Chapter 357

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The man was using a scimitar, which appeared to be twice as long as a regular one and was commonly used by Vermont's knights.

'There definitely wasn't someone like him nearby. Where on earth...!'

Jin, Mary, and Murakan.

They were completely unaware of the fact that the man had been observing the battle from one side all along.

The reason they didn't know was because the man didn't want that. He had initially planned to simply observe the battle of flagbearers and then leave.

However, his interest was piqued by the presence of the demonic creature named Ozdock and he revealed himself.

'He's an extraordinarily skilled person. No, the term 'skilled person' is inadequate.'

A superhuman.

The siblings immediately classified the man as such.

The sudden intrusion of a powerful individual had their hearts racing as if a spear had pierced their hearts.

The transformed Ozdock was a formidable opponent, Jin had a doubt whether he could win against him even if he used techniques like the "Sword Technique of Plutonian Battle God," and "Magic Sword Secret Technique."

And this man cut Ozdock's right arm by a single blow. There couldn't be too many humans capable of that in the world.

Moreover, this was the Black Sea.

'It's highly likely that he's someone associated with my father.'

A Black Knight or perhaps a former Black Knight.

The man's face was not visible because of the hood of his robe. He glanced at Jin and Mary for a moment, then turned to Ozdock, who was stretching his arm again befor anyone knew it.

[Who are you...!]

Ozdock was indeed an intelligent creature capable of human-like speech.

He had realized it the moment he took the blow. That this man wasn't someone he could handle. Though, had he been in his prime, there would have been no need to feel daunted. However, such assumptions were meaningless.

"You?"

Swish!

Like a crescent moon, a sword strike passed and severed Ozdock's right arm that had just regenerated. Blood sprayed like a fountain, and Ozdock winced in pain, raising his arm again to distance himself.

"Even my lord doesn't address me in such a manner... Yet a mere demonic creature like you dares to speak so boldly."

[Who... are you, Sir?]

Ozdock had instantly shifted into a submissive stance after taking the blow. His expression and posture displayed the fear he felt even from a distance.

"Smart demonic creature, aren't you? Don't you have the ability to learn?"

Swoosh! As the curved sword shook, a chilling sound of something being sliced echoed. This time, it was Ozdock's right arm again.

[Ahhh...!]

"When asking about an opponent, it's usually best to first reveal one's own name and status. Oh, have I expected too much from a demonic creature?"

[No, it's not...!]

Crack! Snap! This time, the man had grabbed Ozdock from behind and delivered a powerful low kick to his thigh. If one weren't accustomed to hearing the sound of muscles tearing and bones snapping, they might have shut their eyes tightly.

"Name."

[Oz... Oz, Dock.]

When the man asked in an indifferent tone, Ozdock winced and replied while restraining his groans.

"A legendary creature of folklore, it seems. I never imagined you'd be buried in a place like this."

[If you spare me, I can be useful... Cough!]

This time, a fist struck his abdomen. The seemingly light blow created a shockwave that reverberated through his body, and before that shockwave could fully disperse, the man leaped and landed a kick to Ozdock's thigh, knocking him back to the ground.

Thud!

With his head slammed onto the ground, Ozdock's body trembled, looking as if he might stop trembling and die at any moment.

"I'll warn you in advance, I won't tolerate any rudeness."

Of course, the man didn't find Ozdock's state the least bit pitiable.

Given that Murakan was present, the odds of Ozdock winning a prolonged battle were already slim. However, with the man's appearance, even that slim chance had disappeared completely.

Ozdock lifted his head from the ground, took a deep breath, and then exhaled heavily.

[I'll do anything, just spare me!]

He knelt before the man, his hands scrubbing against the ground fervently. He scrubbed his hands so rapidly that it left afterimage.

"Sure, now it seems you're starting to realize your position."

[If this pitiful monster has committed any crimes, it's only for waking from slumber. I have no intention of causing chaos in the world again, I'm just drawn by the scent of delicious prey, that is, gold, not a human…]

As Ozdock explained his circumstances in great detail, Jin found himself at a loss for words. 

The demonic creature who had been relentlessly attacking him and Mary just moments ago had suddenly become so submissive. It was a scenario Jin had never imagined.

[...Therefore, I will live quietly and virtuously. So, please let me go.]

"Hey, hey. Ozdock. What is bastard babbling about? Virtuous? Quiet? Can we believe anything that comes out of your mouth?"

Murakan approached Jin as he spoke. He frowned as if Ozdock's words were quite absurd.

[Mya mya!]

Shuri chimed in, raising her voice in agreement. Shuri had also heard of Ozdock's notorious reputation during his prime. Of course, compared to her former owner, he was hardly a threat, to say the least.

"A thousand years ago, how many humans did you kill or eat for your leisure time? In the Sarba Kingdom, you and the corrupt human rulers collaborated to starve and kill how many people? Do the souls of those you consumed or killed never appear in your dreams while you sleep?"

[You, could it be... M-Murakan!? Then, is this person also a knight of Runcandel!?]

Ozdock took a step back in surprise. When he referred to "this person," it naturally meant the man.

In Ozdock's memories, Murakan still remained the king of sky, in his heyday Unless he had taken the entire Sarba Kingdom hostage, it was best to avoid meeting his gaze.

Whew, whew.

Murakan used his pinky finger to dig his ear while shrugging his shoulder.

"Look like you need more beating. How can you call my name so casual?"

[S-Sorry. No, I apologize. It's just that I've awakened after a long time.]

"Yeah, that's more appropriate. Now let's go."

[Go... where are we going?]

"To hell. The surface isn't a suitable place for a monster like you with so many debts. Drop your core along the way. Figure it out yourself. Or should I do it for you?"

After the man, Jin also felt a strange sensation of fear from Ozdock toward Murakan. The attitude of the ancient beings from a thousand years ago towards Murakan was something he just couldn't get used to.

[How could that not be possible? And what do you intend to do with my core...?]

"You have a lot of questions, even though you are going to die."

As Murakan stepped forward with brisk strides, Ozdock seemed on the verge of bursting into tears.

When there were about five steps left between Ozdock and Murakan, the man blocked Murakan's path.

"What?"

"I apologize for late greetings, Mr. Murakan. Runcandel's Sword greets the clan's guardian dragon. My name is Tuben."

The man introduced himself and respectfully bowed his head. Murakan smiled in apparent satisfaction with Tuben's demeanor.

"Oh, are you the Black Knight?"

"I've taken off the black helmet for a while now, but I'm still performing duties similar to those times."

"Yeah, you've been through a lot. Anyway, step aside, let me finish this."

"I'm sorry. I can't do that."

Why?

Murakan didn't ask for the reasons.

"Then I'll have to handle it forcefully."

"Is there no way for you to step back?"

"I have somewhere to use his core. Step aside."

Tuben stared back at Murakan, not responding.

In his mind, calculations rapidly churned as he wondered how his lord would judge the situation.

"Ha, fine. Does nobody here care about me and the youngest?"

Mary raised her voice with a determined expression.

"Seventh flagbearer, likewise, I apologize for the late greeting. Have you been well?"

"As you can see, I've been doing well. But I didn't expect the one who barged into my fight to be Sir Tuben. No, I mean, uncle Tuben."

Mary's eyes sharpened.

"If this is the uncle Tuben I know, he wouldn't dare touch my prey carelessly... Isn't that right?"

Tuben had helped in Mary's sword training under Rosa's command in the past. While he didn't teach her for long, Tuben held Mary's primal instincts in high regard.

This was why he wasn't particularly surprised when he saw that Chiron directly passed on the Secret technique.

Woong...!

Mary's sword glowed brilliantly with an aura like rising smoke.

In truth, since Tuben's appearance, Mary had wanted to say something, but she stayed still because she was suppressing the aura backflow.

"Everyone seems to have misunderstood. This guy is mine and the youngest's prey. Even if my father himself were here, not the former black knight, he wouldn't lay a finger on my prey."

Mary was now preparing to fight Tuben instead of Ozdock.

That was who she was. It was because of these qualities that she consistently received high marks from Chiron.

However, not everything she said now was entirely sincere.

'Even my elder sister knows how to bluff.'

While Mary was genuinely angered by Tuben's sudden intrusion, she was putting on a show to protect what her beloved youngest brother deserved – Ozdock's core.

'But if Sir Tuben doesn't step back here, I'll have to stand by the words she blurted out.'

Would there be a chance of victory if Mary, Murakan, and Jin joined forces against Tuben?

Amidst the swift calculations, Murakan also began to participate in Mary's bluff.

[Yeah, Mary is right. You can't suddenly appear and interfere in someone else's fight.]

Having transformed into his true form, Murakan looked down at Tuben and Ozdock.

Ozdock felt like he was crossing the river of life and death with every passing moment. He had gone from trying to overpower the kids who tried to kill him to begging a giant and now facing a threat from Murakan and the kids combined.

"And as for your mission, I don't even know what it is. But that monster won't bring anything good to the world even if you spare it."

"You know my personality well, right? Uncle Tuben. I never back down in moments like these. Even if it leads to a pathetic death."

Jin, wrapping his lightning energy around Sigmund, took his stance beside Mary. He had never imagined that he would confront the Former Black Knight in this manner.

"It would be best if you just go back, Sir Tuben."

"I didn't know the 12th flagbearer had such a reckless side."

"Haha, uncle Tuben. This guy is even more stubborn than me. If you're going to do it, let's get it over with quickly before the enthusiasm fades."

Just as Mary was about to extend her sword with a gleam in her eyes.

[Hold on a moment!]

Ozdock, who had just finished organizing his thoughts, spoke up.

[There, there's a way to achieve everyone's... objectives. If Lord Murakan and the children of Runcandel take my core, and Sir Tuben takes me alive, wouldn't that solve the problem...?]