Chapter 94 - Chapter 14: The Last Flame #9 (2/2)
”Yes, I don't know. But I would like to know.”
His desire to know had become stronger after her words. The last flame spoke again,
”How funny.”
The last flame was a queen. She uncrossed her folded legs and straightened her posture. Seeming to gaze into the distance, she recited a poem,
”Conquest, War, Death and Famine - the Four Knights of the Apocalypse.”
Flames rose up around the throne. The green flames started forming shapes: a crown to symbolize Conquest; a sword symbolizing War; a sickle symbolizing Death; and an empty bowl symbolizing Famine.
”They are the riders of the end and the ones longing for the destruction of the world.”
The flames erased the symbols. It was like the symbols had burnt and destroyed themselves.
‘Those who crave destruction.’
‘The ones who would cause the end.’
It seemed to be a natural story; War, death and famine - they were all words with negative connotations.
The last flame leaned back against her throne. She observed In-gong and said,
”However, you are a little bit- no, very different. Why are you a Conquest Knight?”
The last flame stopped talking. Then she stared intensely at In-gong and continued,
”The Knights of the Apocalypse are those who crave destruction. It isn’t because they are Knights of the Apocalypse. They were chosen as knights because they already have those urges.”
The only Knight of the Apocalypse that In-gong had faced directly was Gerard, the Famine Knight.
He was crazy.
He enjoyed destruction and slaughter and even tried to kill his own kin.
”You don’t wish for destruction nor do you enjoy destruction and slaughter. Moreover, you aren’t affected much.”
”Affected?”
He asked reflexively and the last flame laughed. She formed two flames which were connected by a thin line of fire in the air.
”Those who have been selected as a Knight of the Apocalypse — Conquest, War, Death, and Famine - those are the only things that can be expressed. The Knights of the Apocalypse are strongly affected by them. That is how their strength is able to grow. Under that influence, they will try to bring an end to the world. But you are different. You are almost unaffected by Conquest. Conquest also doesn’t want to conquer you. Rather...”
The last flame became hazy as she smiled. Her eyes narrowed and she whispered,
”Maybe she is hoping to be conquered by you.”
The golden-crowned woman with red and blue eyes...
She had never tried to manipulate In-gong and only revealed her appearance and voice when In-gong was in a crisis.
”This is just my guesswork. In fact, this is the first time I’ve encountered a Knight of the Apocalypse. I have said all that I know.”
The last flame laughed and crossed her legs again. Then she spoke with a frowning face that was similar to Felicia’s,
”You don’t wish for destruction, nor do you want to cause the end of all life. What do you want to do? Now that the three knights are pursuing its end, what do you want in this world?”
It was a fundamental question.
What did he want to do?
Go back to his original world?
Of course, he was thinking about returning, but there was one other thing in this world that he wanted to achieve.
He had always been thinking about it.
He wanted to stop the massacre of the lycanthropes...
And prevent the Day of Massacre.
He wanted to change the demon king’s children’s future of being killed by Zephyr. He wanted to protect everyone, including Caitlin and Felicia.
All these things could be summarized simply.
He wanted to change the ending... And stop the tragic ending of Knight Saga.
He needed to do so. That was what he needed to do.
He didn’t think it was the reason he was brought into this world. He didn’t consider what Conquest’s dream was. In-gong himself wanted to do this.
He would knock down Zephyr and all the Knights of the Apocalypse that were seeking destruction.
It didn’t matter if it coincided with the reason for his summoning or Conquest’s dream.
In-gong’s dream was to change the ending.
”You are not like the Knights of the Apocalypse, but you are a person well suited to be a Conquest Knight.”
The last flame lifted her hand as she said this. Then she formed a fist slowly.
”The Conquest Knight is the king who subjugates all things — he who was born with the fate of a king.”
Punishment, obedience, governance...
Skills, magic, guardians, the heart of an elder dragon...
And it didn’t stop there.
”The simplest and most perfect way to fulfill your desires is to become the demon king.”
The 4th Queen, Elaine Moonlight had asked him if he wanted to do this.
Chris, her son and one of In-gong’s strongest allies, had also asked him.
Now, the last flame as well.
”Lord, will you become the demon king?”
“I will become the demon king.”
In-gong declared.
It was so natural that the last flame was satisfied. She got up from her throne and approached In-gong.
“Conquest Knight, who seeks life and not the end- no, the King of Conquest...”
She laid her lips on In-gong’s forehead; the sacred flame blessed In-gong.
”I pray that your dream will be fulfilled.
[Divine Power Lv1 has been learnt.]
[Incarnation of Fire Lv1 has been learnt.]
[A ‘strong alliance’ has been formed with the last flame.]
[Your level has risen.]
In-gong smiled at the sudden words. Just like the actors that he had sometimes seen in movies, In-gong kissed the back of the last flame’s hand.
And her response to In-gong’s unexpected action?
The last flame laughed and kiss In-gong on the lips, not the forehead.
In-gong’s eyes widened at the sudden kiss and the last flame kept laughing.
The world was burning.
&
In-gong opened his eyes. Instead of the burning throne and the beautiful last flame, the room was filled with blue light.
It had been a short yet long conversation with the last flame.
There were certainly benefits. He had learnt a little bit about the identities of the knights and was able to clarify his purpose.
There was also one more thing.
Amita, who was staring blankly at the last flame, suddenly pounded on the ground with their tail. They jumped up and shouted at In-gong,
“Why? Why did the last flame suddenly ask me to make you a full set?”
Instead of answering, In-gong raised a hand to his lips. The pleasant heat was still lingering there.
”9th Prince! Answer me!”
In-gong looked toward the last flame instead of Amita. It felt like the green fire suddenly smiled.
“Full set... Thank you.”
In-gong said and Amita shook their head. Once again, their tail slammed against the ground angrily.