**Chapter 13: The Crystal Knights**


    The boy with short, light blue hair jumped onto his bed, clutching the book titled *The Theory of Life Before Menma*. The room was quiet, save for the soft rustling of pages as he flipped through the book. Fulan, lying on his own bed, broke the silence with a calm tone.


    "That book you''re reading..."


    The room fell into a deeper silence as the blue-haired boy remained engrossed in the text. For over two minutes, he didn''t respond, his eyes scanning the page with intense focus. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady but filled with intrigue.


    "The Theory of Life Before Menma, written by Knight Mahiro Junior. He claims that over 1,601 years ago, there were civilizations that reached the pinnacle of progress and development. He talks about artifacts he discovered in the outside world, things he couldn''t identify or understand their purpose."


    Fulan listened intently, his gaze drifting toward the clouds outside the window near his bed.


    "In short, they''re just ancient relics from past civilizations," Fulan remarked casually.


    The boy lifted his eyes from the book and shifted his gaze to Fulan, his tone calm but firm.


    "Mahiro suggests that *we* are the ancient civilization, not them. To us, these artifacts may seem meaningless, but to them, they held great significance and had uses we can''t even comprehend."


    Fulan remained silent for a few seconds, then spoke again.


    "An advanced civilization destroyed by a single virus? I wonder if people back then lived without slavery or wars... Anyway, this Mahiro person—I think I''ve heard his name somewhere before."


    The blue-haired boy''s expression shifted slightly, his demeanor becoming more serious.


    "Huh?! You don''t know who Mahiro Junior is?"


    Fulan replied immediately, his tone unchanged.


    "That''s why I''m asking. I''ve heard his name before, but I can''t quite remember where."


    The boy quickly closed the book and held up the cover for Fulan to see.


    "He''s written numerous incredible historical books, as well as works describing the outside world! Even adventurers who graduate from this academy make sure to read his books before venturing out. Some professional adventurers have admitted that Mahiro''s books saved their lives in the outside world because of the knowledge they contain!"


    Fulan shifted his gaze from the window to the boy''s face, his voice still calm.


    "That''s not what I meant. I''ve heard Mahiro''s name in a different context, not as a famous author or anything like that."


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    A excited smile spread across the blue-haired boy''s face. He stood up, placing his right fist over his heart.


    "Mahiro Junior is one of the Nine Crystal Knights. They''re not just the nine strongest soldiers in the kingdom—they''re the nine strongest men in the entire world! What truly terrifies people across the globe isn''t the Saita Kingdom''s army, its wealth, or its status. The real reason the Saita Kingdom is feared is because of the Nine Crystal Knights. Even someone like me can tell that those individuals are on a level so far beyond my own that I could train my entire life and never reach their strength."


    Fulan acknowledged the boy''s strength and speed, but hearing him speak so reverently about the Crystal Knights made him realize that these knights were on an entirely different plane of power. Fulan''s voice remained calm as he probed for more information.


    "The Nine Crystal Knights? What sets them apart from ordinary knights?"


    The blue-haired boy smiled and sat back down on his bed, his tone relaxed.


    "It''s clear you''re not from the Saita Kingdom. What I admire about this kingdom is that, unlike others, it accepts everyone. It doesn''t matter if you''re black or white, strong or weak—as long as you''re in Saita, you''re safe. Anyway, there are four main ranks of knights. The Black Armor Knights are the ones you see patrolling the streets and guarding the gates. Then there are the Silver Armor Knights—their numbers are also large, and their duties aren''t too different from the Black Armor Knights, but they''re occasionally sent outside the kingdom for missions. They''re stronger than the Black Armor Knights. Next are the Gold Armor Knights. I''ve heard their total number doesn''t exceed 300, and they''re powerful enough to take on wild, raging beasts. These knights only move when a mission is classified as Rank A, whether inside or outside the kingdom. Finally, there are the Crystal Knights. As I mentioned, there are only nine of them. They''re the king''s personal guards and only act on his direct orders. The presence of a single Crystal Knight in the kingdom is enough to make it secure. No one would dare invade or attack. Imagine having nine individuals of that caliber in one place! It''s said that sending just three of them could bring an entire kingdom to its knees. Even if you sent an army of 1,000 men, a single Crystal Knight could crush them all and still stand as if they''d just warmed up."


    Fulan had no idea such soldiers existed. His ultimate goal had been to use his abilities to assassinate the king swiftly and unnoticed, completing his mission. But now, a significant obstacle stood in his way.


    Descriptions weren''t enough, and rumors remained just that—rumors. Fulan needed to witness the strength of the Nine Crystal Knights for himself. Only then could he decide his next move.


    As these thoughts raced through his mind, Fulan''s expression remained calm, but his resolve deepened.


    *''Even if I spend three full years gaining trust, becoming a knight, and earning the chance to meet the king... If even one Crystal Knight is with him, they could protect the king regardless of my speed. Not only that, but they''d kill me instantly. That bastard knew all of this already, yet he still sent me on this impossible mission...''*


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