Chapter 105: Because We’re Obviously Going to Win (2)
Chapter 105: Because We’re Obviously Going to Win (2)
The King pondered.
He had been asked a question in an official setting, with countless eyes watching.
Even though the usual protocols had been bypassed in an unprecedented manner, as a King, he could not remain silent.
He looked Patrick straight in the eye and spoke.
“the weight of a King’s words is unlike any other. If a winner of the Arcana emerges from our nation, I shall grant whatever wish they desire, so long as it lies within the bounds of my power.”
At the King’s declaration, Patrick gave a thin smirk.
“I have heard Your Majesty’s solemn words loud and clear.”
‘Don’t you dare try to say something else later...’
He had received a firm commitment in front of a massive crowd.
Patrick’s motivation was now soaring through the clouds.
‘I’m going to bleed this kingdom dry.’
His motivation was certainly high—it was just pointed in a very strange direction.
After bowing to the King, Patrick and his party moved out through the central boulevard of White Town.
To see them off, the citizens of the capital had come out to the streets, shouting cheers as they watched them depart.
“Waaaaaaa!”
“Waaaa!”
“Waaa... cough, cough... Waaa...”
They were cheering, but it was... well...
“Are they Orcs?”
The only difference was that ‘Uwoooo!’ had turned into ‘Waaaa!’
It was a chorus of cheers so consistent it made one feel homesick for the mountains.
How should one put it? It felt like they didn't really want to be there, but were just going through the motions because they were forced to.
Beside him, Alex spoke to Patrick.
“Don’t be too hard on them. The citizens’ dry reaction is because of our poor performance in the past.”
“Ah, so they’re thinking, ‘Why even go when you’re just going to lose anyway?’”
“That’s... one way to put it.”
You didn’t have to be so blunt about it, did you?
Looking at Alex’s expression, Patrick let out a short chuckle.
“Aren’t you looking forward to it?”
“To what?”
“To seeing how these people react when we return.”
“……”
The reaction of the citizens whenever the representatives returned from the Arcana had always been the same.
Eyes filled with a mix of reproach and pity.
And hollow words of comfort offered as if they had no choice.
That was the reaction of the citizens of White Town. However...
“Don’t worry. It’ll be different this time.”
Hearing Patrick’s confident words, Alex actually felt like that might be the case.
Even if there wasn't a shred of evidence to back it up.
* * *
Richmond, the capital of the Magellan Kingdom.
As the chosen venue for this Arcana, the city was currently teeming with powerful figures gathering from all corners of the continent.
“Ooh... look at those flags.”
“That’s the Caesar Kingdom. The representatives from the northern powerhouse have arrived.”
“But why are they all carrying spears? Is that normal for them?”
“Didn’t you know? In the Caesar Kingdom, even the knights prefer spears over swords.”
“Ho, I see. Oh, what about that country over there?”
“Looking at the flag, I think it’s the Harbor Duchy.”
“Man, look at those muscles.”
“Their skin is all bronze. Is it naturally like that?”
“It’s a nation of seafarers. Since even the knights spend their time sailing ships, they end up looking like that.”
“I see.”
The representatives of each nation possessed a wide variety of characteristics, but every single one of them possessed a sharp aura that befitted young talents representing the future of a country.
Aside from them, other talents gathered one by one, and among them were those already being discussed as strong candidates for victory.
“Oh, it’s the flag of the Saint Louis Holy Church State.”
“Where? Where? You’re right.”
A flag embroidered with the image of a goddess embracing the sun.
A knight order mounted on white horses, unified in white armor and white cloaks.
It was the Holy Church State, a knight order that served God, recognizable to anyone.
They were a perennial favorite in every Arcana held so far, having actually claimed victory countless times.
Their mere appearance seemed to wash away the presence of the Caesar Kingdom and Harbor Duchy representatives who had arrived earlier.
Beyond them, the Flame Kingdom and the Yuzef Kingdom arrived.
And finally, the Benator Empire—a powerhouse favorite and the land of the Sword Saint—entered Richmond, where the tournament was to be held.
They were all treated as state guests and stayed within the royal palace, and the royal family of the Magellan Kingdom did its best to entertain them grandly.
“Let’s see, which places haven't arrived yet?”
At the words of the Royal Chamberlain, who was frantic with welcoming guests, a subordinate replied.
“The representatives from the Tower of Truth, the Elves, the Dwarves, and the Atronia Kingdom haven't arrived yet.”
“Hmm, we don't know if the Elves and Dwarves will even attend, but are the Atronia Kingdom and the Tower of Truth still far off?”
“The Tower of Truth has sent confirmation that they will arrive on the scheduled date. As for the Atronia Kingdom...”
“What is it?”
“Well, it’s true they departed from their kingdom, but contact was lost midway after that.”
“Contact was lost? What does that mean?”
“We received word that they crossed our border. However, we haven't been able to track their movements or which territory they are passing through since then.”
“Are you saying they’ve gone missing?”
“That might be the case.”
“No, what on earth...”
The Arcana was an event held for the friendship and peace of the entire continent.
Well, at least that was the official line.
In any case, for the representatives of a country who had set out to attend such an event to go missing—not on their own soil, but in a foreign land?
This was a matter that could escalate into an international incident if handled poorly.
‘Should I dispatch a search party?’
Just as the Royal Chamberlain was thinking this, another attendant spoke up hurriedly.
“Chamberlain! The representatives from the Atronia Kingdom have arrived.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes. They say they are passing through the gates of the Outer Wall and heading toward the palace right now.”
“Really? That’s a relief. Hurry and prepare to receive them. The cleaning of the villa where the guests will stay is perfect, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Good.”
The Chamberlain personally went out to the palace gates to greet the Atronia Kingdom’s representatives.
‘It’s a relief they arrived safely.’
It could have turned into a massive diplomatic headache, but fortunately, it seemed that wouldn't happen.
In the distance, he saw the flag of the Atronia Kingdom. As the group approached, the Chamberlain bowed according to elegant royal etiquette.
“Welcome to the Magellan Kingdom. May the fatigue accumulated from your long journey... your fatigue...”
The smooth tongue of the Chamberlain came to a halt. And for good reason.
“We’re here.”
“We finally made it.”
“Food, bath... a goddamn bath!”
“Princess. You mustn't use such language.”
Who are these beggars?
Clothes reduced to rags, and traces of intense combat visible everywhere.
Cheeks hollow from lack of food and sunken eyes.
No matter how one looked at them, they seemed more like a band of vagrants than representatives of a nation.
Among that group, there was only one young man who looked perfectly clean.
The young man, who looked the youngest of them all, saw the Chamberlain and said with a smile.
“I am Patrick Schneider of the Atronia Kingdom.”
“Ah... I am Viscount Semiros, the Chamberlain of the Magellan Royal Palace. Welcome to the palace.”
“Oh, how polite. You really are welcoming us, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then, you see...”
Patrick chummily threw an arm around the Chamberlain’s shoulder and said, “Could you start by giving us some booze?”
“Pardon?”
“We just happened to run out.”
“……”
What is this? Why do I feel like I’m being shaken down by a thug?
Viscount Semiros was flustered by a sensation he had never experienced in all his years serving as the Royal Chamberlain.
Bone Forging and Marrow Washing.
It is the state where a martial artist who has reached the pinnacle of their realm transcends the limitations of the flesh and is reborn.
It is one of the dream realms that every martial artist desires.
And right here, right now.
There were people who had undergone that Bone Forging and Marrow Washing.
Four of them, at that.
“I... I feel like I’m going to live.”
“My god, the sky finally stopped looking yellow.”
“Ugh... sob...”
Once they were washed and fed proper food, the four beggar-like kids vanished, and in their place appeared people who looked somewhat like knights, albeit a bit haggard.
Even if the one who was supposedly the top student of the Academy’s 4th year was currently crying with a piece of bread in his mouth.
“Kuu... this is what Bone Forging and Marrow Washing is all about. I really think I’m a great teacher.”
As soon as Patrick spoke, the four of them, including Alex, glared at him as if they wanted to kill him.
‘I want to kill him.’
‘I hope he gets struck by lightning.’
‘If only he weren't stronger than me...’
‘O God... why did You release a creature that belongs in the Demon World onto the Mortal Realm?’
At this point, it seems necessary to look into what exactly happened to them during the journey.
* * *
At first, it was an ordinary trip.
They traveled by carriage, dining with lords who greeted them whenever they passed through a territory, and engaged in light sparring during the journey. It was a smooth trip.
However, things went off the rails after the group crossed the border and arrived in the Magellan Kingdom.
Patrick, who had been staying in the background and observing the situation, finally took action.
“Everyone, attention!”
Patrick suddenly appeared before everyone wearing a bright red hat and a small horn whistle hanging from his chest strap.
Appearing in such a state, Patrick spoke to the representatives, including Alex.
“From now on, I will be in charge of your training. Is that understood?”
“...What kind of bullshit is this all of a sudden—”
THUD!
“A brat like you has no manners.”
Karin Trinaldo, the 4th-year top student who had tried to argue with Patrick, was struck on the crown of his head by Patrick’s heel and collapsed instantly.
At that, Gerard Teixeira, the 5th-year runner-up, was shocked.
Soon, that shock turned into anger as he looked at Patrick and shouted!
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Didn't you hear me? I said I’m taking over your training from now on. Consider it an honor.”
“Cut the crap.”
“Ho, crap? It seems I need to properly engrave the hierarchy into your heads before we begin the education.”
“Alex, this kid is insane. I think he’s actually lost his mind.”
“Ahem... cough... I’m fine with it, though?”
“What?”
“I’m fine with it too.”
“Princess?!”
Gerard was instantly isolated.
His 4th-year junior was lying on the ground with steam rising from his forehead, while Isabella, the 3rd-year top student, and Alex, the 5th-year top student, had quietly backed away.
Uh... let’s see. If it’s like this...
“Kuu... your courage is commendable. You want to go one-on-one with me, is that it?”
Seeing Patrick approach with a wicked smile, Gerard realized that things had gone horribly wrong.
“Patrick, as you know... junior, I am your senior.”
“I know.”
No, I don't think you do!
“Wait a minute. Let’s talk this out. We can solve this problem through dialogue.”
“Kuuu... dialogue, huh? I like dialogue too.”
“Right. Then let’s have a dialo—”
“A dialogue through the body, you bastard!”
And then Patrick pounced on Gerard.
He grabbed the back of the fleeing Gerard’s neck, threw him into the air, and clenched both fists as he aimed for the descending Gerard. And then...
Infinite Hell Chain Fist
Weakened Form: Seniority is Decided by Strength
“Adadadadadadada!”
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
The sound of a human being being tenderized by fists rang out.
Simultaneously, amidst the excruciating pain, Gerard thought:
‘I shouldn't have stepped forward.’
If you stay quiet, you’ll at least make it halfway.
These words would later become Gerard Teixeira’s life creed.