Chapter 216: Knight A (2)
Chapter 216: Knight A (2)
A handsome man with striking red hair stood stiffly before Patrick, reading a report with military precision.
This man was Red, the master of the Thieves’ Guild that ruled the backstreets of the Atronia Kingdom. Though he usually resided in the capital, White Town, he had traveled personally to deliver an important report to Patrick.
“The Yuzef Kingdom, having seized the momentum in the opening battles, is reportedly pushing the Flame Kingdom back one-sidedly.”
“Hmm…”
“King Sierion, who leads from the front wielding a massive sword and guiding his allies to victory, has been dubbed the ‘Overlord.’”
“That brat has, has he?”
“The momentum of the Yuzef Kingdom’s army is unusual. There’s no sign of them stopping at a reasonable point. It’s as if they intend to finish this once and for all.”
“I suppose they do.”
That brat’s goal was to first unify the four eastern nations into one. His reason for going to war with the Flame Kingdom was obvious.
Patrick nodded and said, “Keep gathering information on his movements and report back.”
“Yes. I will do my best.”
“Is ‘your best’ going to be enough? You need to produce definitive results.”
“Hahaha…”
“What are you smirking at? You want a piece of me?!”
A sigh escaped Patrick’s lips involuntarily.
The ruler of the backstreets who held the darkness of the Atronia Kingdom in his palm—that was Patrick himself. But…
“If I find a single gap in your intel, there’ll be a gap in your life that same day. Got it?”
What did such a threat even mean to this guy?
Red simply clasped his hands together to curry favor, his face looking as though he’d happily trade his internal organs for a smile.
“Hehehe. How could that happen? You know how capable I—ack!”
Thud!
“Since when does a thief get to have such sparkling eyes? Huh?”
Did he really have to stab me? Just like that?
Red felt sorrowful and pathetic. But what could he do? To avoid being discarded by this man, he had to prove his usefulness somehow. The moment he was abandoned by Patrick, the crumbs he managed to scavenge under him would disappear too.
If there was one consolation…
“Seriously, I can’t find a single guy I like. Hey! What are you doing? Is this a bed? Is it comfortable lying down? Want me to make you lie there forever?”
It was the fact that he wasn’t the one suffering the most here.
“Urgh…”
“Uuuugh…”
“You… damn… human…”
Currently, about three hundred soldiers of the Schneider Territory and two hundred sturdy Orc warriors were all collapsed on the ground, groaning in pain.
Naturally, Patrick was the one who had caused this carnage. As soon as he returned, he had initiated a sparring session under the guise of group training and ended up with this result. Even after sweeping through such a force alone, he showed no signs of exhaustion.
He’s a monster, through and through.
The soldiers of the Schneider Territory, known as the strongest army in the East, and the powerful Orc warriors—this monster had crushed them all by himself. Common sense failed to explain how one should even process this.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. How is it that your skills haven’t improved at all while I was gone? Not a single bit!”
At those words, the fallen soldiers and Orc warriors lifted their heads and glared at Patrick.
“Must… kill him…”
“Dammit…”
“Chueeeek…”
Seeing the brats whose eyes were still full of fire despite being unable to even wiggle a finger, the corners of Patrick’s mouth curled up.
At least they’ve got grit.
In truth, Patrick was quite satisfied. He had roughed them up a bit as a final check. Over the past four years, the soldiers hadn’t just been playing around. Every single one of them had reached at least the 4-Star level, and a few had even achieved the 5-Star realm.
Furthermore, Sanson, the territory’s only knight, looked like he could reach the 6-Star realm with just the right catalyst. Considering Sanson was only in his mid-thirties, his skill was more than enough to be called a genius by the world’s standards.
And the transformation of the Orc warriors exceeded expectations.
The Orc Blade.
It was a technique Patrick had passed down after drastically simplifying the Five Tigers Single Gate Sword of the Hebe Peng Family, reducing it to just three forms. Honestly, he hadn’t expected much. Central Plains martial arts, which required precise rhythm and posture, didn’t suit the Orc race.
However, after being left to their own devices for four years, it had evolved in an unexpected direction. It wasn't the technique of precise posture and rhythm he had originally intended, but it had turned into a terrifying style that radiated a killing intent like a beast that had caught the scent of blood.
In the way their postures broke and they swung instinctively as if mauling, the ferocity of a wild predator naturally emerged.
Should I call it the Beast Sword Style?
The Orc warriors, having mastered the Orc Blade filled with wild ferocity and killing intent, seemed poised to become a better fighting force than expected. Now, if the forces Patrick had prepared were added to this…
This is definitely doable.
The results of the final check were satisfying. Patrick spoke to the fallen soldiers.
“That’s it for today’s training. Be out here early tomorrow morning.”
It seemed he could finally solidify his decision. As Patrick turned to leave, the corners of his mouth were tilted up ever so slightly.
*
Patrick went outside the territory to meet Turanta, the chief of the Red Rock Tribe.
“It has been a long time, Great Warrior.”
“Long time no see, Turanta. Whoa, your muscles have gotten even bigger.”
“Hahahaha!”
Turanta laughed boisterously and slapped Patrick on the back. Thanks to this Great Warrior, they had established a good relationship with the humans. Because of that, the Orcs were able to eat their fill of delicious food and liquor.
Though their migration had been a choice made out of necessity at first, they were now extremely satisfied. However, there was one problem…
“On my way here, it looked like your home has gotten quite cramped.”
“The number of our Orc people has increased greatly. Thus, our home has become narrow.”
The land Patrick had provided to the Red Rock Tribe was by no means small. Since land was the one thing the Schneider Territory had in abundance, he had provided a vast clearing created by logging a portion of the Great Forest. But that was four years ago.
“The number of our Red Rock Tribe has grown. This land is now too small.”
“It looked that way. So? Do you have a plan?”
Turanta spoke with a gloomy expression.
“If it becomes too narrow here, there is no choice. We may have to return to the forest.”
Patrick could never allow that. He couldn't afford to lose the Orc warriors, a force he had painstakingly cultivated.
“Don’t worry. I happen to have a better way. Would you like to hear it?”
“What is it? I wish to know the Great Warrior’s thoughts.”
When Patrick explained something, Turanta’s face filled with considerable surprise.
“I see. Such a method is possible.”
“Not bad, right?”
“It is a good idea. As expected, the Great Warrior is also wise.”
“Ahem.”
He felt surprisingly good being praised for his intelligence by an Orc.
But in reality, the proposal Patrick made was perfect for solving Turanta’s concerns. Turanta had been wondering what to do about the ever-increasing population and the shrinking living space.
“Then I’ll take that as an agreement. Well, we’ll handle the details of the process in a few days.”
“Why in a few days?”
“I need to prepare a few things on my end. So, I’ll see you then. Keep it a secret until then.”
“I understand, Great Warrior.”
After finishing his meeting with the Orcs, Patrick returned home. He met Matthew and asked, “When is the stuff I ordered arriving?”
“It’ll be here in two days.”
“Then I can settle everything at once then. Until then, I’ll just keep working the kids.”
Hearing Patrick’s words, Matthew asked, “Are you really going through with this?”
“Of course. The Tower of Truth and the Elves will be joining us eventually, so we need to get our own house in order first so we don't get pushed around.”
“……”
Matthew shook his head in amazement. Watching Patrick as a friend, he couldn't help but be astonished. Just how many things was this guy taking responsibility for and pushing forward?
The people of the world didn't know the half of Patrick Schneider. They only knew him as a man who was good with a sword and had a foul personality. But Matthew, who had observed his true worth from the side, knew better.
The meticulousness of preparing for every eventuality.
The precision of carrying out necessary tasks step by step.
The boldness to push through all at once when the time came.
And crucially, the sheer tenacity to stubbornly get things done no matter what…
It’s men like this who change the world and leave their names in history.
Matthew knew just how much of a giant his friend was. He would likely leave his name in history. No, he already had.
Looking at Patrick, one couldn't help but want to follow him to the very end. Matthew wanted to see what kind of world this guy would create. That was why Matthew never withheld his utmost cooperation whenever Patrick made a request.
Perhaps that was Patrick’s greatest strength.
*
A few days later.
As usual, the soldiers and Orc warriors lined up at the training ground. Up to this point, it was no different from any other day. Soon, Patrick would appear and drive them mercilessly. However, there was one difference…
“The Lord and his wife are here?”
“You’re right. Even Her Highness the 7th Queen came along?”
“Then, is the person behind them Princess Isabella?”
“It’s my first time seeing the Princess.”
“Wow… she’s a beauty.”
“You can say that again.”
The soldiers looked at Isabella with fascination. Publicly, she was Patrick’s fiancée. In other words, she was the future mistress of the Schneider family. Though no one knew what the future held, the soldiers watched Isabella with curiosity.
The Orc warriors also looked at Isabella with curious eyes.
“Is that human the Great Warrior’s mate?”
“Too thin.”
“Her lower body muscles are weak. I do not understand the Great Warrior’s taste.”
Isabella felt the weight of the gazes falling on her and tensed up. In truth, she couldn't help but be nervous.
What is this? This place…
What kind of soldiers were these? Not a single one of these ordinary soldiers looked like an easy opponent. In fact, there were several who looked stronger than her.
That a mere soldier could be stronger than her, the top student of the Academy’s Knight Department—did that even make sense? Furthermore, the Orc warriors beside them looked equally formidable. And why were Orcs training so naturally alongside humans?
From start to finish, nothing made sense.
Then again, this is Patrick’s hometown. It’s my fault for expecting anything to be normal.
Regardless, it was a fact that her mother was recuperating comfortably in this territory. After speaking with her mother for the first time in a while, Isabella realized she had been doing well here, and for that alone, she was grateful.
And then…
“Bring it over here. Right. Move it carefully.”
Patrick appeared at the training ground. He didn't come alone; he arrived with people who looked like employees of the Elvador Merchant Group, their wagons piled high with something.
Then he spoke.
“All soldiers, come forward and take one each.”
Amidst the bewildered soldiers, a few stepped forward to check the items in the wagons. And then…
“Huh? This is?”
“Full plate armor?”
Loaded in the wagons were suits of armor and swords. And they weren't the leather armor or chainmail typically worn by soldiers, but genuine full plate mail that only knights would wear.
The quick-witted soldiers realized what was happening. Patrick said, “One per person. Take them and get back in formation quickly.”
“……”
“……”
“Hey! Move it already, you idiots!”
Despite Patrick’s shouting, the soldiers didn't move immediately. They simply stared at him with overwhelmed expressions.
Yes. Today was the day. Today was the day they had waited for so long.
Once everyone had received their plate mail, Patrick gave a nod, and Viscount Schneider stood up.
“My loyal soldiers.”
At the Viscount’s words, the soldiers’ hearts pounded. They already anticipated what would come next.
“You have suffered much for a long time. Though you could have received the treatment of knights in any other territory, you remained here out of loyalty to me until the end. I take this moment to express my gratitude for your loyalty.”
Then, Viscount Schneider actually bowed his head to show his respect to the soldiers.
Isabella was shocked by the sight. For a noble to bow to commoners could be seen as a humiliation if handled poorly.
If word of this gets out…
But she soon realized her worries were unnecessary. No one around her was surprised by the Viscount’s actions. Not even her mother. Queen Jenova took her daughter’s hand and whispered softly.
“That is the kind of man he is.”
From what Queen Jenova had observed, Viscount Schneider was a man entirely devoid of the typical noble sense of authority. At first, she hadn't understood him. He was a noble by birth and had a son who was currently the most promising prospect in the kingdom. It wouldn't have been strange if his nose was in the air and he acted with arrogance.
But Viscount Schneider was humble and down-to-earth in everything. To the point where it was almost suspicious how a noble could be like that.
And only later did she realize. It was because he was such a simple and humble man that the peace of the Schneider Territory was maintained. Had he been a tyrant, the three hundred soldiers before them would have moved to a place with better treatment. Even the powerful Orc warriors trusted him because he was always humble and accommodating.
Viscount Schneider didn't possess the skill or talent of his son. Patrick’s dazzling talent, strength, and unbelievable achievements were truly the path of a hero. A hero as difficult to approach as the blazing sun.
But Viscount Schneider was like a great willow tree that provided comfortable shade when people were exhausted by the sun’s heat. Not to mention others, even she, the Queen, found this place much more comfortable than the royal palace.
Viscount Schneider spoke to the soldiers with a benevolent smile.
“As of this moment, I appoint you all as knights. I would like to hold a proper conferment ceremony for each of you, but…”
“How long do you think that would take?”
The Viscount sighed as he looked at his son, who was grumbling while picking his ear.
“Necessity dictates that we substitute it with this informal granting of armor and surnames.”
Then, Viscount Schneider approached each knight, tapped their shoulders with a sword, and granted them the surnames he had prepared.
“I grant you the surname Panotra. Knight Panotra, remain ever faithful to the code of chivalry.”
“Yes, my Lord!”
The soldiers—no, the newly made knights—received their conferment with deep emotion. During the process…
“Father, I’d like to do that fellow myself.”
Patrick stepped in.
“You?”
“Yes. I’ve prepared something special for him.”
At Patrick’s words, Viscount Schneider nodded and stepped back. Come to think of it, this was a soldier Patrick had paid particularly close attention to.
Patrick approached the soldier with a solemn demeanor and spoke.
“Soldier Oliver. Are you prepared to receive the knight’s conferment from me?”
“Yes, my Lord!”
Oliver trembled with emotion. He naturally respected Viscount Schneider, but who was the real power in this territory? Wasn't it the Young Lord? The fact that the Young Lord was personally looking after him made his smile widen from ear to ear.
Are you guys watching? This is the difference between you and me.
Under the jealous glares of the surrounding soldiers, Oliver knelt. Patrick placed his sword on Oliver’s shoulder, tapped it, and spoke.
“I hereby dub thee a knight…”
Later, the soldiers would say that at that moment, a devilish smile was plastered on the Young Lord’s face.
“And grant you the surname ‘A.’”
“Thank… wait, what?”
“I’m counting on you, Knight A.”
“……”
So this was it? This was why he gave me special treatment?
Are you even human?
That day, Soldier A became Knight A.