Ch.343EP.72 – The Knight Wore a Suit (3)

The column flew like a spear and struck the central fountain.

The central fountain, which stood like a landmark in the upper-class district, was protected by numerous defensive spells and could withstand two or three cannon shots, but—

CRASH!

It was not enough to withstand a column imbued with a knight’s “power.”

CRACK!

The central fountain collapsed instantly, shattering into countless pieces.

Since that fountain was often used as a spot for first dates, confessions, or meeting places, the residents of the street were utterly shocked, and tears were about to well up in their eyes—

[[SCREECH?]]

“UWEEEEEK!”

…The tears disappeared, replaced by disgust, as people began to retch uncontrollably.

Monsters—horrifically ugly monsters—poured out from the broken fountain, resembling maggots in appearance.

Considering that the fountain water served as drinking water, it wasn’t strange that residents were vomiting.

But what happened next was even more appalling.

Crunch, crunch!

The giant maggots, their identities exposed, suddenly began to swell and grow.

The already disgusting creatures started evolving into fly-like forms, rapidly changing from the size of dogs to that of goats.

Clang! Clang!

Their teeth made metallic sounds when they clashed, and they even spewed poison, indicating they weren’t just simple insect-type monsters.

At minimum, mid-level monsters.

With over a hundred of them, the threat level approached the highest grade…

“—I told you I’m not interested in you.”

BOOM!

With a sound like a bursting balloon, a monster turned into a splash of blood.

This happened every time the man, the knight, extended his fist.

Whoosh…!

Smoke rose from his fist.

He didn’t even maintain a proper fist position, just casually extending his punches, but his fists moved more than ten times per second, creating shockwaves that left people’s ears ringing.

Gyeoksan Strike.

That was the name of this power manifestation.

It was nothing short of miraculous, but the knight who demonstrated it showed little excitement.

If it had been last year, he might have found these opponents somewhat challenging, but now he felt no sense of crisis.

Was it simply because he had grown stronger?

No.

‘I’ve faced your kind to the point of nausea.’

Experience.

An invisible asset that even the Divine Spear couldn’t see.

The experience Ihan had accumulated over the past year was rich, allowing him to instinctively know how to deal with these creatures.

For example, those flies.

‘They need to be eliminated before they take flight.’

They’re easy to handle as long as they don’t fly. The problem comes when they scatter.

Ihan quickly calculated their danger level and how to deal with them, showing little emotion about what he had accomplished.

Instead.

“Now that you’ve seen with your own eyes, you should know this area is dangerous. Not just because of the monsters, but there are many dangerous things here.”

His monotonous murmur.

Yet strangely, everyone could hear his voice.

It even felt as if he was speaking directly into their ears.

His cold advice continued even as people blinked in confusion, still unable to accept reality.

“The evidence is right in front of you. Monsters are overflowing. You were meant to be food today.”

“……”

“I advise you. Run away now, take your carriages or whatever and leave this street immediately. If you don’t want to get caught up and die.”

“W-what is this…?”

“An explanation? I can give you one if you want. But if you end up in a monster’s mouth while listening, don’t blame me.”

“!?”

CRASH!

“Oh my, they keep coming.”

“Ugh…!”

With screams of “AAAAH!” people fled in panic.

It was nothing short of chaos, reminiscent of a zombie outbreak from a movie, with people scattering in all directions.

Meanwhile, as the orcs and fly-type monsters were defeated, more monsters poured out from buildings everywhere, and the screams of people showed no sign of subsiding.

If anything, it only got louder.

Logically, this would be when soldiers or knights should step in, but…

“How dare you!”

“Gack!”

“Break through! I said break through!”

…They were struggling over there.

The soldiers and knights were barely holding their own against the monsters, orcs and trolls, far from making any impact.

They would be lucky just to avoid total annihilation, let alone stabilize the situation.

For reference, it wasn’t that they were incompetent or weak.

They were just average, but even so…

‘They’re about at the level where our kids could handle them.’

Just because Ihan defeated them easily didn’t mean the monsters were pushovers.

The knights were actually holding up well, but rather than helping them, Ihan—

BOOM!

—continued to release his power as if it were his job, reducing the number of monsters with each strike.

“Th-thank you!”

“Eeeek!”

People who had been saved from the monsters began to collapse, their legs giving out.

However, instead of offering kind words, Ihan—

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“W-what…?”

“You can’t leave.”

“??”

It was a statement that made people tilt their heads in confusion, and those who felt that doubt, or more precisely…

“Hmph, just like parasites.”

THWACK!

He threw an axe at the manager.

“Why, WHY!?!”

A scream mixed with shock, implying why he would attack such a loyal manager, but he offered no explanation.

Instead—

Swish.

“Seems like you wear eyes just for decoration.”

With a harsh criticism, he gestured.

As if telling them to look closely.

At that cue, the noble’s gaze turned and—

“…Who are you?”

—could see a ‘new face’ revealed as the ‘facial skin’ of the manager peeled off.

Plop…

“…Well, I’ve been discovered.”

“I told you I found you.”

“I was confused. I thought you meant you found those beasts, but that wasn’t it. How misleading.”

“……”

“But when did you notice?”

A casual question.

Despite having his identity exposed, he showed no concern whatsoever.

If anything, he only expressed curiosity, and Ihan—

Whoosh!

BOOM!!

“…How dangerous, really. What kind of person is this?”

—simply launched an attack.

As if he had no intention of talking.

The man who nimbly avoided the deadly strike immediately shed the cumbersome skin he was wearing.

Swoosh.

“Ah, I thought it was a pretty good disguise.”

“…What about the owner of that face?”

“Why should I answer someone who won’t answer my questions?”

“No, I think you should answer.”

Whoosh!

If you want to die peacefully…!

CRASH!!

Ihan’s Gyeoksan Strike hit the central street area.

—It was an indiscriminate bombardment aimed at all parasites wearing the manager’s skin.

* * *

It was just the day before yesterday that they discovered the Brass Knights were in the central street, also known as the noble district.

How did they find out?

– Process of elimination.

– We searched the entire royal capital, and the central street was the only place where no suspicious individuals appeared. If they’re not there, then they’re really not anywhere.

This was the conclusion reached by Roen and Derrick after thoroughly searching the royal capital, and Ihan decided to trust them.

If they were certain, they must have had good reason.

At the same time, it was absurd.

– It’s comical that they’re there. And they said there was nothing to worry about.

The nobles were the ones who most dismissed the Blood Cross Army, the cult.

Yet they were mixed in among those very nobles?

This was just…

– Not even worth cursing.

– So what will you do?

– Hm?

– Would it help to issue a warning now?

– …Would it?

– I suppose not.

Roen smiled bitterly, realizing how ridiculous his own question was.

Yes, no matter how much they warned the central street and the nobles about the danger, they probably wouldn’t accept it.

Once they’ve made up their minds, they wouldn’t back down even at the risk of death.

It was nothing but worthless pride, but isn’t that what nobles are?

People who won’t admit their mistakes even in death, let alone while living.

– They’ll reap what they sow. I understand. Still, write up an official document warning them of possible danger. It could serve as an excuse when they try to assign blame later. If things go wrong despite all we’ve done…

-It’s their fate.

Though cruel, Ihan could only shrug.

But this was something he couldn’t help.

Those with no sense of danger…

– Only recognize danger when it’s right in front of them.

“They really didn’t prepare at all.”

Levi couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

Despite sending warning documents in advance, there was no sign of preparation.

Not only were there no additional soldiers or knights, but the so-called upper class continued openly strolling and shopping, making her sigh.

Was this arrogance, or just…

“Are they fools?”

Swish!

Levi drew her rapier, disguised as a cane, and stabbed a monster’s neck in one swift motion.

It was a clean thrust without hesitation, and Levi looked at the person she had saved.

“Madam, are you alright?”

“L-Lady Tristan…”

“Just call me Levi. More importantly, please run away quickly. I can’t protect you indefinitely.”

“B-but my legs… they’ve given out…”

“……”

Levi wondered what exactly the woman had done to lose strength in her legs, but seeing that there were dozens of women unable to flee for the same reason, she felt like sighing.

Really…

‘What confidence allowed these people to be out enjoying themselves?’

Whoosh!

Swallowing another sigh, Levi chose to stab and cut down monsters with precise movements rather than express irritation.

Instead of wasting time being annoyed…

‘I should lighten Master’s burden.’

Aren’t there too many useless burdens?

Slash!

…Completely worthless.

At that moment, seeds of distrust toward nobles began to sprout in the girl’s heart.