Ch.48Demon Knight Bernhagen (6)

Knight of Atanga, Argo.

A knight renowned as one of the strongest within Atanga, famous for making quick judgments without panic in any situation. However, at this moment, Argo was feeling perplexed.

Because the situation unfolding before his eyes was that absurd.

When the Fallen Knight Bernhagen used his power, Argo was considerably taken aback. It was magical energy far exceeding expectations, and a type of power he’d never encountered before. A power that created a barrier completely cutting off the outside world.

Still, up to that point, he could respond quickly.

Gritting his teeth, Argo immediately made a judgment.

The young man engaged in combat with the demon was in danger. They had been evenly matched until now, but that couldn’t continue inside the barrier. So he needed help.

“Break the barrier!”

Methods to analyze and counter a demon’s power.

Atanga was an organization primarily focused on managing knights and exterminating demons, so they possessed extensive knowledge about demons. Nevertheless, interpreting and breaking through the barrier required considerable time.

Crack!

Eventually, the barrier weakened, and they broke through the gap to enter inside. Even as he entered, Argo couldn’t hide his bitterness. Given how much time had passed, there was a high probability that the young man had already perished.

Nevertheless, Argo shouted.

“Protect the young man!”

Protect the young man and kill the Fallen Knight.

If the young man had already perished, then at least protect his body from being desecrated. With such thoughts, Argo raised his voice and shouted, but.

“Form ranks and… pressure… Bernhagen…?”

What greeted them upon entering the barrier wasn’t the Fallen Knight, and certainly not the young man’s corpse. What welcomed them was the body of Fallen Knight Bernhagen, cut in half, and…

“…Huh?”

With wide eyes.

A young man who was looking at them with apparent surprise.

Crack!

Finally, as the barrier completely shattered, sunlight poured down. Warm, gentle sunlight. Bernhagen’s body, split in half with his face planted on the ground, and Najin standing there unharmed.

A situation where all expectations had been defied.

To maintain composure and make a cold judgment even in such a situation…

‘What… exactly is going on here?’

Indeed, even for someone like Argo, it was an unreasonable demand.

And so.

The situation has come to this point.

2.

Najin saw those who had broken through the barrier. Reflexively, he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, but soon relaxed his vigilance.

Because he recognized the emblem engraved on their armor.

The emblem of two crossed swords with a shield above them. Najin knew this emblem. It was a story Ivan had once told him, and an emblem he had researched in books when he came outside.

‘The Knights of Atanga…’

Those who uphold the ancient precepts of knighthood.

And the order to which Ivan had belonged. With wide eyes, Najin looked at the knights. They too were looking at Najin. Though the meaning behind each gaze might differ, the knights and Najin were looking at each other.

Najin was the first to move.

Lowering the hand that was about to draw his sword, he posed a question to them.

“Might you be the Knights of Atanga?”

“…I am Argo, Knight of Atanga.”

The knight at the forefront.

Argo, the person in charge of this mission, stepped forward. He raised his hand to point behind Najin. There lay the bisected body of Bernhagen.

“I am the commander of the pursuit team dispatched to eliminate that one. It seems there’s no need to pursue any further, but…”

Feeling bewildered, Argo lowered his hand.

He glanced at Najin standing before him. A young man barely in his twenties. Could someone so young have achieved such a level?

‘The sword energy output I saw earlier…’

It shouldn’t be achievable at that age.

Argo’s eyes narrowed. It was truly disrespectful to the young man, but those who achieved abnormal accomplishments often had connections with demons.

Argo is a Sword Seeker.

His eyes can see through the mana flowing within others. If there were clumps of mana contaminated by demonic energy, or if the mana itself was mixed with impurities, then one might suspect a connection with demons, but…

‘It’s clear. Extremely so.’

Pure mana without comparison.

Not a trace of impurity mixed in, and as clear as a mountain stream flowing in a deep valley. It meant he definitely wasn’t associated with demons. Moreover, there wasn’t even a trace of demonic energy contamination.

‘Impressive. Truly.’

Argo inwardly clicked his tongue.

He had never seen such pure mana before. Given the absence of clumped demonic energy, it seemed as if he possessed a means to resist demonic energy itself.

He had many questions. But he knew what should take precedence.

Clang!

Pushing the drawn sword back into its scabbard, he struck his chest with his fist with a clang. Thumping the Atanga emblem engraved on his armor, Argo spoke.

“I express my gratitude to you.”

What needed to be done.

That was none other than offering thanks.

“On behalf of Atanga, I express my respect to you for punishing one who tarnished the name of knighthood.”

A series of clangs followed.

The Knights of Atanga standing behind him were saluting Najin. The sound of armor and gauntlets rubbing against each other echoed.

Receiving their salute, Najin felt his heart beat faster for some reason. The knights of this era, whom he had glimpsed in fairy tales and through his master’s stories, were now standing before him.

“It’s an honor.”

Though awkward, Najin returned the salute. After Najin completed his salute, Argo nodded.

“If I may, could I request an explanation of the situation?”

“Yes, gladly.”

Najin exhaled deeply and began his story. He had already decided how to explain it. The story wasn’t very long.

That he had pursued Bernhagen.

During the pursuit, he had encountered a knight who had previously confronted Bernhagen… and heard the story from him.

“Gilbert, a knight of the House of Trebache.”

It was with his help that he was able to track.

In the earlier engagement with the knights, Bernhagen had been exhausted and injured. He was able to gain the upper hand by exploiting that weakness.

He didn’t tell any lies.

But he also didn’t tell the whole truth.

He couldn’t fully reveal his identity just yet.

“…So.”

After hearing the entire story, Argo summarized.

“You pursued the fatally wounded Bernhagen and defeated him here. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“And you exploited that weakness even inside the barrier?”

“Yes, the wound on his shoulder…”

Najin pointed to Bernhagen’s bisected body. Indeed, there was a scar on his shoulder.

“I see.”

Argo stroked his chin.

It made sense, but there were many suspicious aspects. Above all, Argo had seen it. The overwhelming sword energy Najin had displayed before the barrier was cast.

Suspicious, but.

He had no grounds to interrogate him.

Just because someone was hiding their strength didn’t mean he had the right to dig into it or reproach them. If the young man before him had connections with demons or was hiding some evil technique, it would be right to question him, but… he didn’t seem that way.

Then.

There was only one thing Argo needed to ask the young man before him.

“May I ask just one question?”

Argo asked, and Najin nodded.

Argo looked directly at Najin and said.

“Why did you cut down Bernhagen?”

Feel free to answer as you wish.

It’s fine to say it was just to fulfill a request, or for the bounty, or for any reason. Adding to that, Argo continued.

“Whatever answer you give me here, I swear I will not harm you. This is merely a genuine curiosity.”

A vow from a Knight of Atanga.

Najin was well aware of its weight. Therefore, at least for this question, he could answer without hiding anything. Najin slowly opened his mouth and spoke.

“I didn’t like him.”

“…You didn’t like him?”

“During my confrontation with Bernhagen, I asked him a question. What does being a knight mean to you?”

Najin said.

“Bernhagen answered. That being a knight is just a position for advancement. That honor and pride only have value when discarded.”

Bernhagen’s view of knighthood as expressed through Najin’s lips. At that value system, Argo’s expression crumpled. The Knights of Atanga standing behind him clicked their tongues and frowned.

“I didn’t like that.”

Najin continued.

“Because that’s not what I thought a knight was.”

“What do you think a knight is?”

Though he had said he would ask only one question, Argo couldn’t help but ask a second. He wanted to hear what the young man who had cut down the Fallen Knight thought a knight was.

“I don’t think it’s a story worth telling to the Knights of Atanga. Since I’m not a knight.”

“It’s usually ridiculous for someone who isn’t a knight to discuss knighthood, but you’re an exception. Whatever your reason, by cutting down the Fallen Knight, you’ve proven your qualification.”

Feel free to speak.

The Knights of Atanga, who uphold the ancient precepts of knighthood and swear only to be knightly, all looked at Najin. They listened to what would come from his mouth.

And Najin opened his lips.

“One who doesn’t lose pride.”

Najin spoke the answer about “what a knight is” that he had obtained during his duel with the Fallen Knight.

“One who protects what hasn’t been lost, and struggles to regain what has been lost…”

What is a knight?

Before the Knights of Atanga, the epitome of knighthood, Najin was giving his answer.

“One who aims for the heights.”

Najin said.

“One who, with pride and honor, chases the stars in the high sky. That’s what I think a knight is. No, that’s the knight I want to become.”

A moment of silence.

Then, laughter was heard from behind Argo. The Knights of Atanga burst into laughter. Though he didn’t laugh out loud, a smile hung on Argo’s lips as well.

It wasn’t mockery directed at Najin.

Rather, it was far from mockery.

Argo raised his hand. At that signal, the knights stopped laughing. They quietly looked at Najin. Their eyes had softened compared to before, and their gaze towards Najin was also favorable.

Representing them, Argo asked Najin.

“Is that your sincere truth without any lies?”

“Yes.”

“I believe you.”

Argo smiled pleasantly.

Najin’s eyes weren’t those of someone telling a lie.

“No matter where one falls, no matter if one loses honor, no matter if one has fallen, to struggle to regain those things… Some might mock it as unsightly, but.”

Argo smiled.

“I, we, think it’s beautiful. Because it means one still wants to be a knight.”

“……”

“You seem to have spoken those words while picturing some knight. I don’t know which knight you’re envisioning, but indeed, he’s someone worth emulating.”

A knight worth emulating, as spoken by a Knight of Atanga.

Najin felt a stirring inside. He thought he wanted to tell this story to Ivan, and wished Ivan had been here.

“With pride and honor, chasing the stars. It has a nice ring to it. This is really…”

Argo removed his helmet.

Facing Najin with his helmet off, he scratched the back of his neck. What emerged from the helmet was the face of a young man. For a Sword Seeker, physical age is just a number.

“I said I’d ask just one question, but I keep asking more.”

With his bare face exposed, Argo smiled awkwardly.

“What’s your name?”

It’s probably written on the request form.

But he wanted to hear the name directly from the young man before him. At that question, Najin was silent for a moment.

“I hope that the conversation we’ve had here is entirely truthful.”

After the silence, Najin said.

“So I cannot tell you my name.”

Because if he were to say his name, it would become a lie.

“I see.”

Najin spoke indirectly, and Argo understood. Argo didn’t ask for Najin’s name anymore.

“Then the answer to today’s question.”

Argo thumped his armor.

“I’ll hear it after you become a knight. When you become a knight with honor and pride, will you be able to tell me your name then?”

Najin nodded.

Argo, with a grin, patted Najin’s shoulder. It was a very satisfied smile.

“I look forward to that day coming soon.”

Let’s go.

We’ll take care of this place.

“I will visit you again soon.”

Najin bowed his head and then moved on.

Though he didn’t add anything more, Argo could understand what Najin would have added.

Next time, I’ll meet you as a knight like yourself.

3.

After Najin left.

The Knights of Atanga processed the Fallen Knight’s body, recovered the relics he had stolen… and collected the bodies of the knights he had killed. As they were finishing up, feeling saddened by the bad news that would be delivered to each family.

“Sir Argo.”

Argo’s squire asked him a question.

“Why didn’t you ask more questions? He seemed to be hiding a lot.”

A squire who hadn’t yet become a knight.

She had talent, but was young and had a narrow view of the world. At the girl’s question, Argo stroked his chin.

“Because there was no need to ask more.”

“May I ask why?”

“Of course. You are my squire, and as your master, I have a duty to answer your questions.”

Argo opened his mouth.

“Because that young man’s intentions were pure. Because they were pure, there was no falsehood in his words.”

“Pure…?”

“Yes. That young man tried to downplay rather than emphasize his achievements. He said it was possible because of the injuries inflicted by the knights earlier, because of the advice given by a knight, because he was lucky, and so on…”

If he had wanted money. Or if he had wanted fame.

He would have inflated his own merits and not mentioned the knights. But that young man deliberately mentioned the knights who had died before, diminishing his own achievements.

“It’s an implausible story.”

Argo smiled bitterly.

He wasn’t lying, but that didn’t mean it was the truth. A being who wields such power and has contracted with a demon. Even if the injury helped, it couldn’t have played a decisive role.

In other words, that young man had fought and won against Bernhagen in his full state.

Yet, because he wanted to downplay his achievements and hide his strength, Argo didn’t probe further. There was no need to.

“I didn’t like the words of someone who wasn’t knightly. That was the young man’s answer.”

I didn’t like it.

So I cut him down.

It was a simple answer, sincere, and refreshingly direct. Argo smiled. The young man’s level, the means by which he cut down the demon, all of these were mysteries, but they didn’t matter.

The knightliness the young man spoke of.

The knight he wanted to become.

For Argo, a Knight of Atanga, these were more important than anything else. Having heard that answer, Argo was satisfied.

“Don’t forget the knightliness that man spoke of, Vlanche. It was a story worth remembering and pondering.”

“Yes, Sir Argo.”

Argo’s squire, Vlanche, nodded.

Watching the girl return to her place to help with the collection of bodies, Argo exhaled deeply. The image of the young man he had just met lingered in his mind.

He wanted to recruit him into the Knights of Atanga.

But Argo felt it wasn’t the right time yet.

At the same time, Argo had an intuition. That someday, without fail, that man would come to the Knights of Atanga of his own accord. Even if he didn’t join the order, Argo was confident he would become an ally who shared their purpose.

“With pride and honor, chasing the stars.”

“Placing my star in the highest place in that lofty sky. How magnificent a dream is that?”

“As a man, if you claim to be a knight, shouldn’t you dream big?”

Argo smiled bitterly.

Listening to the young man’s words reminded him of a certain knight who was his colleague and a promising talent of Atanga. A man who would surely have become a Sword Seeker if he were still on earth.

“Ivan.”

Argo murmured the name of his old friend.

‘It seems you’ve raised a disciple.’

In Argo’s hand was a request form.

The name of the young man who had accepted the request was Ivan. It’s a common name, but he couldn’t think it was just a coincidence. Argo exhaled deeply.

No matter where one falls.

Even if one loses honor and everything is taken away.

To struggle to regain what has been lost.

The knightliness the young man had spoken of. Argo realized who the young man was referring to when he spoke those words, undoubtedly recalling someone. At the same time, he could understand that his old friend had not given up on being a knight even there.

“That’s just like you.”

Muttering thus, Argo rose from his seat.

It wasn’t a story to be shared with others, so he would have to keep it to himself. After all, Ivan, the former Knight of Atanga, was a clear criminal.

By what connection that young man could have met Ivan, what relationship they had…

He’d have to hear about it later, along with the young man’s name. Hoping that day would come soon, Argo caressed the hilt of his sword.