The Count’s Youngest Son Is A Player - Chapter 71

Episode 71’s

third screening was a relatively simple screening with clear results.

Activate the power armor prepared by the association and maintain the Mana Blade for 1 minute.

It was a screening to determine the qualifications of an ‘armor user’.

Some people might wonder.

If only armor users can be ordained anyway, why is there a need for the first and second screening?

There were various reasons, but the purpose of the association was clear.

It provides a promotional opportunity for the knights, an opportunity to recruit promising players for the nobles, and entertainment for the audience.

Through this, the association’s influence could be increased and the skills of certified knights could be more clearly verified, so the investiture ceremony was held as a festival rather than a simple event.

Anyway, the number of knights ordained every year was at most around 20. The rest were people who participated to test their skills or build their reputation.

And if I passed the second screening, I was able to achieve my goal to some extent. Because it is introduced to people alone.

Normally, many people would return after the second round of screening, but this year there was no sign of that happening at all.

The number of people who passed the second screening this year was approximately 70, which was more than the previous year.

This was entirely due to the participation of the First Knights, and it was because of them that the audience stayed in their seats.

“How many people will pass the third screening?”

“Maybe everyone will pass?”

“Ah, you have to tell jokes to a certain extent. Even masters from prestigious families say you have to be in your mid-20s to become an expert or not. Look, they’re almost in their early to mid 20s.”

“but. Even for the First Knights, that would be impossible, right? Then, as expected, they are regular knights who have already been ordained.”

Even most of the audience and observers expected that.

And there was another interest: Raoul.

“Then what happens to Raoul? “All the contestants who have beaten the judges so far have been ordained.”

“I know. “Isn’t it strange if you win so well but can’t be ordained because of the third screening?”

“I still can’t get the last scene out of my head. “I have never seen such a beautiful roundhouse kick in my life.”

“It was truly amazing. “I never knew a kick could be that powerful.”

“Anyway, I felt really refreshed. That nasty examiner probably won’t be able to eat porridge for a while. “The corn was blown away like that, hehe.”

“It’s a matter of justice. “How dare you do such a cowardly thing to Raoul.”

There was talk about Raoul’s evaluation throughout the audience.

At the last moment, Raoul deflected the ranger’s long sword with his two-handed sword and at the same time rotated his body and delivered a roundhouse kick.

Although it was embarrassing, it was the method chosen because it could not kill the judge, and it was natural that the audience went crazy for the dynamic and beautiful kick.

Meanwhile, a magnificent platform made of white marble was prepared in the center of the Colosseum, and participants were lined up for the third screening.

One unusual thing was that, in addition to the judges, there were paladins wearing pure white armor around the podium.

And their leader, Medeiros, was in the VIP room having a conversation with Gray, the wise man of Carson, the head of the Knights Association.

“Lord Medeiros. “There really won’t be any problem, right?”

“of course. Anyone with evil energy can never escape it. Isn’t that so, Mr. Gray?”

“Don’t worry. At least nothing will happen to innocent people.”

Only after Gray’s confirmation did the association president nod his head heavily.

“Then I will trust you two and proceed with the work. As you said, we have formed a clear siege around the Colosseum, so I will leave the rest to Lord Medeiros.”

“We will do our best to avoid any damage.”

Medeiros bowed his head and left the VIP area, and Gray looked down at the stadium with his unusually cold eyes.

The power armor used for this third screening was specially manufactured.

It was equipped with a type of ‘hybrid core’ that combined a core that uses general mana and a sacred power core exclusive to Paladins.

Normally, only the normal core is activated, but if black magic energy is detected, the sacred power core is activated and penetrates the wearer’s body.

Magi and divine power are polar opposites. A magic user exposed to divine power can never be safe.

If there was a spy for the Empire or a magic power user hiding among the participants, their identity would definitely be revealed during this screening.

‘You will never be able to escape.’

The reason Gray attended the investiture ceremony was because of Raoul’s invitation, but it was also to catch the Empire’s spies.

With Gray watching, the third screening began.

Participants had to go up to the stage alone, wear prepared power armor, and prove their qualifications.

Meanwhile, the magic screen briefly introduced the participants’ personal details and key scenes from the first and second screenings.

When the first participant safely activated the power armor and maintained the mana blade for one minute, applause poured in from the audience.

Subsequently, the judging process was conducted with repeated successes and failures of the participants.

And then something happened when it was the thirteenth contestant’s turn.

Pajijijik.

“Kwaaaak!”

The moment the participant activated the armor, sparks flew out and a black tattoo was engraved on his arm.

And black smoke billowed out from there.

“catch!”

Several judges and paladins jumped on the stage and surrounded the participants.

“Ugh. “What is this?”

The participant, who looked like a monster with thick blood vessels standing out on his face, wrapped his arms around himself and took a step back.

At that time, a paladin stepped forward, made the sign of the cross, and spoke.

“I sense an evil energy in your body. If you do not resist and follow God’s guidance, I will help you escape from the wrong path.”

“What nonsense? “Ugh, I don’t know what it is, but please help me solve this strange thing.”

The participant was able to pretend even though he was in pain. However, the black tattoos and black airflow that spread all over his body were not something that could be hidden.

“Whew. “It’s a pity that you have no intention of repenting.”

The paladin slightly shook his head, raised one arm towards the participant and muttered softly.

“The protection of the Holy Spirit.”

A bright sphere of light emerged from his palm and flew towards the participant.

Grumbling.

“Aaaah!”

The sphere that struck the participant burst into bright light and burned him with divine power.

‘Holy Spirit’s Protection’ was a blessing-type sacred magic, but to those with magical energy, it was no different from an attack.

The participant, who struggled in the flames of light for a few seconds, soon fell to the floor helplessly, like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

Click.

And then the power armor was released from his arms, as if its job had been completed.

“Please transport him to the temple.”

Under the Holy Knight’s instructions, soldiers put restraints on the participant and left the Colosseum on a stretcher.

The crowd, agitated by the sudden situation, was calmed down by the Chairman of the Knights Association himself using loudspeaker magic.

However, there were other people who really caught fire: they were spies hiding among the participants.

“What on earth is going on? This kind of screening without any explanation in advance? “I will not be judged!”

“okay. How can we trust whether that strange device is really detecting spies or not? This is definitely an operation to slander someone! “I will not undergo this kind of review either.”

Two or three contestants expressed dissatisfaction and left the group, with the judge blocking their path.

“Are you sure you don’t want to be reviewed?”

“exactly. Get out of the way!”

“All right. “Are there any more contestants who would like to give up judging?”

But no more deserters appeared.

“Then you follow me.”

The moment the examiner turns around like that.

Fu Chemical.

A strong force arose from the bodies of the contestant standing behind the judge and several people hiding in the line, and one of them quickly tried to snatch the judge’s weapon.

“joy! “What a foolish thing to do.”

Of course, the judge, who was prepared, drew his sword and quickly stepped back, and the contestant’s attempt was in vain.

But that wasn’t really it.

The four black knights, who had now taken on the form of monsters that could no longer be called human, were heading toward the place where Raoul and the First Knights were located, with ominous dark red flames rising.

They had already activated ‘Black Sacrifice’ as if they were prepared to die.

“Protect the Master!”

“Who do these guys dare target?”

However, as if they had already guessed it, the knights in formation calmly faced the enemies.

Since they had taken off their weapons and armor prior to the third screening, they were almost unarmed, but no one was scared.

Faaat.

As the members of the First Knights simultaneously gained momentum, golden mana surrounded them and opposed the black flames.

puck! Burbubbuk!

And the situation was resolved in an instant.

No matter how many suicide bombers were used, there was a basic difference in level.

Jake, Pierce, and the black knights surrounded by regular knights were unable to withstand the barrage of golden fists and stretched out.

“Holy Bless!”

“Purification!”

The rampaging black energy subsided thanks to the Holy Knights who arrived late pouring holy spells at the Black Knights, but it seemed like several people had already lost their lives.

In this way, the rampage of the imperial spies was suppressed in vain. But even the weight of the incident was not light.

Citizens could not hide their surprise when they witnessed the Black Knights of the Empire, whom they had only heard about through rumors.

Although they felt less anxious thanks to the easy subduing, the two words “empire” would remain in their minds for some time.

The VIPs and nobles who were observing also took this incident seriously.

I realized that the threat of the forgotten empire was closer than I thought.

When the situation was resolved, a paladin approached Raoul, made the sign of the cross and spoke.

“Thank you for your cooperation, brother.”

“I just did what I had to do.”

Raoul also made the sign of the cross and answered humbly, and the paladin grinned.

“I’m late to say hello. My name is Medeiros, a lowly servant who serves Zeno. Although I am not good enough, I am the head of the Knights of the Ruben Kingdom branch.”

“This is Raoul de Ashton, the third son of the Earl of Ashton. I was familiar with the reputation of the Holy Knight Commander. “It is an honor to meet you like this.”

Raoul was more surprised by the appearance of a big man than he expected.

The Zeno Order, which worshiped the God of Radiance, was the most powerful order that produced the current Pope.

Since he was the leader of the Holy Knights of the Zenon Church, he was not an easy person to meet.

“I often hear about your activities. On behalf of the denomination, I would like to thank you again. I can’t have a long conversation today because I’m not in a good position, but I’m sure I’ll have a chance to meet and talk with you again soon. May God’s protection be with you…”

Medeiros made the sign of the cross, bowed his head, and left.

‘It’s an unexpected harvest?’

It was much more advantageous to become acquainted with such a high-ranking person than to clumsily become friends with various priests.

Even if not immediately, we will definitely need the power of the church later.

Realizing once again that reputation is important, Raoul returned to the ranks.

Although something happened in the middle, the third screening has not yet been completed.

The judging began again at the Colosseum, which had been cleaned up.

(Continued in the next part)