Chapter 81 : A Knight Worthy of the Name

“Ohh.”

I couldn’t help but let out a gasp of admiration.

So this is what they mean by getting back tenfold what you dish out.

Shushruta tilted her head, clearly not understanding.

“Ashuban, what does it mean when you say parents are siblings?”

“You don’t need to know. Just keep living in your pure little world.”

Like the Heavenly Demon himself, I munched away on my popcorn, watching the confrontation unfold.

Hugo remained calm, while Rickmon and his gang looked utterly dumbfounded.

Especially Rickmon—his expression was priceless, as if he were going through dozens of inner struggles every second.

Finally, breaking free from his daze, Rickmon asked, “What did you just say?”

Hugo smirked, the corner of his lip curling up.

“Going deaf already? Must be a side effect.”

Rickmon stared blankly at him for a moment—then suddenly burst out laughing.

“Hahaha!”

Turning to his gang, he shouted,

“Guys, Hugo’s finally lost it. What should we do with him?”

At that instant, Hugo’s eyes flashed.

“Never let your guard down!”

His sword cut through the air.

Swaaak!

“Rickmon! Behind you!”

His lackey cried out in alarm.

Rickmon didn’t even glance back. Instead, he threw himself forward.

Hugo’s strike ripped through empty space.

“Ohh.”

I let out another sigh of admiration.

Most people would have instinctively turned around. But his battle instincts were real.

Rickmon rolled forward, dirt clinging to his uniform, and sprang back to his feet, glaring at Hugo as though ready to kill him.

“You bastard…”

His face turned crimson with fury. Shame at having to dodge so desperately, rage at Hugo for daring to strike from behind, humiliation, and wounded pride—every emotion blazed in his eyes.

“A knight candidate sneaking in a backstab? Have you lost your mind?”

Hugo replied coolly.

“And a knight candidate hurling insults at someone’s parents is fine, then?”

“What?”

“Or ganging up on one person? Or smuggling liquor into the dorms to get drunk in secret? Those are all acceptable for a knight candidate, huh?”

His gang flared up in anger.

“What the hell are you babbling about, you bastard!”

“Kill him!”

“Did he eat something rotten today or what?”

People always resort to insults when they have no retort.

The surrounding knight candidates began to curse and moved to punish Hugo, who had just spoken nothing but truth.

“Oh, this is getting fun.”

Crunch, crunch.

My popcorn was running dangerously low.

“Enough!”

Rickmon shouted, halting his lackeys. Then, puffing himself up with bravado, he declared,

“I’ll deal with this bastard myself. You just watch.”

He raised his wooden sword.

Whatever else could be said about him, his stance was neat and proper, like a true knight.

“Your wish is to die? Fine, I’ll grant it.”

Hugo snorted, mocking Rickmon’s posturing.

“Now you want to play knight? You can’t hide your thug nature behind a pose.”

“Shut your mouth.”

“You bragged about noble blood, but it’s not that noble, is it? A bastard son of some no-name baron from the countryside.”

“Shut up!”

This time, even I couldn’t hold back.

“Oh, shit.”

Now that was a perfect taunt.

Rickmon, blinded by rage, lost all reason and charged.

The wind whistled from his speed.

A genius was still a genius, after all.

Even after training under my beatings until he fainted, Hugo still had a long way to go to catch up.

But not that long.

Hugo held his ground, eyes unwavering as Rickmon rushed in. Then he stepped forward, bringing his sword behind him.

The wooden blade pressed against his back, his stance drawn taut like a bowstring.

Well-balanced, steady.

I smiled.

“Pass.”

Whooosh!

Hugo’s downward strike tore through the air.

Rickmon, startled by the sheer force, realized too late that Hugo’s attack would land first. He hastily raised his sword to block.

But a hurried guard is full of openings.

Clang!

Rickmon’s sword was knocked aside.

Thud!

Hugo’s strike slammed into his shoulder.

“Aaagh!”

Rickmon screamed, collapsing to his knees.

But Hugo wasn’t done. He raised his sword again.

Whooosh!

Thud!

Another crushing blow landed on the same shoulder.

“AAAHHHH!”

Rickmon dropped his sword, writhing in agony.

The fight was over.

Yet Hugo pressed on.

Whooosh! Thud!

“GYAAAHHHH!”

Rickmon rolled across the ground, shrieking.

Three times, the same spot. Brutal.

That boy was merciless. To target one point so obsessively…

Even then, Hugo showed no intention of stopping. He raised his sword once more.

“You crazy bastard!”

Wham!

One of Rickmon’s lackeys kicked Hugo in the chest, forcing him back.

They rushed to their leader’s side.

“Rickmon, you okay?”

“M-my arm… it’s broken…”

His voice quivered, thin and weak.

“You insane bastard!”

“This damn commoner!”

They glared at Hugo, eyes blazing with fury.

But Hugo stood firm, sword still raised before him, his gaze like steel.

“Next.”

The aura of a knight radiated from him—solid, unyielding.

The boys hesitated under his pressure, then quickly fled, supporting Rickmon.

“You bastard… just wait.”

Hugo said nothing, simply watching their retreating backs.

The Heavenly Demon chuckled darkly.

[Disciple, your grand-disciple is quite impressive.]

“Grand-disciple, my ass.”

I waited until the gang disappeared, then hopped down from the tree. Shushruta followed.

Hugo still hadn’t looked away from where Rickmon had gone. I walked up beside him.

“What are you staring at?”

“…Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“I just… like the sight of them running away.”

The wind swept through, ruffling his hair.

He smiled into the breeze.

…It struck me that this was the first time I’d seen him smile.

Kids really do look best when they smile.

“You like it?”

“Yes. I do.”

I patted his shoulder.

“See? I told you. You’ve gotten stronger.”

“You’re right.”

“But don’t get careless. He lost because he let his guard down. You still have a long way to go. Even if the knights are busy, cling to them and learn everything you can.”

Hugo turned his eyes to me.

“Can’t you keep teaching me, sir?”

“No. I’m busy. My arm’s almost healed—I’ll be leaving soon.”

“…Ah.”

“‘Ah,’ what? I told you I’d stay until you beat that Rickmon kid down, didn’t I?”

“That’s true, but… You’ve got something on your mouth, sir.”

I brushed away a crumb of popcorn at my lips and said, “There are two kinds of knights in this world.”

“What kinds?”

“Knights unworthy of the name, and knights worthy of it. Which one will you be?”

“A knight worthy of the name.”

Hugo answered without hesitation.

“Good. Be like Sir Roetgel—a knight who helps those bullied like you, and who beats down scum like Rickmon.”

“Yes.”

“If you turn into the opposite, I’ll come back and kill you myself. Understand?”

“Yes, Sir Ashuban.”

I blinked in surprise.

“…What? How do you know my name?”

Hugo glanced at Shushruta, who was still munching away on popcorn.

“I heard you talking to your companion.”

“…Fine. But don’t tell anyone else you met me.”

“Yes.”

Even after our talk ended, the boy kept staring at me with those shining eyes.

Scratching my cheek awkwardly, I decided to copy the Heavenly Demon’s words.

“Enlightenment comes suddenly, like a thief in the night. Light your own path with yourself as the lamp, and keep moving forward.”

Hugo blinked.

“…What the hell does that even mean?”

“Tsk.” I clicked my tongue and flicked his forehead.

“Just take it however you can.”

Clearly, I wasn’t cut out for teaching.

Beside me, Shushruta perked up, her hand halfway to the popcorn bowl, and whispered,

“Ashuban. People are coming.”

“The kids again? Damn, that’s quick revenge.”

“No, from the opposite side.”

“The annex?”

She nodded.

“Knights. They’re searching for you.”

“Damn it.”

I quickly leaned toward Hugo.

“If anyone asks, you didn’t see me. Got it?”

The boy nodded blankly, and I leapt back up into the tree with Shushruta, hiding our presence.

“What the hell is this about all of a sudden?”

“I don’t know. But it seems urgent.”

“You’ve got crumbs all over your mouth. Wipe them off.”

“Here?”

“No, not there. Hold still.”

I brushed away the popcorn crumbs stuck around her lips, muttering,

“Great. Now the doctor’s going to scold me again.”

“Shh… They’re here.”

Moments later, the knights from the annex rushed into the clearing, calling out in desperation.

“Lord Ashuban! Are you here?”

“It’s an emergency!”

“We won’t tell the doctor—please, come out!”

I was a little surprised. Looked like nearly all the knights from the annex had come.

…What in the world happened?

They spotted Hugo standing awkwardly in the clearing and immediately surrounded him.

“Have you seen Lord Ashuban?”

“Black hair, eyes red like blood.”

“His arm wrapped in thick bandages.”

“With a—ah—stern expression.”

“Have you seen him?”

Startled by their sudden appearance, Hugo stammered.

“N-no, I haven’t.”

But seasoned knights could read lies in a heartbeat.

“He’s here.”

“Lord Ashuban! We know you’re close by!”

“Please, come out!”

Just then, another knight entered the clearing.

It was Sir Curtis.

What the—why is the vice-captain here too?

As I stared in disbelief, Curtis asked his men, “Found him yet?”

“He should be nearby.”

“Is that so?”

A knight searching around my tree shouted,

“There are crumbs here!”

“Damn it.”

I had no choice but to climb down.

“What’s with all the commotion?”

Then I shot a sharp look at Sir Walpole.

“You promised not to tell the doctor.”

“A-ah, yes.”

Curtis stepped forward and addressed me respectfully.

“Lord Devil. An important guest has arrived to see you.”

“Important guest? Who?”

“The Black Prince…”

“Ahem.”

Walpole gave a discreet cough, flicking his gaze toward Hugo.

Noticing the boy belatedly, Curtis cut his words short and guided me aside.

“I’ll explain on the way. Master Phantom Thief, you too. Joy is asking for you.”

“…Fine.”

Curtis then turned to Walpole.

“Sir Walpole. Take Hugo back.”

“Yes, sir!”

Hugo’s eyes went wide. The vice-captain remembered his name!

“Take care, kid.”

I left him with a farewell and followed Curtis back toward the annex.

On the way to the squires’ dormitory, Hugo walked beside Sir Walpole.

“So, how’d you end up here?”

“I just… thought it was a good place to train.”

Hugo stole glances at Walpole as he answered.

To see the rising star of the Starvanger Knights up close—what a day.

And not just him. He’d seen other elite knights whose names alone were known throughout the order, men so busy with critical missions that one almost never caught sight of them.

And then, the former captain—now vice-captain—Sir Curtis himself had remembered his name!

It was overwhelming. Surreal.

But above all, he was curious.

Just who is that man?

What kind of person could make such dazzling knights tread so carefully? Even Vice-Captain Curtis addressed him with the utmost respect.

Yet that man had spoken casually, even condescendingly, to them.

“Um… Sir Walpole?”

“Yes?”

“That man… who is he, really?”

Walpole placed a hand on his shoulder as they walked side by side.

“Hugo.”

“Y-yes?”

“Has anyone else met him besides you?”

“As far as I know, no.”

He nodded.

“That’s at least fortunate. And you haven’t told anyone you met him?”

“No. He said if I did, he’d kill me.”

“…I see.”

Walpole gave a small groan, then asked,

“What did you do together?”

“He helped me with sword training.”

Walpole’s eyes widened.

“He trained you?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“He beat me senseless until I fainted. Said if I didn’t want to die, I’d have to find a way to endure.”

“…Harsh as ever.” Walpole shook his head, then said firmly, “You’re incredibly lucky. You’ve stumbled into a great chance. Remember his teachings deep in your heart. If you do, no one will ever dare look down on you again.”

“Who is he, though?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

Walpole halted, crouched slightly, and met Hugo’s eyes.

“Hugo.”

“Yes?”

“You must never, under any circumstance, speak a word about him. To anyone. Do you understand?”

Hugo slowly nodded.

Then, in a small, lingering voice, he asked,

“…But can you at least tell me what kind of person he is?”

“I can’t.”

“…Okay.”

Hugo lowered his head, his voice sullen.

Walpole glanced at him and added,

“I’ll say this much—he’s so strong that someone like me wouldn’t even count. Even if the entire knight order came at him together, I couldn’t promise victory.”

“…!”

Hugo’s eyes widened in shock.

(End of Chapter)

Tip: Tap/click the left or right side of the screen to go to previous/next chapter.