Chapter 66 : The Pitched Battle of the Jupenheim Plains (1)

Chapter 66: The Pitched Battle of the Jupenheim Plains (1)

-Waaaaaaah!

Two massive armies faced each other across the plain.

The tens of thousands of soldiers watched one another while holding their breath.

And in the middle of that plain.

-Clang! Clang! Clang!

A fierce duel between knights was unfolding.

The desperate sounds of clashing swords grew increasingly rapid.

They sometimes charged in to fight and sometimes reined their horses back to create distance, luring each other.

But all those actions were wrapped in an intense killing intent to strike each other down, perpetrating indiscriminate violence toward one another.

Thanks to this, all the soldiers squeezed their fists with all their might.

'Damn it, I don't think we can do this.'

'Are we going to lose again this time?'

And the Count's army, watching the battle, grew grim-faced at the steadily unfavorable turn of the duel.

Their knight was...

The signs of being pushed back were clear.

-Clang!

And the ominous premonition came true.

"Kugh!"

The Count's knight, who had been repeatedly engaged in combat, was soon struck on the head and fell from his horse with a scream.

A roar like thunder erupted from the opposite side.

"Ahahahahahahaha!"

"You country bumpkins of Ellang! This is a true knight!"

"Go and practice your swordsmanship more!"

As a result, the Count's soldiers criticized their own knights.

"Damn it! Why are we like this?"

"We lost again? What number is this?"

"This battle is ruined. The knights' skill level is too different. Aren't we all going to die like this?"

"I guess we should watch for a chance and run away huh?"

Murmuring spread.

The soldiers' anxiety gradually spread as quickly as a poisonous mushroom.

This caused Count Bellua to frown.

The skill of the Emperor's knight definitely surpassed his expectations.

'The reputation of Alfred the Flash must not have been a mere rumor.'

Rumors are usually exaggerated, but that man did not seem to be.

They said he had won all ten duels in the eastern part of the Empire, and he certainly seemed capable of it.

-Neeeeigh.

The knight, whose neck was half severed, was brought back on his horse. His armor was stripped off and his appearance was miserable.

Squires rushed over to unfasten the reins and retrieve the body.

"These rotten bastards."

"These sons of bitches who don't know honor. They sent him back so miserably like this?"

The Count's knights burst into indignation at the sight of them violating the custom, but they could only quietly take a deep breath.

Not that their anger subsided because of it.

Just then, Knight Alfred rode up and shouted loudly.

"Is there no capable person brave enough to face my sword!"

".....!"

"Count Bellua, stop sending those half-baked tin cans and send a proper knight! Or perhaps the Count should come out yourself!"

-Ahahahahahahaha!

"How dare this fellow!"

It was a derisive provocation.

Ordinarily, it would be a trivial and crude thing that no one would pay attention to, but now it was different.

The knight who had gone out a moment ago had just returned in a miserable state.

Furthermore, the knights had been defeated repeatedly.

In an instant, the knights could not hide their excitement and protested vehemently.

"T-That! That arrogant bastard."

"Have you no honor, you wretch!"

"How dare those who fight savages in the East invoke the Count's name!"

"I will go out. Please send me, Your Excellency the Count. I will definitely defeat that wretch and drag him back alive."

How dare he insult the honor of the Count and their own honor all at once. The enraged lords gathered one after another before Count Bellua.

All of them cried out with one voice, begging him to send out their knights.

In this chaos, Count Bellua was deep in thought.

'What should I do...'

That knight on the other side.

He was not as good as himself, but he still looked quite strong. If he sent out just any knight under his command, he might continue to suffer defeats. Yet, sending a truly skilled person would risk too great a loss in an unforeseen circumstance.

'But for me to step forward is a bit much.'

The status did not match.

For a Count to fight a mere knight. Knowing this, the knight named Alfred was provoking him like that. As Count Bellua showed no particular reaction, Alfred's provocation intensified.

"Hmph! I didn't realize the Count's knights were such cowards! Why not send out a mercenary instead? I could give him a few coins and even offer some guidance."

-Ahahahahahahaha!

-Send him out! Send him out! You cowards!

"Shut your mouths!"

"Hmph! Those without skill just have loud voices! I'll give you credit for that much."

The faces of the nobles turned bright red. At this point, the Emperor's army should have restrained Alfred, but they did not. They were just letting Alfred run rampant.

"I heard there's a mercenary who defeated Baron Ludwig... Is it Shatien?"

When Shatien's name was mentioned, the knights' expressions twisted strangely.

'Shatien... Sir.'

'That's a bit problematic. Hmm.'

If the mercenary Alfred spoke of was Shatien, it was difficult to argue back.

"Hey! You vulgar mercenary scoundrel! Come out now. I, Alfred the Flash, will teach you a lesson. Though I am a knight, I will specially cross swords with you, a mercenary!"

Despite Alfred's provocation, Shatien did not appear. The Black Ravens Mercenary Company had not yet arrived.

Alfred, who had no way of knowing this, continued to call for Shatien.

"Are you scared, Shatien? A mercenary's background never changes, I see!"

-Ahahaha!

"Look now. This Shatien's reputation is nothing but empty talk. See how he tucks tail and runs away!"

-That's right! Sir Alfred!

Knight Alfred was well aware of the rumors that had spread within the Emperor's army.

He wanted to use this opportunity to crush those rumors and boost his army's morale.

In a way, it was a truly clever method.

"If you have eyes, look for yourself. The Black Ravens Mercenary Company hasn't arrived yet! And Sir Shatien is now a dignified knight of His Excellency Count Bellua, so watch your words."

The knights, unable to watch any longer, shouted their clarification. At the mention of him becoming a knight, Knight Alfred's eyes widened.

"What? A knight? You're saying you knighted a mere mercenary scoundrel? That's insane!"

"You rude bastard! How dare you insult the Count's honorable knight in that manner!"

"Ahahahaha. Insult? His very existence is an insult. And for Count Bellua to personally confer the title. It seems there is truly a lack of talent on your side!"

As Alfred roared with laughter, the Emperor's army behind him also laughed boisterously. The Count's army grew increasingly intimidated as a result.

At that very moment.

"Your Excellency the Count! The Black Ravens Mercenary Company has arrived."

"......?!"

Count Bellua's champion, who would silence that damn Alfred, had arrived.

The timing was truly perfect.

Count Bellua smiled brightly and immediately commanded.

"Order Shatien to prepare for a duel immediately!"

"Understood!"

* * *

The Black Ravens Mercenary Company was unloading their wagons and attempting to join the ranks. However, cheers erupted from the Count's army all around.

"Whoooa-!"

"They're here! The Black Ravens Mercenary Company is here!"

"They finally arrived! They're here!"

As a result, the passing mercenaries shrugged their shoulders while looking at each other.

'Why are they acting like that?'

'I don't know. They must have gone crazy as a group.'

They had no memory of receiving such an intense welcome from the Count's army. Puzzled, Miles looked at Shatien and asked.

"Why are these guys like this? Did something happen before we arrived?"

"I don't know. It doesn't look like a battle has broken out."

"Hmm. Did they all take some kind of drug? Or maybe they went mad from the heat?"

As he spoke, Miles drew a circle above his head with his finger. It was meant to suggest they were crazy. While they were having that meaningless conversation, someone came running urgently from a distance.

"Sir Shatien! Sir Shatien! Are you here?"

"Yes. I am Shatien. Who are you?"

"I am a messenger for His Excellency Count Bellua. Count Bellua is urgently looking for you now."

Shatien made a puzzled expression.

"Me? The Count?"

"Yes, he ordered you to prepare for a duel and come at once."

"What, a duel?"

A duel out of the blue huh.

He could not figure out what the situation was. But he soon understood when he spotted a knight standing in the middle of the plain far away.

'Ah, I see.'

He immediately understood why the duel had been initiated.

"I understand.  I will go immediately."

There was no need for duel preparations. He was already fully armed. Shatien entrusted the Centuria to Miles and immediately rode toward Count Bellua. Then, loud cheers erupted from both sides.

"Whoooa-!"

"Sha-tien! Sha-tien!"

A wry smile involuntarily spread across his lips.

Such enthusiastic cheers.

'If I lose, it's going to be a disaster.'

Though he had no intention of losing of course.

-Clip clop clip clop.

Count Bellua, surrounded by lords and knights, was visible in the distance. Shatien spotted Count Bellua and offered a faint smile.

"I greet Your Excellency Count Bellua. Have you been well?"

"Yes. It's good to see you, my knight. Very much so."

It was the customary greeting exchanged by nobles, but today it seemed to hold genuine sincerity. Shatien immediately got to the point.

"I came right away because I was told to prepare for a duel."

Count Bellua nodded his head.

"I'm sorry I couldn't even give you time to rest from your journey. But I must immediately deal with that ill-mannered knight. That scoundrel trampled on my honor."

Shatien flinched. He could feel the Count's rage in his last words.

'He's truly enraged.'

He was a knight of Count Bellua, even if only in name. He could not stand idly by when his superior's honor was defiled.

'I need to use this opportunity to clearly show him who I am.'

How to deal with that knight was naturally pictured in his mind.

"Leave it to me. I shall return."

At his resolute words, Count Bellua nodded. He certainly had a trustworthy quality.

"Bring back the victory."

-Swish.

Shatien rose from his spot and immediately mounted his horse. Then he spurred the horse.

"Cha-hat!"

-Neeeeigh.

The horse, which had lifted its front hooves, quickly crossed the plain.

Shatien soon passed his own army and arrived before the Emperor's knight, halting his horse.

"Hmm. You arrived faster than I thought you would."

The knight, who had been leaning back on his horse, said that while raising the corner of his mouth.

'He's quite large.'

The Emperor's knight was a head taller than a typical knight. His physique was imposing, and judging by his rippling muscles, he seemed very fast and strong.

-Trrrrrrr.

"I am Shatien Aizenfaust, a knight of Count Bellua! State your name."

"Aizen what?"

"...Aizenfaust."

"Hehe. That name sounds like it's from some backwater village I've never heard of."

It was a pathetic provocation, but it was not likely to affect Shatien.

"Oh? Then it seems you don't have a father, I guess. Seeing as you don't have a name, I mean."

-Ahahaha!

Laughter erupted from the Count's army at Shatien's booming words.

"You bastard!"

Alfred's neck instantly turned bright red. He had not expected to be insulted in this manner.

"As expected of a vulgar mercenary, your mouth is quite filthy."

"I can't be as filthy as you, who still haven't stated your name."

"Hmph! My name is Alfred Wittelstein. The Knight of the Flash. You must have heard of me, yes?"

Shatien searched through his old memories. Well, he thought he might have heard that name sometime.

Of course, even if he had, there was no need to pay attention to it.

"Stop talking like a girl and draw your sword, knight."

-Shrrng.

This duel...

It would certainly not take long.