Chapter 364: Bread and Dagger (62)
Chapter 364: Bread and Dagger (62)
“Young Master, have you lost your mind?”
The voice that rasped from the old knight’s throat was bone-chilling.
It was a growl that only a predator could possess.
A swordsman who had spent decades surviving on the battlefields of the snowfields possessed such a terrifying side. Every single word he spoke was steeped in thick killing intent.
A duel is not decided by cultivation level alone.
Practical experience and the ability to improvise are just as crucial. No matter how much I considered myself strong in actual combat, my opponent was a veteran of a hundred battles.
Even with my high reputation, he was not an opponent I could afford to underestimate.
Thus, I deliberately held my breath and calmed my mind.
The trembling string of tension gradually steadied. My body stiffened slightly, waiting for the moment the taut thread of hostility would finally snap.
I still had things left to say.
“Lost my mind? Who are you talking about? The man who classifies all elves as potential mass murderers and burns down a peaceful village?”
“It is for the sake of humanity!”
Sir Alex argued firmly.
He seemed to truly believe his own words. His gauntlets clanked as he brushed off the area around his solar plexus where I had struck him.
His eyes were fierce.
Though we were speaking, his momentum was already indistinguishable from that of a man in the heat of battle.
“Even if we assume they are innocent as you say, Young Master—and even if they remain docile for hundreds of years... what does that change? They are elves!”
“Being born an elf isn't a capital offense.”
“No, it is. Because they feed and clothe the elves who cross blades with us.”
Communication was impossible.
I realized that no matter how long the conversation lasted, the conclusion would remain the same. I tightened my grip on my sword and let out a low, rasping growl.
My voice was now fully saturated with hostility.
“If you’re so confident in your righteousness, is that why you hid this from Senior Delphine?”
The old knight’s words came to a dead halt.
It was the first time that had happened during our conversation. His razor-sharp gaze fixed on me.
It was as if he were telling me to go on.
“Senior Delphine was suffering from a headache because of the elven raids. She even asked me to resolve the issue... and yet, raids I’ve never even heard of are taking place?”
“The Lady might have hidden it from you, Young Master.”
“No, that’s impossible.”
I swallowed a hollow laugh and lowered my sword point further.
It was a gesture suggesting I could aim for the old knight’s throat at any moment.
“Our relationship is quite deep... deeper than you can imagine, Sir Alex.”
Sir Alex let out a low hum and averted his eyes. He seemed lost in thought for a moment. However, he couldn't afford to ponder for long.
I had no intention of giving him that luxury.
A cold interrogation followed through my gritted teeth.
“Why did you betray Yurdina?”
“Betrayal...?”
Sir Alex curled his lips into a slight smile as if he had heard something amusing.
He remained dignified. If anything, he looked at me as if my attempt to interrogate him was laughable.
“To have my loyalty questioned... I suppose I’ve truly lost my touch. You are mistaken.”
His words were utterly shameless.
How could he say that?
He had intentionally withheld information from Senior Delphine and even provoked the elves. The reason the elves had fallen into the evil cult and attacked humanity was because of these provocations.
Because of that, people had to die and get hurt.
Did the blood of the elves on my hands not testify to this?
In the end, I couldn't hide my surging emotions. Heat surged up my throat of its own accord.
“You hid information from Senior Delphine!”
“And?”
I was momentarily speechless at his nonchalant retort.
It wasn't that I didn't understand his words.
I simply couldn't fathom his intent.
Since I didn't know the underlying meaning, there was no way I could refute it. My unrefined words became a tidal wave that crashed violently against my heart.
What is he saying right now?
How can he be so shameless?
Just as I was about to raise my voice again—
“Lady Delphine... she has been brilliant since childhood, and her personal martial prowess is outstanding. She commands the absolute respect of the vassals. However, she is not Yurdina itself.”
“...What do you mean by that?”
“You will come to understand in time. I swear, I have never betrayed Yurdina...”
The old knight slowly tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword.
A crimson aura began to billow and surge from the blade.
It was an explicit provocation. In response, silver flames began to flicker on my sword as well.
He asked, as if delivering an ultimatum.
“Will you still strike me down? Me, a loyal retainer of Yurdina who has dedicated his life to humanity?”
“You said you were loyal to Yurdina.”
I wore a fierce smile.
Just as the old knight had done until now.
“I am loyal to Senior Delphine.”
“The Lady has chosen a fine piece indeed...”
Sir Alex stroked his chin. A look of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
After nodding to himself, he spoke.
“Everyone, fall back. With your skills, you’ll be nothing but a hindrance.”
He wasn't talking to me.
The soldiers, who had been trembling, gradually retreated. Their faces were already pale, seemingly overwhelmed by the killing intent radiating from the two Experts.
Sir Alex declared with a faint smile.
“Then, shall we dance?”
I didn't have the luxury of yielding the first move.
My feet kicked off the ground with all my might. My body screamed at the sudden acceleration, but my charge did not slow.
For a split second, it felt as if time itself had been suspended.
However, my opponent was a veteran who had seen it all. It was certain he would see through my intentions instantly.
As if to prove it, his greatsword drew a semi-circle, creating a heavy sonic boom.
The massive blade flew toward me, filling my vision. In response, I projected all of my sword's immense momentum into the strike.
Then came the explosion.
Boom! The moment the two blades collided, the air itself seemed to tear. Ripples were etched into the snowfield like a stone hitting the surface of a pond.
Several nearby elves screamed as they were blown back.
But this was only the beginning.
Clang, clang, clang!
A flurry of exchanges followed, sparks flying. I parried every single strike—from the bottom right to the top left, and the immediate downward vertical slash.
It was a speed unbelievable for a greatsword.
However, no matter what, the difference in weaponry could not be entirely overcome. A greatsword is heavy and powerful, but its speed is inherently slower.
As long as he couldn't suppress me with pure physical strength, I still held the advantage.
Clack! The greatsword, struck by my downward blow, couldn't withstand the weight and slammed into the ground. As expected, I was superior in terms of speed.
As his sword bounced up from the impact, I gritted my teeth and struck down again.
To pull out a sword embedded in the ground required even greater strength. Furthermore, my sword was moving downward while Sir Alex’s sword was currently pointing upward.
There was no way for the greatsword to respond to my strike.
Yes, with the greatsword.
Skreeee! The blade scraped against a metal surface, creating an unpleasant screech. I felt a solid force forcibly pinning my sword in place.
It was his gauntlet.
The thick steel gloves Sir Alex wore were now drenched in a blood-red aura. Startled, I tried to pull my sword back, but Sir Alex’s grip strength was beyond imagination.
The old knight’s lips curled upward.
“Armor isn't just for show, Young Master.”
Thud! A kick slammed into my solar plexus. Because I struggled not to lose my weapon, I didn't let go of the hilt.
In exchange, the knight’s foot repeatedly battered my abdomen.
Thump, thump, thump.
Every time the sound of striking leather echoed, my consciousness grew hazy. I took one hand off my sword and fumbled for my hand axe.
Immediately after, a pure white trajectory was drawn.
Only then did the old knight release my sword, seemingly satisfied. My body, having been kicked one last time, staggered backward.
I felt nauseous.
They weren't kicks delivered with his full power. It seemed difficult for him to kick my solar plexus with all his might while holding my sword and keeping me in check.
Nevertheless, the damage was effective.
Blood trickled from between my lips. It was a light hemorrhage, but it wasn't a positive sign.
It meant my internal organs were being damaged.
“Human!”
I could hear the elves, including Isha, crying out. To them, it must have been a bewildering sight.
In just a few seconds, after a few exchanges of blows, why was I the one forced to retreat?
With their skills, there was no way they could understand.
They simply screamed because they sensed I was in danger even in their dazed state.
Sir Alex tossed a joke my way.
“What a noisy audience. If they’re bothersome, shall I shut them up for you?”
“There is someone who bothers me the most... he was just flapping his mouth a moment ago.”
After saying that, I had to cough up a mouthful of blood.
It had been a while since I tasted the metallic tang of blood in my mouth. I lowered my stance and stared at Sir Alex.
Not just his armor, but even his gauntlets were high-quality items.
Moreover, this was the first time I had faced an opponent who coated their armor in aura. He was a different breed from the opponents I had faced until now.
Experienced, and hiding many tricks.
In that case, I had no reason to hide my full strength either.
My breath, steeled with resolve, gradually steadied.