Chapter 24
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 24. Apostle of Justice
For the Hero, justice was simple.
Cut the villain.
And save the precious friend.
"A being called the Black Knight has certainly appeared in the North."
The priest of the Goddess Church handed over a thick report.
It was the information about the Black Knight the Hero requested.
"It has the shape of a human, but there are numerous testimonies that it is not human. There are also reports that it slaughtered hundreds of demonic beasts alone."
"……Hundreds."
The Hero's eyes narrowed.
Hundreds, they say.
Even the Hero himself rarely faced hundreds alone.
Moreover, the demonic beasts of the North are on a different level.
But alone?
"And it is said that Her Highness Princess Lucia is held captive by him."
His fist trembled.
"However. The information is somewhat confusing. One report says he is 5 meters tall with ten horns, another says he shoots beams from his mouth……"
"Beams?"
"Another report says he impregnates virgins just by looking……"
"……That is, no matter what."
Even if it's a demon, isn't that a bit too much?
"Exaggeration might be mixed. But it is certain that he is a dangerous existence, Hero-nim."
The Hero nodded.
As a result of cross-verification, one thing was certain.
Lucia is in the North.
That was enough.
For executing justice, any more justification is superfluous.
Frostgard.
Heart of the North.
Stronghold of the Grombalt family.
And now… the land ruled by the Black Knight.
The Hero stood before the castle gate piercing through the Northern cutting wind.
If as expected, that place should have been hell.
Territory stained with blood. Residents trembling in fear. Streets teeming with beasts.
And the Princess locked in a tower.
Because a territory ruled by a Demon King should be like that.
However.
"Welcome! Northern specialty smoked jerky is cheap!" "Oh my, you have a handsome face? Come into our shop and warm up a bit." "Hahaha! Look at the quality of this wolf fur I caught this time! Top grade!"
'……What is this.'
The Hero blinked.
Even if he blinked, the scenery didn't change.
Bustling market. Streets overflowing with laughter. Energetic soliciting.
It was peaceful to the point of excess.
"What shall we eat for dinner today?" "How was that tavern yesterday? The new girl was pretty." "Not your type? Shall we go with axes today?"
The castle gate was wide open, and guards were chatting leaning on spears like canes.
White smoke rises from chimneys.
Not the acrid smell of burning corpses, but the savory smell of stew boiling.
"Is this really Frostgard? Why are there so many people?"
He grabbed a passing merchant and asked.
The merchant smiled a good-natured smile and nodded.
"Because it’s good to do business these days. Demonic beasts decreased sharply so the roads are safe. These days the city does snow removal too. Ah, if you are buying Northern specialties, shall I guide you?"
The North is a barren and rough land. A place where one has to worry about survival day by day.
But demonic beasts decreased? Safe?
And what is snow removal? Are barbarians shoveling or something?
'It’s an act to deceive the Church.'
Right.
Typical aspect of rule by fear.
Tyranny hidden behind superficial peace.
If not that, it cannot be explained.
Surely a terrible truth must be coiled behind the scenes.
The Hero moved his steps to a tavern to gather information.
Men tilting glasses from broad daylight.
Rough Northern warriors were chatting loudly.
Creak.
Dozens of gazes stuck to the Hero.
Silver hair and neat face. Somewhat noble atmosphere. Appearance distinctly heterogeneous from the North's rough and rugged atmosphere.
"W, Welcome! What can I get you?"
The tavern waitress blushed upon seeing the Hero.
Voice one tone higher than usual. Flushed face.
The Hero received such gazes wherever he went.
Familiar, but doesn't feel good.
"Water."
"Yes! I'll bring it right away!"
Although showing disappointment, the waitress disappeared quickly hugging the tray to her chest.
The Hero rested his chin on his hand and pricked up his ears.
The conversation of Northern warriors entered his ears.
"Business is good these days, right? Fur prices went up." "Dangerous demonic beasts decreased sharply. It’s comfortable going to hunting grounds." "Thanks to the Great Warrior. He goes hunting every day."
Black Knight.
"Heard he caught ten Frost Bears yesterday too?" "Ten? I heard twenty." "Kuhaha! If it’s him, thirty is possible too!"
Worship.
Praise close to fanaticism.
The Hero's mouth twisted.
Demonic beasts decreasing must be because that Black Knight controls the demonic beasts.
Since they are on the same side originally.
"Excuse me."
Naturally joined the conversation.
"Huh, looks pretty." "Came from the south? Are you a noble?" "Want a drink? Sit somewhere."
Warriors looked at the Hero.
Eyes full of curiosity rather than wariness.
"Does Great Warrior refer to the Black Knight?"
"Ah, you know Black Knight-nim? His fame has spread to the Empire too!"
Fame?
No, terrible notoriety.
"A little. I heard rumors."
"He is an amazing person. The North's strongest warrior." "He smashed Ulfric with bare fists at the Axe Festival!" "Heard he pulled out all his teeth. Kuhaha!"
Barbarism talking about cruel violence like a tale of heroism.
'……As expected.'
Like Northern barbarians.
They were worshipping the evil Black Knight.
Culture of barbarism beautifying violence and praising cruelty.
The darkness of the North was deeper than thought.
These are people dominated by the logic of power, close to beasts.
"Then, where is Her Highness the Princess?"
Moment.
Warriors exchanged glances with each other.
"Ah, Her Highness the Princess?" "These days… haven't seen her for over a month." "Right. She stays only inside the main castle."
One man lowered his voice and whispered.
"Even if she comes out, Black Knight-nim sticks right to her. Always going together…"
Puzzle pieces fitted together.
'As expected… she is being confined.'
The Hero clenched his fist tight.
'Wait, Lucia. I will save you.'
The Holy Sword buzzed inside the sheath.
Reacting to the master's murderous intent, it spewed sharp vibrations.
Left the tavern.
Information gathered enough.
Even unwanted information came in heaps.
Black Knight's tales of heroism. Black Knight's cruelty. Black Knight's greatness.
'My ears feel like rotting.'
The Hero swallowed anger and walked the street.
The square was bustling.
Merchants' soliciting sounds. Children's laughter. Dog barking sounds.
It was then.
Disturbance was heard from one side of the square.
Murmuring. Stirring.
And the crowd split.
Black mass emitting overwhelming presence from between them.
Black Knight.
That existence heard only in rumors was now in front of the Hero's eyes.
'……Big.'
Looked easily over 2 meters.
Rumors of 5 meters and ten horns were exaggerated, but 2 meters is sufficiently oppressive.
In front of him stood a few merchants.
Judging by attire, not Northerners, but peddlers from the Empire or South.
"W, What did we do wrong……!" "W, We didn't know! Really didn't know!" "Please forgive us! Please overlook it just once!"
They were trembling like aspen leaves.
"We will give everything here!"
What merchants hold out are top-grade silk and jewels.
"Please! Just spare our lives! We have families! Rabbit-like children are waiting at home!" "If you save us, we will be loyal forever! We will become slaves!" "Me too! I can be a slave well too! I have experience!"
Merchants pushed each other and lay flatter.
As if competing who is more servile.
Appearance having thrown away human dignity long ago.
'……That demon-like bastard.'
Discriminating against outsiders who are not Northerners, pressing down with power and looting goods.
What sin do those naive merchants have.
How must they feel, begging for their lives after coming to do business.
As expected, rumors were true.
This place is lawless.
Barbaric land where might is right.
And.
Behind the Black Knight's back.
Small silhouette that was hidden by the massive armor revealed itself.
Blonde girl. Pale skin. Emerald eyes.
'Lucia……!'
She was alive.
She was safe.
However.
She was standing by the Black Knight's side, head bowed low.
Like a slave standing next to a master. Like a doll deprived of will.
"Do not run away."
"Hiek!"
Lucia flinched.
Order.
"I will fill you up today too."
Fill up?
What?
How?
Obscene, vulgar, and shameless delusions encroached on the brain.
'That beast bastard.'
Lucia answered trembling.
"Y, Yees…… Th, Thank you……"
Snap.
Sound of reason's string breaking.
How much abuse must she have suffered to express gratitude even after receiving such threats.
'……Unforgivable.'
Cannot forgive.
Absolutely.
The Hero kicked off the ground.
Rational judgment? Strategy?
Throw such things to the dogs.
"Stop there, villain!!"
At that moment, the world was dyed with light.
Woooong──!!
The Holy Sword shone.
Goddess's blessing. Crystallization of divine power. God's weapon forged to cut evil.
Flash cut through the air.
Swaaek!!
Target is the neck.
That gap between the helmet and armor.
The moment the light of the Holy Sword struck down towards the Black Knight.
Wriggle.
Darkness moved.
Kwaaaang!!
Light collided with darkness.
Snow in the square flew away in a circle.
"Wh, What!?" "It’s a fight! Run!"
'……Blocked?'
The Hero's eyes widened.
Wrist tingled.
Black greatsword emitting ominous energy blocked the trajectory of the Holy Sword.
'When did he draw it?'
Didn't see it.
Crackle!
Light of Holy Sword and darkness of greatsword sparked at the contact surface.
Sound of light and darkness fighting to erode each other.
"Le, Leo……!?"
Lucia's surprised voice was heard.
No leisure to care.
'Wait a little, Lucia.'
Poured more divine power into the Holy Sword.
Wooooong──!!
Golden light became more intense.
The entire blade burned like the sun.
"Return Lucia!!"
10 bouts. 20 bouts. 30 bouts.
Flashes danced wildly.
The entire square flashed.
The Hero's attacks were not lacking the word 'sure kill' one by one.
But the Black Knight still stood in place.
"Light……!"
The Hero roamed numerous battlefields with the Holy Sword.
Cut demonic beasts. Cut cultists. Cut evil.
It was always so.
Justice won.
Light drove out darkness.
Good defeated evil.
That was the truth the Hero believed.
But now?
Darkness showed no sign of decreasing.
Rather swallowed light and became deeper.
'……Strong.'
The Black Knight's sword was heavy.
Every time they collided, bones creaked.
Muscles screamed.
Hands became numb tinglingly.
But what is more scary is.
'Not serious at all.'
The Black Knight still hasn't attacked properly even once.
Solely defense.
And with minimal movement at that.
'Rumors weren't exaggerated.'
No, perhaps it was underestimation.
"Quite good."
Low and sticky voice.
Flash.
Red glint inside the helmet scanned the Hero.
From top to bottom. From toe to head. Like evaluating a product.
Unpleasant feeling as if whole body is licked by a tongue.
"Looks quite appetizing."
"…What?"
The Hero's thinking stopped.
Kwaaaang!!
'Startled me.'
Honestly surprised.
Life is a series of unpredictability, but isn't this too much.
Even a saint would be surprised if someone suddenly smacked the back of their head while walking down the street.
Let alone me, who is not a saint but engaged in a somewhat socially ambiguous job group called Black Knight, reflexively drawing a greatsword and swinging it would also fall into the category of self-defense.
Aura of Abyss condenses in the palm.
Black mist swirled and instantly took the form of a 2-meter greatsword.
Clang!
Light and darkness collided.
Scene of fragments of light and pieces of darkness gnawing at each other and scattering.
Whole body tingles. Bones ring.
Unpleasant resistance like forcibly attaching N pole and N pole of magnets.
It’s not a problem of muscle strength.
Just the energy spewing from that sword, should I call it divine power.
Repulsive force occurring because that is incompatible with me.
'Who is it?'
10 bouts.
'Quite strong?'
20 bouts.
'No, considerably strong.'
30 bouts.
Speed of sword strikes gradually increased.
The more I read the attack pattern, the clearer the opponent's skill became.
Sharp. Accurate. And above all, fast.
Pure combat sense felt from the sword tip.
Naturalness as if holding a sword since birth, not learned from someone.
There is a realm in the world unreachable by effort. That is the sword of one who stepped into that realm.
"Return Lucia!!"
Return her, he says. Lucia isn't an object.
And I am not a kidnapper but an escort knight.
That silver hair. That Holy Sword.
And those eyes burning with sense of justice, as if determined to destroy all evil in the world.
A combination seen a lot somewhere?
Original novel 'The Owner of the Thorn Crown'.
Only one person has such characteristics in that vast worldview.
'Hero of the Holy Sword, Leon.'
Existence chosen by the Goddess.
Lucia's childhood friend.
Existence tasked with subjugating me, the Black Knight, in the original work.
And.
One most important fact.
'Real name, Leona.'
Right. That guy, is a girl.
Cross-dressing woman.
Cliché of 'Tragic beautiful girl who has to live as a man due to circumstances'.
Combat continued.
Opponent's attacks were quite fierce.
However.
'Fast but. Still far off.'
Well, it’s still early part of the work.
"Kuh. To be this strong for a villain…"
Villain, excuse me from the first meeting.
I am a local influential person contributing to the revitalization of the Northern economy.
But putting aside such trivial title issues, I observed the Hero in front of me.
A kind of historical verification time to check how faithful the original description was.
First, waist.
That line revealed despite tightening the belt over leather armor. That form, going in slimly and connecting to the pelvis drawing a soft curve, is a shape hard to come out from a male skeletal structure biologically.
For a man to have such a line, he'd have to remove a couple of ribs?
Next, hips.
Wore baggy pants, but volume revealed every time moving cannot be hidden. Round, looks elastic, and above all, center of gravity is lower than a man.
And decisively, chest.
Traces of trying to make it flat forcibly by winding compression bandages tightly are evident, but laws of physics are not that easy. Every time the rib cage rises and falls according to intense breathing, a subtle 'fluctuation' is detected through the gap of those compression bandages.
There is. Definitely there is.
'How do they see that as a man?'
Is everyone collectively hypnotized? Or just pretending not to know?
Well, anyway.
Finally met.
Anyway, the Hero appearing means the story is progressing.
In the original work, the Hero was Lucia's most reliable ally.
Then I just need to become an ally too.
Ally's ally is an ally. Logically perfect.
Although currently slightly misunderstanding me as a villain and swinging a sword, misunderstanding just needs to be resolved.
So, let's greet first.
The Hero is a fair and just character.
If I explain the circumstances well, she will surely understand.
Politely. Courteously.
Praising the opponent's skill, and revealing no hostile intent.
'You are Hero Leon. Excellent skill as rumored. I have no intention of fighting you. Nice to meet you.'
Perfect greeting.
Balanced courtesy raising the opponent while not lowering one's own position.
At this level, it would receive a passing grade even in noble social circles.
"Quite good."
Hm, up to here is fine.
"Looks quite appetizing."
……?
Wait.
Time.
What did I say just now?
The Hero's expression became blank for a moment.
Natural. Since I am blank too.
"What…?"
Her lips trembled paruru.
"Just now… what did you say?"
Leona's face flushed bright red.
Whether due to anger, or shame.
Probably both.
"I, I am a man!"
Leona shouted.
Ah, right.
She is cross-dressing.
Hiding her identity.
Here, I shouldn't say 'I know you're a woman'. That is sensitive personal information.
Let's pass over considerately. Originally, a lady's secret is to be kept.
Since I am a romantic gentleman Black Knight.
'Of course. I know that you have circumstances too. Do not worry. I know nothing. Your secret is safe.'
"Hm."
I nodded.
"So?"
"……?"
Leona's eyes widened.
"Wh, What is 'So'?!"
Scream burst out from my inner self too.
Why do lines like a criminal come out like this!
We are not enemies.
Because the goal of wanting to protect Lucia is the same.
Rather, we should become irreplaceable comrades!
'Withdraw your sword. We have no reason to fight. Because your goal and mine are the same. Protecting Lucia. Isn't that so? We can be comrades, not enemies.'
"Good."
The helmet's red glint flashed.
"Collection increased."
……Huh?
"I'll display you next to Lucia."
……Huh uh?
"Because value goes up if collected as a set."
"This… This crazy bastard…!"
Leona's face turned pale, then flushed red again.
Originally, rare are people who can maintain sanity in front of a monster treating them as an 'appetizing collection'.
"I'll kill you!!!"
Wooooong─!!
Holy Sword exploded.
Pillar of light soared.
'To resolve the misunderstanding, it will take some time.'
And very much so than thought.