Chapter 59. Black Knight (2)
"The black mask covering your face and the swordsmanship that seems to embrace the moonlight, it's exactly what Grandpa Luger described!"
Lupina spoke in an oddly excited tone. Naturally, I couldn't understand why she was making such a fuss.
Doesn't she find this situation, this scene intimidating? As I pondered that, I caught sight of myself reflected in her wide-open eyes.
The image of me reflected back was far from that of a 'Black Knight', but the atmosphere I exuded was eerily similar.
'... Could it be?'
Currently, there is no 'Black Knight' in this world.
To be precise, the person who should fulfill the role of the 'Black Knight' has abandoned that duty.
'By taking on the tasks originally meant for Hayden Reich.'
Did I end up filling that void?
'Damn.'
I had no intention of becoming the 'Black Knight'. I only intended to stop this story from deviating from its original path.
"I, I... I really wanted to see you! When Grandpa Luger talked about you, I thought it was just nonsense, but...!"
Lupina, who stood up, began approaching me with a flushed face as if she were seeing her idol.
In the midst of organizing my thoughts, I unknowingly spoke up.
"Don't come any closer."
I realized my mistake.
But before I knew it, the words I blurted out weren't in my usual 'Formal Speech'.
"... Pardon?"
"I said, don't come any closer."
Surprisingly, it wasn't 'Formal Speech'.
Perhaps it was related to the 'Black Knight' trait I had acquired a short while ago.
"Where is Luger?"
"L, Luger went home early."
"So, he isn't in this building?"
"Yes."
Lupina nodded. Her response gave me a vague understanding of why she was being pursued.
"Then the remaining person isn't Luger, but..."
Crash──!
In the instant I turned my head at the sudden feeling of murderous intent, something sharp came flying my way.
Fortunately, before it could reach me, 'Sombra' emerged and blocked it.
"Unbelievable!"
What shot the blade made of mana was none other than Pintel, a bishop of the Dawn Association.
He stared at me with a shocked expression.
"The magic I just used was an amalgamation of all the insights I accumulated upon reaching the fourth rank of magic!"
So, the presence I felt from the second floor was Pintel's.
The mana blade, blocked by 'Sombra', fell to the ground and dissipated like smoke.
"I developed this special magic to be executed without sound or detectable activation time... how could you react!?"
"It means it wasn't as incredible as you're making it out to be."
"Wha, what!?"
I looked at Pintel's face. I tried to conceal it, but I could see an anxious expression on his face.
"Damn it."
With a short swear, Pintel glanced around at the fallen cult members nearby.
"Even a guy with a ridiculous mask is getting in my way."
He muttered to himself. Strangely, an inexplicable anger welled up inside me, even though nothing should have stirred my thoughts.
Is it because of the insult to the mask?
And yet he has a mustache resembling Pringles.
Shortly after, a faint light shimmered from Pintel's hand, and the same mana blades I had seen earlier poured out of it.
This time, though not invisible to the eye, they were definitely bigger than before.
'I can't block this.'
I judged that I couldn't rely on 'Sombra' this time and took a large step backward.
The judgment was accurate.
The 'mana blade' embedded in the ground was rotating like a chainsaw, digging into the earth and burrowing deep.
'He changed his attack method after seeing my Sombra once.'
As expected, despite being the first to be defeated, a bishop is indeed a bishop.
'... What should I do?'
Honestly, I didn't want to fight. A battle with a 'bishop' had too many risks and could easily lead to serious injury if I wasn't careful.
'Should I run away?'
It's not a bad choice. Since Pintel's target, 'Luger', is not in this building, he would likely withdraw for today as well.
"I see. You must be that guy."
While I was contemplating, Pintel quietly muttered and raised his staff. His narrowed eyes bore an expression of displeasure.
"The guy who attacked the carriage and stole the Soul Stone,"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb, you bastard!"
Upon hearing my response, Pintel roared.
"Your description resembles closely what my subordinate described."
Is that so? Perhaps I should have changed my outfit.
"What is your purpose?"
Pintel continued with a slightly calmer voice.
"Although you conceal your face, you don't seem like you're from the 'Nameless Band', nor do you appear to be a follower of the Sword Saint."
Of course, I'm neither.
"Then what is your purpose? Why target us?"
"For world peace."
My tone was teasing. Even if it's not 'Formal Speech', it seems Yulian's personality doesn't vanish.
As a result, Pintel's face began to flush red.
"Foolish."
Pintel raised his staff and began preparing the next magic, so I quickly struck the ground to shorten the distance between us.
'The Moonlit Sword.'
... I shouldn't use that. To thoroughly conceal my identity, that is.
Thanks to my enormous leg strength, the gap quickly narrowed.
If it had been an ordinary mage, he might have been flustered, but Pintel's actions were calm and composed.
'Was this a trap?'
Suddenly, I felt the flow of mana from behind. The 'mana blade' Pintel placed earlier hadn't disappeared into the ground.
"Behind you!"
With Lupina's urgent shout, I felt the 'mana blade' heading toward my back again.
I barely switched positions in mid-air to dodge the blade coming from behind; now Pintel is chanting a spell.
"You can't evade in the air."
As he said, it's impossible to dodge in mid-air. So, I used 'Sombra' to bind Pintel's hand and pull him towards me.
"Ugh!"
Afterward, I kicked him fiercely in the solar plexus as he was drawn in my direction.
"... Ugh."
However, in that process, one of the 'mana blades' struck my side. I bit my lip against the piercing pain, but dealing with Pintel takes priority.
With the kick landing, a handful of blood was trickling down from Pintel's mouth as he knelt down. Despite that, a glint of hostility shimmered in his eyes.
'I need to end this quickly.'
Without being able to use my specialty, the 'Moonlit Sword', if the fight drags on, unforeseen variables might occur.
"Keheuk, you bastard!"
As I approached, Pintel glared at me fiercely with a lethal expression and tried to raise his staff. But precisely, he tried to.
"What, what is this!?"
Pintel's staff was stuck to the ground. 'Sombra', which had stuck earlier when I pulled him, asserted its 'Assertive Presence'.
"I can't break free...!"
Thud──!
I struck Pintel's jaw with force, and the impact must have rattled his brain as he convulsed briefly and then fell silent.
"Whew."
With a sigh of relief at his tranquility, I looked at my side.
Due to the adrenaline, the pain was faint, but I could sense blood flowing.
After downing Pintel, his words resurfaced in my mind.
'The Nameless Band.'
Like the 'Six Fingers' and the 'Blood Demon Order', it was one of the organizations dividing the slums into thirds.
Although it was somewhat affiliated with one of the Dawn Association's bishops, I didn't expect it to be known enough for Pintel to be aware of it.
"Are you okay?"
As I overcame my reverie after defeating Pintel, Lupina, emerging from hiding, asked.
"I'm fine."
"Still, you need to treat that wound."
"No need. But more importantly,"
Fixing my mask, I turned my gaze to Lupina.
"Don't speak of me to anyone."
"... Why?"
Why indeed? The 'Black Knight' isn't me, it's Hayden Reich. If rumors spread, it could lead to troublesome matters.
"There's no need for you to know why."
"... No way."
Lupina, whom I assumed was in shock, surprisingly offered a different answer.
"If you really are the 'Black Knight' from the story, you shouldn't hide like before!"
With a longing yet firm tone, Lupina spoke.
"... I don't understand what you're saying."
"I'm saying you shouldn't repeat the mistakes of the past."
What past? I'm practically a newborn in this world.
"Anyway! I have no intention of hiding it!"
Her voice carried a determined resolve. Persuading her seemed difficult.
***
The day after such chaos, Rinne, who visited 'Twilight Flame' again to pick up the custom-made sword, tilted her head curiously at the commotion.
"I'm telling the truth!"
At the center of the uproar was Lupina. In her usual charismatic voice, she conversed with Luger, the owner of 'Twilight Flame'.
Unlike usual, Lupina's face was flushed red.
"Stop lying. That story was popular ages ago and is just a fabrication!"
"But it really happened, grandpa Luger!"
Hearing Lupina's plea, Rinne slowly approached her.
Lupina, who had been speaking loudly, grew even redder upon seeing Rinne approach.
Luger didn't miss it. He clicked his tongue and crossed his arms.
"Tsk, so you sort of know it's a tall tale."
"I'm not lying!"
"Enough! Just hand over Rinne's sword, then take a rest."
With a stern warning, Luger turned his head and walked into his personal workshop. Watching him leave, Lupina merely sighed.
"Elder sister Lupina."
"Oh, Rinne, you've come. You're here for the sword, right? Let's go."
"Yes."
With Lupina's gesture, Rinne followed her. Soon enough, the familiar workshop appeared.
"But elder sister, what happened? The forge seems a bit loud today."
In response to Rinne's question, Lupina turned her head with a swift motion. As if anticipating the question, a smile played on her lips.
"Yesterday, some rogue intruders broke into our smithy."
"... Intruders?"
"Their reasons aren't clear, but anyway, frightening individuals illegally trespassed."
"Were those people caught safely?"
"Yes, the guards took them away."
Relieving that it ended without any casualties, Rinne expressed her relief.
"But that's not the issue, Rinne!"
"... What?"
"The Black Knight appeared."
"... The Black Knight?"
"Yes!"
Lupina nodded vigorously.
"I'm telling you, it was the Black Knight who saved me from those rogues!"
Joking, are we?
That was what Rinne wanted to say, yet seeing Lupina's sincere eyes, Rinne found it difficult to voice.
"R-really?"
"Yes! You should have seen that refined swordsmanship, Rinne... It was like dancing under the moonlight!"
"Haha..."
Rinne forced an awkward laugh. It was hard to believe.
The Black Knight.
Surely, it was an old lore floating within the Empire.
Now only those familiar with it speak of it, but as the daughter of the 'Rondvel family,' Rinne recognized it from her effort to grasp the public sentiment.
Which means, the Black Knight's existence is merely fictional.
"Rinne, you don't believe it either?"
Surely Rinne's thoughts were written on her face.
"Is that why you were raising your voice in front of Uncle Luger earlier?"
"Yes, because I had actually seen it! He seemed to find it hard to believe when I said the Black Knight exists!"
"Well, I..."
Seeing her reaction, Lupina let out a deep sigh.
"I kind of expected that... Ugh."
As she let out a small lament and turned away with a sulking demeanor, Rinne couldn't help but smile softly.
'... But, swordsmanship akin to dancing in the moonlight?'
There only seems to be one person who comes to mind.
'Could it be... no, it can't be.'
The suspicion faded from her mind shortly afterward.
A man, as described by Lupina, possessing a beautiful sword path reminiscent of 'moonlight'.
Yet, without any 'purpose', there's no way he would assist others without a reason.
'Yes, it's definitely not Yulian.'
Rinne affirmed that certainty.
***
After involuntarily assuming the character of the 'Black Knight', I arrived at work as usual to peruse the newspapers and check the details.
'I did tell her not to mention me.'
【Intruders with grudges at the Empire's top forge, 'Twilight Flame'.】
【The Black Knight who saved 'Twilight Flame' in crisis!?】
She really broadcasted everything, huh?
Most articles about the 'Black Knight' referenced the name 'Lupina Orland'.
After such emphasis not to mention it, she still spread it all around.
Upon neatly folding the newspaper and tossing it toward the table, 'Sombra' streaming from my palm graciously placed it on the table.
'Ugh.'
A sting of pain rose from my side. The wound from Pintel's magic had yet to fully heal.
'Indeed... a bishop is a bishop.'
In the main story, he's defeated first, yet he still proved that the bishop title isn't taken lightly.
'Nevertheless, the interest in the Black Knight seems lackluster.'
The tale of the 'Black Knight' wasn't on the headline or front page but rather took up a modest section of the third page.
Even the general public views the 'Black Knight' as a fictional entity, not worth significant attention.
'I mean, it is not a fashionable topic.'
The issue is not knowing how Hayden Reich will react now that I've taken on his role.
In the DLC trailer I saw, 'Yulian' discovered the identity of the 'Black Knight' and ended the lives of Hayden Reich and Rinne.
'Now that Hayden Reich isn't acting as the Black Knight, such events shouldn't occur.'
Because of that, even our 'protagonist's' upcoming trajectory is uncertain.
'Should I assign someone to watch Hayden Reich?'
Clacky's Corner:
I just realized that MC didn't need to find treasures to become stronger since Yulian's default stats is strong to begin with.
His only problem is familiarizing the body's capabilities.