章 19: The Intruding Knight
'Disgusting…'
As Elish watched, the man's sweat mixed with the blood splattered across his body, creating an unpleasant odor. It was far from the refreshing scent of blood in the open air; instead, it left a distasteful impression.
There was no enjoyment in this encounter, no thrill of a struggle or desperation—only a sense of powerlessness.
Elish could read it in the man's eyes; they belonged to someone accustomed to being on the dominant side, not the receiving end of such brutality.
The situation disappointed him. He had anticipated this might be the boss room, expecting a more thrilling encounter. However, it appeared even he had overestimated the situation.
"Get up." Elish spoke calmly, his eyes expressing disinterest in his prey.
There was nothing but silence after his spoke.
"Get up, now." Elish ordered the man.
The nobleman mumbled to himself, seemingly in a daze.
"I don't like repeating myself," Elish chided, growing slightly annoyed.
The man snapped back to reality, trembling on his feet. His slow and pathetic response irked Elish, who felt nothing but disgust.
"Are you truly a human?" He asked, his tone filled with disdain.
The man was left tongue-tied, aware that any word or misstep could lead to his death. He walked a precarious line, teetering on the edge of a life-and-death situation.
Elish could only sigh in response.
"Let's just get this over with," He muttered to himself in disappointment. His plan was to use 'Memory Drain' on the man and be done with it.
Elish approached the man, ready to perform the deed. The man's terrified eyes begged for mercy, but he couldn't utter a word or move his body.
"This will only take a moment…" He raised his hand, nearing the man's face as dread closed in on the terrified walrus of a human.
However, just when his hands had nearly touched the man… Elish suddenly felt a presence behind him.
Reacting instantly, Elish leaped away from his location, narrowly avoiding a blade that sliced through the air where he had stood moments ago.
~SWISH!~
If he hadn't dodged, the attack—whatever it was—might have severed his head.
Elish found himself separated from the nobleman, now in the corner of the room, and wondered about the identity of the attacker.
He turned in the direction of the blade's origin slowly, feeling the strange presence he sensed getting closer.
"I'm impressed. To think you were able to dodge my blade," the intruder remarked, emerging from the door leading to the blood-filled room.
The intruder entered cautiously, his steps deliberate and measured. Even Elish could discern that this opponent was unlike the others he had faced thus far.
The man had blond hair, and his face was very handsome—perhaps the most handsome Elish had seen since he reincarnated into this new world.
He had exquisite armor too, with silver and bronze designs that made him seem prestigious. He carried himself with dignity and confidence, and his demeanor was one that showed countless experiences
The nobleman's face brightened upon seeing the intruder.
"Sir Edward! Bless the Heavens you're here! Dispose of this man immediately!" He exclaimed.
"Yes, sir, that is the reason I am here. Please get behind me, as things could get dangerous from hereon out."
This man who had just surfaced was an Imperial Knight, one who was well recognized even by a Noble as snobbish as the obese man drenched in blood and sweat.
'I see what happened…' Elish thought to himself, understanding the situation better now.
It seemed that the Imperial Knight had been summoned by the soldier who had escaped earlier, not by the nobleman.
This explained his surprise at both Elish's assault and Edward's intervention. He had not been informed of the ongoing events, possibly because the nobleman strictly prohibited anyone from disturbing him when he indulged in his private chambers' pleasures.
"Fortunately, a guard made it to my quarters and informed me of the situation. While it is unfortunate that so many have lost their lives, it is indeed a miracle that you have survived, Milord," Knight Edward explained to the nobleman, his attention still on Elish.
"Indeed. It is regrettable. Now that you're here, however, I have nothing to fear," the nobleman replied.
"Indeed, sir."
"Do take care of this assailant. However, do not kill him. I have some questions for him, questions that will make him beg for a swift death," the nobleman instructed.
It seemed the appearance of some sort of protection had let him forget the terror that had coursed through his entire being not too long ago.
"Very well, Milord. I appreciate it, sir," Knight Edward replied, bowing his head before turning his attention to Elish, who had simply watched patiently as the exchange took place.
"This had better be worth the wait," he muttered to himself.
"I assure you, nothing will be better for you. I do not know why you have chosen this foolish course of action—daring to attack a nobleman, especially one of high standing. How foolish," Edward remarked to Elish.
'Foolish? You speak of humans' pride with boundless confidence,' Elish thought to himself but chose to ignore it for the sake of the battle.
"A young lad your age, with such skill and talent in the Arts, could have joined the Imperial or even the Royal Knights. However, unfortunately for you, this is as far as you go," Edward continued, adopting a noble demeanor.
"You're pretty confident. What makes you so certain you can win?" Elish inquired, grinning slowly.
"Huh? You mean to question my skills as an Imperial Knight?" Edward asked in response.
"Not really. It's just that I fought one of you Imperial Knights just the other day, and he also had a great deal of confidence in his skills, but he turned out to be pretty weak in the end," Elish remarked.
Gwain paused for a moment, studying Elish seriously. "Did you kill him?" he finally asked.
Elish shrugged nonchalantly, showing his lack of intention to respond.
"It seems I have asked a foolish question. On my way here, I saw the trail of bodies you left. Someone who has no qualms about taking that many lives. You definitely killed him," Edward concluded.
Elish couldn't help but smile. "Let's give it up for the great detective.".
"That's enough idle chatter." The Imperial Knight's tone quickly changed, and a heavy atmosphere suddenly coursed through the room.
Elish could feel it… murderous intent!
"You have enraged me. Not only have you taken so many lives, but you also took the life of a fellow Imperial Knight. According to the code we live by, I shall avenge my fallen comrade."
Elish only rolled his eyes at this, finding the entire exchange already pointless.
"Come. Attack."
Edward took his stance, gripping the sheathed blade at his side. For the first time since their encounter, Elish noticed the sword.
It was a single-edged weapon, a katana, and it emitted a unique energy.
While Elish observed the blade, Edward swiftly unsheathed his katana and lunged at Elish.
~FWISH!~
He executed a horizontal slash, but Elish evaded by soaring upward. Rather than a follow-up attack, or a reaction of panic, Edward's expression shifted to one of amusement and he ceased striking.
~WHISH!~
Suddenly, Elish felt a tear in his clothing, realizing that Edward had cleanly cut through his outfit's chest region.
"What...?" He uttered in shock.
"Looks like I missed," Edward mumbled with a smile.
Elish returned to the floor in a composed stride, though he couldn't help his perplexed expression as he stared at his opponent.
'I'm sure I evaded that. Did he utilize some form of [Art]?'
Edward sheathed his sword once more and took his stance, releasing even greater energy than before.
His smile broadened, and confidence oozed from his entire form as he concentrated everything on Elish.
"I'll end it with this!"
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[A/N]
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