soldier discovered a small child wearing the Demon Mask’s armor.

They assumed The Demon Mask was the one who killed the four Knight Demons because they found no trace of The Demon Mask’s body—only his clothes.

Souta Kuroba realized the unconscious Shinra Kazan, now smaller, lying beside The Mad Demon’s corpse, was likely the kidnapped child used for experimentation.

Souta Kuroba finally took Shinra Kazan with him, unaware that Shinra Kazan was actually The Demon Mask.

***

“Take me there—I want to see that boy!” said Souta Kuroba.

“Come on, Commander, follow me!” said Haruki Enjou, and then he led Souta Kuroba to the backyard to see Shinra Kazan.

Alone, Shinra Kazan sat there, lost in thought.

Approaching footsteps interrupted Shinra Kazan’s reverie.

Even though he no longer possessed Ki or martial arts skills, Shinra Kazan’s instincts told him that Souta Kuroba was a fairly skilled knight.

“Hey, kid! My name is Souta Kuroba! May I ask your name?” asked Souta Kuroba as he stood beside him.

“Souta Kuroba? So he’s from the Souta Noble Family?” Shinra Kazan thought to himself.

Shinra Kazan didn’t answer; he looked Souta Kuroba up and down, then glanced over at Haruki Enjou.

“Commander, he still hasn’t said a word since yesterday! The doctor said the child remains traumatized, so interaction will take time,” explained Haruki Enjou.

Although Haruki Enjou was an official, he didn’t dare to act arrogantly, and he was always friendly to everyone—especially to Souta Kuroba.

“All right, kid, I’ll definitely come back here to visit you! … There’s a matter I wish to discuss with you, Mr. Haruki! Let’s relocate,” Souta Kuroba stated. After a quick look at Shinra Kazan, he left.

Shinra Kazan looked at Souta Kuroba as he was about to enter. He knew about Souta’s noble family, but he had only just learned that one of Souta’s relatives would become a commander.

Shinra Kazan let out a long sigh; he couldn’t wait to train as soon as possible, but his physical condition wouldn’t allow it.

Shinra Kazan realized that if he relied solely on training, it would take him a long time to accumulate a large amount of Ki.

The amount of Ki itself equals one circle, and he will eventually store it in his abdomen.

Currently, the limit restricts the maximum amount of Ki is 100 circles, which is already regarded as the largest and greatest amount possible.

Once his Ki reached 50 circles, he had reached the First State of the Knight of Light.

According to the ranking system for great martial artists, several levels measure their prowess.

The Lower Level is the starting point of training, beginning from scratch and progressing to mastering the Art of Breathing and several levels of body-lightening techniques.

If his body-lightening technique allows him to jump as high as five meters, then he can advance to the Middle Level.

At the intermediate level, it is mandatory to master several martial arts techniques—ranging from basic to intermediate.

For the Advanced Level, where students can learn various ways to manipulate Ki, such as channeling Ki into their feet, hands, and other parts of the body.

And for the light level. At this level, one must be able to channel Ki into desired objects, such as weapons, and transfer it to injured people or replenish the depleted Ki of others.

The light level differs from the others because it has three stages—one through three—and those who reach this level will possess extraordinary body-lightening abilities.

However, it all comes down to each person’s Ki; the more Ki one possesses, the greater their mastery.

Shinra Kazan had indeed reached the First State of the Knight of Light, but he had not yet made it onto the list of the ten strongest Knights in the Tsukigawa Kingdom.

One could not underestimate Shinra Kazan’s power, as he could kill a Knight at the same level using the magic from the Book of the Demon’s Hell.

“I need to find a mentor so I won’t arouse suspicion later,” Shinra Kazan thought to himself with a wry smile.

***

Haruki Enjou and Souta Kuroba were sitting in the living room, discussing Shinra Kazan, whose name and background they did not yet know.

“His Majesty wants you to be careful—what if that child is just a trap, or at the very least, someone deliberately sent them to spy on us!” said Souta Kuroba.

“Commander! Is it possible that a child that young could be an enemy spy or some other decoy?” asked Haruki Enjou.

“I don’t think so, Mr. Haruki. I don’t think it’s possible for him to be a spy, but it’s still possible that he’s a trap set by people who want to harm you!” said Souta Kuroba.

“Commander, I disagree with you. His eyes show me he’s still afraid. It’s clear he’s endured significant hardship despite his youth,” Haruki Enjou remarked sadly, observing Shinra Kazan.

“It’s up to you, Mr. Haruki. I’m only here to deliver a message from His Majesty the King! So what’s your next plan for that child?”

Haruki Enjou became quiet and appeared to ponder briefly.

“Commander, I will take that child in, but only if we cannot find his family!” Haruki Enjou thought about it and replied.

“Is your decision final, Mr. Haruki? Isn’t your wife currently two months pregnant? Why would you adopt another child when your biological child is arriving soon?” Souta Kuroba inquired.

“Don’t worry about it, Commander. Two children will be more fun and will make things even livelier with those two little feet running around the house!” Haruki Enjou replied with a laugh.

“It’s your decision, but I’ll still advise you to be cautious. I must depart now as I have an engagement with people from Tharondel Kingdom tonight,” Souta Kuroba announced. He then rose and bid farewell.