Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Flight of the Holy Knight
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After conversing a bit more with Count Winslon, Eugene set out from the castle before sunset.
The count had urged him to stay in the castle until tomorrow, but Eugene politely declined.
Having to share quarters with those arrogant noble knights who despised him— just the thought was infuriating.
Better to spend the night in the tent village again and strengthen the 'camaraderie' with the freelance knights.
And so Eugene returned to the tent village, treating the freelance knights to another lavish feast that evening.
On top of that, he handed out ten silver coins each as consolation money to the knights who had gone broke paying their ransoms after losing in the swordsmanship tournament.
It went without saying that the knights were deeply moved.
People always feel gratitude far more intensely when help comes in their hour of need.
In any case, Eugene's unit formation proceeded smoothly according to plan right up until the morning of the mock battle.
Including the knights from the tent village and some who had lodgings in town, over forty knights swore on their honor to fight in Eugene's unit.
With their squires included, it amounted to nearly a hundred men—a sizable force in its own right.
However, the noble knights' units outnumbered Eugene's by two or three times. They had hired large numbers of mercenaries with their vast funds.
It was a bit underhanded, but since money was one of the key factors in a mock battle—a microcosm of real war—everyone accepted it.
Eugene had already anticipated as much, so he didn't make an issue of it or let it bother him.
But right after arriving at the count's family hunting grounds, the site of the mock battle, an unexpected situation unfolded that no one could have foreseen.
* * *
"What? Is that true?"
"Yes. I was shocked too. Who would've thought a holy knight would pull a midnight flit."
"Hah..."
Eugene felt deflated at Lanslo's shrug.
The arrogant holy knight Yung Dirhit had fled that very dawn, taking his squires with him.
"Didn't the guards do anything when a holy knight left the castle?"
"He said he was going to the church in town to pray. What could they do when a holy knight was heading to church? Besides, it's the day of the mock battle. They probably thought he was offering prayers for victory."
Eugene frowned.
He had been looking forward to finally killing Dirhit today, but now it felt like a wasted opportunity.
'Damn it. Should I chase after him right now?'
The impulse flickered through Eugene's mind, but he quickly calmed himself.
'Too late. It's been over five hours. If he rode full speed, he's already out of the count's territory.'
Even with a vampire's superhuman sense of smell, tracking him this late was impossible.
'Good riddance, actually. He fled in such disgrace—he'll definitely come after me now. I can deal with him then.'
There weren't many justifications for killing a holy knight.
But holy knight or not, if the enemy was out to kill you, fighting back was the honorable duty of any knight.
'So come on already. I'll kill you for real this time.'
Reigniting his inner resolve, Eugene feigned surprise.
"To think such a thing would happen. Unbelievable."
"Heh. But is it just them?"
Following Lanslo's glance, Eugene turned his head.
"That dishonorable wretch! He doesn't deserve the title of holy knight!"
"We can't just stand by. We must lodge a formal protest with the Central Church!"
The noble knights, fully armored and huddled together, were visibly panicked.
With two of their trusted holy knights dead and the last one deserting, it was understandable.
"Were they planning to have the holy knight lead?"
"They split their forces into three units due to their numbers, and he was set to command one. Now their commander's gone—must be a headache. Heh."
"You heard this at the castle?"
"Plenty of loose-lipped lords, and even more ambitious ones. So here's how things are shaking out..."
Lanslo, who had stayed in the castle, explained what he had seen and heard.
Meanwhile, the noble knights who had been cursing Yung Dirhit and the church were now debating who would take over as the new commander.
"Lord Carl should do it."
"Nonsense! Lord Ismael, with his wealth of combat experience, is the man. He led us to victory in last year's border skirmish."
"You call a field clash with a hundred men a war?"
"Hey, that's a bit harsh."
"Besides, this is a cavalry mock battle. Charging mercenaries is a whole different story."
Yung Dirhit's desertion seemed to have caused quite a stir.
Eugene regretted not killing him this time, but at least the noble knights had been gifted 'division' in return.
'Is this good luck?'
Feeling somewhat satisfied, Eugene said to Lanslo,
"From the looks of it, their units might splinter into five or six instead of three."
"I was thinking the same. Still, we can't forget they're superior in skill and equipment."
"What if they split into groups of twenty or thirty? Could they still hold the advantage—with you and me here?"
"Haha."
Lanslo chuckled softly.
Eugene's prowess needed no further mention—it only hurt to talk about it.
But a knight among knights, a hero or conqueror, required not just strength but also 'strategy.'
And in that regard too, Eugene met Lanslo's standards.
"Shall we try fishing? What do you think?"
"An excellent choice. Then let's do this."
Convinced their minds were in sync, Lanslo grinned and continued.
After hearing him out, Eugene nodded.
"Perfect. By the way, the mercenaries won't use live steel, right?"
"Of course. The knights would draw their longswords in an instant. They bring real weapons just in case, but everyone uses wooden swords and spears, so the mercenaries join without much worry."
Even as a microcosm of war, mock battles didn't use live weapons. Otherwise, most participants would end up dead or gravely injured.
Yet the knights kept real weapons on their saddles for contingencies.
There were always mercenaries scheming to pull dirty tricks on knights for a big score.
'Take out the knights, and the mercenaries are no issue. It's not real war—they'll surrender quick once morale breaks.'
"Lord Eugene!"
Just then, the knights forming Eugene's unit came rushing over.
"What do we do? We need at least a rough plan."
Intimidated by the noble knights in their fine gear, the freelance knights looked uneasy.
Exchanging glances with Lanslo, Eugene addressed them with confident assurance.
"As I said yesterday, they're just as untested together. When the battle starts, nine times out of ten they'll charge in disorganized. Hell, they might not even form up properly."
This was advice from Galpredic, rich in real combat experience.
Lords and nobles favored mercenary companies because they had honed fighting as a unit through long campaigns.
Knights, on the other hand, were a breed that relished solo glory.
Especially these noble knights, who lived off their self-importance. Teamwork from them would be the real surprise.
"And they'll likely come in at least three units, up to five or six."
"Huh?"
"Surely not—even if they look down on us?"
The freelance knights voiced doubts.
Lanslo stepped forward with a grin.
"Gentlemen, allow me."
All eyes turned to Lanslo.
The Golden Moon Knight Order, handpicked by Count Winslon himself, was renowned for its brave and cunning members.
"For those noble knights, what's the greatest prize? I'd say felling or capturing the Twin Crown's master, right?"
"Mm."
"Exactly."
The freelance knights nodded in agreement.
The Twin Crown winner of both the joust and sword tournament—even they would charge with fire in their eyes.
Toppling or capturing Eugene would be the crowning honor and feat of the knightly tournament.
"But with their holy knight vanished, one command slot's wide open. Think a new leader steps up and they follow wholeheartedly? They're all peers. In the end, they'll likely move separately, each gunning for Eugene."
"It's logical, but no guarantee they'll split into five or six units."
"Just dangle some bait."
"Bait?"
As the freelance knights tilted their heads, Lanslo naturally glanced at 'commander' Eugene.
The others followed suit.
"Gentlemen, we'll split our unit into two—or make it look that way, while staying cohesive."
"......?"
"Here's the plan in detail."
Eugene laid out the strategy he had just discussed with Lanslo.
As he spoke, the knights' expressions gradually relaxed.
When he finished, they all gazed at him with eyes full of awe and determination.
"We salute your courage, my lord."
"Victory is ours, gentlemen!"
"We can't let Lord Eugene's sacrifice be in vain! If anyone breaks formation chasing personal glory, I won't forgive them!"
Uoooooh!!!
The freelance knights raised their weapons in a roar.
* * *
The hunting grounds, venue for the mock battle, were vast enough to attest to the Winslon count's prestige.
Over five kilometers straight-line, it would take half a day to tour on foot, dotted with small woods and hills—ideal for mock combat.
There, the red team of freelance knights and the blue team of noble knights donned helmets and armbands in their faction colors, moving to opposite ends.
Obscured by woods and hills, the teams waited at starting points out of sight, beginning battle at the sound of the castle bell.
"That woods over there looks good, gentlemen."
After moving along the hill line, Eugene pointed it out to the knights.
Without a word, the freelance knights surged toward the small woods he indicated.
"Master, all clear."
With the squires led by Luke reporting back from scouting the woods, Eugene gave the order.
"Then let's begin."
Most freelance knights and squires melted into the woods' shadow.
Only about twenty remained outside, including Eugene and Lanslo. From afar, they might pass for scouts or a detached vanguard.
Ten minutes passed.
"Master, master!"
Mirian zipped in, landing on Eugene's shoulder and chattering rapidly.
"Three riders coming over that hill! Not knights—mercenaries, I think!"
'They're here at last.'
Staring in the direction Mirian indicated, Eugene soon spotted movement beyond the hill.
"Ah! Enemy scouts already!?"
Sharp-eyed knights cried out, but Eugene quickly hushed them.
"Shh! Gentlemen, it's just starting. No getting excited yet. Luke."
"Yes, master."
Luke swiftly raised the flag-topped spear.
Eugene's crest, the black dragon, fluttered vigorously in the wind as Lanslo turned and said,
"Gentlemen, let's move slowly, like we just arrived."
"Got it."
The knights left outside with Eugene rode languidly along the woods' edge. Spotting them, the enemy scouts fled in haste.
Moments later, scouts appeared from another direction, spotted Eugene's flag, and bolted like the wind.
Minutes after, more scouts came, vanished quickly, then others appeared.
"Are they sending that many scouts?"
"Like Lord Eugene and Lord Lanslo said—are they all mad for glory?"
"Then they're truly unhinged."
The freelance knights buzzed.
Even without their holy knight anchor, could noble knights be that foolish?
But then.
"Gentlemen, it seems that's exactly what's happening."
Thudududududu!
Before Lanslo finished, the ground shook with hoofbeats as a cavalry group crested the hill, charging madly.
"They're actually coming!"
"Without even mercenaries!?"
"Arrogant? Or insane?"
"Both, probably?"
The freelance knights were dumbfounded.
No matter how they underestimated us, what did they hope to achieve with just twenty-odd riders?
"The Twin Crown master is mineee!"
"Nonsense! The champion falls to me, Rodellso!"
"Master! I'll assist!"
Eugene muttered lowly as he watched the noble knights and squires thundering in, lances couched, armor gleaming.
"Human greed knows no bounds, forever repeating the same mistakes."
(To be continued)