Chapter 6

In the forest, Hell Knight, Saint Knight, and Yuna walked toward the Saint Associate Headquarters. 

Hell Knight began to ask Saint Knight, "Hey, Saint Knight... What do you think about the Cursed Humans?" 

Saint Knight replied, "I don't know, all I know is that they are all humans who have been cursed for some reason." 

Yuna overheard the conversation between Hell Knight and Saint Knight and stepped back a few paces. "What are you two talking about?"

"Master Rea was just asking about the Cursed Humans. Do you know anything about them?" 

"A little. The Cursed Humans are cursed humans. They can become Cursed Humans in any way, and they have different powers. However, one thing they all have in common is that they are immortal in age, and their appearance will never change. No one can remove the curse except death." 

The next day, the soldier carrying Lance Knight's message rode his horse into the city of Artyxia. Inside the palace, the king was sitting on his throne when one of the soldiers entered and knelt before him.

"Your Majesty, there is a soldier here with a message from Lord Lance Knight." 

A message from Lance Knight? What is happening there? "Let him in," the King commanded. 

"As you wish, Your Majesty." 

The soldier brought the messenger into the throne room and knelt before the King. 

The messenger said, "Your Majesty, I bring a message from Lord Lance Knight." 

"A message? Show it to me!" 

The messenger immediately handed the King a letter written in Lance Knight's blood. 

"Hero betrayed? What does this mean?" 

The messenger replied, "We don't know. We heard a very loud noise, and when we went to the source of the noise, Lord Lance Knight was already gone." 

"Inform the Guard Knight to secure the city tightly." 

Another soldier replied, "Yes, Your Majesty." 

A few hours later 

Hero arrived carrying Lance Knight's lance. Guard Knight saw Hero from a distance and immediately approached him. 

"Sir Hero, I will escort you to meet His Majesty. You can give the weapon to my subordinate." 

Hero replied, "Alright." He handed the lance to one of the guards. 

The Guard Knight began escorting Hero down a quiet street, while the guard carrying the lance hurried to the palace. However, Dark Mage and Shadow Knight appeared beside the alley the guard was passing through. 

"Shadow Knight, kill him and take your weapon," the Dark Mage ordered.

Shadow Knight silently exited the alley and approached the guard. With a single blow, he pierced the guard's chest with his hand, killing him, then took the Lance. Dark Mage emerged from the alley and approached the Shadow Knight. 

"Enter my shadow." 

Shadow Knight remained silent, walking toward Dark Mage's shadow, then began to enter it. 

A few moments later, inside the palace, the King was seated on his throne and heard the soldiers shouting and the sound of splattering blood. The door began to open, and he saw the Dark Mage opening it. 

Dark Mage smiled. "I've come." 

King was startled to see the Dark Mage. "William!" 

"Do you recognize me?" 

"Of course, because you are the only Mage who masters Dark Magic, and also the leader of the Knights of Demon." The King replied.

"You're quite good at figuring out my identity. Coincidentally, I have a new member... So guess who it is?" 

"What do you mean? Could it be another Demon?" 

"Wrong!" 

Shadow Knight's hand emerged from Dark Mage's shadow, then he slowly stepped out of Dark Mage's shadow while holding his lance. The King was startled by this, though the color was different, the armor and lance resembled those of a Lance Knight. 

The King began to shout, "AARON!" 

"Since you guessed wrong, die." said the Dark Mage. 

The King shouted, "You bastard—" 

Before the King could finish his words, the Shadow Knight quickly appeared before him, then stabbed the King's chest with his lance, piercing through his throne. 

The King began to bleed and grasped the lance. "You won't win." 

Dark Mage tilted his head, "Really?" The King's body began to weaken and he stopped moving. Dark Mage began to smile and laugh, "Now, come, my slaves."

On the road, Guard Knight was still leading Hero toward the palace. When they were on a deserted road, Guard Knight stopped and asked Hero to walk in front of him. The Hero complied, but instead of a wide path, he only saw a dead-end. 

The Hero turned around and asked in a confused tone. "Uh... Guard Knight, it seems like you took the wrong path." 

Guard Knight aimed his arquebus at the Hero. "You'd better stay there, Hero... No, Traitor!" 

To be continued.....