Season 2 Chapter 4: The Truth from the Past

[4th Week of March 2021 — Meadowville City — Gateway 1 — Day 3]

Knight Supreme Marshal Winchester, along with all the Vanguards and Frontline Attackers, which included Light, Medium, and Heavy Infantry Divisions as well as Light, Medium, and Heavy Cavalry Divisions, returned to Meadowville City. They were met with cheers and congratulations for successfully protecting Meadowville for the past two and a half years.

Two banners were raised: the 75th Valkyrie Company on the right and the 85th Drakeshire Platoon on the left. They marched toward the center of the city, where Count Winchester's mansion and the headquarters of the 75th Valkyrie Company are located.

[Meadowville City Center — Command Center — Military Training Grounds]

Knight Supreme Marshal Winchester stood on the podium alongside his high-ranking officers and Knight Commander William von Mondragon, who was accompanied by his daughter and her own high-ranking officers. Winchester delivered a speech about the accomplishment in eliminating the monster rampage and congratulated everyone who had successfully achieved their new class evolution.

"Count Winchester, I heard that you received your new class evolution," William inquired, curious about the details. 

"Yes, I've become a Knight + Priest," Winchester replied. 

William was taken aback. "Wait, if you're saying you have the Priest class, does that mean your new class evolution is related to the Holy Knight?" 

Winchester nodded. As William replied to Accel, "It seems the Luminescent Faith will be making a move."

Winchester was perplexed, wondering why the globally recognized Luminescent Faith would get involved in this situation.

Winchester delivered his final speech, urging everyone to celebrate their success in defending Meadowville City. As the festivities resumed, it was time to reveal a surprising truth. Accel stepped down from the podium and approached a group of family members. The crowd began to back away, curious about what their Lord would do next.

"Why are you sad?" Lord Winchester asked.

"I wish our son could see this," replied Accel's mother, Aria. "He would be so happy to see a kind nobleman who has protected our village, transforming it into a city."

"Why do you say that, Lord Winchester?" Aria questioned.

Inside his helmet, Lord Winchester smiled. He deactivated his advanced concealment, and his voice and demeanor began to change. "What if your son were here and had been protecting this place for two and a half years already?"

Accel's father, Atlas, noticed the shift in Lord Winchester's voice. "Huh? Wait a minute, why does your voice sound like our son's?!?" he exclaimed, realization dawning on him. 

Lord Winchester then grasped his heavy sword from his back and placed it on the ground, kneeling before the crowd. Many people froze, shocked and curious as to why Lord Winchester was kneeling before Aria, Atlas, Axton, and Asher.

He removed his helmet and revealed himself, shocking most of the Meadowville citizens. "I am Accel von Winchester, Head of the Winchester Household and Military Rank 37th - Knight Supreme Marshal of the 75th Valkyrie Company." Accel raised his head to meet the gaze of his mother Aria, his father Atlas, and his younger brothers Axton and Asher.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Lord Winchester, a young boy who once played with swords, became a student at the National Mastery Academy. Now, he had grown into a nobleman and a militarist. Many old friends, including some older acquaintances, rushed toward Accel with shock and curiosity. However, Accel was completely unaware of the consequences that were about to unfold. When he turned to face his mother, Aria, instead of a look of happiness or surprise, he saw a face filled with terror and fear. This caused her to faint immediately.

"Mother!" Accel cried out. Without hesitation, he carried his mother to their mansion. "Bring the physicians and medics immediately!" He shouted. Accel's father, his younger siblings, the physicians, the medics, Count William, and Raizah all followed him urgently to the mansion.

After arriving at his mansion, Accel gently placed his mother on the bed. This time, instead of being unconscious, she began to feel pain and cried as the physicians and medics did their best to help her. Accel left the room, pacing back and forth, consumed by worry. Raizah and his siblings also shared his concern, but Accel noticed that his father, Atlas, remained completely silent throughout the ordeal.

Accel turned to his father and asked, "Father, you must know something?" He grabbed Atlas's shoulder, but his father continued to look down, clearly torn about something he wanted to say. After releasing a heavy sigh, Atlas finally spoke. 

"Son, I think it's time to tell you the truth about the past. This wasn't planned at all. We never expected you to become a nobleman; we would accept if you become part of the military. But your mother will be upset about you becoming part of the nobility, and since you revealed it in front of her, you've already seen the results. Do you have a private room where we can discuss everything? The others can join too." Atlas glanced at Count William and his daughter.

Accel was confused about what he had done to upset his mother and why she disapproved of him becoming a nobleman. "Father, follow me. I will take you to my office." They headed to Accel's main office, where Atlas would reveal the truth about the past.

"Your mother," Atlas said, his voice quieter now, "was once a noblewoman, promised to a man she didn't love. But she chose her own path—she left everything behind and ran away with me instead. That choice saved both our lives, but it cost her more than you'll ever know. She endured immense pain, as her parents beat her for refusing to marry a stranger—a man she didn't love. They locked her away in her mansion, and she was traumatized and terrified. 

But then a miracle happened. With the help of my old friends, we managed to rescue her from her despair, and together we fled the Valenwood Territory. Your mother, my friends, and I settled in a small village called Meadowville." 

As Atlas continued the story, Accel was filled with regret and wanted to cry. He had never known this painful truth about his mother's past. Atlas spoke of the promise made between him and Aria. "When you grow up, we intended to tell you this, but more likely, we would not allow you to become part of any faction for your safety. I don't want Aria to have to relive the nightmares of her past."

As the sun was setting, Accel went out to the balcony and sat down with Raizah. "I didn't know, I didn't even realize. I don't know what to say after Mother's recovery..." He began to cry, overwhelmed by his actions, and Raizah hugged him tightly. 

Meanwhile, at the dinner table, Count William, Atlas, Axton, and Asher were eating in awkward silence, still feeling the weight of the past events. To break the tension, Atlas spoke up, "So, Sir William, I know you are allies with my son, but is there something going on between your daughter and my son?" 

William replied, "Yes, it seems that your son has asked for my daughter's hand in engagement. They have been dating for two years without my consent. That was back when he was still hiding his identity. He came to our door and revealed that he was, in fact, a Count Winchester. And that's how everything happened..." 

Another uncomfortable silence settled over the room. While this is happening on Meadowvill City, they have already arrived through International Teleportation from Caelvaron (Europe) Continent to Velthuria (Asia) Continent, then uses the magical flight vessel going towards the Ilvarra Empire (Philippian Empire).

[Ilvarra Empire — Ilvarra Imperial Castle — Evening — Day 3]

"Welcome to the Ilvarra Empire, Lumen Acolytes (Disciples)!" The King of the Ilvarra Empire has personally invited all the Envoys of Light, the Lumen Acolytes, to the Ilvarra Imperial Castle. They will begin discussions on how to bless and baptize a certain individual they are focused on.

"According to the Lumen Revelation from the Saintess of Luminescent Hope, a young lamb has emerged and accepted the role of Holy Knight. We, the Lumen Acolytes, have come here to bless and baptize that individual." The Head Representative of the Lumen Acolytes stated his purpose.

The King replied, "Do you happen to know who this individual is?" 

The Head Representative answered, "Yes, the person's name is Accel von Winchester." 

The King then used a long-range message to inquire, "This is King Ramon Ignacio Deguerra. Is the Head of the House of High Lords from the Velthuria Continent available? I need his assistance in searching the noble registry for the name Accel von Winchester." 

After an hour of waiting, they replied, "Yes, we confirm that the name Accel von Winchester is registered. He is the newly established noble household and the Lord of Meadowville, a large-scale city on Darnathi Third Island."

King Ramon informed the Lumen Acolytes of Accel von Winchester's location. "Thank you, Your Majesty. We will leave immediately to meet him." 

However, the King suggested they rest in the Imperial Castle, but they declined, stating, "We understand your intentions, Your Majesty. Please do not attempt the same methods that other nations used against us; if you do, your nation will face the same consequences." They then departed.