Chapter 38: The Oath
Rudolf Azregon
Slash. Sidestep and thrust.
This is what I've been working for. Now that I have succeeded on recruiting Amphere on the Chevalier Unit, he can finally learn everything. About Arcadia. About Airelina's sins. I will just have to wait for my opportunity to tell him. Wait for the perfect timing.
Hack, thrust and thrust. Clashing metals echoed throughout this training hall.
But right now is not the time for revelations. Currently, Kyle is testing out Amphere's sword skills. No one is using their full power right now. It feels like a farce to me. Kyle and Amphere are not that lousy, but they seem to be talking about something as their swords smash to each other. Reina and I were watching them from a distance.
"This is not what I wanted to see." Kyle said disappointingly. "I wanted to see your crimson eyes, the one you activated when we first crossed swords. I wanted to see the fury and the fire of protecting your loved ones."
"So my crimson eyes were there when I saved Airi?" Amphere made a yucky fake smile. "I'm sorry, I don't have any idea to activate it."
Kyle scrunched as he immediately snapped. He made a heavy uppercut slash using his slim sword, which was immediately blocked by Amphere's saber. But the force was so strong that it made the photon saber flying, rotating for two thousand degrees and then finally stabbing itself to the ground.
"Then this swordplay has no point then." Kyle pointed his sword to the unarmed Amphere's throat. But Amphere didn't feel like he's threatened. He looks like he's still playing and not paying attention.
Kyle immediately backed out, seriously pissed, and walked away with a click on his tongue. Seeing that, Amphere made a smile as if he finally triumph his greatest enemy. He then approached me so I threw him a bottle of water. He's not even drenched with sweat.
"Are you really staying with a boss like that?" Amphere looked at me and Reina with curiosity. "That guy is harebrained bipolar bastard. And also, a sex offender…at least to his dragonoid. Why do you stick with him?"
"Maybe because we're on the right side?" I said with confidence. "Our boss might be somewhat crazy but it doesn't mean that we're on the dark side."
"Oh, so you're still accusing me for being a part of Arcadia?" Amphere finally raised his voice.
"No. I've been telling you that Airelina is just using you. Estoff, Arcadia…They are the worst enemy you would encounter."
Though I still suspect him for being the new Black Phantom. My guts tell me the truth, but I have no definite proof. That show in the stadium in the tournament two days ago must've been staged to protect Airelina and Amphere.
Amphere didn't answer by then. It may be a strongly conflicting argument, but I still consider him as my best friend. I will save him from that evil dragonoid's hands even if Amphere will hate me.
I have to let off some steam so I went to the school cafeteria to have an iced tea, and then relaxed myself in the rooftops. Kyrie tailed me and noticed that I'm in deep thought so she sat beside me, while eating her chicken sandwich.
"You and Amphere used to take lunch here, right?" Kyrie relieved me from overthinking.
"Yes. We've been friends for a long time, and never did he make any absences in our lunch in the school. It can all be traced back in grade school." I gulped the last drop of iced tea on this plastic bottle. The last drop taste bitter, as bitter as our friendship right now.
"I know that there will be a time that Amphere will understand everything that you've done." Kyrie pulled my face with her soft palms and then kissed me on the lips. The soft sensation made myself comfortable with her every time she keeps encouraging me. Then she continued. "Just do and fight for what you believe, my dear."
"Yeah, that's what I would do!" Thanks to my love, my energy was finally replenished and my stress is no more, at least. "He maybe distant from me and more attached to Airelina and Estoff right now, but I will certainly save him! For I know what is right!"
Actually, Amphere has a point on hating General Kyle. Kyle usually oppresses the poor Elumina that would embarrass the lady for the rest of her life, which makes me wonder how come Elumina still sticks to that kind of person. He treats his dragonoid like a punching bag and every time I see Elumina, I would see countless bruises and scars all over her body. It seems like his image as a hero is a myth.
I don't like his ways, but I need Kyle to drag Amphere away from the Arcadia.
"By the way…" Kyrie raised her index finger. "You have to get ready for your promotion this night."
Hours go by in the Dragon Knight Academy with ease. It was already afternoon when I know it, and I find myself in the dressing room of the Dragon Knight Academy's celebration hall. Today is my best day in terms of my career as a dragon knight.
Currently, I am wearing a black tux with some silver shoulder armors and knee steel plates. I had my darling Kyrie to dress me up and fix my neck tie. By the way, Kyrie is also dressed with a magnificent white gown that only lacks a hair dress to be considered a wedding one. Every time I look at her, I see her walking by the altar, approaching to me and saying our sacred vows.
I have to get away with my fantasies. This is not a wedding. This is a promotion night.
Trumpets sing as the spirits of the planet dance with joy. As I entered up on the stage, the dukes and duchess, the generals and the dragon knights who are invited in this party was clapping as I made my grand entrance. Everyone except two people. Amphere and Airelina. They gaze at me with a fighting spirit, as if they didn't approve my promotion as of this time.
"I proudly represent to you, Rudolf Azregon, 1st class Dragon Knight of the Dragon Knight's Academy." Kyle said, as he was the one holding the mic for my promotion.
General Kyle lent me a golden sword, which I made the royal salute which involves unsheathing the sword and raising it up high pointing to the ceiling.
Then General Kyle continued the ceremony. "As the law of the Empire says, a General has the right to appoint a Pentagram Knight. I hereby appoint Rudolf Azregon to the position of the Fifth Pentagram Knight of the Empire of Alterra in place of Estoff Wraith, who disrespected his vows in the empire."
The trumpets made a more unfathomable yet royal theme orchestra as I got my tuxedo pinned with a golden face of a dragon badge; the sign of the Pentagram Knight. When I was presented, I put my right hand on my heart, and my left hand raised the golden ceremonial sword as I take my oath.
"I, Rudolf Azregon, solemnly swear that I will maintain my allegiance to the Empire of Alterra. I will obey the law as well as the legal orders of the duly constituted authorities therein. And conduct myself as an ally of justice according to the best of my knowledge and discretion. I will pledge myself to protect the Empire at all cost, in the price of my life, and in the price of my dragonoid. I will impose upon myself this voluntary obligation without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. So help me god."
The dukes and duchess celebrated as I finish the last sentence of my oath.
But my personal oath doesn't end there.
I promise to save my best friend from eternal darkness that is waiting to consume him. Even if it means my own life.