episode_0043

Putting down the weapon for a moment signifies being in a life-threatening situation.

Therefore, using sword throwing skills in a normal situation is akin to a last resort.

Thus, training in this life-saving skill is one of the essentials for a knight.

Who knows who will come to your rescue in a moment of crisis. There’s no harm in learning it.

Above all, with arms tired from swinging iron every day, there’s no doubt that the projectiles thrown with all one’s might are not weak.

Achieving the miraculous exchange rate of one hundred to one is the essence of being a knight. Reflections on the way of defeating people have even reached the realm of science.

The knights and squires behind me each pulled out their preferred weapons.

As everyone seemed ready, I gently pushed the door when it seemed like the preparations were complete.

The creaking sound of the old door made everyone inside turn their heads towards the source.

“What’s going on? We just switched positions, why-”

“Wait, what- Thud!”

“Argh…!”

At the same time, they were met with a flood of intruders pouring in.

Human weapons and backup human weapons surged towards the thieves who were lazily resting in the medieval fantasy world, highly detailed and realistic.

Once the siege began, the castle walls would become part of the battlefield.

The price of negligence would turn the safe haven into a hornet’s nest, leaving no time for even a dying wish.

Only one person survived the deadly ambush technique.

-Thunk!

“Ah! Intruders-!”

Instinctively crouching, the axe flew over his head, hitting the wall with a loud thud, tearing through the wood and creating a hole.

The dagger that followed pierced his arm or leg without causing fatal harm, swiftly returning. Another squire quickly covered his mouth and slit his throat a little too late.

“We’ve taken care of them all.”

“Ugh, gasp…”

“Good. Then, let’s wait quietly for a moment.”

Was the call for help because there were actually people nearby who could hear, or was it just instinctual?

In fact, the sound of footsteps crashing and running was louder than the call. We cautiously picked up the fallen weapons, wary of another thief rushing in.

“…I think it’s safe.”

“Phew…”

And for some time, there was no disturbance, as if we hadn’t been discovered.

There were no witnesses… all successfully infiltrated once again.

“Where should we go next?”

“There are two paths leading down. Should we split up rather than sticking together since the path is narrow?”

“That sounds good. Let’s split in half right where we are standing.”

“When we meet at the device-”

“Wait! I hear something.”

As they were planning the next move, the squire who had been following from the back turned around and spoke.

Everyone held their breath as they faintly heard a conversation.

“Where did the patrol go? Did they play hooky or-”

“Come here! There’s a bloodstain!”

“There’s… a corpse under the castle wall. Intruders, there are intruders!”

There was a commotion in the distance. Naturally, it was the direction we had come from along the castle wall.

The assassination was successful, but perhaps the cleanup was the issue. Still, we did our best.

Everyone gathered in one place, nodding at each other, tearing the cloth to muffle the sound of metal clashing.

“It seems to be the end here. Everyone, get ready.”

“Yes. May the gods grant us victory.”

With nothing left to hide, those who relied on the power of the gods and their own strength each offered their prayers before dispersing.

Now, there was nothing left to conceal, so I confidently pushed open the door in front of me and moved forward. The key now was to quickly reach the device to open the door before the enemies gathered.

Rumors of our arrival at the castle seemed to have spread far and wide. Thieves gathered densely towards the path leading to the stronghold.

The passageways inside the castle were so narrow that even two people would find it difficult to pass through. It was a challenge for anyone to wield a weapon.

For a knight who excelled in riding and had to conquer the battlefield with agility and strength on the open plain, this was the worst environment to showcase their true abilities.

But the disadvantage was mutual.

It was certain that the soldiers who had been climbing the castle walls until just now had been weakened by kicking away their ladders. They must have rushed here urgently without a moment to rest, hence the sight of them breathing heavily.

“Hey, it’s a knight!”

“Stay calm. The narrow path allows us to stand our ground! Draw your weapons!”

“Brave soul.”

I was impressed by the determination of not backing down even in the face of opponents fully armed with chainmail and swords.

In admiration of this resolve, I grasped two sharp pine cones at my waist and pulled out the pins.

Rolling one forward and throwing the other one long towards where the last thief stood.

The enemies hesitated for a moment at the round objects flying towards them instead of blades.

“Throwing weapons! I’m done for! Aaaah!”

“Don’t be so dramatic, what’s that? You mean… pine cones?”

“No way. Oh, shi…”

As one thief seemed to realize what was happening and moved to shield himself with a small shield, it was already five seconds past the moment.

The pine cones emitted a bright light and with a deafening explosion, the fragments spread in all directions.

-Boom! Bang!!

“Aaaargh!”

“My arm, my arm!”

After the screams of agony and chaos subsided.

Only one person remained in the opposite passageway.

The reason why he remained unscathed even after the explosion was obviously due to his armor.

I asked him. Judging by his armor, he seemed like a knight.

“Are you a fallen knight?”

“….”

It seemed likely. The fact that his equipment looked a bit better than ordinary knights, perhaps he had obtained them by looting Pillah.

I thought about whether I would gain something good after this siege was over, and whether I should change into the blessings that Lysia had left behind.

No, let’s get rid of these thoughts. Let’s focus on the enemy in front of us first.

I felt the need to guide this unfaithful individual before the battle.

As a sworn knight, it was my duty to save the city’s innocent people. There were also times when I had to fight without giving in to Tyler’s words.

“There’s no need to shed blood unnecessarily. Surrender, as my comrades are all around you.”

“….”

“Alright, let me ask you something. Why did Pillah commit such acts?”

“….”

“Did the church not pledge, and resort to violence if necessary? Or did they unfairly impose such duties selectively on some knights, or did the clergy show hypocrisy by betraying those they usually stuck with? If you have a mouth, speak!”

“….”

“It seems words won’t work.”

The opponent remained silent. He just stared at me without saying a word.

Seemingly unwilling to converse, I finally drew my sword. I handed the pine cone belt to the seed behind me to prevent it from exploding when it hit the sword.

As I moved, the opponent also swung his arm.

The faintly glowing sword clashed with a cheerful sound.

The fluorescent sword easily cut through thin sheets of steel and flesh. However, thick stones or metals were still difficult to cut through.

Of course, the fact that the blade could penetrate into such materials itself made it a unique relic in this world.

And while it may not cut through when two surfaces meet, if it’s a blade.

“Hmph…!”

I twisted the fluorescent sword slightly to prevent it from coming apart, applying pressure to keep it from twisting. In normal circumstances, it would be foolish to do so.

But I’m not your typical case, am I? The knight, who seemed to have an idea of what I was up to, tried to pull back and sheath his sword, but I was faster.

I gripped the handle tighter and swung forward as if pushing him away.

With a sharp twist, the sound of metal bending echoed through the air, and fragments of the sword fell to the ground, accompanied by a clear scream.

Only then did the knight open his mouth for the first time.

Wide-eyed at the sight of his sword halved, he uttered in disbelief.

“…You bastard.”

Straightforward and polite words.

I took a step forward for guidance and swung the fluorescent sword vigorously.

*****

He led a group of unruly ruffians and became the captain of a mercenary band.

And he built his skill and reputation on the battlefield. It took him over a decade to get here.

In the process, he had to choose countless dangerous paths.

From being a former thief turned mercenary when the Pope tried to condemn mercenaries and knights openly, to finally swallowing up Filah, it was all part of the adventure that made Marcus who he is today.

And survival clearly showed right from wrong. Being alive until now meant his way was not wrong.

Because he was Marcus, he couldn’t sit still when such a report came in.

“Did the sword really shine? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I saw it with my own two eyes.”

His squinted eye described the features of the fluorescent sword in detail, vividly testifying to seeing the knight wielding it.

It was obvious why he was here. It was only natural for knights to follow money and battlefields.

Still, this was a good opportunity. He could get his compass back from him.

It was an unexpected outcome. Although there was a possibility that he didn’t bring it when infiltrating the castle, he could at least negotiate for it as a bargaining chip.

“I’m going to catch that bastard. Gather the spare hands. Only well-armed men with good skills.”

“One knight has already left. It might be difficult if he’s alone against multiple opponents, but at least he’s buying us time.”

“Alright, then hurry.”

“Understood.”

Marcus was also a leader in action. His authority came from his decisiveness and strength.

Having been a veteran on the battlefield for over a decade, he was more than a match for a dozen men. In a situation where even a cat’s paw had to be borrowed, he had to step up himself.

So, he adorned himself with relics obtained from raiding the church and headed to the location where he saw Lavender.

The purpose of infiltrating the castle was, of course, to open the door, so he was passing through the passage near the castle gate.

And finally, he came face to face with the gleaming sword.

“Gah….”

“Another enemy.”

“Huh…?”

Marcus could intuitively see Lavender tearing a knight to pieces with his sword and armor.

His mind, unable to comprehend, momentarily paused.