Chapter 284
Chapter 284
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP. 62 – What Justification Does a Knight Have to Fight? (6)
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...Now that we're here, let me mention something. Even before coming to Wales, he had already been convinced that a vampire lurked within the Guild.
'The flow was too messy.'
Through the Guild and the twins, he had tracked down traces of vampires and dismantled numerous large organizations.
As he swept them away, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had become a 'cleaner' himself.
His guess was that the damn pervert had probably intended to use him to dispose of all the messes he'd made.
...It was infuriating, but there were three main reasons why he had allowed himself to be used even after realizing it.
One was the fear that the bastard might escape. As much as it galled him, if the guy truly committed to fleeing, catching him would be unlikely.
Another was the risk that civilians, including the fake sect leader, might get hurt.
There was also the concern of brainwashing, which could lead to even greater damage, so he couldn't deny that he'd gone along with it to minimize harm.
But the final reason.
The most decisive one, in fact, was what ultimately drew his footsteps to Wales.
'What is it?'
An unease.
More precisely, an anxiety about what exactly Modred was hiding to act this way. That was why Lee Han had come all the way to the frontier baron's territory.
'Why would that guy go through all this trouble?'
It wasn't hard to guess why the vampire had lured him. Once he headed to Wales, Simon would naturally join him there, and the vampire likely planned to use Simon's brilliant mind to locate Modred's annex.
...Though now, the vampire was probably getting lynched by the Blood Eagle instead.
However, rather than feeling any satisfaction at the vampire reaping what he sowed, Lee Han was far more preoccupied with whatever was in Wales.
No, 'bothered' was the more accurate term.
It clearly wasn't something he should get involved in, yet ignoring this nagging feeling now seemed like it would lead to regret later...
Someone might call it absurd to go through such hardships over a baseless hunch.
'I ignored a similar nagging feeling in the past and got burned badly.'
Specifically, in his previous life...
'Does this feel like the day I died?'
- [You must not ignore even the smallest spark.]
It was the final lesson from his previous life, one he had never forgotten even after all this time.
The lesson of how ignoring even minor nagging feelings could lead to enormous 'regret'.
Garnock Douglas de Modred.
The former frontier baron of Modred, now the captain of the Hundred Ghosts Shield Knights—also known as the Shield-bearing Specters—and apparently the grandfather of a pink-haired kid, opened his mouth.
"Have you ever heard that the direct descendants of Modred have the ability to handle ghosts?"
"I've heard they have some unique ability."
"Then this will be an easy conversation."
"...I never knew human eyes could glow like that."
"Ho ho, you can see it? Your senses are exceptional. Well, a knight who has touched the realm of intent can do anything, eh heh."
The old knight let out an exclamation, but Lee Han was more amazed by the man's eyes still glowing purple than by the praise.
"It's called 'Spirit Eyes.' They allow you to see ghosts, communicate with them, and even subjugate them."
"Sounds like a tricky ability."
"...Sharp. You saw through it that quickly?"
The old knight exclaimed in admiration again, this time for a different reason than when he'd pierced through the Spirit Eyes.
Most people who heard about the Spirit Eyes' power reacted with awe and envy, saying things like 'Amazing!' or 'That's a cheat ability!' But this young knight instantly grasped its troublesome nature.
"The part about communicating with ghosts gives me a headache already. Not all ghosts are benevolent. They'd probably make annoying demands, like resolving their grudges or passing messages to their families. Or they'd threaten you constantly, disrupting daily life. Actually, it'd be tough from infancy—when kids that age are just starting to see pretty things, but instead, they see ominous ones."
"...Heh heh, if you were a merchant, I'd invest my entire fortune right now. How do you know so well?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Eh heh heh! Obvious, you say..."
Those who learned of the Spirit Eyes focused only on its advantages and ignored the downsides.
But he had insight, and the depth to mull over others' words.
'He sees not just the surface, but the hidden underside.'
Excellent. Among knights, many didn't use their heads, but this one was rare—not only strong but also shrewd.
Truly...
"I almost want to trade places with you."
"Master! I respect you! Even if your talent is less than mine, this respect is sincere!!"
"...Talking to you just makes my stomach hurt."
"Are you unwell!!"
"......Just shut up."
"Yes!!"
"......"
Compared to his exasperating disciple, Garnock let out a sigh laced with lament.
Why had he taken in such a fool as a disciple, only to suffer at this age...?
...A few hours earlier, when Lee Han first entered the annex, monsters had kept pouring out endlessly.
Not just Hellhounds, but a significant number of plant-based and undead monsters appeared, even upper-class ones like Orthos, who was now being dragged away by them.
Yet strangely, now...
It was silent. As if nothing was around.
However, Lee Han sensed it.
The presence of monsters secretly watching his surroundings.
But the monsters didn't charge easily; they just held their positions.
Monsters that weren't as clever as Orthos usually lunged at humans on sight. Why were they holding back?
The answer to this question came from...
"My subjugated spirits are blocking the monsters from approaching. It's only effective against weak ones, but quite useful. It's handy against people too—for weighing down their shoulders, inducing nightmares, or forcibly disrupting their condition."
The old knight Garnock's mouth.
"Versatile too."
"It's not all-powerful. It doesn't work on knights as trained as you or upper-class monsters. The stronger the mental fortitude and sense of self, the less effect the spirits have."
"...Is it okay to tell me that? Seems like important info."
Mysterious families usually concealed their abilities, yet this man was openly sharing. Lee Han found it odd.
But Garnock didn't mind.
He even looked refreshed.
"What's the point of keeping a trivial ability like this secret?"
"What if I sell it?"
"I'd be grateful if you did. At least I'd feel like I've repaid some favor."
"......"
He even went further.
Was this humor, or was he being teased...?
"But you're not that kind of knight. You're the diligent type who earns money honestly. Hmm, but is carpentry pay really that good?"
"...Now I see I didn't need to worry about you. You're the one stripping me of my info."
Lee Han felt uneasy seeing the old knight discern his background with those Spirit Eyes, but he was also impressed.
He was witnessing the true value of Spirit Eyes.
'An invisible informant, huh.'
From an opponent's identity to their most private secrets...!
'What a game-breaking ability.'
Definitely the type that would make sleep uneasy if they became enemies.
"If it bothered you, I apologize. To explain, I didn't peek on purpose. Your trailing spirits were chattering on their own, and I just overheard."
"So, you can hear stray ghosts gossiping about me."
"Something like that. Hmm, want me to perform an exorcism now?"
"Exorcism, huh? Interesting, but..."
...Don't we have a guest to greet first?
Thud!
No sooner had Lee Han trailed off than presences suddenly gathered.
He'd wondered why the monsters stayed away even with the ghosts—turns out...
'The stench of blood is too thick; it scared them off.'
Thud, thump!
Heavier reverberations than when Felix first appeared echoed through the annex one after another, and a chilling aura swept through like a winter dawn frost.
Crackle!
...Frost actually formed on the ground.
"Looks like we were too late to greet you. What was there to worry about anyway."
"...Is that also a Modred ability?"
"Haha, a form of application. Pretty useful mount, right?"
"More than useful..."
As the knights' silhouettes drew closer, Lee Han understood why Modred's order was called the Hundred Ghosts.
Clank, clank.
The source of the heavy thuds wasn't human.
It was the weight of the horses the knights rode—each at least twice the size of an average warhorse.
Enormous horses, and far from ordinary.
Made of skulls...
'Phantom Horses' suited them perfectly.
'Their armor is all bone too—made from monster bones?'
Not just bones. Monster tendons and muscles seemed incorporated, creating something like...
'Reinforced exoskeleton?'
It evoked cyberware from a cyberpunk game he'd played in his previous life.
'...What? Why do these guys feel like they're from a different genre?'
He'd thought it was a hundred ghosts parade, but seeing them in biomechanical exoskeletons shattered the immersion.
However...
"What kind of monstrosity is that!?"
"Carrying such a massive evil spirit!?"
"Captain, what have you brought with you...?"
"D-don't be scared, Sylvester, my old comrade. You're a brave horse, aren't you...?"
...He should be the one scared, but in this reversal where his own presence terrified the biomechanical exoskeleton knights, Lee Han started feeling uneasy.
'Have I exterminated that many spellcasters?'
Hmm...
'Doesn't seem like many.'
Like someone who couldn't remember how many slices of bread they'd eaten, Lee Han tilted his head.