Chereads / Dark-Ages / Chapter 49 - V2-Chapter 40

Chapter 49 - V2-Chapter 40

Chapter 40

(Lord Frederick's POV)

'... Strange, this is strange'

I thought as I suddenly felt uneasiness on me, as if something was holding my throat with a thin, sharp thread.

'Something is wrong here'

I anxiously thought, as Lord Roland and that mysterious young lady should be dealing with that man, but yet, yet there were no sound of battle, neither could I see them

'Just what is happening? Who is he anyway?'

If I remember, his name was Creeper, he has 2 other companions which made them a group of 3 adventurers. Lady Isabelle was the one who personally hand picked them and nominated to join us, is this all her plan all along?

'That can't be right, she almost died when we saw her, so it's either she is good at acting, or that man simply became rogue'

There also no reason for Lady Isabelle to attack our kingdom without cause, neither does we bare any hatred nor did we assaulted her, both verbally and physically, so saying she betrayed us would be shame on me

'If Lady Isabelle wasn't behind this and that man simply acted on his own, but for what reason then?'

Not only that, but his much stronger than what Lady Isabelle told us about him. Last time, she spoke that he and his party members only reached the mid gold rank, but for a mere gold rank to trample not 1, but 3 mid platinum rank so easily, is truly a doubtful words to be called.

'..... There is something off in this situation'

Not just did we receive a lot of missing personnel, and other people in the forest for almost a months now, but we were suddenly attacked from an unknown entity outside our kingdom, monsters then rampage inside our vicinity which resulted in a lot of death toll, and most of our guards and Knights receive damage and casualty to it.

Not only that, but a {Wrym} which is at emerald rank and some huge, unidentified Boars, probe in to our kingdom and caused some great damage. And right after their rampage was this guy, Creeper, who suddenly annihilated those creatures all by himself, and even turn against us, the Knights of the [Kingdom of Entel], which is a branch kingdom of the [Empire of Gruvarbetares]

If he isn't a drunk bastard who acted foolishly without thinking, then

"What schemes is that bastard planning?"

Thinking about as I run, I can't help but feel more and more restless.

"We need to take care of that guy before he become a menace"

"Take care who exactly?"

"!?!"

(Author's POV)

Hearing a sudden whisper behind him, Lord Fredrick then reflexively swung his sword that he was holding in his right, behind him. But as he turn around fully prepared, he then saw no one but him in that area

Feeling distress in such situation, Lord Fredrick, a Knight who attain the rank of [Knight Legion Commander], didn't let his guard down as he vigilantly observe his surround area. His years of battling in wars and confronting monsters and rogues, sharpen his senses and experience, polishing his knowledge and instinct that the greatest enemy of a man, is his obliviousness and carefree, not fully anticipating what to come, and what may come.

Putting his shield upfront and raise it up to cover himself, and to protect him from any unexpected danger, while holding his sword in a stance that is ready to slash anyone he see or felt. Making a gap between his legs by backing his right foot behind for an easy maneuver, or switching between defending and attacking, completely describe how many battle does he fought

But even such wariness and awareness, Lord Fredrick was still unable to sense the monster behind him, smiling with vigorous glint as he half bended himself in a crouch position, extended his left arm towards Lord Frederick's wide, defenseless back. He griply clenched his right fist in a downwards bend, as if he was performing a martial art

"Boost me, [Combustion Impact]"

"Boost me, [Combustion Impact]"

"Burst, [Amun Rukh]"

He whisperingly spoke with an intent of a murderous glint

"!?!"

Feeling a sudden chill behind his back, as if he was placed at the center of the public to be executed, by a huge guillotine. Lord Fredrick sweated as if he was placed near the center of the desert, naked and thirsty. But before he could turn around

"Bang"

Boom!

Lord Fredrick was then blasted away from his spot, as a strong and deadly strike hit him to his back, breaking his bones as he was blow.

Smash!

He then crashed to nearest building in front, nailing himself as he loudly smashed himself in. Debris then buried him as the buildings walls crumble upon his impact, leaving him unconscious and motionless under the rumbles.

"For a Knight to be assigned to protect their Prince to be this weak, what a kingdom could this be, and what King could have reign with such fragility"

Saying that, Creeper then turned around and faced upfront, feeling the surrounding area is such vast perception, he then felt 2 silhouettes coming towards him

"I already given her mercy as I let her get away, but it seems fools does not think the way of the wise, how pitiful"

He spoke with a distance tone, full of doubt and guilt. Steeling himself as he gritted his teeth, he then shook those foolish thought away, and resolved himself to see the bitter end

"!?!"

But before he could even sprinted forward, his body suddenly felt heavy as he kneeled down to the ground, confused and surprised. His left arm and leg were frozen, completely unmoved to there spot. He tried moving them by shear force, but as if it was locked by gaint chain, his leg and arm didn't even budge. Unknown to what cause for him to fall like that, Creeper then wracked his brain, finding reasons behind it.

Did he got poisoned? But he didn't felt anything inside him, and his [Runa di Cresta] will heal him even how fatal the wound is. Did he received a spell, or a curse? That is possible, but his [Armure de Flame] can't be directly be breach by anyone below him, so spells and attacks aren't a treat if he is fighting against weaker opponent, and there are no signs for any curse spell planted on him, was it a spell that activates when the caster is defeated? But neither the 3 possesses, or did he felt that they possessed such ability, so how then? How could he kneel like a mongrel on the ground where this rats roam freely? How?

Wracking his brain off, he then suddenly realized the reason for such fault. Gritting his teeth furiously, he then clenched his left hand and

Smack

Punched himself

"Don't you dare try to act so high and mighty on me, bastard! This is my body! My body! A pitiful worm like you has no right to use this King!"

He yelled, but even so his leg and arm didn't even flinched. Gritting his teeth once again

"Insect!"

Smack!

He punched himself again, but this time, much harder than the first

"Don't try to meddle with the affair of those above you! A mere tool shouldn't complain to his masters word! A mere fact that you can't go against me, should be obvious who should reign over!"

He screamed in anger and frustration, but even so, his motionless arm and leg didn't move, even once.

"Mongrel! You dare!

"Boost me, [Combustion Impact]!"

Gritting his teeth

"Burst! [Amun Rukh]!"

Bang!

He then released a gritting strike right at his own jaw

"Gahhhhhh!"

Feeling the bursting pain in his cheeks, he then stumbled down right after he di-activated his flaming armor. Shaking his head as he felt a little throbbing, he then stood up and just then noticed that his right leg can now move. Realizing that, he then tried moving his right arm, and opening and close his hands. As he felt that everything has now become stable and normal, he then clenched his right hand in a tight fist and smiled.

"A mortal shouldn't dare protest to a God, remember that my foolish brother"

He spoke in furious glint of a prided tone

"But I shall applaud your bravery, or stupidity perhaps for daring to go against me"

Creeper(?) then dashed as he sprinted forward

(Pierre's POV)

'.... Why is it so quiet?'

I asked, a bit tense, as soon as I left here carrying Lady Isabelle in my arms, Lord Roland, a [Knight General], Lord Fredrick, a [Knight Legion Commander], and my hidden guard, 2 mid platinum rank and 1 early platinum rank, should be confronting that man and yet, there were no resounding noise that I could hear in this area

'Strange'

As we arrived to where we left

"!?!"

We then saw Lord Roland kneeling the ground, battered and bloodied with his right arm missing, and unconsciously stunned. Lord Roland might not be the strongest in the [Knight Rank], but he has accomplish great feat, and already fought battle upon battle. His the oldest among the other Knights, and the most loyal and dedicated subject to the kingdom, and yet, the man that won a lot of war on his prime is now kneeling unconsciously, with his life hanging in a thin thread.

Lady Isabelle and I were vigilantly surveying our surrounding area, before we rushed forward, towards where Lord Roland is. Lady Isabelle went ahead as she's much faster than I am. Reaching him, she then checked whether he was still breathing. Lady Isabelle then nodded at me, telling me that Lord Roland wasn't yet walking on the grim path.

Feeling relieved, I then arrived next to them.

"[Greater Heal]"

Lady Isabelle then casted a healing spell at Lord Roland

"He should be awake any minute now"

"You have my thanks Lady Isabelle"

"That isn't necessary, I just did what I needed to do"

"But even so, you have my sincere gratitude"

Saying that, Lady Isabelle then summoned some bandages from her [Storage Ring], and started wrapping it around the huge wound Lord Roland received. I then silently smiled as I saw her. Trying not to get in her way, I tried inspecting the area around.

'.... That man, what a monster is he'

I thought. I may have no evidence, nor justification, that he did all this but, if he wasn't the one who created such mess, then he either have someone to back him up, or the three of them just meet a misfortune in their way.

'!'

"Lady Isabelle"

Feeling a sudden uneasiness, I then called Lady Isabelle as I summoned my sword.

"I will carry Lord Roland behind my back, we should -"

"Leaving now aren't we?"

"!?!"

"Insulate thy bond, protect thy lineage, [La Sacra Armatura di Griffin] (Note: griffin's holy armor in Italian)

A silver luster of full plated armor, with a transparent coat then engulfed me, as I swiftly casted it by reflex, after I took a step back.

[La Sacra Armatura di Griffin] is exclusive defensive skill that safeguard the royal family for almost the time it was built. It can fully negate 30% of any physical attacks, and 40% for any strike from a magic spell, and 25% for any mental attack. This holy armor could also boost the wearer's power, thrice the initial output.

"Bless me, [Griffon]"

By casting [Griffon], the holy beast that symbolize my kingdom, the [Kingdom of Entel], it can boost my [La Sacra Armatura di Griffin] twice. It could also deduce the enemies speed and reflexes by 20%, when fighting against me or any of the royal family.

After I casted my holy armor and blessing, I then stood upfront of Lady Isabelle and gripped my rapier, [La spada veloce delle rondini] (Note: The Swift Sword of the Swallow's in Italian). It's an A grade weapon with 2 weapon effects, [Sword that cut twice], and [Wounds that won't heal]. My rapier is made from a special ore, [Silver Haste], and a tooth from a elusive plant found in the west, [Serpentine Blue Rose].

[Silver Haste] is a special ore found in the deep mines that is near to a [High Scale Dungeon], or [Extreme Scale Dungeon]. It was called [Silver Haste] as its needed a swift hammering to be tempered, and it is compared to a mythril in color.

[Serpentine Blue Rose] is a peak platinum rank plant monster, that are expert in swift strikes and ambushes. Their tooth can be found inside their rose like body, but it is mostly used its thick vines as a whip when hunting. [Serpentine Blue Rose] is a giant blue rose when seen from afar, no different to an ordinary plant.

[Sword that cut twice] will let my rapier slashed twice with 1 swing, while the 2nd swing can't be repelled nor blocked. And by the time my rapier cuts my opponent, any wounds nor injury they received from my attack won't heal, that is the 2nd effect, [Wounds that won't heal]. But each of this effect has its own flaws. [Sword that cut twice] can only be activated if my first swing wasn't blocked or parried, while [Wounds that won't heal] has 30 seconds duration.

"Bless me, [Hanianaguma]"

"Fortify, [Golden Armor]"

And after Lady Isabelle fortified herself

"Who are you?"

She asked with a frown and tense

"?!"

I was both surprised and shocked upon hearing her words, as it was directly pointed at the man she herself nominated and closed with.

"...."

That man was simply standing there gazing at us, motionless in his spot, which made Lady Isabelle irritated

"I am asking, who the hell are you?"

In a gentle tone she asked

"....."

But the man keeps ignoring her and simply just watching

(Isabelle's POV)

Hwoooo~

Silently taking a deep breath as I almost lost my composure there. Calming myself down in order to have a proper discussion with this man who is inhabiting my lover's body.

'I don't know who is he, but his clearly stronger than me and Prince Pierre combine'

Glancing at Lord Roland who was still unconscious behind us, I could say for sure that even those 3 tandem can't even pin this man down.

As I already relaxed myself, I once again inquired

"I have known that man you are occupying for almost 3 years now, so every action and every words he utter aren't his, neither will he do so"

(Pierre's POV)

'3 years?'

Completely stunned after I have heard what she just spoke out, utterly in disbelief. 3 years that Lady Isabelle and that man have known each other, and Lady Isabelle knew everything about him, and yet

'And yet I was only able to meet her today, and a brief interaction years ago'

As I was feeling annoyed as I stared at that man she called Creeper, I then suddenly noticed that she was asking who is he, then it is clear that the man I am seeing right now is different to the man I have meet.

'A Shaman? Witch? Spirit Caster?'

I thought, as they are the only one I know capable of manipulating someone's body by possessing them, excluding a Manipulator, as they merely using someone's body as a tool.

'But why him?'

If I remember his only at mid gold rank adventurer, and yet he was used which is puzzling. If it was me, I rather possess Lord Roland as he has loyalty that is unquestioned, so infiltrating the kingdom and assassinating the King will be easy, or maybe some of the [Knight Legion Commander], which is the highest rank in the kingdom, but why him of all people? 

'.....'

Not knowing what it was, I simply keep my guard up and observe the situation that is unfolding before me

(Isabelle's POV)

Staring at him as I await for his answer, made me annoyed as he just keep looking down on me with those tempting gaze.

'If he just wasn't inside of darling'

I annoyingly thought, as this man's gaze always gives me a complicated emotion inside me, I wanted to hate him but I also wanted him to keep looking at me

'Gahhhh! Why the hell did he choose darling of all people! If he just possessed this foolish simp! I could wholeheartedly drill his face with all my strength!'

Mixing from hate to like, then disgust to want, is utterly battering my mind to the limit, it is as if I was being offered with a sweet aromatic and delicious pudding, but knowing that it was already crawled by a worm.

'Endure it self, endure it!'

Fffoouuuuuu~

Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I then once again asked

"I will once again inquire, who are you?"

"... It was not just your face, but also your voice and action"

"... Pardon?"

I asked, as he suddenly spoke something which I don't follow

'Now that I think about it'

For all this time, he has been staring at me quite a lot

'Oh what a sin have I committed to be wanted yet to be disposed, being such a beauty is really a blessing and a curse'

I whimsically thought, hough he really did almost killed me right there

"Woman, what is your name?"

"Me?"

"If you are saying that the man before you is a woman, then I guess there is no one other than you I am referring to"

'Even his sarcasm ha'

"I am Isabelle, Isabelle Fall"

And as I said that, his expression suddenly changed which surprised me, as he can make such expression. It was as if he was in between of guilt and regret, before he swiftly took his composure back

"Isabe-woman, what are you to this mongrel?"

"Why should I answer?"

"Because this King asked, woman"

"....."

(Pierre's POV)

As he said that, I out of nowhere gazed towards Lady Isabelle, as my heart throb in an unknown beat. Out of curiosity, out of reason, as I wanted to know, wanted to hear the truth, not to anyone but from her

'What are you to him?'

Was a question swelling inside me, squeezing myself in a tight grasp, wrapping in both pain and longing. 'What are you to him?' is a question that would signal either the end, or the beginning

(Author's POV)

The world then abruptly slowed as second pass by, momentarily halting as they patiently waited, eagerly waiting, and tensely anticipating. Silence came as the world was engulfed in stillness

Eyes burning in expectancy, resolved hardened in a hammered steel, all are breathlessly awaiting, patiently awaiting

(Isabelle's POV)

"His my husband and I am his wife, would this answer suffice?"

"!?!"

".... *smirk* buahahahahahha"

".....?"

I was bewildered, as this man suddenly just laughed like a maniac, right after I answered his inquiry.

"Hauhahahahahah ahahhaha"

And his laughter was filled with an overjoyed feeling and eagerness, which made me wary and annoyed. He then raised his head up as he continued

And as he halted

"Oh yes, yes, YES"

"!?!"

A dreadful aura then envelop the surrounding area, chilling us with its frozen touch.

Gulp

Feeling the sudden change of atmosphere, I then summoned my sword and shield.

He then went on silence before he gazed back with a furious glint gleaming on his eyes, and a smile that a devil wore before his slaughter. As his eyes locked at me, like a weak Rabbit being stalked by a hungry Lion, my body jolted in chill

"If I can't have her, so does he"

Swoosh

"!!"

(Author's POV)

Creeper(?) then sprinted upfront in a great speed, vanishing from he stood and appeared right beside Isabelle. He then swung his sword that he griply hold, and slashed towards her in a monstrous speed

Thunk!

Isabelle then reflexively by instinct, swiftly blocked his sword with her shield, and groaned as the impact shook her

"Lady Isabelle!"

Seeing her in distress, Prince Pierre then dashed upfront

"[Feather Touch]!"

Swiftly he then moved, like a feather with such light-weight step, he then appeared beside the devilish man. Gripping his rapier with his right arm, he then moved his right hand next to his left chest and

"[Consecutive Swift Thrust]"

And unleashed 7 deadly and rapid succession of strikes, towards Creeper(?)

"For a Prince, you have talent"

"Boost me, [Combustion Impact]"

"!?!"

But even his attempt where nothing but a mere play, from a child who has a sword in hand, as Creeper(?) then just nonchalantly dodged all his attack, and swung his right hand towards Prince Pierre's right cheek

"Kuahhhh!"

And sending him off away from the spot

"But even a mere Ant can't trample a great Elephant"

Lady Isabelle seeing that as an opportunity, then rotated herself to the left, and swung her sword that she tightly hold from the bottom, and slashed the man before her in a diagonal cut.

"Desolate, [Judgment Cross]"

Clank!

"!?!"

But even her resistant was futile to the absolute

"Just like him, you are weak and pathetic. What a sweet couple you two are, how laughable"

"Guahhhh!"

He then kicked her to her abdomen with his knee which she couldn't react, sending a great tremor to her, as she felt like a giant club hits her inside.

"Don't worry, I will make this quick"

He then summoned his flaming spear above her head, pointing its razor edge towards her defenseless nape. Staring at her in a moment, he then brought his spear down

"Combine them, [Meld]"

"[Gales Embrace]+[Tempest Storm]+[Curve Shot]+[Sparrow Shot]+[Swift Shot]"

"!?!"

Swoosh!

But before he could deliver his final blow, an unexpected swift arrow then threateningly aimed his head. Jumping away from such attack, he then gazed upfront with a glaring gaze but

"... "

All his thought then suddenly halted, as he saw one of the woman he trusted and loved, pointing another arrow at him. Confused and puzzled he screamed

"Su-!?"

"[Shadow Slash]"

Slash!

Bending down as he dodge a sudden attack coming his behind, his heart then throb in a rapid beat, gritting his teeth with doubt and anger, as he back away from the battlefield

Hah Haha haah ahah

As if the world went against him, as if he was being punished, judge

"Sully, Ling-Ling..."

Clenching his fist in a tight grasp

"You two dare betraying me!!!!"

He yelled in a furious roar