Chapter 299: Ah, Why Again? (3)
Chapter 299: Ah, Why Again? (3)
A meeting with the Sword Saint.
Even so, it wasn't a private audience.
The Glory Knight Order surrounded them, radiating a murderous aura, and beyond them, knights and mages stood heavily armed, forming triple layers of containment.
In a situation no different from a rat trapped in a jar, Patrick…
"Wow, seriously? How can a human being be like this?"
…was deeply disappointed and incensed.
At Patrick’s attitude, one of the members of the Glory Knight Order spoke with a look of fury.
"How insolent! Did you truly think someone like you could have a private audience with His Grace?"
As the man barked at him, Patrick replied.
"No, I mean, I can overlook the small fry lurking around."
Small fry?
"I understand that as people get older and their hearts grow weak, they might get anxious. I can sympathize with that."
Weak?
Patrick possessed a truly outstanding talent for making people lose their minds with every single word he uttered.
And the final straw was…
"No, but really, what is this? This… I clearly asked for booze, not tea. What the hell is this black water?"
Ah, so that was his grievance. I see.
"Kill that bastard!"
"Move, I’ll be the one to kill him!"
"How dare you treat us like small fry!"
Most of the Glory Knight Order turned beet-red and drew their swords. They weren't joking; the Aura Blades erupting from various spots looked quite threatening.
"Oh? You want to go? Come on, then. Bring it."
Of course, Patrick didn't even blink.
The one who settled this chaos was…
"Everyone, quiet."
It was the Sword Saint.
With that single word, the Glory Knight Order, who looked ready to pounce at any moment, calmed down.
The Sword Saint first lifted his cup of dark tea and spoke.
"It’s a tea I’ve been into lately. They call it coffee."
"Still isn't booze, is it?"
"We are about to discuss important matters. Do you intend to do so while intoxicated?"
"Huh…? Was I not supposed to?"
"You ask the obvious."
At the Sword Saint's words, a fragment of a past memory suddenly flashed through Patrick’s mind.
[Radiant Dragon Hero! To bring alcohol into an Alliance meeting where we discuss vital matters—what is this disgraceful behavior?]
"…So I wasn't supposed to."
So that’s why the Alliance Leader was so mad.
My bad. I didn't know that and just called him an old fogey behind his back… no, I guess I said it to his face, too.
Patrick nodded, looking as if he had just realized a profound truth.
Seeing Patrick like that, everyone around him had the same thought.
What is wrong with this guy?
What is wrong with this guy?
Amidst their bewilderment, the Sword Saint let out a small chuckle.
"Try it. You’ll find a deep aroma and a complex, subtle flavor. More than anything, I favor it because it has the effect of sharpening the mind."
At the Sword Saint's suggestion, Patrick grabbed the cup and gulped it down. Then he said…
"It’s just bitter?"
"……."
What did you expect from this guy, Sword Saint?
The Sword Saint pressed a hand to his forehead, looking exhausted.
"Why have you come?"
Deciding he needed to get to the point quickly, the Sword Saint asked bluntly.
"Withdraw the army and go home."
And at Patrick’s even more blunt reply, the killing intent in the air spiked instantly.
"How dare you…"
"Do you wish to die, brat?"
"Don't expect to leave here alive."
Most knights were this way, but the knights of the Empire held a particularly profound respect for the Sword Saint. They took pride in having the continent's strongest swordsman in their nation, and half of the knights who had reached the 7-Star realm had done so with the help of the Sword Saint’s past teachings.
There were many who considered the Sword Saint their master, even without his formal permission.
From their perspective, Patrick’s rude attitude had crossed the line long ago. They glared at him with the eyes of clergymen witnessing a sacrilege, pouring out a killing intent that felt like it could mince Patrick into tiny pieces.
"Wanna lower those eyes? Or should I do it for you?"
Not that Patrick was the type to be intimidated.
Regardless, the atmosphere grew increasingly grim. The Sword Saint stepped in and spoke.
"That is an absurd request."
"It is a bit much, isn't it?"
"Why would you, someone who doesn't even belong to the Holy Kingdom, interfere in this war?"
"Even you think it's a bit weird, right, old man?"
Thud!
The Sword Saint slammed his hand onto the table.
"If you know that much, then back off."
"I’d like to, really."
If Patrick backed off here?
Then war would break out.
Since the Sword Saint had taken the lead and raised a grand army, the Empire would likely win.
But the Holy Kingdom wouldn't just sit back and take it, and how many people would die in the process?
War.
He had experienced it several times in his past life, but the scale of damage in a war between nations was on a different level compared to wars between martial sects.
Furthermore, if two such massive nations fought, how great would the damage be?
How many would die?
How many women and children would shed tears?
To turn away from that grief and lamentation, claiming it had nothing to do with him…
"I can't do it."
His master from his past life and his father from this life.
Neither of them had raised their disciple or son to be that way.
So, Patrick gave the Sword Saint a smirk and said,
"I simply wish to stop the war."
"……."
Patrick dropped his playful demeanor.
He stood up from his seat and bowed politely.
"I am asking you. Please, turn back."
The Sword Saint was actually taken aback by this polite and serious request, which was completely unlike Patrick.
Though they hadn't met many times, the essence of Patrick Schneider he had seen was strength and freedom. Especially regarding that freedom, it was so limitless it bordered on license.
His rude attitude from the moment they first met.
The eccentricities and achievements he had performed afterward were all things only a profoundly free human could do.
Normally, a member of society who is conscious of their nation, honor, and position finds it difficult to act as recklessly as Patrick.
Thus, the Sword Saint had categorized Patrick as an infinitely free man—a walking human irregular who wouldn't be surprising no matter what he did or where he did it.
But now.
That very Patrick Schneider was bowing his head and making a polite request.
For only one reason.
To stop the war.
That was it.
No, perhaps even this is a stubbornness possible only because he is pure and free?
Who doesn't know that war is bad?
Eloquent philosophers say that if there is one most foolish thing a human can do, it is war.
But despite knowing that, wars happen because of the positions of nations that cannot back down. Like a rolling snowball, once a war has begun, it is difficult to stop.
Those who try to stop it are either fools obsessed with idealism or saints who sacrifice themselves for others without a second thought.
"I heard you received the title of Saint in the Holy Kingdom. Are you trying to live up to the name?"
At the Sword Saint's words, Patrick replied.
"The Holy Kingdom's position doesn't matter to me. However…"
"However, what?"
"To begin with, this war started as a conspiracy by Dark Mages."
"……."
"Now that the Dark Mages' influence is gone, isn't it incredibly foolish to continue the war?"
Patrick’s words were perfectly logical. Even the knights of the Glory Knight Order, who had been filled with rage, wavered slightly.
However, though Patrick might not have known it…
"How can I believe that?"
"Believe what?"
"How can I believe that the Dark Mages have completely withdrawn from the Holy Kingdom?"
Patrick had just touched the Sword Saint's sore spot.
The Sword Saint spoke, showing blatant anger.
"Those who claim to serve God were toyed with by Dark Mages, invaded Imperial territory without any justification, and caused the blood of our people to be shed."
"……."
"And now you want to say it was all a misunderstanding and act like it never happened?"
"The Pope of the Holy Kingdom must have promised both an apology and reparations."
"Imperial blood cannot be repaid with money."
"Then what? Is it 'blood for blood'? Is that it?"
"……."
"Is that how it is?"
"……."
Under Patrick’s interrogation, the Sword Saint ran a hand through his hair and spoke.
"I am not saying that. However, I have no way of knowing if the Dark Mages' influence has truly been purged from the Holy Kingdom."
"Isn't it a known fact that it's difficult to pull out the roots of Dark Mages?"
"Even so, if a figure as high as the Pope was brainwashed, the danger of the Holy Kingdom cannot be ignored."
"So?"
"I must occupy the Holy Kingdom and conduct a massive search. And I must uproot every single person who is even slightly involved."
"……."
"Reparations and apologies come after that. First, eliminating the risk factor known as Dark Mages is more important than anything."
"Do you know how what you're saying sounds to me right now?"
"……."
"It sounds like a declaration that you will build mountains of corpses and seas of blood in the Holy Kingdom."
To kill everyone even slightly related to Dark Mages?
That meant killing even those like Perios, who had been unknowingly exposed to demonic energy.
No, since it meant killing everyone under suspicion, the blood spilled would likely be far greater.
"Do you want to leave your name in history as a mass murderer?"
At Patrick’s words, the Glory Knight Order, whose momentum had briefly subsided, rose up again.
"Double Dragon!"
"Do you truly wish to die?"
"Step outside, brat!"
Patrick didn't even look at them, speaking only to the Sword Saint.
"Answer me. Is that your intention?"
At Patrick’s question, the Sword Saint thought for a moment before speaking.
"If necessary, then I must."
"Phew…."
Patrick let out a sigh.
He could feel it instinctively. It was absolutely impossible to persuade the current Sword Saint.
Then there’s only one method left.
He didn't really want to, but he had no choice.
"Usually, when one decides on war, they start with two premises."
"What are you talking about?"
"One: is there justification for this war? You think about the cause."
Patrick ignored the Sword Saint's words and continued.
"And second. This is probably the most important one."
"……."
"War is conducted under the calculation that you can win. Isn't that right?"
The Sword Saint did not answer Patrick’s question.
However, the surrounding knights nodded as if his words made sense.
Wasn't it obvious? No one fights a war they are certain to lose. Even if there is a cause, war is an option to be avoided unless there is a chance of victory.
"Of course, the Empire has a chance of victory right now. If you, the Sword Saint, personally lead the army and march, you could probably occupy Promise and capture the Pope in no time."
"……."
"But here’s the thing."
"……."
"What if I join the war on the side of the Holy Kingdom?"
The Sword Saint’s eyes widened.
And the surrounding knights began to emit a killing intent far more viscous than anything before.
Regardless, Patrick calmly finished what he had to say.
"Could you still guarantee victory then?"
No sooner had Patrick finished speaking than two streaks of Aura Blades lunged forward terrifyingly.
Some had finally lost their patience.
"You!"
"How dare you!"
Two knights with exceptional respect for the Sword Saint even within the Glory Knight Order could not contain themselves and swung their swords at Patrick.
Count Romain Javelin.
Marquis Grove Cleaver.
Known by the aliases 'Knight of the Storm' and 'Knight of Retribution,' respectively, they were men of great renown. Their realms were beyond the mid-7-Star level.
A surprise attack launched by the two of them simultaneously was truly lethal, but…
Boom!
Their opponent was Patrick Schneider.
A thunderous sound, like a giant drum exploding, rang out, and the two men who had launched the surprise attack were sent flying backward much faster than they had lunged in.
Crash! Bang!
"Cough…."
"Gah…."
The two who collapsed, vomiting blood, couldn't even stand up. And Patrick spoke chillingly.
"Sorry, but…"
Patrick’s eyes swept over the surrounding knights. He continued.
"If you come at me now, I won't go easy on you."