Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: The Monster Knight
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Galpredic had originally been a powerful knight.
Anyone who knew him was convinced that even without becoming Eugene's retainer, he would have made a name for himself across the entire Kailer Kingdom within two or three years.
But after becoming Origin's retainer, he gained physical abilities far surpassing those of a human. On top of that, he was equipped with expensive gear worth hundreds of silver coins.
It was no exaggeration to say he had become a monstrous knight without equal.
However, the troops under Eugene didn't call Galpredic a "monster knight" just because of his terrifying physical prowess and superior equipment.
Even in everyday life, he was always at the forefront of battles, fighting the fiercest, and never skipped training.
A powerhouse who had everything still put in several times more effort than others.
That was it. The staggering training volume that no one could match was the decisive factor that earned Galpredic the title of monster knight.
And the reason he trained so relentlessly was simple.
"When vampires fight, people just cower in fear. But when a knight fights and wins, they fear you—and respect you too."
Shwaaak! Kwakwang!
Every time his two maces drew arcs like lightning, explosions rang out.
Helmets shattered along with heads, pauldrons crumpled as shoulders caved in. No matter where they were struck, armor and bones shattered together, and the knights howled in agony.
In just ten seconds, six of them collapsed into bloody pulps.
"......!"
The intense shock hit every knight.
Whether they knew Galpredic from before or were seeing him for the first time today, it didn't matter.
It was a sight beyond mere strength or skill. It was power that transcended human limits.
"Ha, let's gang up on him!"
"Uwaaaht!"
Knights who lived by honor and chivalry—but not always.
Proving they could get ugly against a superior foe, the remaining knights grouped up in threes and fours to surround Galpredic. Or tried to.
But Galpredic didn't let their hesitation pass. In an instant, he seized the most advantageous path, guided by experience and instinct.
Moving with the agility of a beast that belied his massive frame, he slipped through the incomplete encirclement and swung both maces.
Kwang! Kwakwang!
"Kraaaht!"
"Aaak!"
Relatively weaker joint areas shattered even through armor, and three knights tumbled to the ground in a flash.
"Shields! Block with shields and attack!"
As if to prove they weren't pushovers, the knights bellowed and tried to herd Galpredic to one side.
Three knights with kite shields pressed in with flails studded with sharp spikes on their spherical heads and maces.
"Die!"
Shiiing!
Two flails whistled through the air from both sides.
Kwakwang!
'Got him!'
The knights inwardly cheered as the flails slammed into Galpredic's helmet and shoulder. That impact should disrupt his stance...
Shwoong!
"Huh!?"
Kwaang!
Ignoring the blow, Galpredic charged forward and smashed two knights' jaws with his maces.
Like puppets with cut strings, they flew several meters before twitching on the ground.
"Push! Just shove him!"
At someone's shout, the knights led with shields and body-slammed toward Galpredic.
No matter how skilled he was, restricting his movement would leave him helpless—then they could stab through armor gaps with daggers. That was the plan.
"Crush him!"
"Flatten him!"
Several knights, bulkier and stronger than commoners, tried to pin Galpredic down.
But something astonishing happened.
"Kraaaap!"
With a thunderous roar, Galpredic shoved the four knights back instead.
He didn't stop there—he tripped one by hooking his foot.
"Uwaaht!?"
"Urk!?"
Other knights tripped over their falling comrade in a noisy heap, and the vicious maces delivered finishing blows to each.
"Uuuh......"
"M-Monster."
Of the knights who had first faced Galpredic, only seven remained standing unscathed.
Each had years of battlefield and demon realm experience, but overwhelming power and technique beyond common sense invalidated their time and skill.
And the reason they'd survived as knights until now wasn't just because they fought well.
Thud.
"H-Ha, I surrender!"
"Me too! I'll pay ransom, so treat me honorably!"
"I'll take the ship back! Show mercy and honor!"
The seven knights simultaneously dropped their weapons and surrendered.
A ridiculously quick turnaround, but everyone who witnessed the short, brutal fight understood.
There was no cause to fight in the first place, and the opponent was an unimaginable monster. Shelving knightly honor and conviction for a moment wasn't shameful here.
"Heh heh! I was just loosening up, and these blowhards prove true to form."
Cruelly insulting words, but no one objected. They only hoped Galpredic would accept the surrender.
"Leave your weapons and money and get out. Never set foot in Brantia again. If we meet on the battlefield, I'll kill you for real."
"Th-Thank you."
"We won't forget your mercy!"
The survivors dumped weapons and coin pouches on the ground and fled toward the boats.
Galpredic turned his head sharply and addressed the mercenaries who had gathered to watch.
"If any of you have funny ideas, leave while you can. After this moment, don't expect mercy from me."
"......!"
The mercenaries flinched, exchanged glances, and a good number slunk away toward the docks.
"Sir! Congratulations on the victory!"
"As expected of Sir Galpredic! Your skill has grown even more since last we met!"
"We witnessed a new realm today!"
"Sir Galpredic!"
"Sir!"
Knights who knew Galpredic well rushed over to praise him.
Galpredic wasn't the enemy—he was the sturdiest ally. Marching with a knight like him was a guarantee of victory.
"But Sir Galpredic, is it wise to let them go?"
"True. They're cowed by you now, but once they reach the continent, they'll spread slander about you and Sir Eugene."
"Hmm! Cowards without honor—plenty capable of it."
At the knights' concerns, Galpredic sheathed his maces and smirked.
"You think that'd shake me or Sir Eugene? Losers' babble anyway. We'll smash them again if we meet on the continent someday. And besides."
Surveying the crowd watching him, Galpredic raised his voice.
"Sir Eugene, whom I, Galpredic, serve, has declared: Anyone not truly willing to follow him should just go! Sir Eugene doesn't force it! He's magnanimous! A man's loyalty and righteousness can't be compelled! That's Sir Eugene's message!"
Wooooooh......!
Men of all ranks, hardened by lives on the edge of death, cheered wildly.
Galpredic fought like a beast, yet showed mercy—and it was on Eugene's orders!
"I worried because he's a vampire, but Sir Eugene is the true knight! Right?"
Some knights nodded eagerly at the words.
"Indeed. Far more honorable than those posturing knights in the kingdom."
"Haha! I experienced your magnanimity firsthand at the Winslon Count's knight tournament! My eyes didn't deceive me then!"
"Vampire or orc, if they know honor, they're true knights!"
"Right! Why else would Archbold and Winslon back him!"
Whether genuine or for show, many raised their voices.
Not all were overseas arrivals, of course.
Partek started it, with Raban, Glad, and Lord Marcus's retainers chiming in.
Public opinion naturally tilted toward Eugene being a vampire being no big deal, and the dockside crowd busily praised Galpredic and Eugene.
Watching with satisfaction, Galpredic sidled up to Marcus, whose eyes brimmed with awe and reverence.
"Marcus."
"Yes. Your command."
Marcus replied softly to Galpredic's whisper.
"Prepare the fastest ship here right now."
"Understood."
Pleased at the unquestioning response, Galpredic spoke low and quick again.
"Send a messenger to Lordric Island. Tell Lord Ortus Lordric that Sir Eugene commanded this."
Marcus swallowed dryly at the chilling killing intent, but Galpredic continued with a cruel smile.
"Sink the ship those bastards are on, no matter what. Not one survives to cross to the continent. Got it?"
"Y-Yes, sir."
Marcus shuddered involuntarily as he answered hastily.
Mercy in front, ruthless retribution behind!
This was the pinnacle of cunning befitting the king of all vampires!
"It's the greatest honor of my dark life to follow Sir Galpredic and our great lord."
"Heh heh. Good. Hurry. And bring my squire Selena. I have a task for her."
"Yep!"
Marcus, hood pulled low, vanished busily into the crowd.
* * *
"Uwoong? Why you like that, master? Got an itch? Want me to spit and wipe it?"
"No thanks."
Eugene replied coldly as he cleaned his ear, and Mirian pouted.
"Master's been weird lately."
"You're the weird one lately. Why keep cozying up to that girl unasked?"
Mirian froze for a split second at Eugene's glance toward Lorein, then put on a straight face, lips pursed.
"Wh-When did I? You saw wrong."
"Nope. Saw you buzzing around her several times a day."
"W-Well, she's kinda suspicious, right? She could wait at the castle and leave when her family comes. Weird she's tagging along."
"Hmm. Fair point."
Eugene nodded, eyeing Lorein primly seated on her saddle.
He'd originally planned to wait at Riward Castle until the Fransil family's envoy arrived.
But on second thought, they were the desperate ones, not him. No reason to accommodate the Fransils.
So he left ransom negotiations and prisoner handover to Pitamoras and headed straight for the Bartla Duke family.
Then an unexpected turn.
The key prisoner, Lorein Fransil, suddenly asked to join his journey.
Dumbfounded, Eugene meant to refuse.
But Pitamoras and Ranslo's advice gave him pause.
"Hmm. When you inherit the Bartla dukedom, if another prominent Brantian noble house witnesses and vouches for it, things will go much smoother. Especially if it's a Fransil direct heir."
"And if we leave Lady Lorein at the castle, the envoy coming for her will scout our situation."
"Hmm."
"If they learn our main force is away, the Fransils might mobilize troops. But as long as we hold Lady Lorein, they won't act rashly first."
"Troops...... Then should I leave you behind, Ranslo?"
"No. Better to leave only Duke Pitamoras and take everyone to the Bartla family."
"Why?"
"Hmm. Because the Fransils covet the throne."
"Duke Pitamoras is right. Attacking a lord's temporarily empty territory is the height of cowardice. No declaration of war means they lack pretext."
Even if they decided to seize it, Galpredic would return from Mungard with troops by then.
Ultimately, their sound advice aligned with logic, so Eugene decided to follow it.
Still.
"It's weird, though. Why would a girl who trembles at my sight suddenly insist on coming? Right after Luke was set to join?"
Since leaving the castle yesterday, Lorein hadn't left Luke's side. Eugene narrowed his eyes at her.