Ch.283EP.62 – What is a Knight’s Cause to Fight? (6)

…to be honest, now that I think about it, he was already convinced there was a vampire in the guild before coming to Wales.

‘The flow was messy.’

The many large organizations he had destroyed while tracking the vampire’s traces through the guild and the twins.

While sweeping them away, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had become a “cleaner.”

He suspected that the damn pervert had planned to use him to clean up all the messes he had made.

…It was infuriating, but even though he noticed this, there were three main reasons why he allowed himself to be used.

One was fear that the guy might escape. As frustrating as it was, if that guy decided to run, there was a high chance he wouldn’t be able to catch him.

Another was concern that civilians, including the fake Tower Master, might get hurt.

He couldn’t deny that he had gone along with it because there was a risk they might have been brainwashed, potentially causing even greater damage.

But the last reason.

In other words, there was a decisive reason that ultimately directed his footsteps toward Wales.

‘What’s there?’

Anxiety.

More precisely, Ihan had come all the way to the Marquis’s territory because he was anxious about what Modred was hiding that made him act that way.

‘What would make that guy go through all this trouble?’

It wasn’t hard to guess why the vampire had lured him.

He probably figured that if Ihan went to Wales, Simon would naturally join him there, and he could use Simon’s exceptional intelligence to find where Modred’s secret chamber was located.

…By now, he was probably being lynched by the Blood Eagle for his scheming.

However, rather than feeling satisfaction that the vampire had fallen victim to his own trick, Ihan was more concerned about what exactly was in Wales.

No, “bothered” would be the more accurate expression.

It clearly wasn’t his business, but there was this nagging feeling that he would regret ignoring it later…

Some might say it was ridiculous to go through such hardship because of a vague feeling.

‘But I once suffered greatly for ignoring this kind of feeling.’

Specifically, in my previous life, that is…

‘Is it similar to the day I died?’

– [One must not ignore an ember when one sees it.]

This was the lesson he had learned at the end of his previous life, and he hadn’t forgotten it even after all this time.

How ignoring a small irritation can lead to great “regret.”

*

*

*

Ganok Douglas de Modred.

The former Marquis of Modred and current commander of the Hundred Ghost Shield Knights, a man who appeared to be the grandfather of the pink-haired kid, opened his mouth.

“Have you heard that the direct descendants of Modred have the ability to handle ghosts?”

“I’ve heard they have some unique abilities.”

“Then our conversation will be easier.”

[Ziiing.]

“…I never knew human eyes could glow like that.”

“Oh? You can see this? Your senses are extraordinary. Well, I suppose a knight who has touched the ethereal realm can do many things, haha.”

The old knight expressed admiration, but Ihan was more fascinated by the man’s eyes, which still glowed purple.

“It’s called the ‘Spirit Eye.’ It allows one to see ghosts, communicate with them, and even subjugate them.”

“Sounds like a troublesome ability.”

“…Sharp. Did you figure that out immediately?”

The old knight expressed a different kind of admiration than when Ihan had seen through his Spirit Eye.

While most people who hear about the Spirit Eye respond with “Amazing!” or “That’s an overpowered ability,” showing admiration or jealousy, this young knight seemed to immediately grasp the troublesome nature of the Spirit Eye.

“From the moment you mentioned being able to talk to ghosts, it sounds like a headache. Not all ghosts are nice, right? They’d make annoying requests like asking you to resolve their grudges or deliver messages to their families. Or they might threaten you and make daily life uncomfortable. Actually, even before daily life, it must be hard from childhood. At an age when you should only be seeing pretty things, you’re seeing ominous ones instead.”

“…Haha, if you were a merchant, I would have invested all my fortune in you by now. How do you know so well?”

“Isn’t it rather obvious?”

“Hohoho! Obvious, you say…”

Those who learn about the Spirit Eye only think about its advantages and don’t care about its disadvantages at all.

Not only insight but also the depth to ruminate on others’ words.

‘He can see beyond the surface to what’s hidden beneath.’

Excellent. Among knights, many don’t use their heads, but this one is rare—not only strong but also clever.

Well…

“I almost wish I could trade places with you.”

“Master! I respect you! Although your talent is inferior to mine, my respect is sincere!!”

“…Talking to you only makes me more frustrated.”

“Are you feeling unwell?!”

“…Just keep your mouth shut.”

“Yes sir!!”

“……”

Seeing the stark difference between his disciple and Ihan, Ganok couldn’t help but sigh with exasperation.

Why did he have to take on such a disciple and suffer at this age…

Several hours ago, when Ihan first entered the secret chamber, magical beasts had been pouring out continuously.

Not only hellhounds but also plant-type and undead-type magical beasts had appeared in significant numbers, and even high-ranking magical beasts like the Orthros that was now being dragged away had shown up.

But strangely now…

[……]

It was quiet. As if there was nothing around.

However, Ihan could sense it.

The presence of magical beasts secretly watching him.

But the magical beasts didn’t dare approach and merely maintained their positions.

Normally, unless they were as intelligent as the Orthros, magical beasts would attack humans on sight. Why were they behaving this way?

The answer to this question came from:

“The spirits I’ve subjugated are preventing the magical beasts from approaching. Although it only works on weaker magical beasts, it’s quite useful. It’s also effective against people. Making their shoulders heavy, causing nightmares—it can forcibly disrupt their condition.”

Ihan heard this from the old knight Ganok.

“Good versatility.”

“It’s not entirely versatile. It doesn’t work at all on knights as trained as you or on high-ranking magical beasts. The stronger one’s mental fortitude and sense of self, the less effect spectral power has.”

“…Is it okay to tell me this? It seems like important information.”

Families with mystical abilities typically try to conceal their powers, yet far from concealing it, he was openly revealing information, which Ihan found puzzling.

But Ganok didn’t mind.

Rather, he seemed refreshed as he said:

“What’s the point of keeping such a trivial ability secret?”

“What if I sell the information?”

“I’d actually appreciate that. Then I’d feel like I’ve repaid some of my debt.”

“……”

He even went a step further.

Just as Ihan was wondering if this was humor or if he was being mocked…

“But you’re not that kind of knight. Rather, you’re a diligent person who earns money through honest work. Hmm, is the carpentry shop paying that well?”

“Now I see I shouldn’t have worried about you. You’ve already stripped all my information.”

Ihan felt disgruntled seeing the old knight using his Spirit Eye or whatever to extract his information, but at the same time, he was also impressed.

It seemed he was witnessing the true value of the Spirit Eye.

‘So he has invisible informants.’

Able to know everything about the other person, from their identity to the most trivial and private details…!

‘That’s a mind-blowing ability.’

Definitely the type you wouldn’t want as an enemy—you’d never sleep comfortably.

“If I’ve offended you, I apologize. To explain, I didn’t seek out this information. The spirits behind you were chattering freely, and I naturally came to know these things.”

“I see, so the stray spirits are gossiping about me.”

“Something like that. Hmm, would you like to prepare some spirit-warding charms now?”

“Spirit-warding, that’s interesting, but…”

…I think we need to receive our guests first?

THUD!

No sooner had Ihan spoken than presences suddenly converged.

No wonder the magical beasts were keeping their distance, despite the ghosts.

‘They were scared because the smell of blood was too strong.’

THUD, THOOM!

A series of heavy reverberations, even more massive than when Felix first appeared, shook the secret chamber, and an eerie energy swept through the surroundings like a frosty dawn breeze.

CRACK!

…Frost actually formed on the ground.

“It seems they’ve come to meet us because we’re late. Really, what is there to worry about?”

“…Is that also a Modred ability?”

“Haha, it’s a kind of application. Wouldn’t you say it’s a useful mount?”

“It’s beyond just useful…”

As Ihan observed the approaching outline of the knights, he began to understand why Modred’s knights were called the Hundred Ghosts.

Clatter, clatter.

The source of the heavy reverberations wasn’t from people.

It was from the massive horses the knights rode, which seemed to be twice the size of average war horses.

They were horses of extraordinary size, and they were far from ordinary.

[Neeeigh!]

Made of skeletons…

‘Ghost horses’ would be an apt description.

‘The armor is also made entirely of bones, perhaps from magical beasts?’

It probably wasn’t made solely from magical beast bones.

It appeared that tendons and muscles from magical beasts were also used, making it somewhat like…

‘An exoskeleton?’

It reminded him of the “cyberware” that might appear in a cyberpunk game from his previous life.

‘…What’s going on? Why do these guys seem to be from a different genre?’

He thought it was a parade of a hundred ghosts, but seeing them wearing what looked like bioengineered exoskeletons made Ihan feel disconnected from reality.

However…

[Neeeeigh…!]

“What a terrifying—!?”

“What an enormous evil spirit he carries!”

“Commander, what have you brought with you…?”

“D-don’t be afraid, Silvesta, my comrade. Aren’t you a brave horse…?”

[…Neigh.]

…Though he should be the one afraid, somehow the situation had reversed, with the bio-cyberware knight order being frightened of him, and Ihan began to feel uneasy.

‘Did I exterminate that many warlocks?’

Hmm…

‘I don’t think it was that many?’

Like someone who can’t remember how many loaves of bread they’ve eaten, Ihan tilted his head in confusion.