Lion Heart Knights (2)

No matter how I thought about it, I was insane. My guts must have slipped out of my belly without me knowing...!

Not content with being the chief mage of the Mage Tower. Now, captain of the Lion Heart Knights too.

'A personality that courts death, for real.'

It wasn't an overreaction. The Lion Heart Knights were genuinely impressive. Even back then, the lowest knights were level 300. Even if most NPCs had fixed levels, their captain, Harcon Kingsguard, had to be well over 400.

"...Your words ring true."

But what was this reaction? Harcon, who had just received what wasn't quite a rebuke from me.

'He just accepts it outright?'

That confirmed it.

'He definitely has business with me.'

More precisely, with the Mage Tower. Harcon had recognized my connection through this brooch. I glanced down subtly at the brooch pinned to my suit.

'...It might be an even greater item than I thought.'

I'd chosen it only because the level restriction was low and it was my only option. But if Harcon recognized it, it was clearly more impressive than I'd assumed. Of course, since it was just rented, I'd have to return it someday.

'Gotta milk it for all it's worth until then.'

As I resolved myself, Harcon snapped out of it and shouted.

"Knights who bear the lion's heart!"

A line that could have been cringeworthy. But thanks to the solemn atmosphere. Or maybe Grandfell's influence.

'Still, it has style.'

I gazed contentedly at the knights standing in formation. But only for a moment.

Thud—!

With a massive boom, the named monster revealed itself. A gigantic turtle. Fangs protruding sharply like a beast's. A massive turtle with a shell gleaming like gold.

Suddenly, a name from the new update notes flashed in my mind.

'Golden Fanged Giant Turtle': Lv.450

Of all the ones to encounter, it had to be the toughest. A whopping level 450 monster.

The Yusra Archipelago, made of ten islands. Ten named monsters inhabiting each. And this giant turtle was the highest level among them.

Not an easy start. But maybe doable.

The turtle wasn't a demon. But thanks to the giant evil incarnation of Gluttony, Natural Enemy was active. And by my side stood the empire's finest knights, the Lion Heart Knights.

"Now that we know you're connected to the Mage Tower, telling you to withdraw for safety would be presumptuous. So, adventurer. Will you join us in slaying this beast?"

For some reason, the knights were extremely deferential to me. It hit me again.

'...Even in Arcana, it's all about connections.'

Who knew the Mage Tower's halo shone this bright? Anyway, I had no reason to refuse.

I answered as always.

"If my aid is needed, I shall gladly provide it."

Shamelessly adding,

"However, remember that all things demand give and take. Ever keep it in mind, Lion Heart Knights captain, Harcon Kingsguard."

...Even I was dumbfounded by my own words. Fine, the historical drama speech aside.

'It's like saving a drowning man and then demanding his bundle.'

Even in our alliance with the Lion Heart Knights, they were the ones in charge. Just look at the numbers—one against a hundred. Skill-wise? Embarrassing to compare. My level was a measly 146.

'Like a bus passenger demanding fare from the driver.'

Yet here I was, gladly offering help—and demanding payment for it. ...I'd die of embarrassment before any monster got me.

Of course, it wasn't wrong. Especially with Grandfell's obsession with formality. It fit perfectly.

"I shall remember, adventurer."

Thud—! Harcon thumped his chest with his fist, replying solemnly. I vowed inwardly.

'Can't spoil a chuunibyou kid like this.'

That's why he was getting spoiled. But it worked out. In exchange for my inner shame, I wasn't just riding the Lion Heart bus... I was allying with them and even putting them in my debt. Plus, Harcon's reaction to the Mage Tower, flinching for some reason.

'Quite the haul.'

From that golden turtle's neck, no less. And I couldn't forget the island's treasure. No more distractions.

Thud—! The giant turtle lunged fangs-first at us.

"Knights of the lion's heart! Charge!"

With Harcon's roar, the knights surged forward. I couldn't lag behind. I manifested Magic.

*

Park Hwigang stared blankly at the scene before him.

'...What the hell is this? This situation?'

He was too stunned for surprise or hype.

He'd been floored just by the emerald tiger takedown. Beyond expectations.

Just like the chat said. He figured it was bad luck. What were the Lion Heart Knights? From Arcana's game days to now, barring the Mage Tower, they were top-tier military force. Pure power? They'd crush rank 1 Shining guild effortlessly.

Even without main force, Lion Heart was Lion Heart. Especially with captain Harcon Kingsguard intact. No way Hoyeol could compete. Viewers and Park Hwigang all thought so.

Until the unexpected unfolded!

He'd promised no interference. Too far to hear Hoyeol and Harcon's talk. But their faces? The drawn-out convo screamed suspicious. And then.

"Huh? W-Wait a sec!!"

Thud—! Suddenly Harcon pledged on his heart.

True to the lion's heart name. Pledging on one's heart held huge meaning for them. Curiosity exploded. Another holy pilgrimage began.

And now. Viewers surged nonstop. Before countless eyes, Hoyeol and Lion Heart Knights allied.

Teaming with world-class Lion Heart was shocking enough.

Viewers focused purely on Hoyeol's combat. Unprecedented style. Park Hwigang, watching live, could only mutter,

"...Whoa."

*

Magic's edge over [skills]? Honestly, not sure anymore.

'No helping it.'

Meeting Marcelo and the mages at the Mage Tower taught me. It wasn't magic superior—Grandfell's talent for it was cheat-level.

'Didn't know it was that hard.'

Even basic exploration, interference, manifestation. Exploration alone took effort. Skills had clear advantages.

'Just shout and go.'

But drawbacks too. Skills lacked creative use.

'For example.'

Think Fire Arrow. Skill? Just shoot it. Maybe steer. Magic? Add interference effort...

Whoosh—!

Intense, spinning blaze. Manifest a rotating Fire Arrow. Destruction incomparable to normal. Acceleration amplified power.

Pew-pew-pew—!

Like so. Normal Fire Arrow? Blocked by foliage. But spin it—incinerate obstacles.

Vmmm—!

Smash the giant turtle's head. Enough to make it groan. Tough manifestation, huge mana cost.

'Not for me, though.'

Thanks again, past chuunibyou self. Still, my magic alone couldn't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fell it.

'Even with brooch effect.'

My mana would deplete first. But I wasn't alone.

"Attack the legs! Bring it to its knees!"

Reassuring just watching...! High levels showed—knights fought expertly. Trained movements shone. Harcon's crew targeted legs relentlessly.

'Just inefficient.'

Not lack of skill—bad matchup. Hits accumulated, but kneeling would take time. Thick legs, hard to damage deeply.

Already 4. Time ticking even now.

'So.'

Time for creativity. I told Harcon,

"Harcon. I shall support you all."

"Support? What do you mean, adventurer?"

"I shall open the path."

"...?"

Sounds cool at first. But literal—clear a path.

"Perfect timing. Materials abound."

Rampaging turtle toppled trees, even mountains. Boulders split nicely. Exploration, interference, manifestation. Stone piles reshaped. Mage Tower inspiration.

'Precisely, the stairs.'

Shh—! Stairs floating in air. Toward the turtle's sole weakness: its head.

'Worth half-plus mana.'

Thousands of airborne stairs. I manifested, yet awe-inspiring.

"Y-You...!"

Harcon stammered briefly, then grasped it. Commanded,

"The path is open. Seize the chance. Swift victory!"

Tap-tap—! Knights climbed. True lion hearts. Unlike my Mage Tower stair panic.

I manifested Reversal Magic. Demolished climbed stairs, wove new ones. Not copying Tower stairs. Mana limits.

'Maintaining's tough...!'

Thrifty mana mindset. Floating stairs cost mana. Minimize drain.

'Looks impressive, though.'

Without knowing, high magic. Swan on lake—graceful above, paddling below. My plight.

But not unjust now. Tap-tap—!

Stab—! Thrust—! Swords into turtle's neck. Then, messages.

I said shamelessly,

"Truly, as renowned, honorable indeed. Lion Heart Knights."