Chapter 85 : Impressive, Aren’t You

The first night passed without incident, thanks to Shushruta’s rampage after she woke up.

Because of her, we covered far more ground than planned.

Of course, horses can’t run forever. By dawn, we dismounted and searched for a place to rest.

As we walked the horses slowly, Shushruta curled up on her saddle, tailing us while dozing off with a faint purr. Sleeping on a moving horse—what a talent.

[Look at her sleep. Like a tiny wild beast.]

“Tell me about it.”

The knights looked at her as if they couldn’t believe their eyes.

Walpole finally asked,

“…Who exactly is she?”

“Phantom Thief Shushruta. Never heard the name?”

“No, Lord Ashuban. I only learned it from you.”

“Then just think of her as a very talented stray cat.”

“…”

Eventually, we found a small stream.

The thick brush around it made for a good hiding place to rest.

We decided to stop there.

“What about the horses?”

“Just release them.”

“They won’t run off?”

“No. They’re trained. They’ll graze or drink nearby on their own.”

I let go of the reins. The horse looked at me as if to ask why.

I stroked its muzzle.

“Good work last night. Rest up.”

Prrhh.

As if it understood, it rubbed its head against my hand before trudging off to drink at the stream.

I would’ve removed the saddles too, but we couldn’t risk being ambushed unprepared.

I turned back. Shushruta was still sprawled across her saddle, fast asleep.

“Alright. Let’s rest here for a while. When the horses tire, we eat and nap in shifts. Efficiently. Sleep if you need to, rest if you don’t.”

Walpole nodded, volunteering at once.

“Please sleep first. I’ll stand watch.”

I shook my head.

“No watch. We all sleep. That’s more efficient.”

“…Excuse me? No watch? That’s impossible.”

I pointed at Shushruta, snoring softly atop her horse.

“You see that cat?”

“Yes.”

“Her hearing’s freakish. If enemies come near, she’ll know instantly. We can just sleep.”

“…She can detect enemies even while sleeping?”

“Yeah. Trust me.”

They didn’t look convinced.

Understandable. I hadn’t believed it at first either.

But right now, I didn’t care about convincing anyone.

My back, thighs, and ass were screaming from riding all night. I just wanted to collapse.

I scowled.

“Just do as I say. Don’t argue.”

“…Yes.”

Curtis and Walpole reluctantly agreed.

But the middle-aged knight flat-out refused.

“I will stand guard.”

“No, you’ll sleep.”

“That’s unacceptable. Someone must keep watch.”

I fixed him with a look.

“What’s your name?”

“Schneider.”

“Sir Schneider. Come here for a second.”

“…?”

“Sit down.”

As soon as he sat, I stepped behind him and pressed a point at the base of his neck.

Thump.

He dropped like a sack of grain.

Sleep Point.

“—!”

Walpole’s eyes went round as he stared.

“Lord Ashuban! What did you do?!”

“He’s asleep. Don’t fuss.”

“Asleep?!”

“Check for yourself.”

Walpole bent down, cautious, then looked back up.

“He is asleep… But how—”

Poke.

Thump.

I dropped Walpole too, slipping behind him in the distraction.

“Now just one left.”

Curtis edged backward nervously.

“Lord Devil. I… I’m not sleepy.”

“Don’t be stupid. Come here. I’ll give you the sweetest sleep you’ve ever had. Like honey. You’ll thank me when you wake.”

Thunk.

Down went Curtis as well.

I dragged all three into the shade and dusted my hands off.

“Damn, you people never listen.”

With a click of my tongue, I looked over the three sleeping knights, then stretched out on the grass.

By gauging the sun’s angle, I judged it close to noon. In two or three hours, sunlight would wake me up anyway.

We couldn’t afford long rests, so naps like this were the best we could do.

So I’d sleep deeply while I could.

Chirp chirp.

Birdsong trilled through the forest.

Sunlight speckled down through the leaves, scattering like shards.

Whoosh—

The breeze set the trees dancing.

Trickle trickle—

Water murmured in the stream nearby.

Glancing sideways, I spotted a yellow flower blooming.

A peaceful scene.

Strange, almost ironic, to find such peace while being hunted.

A laugh slipped from my lips.

“Master. Is this what they call life’s little ironies?”

[Shut up and sleep.]

“Yes, sir.”

I clasped my hands behind my head, stared up at the sky, then closed my eyes.

Somewhere else, beneath the sunlit trees—

Men in black armor sat together, gnawing on jerky and dried fruit.

They ate in silence, jaws working steadily.

Then the sound of hooves broke the stillness.

The sentry reported,

“A rider approaches.”

The Black Prince tore into a strip of jerky and rose to his feet.

“Whoa there.”

Another black-armored rider slowed, dismounted, and saluted crisply.

The prince acknowledged with a nod.

“Report.”

“Yes. We leaked the information to the Second Prince’s side.”

“And?”

“They’ve mobilized significant forces to the northwest. The Second Prince’s knights are among them.”

A satisfied smile curled the Black Prince’s lips.

“A fine catch.”

Just as he thought.

Short on champions of their own, the Second Prince’s camp had rushed to snare the Red-Eyed Devil

They had eyes only for him.

If they’d spared even a thought to watch the Third Prince, they wouldn’t have dared move so boldly.

All those years of lying low, paying off at last.

The Black Prince’s mouth curved higher.

“But they won’t expect we’ll never even let it come to a duel.”

The wind carried his words.

“We move quickly. Mount up.”

“Mount up! Prepare to ride!”

The black knight at his side repeated the order.

The men, who had been resting, sprang up in unison, swinging into their saddles without hesitation.

One knight beside the Black Prince ventured cautiously,

“Forgive me, but… what if the Red-Eyed Devil falls?”

“Then we’ll be in quite a bind.”

“Then…”

The Black Prince smirked.

“He defeated the Frost Knight. He won’t lose to mere stragglers. If he does… then the tales of him defeating Frost were false to begin with.”

“Ah…”

“This is both a test and proof. If he proves himself, we gain the demon sword and the devil. If he doesn’t… at the very least, the Second Prince will have burned his strength chasing him. Either way, we lose nothing.”

The knight nodded.

“Understood.”

“…Though I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Mounting his horse, the Black Prince commanded,

“Ride. We must prove ourselves as well.”

“Forward!”

Thunder of hooves erupted as the Black Knights surged forth in formation.

The Black Prince wore a fleeting smile as he muttered,

“Brother… you should’ve watched your step.”

I woke around midday.

Not because the sun hit my face, but because my stomach was growling.

Sitting up, blinking blearily, I looked around for my horse.

“What was his name again… Ah, Thunder! Thunder!”

At my call, the dark-brown horse pushed through the brush and trotted over.

Smart beast. Clearly well-bred.

“Good boy.”

Prrhh.

Thunder nuzzled my hand, and I stroked his face before pulling a sandwich from my saddlebag—Julia’s careful handiwork.

As I ate, I went around kicking at the knights until they woke.

“Up and at it, sirs.”

Walpole jolted upright as if stung. Curtis just lay there, eyes blinking lazily at the blue sky.

Sir Schneider rose slowly, staring blankly at me.

“…Black magic?”

“Pressure points.”

“Fearsome black magic, indeed.”

“….”

I clapped my hands.

“Come on, shake it off. Eat quickly and lightly—enough to stave off hunger, not to bloat your bellies.”

“…Yes…”

Walpole mumbled dully.

I pointed at Curtis.

“Sir Curtis, go wash your face.”

“…Yes, understood.”

He grabbed his canteen and shuffled toward the stream.

Meanwhile, Shushruta was still curled up on Thunder’s back, purring in her sleep.

How she hadn’t fallen off yet, I had no idea.

I poked her cheek.

“Hey. Up.”

“Mmm…”

She raised a lazy hand like a paw, batting my finger away.

Unbelievable.

I waved a sandwich under her nose.

Her nostrils flared at once. Her eyes cracked open, bleary, then she began munching sleepily.

“Eat it fast. We’ve got to move.”

“Mmm. Understood.”

As we ate, I asked, “How much farther?”

“At this pace… two days. Maybe sooner if we’re lucky.”

“Oh?”

“Details, we’ll confirm with the dagger when we get there.”

After a quick meal, we mounted up and rode again.

We’d keep going until the horses tired, rest briefly, then push hard again after nightfall.

By Shushruta’s estimate, we’d reach our goal by tomorrow night—assuming no interruptions.

But of course, nothing ever went so smoothly.

After some time, Shushruta tapped my back.

“Visitors.”

“Already?”

“This time, more of them. Coming from both sides.”

“Want to go wake yourself up again?”

“Yes. But in daylight, I won’t be able to cut down as many.”

“Doesn’t matter. Just stir them up, slow them down.”

“Understood.”

Like yesterday, she pushed off my shoulder and leapt into the air, vanishing behind us.

Sir Schneider stared after her, dumbfounded.

I watched until she was just a speck, then turned to the others.

“You heard. Enemies incoming. Get ready.”

“Yes!”

Clearly, this journey would be spent less with nameless fiends… and more in the company of princes.

Not long after, Shushruta returned, blood-scent clinging faintly to her.

And soon after, the sound of hooves reached even us.

“They’re here.”

“Confirmed.”

The pounding grew louder.

From behind, then from either side.

One rider in front bellowed,

“Red-Eyed Devil! Is it you?”

I shouted back,

“No!”

“It’s him! He is the Red-Eyed Devil!”

“I said no!”

“Devil! We do not come to fight! Stop a moment!”

“No!”

“A noble wishes to meet you!”

“Piss off! Nothing to say!”

“Just for a moment—!”

Thunderrr—

They drew level with us, hands hovering near their hilts.

Curtis glanced back, then barked, “Form a triangle!”

“Yes!”

Sir Schneider spurred forward to my side, Walpole shifted in close.

The three knights formed a triangle around me as we rode.

Shiiing—

Swords rang out, and killing intent filled the air.

Ooooong—

“Cut through them!”

Curtis’s shout was followed by an explosion of sword-qi from both flanks.

“Shit! Dodge!”

“They’re aura-users!”

Shwaaaaang!

The lethal arcs of energy slammed into the riders at the front.

BOOOM!

“Gahhh!”

“Arghhh!”

Horses screamed, men toppled.

The lead ranks shattered, and those behind were crushed in the chaos.

“…Whistle.”

I let out a low whistle.

Not many could throw their aura like that. And the power behind it—damn.

I admitted honestly,

“Impressive, gentlemen.”

Sir Schneider only glanced back coldly at the ruin.

But Walpole grinned at me and replied, “Not as impressive as you, Lord Ashuban.”

(End of Chapter)

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