Chapter 289: The Soup is Salty (3)
Chapter 289: The Soup is Salty (3)
A moment later.
"Ugh… hic… sob…"
Luna sat huddled on the ground, her face buried in her knees, weeping sorrowfully.
Well, it was bound to be both sorrowful and embarrassing. After all, she had been scolded and spanked on the bottom like a small child. Normally, any human being seeing such a beautiful woman weeping so piteously would feel a stir of compassion…
"Tsk. What do you have to cry about? Stop that at once."
The devil was an exception.
Patrick gave the weeping Luna a sharp rebuke before turning to the remaining two.
"Anyone else want to try me?"
At that, a creature that was certainly not human—a golden griffin with a massive body—stepped forward. It was Storm Spear, a familiar of Falling Despair.
He stepped forth, spread his wings, and spoke grandly to Patrick.
"I am an Elder Griffin. A warrior of the skies, blessed by the Authority of the Great One. In the heavens, I am a warrior among warriors who fears no one."
"Hooo… Is that so?"
Patrick drew his twin swords, a chilling smile spreading across his face. Seeing this, Storm Spear hurriedly added:
"However, since this is the earth and not the sky, I shall submit to you."
"……."
Wild beasts truly were different. Their survival instincts were top-notch.
Patrick then turned his head toward Su Daji, who was covering her face with a fan.
"Hey. Lady."
"L-Lady…?"
"Are you going to do this or not?"
"……."
Flustered, Su Daji fanned herself more vigorously to cool the heat rising in her cheeks. Then, feigning composure, she spoke.
"My master, Galloping Death, has already acknowledged you."
"That tabby cat did?"
"…Ahem. Regardless, I never doubted you from the beginning, nor did I have any intention of testing you."
"So, you're saying you'll listen to me?"
"Of course. You need only give the command, and I shall perform any task."
"I like how clean that is."
Patrick nodded.
With this, these four had become useful hands and feet for Patrick to command. He spoke his first order.
"Anyone here with divine power, raise a hand. Or a wing."
All four (?) of them raised their hands.
They were all familiars of the Four Calamities, the apostles of Kalaron. In a sense, they were all clergy members.
"Then, is it possible for you to break through the Aegis barrier? Not just yourselves, but taking others with you as well."
Su Daji spoke as their representative.
"Passing through a Divine Realm barrier created by the power of Yupinel is quite difficult. However, if you give us some time, it should be possible to tear a small hole in it."
"Right. Is that so?"
The corners of Patrick’s mouth curled upward.
Finally, all the cards needed to solve the problem had been gathered.
* * *
10:00 PM.
It was the time to wind down the day’s work, rest, and prepare for bed. It was perhaps the most relaxed and peaceful hour for a human being. And yet…
Boom!
There was one human who didn't care for this peace.
A sudden roar and an explosion.
At first, the Holy Knights were thrown into a panic, thinking it was an enemy raid. However…
"Double Dragon?"
"What are you doing here?"
What met their eyes as they rushed to the scene was Patrick Schneider, his eyes glinting with killing intent against a backdrop of destruction and exploding flames.
Patrick spoke.
"Hehehe… You're asking what I'm doing?"
* * *
The previous night.
Patrick had introduced the familiars of the Four Calamities to his comrades and informed them that with their help, they could breach the Aegis barrier.
However, a problem remained.
Breaching the Aegis barrier would take time, and they could not afford to be discovered during the process. Therefore, someone had to step forward and draw attention.
[I suppose you should be the one to do it?]
[Me? Why?]
In response to Patrick’s question, the Third Sage stroked his beard and spoke.
[Ho ho ho. In a diversionary tactic like this, the bait must be appetizing for the opponent not to be suspicious, must it not?]
[So you're telling me to do it?]
[If the world-renowned Double Dragon steps forward to draw attention, all the forces in Promise will be focused there.]
[…….]
It was certainly a valid point. Thus, the outline of the operation was established.
The familiars of the Four Calamities would tear a hole in the Aegis barrier, and the comrades would enter through it. Then, the Third Sage would break the Pope's brainwashing and return him to normal.
During that time, Patrick had to step forward and draw attention. It was a classic diversion.
And now.
Patrick was leisurely watching the tightening perimeter.
"Double Dragon! What on earth is the meaning of this?"
A high-ranking Holy Knight stepped forward and shouted in anger.
"What do I mean? You're asking because you don't know?"
When Patrick threw the question back at him, the knight flinched. Had the Holy Kingdom committed some discourtesy without his knowledge?
Yes, thinking about it, that made sense. Was Double Dragon not an official envoy representing the Grand Duchy of Schneider? For such a person to express such sudden rage, there had to be a justifiable reason.
"Please explain what happened. If there was a mistake on our part, I will strictly discipline those responsible."
At the Holy Knight’s extremely sensible, polite, and even rational statement, Patrick shifted his gaze to the side and muttered under his breath.
"…oup… salty."
"…Pardon? What did you say?"
As the knight asked for clarification, Patrick gave up and roared at the top of his lungs.
"I said the soup served at dinner tonight was salty!"
"……."
"How could you do this to meeeee!"
The ultimate nuisance of the era. His name was Patrick Schneider.
"……."
"……."
A brief silence followed.
"No… wait, just wait a moment."
At first, the knight thought he had misheard. But hearing it again, it made even less sense. What was this? Was he dreaming?
So, the reason the Young Lord of the Grand Duchy of Schneider was causing a riot here in the Holy City of Promise was because…
"Because the soup was salty… Guh!"
"No more talk!"
Clang!
The Holy Knight hurriedly raised his shield to block a sudden blast of Sword Qi. Patrick stood tall, his swords wreathed in aura, and shouted boldly.
"This is no longer a matter that can be resolved with words. Come!"
"……."
"……."
Was the salinity of the soup truly such a grave matter?
As the atmosphere turned cold, Patrick moved first. Seeing Patrick charging forward, the Holy Knight raised his shield and cried out.
"By Yupinel’s will!"
He took a defensive stance, pouring his entire soul into his divine power. His dignified appearance and disciplined defense were truly magnificent—enough to be a textbook example for any heavy armored knight. However…
"Get lost!"
Boom!
His opponent was Patrick Schneider. Without even needing to strike with his sword, Patrick kicked the shield. In that instant, the knight coughed up blood and was sent flying backward.
"Gah…!"
He flew dozens of meters and slammed into a wall, collapsing as he spat out more blood.
"Lord Zendaius!"
"How dare you…"
"Double Dragoooon!"
It seemed the fallen Holy Knight was a man of great virtue. As he fell, the surrounding Holy Knights and monks, who had been watching this absurd situation unfold, charged at Patrick all at once.
At that sight, the corners of Patrick’s mouth turned up.
"You should have done that from the start. Bring it on."
Alone, Patrick began to face the onslaught of the Holy Kingdom’s knights.
* * *
Boom! Crash!
Hearing the distant explosions, Riman Sierra spoke.
"Is it truly alright?"
"And if it isn't?"
When Matthew replied curtly, Riman Sierra spoke again.
"The military strength of the Holy Kingdom is by no means negligible. No matter how strong Double Dragon is, this is dangerous."
"And?"
"How frustrating. Logically, as a friend, you should be helping him…"
At that, Matthew roared.
"If I could help, of course I would!"
"…Matthew?"
Riman looked surprised. In the years he had known him, the man named Matthew was nearly flawless, aside from being Patrick Schneider’s friend.
His swordsmanship was on the verge of the 5-star realm, he was intelligent, and as the successor to the Elvador Merchant Group, he handled business well. Above all, unlike Patrick, he was kind and gentle, rarely losing his temper.
But now, he was glaring at Riman as if he wanted to kill him.
Matthew looked Riman straight in the eye and said:
"With my skills, I’m no help. When Patrick is running wild alone in a dangerous place, my going there would only make me a burden."
"……."
That was undeniably true. In fact, even Riman Sierra, who was considered the closest to the position of Guardian in the Tower of Truth, did not have the confidence to fight alongside Patrick.
A 5-star swordsman? It wasn't a title to be ashamed of anywhere, but what meaning did it have when standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Double Dragon?
And Matthew was more frustrated by this fact than anyone.
Damn it, nothing has changed since then.
The battle with the Caesar Kingdom. Back then, Patrick had fought a life-and-death struggle against the enemy, while all Matthew could do was run away with all his might. In fact, to ensure he and Isabella retreated safely, April—the only one who could actually keep pace with Patrick—had to stay behind to protect them.
Thinking rationally… it was the right choice at the time. If someone had been taken hostage, they would have lost all chance of victory, and someone had to go to the Tower of Truth to bring reinforcements. Indeed, thanks to that, no one died.
But Matthew remembered it vividly. He remembered the humiliation and shame that made his body tremble as he watched Patrick being carried back to the Tower of Truth, half-dead.
Am I… am I really this guy’s friend?
He couldn't suppress his self-loathing. To be called a friend, shouldn't they at least be on equal footing? But he wasn't.
When did it start? His sense of purpose had become too low. After taking the position of second-in-class at the Academy, he had simply been satisfied with his own level. As someone who originally lacked talent, he thought he had done enough.
But if he was truly Patrick Schneider’s friend? To stay by the side of the Double Dragon, whose fame echoed across the continent, this level of skill was woefully insufficient.
Realizing this, Matthew had devoted himself to training more than anyone. He knew he lacked talent. It was only because Patrick, a once-in-a-century genius, had personally taught him and dragged him up that he had reached the 4-star realm.
But since then, he had trained relentlessly, getting beaten daily by the knights of the Double Dragon Knight Order and the orcs of the Red Rock Tribe. As a result, he had finally reached the 5-star realm on his own. However…
It’s still not enough. Still…
When he reached the 5-star realm, the Grand Duke of Schneider had personally offered to grant him a knighthood.
A Knight. It was a position he had yearned for so desperately. Matthew was the descendant of a knightly family, and his late grandfather had sat him on his lap countless times, telling him to reclaim the family name and knighthood.
So, he wanted to accept the title right then and there, but…
[No. I am still lacking.]
Matthew had declined. A 5-star realm was more than enough skill to serve as a knight. In an ordinary territory, he could even aim for the position of Knight Captain.
But the knight Matthew aimed to be was no ordinary knight. He had to be a knight who could stand as an equal and a friend to the strongest man on the continent. To do that…
[I will accept the title only after I have at least pioneered the Supreme Realm.]
That was the minimum qualification Matthew had set for himself. The Grand Duke of Schneider respected Matthew’s wishes and decided not to grant the knighthood for the time being.
Instead, he tried to grant a Count title to Matthew’s father, Aaron, but he also declined, saying he respected his son’s wishes. He said he wanted to leave the reclaiming of the family name in his son’s hands. The Grand Duke could only smile and step back.
And now.
Boom! Crash!
The brilliant sounds of explosions and screams echoed. Matthew stared in that direction, his fists clenched tight.
Not yet. Not yet…
But one day, he would surely stand in that place.
By his friend’s side…