Chapter 264: The Tin Knight and The Banquet of Madness (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 264: The Tin Knight and The Banquet of Madness (4)
Coordinating with others in battle is an incredibly difficult task.
In a split second, an ally can be cut down by your own sword, you can trip over each other's feet, or your line of sight and attack can be blocked by a friendly.
Therefore, even if five people, each with a strength of one, were to gather, they could not exert a combined strength of five. They would only get in each other's way.
What's needed to overcome these shortcomings and draw out even more power than the sum of their parts are formations and tactics.
While this might not apply to minor families that struggle to even maintain a proper order of knights, it was only natural for any family of considerable size and power to practice at least one or two combination attacks or coordinated techniques.
The Lion Duke's bloodline—who, in a slightly different world, might have been called something like the 'Greatest Sect Under the Heavens' or the 'House of Lennart'—was no exception.
No, in fact, they were among the most skilled in coordinated attacks on the entire continent.
Though there were minor differences, they all learned the same root martial art and constantly competed and trained with one another, allowing them to predict who would do what at any given moment.
The way they found their optimal positions and synchronized their movements with a simple exchange of glances was so fluid it was almost beautiful, like a sword dance on a stage.
In contrast, the movements of the Tin Knight and Adelaide, who faced them, were completely independent.
For starters, their armaments were different—a one-handed sword and shield versus a two-handed sword—and so were their tactics. The Tin Knight prioritized defense and counters, while Adelaide focused on evasion and critical hits.
“Keuk!”
And yet, whenever the two sides clashed, it was the Lennarts who were sent flying every time.
Their beautiful yet fierce chain of attacks failed to break through the Tin Knight's ironclad defense, while Adelaide's devastating strikes crushed at least one member of the bloodline with every swing.
[The Tin Knight says that in a party, having clearly defined roles is what makes you powerful!]
From the Tin Knight's perspective, this was hardly surprising.
It was only natural that a balanced party with a melee dealer, a ranged dealer, and a support would be stronger than a haphazard composition of all-melee or all-tank.
Of course, the members of the Lion Duke's bloodline had their own individual styles—strong sword, swift sword, phantom sword, and the like—but the differences were minor enough to be considered negligible.
Above all, Adelaide was no longer the little lion she used to be.
She could make her own judgments without needing to be told what to do. As long as he took care of the major threats, she could handle the smaller attacks on her own. And most importantly, the power of her every strike was truly astounding.
The Tin Knight knew better than anyone that his position was closer to that of a bruiser, a tank who could also deal damage. That was why he had worked so hard to raise a companion who could unleash overwhelming firepower.
Seeing the fruits of his labor so clearly before his eyes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
Well, there were still some shortcomings in the grand scheme of things, but that was something they could perfect over time.
For that to happen, they first needed to bring this incident to a definitive end.
“A fork in the road...”
[The Tin Knight comments that they're quite dedicated to dramatic staging!]
Two paths led deeper into the mansion. At the end of each, the two of them sensed the presence of a waiting enemy.
It was an invitation, and also a provocation.
If they were thinking only of efficiency, it would be best for them to storm one path together and beat down the opponent there. But people cannot live on efficiency alone.
This was especially true for someone trying to settle their past and move forward.
Just as the Tin Knight was about to suggest they split up, Adelaide spoke first.
“I'll take this one. I want to face her fair and square.”
The Tin Knight gazed at the mask on his pupil's face, at the eyes visible through its slits.
Then, he gave her a thumbs-up.
[The Tin Knight says the cooperative assignment is over, and now it's time for the individual assignment!]
[The Tin Knight tells her to show him the results of her special training!]
“Yes!”
After a deep nod, Adelaide ran down the right path.
The Tin Knight watched her go for a moment before heading down the left path himself.
At the end of the left path stood the old man he had met before.
Werner von Lennart.
The strongest of the Lion Duke's bloodline living today, and perhaps the strongest warrior of his time. The man's presence was so imposing that he seemed like a great stone mountain.
But his expression was far from pleasant, to say the least.
“Tsk. I'm well aware that wanting to fight only on a battlefield of one's own choosing is a luxury... Still, it is a shame. To think I must face a warrior worthy of respect on such a shabby stage.”
It was clear that his use of 'shabby' didn't just refer to the location.
And that he wasn't fighting for the radicals of his own free will.
Was someone being held hostage? Or was he forced into it, knowing the family itself would be shattered otherwise? Or perhaps he was bound by some kind of contract?
The exact reason was unclear.
He might have answered if asked, and perhaps there was a path to avoid this fight through conversation, but that was not a path the Tin Knight would choose.
Only his companions could hear his voice and speak with him.
The Tin Knight knew no other way to converse with an opponent than with his sword.
[The Tin Knight says he prefers the direct assault route over the negotiation route!]
Then again, even if they could have talked it out, the outcome likely wouldn't have changed much.
Clang! Clang!
The Tin Knight struck his sword against his shield.
At the sight, which seemed to say, 'We're warriors facing each other; can't the petty details wait?', the worry on Werner's face eased ever so slightly.
“I see. In that case, I will accept your courtesy.”
A crude yet heavy-looking club appeared in Werner's right hand.
A faint golden mana shimmered around Werner's body, enveloping the old warrior as if it were a second skin.
The ground beneath the Tin Knight and Werner cratered as they charged at each other at the exact same time.
CRACK-BOOM!
*
Meanwhile, on the other side.
“You're here?”
Hilda von Lennart greeted Adelaide with a strikingly familiar tone, as if she were just saying good morning.
She looked as innocent and carefree as ever, but seeing her smile like that while splattered with blood was more bizarre than it was guileless.
For a moment, Adelaide considered attacking without a word, just as her master would have, but decided against it and opened her mouth.
“You don't seem very upset.”
“Hm?”
“Do you still think you have a chance to win?”
You don't necessarily have to be stronger than a group to defeat it.
If you can take down or capture its leadership, you can use their authority to control those below them.
Countless dictators throughout history have seized power through such swift, decisive strikes.
Conversely, the moment their attempt to seize the Imperial Palace failed, the radicals' plan had effectively failed as well.
The soldiers who had been moved by false information and wrongful orders would eventually learn the truth and turn their backs on the radicals.
A few fanatical followers might stick with them to the end, but that would only prolong the struggle. The fight was as good as over.
“Who knows? You never know until you try. At least the grandfathers still seem to want to do something.”
“Struggling any further will only deepen your crimes.”
“So what? When someone is creeping up to wrap a rope around your neck, are you just supposed to let them quietly strangle you to death?”
“No.”
Adelaide shook her head.
“I don't know the full history between your family and the Imperial Family. To be honest, I don't really care. The crime I'm talking about is something else.”
“And what's that?”
“The crime of dragging others into your fight and using them.”
Adelaide's eyes pierced straight through Hilda.
“Sacrificing the collateral lines for political gain. Stirring up fear to force the moderates onto your side because you lack the power to act alone. Don't you find it disgusting? If you're going to do something crazy, do it by yourselves.”
“Oh, that?”
Hilda replied nonchalantly.
“—Don't blame us. It's everyone else who's in the wrong.”
“...”
“The Empress is the one who's wrong, persecuting us for no reason other than being strong.
The Duke is the one who's wrong, refusing to side with us and prattling on about balance and cooperation when he has a duty to protect the family.
The nobles are the ones who are wrong, wagging their tails and running to the Empress the moment she whispers sweet nothings in their ears, despite all the favors they've received from us.
The commoners are the ones who are wrong, mocking us from behind the moment things get a little shaky, even though they've lived safely all this time because of us.”
“...”
“Besides, the Duke was the one who plotted your father's downfall in the first place, you know? We got revenge for you, so shouldn't you be thanking us?”
“...”
“Are you listening?”
Adelaide thought.
The girl named Adelaide von Lennart thought.
Ah, I'm glad we talked.
I'm so glad I didn't just draw my sword without a word.
If I had, I never would have known this feeling.
If I had, I would have fought out of duty, not from the heart.
If I had—
Thud.
—I would have hesitated to take off this mask.
The mask that had been hiding Adelaide's face fell to the floor.
At the same time, a terrifying killing intent began to pour from her entire body.
The wooden furniture scattered throughout the mansion creaked.
The members of the bloodline who were still conscious instinctively recoiled in terror, backing away from the room Adelaide was in.
No, some couldn't even manage that, simply collapsing and foaming at the mouth.
And then, in an instant, the dense killing intent vanished.
It hadn't disappeared.
It had merely found its focus.
“Haha.”
Even while being bathed in a killing intent so potent it made her skin tingle, Hilda showed no sign of fear.
A smile remained on her lips, and her violet eyes shone with anticipation, as if looking forward to a delightful event.
In truth, Hilda's claim that 'the Duke used Friedel' wasn't specifically meant to provoke Adelaide.
The Council of Elders had taught her that it was the truth.
In that sense, one could argue she was also a victim being used, but the fundamental problem lay elsewhere.
Hilda was by no means stupid or dull-witted.
Deep down, she suspected that the Council of Elders was using her and not telling her the whole truth.
But after suspecting it, she had simply brushed it aside with an 'Oh, well, who cares?'
Because, in the end, it was someone else's problem. Because it wasn't her concern. Because she liked her grandfathers, who doted on her.
What she liked, she liked. What she disliked, she disliked. And what she didn't care about, she didn't care about.
Centuries after the fall of the first generation, The Natural Prodigy, born with the greatest talent in Lennart history, was a being who moved not according to right and wrong, but simply according to her own whims.
In a way, her way of thinking, which was closer to that of a beast, was perhaps the most fitting for the title of 'lion'.
And following that beast-like instinct, Hilda made a judgment.
Ah, I'll die if I don't go all out from the start.
Hilda raised her sword.
The weapon, somewhat larger than the one-handed sword she usually favored, radiated an extraordinary aura even at a glance.
And for good reason. For that sword was none other than the Lion Duke’s beloved weapon, which the radicals had obtained after subduing the family head.
One of the finest weapons on the continent, on par with Adelaide's 'belt'.
The disparity in their equipment was gone.
Their talent was equal.
All that remained was what they held in their hearts, and what they had built up over the years.
The two lions began to tear each other apart.