Billy, having walked throughout the previous night, passed through the Gray Gate of Aranthia at dawn and finally arrived in the Walled Village by morning. He was exhausted, yearning to collapse on a bed immediately. However, fearing he wouldn’t have the strength to wake if he succumbed to his fatigue, he forced himself to at least get some food and sat down in a bar.
Just as he was about to start his meal, about ten thugs stormed into the eatery. Waving swords and axes, they quickly took control of the establishment.
‘Why here of all places? There must be spots that rake in more money than this.’
While Billy, dazed and tired, ate his roasted potatoes, the thugs intimidated the tavern’s patrons and stripped them of their valuables.
“Hey, put everything you’ve got right here.”
The man addressing Billy spoke with a threatening tone. Billy, however, acted as though he didn’t hear him. In fact, he was so drowsy that he couldn’t even distinguish whether he was peeling the potato skin and eating the inside or discarding the flesh and consuming the skin. So, understanding what was being demanded of him was a task even more formidable. After several attempts to get his attention, an impatient bandit smacked the back of Billy’s head.
“Hey, kid! Can’t you hear me?”
Even as his potato dropped to the floor, Billy remained disoriented and unresponsive. Turning slowly, the thug slapped him across the face.
“You want to die?”
The bandit shouted threateningly, but a man who appeared to be their leader signaled for restraint.
“Hey, ease up. We need this tavern, not money…”
The leader couldn’t finish his sentence as he quickly drew his sword.
Billy’s blade was piercing through the bandit’s throat. The man impaled on the sword gasped for air, dropping his loot on the ground.
With half-lidded eyes, Billy stared at the man he’d skewered and then, still seated, extended his leg to push the dying man’s face away with his foot. As the blade fully withdrew, blood gushed from the wound, staining the wall. The man collapsed, clutching his slit throat.
“Hey, what the hell?”
The thugs, having not expected any resistance, were stunned by the sudden death of their comrade. They stopped their plundering and quickly circled Billy. However, they didn’t get too close. Billy, still appearing drowsy, looked at them and remarked.
“Who the hell are you guys? I heard Aranthia was a peaceful land. Is it so lawless that robbers can casually raid a tavern?”
“We’re not from Aranthia. If I mention the name of the person I serve, who’d dare raise their voice? Drop your weapon.”
“State your name, not your master’s. If you can’t, then show what you’re made of.”
Billy yawned extensively.
“It’s tedious. Leave this tavern quietly, and I’ll spare your lives.”
Billy turned back and pierced another potato with his fork. The disturbance had cleared his mind a bit, but exhaustion still weighed him down.
‘Seems they misunderstood my warning.’
The thugs continued to pillage from everyone else in the tavern.
“Anyone who’s given up their stuff, gather over here! Now!”
The patrons, paralyzed with fear, obeyed without a peep. After binding the twelve people present, including the tavern owner and employees, the robbers turned their attention back to Billy, who had nearly finished his potatoes and was now thirsty.
“Hey, you two, check upstairs to ensure there are no other guests.”
The leader of the bandits instructed two of his subordinates and cautiously approached Billy, who silently took a sip of water. The bandit then questioned him.
“Judging by your sword and armor, are you some sort of knight?”
“What of it?”
“Could it be… are you from Aranthia’s Wolf Knights?”
Billy clenched his teeth, trying to hold back his anger.
“And if I were?”
“Great. My name’s Duff. The captain I serve wishes to join the Wolf Knights. Introduce us, and I’ll buy you a round.”
With a deadpan expression, Billy replied.
“So, even bandits use the title ‘captain’ now? Amusing, you lot.”
Duff groaned softly before continuing.
“I know the Wolf Knights are the strongest. But the captain I serve is no pushover either. He is…”
Billy set down his cup and swiftly drew his sword. Duff jumped back in surprise, reaching up to check that his neck was still intact.
Billy growled, “Don’t you ever blabber about the Wolf Knights being the strongest in front of me again.”
Suddenly, two figures tumbled down from the stairs on the second floor. Everyone’s gaze turned toward them. They were the two men Duff had just sent up to check the upper level. If there were guests upstairs, it was their job to tie them up and bring them down. Instead, they were sprawled on the floor with battered faces.
Following them down the stairs was a pair of smooth, white legs and bare feet. Billy and the bandits couldn’t help but stare at those legs. But, to their surprise, those legs belonged to a long-haired blonde man. With long eyelashes, pale skin, and a slender neck, he could easily be mistaken for a woman at first glance.
Billy was relieved he hadn’t made that mistake, and Duff cursed himself for being momentarily distracted by those legs. The man, despite his delicate face, had a rather deep voice.
“What’s this about the Wolf Knights?”
The blonde man casually sat at the bar, flicking his hair back. His shirt was partially unbuttoned, revealing a hint of his chest, and he sat with his legs crossed. It almost looked as if he was seducing someone. Despite the confusion, some bandits found his movements so captivating that they swallowed hard.
Billy squinted at him and asked, “Who are you?”
The blonde man raised an eyebrow slightly, “And who are you? The leader of these bandits?”
Billy responded nonchalantly, just as he had when asked about the Wolf Knights, “If I am, what will you do?”
“Well, if you don’t release those guests and disarm within five bells, I’ll kill you.”
Billy turned to Duff, the true leader of the bandits, “If he tries to attack me, I will kill you. Do as he says.”
Billy then addressed the blonde man, “Is that all?”
The blonde man was puzzled, “Wait, who’s the leader here?”
Billy waved his hand dismissively, “Just figure it out between the two of you. Innkeeper, I’ll be in any room upstairs, we can settle the bill later.”
Billy said this to the innkeeper, whose hands were tied behind his back. The innkeeper looked bewildered, but Billy didn’t care. He stepped over the two fallen men and slowly made his way up the stairs.
The blonde man watched Billy’s odd departure for a moment before shrugging, “All of you, if even one person dies while I’m upstairs, I’ll kill you all! Seriously. Hey innkeeper, just relax. I’ll handle everything.” With that, he chased after Billy.
The disappointed innkeeper hung his head in despair.
☆ ☆ ☆
Billy entered a room, swaying slightly, and collapsed on the bed after taking off his coat. The blonde man followed him inside.
‘Shoot, I forgot to lock the door.’
He grabbed Billy’s shoulder and shook him, “Hey, wake up. Let’s talk. Who are you?”
Billy frowned, eyes still closed, “Who are you? Leave me alone. I’m so tired.”
“My name is Suvel. I’m from Irophis.”
“I’m Billy. From Lontamon.”
“Oh, Billy. You’re not ordinary, are you? Surrounded by those bandits, how did you remain unscathed? More importantly, are you out of your mind? In a situation where you should either run, surrender, or fight, how can you do nothing?”
“I’m too lazy.”
Billy lazily waved his hand, “I’m sleeping. Get out of my room.”
“Your room? Damn it, this is my room, and that bed is where I was sleeping. You’re the one who barged in.”
Billy opened one eye and picked up the suspicious object before his nose. It was a white rabbit doll with a red button for an eye. Suvel quickly snatched the doll away.
“I just can’t sleep without this. Don’t get the wrong idea.”
“I didn’t misunderstand. I just figured you needed it to sleep.”
Before a blushing Suvel could offer another excuse, Billy spoke first.
“Fine, this room is yours, and so is this bed. But please, just let me sleep.”
Billy closed his eyes once more.
Hugging the doll tightly, Suvel sighed.
“When should I wake you?”
“Don’t.”
With that, Billy genuinely fell asleep. Suvel looked at him for a while before chuckling softly.
“This guy’s something else.”
Loud noises came from outside. Suvel peeked out the window to see about twenty guys on horses approaching the building. One of them, even from a distance, was notably bigger than the others. The large man shouted an order, and a younger guy named Duff ran to him, bowing his head.
“The real boss has arrived.”
Suvel mumbled. The group parked their horses and stormed into the tavern. Suvel scratched the back of his head, speaking to the sleeping Billy.
“You might not get to sleep much longer.”
In the meantime, Suvel dressed, donned gloves, and sheathed his sword. He stashed the rabbit doll deep inside his backpack. As Suvel anticipated, within ten minutes they came knocking, interrupting Billy’s sleep.
“Open the door.”
Suvel, waiting by the door, promptly swung it open. The leader of the bandits from downstairs, Duff, jumped back in surprise and stumbled. Suvel smirked and casually rested his hand on the hilt of his blade.
“What’s going on?”
“The Captain wants to see both of you.”
“Shouldn’t the one with the business come up?”
“Hey! I’ve got thirty men downstairs.”
Suvel glanced over at the still-sleeping Billy.
“Thirty or three hundred, what do I care? I’ll Wake up my friend while you call your boss.”
“It’s Captain, not boss!”
Duff emphasized.
“Bandits calling themselves Captains now? Ridiculous.”
At Suvel’s words, Duff exhaled sharply and raised a finger in warning.
“Fine. I’ll convey your message to the Captain. But a piece of advice when you talk to him: be respectful. Unless you want your hands cut off and are eager to lick the Captain’s boots. Some of my mates fancy a good-looking guy like you.”
“Well, here’s my only warning.”
Suvel flashed his blade. Before Duff could register what happened, his pointing finger lay severed on the ground.
“I don’t give warnings. That was it. If your boss isn’t up here in one minute, I’m coming down, and I’ll kill all of you. Got it?”
Leaving a stunned Duff searching for his lost finger, Suvel slammed the door shut. As expected, the so-called Captain soon arrived upstairs.
“Shall we talk?”
A deep voice came from outside the door.
“It’s open.”
Sitting cross-legged in a chair, Suvel looked relaxed. A massive figure, so big that he almost seemed to crowd the doorway, entered. Unlike the others itching for a fight, this man remained calm.
“Everyone, wait outside.”
The restless bandits reluctantly obeyed the command. Once they left, the large man closed the door and sat opposite Suvel. The wooden chair creaked under his weight.
“Aren’t you afraid of me?”
It was the man’s first question.
“Should I be?” Suvel asked.
“Guess not. If you were scared, I wouldn’t have had to come myself. Know my name?”
“Enlighten me.”
“Tego. Known in Irophis as the Hell’s Sword.”
“I’m from Irophis, but I haven’t heard that name.”
“An apathetic one, aren’t you? There’s a bounty of five hundred gold coins on my head. Of course, the sum is that large because no one’s been able to kill me.”
“So?”
“You seem braver than you look. I’m on my way to Nadium in Aranthia. My followers are criminals from various places, but they all follow me, joining me on the journey to Nadium.”
Suvel, slightly curious, asked, “Nadium? Why there?”
“To join the Wolf Knights.”
Suvel erupted in hearty laughter. As his laughter continued unexpectedly longer, Tego finally frowned, “Why are you laughing?”
Wiping a tear from his long eyelashes, Suvel replied, “Listen here. It doesn’t matter how big your bounty is. How much do you even know about the Wolf Knights?”
Tego hesitated before replying, “I know enough.”
Leaning against a wooden chair with arms crossed, Tego’s weight caused the chair to creak alarmingly. He quickly adjusted his position.
Suvel commented, “Going with ‘knowing enough’? Even if the Wolf Knights of Aranthia don’t question one’s past, whether they were a serial killer or assassinated a foreign king, initially, such a person wouldn’t pass their tests. Why? Because someone who just learns the art of killing without pure passion for the blade has limitations.”
“Hmph! I’ve never lost to anyone. Be it the Royal Knights of Irophis or the Excelon Knights of Lontamon! Even my younger brother, Trego, can easily take down a few Dragon Knights. Hence, my only aim is the Wolf Knights. I’m in this village now waiting for my brother…”
“Hey, Sword’s Hell. Aren’t you delusional?”
“It’s Hell’s Sword.”
“Such an uncool nickname. Just get over it.”
Suvel sighed wearily, “Look, my naive friend. How many members are in the Royal Knights of Irophis? Fifty? One hundred? Try four hundred. And the Dragon Knights? They used to be fewer when there were dragons, but now there are five hundred. The Excelon Knights have three hundred. So you beat one of them? And you gauge the entire Irophis Royal Knights based on that? How do you know if the one you defeated was the strongest or the weakest?”
“It doesn’t matter. Hence, everyone challenges the Wolf Knights of Aranthia, the strongest.”
With his hand resting on the hilt of his massive sword, Tego spoke as if ready to challenge any Wolf Knight present.
“Oh, what to do with this fool? He’s so dense I don’t even have the energy to explain.”
“Watch your mouth, punk. Right now…”
“Just listen to what I have to say, you stinking idiot. Do you know how many members the Wolf Knights have? Two hundred? One hundred? Just fifty. But that fifty, they are truly remarkable. Now, pick fifty from Excelon’s three hundred. Those fifty become the strongest among them. Get my point? You guys know nothing. You probably listen to minstrels singing of legends and think you ‘know enough’.”
Anger was now evident on Tego’s face.
“You have quite the entertaining words.”
Billy, who everyone thought was asleep, had been sitting up on his bed for some time.
Suvel remarked, “Ah, did you sleep well?”
“With the two of you going on like this, how could I sleep?”
“Not my fault. He came up. Oh, did I invite him? Then I apologize.”
Suvel chuckled.
Rubbing his eyes, Billy inquired, “You said your name’s Suvel? Where are you headed?”
“Nadium.”
“Why there?”
“To join the Wolf Knights.”
“That doesn’t align with what you just mocked. If you laughed at someone else going, why are you headed there?”
Suvel smirked, “I’ll teach both of you something interesting. From now on, never draw your swords. Of course, I will NEVER, EVER attack either of you. Got it?”
Billy listened with a frown, and Tego silently observed Suvel. Suvel stood between them, as if to draw out a tune from a song, suddenly lowering his stance and reaching for the sword at his waist.
The men on either side of him reacted sharply at that instant.
Tego remained seated with his arms crossed, not drawing his weapon. But Billy, startled, quickly drew his blade. Had Suvel even slightly unsheathed his sword, Billy would’ve slashed at him without hesitation—a quite aggressive response.
Suvel too was taken aback by Billy’s swift reaction. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say he was chilled to the bone. Tego, who had been calmly sitting, shrugged his broad shoulders.
“What are you two up to?”
Ignoring Tego’s words, Suvel cautiously withdrew his hand from his blade, and Billy, with tense hands, slowly sheathed his sword. Only when both sat back down did the strange tension dissipate.
Suvel spoke, “There was just a test for the Wolf Knights. Tego, you failed, but Billy, you passed.”
Taken aback, Tego blurted out, “What kind of test was that? Didn’t you just say not to draw our blades? If not for that, I would’ve drawn my sword at your strange stance too.”
“Right, I said not to draw your sword. That was the trap. In this test, you had to draw your blade to pass.”
“Are you two conspiring to play a prank on me?”
“Tego!”
Suvel reprimanded him in a tone one would use for a misbehaving child.
“Shouldn’t you have realized by now? Whether a criminal or whatever, if you’ve experienced killing, you should’ve slowly figured it out. Or maybe you’re not even worthy of that ridiculous moniker, the Hell’s Sword. You’re weaker than me. End of story.”
Stunned, Tego could only gape, then abruptly stood up.
“You bastards! Downstairs, I have thirty of my men waiting.”
“Ah, Captain Tego, resorting to the most despicable method of admitting defeat. Acting so mighty and then hoping your subordinates will handle what you can’t? So, they’re stronger than you?”
Tego could only widen his eyes.
Ignoring Tego, Suvel addressed Billy, “So, now I’m quite curious about your identity. Of course, I can’t claim my testing method was precise. Originally, Master Quain Gant does it personally. I was just imitating. But you seem capable enough to pass even Master Quain’s test.”
Stroking his clean-shaven chin, Suvel looked Billy up and down and asked, “And you said you’re from Lontamon? Hmm… Would it be rude if I guessed the name of a certain knight order that’s crossing my mind?”
“I’m curious about your identity too, Suvel. Of course, you’re clearly not from the Wolf Knights. But you know an unusual amount about them. If I had to pick one of my theories, you’re a knight who took the Wolf Knights’ test and failed?”
“At the second test.”
“If what just happened was the first test, I’m curious about this second test. How challenging was it that you didn’t pass?”
“To be precise, I gave up halfway.”
“Gave up?”
“I always thought of myself as the best. My pride was unmatched by anyone in the world. I even wished I had been twenty during the Continental Conquest War. As I aged, I realized the war, where heroes could prove themselves, had ended. So, in compensation, I entered the Wolf Knights’ exam. Thought I’d easily pass, and after defeating this Master Quain, I’d gain immense fame.”
Tego interjected, “I had the exact same thought.”
Ignoring Tego, Billy asked Suvel, “But why did you give up?”
“There was a massive wall in the way.”
“A wall?”
“A man named Loyal.”
Suvel recounted with a bitter smile.
“He was unbelievably strong. Countless knight candidates were disheartened by him, many losing their confidence and quitting halfway. It almost seemed like not being afraid of him was a second test. But that wasn’t the case. There were plenty who could stand up to that monstrous fellow. Some even gave up upon seeing those who could.”
“Sounds pathetic when I hear it. Isn’t it natural to challenge someone stronger?”
“You say that because you haven’t seen him.”
Suvel leaned back in his chair and continued, “And if that’s not enough, there was this ‘woman’ who played with me like a toy. Almost drove me mad.”
“A woman?”
“Yes, a woman! I always thought women were meant to cook at home and bear children, right? Female mercenaries, if any, being only slightly stronger than the average woman? That’s all the female swordswomen I had ever known. But to be humiliated by such a woman… The feeling of shame…”
“So, you lost to a woman in a duel. Well, it can happen.”
“Don’t speak without knowing. It wasn’t a duel! It was a mockery. You wouldn’t understand how that feels. What was her name? Azwin?”
Billy snorted and said, “From the sound of it, the Wolf Knights really lack discipline.”
“Something that your order can’t even imagine, right? So, let’s get back to my earlier question, Billy. Why has an Excelon Knight come to Aranthia?”
The one surprised was Tego.
“Wait, Excelon?”
Of course, neither gave a kind explanation for Tego. Billy was slowly getting sleepy and growing impatient. He abruptly asked Tego,
“Hey, did you kill the tavern owner?”
“I didn’t! I plan to stay in this tavern for at least two weeks. That’s why I occupied it beforehand.”
Suvel said, ‘Well done!’ mockingly, causing Tego’s face to flush. But Billy stepped between the two, waving them off.
“I asked for tea because I wanted some! If the owner’s dead, who’s going to serve it?”
With not even half an hour of sleep, Billy staggered towards the door.
☆ ☆ ☆
Billy had his tea, while Tego consumed three portions of steak. Suvel sat between them, downing beer in broad daylight.
Thirty of Tego’s men, crammed into the small tavern’s limited chairs and tables, glared at Billy and Suvel. With just a flick from Tego, all thirty would pounce on them. Whether they were aware or not, Billy and Suvel seemed completely at ease.
The other patrons were still huddled in a corner, hostages to the situation. The only one free, the terrified tavern owner, was serving food and tea. Billy, having finished a cup and accepting another, asked,
“Do you know about the Gold Gate Battle?”
“If someone doesn’t know about that, they’re not fit to wield a sword.”
As Suvel said that, Tego looked extremely flustered and said, “One might not know!”
Suvel explained with a hint of contempt, “It’s the battle between the Excelon Knights and the Wolf Knights. They call it the Gold Gate Battle. It’s when the Excelon Knights, who once briefly stood at the pinnacle, plummeted into disrepute.”
“I know that much!”
Tego nodded in affirmation.
Billy, not offering further details, got straight to the point, “Even now, I’m proud to be an Excelon. But I hate hearing that damned word ‘disgrace’ from all corners.”
“It’s the truth. Besides, the Excelons have always been depicted as symbols of evil in bards’ tales! It’s such a fitting portrayal. Holy white cloaks, devilish black armor!”
Stopping mid-sentence, Suvel lightly tapped the table and asked, “Oh, so you came here for revenge, then? Proclaiming that an Excelon is here to defeat the Wolf Knights!”
Billy looked at Suvel with a pitiful expression, “Don’t speak of the Excelon’s disgrace.”
“Talk of chivalry while the tavern’s patrons are held hostage and you do nothing.”
“I was sleepy.”
“Ah! So your knightly honor only shines when you’re wide awake?”
“It seems so.”
Billy took a sip of his tea, nodding slowly.
Suvel blinked in surprise. Billy met his wide-eyed gaze.
“It’s clearly my fault. Thankfully, there doesn’t seem to be any victims. I’ll find a way to make amends.”
Suvel blinked slowly, “Impressive, you.”
“What is?”
“How can you admit your mistakes so readily?”
“Isn’t it the right thing to do?”
“Usually, it’s not. People have pride, you know.”
“Then why did you come back? To take on the second test you abandoned five years ago?”
“No, I’m here to meet the Wolf Knights again, kill a few, and regain my lost pride.”
“Your reasons are pretty mundane, aren’t they?”
“I’ve grown stronger in the meantime. A man should test his strength, and the best way between knights is a duel!”
“Do all men in Irophis think the way you do?”
Billy replied with a smirk.
Suvel grinned, stroking his chin, “Our goals seem somewhat similar. How about traveling together? I was growing bored of being alone.”
Billy eyed Suvel’s seductive posture and tone, “Instead of getting mad about being teased as a woman, maybe you should reconsider your behavior.”
Suvel’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “Who decided that this is how a woman acts? This is just me.”
Billy, with half-lidded eyes, chuckled, “Honestly, I find it cute. Don’t you want to be seen that way?”
Suvel growled softly in response.
“You know, I might have been overconfident about my increased strength. But a duel against an Excelon knight would be a good test. What do you say?”
Billy replied while setting down his tea cup, “A warm-up before my nap sounds good.”
As the two stood up, Tego, who had been silently listening, discreetly backed away. The bandits, who had also been eavesdropping, did the same.
“Double swords? Or is one a backup?”
Suvel glanced at the two swords Billy wore.
Billy coldly retorted, “Don’t worry. I won’t be needing the second one for you.”
“Is it some kind of magic sword? If so, it’s best to draw it now.”
As Suvel reached for his sword, the tavern doors swung open. Four women entered in a panic, chased by two thugs who shouted, “Captain! We’ve brought some women from the village. What should we do?”
Tego, distracted by the looming duel, responded carelessly, “Do whatever you want with them.”
Suvel shouted, “Do what?! Are you cannibals? Release them.”
The newcomers, still assessing the situation, asked, “Who’s this girly fellow?”
Before Suvel could respond, Tego spoke, “Watch your words…”
But Suvel was quicker. He hurled a fork at one of the bandits, embedding it in his forehead. The bandit pulled out the fork, looking more shocked than in pain, before collapsing, with none of his comrades rushing to aid.
Enraged, Suvel yelled, “Didn’t I say to release those tied up here? Do it. Now!”
The bandits, unsure, looked to Tego for guidance.
“They only look to you, Captain Tego. What will it be?”
Suvel’s sarcastic tone made Tego give in, “Release them.”
The bandits hurriedly freed the captives, who made a beeline for the exit, none of them pausing to thank Suvel.
“Ah, the mood’s ruined. Let’s do it later.”
Suvel brushed off his hands as he spoke.
Billy, too, not liking the chaotic atmosphere, sheathed his sword.
“Agreed.”
The two took seats at the bar again. They acted like well-behaved customers in front of the tavern owner, who was unsure how to handle the situation.
“One more cup of tea.”
“I’ll just have another beer.”
Both spoke at the same time, shooting each other a glare.
–TL Notes–
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