Chapter 55: Kneel down

The moment the most important person in her life disappeared, Lortissa’s emerald eyes dilated slightly, as if losing focus.

For the first time, cracks appeared in those green eyes.

Yet, the Dread Knight who had unleashed the storm of “Doomshade” did not vanish amid the swirling black mist.

“The radiant Lortissa, dazzling and splendid as she is,”

Norsen’s voice rang through the storm, lofty and commanding, as if sent by the Divine to define the world beneath the moonlight,

“is indeed powerful, but nothing more than that—not invincible. Lady Lortissa, you will always remain within the bounds of humanity; every human has their weakness.”

The black mist above slowly parted, like curtains being drawn aside.

Norsen’s figure emerged.

In his hand, he tightly gripped the Knight Commander’s spear forged from “Moonsilver,” which now gleamed with a cruel, cold light.

The spear’s tip pierced straight through Vis’s chest, lifting him high into the air, suspended in midair.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. She watched helplessly as the silver-shining blade penetrated Vis’s chest.

Blood trickled along the patterns engraved on the spear’s shaft, refracting a light of despair beneath the flawless silver mirror’s surface.

Vis’s body twitched faintly like worn canvas.

Each twitch caused the spear’s tip lodged in his chest to stab deeper, letting more blood gush out.

“Vi—”

Lortissa couldn’t even finish calling his name; her body acted before her mind.

The golden glow extinguished, replaced by a more intense blaze of magical energy.

The rocks beneath her melted into crimson lava, and the air warped and twisted under the extreme heat.

The next moment, she became a burning meteor, hurtling straight toward Norsen.

Her strike cut across the valley with furious wrath, causing the surrounding black mist to wail and retreat, while loose rocks began to cascade down the canyon walls.

“Too late~”

Norsen laughed lightly as he merged back into the black mist.

At the moment of his disappearance, a wave of heat born from burning magic swept over the spot, leaving behind only emptiness.

By now, this was no mere black mist disaster; the raging heatwave vaporized everything within its reach.

The air was thick with the scent of scorched flesh, yet not a single strand of Norsen’s hair was touched.

“Ah ah~”

Norsen’s voice came from another direction, filled with immense satisfaction and delight.

“So even the arrogant Knight Commander shows such an expression? Look at those beautiful eyes—now filled with panic and fury. Finally, you’ve dropped that haughty, indifferent pride. How refreshing!”

Lortissa ignored his taunts completely. Her golden form grew dimmer as she frantically darted through the valley.

Each movement left a scorching streak of light in the air.

She was like a beast trapped in a cage, futilely chasing the hunter’s voice.

The black mist dispersed wherever she passed, yet she could never catch Norsen’s true form.

“Don’t be so impatient.”

Norsen reappeared directly above Lortissa.

The Knight Commander’s spear in his hand rotated slightly, stirring the wound in Vis’s chest, causing him to cough up a mouthful of fresh blood.

In a voice reminiscent of a documentary narrator, deliberately clear and refined in the tone typical of noble youths with special training, Norsen spoke with amusement:

“Oh dear, oh dear, look at that—this little bug isn’t dead yet. But, well, death is very near.

Lady Lortissa, if you don’t want his head to join the ‘Doomshade,’ you’d better keep calm…”

Seeing that Vis was still alive, Lortissa froze instantly.

The golden light around her flickered and dimmed like a snuffed candle, leaving only faint sparks trembling anxiously.

Her fists clenched and unclenched, then finally hung weakly at her sides.

“Good. That’s better.”

Norsen smiled, a mixture of mockery and disgust twisting his lips.

“If you behave, I’m not opposed to leaving his body intact, you know?”

Lortissa gritted her teeth, struggling to contain the turmoil of urgency and rage inside her chest, and managed to speak with difficulty:

“State your conditions.”

“No~ no~ no~”

Norsen shook his index finger gently.

“First, Lady Lortissa, your attitude is all wrong. I’m not negotiating with you; it’s out of kindness and mercy that I might grant your request.

“You come at me—fine. But if you want me to spare Vis, I’ll agree to whatever you ask.”

Seeing Lortissa finally bow her head slightly, Norsen felt an overwhelming satisfaction.

“Good, good, good. By all logic, a dog begging should at least behave like a good dog.”

His gaze at Lortissa was filled with contempt.

At last, it was his turn to return the cold indifference to this young Knight Commander.

“If the vanguard’s revered Knight Commander is seen crawling on the ground, begging—oh no, pleading like a tavern wench—what a disgraceful sight that would be.

Ah~ but you were a lowly commoner to begin with. Perhaps this is the role you were born for.”

His eyes gleamed with the cruel amusement typical of lowborn nobles.

“First, kneel!”

His tainted laughter pierced Lortissa’s dignity like a poisoned dagger.

The young Knight Commander’s body stiffened noticeably,

but her heart forbade her to resist.

For Vis, she would endure anything.

Without him, there would be no Lortissa now.

Under Norsen’s malicious gaze,

Lortissa slowly bent her knees.

Her movements were deliberate and slow.

When her right knee touched the cold ground, the entire valley fell into a terrifying silence; even the wandering spirits ceased their wails.

“That’s it. Oh, and don’t forget to remove your armor… but since you tore through your gear so easily, ripping off your clothes should be no trouble, right? That might even look better.

In any case, show yourself well, let them admire, then trample—you are like a wildflower by the roadside, and that’s your value.”

Norsen praised with delight.

Lortissa gave no reply, only bowing her head.

Golden bangs fell over her face, hiding her expression.

“Now, hurry up and get on with it. Don’t dawdle… My spear has no patience—”

Norsen was eager to see the performance ahead but was suddenly met with Lortissa’s fiercely raised gaze.

“Heh.”

A cold laugh.

Though it should have been unheard, nothing escapes Norsen’s senses within the “Doomshade” mist.

“Hm? What are you laughing at?”

“I’m laughing at you—”

The young Knight Commander’s voice returned to its rightful calm,

“just as foolish as all those who underestimate him.”

Before she finished, Vis suddenly opened his eyes.

There was no hint of death’s haze in his gaze.

With both hands, he suddenly grabbed the spear piercing his chest, blood spurting from between his fingers.

“What?!”

Norsen was shocked, trying to pull back his spear, only to find it firmly held in place.

Vis twisted his bloodstained lips into a mad grin: “I told you, Knight Lord—the countryside cockroach… is very tough!”