Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 009
Chapter Title: A Profound Understanding of Archery and Horsemanship
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As Shan stepped out of the tent, he could feel the gazes of the people around him had completely changed from before.
'As expected...'
Unlike earlier when they saw him as just a kid with a sword at his waist, now there was open wariness or outright contempt.
It was probably because of his eyes that would glow at night.
He snorted and headed toward the city gate, where Roden stood leaning against the wall, holding a single torch.
Spotting Shan, Roden lit up and said,
"You're late! Didn't the show end ages ago? I was worried."
"Sorry. I lost track of time talking with the circus folk."
Shan briefly recounted their conversation, and Roden looked genuinely surprised.
"Impressive. It's not easy to gather a group of Altoins like that even in Libert Kingdom."
"They asked me to join them, but I turned them down. I'm going to become a knight in Pendia."
Shan shrugged, and Roden gave him an approving look before reaching out to ruffle his black mop of hair.
A few strands got caught in the joints of his metal gauntlet and yanked out, drawing an involuntary yelp.
"Ow!"
"Haha, sorry. Just proud of you, that's all. For tonight, let's crash in the rented tent. Looks like the gates won't open."
"Why not?"
"This city supports the Morayen Duke, right? The side that lost today's battle. They're worried the victorious army might press their advantage and invade here. Can't risk a spy among the folks outside the walls colluding with them."
"Ah..."
He didn't fully get it, but it sounded like some headache-inducing reason.
Roden chuckled at Shan's blank expression.
"Don't sweat it. I asked around and mapped out the route to Pendia. Starting tomorrow, we'll buy a horse each, so it'll be easier."
"I've never ridden one."
"Just learn. You gonna balk at riding a horse now?"
"Fair point."
He could handle any physical skill, so it didn't seem impossible.
"But aren't horses crazy expensive?"
"Told you, I'm loaded. Sell all my gems, and I could buy ten. Though something like a Horace-bred warhorse isn't for sale, even for money."
Horace warhorses were strategic assets, specially managed even in the Horace Kingdom, famed for its fine steeds. Knights from other kingdoms served their nobles just to get one.
Chatting idly, they entered the tent Roden had rented, unpacked, and wiped down with damp cloths.
Under the candlelight, Roden eyed Shan's bare torso.
"Couldn't see last night in the dark, but you've got a lot of scars. From fighting?"
"Nah, got beat up a lot as a kid. All from back then."
Not just punches—more malicious stuff too. Burns from hot pokers from campfires, jabs from sharp sticks till he bled. Forced bee stings or poisonous mushrooms in food.
Peers did it more than adults. Ignorance and innocence made crossing lines easier.
Looking back, surviving without lasting damage was a miracle.
Roden sighed deeply at the marks.
"When we get a chance, ask a high-mana priest to heal them all. No need to keep scars from crap like that."
"Isn't that pricey?"
"Told you, I'm rich. Well, my dad's the rich one."
His father, head of the merchant guild in Pendia's capital, was wealthier than most nobles—though lower in status.
After cleaning up and changing, Shan lay on the straw mat and voiced a lingering doubt.
"Roden."
"Yeah?"
"You want me to become a knight, right?"
"Obviously."
"So you can get help once I'm a great knight or lord?"
The circus talk had sparked it—no way they'd aid a random Altoin orphan without ulterior motives.
Plus, Roden had admitted jealousy before. Helping now meant reaping benefits later.
Shan wanted clarity on why, fearing the bond might vanish like a dream.
From behind came Roden's low rumble.
"Lying if I said that's not part of it... but not the only reason."
"Then what?"
"Remember when I said seeing you felt like finding the Goddess?"
"Yeah."
"Hard to explain... like a revelation? Not that I became a saint hearing her voice."
Stumbling at first, Roden clarified.
"The moment I saw you, it hit me: a raw gem in my hands. Mishandle it, and it's worthless or a monster everyone fears. Polish it right, and it shines brightest."
A jeweler's son through and through.
"I gave up on being a proper knight, but shaping you into one—or more—gives my life meaning. Sir Roden, first companion and squire to the mightiest knight Shan, rivaling Great Baron Veren? Epic for the sagas. Makes me think even my blade phobia was the Goddess's plan to meet you."
Roden coughed awkwardly and chugged from his waterskin—his way of hiding embarrassment.
Indeed, that phobia made them partners.
Without it, Roden would've trained in Pendia or swung at Shan upon meeting.
Then...
'I'd have killed him.'
Shan's battle sense vividly simulated it. Roden stronger but slower—dodge the mace, slash the ankle, circle to joints, neck, face, hacking till done.
Weapons suddenly felt alien, scary. This near-stranger, closer than Selina or Priest Ador already...
Roden's sheepish voice snapped him out.
"Anyway, that's the gist."
"Got it, no need to say more."
"You asked, then... whatever."
Shan buried a silent laugh at Roden's grumble.
They were together now, that's what mattered.
Before sleep, fighting drowsiness, Shan mumbled,
"You're too big to be a squire, Roden."
For the first time, he truly yearned to be the greatest knight—strongest, most renowned.
Not a proper building but a tent, so they took turns on watch that night too. Thieves unlikely, but risky.
Roden first, switched with Shan at midnight.
Sitting still brought drowsiness, so Shan stretched outside to wake up.
If spotted, they'd jump like seeing a beast—but not his problem.
'Try anything, and I'll teach 'em a lesson.'
No severing wrists, just a beating. He was bigger now, capable.
Bouncing lightly, lost in thoughts, raucous voices echoed from afar.
'What?'
The army from before—a fraction, maybe sixty or seventy.
Their apparent leader bellowed at the wall. Blue plume on his helm—Shan recognized him from the battlefield.
Too far for details, but threats to burn the city if no loyalty to some count; walls mocked back.
'Wake Roden?'
Others slept undisturbed, so probably fine. If dangerous, they'd flee first.
As expected, the blue-plumed knight's group camped nearby without attacking; city didn't counter.
Morning, Roden saw the tents afar and sighed.
"Didn't think they'd come here... Our tent's close to the wall, should be okay. I'll buy horses—wait here."
While Roden haggled, Shan idled then headed to the Altoin circus.
Leaving post-horses; last chance to chat.
Show late afternoon—time for goodbyes.
Their shelter was away from walls, eyes watching.
Nearing the red tent, screams and pleas.
"Please, sir! Mercy!"
"Kyaaak!"
Devi, butterfly wings, dragged by hair by a mercenary. Pen crawled begging; merc snorted, roared.
"Won't wear out from a fuck! We'll return her after fun. Dirty slut probably passed around already—don't act pricey..."
Army blocking stragglers. No city attack threat, so knights loosed mercs; they wasted freedom trashily.
A laughing buddy tossed a silver coin on Pen's head.
"Paid up—deal's a deal. Complain later, you die."
"Real wings? Can I snap one?"
Twisting delicate wing, Devi shrieked—the same soft voice praising Shan's eyes yesterday.
Shan knew no specifics on sex work, but sensed horror ahead.
Onlookers ignored; circus folk too scared.
His move.
"Your pants'll rip, asshole!"
Kicking clinging Pen, merc turned to Shan blocking path.
Black messy hair, vivid green eyes.
Shan leveled sword, low voice.
"Let go."
"What?"
"Let go. Before I cut."
Words Roden coaxed out now flowed easy.
Mercs glanced, snickered.
"Crazy brat..."
"Daddy's sword? Scram, once."
"Altoins—play hero, check first—"
Before finish, Shan closed in; merc backpedaled, shocked.
Hand gripping Devi's hair burned—forearm gone above wrist.
"My, my haaand—!"
Screaming drew two buddies' weapons—but Shan's sword faster, stronger, precise than before.
Waist-halfed, diagonal clavicle to flank, half-head: blood, guts, brain matter sprayed.
Onlookers saw flash, then human chunks scatter.
Screams erupted louder.
"M-monster!"
"He killed them!"
Laughers at Devi's plight fled in horror. Fear of kid's deeds or army reprisal.
Shan cooled his head, eyed bloody sword.
First swing not for defense or torment, but rage.
Something new there... just a feeling.
Snapping to, he freed Devi's hair from severed hand.
"Can you stand?"
"I, I... Yeah..."
Reflex, dazed.
Pen rushed, supported her, bowed to Shan.
"Truly grateful, Shan! How to repay..."
"Just go. Stick to walls—they're enemies."
"Got it. You?"
"Figure it out now."
Impulse, no plan. Would do same anyway.
Circus packed red tent, loaded wagon fast—prepping to flee army anyway.
Ringmaster Rocksi bowed deeply to Shan.
"Thank you, Shan. If Devi... who knows..."
Wrinkled face held regret, worry. From Devi's fate to all lives now.
No blame: shame plus Shan's terrifying prowess.
Others mixed feelings; only Pen pure thanks.
At wall base, Roden ran up, panicked, reins in hand.
"Shan! What happened!? You killed Varik Count's mercs?!"
"Snowballed. Gotta fight 'em—can't help?"
Angry mercs pointed from tents—alerted.
Roden gulped ambiguously, legs shaky at blades.
"Take one horse, stay with them. I'll chase 'em off."
Safe under wall, but arrows or siege risky; someone confront.
Roden fretted, not scolded.
"You win? Knight among 'em."
"One's manageable."
"Damn. Should've got small armor..."
Sent Roden with circus, Shan mounted left horse: gray, light mane, lean.
"Whoa."
First ride, balance easy. He could balance on one foot atop a pole.
Good pick—snorted gently, not bucked.
Stroked mane, tugged reins per lesson.
"Let's go. That way... Faster."
Heels tapped sides via stirrups; speed up.
Bouncing, but hips synced instinctively.
Time for practice nice, but enemies closing.
Released reins, grabbed bow from saddlebag—looted from dead merc. Nocked.
"You, kid! Killed my men—!"
In range, lead merc yelled. Not dawn knight—mercenary captain?
Before end, arrow—horse speed boosted—grazed cheek, pierced next man's head.
Shan reined turn, small sigh.
"Missed."
Horseback archery worlds apart from foot.
Sensed it, though.
Took two tries to learn—damn tough skill.