NOVEL NEXT Ch. 26
Chapter 26
“How did this happen.”
Julian, who had followed me into the room, threw out the question he had been holding back.
Killian walked to the table without a word and began to brew tea with a familiar touch.
He poured Loen's medicinal preparations, which had been steeped in water for about a day, into a cup and handed it to Julian.
“Have a cup.”
“What I'm curious about is…… Hah.”
Julian sighed at the gaze watching him intently and accepted the teacup.
Gulp, gulp, thud.
Julian, who had emptied the hot tea in one go, opened his mouth again.
“Does it make sense for a knight commander not to know his subordinate's actions?! Are you trying to deceive me in front of our brothers!”
“You're quite impatient.”
‘He’s using informal speech again….’
Julian gritted his teeth at his younger brother's naturally emerging informal speech.
Killian paid no mind and spread a parchment on the table.
It was the map he had received from the Sepia Merchant Guild before, with a few detailed routes added.
Killian pointed to a path that crossed the left and center from the entrance of the mountain range.
“From here to here, I went ahead and did some reconnaissance.”
“Reconnaissance……?”
Julian's gaze turned to the map.
It was a route that passed through the subjugation zones of the Blue Knight Order, the Black Knight Order, and the White Knight Order.
‘If it was reconnaissance, why didn’t he tell me the destination beforehand?’
As the arrival at the territory was delayed by about three days, several messengers had gone back and forth between the subjugation force and the Bastoni Family.
But during that time, Killian's name was never mentioned even once.
‘Could it be that the head of the Bastoni Family is personally protecting Killian? Why would he?’
If there was a reason for the Bastoni Family to be so concerned about Killian…….
“Is it related to the annihilation of the Bastoni reconnaissance team?”
“It's not directly related to me. Though I was lucky enough to save Lorenzo Bastoni's life.”
“……!!”
Julian's eyes widened.
‘Sir Lorenzo is a 5-star knight. Surely the reconnaissance team wasn't annihilated because of the Knight Slayer.’
“I'm starting to feel disappointed.”
“About what now?”
“The Knight Slayer.”
“Ahem…….”
“I ran around diligently to fulfill my duty as a tactician, but you, brother, didn't trust me and hid the information.”
“I, I also received the report late, so I didn't have a chance to tell you. Also, I heard that the Slayer is deep in the mountains, so we were unlikely to encounter it.”
“If that is your true sentiment, then that's a relief.”
“…….”
“What I encountered was a pack of Ogres. There was one Grand Ogre mixed in.”
“A Grand Ogre……?”
The 5-star monster Ogre and the 6-star monster Grand Ogre.
Julian was well aware of their notoriety.
‘There was a report suspecting the Knight Slayer to be a mutant Ogre as well…… No, Mother told me to keep it to myself. My life is on the line. I must not fully trust this guy.’
Watching Julian's wary demeanor, Killian continued.
“It was a mutant, but it wasn't Superhuman-level. By the time I sorted out the situation, only the severely injured Sir Lorenzo had barely survived.”
Unlike Killian who spoke of it as if it were nothing, Julian's eyes trembled.
‘If he hunted a pack of Ogres and a Grand Ogre by himself…….’
It meant he was on par with, or even superior to, Demian who had just subdued Paian.
“Ha……haha…….”
Julian let out a hollow laugh at the unexpected level of power.
‘Have I made such a guy my tactician instead of my enemy?’
A sense of relief washed over him before the feeling of humiliation.
“So, how was it after your reconnaissance? Do you have any special plans devised?”
“Nothing changes. For now, follow the Commander of the Knights' tactics.”
“What? If I can't build up achievements, this subjugation will be meaningless to me even if it ends in victory.”
“Did you say the Slayer is deep in the mountains?”
“Yes. I was definitely reported as such. A creature of that level would naturally be the ruler of the mountains. I was told it wouldn't come down below the mountain's waist.”
At those words, Killian shook his head.
The eerie sensation he felt when he detected the Mana before came to mind.
Creatures that emitted such an unpleasant aura should not be defined by conventional thinking.
“My thoughts are different. That thing is different from typical mountain rulers. It might not have been the ruler of the mountains from the start.”
“You're so certain. Do you have any particular evidence?”
“A hunch.”
“A hunch……?”
“Didn't I survive even after taking a secret medicine?”
‘What kind of bullshit is this now….’
Although Julian made a dumbfounded expression, Killian continued without a care.
“If we encounter it, the Eurasia subjugation force will have to assume damage close to annihilation.”
“……!!”
Julian could no longer hide his panicked expression.
Emma Eurasia had described the Knight Slayer as a mutant monster at the peak of the 6-star level, with the potential to be 7-star.
‘But if what Killian says is true…… isn't it dangerous to proceed with the subjugation as is?’
“Shouldn't we ask the Red Knight Order for help?”
“The family would have also left that possibility open.”
“And yet they placed the Red Knight Order in the rear……?”
Furthermore, Escardo, the Commander of the Knights, was said to arrive with the family head at the end of the subjugation.
To push the young masters into a death trap when even a 6-star knight couldn't guarantee victory.
“Unless Sir Escardo has gone mad…….”
“That's why it's real combat experience.”
“Real combat…….”
Come to think of it, Julian had never been on the front lines in a subjugation of this scale.
“There's no need to worry. A knight who uses Carpe can detect its movements. Brother Demian will also keep that in mind when deciding the pace of the subjugation.”
“So that's why you told me to rest.”
Julian nodded his head. He now understood the power struggle that had occurred between Demian and Paian a moment ago.
“The Blue Knight Order will focus on subjugating the right side of the mountain range for the time being. That's the best course of action for now.”
These were the words of his tactician, the knight who had slain a Grand Ogre.
There wasn't much Julian could say.
“……I understand.”
It was when Julian, after discussing a few more details, was about to leave.
“We've earned two days before the knights ascend the mountain.”
“That's right. One day would have been enough, but our older brother needlessly…….”
“I will give you swordsmanship instruction for a day tomorrow.”
“What……?”
“Come to my room after your meal.”
“No, it's alright. I think I need rest too…….”
“I will be waiting.”
Killian waved his hand as if to say he was done talking.
“Then, rest well and I'll see you tomorrow.”
At that one-sided dismissal.
‘F*ck……’
Julian had no choice but to swallow a deep sigh and leave the room.
***
“You arrived earlier than I thought?”78
Demian offered a seat to the man who had come to his room, Fred Perry, the Vice-commander of the Red Knight Order.
“You must be tired from arriving today, yet you're not resting more.”
As he handed him the tea he had poured himself, Fred replied in a gentle voice.
“The vanguard will be ascending the mountain tomorrow. Even though I'm in the rear, I should still show my face like this.”
“Is that so. What are your thoughts, Sir Fred?”
“About this subjugation? Won't it ultimately become your stage, young master?”
“You're optimistic. I haven't mastered 6-star yet.”
“Achieving 6-star at twenty-six is already unbelievable.”
Fred drank his tea with an affable laugh.
He was forty-five this year. It had been five years since he mastered 6-star, but the realm of a Superhuman was still far off.
But Demian before him would master 6-star within a few years and cross the wall before he did.
Fred was sure of it.
“Still, you must be careful of the Knight Slayer. They say the annihilation of the scouting party was the work of a Grand Ogre, but……. it's not normal for a Grand-class monster to come down to the middle of the mountain range.”
“I agree. I've reorganized the formations over the past two days, but who knows what will happen.”
It was a rather grim topic to discuss on the eve of the subjugation.
Fred, setting down his teacup, recalled a rumor.
“I heard the Fourth Young Master used a Warp stone to arrive early, right?”
“…….”
When Killian was suddenly mentioned, Demian looked at him.
“I thought he had come to his senses after going under Young Master Julian. He still has a long way to go.”
Just like Paian, Fred criticized Killian's actions for tarnishing the meaning of the subjugation.
“Do you think so too, Sir?”
“The subjugation is a stepping stone for Eurasia to advance to a bigger stage in the future. Such actions are not a good look for the affiliated knights.”
“My thoughts are a little different.”
“Yes……?”
“No, just talking to myself.”
With a peculiar expression, Demian quietly tilted his teacup.
“No need to change the subject. You have something else you want to say, don't you?”
“As the risk of the subjugation has increased, the Red Knight Order will intervene. Please give the order.”
Thud.
Demian set down his teacup and shook his head.
“We'll proceed as originally planned.”
“What do you mean…….”
“I mean there's no need to interfere. The Red Knight Order is to remain in the rear and conserve their stamina.”
“But Young Master…….”
“Sir Fred.”
Demian met Fred's eyes with a smiling face.
Fred knew well. Whenever the First Young Master showed this side of him, he was up to something.
And he also knew that whatever he said now would be futile.
“……Understood. I will assign separate knights to the Black and Blue Knight Orders.”
Paian could at least imitate Carpe, so he would be able to handle a surprise attack.
‘But the Blue Knight Order has no 5-star knights, so they won't be prepared for an attack.’
Just then.
Ssssss.
Suddenly, Demian used Carpe.
The scattered 6-star Mana pressed down on Fred.
“……Young Master?”
“Sir Fred, try to defend.”
Demian smiled and strengthened his Mana.
‘What is he plotting now.’
Fred didn't ask further and cloaked his body in Mana.
Even if it was just the beginning, it was a technique used by a 6-star knight, so being exposed to it defenselessly would not be good for him, a master.
Chzzzzzz.
Pure Mana was quietly layered over his muscles.
Demian quietly scanned his form.
He was calm, not even a single breath faltering against his Carpe.
The Mana enveloping his body felt only faint.
“…….”
Demian's gaze turned to the teacup placed in front of Fred.
Despite the complete pressure from Carpe, the teacup was still and unshaken.
Recalling Killian's pristine teacup, Demian smiled.
‘Interesting.’
Sssss.
Demian calmed his Mana.
“Why are you suddenly doing this?”
“I should be more worried about Paian than Julian.”
“Yes……?”
“Just talking to myself.”
“…….”
Fred closed his mouth and released the Mana cloaking his body.
‘He’s especially whimsical today. Did he discover something interesting?’
While Demian finished the rest of his tea, Fred's questions only deepened.
***
[Shriek, shrieeek!]
The screams of Orcs echoed from all over.
[Shriek, Humans, many.]
[Kill, shriek.]
[Shrieeek, all, shrieeek?]
“Decurions, forward!!”
“Don't give them an opening!”
“There!! An Orc Warrior is escaping! Get it!!”
The knights' shouts interfered with the Orcs' clumsy communication.
It was a battlefield where dozens of Orcs and dozens of knights were entangled in a fierce struggle.
“Not much longer!!”
“Don't let a single one escape!!”
Besides the 1-star monster Orcs, the appearance of Orc Mages and Orc Warriors, considered 2-star, turned it into a chaotic battle, but the tide had already turned.
The ferocious monster at the front, which was facing three knights, swung the corpse of its subordinate widely, but.
[Shrieeek!]
Slice.
Soon, its neck rolled on the ground, struck by a suddenly flying sword.
A Grand Orc Warrior. The creature, treated as a 3-star monster, had died.
Thud. Thump.
Killian flicked the blood off his sword and watched the Blue Knight Order's engagement.
The number of mutant Orcs was greater than expected, but they were still no match for the Blue Knight Order.
“It's still quiet.”
Day 10 of the Kurt Mountain Range Subjugation.
The blood of monsters flowed over the mountain range, which was soaked from continuous downpours.