Chapter 60

Neither he nor Leandros had considered the possibility that the mutated Vormi had extended its territory that far.

According to the original story, the mutated Vormi should have been inside the forest.

Well, side effects could occur as the story progressed.

Compared to other issues, the migration of the mutated Vormi was relatively minor.

"So, we've had no choice but to dispatch personnel from the ducal residence. Though at most, we can only dispatch two people."

Leandros, and Russel Nabilov.

Unlike Leandros, who stood normally, Russel was standing at full attention.

"Please give your orders."

"The objective is to kill the mutated Vormi and ensure supplies arrive smoothly. So you should also be mindful of road damage."

"Yes!"

"I'll accompany you as far as the temporary forward base. And you can start the search from where the mutated Vormi was reportedly sighted."

"Your Grace will be coming with us too?"

"Well, I don't have a proxy yet."

Though he wouldn't entrust it even if he had one.

Leandros asked.

"How do you plan to organize the search personnel?"

"I was thinking of entrusting it to one person, but I've been considering something. Sir Nabilov, have you ever hunted demonic beasts with others before?"

"No. We learn basic military science. But because the purposes of the capital's knights and the Holy Knight Order are different, the improvement of individual combat power is given top priority."

To summarize what he heard, regular knights needed to develop team play skills to command and lead troops in order to level up.

But the Holy Knight Order, which advocated complete political neutrality, required its members to be solo players who could accomplish anything on their own.

So they would embark on pilgrimages and hone their individual martial arts.

"Since you've become a Hartmann escort knight, it would be good to gain more experiences. Leandros, try hunting the mutated Vormi with Sir Nabilov."

"...I will carry it out without issues."

There was a moment of silence, but an okay sign had been given anyway.

Good, good.

"Then let's depart tomorrow."

* * *

The next day, late afternoon.

The two escort knights who had escorted the young Duke to the half-built camp headed elsewhere by themselves.

A small road in the mountains where supplies passed.

Though it was clearly the fastest route connecting the east and northeast, it harbored many dangers.

Since it wasn't flat land, supply wagons could roll off.

If it rained heavily, landslides could block the path.

And as now, it was also likely to attract the attention of demonic beasts due to its proximity to the mountains.

Leandros thought that Aiden must be quite impatient to have deliberately chosen such a route.

Of course, his master's encouragement would have played a significant role as well.

After all, Arenheit, the Duke of Hartmann, always moved hurriedly as if he had a predetermined schedule.

Leandros, while riding his horse, was aware of Russel following slightly behind.

A youngster who had joined the Holy Knight Order.

People who first met him would only notice his grinning face and radiant appearance, without considering anything else.

But things would be different once the relationship became more closely intertwined.

"Sir Leandros, what do we do if we're ambushed from inside?"

Russel asked, suddenly popping up.

Since the road was narrow, there was no need to ride side by side, so Leandros slowed down a bit instead.

"If it's a hybrid, handle it as appropriate."

"You're giving me permission to do as I please? I like hunting demonic beasts the most."

Here we go again.

Regardless of whether Leandros was getting a headache, Russel began to chatter cheerfully.

"I encountered quite a variety of species while coming up from the mountains, but you said this one is a mutant, so I was so excited. If Your Grace had excluded me this time too, I would have really cried."

"If you were that interested in demonic beasts, why didn't you go to the Academy?"

"I hate staying still! Having to just look at books. I'd rather hear them scream with their necks half-cut."

Leandros, watching the golden hair that shimmered in the last light of the setting sun, asked him for the first time.

"Did you accept the Duke's offer because you thought there would be many hunting opportunities here?"

He wasn't curious about Russel.

He had already examined all of his possessions when they first rescued him, and the Holy Knight Order's pilgrimage was already well-known.

He could have thought he was an assassin disguised to assassinate the Duke.

But seeing how he threw tantrums and rolled around the castle despite having had ample opportunities, it didn't seem like that either.

Russel felt the cool breeze for a moment before answering.

"That was part of it, but I like sparring with you, senior. It makes me stronger."

"And when you get stronger?"

"I can hunt stronger demonic beasts, right?"

"And after that?"

"I haven't thought that far yet. Oh, and I protect innocent people?"

It was a nicely packaged story.

Becoming stronger to protect people.

Though he knew there was no true end to this purpose, Leandros didn't bother to point it out.

The other was far too... to point out such things.

"Ordinary people, and even Your Grace, are all weak and ordinary. Shouldn't strong people protect them? I like that kind of destiny. If I kill and eliminate everything, eventually those weak people can live in peace without worry."

"......"

"Ah, but I do want to receive respect and praise. Nothing more than that, though. It feels so good to protect those who need protection."

He was fundamentally twisted.

Different from someone intoxicated by their own strength.

Not someone who dispensed unconditional compassion.

Such people didn't need rewards.

Surrounding praise served as a good sweetener, but it wasn't the real purpose.

That's not to say there was no shallow pleasure or sense of superiority in being recognized. But it meant that wasn't a major consideration.

These kinds of people had a belief.

They continued to pursue their belief while destroying themselves.

A person who wore themselves out, as if they didn't care what happened to them in the end.

That terrible belief contaminated those around them.

Just as he had been.

Leandros said.

"From now on, don't speak a single word to His Grace."

"What? Why? That's too harsh!"

"Be quiet. We're getting off soon."

A flock of crows flew up from the forest.

A chilling, low howl that had been heard somewhere before echoed through the twilight sky.

* * *

"Will, will this be alright... If the knights don't return!"

"That won't happen, so please calm down. If an earthquake were to occur now, it would be because you're shaking too much."

"Your Grace is good at joking too!"

Yvonne anxiously bit her nails and paced around restlessly.

As night deepened, fires were lit throughout the temporary forward base, and people were resting.

He too was sitting by the fire, having been invited by Yvonne and others.

A worker who was sipping hot tea from a wooden cup tried to soothe Yvonne.

"But they're the knights boasting the greatest martial prowess in the ducal family! Your Grace, aren't they the most skilled knights in the castle?"

"Hm? I suppose so. In fact, those two are the only knights in the ducal residence."

The surroundings grew slightly chilled at his answer.

Even Yvonne was staring at him blankly.

"Then, those knights are all there is? No additional support or anything? Weren't you planning to just scout today and bring more people tomorrow?"

"Is there a need to go through such trouble?"

Yvonne slumped down on the spot.

She looked like someone who had just heard the news that the world was ending.

People around had even started to give him pointed looks.

What could he do.

"...They're not such easy knights that you need to worry that much, so please look elsewhere."

"But with only two of them, how can they deal with that huge creature? It's a demonic beast, one that exceeds medium size!"

"Would you like to make a bet?"

"A bet? Here?"

"I'll wager a beautiful jewelry box that my knights will return safely. I have quite a lot of trust in my knights."

After all, Leandros, if not Nabilov, couldn't die.

After saying just that much, he took a sip of tea, and Yvonne regained her composure and sat down.

"I showed unseemly behavior. Please forgive my rudeness, Your Grace."

"I didn't see anything."

"But they should come back quickly before the night gets deeper. It will be difficult to find the way back if it gets too dark."

"They'll be here soon."

Though he said that, Yvonne was right.

The camp had been in darkness for quite some time, and the two who had said they would return soon hadn't arrived yet.

Were they planning to have him stay overnight here, or had something happened?

As he was fiddling with his cup, someone who was on guard duty shouted.

"They're coming!"

Simultaneously, people who had been sitting here and there all rose and rushed to the entrance.

He was no exception.

Mixing in among them and staring intently into the darkness, he finally saw a faint silhouette appear from the blackness.

Though he had clearly sent two horses and two knights, only one horse was returning.

When it approached the camp entrance, screams erupted from among some people.

Two blood-soaked men sitting on a single exhausted horse.

Russel, in particular, was so drenched that his golden hair was invisible.

In his hand was a large sack, unpleasantly wet with something.

People, excluding him, took a few steps back, inadvertently creating a small clearing.

Leandros jumped off the horse first and knelt before him.

"Knight Leandros, reporting the completion of the mission to eliminate the mutated demonic beast and the return as ordered by Your Grace."

"What happened with that blood?"

"It's just dirt from fighting the demonic beast."

"Ah."

After him, Russel got down and knelt before him alongside Leandros.

Somehow, he shouted clearly in a joyful voice.

"Knight Russel Nabilov, reporting the return."

"Good work, both of you. What's in that sack?"

"The head of the mutated demonic beast."

Judging by how proudly he spoke, he seemed to have quite enjoyed the hunt.

As he reached out towards the head, Russel slightly pulled it back.

"I apologize. But it might be somewhat gruesome for Your Grace to see."

"It doesn't matter. I want to see it."

"But."

Russel had an expression as if he thought he might be showing off.

At that moment, Leandros said.

"Forgive me. Hand it over, Nabilov."

Russel looked at Leandros with a face that said, 'Huh, really?'

But soon, with a shrug, he put his hand into the wet sack.

"Oh, my goodness."

"Something so hideous."

"G-good heavens..."

Slimy blood was still dripping from under Russel's hand.

Though the bushy fur and terrifying appearance were similar to a regular Vormi, its size far exceeded the average.

It was about the size that would fill a round table in a Korean café.

From behind, sounds of people gasping in shock could be heard.

Judging by the various noises, some people seemed to be fainting or vomiting.

He examined the head that Russel was holding up, and discovered giant protruding fangs.

"Sir Leandros, do you have a dagger?"

"Yes."

"Give it to me."

The light and sharp blade entered the gaping mouth of the demonic beast.

He repeatedly stabbed the dagger into the tough skin.

Though the blood had already congealed and didn't burst out, the surroundings fell silent as he tore off unnecessary flesh and discarded it to the side.

How much time had passed?

He turned around, cradling an armful of white teeth that had been extracted in reasonably good condition.

"Yvonne."

She was mixed among the crowd, covering her mouth with both hands.

Startled by his call, she came forward, staggering a few steps.

She was as pale as if the angel of death had pointed at her.

"Y-yes?"

"I told you my knights would return unharmed. I wagered a jewelry box."

"Ah."

"You should wager something appropriate too, but instead, I'd like to ask a favor."

She looked like she might faint if he suddenly handed them to her.

He laid out each of the teeth he was carrying in front of her feet.

A total of 32 teeth, including four fangs, all sharp and bloody.

Gesturing at the beautifully arranged white materials, he said.

"I'd like to ask you, as a magic craftsman, to forge swords for my knights. If you need other materials besides these, let me know."

"I'm s-sorry, no, this is enough! It should be s-sufficient."

"The deadline?"

"I'll stake my life to make it as quickly as possible."

"No need to stake your life. Just do your best. We'll discuss additional compensation separately."

As he turned around, wiping his sticky hands, both Leandros and Russel were staring at him.

After ordering Russel to dispose of the Vormi's head in an appropriate place, they returned to the castle.

And a week later.

Just as the forward base was completed, word arrived from Yvonne that the items had been finished.

He took Arndt, Leandros, and Russel to personally hand over the newly made weapons right there.

For Arndt, a self-defense knife that he could always carry.

For Russel, a claymore that could well display his tremendous strength.

And for Leandros, a longsword that sparkled like a silver star, most similar to its original form.

From that day forward, Hartmann began its full-fledged activities within the kingdom.