Chapter 188

Chapter 188 - War of Wrath (5)

Krey didn't step forward personally first. He yielded the opportunity to fight to the knights who came with him.

"It's surprising. With the hot-bloodedness to come so fearlessly and demand a match, I thought he would step forward as the 1st priority."

"It's probably a similar reason to Your Excellency. He has a simple personality to the point his nickname is the Headbutting Knight, but he knows how to look after others' hearts too."

Baron Lester spoke while looking at the enemy camp in the middle of preparing for duels.

No matter how brave Krey is, he cannot come alone and demand a duel. If he did, he would be tied up tightly after suffering a clubbing massage.

Eugene is the master of Britannia's largest city, Haven, the son-in-law of the legendary Elf royal family, and the administrator of the South.

Krey was also given the qualification to demand something only when he came equipped with a certain level of nobles and troops.

Before departing, he had to recruit friends, vassals, and knights burning with desire for honor. First of all, he stepped back to secure their shares.

"Have you ever conversed with that man?"

"Die. Come at me. Clear away the archers. Let us fight like knights."

Baron Lester shrugged his shoulders.

"If you count things like this as conversation. I met him once on the battlefield."

"He seems like a person far from stratagems."

"Haha! A living witness proving the importance of education. Among the Kruger family, he is one of the few you would willingly ask for a handshake."

That was a similar opinion for the other vassals too.

"I have shared conversations a few times at trial by combats."

"He does seem like someone who would like trial by combats."

"Ah! Not his own trials, but going as an observer to others' trials. He also frequently took on the role of representative."

If Morad's Benjamin went around observing for mediation and harmony, Krey went around observing considering the duel itself sacred.

When a verdict was reached, he acted fairly as a witness, so he was very popular. In the case of poor and weak people, there were also occasions where he lent weapons or armor.

'He is a dog-son of a tiger-father.'

Laughing quietly, Eugene tilted his head slightly after looking alternately at the knights on both sides deciding the order.

Perhaps having noticed her husband's inner thoughts, Valda whispered.

"Is he unreliable?"

"It would be a lie to say I'm not anxious."

If even the serfs of the South bet money on this match, they would bet on the opposing side instead of their masters. Just singling out tournaments or large and small martial arts tournaments, both regions differed by 3~4 times.

Excluding a small number of march lords including Baron Lester, the Southern knights were utterly unreliable as warriors, whatever they might be as commanders.

"To speak honestly, I see no harm even if the Southern knights lose."

"A fight staking honor, and you say it's fine if they lose."

"Something like this is just entertainment anyway. It cannot influence the general trend."

"There will probably be knights or soldiers who get discouraged prior to actual combat."

"Anyway, if you ride Might out and swing your giant axe a few times, it will be restored to original."

An army's morale rides on momentum, so once it drops, it is not easy to restore.

However, from Valda's perspective, Eugene is not an existence bound by such common sense. Even for a discouraged army, he had something that could ignite them in an instant.

"Through this duel, the Southern nobles will realize your importance once again. It would be troublesome if magpies sitting on a tiger's shoulder mistook themselves for black eagles."

"I think your words are a bit harsh but."

"Not at all. I can see everything in my eyes you see."

Unlike Eugene who smiled bitterly, Valda was sincere. She had a scary face saying 'I wanted to discipline them around this time, so this turned out well.'

* * *

Just like the Gords, Britannia knights are also not skilled in horsemanship. It was also a region where usable warhorses were rare in the first place.

The Center was even worse with this. Including the Roman study-abroad faction like Krey, only a minority could fully perform the role of shock cavalry.

The majority of knights rode horses only when moving or pursuing routed enemies, and in peacetime combat, they dismount and function as infantry knights. Duels are also the same.

"They are very high and mighty."

The central knights who came with Krey looked at the opposing side as if they were an eyesore.

"They aren't guys to completely look down on. That Baron Lester next to the Count over there is a single sheepdog among flocks of sheep."

"Even so, isn't he just a dog? If wolves rush in..."

"Because he is a dog that has tasted wolf meat many times as well, you must not be careless."

The knights made efforts to remember Lester's face. If the prideful Krey speaks to this extent, he must certainly be an amazing knight.

Like that, the first contestants from both sides came out. A central knight holding an axe and a southern knight holding an arming sword.

"Will you be able to fight alone? If anything, I'll let it slide if you place about one longbowman behind you."

"A dirty mixed-blood seed babbles well. I will cut off that tongue."

The moment Eugene saw the approached central knight, he felt it wouldn't be easy. Because the traces of time smeared on the equipment were different from the start.

Bandages for sweat absorption and slip prevention are wrapped around the axe handle. A metal guard generally not present was attached to the haft, and it is full of countless scratches.

These traces of time were revealed throughout the central knight's entire equipment. Refined little by little experiencing numerous battles, fitted to his own style.

On the other hand, the southern knight was wearing expensive equipment, but it was just clean.

"For Valhalla!"

"Honor."

The weapons clashed with each other alongside their respective slogans.

From the start, the southern knight deflected the fiercely rushing axe swings with elegant swordsmanship. For a while at first, it was to the extent he was leading advantageously.

However, as the central knight smiled and utilized taijutsu and shield aggressively, the sword path became dizzy in an instant.

Thwack!

The axe blade struck the southern knight's arm hard, and bloodstained chain pieces fell.

"Surrender."

"What surrender over some skinned skin!"

When they clashed again and progressed for nearly 10 more exchanges, the two became one tangled lump and rolled on the ground.

The central knight, who took the rear with outstanding taijutsu, hooked the axe haft around the opponent's neck and clamped a lock with both arms.

"Kahak!"

The southern knight caught in a choke struggled, but it was useless. A ground technique is something you just suffer if you don't know how to counter it.

"Stop! Let him go!"

"Cough cough cough!"

At Krey's shout, the southern knight was released and coughed violently.

'Were you perchance counting numbers?'

Eugene had wondered what Krey was muttering as his lips moved after the choke started. Seeing it now, it seems he was calculating to prevent death by suffocation.

"Since you commemorated the first victory excellently, come back now. There are many knights besides you craving honor."

The central knight who could fight more made a dissatisfied expression but followed Krey's words.

In the second duel, a hulking central knight holding a two-handed halberd and a southern knight with a longsword stepped forward.

"Keuhaaa!"

An axe blade one size larger than normal threatenedly cleaved the air. The southern knight dared not receive it, and while dodging, aimed for an opening and thrusted his sword.

However, the sword bounced off the iron haft. Having lost his balance at the axe head thrust flying in as a counterattack, he fell.

Vwooom!

The halberd that spun once above the central knight's head. It soared high into the sky, then plunged down receiving maximum gravity.

"D-Danger!"

The ones watching shouted, wondering if a casualty would happen already.

Crack!

The axe blade digging into the shield cut the back of the southern knight's hand and blood poured out.

"Why don't you surrender?"

"In front of His Excellency? Don't spout bullshit!"

At the 2nd axe swing flying in without holding back, the trembling shield came up again.

Bang!

"Keoheok!"

The shield dropped by overwhelming impact crushed the knight's upper body.

The central knight withdrew the axe he held upside down. Since it was a situation where the match was half decided, he hit him with the axe head side.

Cheers burst out from Krey's camp, and a stiff silence lingered in Eugene's camp.

"It is an appearance full of tolerance even though an enemy."

"Although it is a humiliation for the South."

Eugene stroking his chin as if giving an expected surprise, and Baron Lester sighing.

'What kind of disgraceful behavior is this in front of His Excellency!'

Although it was still only 2 fights, it was a battle revealing the difference in skill and experience of both sides.

Although they say a duel between knights is also greatly influenced by the day's condition or luck, but there was a certainty that those two fights would be the same even if repeated multiple times changing the date.

"I will step forward."

After losing 2 times in a row consecutively even after that, thinking it couldn't go on like this, Baron Lester grabbed his sword.

"Excellency. I will bestow a march knight's sword upon those arrogant enemies. Please give me a chance!"

"Lord. We are here too. I think we yielded enough at this point, so why don't you slowly send out the real swordsmen?"

Hind and the tribal knights also requested to deploy not to be outdone. Among them, there was also one who showed Eugene twin swords.

They seemed to appeal, saying, 'We'll promise you a brilliant spectacle, so please!'.

"Put the urumi away. Do you plan to turn the stage into a sea of blood?"

"I-I suppose so?"

There was also a tribal knight who brought an assassination weapon and got scolded by Rex.

"Conrad here will challenge Count Meyer! Let us compete who is Britannia's strongest flail!"

"Such an insolent fellow!"

However, the 5th one to come out from the opposing side was the knight who provoked Eugene.

In principle, it is true that in such a setting, one has the right to challenge any knight.

However, even though the difference in status between each other is enormous, provoking like that is not a matter to be brushed off lightly.

"This damn bastard..."

Krey was also angry at the sight of someone preempting him and arbitrarily challenging Eugene.

But Conrad is from the wealthiest family in the Center. He possessed tremendous influence since he was providing many war funds to King Kruger in the civil war as well.

He is not a knight Krey, who isn't even the heir, could sanction in any way.

"Homi. Could you bring my weapon? I should accommodate them since they want it so much."

Krey despaired at Eugene looking to personally accommodate him.

A situation where fighting once per person was an unspoken rule. The opportunity to fight Eugene disappeared.

"That man is Count Meyer!"

As Eugene appeared properly armed, the central knights let out exclamations.

It's a body where massive bulk and agility perfectly coexist, like a tiger walking bipedally.

"Just what is that armor...?"

Moreover, the full-body armor reminiscent of a viper was a kind unheard of and unseen. Although they hadn't fought yet, everyone's instincts ruthlessly emitted danger signals.

A large flail made by joining 3 maces clinked.

"Tch."

Conrad had exceptional pride in his flail, but for today at least, he admitted it looked shabby.

The one who took action first was Eugene.

Vwoong! Vwoong! Vwoong!

As he spun the chain like a propeller above his head, the bloody tearing sound of wind shook the entire dueling ground.

Then he struck down. Eugene was holding back his hand, but Conrad received an impact like a black lightning bolt falling.

Kkwaang!

As he barely dodged, fragments of rocks shattered on the ground bounced up. Eugene flicked the end of the pole held with both hands and turned that recoil towards Conrad.

Puck!

In one exchange, Conrad dropped his shield and rolled over and over.

Covered in dust, he got up staggering, but the mace bundle was already flying in.

Charrrrk!

Because he couldn't be dragged around like this, Conrad gnashed his teeth. As he countered swinging his flail, the two iron chains tangled and intertwined with each other.

Conrad's face turned bright red as he pulled with both hands, but Eugene, gripping with one hand, didn't even twitch.

"Uwaak!"

Presently, as Eugene pulled with all his might, Conrad was dragged flying through the air. It looked like he was launched by an invisible small catapult.

Puck!

Conrad, who flew in, was kicked in the abdomen by Eugene's soccer kick and rolled in the opposite direction.

Whack!

Conrad, trembling while lying face down, was hit on the back of his head by the mace bundle and went limp.

Although he controlled his strength as much as possible, the helmet being dented inward seemed to show he received considerable impact.

The squire hurriedly declared defeat and recovered the fainted Conrad. Conrad, dragged out with his squire's arms hooked under both his armpits, had twin nosebleeds streaming down.

'Was it too much?'

Eugene thought 'Oops', but as the southern camp, which had been dying out, became covered in shouts of joy, he passed it off thinking good is good.

"I will step forward!"

Afterwards, as tribal knights including Hind and Luden won in succession, Krey stepped forward.

It was because the initial dominance achieved by winning consecutively in the beginning was wiped out, and the atmosphere was becoming such that their side was being overwhelmed instead.

"That was hydra leather?"

"A hydra being hunted would be something from over a thousand years ago."

When they realized the knights that routed them were Hydra Slayers, a trace of respect, not resentment, was dwelling.

Normally it would be a beautiful sight, but the story was different in a situation ahead of a great battle where the history of Britannia was staked.

Krey pointed to Eugene as his opponent, but was rejected.

"His Excellency Meyer says he cannot accommodate you since he already stepped forward once himself. Although implicit, rules are rules."

"Damn it."

If it were another knight, he would have provoked Eugene calling him a coward and tried to fight somehow, but Krey bit his lip and acceded.

Since they kept changing knights winning consecutively in the beginning, it was the same as their side proposing the rule. He couldn't overturn it now.

"Instead, His Excellency the Count's only squire says she will step forward. She is the 2nd strongest warrior in the Meyer family and the person who shares the most spars with His Excellency. Will you answer the challenge?"

"Of course I will answer it! Tell the Count I thank him for his consideration!"

Krey, whose disappointment changed to joy, answered. It was more regrettable than facing the Count himself, but this was also a great honor.

* * *

"Krey Kruger. A knight who won 2 tournaments and slashed a troll."

"Homi. I follow Knight Eugene."

"???"

"..."

"Is that all?"

Krey questioned Homi's brief introduction. Even if she was a squire, he recognized immediately she was not ordinary as terrifying momentum wafted from her.

But Homi was sincere. To her, what monster she defeated or whatever held no value.

Being permitted the position closest to Eugene. To her, that was the highest pride and honor.

"Try saying anything at all!"

"Sir Krey. Homi is under something similar to a curse, so she cannot speak more than one word a day. Please understand."

"I see! If you felt it was rude, please accept my apology!"

Nodding heartily, Krey raised his weapon. Homi also showed the fighting gauntlets worn on both hands.

'Armor the same as Count Meyer's.'

Just by looking, viper-patterned armor that seemed to scratch mammalian instincts was wrapping the body of the beautiful lady.

"I will go first! Look whether it's an ability fitting that precious armament..."

Clang!

With sparks flying, the longsword held in Krey's hand flew far away and got stuck.

In Homi's two hands, two shotels were in the hold, brought out since when. Their curve was much more deformed than ordinary ones.

Clench.

Krey tightly gripped his trembling grasping hand.

'What kind of monstrous strength is this?'

Eugene's ridiculous strength was slowly starting to be rumored throughout Britannia. However, nothing was known about his squire.

"Grrrrr."

Homi pointed at the fallen longsword and tilted her head.

What came out of her mouth was a leopard's roar, but Krey could tell it meant 'Hurry and pick it up.'.

"Hng!"

Krey caught the longsword his squire picked up and threw, and burned his fighting spirit again.

"There is no carelessness now!"

"Pfft."

Homi laughed covering her mouth with the back of her hand holding the shotel.

Flap!

Her wickedly swaying tail sways in response.

It was a smile mimicking Valda in Homi's own way, but since the density of haughtiness occupied 90% instead of gracefulness, it came as a provocation to Krey.

But for some reason, Krey didn't find it unpleasant. He just considered it beautiful.

The ancient swordsmanship learned at the knight's house unfolded from Krey's sword, but Homi casually dodged without necessarily receiving it.

Krey, whose competitive spirit flared up, pushed back even fiercer. After restricting Homi's movements with a few set-up attacks, he delivered a lethal downward strike.

Clang!

The longsword was wedged between the 2 shotels. The blade was dark rare metal and the handle was made of hydra bone.

"Eek!"

Krey pulled with all his might, but the longsword didn't even twitch. Homi's eyes narrowed.

Snap!

The longsword, pressed from both sides on the vulnerable flat side of the blade, broke into two halves right there.

"Sword!"

While Krey quickly stepped back and received a sword from his squire, Homi didn't pursue.

She waited quietly and sent a smile to Eugene. In there, there isn't a single bit of haughtiness like when looking at Krey.

She was imitating the chivalry her master had shown Lipton in the Hall Wars.

"Although an enemy, she is splendid."

"So different from the Southern bastards."

The central knights also admired. Because waiting for the opponent to lift their weapon again during a duel is a virtue, but something not easily kept.

When the fight resumed, this time Homi pushed fiercely.

'Is this a sword path possible with human joints?'

At the bizarre blades pouncing from all directions, Krey was pushed back consistently from start to finish.

Spurt.

Blood splattered from the cheek of Krey, who had never injured his face in any bloody battle.

"What kind of swordsmanship is that? Has anyone ever heard of it?"

"To think such slicing is possible in that posture!"

The watching knights were also amazed.

Even if swordsmanship schools are diverse, as long as it originates from human hands, there exists a constraint that cannot be escaped.

But Homi's blades tore apart Krey's space as if ignoring such things.

"Give me a shield!"

The central knights were surprised seeing the strongest knight they knew pushed onto the defensive.

And such a shameful appearance of requesting another armament from his squire during combat at that.

But to Krey, clashing with the opponent before his eyes with full power was more important than wounds to his pride. She was an opponent he couldn't handle with just a sword.

However, the dueling shield he finally obtained didn't last that long either.

As 2 shotel blades hacked wildly, wood splinters flew in all directions.

Puck!

Aiming for an opening, he applied a shield bash and pushed Homi backward, breaking her balance, but she didn't fall.

Because her long and thick tail pressed the ground and supported her who was falling backward.

"Uwaa!"

Leaving behind the surrounding admiration, with the tail recoil popping like a spring, Homi landed on the ground like a feather.

"So it wasn't just a beautiful tail."

At Krey's praise, Homi folded her arms like a butler and elegantly paid her respects.

At that appearance, Krey almost let his posture go, momentarily forgetting he was in combat. However, at the fierce gaze flashing the next moment, he lifted his shield first.

Snik!

One corner of the upper part of the shield was chopped off.

Casually deflecting the longsword that flew in as if counterattacking, Homi swung the two shotels simultaneously.

Crunch.

Crack.

Curved blades biting into the top and bottom of the shield. Krey witnessed Homi's chrome-like eyes narrowing from beyond the shield.

Goosebumps rose all over his body in that instant. Krey felt like he became a moth caught in the two arms of a praying mantis.

Kkwadeudeudeuk.

The blades of the shotel crossed each other and ripped the shield into two halves, and a kick flying in from a blind spot kicked Krey's abdomen and blew him away.

"Cough."

Krey, who somehow managed to get up in pain and leveled his sword, realized his sword was broken again.

'Since when?'

Homi rolling the broken blade over her fingers like rolling a coin. She arrived in front of Krey with a gait like a crawling snake.

Clang.

As the sword blade dropped between the groin of Krey, who hadn't stood up yet, that noise was extremely jarring.

"Kareung."

Homi's feet, which had firmly supported the earth, went up like tiptoes. Her nose twitched and her long tongue flicked.

Because from a certain moment, she sensed the heavily secreted adrenaline from Krey's body, from the blood flowing on his face.

This is exactly the taste of fear!

Homi's figure, which felt like a giant female praying mantis, returned to that of a beast of prey craving meat.

The memories of nature obtained by killing a forest spirit and taking its heart. What it bestowed upon Homi wasn't just combat techniques.

It also taught her how to find and enjoy delicacies in battle. Just as a sommelier appreciates wine.

"I lost."

As Homi extended her hand after withdrawing the shotels, Krey, who was staring as if possessed, firmly grabbed it.

"Sir Homi."

*Shake shake.*

A gesture saying she is not a knight. Krey, who recalled that her status is a squire, made an expression saying that makes no sense.

"You are already a splendid knight. Whether in skill or in pride. But why on earth does the Count not knight you... mmph mmph!"

Instead, Homi's index finger wearing a gauntlet blocked the lips of Krey, who was feeling resentful on her behalf.

Part of it was her being satisfied with her squire status, but it was because she sensed the presence of an uninvited guest.

Grrrrr-.

Might, who had been lying face down on his belly, also stood up and bared his teeth.

"What is that? Is it a monster?!"

"No, for that, its shape is..."

One knight riding a large warhorse intruded into the dueling ground. However, that knight is extraordinary in various ways.

Inside the barding combined with rusted iron and rotten insignia, it's empty. As if a ghost in the shape of a horse worse barding. Only two red eyes shining with ghostly aura glowed like will-o'-the-wisps.

The heavily armored rider riding on top of it has no neck. From the pitch-black cross-section, only black smoke plumed up constantly.

"Dullahan!"

At Valda's shout, the surrounding knights were astonished.

"What kind of monster is that? Its appearance is like a death knight."

"A Dullahan is an existence closer to a spirit than an undead."

At Eugene's question, Valda pointed to the Dullahan's warhorse.

"It is an existence originating from a knight chosen by a special divine beast like a unicorn, bicorn, or pegasus. Although it's not known whether they rise as undead after dying or change in some other way."

"Hmm?"

"A person who becomes the master of such a divine beast is bound to be a warrior harboring mystery themselves. It's an existence created by the intertwining destiny of the two."

Eugene felt a sense of deja vu somewhere in Valda's words. Might was also looking at Eugene, as if he felt the same.

"Why did such a guy come here?"

"A Dullahan pair craves what they don't have. The rider the lost head, the warhorse the lost body."

The Dullahan was looking at Homi's head, the ghost warhorse at Might's body.

Looking closely, what the Dullahan is wearing is female armor. The armor drawing elegant curves was slender like an hourglass. The hips were curved and the breasts jutted out fully.

[■■■■.]

An unknown ancient language flowed out from the Dullahan's neck. Joy is contained in it.

To say, the ecstasy about the discovery of what they had been searching and wandering for an immeasurably long time.

Clack.

The ghost warhorse took a step towards Homi.

Spurt!

Homi's tail stood up in a straight line. Because a sense of pressure more intense than when the giant boar rushed at her at Kingdom's End engulfed her.