Chapter 80: Nobles and Commoners (II) Name

The grass he was now traversing for the second day got smeared in mud and blood in a trail behind his feet.

His outfit was tattered and muddy and the fabric that had once been white had an earthy color. With stains of dark blood that had not yet dried.

His legs were shaking but still holding him up.

His once-broken legs had served him well lately, and even if his pace had slowed from exhaustion he was still able to squeeze out a last bit of stamina to reach the outpost.

Knights had lined up further ahead by the outpost of the barracks, and the commander was nowhere in sight.

Spit hit his cheek and a pair of strong arms grabbed his upper arm.

"How dare you come back after what you did." A knight stationed at the outpost was holding him, and others came up close around him.

The exhaustion had set in and the relief of the arms holding his body up was short when he realized shackles were secured at his wrists.

The heavy rough metal scratched his skin and a strong push urged him forward toward the barracks.

The back of his throat felt dry, and he looked back to see the once-terrorizing forest remain silent. No monsters or creatures were emerging.

'It is almost as if they know not to come too close to the barracks'.

He sighed deeply, a reaction to his situation that seemed to annoy the knight next to him, as a chain-mail-covered elbow hit his side hard, causing him to bend over and stumble.

"How dare you sneak attack our Commander."

One of the knights spoke close to him, the malice in the voice alerting Killian to his situation.

'Sneak attack. How will he explain I killed several knights on my own and injured the Commander?.' Killian thought.

The warning of the elbow did not hold him back from shaking his head at the unrealistic words the knight had spat at him.

Which just angered more knights around him.

They had walked through the barracks and a grip at the back of his shirt pushed him down on the ground.

It was muddy and the smell of burnt wood hung in the air.

Killian coughed, trying to calm his breathing.

His situation was almost worse than the forest, but he had somehow hoped the commander would have at least acknowledged the monsters and alerted the rest of the knights.

Punishing Killian should not be their priority right now.

"Where is the Commander?"

Killian asked, knowing several knights around had heard his voice.

The face of the knight that had pushed him down distorted into something almost inhuman, showing the disgust it had at the words Killian had uttered.

"Unconscious."

Was the answer Killian received.

"He passed out on the field, and soon after you came running out after him."

Killian's insides turned.

'They don't know what happened in the forest, they will just assume it is my fault.'

"Where are the others, did you lure them into some trap?"

A foot hit Killian's face, that only added to the already caked skin covered in dirt and sweat.

The once beautiful face was no longer to be seen, and his entire body was the same color as the muddy ground.

Another kick came in and Killian grabbed it at his abdomen, clinging on to it to prevent it from kicking again.

"Filthy useless kid. No wonder your family threw you out, you are completely worthless."

Someone grabbed his arms tearing him from the foot he was holding, and a punch hit his now exposed abdomen til he retched out the little he had in his stomach.

His whole body was aching from the fight in the forest and the abusive treatment of the knights who were bigger and stronger.

'I need to use my power.'

His thoughts were desperate.

At this rate, they would beat him to death, but every time he tried to gather his power, it seeped away, as his mind was too weak to control it in his current state.

'So useless, this power is so unreliable.' He cursed inward at the one hope he had had to protect himself, once again useless in a situation he needed it.

"Let's just execute him for deserting, no one will miss him."

Killian looked up seeing a grin on the knight that had hit him.

His eyes wandered to the rest of the group and surprisingly saw several pairs of eyes with horrified looks that were not directed at Killian, but at the treatment, he was getting.

Yet they did nothing, even if Killian could recognize their looks as disapproving of what was going on, not one of them stepped up to stop it.

Killian clenched his teeth hard.

He knew there was no reason for them to do anything even if they disapproved.

These fine knights…

The King's own knights who were dispatched to protect the people were not much better than the creatures they were hunting.

"Killian Heathgrave, I hereby sentence you to death."

The words were loud and clear.

A shiny blade was raised above Killian's body.

The blade was almost too clean, with no dents or cracks.

Killian was oddly focused on it, knowing it was about to slice him, seeing as this sword was either being kept in pristine condition or, this knight had never actually used it.

Killian clenched his hands on the ground, feeling the cold dirt between his fingers.

He breathed in more calmly and stood up to the surprise of the knights who took a step back.

The cold air stang in his throat and his mind became more clear.

"Tch," Killian smirked

"Any last words?"

The knight was throwing the words as a taunt at Killian's attempt to look brave.

Killian stared at the man, judging this narrow-minded person with a look that only seemed to infuriate the knight more.

"My name is Killian Valen, get your facts straight when you are about to sentence someone unjustly."

There was a mumble going through the crowd. There was no one present who did not know that last name.

"Valen? Is this some last pathetic attempt to keep yourself alive?"

The knight seemed to be amused at Killian's words and decided to continue to mock Killian, like playing with food before eating it.

"Yes, no one would dare to hurt a Valen, only the King is able to judge that Monster."

Killian felt the hairs on his arms raised, and he let out a breath that visually formed his breath in the cool air.

"You are no Valen."

The sword was raised again, but Killian stood still in front of this clueless man, who had only ever heard stories about the -Monster of the North-.

If this knight had ever actually met Archduke Valen, then he would not have raised the sword at this very moment.

Killian smiled at his executioner.

Then a voice filled the cold air.

"He is a Valen."