Chapter 345: If You Can't Do It, You Die (3)
Chapter 345: If You Can't Do It, You Die (3)
Everyone was at a loss for words.
No matter how eccentric he was...
They never imagined he would have actually placed a slave brand on the world-renowned Black Knight.
They stared at Patrick with looks of utter disbelief.
Meanwhile, Patrick thought to himself:
‘This is a bit much. It’s not like I was the one who told him to do it.’
The Black Knight had accepted the slave brand of his own volition. It was a symbolic gesture to prove to the world that he would never betray his master.
‘Well, I’m sure that wasn’t the only reason.’
A knight who failed to protect his lord. Perhaps the Black Knight had sought the slave brand as a form of self-imposed penance.
Regardless of the reason, the result was...
“Then I can believe you.”
It worked out in Patrick’s favor. This was evident from the way the Sword Queen nodded in acceptance.
After taking a moment to organize her thoughts, she spoke again.
“We are nothing but utter losers and failures. What use do you have for people like us?”
“You’re swordsmen. What else would I use you for but swinging swords?”
To prepare for the war against the Outer Gods, no amount of power was ever enough. Patrick spoke nonchalantly, but in truth, he would have been loath to give up a force of this caliber. So, if they had insisted on refusing...
‘I would have just beaten them until they surrendered.’
He clearly had no intention of letting them go.
Fortunately, such a tragedy did not come to pass.
“I, Riona Mayvers, formally surrender to the Duchy of Schneider.”
As the Sword Queen bowed her head, Adolf Raines, who had been hesitating, followed suit.
“I, Adolf Raines, also surrender.”
“I, Dustin Lobsky, if you just give the word, I will lead the way more than anyone—Gwah!”
Patrick’s boot slammed into Dustin Lobsky’s mouth just as he was about to pledge his loyalty.
“Know when to stop, you sycophantic bastard.”
Flattery loses its charm when it becomes excessive. Patrick then addressed the entire group.
“So, everyone has surrendered, right? No taking it back later. For the record, surrendering and then betraying me later is the seventh thing I hate most in this world.”
“Why do you have so many things you hate?”
No one answered Marius’s grumble. Instead, someone in the corner cautiously raised their hand.
Patrick frowned at him.
“Huh? What? Why?”
“Um... I haven't surrendered yet?”
“Oh? Come to think of it...”
“Ahem, shouldn't you hear my opinion as well?”
“Before that, can I ask one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“Who... are you again?”
“……”
Davis Kaikara.
That was the name of the man currently wearing an expression like he’d just swallowed a toad.
As a former Count of the Caesar Kingdom and a 7-Star knight, he possessed one fatal weakness...
“Whoa, you startled me!”
“Ah, right. This guy was here too.”
“Try to make some noise, will you?”
He had absolutely no presence.
It wasn't just Patrick; everyone else had looks on their faces that said, ‘Oh yeah, this guy existed.’
He thought with a dejected expression, ‘I’m a 7-Star knight too...’
In the past, he had reached the 7-Star realm in the Caesar Kingdom and received a title. Even after surrendering to the Yuzef Kingdom and later fighting on the battlefields of the Magellan Kingdom, he had achieved no small number of feats.
But what did it matter?
He had no presence.
Patrick looked at Davis Kaikara and asked, “So what? You’re not going to surrender?”
“No, I mean, I am going to, but...”
“Then that’s that.”
“Still, shouldn't you at least ask for my intent?”
“And if I don't want to?”
“...Then never mind...”
“……”
“I apologize for speaking up out of turn.”
What was this? Patrick felt a strange sense of familiarity from this unknown middle-aged man.
After thinking for a moment, Patrick said, “Ah, he’s just like Stew.”
It was Matthew, not Stew.
But there was no friend present to correct him.
Regardless of his skill, the man’s timid personality and faint presence were remarkably similar to his friend’s. Patrick figured that if Matthew ever trained hard enough to become a 7-Star knight, he would turn out exactly like this.
“Who is Stew?”
“I’ll tell you later. It’s not that important...”
After saying that, Patrick drew the White Dragon sword. And then...
Slash!
A sharp flash of light drew a fine line through the air inside the prison. Then...
Clang... Thud.
The restraints suppressing their Aura and the iron bars of the cell were severed and fell to the floor simultaneously.
‘My god...’
‘I didn't even see it.’
‘Oh...’
Being powerful themselves, they understood. With just that one move, Patrick had demonstrated the vast gulf between his strength and theirs.
As Patrick released them, he said, “From now on, you guys... Ugh, this feels awkward. I’ll show some respect for your age. Anyway, you are all being incorporated into my direct unit.”
“Mmm...”
“Understood.”
They figured that even without their knightly titles, being part of the Double Dragon’s direct unit wasn't a bad deal.
The heir to the Schneider Duchy. No, more than just the heir—the man who held the real power and was the strongest on the continent. Being a direct subordinate of Patrick Sky Schneider carried a weight that transcended formal rank.
‘Not bad.’
‘It might actually be better.’
‘I’ll take the shortcut to success.’
They thought it wasn't a bad deal. At least, they did at that moment.
As for how foolish that thought was...
“So, shall we start with a skill test?”
They would realize it very quickly.
* * *
In a vast practical training ground.
Patrick stood before the group of fully armed 7-Star knights and spoke.
“Alright, bring it on.”
“……”
“……”
How were they supposed to respond to this?
Before Patrick’s eyes stood no fewer than one, two, three... eight fully armed 7-Star knights. Furthermore, Princess Catherina, who was a powerhouse in her own right even if she wasn't 7-Star, was with them.
And yet...
“Are you telling us to attack all at once?”
At Dustin Lobsky’s question, Patrick replied nonchalantly.
“Then should I take you on one by one? Do you know how annoying that would be?”
“……”
Did this even make sense? And why was he using informal speech with them after saying he’d respect their age?
“What? You got a problem?”
Did he read my mind?
Patrick smirked at the flinching Dustin.
Right. They still didn't get it, did they? Even Dustin, who had been beaten by him before, still had a faint trace of rebelliousness. It was obvious how the others felt.
Some of them were radiating intense anger, as if they had been gravely insulted.
Patrick said to them, “If anyone manages to land even a single hit on me, I’ll grant whatever wish you want.”
Immediately, Marius Shuleiman, the Giant Killer, spoke with sparkling eyes.
“Are you serious?”
“Of course. I never... well, I occasionally go back on my word, but I’m serious right now.”
“……”
Why did he sound so untrustworthy?
“Anyway, bring it. If a knight has a complaint, they should speak with their sword. Why are your tongues so long?”
“I agree with that.”
The voice came from right behind Patrick. The owner of the voice was none other than...
“Hah!”
The quiet cat who jumps on the stove first. Or rather, the Sword Queen, Riona Mayvers.
With a powerful shout, a streak of sword light surged from her waist toward Patrick’s back via the shortest possible path.
It was a perfect, no-nonsense surprise attack.
But her opponent was Patrick Schneider.
Clang!
Before anyone knew it, Patrick had raised the White Dragon sword in his left hand to block the Sword Queen’s strike.
With a grin, he said, “You’re one feisty ma’am.”
“...Can I state my wish in advance?”
“Go ahead.”
“If I win...”
“If you win?”
“Stop calling me 'ma'am,' you damn brat!”
The Sword Queen’s longsword flashed again. A series of sharp, continuous attacks unfolded, as if dozens of strikes were erupting from her waist simultaneously.
Clang! Tang! Clang! Tang!
‘She’s got a temper, this lady. But this is...’
Patrick thought as he blocked her attacks.
It was a peculiar fighting style that involved repeatedly sheathing and drawing the sword. However, the speed and precision were extraordinary. More than anything, Patrick found this unique style strangely familiar.
‘I feel like I’ve fought something similar a long time ago. Where was it?’
Patrick likely didn't remember, but the technique the Sword Queen was using resembled the battōjutsu used in the land of Wa in his previous life. He had encountered it while acting as a wandering hero in the Central Plains, when he was hunting down Japanese pirates who were raiding the southern coastal regions.
‘Eh, whatever. I can’t remember.’
It seemed he truly had no recollection.
And right now, he couldn't afford to focus only on the Sword Queen.
“Die!”
Which bastard was it...? Ah, right. I figured it would be you.
It was Dustin, thrusting his spear from the side with a shout filled with killing intent. Patrick had once thoroughly crushed the spear tip of the man formerly known as the Divine Spear of Decatur during his knight training days. However...
‘Has he improved a tiny bit?’
The precision of the spear tip lunging at him seemed sharper than before. It was likely the result of grueling training fueled by the bitterness of defeat, tempered further on the actual battlefield. However...
Whoosh!
It wasn't enough to reach Patrick.
Dustin’s spear cut through empty air, and Patrick stepped forward, planting his foot firmly on Dustin’s face before leaping into the air.
“Urgh...”
“Who are you telling to die? I should just stomp you into the ground.”
Usually, one says those things before actually stomping on someone. The moment Patrick rose into the air...
“Now!”
“Attack all at once!”
Not missing the opportunity, Aura Blades flew in from all directions. Just as five Aura Blades converged on Patrick...
“Heh.”
Patrick smirked. And then...
Radiant Dragon Twelve Sword Styles.
Fifth Form.
Dragon Scale Whirlwind.
A powerful whirlwind of Aura Blades erupted with Patrick at its center.
Boom! Crash! Bang!
A terrifying sound of destruction. The attack was powerful enough to make the entire training ground ring. However...
“Don't let your guard down! That damn demon isn't the type to go down from just that!”
Dustin shouted quickly. He gripped his spear tightly, preparing for the inevitable counterattack. However...
“Oh, you know me well.”
He never expected Patrick’s voice to come from directly behind him.
“Kh!”
Dustin swung his spear, rotating his body so violently it felt like his waist might snap. It was the movement of someone who had anticipated his back being taken at any moment. However...
Whoosh!
His sharp spear only cut through the empty air.
Patrick stepped into Dustin’s reach and said with a bright smile, “That’s one hit for now.”
Thwack!
“Gah!”
Blood sprayed from Dustin’s nose as he stumbled back. Patrick had slammed his sword-clutching fist into Dustin’s face. And then...
“'Die'? 'Die'? You bastard, are you expressing your personal grudges under the guise of a battle cry?”
Crack! Thud! Bam!
“Ack! Urgh!”
A succession of identical attacks followed, smashing Dustin’s face. Dustin tried to put up some form of resistance, but...
“'Damn demon'? 'Not the type to go down'?”
“Cough... I-I’m sorry... Gah!”
His opponent was a demon. What did he expect?
“You brat! Back at the Academy, I was known among my juniors as Patrick Schneider, the Emperor of Grudges!”
“Uuugh... Argh...”
Smack! Crack!
That didn't exactly sound like something to be proud of...
Ultimately, after taking a barrage of hits to the face, Dustin collapsed onto the ground.
Dustin Lobsky: Eliminated.
Drip. Drip.
Blood from Dustin’s face dripped from Patrick’s fist onto the ground. He slowly turned his head and grinned at the 7-Star knights who were now watching him with eyes full of fear.
He beckoned them with his hand.
“Now then, don't be shy. Bring it on.”
As if anyone wouldn't be terrified.