80
My Villains Chapter 80
21. Moonless Night (3)
While his men were being swallowed by the Roaring Waves, Ubar and Ironborn's attention was focused elsewhere.
"Don't charge from the front, you idiots! Target the back!"
"Urk!"
Despite Ubar's shouts, the brilliant red blade had already slit the throat of a thug who was targeting the rear.
The Bloody Mercenary, living up to his nickname, was already covered in blood after claiming six lives.
"Hnngh..."
He glared at Ubar while catching his rough breath, then proceeded to dispatch the thugs who charged at him one by one.
Phoenix never rushed. He held his blood-red shield firmly in position, deflecting the thugs' attacks while extending Hrunting.
Fresh blood sprayed with each simple movement.
Watching the Bloody Mercenary approach, Ubar shouted toward the back.
"Bring the crossbow-!"
"Ugh, yes!"
At Ubar's command, the men wrestling with the massive crossbow turned pale. They used all their strength to pull the string and finish loading the heavy crossbow.
During this time, three more thugs were sacrificed. Then, Ironborn, who had been waiting for an opening, swung his axe with a roar.
"Uwaah!"
At that moment, Phoenix's eyes flashed.
Until now, he had used his shield to deflect attacks. But this time, for whatever reason, he extended Hrunting to meet the attack head-on.
Clang!
The glowing red blade sparked as it caught the axe blade. Ironborn pressed down regardless.
"Nnngh!"
Ironborn possessed strength befitting his size. However, it wasn't enough to match Phoenix.
The bald giant pressed down with both hands on his axe, while the tall blood knight deflected it with just one hand.
That's when it happened.
Thwang!
Ubar, who had been watching their confrontation, fired the heavy crossbow. It was aimed precisely at Phoenix's heart. However-
Crack!
Instead of his heart, the blood-red shield shattered explosively.
He had raised the shield reinforced with blood magic just in time to block the massive crossbow bolt. It was a movement that seemed to have anticipated Ubar's surprise attack from the beginning.
"Ugh,"
The heavy crossbow's power was stronger than expected, making Phoenix grit his teeth.
The blood coursing through his entire body went wild. That surging power burst forth through Phoenix's left hand.
"Hup!"
Whoosh!
A tornado of blood showered toward Ironborn as he was regaining his stance. The blood scattered nearby flew up like glass shards, shredding the giant's entire body.
"Kuk!"
The axe-wielding giant momentarily flinched. The blood knight tossed aside his ruined shield and rushed at his opponent in an instant.
Slash! The red trajectory drawn by Hrunting devoured the darkness. The thick neck caught in its path was half-severed.
"Gurk,"
Ironborn collapsed with bloody foam in his mouth. Not stopping there, the Bloody Mercenary gripped his sword with both hands.
"Hnngh!"
Swung like an axe, Hrunting cut through the enchanted bone and completely severed the neck.
"Damn, the boss!"
"That bastard!"
Only a few twisted their faces in anger. The rest had all turned pale blue.
"..."
Phoenix slowly blinked and exhaled hot breath. While firmly holding onto his sanity that felt like it might fly away, he searched for Ubar.
"Hurry, you bastards!"
Ubar was urging on his men wrestling with the heavy crossbow. Though he held a quality heater shield and axe, he didn't seem likely to charge in first.
"Huuu."
Hot breath. Phoenix's lips curved up crookedly.
The brilliantly glowing blade began to writhe as if alive. The red light dancing in the darkness instantly drew all eyes.
"What... What is that thing...?"
"Lord, Lord of Light. Watch over your lamb."
The overwhelming might of Phoenix and Langbolt was enough to frighten the fighters who ruled the market. And the ominous red blade fanned those fears.
"D-damn it all,"
The thug, who had been trembling, finally showed his back.
"Hmph."
The Blood Knight, who had been walking slowly, leapt up from the ground as if he'd been waiting for this moment.
It was a panther-like movement that didn't match his heavy footsteps.
Thwack.
"Gack!"
The terrified back was split diagonally by the weighted slash. The Hrunting, dripping with blood, cut through not only the chain mail but also flesh and bone in one breath.
"Heek!"
Just as a nearby operative was about to scream, a large hand gripped his throat.
The last thing the man with the grabbed neck saw was eyes darker than the night sea, yet tinged with a red glow.
Crack.
Just before the strangled corpse hit the ground.
"Urghaa!"
Another thug collapsed, clutching his bleeding stomach. The Hrunting had licked deep into his belly in an instant.
By the time Phoenix had killed thirteen and Langbolt twenty, the battle was entering its final phase.
"D-damn it!"
"Hurk!"
Eight demoralized thugs fled in all directions. But the ambushers showed no intention of letting them escape.
Three couldn't escape from Langbolt and Phoenix, four were pierced by arrows shot from the lighthouse, and one had his head split by the sergeant's axe.
"Heh, hehe..."
Ubar, who had lost all his subordinates in an instant, let out a bitter laugh. However, he was a born thug and a coward. He knew to worry about his own survival rather than avenging his men.
Clang.
"I surrender."
Ubar said as he dropped his weapon. Langbolt burst into a mocking laugh.
"Ha, what did you say?"
"I said I surrender. Please spare my life."
The prince's knight clicked his tongue with a look of contempt. Ubar secretly sighed in relief at this sight.
'He probably doesn't even want to kill trash like me.'
Meanwhile, Phoenix...
When Ubar's eyes met the Bloody Mercenary’, he unconsciously swallowed hard.
The red glow flickering on the Hrunting was reflected in Phoenix's eyes. What was contained in those black orbs was deep regret.
As I leaned my backside against the collapsed wall, an old man-like voice unexpectedly came out.
"Oh my goodness."
Ugh, this shouldn't happen. A vibrant young man in his early twenties saying 'oh my goodness.'
That aside, how can there be forty thugs in a tiny city of ten thousand people? The more I see, the more ridiculous this world becomes.
At that moment, Sir Langbolt and his servant approached.
"Well, let's pretend there was no boss."
"Pardon?"
Sir Langbolt, who had handed his gauntlet to his servant, stroked his mustache. It seemed like he was trying to hide the smile forming beneath it.
"The bet, I mean. It's my victory."
"Ah."
Though his tone was quite calm... Sir Langbolt was wearing an obviously excited expression.
Ha, really. I don't know how to react when such a seemingly serious person acts so childishly.
"Yes, I lost. I really couldn't handle it."
"During the battle, I noticed you were excessively defensive. If you had moved more aggressively, I couldn't have guaranteed my victory."
He even watched me fight during all that chaos? Indeed, experience is unbeatable.
I shrugged my shoulders and replied.
"That boss guy was firing a brutally large crossbow. I'm someone who's allergic to arrows, you see..."
"True enough."
Sir Langbolt nodded and patted his chest.
"In the days before I had this armor, I too was often distracted by archers."
Ugh, that plate armor makes me envious every time I see it.
The plate armor worn by knights is truly worthy of being called a masterpiece.
It covers the entire body without gaps while barely restricting movement. It deflects most attacks, and it's even stylish... It probably weighs about the same as what I'm wearing, but the performance difference is like heaven and earth.
Suddenly, I remember a conversation I had with Ilton before.
-Hey, how much do those plate armors that knights wear cost?
-Plate armor? Um... A proper one would cost about three or four castles' worth.
-Castles? Like, those things built with stones?
-Yes.
-That's crazy, how can armor be that expensive?
-Because it's that precious. Besides, it's not something you can just buy even if you have the money.
In Middle World, the most commonly used armors are quilted armor and chainmail. While leather armor made from monster or beast hide is also used occasionally, it's not quite mainstream enough to be considered primary.
Compared to these armors, plate armor requires incomparably higher technical skill. The problem is that those with such skills are extremely few.
"You mean it's not readily available?"
"In Milanol, the 'Royal Dormena Armory Workshop' is the only source of supply. They probably make about twenty sets a year at most. And they won't sell to just anyone."
Unfortunately, since one family monopolizes this technology, it rarely gets leaked. While there are some decent replicas coming out these days, they're nothing but trash compared to the genuine article.
So here I am, someone with neither money nor status, reduced to drooling over Lord Langbolt's plate armor while thinking 'wow, so jealous.'
"Where did you get your armor, my lord? Was it plunder?"
"No, this is my custom-made armor."
"Custom-made?"
Damn, no wonder it fits so perfectly... Shit, my stomach hurts. I've never even worn a custom-made suit.
Lord Langbolt received a cloth from his attendant and while wiping blood off his gauntlet, continued speaking.
"Eight years ago, I performed a modest service during the war. Thanks to my lord's recommendation, this was bestowed upon me."
"Wow, the prince is quite generous."
"Indeed. He takes exceptional care of his subordinates."
Even as I chatted with Lord Langbolt, the surroundings were busy with post-battle cleanup.
Harbor sailors cleared the bodies, while garrison soldiers searched the area. Sergeant Gilbert led soldiers toward Ubar's quarters.
It was around then that the elderly knight Sir Ariad appeared. He immediately forced Ubar to kneel and began the interrogation.
But this bastard Ubar was funny in his own way - he didn't even blink despite all his subordinates being dead. Instead, he kept repeating the same thing like a parrot, "Please grant me an audience with Prince Ulkar. I will tell everything to him."
What nonsense. Does he think he can make a deal with the prince to save his life?
Sir Ariad's white eyebrows twitched as he firmly refused.
"I have been given full authority regarding this matter from the prince. So speak to me."
"The matter is too grave to discuss with you, sir. Please grant me an audience with the prince."
"You are in no position to make demands. If you confess everything willingly, I will show leniency."
"I will confess everything to the prince."
"...Very well."
The elderly knight nodded and suddenly kicked Ubar in the face.
SMACK!
"Ugh!"
He kicked so hard that a couple of yellow teeth popped out like popcorn.
My first impression of Sir Ariad was that of a small, plain-looking old man... But he turned out to be quite a tough old man.
"You *cough* decrepit old man,"
As the bound Ubar fell sideways spitting blood, Sir Ariad gestured toward him.
"Grab him."
At those words, his attendant Acer stepped forward, roughly flipped Ubar over, and pressed down on his head and back.
Sir Ariad drew an awl-like dagger from his waist, then suddenly turned to Lord Langbolt and said, "Lord Langbolt, pardon me for a moment."
"...Tsk."
Lord Langbolt clicked his tongue and walked toward the dock with a displeased expression. Sir Ariad paid no mind to this and knelt down, pressing on Ubar's back.
"Do you think you're being clever?"
"You dog, what are you doing! Let go!"
"Accept it. You brought this upon yourself."
After whispering that, the elderly knight grabbed a finger between the bound arms and snapped it in one go.
Crack.
"ARRRGH!"
The elderly knight with cold eyes thrust his dagger under the nail of the broken finger. While Ubar screamed horribly and thrashed about, the elderly knight skillfully lifted the nail.
...Ugh, this is terribly cruel. Just watching makes my nails hurt.
This is why you shouldn't judge people by appearances. This old man must be an excellent knight too.
"Uurgh, wait, wait!"
Though Ubar begged while crying streams of tears, Sir Ariad showed no sign of stopping, as if indicating further discussion was pointless.
It took less than 10 minutes for the elderly knight to break all ten of the gang leader's fingers and remove all ten nails. During this time, Ubar fainted several times, only to wake up screaming.
There's an ammonia smell from somewhere.... Ugh.
That bastard Ubar wet himself.
Ubar is a thug, a gangster.
He's the one who set fire to a perfectly good inn and caused the deaths of over a dozen innocent people, including young servant girls.
Moreover, Ellen and I almost died at the hands of the assassins he sent.
Thinking about it that way, feeling sympathy for him would be laughable. But watching Sir Ariad's horrific torture made me somewhat wish they would just end his life instead.
I even came up with what seemed like a decent option.
"Sigh."
I got up from my seat with a sigh.