Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Hunting
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“Faster!”
Arthur tore through the dense underbrush of the forest without hesitation.
Skevin had tried to stop him, saying going alone was suicide, but there was no stopping him now that his rage had exploded.
To catch up with the bastard, he chose the mountain path.
With the Cheytac slung on his back, he ruthlessly hacked away at the bushes with his kukri as he advanced.
Quite some time passed like that.
Having run forward blindly, he was drenched in sweat.
As the border with Aslan Territory came into view, Arthur quickly looked down toward the base of the mountain.
There was a path wide enough for a carriage to pass.
But no one was in sight, and it was quiet.
It seemed he had lost the bastard.
“Damn it!”
It was then, as Arthur grimaced.
In the distance, he spotted someone riding toward them on horseback.
Wearing red armor.
‘That’s him!’
Arthur quickly descended.
A moment later.
Clop clop clop—
The sound of hooves echoed.
Hidden behind a tree, Arthur gripped his kukri tightly and waited until the rider drew closer.
The moment the bastard entered striking range.
Arthur revealed himself and hurled the kukri with all his might.
Thwack!
Neighhhh—
The horse, with the kukri embedded in its head, reared up on its hind legs before collapsing.
Thud!
“Argh!”
The man crushed beneath screamed.
Arthur rushed over like a bolt of lightning, retrieved his kukri, and stood before the man.
The man paled at the sight of the dripping blade.
“W-Who are you?”
Arthur yanked off his helmet and mercilessly sliced off his ear with the kukri.
“Aaahhh!”
The man thrashed wildly.
Arthur tossed the severed ear onto the man’s face and demanded.
“Who ordered this?”
“You think you’ll get away with this?!”
The man spat curses.
“You still haven’t grasped the situation.”
Arthur thrust the kukri between the gaps in the plate armor.
Squelch!
“Gah!”
The man vomited blood.
“Answer me, and I’ll kill you painlessly.”
“Ugh…… B-Berro’s orders…… Ack!”
Blood gushed from his mouth.
Arthur mercilessly twisted and yanked out the kukri lodged in his body.
“Urk…….”
The man died with his eyes wide open.
Arthur stared at him for a moment before turning away without regret.
It was then, as he moved to search for their main camp somewhere along the border.
He sensed movement from behind.
“……!”
His eyes flashed as he spun and swung the kukri.
Slash—
But it sliced only empty air.
Arthur swiftly assumed a defensive stance and glared ahead.
“What the—?”
It wasn’t the enemy—it was Dark and Perry.
Worried about leaving Arthur alone, they had followed.
“We’ll go too.”
Perry added to Dark’s words.
“I’ll guide you.”
“You know what happens if you disobey my orders?”
“Yes.”
They bowed their heads.
“Then why follow me?”
“You always said we’re one.”
“Hmm.”
Arthur’s expression hardened as he continued.
“Listen well. Absolute obedience to orders is top priority. So go back.”
“No.”
Dark refused flatly.
“I said absolute obedience.”
“We can’t leave you alone, Young Master. If that’s the case, we’ll fight together and quit the Devil Squad.”
“I can’t go back like this either.”
“Hmm…….”
Arthur’s face twisted.
He couldn’t afford to waste time here.
But he didn’t know where their main camp was, and infiltrating alone to rescue the scouts was unrealistic.
Objectively, going with them increased the odds of success.
With a reluctant nod, he said.
“This is the only time. If you become a burden, I’ll abandon you without mercy. Stay sharp and follow.”
Arthur bolted toward the border like a shot.
“Gasp!”
Dark and Perry’s eyes widened at his incredible speed, then they chased after him with all their strength.
***
“There.”
Upon reaching their main camp, Perry pointed to the tent holding the captured scouts.
Arthur eyed the tent on the left side of the camp and asked.
“How far did you get?”
“We were spotted the moment we entered the camp.”
“Hmm.”
Arthur scanned the surroundings with a grim expression.
Tents bearing the Rose Knight Order’s banners were mostly positioned toward the border, while wolf banners surrounded the scouts’ tent.
Mercenaries were guarding the scouts.
So the Berro the messenger mentioned was likely a mercenary.
“Hmm…….”
Arthur’s gaze deepened as he fell into thought.
To orchestrate something like this, he had to be in a high position.
Suddenly, he recalled the man who had brought the messenger.
He seemed to have skills on par with Skevin—probably that guy.
But before dealing with him, he needed to find this Yakim first.
A Sword Master—he couldn’t let his guard down.
“You two wait here. I’ll scout closer and come back.”
“Be careful.”
Perry’s face darkened.
Having clashed with them, he knew their skills rivaled—no, surpassed—the Phoenix Knight Order.
Some had even made his skin crawl with just a glance.
Arthur was strong, but he worried they might get spotted like before.
As Arthur headed toward the enemy camp, Dark said to Perry.
“Don’t let your guard down.”
“Don’t worry. If anything happens to Young Master, I’ll rush in immediately.”
Dark kept a sharp eye on the situation too.
***
At that moment.
In the Red Warrior Unit’s command tent, Berro cackled.
“They must’ve been shocked.”
“It’s ending too easily.”
“No way. They’re a knight order with the title ‘Invincible,’ after all. Right, Captain?”
One of his aides glanced at Yakim. All eyes turned to him.
Yakim smirked.
“We’ll see.”
“Brother, no need to watch. They’re probably terrified.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions.”
“What do you mean?”
Berro looked puzzled.
“The Julius Count Family may have lost its former glory, but we can’t ignore the public’s view of the Phoenix Knight Order. Yarve Count wouldn’t have called me if he thought otherwise.”
“True. Calling you to take down the Julius Count Family means they’re not taking it lightly.”
Berro nodded and glanced outside.
“But why hasn’t this guy shown up yet?”
“Hmm.”
Yakim pondered briefly before telling Berro.
“Send scouts to check.”
“Is that necessary? Let’s wait a bit more.”
“Do as I say.”
As Yakim’s eyes chilled, Berro quickly bowed and exited with his officers.
Alone in the tent, Yakim stared at the flap, deep in thought.
Despite the declaration of war, no surrender—and they even sent scouts to the main camp.
They wouldn’t back down easily.
Plus, the Phoenix Knight Order rarely operated publicly, so zero intel.
Fighting a veiled enemy was foolish, but the massive reward was too tempting.
Such a payout could fund a year’s operations.
That’s why he took the job……
“For some reason, it feels off.”
It was then, as Yakim’s face hardened.
He sensed a prickling movement.
‘……!’
He kicked his chair and burst outside.
***
“Damn!”
Arthur, spotting someone charging out of the tent, turned to flee.
A wild beast the size of a boar barreled toward the tent.
As it lunged jaws wide to devour the man’s face, he grabbed its scruff and slammed it into the ground.
Boom!
The beast’s head exploded, splattering blood everywhere.
The man scanned his surroundings with the feral glare of a predator eyeing prey.
Instinct told Arthur.
That guy was the Sword Master.
Arthur suppressed his presence and breathing, watching closely.
The men from the tent returned, scanned with him, then went back inside.
After seconds passed, they reentered.
Arthur watched silently for a while longer before slipping away quietly.
Instead of returning straight to Dark and Perry, he moved slowly in the opposite direction to gauge their reaction.
They might have noticed him and set a trap.
But after some time, no one emerged.
“Phew—.”
Relieved, it was then.
He sensed someone approaching.
He dropped low and gripped his kukri tightly.
“Young Master.”
It was Dark.
Arthur scowled.
“What is it?”
“We saw you heading the opposite way, so we thought you might’ve been spotted.”
“Did you forget to wait?”
“But we can’t just stand by and pretend not to notice……!”
Arthur pressed the kukri to Dark’s throat.
Dark flinched, swallowing hard.
“Next time, I’ll take your head without mercy.”
Murderous intent gleamed in Arthur’s eyes.
Dark bowed in shock.
“I’m sorry.”
“We’re leaving this place first.”
Arthur swiftly headed to Perry.
Perry, watching the enemy camp, rushed over as Arthur returned.
“They’ve sent out scouts.”
“I see.”
The men from the tent must have given orders to the scouts before returning.
‘Yakim, was it?’
Skills sharp enough to sense him if not for the beast diversion, and quick to deploy scouts when the messenger was late.
Plenty of combat experience.
Even these guys outmatched the Phoenix Knight Order—add the Rose Knight Order, and it was a sure loss.
“Hmm…….”
Arthur stared at the enemy camp, lost in thought.
Dark and Perry silently watched him, awaiting orders.
Arthur brought the Cheytac from his back and said.
“Listen carefully from now on.”
Dark and Perry’s eyes sharpened.
“While I lure them away, you two rescue the guys.”
“Yes.”
“Once rescued, don’t look back—run no matter what.”
“What about you, Young Master?”
“I’ll lure them as far as possible, then follow you.”
“Just us…….”
They couldn’t abandon him alone, but disobeying again might really get them killed.
They had no choice but to obey.
Perry gazed at Arthur worriedly, sharing Dark’s thoughts.
“You must come back.”
“Got it.”
Arthur sheathed his kukri at his waist and continued.
“Wait here. Move when you hear the gunshot.”
Perry asked.
“What’s a gunshot?”
“The sound when this roars.”
“Understood.”
“And outside, call me Captain. My identity can’t be revealed yet.”
“Understood.”
“Then be careful. See you at the castle.”
Arthur swiftly headed somewhere.
He planned to draw them far from the border.
Once he attacked, Yakim spotting him was inevitable.
Effective range was up to two hundred meters now, but he could take out some commanders.
Entering the woods, a large rock caught his eye.
About two hundred meters from them, concealed by trees—perfect cover.
He positioned behind the rock, loaded marbles for easy reloading, chambered one, and aimed at their tents.
Through the dense foliage, their tents were visible.
“Time to hunt?”
He focused through the scope, index finger on the trigger.
Minutes passed.
Then, men emerged from a tent, laughing boisterously.
Not Yakim or Berro—disappointing, but he pulled the trigger without hesitation.
Bang—!
The gunshot echoed through the forest.