Chapter 101: Awake

Fweeet!

Ian’s whistle echoed. Then, the rumbling of a horse’s gallop emerged from the forest behind them.

Neigh!

It’s Blue Emperor.

It was running in response to Ian’s call. No, not just running; it leaped up to the sky as if to fly.

And then.

Bang!

Blue Emperor landed with great force right in front of Ian.

The powerful shock slammed the rushing enemies, instantly sending them tumbling down.

Without delay, Ian grabbed Blue Emperor’s reins and climbed on.

But he kept his eyes peeled on the enemies.

‘What are they?’

Black eyes.

As soon as he saw it, he knew they were dangerous. No, rather, he felt a physiological repulsion.

However, Ian found those eyes familiar for some reason.

‘That is…’

Especially the twisted beast discernible in its eyes.

It was hard to tell what it was, but the monster was strangely familiar.

But he didn’t have time to care about it now.

Groooo!

Tens of thousands of Bahara soldiers in a strange state were rushing in. On the other hand, the number of people on this side…

“W, what’s with these crazy people all of a sudden! Did they eat wrong?!”

“Avoid them quick! Everyone’s in a weird state!”

“Stop talking and grab your sword! They’re coming!”

Only about twenty warriors who had been defeated by Ian were there. Even their legs could not stop trembling and they were at a loss of what to do when their former colleagues came charging at them with eyes turned black. However, in the meantime, the enemies were inching closer.

Groooo!!

Ian quickly raised his hand.

Then a barrage of arrows flew straight into the hearts of the soldiers who were rushing in.

Tuck tuck tuck!

When the soldiers fell before their eyes, the surprised warriors cried out.

“What?”

“Where on earth did these arrows come from?”

Those were the archers Ian had stationed just in case.

He prepared them on the off chance the sense of foreboding he felt happened. He couldn’t believe there would come a time to use them.

Of course, they were not the only thing Ian had up his sleeve.

Du du du du—

A handful of cavalrymen who had been busily rustling the forest until now were running at full speed, sprinting across the bridge.

“Your Highness! We’ve come!”

As soon as Fiosen arrived, he called forth his Oath.

His Oath erected a powerful, impassable barrier, blocking everything coming his way.

Ian shouted at Fiosen.

“Are they still a long way off?”

“There they are!”

Fiosen pointed to the end of the river.

From there, Galon and Nathan came charging on the Blue King. Of course they were not alone. The cavalry comprised of the Blue King and the main soldiers were with them.

Oddly enough, their bodies were drenched.

There was a reason behind it.

“Seriously! Who said the upper reaches of the river were shallow! I almost died!”

“Hurry up instead of complaining, Nathan. His Highness awaits us.”

“I know!”

They had crossed the river from a position the enemy could not spot.

Although the river was deep and wide, it was doable with the physical strength of the Blue King. They crossed first and made the soldiers follow them in a long line.

“By the way, this works? I thought it wouldn’t. When I first heard it, I thought it was crazy!”

“This is what His Highness told us to do. Don’t doubt it.”

“You were nervous at first because you thought you would fall into the water!”

“It-it’s never happened.”

The two were bickering with each other.

But regardless, thanks to them being on time, they were able to completely surround Bahara’s forces.

“Your Highness! Are you okay?”

“We’re here!”

Galon and Nathan. Fiosen in front of him.

As long as the three knights were here, it felt like there was nothing to fear.

But the situation didn’t allow them to relax yet.

Even if they managed to surround them, the number of soldiers on Bahara’s side was multiple times higher than theirs.

Furthermore, they were coming for Ian.

“Your Highness! Watch out!”

Fiosen, who was guarding the bridge and the soldiers, screamed. He could not help Ian now.

But instead, Ian shouted.

“Blue Emperor!”

Neigh!

Then, as a response, Blue Emperor raised both front legs and smashed the ground.

BOOM—!!

Intense wind pressure and tremors hit the soldiers. In an instant, the rushing enemies fell on their backs. The warriors shouted at the sight.

“Amazing! What kind of horse is that!”

“No, but what’s more shocking is that he didn’t even fall off the horse. Who on earth is he…”

Even though they were defeated by Ian, they were outstanding warriors nonetheless. They could tell at once how amazing the horsemanship Ian was displaying now.

It was a technique that could only be achieved through the harmony of both the horse and the rider, and Ian was able to master it. However, that wasn’t important.

‘The interfering soldiers have been dealt with. If we go back now, it’s over.’

That was the original plan. He had devised an evacuation plan for the worst case in which the three knights and soldiers would take care of the wrap-up themselves.

But Ian wouldn’t take part in that plan.

‘They’re not dead yet.’

The five chieftains who said they would pledge their allegiance to Ian.

“Ugh…”

“Cough…”

No, to be precise, the four chieftains whose lives were already at death’s door.

There was only one problem.

‘If I leave them be, they might get trampled to death by the soldiers.’

No, they might bleed to death before that. He had to hurry a bit to save them.

It was then.

Woong!

Faith hummed.

[We have to save them.]

Ian didn’t even have time to be happy about hearing its voice after such a long time. Ian’s feet had already moved before he opened his mouth.

“That’s the plan!”

Ian drove Blue Emperor toward the chieftains. He didn’t have the option of running away in the first place.

Faith also reacted to it.

[My steps never stop.]

His Faith permeated to Blue Emperor. Then, the flame surged ablaze along with Blue Emperor’s wild force.

Boom!

“Aaargh!”

He bulldozed his way and charged forward, sending the soldiers flying along the way. Although a giant shield blocked him in front.

Bang!

Nothing could stop Blue Emperor equipped with Faith. A deafening, gigantic explosion boomed, creating a path in an instant.

Thanks to this, Ian was able to stand right next to the chieftains.

At that time, Chief Antum, who had fallen down, opened his eyes with difficulty.

“W… why?”

“I never abandon my people.”

“But…”

Antum had yet to go through the ceremony to join his banner, and that was what he was hesitating at.

Ian chuckled.

“Didn’t you already say you would be loyal? That’s enough for me.”

“!?”

Antum’s body shook.

Perhaps because of the wound, or perhaps due to Ian’s words, he seemed dazed, unable to come to his senses.

But right at that moment, the nearby soldiers lunged toward Ian at the same time.

There was nowhere to escape.

‘This! I can’t avoid it!’

Behind him lay the chieftains. If he dodged, the chieftains would lose their lives. Ian hastily invoked Faith.

But it was then.

Tumble.

The soldiers who tried to topple Ian collapsed.

“Why do they keep doing this?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It was Nathan, who arrived in the nick of time with his skill. His quick sword knocked down the soldiers before they knew it.

Ian shouted at him.

“You must not kill them, Sir Nathan! They’re being controlled by someone!”

“Are you saying I can’t kill these many enemies?”

“Can’t you do it?”

Nathan didn’t answer. As a reply, however, his Oath flared up wildly. And then he roared as if it was amusing.

“That’s a cinch!”

His figure disappeared in a blink, leaving only an afterimage.

Then a storm of blood broke out all around.

Zoom!

It was truly a fitting name for him, “The Swift.” Moreover, despite cutting down his opponent, they were all still alive and only collapsed. Then someone arrived with a harsh sound.

Thud!

“I’ll take this one, Your Highness.”

Galon the Invincible also brought forth his Oath. As his Oath unfolded, the weapons of the soldiers, who were targeting Ian along with the chieftains, were instantly parried by Galon’s sword.

Galon then swung his sword and sent them flying.

Clang!

“Aaargh!”

Ian also used Faith. However, the situation was not looking up.

“Nathan! There’s a gap!”

“I know! I don’t have enough hands over here either!”

“Hold on until Fiosen comes!”

“Dang it! I’d love to! But I will collapse before that! I need two more arms!”

‘This is dangerous.’

Indeed it was.

No matter how excellent a knight was, the number of opponents was way too many. To make it worse, even after defeating them, they continued to flock to them, so the gaps were widening little by little.

‘Fortunately, the warriors who were controlled can’t use Resolve.’

At this rate, the lives of not only the chieftains but also the three knights would be in danger.

Ian would love to have at least one more person like Nathan or Fiosen, but these were all the knights he had now.

Moreover, the current Faith alone could not overcome this crisis.

‘What should I do?’

It was then.

Ba-dump! Ba-dump!

Ian’s Faith throbbed.

No, to be exact, this reaction appeared because he was recalling a certain memory.

‘What did I do back then?’

Ian remembered his duel with Yamanta.

He had felt as if he had become Galon himself. He recalled with every inch of his body the intense feeling of becoming one with Faith.

Then once again, a certain Oath bloomed in Ian’s body.

But this time, it was a little different.

Because what he needed now was not Invincibility.

Dealing with such large numbers, Ian had to subdue them without killing them.

Thump! Thump!

A man came to Ian’s mind.

Then, as if responding to his will, the cloak began to flutter. At the same time, his eyelids slowly closed.

“Fiosen! Hurry up! It will break through in no time!”

“Nathan!”

“He’s surrounded by enemies now! First off, the prince…”

The surrounding sounds grew smaller and smaller.

‘I can feel it.’

The light of Faith led to someone.

Ian could feel that man’s will when he first made his Oath.

The Oath of a man who dreamed of becoming a true knight.

And in the next moment.

Flash—!

When Ian opened his eyes.

His body disappeared in a flash.

[I will fight fair and square, at all times.]

His figure flickered from one spot to another like a phantom, as Nathan did.

Just as how he was called “The Swift.”

Zoom!

With each movement, a new storm of blood unleashed its fury on the battlefield.

***

The moment Ian awakened to the new power.

Flash!

A man opened his eyes in the dark and humid palace. His pupils were pure black, giving off an eerie light. The man standing next to him opened his mouth as he saw the unusual sight.

“What’s wrong? Any problems with the fusion?”

“He, he is awake.”

The newly awakened man exuded thick bloodlust, his face twisted like a brutal slaughterer out for blood. The man, Ceres, was surprised by that look and opened his eyes wide.

Right at that very moment.

Clatter!

“Hiieek!”

A eunuch, who was approaching, was startled by his eyes and dropped the tray. Red wine instantly splashed all over the palace floor.

But the man remained unfazed.

“Come.”

When the eunuch looked up, his eyes had turned black.

The eunuch, previously trembling with trepidation, was no more. With a blank face devoid of emotions like that of a doll, the eunuch approached the man.

And.

Shhh…

The eunuch vanished in an instant.

He melted like a shadow and was absorbed by the man’s body. Soon after absorbing the eunuch, the man rose from his seat.

Then he lifted the blood-stained king’s robe.

“Get ready. I will go out to greet them.”

The palace rumbled at the man’s words.

Thud! Thud!

The men waiting from the ceiling leaped down.

All were warriors with black eyes.

Graaaahh!

They let out a wild roar and dashed out of the palace. Meanwhile, Duke Garcia’s eldest son, Ceres, looked on with a serious face.

“An unexpected variable has occurred.”

He slithered into the darkness.