Chapter 86: A Couple of Knights?

As Rigurd ran forward like a charging bull, William quickly steps to the side, the mist leaping out of his armor, displaying his frantic emotion.

With a staggered tone, he mutters,

"Look, my friend! I don't wish to battle! Let us calm down for a moment!"

Rigurd, feeling no ill-intent from the monster standing before him, heeds his request. He questions,

"What is it that you want then?"

Pausing for a moment, William responds,

"Well... you see... Ah yes! I wish to have a chat! This battlefield doesn't seem like the best place to have a leisurely back and forth, but this will do!"

William seems to make a weird motion as his armor clanks, the pieces colliding with one another.

Suddenly, he swings his arm at Rigurd, taking his whole body with him. Reacting quickly, Rigurd puts his shield up to block the attack.

Taken off-guard by the sudden aggression, Rigurd asks,

"What is the meaning of this?"

William chuckles awkwardly while answering,

"I apologize! I do seem to have an occasional spasm once in a while, but nothing too serious! Let's carry on with our chatter!"

Despite his intentions, William forms his other hand into a fist and digs it into Rigurd's abdomen. Rigurd absorbs the attack as he winces a little from the pain.

Awkwardly chuckling even louder, William shouts,

"Y-You are quite a sturdy fellow, I see! I thought I would add a little slapstick into our conversation! Yes... Nothing like some humorous comedy!"

His laughter fades out. Faintly coughing, Rigurd deduces,

"It seems you've fooled me... I might be getting older..."

Pushing off of William, Rigurd leaps backwards as he holds both weapons out in front of him. Unbeknownst to William, the beast restraining Asterion has disappeared as the stone bull rams forward, straight towards William.

Hearing its footsteps, William sticks his arm out in its direction and takes a hold of a single horn. Asterion is kept in place, now by William, as it puffs dust out of his nostrils and roars.

It pushes forward, digging its hooves into the ground while William completely turns his body and grabs both horns, one in each hand.

Bending his legs, William begins lifting Asterion but quickly lowers him back to the ground. William raises the bull again before gently lowering him back down. He continues doing this, up and down, up and down.

It looks as if he's fighting someone for control over Asterion, despite him being the only one in range.

Finally, William decides to release his grasp as Asterion's stone pupils go pale and he tips over sideways, dizzy and on the ground.

William brushes some dust off of his armor and mentions,

"As I was saying, a chat! Let's take a seat! Pour a glass, perhaps! Not that we have any, however..."

Rigurd refuses,

"I am afraid I'm not going to fall for your tricks again."

Tilting downward, William sighs and mumbles,

"I was afraid that would be the case..."

Suddenly posing stiffly like a figure, William stomps forward, swinging his fists at Rigurd. With more time to react, Rigurd manages to put up a defense and prepare for a counterattack.

As William's fist collides with Rigurd's shield, Rigurd swings his axe horizontally at William's side. The axe makes a clanking noise as it makes contact with William's armor, scratching it but going no further.

Coming up with an excuse, William explains,

"It seems I'm having another spasm! They can get quite annoying at times, wouldn't you say?"

He adds,

"Oh, right! How could I have forgotten!? I must introduce myself! Although you might already know of my identity... I am William Valiance, a member of the Kingdom's Guard!"

Pulling his arms back and flinging them both at Rigurd, he begins storytelling,

"I can still remember my days out in the countryside, rescuing villagers and slaying evildoers... They referred to me as 'The Hero of the People', you know! You surely have heard of my exploits, yes?"

Bringing both arms in front of his face to defend, Rigurd replies,

"I'm afraid I have not. But a 'hero of the people', you say? That's quite an interesting act you have."

Slightly taken aback, William retorts,

"This is not an act! This is the truth! I am a Hero of the People! The women and children love me! What more can you ask for from an outstanding member of society, such as I?"

He poses, putting hands behind his non-existent head and tilting his body up to the sky as he announces,

"If it is what you wish, I will present to you the prowess of a Hero! Prepare yourself, my good sir!"

Rigurd nods silently, bending down into a battle-ready stance. Pebbles begin rising from the ground as the earth suddenly cracks beneath him.

While this is happening, Gremly receives her orders from the 4th Division. She tosses the message behind her and stretches her arms upward.

Bearing her fangs, she commands,

"Orders from Freddy! We're heading back in! Let go, boys!"

She chants,

"Run! Son of the Beasts, Fenrir!"

Gremly flips into the air as a wolf materializes below her, made from gray dust. She lands perfectly on its back as the wolf takes off, into the field.

She arrives at the scene of a wave of flame shooting outwards. The fire clears revealing the root of the issue. Gremly hops off of Fenrir and walks over. She tilts her head downwards and shouts,

"You did that!?"