Hate me, Miss Witch!

[The "Knight King" has increased his favorability towards you by 5 points.]

[Current favorability is: 50 (Trust)]

Finally got there.

Seeing the information that emerged in his mind, Shiayar couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Over the past half-year, he had truly become a master of time management.

On one hand, he served as a Knight of the Sacred Hall in the Dawn Church, occasionally going out on duty, and incidentally raised the favorability of that Legendary Rank Cardinal to over 50.

On the other hand, as the founder of the Daybreak Organization, he traveled across Escarnia, spreading the will of dawn.

Meanwhile, he campaigned far and wide in the guise of the Black Knight.

Even Silver and the others had to be perpetually on the move, dispatched everywhere as members of the Daybreak Organization.

Fortunately, the outcome was quite satisfactory.

Shiayar's gaze rested on the lines of text that appeared on the mental screen.

[Historical Legend Rank – Dawn's Light]

[Rarity: Purple (Upgradable)]

[Owner: Shiayar Egutt]

[Territory: Escarnia]

[The "Daybreak" you forged has become the dawn illuminating this chaotic world, changing the destinies of countless disaster victims. And that will of the dawn, because of your existence, is now sung by the myriad peoples of this land.]

...

[Black Knight Cain]

[Rarity: Purple (Upgradable)]

[Title Holder: Shiayar Egutt]

[Territory: Escarnia]

[You are the embodiment of darkness, the strongest knight bathed in blood; in the eyes of others, a demonic figure, fierce and unafraid of death. You have weathered hundreds of battles undefeated and passed through innumerable calamities unscathed. The phrase "No one can harm the Black Knight" has become a curse, a nightmare in the hearts of numerous enemy commanders, inciting fear at the mere sight of your black hair and dark eyes.]

[Title Attribute: When you appear as Black Knight Cain, all enemies who have heard of the Black Knight's name will harbor fear toward you.]

...

The Historical Legend Rank 'Dawn's Light' and the title 'Black Knight' were the greatest recognition for Shiayar's efforts over the past year.

But it's not enough...

Shiayar looked at the purple Historical Legend Rank and the purple title displayed in his mind and shook his head slightly.

In his previous life, there was a saying: the higher you stand, the harder you fall. Bystanders often act this way, unabashedly praising and deifying individuals, elevating a flawed yet good person onto a pedestal. Then, when that person shows a flaw, they don't hesitate to attack with the most venomous and harsh words. They want to see the once-exalted saint fall to earth, satisfying their own urge to criticize. From heaven to hell is but a moment...

In others' eyes, this would be a great calamity and a devastating blow. Many with weaker mental fortitude might even commit suicide due to such a drastic fall.

But to Shiayar, existing within the Echo of History, he could hardly wait for this.

Falling back to earth would be good. Being pointed at and criticized would be good. I hope everyone will step on me when the time comes. If you don't fervently build me up as a god only to tear me down, how am I supposed to gain that negative Historical Legend Rank? As for being cursed through the ages, forever infamous... He'd confirmed over and over that the Knight King wouldn't live for a thousand years. Could he really come back for revenge? And even if he did come back... You'd be cursing Cain. What does that have to do with me, Shiayar Egutt?

For the sake of this eternal infamy and the ultimate mission reward, Shiayar had spared no effort.

During this time, the first thing he did every morning upon waking was to hypnotize himself in the mirror using 'Moon Reading,' truly convincing himself he was playing the part of a perfect, flawless saint.

Humility, honor, sacrifice, bravery, mercy, spirit, honesty, justice. He embodied all eight knightly virtues.

It was all to ensure that when the reversal happened, his reputation would plummet harder, and then harder still. "Turns out, he was just pretending all those days!" "To lull us into a false sense of security, he faked it so convincingly; how hateful!" "I even considered the Black Knight my idol, but now it seems I was completely misguided." "To think that Cain was such a person!" Just thinking about it feels great.

But the time is not yet ripe. Escarnia hasn't been entirely unified yet, and my reputation hasn't reached its peak. The Empire must be truly established. Both the Daybreak Organization and the Black Knight, as esteemed founding retainers, must be hailed at their zenith. Only then will it be time to reap. Shiayar, endure! Of course, there's nothing wrong with being an upright knight, expanding territories... but playing the villain offers me much broader horizons, after all.

...

"Your Highness Artorigus, Your Highness Cain."

A voice called out from a distance.

A knight in armor approached, stopping a short distance away and kneeling on one knee.

"We've received intelligence from the Dawn Church."

"The stray Abyss Demons that used to hover around our defensive line, harassing the border villages, have for some reason vanished in recent days and are no longer attacking."

"Moreover, even the forces of Despicable King Vortigern, stationed on the other side of the wasteland, have shown signs of retreating."

The knight spoke respectfully.

Through the visor of his helmet, he looked up at the two figures standing side by side on the city wall.

The Knight King, naturally, needed no introduction, and Cain's renown had been forged through countless military achievements.

Furthermore, it was due to Cain's influence that the Dawn Church held a favorable attitude towards this fledgling Alliance Forces, frequently exchanging supplies and intelligence, and engaging in mutual support.