Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Mysterious Ship
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***
"Now we're all here."
A delicately handsome boy stood on a mountain ridge, sweat pouring down his forehead.
Far off, beyond the mountains, a castle came into view.
Just as he broke into a wide smile, thinking he'd reached his destination, and took a step forward—
Something appeared out of nowhere, as if it had dropped from the sky.
It was a man dressed in peculiar tree-colored clothes—one of the scouts from the Phoenix Knight Order.
"Who are you? You don't look like you're from our territory."
"Ah, I..."
The boy panicked, at a complete loss for words.
Seeing this, suspicion flickered in the man's eyes.
"You'll have to come with me for now."
As he reached to grab the boy's hand—
Thud!
The man pitched forward.
In the spot where he'd stood, a man in black robes appeared, bowed to the boy, and vanished.
"Phew~."
The boy let out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks again, Ram."
"Just doing my job."
The man's form was nowhere to be seen, only his voice echoed.
"Let's hurry before he wakes up."
The boy briskly set off.
***
At that moment.
Arthur had gathered the advance group he'd selected a few days prior in the open field behind the castle.
There were ten in total, and all but one wore baffled expressions, clueless as to what was happening.
Arthur stood before the sole member from the Defen Knight Order, the one who had sensed they were being tested.
"What's your name?"
"Furuma, sir."
"And your position in the order?"
"I'm in charge of the defense squad."
Arthur nodded and called out to Kasan.
Kasan, who had been lined up behind him with the Devil Squad, hurried over.
"Take this guy and run a test on him."
"Got it."
Kasan led Furuma away from the area.
Next, Arthur stepped in front of the man who had left a strong impression on him.
He was the one who, during the raid on the Lannister Knight Order barracks, had issued orders to the knights and pressured Arthur.
"Your name?"
"Bakun, sir."
"The Lannister Knight Order uses spears as their main weapon, but you're different."
"What do you... Gasp! You don't mean?"
Bakun's eyes widened.
Arthur grinned.
"Who taught you?"
"I practiced on my own."
"That's impressive for self-taught. From now on, you'll train with me."
"With you, my lord?"
A smile spread across Bakun's face.
Meanwhile, the Devil Squad members at the back scowled in unison upon hearing Arthur's words, no words needed.
'He's totally marked now.'
'How did that happen...'
As they pitied Bakun—
A sentry rushed up.
"My lord!"
Arthur's face hardened slightly at the man's urgent expression.
"What is it?"
"A ship of unknown origin has appeared off the east coast."
"What?"
"Vice Captain Helot and the Assault Squad are awaiting your orders."
"Understood."
Arthur turned to Dark.
"Get the Del Knight Order ready and head to the east coast as soon as you're set."
"Yes, sir."
Dark immediately signaled to Poshe.
Poshe dashed off to the Del Knight Order.
When Arthur arrived at the training grounds, Helot hurried over.
"Ready to deploy, sir."
Arthur whistled, and Kan came bounding energetically from somewhere.
He swiftly mounted Kan and shouted.
"Follow me!"
A short time later.
At the east coast, Arthur spotted a schooner-sized ship surrounded by sentries.
"Helot, go check it out!"
"Yes, sir!"
Helot led a few knights toward the ship.
The sentries parted quickly as Helot approached, clearing a path.
When the distance had narrowed to about five meters—
Bang!
An arrow whistled through the air.
"What the—!"
Helot flinched in shock.
His horse reared up in fright at the same moment.
Thud!
The arrow embedded in the horse's chest.
Neigh—!
As the horse collapsed, Helot tumbled to the ground.
Watching this, Arthur swiftly summoned his K1 Rifle and unleashed a barrage at the ship.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
He poured fire mercilessly, enough to turn it into Swiss cheese, while racing to Helot.
Helot retreated swiftly while Arthur attacked.
The Assault Squad fell back too, tensing against enemy fire.
Arthur halted Kan where Helot had fallen and yelled.
"Come out peacefully!"
No response from the enemy.
Arthur fired into the sky.
Rat-tat-tat!
"Last chance! If you don't come out by the count of three, I'll kill you all. One, two...!"
His eyes flashed.
Bang!
Another whistling arrow hurtled toward him at terrifying speed.
Far faster and more powerful than the one aimed at Helot.
But having anticipated it somewhat, Arthur was ready.
He drew his dagger in a flash and deflected the arrow.
"If you've chosen death, so be it."
As he aimed his rifle at the ship—
Bang-bang-bang!
Three more arrows followed in quick succession.
"......!"
Arthur's face twisted slightly, and Kan sensed the danger, moving instantly.
They retreated sharply; Arthur deflected all three arrows with his dagger, then pulled the trigger.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Helot shouted to the knights.
"Attack the moment you spot them!"
"Yes, sir!"
The knights responded firmly.
Arthur closed in relentlessly, firing nonstop, while channeling mana into his left hand.
"I'll smash you to pieces."
As soon as the K1 was summoned, he opened fire.
Rat-tat-tat-tat—!
The double machine gun's destructive power was immense.
In an instant, the stern and cabins were obliterated.
Only the skeleton frame held; one more barrage would collapse it entirely.
"Still not coming out?"
Fueled by rising ire, Arthur poured more mana into the summoned K1, lightning coiling around it.
An overwhelming aura erupted from him.
"Incredible..."
"What power..."
The knights gasped in awe.
Arthur leveled both arms, barrels trained on the ship.
"Disappear."
He pulled the trigger.
Rat-tat-tat-tat! Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Flares spat endlessly from the muzzles, launching potent aura rounds.
Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!
As the ship crumbled into an unrecognizable wreck—
Bang!
Yet another arrow whistled forth.
"No chance!"
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Arthur shot it down, then leaped off Kan. He charged the ship, firing relentlessly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"How long do you plan to hide like rats!"
He focused fire on the crew quarters.
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat—!
The K1's aura rounds punched through steel pillars without mercy.
Crash!
The crew quarters' ceiling caved in.
Dust billowed, and Arthur's fire ceased.
Silence fell for a moment, then another whistle pierced the air.
Whoooosh—!
Unlike before, this carried intense pressure.
Sure enough.
A crimson aura-wreathed arrow—no, an aura blade—streaked straight for Arthur.
"This!"
Arthur's face hardened.
Sword Master-level power!
He dodged sideways while blasting the arrow.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Golden aura clashed with deep crimson.
Boom!
A massive explosion and shockwave ravaged the surroundings.
"What is this?!"
Adran, arriving with the Del Knight Order, hunched and veered aside.
As the tidal surge faded, Dark scanned the coast—
Bang!
A tremendous whistle from the ship.
"An arrow?"
Adran's eyes sharpened toward the source.
A deep crimson aura blade.
"No way!"
Adran raced to the coast.
"You're done!"
Rat-tat-tat!
Arthur downed the aura blade and fired at its origin.
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat—!
He unleashed like a mad machine gunner, shredding everything there.
"Stop!"
"......?"
Arthur halted at the shout, turning.
Adran dismounted and boarded the ship, yelling again.
"Stop!"
Arthur asked coldly.
"Why?"
"It might be Sir Helm!"
"Sir Helm?"
"The Kandara Count Family's knight captain."
"......!"
Arthur's eyes widened as he glanced at the blast site.
If true, revealing his identity would have prevented the fight.
The fact he engaged instead...
'I need to check.'
Keeping watch ahead, Arthur told Adran.
"Call him from here."
Adran nodded and shouted loudly.
"Sir Helm!"
No response.
"It's me! Adran!"
"No reaction. Then..."
Arthur bared his killing intent.
Bang-bang! Another aura blade incoming.
"My lord!"
Adran panicked, eyes wide, but Arthur, as if expecting it, sprayed bullets wildly.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
The forces clashed again.
Boom!
Arthur surged forward amid the shockwave ripples, lithe and swift.
He smashed the skeletal structure with his K1.
Boom!
It crumbled, revealing stairs descending underground.
His eyes gleamed like a predator's.
'Just as I thought!'
He charged down without hesitation.
At the bottom stood a middle-aged man, bow drawn.
"Got you!"
Arthur lunged.
The man released.
Bang!
As the aura blade flew, Arthur whipped his dagger like lightning.
Kablooey!
The blast hurled both back.
Arthur had anticipated this, wrapping himself in mana upon slicing the blade, minimizing the damage.
He kicked off the stairs, leaping back at the man.
Underground, the man lay crumpled against the wall.
Arthur summoned his K1, aiming as he approached.
No movement even at point-blank.
Arthur flipped him over with his foot.
"Ugh..."
Arthur grimaced.
Up close, the man's face was charred black, like severe burns.
Eyes and mouth sealed shut, ears crusted with dried blood—he was deaf.
His body was a wreck everywhere else.
A miracle he was alive.
No wonder no response earlier; only the hostile mana had triggered him.
The shock worsened it.
He needed treatment fast.
Arthur bound his arms, slung him over his shoulder, and scanned for others.
A corpse lay covered by a large flag like a blanket.
The emblem was familiar.
"So that's it."
Arthur furrowed his brow, carrying the man back topside.
"Please..."
Adran, hands clasped in desperate prayer, spotted Arthur.
"My lord!"
She recognized the armored figure on his shoulder instantly.
"Sir Helm!"
Tears welled as she ran up.
Arthur laid Helm down and shouted.
"Helot! Potions, now!"
Helot rushed aboard, pouring his potion.
A faint glow faded on Helm's body.
"More potions!"
Jonathan gathered the knights' potions and handed them over.
Helot emptied them all; finally, Helm glowed brightly.
Adran sobbed at the mangled Helm.
"How did this... Sob, sob..."
Arthur nodded at the underground. Helot descended with knights.
Soon after.
Helot emerged carrying a stretcher.
The Del Knight Order watching outside twisted in horror.
"Damn it!"
They collapsed to their knees, dazed.
"Why... why?"
Adran turned, voice breaking.
Seeing the Kandara flag over the corpse whitened her mind.
Then.
Arthur turned his head.
Faint presence from a rock ten meters away.
He channeled mana, summoning the K1.
Sure enough.
Someone bolted from the rock toward the forest.
"Where do you think you're going!"