Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Double Machine Guns
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K1 Rifle had been summoned.
Now he could summon guns in both hands.
Though it wasn't the weapon he wanted, his combat power had more than doubled.
Arthur looked back and forth at the K1 Rifles gripped in both hands, a satisfied expression on his face.
"Double machine guns... An outcome I never imagined."
"Congratulations on your awakening."
Millerph bowed politely at the waist.
"It's all thanks to you."
"It was simply my duty as a retainer serving my lord."
Millerph ventured carefully, a smile playing on his lips.
"As you mentioned, do you plan to accept them?"
"They're useful. Especially that Blyzan—he's too good to discard. Right now, no one in the Knight Order except Skevin could match him."
"From what I gathered speaking with them, they seem to have no choice but to follow you already."
"It's because of Laos. Whoever holds it has the authority to rule the Horcamun Tribe."
Arthur continued as he removed his armor.
"I'll handle sorting them out, so you go support Ban. When I have time, I plan to focus on territory defense."
"Understood. I'll head to the construction site right away."
As Millerph left, Andrew entered carefully holding something in both hands.
"Young Master."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Madam asked me to deliver this to you."
It was red clothing.
"Looks like newly tailored clothes?"
"It's the count's clothing that has been repaired. Now that you've become the family head, you should naturally dress accordingly."
"I see."
Arthur took the clothes and spread them out.
Ornate embroidery adorned both shoulders, and a large dragon—the symbol of the Julius Family—was emblazoned over the heart.
Unlike when he first saw it in the office, it now seemed to radiate a powerful aura.
Unknowingly, he puffed out his chest and squared his shoulders.
He had no doubt that the emblem on his chest would become a symbol of terror to his enemies.
"From now on, everything will change."
***
"Chief, what are your plans from here?"
Alteon looked at Blyzan with a serious face.
Bukas felt the same.
He never imagined handing Laos over to him.
Whoever possessed it held the authority to rule the tribe.
Now that he even knew that fact, if the Julius Count decided to do so, they had no choice but to obey.
This was on a whole different level from Hazan following because his family was held hostage.
It meant complete subjugation to him—nothing trivial about it.
Blyzan gazed at the blue sky visible through the window beyond the iron bars and said,
"It was an unavoidable choice."
"We have no complaints with the chief's decision."
Alteon spoke, and Bukas added,
"We need to change now. How long must we follow rules set by people we've never even seen?"
"Exactly! We should make our own rules that suit us and follow those."
"Hah."
Blyzan snorted and looked at Alteon.
"In a situation where we might die any moment, what do we need new rules for?"
"The situation could change, couldn't it?"
"It's already over. And I have no intention of breaking the rules set by our ancestors."
"Chief!"
As the tribe members' faces darkened, starting with Alteon, footsteps descended from above.
"......!"
Everyone's gazes turned toward the entrance.
A moment later.
Arthur appeared, dressed in the red robes. An aura emanated from him that felt impossible to approach.
'He's finally here.'
Blyzan stood, tension evident on his face.
The tribe members rose as well, glaring at Arthur as if they wanted to kill him.
Arthur ignored their reactions and approached Blyzan.
His massive build made even Helot, the largest in the Knight Order, seem small.
It felt like facing a massive boulder.
"You're huge."
"What do you plan to do with us? That middle-aged man who visited earlier said our lives depend on your decision."
"Correct."
Arthur surveyed the prison interior with a meaningful smile.
Even as prisoners, their eyes burned with life, and some radiated a fierce will to survive.
'The more I see, the more I want them.'
These were men who would choose death over breaking easily.
Without a special trigger, turning them into allies would be hard, so he decided to share his thoughts.
"Laos has been destroyed."
"What!"
Blyzan's eyes widened.
Alteon rushed forward, grabbed the iron bars, and screamed madly.
"Do you even know what that is! It's like the heart of the Horcamun Tribe, you bastard!"
He growled as if to devour him, radiating killing intent.
Arthur erased his smile, approached Alteon, and shot out his hand like lightning.
"Gah!"
Grabbing his throat, he said one word.
"I hate noise."
As he tightened his grip, Alteon's face turned pale, foam bubbling from his mouth.
He seemed on the verge of death.
Bukas wanted to do something, but he was pinned by the overwhelming pressure and couldn't move.
The only one who could resolve this was Blyzan.
Blyzan frowned and said to Arthur,
"Stop."
Arthur looked at Blyzan.
"The reason I came here is to give you a chance."
"......!"
Blyzan's eyes flashed.
"Select the two strongest including yourself and defeat one. Then I'll free everyone."
"Is that true?"
"But if you lose, you'll pledge true loyalty to him—not as slave soldiers."
"Surely not you?"
"Heaven forbid. For me to step in against you would shame the family."
"Hmm......"
Blyzan grimaced.
"Fight for your freedom, or die here. Choose wisely."
Arthur turned and continued.
"I'll give you plenty of time, so decide carefully."
***
"What's going on?"
"I don't know."
"What the hell is this?"
The knights had assembled in the training grounds, waiting for Arthur or Skevin to appear.
After quite some time had passed.
Arthur and Skevin appeared.
Arthur was dressed in his robes, while Skevin was in full armor.
"What's happening?"
Confusion and questions appeared on their faces.
Skevin headed straight to the arena, and Arthur climbed the platform, looking toward the training ground entrance.
A moment later.
The Devil Squad appeared.
Behind them, Blyzan, Alteon, and Bukas followed, bound.
Then Drakan and the Lanister Knight Order brought out the Horcamun Tribe.
The knights, seeing the scene, roughly guessed.
'Planning to kill them all? But then why bring them here?'
'What is he trying to do?'
Questions filled their faces.
The Devil Squad escorted the three to the arena and returned to their positions.
Drakan and the Lanister Knight Order lined up the Horcamun Tribe in a row beside the arena.
They glared at Skevin with murderous eyes.
The Phoenix Knight Order tilted their heads, watching the arena.
The three brought by the Devil Squad faced Skevin, looking just like before a duel.
"No way?"
"3 against 1?"
"Why do this......"
Doubts piled on doubts, and all eyes turned to Arthur.
Arthur spoke.
"If you defeat Skevin, I'll free you as promised. Conversely, if Skevin defeats all three, you'll pledge loyalty to him."
"......!"
The knights' mouths gaped open.
The unexpected declaration left them unsure how to react.
Helot spoke in a dissatisfied tone.
"I don't understand why go to these lengths."
Some knights chimed in agreement.
"Wouldn't it be better to just kill them?"
"What if they pretend to obey to survive and betray us later? That'd be a disaster."
"Right."
"Securing forces is good, but this seems off."
As the training ground buzzed.
Shring-.
Skevin drew Excalibur.
Everyone fell silent, watching him intently.
The training ground quieted in an instant as they observed.
"I, Skevin Maximus, challenge the warriors of the Horcamun Tribe to a duel!"
His heavy voice echoed across the training ground.
"Hmm......"
Blyzan's face stiffened slightly.
He thought no one except the Julius Count could match him.
But seeing the man before him, he realized he'd been mistaken.
Just the aura from him showed he was no inferior.
Blyzan gave a wry smile and spoke.
"So you had something to rely on. No, I should be grateful he isn't stepping in himself. At least it gives a glimmer of hope."
"Good that you know."
"Skip the greetings."
"Fine. I'll receive them properly later."
Skevin nodded to Dark.
Dark brought their weapons.
As Blyzan donned his knuckles, he whispered so only Alteon and Bukas could hear.
"If we attack recklessly, we'll lose."
"We know."
Alteon gripped his mace tightly, glaring at Skevin.
Bukas clutched daggers in both hands and said,
"I'll make an opening."
"Then."
As Blyzan drew up mana, Bukas charged at Skevin like an arrow.
A faint smile curved Skevin's lips.
"You'll need to give it your all."
"That's my line!"
Bukas thrust his dagger.
Whoosh!
It sliced through the air sharply.
"Is that your best?"
Skevin parried with Excalibur and rammed his shoulder.
Thud!
As Bukas flew back, Alteon appeared behind Skevin and swung his mace down.
"It's over!"
" Predictable attack."
Skevin vanished.
"What!"
Alteon's eyes widened.
Instead, Skevin appeared behind him and whispered in his ear.
"Ambushes are done like this."
He kicked Alteon's ankle then struck the nape with his sword's hilt.
Thump!
Alteon collapsed forward, unconscious.
Having dispatched two in an instant, Skevin smiled faintly at Blyzan.
"Don't disappoint me."
"Arrogant bastard."
Blyzan closed the distance in one breath and threw a punch.
Due to the height difference, even a simple jab felt like a devastating overhead strike.
'Fast.'
Skevin was startled but didn't show it, swiftly blocking with his sword.
Clang!
'What power......'
With the impact, Skevin stepped back as Blyzan's kick slammed his side.
Thud!
As Skevin grimaced slightly, Blyzan burrowed into his chest and unleashed an uppercut.
The attacks flowed seamlessly like water.
"You're definitely better."
Skevin leaned back to dodge, and Blyzan grinned.
"Get cocky and you might die."
As he put all his power into his shoulder to ram Skevin's chest!
Skevin grinned.
"No wonder the Young Master wants you."
He unleashed his power.
An immense aura exploded from him.
A transparent barrier formed simultaneously, blocking Blyzan's attack.
"This much is......"
Blyzan drew up mana as well.
Lightning crackled around him, his power growing stronger.
Sparks flew as he pressured Skevin.
Strong winds swirled, enveloping the two.
"Impressive......"
The knights swallowed hard.
Skevin looked pleased.
"Not bad."
"You'll beg for mercy."
"Think you have the skill?"
"Watch closely."
Blyzan gritted his teeth and drew up all his mana.
Crackle-crackle-.
Sparks intensified, pressure mounting.
But Skevin stood firm, feet rooted like to the ground.
His smile deepened instead.
"That all?"
"Heaven no! This is just the start!"
Blyzan threw his fist.
Boom!
The lightning-wrapped fist shot forward like a bolt.
"......!"
Skevin's eyes flashed as he thrust Excalibur.
Fist met sword.
KABOOM!
A massive explosion erupted, white smoke engulfing them.
"What happened?"
"The chief didn't lose, right?"
"No way!"
"Captain......"
Knights and Horcamun tribesmen watched anxiously, waiting for the smoke to clear.
Meanwhile, a smile played on Arthur's lips.
"Beyond expectations."