novelraw Chapter 66
Chapter 66
K1 was summoned.
Now he could summon guns in both hands.
Although it wasn't the weapon he desired, his combat power had more than doubled.
Arthur looked alternately at the K1s gripped in both hands, a satisfied expression on his face.
“Submachine guns, huh… An unexpected outcome.”
“Congratulations on your awakening.”
Millerf bowed respectfully.
“It's all thanks to you.”
“As a vassal serving his lord, I merely did what was natural.”
Millerf spoke carefully, a smile playing on his lips.
“Are you thinking of accepting them, as you said?”
“They're useful fellows. Especially Blizan, he's too good to discard. Currently, within the Knight Order, he's so strong that no one except Skevin can stand against him.”
“After speaking with them, it seems they have no choice but to follow you, my lord.”
“It must be because of Laos. It was said that whoever possesses it has the authority to rule the Horcamun tribe.”
Arthur continued, taking off his armor.
“I'll handle the arrangements, so you support Van. I plan to focus on territorial defense when I have time.”
“Understood. I'll head straight to the construction site.”
As Millerf exited, Andrew entered, carefully carrying something in both hands.
“Young Master.”
“Oh, what is it?”
“The Madam asked me to deliver this.”
It was a red garment.
“Looks like a new outfit?”
“It's the garment Count Julius used to wear, mended. Now that you've become the head of the household, it's only natural that your clothes should match.”
“I see.”
Arthur took the garment and unfurled it.
Elaborate embroidery adorned both shoulders, and a large dragon, the symbol of the Julius family, was emblazoned over the heart.
Unlike when he first saw it in the office, it seemed to exude a powerful energy.
Unconsciously, he straightened his chest and his shoulders tensed.
He had no doubt that the emblem emblazoned on his chest would become a symbol of fear for his enemies.
“Everything will change from now on.”
***
“Captain, what will you do now?”
Alteon looked at Blizan with a serious expression.
Bukas was the same.
They never imagined he would hand over Laos to him.
Whoever possessed it held the authority to rule the tribe.
Since that fact had been revealed, if Count Julius decided to do so, they would have no choice but to obey.
This was an entirely different matter from being forced to obey Hazan because their families were held hostage.
Becoming completely subservient to him was no trivial matter.
Blizan looked at the blue sky visible through the window beyond the iron bars and spoke.
“It was an unavoidable choice.”
“We have no complaints about the Captain's decision.”
Bukas added to Alteon's words.
“Things must change now. How long must we follow rules set by people we've never even seen?”
“That's right! Now we must set our own rules and follow them.”
“Hmph.”
Blizan snorted and looked at Alteon.
“What need is there for new rules when we might die at any moment?”
“But the situation might change, mightn't it?”
“It's already over. And I have no intention of breaking the rules set by our ancestors.”
“Captain!”
Just as Alteon and the other tribesmen's faces darkened, footsteps were heard descending.
“...!”
Everyone's gaze turned towards the entrance.
A moment later.
Arthur appeared, clad in the red garment. An unapproachable aura emanated from him.
‘He's finally here.’
Blizan rose, a hint of tension in his demeanor.
The tribesmen also all rose from their seats, glaring at Arthur as if to kill him.
Arthur paid no heed to their reactions and walked up to Blizan.
His physique was so enormous that even Hellot, the largest Knight in the Knight Order, felt small in comparison.
It felt as if he was facing a massive boulder.
“He's truly massive.”
“What will you do with us? The middle-aged man who came earlier said our lives depend on your decision.”
“That's right.”
Arthur surveyed the inside of the prison with a meaningful smile.
Even as prisoners, their eyes were alive, and some exuded a powerful will to live.
‘The more I see them, the more I want them.’
These guys would rather choose death than have their will easily broken.
It would be difficult for them to become allies without a special catalyst, so he decided to tell them what he had in mind.
“Laos has been destroyed.”
“What?!”
Blizan's eyes widened.
Alteon rushed forward, gripping the iron bars and shouting wildly.
“Do you even know what that is?! The heart of the Horcamun tribe, and you—!”
He snarled as if to devour Arthur, radiating murderous intent.
Arthur's smile vanished as he approached Alteon and stretched out his hand like lightning.
“Gah!”
He grabbed Alteon's neck and uttered a single phrase.
“I absolutely hate noise.”
As he tightened his grip, Alteon's face turned ashen, and foam frothed from his mouth.
It looked as if he would die any moment.
Bukas wanted to do something, but he was crushed by Arthur's presence and couldn't move.
Only Blizan could resolve this situation.
Blizan frowned and spoke to Arthur.
“Stop.”
Arthur looked at Blizan.
“I came here to give you an opportunity.”
“...!”
Blizan's eyes gleamed.
“Select two of the strongest among you, including yourself, and defeat one person. Then I will release all of you.”
“Really?”
“However, if you lose, you will not be slave-soldiers, but must genuinely pledge loyalty to him.”
“Surely not you?”
“Hardly. It would be a disgrace to my family for me to step forward to face you.”
“Hmm…”
Blizan frowned.
“Fight to win your freedom, or die as you are. Judge well.”
Arthur turned his back and continued.
“I will give you ample time, so decide carefully.”
***
“What's going on?”
“I don't know either.”
“What in the world is this?”
All the Knights were gathered in the training ground, waiting for Arthur or Skevin to appear.
After quite some time had passed.
Arthur and Skevin appeared.
Arthur was dressed in his formal attire, and Skevin appeared in full armor.
“What's happening?”
Everyone looked bewildered, their faces etched with questions.
Skevin moved directly to the dueling arena, while Arthur ascended the platform and looked towards the training ground's entrance.
A moment later.
The Devil's Corps appeared.
Behind them, Blizan, Alteon, and Bukas followed, bound.
Following them, Drakan and the Lannister Knight Order led the Horcamun tribe out.
The Knights roughly guessed what was happening upon seeing the sight.
‘Are they planning to kill them all? Then there would have been no reason to bring them here.’
‘What in the world are they trying to do?’
Everyone's faces were filled with questions.
The Devil's Corps guided the three to the dueling arena and then returned to their positions.
Drakan and the Lannister Knight Order lined up the Horcamun tribe beside the dueling arena.
They glared at Skevin with murderous eyes.
The Phoenix Knights looked at the dueling arena and tilted their heads.
This was because the three brought by the Devil's Corps stood facing Skevin, looking as if they were about to duel.
“No way?”
“Three against one?”
“Why something like this…”
Question after question arose, and everyone's gaze turned to Arthur.
Arthur opened his mouth.
“If you defeat Skevin, I will release you as promised. Conversely, if Skevin defeats all three of you, you will pledge your loyalty to him.”
“...!”
The Knights' mouths dropped open.
The content was so unexpected that they were at a loss as to how to react.
Hellot spoke in a dissatisfied tone.
“I don't see the reason for doing this.”
Several Knights added their agreement to his words.
“Wouldn't it be better to just kill them?”
“What if they pretend to obey at first to survive, then betray us later? Wouldn't that be a huge problem?”
“That's true.”
“Securing combat power is good, but this doesn't feel right.”
Just as the training ground grew noisy.
Shhhhrrrring—.
Skevin drew Excalibur.
Everyone fell silent and watched him intently.
The training ground instantly fell silent as they watched him.
“I, Skevin Maximus, challenge the warriors of the Horcamun tribe to a duel!”
His deep voice echoed through the training ground.
“Hmm…”
Blizan's face hardened slightly.
He had thought there would be no one to face him other than Count Julius.
But looking at the person before him, he realized he had been mistaken.
Just the aura emanating from him showed that he was by no means inferior.
Blizan gave a wry smile and spoke.
“He had something up his sleeve, I see. No, it's something to be grateful for that he isn't stepping forward himself. At least he's given us a glimmer of hope.”
“It's fortunate you understand.”
“Let's skip the pleasantries.”
“It doesn't matter. I plan to receive them properly later.”
Skevin nodded to Dark.
Dark brought them their weapons.
Blizan slipped knuckles onto his hands and whispered so only Alteon and Bukas could hear.
“If we attack carelessly, we'll be defeated.”
“Understood.”
Alteon gripped his mace tightly and glared at Skevin.
Bukas also gripped daggers in both hands and said.
“I'll create an opening.”
“Then.”
As Blizan drew up his Mana, Bukas darted like an arrow towards Skevin.
A faint smile played on Skevin's lips.
“You'll have to do your best.”
“That's my line!”
Bukas thrust his dagger.
Swish!
It sliced through the air, sharp and swift.
“Is that your best?”
Skevin parried it with Excalibur and slammed his shoulder into Bukas.
Thwack!
As Bukas fell backward, Alteon appeared behind Skevin and brought his mace down.
“It's over!”
“A predictable attack.”
Skevin vanished.
“What?!”
Alteon's eyes widened.
Conversely, Skevin appeared behind him and whispered in his ear.
“This is how you ambush.”
After kicking Alteon's hamstrings, he struck him on the nape of the neck with the hilt of his sword.
Thud!
Alteon stumbled forward and collapsed, unconscious.
Skevin, having dealt with two opponents in an instant, looked at Blizan with a faint smile.
“Don't disappoint my expectations.”
“Arrogant fool.”
Blizan closed the distance in a single bound and threw a punch.
Due to the significant height difference, even a simple jab, delivered from above, was extremely menacing.
‘Fast.’
Skevin was startled but didn't show it, quickly blocking with his sword.
Clang!
‘What power…’
With the impact, Skevin was pushed back a step, and simultaneously, Blizan's kick struck his side.
Thwack!
As Skevin grimaced slightly, Blizan surged into his chest and delivered an uppercut.
The attacks flowed seamlessly, like water.
“Definitely better.”
As Skevin leaned back to dodge, Blizan grinned.
“You might die if you get too cocky.”
Just as he put all his strength into his shoulder, intending to ram into Skevin's chest!
Skevin grinned.
“The Young Master would certainly covet you.”
He unleashed his power.
An immense surge of energy exploded from him.
At the same time, a transparent shield formed, blocking Blizan's attack.
“Something like this is…”
Blizan also drew up his Mana.
Lightning crackled around him, and his power grew stronger.
Sparks flew, pressing Skevin back.
A strong wind rose around them, enveloping the two.
“Incredible…”
The Knights swallowed hard.
Skevin wore a satisfied expression.
“Not bad.”
“You'll be begging for your life.”
“Do you really have that ability?”
“Watch closely.”
Blizan gritted his teeth and drew up all his Mana.
Sizzle— Crackle—.
As the sparks intensified, the pressure grew fiercer.
But Skevin stood unmoving, as if his feet were rooted to the ground.
Instead, the smile on his lips deepened.
“Is that all?”
“Hardly! It's just beginning!”
Blizan threw a punch.
Boom!
The lightning-wreathed fist shot forward like a flash of lightning.
“...!”
Skevin's eyes flashed as he thrust Excalibur forward.
Fist and sword collided.
CRASH!
With a tremendous explosion, thick smoke enveloped the two.
“What happened?”
“Surely the Captain wasn't defeated, was he?”
“No way!”
“Captain…”
The Knights and Horcamun tribesmen waited with worried expressions for the smoke to clear.
Meanwhile, a smile played on Arthur's lips.
“Beyond my expectations.”