Chapter 248: Are You a Villain? Or a Hero? (2)
Chapter 248: Are You a Villain? Or a Hero? (2)
A flat refusal.
From the other side of the communication device, the sound of King Darius grinding his teeth was followed by his voice.
"Yes."
"Why? Do you think I can't do it?"
As if.
King Darius bit his lip hard.
Only then did he remember.
Petrick Schneider was a man who already had experience waging war against an entire kingdom.
The most famous of Petrick’s past exploits was his battle with the Caesar Kingdom.
No matter how powerful a 7-Star Knight might be, fighting a war alone against a nation was something that defied common sense.
Why had Petrick made such a choice?
Why did such a battle even take place?
The reason was revealed some time later.
Shortly after Petrick had collapsed…
The Caesar Kingdom tried to pull a fast one. Upon hearing news of his fall, they subtly brought up the past battle, demanding compensation and an apology.
The Double Dragon unilaterally attacked our nation's military facilities and murdered numerous knights. We demand an apology and reparations for the battle that ensued.
That was the gist of it.
"Those sons of bitches!"
Matthew was beyond furious.
Normally mild-mannered, Matthew—to put it bluntly—absolutely lost it.
He took action immediately. He revealed the truth to the world.
At the time, Petrick, who was on his knight training journey, had been enraged by the tyranny the people of Andmion were suffering under. He had sternly rebuked Count Calvin Spike, the man responsible for Andmion, in the dueling arena.
However, Count Spike could not stomach the humiliation of defeat. Even after losing the duel, he launched a cowardly ambush from behind.
Petrick, enraged by an attack that nearly swept up the innocent citizens of Andmion, struck off Count Spike’s head.
Afterward, the Caesar Kingdom, incensed by Count Calvin Spike’s death, deployed four 7-Star Knights and ten thousand elite troops against Petrick.
That was how the battle began, and Petrick faced that army alone, emerging gloriously victorious.
That was the truth of that day.
Matthew spread this fact across the entire continent. Using the Elvador Merchant Group’s information network, spreading rumors was child's play. There was no need to manipulate the information; simply revealing the truth Matthew had witnessed in vivid detail was enough.
The Caesar Kingdom denied it entirely.
However, Matthew countered by securing testimonies from Princess Isabella, who had witnessed the scene, and numerous residents of Andmion who had watched the duel.
In the end, the Caesar Kingdom had no choice but to shut up and crawl away.
As a result:
"Hey, did you hear the rumor?"
"You mean that battle involving the Double Dragon?"
"Man… I’m speechless."
"Fighting an army of ten thousand alone. Against a force that included four 7-Star Knights, no less."
"And he won."
"To think he did all that just for the weak suffering under tyranny…."
"Why doesn't our country have a knight like that?"
"Tell me about it. Damn."
"He’s an incredible man, regardless."
"A true knight."
Petrick’s reputation soared.
A knight who bravely rose up for the oppressed. A knight who would not bend his sense of justice, even against a nation. And finally, a righteous knight who triumphed over evil.
It was the stuff of legends.
Many bards wrote poems and sang songs about Petrick. Because of that incident, he was regarded as a symbol of chivalry.
And now, that hero, whose fame echoed across the continent, spoke.
"See, I’m the kind of guy with a righteous heart who sees things through to the end once I’m pissed off, you know?"
Is that what justice is? I don't think so.
"So, I suggest you cut the bullshit."
King Darius’s jaw dropped.
He never imagined anyone would have the audacity to use the word "bullshit" to his face. It was a massive shock, but Petrick continued regardless.
"If you truly want to stop this war, lift the blockade on the Dwarves and recognize their right to migrate freely."
As Petrick finished, Hardy and the other Dwarven leaders looked deeply moved.
Though they had formed an alliance, they had thought it was merely a temporary transaction born of necessity. But the Double Dragon was showing them a loyalty as unyielding as steel.
Yes. There are people like that. There certainly were.
Once, the royalty of the Harbor Kingdom showed such loyalty.
The Double Dragon, huh….
*
Darius Michael, King of the Harbor Kingdom, pressed his hand to his forehead, let out a sigh, and muttered softly.
"What kind of lunatic is this guy?"
He couldn't be reasoned with. Even after being offered terms they should have been forced to accept, they refused and insisted on fighting to the end….
It was irrational. What did they stand to gain by taking the side of the Dwarves?
King Darius turned to the man standing before him.
"What do we do now, Duke Krupa?"
At the King's question, Duke Alexander Krupa remained silent for a moment, his eyes heavy, before speaking.
"Your Majesty, will you leave this negotiation to me?"
"Will you step forward yourself?"
"Yes. It seems I must."
The King nodded readily.
In truth, although he had been the one speaking just now, he had mostly been repeating what Duke Krupa told him. And more than anything…
I don't want to deal with this nutjob anymore.
That was his primary motivation.
Taking the communication device, Duke Krupa spoke.
"Double Dragon. I am Alexander Krupa, Duke of the Harbor Kingdom."
"It is an honor to speak with a great hero whose name is known throughout the continent."
Duke Krupa remained unfazed by Petrick’s arrogance echoing through the device. He spoke in a calm voice.
"I would like to ask three questions. They are important, so please answer them sincerely."
Not destruction and chaos?
"First question."
Seeing that the man wasn't shaken by his provocations at all, Petrick realized he was dealing with someone of considerable caliber.
Duke Krupa spoke calmly.
"Right now, you are clearly participating in a war against another nation and engaging in combat."
"If our country takes this up with the Atronia Kingdom, can you take responsibility for the consequences?"
The answer came without a moment's hesitation.
Duke Krupa’s brow twitched slightly. Petrick continued his explanation.
"Even if that involves war?"
"……."
"I see."
"You are more prepared than I thought."
"Second question."
This old man really doesn't budge.
Petrick didn't like Duke Krupa’s composed voice, but he kept his cool. Negotiations and gambling shared one thing in common: you had to maintain your composure.
"If you continue this war with us, how far do you intend to go? Do you truly intend to march on the capital and wage a full-scale war?"
"So you're saying you'll capture the capital of a nation with a mere thousand troops."
It’s possible. I can do it.
Hearing the absolute confidence in Petrick’s voice, Duke Krupa fell into calm reflection. Logically, this should be a bluff. But the problem was…
It doesn't sound like a bluff.
His opponent was the Double Dragon. A man who had actually achieved results that defied common sense. As long as such a man said he could do it, one couldn't simply dismiss it as empty talk.
"Third question."
"Are you a villain? Or a hero?"
Petrick, who had been answering without a hitch, stopped for the first time.
Duke Krupa did not rush him and waited patiently for an answer. After a long silence, Petrick finally spoke.
"It matters very much."
"What, can't you answer?"
When no answer came, a clear smile touched the corners of Duke Krupa’s mouth.
"Then that is answer enough. I shall see you on the battlefield."
Without waiting for a response, Duke Krupa cut the connection.
King Darius turned to him.
"Alexander…."
"Your Majesty, from this moment on, please grant me full authority over this war."
"……."
"If you do, I will surely bring you victory."
He had asked a bizarre, pointless question, and now he was asking for total command. If an ordinary person had made such a proposal, they would have been thrown into the dungeon without a second thought. But…
If he’s acting like this, there must be a reason.
King Darius knew. Whenever Duke Krupa acted this way, he invariably produced results.
"Very well. I hereby delegate all authority to you."
"Thank you."
Duke Krupa immediately dispatched messengers to move the reserve forces stationed in the capital.
*
"Tsk, hanging up on me like that. What a prick."
Petrick grumbled.
Those watching him had strange expressions on their faces. They hadn't understood the nuance of the conversation between Petrick and Duke Krupa at all.
Finally, unable to contain his curiosity, Oliver asked.
"Young Master. Why didn't you answer the last question?"
A villain? Or a hero?
The moment he was asked that, Petrick’s expression had frozen into a serious mask. In the end, he hadn't given a proper answer. Oliver couldn't understand why.
"Couldn't you have just answered normally?"
Petrick scratched his head and let out a sigh.
"It’s not that simple."
"What isn't? Why?"
"……."
"Next time you see Duke Krupa, puff out your chest and tell him proudly."
"……."
"I am Petrick Schnei—the Great Demon from Hell—Gah!"
Thwack!
He should have seen that coming.
Petrick, having kicked Oliver away, spoke with a disinterested look.
"Keep acting up, see what happens…."
Petrick brushed it off, but the others were also curious as to why he couldn't answer the final question.
Wouldn't it be fine to just say he's a hero?
Why would a guy who usually lives for his own ego hesitate?
I don't get it.
Well, setting aside his personality and character… the achievements and footprints Petrick had left in his life were more than enough to earn him the title of hero.
He had fought the Caesar Kingdom for the sake of the suffering weak, defeated the Demon Clan threatening the Elves, pioneered the Great Forest of the East, and produced massive amounts of food in the Moana River basin.
If not for the food coming from the lands Petrick had pioneered, millions—perhaps over ten million—people across the continent might have starved to death.
So, wasn't it fine to just call himself a hero? He had the track record.
Yet, with a grim expression, Petrick had not called himself a hero. Nor had he denied that he wasn't a villain.
Petrick, hesitating to answer, and Duke Krupa, who had baited that question. Those watching from the sidelines couldn't grasp the intent behind the exchange. Not even Matthew, who had watched Petrick for a long time.
Was that really such a serious question? Enough to make you hesitate?
Matthew simply couldn't understand.
After thinking for a moment, Petrick spoke.
"This won't do."
"What won't?"
"How many days did you say it was from here to Ratenov?"
"A week if we march at a normal pace."
"We leave right now. And we’re getting there in three days."
"What? Hey!"
"I’m not taking objections. I’m going to crush that shady old man in a lightning strike before he can pull any more stunts."
Upon hearing Petrick’s words, those around him hurriedly tried to dissuade him.
"No. That’s impossible."
"You can't, Young Master."
"How can we cover a week's distance in three days? It’s logically impossible."
"I knew it. Big brother is stupider than an Orc."
Faced with the fierce opposition of his allies, Petrick smiled warmly and said, "Guys, I’ll give you a choice."
"……."
"Will you do as I say? Or…."
Petrick’s face turned terrifying.
"Do you want to die?"
Usually, that isn't much of a choice.
Sanson and the rest of the group looked up at the sky with tragic expressions, tears welling in their eyes.
A short while later.
"Three days! Three days!"
"The Young Master said he’ll kill us all if we don't get there by then!"
"If it's the Great Warrior, he might actually do it!"
"Woooooaaaaah!"
The forces under Petrick, having occupied Grenberg, began a frantic, mad dash to the north.
Their destination: Ratenov.