Knight's Qualifications (10): The Crimson Knight's Return
The sudden emergence of an upper demon left no room for hesitation—any deliberation would be a luxury I couldn't afford. I immediately pulled a weapon from my subspace pouch and began deflecting the attacks raining down from above, one by one.
This isn't even magic...!
It was pure demonic energy, unadorned by spells or skills. Yet each blocked strike sent shockwaves rippling through my body, straining every fiber of my being. A direct hit would kill not just any commoner, but even an academy student outright. And yet, these weren't even considered basic attacks by its standards.
In the game, upper demons only appeared right at the end—and only if you were barreling toward a bad ending. Seizing the moment while it hadn't moved yet, I scrutinized its form.
Upper demons were distinguished by three pairs of wings and three hearts, but beyond that, each had unique traits that made them identifiable. A third eye. Six horns. A massive greatsword. I recognized it.
Its name was... Cardillac? Something like that.
Demon names didn't matter much. What truly counted was the ability this upper demon wielded. Every upper demon possessed a distinct power—that's what separated them from mid-tier ones and made them such nightmares to face.
And this one's was [Foresight]. The third eye allowed it to glimpse brief futures.
Of all the rotten luck, I had to draw the most annoying one.
Upper demons weren't common, but [Foresight] ranked among the trickiest abilities even among them.
I turned to Camilla, who was crouched beside me. "Camilla, I've got one favor to ask."
"A favor...? In a situation like this?"
"Because it's a situation like this."
I drew a sword from my subspace pouch. It wasn't some legendary blade, but it was solid—no one would call it subpar.
"Hold this sword for me, Camilla."
"But... I don't have the qualifications..."
Qualifications. I had no idea what she meant by that. But if she thought she lacked them to wield a sword...
"Then do it for me."
"..."
Camilla didn't respond. She just stared blankly at the sword in my hand.
Truth be told, I didn't want to hand it over like this. But the plan had derailed beyond salvage.
I tilted my head back to glare up at Cardillac. The oppressive pressure from its towering 5-meter frame sent chills racing across my skin.
Forcing the sword into her hand anyway, I thought, Erin's backup is probably off the table.
Originally, if Camilla refused to draw her sword against mid-tier demons, Erin was set to support us. But with an upper demon here, it wouldn't be surprising if mid-tier demons—or worse—spawned in front of Erin too.
Maybe because I was the only one who'd blocked its attacks, Cardillac fixed its gaze on me. The emotion in those eyes? Mild curiosity, nothing more.
"Not all trash, then."
I readjusted my grip on the spear, placing my right hand on the blade. "Enchant."
One of the intermediate spells Erin had taught me: Enchant. It imbued objects with attributes and properties. I layered on [Attribute: Wind], [Cutting Power], and [Durability].
Surrendering to instinct, I knew better than anyone that my current skills couldn't handle an upper demon. Still, my eyes stayed locked on Cardillac.
Any other upper demon, and I'd be out of options. But against Cardillac? There was a way.
Thud!—I kicked off the ground straight ahead. My trained body coiled with even greater power than before. Wielding the wind-attuned spear, I rode the gales for extra speed.
Cardillac slowly raised its greatsword. Its gaze seemed fixed on me... but not quite. That third eye always lingered in the future.
Then the greatsword swung.
BOOM!—The sheer force defied belief for a mere swing. But with its 5-meter height and near-7-meter blade? It made sense.
"...How?"
For the first time, Cardillac's expression shifted—surprise at evading its strike.
And no wonder.
To it, I must've looked like I was charging head-on.
The instant it lifted its sword, I reclaimed control of my body and leaped in the opposite direction.
Cardillac had seen the "future" of me rushing forward and swung accordingly. But I reversed course the moment control returned.
It only worked because it was Cardillac. Because I could seize bodily control at will.
...I'm alive.
I hadn't been entirely sure it'd work. It was a desperate gamble, banking on the bracelet from Erin to block any mishap.
Cardillac grinned ferociously. "This might actually be fun."
Then halberd met greatsword.
※
Camilla stared down at the sword gripped in her hand. The blade she'd sworn never to touch again was now in her grasp.
She had to let go. She wasn't worthy of it.
My hand... it won't move...!
But her fingers clenched tighter, refusing to release—as if frozen in place.
BOOM!—Another explosion echoed.
Her eyes flicked up involuntarily. Each clash between Rion and the demon sent him flying back. The demon stood unmoved, rooted like a mountain.
An upper demon. No chance for Rion as he was now.
Yet he rose again and again, charging without surrender, no matter how many times he fell.
He was holding out for now, but Camilla knew better. Her experience screamed the truth: if this continued, Rion would die.
She glanced at the sword once more.
What did I abandon the sword for...?
She'd lost her qualifications as a knight. Was that really all?
Camilla questioned herself. What was the true reason she'd set it aside?
Her answer: Because I'd wielded the sword, Rion died. He lost his left arm protecting me. And without that arm, he fell to the Demon King.
Yes—holding the sword killed Rion. So in this life, she'd forsaken it. If she never became a knight, he'd have no reason to sacrifice himself.
But then... what if not holding the sword led to his death?
"..."
Camilla halted her thoughts. Further questions were pointless.
"Hoo..."
She began circulating her mana. Though she'd ignored it entirely in this life, it flowed through her body as naturally as breathing, permeating every inch.
The familiar sensation of commanding her entire form—once routine, now slightly alien.
Riiip—enhanced strength tore her crimson dress with ease. Threads like rose petals fluttered in the wind.
Camilla watched them drift away.
I loved this dress...
She'd saved it for a special day, hidden away for a moment just like this.
But something mattered more. For that, a dress was trivial.
"...I really shouldn't be smiling like this."
A grin tugged at her lips unbidden. Her heart pounded, hands trembled with excitement—and the sword vibrated in sync.
Soon, deep crimson aura cloaked the blade.
※
I'm dead. As in, this hurt like hell—and I might actually die.
Upper demons were monsters. My body remembered the strain; even my techniques struggled.
What I needed most was aura. Despite maxing my attack power with Enchant, I could barely scratch it.
Its greatsword blocked effortlessly, and striking its skin felt like smashing a boulder.
Erin's support... yeah, no chance.
The bracelet she'd given me had shattered long ago. My whole body throbbed; I could collapse any second.
But retreat wasn't an option.
At least buy Camilla time to escape...
I had no guarantee she'd draw her sword. So I'd buy her a window to flee.
Right now, I was the only one who could counter Cardillac's [Foresight].
No choices left. I had to.
As I pushed myself up again—a crimson streak descended from the sky.
BOOM!—The impact staggered even Cardillac, nearly toppling it. The tip of its greatsword lay in shards, the shockwave knocking me flat.
She landed before me, graceful as if winged. Her sword blazed with dense crimson, her entire body rippling with red aura.
Camilla looked down at me, smiling. "The Crimson Knight will provide support."