Chapter 252: Do You Think I Don't Know That? (1)
Chapter 252: Do You Think I Don't Know That? (1)
Patrick lunged forward in a single bound and planted a boot print squarely on King Darius’s face.
As the King spun in place like a top, Patrick followed up with a brutal uppercut.
The King soared into the air before hitting the ground with a wet thud. Patrick immediately straddled him and began raining down punches.
"You!"
Thwack!
"Should have!"
Crack!
"Raised your kid better! Now look at this mess you've caused, you absolute son of a bitch!"
It seemed he had a lot of pent-up frustration this time.
Normally, he would have maintained some level of decorum since there was much to squeeze out of a king, but he wasn't in the mood for pleasantries today.
The knights, who had been momentarily stunned by the absurd spectacle, finally snapped out of it and rushed toward Patrick. However…
"Get lost, will you?!"
BOOM!
"Aaargh!"
"Gah!"
With a single palm strike, Patrick sent the knights flying. With madness glinting in his eyes, he looked down at the King pinned beneath him.
"Hehe, first, you’re going to get beaten within an inch of your life. Then, we’ll have a nice, calm chat."
"Wait… Wait, Double Dragon."
"There is no 'waiting' during a sacred beating!"
With a declaration that carried the weight of a firm conviction, Patrick raised his fist again. But then…
"Stop! Please, stop!"
Someone threw themselves over King Darius to protect him.
"Who the hell are you?"
"I am Alexander Krupa. If you seek vengeance for this war, take my life instead."
"You…"
Patrick’s raised fist froze mid-air. Then…
"You’re Duke Krupa?"
"I am."
"So, you’re the one who lured me into that dog-shit trap and made me feel every bit of what it’s like to be in a total clusterfuck?"
It seemed Patrick’s grudge against the Duke ran even deeper than his grudge against the King.
Knowing this, Duke Krupa squeezed his eyes shut and replied, "That is correct."
For a moment, Patrick’s expression shifted into something unreadable. Then…
"Phew…"
He let out a long, deep sigh.
The rage that had clouded his face dissipated slightly. He stood up, stepping off King Darius.
"You and I are going to have a talk later, old man."
"……."
It seemed he had other things on his mind.
Patrick grabbed King Darius by the collar, hauling him up, and growled, "Are you going to keep fighting? Or are you going to surrender? I’ll give you three seconds. Choose. Three, two…"
"I… I surrender… I surrender."
The King declared his surrender through a face swollen beyond recognition.
Only then did Patrick release the King’s collar.
"Follow me quietly. And don't test my temper…"
No one dared to defy him.
Patrick Schneider, leading a mere thousand troops from his territory, had intervened in the Harbor Kingdom’s civil war.
He had led the Dwarves to victory.
This fact became yet another legendary feat, spreading across the entire continent.
* * *
Unconditional, total surrender.
The King of the Harbor Kingdom officially acknowledged it. Consequently, the troops besieging the Iron Mountains—the home of the Dwarves—withdrew like a ebbing tide, and the Dwarves finally regained their freedom.
The leadership of the Dwarves, including Hardy, personally visited Patrick. They took his hand and expressed their gratitude.
"I do not know how we can ever repay this debt."
"If you don't know, does that mean your life is over?"
"……."
Usually, wouldn't one politely decline?
Hardy broke into a cold sweat as he met Patrick’s gaze, which clearly demanded repayment.
At that moment, Klaus, the right-hand man of the Dwarves, stepped forward.
"You saved our race, so of course, there will be a price paid. And personally, I will make sure to settle my own debt to you as well."
"Can I look forward to it?"
"Of course. We Dwarves aren't like those stingy Elves. When we do something, we do it right."
"I’ll be expecting great things, then."
Though he had joined hands with them out of necessity, putting the Dwarves in his debt was a significant achievement.
Unlike humans, they were the type who couldn't live with an unsettled debt.
In whatever form it took, they would surely repay him.
* * *
After the matters with the Dwarves were settled, Patrick began the formal post-war processing.
Although he had captured the King and the capital, the Harbor Kingdom still possessed significant strength.
The forces deployed to blockade the Iron Mountains numbered a staggering 70,000, including four 7-Star swordsmen.
This war had been won only because Patrick had used a minimal elite force to launch a surprise strike and capture the King.
Because it had ended so quickly, the Harbor Kingdom’s national power was almost entirely intact. However…
"Is that true?"
"Yes. That is what they say."
"Sigh…"
Patrick was dumbfounded.
According to Sanson’s report, this information was certainly favorable to him. And yet…
"I don't get it."
"Neither do I."
"Why would they do that?"
"How should I know?"
Neither Sanson nor Patrick could understand the situation.
The news they had just heard was that absurd.
Patrick, crossing his arms in thought, said, "This won't do. I’ll have to ask a local about local matters."
"What do you plan to do?"
"I was planning on meeting him anyway."
Just as Patrick was about to get up…
"Young Master."
"Knight A, what is it now?"
"Please, just call me Oliver."
"I don't waaaaant tooooo."
"……."
If he weren't stronger than me, Young Master or not, I’d just…
Oliver suppressed his anger and spoke. "Marquis Noah Gregory wishes to see you."
"I'm busy right now."
"He expected you to say that. He told me to tell you this."
Oliver continued, "He said, 'Remember the third condition.'"
Patrick frowned.
"Tsk, I guess I have no choice."
He had made a promise, so he had to keep it.
Patrick postponed his other business and decided to meet Noah Gregory first.
* * *
Noah was atop the highest spire of Ratenov’s outer wall.
The narrow space at the top of the spire left no place for anyone to hide, making it perfect for a private conversation.
Beside him stood a man dressed in a black robe.
A moment later.
"Why did you want to meet in such a high pla— Oh?"
As soon as Patrick climbed up, his brow furrowed at the sight of the man in the black robe.
A man in a black robe radiating such thick demonic energy left no room for doubt.
"I see a little cockroach here."
Patrick began to gather his energy.
The man in the black robe bowed politely and spoke. "I am called Rust."
"……."
"I have wanted to meet you at least once. The great hero…"
K-BOOM!
Before he could even finish his sentence, Patrick’s Sword Qi slammed into him. However…
"That’s quite a rough greeting."
Rust was perfectly fine.
Though he had been pushed back slightly, Patrick’s attack failed to pierce a faint violet barrier.
Oh? He blocked it?
Patrick hadn't intended to kill him, but he had struck with the intent to suppress him.
He hadn't expected the man to block it so effortlessly.
So he’s got some skill, huh?
Though his face was mostly hidden by the hood, the arrogant curl of his lips made it clear he was mocking Patrick.
"Attacking suddenly during an introduction? You lack manners."
"Since I've already lost my manners, shall I get even more aggressively rude?"
"I have no reason to refuse."
"Oh, is that so?"
A dark red aura began to seep from the body of the man called Rust.
Patrick’s lips curled into a crooked smirk. Just as he was about to swing his sword again…
"Young Master Schneider. Did you not come here to hear my business?"
Noah stepped in between the two.
A suffocating killing intent was swirling between Patrick and Rust, yet Noah had the guts to wedge himself right into the middle of it.
This guy really is something. Tsk, what a waste…
Patrick sighed and withdrew his killing intent. He spoke calmly.
"Tell me that third condition quickly. I’ll at least hear you out."
At Patrick’s words, Noah Gregory gave a bright smile.
"I shall make a formal proposal."
"Go ahead."
"Patrick Schneider. I invite you to swear fealty to our Yuzef Kingdom."
"……."
"……."
After a long silence, Patrick finally spoke.
"Are you nuts?"
Patrick even made a gesture, twirling his finger near his temple. Noah replied calmly.
"I am perfectly sane."
"Crazy people never know they're crazy."
"That is true."
As Noah spoke, he looked at Patrick with a gaze full of pity.
This bastard…
Patrick scratched his head.
This was just a waste of time.
Not wanting to drag it out, Patrick said firmly, "I refuse."
"……."
"We done? The third condition was that I’d listen, but I’m allowed to reject it."
"That is true. However… would you mind listening to me a bit more?"
"If I say no, are you going to stop?"
"Please, just listen."
Without waiting for Patrick’s consent, Noah continued.
"As you know, if I hadn't come, your army would have withered away under Duke Krupa’s schemes."
"……."
Patrick didn't deny it.
Because it was the truth.
Right before Noah Gregory appeared with a massive amount of food, Patrick had clearly sensed impending defeat.
"I think I understand what kind of person you are. Though it’s often hidden behind your violent tendencies and rough behavior, your essence is that of a hero who cannot turn away from justice."
"……."
"Duke Krupa was able to deal with you strategically because he realized that essence. Exposing a weakness is exactly what that means."
"And?" Patrick asked with a bored expression.
Noah continued, "If you continue like this, you will eventually fall."
"……."
"Anyone who knows your weakness, like myself or Duke Krupa, can bring you down at any time."
"……."
Patrick didn't answer. Because it was the truth.
No matter how strong someone is, they can be defeated if their weakness is known.
Thinking back, his death in his previous life was the same.
If he hadn't jumped into the Heaven and Earth Net where the elites of the Unorthodox Faction were waiting just to save his allies, the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon would not have died.
He had jumped in knowing the risk.
Prioritize righteousness over your own safety. Hesitating for the sake of self-preservation is not true righteousness.
That was the life of the Radiant Dragon Hero Jincheon, as taught by his Master.
As a martial artist, it was a dazzlingly correct and magnificent life. However…
"You do not have the temperament of a ruler."
"……."
"A man obsessed with an almost innocent level of integrity, like you, can never be a ruler. No, you must not be one."
"……."
"But you are the ultimate sword. There is likely no swordsman in this era superior to you."
"……."
"And my lord is the only true king who can wield a sword like you correctly."
"……."
"I hope you will think carefully about what position truly suits you."
Noah tried to persuade Patrick with total sincerity. Patrick listened quietly to the end, then…
"I wondered what kind of obvious nonsense you were going to spout…"
Patrick let out a sigh. He looked at Noah with a strangely sorrowful gaze.
"To summarize: I don't have the capacity to lead and rule others. So, I should take a position where I can fulfill my duty simply as a swordsman. That would be better for me. Isn't that it?"
"…That is correct."
He’s good at summarizing.
As Noah felt a sense of agreement, Patrick looked at him as if he were looking at the most pathetic person in the world.
"Do you think I don't know that?"
"……."
Noah’s expression changed.
He hadn't expected Patrick to admit it so readily.
Patrick let out a weary sigh and said to Noah, "I know better than anyone else that I’m not the type of person who can stand above others to rule and lead."
Patrick knew.
He knew he didn't have the vessel of a ruler who could lead people.
He didn't have the virtue of his Master or his father.
He wasn't wise or overflowing with knowledge like the Seven Sages.
And though he hated to admit it, he didn't have the magnetic charisma of someone like Sierion.
Fundamentally, a ruler is someone who can bring people together.
Whether it’s a small martial sect or a large nation, the leader of a group must be able to act as its focal point.
Of course, there could be kings who weren't like that.
King Darius, who led the Harbor Kingdom.
If he had to compare, Patrick actually felt a sense of kinship with him.
He wasn't bad for an ordinary man. He did the best he could.
King Darius was an ordinary man, but he was someone who admitted he was ordinary.
That was why he fully trusted the extraordinary talent of Duke Krupa and entrusted him with the affairs of the state.
And at the most critical moment, he delegated full authority to him.
In the end, Duke Krupa failed.
But his strategy had pushed the world-renowned Double Dragon to the brink of defeat.
In that sense, King Darius was a ruler who chose the best path an ordinary person could take.
Even if someone is ordinary, if they can evaluate themselves coldly and objectively, they are already in the realm of the extraordinary.
And Patrick, too, knew himself well.
"I know very well that I don't have the vessel of a ruler. But you see…"
"……."
"How can a person live their life only doing the things they want to do?"
"What?"
"As you live through whatever life throws at you, even if it’s something that doesn't suit you, you have to do your best to pull it off somehow."
"……."
"That’s life, kid."