Chapter 2000 Last Knight
Chapter 2000 Last Knight
Northeast of Adventurers' City, perched atop a small hill overlooking a quiet lake, stood a dilapidated castle.
The lake below served as one of the primary sources of fresh water for the adventurers in the City Hall. They frequently came to its shores to fill their waterskins before venturing into the woods.
But few dared to approach the hill.
In the distant past, the castle had been the seat of power of King Louis of House d'Aubigny. From within those ancient walls, he had ruled over the Kingdom of Valouis.
Now, however, little remained of its former grandeur.
The towering walls had cracked with age. Several of the castle's spires had collapsed entirely, leaving behind jagged ruins that clawed toward the sky. Thick vines crept across the weathered stone, while shattered windows stared out over the surrounding landscape, like hollow, lifeless eyes.
The great banners that had once carried the crest of House d'Aubigny had long since rotted away. The castle was broken, abandoned, and forgotten by time.
Neither adventurers nor monsters dared to wander anywhere near its vicinity. Not because of the castle itself. No. But because of the being that still remained within.
The Last Knight.
For over two thousand years, it had guarded the throne room where King Louis had once sat. No one knew why it remained there. No one knew what it was waiting for.
But one thing was certain - anyone who entered the castle rarely returned.
Concealed by magic, Adam and Luca slowly made their way up the hill.
The twilight sky above was beautiful, painted in fading shades as the last light of the day slowly disappeared beyond the horizon. Its dim glow fell upon Castle d'Aubigny, making the ancient ruins resemble the dying embers of a long-forgotten kingdom.
Behind them, the city formerly known as Valcourrone stretched into the distance. Even from afar, it looked beautiful in its own haunted way.
'Remind me again, why is it that the bastards at the City Hall have not eradicated this monster yet?' Adam asked through the communication artifact.
'Though I am grateful they left it alive. Means more loot and information for us.'
His tenebrous eyes gleamed with delight at the thought of treasures inside the castle. He hoped there were a lot of treasures inside.
'From what I've gathered so far,' Luca began. 'They wish to keep a balance of sorts in the city. Because the moment one of the three Mana Seed-level monsters dies, there will be a power vacuum. Other powerful monsters will be drawn to the city to fill the gap.'
'So they'd rather keep the monsters they have information on than the ones they know nothing about, hmm?' Adam stroked his chin thoughtfully.
'Yes.' Luca nodded. 'That and the fact that several adventurers die whenever a new powerful monster arrives from outside. Those monsters always rampage first before settling down.'
Adam turned around and gazed at the city. 'I wonder what'll happen now that the werewolf is dead.'
'And when the last knight follows,' Luca added with a grin.
Adam turned to him and noticed the aura of battlelust surrounding the Paladin like a cloak. He whistled in a carefree manner. 'You're a crazy bastard, Luca.'
Luca snorted. 'You don't get to say that.'
Adam cackled in response.
He turned his attention back to the castle looming before them. With a simple thought, his Sphere of Resonance burst forward like a tidal wave, sweeping through the ancient structure and taking in every little detail before them.
The moment his senses touched the castle, Adam's expression slowly turned solemn.
There was something deeply oppressive about the place. The ancient fortress stood in complete silence, its empty halls steeped in an aura of death and decay. Even after more than two thousand years, something still lingered within its walls. A presence.
Adam's eyes narrowed.
There.
At the very heart of the castle, a powerful aura remained completely motionless. Its strength was no weaker than that of the Antlered High Priest.
"There's only one presence inside," Adam murmured.
Luca's expression grew serious. "The undying knight who protects its master's throne even after death."
Adam gave a slight nod. "Admirable, don't you think?"
Luca gave a light snort, but did not outright say no.
The two slowly approached the castle. The massive entrance doors had long since rotted away, leaving behind a dark opening that led into the ancient structure. Still under concealment, Adam and Luca stepped through.
The interior was a testament to the ravages of time. Cracks ran across the walls and ceiling. Parts of the floor had collapsed while thick layers of dust covered nearly every surface. Rusted chandeliers hung crookedly from above, their chains barely holding them in place.
Yet the passage of time had failed to erase everything. Dried blood still clung to several sections of the walls. Dark stains marked the stone floor.
Adam's gaze slowly swept across the surroundings. More than two thousand years had passed, yet the castle still bore the scars of its final days. It felt less like an abandoned ruin and more like a tomb. A tomb that had never truly been laid to rest.
Adam and Luca continued deeper into the castle. Their footsteps made no sound as they passed through long corridors and ruined halls. The silence around them was suffocating and creepy.
No monsters lurked within the shadows. No undead wandered through the empty chambers.
There was only one inhabitant. And it was waiting at the heart of the castle.
At last, they arrived before a pair of towering doors. They were made of ancient wood reinforced with blackened metal, their surfaces covered in deep scratches and faded carvings. Despite the countless years that had passed, the doors remained firmly shut.
Beyond them lay the throne room, and waiting inside…
Was the Last Knight.
Adam deactivated the concealment spell. There was no use for it now. He exchanged a brief glance with Luca before they stepped forward.
With a slow push, the towering doors began to open.
CREEEEAK…
The long, drawn-out sound echoed ominously through the castle.
15:12
Beyond them lay the grand throne room.
Even after more than two thousand years, traces of its former magnificence remained. Massive stone pillars stretched toward the high ceiling, while faded banners hung in tatters along the walls. A long crimson carpet, now darkened by age and dried blood, ran through the center of the hall.
At the far end stood the throne. And sitting upon the steps leading toward it was a lone figure.
A knight.
Its armor was crimson red, though the passage of time had left it scarred and weathered. A massive greatsword rested beside it, its blade nearly as tall as a man.
The knight remained completely motionless, its head lowered.
As though it had been sitting there for all eternity. Waiting.
The moment Adam and Luca stepped inside the throne room, the knight raised its head. Two white orbs glowed to life behind its visor.
And the next moment, the entire castle was bathed in its killing intent.
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