Chapter 169: It’s Been Quite a While (1)
Chapter 169: It’s Been Quite a While (1)
A stifling silence hung in the air.
The death of Count Spike was just that shocking.
One of the nine 7-Star Knights of the Caesar Kingdom had been killed. Was there anyone present who didn't understand the gravity of what that meant?
It was then...
"Surround him!" someone bellowed.
It was the command of the Knight Captain leading the Count’s knight order. At his word, the knights and soldiers encircling the training ground moved as one.
The soldiers pivoted, leveling the sharp tips of their spears at Patrick. Every knight drew their weapon and took a step forward.
"You killed our lord!"
"Prepare yourself, Double Dragon."
"Don't think you're leaving here alive."
Their words, thick with killing intent, failed to elicit even a flicker of emotion from Patrick. He merely looked at them with an indifferent gaze before speaking.
"Is that your choice?"
It was a simple question, but it made the hearts of those listening skip a beat. Despite being surrounded by hundreds of soldiers and knights, the man didn't look the least bit intimidated.
Some instinctively took a step back, widening the distance. Others found their bodies frozen stiff, unable to even do that much.
Patrick scanned them with cold eyes and continued.
"If that is your choice..."
His voice turned bleak, like a judge pronouncing a sentence upon a criminal.
"Then you must take responsibility for it."
Was he talking to himself? Or was he talking to them? It was clearly a statement that applied to both.
Just as Patrick’s knees bent slightly, poised to lunge forward—
"This duel was fair!" someone shouted.
The voice, coming from an anonymous spectator in the stands, rang out in everyone's ears. And then...
"He's right! The duel was fair!"
"It was the result of a legitimate duel!"
"Knights, uphold your honor!"
The cry spread through the crowd like wildfire.
The duel had been fair. Count Spike’s death was merely the consequence of the winner’s choice. Voices demanding justice erupted from the people.
"Captain, what should we do?"
"Mmm..."
A troubled groan escaped the Knight Captain who had ordered the encirclement.
How could he not know? The duel was fair. In fact, strictly speaking, Count Spike had been the cowardly one. He had launched a sneak attack from behind after the duel was over—and he had done so knowing full well that his own subjects might die in the crossfire.
There was no excuse.
However, if he simply accepted the Count’s death and let Patrick Schneider go, how was he supposed to report this to the kingdom? They had lost one of only nine 7-Star Knights. To just accept that?
It was impossible.
What was at stake here wasn't right or wrong, but the prestige of the nation itself. The kingdom would undoubtedly hold Patrick accountable. But...
I can't do it here.
If they attacked Patrick Schneider now, the citizens might revolt. No, they definitely would. If a civilian uprising coincided with a fight against a monster like Patrick Schneider...
"Ugh..."
The mere thought was horrifying. That was a catastrophe far beyond the pay grade of a mere Knight Captain.
"Whew..."
He had no choice. Swallowing his resentment, he finally gave the order.
"Open a path."
"Yes, sir!"
At his command, the knights and soldiers quickly cleared the way—almost as if they had been waiting for the order.
Patrick walked through the opening. As he passed the Knight Captain, he smirked and spoke.
"You're lucky to be alive."
"Don't think your luck will last forever."
"I wasn't talking about myself."
"..."
The Knight Captain’s face contorted. What was this brat saying? Even for a 7-Star Knight, even if he had overwhelmingly defeated Count Calvin Spike... was he serious? Against the entire military force of a city, alone?
Wait, could he?
He couldn't finish the thought. Common sense told him it was impossible. But... perhaps...
If it's that monster...?
Rationally, it made no sense. But his instincts were screaming a warning, identifying exactly who was the predator and who was the prey.
No, that's ridiculous. It's impossible.
He shook his head as if to brush away the absurd thought. He turned to Patrick and said, "This isn't the end. The kingdom will demand a price from you, Double Dragon."
"I'm sure they will."
"You'll regret this—"
"Go ahead and try."
"..."
"We'll see who ends up regretting it when the time comes."
For a moment, goosebumps broke out all over the Knight Captain’s body. Perhaps... just perhaps, it really was possible.
If it's that monster.
*
Patrick and his companions safely made it out of Endmion.
On their way out, the citizens of Endmion lined the streets to see them off.
"Farewell, Double Dragon!"
"Please come back again!"
"Thank you. Thank you so much!"
Because of the crowd’s enthusiastic send-off, it wasn't easy for the knights to even send pursuers after them. There were too many witnesses.
The group left Endmion behind and rode their horses for half a day without rest. Once they were a good distance away and reached a fork in the road, Patrick pulled his horse to a stop.
"Whoa, whoa..."
"What is it? Why are we stopping?" Matthew asked, confused by the sudden halt.
Patrick pointed toward the road leading east.
"Go."
"...Huh?"
"Go."
Matthew and Isabella stared blankly for a moment before finally catching his meaning.
"You're telling us to go back to the Atronia Kingdom."
"Yeah. Glad you're quick on the uptake."
"Are you insane?!"
"Do you really think we'll just leave because you said so?"
Matthew and Isabella protested vehemently. Patrick replied indifferently.
"Do you even have a clue what's about to happen?"
"What's going to happen?"
"Pursuit squads will be formed to avenge Count Spike. They'll be right on our heels."
Matthew shouted back, "The duel was fair! What 'revenge' are they talking about?"
"You naive little stew-brain."
"It's Matthew."
"If the world actually followed the rules, why would there be wars and crimes?"
"..."
Matthew had no rebuttal. In truth, he knew. Patrick had done the right thing for the powerless, and Count Spike had committed the sins of foul tyranny and discarding his knightly honor. But...
There's no way the Caesar Kingdom will admit that.
Would they ever acknowledge something that would drag both their national interests and their honor through the mud? They would surely try to resolve the situation by killing Patrick. Therefore...
"The kingdom will likely organize a pursuit force to hunt me down."
Patrick’s assessment was correct.
"So, if you don't want to see something gruesome, get lost."
"..."
"You're just in the way."
Patrick meant it. From here on out, this wasn't a leisurely knight's training journey; it was going to be real, life-or-death combat. Matthew and Isabella had grown stronger, but they weren't ready for this yet.
War. That wretched, harsh hell on earth. Even most people who lived by the sword didn't truly know what it was. If one could avoid it, it was better to live without ever knowing. So, if they were going to back out, now was the time. However...
"I refuse."
"I'm staying too."
The two remained stubborn. Patrick frowned.
"I told you. You're in the way."
"Then abandon us halfway if you have to."
"But I'm not running away on my own two feet."
Patrick let out a sigh. "I appreciate the grit, but..."
Killing intent surged from Patrick’s body.
"This isn't child's play, you brats."
"Urgh..."
"Guh..."
Cold sweat poured down Matthew and Isabella’s faces from the pressure of his killing intent, which felt like being pricked by a thousand blades. Patrick bared his teeth.
"Get lost while I'm being nice. Otherwise, I'll send you back by force."
Patrick’s killing intent was on a different level. It was intense enough to make an ordinary person faint just by being near it. Facing it head-on, Matthew and Isabella were drenched in sweat, their bodies trembling slightly. But...
"No."
"Screw you!"
They both refused Patrick’s order until the end.
They've developed some useless persistence...
Patrick smirked inwardly. After three years of personal training under him, they were actually enduring the killing intent of the Radiant Dragon Hero. Though their legs were shaking, they were gritting their teeth and standing their ground.
It was admirable, but it was a problem right now.
"If you won't go back when I'm being nice, I have no choice."
Patrick took a step forward to subdue them. But then...
"Young Master."
April stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
"What are you doing?"
"If you subdue them, how do you plan to get them to the border?"
"That's obviously for you to—"
Patrick stopped mid-sentence as he realized. He had intended to send April with them to protect them in case of an emergency. But...
Would she actually go?
Not a chance. April spoke firmly.
"My mission is to stay by your side, Young Master."
"Are you saying you won't follow my orders?"
April flinched for a moment but quickly regained her composure.
"If it is for your safety, I have no choice."
"..."
"To me, your safety is more important than anything else."
"Don't argue and just do as you're told."
"I refuse."
"It's an order."
"Then kill me instead."
April held out her sword toward Patrick, her gaze unwavering. Seeing the look in her eyes, Patrick let out a long sigh.
Damn it, she's serious.
There are people who only talk, and then there are people who follow through on their words no matter what. April was strictly the latter. Especially when it came to Patrick.
"Seriously, none of you kids ever listen."
"What was that?"
"You're the youngest one here! You!"
"That is a fact, Young Master."
"Fine, whatever..."
Patrick scratched his head and sighed. If they were going to be this uncooperative, he had to revise his plan. If he couldn't send them back, splitting up wasn't a good idea either. It would be safest to keep them where he could see them. In that case...
I need to move as quickly as possible, starting right now.
Having experienced countless similar situations in his past life, Patrick knew. Survival rates were highest when you moved as far away as possible before the dragnet was fully established.
Having made his decision, Patrick spoke seriously.
"We're heading north. Don't fall behind. Follow me."
"Got it."
"Let's go."
With that, the group spurred their horses down the same path.
*
Georgia Burkin Caesar.
That was the name of the current King of Caesar. Still in his late thirties, he was a young monarch. The previous king had fathered him late in life, resulting in him ascending the throne in his early thirties.
He had only been reigning for five years. While he was at an age where he could be highly active, he also lacked political maturity and experience. Knowing he could be swallowed whole by his cunning veteran ministers if he slipped up, he had always managed state affairs with a sense of tension.
And now, a bolt from the blue had struck him.
"Count Spike is dead? What kind of nonsense is this?"
"It is reported that he engaged in a duel with the Double Dragon. As a result..."
Slam!
King Georgia struck his throne hard and roared.
"Does that make any sense? A knight from a tiny nation killed my subject in a duel? You expect me to believe that?"
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
"Grrr..."
Rage smoldered in King Georgia’s eyes, a sentiment shared by his ministers.
"Your Majesty, this cannot be overlooked."
"Indeed. We must hold the Double Dragon and the Atronia Kingdom strictly accountable."
"At the very least, the Double Dragon must be punished according to our kingdom's laws."
The Caesar Kingdom had always looked down on the four eastern nations, dismissing them as "small countries." In truth, compared to the Empire or the Holy Church State to the west, the Caesar Kingdom was also a minor power. To bridge that gap, they actively patronized the Tower of Truth, but the difference in national power remained stark.
They were in the habit of venting that inferiority complex on nations weaker than themselves—namely, the four eastern kingdoms.
To them, Patrick Schneider was merely a brat from the tiny Atronia Kingdom. Even though his name had become famous in Arcana, they had tried to downplay his evaluation as just a "big fish in a small pond."
But then, Patrick had killed Count Calvin Spike, the pride of the Caesar Kingdom. And he had done it in a fair duel.
This was absolutely unacceptable.
"Your Majesty, considering Count Spike’s skill, there is no way he could have lost to the Double Dragon."
"Precisely. There must have been foul play in the duel."
"We must arrest the Double Dragon immediately, conduct a thorough investigation, and hand down a fitting punishment."
Most of the ministers in the Great Hall argued for Patrick’s arrest and punishment. Though they used diplomatic language, they were essentially calling for him to be framed and executed.
Even so, it was the result of a fair duel. Are we really going to retaliate?
How can they be so sure of foul play without even seeing it?
Everyone is thinking too simply.
A few ministers thought this was wrong. However, the current atmosphere suggested that anyone who spoke up would be branded a traitor and buried, so they kept their mouths shut.
King Georgia rose from his throne, raised his scepter, and declared:
"As the King of Caesar, I command you. Arrest the Double Dragon. If he resists, you may kill him. Do not let him leave my kingdom alive."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"By your command!"
And so, a baseless order was issued. No one yet knew what consequences this would bring.