Chapter 112
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 112
The knights in charge of escorting the Lasker delegation. Their emotions were currently going through three distinct stages.
“My name is Karl Adelheit of the Friedrich County.”
Confusion.
“If possible, I’d like to spar with the knights here.”
Disbelief.
“Oh, and for the record, I’m the only one from the Empire.”
Anger.
At first, they were very confused when they heard someone from the Friedrich County was coming.
Although a lot of time had passed, many of the knights who were active back then were still there.
Those who had just become knights at that time were now veterans.
And for those knights, having someone from the Friedrich County present there was a bit…No, Very uncomfortable.
But then, the young nobleman suddenly said he wanted to spar with them.
They knew he was a Medal of Honor recipient.
But that was for rescuing allies and eliminating a small group of terrorists.
He had never experienced a large-scale knight battle like theirs.
They simply thought it was the youthful arrogance of a warrior. So they decided to humor him.
They thought it would be okay since he was from the Friedrich County, even though they had been enemies, he was still a respectable figure.
But what did he say?
He’s the only one representing the Empire?
What kind of nonsense is this?
“Ahem. Ahem.”
The head of the delegation also seemed displeased, clearing his throat several times.
He had also been a knight in the past, so this situation must not be to his liking.
He was holding back his words. He was waiting to see what kind of stance the Empire would take.
They knew how rude their words and actions were.
Even though he was a Medal of Honor recipient, not just once but twice, they should still exercise some caution—
“Hmm. What do you think, Lasker? We’re fine with it.”
“….”
The Empire is accepting this?
They’re going through with an unscheduled sparring match against the delegation, even though it’s very disrespectful, and without any objection?
‘This isn’t just the young man’s independent action. This is…’
Yes, this is what the Empire wants. What the imperial family, waiting for them in the capital, desires.
There’s no other reason for them to do this.
They know they’ll be criticized for being rude. They’re doing this even though it might strain their relationship with Lasker.
Something is definitely going on. But I can’t figure out what it is.
There’s only one way to find out.
I have no choice but to play along with this farce and get an answer.
“Sigh.”
The head of the delegation sighed and nodded towards the knights.
It meant that they had to comply for now, as they were in a situation where they had to adapt to the Empire.
The knights stepped back, but their expressions were far from accepting.
Their displeasure continued until they moved to the location provided by the Empire, and one of the Lasker knights stepped forward to face Karl, who was truly alone.
“I have one question, Karl Adelheit.”
The knight, keeping a reasonable distance, asked a question before the sparring began.
“If you lose, that means…”
“The Empire lost the friendly match.”
“But what if…”
“There won’t be any excuses about being outnumbered.”
The Lasker knight nodded at Karl’s answer.
He was a Medal of Honor recipient, after all.
Even though it’s from the Empire, it’s still the highest honor they recognize, isn’t it? Someone who holds that title wouldn’t speak carelessly.
‘In that case…’
In that case, I’ll win. I’ll win and pay the price for the Empire’s rudeness.
—Or so he thought.
Clang!—
With the bell signaling the start, he had just drawn his sword.
“…!”
Until he faced the cold blade of a greatsword pointed at his neck.
‘What the… When did he…?’
He didn’t underestimate his opponent. He didn’t let his guard down. This was a man from Friedrich, after all.
He was never relaxed. He had purely regarded him as an enemy and aimed his sword.
But he missed the movement. It was so fast that the sword in his hand wasn’t even fully drawn.
“Next.”
The knight looked into Karl’s eyes.
And for a moment, he flinched and shuddered.
That was something that couldn’t even be described as ‘chilling.’ He didn’t know what to say.
Was it anger? No, it was too cold to be anger.
Then was it hatred? But he didn’t even know who the target was.
More importantly, could those emotions coexist with such deeply sunken eyes?
If he was angry, if he was hateful, his eyes should be blazing.
But Karl’s eyes showed no such signs.
His body was here, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere.
It was as if he was floundering in ashes that had been burned out, where nothing remained.
“…I lost.”
As the defeated knight stepped back, another knight took his place.
He had been serious from the beginning, but after witnessing the first duel, his mindset completely changed.
This was no friendly match.
He understood why the Empire had suddenly sent this young man.
This was a fight to the death.
It wasn’t something that could be ended easily.
Clang!—
As soon as the bell for the next duel rang, the knight drew his sword while creating distance.
He confirmed that his opponent’s only weapon was the greatsword in his hand. He had no other armor.
In that case, he had the advantage in distance and reach.
He thought that as long as he didn’t allow a single opening, he could take control of the rest of the fight.
“Uh…?”
This… this was unbelievable.
The abnormally fast movements were one thing. The chilling aura he exuded at such a young age was another.
But with just a greatsword… How could he simultaneously aim for the neck, shoulders, chest, heart, and abdomen, all vital spots that could inflict fatal wounds?
He had to block.
Forget about distance and reach. His opponent had already far surpassed those.
This opponent defied common sense.
Only then did the knight realize who he was facing.
The Knight Crusher.
The Kingdom’s Nightmare.
And the name whispered by a few knights, Baba Yaga.
This young man was the descendant of the one who bore that ominous name.
He was the embodiment of the being that his senior knights, far more skilled than him, feared and revered.
Clang! Crack! Clang!—
He managed to block the attacks aimed at his neck, chest, and abdomen. But he couldn’t defend his shoulder.
If the greatsword landed, he would lose at least one arm.
Or worse, it could pierce his armpit and reach his lungs.
Thud—
However, what touched his shoulder wasn’t the blade of the greatsword, but the hilt.
He could only feel the murderous intent disappear after he had been gently pushed aside.
“Next.”
After lightly pushing the knight away, Karl turned his head towards the delegation.
“….”
“….”
The knights were speechless.
They tried to hide their expressions, but they couldn’t control their trembling hands.
‘What is that monster?’
He was a Medal of Honor recipient, but he had earned it in chaotic battles as a soldier.
And such large-scale battles were completely different from one-on-one duels like this.
Therefore, the Lasker knights believed they had a good chance of winning.
But what was that?
Did he not participate in battles during the war and instead go around cutting down skilled individuals?
How else could they explain that ominous aura and vicious swordsmanship?
He was a Monster.
He reminded them of the one who once displayed overwhelming, even terrifying, martial prowess against Lasker…
“…What?”
Meanwhile, the Lasker delegation, who had just received some urgent news, was shocked.
He rushed into the middle of the sparring match, stopped them, and shouted at the Imperial officials.
“Wh-what is this!”
“What is what?”
“Don’t play dumb! H-he’s heading for the border right now!”
The Knight Crusher.
The Kingdom’s Nightmare has awakened.
Baba Yaga is coming.
The Empire had been quiet during Lasker’s turmoil, so they had let their guard down.
But did they intend to backstab them like this?
If that was their intention, why did they even accept the delegation? Was this all a deception?!
“There seems to be some misunderstanding.”
But the Imperial officials just laughed and continued the conversation leisurely.
“Count Friedrich simply followed the imperial order and went there briefly for personal reasons.”
“What kind of…”
“And the sparring match is purely for exchange purposes. Surely the Empire wouldn’t try to backstab another country during a time of turmoil, would it? I swear to the Light that such a thing will never happen.”
In other words, they’re saying that they don’t need to exploit the turmoil.
Look, you can’t escape your past nightmares, let alone your current ones.
“….”
The head of the delegation looked around and finally realized what they were trying to say.
Something must have happened that made them uncomfortable enough for the Empire to express such displeasure.
The problem was that their home country hadn’t figured it out yet.
“Let’s end the sparring match here.”
“Sir!”
“Enough. Let’s stop.”
What the Empire wanted was for the official delegation to bow their heads.
They wanted them to take a humble stance and ask for the reason instead of needlessly opposing their displeasure.
Honor is a beautiful thing. Upholding it is definitely another honorable act.
But if I had to choose between honor and the future of my country, I would gladly choose the latter.
Remembering the Second Princess’s words, the head of the delegation decided to do the same.
Even if the knights were dissatisfied with his decision, wasn’t that the responsibility of the leader?
* * *
No. Wait a minute.
Ending it here? I’m just getting warmed up. Are you kidding me?
‘Sigh.’
I had some expectations for Lasker, the Kingdom of Knights, and its knights.
I thought they’d have something different from the Kanfras.
But this isn’t right.
I didn’t go through all that trouble deflecting elves’ arrows and bullets with my greatsword for this.
Shouldn’t knights be shooting sword beams and stuff?
Ah, so it wasn’t that my father was strong, but the knights were weak. Right?
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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