Chapter 42
Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: You're Dying Today - 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
While soothing Cheshire Cat, we had arrived at Balrog's residence before I knew it.
You could see just how much wealth Wonderland possessed and how decadently they lived from this modest little castle where Balrog stayed.
This castle, far from small, wasn't even Dnia's—it belonged to Balrog, a mere bodyguard knight. One could only imagine how bitter it must have felt for those being exploited.
In front of the massive door, I earnestly warned Cheshire Cat.
"Absolutely do not open your mouth. Got it?"
"Got it, nyang. Um, but what exactly are you planning to do, nyang?"
She'd find it easier to assist if she knew the plan in detail. I explained it to her step by step.
"You just stand there quietly, and I'll provoke Balrog. These idiots suffer from a mental illness called 'chivalry,' so they can't easily refuse a one-on-one duel challenge."
"If he accepts, won't that be a problem in its own way...? Nyang?! I have no skill in fighting while wearing armor...!"
"It won't be one-on-one. I'll be assisting from the side in my invisible state."
"Nyaang."
Cheshire Cat finally nodded in understanding.
"Then let's get started, nyang."
Tap, tap, tap. Cheshire Cat cautiously knocked on the door.
"You think that'll do it?"
Bam! Bam! I kicked the door hard from the side. Sure enough, it wasn't long before two knights in heavy armor appeared.
"What is it."
"Kaliman."
"No Kaliman was taught to knock like that."
"Is it okay for the gatekeeper to show up this late? You uneducated fools."
Even though I was an academy dropout, there was a subtle thrill in calling them "uneducated fools."
But then I suddenly felt pathetic and stopped.
"A Kaliman as rude as you has no right to return. Go kill yourself somewhere."
"Everyone has their circumstances. I really brought some huge news. The kind that'd make Lord Balrog clap and jump for joy."
"...News like that?"
"That's right. Lend me your ears."
At that, the two gatekeepers pressed their heads toward the helmet Cheshire Cat was wearing. Were they pure or just stupid?
Pure, probably. How could they not be curious if it was news that would make their boss clap and leap?
I was invisible, so I slipped behind them and planted a bullet in each of their napes.
Pop! Pop!
As they collapsed like reeds in the wind, I added,
"Why wear armor at all? Honestly."
We quietly dragged the now-corpse pair to one side of the door and headed inside.
Most of the guys spotted Cheshire Cat and gave a slight bow of greeting. She did the same, and we ventured deeper in.
We passed knights training, knights resting, knights eating... It was only after that we encountered some who actually looked useful.
More Kalimans.
They were gathered around a round table in the garden, discussing something—probably a strategy meeting.
One of them noticeably startled.
"...What's this? A returning Kaliman? Why so late?"
Cheshire Cat stood still.
Shaking or nodding her head could contradict my words and be a huge mistake, so I'd ordered her beforehand to just stay put.
I, invisible beside Cheshire Cat, answered as if she were speaking.
"Busy tying up loose ends."
"Why return alone? The others?"
"Dead."
"Mission accomplished?"
"No need to worry. I made sure to cut off Florian's air for good."
But then, a thick voice boomed from deeper in the garden.
"You cut off Florian's air?"
The knights around the table shot to their feet. Moments later, a man in massive black armor appeared.
The striking feature was the bull-like horns on his helmet.
Combined with his enormous build, he exuded a dangerous, half-man-half-beast aura. It was Spade's knight, Balrog.
Invisible, I leisurely sized up Balrog.
I'd grant him points for the cool armor, but I didn't sense much dangerous energy from the person inside.
Anyway, Balrog asked Cheshire Cat,
"Is that certain? Florian's really dead?"
"That's right."
Of course, I was the one answering.
"Good. That's a relief. Well done. Now I finally have something to report to Lady Dnia... Wait a minute."
Balrog, delighted by the false news of my death, belatedly noticed we'd replied informally.
He asked in a voice far lower than before,
"...So, what did you just call me?"
"You heard it plain as day, so why ask again?"
"......?"
Their faces were hidden by helmets, but I could tell they were all pretty shocked. Balrog cracked his neck, blatantly showing his displeasure.
"Must've been a tough mission. Looks like you took a nasty hit to the head."
"Shut your mouth and duel me one-on-one. I challenge you to a noble knight's duel."
"Has it really gone mad?"
Balrog let out a scoffing laugh and hefted his massive halberd.
A normal person would've been intimidated by the halberd's size alone, but luckily, I wasn't your average Joe.
Cheshire Cat was trembling slightly in fear, but I pressed on.
"Fighting Florian gave me some real insights."
"What?"
Balrog slammed his halberd into the ground with a thud.
"...Choose your words carefully, Kaliman. They might be your last."
"Florian's smart as hell, handsome, fights like a beast. Talented all around. Even as a fellow man, I nearly fell for him."
"And?"
I crossed my arms and continued. Talking while invisible was its own fun.
"But I took down that sky-high great man. Now nothing scares me."
"And?"
"I no longer recognize you, Balrog, as my superior. Let's duel like men—like knights—one-on-one."
"Has it lost its mind, or was it always like this under restraint?"
"Shut up and fight, you bull-headed bastard. Or should I turn you into steak?"
"......"
It was provocation aimed at Balrog, but it hit his subordinates even harder. They all drew swords from their waists and stepped toward Cheshire Cat.
"Hold."
But Balrog raised a hand to stop them.
Looking intrigued, he asked me,
"From my position, I don't have to accept that duel. Got a plan if I refuse?"
"Of course. You bull-headed bastard."
I wasn't originally a Shadow handling espionage or public opinion. That was someone else's job.
But right now, I felt like I could pull it off.
"I already wrote up several wills."
"What about them?"
"They say: Balrog, that cowardly bull-headed bastard refused a one-on-one duel and won cheaply. That's my cause of death. Remember Balrog's a dirty bastard when you face him. Stuff like that."
"......"
I continued toward Balrog, who seemed deep in thought.
"I arranged for them to be sent straight to the other knights if I die. What do you think the other three suits will say? They'll be ashamed to call you a fellow knight. Pathetic."
"A knight pulling dirty tricks, huh? Fine. One-on-one duel it is."
"Should've said that sooner, you bull-headed... "
"Mind dropping that nickname?"
"Sure."
I wasn't so petty as to blindly insult someone who'd accepted the duel.
Especially since he'd agreed to one-on-one.
It wasn't long before an arena was set up in the garden. The knights encircling us in a square formation formed a wall of iron.
"Written your will?"
I asked, and Balrog snorted.
"No way I'll lose to the likes of you."
"If you do?"
"A knight who loses to the likes of you doesn't deserve a will."
"Oh ho."
I stood casually beside Cheshire Cat while Balrog gripped his halberd tightly with both hands, looking ready to go all out.
"Listen, Kaliman. I hate three things most."
"Not interested."
"First: defying superiors. Second: violating chivalry."
I said I wasn't interested, but Balrog opened his mouth anyway. Chivalry might just be another name for insanity.
"And third: failing to even graduate from the academy, cradle of learning. You've broken two of those. You won't die easy."
"You're wrong."
"Wrong how?"
"Just wrong. Shut up. You're dying today."
Truth be told, I couldn't say I'd broken all three.
-Shaaa!
And then, someone signaled the start of the duel.