Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Horcamun Tribe's Oath
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As the hazy smoke thinned, the figures of the two men came into view.
"Indeed!"
"Gasp!"
The knights rejoiced while the Horcamun tribesmen despaired.
Blizan was holding his own against Skevin's sword, matching him blow for blow.
A glint of admiration crossed Skevin's face.
"So that's why the Young Master chose you."
"Don't make me laugh! The choice is mine alone."
Blizan swung his opposite fist.
Skevin spun like lightning, parrying the punch with his sword.
Boom!
An explosion rang out, shoving Skevin back.
"You're truly monstrous. Fine, then I'll go all out too."
Skevin unleashed his full power.
Excalibur wrapped in deep blue aura surged with energy. At the same time, blue aura rose from his body.
"This is!"
Blizan's eyes widened.
The telltale signs of a Sword Master he'd only heard about were manifesting from Skevin.
"You're a Sword Master?"
"Heh."
Skevin smirked and assumed an attack stance.
"You've never seen one before, I take it."
"What do you mean?"
"Sword Masters... they're on a whole other level compared to me!"
Skevin kicked off the ground and charged.
"What the!"
Blizan hastily retreated, trying to track his movements.
"All brawn, no battle experience. Green as they come."
Skevin swung his sword with full intent.
Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh!
The air whistled as Blizan's face twisted in alarm.
'Damn! How's it this fast!'
The blade grazed his shoulders and thighs.
At this rate, collapse was only a matter of time.
Blizan steadied his pounding heart and regained his composure. Then he closed his eyes.
In moments like this, he had no choice but to trust his senses over sight.
In the pitch-black void, he felt the incoming surge of energy.
"Got you!"
Blizan dodged it and thrust his fist forward.
But his opponent was Skevin.
Having anticipated the move, Skevin easily evaded and closed in on his chest.
"That'll do."
Skevin reversed his grip on the sword and smashed the hilt into Blizan's solar plexus.
Thud!
A dull sound echoed as Blizan's face contorted in agony.
"This much won't take me down..."
"Probably not."
Skevin kicked out at his knee.
Crack!
"Damn it!"
Blizan lost his balance, his upper body pitching forward.
Skevin didn't miss the opening, slashing with lightning speed.
The blade halted right at Blizan's throat.
"Twitch a finger, and your head flies."
"Son of a bitch."
Blizan dropped his fighting spirit and ceased resistance.
"Listen up. When capturing an enemy alive, knock 'em out first. Like this."
Skevin chopped the back of Blizan's neck with force.
Thwack!
Blizan crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Skevin pointed Excalibur at his head and turned to the Horcamun tribesmen.
"Don't you have something to do?"
"Damn it."
"What now?"
They exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what to do.
Then Bukas struggled to his feet and spoke.
"We keep our word."
"Then do it."
Alteon, regaining consciousness, shook his head vigorously and sat up.
"Not yet..."
"Looks like it's not over."
As Skevin moved toward Alteon, Bukas said,
"That's not what I mean."
"Then what?"
Bukas glanced at Blizan before continuing.
"If it's alright, could you give us time until our chief wakes?"
"You'll follow his will, then."
Alteon nodded and added,
"For the record, we value trust like our lives. No need for needless suspicions."
"Understood. In exchange, you stay put here until he wakes. If even one of you causes trouble or acts out of line, you'll pay dearly. Remember that."
Skevin sheathed Excalibur and headed to Arthur.
Standing before the dais, he bowed deeply.
"Mission accomplished."
"Good work. Wait until he wakes. According to Millerph, they prize honor and justice, so no funny business."
"With Drakan and the knights watching, nothing should happen."
Arthur nodded and asked quietly, for Skevin's ears only,
"How was he?"
"That guy?"
Skevin glanced at Blizan.
"You seemed surprised when he blocked your sword with his fist."
"I was a bit startled. But it wasn't a full-power strike, so no real significance."
"True enough."
"With proper training, he'll be a huge asset."
"Make it happen."
"I'll raise him right."
A smile tugged at Skevin's lips.
Arthur turned to the knights.
The Phoenix Knight Order had assembled, with the Defen Knight Order and Del Knight Order gathered behind them.
"Take a short break. Knight Order captains, report to the command tent."
Arthur glanced somewhere, prompting Skevin to look and ask,
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
Arthur gave a meaningful smile and headed to the tent with Skevin.
Once they were gone, a man in black robes and a mask appeared.
It was Jackal, Yarve Count's bodyguard knight.
He had infiltrated the prison to rescue Yarve but was spotted by Arthur and barely escaped.
He considered fleeing but couldn't abandon his lord in a cell.
So he bided his time.
But Arthur made it impossible to act rashly.
From their brief encounter, he was no ordinary man.
Jackal prided himself on stealth, yet Arthur had detected him—not to mention his extraordinary movements.
Above all, his senses were beyond imagination.
Just moments ago, testing with a subtle release of energy, Arthur had looked right at him.
Rescuing Yarve without getting caught by him.
Seeing Yarve imprisoned rather than killed meant no quick execution planned.
Plus, his backer was that person.
Mention of them would stay Yarve's hand.
For now, no one but Arthur sensed his presence.
He'd watch a bit longer before acting.
Jackal eyed the underground prison where Yarve was held.
'Just hold on a little longer.'
***
"You're keeping security tight these days, right?"
Entering the command tent, Arthur asked Skevin.
"Of course. Extra focus on the underground prison. I patrol it myself when I can."
"I see."
Curiosity lit Arthur's face.
If even Skevin missed it, the intruder's stealth was masterful.
In enemy territory to save Yarve, no less.
Enemy or not, it was admirable.
He was getting curious about the man's face.
'Time to bait the hook.'
Arthur's lips curved up.
Soon after.
The tent filled with the knight order captains.
Arthur eyed Hektro of the Heksar Barony, Adran of the Kandara Count family, Drakan of the Lanister Barony—family heirs—and Phoenix Knight Order Captain Skevin before speaking.
"The castle's in disarray. Starting today, we'll reorganize the knight orders. First, I gathered you to confirm something."
Their faces grew serious, anticipating the question.
Arthur alternated glances between Hektro and Adran.
"What are your plans? Stay and fight with us, or leave? I'll support whatever I can."
Hektro answered immediately.
"We'll stand with you, my lord."
"For your family's vengeance?"
"Yes."
"Then you know what that entails."
Hektro nodded heavily and knelt on one knee before Arthur.
"I, Hektro Heksar, swear fealty to Arthur Julius as my lord."
"The Julius family will stand with the Heksar family."
"Thank you!"
Arthur shifted to Adran.
She met his gaze and spoke her mind.
"I haven't confirmed my father's fate yet. Please grant me time."
"Heading back to your territory?"
"No. I'll wait for Sir Helm Del."
"......?"
Arthur tilted his head.
Skevin, hearing the name, looked shocked.
"He's alive?"
"Before leaving the territory, he escorted my father to the emergency fortress. If he escaped, he'll come here."
Arthur nodded in understanding.
"One week. No more."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Adran bowed politely.
Arthur then looked at Drakan and Skevin.
"From now on, all knight orders except Del will merge into one. Skevin takes temporary command until structure solidifies."
"Yes, sir!"
They replied vigorously.
Arthur dismissed them to the training grounds, leaving Skevin.
He sat facing Skevin.
"I'm reorganizing the knights."
"Any plans in mind?"
"Divide into siege, defense, and scout/recon units. Your thoughts?"
"I agree. We'll be away from the castle often—leaving it undefended invites disaster."
"We start everything anew."
"What do you need from me?"
Skevin's face brimmed with loyalty.
Arthur gazed past the tent flap at the training grounds, a knowing smile forming.
"Just maintain discipline. I'll handle the rest."
***
"Ugh......"
Blizan stirred awake.
"Chief!"
Alteon looked at him worriedly.
Blizan frowned and opened his eyes.
A bright blue sky filled his vision, but his solar plexus throbbed from the blow.
Grimacing, he sat up.
"What happened?"
"We asked to wait until you woke."
"Where is he?"
As Blizan scanned around, he spotted Arthur and Skevin in the distance.
"Help me up."
"Here."
Alteon slung Blizan's arm over his shoulder and slowly raised him.
Blizan straightened his hunched back, chest puffing out.
A sharp pain flared briefly then faded.
'How long since I felt this?'
Aside from childhood, it was a first.
And his foe had overflowed with leisure to the end.
'A total defeat.'
He smiled freely at Skevin, then turned to his tribesmen.
"I acknowledge my defeat."
"If that's your will, Chief, we accept too."
"Good."
Blizan waited for the pair to approach.
"Go on. They're waiting."
"I'll be back."
Skevin walked to Blizan with a calm expression.
Blizan knelt on one knee; his tribesmen followed suit.
Standing before them, Skevin asked,
"Do you accept defeat?"
"Yes."
"Then honor the pact."
"The Horcamun Tribe swears unwavering loyalty to you."
"I, Skevin Maximus, swear in turn! I shall never command you against justice, and pledge my life for your sake."
"......!"
Blizan’s face registered shock.
He'd expected to be treated as mere fodder, but this was different. A fierce emotion welled from deep within.
Holding it back, he bellowed in response.
"We pledge our lives in loyalty!"
He bowed deeply; the tribesmen echoed him.
Boom-!
A resonant shout echoed.
The spirit in their voices reached everyone.
Shivers ran through the knights.
Arthur felt their sincerity.
Everything per plan—satisfying.
Skevin brought Blizan over.
"This is the head of House Julius. Show respect."
Blizan knelt on one knee before Arthur, head bowed, and spoke formally.
"I swear to protect you with my life."
"I shall regard you as brothers and strive to make you proud to stand with House Julius. No one shall disdain you while you follow me, and I pledge to cherish our bond."
Arthur turned to the Horcamun Tribe.
"I'll resolve your suffering. Skevin!"
"Yes."
"Track down the slavers who took your families and rescue them at once!"
"Understood!"
Skevin bowed deeply.
Blizan stared intently at Arthur and declared,
"I, Blizan, swear by our founder Rumakas. I offer everything to Arthur Julius."
"What?"
Arthur's eyes widened.
"Did you say Rumakas?"
"Yes. Our tribe's founder."
"Millerph was right."
He'd planned to ask about mastering lightning anyway.
A tribe founded by Rumakas would naturally inherit his power.
It also explained the mana absorption.
Suddenly, he wondered if Rumakas's power was sealed elsewhere in the empire.
No mention to him, but foreseeing the Demon King's revival, such arrangements made sense.
"A treasure hunt?"
Arthur smiled wryly, thinking of Rumakas.
Why make it so convoluted?
It reminded him of dragons' hoarding nature—and the helmet's subspace brimming with treasures.
'Figures. Treasure-crazed lizards wouldn't hand it over easily.'