Ch.282EP.62 – What Cause Does a Knight Fight For? (5)

Orthros was furious.

[Whine, whiiine!]

To end up transformed into such a tiny form!

Miraculously, one head had survived intact allowing him to resurrect, but this was truly his limit now.

He had consumed all his stored nutrients, and if he took another major attack, he would die instantly.

Reduced to the size of a puppy, Orthros was so frustrated that tears welled in his eyes as he glared hatefully at the massive knight.

It was because of that knight that he ended up in this pathetic state.

[Grrrr!]

But Orthros knew how insignificant he had become and couldn’t attack the knight.

So for now…

[Whiiine.]

[Peeep.]

[Grrrr…]

He needed time to gather strength for revenge.

Though he was merely a puppy now, if he hunted prey and grew again from scratch, he could eventually take revenge on that massive knight who had inflicted such humiliating defeat.

[Grrrr!]

When it comes to revenge, even ten years isn’t too long to wait.

For the first time in his life, Orthros dreamed of a decade-long plan.

Snatch!

…However, contrary to his vengeful thoughts, Orthros was pathetic.

“I was wondering where you were hiding, and here you are?”

[!!?]

He was now too weak to escape from that ‘monster’…

“We still have unfinished business, don’t we?”

[……]

“Well, don’t worry. I’ll make it painless.”

[Whiiine…!]

Orthros looked up with tear-filled eyes at the one who had grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

A monstrous human.

Not only had he beaten Orthros down, but he had also easily subdued that massive knight!

Orthros put on his most pitiful expression and acted cute, begging to be spared.

Humans liked cute things, so surely this would work…

“As if something with two heads and a snake tail could be cute.”

[……]

…How did he read my thoughts?

Orthros reasonably suspected this human might actually be a monster disguised as a human.

But regardless of Orthros’s suspicions, the axe in his opponent’s hand proved there would be no mercy.

The ominous energy emanating from the blade itself.

It was an axe that had beheaded countless monsters, mages, and heretics, and as Orthros smelled the terrifying scent of blood, he…

Drip…

Wet himself.

This human was too frightening to even dream of revenge against.

Then.

“Wait a moment, please.”

“?”

“I think it would be better not to kill it.”

[!]

Orthros suddenly saw hope.

As the older human’s words made the monster hesitate, Orthros felt overwhelming gratitude.

[Grrrr!]

Old human, I like you!

For the first time, Orthros felt affection and goodwill toward a human…

“Orthros blood is an ingredient for high-grade potions. It’s equal to or better than potions made from pure troll blood. If you grind its fur well, it makes an excellent remedy for burns, and the poison from its tail can treat joint pain and gout. Keeping it alive to harvest these materials repeatedly would be more beneficial for you.”

“Oh.”

“Also, its heart and liver are delicacies. According to documents passed down in my family, they’re considered the most delicious meat in the world. And even if you remove the heart or liver, as long as the head remains intact, the organs regenerate on their own, so you can keep harvesting them.”

“OH!”

[……]

“Hehe, are you getting interested?”

“I’m not just interested, I’m salivating.”

“That’s good news.”

[…Kuhung….]

Orthros let out a pathetic wail.

You cruel bastards, just kill me! he thought.

…But it was a cry that no one could hear.

Orthros cried like a dog.

* * *

…Knights always have at least one flaw.

It might be a biased view, but at least all the knights he had encountered were like that.

Some are obsessed with one thing, while others are mentally broken.

Well, it’s not hard to understand why. While they claim to protect honor and country, knights ultimately spend their lives in life-or-death battles against monsters, criminals, or knights from other countries.

Just as deployed soldiers develop serious mental disorders on the battlefield, knights who must constantly see blood likely develop mental flaws as a passive trait.

Therefore, to live as a knight, to live a life on the edge of a sword, one needs a firm ego.

In other words, stubbornness, or something akin to unwavering madness.

…In that sense.

‘This guy is one for the record books.’

Ihan was certain that this man possessed the most absurd madness of anyone he had ever met.

“Just as lions and tigers rule the plains and mountains with only their teeth and claws, those born strong should fight by maximizing their natural purity!!”

“Lions and tigers are predators.”

“Humans are also animals when you think about it!!”

“…The Grand Temple would have a fit if they heard you say that.”

“It’s the truth! I stand by it!!”

“Alright, just lower your voice, it’s too loud.”

“UNDERSTOOD!!!”

“……”

…At least I understand what he’s trying to say.

Knights already have innate talent and physical prowess, then learn martial arts on top of that, and wield armor, swords, and spears. To go beyond that and use techniques is too cowardly…

“-is that how I should understand it?”

“Impressive, to interpret such a nonsensical theory so diplomatically.”

“Well, I’m surrounded by some rather strange people.”

“That doesn’t sound like someone else’s problem. You must have it tough too.”

“……”

Ihan felt sorry for this old man.

Why would he take such a person as his disciple and subject himself to such mental anguish?

“Hehe, but his talent is exceptional.”

“…Is it that obvious?”

“Haven’t people told you that your expressions are easy to read?”

“……”

“I see you’ve heard that a lot, hehe.”

Though he looked like an ordinary neighborhood uncle, he must have something special to be called a [Knight Commander].

Not only was his calm presence extraordinary, but his speech and perceptiveness were both dignified and sharp.

Not just a strong knight, but one with wisdom.

‘…That old man was just a layabout though…’

Ihan shook his head as he recalled the only Knight Commander he knew.

Well, what would that man need wisdom for when he could do anything he set his mind to?

As Ihan was nodding to himself, he saw the noisy man still being carried like baggage on the old knight’s shoulder.

“Master! I think we need to increase training time even more!”

“…You want to increase your weight class even further?”

“More strength! More powerful muscles…!”

“…Just be quiet. I’m about to lose my temper.”

“That’s serious, isn’t it!? Are you injured somewhere!?”

“…Why did I take this guy as my disciple to suffer in my later years…”

“I respect you, Master!!”

“……”

…Maybe not? Perhaps living as a carefree Knight Commander was that man’s way.

‘Rather than dealing with stress from someone like that.’

Ihan resolved to run away with all his might if anyone ever tried to assign him a troublesome role like commander.

Then.

“But you lost to me in terms of strength, didn’t you?”

“……”

“I did defeat you with technique in the latter part, but from the middle, I overwhelmed you with strength. So according to your theory, you lost to my innate strength, doesn’t that mean your theory is wrong?”

“……”

“Even if your theory is correct, I was born stronger than you, so aren’t you the weaker one…?”

“Mmmmm…!”

As if struck by a profound realization, Felix closed his mouth and fell into deep contemplation, mulling over Ihan’s words with a serious expression.

He had finally shut up.

“…Thank you. That’s quite refreshing.”

“It’s nothing. But hasn’t anyone given him this kind of advice before? You seem stronger than him, sir.”

“…I might win in terms of skill. But including myself, there’s no one who can beat him in pure strength.”

“Perhaps…”

“I’m considered weak too.”

“……”

“And frighteningly enough, with that theory alone, he’s achieved 198 wins out of 200 one-on-one battles. The rest were crushing defeats, of course.”

“…Wow.”

“Ah, I just realized he’s recorded a new defeat! And this time he’s finally met his match! Hehe!! Serves him right!”

“……”

…Despite his dignified appearance, this old man seemed to have many frustrations with his disciple, taking great pleasure in his defeat. Ihan felt a bit sorry for him, wondering how much the disciple must have irritated him.

But then.

“Ah, you said you were Sir Santa Rihan, right?”

“…I’m not someone worthy of being called ‘Sir.'”

“But you are. Even if you try to hide it, there’s an aura that can’t be concealed. Besides, if not someone like you, who could be called a knight?”

“?”

“Hmm, hmm, I see. You’ve done us a truly great service. No… beyond gratitude, all of Modred is indebted to you.”

“???”

What is he talking about?

Ihan tilted his head in confusion as he watched the man suddenly shed tears while seemingly talking to him.

…Or was he not talking to him?

‘Who is he talking to?’

Just as he realized the man was conversing with something invisible…

Thud!

“Thank you, truly. For saving that child, my granddaughter… thank you so much…”

“……”

“I hesitate to call it repayment, but I’ll exorcise all the vengeful spirits (怨靈) attached to you. Strange that there are so many mage spirits? Well, judging by their color, they all seem to be mages who committed atrocities and murders in life, so they deserved to die, but there are an excessive number of them. This must easily exceed a hundred… Haven’t your shoulders felt heavy or have you been having nightmares?”

“……”

“Hmm? Why that expression?”

“…Don’t you think you’re skipping a lot of middle explanation?”

“??”

“…This guy isn’t normal either.”

Ihan suspected that Modred might not actually be a closed-off family, but rather one that was ostracized.

‘Who would like someone who suddenly starts cursing about ghosts being attached to them?’

He couldn’t help but reasonably suspect there was a good reason they had been neglected for five years.