The Indomitable Martial King

[ Chapter 48 ]

Viscount Kelberen glanced out the window. In the castle garden, about a dozen magicians were busy classifying and investigating relics obtained from a ruin, employing orc slaves for the task.

Noticing his demeanor, Eusus spoke earnestly.

“Do not worry, Viscount Kelberen. As we agreed beforehand, one-third of the relics will be yours.”

“That is not important. I have had the honor of fighting alongside Graim’s Golden Knight; what are these relics in comparison? You may take them all, it makes no difference to me.”

The Viscount was serious. In reality, he had no desire for the relics. After all, he had more than enough wealth. More importantly, maintaining a good relationship with this man before him was far more beneficial. Even if he lived in this small domain, he wished to show a bigger world to his descendants.

Eusus’s expression brightened, sensing his sincerity.

“It’s truly admirable that you do not covet such treasures before you. Ah, but how do you plan to deal with the adamantium and orichalcum ores found in the ruins?”

While relics from ancient ruins were generally finished products, occasionally, rare magical metals in raw form were also discovered. This time, they had found significant quantities of adamantium and orichalcum in Elucion. However, no matter how extraordinary these magical metals were, unprocessed, they were no different from ordinary stones.

“Ha, I’ve already ordered the ‘land dogs’ we have to smelt those into armor and weapons. We should have some decent items in about a fortnight.”

“Indeed, the Kelberen family is renowned for its mining operations. You have many skilled dwarves at your disposal.”

Eusus smiled broadly. As expected, the wealth of the Kelberen family did not merely come from owning mines. For generations, the Kelberen family had enslaved dwarves to mine ores and then refined them to manufacture various weapons and armors for sale. Thus, this time too, they expected to produce excellent items.

Viscount Kelberen pulled out a bottle of wine with a fancy label and poured some for Eusus.

“Relax and enjoy the drink. It’s a 21-year-old wine from Norgan.”

“Ah, such a fine wine?”

“However fine it may be, it pales in comparison to Graim’s Golden Knight.”

“You flatter me too much. There are many knights in the Graim Kingdom far superior to me.”

“Your remarkable valor and humility truly set an example for all knights. Please, accept it.”

“Thank you.”

Eusus tilted the wine glass, taking in the aroma, and exclaimed in admiration.

“Such a wonderful scent.”

In the warm atmosphere, they enjoyed their evening meal. As the mood became more congenial, Lord Kelberen clapped his hands. The butler nodded and, after a moment, reappeared with two girls in glamorous dresses.

Lord Kelberen smiled broadly and said, “These are my daughters. Please, give your greetings. You stand before the renowned Golden Knight of Graim, Sir Eusus Tenes.”

The girls slightly lifted their skirts and presented a noble curtsy. Both possessed considerable beauty. Kelberen subtly hinted, “I am aware you’re married. I merely hoped for a good friendship…”

It was clear that Lord Kelberen was insinuating a connection between his daughters and Eusus. Even though marriage was involved, it was common for high nobility to take concubines. Especially for someone of Eusus’s renown, it wouldn’t be seen as a flaw but rather a heroic trait. Hence, Lord Kelberen’s behavior wasn’t against the nobility’s etiquette, especially since both his daughters were renowned beauties in the vicinity.

However, Eusus’s expression turned noticeably stiffer, a clear sign of discomfort.

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of entertaining any woman other than my wife,” he stated firmly.

Lord Kelberen was momentarily taken aback. Did his daughters not appeal to him? But it seemed more about the situation being distasteful than anything else.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

Then, Lord Kelberen remembered another rumor about the Tenes family. He muttered, “Ah, that brother of yours…”

Crash!

The wine glass in Eusus’s hand shattered. His previously gentlemanly expression turned demonic. Eusus’s voice was as cold as the northern winds, “I have no brother.”

A terrifying aura filled the space, freezing Lord Kelberen, the butler, and both daughters in fear. Only then did Eusus realize his mistake and promptly apologized.

“My apologies. I’ve been rude.”

The menacing aura vanished. Finally, Lord Kelberen could breathe again. He was internally shocked; he hadn’t expected the impeccable Golden Knight to show such a human side. This didn’t diminish his reverence, but rather increased his fascination.

Feeling guilty for offending the hero, Lord Kelberen bowed hastily, “I’m so, so sorry for this oversight…”

He gestured to the butler to take his daughters away. Watching the pale-faced young ladies, Eusus offered a bitter smile. After all, what fault did these girls have? They were merely following their father’s instructions and ended up being unfairly treated.

Eusus stood and escorted the two girls.

“If such a lovely lady were before me, surely there are better suitors than a married man like myself. How could I dare covet this fresh bloom? Merely to gaze upon you and catch your scent is an honor. Would you grant me the pleasure of your company, Lady?”

“Eh? Oh, yes….”

The girls, who had been pale just moments before, now blushed a rosy hue. Indeed, Sir Eusus lived up to his reputation as the knight among knights. Even after a brief misstep, he had skillfully changed the atmosphere. It was at this moment as he was about to lift his glass again,

“Aaaah!”

A scream came from outside the window. Startled, Eusus kicked back his chair and ran to the window.

“What’s happening?”

Outside, a red glow flickered. The garden was catching fire in various places, and amidst it, magicians, servants, and slaves were scrambling for safety. Spotting a servant passing below, Eusus shouted.

“What’s going on? Report!”

The servant looked up, voice panicked.

“A demon has emerged from one of the relics!”

Eusus’s face twisted in frustration.

“Damn! Was there a summoning artifact mixed in?”

Kelberen’s garden had turned into a blazing inferno. The dried garden plants were reduced to ashes by the roaring flames, and thick gray smoke billowed upwards. At the heart of this destruction roared a gigantic black monster.

“Kraaaaah!”

It was Sephiatan, a demon with the body of a black lion and the upper body of a giant. Among the relics brought from the Elucion ruins was a statue enchanted with magic to summon demons from another world. It seems the spell was activated while the magicians were channeling magic into the relic for examination.

“Krallalalala!”

Sephiatan, standing on four legs, swung its broadswords left and right, spreading flames in all directions. The beast was nearly three meters tall at the shoulder, making the broadsword, usually a one-handed weapon, appear gigantic, even larger than many greatswords. Wherever the blade passed, humans were cleaved in half, spurting geysers of blood.

“Aaagh!”

“Save us!”

Servants and slaves ran in terror, only to die screaming, engulfed in flames. The magicians confronted it with their spells, to little effect. One of the magicians cursed.

“Damn! Why did it have to be something like that?”

Summoning artifacts were so rare that even a lifetime of exploring ruins might not yield a single sighting. It wasn’t so much the magicians’ fault as it was a case of terribly bad luck.

The Tenes Knight Order arrived late, fully armed, and rushed to the garden. Twenty knights, led by the deputy commander, Sir Lot, shouted commands.

“Evacuate the people and form up! Magicians to the rear! All knights, raise your shields! Clerics, bestow your blessings!”

Under the command of Sir Lot, the knights quickly dispersed. Shielding themselves with their shields, they encircled the demon as Sephiatan continuously spewed flames, engulfing the knights. As the flames met the shields, a blue holy light flickered and pushed the flames away, a divine protection granted by the priests of Aerius, the goddess of the sky.

“O Aerius! Your humble servant pleads! Grant those with valor the power to eradicate this evil menace!”

The magicians in the rear promptly created a wall of frost to prevent the flames from spreading.

“Cold winds of the frozen lands! Heed my call and come forth to this place! Wall of Ice!”

Despite the urgent situation, as soon as the command was given, everyone regained their composure and began to calmly deal with the situation. Sir Lot let out a sigh of relief. Now that the encirclement was formed, even the wicked demon seemed to have its momentum broken for a moment.

“Good, we hold it here while waiting for the commander.”

Stepping forward with sword and shield, Sir Lot continued. Though they had managed to halt its advance, Sephiatan was a high-tier demon, one that usually only those with significant aura abilities could confront. A direct assault would mean considerable casualties. Waiting for Graim’s Golden Knight seemed to be the best course of action.

That was when it happened. One of the knights, forming part of the encirclement, suddenly disobeyed the command and charged towards Sephiatan.

“Darn it!”

The knight was a young man in his late twenties. Sir Lot shouted in dismay.

“What are you doing, Russ!”

As if he hadn’t heard, the young knight reached right in front of Sephiatan. Discarding his shield, the knight known as Russ gripped his bastard sword with both hands. A murderous shout erupted.

“Evil demon! No one stands against the sword of Tenes!”

Russ leaped, striking Sephiatan’s torso with a long slash.

“Taaah!”

It was a flash-like strike. The demon’s chest was split open, black blood spurting out. That a mere youth could inflict such a wound on Sephiatan, said to be a match only for aura wielders, showed how close to perfection Russ’s swordsmanship was. It was an artistic downward slash that would not have been out of place even if called a master’s swordsmanship.

But that was all there was to it.

“Kraaah!”

In the midst of pain, Sephiatan immediately counterattacked. The broadsword, filled with flames, was swiftly brought down towards Russ. Russ tried to dodge in any way possible, but his movements were awkward. His skill in striking down was masterful, but beyond that, his abilities were utterly mediocre. Unable to dodge, he was squarely beaten.

“Ugh!”

His armor shattered, sending Russ flying through the air. Blood burst from various parts of his body. Sir Lot clicked his tongue as he saw Russ crash into the dirt ground.

“What a foolish man!”

Sephiatan pointed his sword at the fallen Russ, with flames flickering as if they were about to pour out any moment. A priest of Aerius moved to save him, but Sir Lot immediately stopped him.

“We must not break this siege now! There’s no need to care for such a foolish person!”

Russ spat out blood, his expression filled with humiliation. Sephiatan then shot the flames. Just as Russ was about to be enveloped in the red blaze,

“The Blade of the Sky, tear through the void!”

With a powerful shout, a blade of wind flew, splitting the blaze in half. The flaming spear that was flying towards him was quartered and scattered in all directions. At the same time, a robust young man landed in front of Russ, flying through the air. The young man, wearing the elegant attire of a noble, held a giant zanbatō nearly 2 meters long in one hand.

The Knights of Tenes erupted in cheers.

“Lord Eusus!”

“The commander has arrived!”

Holding the zanbatō, Eusus turned around. Russ, bleeding, struggled to lift his head. A cold voice flowed from Eusus’s lips.

“Fool! Did you think you were capable of facing an opponent with nothing but a downward strike?”

Russ mumbled with blood dripping from his mouth.

“Bro, brother…”

“Who said I was your brother?”

Contempt filled Eusus’s eyes in an instant.

“A great knight of Tenes does not emerge from the loins of filthy strays!”

Eusus then turned his back on Russ. Russ gritted his teeth in humiliation.

“Grr…”