Chapter 114: Mock Battle
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 114: Mock Battle
“Die!!”
“Gah-”
“Model! Ah, no…!”
Screams and shouts tangled in a chaotic mess.
A soldier with bloodshot eyes swung a helmet without its shock-absorbing padding instead of his sword, while another stabbed at a face with the pointed pommel of his hilt.
And that was only a fraction of the fouls being committed in the arena.
The mock battle had been forgotten, replaced by a blatant intent to kill.
“Fight back! Kill them all!!!”
The families belonging to the Royalist faction didn't just take it. Wasn't it proper etiquette in this era to return two blows for every one received?
As the counterattack began, the mock battle turned into a bloodbath. The ground, like a sponge, soaked up the blood they shed, turning crimson.
“Kill them! Kill-!”
“This is revenge-!!”
The frenzied atmosphere spread to the stands. Spectators crowded the fence, shaking their clenched fists and chanting.
Some, in their excitement, even started throwing punches at those cheering for the opposing team.
Witnessing the people descend deeper into a pit of chaos, Aron's face hardened.
“…Why did you explain everything to me?”
His hand had already found the sword at his waist.
He was my next opponent, and he was afraid I would kill him to silence him. When I remained silent, his misunderstanding quickly turned to certainty.
“Don't tell me you plan to kill me to keep me quiet?”
“Why would I kill the man who's to be my brother-in-law?”
I said, my eyes still fixed on the increasingly chaotic match.
The snowball I had set in motion had grown too large for even me to stop. Even if I left it alone, it would corner the king on its own. Now, it was Count Dresden's turn.
“Are you asking because you don't know? Your plan has worked so far, but if I tell the king and the nobles what I heard from you, the situation will be reversed!”
“Who would believe you, a man who has some sort of relationship with the king?”
Many people saw Aron had some connection to the king at the last banquet. He had drawn attention by causing quite a rude commotion.
As if he, too, belatedly realized this, he pressed his lips shut. Only then did I turn to face him.
“The Count asked me to kill you. Disguised as an accident during the mock battle.”
“…Do you think I'd fall for such a ridiculous attempt to sow discord?”
“You know better than anyone that it's not.”
Despite calling it ridiculous, Aron showed no sign of surprise.
The Count was a man who would casually use his own child as a bargaining chip for the sake of his family. Moreover, Aron, the family heir, had dealt with the king—their arch-enemy.
He must have expected some form of retribution, if not assassination.
“…Is there something you want from me?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because there must be a reason you keep spouting the truth after saying you won't kill me.”
For the heir to a Margrave, Aron wasn't a complete simpleton.
“You want to become the Count, don't you? I can help.”
“Help me? Why?”
“Because the proposal to assassinate you was also a trap to ensnare me. Wouldn't you be dumbfounded if you were in my position? After forming a marriage alliance and promising to join the Dresden family's long-cherished northern expedition, to be backstabbed like this…”
“Then you could just go over to the king's side.”
In the not-so-distant future, I will serve under the king. But not now. First, I have to join the northern expedition and save the witch.
“That would be like fleeing a tiger only to enter a bear's cave.”
That explanation should have been enough. After all, Aron was the one who tried to become the bear's paw and backstab me.
“…So you'll help me?”
“Is there any other way to keep my promise to the Dresden family while also dealing a major blow to the Count? If you can suggest another method, I'll actively consider it.”
If the eldest son he tried to kill were to achieve the family's long-held dream, the Count's position would become quite awkward. What could be a more satisfying revenge than that?
“You wouldn't be helping me simply for revenge, would you…?”
“Of course, there are conditions.”
“I'm listening.”
“I will be the only one participating in the northern expedition. You will have to provide the troops.”
War between the king and the nobles hostile to him was now inevitable.
The nobles opposing the king wouldn't want me to participate, but there might be some madman willing to pluck the whisker of a sleeping lion. My domain would look defenseless while I was away.
They'd have the justification of attacking one of the king's knights, so someone would surely try to test the waters. That's why I planned to leave my knights and soldiers behind.
“Hah… so you're the only reinforcement?”
“Haven't you seen? What I can do alone.”
The incredulous look on Aron's face quickly vanished.
I knew he had no choice but to accept. The fact that he was willing to join hands with the king, his family's arch-enemy, was proof that he was cornered.
Watching him contemplate, I continued.
“It was Erik's idea to aim for the northern throne, wasn't it? A grand plan to achieve the family's dream? No wonder your position is being threatened by your younger brother.”
“How did you…!”
Quaran and Dresden had been on the brink of war. That was why Jin had been gathering information on Dresden.
After receiving Count Dresden's proposal to assassinate Aron earlier today, I had summoned Jin to learn the details of the Dresden family's situation.
“Erik may have planted the tree, but you will be the one to reap the fruit. On the condition that you accept my help.”
Talk is cheap. Erik's plan was bold, but that was all. It was meaningless without the power to actually execute it.
In other words, if Aron achieved great merit in the northern expedition, he could push aside his brother and reclaim his position as heir.
“…The problem is, I can't trust you.”
“I wonder if you'll still be saying that when your skull gets split open in the next match.”
I was in a position where I could kill him if I wanted to. Wasn't it absurd for him to talk about trust, knowing that?
“I have… no choice, then.”
“It'll be better than the king, who only thinks of using you. In any case, our goals are the same.”
“Haaah… Very well. I accept your proposal.”
“You should prepare as many troops as possible. The Count promised to supply my army. This means it's a chance to land a major blow on him before the expedition even begins.”
Aron stared at me with a look of disbelief.
“So, you're saying you'll fight a war with my troops and my father's supplies? What kind of…”
Bwoooo-
Just then, a horn blew, signaling the end of the match. But neither team seemed to hear it, as they didn't stop their attacks.
The king's guards rushed into the arena and forcibly separated the two teams.
“Let go! Let me go! I'll kill them all!”
“You sons of bitches-!”
Even as they were forcibly separated, both teams couldn't contain their agitation. In the end, Bronx II had to step in himself.
“Enough-! Guards, separate the teams so they are out of each other's sight!”
Only then did the commotion show signs of calming down. Instead, the crowd's attention turned to Bronx II.
He looked over the spectators, shook his head, and raised his voice.
“Everyone, calm yourselves! What is this disgraceful behavior! This mock battle was held with good intentions, yet you've lost sight of its purpose and have been swept away by base emotions! And you call yourselves nobles!”
The nobles, who just moments before had lost all decorum in their fervent cheering, cleared their throats and averted their gazes. They belatedly realized they had gotten too excited by the realistic mock battle.
Nodding, Bronx II shouted again.
“This mock battle has lost its meaning. I am ending it here. Know this and disperse!”
Bronx II tried to end the mock battle. He had ears; he must have heard the nobles in the stands suspecting him.
“Why does Your Majesty get to decide that on your own?”
But things had already gone too far to return to how they were, as if nothing had happened.
Countless families and knights had been crushed at my hands. In contrast, the families on the king's side had suffered almost no damage.
The nobles opposing the king were surely convinced that this mock battle was the king's conspiracy.
“Who is it-! Who dares-!”
Bronx II whipped his head in the direction of the voice. His bulging eyes showed his fury.
Startled, the crowd moved away from the source of the voice.
In the section of the stands that had emptied in an instant, a single elderly man with pale skin and an intellectual appearance remained.
Facing him, Bronx II's face crumpled like a sheet of paper.
“Count Dresden…!”
In contrast, Count Dresden looked perfectly at ease. He spread his hands wide, gesturing to the nobles in the stands as he spoke.
“These are the families who have traveled a long way to participate in this mock battle. If you wish to end it here, you must provide them with appropriate compensation. And that's not all. Who will be the owner of the victor's prize that Your Majesty offered?”
Just as you'd expect from the family's arch-enemy. As soon as the mock battle put the king in a difficult position, he stepped up to lead the charge.
Of course, that couldn't be the only reason. I glanced sideways at Aron, who was staring intently at Count Dresden.
“Even if the mock battle ends, the Count will want at least the next match to be held.”
“…Because I'm your next opponent?”
I didn't answer. Aron already had his answer.
As if to prove my guess correct, Count Dresden shot a quick glance in my direction.
The king, following his gaze, soon spotted me and glared.
If looks could kill, this would be it.
“I will grant each family fitting compensation.”
Bronx II tried to smooth things over, but Count Dresden was persistent.
“The surviving teams will not be satisfied with anything less than a reward equivalent to the victor's prize.”
Count Dresden sought agreement with his eyes, and the heads of the families who had not yet been eliminated from the mock battle voiced their assent.
“He speaks the truth! We are so close to victory, and you ask us to give up? We cannot, not without appropriate compensation!”
“Ahem, the same goes for me! Do you know how much money it costs to come all the way from the north?”
They could not accept the current situation, where the nobles opposing the king had unilaterally suffered damages.
They would never back down without inflicting at least equal damage or receiving equivalent compensation.
“…”
Bronx II was speechless. A king, after all, was little more than a grand lord with more land and power than other nobles.
Meaning, he didn't have enough land to satisfy everyone. And even if he did, he wouldn't have given it up. He couldn't allow himself to be reduced to a minor lord.
As the mood turned against the king, the nobles' voices grew louder.
In both numbers and influence, the nobles outnumbered the Royalists.
In the end, Bronx II had no choice but to take a step back.
“If you all insist, the mock battle will continue tomorrow.”
“Waaaah-!”
The scene of madness had only been postponed.
Bronx II shot me another murderous glare before whipping around and turning his back. The nobles loyal to the king hurriedly followed him.
They would probably spend all night agonizing over how to handle the madness that awaited them tomorrow.
But they would soon realize that whatever they chose, there would be no good outcome.
If they actively resisted the noble faction, which was clearly seeking revenge, they would only incur more resentment. But if they simply let it happen, their forces would be whittled down. They were surrounded on all sides.
‘There is no best option. They'll have to choose between the worst and the second-worst.’
Whatever they chose, war would be unavoidable. I was sure of it. As I turned to leave, Aron hastily called out to me.
“Sir Allen. Since we've formed an alliance, may I ask a favor?”
“As long as it's not too difficult.”
“Ahem, I'd like to ask you to go easy on me in tomorrow's match.”
Aron asked, feigning indifference. He was asking me to take it easy on him. It seemed that since he was now cooperating with me, he wanted to benefit from me in even the smallest matters.
It wasn't a difficult request, so I nodded and started walking again.
That evening, I was summoned by Bronx II. I managed to dissuade Eleanor from coming with me and went to face the king.
The meeting place was a large hall, where fully armed court knights were positioned on either side. It was clearly a ploy to apply psychological pressure.
“Will you stop this now?”
“I'm not sure what you mean, Your Majesty.”
“Do you think I don't know that you're deliberately killing your enemies in the mock battle!”
Bronx II, sitting on his throne, slammed his hand on the armrest and shouted. In response, the court knights' hands went to the swords at their waists.
I looked at the king with a face that said I didn't understand.
“Did you not doubt my loyalty? I was merely punishing those who have always been disloyal to Your Majesty in order to prove my own.”
“How dare you…! Are you trying to play games with me!”
I straightened the knee I had knelt on and rose to face Bronx II.
“Someone might misunderstand if they heard that. Weren't you the one who started these games, Your Majesty?”
“What? A mere knight dares…! Guards-!”
Shinggg
At the king's call, the court knights drew their swords. The ghastly blue glint of the blades, flickering in the torchlight, felt as if they would pierce me at any moment.
And yet, I remained perfectly calm. I knew the king couldn't attack me.
“That mere knight possesses a domain comparable to a Margrave's. Under him are hundreds of elite mercenaries who have fought alongside him for two years. With so many nobles already displeased with Your Majesty, do you intend to make another enemy?”
“Insolent! How dare you speak in such a manner!”
One of the court knights kicked off the ground and charged.
They say opportunists are everywhere. He must have thought this situation was advantageous for him, a chance to get in the king's good graces.
The king's attempt to jump to his feet in surprise showed that this was not his intention.
Witnessing it all in a slowed world, I gripped Trollsverd.
The hilt, which didn't budge an inch even when I put my full strength into it, welcomed me. My frustration vanished. How I had struggled not to break my warhammer during the mock battle.
Did the court knight charging at me now know that?
‘If he had, he wouldn't have done something so reckless.’
Trollsverd crushed even the air as it moved toward the court knight.
The startled man raised his sword to block. For a court knight, his transition from offense to defense was as smooth as flowing water.
A technique ingrained in his body through countless repetitions. But it was a technique for fighting humans, not monsters.
The court knight's sword, the first to make contact, shattered into pieces. With power to spare, Trollsverd split the court knight's body in two, from head to toe.
The body, split in two, collapsed, spraying blood, entrails, and pale brain matter. The court knight didn't even have time to scream.
“…!”
It was a scene no one could believe was created by a human. The court knights, who should have drawn their swords to avenge their comrade, froze solid.
The heavy silence was broken by the sound of someone swallowing.
Gulp.
“Trollsverd…?”
Bronx II's eyes, fixed on Trollsverd, trembled minutely. Come to think of it, this was the first time I had used Trollsverd since coming to the capital.
“Y-You bastard! Drop the sword!”
The court knights, belatedly coming to their senses, surrounded me. Their faces were stiff with tension.
Before I could say anything, Bronx II spoke first.
“S-Stop-! Stand down! Now-!”
Bronx II's face was filled with terror. His gaze was glued to Trollsverd in my hand.
‘Don't tell me… he doesn't know the exact scope of her ability?’
I had a rough idea of what was going on. Could it be that Bronx II was suspicious of Eleanor's ability?
Even Eleanor herself didn't know why she had chosen Trollsverd when she left the court. The same must have been true for Bronx II.
But now, that same Trollsverd had returned, having regained its true form. And in the hands of a knight hostile to the king, no less.
Wasn't it too perfect to be a coincidence?
It was as if Eleanor, who had been forced into exile, was taking her revenge through her ability.
This meant that what he feared was not this sword, but Eleanor's ability. To test my theory, I casually pointed the sword at him…
“D-Don't come any closer-!”
Despite the considerable distance between us, Bronx II stumbled backward. The corner of my mouth twitched involuntarily. If this was the case, then things were different.