Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: The Last Knight (1)
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Hyun-soo returned to the hospital in Jin-seop's car.
After getting a cast made of his right arm for a protective glove, he sat down across from Jin-seop.
“The protective glove will cost about 100 million won.”
It was an amount so expensive it startled Hyun-soo.
“Your right hand only plays a supportive role, but that support is still important. It’s a glove designed to be as thin as possible while absorbing shock, which is why it costs so much. It will be custom-made in the United States.”
Jin-seop got to the core of what he wanted to say.
“Compared to your right hand in the past, your left hand is estimated to be at about 50% of its strength. We'll work on increasing that slowly so you can get used to it. You'll also do rehab for your right hand to improve its function for daily life.”
There was another important topic.
“That treatment you mentioned, the one awaiting FDA approval—how much will it cost?”
Hyun-soo had recently heard that this treatment might become available.
*He must have had no choice.*
Hyun-soo was already struggling with hospital bills as it was.
In that situation, the doctor probably couldn't bring himself to suggest another treatment and more expenses.
“In the medical field, new treatments are always extremely expensive. From what I understand, this particular treatment involves an injection that revives paralyzed nerves and slowly restores damaged muscles. You should probably expect to pay around 100 million won per injection.”
Even Jin-seop, who said it, felt the cost was excessive.
But Hyun-soo replied in a firm voice.
“I'll do it.”
Jin-seop was a little surprised.
*He's changed so much.*
Jin-seop remembered the Hyun-soo who used to fumble at the front desk after hearing a medication cost of just a few tens of thousands of won.
Every time he came to the hospital, he seemed dejected.
But now, he was different.
A confidence that he could handle the medical bills with his own abilities was apparent, and his look of conviction radiated an indefinable aura.
“I'll see you next time.”
Hyun-soo headed straight home.
On the way, he explained what had happened to the members of the Guild Gwangmyeong group chat, who must have been worried.
[Kang Hyun-soo: Sorry for making you worry.]
[Kim Hye-in: It's okay. I'm glad everything worked out well.]
[Kang Hyuk-soo: It happens ^^ Congratulations.]
Receiving everyone's congratulations, Hyun-soo smiled faintly.
Before he knew it, he was home, standing in front of his capsule and gathering his thoughts.
In truth, Hyun-soo had been puzzled when he learned that Barad considered him his successor.
He had wondered if the man was overestimating him.
But after visiting the Arahan estate, he had gained a new conviction.
*I deserve to stand on a higher stage.*
He had been weak.
But not anymore.
Though small and elite, Guild Gwangmyeong was also slowly establishing itself.
And then there was the immense scale of the Hwarang Guild, which he had recently heard about from Nel.
He felt he could definitely catch up to them.
To do that, what did he need?
*A higher title and territory.*
Hyun-soo still hadn't forgotten what Nel had said about a user being able to obtain territory and become a lord.
To keep moving forward, he needed a higher title and territory.
For that, his contributions in the Goyad Kingdom were also necessary.
But he considered it a problem to be solved step by step.
For now, Hyun-soo got into his capsule.
[Connecting to Ares.]
And upon logging in, Hyun-soo wore a puzzled expression.
It was because Lukkeu, the knight he had brought with him, was fidgeting nervously.
“You've returned.”
“What's wrong?”
At Hyun-soo's question, Lukkeu handed him a letter.
It was a letter from Marquis Lükburg.
Hyun-soo read through the urgent letter from the man he had parted with just a few days ago in the game.
He had a gut feeling.
*This is it.*
Hyun-soo had decided he needed to achieve a great feat for the kingdom.
This seemed like the perfect opportunity.
But as he read the contents of the letter, a chill spread through Hyun-soo's chest.
“This is happening at the border right now?”
“That is correct.”
“Send a letter to Marquis Lükburg. Tell him I accept his request.”
“Yes, sir!”
Hyun-soo began preparing to leave for the border.
***
*Sshhhkk-!*
With a harsh tearing sound, the knight from the Goyad Kingdom fell, not even lasting a minute.
“He was nothing special!”
Watching Prak laugh confidently toward the Prahan Kingdom's camp, Changcheon gave a small smile.
“Woooooaaaaah!”
The Prahan Kingdom's soldiers cheered fervently at their ally's victory.
In contrast, the Goyad Kingdom's side, having lost three times in a row, looked severely demoralized.
It was quite common for the Prahan and Goyad Kingdoms to engage in skirmishes at the border.
However, neither nation wanted a full-scale war, so they would engage in very small-scale battles.
This small war had been going on for seven years.
Each kingdom would select five knights who had become baronets less than a year ago to compete.
It was conducted in a tournament style.
*I've been waiting for this day, Barad.*
3 to 3.
For six years, the two kingdoms had been evenly matched.
And for today, the seventh year, Changcheon had made many preparations.
The one who had entered from their side was none other than Prak, the Successor of Changcheon.
In other words, he was Changcheon's disciple.
Rumors were rampant that the Successor of Changcheon had already attained a much higher title.
This rumor was one that Changcheon Ben himself had spread.
Furthermore, the Prahan Kingdom was also known as the nation of blacksmiths.
A place filled with countless mines and blacksmithing materials!
There were also just as many player guilds in the Prahan Kingdom, and they had decked out the Successor of Changcheon in artifacts that were the closest things to legends.
Of course, the Goyad Kingdom had also sent out one of the kingdom's five prodigies as their first knight.
But he had been defeated so easily it was almost anticlimactic, and they had lost three times in a row.
“Insolent fool.”
He glared at Barad, who was seated not far away.
Peace?
He wanted it too.
But who held the initiative was important.
And yet, in that process, all Barad had offered was a single blacksmith?
Of course, he himself liked artifacts.
If Changcheon and Barad were to fight right now, Barad would win.
Why? Because of that sword Hyeon had crafted for him.
However, artifacts had masterpieces, and there was a high probability that the sword had been Hyeon's masterpiece.
Just then.
*Bwooooooo—*
The second thing Changcheon had prepared.
Hearing the sound of the horn, Changcheon felt a thrill of pleasure.
It was the sound of the nobles Changcheon had summoned arriving with their soldiers.
Normally, neither side brought so many soldiers.
It was simply a place for posturing.
And the owners of these horns also only brought about 100 to 300 soldiers each.
But the numbers weren't what mattered.
They were appearing with flags raised high, bearing the crests that symbolized certain noble houses of the Prahan Kingdom.
It was a display for Barad.
*The Goyad Kingdom can no longer rally its forces.*
Would the demoted high nobles of the kingdom lend him their strength?
Of course, as he had discussed with his confidant, the relationship between Barad and Lükburg could serve as a small, tenuous link.
The problem was his belief that such a link no longer existed.
*Bwooooooo—*
Again, the sound of a horn echoed from afar.
And Ben fixed his gaze on Barad, who was sitting in his chair.
Barad.
With an expression of resignation, he simply closed his eyes.
His right hand, resting on the armrest of the chair, could be seen clenching into a tight fist.
*Today, I will seize the initiative.*
In other words, this was a hint that Changcheon could start a war at any moment.
Just then.
*Bwoooooooooo—*
Another sound was heard.
But the sound of footsteps was unusual.
His confidant spoke with an excited expression.
“Your Majesty, it seems a great army is approaching.”
“Is it Marquis Ruwad?”
Ruwad, the highest-ranking noble of the Prahan Kingdom. He was a man with countless nobles under his command.
“It appears so. It seems he wishes to bolster Your Majesty's morale today.”
“...I told them to send only a minimal force.”
Saying this, Changcheon smiled.
As if to say that a subordinate's consideration for his king wasn't a bad thing.
Just then, the sound of a horn blared once more.
*Bwooooooo—*
Hearing it, Changcheon soon wore a puzzled expression.
*Neeeigh—*
Beyond the horizon.
His sharp senses picked up the cry of a single horse.
Soon, a man on horseback appeared on that horizon.
*Who is that?*
He looked puzzled.
The man appeared to be from the Goyad Kingdom.
Riding at full speed, his brown coat was striking.
His coat flapping in the wind, the rapidly approaching man was soon arriving at the Goyad Kingdom's camp.
***
Sitting in his chair, Barad closed his eyes.
“That's the fourth knight down. Now I just need to take care of the last one!”
The voice of Prak, the Successor of Changcheon, seemed to mock him.
The enemy's morale soared higher while his own army's spirit plummeted.
*Bwoooooooooo—*
With the sound of horns, the nobles of the Prahan Kingdom appeared.
Every one of them had come here to support Changcheon.
*I did what I had to do.*
Barad had to protect the throne.
That was why he had struck down Lükburg and the other nobles.
The countless subjects who had followed them were now jeering at Barad.
*Even so, it is clearly my fault.*
Failing to unite them, ultimately causing everyone to scatter.
If that isn't my fault, whose fault could it be?
*Bwoooooooooo—*
Once again, nobles from the Prahan Kingdom arrived.
The morale of the Prahan Kingdom's camp rose even higher as they roared the names of those nobles.
In the end, Barad slowly shut off his hearing.
Nothing could be heard.
A desolate silence.
In that silence, he began to sort through his thoughts.
Both kingdoms want peace.
And the initiative.
He must cede that initiative to the Prahan Kingdom.
How?
Barad would have to go first, show some courtesy, and speak of peace.
It would be recorded in history.
But it was something Barad had to do.
Then a thought occurred to him.
*In the end, I'm alone.*
Fifteen years ago, he had his children, his wife, Marquis Lükburg, and the nobles.
But in the end, he had become alone like this.
Just then.
“Y... jesty.”
An unintelligible mumbling could be heard.
Having closed off his hearing and finished organizing his thoughts, Barad slowly emerged from that darkness.
“Your Majesty.”
It was a familiar voice.
At last, his closed-off hearing and all his senses snapped back open at once.
In that moment.
“Waaaaaaaaaah!”
“Long live His Majesty, Barad!”
He heard an unexpected roar.
Great armies had appeared from a total of eight locations.
The ones he had thought were nobles of the Prahan Kingdom.
They were all wearing armor symbolizing the Goyad Kingdom and holding flags representing the highest nobles of their kingdom.
And at their head, he could see the kingdom's highest nobles on horseback.
The kingdom's nobles, with Lükburg at the very front!
Marquis Lükburg gave a small smile and slowly nodded his head.
Barad looked around.
The armies of the Goyad Kingdom filled the horizon.
They had surrounded the Prahan Kingdom's army as if to besiege it.
Barad didn't know why the demoted nobles had come here.
Then he noticed Hyun-soo standing before him.
After a small bow, he spoke with a confident smile.
“I'm going.”
A warmth spread through Barad's chest.
After another small bow, Hyun-soo let his sword hang loosely and began to walk.
*Flutter—*
The hem of his coat fluttering, he continued walking toward his destination.
He stopped before the Successor of Changcheon and said.
“The last knight. Baronet Hyun-soo.”