The Blood Knight’s Villains

My Villains Episode 160

40. The Trackers Again (4)

Two groups of soldiers were having an untimely battle of nerves in front of the lord’s house.

“…Ha, you’re the kind of person who can’t communicate!” The one who raised his voice on horseback was Doyle Mullin, the second son of Count Tristan.

He had a bodyguard of twenty or so men, most of whom were armed with chain mail and shields.

The crest of the Mullin family – a white bird holding a spear – was drawn on the surcoat worn by the soldiers. It seems that they are the count’s family soldiers.

“Bring the Baroness! I will speak for myself!”

Chester, Longville’s drill leader, shook his head at Doyle’s bluff, with scars all over his face.

“I told you that your wife hasn’t coughed yet.”

“so? Are you talking about a guest who died in the territory, but as the owner, his face is not reflected? Is this really the right thing to do!”

“…I’m sorry, but your wife hasn’t coughed yet.”

When Chester gave the same answer like a parrot, Doyle exploded in anger.

“This bastard’s territory doesn’t work at all from top to bottom! As the son of the ruler of this province, I cannot tolerate it any longer!”

Along with him, the soldiers of the Mullin family prepared to attack at any moment.

Longville’s soldiers also pointed their spears at each other, and the chilly wind of early autumn blew through the field.

“……Whoa.”

I had a rough idea of what the situation was, so I let out a sigh.

The atmosphere seemed as if the two groups of soldiers would collide with each other at any moment, so I hurried forward.

“What is this, Confucius Doyle?” “…a phoenix wonder.”

Doyle, who pulled the reins to calm the galling horse, lifted his neck stiffly and looked down at me.

“I advise you in advance, don’t even think about interfering this time. This is not a problem for guests to face, but a problem for the owner to come up with an answer for.”

And the pale mockery that seems to have been built.

Contrary to the content of the speech, the way of speaking or the nuance is ‘Would you like to try it?’ It was close to a provocation.

It was obviously a troublesome situation, but I had no choice but to step in. It was because it was not difficult to guess the cause of this chaos, or to be precise, the mungchi.

I looked up at Doyle quietly and then spoke to him.

“When I heard it, he said something strange.”

“…Is that strange?”

“Does Confucius truly consider himself a guest in Longville?”

Doyle’s chubby face twisted, and then he burst out laughing.

“Ha, an uninvited guest is not even a guest, is this?” “You understand quickly.”

“How dare I… I wholeheartedly represent Count Tristan!”

“Wasn’t the Count’s representative not Gongja-nim, but a messenger doing muffins or something?”

“It’s not a muffin, it’s a heffin. And I am his boss.”

I pretended to be surprised.

“It’s amazing that you have the Count’s deputy as your subordinate. Isn’t it tantamount to using your father as a subordinate?”

“…You’re making sophistry, Sir Phoy Nix.”

Doyle paused for a moment before suddenly lowering his voice.

“Now that’s not what’s important. It’s important that the person who acts as the owner of the territory doesn’t even care when a guest is murdered in the territory.”

I frowned, repeating to myself, ‘Expression management, expression management’.

“Who said you were murdered?”

“My important ally… um.”

Looking back, five men stepped forward from among the guards. Four of them were nude warriors clad in heavy armor, and the one standing in front of them was the elder Del Otto.

The old man opened his mouth with a smile as if he was trying to hide his discomfort.

“This is Maurio, Confucius. One of the only seven elders of the al-Qadari clan.”

“Oh yeah. Maurio.”

Doyle nodded and made a miserable face.

“I was strangled horribly. He wasn’t supposed to die like that. Please be embraced by the light.”

“…I don’t know why, but I also express my condolences.”

My conscience stings when I think of what I did with Atalante after leaving his corpse behind, but anyway.

“I still don’t understand. What does the death of Maurio have to do with acting like this in front of the lord?”

“What does it matter? If a guest is murdered, it is only natural that the host should take responsibility for it. If you know honor!”

“You keep talking about guest guests, so how could that Maurio be a guest of the baroness?”

“what? That’s right…

When Doyle was speechless, I asked the question again.

“Was that Maurio invited to this estate?”

“I wasn’t invited, but as I said, he was an important ally of mine.”

“It’s the same as Confucius Doiil wasn’t invited.”

“…what?”

“Confucius and his party left the cozy Yeongju-gwan and stayed at a tavern near the gateway. Not to mention he ate salt and bread.”

“…Salt and bread, you’re talking about a corny custom that doesn’t suit you.”

“Even if you consider the old customs, the baroness has no obligation to protect the prince’s party. If you want to find Jung’s murderer, you shouldn’t do this here, but instead try to reprimand the soldiers who escorted him.”

“……under.”

Doyle, whose hands were shaking the reins, twisted his lips up.

“I heard that Prince Eun raised a snake, so now I see that there are not one, but two.”

“…I’ll take it as a compliment.”

Doyle erased even the forced smile and glared at me silently.

hold on for a while A group of men and horses from the residential area were running this way. Doyle, who had been silent, smiled happily.

“Sir Eselda!”

“Confucius.”

“A true knight and the best swordsman has finally arrived.” Those who appeared on horseback were Sir Eselda, Atalanta, and four or five horsemen. Sir Esselda pulled the reins and approached Doyle with a calm face.

“We caught the culprit.”

“…caught the culprit?”

“He was a brothel pimp. He was carrying the jewels of the elder Maurio.”

By the time Doyle’s face contorted, I had to try hard to hide my expression. It’s because Atalanta, who met his eyes, secretly winked.

“…died in a brothel?”

“A number of prostitutes stood as witnesses. They heard an argument in the middle of the night and the pimp used a rope to strangle Maurio.”

Doyle, who listened to her words, made a bloody expression and turned to the elder Del Otto. But Del Otto also had a devastated expression on his face.

“Attilia, come here!”

As Atilia came down from her horse, the elder whispered to her

.

“Is it true what Sir Eselda said?”

“yes.”

“What about the pendant?”

“Here you go.”

Elder Del Otto was handed the broken pendant and gritted his teeth. Then, all of a sudden, he waved his hand and jabbed and slapped him.

Blood trickled down Atalanta’s face, probably because of the ring Del Otto was wearing.

“That X-arm-”

I was just about to leave, shouting, when Atalanta quickly raised her hand to stop me.

‘Didn’t you decide not to come forward?’ her cold, amber eyes said. seemed to say

As I gritted my teeth and stopped, Doyle, who was busy rolling his eyes, smiled.

“Ha, that was it.”

He looked back and forth between Atalanta and me, then giggled.

“I was just wondering why a nude girl or something costs so much. Gero had a separate owner? Sarah, the best warrior of the Nudans and Prince of Ulkar. It suits you very well.”

When Atalanta and I didn’t show any reaction, a surprised Del Oto hurried forward.

“What do you mean, Confucius? I understand that you’ve been judged unfairly, but the al-Qadari clan has nothing to do with the silver prince.”

“Oh is that so?”

Doyle smiled and continued.

“That’s it, you’ll see… I hope you guys can prove that my ‘delusion’ is futile.”

“Such

a wrinkled face turned pale in an instant. Del Otto, who was about to say something, was silenced by Sir Esselda’s low clearing of his throat.

“Enough of the uproar. Leave, Gongja-nim.”

“…okay. Let’s go, Sir Eselda.”

Doyle, who was about to turn around pulling the reins, looked back at me as if he had suddenly remembered something.

“ah. Could I ask you just one question?”

“…what question?”

“I often hear about your lord from the border with Mittergerland. Did you hear the longitude?”

The Mittergeland Empire is a country adjoining to the west of the Kingdom of Milanol. Didn’t they say war broke out all the time in the Western Highlands, the border area?

“…I didn’t hear it. I’m not the kind of person who is bright about rumors.”

“is it? They say he defeated the two Elector Counts in 15 days and solidified the front line… Ha, really, he’s a great guy.”

It was extremely rude for a count’s second son to say such a thing to a prince.

However, Ulkar did not match the reputation he had and was very ignored among high-ranking nobles.

After the Thousand and One Day War, Ulkar is not only fighting with several great nobles, but also being jealous and wary of his brothers. Crucially, since he is even suspected of being an illegitimate child by his father, the king, there’s no way he’ll be treated well…

“But I heard strange rumors.”

“What if it’s a strange rumor?”

“Marquis Landry. I knew you had a good relationship with Prince Eun, but the fortress seems to be acting like a very loyal servant.”

“…It’s only natural that you feel good about it since you’ve stopped the enemy’s invasion together.”

“Hmm, it’s not that much, so it’s a problem.”

Doyle, who rode slowly, leaned over and whispered.

“As you know, isn’t the Marquis

famous for enjoying bitching?”

“Prince Ulkar is a man more beautiful than the most beautiful woman in the kingdom.”

What bullshit is this crazy bastard talking about?

Doyle’s smile widened a bit, perhaps enjoying my disgusted gaze.

“Someone said that Prince Ulkar buys loyalty in exchange for my body. oh lord I’m praying that it won’t be a rumor.”

“…That’s bullshit, so you don’t have to lose your strength to pray. Is that the answer you want to ask?”

“Oh, of course not.”

A flaming fire burns inside of a smile. I wanted to get him under the horse and pluck out his tongue and goug out his eyeballs.

“I was wondering how many famous knights, including you, flocked to Prince Ulkar.”

“But when I heard that rumor this time, an interesting thought came to my mind. I wondered if the prince might be

giving the knights under his command… well,

something like a ‘special gift’.”

“Confucius.”

Sir Esselda, who was examining my complexion, warned me in a heavy voice, but Doyle was still smiling.

“I would like to know the secret too.”

“Have you received such a gift from Prince Gyeongdo? I wonder what kind of gift it was if I received it. Was it a mouth or not?”

After hearing that, I threw the glove I was wearing at him.

puck!

“Kkeok”

Doyle’s nose bleed after he was hit by the heavy leather gloves.

“Confucius!”

As Doyle stumbled on his horse, the escorts made a fuss in admiration. I growled as I stared at him regardless.

“It’s this X cub.” Even though knights with all kinds of nicknames such as the bloody swordsman, the bloody beacon beheader, and the red knight of the silver prince have tried, Doyle’s face was very calm.

Covering his nostrils with a rag, he sat on a chair the guards had saved for him, sipping a glass of wine.

“It was useless generosity, Sir Eselda.”

The reason Doyle is so relaxed is because of his champion Ethelda Horton.

“It is dishonorable to fight an unarmed foe.”

“…flaw. It is important to protect your honor, but please think about my honor as well.”

“You’re not going to watch Count Tristan’s son get slapped by a knight from Ulkar, are you?”

Esselda tightened the straps of her vauntlets and looked across.

Her opponent, Phoenix, was clad in armor, assisted by a short-haired shorthead and square-jawed mercenary.

Lupus, a magical chain armor topped with gray wolf fur.

It was something very familiar to Esselda. It was the armor that the comrade who proposed to him about 20 years ago liked to wear.

The preparations seemed to be over soon. Esselda looked at Phoenix in silence before opening her mouth.

“It was stupid.”

“…what did you say?”

“I mean, provoking Lord Phoenix was stupid. Even if I win, there is nothing to be gained, and if I lose, the Count’s dignity will be damaged.”

It was an obvious fact. Esselda was the most famous of Count Tristan’s knights.

Even at her words, Doyle only let out a smile.

“Are you afraid of losing?”

“I wasn’t scared. It is unpleasant.”

“Are you offended?”

“yes. Didn’t you come to use the sword for Confucius?”

“…You’re being rude, Sir Eselda.”

“Would it be more rude than appointing someone who is not even my subject to be a great warrior?” Even at the words of the middle-aged woman, I was silent for a while. Then he smiled and patted Esselda’s shoulder.

“If that’s the case, apologize. But don’t be too angry. This is definitely for our territory.”

“…work for the territory?”

“exactly.”

Doyle whispered to Esselda as he glared at Phoenix kicking the shinguard.

“How happy my father would be if the wonders defeated the author nicely. You’ll think you’ve washed away some of the insult you inflicted on Ulkar. It would be even better if I killed him.” “It doesn’t matter if you lose. I’ll give you three slaps. I am not such a petty person.”

Doyle was constantly rolling his head while wearing such a relaxed smile.

‘It’s not to the extent that it doesn’t matter, Sir Ethel Da, it’s better for you to lose. It would be best if he died.’

Doyle wanted not only Count Tristan, but the entire Mullin family to become enemies of Prince Ulkar. As a result, if his sister, who will become a count in a few years, is focused on the outside rather than inside the territory, ‘I’ll be able to buy time to dig for gold mines and gather mercenaries.’

When Doyle smiled and showed his teeth, Ethel Da walked forward, not hiding her displeasure. It was because Phoenix had finished preparing for the duel.

In a clearing in the middle of Longville, two knights stood facing each other.

A duel of knights.

It was a duel in which the jousting spear was omitted by mutual agreement, but that did not diminish the interest. It is thanks to the reputation that the two knights have.

It was a spectacle rarely seen in a mountain estate like Longville. Many soldiers and spectators set up a phosphorus tent, so the children climbed up and settled down on the trees early.

A middle-aged woman armed with plate armor and a two-handed sword raised her face shield.

“Esselda of the Horton family.”

“…Ponyx.”

The cold-looking young man tightened his long-nosed iron helmet and looked behind Esselda.

“It must be hard work to go to a duel for someone like that.”

“I am only doing my duty.”

As if it were a question and answer dance, Esselda raised her two-handed sword and prepared her posture.

The forehead was covered with a crosshair, the point of the sword was pointed at the opponent’s eyes, the chest and back were erect, both knees were slightly bent and weight was placed on the back foot. Admiration erupted from everywhere at his impeccable and excellent posture.

Phoenix also drew his sword. With the posture lowered, the left arm was pulled tight to cover the area from under the eyes to the top of the knee with a circle shield, and the right arm was stretched out long, aiming a sword forward.

Following a brief confrontation, Esselda kicked the ground in a surprise attack.

“Sigh.”

She took a short breath and deployed the thrust. It looked like an ordinary stab, but Esselda instantly let go of her left hand holding the permal.

The two-handed sword that she let go of her left hand was extended. As if stabbed with a spear, the lich became a ship in an instant.

Despite the lightning-like speed and the sudden change of sides, the tip of Esselda’s sword aimed precisely at Phoenix’s eyes. It was an elaborate body movement that deviated from common sense.

Kang!

Phoenix blocked the attack with his shield. It was fast, but not enough to get him out of his senses.

After the stab bounced, Esselda naturally swung the handle. Suddenly, the sword gripped with both hands made an eerie sound and rushed to the bottom.

Phoenix, who was looking at the trajectory of the sword, inserted the sword at the right timing.

Kagak-

Esselda took a step back. I shook my wrist to easily shake off the entangled blades. Almost at the same time, he swung the handle above his head and poured sword strikes from side to side.

The Kaga Gaga River!

As the two-handed sword struck the shield and blade countless times, a fierce metal sound erupted. It was as if four or five blacksmiths were pounding the anvil incessantly.

Esselda’s offensive did not last long. It was because Phoenix hit the breastplate with the blade of the shield at the same time as he hit the sword hard.

Bang

“Ku”

It was as powerful as hitting with a battering ram, but Esselda shook off the shock with a short sound and took her stance again.

Green eyes mixed with brown opened a two-handed sword. Esselda, who discovered that a couple of teeth were missing, took a fresh look at Phoenix’s knife.

A cobweb-like pattern faintly engraved on the milky-white blade…

Ethelda opened her mouth as she looked at the sword, which seemed to be alive and breathing at first glance.

“A famous sword. Do you have a name?”

Phoenix smiled as he looked at the opponent who did not lose a breath despite the intense action.

“It’s Hrunting.”

“Hrunting. Right.”

“Sword of honor?”

“……Lily.”

Phoenix took a second look at Esselda’s two-handed sword. It was terrifying looking with a length that seemed to exceed 160 cm and even a paring hook.

Esselda, who was somewhat embarrassed by that gaze, added words.

“They called me.”

“hmm. It is a good sword.”

“Thank you.”

The conversation ended with that.

The fight that followed didn’t stop for a moment. for twenty minutes.

The lily was messed up and the original shield was a rag. Countless lines were drawn on the plate armor, and an iron helmet with its neckline cut off was rolling on the floor.

“Kkoaap!”

Esselda exquisitely blocked the Hrunting hit by Phoenix with a crown posture. The lily was crushed by superhuman strength that was unbelievable for a human being. Esselda took a side step and drained her strength.

Since it was the third pattern they had already experienced, Phoenix made a bold move. In one breath, he stretched out his right hand and grabbed the back of Esselda’s thigh.

Esselda’s reaction was more agile. He twisted his two-handed sword and threw Hrunting to the side. Phoenix, who missed the sword, bent down and lifted herself up, and Esselda quickly pulled out a dagger from her waist.

hooked!

“Kkeuu”

The scars were once again engraved on Phoenix’s body, which was already full of scars. The dagger, aiming under the wing bone, pierced as much as two knuckles, and the strength drained from the arm.

“X arm-!”

For a moment, as Phoenix screamed, Esselda’s body floated in the air like a doll made of straw.

the ensuing fall.

bang!

“Heuk!”

Esselda, who was driven down from the back, missed the dagger and gritted her teeth. Phoenix quickly pushed her down and punched her.

blah blah!

A blow that could split a bull’s head in one blow crushed the helmet.

Esselda, who endured by clenching her angular jaw, quickly rolled her body and tried to get out of the crushed position, but Phoenix’s mount posture was too firm.

“Heh O hee” — —–

Phoenix, whose entire face was covered in blood from a long sword wound on his forehead, pressed Esselda while breathing like a beast. She tightened her legs around her waist and put her right arm across her armpit.

“Kheuuuuugh!”

Esselda spat blood and swung her left fist wildly. The heavy gauntlet hit the chin, chest and shoulders. Phoenix gritted his teeth and twisted his shoulders.

Poududeuk!

“Kkoaaak!”

As soon as her right elbow was shattered, Esselda let out a tearing scream. Then, Phoenix’s fists hit the golden face again.

Sir Esselda fainted as her head with a bang bounced like a ball on the floor

.

“Huh o uh o” Phoenix, who took a breath for a while, staggered and got up.

The scratches had already healed. However, the blood that flowed there was still soaking his whole body.

“Haa-”

While Phoenix let out a long breath, the place was filled with silence.

Since the duel was over, someone might have cheered, but somehow no one made a sound.

Phoenix picked up the Hrunting and put it in the scabbard, then moved towards the soldiers of the Mullin family.

“…Stop that! Stop!”

A few soldiers shouted and drew their swords. The bloodied knight quietly frowned.

“You don’t have to keep your promise. Move.”

As Mullin’s privates hesitated, Phoy Nyx pushed them away.

“…Wait Sir Phoenix.”

As the guards retreated, Doyle, whose face turned contemplative, tried to smile.

“Good, good. Since the king has won, I will take back what I said. So, “

Cheap!

Doyle ferociously tumbled in the palm of Phoenix’s swing. It was a bonus that three or four red molars cut through the air.

“… gurgling.”

“Doil Confucius!”

The opponent had already passed out with his eyes rolled over, but Phoenix didn’t seem to care. He grabbed Doyle by the collar and hit the other cheek with the back of his hand this time.

Damn!

Again, several molars erupted and blood spurted out.

After two rounds of ear-splitting, the target of his escort was in a dying state, and the soldiers stomped their feet without even thinking.

“……Whoa.”

Phoynix, who brushed up his disheveled hair, threw Doyle away and looked back at the soldiers.

“Tell me when this bastard wakes up.”

“……yes?” “Tell them that you will keep the last one.”

Looking back at the contemplative soldiers, the knight smiled.

“Can’t you kill me?”

“…Ah, I see.”

“Okay. Get off now.”

Phoenix let out a long sigh as he watched the soldiers withdraw after collecting Doyle and Esselda.