Chapter 41
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: The Coward and the Briar Knight (2)
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A soldier had told me about him.
The man commanding Birch Baron's soldiers was named Sir Conall.
He'd stayed behind alone to buy time for the group to escape, but he didn't look badly hurt.
He must be a skilled knight.
"Sir Conall!"
While I was sizing him up, Birch Baron called his name from inside the carriage and stepped out.
"Are you all right?"
The baron asked with concern.
"Yes, I'm fine."
Sir Conall answered briskly.
But his expression wasn't great.
I wondered why, and sure enough, there was a reason.
"Unfortunately, I let the bandit leader get away."
Sir Conall continued.
Birch Baron looked puzzled and asked back.
"Was the leader that skilled?"
"Shamefully, I couldn't overpower him."
"That good?"
"His swordsmanship was no amateur's work. He seemed like a former knight."
"I see..."
Regret filled the baron's voice.
He'd let the man who attacked him slip away, so it was understandable.
Sir Conall sensed the mood too. Even after earning credit for holding the rear alone, his face remained grim.
A bandit leader who was a knight? That was unexpected.
'The Briar Knight, huh. Fresh twist.'
Knights turning to banditry wasn't all that rare.
Why else would there be special terms for them?
Highway knights, robber knights, briar knights, and so on.
All names for conscienceless knights gone astray.
But leading a large group to assault a noble? That was exceptionally uncommon.
Usually, they just stood boldly in the road or ambushed from the roadside, robbing passersby for coin.
"Sir Bear, was the bandit leader really a knight?"
A knight would know nobles' wrath well. Why risk the attack?
Maybe Sir Conall was mistaken.
With those doubts, I asked Sir Bear directly.
He answered without hesitation.
"From what I felt, definitely a knight. As Sir Conall said, his sword skills were impressive. No doubt properly trained."
"Makes sense. A mere bandit wielding a sword is suspicious enough. But if you joined and still lost him, the leader must be formidable."
With Sir Bear aiding Sir Conall, we'd have two knights.
Enough to overwhelm them.
Yet he escaped?
That meant the bandit leader was the real deal.
That was my thinking when I asked...
But it seemed to prick Sir Bear's pride.
His eyebrow twitched.
"The bandit leader fled the moment he saw me coming. So Sir Conall and I could only mop up the stragglers."
"Ah, so that's how the leader survived. Smart move on his part. Facing you would've meant his head rolling."
"Not quite that dramatic."
One compliment, and Sir Bear's stiff expression melted away.
Good.
"How was Sir Conall, anyway?"
"Strong. Though not quite my level, of course."
"Naturally."
I played along, and the corner of Sir Bear's mouth twitched up.
He cleared his throat, composing himself, then continued slowly.
"The leader fought Sir Conall with his bandits. One against many. But Sir Conall held his own throughout."
"So Sir Conall outclasses the bandit leader?"
"Precisely."
Should've ended there cleanly. No loose ends.
I mulled it over, a twinge of regret.
Just then, Birch Baron approached with Sir Conall.
The baron spotted me and spoke first.
"Heros! Rear guard sorted?"
"Yes, nearly done."
"Excellent. Ah, this is Sir Conall."
"Pleased to meet you, Sir Conall."
I greeted him, and he bowed his head politely.
In挨 done.
The air grew a touch awkward.
Then Birch Baron asked me.
"Who's the fellow behind you? Haven't caught his name yet."
"Sir Bear."
I introduced him, and Sir Bear bowed courteously to the baron.
The baron widened his eyes in surprise.
"Oh ho! A knight?"
"Yes. Knighted by Lord Jade of Bigplain. Currently my escort."
"Splendid, splendid."
Birch Baron grinned broadly.
Why was he so pleased my escort was a knight?
As I pondered, glancing at Sir Bear, something felt off.
'What's that?'
Sir Bear stared ahead with bulging eyes.
I followed his gaze curiously.
It led straight to Sir Conall.
Sir Conall stared back, his fierce eyes narrowed threateningly.
Two gazes clashing in midair.
Rivalry sparked between them.
'Intense.'
Sir Bear and Sir Conall.
Neither had the friendliest faces, so their glaring match was downright menacing.
As I watched, Birch Baron suddenly invited me.
"Walk with me a bit? Got something to discuss."
"Of course. I'd march all day with you, Baron."
"Ha! You talk a fine game."
I fell in step with Birch Baron, Sir Bear and Sir Conall trailing slowly behind.
Once away from the carriages, the baron halted.
We stopped naturally.
Then he called my name.
"Heros."
"Yes, Baron."
"I've a favor to ask."
"Speak freely."
"Escort my wife and me to our destination. I'll reward you generously, including today's rescue."
An escort mission.
I needed the destination first.
"May I know where?"
"Chester Castle."
Chester Castle.
Even I, geography-blind, knew it.
Home to Earl Chester, the great eastern noble.
Stone walls meant safety amid massive unrest.
A fine refuge.
But a problem.
'Will Earl Chester take just anyone?'
Everyone knew Chester was prime shelter.
Nearby nobles would flock there.
Not alone, mind—dozens of retainers each.
More mouths for the earl to feed.
Food scarce these days; he'd be selective.
Even nobles might get turned away.
'Surely not heading there without a plan?'
I voiced my concern.
"Times being what they are, the castle might bar entry. Security and rations, you know."
"No worries there."
Birch Baron replied confidently.
Poised, assured.
He had an angle.
And soon, I learned it.
"My wife's from the Chester line."
"Ah!"
That changed everything.
If the baroness was the earl's daughter, rejection would be odd.
'Perfect.'
Chance to win Birch Baron's favor and befriend Earl Chester.
Noble connections?
Priceless, even for cash.
Especially great nobles.
'Fastest way up: mingle with the elite.'
Ambition stirred my heart.
And more to anticipate.
'Nobles mean easy grimoire access.'
Master once mentioned.
Some nobles collect grimoires as hobbies.
Not mages, no.
They see themselves as special; grimoires are special books.
Tiny overlap.
They hoard to boast.
With Birch Baron's help, cozying up means grimoires on tap—far easier than now.
'No reason to refuse.'
Decision made, I spoke.
"I'll get you to Chester Castle safely."
"Truly grateful! With a mage like you, who could touch us?"
Birch Baron beamed, unreserved joy.
I felt proud.
Recognition as a capable mage.
But no time to bask.
Look sharp; he'd sing my praises to the earl.
"Baron, we should move. Bandits might retaliate, or monsters drawn by corpses."
"Right you are. We'll do as you say. Oh, journey matters—discuss with Sir Conall."
He headed back to his carriage, Sir Conall following.
I called after them.
We'd travel together awhile.
"Sir Conall, looking forward to working with you."
He paused, turned, and replied politely.
"Likewise."
Then resumed following the baron.
Solid guy.
As I watched, Sir Bear spoke up.
"I'm stronger."
"Didn't say otherwise."
"Just stating facts."
"Got it."
Always wore his heart on his sleeve, Sir Bear.
We camped off the road from our march.
Quickly set up before sunset.
'Can't fully trust us yet, huh?'
Regrettably, we pitched separate from Birch Baron's group, some distance apart.
Sir Conall's call.
Different chains of command, he said.
Mixing soldiers and my men could cause chaos in crisis.
Better separate camps to avoid.
Plausible, but real reason: distrust.
Camp together, we betray them? Dead before reacting.
'Fair enough.'
First day met; his caution made sense.
Birch Baron laden with treasures, too.
Sir Conall guarding had to suspect everyone en route.
One silver lining: the top man, the baron, trusted me.
Me with kids? No villain, he figured.
Lucky break.
'Oh, right.'
Recalling the day, a task surfaced.
Night watch.
Far from bandit site, but no relaxing yet.
Tonight, triple guards.
Needed to hash with Sir Conall.
"Sir Bear, hold here. Meeting Sir Conall."
"Yes."
Left camp prep to him, found Sir Conall.
Agreed to extra sentries tonight, returned.
Resumed setup.
By task's end, night fell.
Bedtime.
'...Want new magic ASAP.'
Lying down, I tuned to the Underground Guide Grimoire's voice.
Progress check.
《Save thirty-two lives.》
Saving Birch Baron's group from bandits?
Underground Guide Grimoire's quota dropped sharply.
Little more effort for new magic.
What spell upon completion?
I fantasized wildly.
Then a snag: wide awake.
Thirty minutes lying, mind sharp.
'No early sleep tonight.'
My ritual then: close eyes, sense ambient mana.
Master's method, honed mana detection.
Training lying down.
'Nothing unusual.'
Mana everywhere, easy to feel.
No odd flows.
Good sign. All clear.
Flip it: abnormal mana means trouble spots.
Grimoires, mana echoes, magic quirks.
'Hm?'
How long training?
Deep focus expanding range, then—fringe of awareness, something pinged.
Mana-rich lifeform.
Racing straight here.
'What the!'
Bad vibes; I bolted up.
Sir Bear beside me asked.
"What's wrong?"
"Something's coming. Bad feeling."
He sprang up, rousing the men.
Meantime, the unknown closed in.
Distance shrinking, anxiety swelling.
'What is it?'
Identity unknown; prep for fight only option.
"Told Sir Conall?"
"Yes. He'll guard the baron couple with his men."
Chatting as we waited, it neared.
Hid in dark brush, but not from my senses.
It was close.
Suddenly, it veered toward Birch Baron's camp.
Instinct screamed: can't let it.
I unleashed Lightning Bolt.
Lightning Bolt
Pzzzt!
Lightning arced into shadows.
It dodged nimbly mid-stride.
Not fruitless: flash revealed it briefly.
Coarse black fur.
Vivid golden irises within.
Not human.
Or man-beast?
Ambiguous monster, neither human nor beast.
That was it.
"Werewolf!"
I shouted, pointing at the night raider.
It turned to me.
Locking eyes with those feral whites.
Chills raced over my skin.