One-Sided Sacrifice
Knights who had been escorting the Lasquer delegation. Their emotions were currently progressing through three major stages.
“Karl Adelheit of Friedrich County.”
“If possible, I would like to spar with the knights here once.”
“Ah, by the way, the Empire is represented by just me.”
When the person from Friedrich County arrived, it was very confusing.
Although a lot of time had passed, many knights who were active at the time were still there. Those who had just become knights were now veterans.
From the perspective of those knights, it was somewhat burdensome to have a person from Friedrich County at the welcoming place for the delegation. No, it was extremely burdensome.
Yet, the young master of that family suddenly wanted to spar with them.
They knew he was a Medal of Honor recipient. But one was for saving allies, and the other was obtained by eliminating a few terrorists. They hadn't experienced fighting a large knight like themselves.
They just thought it was the spirit of a young warrior. So, they decided to play along appropriately.
Since he was a good person despite being the enemy, they thought it would be fine to that extent.
But what? The Empire is handling it alone? What nonsense is this?
“Ahem. Hmph.”
The delegation leader also seemed displeased, clearing his throat several times. He was also a former knight, so this situation wouldn't sit well with him.
The reason they were holding back words was waiting for the Empire's response.
They knew how rude their words were just now. Even though he was a Medal of Honor recipient, twice no less, some caution was needed—
“Hmm. How is it on the Lasquer side? We are fine.”
“...”
The Empire accepted this as is? While conducting a friendly match without any promises against the delegation, even though the method is very rude to this side. Without any guidance?
'It's not just that young man's stubborn behavior. This is...'
Yes. This is what the Empire wants from the system where they are waiting for the imperial court.
Without reason to do such a thing. Knowing they would complain about being rude, while enduring the possibility of being on bad terms with Lasquer.
There must be something going on. Clearly, but what exactly they don't know.
The way to find out is to go along with this farce and hear the answer.
“Sigh.”
The delegation leader sighed and nodded to the knights. No matter what, they had to follow the Empire's situation now.
The knights retreated a bit but their faces didn't show agreement.
Those expressions continued as they moved to the place prepared by the Empire side, even until the moment a Lasquer knight faced Karl alone.
“Let me ask one thing. Karl Adelheit.”
The knight who kept distance started asking a question before starting the friendly match.
“If you lose, that means.”
“The Empire lost the friendly match, right.”
“...Even if.”
“No, there won't be any talk about insufficient numbers.”
Karl's answer made the Lasquer knight nod. Not just anyone, a 'Medal of Honor' recipient.
Even if it's the Empire's, it's the highest honor they give anyway. Someone with that wouldn't say something lightly.
'Then.'
Then, I win. By winning, I will pay the price for the Empire's rudeness.
— I thought so.
Ching!—
With the bell signaling the start, just as the sword was being drawn.
“...”
Before facing the cold aura pointed at my neck.
'What is this. When did...?'
I didn't underestimate the opponent. I didn't let my guard down. He was after all a Friedrich person.
I never let my guard down. Purely, as an enemy, I aimed the sword.
Yet, I missed the movement. So fast that the sword in my hand wasn't even drawn.
“Next.”
The knight looked at Karl's eyes. And in an instant, he flinched and trembled.
This is something that can't even be expressed as 'spine-chilling.' I don't know what to say.
Anger? No, it's too cold to call it anger. Then, hatred? But I don't even know who the target is? More than anything, how could those eyes coexist with such deep immersion?
If it's anger and hatred, the eyes should naturally be blazing and burning. But Karl's eyes now had no such color.
The body is here, but the mind seems to be elsewhere. Like struggling in ashes that have already burned out.
“...I lost.”
After admitting defeat and stepping back, another knight takes his place.
I was serious from the beginning, but after seeing the first duel, my mind changed completely.
This isn't a friendly match. I think I know why the Empire suddenly put out that young man. This is the right way to charge at him with the intent to kill. It's not a level where it can be handled appropriately and ended.
Ching!—
As soon as the bell signaling the next duel rang, the knight kept distance and drew his sword at the same time.
Upon checking, the opponent's armament was only one longsword in hand. No other weapons.
Then, in terms of distance and reach, I clearly have the advantage. Like before, if I don't allow even one gap, I think I can control the next fight.
“Eh...?”
This can't be. Even if abnormal speed is excused, at that age, having such spine-chilling momentum.
With just one longsword. How can it aim at the neck, shoulders, chest, heart, and abdomen at the same time. Can it target all places that can cause fatal damage simultaneously.
I need to block it. Distance and reach, whatever. The opponent has already surpassed it distantly.
An opponent that defies common sense. Only then did the knight realize who the person facing him with the sword was again.
The Knight Crusher. The nightmare of the Kingdom. And that name spoken by a few knights, Baba Yaga.
This young man is the bloodline of the person with that ominous name. A clone of the senior knight who was much greater than himself, who was feared and respected.
Kak! Kak! Ching!—
Neck, chest, and abdomen. I blocked three places somehow. But the shoulder was impossible.
If the longsword comes in like this, at least one arm will fly off. Otherwise, there's a possibility of aiming at the armpit and piercing the lungs.
Tuk—
However, what touched my shoulder was not the blade of the longsword but the handle part.
Even the spine-chilling momentum disappeared, and only then could I feel it.
“Next.”
After lightly pushing the knight, Karl turned his head towards the delegation.
“...”
“...”
The knights said nothing. They tried to hide their expressions, but they couldn't hide the trembling hands.
'What is this. That monster.'
Although he is a Medal of Honor recipient. In the end, he was a soldier who earned merits in a chaotic battle.
And such large-scale battles and one-on-one matches like now are completely different.
Therefore, the Lasquer knights thought they had sufficient chances to win against them.
But what is this? Did he fight skilled opponents without even engaging in combat in the war and cut their necks? Otherwise, how to explain that ominous momentum and poisonous sword.
This guy is a monster. The one who, at some point, showed overwhelming martial prowess against Lasquer that was so terrifying...
“...What?”
In the middle, the Lasquer delegation leader who heard urgent news was shocked. Then, he hurriedly came out into the middle of the friendly match and stopped them, shouting at the Empire representatives.
“What is this!”
“What do you mean?”
“Don't pretend you don't know! That person is heading to the border right now!”
The Knight Crusher. The nightmare of the Kingdom. Baba Yaga is waking up.
The Empire that was quiet during Lasquer's confusion. So I let my guard down, but how could they hit me in the back like this?
If this was the case, why accept the delegation? Was this also a deception?!
“There seems to be some misunderstanding.”
But the Empire representative just laughed “haha” and continued the conversation leisurely.
“Count Friedrich just received the imperial decree and personally came nearby for a short time.”
“What kind of...”
“And the friendly match is simply for exchange. Would the Empire use the chaos of another country to strike from behind? I swear to the heavens that won't happen.”
So, you don't even need to use their confusion. Look, you can't escape from the nightmare of the past, nor from the nightmare of now.
“...”
The delegation leader rolled his eyes around and finally understood what they were saying. Probably, they had to take a low posture because of their own low status. That some 'thing' happened that made the Empire show such displeasure.
The problem is that the home country hasn't confirmed it yet.
“Let's end the friendly match here.”
“Chief!”
“Stop. Let's stop.”
What the Empire wants. That is the official delegation bowing their heads. Not to confront their uncomfortable feelings, but to take a low posture by asking for reasons.
Honor is beautiful. Defending it is clearly another honorable thing. But if I have to choose between that honor and the future of the country, I would readily choose the latter.
Recalling the words of the second princess, the delegation leader decided that he would do the same. Even if those knights have complaints about his decision. Isn't that the responsibility of the one leading them.
*
No. Wait. Are we ending it here? I just started loosening up. Are you kidding?
'Sigh.'
Because it's Lasquer. The kingdom of knights. Because it's the knights there. I had some expectations. I thought there would be something different from the Gganf.
But, this can't be. I didn't go through all that trouble by blocking elf arrows and bullets with my sword. Knights should be swinging swords and magic, right?
Ah. It wasn't that my father was strong, but that the knights were weak. Right?