Reincarnated with the King’s Power

Chapter 29

In the meeting room where the young masters had gathered, a perfectly controlled Carpe was unfurled.

Fred surrounded himself with mana to shake off the pressure pressing down on his body.

‘He mastered the 6-star? How could this be….’

He was not the only one surprised.

“……This is more than I expected.”

Demian slowly opened his mouth as he observed the mana that formed the Carpe.

Unlike Fred, he could not perfectly handle the pressure of a 6-star, so it was not easy to endure the Carpe of a 6-star master.

His hands and feet trembled under the crushing pressure.

Nevertheless, a smile played on his lips.

“You seem to be enjoying this.”

“It’s hard to deny.”

At Demian’s reaction, Killian also did not hide his smile.

By his own strict standards, it was not enough to call himself a complete 6-star master. But he had exaggerated to gain a voice in the current situation.

‘He’s delighted even though someone who could be a competitor has appeared.’

His talent as a warrior, his mindset as a knight.

He lacked nothing.

‘He has all the qualifications to overcome the wall. I almost want to teach him myself.’

Killian settled the mana that formed the Carpe.

“This seems sufficient for a show of force.”

“To call it a show of force, you seem to be enjoying it as well?”

Radiant silver hair and a confident smile, silver eyes that did not shy away even when facing a superior who was clearly stronger than him.

Facing a figure so reminiscent of Edan made his heart flutter.

On the other hand, there was also someone despairing at the current situation.

“Haa… Haa….”

Paian caught his breath raggedly.

Even though Killian's mana had been withdrawn, it was not easy to breathe. It was because his own unstably deployed Carpe had been shattered.

‘How can this be….’

His gaze turned to Julian, who had hit his head and fainted.

If Killian's Carpe had been released just 10 seconds later, he would not have escaped a similar fate.

Fred, who had withstood Killian’s pressure without much trouble, opened his mouth.

“Fourth Young Master, when did you master the 6-star? I heard it hasn't been long since you formed your Mana Heart.”

“It hasn't been long.”

“……”

Fred let out a dry laugh at his nonchalant reply.

“Sir Fred, that’s not what’s important right now.”

“……You’re right.”

“Killian, what was the level of the Knight Slayer you encountered?”

“Didn’t you already know?”

“A single word from someone who has experienced it firsthand is worth more than a hundred uncertain pieces of information.”

‘He’s not wrong.’

Killian recalled the battle in the mountain range.

Even with two 6-star knights risking their lives against it, they had barely managed to buy some time.

“It should be classified as a 7-star level monster. But it seemed it hadn't fully adapted to its body yet, so it’s not quite at the complete Superhuman-level.”

“Adaptation?”

“Yes. The Slayer is a chimera made from the bodies of Grand-level monsters.”

“For such a creature to be active all the way down to the mid-levels of the mountain range….”

Demian muttered, furrowing his brow.

It was common knowledge that the more powerful a monster was, the deeper it dwelled in the mountain range, never leaving its territory.

Furthermore, a chimera was a creature created by a mage for research purposes. They might have heard of individuals equivalent to the 5-star level, but none of them present had ever heard of a Superhuman-level chimera.

“Then it would be reasonable to assume that the one who created the Knight Slayer is the ruler of the mountain range.”

As Fred presented a reasonable opinion, Killian agreed and asked.

“I think so too. By any chance, does the Commander of the Knights know about this?”

“No. I haven't heard anything separately. If Sir Escardo had known, he would have come here himself.”

Fred sighed and continued.

“It seems the report wasn't accurate because the Annihilation Squad was away. And even if the Knight Slayer was at the Superhuman-level, he probably wouldn't have expected it to come down to the middle of the mountain range.”

“That’s probably right.”

Killian agreed.

If the Knight Slayer had been an ordinary monster, it would not have shown itself in the mid-levels of the mountain range during the subjugation.

It was a huge relief that Escardo had sent a small number of Red Knights in advance just in case.

“Killian.”

Demian, who was tapping the table with his index finger, opened his mouth.

“Including you, that makes two knights who have mastered the 6-star. If we utilize the Red Knight Order, would it be possible to hunt the Slayer?”

“It would be followed by no small number of sacrifices.”

There were fifty Red Knights, classified as intermediate-level or higher. If they waged a war of attrition with them, it was not impossible.

He had emphasized the word ‘sacrifices’, but Demian didn't seem to care.

“The odds of winning?”

“Assuming the situation follows our predictions, it’s 6 to 4.”

“We’re the 4, I presume?”

“Yes.”

Silence fell upon the room.

Even utilizing the family's most elite Red Knight Order, they could not guarantee a 40% chance of victory, and even if they did win, the damage would be immense.

Considering the grand plan that Eurasia dreamed of, it was right to wait for the family head or Escardo to arrive and preserve their forces.

‘But there are things that can only be obtained by enduring great losses.’

There was a saying that a knight who survived a confrontation with a Superhuman-level monster would either fall into a slump or attain a great awakening.

Connoisseurs called it a mere superstition, but a knight of the 6-star level would not be ignorant of what it meant.

“Good. Let’s subjugate it.”

“Y-Young Master Demian…!!”

A flustered Fred raised his voice.

“Sir Fred, we need to reorganize the Red Knight Order.”

“But that would lead to no small number of sacrifices….”

“It has already shown itself where we are anyway. If we retreat now, it will lead the other monsters and push down to the territory.”

This was what Paian had insisted.

As he said, if they didn't hurry, they would lose the first strike to the monsters, and from then on, it would become a long-term defensive battle, not a subjugation.

“If we succeed in the subjugation, it seems it would be a great help to the growth of you two. Wouldn’t it?”

Demian looked at Killian with a sly face.

“As the tactician of the Blue Knight Order, I will do my duty.”

“Good. Then let's begin the full-scale reorganization. Is Julian still asleep?”

Everyone’s gaze turned to the fallen Julian.

“Commander, please wake up.”

Killian indifferently patted his brother's shoulder.

***

The next day.

Excluding the casualties and the minimum defensive personnel, the knights of Eurasia ascended the mountain range.

Fifty members of the White Knight Order.

Fifty members of the Black Knight Order.

Two hundred members of the Blue Knight Order.

And fifty members of the Red Knight Order were mixed into the three knight orders as the subjugation continued.

The Slayer seemed to have no intention of hiding its presence any longer, waiting as it scattered its grim fighting spirit throughout the mountain range.

Unless one was a knight of a higher level than the creature, detection using mana became impossible.

“Pushing ourselves like this… what if the Knight Slayer appears? If there’s a separate ruler of the mountain range, hunting the Slayer won’t be the end of it, will it?”

Julian, who was climbing the mountain range sticking to Killian's back, asked in a whisper with an anxious face.

“If the knights do not ascend the mountain range today, the subjugation will end in failure. If blood must be shed anyway, it's better to be on the offensive than the defensive.”

“That’s true, but….”

“We’ve sent a carrier pigeon to the family and also dispatched a person, so Sir Escardo and the main force of the Red Knight Order will arrive soon.”

Since the rain had stopped, it would be possible in three days even if they used the land route.

‘It would only take a day if they use a Warp stone… but I’m not sure if that strict Commander would move alone using a Warp stone.’

A good three days until the main force arrived.

‘Until then, we have to handle it with our own strength.’

It wouldn't be easy with the Slayer having appeared, but with the Red Knight Order joining, their forces were stronger than before.

The Red Knights assigned to the Blue Knight Order consisted of nine 5-stars and one 6-star. It was a force capable of holding on to some extent even if the Slayer attacked.

Killian observed the knights.

Because of the crushing fighting spirit spread throughout the entire mountain range, their complexions were universally poor.

“The knights are intimidated. The commander must not show any anxiety.”

“Right… I’ll be careful.”

“Perhaps the Blue Knight Order might be the one to hunt it.”

“Hunt what…?”

“You heard yesterday, didn’t you? The Slayer will target one of the three knight orders.”

“Y-yes, that’s right. But the probability is one-third, isn’t it? Rather, with you here, the probability of it appearing here is….”

“You never know. It might be smart enough to know that taking my head first is advantageous.”

“……!!”

Julian’s face turned pale.

It was because he was not unaware that Killian’s death meant his own.

“Whichever side it appears on, the forces of the knight orders will converge in one place while hunting the Slayer.”

Julian nodded as if telling him to say more.

“If the Slayer appears somewhere other than with the Blue Knight Order, you, brother, should remain here with the knights.”

“What? Wh-why…?”

“It is no fool. If it moves, it will bring the other monsters of the mountain range with it.”

It was the same creature that had used high-level monsters to carry out a diversionary tactic before. This time, it was highly likely to attack with its full force.

“I will try to make an opportunity, so in the meantime, brother, you should block their retreat path.”

“I-indeed… that’s a good idea.”

He could become the protagonist of the subjugation.

Recalling this new hope, Julian tightened his grip on his sword.

In a short while, the Blue Knight Order drew near their target, the Orc settlement.

The smell of blood already stung their noses. The knights began to imbue their swords with mana, one by one.

The moment they passed through the forest and arrived at their destination.

The knights who witnessed the horrific scene with their own eyes let out groans.

A sea of corpses and a river of blood.

Hundreds of Orcs had been slaughtered and were strewn about.

What lingered in their territory were Lycanthropes, their white manes stained red.

[Wooooo.]

[Wooooooo.]

About thirty Lycanthropes let out roars.

And in the middle of the pack.

A particularly large one flashed its crimson eyes.

“It’s a Grand!!”

“Everyone, to defensive formation!!”

At Xenon's command, the Blue Knights scattered into twenty groups.

‘As expected, it had no intention of simply waiting for its prey.’

If the knights had not ascended the mountain range today, these creatures would have come down from the mountains and attacked the territory.

Wooooo!

The Lycanthrope at the front charged.

At that, ten Red Knights used Carpe simultaneously.

Ssssss.

Tzzzzzz.

The Lycanthropes stopped moving in the Carpe unfurled with red mana. It was because the perfectly unified mana of the knights was pressing down on their heads.

It was the moment a 5-star level monster was degraded to the level of a 2-star.

The Blue Knights cheered at the performance of the Red Knights.

Just then.

Kuung. Kung. Kuuuung.

Kwadeudeuk. Deudeudeuk.

The sound of something being dragged on the ground and trees being torn apart was heard.

Not long after, two groups of Trolls emerged from both sides of the settlement.

[Uoooooooo.]

[Uooo.]

[Ueuuuu.]

Their numbers were not inferior to the Lycanthropes.

A creature with blue-tinged skin, as if revealing it was a variant, let out a monstrous scream.

[Geoooooo!!]

The bodies of the Blue Knights froze at the successive roars of the high-level monsters.

The Red Knights also wore bewildered expressions at the larger-than-expected number of monsters.

Over sixty 5-star level monsters. Leading them were two 6-star level Grand monsters.

Numerically, there was no difference from the knights, but qualitatively, they were overwhelming.

“Th-this is….”

The moment Julian subconsciously tried to step back.

Sreung.

Killian quietly drew his Cheonghwageom.

A Red Flame bloomed from the mana-infused sword.

Ssssss.

The mana of a 6-star spread rapidly to the surroundings.

Hwarururu. Hwaruru.

The red flames that bloomed from it dominated the surrounding space.

It took less than 10 seconds for the Carpe made of Red Flame to trap the Trolls that had surrounded them from both sides.

“I’ll take care of these ones.”

Killian, his voice laced with mana, slowly walked forward.

Seogeok.

And he slashed the leg of the Troll that was screaming at him.

Kung.

The tilted giant lost its balance and fell to the ground.

[Uoooooo…….]

Kwadeuk.

The Cheonghwageom pierced the head of the wailing Troll. The Red Flame that infiltrated through the blade burned its brain.

Killian turned back and called out to Julian, who was staring blankly.

“What are you doing? Hasn't merit come walking right up to you?”

“……!!”

A step late, Julian raised his sword.

“I, the rest of the Blue Knight Order will face the Trolls! Follow me!!”

The commander of the Blue Knight Order shouted as he beheaded the fallen Troll.

The knights, belatedly coming to their senses, raised their swords.

The atmosphere that had swept the settlement was reversed by the martial prowess Killian had shown single-handedly.

“Chaaarge!!”

“This is our chance to kick the Trolls’ asses!!”

“Follow the commander and the tactician!!”

“Spread out and aim for their necks!!”

With burning momentum.

The Blue Knight Order threw themselves into the fray.