Chapter 9: Black Flame

Vladkov watched the Homer Knights undergoing their routine training with a complex expression. The sturdy warhorses remained unusually calm under their riders’ control. As the powerful drumbeats sounded, the horses executed elegant and precise movements under the riders’ skilled command—like gentlemen in the wind or lotuses in the rain. The knights carried out this almost theatrical training with utmost precision.

In Vladkov’s view, such formation-based movements were meaningless in actual combat. Yet he understood that it was one of the best ways to train knights in discipline and teamwork. Only by concentrating fully on this training could a knight truly integrate into the order and become one of its members. Only then could the order harness its collective strength to defeat enemies in real warfare.

A knight’s strength did not stem solely from individual ability, as individual power was rather insignificant in war. It was only collective strength that could determine the outcome of a battle. Leclerc clearly understood this. There were not many knights in the Homer Knights who possessed strength comparable to his own; most were apprentices with courage and a spirit of dedication. Their individual abilities were merely passable—slightly better than ordinary infantry soldiers. Yet through such team training and the power of their horses, a knightly force like this could achieve unimaginable combat effectiveness in war.

The skirmish with the Poznan Knights had already proven Leclerc’s success. The clash between the two orders was nothing short of classic. Although the Homer Knights intervened at a somewhat opportunistic moment under Comer’s strict orders, their performance once they rushed onto the battlefield was still flawless.

The role played by the Homer Knights in this war was obvious. If they had not swiftly shattered the Poznan Knights and disrupted their infantry formations, the Homer side would have suffered far greater losses.

It was a young and energetic team. Although Leclercr didn’t want to take on this somewhat tricky task, Komer unhesitatingly assigned him the mission of establishing a combined order of Homer and Poznan. The remaining knights from Poznan were integrated into the Homer Knights, becoming part of this combined order. Through a selective process full of challenges, Leclercr’s methods finally stirred the fighting spirit of the initially reluctant Poznan knights, marking the beginning of rebuilding a knightly order.

Leclercr had also long noticed the Dark Knight standing outside the training ground, watching from afar. Though they now belonged to the same faction, pride and some inexplicable emotions made him decide to maintain a cold distance. This man had been silently observing the knights’ training for days, which piqued Leclercr’s curiosity, though he didn’t intend to interfere.

The Dark Knight finally left, and Leclercr didn’t even notice when. He had no idea that it was precisely his outstanding performance that would later lead to the rise of a nightmare-like group across the continent.

“What? You’re leaving?” Sorenberg was so surprised he could barely close his mouth.

In fact, his relationship with Vladkov was rather strange—it wasn’t that of close friends bound by life and death, nor were they particularly close. They maintained a relationship as polite as water between gentlemen. Yet, their lack of intimacy in personal matters didn’t hinder their exploration of martial arts; in fact, they could even discuss certain life perspectives together.

“Hmm, I have a new idea. I want to find like-minded companions. I think if many people work together, we might be able to achieve more than individual efforts alone,” Vladkov said softly, his determined gaze unmistakable.

Sorenberg nodded thoughtfully. “Though I don’t entirely agree with you, I respect your opinion. A knight’s strength should be demonstrated through individual prowess. Relying on a group? That’s something soldiers do.”

“No, individual strength is certainly important, but in war, the power of a group is just as vital,” Vladkov shook his head. “Leclerc has proven his success. Although I’m not too fond of his approach of forming a knight order with a large number of apprentice knights, if one can gather a certain number of elite knights to form a combat unit, I think the power of a team can be demonstrated both in war and in everyday battles.”

Sorenberg sighed. He could see that his companion had already made up his mind. He didn’t want to interfere with what the other wanted to do. In life, one should do what they desire—only then is life worthwhile. Without trying, how can one know whether it will succeed or fail?

“What are your plans?” Sorenberg asked after thinking for a moment.

“The Northern Continent lacks the environment for my ideas to take root. It’s filled with the oppressive atmosphere of the Light Church. I want to go south, starting from Flanders. There, with its fertile dark soil, I might be able to find enough companions.” Vladkov’s gaze drifted southward—there was his true destination.

“Why must it be the south to find what you’re looking for? Going far just to avoid what’s nearby isn’t a good habit,” Sorenberg shook his head. “As far as I know, such people exist in Homer, in Nicomedia.”

“Oh?” Vladkov raised his eyebrows in surprise. “I don’t seem to have heard of that before.”

“Heh, that’s not surprising. In the North, these people always like to hide their identities, but they still like to be active,” Sorenberg smiled slightly. “They’re called Fallen Knights. It seems even Lord Komer has suffered their ‘greetings’ before.”

“Fallen Knights?” Vladkov nodded in realization. “Good. Maybe I can find my first group of like-minded people here.”

“Well, I believe you’ll get your wish. By the way, does your knight order have a name?” Sorenberg asked.

“Well, how about the Black Flame Knight Order? The word ‘dark’ is too sensitive. I think the symbol of the order should be a cluster of black flames.” Determination shone in Vladkov’s eyes, like a blazing black flame.