Ch.172EP.40 – Spring of the Knights (7)

The warrior’s spear technique was unpredictable.

Whoosh!

Sometimes it snatched prey like the talons of a bird of prey in an instant.

Crack!

At other times, it tore into opponents like the fangs of a beast.

Swish!

But then suddenly, the spear transformed like a reptile’s whip.

Though it bore only the name of a spear, his weapon performed the roles of sword, whip, shield, and blade.

His skill made such natural transformations seem impossible, and it would be no exaggeration to call him peerless in the art of the spear.

King of All Weapons.

Opinions still differ on whether the sword or spear is the supreme weapon, but seeing the current display, one would have to declare the spear superior.

However, this assessment is only possible because that man wields the spear.

This is what happens when a knight with the potential to master all weapons doesn’t turn his eyes to other armaments, but instead pours all his talent into the spear.

A presence worthy of introducing himself as the Divine Spear.

Rip!

But the warrior wasn’t just skilled with the spear.

His innate killing intent transformed into [Red Fighting Spirit], which possessed both the sharpness to tear skin with a mere touch and the destructive power to pulverize rock.

He is strong.

Overwhelming.

The mages of the tower who experienced this firsthand no longer looked down on the green-haired warrior.

Instead, they regarded him as more threatening than anything else.

But then a man approached, pushing the warrior aside.

The knight who had turned twelve bronze giants into scrap metal.

That knight…

“You’re good at fighting, but you don’t know how to deal with spellcasters. You’re fighting too inefficiently.”

He suddenly started giving advice, and a look of displeasure that even the mages could recognize instantly spread across the warrior’s face.

“…Anyone can talk big.”

“That’s true.”

“You admit it readily.”

“Because it’s correct.”

“……”

It’s true that anyone can talk big.

The knight of monstrous strength, who immediately acknowledged this fact…

“I don’t share my know-how with just anyone, but I’ll make a special demonstration for you.”

“?”

“Just stay behind me. You won’t find a better instructor than me.”

“…?”

—It was only after watching Lac de Duron take down a Grand Mage in less than three minutes that he understood what Ihan meant.

He truly proved himself to be the ultimate instructor in hunting mages.

*

*

*

…The mages of the tower began to flee.

Although they were proud and their research materials were in the tower, that didn’t mean they didn’t value their lives.

They might have faced ordinary opponents, but the intruders who stormed the tower were undeniably powerful.

Warriors so extraordinary they made one doubt they were human.

“All the bronze giants were destroyed? They can’t be human, absolutely not!”

“Let’s just run away quickly.”

“But can we really flee like this? The ‘Tower Master’ won’t forgive us…”

Flinch!

“W-what can we do? We need to survive too.”

The mages flinched momentarily, but they shook their heads.

From the beginning, mages are individualistic beings.

They desire to become complete on their own, and are born with selfish tendencies.

The reason these selfish individuals belong to a magic tower is because the research facilities are good and “research materials” are abundant.

The research funding is also very generous.

…However, once their lives are threatened, they’re willing to abandon everything.

It would be natural to suggest joining forces to drive away the enemy, but that doesn’t apply to them.

What they want is individual success, development, and research.

To find clues that will lead them to higher realms.

They joined the tower for this purpose, not with any intention of risking their lives for it.

“Let’s at least take this with us. This artifact should be worth four years of research funding.”

“Oh, then I’ll take this.”

“Hmm, are there any good staffs?”

The mages, who had suddenly evolved into petty thieves, were now touching the tower’s property.

They were taking magical items including artifacts that would fetch astronomical sums on the market.

For those who spend money like water and have no economic sense, this much would ensure a comfortable future life…

“That won’t do.”

Swoosh!

“Sigh, our fellow mages are hopeless. No sense of belonging whatsoever.”

‘He’ sighed as he walked with leisurely steps.

Yes, what could one expect from ‘fellow mages’?

Even he himself had no sense of belonging when he was young.

But still, that’s that, and this is this.

“You shouldn’t dare touch ‘my property’.”

Yes, fellow mages should know well.

Whether it’s research materials or artifacts, one shouldn’t touch a mage’s personal items.

…Well, if the other party is a genius who will bring new changes to the magical world, he might be willing to invest, but otherwise, one shouldn’t dare touch a mage’s personal property.

So,

“Don’t feel too wronged. Since you’re fellow mages, I’ve specially sent you off without pain.”

He smiled kindly at his fellow mages whose heads had burst like tomatoes.

It was nothing if not a merciful death.

They dared to try to steal what was his, and he granted them immediate death.

He smiled like that and continued his leisurely walk.

And then he saw.

“…Oh, indeed, this would be challenging for other fellow mages.”

He looked with interest at the warrior fighting the old men.

A very amusing scene was unfolding.

Perhaps that’s why he…

“I’ll watch a bit more.”

Sat down with a playful smile.

He wanted to ‘observe’ their fight a bit longer.

* * *

-If a course called [How to Kill Mages] were to be established at the Academy, there was undoubtedly an expert ‘over there’ who should be invited as a professor.

[This bastard! What is he? He’s deflecting all our spells!]

[Is he wearing some kind of anti-spell?!]

[Stop talking and attack quickly!! That monster is coming!!]

[Clouds, gather! More vigorously! More intensely-!!]

Five, no, now four Grand Mages chant spells in panic.

They are Grand Mages for whom ordinary ‘language’ is no different from ‘spells’.

It’s common sense that whenever they open their mouths, ordinary people fall to their knees under the influence of their spells, or in severe cases, perish.

But that ‘monster’…!

[…The spells don’t work, no, he’s tearing them apart… am I dreaming?]

Crack!

[Unfortunately, it’s not a dream…]

Drip…

A pressure that came from who knows where grazed his nose, and the Grand Mage had a nosebleed.

It was an unsightly appearance, but the Grand Mage couldn’t even recognize how ugly he looked, only showing a terrified expression.

* * *

Ihan switched places with the spearman.

The guy was dissatisfied, and while Ihan wasn’t one to interfere in others’ battles, today he had no choice.

‘He’s a bit clumsy dealing with spellcasters. A rookie, definitely a rookie.’

It’s obvious he hasn’t fought many spellcasters.

He fights incredibly well, but Ihan couldn’t hold back his advice.

After all, he’s made a name for himself as a mage hunter…!

So.

“Why are you taking the spells head-on? You need to deflect them properly…”

He decided to teach the four basic methods out of the 100 ways to fight spellcasters.

Lesson 1:

Spell parrying.

Crack!

Spells are like shamans throwing flesh.

But if flesh is thrown incorrectly or fails, it returns to the caster.

So, when a spell comes flying, ‘intuitively feel it’ and deflect it, automatically parrying.

Thud!

“Urghh!”

Yes, just like that.

It’s a method that requires some skill, but that guy has special eyes.

So learning it shouldn’t be a problem.

Lesson 2:

“It’s good to learn simple throwing techniques or ranged attacks. When throwing, aim for the head, mouth, or heart in that order.”

Thwack!

Everything in Ihan’s hands became a throwing weapon.

Tanjigong.

Whether it’s pebbles or glass fragments, throw them skillfully.

Like throwing shuriken.

Well, if you don’t have these, you need to learn techniques like Baekbosingwon or Gyeoksantawa.

Thwack!

…A direct hit.

Lesson 3:

Rumble!

“Those kinds of guys are a bit troublesome.”

Sometimes there are spellcasters who use such grandiose magic.

The so-called natural disaster causers.

While hunting most spellcasters is easy with the teachings mentioned earlier, in cases like this, those methods don’t work.

In a way, this was an advanced course, and in such cases…

“You just have to keep cutting persistently. In other words, it requires grinding.”

Slash!

It’s a process that requires stamina and concentration.

Deflect the small spells of strong spellcasters, and if the scale is too large to deflect…

Boom!

‘…You have to endure.’

Endure with your body and break through.

Don’t dodge or step back.

The same goes for defense.

Because in a fight with a strong spellcaster, if you retreat once or just defend, you’ll definitely lose.

Even if your skin tears and bones break a bit, breaking through and aiming for one decisive blow is the only way to open a path.

Crack!

Crunch…!

Flesh and bone sacrifice.

Give up flesh and bone to move forward.

Slash!!

First, inflict damage on a strong spellcaster.

[Urgh!]

…Though just cutting the chest like now is a bit of a loss.

“Tsk!”

Ihan clicked his tongue.

He wanted to show a cool demonstration, but the opponent is tricky.

Old spellcasters are indeed tenacious.

…Ihan scratched the back of his head with an obviously embarrassed expression and stepped back.

Lesson 4:

If a fight with a spellcaster seems slightly unfavorable, run away immediately. Don’t think of running away as shameful; freely withdraw and look for another opportunity. After all, considering honor or chivalry against a spellcaster is an overwhelming disadvantage.

After personally demonstrating the final teaching, Ihan returned to his temporary student who had been watching his lecture.

With an awkward expression.

“Ahem, how embarrassing. I only sent one to hell.”

“……”

“Anyway, I’ve taught you in a condensed form. Use it well.”

“…I don’t know where I’d use this.”

“Where else would you find such an excellent lecture? You’re quite the complainer.”

“…Hmph!”

The guy looked at him irreverently, as if finding it absurd.

* * *

…Lac de Duron’s martial prowess is overwhelming even within Galahad.

The reason his name isn’t well-known is because he performed his duties as a shadow, hiding his abilities.

His official appearance was due to the emergence of 72 pirate ships attacking the river controlled by Galahad, and his achievement of single-handedly destroying 50 ships, which first brought the name ‘Hyungrang’ to public attention.

– Is that the next candidate for Galahad’s commander?

– Commander Kurin must be relieved. With such a formidable junior, he can retire with peace of mind.

– Still, he’s ruthless. Even though they were pirates, he punished every single one without leaving anyone alive.

– You know what’s even more chilling? All the pirates died with a single strike. Among the pirates were mercenaries and warriors who had made names for themselves, yet he pierced through even them with a single blow.

– It reminds me of Lord Maximus when he first appeared, haha.

A man likely to be the next commander of Galahad’s pride, the [Blue-Green Unicorn Knights], whose might is compared to Maximus of the North, and who is also called the ghost of the spear or “Divine Spear.”

His name and surname were directly bestowed by Duke Blake, so he lost his original name, but that was only an honor for him.

He had no lingering attachment to it anyway.

In any case, Lac de Duron was always someone who made others admire him, not someone who was surprised.

Even when his younger sister, who had wanted to live an ordinary life, became a knight, he coldly responded, “Foolish one, you should just get married quickly, what kind of knight…” (and immediately received a barrage of curses for over three hours), showing a calm reaction.

Even when he first met Maximus, he only considered, “Can I kill him or not?”

It would be no exaggeration to say that instances of him being surprised are extremely rare, almost non-existent.

He does react to his lord Blake’s matters, but that’s closer to excitement or passion rather than surprise.

Therefore, Lac de Duron wanted to deny the emotion he was feeling now.

Of all people,

‘That rogue bastard…’

To feel admiration for such a guy…

It was a moment of utter humiliation, and Lac’s eye was almost twitching.

But no matter how much he wanted to deny it…

Slash!

─The guy really fought well.

Like.

‘…Has he been doing nothing but eating and killing mages?’

To the point where such an absurd thought crossed his mind.

But Lac was certain that the teachings were a mess.

Starting with the absurd act of parrying spells, to the method of delivering invisible strikes from a distance, to using pebbles and glass fragments like a musket by fitting them between fingers.

Even the knights of Galahad couldn’t imitate such things.

…Perhaps Lac could somewhat imitate it with effort.

But the remaining one.

‘Was he a lizard rather than a human?’

The most abnormal thing was the rogue’s body, which was already showing signs of recovery as if giving up bones and flesh was something from the distant past.

Lac was convinced.

If this rogue became an enemy, he must be killed at all costs.

Otherwise…

‘He would become the most dangerous enemy.’

Lac de Duron judged that this one knight was more dangerous than the Grand Mages still manipulating the weather up in the sky.

At that moment.

“…You’re really annoying.”

“…Ahem.”

Had he noticed Lac’s gaze?

It was a slightly embarrassing situation.

Still, they were on the same side now, so it was a mistake to consider him an enemy.

Lac was about to make a rare apologetic expression-.

“Hey, you there. How long are you going to watch?”

Whoosh!

──Lac’s spear moved nimbly and extended.

He delivered a strong blow toward where Ihan had pointed.

But unfortunately.

Thud!

…His strike was easily blocked.

Lac widened his eyes, and his pupils trembled as he looked at the opponent who had gently neutralized his strike.

“Oh my, I’ve been discovered?”

‘He,’ the ‘boy,’ revealed himself with a mischievous smile.

“……”

“More surprisingly, this level of strike is equivalent to a Penta Spell, no, a Hexa Spell in power. Incredible fighting spirit, haha.”

“…A child?”

Lac found it hard to believe not that his strike was easily blocked, but that it was blocked by a child who looked no more than fifteen years old.

But an even more unbelievable statement was…

[T-Tower Master!]

[Why did you come only now!!]

[You’re late again…]

…The name the Grand Mages called the boy.

Tower Master.

Which means…

“People who see me for the first time don’t believe it. Nice to meet you, I’m ‘Tower Master Tyr’.”

Tower Master Tyr.

…He knows that name.

Tyr de Sagan.

A name known even to knights who know nothing about mages.

That’s because this name appears in history books.

This person is…

“A Grand Mage who has lived for 400 years…”

“To be precise, I’ve lived for 453 years. Damn long life, right? Haha!!”

“……”

Lac and Ihan didn’t laugh.

They just sweated coldly with hardened expressions.

They were certain.

The power of the person standing before them…

“It’s Lesson 5…”

“……”

“The thirty-sixth strategy: running away. Let’s flee. We can’t win against that.”

“…Don’t you have any honor?”

“What use is honor against a spellcaster?”

“……”

“So, are you not going to run?”

“…Hmph.”

…Lac had to admit that this guy was indeed the ultimate instructor.

Because it was nothing if not a practical teaching.