Chapter 320 - White Wolf Knights

<Nyantan Kikeepat POV>

The White Wolf Knights were heading east when a magical war pigeon brought a message to them.

A message from Vysis.

Following the contents of the message they received, the White Wolf Knights changed course.

As for where we were now heading, it was apparently to the ruins of a small fort.

They said it was a place that had lost its role due to a newly built fort.

At the moment, I, Nyantan Kikeepat, am accompanying the White Wolf Knights on their way there.

[Sigurd-sama, I could already see said ruins but……]

The White Wolf Knights sounded stunned.

At his words, the Knight Commander, Sigurd Sigmus, loosened his reins……

[Takuto Kirihara…… and those Ogre Soldiers behind him. Golden-eyed Monsters…… moreover, that——— should be the Confidant huh. I see, it seems that the content of the message was true.]

The Hero Takuto Kirihara defeated the Great Demon Emperor.

He had apparently gained the power to subjugate Golden-eyed Monsters through his Unique Skill.

Standing ahead of the White Wolf Knights is Kirihara———— and some distance behind him was an army of demonic entities.

Riding the Knights’ only black horse, Sigurd faced Kirihara.

The other knights watch with bated breath.

Although everyone has been informed in advance that the Tyrant’s Miasma is no longer being released by these beings……

As expected, the sight of a human among the Golden-eyed monsters is just eerie.

[It’s been a while, Kirihara.]

A low, thick voice.

It has a unique sound that combines roughness and calmness.

The quality of his voice really is quite similar to that man.

To that of the White Wolf King of Magnar.

I suppose that is to be expected, they are brothers in blood after all.

His face is deeply chiseled and fearless.

His mustache isn’t well groomed.

However, if he were to actually smarten it up, one wouldn’t have found it strange to think of him as a refined noble.

He gives the impression of a sloppy person, but there’s a hidden elegance around him that he could not conceal.

[“Black Wolf” Sigurd Sigmus……]

Kirihara spoke his name.

A Knight Order consisting of White Wolves.

And leading such White Wolves is the sole Black Wolf.

He is the only one who wears a jet-black Knight Uniform amidst the gray and black.

The only one of a different color leading a mighty order of knights.

When one thinks of him, they’re reminded of that man in the Strongest Knight Order.

The man who, among the Black Dragons, was the only one who rode a White Dragon.

The former “Humanity’s Strongest”, Civit Gartland.

The Black Wolf that runs in the north.

The White Dragon that flies in the south.

The two were often compared and talked about.

While such thoughts linger in my mind, Sigurd asked.

[I came here after receiving a message from Vysis, but do you have business with our White Wolf Order?]

Sigurd had shared the Eastern Battlefield with Kirihara during the Great Invasion.

Therefore, the two of them were acquainted with each other.

Kirihara spoke.

[It seems like you too are a King.]

[……I’m not King yet.]

[No, I have heard that you are the next King of Magnar, carrying the blood of the former King…… heir to the throne. However, it has been decided that I will be Magnar’s King……]

Those words caused a ruckus among the knights.

However, without trembling even a bit……

[I’m sorry, but it is not yet decided that the White Wolf King is dead. Well, until he returns, I’m willing to temporarily accept the King’s throne…… However, I have no intention of surrendering the throne to you. Thus, Magnar’s matters aren’t one for you to worry about.]

[Worry? You’re mistaken…… I had made it clear that I’m most befitting for the position.]

[………………….]

[Even Vysis herself acknowledges my rein.]

[ ! ]

The Knights became bewildered at those words.

Even Sigurd frowned slightly.

[Vysis? What do you mean?]

Thereupon, Kirihara draws his katana.

That of course elicited a reaction to the Knight Order’s Deputy, as it seemed he intended to reproach him……

[You b*stard…… What do you think you’re doing!?]

[What I’m doing? If you don’t intend to surrender, one must settle this by force, showing who it is that’s befitting…… Do you intend to live without knowing about one’s providence?]

Step by step, Kirihara moves closer to Sigurd.

[……Hmph, what nonsense. Kirihara…… Being a King isn’t as good as you think, you know? Given the choice, I wouldn’t hesitate to abandon the throne and choose freedom. When you get older, you will realize the worthlessness of such a rigid position. You have the power and the talent, Kirihara. Before you long for the throne of a King…… Why don’t you look at the wider world a little more?]

[Choose freedom, you say? ————I understand. In that case, I’ll take your place as the King of Magnar…… It can’t be helped……]

[……I’m sorry, but that seat will be inherited by one of Magnar’s people. I don’t know what Vysis thinks, but the throne of Magnar’s King isn’t something that can be handed over to a Hero from A————]

————–Fwoosh————–

[……?]

That is……

It felt as if——— it happened in a mere blink of an eye.

Kirihara thrust the blade of his katana forward……

———piercing through Sigurd’s chest.

[Gahaak……!?]

[By the time you thought you were on par with the former Kirihara, you had already suffered a defeat……The current me that defeated the Great Demon Emperor is the strongest…… However, I felt royalty trying to compel me within you. That is something I have to admit…… It seems that you too have the vessel of a King. As expected, I couldn’t help feeling kinship and respect———- Well, felt, that is.]

The expressions on the Knights’ faces……

It looked as if what just happened hadn’t fully registered in their minds yet.

I suppose that’s understandable, for even I, who doesn’t have a direct connection with them, was taken aback.

Just now———– Did he have any murderous intent?

[Kiri…… ha———-]

Coughing up blood, Sigurd drew the sword at his waist———-

[It’s already too late.]

Kirihara unleashed a horizontal speed at a speed that my eyes couldn’t follow.

Sigurd’s head is severed and falls to the ground.

The Deputy’s eyes, who were gazing at all these events in astonishment, further expanded.

Just like a bomb that had exploded, the Deputy screamed out.

[Eh? Ah…… Ahhh? Ahh…… This…… can’t be…… S- Sigurd…… SIGURD-SAMAAAAAAAA!?]

[Are the Artlight Sisters here?]

Kirihara asked so nonchalantly that the temperature difference between him and those around him seemed eerie.

[What?]

[I’m asking if they’re here.]

[T- Those sisters…… W- What of them……?]

[? It’s decided that they are to be my concubines…… Why are you even asking questions like that? You’re making yourself unclear……]

[T- The Elder Sister…… Diaris-sama…… and Sigurd-sama…… has already pledged…… their future together———]

At those words, Kirihara clicked his tongue.

[She’s already been touched huh.]

[You b*stard…… Hero or not…… Saying such…… a vulgar thing…… How dare you——— How dare you…… do this to Sigurd-sama!? Everyone, battle!]

Even when they shed tears, the knights looked at Kirihara like angry onis.

As for whether I would fight with them———– I hesitated.

Takuto Kirihara’s current power is now incomparable to what it once was.

It’s highly unlikely that there’s anyone among this group that could stand against him.

No……

The knights themselves must have some idea what they were up against.

They are the White Wolf Knights, a group full of talented knights.

They must have understood Kirihara’s strength, and the peril in their life in the current situation.

However……

They can’t hold it back.

Their fury———– Their hatred.

[Sigurd Sigmus had the makings of a King, but at the same time, he was a fool. He made the wrong choice. And if you guys survive and spread our rumors about me to Magnar…… It will only be unpleasant…… In other words, since your Commander made the wrong choice, all of you were to collectively take responsibility for his choice and die……]

Thereupon……

The Golden-eyed monsters began advancing.

Golden light dragons also began appearing around Kirihara.

[This king decrees…… Leaving only one single person———–]

Just like a swarm of serpents, the several golden dragons around Kirihara wriggled around……

[Kill them all.]

▽ 

The slaughter——— has finally ended.

On this day, the Knight Order of the White Wolves was annihilated.

Now, the Golden-eyed Monsters are thoroughly…… “disposing” of the corpses.

The only survivor of this event was me.

The smell of blood should have been something I’m used to……

But for some reason, its scent was more unpleasant than usual.

Kirihara sheathed his katana.

[You’re quite lucky…… that I’ve been reminded by Vysis to bring you back alive. Be thankful that I’m in cooperation with Vysis…… and that doing this is to be expected of me.]

Saying this, Kirihara glanced at me once, from bottom to top.

[You may be competent…… but you’re one of those who emerged from poverty, aren’t you?]

[What of it?]

[As expected, your blood is too weak…… Can’t say you are befitting for me———- Get lost. Hearing Vysis complain about this and that about you would be troublesome…… You have no further role in this place……]

[……By your leave.]

[Ahh, also……]

As I swerved my horse to the side, intending to get out of this place, Kirihara stopped me.

[This should be something you understand already…… Revealing this matter to anyone other than Vysis is not necessary. If I hear that this was revealed to others, even if you’re Vysis’ pet———– I will erase you.]

[………………..]

[I didn’t hear your answer.]

[……Understood.]

I just want to get out of here as soon as possible.

I’m really feeling something particularly eerie from the current Kirihara.

I felt like if I kept talking to him, I’d eventually lose my head.

[Lastly, Nyantan.]

[————, …..What is it?]

[The current me is beyond you now…… That is something you need to carefully observe.]

[……Yes. The current you have already surpassed me.]

“Fuuuuu……”, Kirihara breathed out.

[Good.]