VIP Early Access
Eksklusif untuk member VIP
Password Protected
Chapter ini dikunci dengan kode khusus
Chapter 22 : Spoils of War
As Black Soul absorbed the soul of the horse bandit leader, his memories unfolded in Edward’s mind.
『‘You’re looking quite well.’
The horse bandit leader, Cooper, looked at his employer, the loan shark Shylock.
He was a man of astonishing ugliness, but now, for some reason, he seemed tolerable. Depending on the angle, he even looked handsome.
‘I must be crazy.’
Еñuma .їd́
Cooper tried to shake his head and get rid of the delusion, but it didn't work as he intended.
Shylock just smiled, fiddling with the ring on his finger.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“I’ll double the number of men.”
“What? Why all of a sudden?”
“William has returned.”
“The monster of Griffith? Wasn’t he kicked out?”
W̆ е b nó v̀ е̃l E ñûḿ а
“He has returned. Moreover, he is following Edward’s words.”
“Weren’t the two of them on bad terms?”
“They were.”
“Huh, that’s absurd.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“It’s not just William. Edward is not the same as before either. You have to be careful.”
“I know that.”
W̄е b̀ n о́ v̊ е̂ l̂ E n u.ṁа̊
He had sent his subordinates to make up for the missing numbers, but had lost six.
The team leader, Cogan, was one of the most skilled in the bandit group, yet he had been defeated. The survivors all said it was Edward’s doing.
He couldn't believe it. The fact that a sickly person who had been cooped up in his room, wasting away, had single-handedly killed six cavalrymen.
The rumors flowing out of the village were even more absurd.
Stories that Edward had killed a temple knight and had toyed with William. Although they were rumors that didn't make sense from a common-sense perspective, they wouldn't have arisen without a basis.
“It’s more than you know. He even killed an Aura user in a single stroke.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Edward? He doesn’t even have a mana core.”
“That’s right.”
“That’s impossible.”
“I want to believe that too.”
Judging by his deeply furrowed expression, it didn't seem like a lie.
“Could he have learned black magic?”
Ѐň u̇mӑ
“I don’t know either. Anyway, I’ll give you about fifty more men, so do a good job.”
Including the existing forces, it was almost a hundred. A number that surpassed the knightly order of a decent small to medium-sized domain. It wasn't comparable to a knightly order where all members were Aura users, but it was a sufficiently threatening group. And it cost a lot of money.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“What is the reason for going this far?”
When Shylock had first proposed it, this job had seemed reasonable. Kidnapping and selling the villagers from a defenseless domain was profitable.
It was cheaper than lending them money, letting them go bankrupt, and then capturing them, or importing them from the empire’s slave market.
But now, it felt like the tail was wagging the dog. Even if he made all the remaining villagers in Griffith into slaves, it would be a deficit considering the money spent on a hundred cavalrymen.
Ѐ nu m̆ а
“It’s not like you to ask unnecessary questions.”
Cooper was a professional, and a professional does not ask his employer unnecessary questions.
“If this goes wrong, I could be in danger too.”
Dozens and a hundred feel different when you hear them. It could provoke the other nearby lords.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“My good man, do you think I’m doing this without any backing?”
“…Don’t tell me, the nobles?”
Ẁ е b.ňо̀.v̄ ӗ l Ënũ ḿ а̄
Shylock showed a nasty smile.
“I never do business at a loss.”
』
‘As expected.’
Shylock had formed the bandit group, but he was just someone’s subordinate. That someone was a noble who could back Shylock.
‘It’s strange.’
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Grudges between nobles were usually resolved through duels or domain wars. If there was a just cause, there was no need to resort to such tricks. The Griffith family was not that strong either.
In other words, it meant there was no just cause to be hostile to the Griffith.
‘I’ll find out if I beat it out of him.’
He could find out if he killed Shylock and then used Black Soul.
A big shot with the financial power to hire a hundred cavalrymen. But he had foolishly taken the Ring of Gyges.
The user of the ring cannot be hostile to the true owner of the ring, Edward. And if he overused the power of the ring, he would become Edward’s slave. Looking at Cooper’s memory, it seemed that day was not far off.
Wӗ b ǹ о v el Еn ǔ m̃а̄
Slice!
“Kuaak!”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
While Edward was lost in thought for a moment, William had hunted down and killed all the remaining horse bandits.
The leader, Cooper, had died, and they had been in a state of confusion, only to be caught by William.
“We won!”
“Long live Griffith!”
Wĕ b̊ n о̇ vе̇l̆ Е n ǔ.m̄а̃
“Long live Young Master Edward!”
The soldiers shouted in victory.
Fifty peasant soldiers had defeated a hundred horse bandits. It was a miraculous victory.
“Long live William Griffith!”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Edward shouted in a loud voice. The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
The soldiers hesitated and glanced around.
Ẇ ӗbnо̄v еl̆ Ёn ǔ mа_
“Long live William Griffith!”
Just then, Logan shouted in a loud voice.
He couldn't hold his body properly due to his injuries, but his voice was full of power.
“Long live William Griffith!”
Only then did the other soldiers shout along. William looked at Edward with a bewildered expression.
“First, assess the casualties.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
As the atmosphere settled down, Edward gave an order. The soldiers scattered according to the order.
“When will the priest arrive?”
Edward asked Frederick.
The Theos Church had not sent a priest since the Thomas incident, so there was no priest in the village.
Right after confirming the appearance of the horse bandits, before the village was surrounded, he had sent a person to the neighboring village. He planned to ask for help from the priest there.
“It’s not far, so he should arrive soon.”
Е.ṅ um̌а̊. і̄ d̊
Frederick answered.
“Frederick, take a horse and go get him.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“Yes, Young Master. I’ll be back.”
After sending Frederick off, William came trudging over. Holding the spear that the horse bandit leader, Cooper, had used.
“Why are you saying unnecessary things?”
“Unnecessary things?”
Wеb n̂о̀ v̀el̈ E n̈u m̌ а
“Those guys don’t think of me as a Griffith. The old man kicked me out too.”
“Get used to it. No matter what anyone says, you are a Griffith.”
William scowled and looked awkward.
He was clumsy at expressing his emotions, but he probably didn't dislike this situation.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Take it. It belonged to the guy my brother killed.”
William handed him the spear with the flag. A thick mana could be felt from the spear.
Е n ü m̊ǎ
<The Rider’s Flag>.
After checking it with the Eye of God, it was an artifact that increased the movement speed of the user and the people the user recognized as allies.
Since its range of effect was a 50-meter radius centered on the user, it could be usefully used in unit-level battles.
‘So this was the reason.’
No matter how horseless, the knights were Aura users.
With the help of aura, they could temporarily catch up with the horse bandits. The reason they had been unilaterally toyed with was because of this flag.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
And the fact that William had been able to catch up with the horse bandits so quickly at the end of this battle was also because of this.
‘It’s a bit much for me to use.’
Unfortunately, its performance as a weapon was mediocre.
Since it could be used even by non-mana users, it would be fine to entrust it to a flag-bearing soldier.
* * *
Of the 102 horse bandits, 96 were killed in action, and 6 were taken prisoner.
E n ú ṁ a .і ď.
On their side, there were six dead and seven injured. Most of them came from Teams 1 and 2, where the formation had collapsed.
It was probably because a mana user like Edward or Frederick was absent. The fact that the horse bandit leader had happened to storm in that direction was also a big factor.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Although Sergeant Patrick was deployed, he was no match for the 2-Star Aura user horse bandit leader.
The only fortunate thing was that none of the injured were in a life-threatening condition. Even Logan, who had been the most seriously injured, had overcome the crisis by receiving timely treatment from the priest.
Considering the qualitative and quantitative differences in their forces, it was a landslide victory.
There were also spoils of war.
Е̄ n̈ ū m а̀ .іd̃
The weapons the horse bandits had used were not good. Compared to the weapons brought from the Demon King’s Castle, they were like defective goods.
But the captured horses were all fine steeds.
In particular, the black horse the leader had been riding was a horse that any knight would covet. Edward named that horse Revival and made it his own.
Excluding Revival, there were 36 captured horses. Including the horses caught before, it was a number that was more than enough to rebuild the knightly order.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
That evening.
A joint funeral for the fallen soldiers was held under the supervision of the priest. A fire was lit in the middle of the square to cremate the bodies of the fallen.
W̌ѐ b̊ n o̊ v̌е l̀ E ń úm̈ a
“What are you thinking about?”
Edward asked William, who was staring at the fire with a sullen face.
He had been forced to stay even though he didn't want to, but once the funeral began, he acted obediently.
“I was thinking that if I had come a little earlier, fewer of those guys would have died.”
He was feeling a sense of responsibility for something he wouldn't have even cared about in the past. It was a desirable change.
Edward patted William’s shoulder and then stepped forward.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Everyone, listen.”
The villagers’ gazes gathered.
“Today, we have defended this land with our own strength. The horse bandits who have oppressed us for a long time have all paid the price with their deaths. I pay my respects to the perseverance and courage you have shown.”
“No. It’s all thanks to you, Young Master.”
“We would never have been able to do it without you, Young Master.”
Edward let out a laugh as he looked at the villagers who were giving him the credit.
Е̂.n um̆.ӓ .іd
It was true that Edward’s plan and training were perfect. But if those who carried it out had not lived up to it, it would have ended in failure. Edward did not forget the villagers’ hard work and sacrifice.
“I will not forget the brave soldiers who shed their blood for Griffith. I will bear all the treatment costs until the injured are fully recovered. I will also provide separate living expenses so that their lives are not disrupted during that time. The families of the fallen will receive a pension every month.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“Thank you.”
“Thank you so much.”
The bereaved families bowed their heads, shedding tears. The other villagers also had red eyes.
“And I have something to announce on this occasion.”
Ѐ n̈ u ḿ ǎ
The villagers’ gazes focused again.
“William is my blood brother and a member of the Griffith family.”
William and the villagers flinched in surprise.
“When His Lordship returns, I will formally request that he withdraw William’s excommunication. Since he is a hero who saved the domain, he will surely grant it.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
William was bewildered, but some of the villagers nodded in agreement.
The most important thing to Edward was the family. After asking Frederick, all the branch families of Griffith had their lines cut off. Edward, William, and their father, Roland, were the only Griffiths left in this world.
W̊ е̃ḃň oṽ е l̂ Е́n̊û m а̊
William was important just for being of the Griffith bloodline, but he also held immense potential. If he was to be kept by his side and raised, he could not be allowed to be an outsider.
‘Is it a coincidence.’
Moreover, the name of his younger brother who had died early from Mana Reversal Syndrome in his past life was also, of all things, William.
It was a common name, and their personalities were the complete opposite, but it still bothered him strangely.
“From now on, anyone who does not show respect to William or insults William.”
Edward looked over the crowd and added in a solemn tone.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Will be considered guilty of insulting a noble and will have their head cut off.”
* * *
After the joint funeral ended, Edward prepared a modest celebration of their victory.
The villagers ate and drank, shaking off the fatigue and tension that had built up.
Perhaps thanks to Edward’s declaration and his performance in the battle, William naturally mingled with the villagers and drank.
Since there was still some lingering resentment, they didn't look particularly friendly, but the atmosphere was not as icy as before.
Ẽ n um̌ ȧ ..іḋ
Edward mingled for a while and then called William out separately.
“There’s something you have to do for me.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“What is it?”
“Let’s go to <Balduran> with me tomorrow morning.”
Balduran, a day’s ride from the Griffith domain, was the largest city in western Aerok and also the base of the loan shark Shylock.
“Why Balduran?”
Ẇ е̄b ǹ о v̆ е̃ l Е̌n̄ um а̇
“One of the prisoners confessed about the mastermind.”
“A mastermind? The horse bandits had a mastermind?”
“He said the loan shark Shylock had hired them.”
“Orc Nipple?”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“…Yes. Orc Nipple.”
“Why him?”
W е̇ bnо̄v̌ е̃l _Е n̈uṁă
Naturally, William was bewildered.
No matter how much money he had, for a commoner to attack a noble’s domain was a crazy act.
“We’ll find out if we go and beat it out of him.”
William showed a nasty grin.
Even though he was being asked to go and fight a big shot in a large city with just the two of them, he showed no signs of fear.
“By tomorrow, that guy will also know about the results of today’s battle. If he knows that things have gone wrong, he will surely take measures. It’s better to hurry if we want to act before that. Let’s leave at 5 a.m. tomorrow.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“I wake up when the sun is high in the sky.”
“Just bear with it for tomorrow.”
Edward walked toward the lord’s castle.
“Did you praise me like that just to work me to the bone?”
William shouted from behind.
“You just realized that now?”
Ẅе bǹо v ê l Е̃ n̆ üm̄ а́
Edward grinned. William spewed curses, but he ignored them.
* * *
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Hoo.”
Edward, who had returned to his room, sat on the floor and corrected his posture. Then he moved his mana and checked his body’s condition.
‘As expected.’
He had felt an uncomfortable sensation since the battle ended.
Ѐň ùm а́ .i̊ d̆
Sure enough, a lump of mana dregs had formed again.
It was fine when he was constantly moving his body, but as the tempo dropped and the use of Black Soul ended, the dregs began to accumulate again.
‘This is difficult.’
He might have to fight Shylock’s gang tomorrow. If there were lumps of dregs, he would have a reversal while fighting. It would take a few days to wash away the dregs with exercise in advance.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
‘Is there no way?’
Just then, he felt a tickling sensation in his brain.
W ѐ b̀n̊о̃ v́ е̊ ĺ .Е̂n um̀ а
The familiar feeling of knowledge that he had never learned but was in his head coming to mind.
The knowledge that came to mind in that way surprised Edward once again.
‘You can make a core with a lump of dregs?’
(End of Chapter)
Konten Bab Belum Tersedia
Bab ini belum memiliki konten teks atau sedang dalam proses penyuntingan.
