The Wolf Commotion (8): The Lion and the Knight

Knight versus Knight. Whether it was a corpse mimicking a knight or a clown masquerading as one, words were unnecessary. If only two knights remained standing, there was only one thing to do. With that thought, I lunged into the duel.

As the lion’s axe and my sword collided, a tremendous shockwave rippled through the cavern. The only thought that crossed my mind after that first exchange was, 'Is this bastard insane?'

Judging by the length of the handle, the weapon he held was a two-handed axe. It was a weapon that required both hands to unleash its true power. And yet, he was swinging it with one hand—no, a single arm. In combat, having only one arm is a severe penalty; both arms are needed to maintain balance and distribute weight. This is especially true when wielding a ridiculously heavy axe like that. Yet, he swung it as if such a handicap didn't exist. It was truly absurd.

With my traits and buffs, I was at my peak since arriving in this world, and yet, just because he held an axe, I was being pushed back again. Furthermore, the durability of my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sword was hanging by a thread. Honestly, it was a miracle it hadn't shattered yet, considering it was taking such brutal hits without even a coating of aura. If it broke, I’d be forced to fight with Carnwennan. While its attack power was higher, its reach was too short to contend with a two-handed axe.

The only silver lining was that I wasn't being completely overwhelmed like before. I could at least trade blows. Then, I decided.

"Let's dance properly, shall we?"

Logres Swordsmanship, Swift Sword Style. I reinforced my leg strength with mana and unleashed the fastest sword technique in my arsenal. The lion countered by pulling the handle back, gripping it in reverse, and swinging with the handle near the base rather than the blade. Since the weight distribution would be off if he swung with the axe head, he was likely trying to block my approach with the lighter handle...

I chose to slide under his attack. I intentionally dropped to the ground, using my shield like a board to skid beneath him. Feeling the cold frost on the floor, I realized Dante must have briefly frozen the ground. Nice support.

And then.

Logres Swordsmanship, Swift Sword Style. I unleashed an upward slash aimed at his throat. However—

■■■■——!!!

The lion twisted his wrist, blocking my sword with the axe head, pinning my blade between the head and the edge, and then kicked me square in the chest.

Kuaaaaaang——!!!!

Guh! The force of that single kick didn't just push me back; it sent me flying. I barely managed to block it with my shield, but my hands trembled from the impact. A metallic, bloody taste filled my mouth as a bonus.

This time, the lion lunged to attack, raising his axe high.

"Ian!"

I felt cold and heat simultaneously from behind. It seemed Dante or Rosinante were trying to support me, but—

■■■■■■———!!!!!

The lion roared. He wasn't looking at me, but at my back, and the cold and heat I felt behind me vanished. Was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he telling them not to interfere? The lion brought the axe down, and I scrambled to get out of its reach. However, while swinging down, the lion slightly loosened his grip. The axe’s reach extended rapidly, fueled by the acceleration of the swing. The blade was about to reach the distance I had barely managed to create.

Following the possibility shown, I twisted my body and narrowly dodged the axe. It had been slammed down with such force that it embedded deep into the ground, and even though I dodged, the shockwave left a gash on my cheek. I slammed my shield down onto the axe head stuck in the earth. With a loud thud, it sank deeper, and I stepped on the axe to pin it completely. Considering his monstrous strength, it wouldn't hold for long, but... that split second would be enough.

I channeled mana into my legs once more and shot toward him. Orlando’s Frenzy. Once again, I poured my passionate emotions into my sword. Now was the chance, while his axe was momentarily sealed...

■■■■■■———!!!!

At that moment—Clang! A sound of metal clashing rang out, and sparks flew. The lion had caught my sword in his teeth before Orlando’s Frenzy could begin.

But Orlando’s Frenzy wasn't limited to just the sword.

'If you force yourself to match me too much, that technique will never grow stronger,' Angelica had advised. She told me I had to find my own frenzy. I knew it. I knew that Orlando’s Frenzy wasn't confined to swordsmanship. The true essence was a combat style that utilized everything—the weapon in hand, the opponent's weapon, and the environment—to the absolute limit. But because I hadn't copied the original Orlando’s Frenzy, but rather the one Angelica used, I could only use it with a sword. I didn't know the real one. I didn't know the contradictory combat style of dancing a frenzied dance while expressing passionate emotions and utilizing every tool at my disposal.

But I knew one thing: pouring passionate emotions into a weapon. That was all I knew. Because what I copied was his version of Orlando’s Frenzy. Because I copied his story, I could do what he could do. So, the sword was a fake. My brother would scold me, but I’d give him the sword. After all, the real weapon was the shield.

I poured ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠everything into the shield. The frenzy, the passionate emotions—I dumped it all into that one shield. And I struck.

Kuaaaaaang———!!!

The shield bash snapped his neck to the side. Even so, he didn't let go of the sword with his teeth. He knew, too. He knew that if he let go of the sword, the storm of frenzy unleashed by that blade would follow. Even as a corpse without reason, the memories etched into his body must have been telling him that. Fine, don't let go of the sword. I won't let go of the axe either.

I continued to step on the axe, channeling the essence of frenzy into my shield to create a storm. But then, something cut through that storm and grazed my cheek, leaving a thin, red laceration. It was clearly his right hand. Had he let go of the axe? He chose to face the storm of frenzy head-on rather than pull his axe out. Is that so? You’re quite the man for a corpse.

■■■■■———!!!

The lion roared at point-blank range and threw another right-handed punch. I, too, maintained my passionate heart and danced the dance of frenzy. The one who wished to continue the frenzy and the one who wished to break through it at any cost. As our two weapons clashed, they created another storm. A powerful storm born from fists and shields pounding against each other's bodies. Neither I nor the lion pulled back or gave an inch. We simply fought, taking every blow we dealt with our entire bodies.

My head rang from the impact on the lion's right arm, and my neck snapped back. His neck jerked violently from my shield. By now, this wasn't a duel; it was a street brawl. It hurt like hell. Was this what it felt like to take a direct hit from the lion without blocking with a shield? My stomach churned, and I felt a metallic, liquid substance rising in my throat. Yet, considering my bones hadn't broken and my organs weren't completely destroyed, my body was clearly incredibly sturdy. Or perhaps it was the effect of the Flower of Chivalry.

Still, my limits were beginning to show. I had a shield, and he only had his right arm, but I was being pushed back in raw strength, and Orlando’s Frenzy, which allowed me to maintain this stalemate, was coming to an end.

At that moment, he let go of the sword he was biting, and thinking it was my chance, I reached for the hilt. But it seemed the chance wasn't mine. He seized that opening, and his foot flew toward me.

This son of a... An undead pulling a feint? Kuaaaaaang——!!!! I barely blocked it with my shield, but a massive impact overwhelmed me, and the durability of my armor must have hit zero, because it shattered into pieces.

"Guh-ack!"

As I flew back and slammed into the wall, blood erupted from my mouth. My vision turned red and blurred. Damn it. I can't see anything. I really couldn't see a thing. Were my bones broken? My organs felt like they were all ruined. I couldn't hear anything either. They seemed to be saying something, but... Aigoo, I'm dying. I felt myself getting drowsy. I knew if I fell asleep here, I’d be dead, but... I'm so tired.

In a world painted in blurry red, something was rushing toward me. The lion, ignoring the pumpkin and horse blocking his path, and taking Dante’s frost and frost-sword strikes with his entire body, was charging at me, axe in hand. Even if I died, I had the ring. Resurrection was possible anyway. Come. I'll die properly... Just as I was contemplating how to die without it hurting too much, someone blocked my path.

A woman with flowing brown hair. It was Haede. Is this woman insane? Damn it, I'm so disoriented... If this continued, Haede would die. She couldn't handle that mad lion's attack. Get a grip...!

"Kyaaaaaaack——!!"

Iris's scream. That finally snapped me back to reality. Before the axe blade could reach Haede, I squeezed out my remaining mana to block the lion's charge and kicked him away. The lion went flying into the distance once more. Cough. I had to vomit again because I was forcing myself to move, but... I gritted my teeth and shouted at the crazy woman who had jumped in, having forgotten how to speak formally.

"Are you insane? Why did you suddenly jump in?"

"You're the one who's insane!"

What? Why are you the one getting angry? "There's a limit to how much you can pretend to be cool. If you try to die now, what are you supposed to do?"

What do you mean, what? I'd die and resurrect. "So you're saying you'd let yourself die?"

"You said you were the only one who could stop that mad lion."

"So you're going to die instead?"

"No?"

Is she crazy? "Still, I'm just bluffing. You'll save me anyway, right?"

I sighed. "If you die, Iris will be sad. Never do that again."

"Ris wouldn't want to see anyone die in front of her, and she'd be just as sad no matter who died."

Then why? "But you're different. There's one more person who will cry for you."

Someone who will cry for me? Who in this place is such a person of character...

At that moment, I saw it.

"Sancho, Sancho. Please... Ian, Ian..."

"My Lord? My Lord! My Lord?"

I saw Dolnesia, who was begging the thoughtless Sancho even while vomiting blood, despite being at her limit. "See? Isn't that right?"

Haede collapsed, her legs seemingly giving out. "That's true."

"Do you know? The greatest madness a person can commit while living in this world is to let themselves die when no one is killing them."

Is that so? I didn't know. But I... "But what's even crazier than that is when someone who knows full well that people will be sad if they die, lets someone else die instead of them. So, don't die."

"Isn't that the same for you?"

"I suppose so?"

I sighed at the words of this slightly unhinged girl, but for some reason, my head felt clearer. I chuckled and opened my mouth.

"Thank you."

"Say that to Mr. Dante and Lady Dolnesia. I didn't do anything."

Is that so? "Or..."

■■■■■■———!!!!

Haede pointed at the roaring lion and said, "Win and come back. No one here wants you to die."

"Right."

I checked my body. I was recovering somewhat thanks to Dragon Power and Rosinante’s blessing, but a few ribs were broken, and my organs were wrecked. It was a miracle I could even move. Still... "I'll win and come back."

I had to win. In any case, my life was saved because of him. And I knew. I knew this was the end. For me, and for him. This one strike would settle it. But for me, it wouldn't be the end. The Ring of the Holy Maiden. I had one life left. It meant I didn't necessarily have to go all out because I had a safety net. Only he would die. Though, calling it "dying" for a corpse that had already died once was a bit strange. In any case, he would be the only one to fade away.

.........

Would I be satisfied with that? A fight I could win without going all out. Even if I defeated him in that duel, could I say I had reached the stars? ...This is driving me crazy. Have I been tainted by the voyeur above? Or is this just my personality? I took the Ring of the Holy Maiden off my finger. It was a stupid thought. It was a truly foolish action that even the voyeurs above would point fingers at and call insane, and I couldn't even refute it. But this was my stubbornness. Even knowing there were people who would be sad if I died, I felt I couldn't win this duel if I knew I had this ring and an extra life. And if I knew I had a remaining lifeline, I couldn't give it my all. So, Holy Maiden, I'll pass this on to someone else.

"Haede."

"Yes?"

I handed the Ring of the Holy Maiden to Haede. She was startled when she received it. "Wh-why are you giving this to me...?"

"Give it to Iris."

"To R-Ris?"

Yes. It’s an object containing holy power. It would be more useful to Iris than to me. Who knows? Maybe she could awaken the Saint's miracle sooner with it. And for now, you keep it. It would be awkward if you died after barely surviving because you got caught up in this.

I entrusted the ring to the person who had moved for my sake and picked up my sword to challenge him. This wasn't for honor, nor was it for chivalry. Even if I had no backup, even if I were treated as a clown pointed at and called stupid and foolish—this corpse that had walked the path of a knight, this junior who was trying to walk the path of a knight, wanted to smash him head-on. But I had no intention of dying. I knew full well that if I died, these people would be next. So, I approached him so Haede wouldn't get hurt. And when I was far enough away from them—

■■■■■■———!!!!

The lion roared and charged, attempting to deliver his final blow. Was it a desperate struggle? Or was it his last stand? He swung his axe wildly as he rushed at me. A corpse that swung with such passion you'd believe he was using Orlando’s Frenzy with an axe. An undead that boasted overwhelming martial prowess despite having no reason, moving only by the memories etched into his flesh. Every time the axe swung, a storm raged, and the blade-wind carved through the ice pillars Dante had created. His appearance was more than enough to call him a demon, let alone an undead. But even so, I... today, I will kill that demon.

I had no Orlando’s Frenzy, nor anything else, but I intended to send that rampaging senior back into his coffin. So, I would pierce him head-on. Trapped in a corpse, dreaming of battle—I would pierce you head-on, end that dream, and reach the stars.

With that, I lunged toward the demon with all my might.

Two knights pushed against my back. [Pierce through.] [Charge without hesitation.]

It wasn't a sword. [The Peerless Knight pushes your back.] Though it was shaped like a sword, it was a lance. A massive lance, the kind you'd only use in a jousting tournament.

[Chivalry is nothing special.]

My legs became a sturdy warhorse, and my sword became a single, long lance.

[If you simply wish to protect someone.] [If you wish to move forward for someone's sake.]

I charged toward that storm. [That spear of yours] ———Blancart. I whispered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the title of the story the Peerless Knight had passed on to me, and thrust the lance forward. [Can pierce even Satan.]

■■■■■■———!!!!!

The storm swung by Satan. A single steed charging to pierce through it. My sword became a streak of a meteor, crossing through the storms the demon swung.

Kuaaaaaang——!!

A tremendous sonic boom rang out, and a cloud of dust rose. In that duel where it wouldn't have been strange for either to fall—

Vic... tory....

The one thing I could be certain of was that my sword had reached the star called the Lion. In the end, I had carved a massive hole into his body.