Chapter 118: Chapter 122

Let us speak for a moment of a certain boy.

In terms of talent alone, he was among the elite. Fortunate enough to be born a nobleman’s son in these troubled times, he had grown up wanting for nothing.

He hadn’t been abused or mistreated. On the contrary, his parents adored him. There were no apparent problems.

Yet, his nature was twisted.

He derived immense pleasure from taking what others cherished, feeling a sense of omnipotence, like a king.

Unfortunately, no one indulged his twisted desires.

Perhaps it would have been different in times of peace, but now, even nobles clinging to power could fall from grace in an instant. His parents stressed restraint, and their judgment was sound.

It simply didn’t suit the boy.

‘I want to take what’s theirs. Only then do I feel alive. Otherwise, I’m just a corpse.’

It was almost inevitable that they would approach him. They promised him the freedom to take whatever he desired if he joined them.

The boy readily agreed.

[Offer a sacrifice to prove your faith.]

That day, the boy sacrificed everything.

His family, his house, even the people who had settled there, trusting his family. The sole survivor, he was rescued by the kingdom and hailed as the only remaining member of his house.

No one suspected that he had offered everything as a sacrifice to join them. He used this to his advantage, playing the role of the pitiful survivor.

Many sympathized with his story.

He longed to reveal the truth.

‘I wonder how they would react? I can hardly wait.’

He displayed his talent without reservation, joining the Royal Guard at an unprecedented young age and even rising to the rank of Vice-Captain. The time was drawing near.

‘I thought it would be easy.’

He had considered it a momentary diversion. Their power and influence were far greater than he had imagined. Though they had suffered a setback against the Royal Knights, they would soon rise again.

‘I thought it would be a momentary diversion...’

Rocazo stared blankly at his hand.

The sword he had been holding was shattered, scattering into fragments.

‘What just happened? How is this possible?’

His assumptions had crumbled. He had the crowd’s support and had even rigged the duel. Yet, she had ignored it all and crushed him head-on. He hadn’t even been able to react.

He had been utterly defeated.

Even the twisted Rocazo had to acknowledge her overwhelming skill.

“Perhaps now you understand your place.”

“You’re still hung up on that?”

“Of course. Especially with someone as presumptuous as you.”

“...”

“So, what’s your answer? Or do you want to be humiliated further?”

Her cold eyes blazed with intensity, a stark contrast to her initial demeanor.

Rocazo silently shook his head.

The duel had made one thing clear, he couldn’t defeat her yet. He was pragmatic enough to admit it.

‘Am I still so timid?’

Hans, meanwhile, was lost in thought.

The Royal Guard was a newly reorganized order, created by the current King. The Human Kingdom had previously had numerous knightly orders.

After Hans became Commander of the Royal Knights, and his influence grew, the King, empowered by Hans’s success, had disbanded the other orders and integrated them into the Royal Guard.

He had left some private soldiers to appease the nobles and maintain minimal defense, but their numbers had drastically decreased. This had strengthened the King’s authority.

‘The King’s newly reorganized Royal Guard is a force to be reckoned with, both in quantity and quality.’

Strictly speaking, they were still inferior to the Royal Knights, but they were no longer outmatched by other races. This was thanks to the revival of the Royal Knights and the weakening of the demons.

“So, what’s this new intel?”

“Apparently, a Minotaur horde has been sighted in the northern regions of the Human Kingdom.”

“Minotaurs... excellent ingredients.”

“Indeed. Beastmen consider them a delicacy.”

“Ah, thank you for understanding.”

Hans was momentarily taken aback by the notion of eating Minotaurs but didn’t show it. He had to be careful not to offend other races by reacting to their customs. As Commander of the Royal Knights, he had no intention of doing so.

‘Minotaurs... I hope it’s not the one I fought before.’

???? Important Notice ????

); }

He quickly dismissed the idea with a chuckle.

‘No way. I practically crippled it. It might have escaped, but...’

In the brutal world of monsters, where survival of the fittest reigned supreme, it would have been preyed upon. If it had survived, it would be a formidable foe, but that was unlikely.

“They’re sending a subjugation force to the north.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Yes, we can focus on the expedition.”

“E-Expedition...”

“Are you nervous?”

Hans, noticing Bayard’s trembling, cautiously inquired.

‘Is she afraid of the memories of that time?’

If so...

“No, I’m not afraid. On the contrary... I’m excited.”

“Excited? Why?”

“Because we can crush those vermin in your name, Commander.”

“...Oh.”

Her trembling wasn’t from fear.

It was closer to exhilaration.

She was reveling in the opportunity to eliminate their enemies in Hans’s name.

[Translator Notes]