Chapter 18

Chapter 18 - Champion (1)

"The disciple of Sir Godfrey? Of that Prophetic Knight?"

Karas looked at Panis with a surprised face.

"Hey, you should have told me such important information right away!"

"I am sorry. I was busy searching for and hosting knights, and cleaning up the mess caused by the Barcia knights."

"Ahem."

There was nothing Karas could say when Panis subtly used the accident he had caused as a shield.

"Do you know my master?"

"I have never met him. But one is not a knight if they do not know his name. No wonder you were different."

Judging by the way Karas used honorifics, it seemed his master was indeed a great man.

"We are keeping a tight lid on the relationship between Sir Eugene and Sir Godfrey. It will be better if Gord lets their guard down."

"Things are getting interesting."

Karas downed his drink in one go.

"Chief, send me out as the vanguard. If you don't, I feel like my turn will never come."

Eugene thought he had hit the jackpot inwardly, but he maintained his dignity outwardly.

"That's truly dependable."

The compensation was good, and now a fairly strong knight was even volunteering for the vanguard. It was a welcome development.

"..."

Only Homi looked with disapproval at Karas, who was trying to snatch away her master's glory. Since she did not even think Eugene would lose, she wanted him to fully enjoy the glory of being the vanguard and the victory.

However, intervening here would be overstepping her bounds as a squire. If her lord decided, she would simply follow.

* * *

The leadership of Bonyard City recently held grand meetings frequently.

Major officials such as the Security Chief, Administrative Official, and Water Supply Official, along with the bigwigs of commerce and industry who influenced the city, gathered under the Magistrate who served a three-year term.

"There is no disruption to the distribution of goods coming and going from Count Andar's fief. I thought they would raise tariffs or act territorial with inspections, but they were quiet."

"That's to be expected. Aren't they the type who want to swallow the yolk after spilling only a bit of blood? Why would they have a reason to cut the city's income!"

Count Andar was the owner of the adjacent fief and the instigator of this confrontation. It was a localized war involving several noble lords around him.

Most wars here were like this. All-out wars staking the fate of a nation were rare, and the fall of a country meant the annihilation of the royal family, the strongest great lord.

"Eastham says they will reconsider the contract for the spice supply."

"Anyway, those Samur fellows have no business ethics, none at all. If Gord wins, they probably intend to trade directly with them."

There were many factions trying to profit by even a single silver coin while predicting Bonyard's future. The city leadership was exhausted just from dealing with them.

Furthermore, there were other things threatening the city.

"The northern trade route is much more dangerous. They say the bandit groups have tripled compared to usual, and the number is continuing to increase."

"They must be trying to make a killing while we're distracted by the Hall War. Those jackal-like bastards!"

Normally they would have gathered a mercenary troop to form a subjugation team, but now they didn't have the peace of mind for that.

"Let's focus on those Gord bastards for now! Winning against them is the top priority over small-scale plundering!"

"What became of the envoy sent to the Lady of the Forest? If she were to point out a place where a person of noble character might be..."

The Lady of the Forest referred to the mage who lived in seclusion in the Emerald Forest near the city. In the past, she had provided great help several times when Bonyard or nearby villages were struggling.

"Far from meeting her, they wandered for a long time without even reaching the center of the forest before returning. The envoys expressed it by saying, 'The forest rejected them'."

"Dammit, what were you expecting? She's not someone you can meet just because you want to."

As excellent mages often were, the Lady of the Forest appeared only when she felt like it.

Those who were exchanging various stories focused their gazes on one person.

"Panis! Shouldn't you be the one speaking the most passionately here?"

"What happened to those damn knights! Are you certain you're recruiting them properly?"

Panis, who until a few days ago had been busy making excuses while breaking out in a cold sweat, was relaxed today.

"Do not worry. I have succeeded in hosting both the best and the secondary options."

"Is that true?!"

At the bold declaration, everyone clenched their fists.

Most members of the grand meeting were those with noble blood or those who had accumulated wealth in the sunlight. There were not a few who despised Panis, who had risen by selling alcohol and gambling.

However, they didn't ignore his insight. If he guaranteed that he had brought the best and the secondary options, it meant he had gathered truly great knights.

"Quickly, tell us the names."

"Everything I've built in my life is on the line, yet the work is only proceeding in someone else's hands, so I'm dying of curiosity!"

Since they were gathering knights from all over so urgently, it was a situation where they couldn't report the interim progress every time. Those whose futures were on the line had no choice but to be anxious.

"The secondary is Sir Karas."

"The Renounced Knight Karas!"

"That rogue actually came?"

Karas Cruz.

He was a knight from a prominent family of southern Samur.

While he was kind to soldiers, slaves, and maids, he was prickly toward nobles and knights, causing countless troubles.

He was a strong man who had won every duel despite having requested or received the most challenges in the south.

The Cruz Family, who had to clean up after him, was troubled but secretly harbored pride because his talent as a knight was so great.

The problem arose when an arranged marriage was pushed forward.

-Father! I'm not even the eldest son, isn't it too much for you to decide on a spouse at your whim?

-It's time you too, before being a knight, became aware of your duty as a noble. Isn't the other party from the third wealthiest family in the south? It's a rare opportunity.

-I would follow even if you ordered me to charge into a thousand enemies, but I will choose my love myself. Even if a sword is swung by another's will, my heart is entirely mine.

The discrepancy between the two sides was not narrowed, and Karas left the family and became a wandering knight after leaving behind a single letter.

The enraged head of the Cruz Family declared a renunciation of their relationship, but due to a tearful request from his mother, he did not strip him of his knighthood.

-What an ungrateful fellow. Still, he should have a way to make a living.

Even the cold head of the Cruz Family could cut off righteousness, but could not cut off the bond of blood.

The timing and direction coincided, and Bonyard had succeeded in inviting him.

"If it's Sir Karas, we can trust him. His personality is foul, but isn't his skill the real deal?"

"He went around causing so many accidents, so naturally his skill must be good. If not, he would have been cut down somewhere long ago."

"But to think Sir Karas is the secondary... who is the best?"

Everyone looked at Panis with eyes full of expectation.

"Do not be surprised. It's the direct disciple of the famous Prophetic Knight..."

"To think it's Sir Godfrey! We've won! We've won!"

"Amazing! I'm curious about the secret of how you hosted such a person."

Amidst everyone's cheering, Panis waved his hand.

"...It is Sir Eugene, his direct disciple."

It became quiet in an instant.

"Eugene?"

"It's a name I'm hearing for the first time."

"Is he really a disciple?"

Panis reflected on that sight. He could understand how frustrated Sorin must have been when he first reported to him.

"My subordinates and the Beard mercenary troop confirmed it on the way here. They say the knight alone wiped out a pack of wolves and a Warg. That is absolutely not something an ordinary knight can do."

"He took down a Warg?"

The Magistrate, who had been listening quietly, asked in surprise.

"Yes, and in only three exchanges."

Voices of admiration were heard from all around.

A Warg is large, yet swift and even cunning. It's a troublesome fellow that knows how to lead a wolf pack and strike and retreat.

Even an outstanding knight would barely manage to stab a blade into its heart after becoming drenched in sweat and exchanging blows for a long time after blocking its retreat with many soldiers.

Yet, to have killed it in three exchanges meant he had pressed on and finished it in one breath before the creature could even do anything.

"This is something you must keep secret, but he also suppressed Sir Karas in a single blow."

"..."

Everyone became quiet, as if the doubt and worry until a moment ago were lies. At this level, it was a ferocity no different than if Godfrey himself had come.

Clap, clap, clap!

When the Magistrate applauded, everyone followed and clapped their hands.

"As expected. There is a reason for calling Sir Karas the secondary. If this matter is resolved safely, it will be the same as you having saved the city."

"Thank you!"

Panis proudly received the Magistrate's praise. It felt as if the contempt and sorrow he had received knowingly or unknowingly at the grand meetings were washed away like melting snow.

* * *

"A hunt?"

"That's right, Sir Eugene."

Panis proposed with an even more polite attitude.

"The third knight we invited has arrived. Since there is still time before the Hall War and I thought you might be bored, I've prepared it. Isn't it good for noble persons to build friendship among themselves?"

Eugene wore a reluctant face.

Though he had been educated as a knight and had often roamed the mountains to obtain meat, he was not the type to enjoy hunting for sport.

Even so, he couldn't refuse. Living as a knight here was just like that.

"I shall do so. Since he is a fine knight chosen by the Chief, I look forward to the meeting."

"I doubt there will ever be another person like Sir Eugene in my life."

The hunt was set for tomorrow after lunch.

Homi clenched her fists and solidified her resolve. The time has come for her lord to have formal interactions with other knights. As a squire, she could not show an inadequate appearance.

"There's no need to be so tense. Let's just go with a comfortable heart."

Eugene tried to soothe her, but it didn't seem to reach the squire's ears.

And so the day of the hunt came.

The host Panis, the mercenaries who would act as beaters, and the three Champions gathered.

The number of knights invited by the city was more than this, but Panis had narrowed them down to three at his discretion. Eugene, Karas, and a middle-aged knight named Cressy.

"I have already told Sir Cressy about the two of you."

"Good to meet you. I've heard much about you sirs. I look forward to an activity worthy of that honor."

Karas nodded his head slightly, and Eugene received the greeting with formality.

"I will do my best to not bring shame to my blade. Please rest assured, as I will not be a burden."

"Splendid spirit."

Cressy stepped back satisfied. It seemed he too was not particularly interested in socializing.

"There is another knight I specifically want to host, but as they are in a distant place, I do not know if they will arrive in time."

"For you to send someone far away when the matter is urgent, they must be a skilled knight."

"That's right, Sir Eugene. Originally, that person was the first priority for recruitment. Their martial power is one thing, but they have a good relationship with us. They are someone who would rush here immediately if they knew of the city's crisis."

Panis grinned as he looked between his two strongest cards.

"However, with an unexpected connection like Sir Karas and even Sir Eugene here, it will be fine even if that person cannot come."

"But Chief, what if that knight arrives in time...?"

Eugene trailed off.

Though no one said it, the one who would be left out if that knight came was Cressy. As a knight, his pride would surely be wounded.

"You don't need to worry about such useless things. It's enough for me as long as I get my compensation."

He waved his hand, signaling he knew what Eugene was thinking.

"Sir Cressy is a flexible knight."

Panis packaged it by bowing to him, but Eugene roughly got the sense.

A knight who has given up on the pursuit of honor is essentially no different from a well-fighting mercenary.

It's hard for such a person to be an outstanding knight. Strength is polished through an endless spirit of challenge and struggle where one does not spare one's life.

However, it was difficult to urgently find an outstanding Champion in the frontier.

It was close to a miracle to have obtained knights of the level of Eugene and Karas at the same time. It was inevitable that a mediocre knight like Cressy would be included.

Not having useless pride and accepting a replacement with a better person if necessary? From the city's perspective, it was the best.

'If it hadn't been for these two, those dhampir fellows I met a few days ago might have been called.'

He was much more comfortable with this member than hunting with those guys.

After getting acquainted with the third Champion, Eugene looked toward one place. There was an existence that had been piquing his interest since the moment they arrived at the hunting ground.

A warrior of horse and man combined, exuding a presence at the head of the beaters. It was a centaur.

"Is it the first time you're seeing a centaur?"

Panis asked.

"Yes. I often heard stories from my master, but this is the first time I'm seeing one in person."

Eugene approached the centaur. Since he was off his horse, even with his large build, he was an opponent he had to look up at.

"What is your name?"

He didn't seem like a simple soldier, given his good equipment.

"I am not a knight. I am merely a guard leader. You can just call me Barun. Please use informal speech as well."

"Barun belongs to the guard team directly contracted with the city. He's a capable and reliable friend."

Panis looked at Barun with a proud face.

"Have you all prepared your equipment?"

At Barun's question, all the Champions nodded.

Cressy held a cavalry crossbow, while Karas and Barun held composite bows made in their respective hometowns.

Eugene mounted his horse and received a large crossbow from Homi.

"Are you really going to use that?"

Karas asked in a tone that questioned if he was serious. To anyone's eyes, it was not something made to be used on horseback.

Creeeeak.

But when Eugene finished reloading in just two seconds, it became quiet. Cressy and Barun also looked on, lost for words.

Homi would use her whole hand and pull the string before placing a bolt. But Eugene, possessing even more monstrous strength, could reload in an instant using just his thumb and index finger gripping the bolt.

Whistle-!

A sharp signal was heard from the forest.

"W-Well then, shall we go?"

Panis pointed toward the hunting ground with a mix of fluster and joy.

"Our city mercenaries are remarkably good at acting as beaters. It seems they've already found one."

Given the nature of a free city, they had done this once or twice. Naturally, the contracted mercenaries' hospitality skills were bound to improve.

The knights mounted their horses and galloped into the forest.

"Drive it to the right!"

"You slug-like bastards, what are you doing? It's escaping into the narrow path!"

Shouts from the beaters were heard here and there. It was the first time Eugene had experienced a noble-style hunt.