My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 118

§ 118 – Ruben’s Knights (1)

“Knights, line up!”

Clack! Clack, clack!

At Kendrick’s command, a series of figures moved.

Precise, controlled movements.

A perfectly synchronized formation, as if prearranged.

“For the Lord!”

“For the Lord!”

“For the Lord!”

With the resounding salute, Kendrick stepped forward.

His dark blue eyes gleaming, he knelt on one knee before Cian.

“The Knights of Ruben, Kendrick and 20 others. We have completed all preparations for departure.”

‘Oh…’

Cian inwardly exclaimed.

The sight of the Knights before him was truly impressive.

Led by the Death Knight, Kendrick, all the knights were clad in dark black armor.

The swords they drew as they saluted held the darkness of pitch night.

Equipment specially crafted by the dwarves of the territory.

All of it was of S-rank quality.

It was the moment when Cian’s hard-earned, heavily invested efforts shone.

Moreover, the crafting process didn’t require many special materials.

Cian had instantly completed ‘Morkru’s Smithing’ [a crafting technique].

Within it, Morkru’s expertise was fully integrated.

Morkru, the legendary blacksmith known as the Divine Artisan.

The Hammer Anvil Tribe, having acquired his know-how, was able to grow from artisans to master craftsmen.

Semir was able to advance from master craftsman to the realm of grandmaster.

Thanks to this, the rare and precious materials previously used to create S-rank equipment,

Semir could now use them to create SS-rank equipment.

Cian looked once more at the arrayed Knights.

Though there were only 20 of them.

From the start, the number of soldiers wasn’t that high.

Moreover, the Aura Cultivation method that Kendrick taught couldn’t be learned by just anyone.

Though it was a weaker version of the Mahonje Method [a powerful training technique].

Even this required outstanding talent.

Those gathered here were those with such talent.

Those who had trained day and night under Kendrick.

Perhaps because of that.

The glint in their eyes.

The perfectly disciplined posture.

Combined with the jet-black equipment.

They were truly worthy of being called the Demonic Knights.

Cian nodded in satisfaction and asked Kendrick.

“How is it? Will there be no problem even if we depart now?”

“Compared to the Black Lion Knights of the past, we are greatly lacking.”

That was only to be expected.

The Black Lion Knights who followed Kyle.

A crazy group of knights entirely composed of Masters.

How could they possibly compare?

No, there wasn’t a knight order on the continent that could compare.

Not the Royal Knights, nor the White Wolf Knights.

No matter which knight order you brought, it wouldn’t stand a chance.

However.

“However, the knights’ growth rate is inexplicably fast. Even the former members weren’t like this….”

Kendrick’s dark blue eyes flickered as if he couldn’t believe it.

It was none other than the growth buff applied to Ruben.

Last time, while upgrading Arnaise’s special perk, , its effect was further amplified.

With a base growth efficiency of a whopping 2,000%.

And with tears in his eyes, he invested in ‘Knight Training Camp Lv.5.’

An additional 1,000% was added, and there was one more thing on top of that.

The effect of , which increased the efficiency of the territory’s buildings, was also stacked.

Even those who were called the geniuses among geniuses on the continent.

They couldn’t possibly have this level of growth rate.

“If this state continues for just a few years… we might be able to rival the Black Lion Knights.”

Kendrick said with conviction.

In short, it meant that all of Ruben’s knights were approaching the Master level.

However, Cian didn’t think so.

Their growth rate was fast, but.

It didn’t mean they were surpassing the limits of their inherent talent.

And the realm of Master required truly innate talent.

The difference between a User and an Expert was enormous.

Not to mention Expert and Master.

The wall that difference represented was infinitely thick.

There was a reason why they were called Masters.

Therefore, they would grow to their respective talents at an incredible rate.

However, when they hit that limit, their growth would stop.

It was different from Cian’s growth through Mobile Lord.

But….

Cian looked at the 20 knights lined up.

And with a chuckle at a familiar face, he said.

“Duras, you’re here too.”

“Yes, sir!”

Duras stood at attention and shouted loudly.

Along with him, the sound of armor clanking was heard.

Duras, a soldier of the territory.

From what Cian had observed, Duras didn’t have outstanding talent.

Average.

To be precise, it could be said that his talent was slightly below average.

But Duras was more diligent than anyone else.

All of Ruben’s soldiers were diligent, but.

Duras was especially diligent among them.

Duras, who remained alone in the training grounds swinging his sword even when others were asleep.

Cian had seen that sight almost every day.

Duras’s inherent talent was average.

But he was here now.

He had surpassed the limits of his own talent.

And if Duras could do it.

Other soldiers and knights could do it too.

The fact that Duras was standing here now.

It contained a lot of meaning.

For Cian, and for others as well.

Cian approached Duras and patted him on the shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Thank you, sir!!!!”

Duras shouted as if the world was about to end.

“Hey, you’re going to burst my eardrums. Speak moderately loud, you rascal.”

Thud!

When Cian hit Duras on the back of the head, a dull sound was heard.

And perhaps S-rank equipment was indeed something else.

Duras didn’t seem to feel anything.

‘Ugh…!’

Only Cian’s hand ached for no reason.

Cian pretended to be nonchalant and returned to his place.

Then, behind the lined-up knights, the territory residents of Ruben were huddled together.

“Cool! The best!”

“Sniff…! I wasn’t chosen, but just you wait!”

“Go and show them properly, even for our share!”

The founding ceremony and first departure of the Knights of Ruben.

“Dad, I… I want to be like those knights too.”

“Hahaha! That’s what you call a dream, son!”

The territory residents watched and congratulated them.

And nurtured new dreams that they couldn’t have in the Forest of Darkness.

Cian looked at the territory residents who had come to see them off.

Then, he slowly turned his back and moved his feet.

These steps heading to the northern part of the Empire.

Small, to gain the favor of the dark elves.

Large, to protect the people of Ruben now.

Clang.

Behind Cian, Kendrick and the 20 knights followed.

At the same time, a soldier’s great shout burst from the top of the guard tower.

“The Knights areeee!!! Departinggg!!!”

Booooooo!

The sound of the horn was heard.

“Waaaaaaa!”

“Waaaaaaa!”

Receiving the cheers that erupted, the Knights of Ruben set out on their first expedition.

#

The northern part of the Charlotte Empire.

The edge of the Empire bordering the barbarians.

A harsh land of winter where biting cold winds blew.

In the north, snow piled up year-round.

It was barren land where crops were difficult to grow, and a region as difficult to live in as the Forest of Darkness.

And as the environment shapes people.

The people of the north resembled the characteristics of the north and were very tough.

Moreover, they had to prepare for the invasions of the barbarians.

It was also the main stage for mercenaries.

‘…Hans was very active here in the past.’

Hans, who was quite a skilled mercenary in the past.

The main stage of such Hans was the north.

“By the way….”

Cian calmly looked around.

Snow covering everything white.

It wasn’t snowing, but the blowing wind scattered snowflakes, obscuring the view.

“It’s damn cold….”

It was too cold.

It was too cold.

Every time the wind blew, he could immediately feel the sensation of ‘cutting the skin.’

No joke, the wind was a curse.

He wondered if someone was casting Wind Cutter magic.

The Knights of Ruben were the same.

They were trying not to show it in front of Cian, standing calmly.

But the clattering sound of armor colliding with the trembling was heard.

It was truly a harsh land of winter.

“Kendrick. You must be happy. You’re in there, so you’re not cold.”

Then, from Cian’s bracelet, Kendrick’s black light flickered as if to speak.

Of course, he couldn’t understand what he was saying.

“You can’t feel the cold because you’re already dead anyway?”

He seemed to have said something like that.

And as if that was really the case, the black light calmly flickered from the bracelet.

“……”

Cian, who had asked for no reason, felt like he had become trash.

Anyway, it was true that he couldn’t feel the cold.

“Ugh… when are they coming?”

Cian wrapped his body tightly against the blowing Wind Cutter magic.

“Don’t tell me… they don’t sell warm items in Mobile Lord….”

Cian took out his smartphone from his chest with trembling hands.

The smartphone that touched his fingertips was so cold that it was frozen solid.

Just as he was about to run Mobile Lord.

Ding!

《Tudududududa…! Hyehyehye, jijiji…!》

Suddenly, a strange notification window popped up on the screen.

It looked like it was having a seizure….

To be exact, it looked like it was trembling.

“What is it?”

Cian really wondered what it was.

And right then.

A series of people approaching, cutting through the white snow, could be seen in the distance.

Cian brushed aside his curiosity and put his smartphone back into his chest.

After a little time passed.

“Thank you for your hard work in coming all the way to this distant north.”

A handsome man approached Cian.

He looked to be in his early 30s.

His slightly gentle impression made him wonder if he was really a northerner.

But the solid muscles visible over his thick clothes told him that he was indeed a northerner.

“I’m Bendington Battenberg. Nice to meet you.”

Bendington Battenberg.

Cian knew that name.

To be exact, he knew the surname Battenberg.

The Margrave of the North, Count Osley Battenberg.

The Battenbergs were the family of the Margrave.

And Bendington, who was now in front of Cian.

Since Bendington was using the Battenberg surname.

It wasn’t difficult to know that he was a son of Count Osley.

“I’m Cian, the Lord of Ruben. By order of His Majesty the Emperor… I have come to the north to provide support.”

His words trembled from the constantly blowing cold wind.

He sniffled for no reason.

Bendington silently looked at such Cian.

‘I thought Kai Elandur would come….’

Bendington thought to himself.

However, the Elandur before him was Cian, not Kai.

The same Elandur, but.

A very different Elandur.

Bendington knew Cian.

As the family of the Margrave, he wasn’t particularly interested in central affairs.

Nevertheless, Bendington knew Cian.

First of all, he had the name Elandur.

He was also aware of the rumors of the Marquis family’s good-for-nothing and parricide.

Moreover, there were even rumors that he was an unparalleled dullard.

Of course, he knew that Cian had been chosen by the Zodiac Sword during the last founding day event.

Also, although he didn’t know if it was true.

He had vaguely heard rumors that he was called a hero in the western part of the Empire.

So, he had a little bit of hope…?

But.

“A, aagh… I, I’m cold…!”

Bendington sighed inwardly.

More than anything, those lined up behind Cian.

Judging from their attire, they seemed to be knights.

But the sound of armor coming from the trembling movements.

‘It’s not the White Wolf Knights.’

It was clear at a glance that they weren’t the White Wolf Knights.

Moreover, there were only 20 of them.

What could they support and help with that?

Was he even here to help in the first place?

He knew that Rothschild had dispatched the Panat and Arcanic magic corps.

But what on earth was Elandur thinking?

It was to the extent that he wondered if he was making fun of not only the Battenbergs but also the Emperor’s orders.

Bendington sighed inwardly.

The current situation in the north was too difficult.

Not only the harsh cold of the north.

Even the barbarians who used the mana of darkness.

Bendington’s regret didn’t cease, but he didn’t show any expression.

“Thank you for your hard work in coming a long way. As the situation is what it is… I was wondering if I could tell you the situation while we go, would that be okay?”

“O, of course…!”

Cian nodded fiercely.

He was only filled with the thought of getting out of this damn cold as soon as possible.

At Cian’s appearance, Bendington sighed inwardly once more.

“First, let me briefly tell you….”

Right then.

“Lord Bendington! Lord Bendington!!!”

A great shout was heard from afar.

Wondering what it was, he looked there.

There, a soldier was running through the snow, panting.

He looked quite urgent and desperate.

The soldier, who quickly stood before Bendington, said while panting.

“B, big trouble…! Big trouble has happened! Right now… the barbarian bastards are attacking the base…!!”

“Damn it!!”

Bendington gritted his teeth.

And left Cian behind and ran out at full speed.

#

Thwack!

Bright red blood scattered over the snowfield.

“Kuaaaack!”

Along with the scream, a soldier’s body fell.

A giant axe was slammed down on the soldier’s corpse.

Crack!

A fleshy sound burst out, and blood that hadn’t cooled yet splattered up.

The fallen soldier showed no reaction.

He couldn’t show a reaction because he was already dead.

But the axe didn’t think of stopping.

Crack! Crack!

The axe continued to slam down on the soldier’s corpse.

The fallen soldier was crushed beyond description.

“Khahak!”

“Keheok!”

Screams burst out from all directions.

The white snowfield was stained with red blood.

And on top of it, barbarians were running in and slaughtering people.

Without any purpose, intention, or meaning.

A frenzy shown by madmen who only craved slaughter.

“Ah… ahh….”

The soldier lost his will to fight at the cruel and terrible sight.

“S, save me… please… please save me….”

Crunch.

A barbarian grabbed the soldier’s face with a rough hand.

Thick blood smeared on the soldier’s face.

And a glint of light could be seen.

“S, sav─!”

Crack.

Along with a chilling fleshy sound, the soldier’s neck was cut off.

The barbarian grinned.

And a shout burst out.

“Don’t put any process into victory! We are beasts!! We don’t need rules or morality! We’re just faithful to our instincts!”

Soon, he raised the severed soldier’s head.

Blood dripped from the severed cross-section.

“And instinct is….”

The barbarian quenched his thirst with the dripping blood.

Crimson blood spread around his mouth, and a thick madness bloomed.

“Very cruel.”

He threw the head he was holding carelessly.

“Kill all the men and spare the women!”

“Khehehehe!”

“Loot!!”

Numerous barbarians raised their madness and massacred the soldiers of the base.

Right then.

“You bastards!!!!”

Thud!

A great shout was heard, and a giant greatsword was swung in all directions.

The barbarians in front were swept away at once, and blood splattered.

“Protect Lord Bendington!”

“Drive out the barbarians!”

At the same time, a series of knights poured out and cut down the barbarians.

Bendington Battenberg and his knights.

They were cutting down the barbarians and protecting the people.

But.

“Khehehehe!

“Kill them all!”

The barbarians didn’t back down.

Rather, they grinned and rushed in.

A chilling madness that burst out.

A reckless charge that disregarded death was carried out.

Clang!

Crack!

Thud!

A fierce battle continued, and blood splattered in all directions.

And Bendington could quickly tell.

“Damn it…!”

That they wouldn’t last long like this.

Bendington, an Aura Expert of intermediate level.

Bendington was a high-level knight, but the number of barbarians who attacked was too large.

No, it wasn’t just the number that was large.

Clang!

“Kugh…!”

Bendington burst out in pain from the heavy impact.

A barbarian with a giant axe was standing there.

Gleaming madness and eyes.

And something dark red flickering between the axe.

It was none other than Aura.

For some reason, the barbarians were using the power of Aura.

He couldn’t know why they could do that.

Frankly, he didn’t even know if it was Aura.

But the power he felt was definitely Aura.

Combined with the barbarians who were faithful to their instincts, it exuded a grotesque power.

Clang!

Bendington gritted his teeth and shouted to the knights behind him.

“You guys evacuate the people right now!”

“B, but…!”

“I’ll stop them here! So hurry!”

Bendington shouted and jumped forward.

And right then.

“……?”

Bendington’s running body froze.

His head tilted involuntarily at the sight before his eyes.

Because the scene visible before Bendington’s eyes.

There was a blonde man, Cian.

Cian was fighting against the barbarians.

He didn’t know when he came.

But Cian was fighting against the barbarians, wielding his sword.

And the barbarian who had been fighting Bendington until just now.

Swoosh!

The giant axe that was swung still felt a terrible power.

Even Bendington couldn’t easily handle the power contained in that axe.

But….

Why on earth.

Clang! Clang!

Cian easily blocked it.

The power of the axe that burst out couldn’t muster strength in front of Cian.

Nevertheless, the momentum he felt was still ferocious.

The axe that was swung seemed to crush anything.

But when it actually collided with Cian’s sword.

Clang.

He lost that power at once.

“Wh, what is that…!”

Bendington’s eyes widened.

Swish!

Cian’s sword swept past the barbarian’s arm.

The arm holding the axe soared into the sky, and blood splattered.

But no screams were heard.

Far from a scream of pain,

The barbarian didn’t even disturb his breathing.

Rather, he glared and rushed to kill Cian with his remaining hand.

A terrible madness that only craved slaughter.

It was a madness that made you sick just by facing it.

But.

“Using the power of demons, huh….”

Cian lightly avoided the barbarian’s hand.

At the same time, Cian put his hand on the barbarian’s body.

At that moment.

“Kuaaaaaaa!”

A terrible scream burst out.

Even though he hadn’t made a sound even when his arm was cut off.

“Kua! Kuaaaaaaa!”

Now he was screaming in terrible agony.

Soon, the barbarian collapsed to the floor.

At the same time, the madness that was felt disappeared at once.

“……!!!”

Bendington’s eyes widened as if they were about to tear.

Cian stared blankly at the fallen barbarian.

The madness still gleamed.

“I thought they were swallowed by demons, but these guys were originally trash.”

Cian muttered quietly.

Soon, Cian slowly took his hand off.

And then he glanced back.

Behind such Cian, 20 knights were reflected.

A knight order wearing jet-black armor.

The jet-black knights lined up and drew their jet-black swords.

The barbarians and the jet-black knights faced each other and confronted each other.

“Don’t show any mercy, wipe them all out.”

And one word from Cian was heard.

At the same time as that word.

Swoooooosh…!

Darkness as black as night spread in all directions.