Chapter 61 : Chapter 61

Chapter 061: Doom Fist (3)

He called himself a wandering knight.

“Isaac Hart.”

The man who revealed his name had platinum blonde hair, a symbol of the Kingdom.

He was a handsome man with refined features.

“Dragon in the Fog. I challenge you to a duel.”

He came alone, on his own accord, to the heart of the Empire’s camp.

He had already resolved to face death.

I was surprised, and the subordinates surrounding us widely were astonished.

Until then, we had only seen cowards who surrendered before even fighting, regardless of their skill.

Many of us, myself included, felt not just disappointment but self-loathing.

Most openly expressed their awe, and some even claimed to have their eyes opened.

Of course, there were also scattered jeers mixed with mockery.

As the murmurs gradually settled into an atmosphere anticipating an entertaining spectacle, I asked,“To offer your life in the middle of the enemy camp, not on the battlefield? I’m curious why you’d go to such lengths.”

The wandering knight Isaac stared at me silently.

Behind him, the setting sun dyed his platinum hair a crimson hue.

“There’s a man among the prisoners here named Nick Huster. Release him. I want to trade my life for his. It’ll be far more valuable.”

“Nick Huster?”

I glanced at the warden with a questioning look.

The warden answered,“He’s a prisoner we recently took over from the 1st Corps under headquarters’ orders. A thug by origin, marked as a person of concern due to his violent temper…”

“Bring him.”

Not long after, a rough shout echoed from a distance.

“Let go! You bastards! Don’t touch me like that!”

He came into view.

His massive frame immediately drew attention.

Even more striking was the short hair sticking up about half a span above his crown.

Like a lone sprout on a barren hill.

Four burly men were sweating profusely, struggling to drag him as if he were a captured beast.

The soldiers on that side bustled about, clearing a path.

Through that gap, the large man was roughly thrown forward.

“…Nick.”

Isaac let out a small sigh.

The man, thrashing with his limbs bound, finally stopped struggling.

He slowly turned his gaze toward the voice calling him, his pupils trembling as if afraid to meet it.

“Ah, Isaac…!”

Looking back and forth between the two, I asked Isaac,

“Family?”

“….”

“Friend?”

There was no answer.

As I watched Nick, head lowered and growling, Isaac spoke.

“…Lover.”

Isaac’s gaze was fixed somewhere on the ground.

I repeated,

“Lover?”

Isaac gave a barely perceptible nod.

Nick shouted at him,

“Stop it…! I don’t want to be ridiculed by these bastards too!”

“Was I wrong, Nick?”

“Isaac!”

“Before I die—!”

Kiing!

Isaac drew his sword and held it horizontally in front of his face.

The blade reflected the glistening moisture in his eyes.

“…I wanted to say it proudly, at least once.”

“Isaac…”

“Even if it’s in front of these damned Empire dogs, it’s fine. I have no regrets now.”

The surrounding murmurs grew louder.

To the bloodthirsty swordsmen, this scene must have seemed like nothing more than a farce.

Kiing!

Before the noise could grow any louder, I drew my sword.

“Isaac Hart. Bihen Benkou, Centurion of the 4th Corps, 1st Battalion, 4th Century of the Empire, accepts your challenge to a life-or-death duel.”

“….”

“If you defeat me, I’ll let both of you go.”

“Uooaaah!”

Ka—ang!

I let him strike first.

Our blades clashed near my head.

After parrying, I slashed across his abdomen.

Chwaak!

“Ugh…!”

Clang!

He dropped the sword he had been holding above his head with both hands, then his knees gave way, and finally, his head.

Thud.

“Isaac—!”

I sheathed my sword and silently watched Nick, who was crawling on his knees toward the fallen Isaac, sobbing.

The gazes of my subordinates turned to me, awaiting my orders for their fate.

“…Let them both go.”

“Captain?”

“They need to collect the body.”

Then I turned away.

It was my own way of showing respect to the bravest Kingdom swordsman I had ever met.

Several months passed.

As the war intensified, that day’s memory, which had been buried, was unexpectedly brought back by Hermann.

“That Nick guy you let go,” he said. “I heard he made quite a name for himself in the Granfel campaign. The 1st Corps had a rough time with him.”

“Is that so?”

“Is that so? Is that so? Can you be that shameless? That monster you and your men conspired to release wreaked havoc on our allies. We’re all Imperials, even if our units differ, you heartless bastard.”

“He’s an escaped prisoner. I was duly disciplined for that incident. It’s out of my hands now. Well, if I ever face him on the battlefield, I’ll gladly take revenge.”

“Hmph, no need. He was caught and executed, I hear. By dismemberment, no less.”

…So that’s how it ended.

I nodded without much feeling, but Hermann added,

“The funny thing is, you know what? He was caught by his own Kingdom folks.”

“What?”

“Rumor spread that he indulged in vile sodomy. Some lord, displeased by it, personally hunted him down while he was hiding in his territory and offered him up to the 1st Corps like a tribute. Said he brought a curse or some nonsense. Of course, it was probably just an excuse—he was scared of the 1st Corps’ retaliation.”

I was dumbfounded.

I couldn’t even muster a hollow laugh.

Hermann clicked his tongue and said,“That lord sold out their own hero before he himself could be dismembered. Tsk, tsk. Typical Kingdom scum.”

·

·

·

“What’re you staring at?”

He spoke casually, brushing off his fur hat.

I blinked.

“Ah… nothing.”

“Imperial youth, could it be…”

He suddenly leaned in close, raising an eyebrow.

I could feel the heat of his breath.

“…you like my hairstyle?”

“Not at all.”

“That’s a shame.”

As he pulled back, I asked,

“Is Bolero a baptismal name? Then, your real name is…”

“Tch, shh. That’s enough. A man should always keep at least one secret.”

I shut my mouth as he suggested.

Was it my imagination?

The fierce snowstorm seemed to have calmed slightly.

It’s rare for a first meeting to be this intense.

I don’t believe in past-life connections.

Nick Huster, that man, will remain a secret only I know.

* * *

Bolero and I entered the mountain cabin used by Arno’s gang.

As the door closed, the sound of the wind outside abruptly stopped.

“Let’s rest for a bit,” Bolero said, yawning with a loud stretch.

I glanced at him.

Perhaps it was the warmth inside the cabin, but my thoughts were settling calmly.

“Hey, Bolero. How about we each share one thing?”

“What do you mean?”

“When we get to Conwell, promise to tell me who gave me the Blood Mage information.”

“Hm, Imperial youth. Seems like you’re misunderstanding something. That’s your duty. Why do you think I’ve kept you alive this long?”

“Fine, whatever. Then I need to know something too.”

Bolero’s eyes widened as he stared at me.

I met his gaze.

“Your purpose for going to Conwell.”

I don’t know how long I was unconscious in the Blood Devil’s lair.

Still, the conflict between Adeline and the Archduke likely hasn’t concluded.

If, by some chance, Bolero’s purpose is to join the Archduke’s side…

It’s not paranoia.

Yeats said it himself—the Archduke recruits talent regardless of status or origin.

He even tempted me with promises of great rewards.

There’s no guarantee Bolero isn’t the same.

…Adeline has already lost Eugene.

If my uneasy suspicions are true, I’m sorry, but I’ll have to kill Bolero here and now.

“…”

Bolero looked down at me with a grave expression.

If he starts spouting nonsense about secrets or whatever, I won’t hold back this time.

Letting a warrior of his caliber into Conwell unchecked would be too late.

“Hm, Imperial youth. The mood’s getting a bit heavy, isn’t it? Feels like one wrong answer could lead to a brawl.”

“I’m not opposed to that.”

“Hah.”

A strange silence hung between us.

He seemed deep in thought.

Finally, Bolero spoke.

“There’s a Solari branch in Conwell.”

“Solari…?”

“Oh! You’ve heard of it?”

“…No. I just heard you say you’re a martial priest of Solari earlier.”

He suddenly looked dejected, his eyes filled with a faint resentment as if to say, Why get my hopes up?

I felt compelled to ask.

“Some kind of new religion?”

“Not quite that big yet. But our goal is to one day spread the words of Saint Elzerus across the Kingdom and build a warm world together.”

My heart sank.

Elzerus.

A memory from my past life flashed by.

—Revere Elzerus and protect His kingdom.

The first rule of chivalry, shouted by the Old Knight Jayden as he perished in my past life.

Back then, during the war, Elzerus was a god worshipped by the Kingdom’s people.

But I had never heard of Solari.

Solari disappears, and Elzerus becomes the god of the Kingdom’s people? In just a few years?

And Bolero—Nick Huster in my past life—wasn’t a priest but a foul-tempered thug.

…Damn it, what the hell is going on?

My past and present lives refuse to align.

It started with the annihilation of knight factions and magic schools.

Where did it begin?

The gap’s thickness is the same, but its depth is unfathomable.

“Still, we’ve got a long way to go. Most lords just treat us like some heretical magic school. Not that I blame them. Plenty of schools start with sweet words, only to reveal their true colors and try to swallow entire territories whole.”

Bolero scratched his glossy scalp and added,

“So, for now, we’ve only got one branch in Conwell. Small but precious.”

“I see. So you’re visiting it.”

“Well, that, and I got special orders to check on Lady Adeline’s safety.”

My expression must have shifted dramatically.

Bolero pointed at me, smirking.

“Look at this guy! The moment Lady Adeline’s name comes up, your eyes flip! Well, her beauty is something else. Kingdom or Empire, any man would…”

“What’s Adeline’s connection to Solari?”

“She actively supported and funded the establishment of Solari’s Conwell branch. She’s like a benefactor to us.”

I nodded instinctively, letting out a faint sigh.

I glanced at Bolero.

No need for bloodshed.

“Now, my turn? I got carried away blabbering, but you, an Imperial, why are you so curious about Conwell’s affairs…?”

“One last question. Is Solari hunting Blood Mages purely for public safety? Or, say, to pray for the Kingdom’s peace?”

Bolero pulled back his head and crossed his arms, his face turning serious.

“I told you. It’s a classified mission.”

Too bad.

I thought he’d spill everything in the heat of the moment.

It’s a shame for now, but no matter.

I’ll find out soon enough.

Mimicking his posture and expression, I replied,

“Same here. I can’t say any more.”

“What?”

“Lady Adeline personally gave me a classified mission.”

Bolero furrowed his brow.

Well, it’s not exactly a lie, is it?

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