97 The Half-Awakened Knights

--- Loki ---

There's a reason why I've always held the 4th seat without facing any challenges.

In the Cult of Diablos, no one truly knows the full extent of my power.

I'm not like Jormungandr, who charges into battle without a second thought, focused solely on fighting.

Nor am I similar to Freya, who uses her beauty as a weapon to charm and manipulate others.

And I couldn't be more different from Hel, who is beloved by Death.

It might seem counter intuitive because others might perceive me as weak and try to challenge me, but in reality, it has the opposite effect.

The fear of the unknown is ingrained in us humans, stemming from our primal instincts.

As someone who thrives on emotions, I can actually grow stronger when my opponents underestimate my true strength.

This unique ability was granted to me by Mara, the 3rd Knight of Rounds.

"Use this to govern over the Cult and expand its influence over this World"

I can't recall her physical appearance, nor do I understand why she suddenly bestowed this responsibility upon me.

All I can remember is her voice, dripping with indifference, as if the task held little importance to her.

It led me to believe that her perspective extended far beyond my own comprehension.

I'm not the only one who received powers from those elders.

Hel, Freya, and Jormungandr also gained their abilities from one of them.

We were known as the Half-Awakened Knights, a distinction that set us apart from the rest, who would forever remain ignorant of the 'truth'.

Due to our lack of absolute trust in each other, many details were omitted, but understanding this distinction was essential within the Cult of Diablos.

The only drawback is that we're uncertain whether this power was merely borrowed or if it was inherently ours, awakened by some external force they used on us.

For those reasons, the other three are deeply apprehensive about opposing the elders, but personally, I couldn't care less.

If I didn't serve a purpose in their plan, they wouldn't have bestowed upon me power and authority.

"Do you honestly believe you alone can handle the four of us? You're severely underestimating us. I'll leave it to you three to put on a good show," I remarked, my tone dripping with arrogance.

"How conceited can you be? Tsk Tsk," Hel scoffed.

"...Formidable opponent," Jormungandr muttered absentmindedly, his focus solely on the prospect of a good fight.

Despite Hel's grumbling and Jormungandr's distraction, as long as they served my purposes, I had no qualms about utilizing them.

By asserting my dominance as the 'strongest' among us, I subtly implant the idea in her mind that I am a formidable enemy.

Sure, it might come off as arrogance, but I'm willing to embrace that if it means shaping her subconscious perception of me.

The only hiccup in my plan is this barrier that was hastily erected before I could fully execute it.

While the others engage the Demon Queen in battle, I'll focus on dismantling this barrier.

If I can demonstrate my ability to break through such obstacles, my power will undoubtedly surge.

After all, I'm not relying solely on one trick.

I wouldn't have rushed here if that were the case.

--- Hel---

It's frustrating to be treated as inferior, especially when our powers aren't all that different.

But for the sake of this plan, I'll tolerate it.

Though I'm known for wielding Death, it's merely a manifestation of my true abilities.

In reality, I possess the power to manipulate souls, whether they're living or deceased.

Once my Magical Power touches another, it's essentially game over.

The only individuals immune to this ability are those granted power by the elders. 

Because otherwise, they'd already have become my puppets.

I don't trust humans, after all.

The girl standing before us will become my puppet once we engage in combat. However, to conceal my true power, I'll ensure she's eliminated before revealing any hint of it.

Some might consider this an unfair advantage, which could lead to arrogance. But I refuse to underestimate my opponent like the others.

Aside from Freya who wasn't even interested in her, Jormungandr recklessly charged at her without even assessing her capabilities.

"...I always tell him it's wiser to assess the opponent first."

What a dumbass.

If she weren't confident in facing us, she wouldn't have been thrust into this barrier to battle against four of the most formidable opponents known.

The only worry nagging at me is...

'The individual who erected this barrier... is far stronger than me.'

An impenetrable barrier that cancels my power with a touch.

A boundless strength indifferent to life or death itself.

If his power is that overwhelming, then it's likely my abilities won't work on him either.

Tsk. This is precisely why I detest going against strong opponents.

If someone of such strength deliberately erected this barrier, does that mean they're confident the young girl can handle us?

I summoned my scythe, preparing to uncover the truth.

--- Freya ---

Unlike the others, I remained indifferent to the current situation, unaffected by Loki's arrogant rambling.

My gaze pierced through the barrier, locking onto a muscular man with dark hair and piercing red eyes, his demeanor cold and detached as he observed the members of the Cult of Diablos.

My breath caught in my throat, a sudden heat stirring between my legs.

'That man...I want him'

He's...so strong, and so handsome.

To achieve my goal, I must eliminate this young girl.

Otherwise, that man won't even spare me a glance, I'm certain of it.

My ability is straightforward.

I can charm any human, but if they're significantly stronger than me, there's a condition I must fulfill first.

While I possess some combat skills, I rarely find the need to use them. Using seduction is far more efficient than resorting to physical confrontation.

However, with this girl, that approach won't be enough.

The Magical Power enveloping her armor and sword is too potent for me to penetrate.

That means I'll have to engage in real combat.

It's been quite some time since I've faced such a challenge.

I'll view this as a warm-up for what lies ahead.

---

Author's Note:

After careful consideration, I've decided to explore the Knights of Rounds a little bit more before the fight with Alexia, so that it will at least be exciting for you all to figure out how Alexia will deal with them.

I think it also gives a good idea of the level Akira has now reached behind the scenes.

Do you think it's been a good idea to at least know the extent of their powers, or do you think I should've just hurried along? Feel free to tell me!

P.S. You will understand the meaning behind the title of this chapter as we progress through the last chapters of this Trial