Chapter 166 : Chapter 166
Chapter 166
With the addition of Verokov, specially invited by Anne, and the byproducts obtained from monsters, the armament level of the Arthur Domain began to improve rapidly.
The protective clothing worn inside chainmail became protective clothing made from Sabertooth Tiger hide, changing to the point where it could prevent penetration even if shot at close range with a strong bow.
Armaments created by utilizing high-strength monster bones in alloys and arrows that maximized penetration and strength using monster bones were supplied.
“Excellent…! Truly great!”
Verokov cheered at the sight of the new materials continuously arriving.
Despite all-night work continuing every day, Verokov’s and his disciples’ eyes burned increasingly brighter.
Jeobeokjeobeok.
Then, the sound of footsteps heading towards the forge was heard from somewhere.
At that moment, as if prearranged, the blacksmiths’ faces stiffened in unison.
Verokov’s disciples were, in a way, observing their master’s reaction.
Jeobeokjeobeok.
Regardless of the atmosphere inside the forge, the man who boldly entered the workshop familiarly settled in a corner of the forge and placed several bottles of alcohol on the table there.
“No intention of drinking together today either?”
“…”
Verokov remained silent even at the question from the man with black hair and black eyes, Karl Meyer, the lord of the Arthur Domain.
“I heard from Anne that you are a man full of affection and fond of alcohol. It seems Anne was mistaken.”
As if accustomed to Verokov’s lack of response, Karl uncorked a bottle and poured alcohol generously into the glass on the table.
The moment the aroma of high-quality whiskey filling the glass seemed to vibrate within the forge, he unhesitatingly downed the contents of the glass.
“I heard you were like a father to Anne. That’s why I keep visiting. I don’t know why you don’t want to speak with me. But by now, I’d like to hear your story.”
For some reason, Verokov did not speak to Karl.
From the moment he first met him, he had kept his mouth shut and said nothing.
Watching the craftsmen bring down their hammers amidst the flames, Karl sat there for quite a long time, sipping his drink.
The craftsmen, as if accustomed to such a Karl, paid him no mind.
Karl, too, seemed to have no intention of disturbing them.
Thus, a considerable amount of work time passed, the sun that had been high in the sky set, and the surroundings grew dark.
“Let’s call it a day here and head in.”
Then, Meister Verokov, who had maintained silence for a good 10 hours, announced the end of work to his disciples.
The disciples, after observing their master’s reaction, slowly made their way out of the forge.
Still, as they were about to leave, those who had bowed to Karl, their employer, were each given a bottle of the alcohol Karl had brought.
They bowed their heads once more in thanks and left without a word.
“Why do you keep coming?”
Verokov, who had been silent for nearly a month, finally opened his mouth.
“Have I come to a place I shouldn’t? I employed you, didn’t I?”
“A craftsman chooses his own place to stay.”
“So, you intend to leave this place because you don’t like me?”
“…”
Verokov looked at the man before him once again.
Indeed, he saw a blazing fire burning within him.
“What are you thinking?”
“Your Lordship is the very flame that consumes all things.”
Karl said nothing in particular.
He didn't know what this craftsman named Verokov had seen in him, but he wanted to hear what he had seen.
“I have lived as a blacksmith for nearly 40 years. During that time, I have witnessed those who carry fire within them a few times. And they all created a fierce blaze and disappeared from this world. Sometimes, they caused great chaos throughout the continent.”
“Do you see me becoming such a person?”
“Well… I wouldn’t know until I see it.”
“Then what is the problem? That alone is not enough reason for you to treat me this way.”
“I am afraid that the princess standing by Your Lordship’s side will be engulfed in the flames.”
Verokov cherished Anne with an unusual affection.
“I have been watching. To see what kind of person Your Lordship is.”
“So, how was I?”
“I… don’t know.”
A man with eyes that seemed indifferent to the world, contrary to public rumor.
Yet, a person who genuinely implemented policies for the people.
For some unknown reason, a person for whom sacrifice for them was natural.
Karl himself was denying it, but he was a man who, by anyone's standards, suited the role of a hero.
‘A hero and a demon are decided by a fine line.’
Ultimately, people’s perspectives changed in an instant.
Karl’s previous life, the 21st-century Earth, was probably the era where such battles of framing were most prominent.
“Whether I become a certain kind of flame or not, can’t we think about it over a drink? There seems to be no need to ostracize me right now.”
Karl held up the liquor bottle and waved it towards him.
Chuckles.
At Karl’s continued advances, Verokov sat down opposite Karl and accepted the glass of liquor he poured.
“Please take good care of the princess. She was the one who tried her best for me until the very end, when no one else cared.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Verokov clinked glasses with Karl.
In his eyes, Karl still appeared as a fiercely burning blaze.
However, perhaps due to the heat of the forge, he had a strange thought that this moment, sharing a drink with him, felt warm.
***
Patrick, who had been the master of the spiders and was now the master of Postasia, was walking down the corridor towards his office.
It was night, and candles were lit in the dark corridor to illuminate the castle.
Strangely, for some reason, his walking face looked oddly bloodless and pale.
The sound of a peculiar wooden door opening was heard, and Patrick, who had entered the office, slumped against the desk.
A strange fear was etched on his face.
[Patrick, how long must I wait? Quickly sound the trumpets of advance towards the messenger of Essus. I have given you everything.]
“…”
A voice, its origin unknown, echoed in the office.
Patrick, as if he couldn't hear the voice, stared at the flames burning in the fireplace set up in one corner of the office.
[Patrick, if you do not obey my command, all I have left to give you is ruin.]
Patrick, who had been trying hard to ignore the voice, his face contorted with continued insistence, abruptly stood up.
“There are still two months left on the promised date! So, be quiet and get lost!”
The moment Patrick shouted, thoroughly angered, the flames in the fireplace he was watching flickered as if laughing.
[Yes, two months. If you fail to capture Essus’ dog even after that period ends, your soul and body will all be mine.]
The moment those last words ended, the voice tormenting Patrick disappeared without a trace.
Tadak. Tadak.
Silence fell in the room, and only the sound of firewood burning in front of his eyes could be heard within the office.
With trembling hands, Patrick rummaged through a cupboard, took out a bottle of liquor, and poured it generously into a glass.
With a gulping sound, he slammed the alcohol down his throat.
“Uaaaargh!”
After downing several glasses of strong liquor in quick succession, he threw the glass he was holding against the wall.
The sound of his scream and the shattering glass spread outside the office, but he had no time to care about such things.
The remaining time was approximately 60 days.
Within that time, he had to conquer the Arthur Domain and behead Karl Meyer.
The price for the power received from the star-shaped demon, Decarabia, was tightening around his neck.
Even at this moment, the crimson, star-shaped eyes, from which blood seemed to flow, were watching him.
‘Yes, anyway, the preparations are complete.’
Under the pitch-black darkness where two moons were hidden by clouds, Postasia began its advance towards the Arthur Domain.
***
The Arthur Domain, which had achieved dazzling growth, was establishing perfect communication networks and defense lines in all directions – east, west, south, and north – based on its vast financial power.
On the western defense line of the Arthur Domain, where a tight guard was maintained, was Definir, who until recently had been active in the Lighthouse Knights.
He had received the title of Baron and was granted a domain corresponding to the western border.
As the head of a vassal family of the Arthur Domain, he was still perfectly defending the western border.
“My Lord…!”
Definir, who was on his usual patrol of the ramparts, discovered numerous human presences piercing through the darkness of the night.
“What is that…? Fire flaming arrows!”
Long-range flaming arrows, prepared in advance to illuminate the surroundings, embroidered the sky, brightly lighting up the darkened area.
“…!”
Under the light of the beacon, attackers clad in black clothes were intently staring at them, concealed and camouflaged in the surrounding terrain.
“Heok…! Light the beacon! Use the post station to send a dispatch rider to the Arthur Domain! Ring the alarm immediately!”
Several orders were delivered in an instant, and the soldiers, trained through repeated drills, moved like machines according to the commands.
Daengdaengdaengdaengdaeng!
With the sound of the alarm, armed soldiers ascended the castle walls in perfect order.
Definir’s private soldiers numbered approximately 300, and 500 soldiers directly under the Arthur Domain were stationed with them.
“All archers, prepare to fire!”
While their response was being carried out swiftly, the attackers, who had intended to launch a surprise attack under the cover of night, hooked grappling hooks onto the castle walls and began to climb them at high speed.
“Knights, draw swords!”
At Definir’s command, approximately 30 knights drew their swords atop the castle walls.
The moment the knights’ swords reflected the moonlight, the enemy’s night raid began.
The number of a_t_t_a_c_k_e_r_s_ in_ th_e_ fi_r_s_t_ wa_v_e_ wa_s_ ro_u_g_h_l_y_ 50_0_,_ an_d_ th_e_i_r_ mo_v_e_m_e_n_t_s_ we_r_e_ fl_a_w_l_e_s_s_.
Among them, those who appeared to be team leaders seemed capable enough to contend even with knights.
The Arthur Domain army, having undergone numerous real combat experiences and armed with improved equipment, boasted a military strength incomparable to ordinary domain armies.
Despite being considerably skilled attackers, they couldn't exert their full strength against the unexpectedly strong resistance of the Arthur army and collapsed helplessly.
Ppuuuuuuu!
Just as the first wave of attackers failed, the sound of a horn from afar filled the battlefield.
“My Lord!”
Turning his gaze to where his adjutant’s fingertip pointed, a force of what looked to be at least 1,000 soldiers and a swarm of about 2,000 monsters appeared before Definir.
The soldiers, witnessing the bizarre sight of humans and monsters moving as one group, swallowed dryly.
“My Lord.”
“Evacuate the domain’s citizens to the rear. Send another messenger to report the enemy’s scale. The enemy is Postasia’s army. Request support from Count Vito. We… will stop them here.”
The flag of Postasia, fluttering in the wind, and the army of monsters and humans gathered beneath it became a surging wave, crashing down upon the Horsaes Domain.
“Trample them! Cover this place with their blood! All plundered wealth will be yours! The blessing of Lord Decarabia will be bestowed upon those who contribute to victory!”
Behind them, Patrick, with a pale face, roared fiercely.
Those trying to scale the walls somehow and those risking their lives to defend the walls clashed violently.
“Keoeok!”
A soldier from the Horsaes Domain, impaled in the stomach by a spear, collapsed, but not before thrusting his sword into the neck of an attacking soldier.
The soldier, still impaled by the spear, rose again and plunged his sword into the heart of another advancing monster.
Even as he died, the soldier took down three enemy soldiers before closing his eyes.
‘Lucas… Emily….’
Among the fleeing domain citizens behind him were his wife and child.
Most of the soldiers of the Horsaes Domain now had their families in the rear.
Knowing better than anyone that if they were breached, their families would all die, they could not die even if they died.
The will of the soldiers, transcending their limits, managed to bog down an enemy force several times their number.
“What are you all doing! Get over the wall, I say!”
Patrick, who had been shouting orders from behind, frustrated, personally drew his sword and rushed forward.
Crimson aura streamed out from his sword.
The moment Patrick’s black aura flew towards the soldiers on the wall, Definir, emitting a faint white light, appeared atop the rampart.