“Captain Wolf!”
From behind, Suvel called out. Kassel continued walking without stopping. Yet, he didn’t display the demeanor of one hastily trying to escape. He walked confidently and steadily.
“Stop, I said!”
After ignoring several calls, the voice behind him grew angry. Only then did Kassel turn to look.
Suvel stood right behind him. Up close, he looked strikingly beautiful, almost intimidatingly so. But unlike Billy behind him, Suvel lacked a masculine edge. With a clean face showing no signs of stubble, a sharp jawline, long eyelashes shadowing sparkling eyes, he could have easily been mistaken for a woman had he worn makeup.
From one perspective, he was incredibly handsome. However, after witnessing his skills firsthand, Kassel saw him only as a ‘dangerous person’. In terms of skill, comparing him to the entirety of Camort, only Bading or Linke came to mind.
‘It might even be beyond that. Clearly, he’s at a level I can’t measure.’
The man named Billy, who had followed Suvel, hadn’t displayed his skills in front of Kassel. But from his demeanor and the way he spoke, he seemed at least on par with Suvel. After all, it was Billy who had challenged Captain Wolf. The Black Knight trailing behind them needed no introduction.
“Where do you think you’re going? Are you trying to run away or what?”
Suvel asked, clearly annoyed. Kassel placed one hand on his hip and stood defiantly.
All the way here, Kassel had been pondering how to deal with these two. Though reckless enough to obstruct a High Lord’s procession, they weren’t the type to kill without reason.
Kassel knew from experience that bluster wouldn’t work on skilled individuals like them. His authority as Captain would have no effect, and long-winded words meant to confuse them would also prove useless. If he misspoke, they were the type to literally cut out his tongue.
It was time to heed Sheyden’s advice.
“That’s right, I’m running away.”
Kassel responded.
‘I need to show them as soon as possible that my swordsmanship is no better than a goat’s hoof. But I shouldn’t act pitifully. And I shouldn’t honestly reveal everything either.’
To achieve this, he had to present a different side of himself. He couldn’t come up with every scenario in the short walk here. Thus, Kassel had no choice but to mimic someone.
‘Who should I imitate?’
Only the recent memories of the White Wolves in Camort came to mind.
‘Azwin!’
Kassel, hand on his hip, defiantly repeated what he had said earlier.
“I’m running away. What are you going to do?”
Suvel, as if mocking Kassel, posed with his hand on his hip. His face was filled with a complicated smile of disbelief.
“Weren’t you the Captain of the Wolf Knights?”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you running?”
“Because I’m scared.”
Suspicion was evident in Suvel’s sharp eyes. However, Kassel did not back down. If Azwin always pushed her agenda, ignoring unfavorable details and naturally highlighting the favorable ones, then he needed that confidence. She knew how to use every asset she had. If a man ogled her legs, she would flash a bit of her thigh and then cut his wrist in that distraction. He needed that kind of confidence now.
“Aren’t you a Captain?”
Suvel pointedly asked, finger raised.
“I am a Captain.”
“You know Loyal?”
He asked, as if testing.
“Yes.”
“Is he a White Wolf?”
“Yes.”
“So, he’s under you?”
“He’s a friend. The Wolf Knights don’t operate on hierarchies. How do you know Loyal anyway?”
“I ask the questions. What about Azwin?”
“I know her.”
“Is she a part of the White Wolves too?”
“Yes.”
“Who else is there? Surely not Sheyden, Franz, Gerald?”
“Not Franz, but the other two, yes. How on earth do you know all these names?”
“Damn it! You hear that, Billy? The ones who defeated me are all White Wolves and the one who lost to me is a Wolf. Thinking about it is infuriating.”
Suvel chuckled with an amused expression. Suddenly, Kassel found his antics quite entertaining, but he maintained a stoic expression.
‘Indifference. Boldness. Confidence.’
Kassel kept repeating these words to himself. Suvel asked again.
“Loyal, is he still formidable? More formidable than you?”
“More formidable than me.”
Kassel had an inkling of how Suvel would react to that answer. Yet, he didn’t feel the need to amend it.
“By how much?”
Suvel’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked.
“That’s enough.”
Billy, who had been silently listening to their conversation, drew his sword. Involuntarily, Kassel leaned his head back to avoid it.
“A knight shouldn’t boast about his strength with words while hiding behind a sword.”
Billy lightly tossed the drawn sword towards Kassel. He didn’t want to catch it, but had no choice. It was a substantially heavy sword. Compared to it, the swords of Loyal or Azwin seemed considerably lighter.
After briefly inspecting the sword, Kassel inquired, “Are we dueling?”
“Of course. Remember the promise from earlier.”
Billy stood three steps ahead of Kassel. Suvel, filled with curiosity about Loyal, retreated without saying much. The Black Knight waited in stillness. Even Billy’s subordinates, who had followed them, were fixated on Kassel, and he couldn’t help but feel his heart tightening.
‘Did I make the wrong choice? Should I have boasted? Or should I have pretended not to be a captain, act pitiful, and ensure my survival?’
If Kassel hadn’t met Talrund at the Gray Gate and heard about Master Quain and Meylumil, he might have made a more carefree decision.
‘Decisiveness in any situation!’
Those were the words Meylumil used when talking about the qualifications of a captain.
‘Azwin, once she decides, thinks about whether it was a wrong decision or not later. She keeps pushing.’
Azwin had swordsmanship that was unmatched, and that gave her the confidence to be assertive against anyone. Kassel couldn’t emulate her sword skills. Even a hundred years of training wouldn’t suffice. But he could imitate her confidence.
‘So, what’s my weapon? It’s the position of being the captain of the Wolf Knights. Even if I’m seen as a fool, that fact can’t change.’
Holding up the sword Billy handed him, Kassel declared, “Alright, let’s fight.”
Billy nodded firmly and drew another sword.
“This is the Lontamon ceremonial sword, only the captain of Excelon can possess it. Is it acceptable to use it?”
“Captain of Excelon against the Captain of the Wolves? Are we having such a massive duel with just this audience?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Not at all. But can I ask one thing? Did you really save that sword to use against the captain of the Wolf Knights?”
“Yes. It might have been waiting for almost 10 years.”
Billy said with an enigmatic tone, his determination palpable. Kassel felt a pang of regret.
‘Ah, if only the White Wolves were here in my place…’
Taking a deep breath, Kassel spoke, “You’ll regret using that sword against me.”
Whether he understood the implications or not, Billy laughed.
“I doubt that.”
Kassel waited for Billy to get into position and then raised his sword. Though he had practiced posture with Gerald countless times, now he deliberately tried to look sloppy. He had never wished more for his opponent to be formidable. Nor had he wished more for his opponent to notice his vulnerabilities.
Billy was already bewildered by Kassel’s oddities. Is he trying to bait me? His eyes seemed to ask. Seizing the moment, Kassel swung his sword downwards with a deliberately awkward shout.
Billy, from his crouched position, effortlessly deflected Kassel’s sword with one hand. A sharp jolt ran up Kassel’s wrist. The sword flew out of his hand and landed some distance away. Without missing a beat, Billy pressed his blade against Kassel’s throat.
The cold sensation of the metal against his skin felt chilling. However, internally, Kassel felt like cheering. The blade could have very easily pierced his gut. But it didn’t. He had calculated that if he showed a pitifully weak level of skill, Billy would make such a move, assuming Billy was truly a skilled fighter.
“What are you trying to do?”
Billy inquired, genuinely curious.
“This is my true skill.”
Kassel responded, as if he had been waiting to say that.
“What? Are you joking right now?”
Billy, taken aback, glanced at Suvel. Suvel also looked at Kassel, equally baffled. Kassel spoke slowly.
“Didn’t I tell you? You will regret taking out that ceremonial sword.”
Billy looked like he might actually go through with the threat of cutting Kassel’s throat, but he refrained.
“That guy is annoying, isn’t he? Want me to hit him?”
Suvel jokingly asked. It seemed he had already figured out Kassel’s charade. Even though Kassel had intentionally exposed his identity, it felt humiliating to be outed in front of everyone.
One of Billy’s subordinates picked up the sword Kassel had dropped and handed it to Billy. The man whispered something into Billy’s ear.
The man had slightly plump and thick lips with narrow eyes. At first glance, he seemed harmless, but upon closer inspection, especially the way he whispered and kept glancing around, he appeared rather sinister. After hearing the man’s whispers, Billy approached Kassel with a wry smile and sheathed his sword.
“The guy says, in five breaths, he can make someone like you obedient. But you’re not a prisoner from a battlefield, and you’ve not done anything particular against us. I don’t particularly want to do that. I admit it was my mistake to force you here. Speak honestly, and no harm will come to you. So now, tell me your true identity.”
‘Finally, he’ll listen.’
Kassel began deliberately.
“From now on, there won’t be a shred of lie in what I say, so listen carefully. I am the captain whom all the White Wolves follow, and my name is Kassel.”
“Such a ridiculously unbelievable lie.”
“You mentioned you’re a knight of Excelon, Billy?”
“So?”
“Why is that demon, clad in your knights’ armor, with you?”
Billy scratched the bridge of his nose.
“Don’t divert the conversation. We aren’t discussing that right now.”
“Originally, I should’ve conversed with that black-armored knight, not you. The one I made the deal with first was him, afterall.”
Kassel didn’t back down.
“You talk as if you know the true identity of Black?”
“I do. They were part of the force leading the internal conflict in Camort.”
Kassel declared. The Black Knight, who had been standing still, began approaching with the sound of metal grinding against the ground.
“Are you saying there’s someone like me in Camort?”
His voice, which sounded as if it came from a cave, was deep and imposing. It was quite different from the sinister tone of Camort’s Black Knight. Kassel briefly caught his breath before speaking again.
“Yes, but I am not entirely sure how to describe them. They were neither alive nor dead. You seem slightly different from them.”
The knight slowly tilted his helmet backward.
“The answer still lies in the Gold Gate.”
With heavy steps, he began walking north along the path. Suvel hurriedly grabbed his shoulder.
“That’s not the direction, Black. Don’t keep going alone. Didn’t you say something familiar was left behind? Isn’t that him? The Captain of the Wolves.”
Black stared at Kassel for quite some time, then turned away.
“That familiarity is still behind. And even if I look at it, I don’t think my memories will return. Enough. Lead me to the Gold Gate.”
“Hold on, what about that guy? Didn’t you need him?”
“He’s not necessary. To me, he holds no value.”
While the two exchanged words, Billy seemed to be deliberating on what to do with Kassel. Kassel remained silent. Beside him, the man who had earlier boasted about making Kassel submissive was advising.
“Just give him to me for 10 minutes. He’ll lick even the captain’s boots with his tongue.”
Billy crossed his arms and made a gesture to Kassel.
“So, what will it be, Captain Kassel?”
Kassel didn’t miss the hesitation in Billy’s eyes. He couldn’t leave him alone. He couldn’t kill him. Taking him seemed pointless… such indecision!
‘Should I plead to be spared and return to Talrund? No. They wouldn’t send me back, and above all, the Black Knight is here. My friends might have disappeared because of him. I can’t run away because I’m scared.’
Though his body wanted to flee, his spirit stood its ground.
Kassel extended his hand and said,
“It’s not my choice to make. I’ve never lied nor broken a promise. Isn’t it your job to judge that, Billy? But I won’t deny that I disappointed you.”
“What?”
“Give me the sword.”
“A rematch?”
“No. Not the one you gave me earlier, but the ceremonial sword from Lontamon.”
A portly man beside them frowned.
“Watch your mouth. Who do you think you are, you little worm!”
“My father always said not to bother listening to loudmouths with nothing inside but empty bravado. Captains are discussing important matters. Mind your place.”
The man glared at Kassel, his face reddened. Kassel thought to himself,
‘Billy, don’t leave me with this guy! I really might end up licking your boots in less than 10 minutes.’
Fortunately, Billy pushed the man aside and asked,
“Why should I give you the ceremonial sword?”
“I promised to meet any expectation, right? The Captain of the Wolves wishes to test the knight’s code of Excelon.”
As soon as Kassel opened his mouth, Billy drew two swords simultaneously. The speed was so fast, only the motion of grabbing the hilt and the aftermath was visible. For a moment, it seemed as if the blade had passed by Kassel’s neck.
‘Did he just… Is my throat intact?’
Kassel was terrified for his life. Billy offered the hilt of the ceremonial sword. In his other hand, he held another sword, ready to strike.
“If you dare speak of the knight’s code, then risk your life. No tricks.”
“Do you think that as a Wolf, I can’t stake my life on the knight’s code?”
Receiving Billy’s sword, Kassel continued,
“I’ve always looked up to the Wolf Knights, but my dream of becoming a knight was due to the Knights of Excelon. The Excelon Knight I know has become the captain of Camort but hasn’t forgotten the knight’s code of Excelon. Know that being able to trust my life to an unfamiliar blade like yours is all thanks to him. So if you’re not confident, don’t loosely utter words like knight’s code and life!”
Kassel assumed a stance he learned from his friends. It was the basic stance Loyal took before facing an enemy.
“If I fail the knight’s code you know, then cut me.”
Billy tightened his grip on his sword.
“As the Captain of the White Wolves, once you arrive at the White Gate, I promise to prove it to you. Simultaneously, I will fulfill your wishes. If that’s a duel with the Wolves, I’ll gladly accept.”
Billy’s eyebrows twitched slightly. The advising man interrupted again.
“Don’t be fooled. If you don’t want to dirty your hands, I’ll cut him down myself.”
“Shut up!”
Billy yelled, not at Kassel, but at the man.
“How could an Excelon knight break a vow made upon the Lontamon ceremonial sword?”
Billy sheathed his sword and extended his hand. Obediently, Kassel handed over the ceremonial sword.
“I hope you uphold the Knight’s Code of the Wolves as you claim, Captain Kassel.”
Billy, without softening his stern expression, growled a little and walked towards where Suvel and Black were. Kassel sighed and slipped his hands into his pockets. He wanted to sit and rest right there, but many eyes were watching him, especially the portly man who had been advising Billy earlier.
☆ ☆ ☆
That portly man’s name was Greenwood. Sometimes, people called him Sergeant, suggesting he had some rank within the group. However, his behavior did not reflect that rank. For that evening’s meal, chicken soup was served. Greenwood intentionally knocked over a bowl, wetting Kassel’s shoes.
“Oh, sorry. That was the last of it, what to do?”
Kassel hadn’t felt truly humiliated in a long time. Billy was curt but polite, and Suvel, although intimidating, was considerate in his own way. If Kassel told them about Greenwood’s actions, they’d surely rectify the situation. But he couldn’t tell them, knowing that Greenwood did it deliberately, and this infuriated him even more.
The Black Knight’s pace was slow, so they hadn’t traveled much in a day. Camping for the night, Kassel gazed up at the night sky. He was displeased with his captive state but fatigue soon sent him to sleep.
Their journey resumed early in the morning. They acquired a wagon in the next village. Suvel tethered his horse to the wagon and drove it, with only the Black Knight riding in it. Billy allowed Kassel to ride as well, given his status as a captive, but Kassel declined. He was confident in his walking and didn’t want to rely on the enemy’s charity.
As they continued, Kassel began contemplating the future. At first, he was grateful for the slow pace as it gave him time to think. But on second thought, maybe traveling faster was better. When they reach White Gate, the Wolf Knights would be there, and everything would be taken care of.
However, he still faced the problem of proving his identity as Captain Wolf, especially without the ceremonial sword.
‘This situation will persist for quite a while at this rate. No need to worry now. Greenwood is the immediate concern.’
Greenwood seemed the type who’d kill Kassel and make up any excuse for it. Sometimes, he’d act suspiciously aggressive, but whenever Billy or Suvel were around, he’d pretend as if nothing happened. Frankly, Kassel wanted to outright ask him why he hadn’t killed him yet.
‘Is it because I insulted him? That’s the only thing that comes to mind.’
But he didn’t want to apologize to someone like Greenwood. It might just make him more vulnerable.
Greenwood would pick fights during meals and whisper behind Kassel’s back as they walked. He’d sometimes deliberately mock Kassel loud enough for him to hear, making comments like, “A guy who can’t even use a sword sure acts big, huh?” and “He sways his hips when he walks.” It was driving Kassel mad.
All Kassel could do was endure.
When night fell, Billy halted the march and briefed the Black Knight, Black, on their itinerary.
“By noon tomorrow, we’ll pass through the Red Gate. If we maintain this pace, it should only take us about five days to reach Gold Gate.”
From Kassel’s observation, Black had mentioned ‘going to the Gold Gate’ at least three times.
‘Gold Gate? Why there?’
From Suvel’s passing comment, “That again?”, it seemed Black had been talking about it even before meeting Kassel.
Kassel sat a distance away from the others. There was some surveillance, but he had relative freedom to move nearby. They seemed confident he wouldn’t attempt to escape in the open, and they were right. Kassel had no intentions of fleeing.
The tantalizing aroma of toasted bread wafted through the air. Billy’s men prepared the meal and divided the toasted bread amongst themselves.
“Hey, bread.”
While distributing, Greenwood flung a piece of bread towards Kassel from a distance. It was dark and unexpected, causing Kassel to drop the bread on the ground.
“Can’t you even catch that?”
Greenwood laughed mockingly, and the other men joined him. Kassel sighed and reached down for the dropped bread. It would likely be dirty, but it was better than not eating at all, especially since he had missed a meal due to their continuous pranks. He was very hungry.
Just as Kassel was about to pick up the bread, someone stomped on it. The laughing faces of the men immediately turned stern.
“Bring a new one.”
It was Suvel. A usually amiable face looks very different when it’s angry. Greenwood, trying to appease Suvel, hurriedly brought another piece of bread. Suvel took the bread and offered it to Kassel, saying,
“If you want, I can also get an apology out of him.”
“That’s alright. Thank you.”
Suvel exhaled deeply and ordered Greenwood to return to his spot. Watching Greenwood’s retreating back, Suvel remarked,
“You’re too patient. He’s been at it all day, hasn’t he? I stayed silent to see how you’d react, and you remained passive until the end. I had to step in because it angered me.”
Summer insects buzzed around. Kassel waved his hand to shoo them away as he spoke.
“I’m used to it.”
“To such things?”
Suvel expressed genuine surprise in his voice.
“You must really have a weak temperament.”
“When dealing with that sort of person, I’ve observed they almost always react the same way to someone like me. Every time, I feel angry and embarrassed. Why wouldn’t I?”
Kassel took another bite from his bread and continued.
“But I don’t have the energy to be angry about something that will resolve itself eventually. Just let it be.”
“How will it resolve?”
“I don’t know. I don’t have the energy to think about it.”
Suvel scratched his arm and neck, perhaps bitten by a mosquito. Kassel just ate his bread. Seeing Suvel still standing, Kassel made room for him to sit.
“Do you want to sit? It seems like you have questions.”
Suvel hesitated for a moment before sitting down and asking,
“Did you say you know Azwin?”
‘Is that the main point?’
Kassel nodded.
“I do.”
“Is she still beautiful?”
Kassel looked at him with a renewed curiosity.
“It’s such an unexpected question, I’m not sure how to respond. Why do you ask?”
Suvel blinked his large eyes and replied,
“Just curious… you tend to remember faces like hers. It’s not a face you’d forget in a few years.”
While Suvel tried to appear nonchalant, it only made him look more suspicious. Kassel didn’t wish to delve deeper.
‘I bet you’re the one who remembers better.’
“Well, I don’t know how she looked before, but when I saw her recently, she was outstanding.”
Kassel elaborated kindly.
“Hmm, that makes sense. When I saw her, she was about twenty. She must be quite mature by now. How is she? Has she… become more womanly?”
“If it were Azwin you’re asking about, she’d probably say, ‘What does it mean to be womanly?'”
Suvel quickly agreed.
“She hasn’t changed a bit then. That’s just like her.”
He looked amused by this. Feeling Kassel’s gaze, Suvel quickly turned his head. By the flush visible on his face, illuminated by the torchlight and moonlight, Kassel could guess what was going through his mind.
‘Don’t turn around. Just listen.’
Upon hearing someone behind him saying not to turn around, Kassel clenched his fist, resisting the urge to do so.
‘This voice is audible only to you. Furthermore, you cannot speak to me. So, just listen, and if you understand, touch your head.’
Pretending to scratch, Kassel subtly placed a hand on the back of his head. Suvel was rambling on about how the night gave him a lot to ponder over and how he once wished to write poetry. Kassel just nodded along while focusing on the strange voice coming from behind.
‘It’s a shame I can’t ask why you’re with that group. However, staying captured might be the best way to avoid the worst situation. Though you might not be aware, the situation has become exceedingly dangerous. Stay put for now. The entity wishing to harm you might paradoxically serve as a shield. Rescuing you right now isn’t the problem; protecting you afterward would be.’
The sensation of hearing a voice without it passing through one’s ears was odd. Still, there was no discomfort; it felt somewhat familiar, though he couldn’t recall the memory.
The mysterious voice, gender unknown, didn’t provide specifics. What was this dangerous situation, and who sought to harm him? Being told to just listen was a vexing command.
‘I am here upon your friend’s request. He was gravely injured and couldn’t act with me, so I searched for you alone. Having confirmed your safety, I’ll return to help him. I assume you’d want that too.’
Suvel was saying something. But Kassel wasn’t listening and just lowered his head. It wasn’t a sound that became clearer when you concentrated or faded when ignored. Still, reflexively, he bowed his head, feeling that would make it clearer.
‘Beware of the one in black armor. He is a being resurrected from death and shouldn’t have returned to this land. He mustn’t pass through the Gold Gate and White Gate. If he meets the Queen of Aranthia beyond those gates, unspeakable horrors might unfold. Stop him, if you’re Captain Wolf…’
At that last remark, Kassel couldn’t resist and looked behind him, but no one was there.
“Hey, don’t you know of a knight named Sheyden? Why are you pretending not to hear?”
Leaving Suvel’s question unanswered, Kassel quickly stood up and ran to the place where he thought he heard the voice. Yet, there were no signs of anyone, only a brightly glowing creature in the distance.
It was a wolf. Its silver fur shimmered faintly in the darkness.
“Ah!”
Kassel started to exclaim but held his tongue. The luminous wolf slightly tilted its head, as if signaling him to remain silent. More than anything, Kassel wanted to ask about his injured friend, but the wolf gracefully acknowledged him and disappeared behind a hill.
“What’s with you? If you’re trying to escape, go all the way. Why start running and then stop?”
Suvel approached, nagging.
“I’m not escaping. I’ve nowhere to go.”
Kassel responded and then looked at Suvel.
“That Black Knight you mentioned, you said you don’t know his identity, right?”
“Yes.”
“I think I might know.”
“Who?”
Kassel remained silent, instead biting into the bread he had been holding. Suvel, surprisingly, had the patience to wait for others to speak.
“No, I’ll tell you when I’m certain. It wouldn’t make sense to mention it now.”
Kassel evaded and ended the discussion.
Regardless of Suvel’s grumbling, Kassel ignored him.
☆ ☆ ☆
On a whim, Kassel declared the next morning that he wanted to ride in the wagon. Since it was Billy’s initial suggestion, he approved. However, the other guys, tired of walking, weren’t pleased.
“Are you tired?”
Suvel, leading the horse, asked, perplexed.
“Just need some time to think.”
Kassel gave a vague excuse and sat on the jostling wagon. Ahead of him was Black.
Staring for a while, Black showed no reaction. He had no face, no pupils, so he had no gaze. No matter how much Kassel glared, there was no way to make him flinch.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Captain Wolf?”
Just when Kassel was about to give up, Black spoke.
Kassel cleared his throat and asked, “You claim not to know about yourself, yet why are you so insistent on reaching the Gold Gate?”
“I wondered why you boarded this wagon. You held on due to pride, but then decided to ride?”
Surprisingly, Black was aware of everything outside. And he spoke like a human.
Gathering courage, Kassel continued, “I asked why you want to go to the Gold Gate.”
“Someone in my head orders me to. That’s it. I don’t know if that’s the memory-lost me or the will of another controlling me. But more importantly, what did that wolf that appeared yesterday say to you?”
Kassel was taken aback by the abrupt change in the topic.
“The wolf?”
“Acting ignorant doesn’t matter. Just know this: that wolf harbors malice towards me. He constantly tries to kill me. Of course, I’d do the same. If that wolf approaches you again, relay that to him.”
Suvel, who was leading the horses up front, kept glancing back as if their conversation bothered him, but he didn’t participate. It was impossible to determine if he heard their exchange.
‘Hiding something revealed can be better exposed sometimes.’
Kassel said, “The wolf only told me to stay put. I wished he said more, but that was all. He also hinted about your identity.”
“That’s good to know. Can you tell me?”
Even with the wheels rattling, Black’s quiet voice came through clearly.
“Do you remember when I said I knew of a Black Knight similar to you?”
“Yes.”
“They are almost like you, with one distinction.”
“What’s the similarity?”
“Like I mentioned before, the fact that they were dead. And the aura surrounding you.”
“Why am I moving if I am dead?”
“Moving and being alive aren’t synonymous. I’ve seen Black Knights in Camort with severed parts reattaching and standing again. So, it’s not strange if you were dead and are now alive.”
“I’ve suspected that about myself as well. What’s next? The aura?”
“Around you, there’s only the aura of darkness. That’s the most decisive evidence showing you’re akin to the Black Knights from Camort.”
Black looked down at his own hand.
“If they’re like me, why am I here? Shouldn’t I be in Camort according to your words?”
“Not necessarily. Long before I saw a Black Knight in Camort, there were rumors of knights in black armor appearing in different regions.”
“Merely rumors?”
“But from credible sources. It’s confirmed they appeared in Irophis, and probably in Carnelock as well. If you’re the ‘Black Knight from Aranthia’, doesn’t it align with the rumors?”
The Black Knight nodded.
“Sounds plausible. So, what did the Black Knights in other countries do?”
“Murder.”
Black paused momentarily. Kassel noted the hesitation when he mentioned that.
“And massacre. In Camort, they led the rebellion. It was part of a conspiracy happening simultaneously across the continent. Their leader was a nobleman who turned himself into a Black Knight through sinister magic.”
“So, I belong to that kind and will eventually turn into one?”
Even without a face, a bitterness was discernible in Black’s tone. Kassel raised a finger to Black’s faceless visage.
“Yes, this.”
“This what?”
“The way you appear now is what distinguishes you from them. The Black Knights I’ve seen wouldn’t let a living being stay alive in front of them. Moreover, strangely enough, when observing them, I couldn’t recognize them wearing Excelon’s armor. If you show it to someone later, they would immediately recognize it as Excelon’s armor, but strangely, at that moment of observation, one wouldn’t think of Excelon. Perhaps, they were too terrifying to pay attention to such details? But now, looking at you, you’re unmistakably a knight of Excelon. You evoke my faint childhood memories so vividly!”
“…What are you trying to say?”
Black asked.
“That you might actually be a knight of Excelon.”
Kassel said with conviction.
Suvel, startled, turned around.
“You mean Black is…”
Unable to finish, Suvel hesitated. Kassel completed his thought.
“Considering the assumption that he’s a resurrected being and that this place is Aranthia, wouldn’t it make sense that the Black Knight, having risen from the dead a decade ago, is actually a knight of Excelon?”
Pointing at the halberd held by Black, Kassel continued, “The weapons, just like that, terrorized the enemy during the continent war in Lontamon. It would be insignificant if overlooked, but considering various overlapping points, it doesn’t seem like a coincidence. What do you think, Black? Isn’t it plausible that you’re a resurrected Captain Welch?”
With a hint of pride, Kassel showed off his deduction. Black, instead of answering, slowly raised his halberd. With an incredibly slow movement, he thrust its dark blade forward, and Kassel instinctively tilted his head back. The blade kept advancing, and Kassel kept retreating.
“Wait a moment.”
Suddenly, Kassel found himself at the very back of the wagon. The blade stopped inches from his face, and Black spoke.
“If you know who I am, explain why I’m heading to the Gold Gate.”
This was the true threat of someone powerful. The confidence only someone certain of their strength could exhibit. In comparison to the playful taunts and threats of Greenwood, this was on another level.
Moreover, Black wasn’t just overpowering Kassel with strength. Kassel had developed a habit of gauging the flow of a conversation, but Black knew how to pull the flow toward him and release it when necessary. The timing of threatening with the halberd was impeccable.
‘Why am I analyzing this? This isn’t the time to be impressed!’
Temporarily lost, Kassel quickly gathered his thoughts and mustered up the courage to reclaim the conversational flow.
“I don’t know! But if a knight of Excelon is resurrected and heading to the Gold Gate, what else could it be but to avenge a defeat?”
Suvel interjected, “Hold on, Captain Wolf. If Black really is a knight of Excelon, shouldn’t you be careful with your words? That’s disrespectful.”
Suvel was right. However, the blade remained threateningly close. Swallowing hard, Kassel spoke.
“Call me Kassel.”
“What?”
Suvel looked back, puzzled.
“Just Kassel. It’s a conversation between the living and the dead. Let’s leave titles out.”
“You’re odd,” Suvel muttered, shooting a glance at Black, who was still pointing his weapon. Black chuckled softly.
‘He laughed?’
The two looked at Black as if he had shouted in anger.
“Kassel. Yes, Kassel. If you call me by the name Suvel gave me, then it’s only right for me to address you by your name. But what about this halberd, potentially Captain Welch’s weapon? What if I strike? Will you just die?”
Black’s demeanor had changed. It was a shift Kassel hadn’t seen before from him. For a moment, Kassel was taken aback, but he managed to recognize something familiar in Black’s tone. It was like the misunderstanding with Barol.
‘Is he joking right now?’
Kassel, trying not to let his guard down, responded.
“Why do you ask? After all, it’s your choice. Killing me would be no problem for you. I can’t dodge or block with my skills. I’m doomed! I might as well say everything. You know what the wolf told me? Not to send you to the Gold Gate!”
“Isn’t your promise with Billy at the White Gate?”
“I said I would keep my promise when we reach the White Gate, not that I’d safely escort you all the way.”
“So, how will you stop me? With force?”
Kassel remembered his initial resolve.
‘What about Azwin?’
If the opponent is joking, no matter how dangerous, entertain it. Kassel grabbed the blade of the halberd. Pushing it hard, it slightly wobbled but didn’t budge. Judging by the force exerted, Black had an incredible strength.
“As expected, force won’t do. So, I’ll find another way.”
Black chuckled again.
“I’m curious about this other way. Hurry up. This is getting heavy for me.”
“How about giving you an opportunity to avenge your defeat?”
“Like the deal with Billy? A duel between me and one of the White Wolves?”
Mockery laced Black’s voice.
“I don’t recall a defeat that needs avenging. So, it’s not an opportunity for me.”
Black set the halberd down.
“But if there’s one more condition, it might be possible.”
Kassel cleared his throat. Surprisingly, it was Suvel, not Kassel, who sighed in relief first.
Suvel was angry.
“What did you just say? I heard everything! You openly mentioned blocking our path? Then you also said you’d accept a duel at the White Gate?”
“Yes! You heard everything. Don’t ask again.”
Staring at Black for too long was hard. Kassel glanced at the passing landscape outside the wagon. Spotting a flock of about a hundred sheep grazing, he felt a bit relieved. This was still a world of the living.
“Also, the next time you want to risk your life over a squabble, get permission first. Understand? There’s still a lot I want to ask, so it’d be inconvenient if you died.”
Suvel had a point. In that regard, Greenwood was even more dangerous than Black.
‘I need to stay close to Black. It’s scary, but it’s safer here.’
Due to Suvel adjusting the reins, the horse’s pace had slowed considerably. Billy and his men quickly caught up. Given the usual irregular pace of their journey, Billy didn’t mind the delay.
Suvel changed the subject as his eyes met Billy’s.
“We’re almost at the Red Gate.”
“Oh, are we?”
Billy gestured to his men.
“Sergeant Greenwood. Is the money prepared?”
The sight of Greenwood, whom he detested, passed by Kassel to reach Billy.
“Yes. After checking in the previous village, it appears the toll for the Red Gate is one silver coin per person and two for a horse and wagon.”
“That’s not exactly cheap,” Billy murmured.
“Oh, Suvel. We can speed up the wagon. We’re considerably behind schedule.”
“Right.”
Suvel coughed lightly and urged the old horse to move faster with a gentle whip. With each bump, the old horse accelerated.
The distance between the wagon pulled by the horse and the walking Billy widened. Black only began to speak once they were out of earshot of the others.
“Shall we discuss the other condition, Kassel?”
Kassel reiterated his earlier words.
“Me first. Once we reach the White Gate, I’ll let you duel with a White Wolf. This means that if you make it to the White Gate, you must duel as promised!”
“So, it’s like a bet on whether I’ll reach the White Gate or not. What if I don’t make it to the White Gate?”
“If you don’t, then I win the bet. You’d be somewhere, lying as a corpse. But even if you reach the White Gate and duel as promised, the result will be the same.”
Kassel tried his best to mimic Sheyden’s voice.
“Only the Wolf Knights can survive after seeing the fangs of a White Wolf.”
If one could see the face hidden within the dark helmet, it would undoubtedly be smirking.
“If I were to say I can’t trust promises made in such a captive state…?”
“I swore upon the sword of Lontamon.”
“False oaths always exist in the world of knights.”
“If you are a knight of Excelon, then the sword of Lontamon’s…?”
“You’re not from Excelon, so you have no right to swear on the sword. And I’m not as naive as Billy. Also, who’s to say if I’m from Excelon or not?”
A heavy feeling pressed against Kassel’s chest. An opponent he couldn’t overcome with words or strength. No matter how much he prepared, he felt he couldn’t win. There was even a sense of despair that no matter what he said in this already defeated state, it would be pointless.
“If you won’t trust my word, then what do you want from me?”
“I might trust you for now if you agree to one condition.”
‘Trust for now? He’s not saying he’ll trust me till the end.’
Kassel nodded.
“Is it about the other condition you mentioned earlier?”
“Yes.”
Black continued.
“If I arrive at the White Gate and you execute the promise, making me duel with a White Wolf… and if the White Wolf you bring forth loses to me… that’s the condition.”
“And if that happens, which it won’t?”
“Then you die too.”
“I’ll die.”
Kassel said it without a second thought.
“You seem confident. Do you really think you can die?”
“Yes.”
The faint sound of breathing sounded like a muted chuckle. Black, with his armored finger, pointed at Kassel.
“A knight who steps up on the captain’s order, fights for the captain, loses, and then the captain steps up to die alongside. Is that what you meant? Do you think a captain is someone who abandons their responsibility and dies alongside their subordinates?”
Black slowly leaned forward, bringing the abyss of his helmet closer to Kassel’s eyes. He felt as if he was being pierced by that gaze. Black spoke in a voice that seemed to relish the moment.
“I’ll watch to see if you can truly do it, Captain Kassel.”
–TL Notes–
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