Prelude Suite: Keen-Edge, Silver Blade
| “ | The silver edge is unsheathed and Karlan takes its first steps. | ” |
Prelude Suite: Keen-Edge, Silver Blade is an Arknights manhua published by Terra Historicus as the second in the Prelude Suite series. Like its predecessor Cadenza Virtuosa, it is a one-shot comic released in two parts, acting as the prequel of Break the Ice and The Rides to Lake Silberneherze, and focuses on Enciodes Silverash's experience during his time in Victoria along with the events leading up to the foundation of Karlan Trade and the aftermath of the Snowcap Incident. Keen-Edge, Silver Blade also expands upon SilverAsh's second Operator Record, "Unbreakable Ice", and Degenbrecher's background.
Synopsis
Part 1
County Skyes, Western Victoria. Autumn 1089. Enciodes Silverash, then a young and inexperienced entrepreneur, is invited by Viscount Walden Caster, an old friend of his father, to the anual Harvest Festival, one of the biggest and most important events in Victoria. Despite the Duke of Caster not being able to personally attend the banquet due to her responsibilities, she personally instructed Walden to hold the party in his manor. Enciodes, being a distant relative of the Duke herself, plans to establish a successful trade relationship between Kjerag and the Viscount, so he decides to bring Gnosis and Degenbrecher to aid him. During the ride to Walden's manor, Degenbrecher remarks how she's getting bored after not doing anything important during the three months she has been working for Enciodes, to which he responds that the banquet is going to be the perfect time to need her help.
The story shifts to three months ago, in the Kazimierz border. After turning her back to the K.G.C.C., they dispatch Roy and the Armorless Union to "get her out of the picture", yet despite her injuries, the Black Knight managed to fend off the death squad operatives, giving them no chance to win. The battle is interrupted by Roy, who in company of Enciodes, informs her that he has just bought her for a large sum of money. Therefore, the K.G.C.C. can no longer hunt her down.
Back in the present, Enciodes explains that he's intending to use her to draw the Victorians' attention for his soon-to-be-established business venture. However, despite the reliable information from their contacts, Degenbrecher mistrusts his plan, as neither he or Gnosis barely have enough money. Enciodes also states the negative opinions Walden has from those who oppose him within the aristocracy, including the ruler of County Skyes himself, Baron Stewart, and the conflicts he has with him. Enciodes admits that there's a gamble in his plan, even though he and Gnosis have been planning this move from the beginning. Still, he views Stewart and Walden's differences as the the best bargaining chip. Degenbrecher accepts to help nonetheless.
Once arriving at the Walden Manor, the three notice ho the number of guards in the perimeter seemingly doubled. Enciodes and his companions are admitted as the greeted by the guests of the banquet, with Walden's eldest son, Carle Caster, being present. While Degenbrecher has been attracting people's attention, Enciodes is greeted by an old acquaintance, Tom, CEO of the Dalton Corporation, whom he briefly met a few days ago during a family reunion from his grandfather. However, the conversation is rudely interrupted by Carle, asking about why someone like Tom would establish ties with someone from a remote country, let alone Kjerag. After greeting Degenbrecher much to her indifference, Carle decides to talk with Enciodes, wondering why the Black Knight herself, a three-times champion of the Kazimierz Major, would be working for a so-called Kjeragian rich kid. Carle pridefully claims that his father is definitively the true right hand of the Duke of Caster, and recommends Degenbrecher to visit the manor more often. Regarding the subject, Enciodes says that Degenbrecher was about to retire after winning the Major three times, and decided to invite her to Kjerag to work for him. Degenbrecher confirms this, and much for the guests' surprise, she actually wants to see more of Kjerag, as it's regarded as the largest land of faith in Terra, in stark contrast to Kazimierz' luxuries. Gradually, all attention goes to Degenbrecher, and Carle is left alone, indignated.
Walden shows up personally to the banquet and orders Carle to not cause trouble with the guests. He greets Enciodes and remembers how he and Olafur met each other more than two decades ago, to whom Enciodes replies having heard of him, yet never had the time to visit County Skyes during his studies due to shame. Walden is aware of the business venture Enciodes is planning, and how Degenbrecher is being used as a cover to draw attention, and he's looking forward for him demonstrate his strength in order to establish a negotiation. Walden, full of dignity and courage, gives a ceremonial speech where he congratulates his guests, as they're distinguished figures within House Caster's Duchy. He seeks to develop County Skyes and its undeveloped land plots into a modern Nomadic City as a way to regain the Duke's favor and consolidates House caster's power as one of the pillars of the Victorian Empire, and ask his guests if they'll be able to demonstrate their worthiness.
Although Walden's speech was well recieved, Degenbrecher and Enciodes remark how he's well aware of his detractors, yet his speech managed to show his strength and dignity as a nobleman, not only provoking those detractors, but forcing them to stand by him. Later on, Baron Stewart arrives and is greeted by Walden. Enciodes thinks Gnosis is done with his preparations on the manor's garden, so he and Degenbrecher part ways to execute the plan. In the garden, Degenbrecher reunites with Gnosis, who tells her that if she dares to do any sudden move, he will go ahead with the plan nonetheless. Degenbrecher simply responds by snatching a mysterious paper he was holding.
Back in the manor, Enciodes personally visits Walden in his living room, recalling how his father told him that he often gazed upon the vast lands of Victoria from his window every time he had the chance. Both Walden and Enciodes agree that even though Nomadic Cities are huge, their majestic presence is nothing compared to Victoria itself. Enciodes, while holding a map of the manor's garden' layout, fears that Walden's habits could be exploited by others.
Back in the garden, Gnosis informs that unknown enemy soldiers sent to kill the Viscount are already on the move, but Degenbrecher, confident, hopes they end up being worthy opponents.
Part 2
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Characters
| Main |    | |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting |  | |
| Cameo |  | |
- Walden Caster
- Carle Caster
- Baron Stuart
- Julie: A young Victorian Feline noblewoman who's a huge fan of the Black Knight. She even has photos of every knight competition she participated.
- Tom: A Feline man who's the CEO of Dalton Commerce, and one of the guests of Walden's banquet. He's also an acquaintance of Enciodes.
See also
- Prelude Suite: Cadenza Virtuosa – the first manhua in the Prelude Suite series