Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight-Chapter 216

216. One of the Two

Devilization.

I recall the somewhat excessively unfamiliar sensation I experienced during the battle with Garen and the fight with the frost dragon to save Eleanor.

At the moment I ceased to be myself, what strange phenomenon did I undergo?

‘It was as if I became a demon, losing my sense of self. An overwhelmingly powerful force filled my body, and soon it began to consume me. But… it turns out that was related to the curse of the previous family head.’

It must be true.

Theo von Reinhaver.

Three Sword Emperors would not lie. Especially not to me, his son.

Devilization ultimately means that the seed of a demon, latent within the inner self of Nox von Reinhaver, sprouts, temporarily granting the power of a demon.

To resolve this?

'Theo von Reinhaver… Nox’s father must be killed.’

Thinking about it now, there was a part I didn’t understand from the beginning.

The three Sword Emperors. There were plenty of questionable aspects about Theo von Reinhaver’s death even in the game.

'Theo’s end was fleeting. It was just mentioned in a few lines in the game and that was it. Why he became a villain, or if he was one from the start, was never properly explained.’

What if, by any chance, Theo von Reinhaver wasn’t a villain?

Even if he was the cold-hearted father I’ve seen so far, that’s not a reason for him to die.

“…How.”

So, I decided to ask him gently. I won’t change the decision I’ve already made, but I genuinely want to understand the meaning of his life. I can’t help but ask if the life of Theo von Reinhaver, a man as empty as I am, isn’t regrettable.

“Do you not regret it?”

Nox von Reinhaver’s.

Now that it’s my lips, I twist my tongue freely and begin to mock my father.

“How can you so easily tell me to kill you, the patriarch? No.” fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

With a slightly mocking tone, I dare to address the head of the Reinhaver family again.

“Why are you only explaining this to me now? Did you want my understanding? Or did you hope that Nox von Reinhaver would hesitate to kill you?”

“Nothing of the sort. Your sword must still point at me.”

“So why!”

A voice twisted as if spitting out. It shatters like glass fragments, dividing the two of us.

Countless tiny fragments. Now irreparable shards cut into the skin, trying to sever the last line connecting me to him.

Soon, after I cut off Theo’s words and continued with a fierce expression. Even if it leads to catastrophe, there’s no objection that it’s for the best. Ɍα₦ȮB˧

“Are you telling me this story?”

“Someday, you too will have to say this to someone.”

“….What?”

Unexpected words slip from Theo’s mouth.

For a moment, my eyebrows twist subtly, and discomfort spreads from my chest.

“Later, someday. You too will have to do the same.”

Later.

Sometime in the future.

Theo was saying that.

The reason was simple.

If I become the head of the Reinhaver family, I too will be killed by my successor. Of course, there’s the option not to marry, but other families won’t leave me alone, and for the family’s survival, I must eventually endure this situation.

That’s why Theo is telling me.

You too will someday have to be killed by your child. It’s a tragic and cruel story, but my father, Theo von Reinhaver, declares it so.

“You’re selfish, Patriarch.”

“I’m assuming the worst-case scenario. Also, it doesn’t matter what you think now. I also know it’s too late to seek understanding.”

Theo deliberately pondered before continuing.

“But… if you’ve learned the truth, there’s only one thing you can choose. Kill me. Pierce my heart with your forged sword and overcome me. Find a way to unravel the curse. That’s the best you can do.”

“Do you think I can find an answer even you, a Sword Emperor couldn’t?”

“Astrid and Noah said you also have a talent for magic. My talent was limited to the sword, but Nox. You are not. You can go further. Like I was a better person than my father.”

Theo closed his eyes briefly, reminiscing about his father, then slowly opened them.

“Nox von Reinhaver. My son. I remember your first cry and your beautiful mother.”

“What…!”

“I also remember your first duel as a Reinhaver. After Garen went astray, I tried not to expect much, but in the end, I couldn’t help being a father.”

Father.

I repeat the heavy three letters (아버지).

A family I’m so dearly wished for.

I found the first one here, and I know he’s not a villain. But my narrow heart and twisted lips will never acknowledge him as a father.

Now, and in the future.

“If I stab your heart now and ascend to the Patriarch position, does it all end? All the duties and burdens you wished for as the head of Reinhaver?”

“No. Not yet.”

Theo wears a sad expression, smiling transparently.

“The time will come when one of the two must die. Until then, use the name Theo von Reinhaver. I’ll give you everything I can before you become the Patriarch.”

“…Don’t tell me.”

One thing crosses my mind.

The last thing Theo can give me. What is it connected to?

The answer is already decided.

“'The supreme black sword’. I’ll teach you all the basic techniques.”

I couldn’t speak further.

Frozen in place, I looked at Theo’s still upright back and waist.

Though he didn’t seem like someone about to die, why?

I could see his future. Like the inner lunatic I played in the game and the screen within the monitor, he would become a short script and a handful of polygon pieces.

Also, what emotion it would bring to me, shaking me.

I’m not ready yet.

But as always, I just continue with a confident tone.

“Alright. Theo von Reinhaver. I’ll become the Patriarch. And.”

A somewhat awkward smile rises in front of Theo’s face.

“I will definitely kill you. I promise.”

**********

The spring of the schoolyard.

The cherry blossoms adorning the academy excited several units connected to Nox.

Now, they could truly be called companions. But Nox, the closer he got, the more he worried about becoming distant from them.

The sensation of losing something precious was unfamiliar to him.

In the past, during his time as Yoochan.

Unlike when he wished for a family, Nox often thought it would be better if no one liked him now.

At the same time, it’s also true that without them, it would be hard to sustain his current life. What should he do?

To find the answer, winning the bloody battle against the demon is the most important task.

Nox explained his plan to his trusted companions.

Of course, he didn’t tell them everything, but he shared that demons were reviving around the grand duke and that he was planning to counter it.

“So… the problem is, can we academy students really be of big help to the noble sir?”

Paracelsus started.

Quickly passing through the schoolyard, they soon gathered in the cafe basement sealed by Eleanor’s mana to discuss. Originally, they should have proceeded with Nox, but they gathered more urgently due to a recent letter from Nox.

The letter Nox sent was as follows.

— I won’t be able to return to the academy for a while, so I ask for your understanding.

I’ll attend the academy swordsmanship festival, so take note.

Nox von Reinhaver.

“No… Even so, how can he write such a short letter? No matter how much we try, we can’t fully grasp Nox’s intentions.”

Eleanor said, feeling frustrated.

Thalia sighed and cautiously agreed.

“I think the same… I don’t know what’s going on, but Nox always gets caught up in dangerous situations. I’m worried.”

“I don’t think Nox von Reinhaver is going to die somewhere… but maybe he didn’t have the money to write a longer letter?”

“Leon. Your sense of humor has improved. That crazy noble sir has no money? The human who recently visited Chaders for business? He’s been scooping up money lately.”

As Paracelsus scoffed, Leon readily agreed.

“Well, that’s true. I thought too much about myself.”

“Leon-nim…? Wouldn’t that be more heartbreaking in many ways?”

As Zitri intervened, Leon tilted his head. It wasn’t a shameful story that he had no money.

“No matter where the master went, with that cheeky personality, it’s a miracle he hasn’t been cut by a harsh sword yet.”

“Prim? I told you to watch your mouth. There are many nobles here, and Prim’s life is protected by the young master, not Reinhaver.”

“… ng, yes.”

Prim interjected and quickly complied.

But their doubts remained unresolved.

“Gra, grand duke-level demon is someone even our mother struggles with! It’s better to stop Nox before he does something reckless again.”

“We know too. But is the noble sir someone who listens when told to stop?”

“…No.”

“No.”

“Definitely….”

“I’m sorry to the young master, but it doesn’t seem so.”

Even Zitri firmly denied.

“The academy swordsmanship festival… somehow, it feels strange.”

Paracelsus leaned his head forward, wiping his monocle.

“Isn’t he bringing some surprising sword or swordsmanship?”

“Ei, no way…”

While everyone denied it.

Nox was busy learning a new sword as Paracelsus predicted.

No, more precisely, he was adding more refined and meticulous processes to a familiar sword. Controlling magic. And even training to properly handle his devilized state.

Nox, who met Theo, twisted his lips unknowingly.

'Theo von Reinhaver… I expected it, but he’s more of a monster.’

“This is the first form of the middle stage from the Black Sword.”

Nox gazes at the sunken floor, watching the sword marks left by Theo’s strike moments ago.

It was closer to beauty than mere destruction.