Chapter 75
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Who Told You to Trust Me? (3)
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5.
Darkness had fallen outside the window.
Twelve hours had passed since theyd left Reben.
Thanks to the carriages brisk pace, they had arrived near the Tirisfal Forest, which served as a midway point.
The carriage gradually slowed before coming to a complete stop.
A moment later.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone rapped on the carriage door.
Sir Karron, the horses are quite strained, so we will rest here for the night. Is that acceptable?
At Owens voice, Karron slowly opened his eyes.
Neria, who had been sleeping comfortably across from him, also awoke.
Karron yawned and stuck his head out the window.
So were camping here?
If you wish, we can travel for another hour and stay at an inn in the village of Luka, located next to the Tirisfal Forest.
An inn, a campsiteits all the same. Ill just think of camping as part of the journey. Sounds good.
Then we will prepare the tents immediately. Please take your time getting out.
Having delivered his message, Owen moved to the back of the carriage and shouted.
Begin setting up camp! Everyone, search the area and ensure its secure.
Yes, Commander!
Yes, sir!
Listening to their voices, Karron slowly turned to Neria.
Sleep well? The carriage must have been shaky and uncomfortable.
Not at all. I slept very comfortably, thanks to you.
Hm, you look it.
Nerias face had a bit more color than before.
Her once deathly pale complexion now had a faint blush, and her lips, which had been chapped from the gag, had already healed.
Elves really are beautiful.
Karron couldnt help but nod to himself.
The potion had certainly worked; her recovery was fast.
As life returned to her, her beauty seemed to shine even brighter.
Um if you keep staring at me like that, its a little
Ah, sorry. I was just checking to see if you had any other injuries. Hows your body? Can you move?
At his words, Neria nodded, clenching and unclenching her fists.
My mana is still unstable, but I think I can summon a low-level spirit.
If I had my way, Id send you off right now, but you know thats not possible, right? It would be very dangerous for you to wander around in your condition.
Yes, I know.
Right. Do you know Poina?
Neria slowly shook her head.
Ive never met her. Ive only heard stories. That theres a great archmage in the Empire who protects our kind. Thats all.
Karron recalled that Poina had come to the Empire to rescue elves who were being sold in Tebes black market.
She had told him the story once while they were drinking together.
You can discuss your return to the Great Forest with Poina. Just keep that in mind
Shhk.
Karron pulled a palm-sized orb from his pocket.
It was a communication device configured to contact Poina.
A spell for transmitting coordinates was enchanted on it.
Wooooong.
As Karron channeled mana into it, the orb vibrated faintly.
Location sent.
The reinforcements Poina sent would receive this signal and find their way here.
This place was a great distance from Reben.
Her direct intervention here shouldn't cause any problems.
Before getting out of the carriage, Karron gave Neria a subtle warning.
If it seems dangerous later, just hide in the carriage. I dont think itll be a huge risk, but its better to be safe, right?
Neria then asked in a small voice.
Is there anything I can do to help?
Not a thing. Just staying still is helping.
Neria quickly understood his meaning.
Trying to help him in her current state would only make her a burden.
She had already heard what this man was planning to do soon.
Therefore, she could not become a liability.
Neria quietly nodded, and Karron smiled at her.
Dont worry, Ill make sure you get your revenge, thoroughly. Now, lets get going.
Karron gave Nerias shoulder a light pat and then stepped out of the carriage.
The sun had completely set, and darkness enveloped the surroundings.
The light from the crescent moon in the sky seemed too weak to fully dispel the forests gloom.
This way, Sir Karron.
Owen, having finished setting up a tent in the distance, approached Karron.
He glanced back and forth between Karron and Neria, then spoke with a disgusting grin.
It seems you had a good time in the carriage. You look quite pleased.
Karron casually ignored Owens remark and surveyed the area.
None of the other knights were in sight.
Where are the others?
Theyre currently scouting the vicinity for any potential monsters or threats. Ah, please come this way. Weve prepared a place for you to rest comfortably.
Owen led Karron to a spot with a campfire and a high-quality tent.
This tent is enchanted with form-memory magic. Its the one the Margrave uses on his campaigns, but he specially provided it for you, Sir Karron.
For a tent set up in such a short time, it was remarkably large and luxurious.
Inside, there was lighting and two beds.
After a quick assessment of his surroundings, Karron nodded lightly and walked toward the campfire.
If youre on a journey, you have to spend some time staring into a fire.
You speak the truth. Here, this way. Weve prepared a chair for you as well.
Next to the campfire was a chair that looked just as expensive as the tent.
Karron slowly approached it and sat down. Then he spoke to Neria.
You go on into the tent first.
Neria nodded silently and obediently entered the tent.
Owen, who had been watching with gleaming eyes, sat down next to Karron with a smile.
Its truly a marvel. I never thought that stubborn bitch would listen so meekly! Are you sure you dont have a secret method? Shes so defiant, we could barely drag her to Reben without knocking her out.
As he spoke, Owen tossed another log into the fire.
Karron watched the flames and let out a light breath. He then turned to Owen.
Having a drink by the campfire is one of the real pleasures of travel.
As if hed been waiting for that, Owen pulled a bottle of liquor from a nearby bag.
I thought you might say that, so I prepared this in advance. Its a whiskey produced only in Reben.
Youre good at your job. I can see why Margrave Leandro favors you.
It seems well be seeing each other often from now on, so I look forward to working with you. If you ever need anything in Reben, please feel free to speak with me first. The Margrave is a busy man with official duties, so I will do my utmost to serve you, Sir Karron.
The man seemed better suited to be a merchant than a knight commander.
Owen handed Karron a cup and poured him a drink.
As Karron watched the liquor fill his cup, he said.
You should have a drink, too. Ah, but youre on duty, so maybe not?
Not at all. Were within the Empire, so theres little danger. May I have a glass?
Of course.
When Owen held out his cup, Karron poured him a drink this time.
Drink up.
Yes.
Owen turned his head slightly as he downed the liquor.
Watching him, Karron casually asked.
When will the other knights be back?
It will take an hour. Ive ordered them to conduct a thorough search.
At those words, Karron refilled the mans cup. Then he said in a low voice.
Good.
What part is good, sir?
It means we can finish this bottle ourselves, right? Im the type of person who believes that once a bottle is opened, it must be finished on the spot.
As expected, youre a man of spirit.
Drink more. Drink as you please.
Thank you, Sir Karron!
Karron smiled leisurely and tossed back his drink.
One hour.
It was more than enough time to sever this bastards head.
But he couldnt draw his sword just yet.
This man was, after all, a knight who had reached the peak of the 6-Star level.
If he failed to finish it in one blow, the fight could drag on longer than expected.
Therefore, the only opportune moment would be when the mans guard was completely down.
He just had to wait a little longer.
He would play along with this bastard until his vigilance had completely dissolved.
Karron decided to quietly wait for that moment.
6.
Thirty minutes had already passed since they started drinking.
Alcohol does not easily compromise the body of a knight.
No matter how much they drank, the mana within their bodies prevented them from becoming truly intoxicated.
Was that why?
Although Karron and Owen had been drinking at a rapid pace, neither showed any signs of being drunk.
But one thing had changed.
This demi-human hunting its more thrilling than hunting animals. Especially high-difficulty prey like beastmen or elves they give you a chill you can only feel on the battlefield.
Owens wariness toward Karron had considerably diminished.
Thanks to that, we maintain our combat experience. Its a decent form of exercise in many ways. Its also the reason why our Reben Knights are growing stronger faster than other knight orders. And it can be quite profitable financially, but haha! I suppose that wouldnt matter much to you, Sir Karron.
Hunting slaves for fun thats a nasty hobby. Does your conscience bother you too much to hunt your own kind?
Its not so much that but humans generally arent worth much money, are they? Unless its a pretty woman, hehe.
In that short time, Karron had grasped just how low a human being Owen was.
A man who didnt hesitate to swing his sword at the weak, who would do anything for money.
He was undoubtedly a bastard unworthy of the title of knight.
Among the demi-humans, elves are the trickiest prey. They travel in groups of at least three, theyre skilled at stealth, and their archery is potent. Plus, dealing with their spirits is a real headache.
So this wasnt your first time hunting elves.
Ive hunted them about four times so far. As you know, its not often that elves venture outside the forest, is it?
After that, Owen continued to talk excitedly for a long time.
What the elves weaknesses were, and how to effectively neutralize them.
The man was rambling on with excitement about things Karron hadnt even asked.
Karron let all of it go in one ear and out the other.
They were disgusting words not even worth retaining in his mind.
After enduring Owen for a while longer, Karron casually gestured with his chin toward Owens hip.
That sword looks pretty good.
The Young Master certainly has a keen eye. This sword was crafted by a famous master in the capital. It was bestowed upon me by the Margrave himself.
Let me see it.
Allow me.
Shriiiing.
Owen smoothly drew the sword from its scabbard.
The blade was immaculately maintained.
It was of such fine quality that it cleanly reflected the light of the campfire.
Gazing at the blade, Karron asked in a low voice.
So youve done all those things with that sword?
Owen nodded, as if proud.
Ive used it for five years.
Youve used it for five years, yet the blade is spotless, without a single scratch.
Once your mana reaches a certain level, its rare for a sword to get damaged, isnt it? This was a gift from the Margrave; I wouldnt have the face to see him if I used it recklessly.
Owen wasnt wrong.
A knight who could reinforce his sword with mana rarely damaged it.
However, that was only true when his opponents mana was weaker than his own.
If the opponents mana was purer and stronger, the sword was bound to be damaged.
Which meant.
It means that for five years, you havent fought a single opponent stronger than you, have you?
It was proof that Owen had only ever preyed on the weak.
At those words, Owen frowned slightly and replied.
That sounds a little uncomfortable, Sir Karron.
Ah, I didnt mean anything by it. Its just been a long time since Ive seen such a clean sword.
At the blatant provocation, Owen showed his displeasure and glanced at Karrons scabbard.
Are you saying your sword is different?
Of course. What, you want me to show you my sword, too?
If its not too much trouble, I would like to see it. To see just what kind of strong opponents the Young Master has fought.
Karron smirked at Owen.
It wont wear out just by showing it. Alright. Ill show you.
With that, Karron slowly rose from his seat and placed his hand on the hilt of Guillotine.
Watch closely.
Ill be watching very
Swiiish!
In that instant, something flashed like the wind.
Owen suddenly felt a tickle on his neck.
His gaze fell upon the dark blue sword Karron had drawn from its scabbard.
Was it a reflection of the campfire, or was something on it?
Something red seemed to be smeared on the dark blue blade.
But Owen could think no further.
Thud.
Owens head was cleanly severed and fell to the ground.
The headless body collapsed soon after.
I told you to watch closely. You pathetic bastard. What a waste of 6-Star mana.
Karron spat on Owens decapitated corpse, then flicked the blood from Guillotine.
Wooooong.
Having tasted a knights blood, Guillotine began to resonate more fiercely than ever before.
Guillotine. You can track them, cant you?
Of course. Im still a little short on blood. Id appreciate it if you cut off some more necks.
Ill let you feast to your hearts content, so just focus on tracking.
Master. This side of you definitely suits you better. How on earth did you hold back all this time?
Shut it, you damn cursed sword.
Lightly suppressing Guillotine, Karron strode toward the forest.
A forest where one couldnt see an inch ahead due to the faint moonlight.
Perfect weather.
It was the perfect day to hunt beasts.
And so, the hunt began.