“…”
“…”
Silence fell over the battlefield. The death of the demon that had plagued the entire city was so sudden.
Some were still staring at the place where the demon had disappeared, bewildered. I still couldn’t believe the current situation.
But whether people were fascinated or not, the surrounding landscape was changing.
Pussss
“That, the shadow…!”
The shadow that had the power of a hero collapsed, and the dense fog began to dissipate.
Soon, the sun shone in the dark world. A red sunset was setting in the world where the dark darkness was lifted.
“everyone.”
Under the sunset, Luke opened his mouth. Luke declared with a reddened face in front of everyone.
“It is our victory.”
“…waaa!”
The shouts of the combatants who jumped out a beat late echoed everywhere.
****
When Luke and his party returned, the city was already in a festive mood. People embraced each other and were grateful for the fact that their lives were attached.
Due to the short but intense battle, Luke’s party returned with a dusty appearance. However, the cheers of the people were truly the triumphant general itself.
“Blessed be the heroes!”
“thank you! thank you!”
“I’m weak, but please accept this!”
With crowds pouring in from all sides, Luke and his party were in trouble. But there was a smile on his lips that he couldn’t hide.
He is a hero who freed the city from being occupied by demons and saved the people. Who will taste such an honor in this day and age?
It was only after Lydia came out that Luke and his party, who had been immersed in pride, were freed from the crowd.
“Everyone is safe!”
Lydia also stared at the party with teary eyes. Those who wait are more anxious than those who fight.
However, to the point of worrying, Luke’s party came back after defeating only the demons without anyone being killed or seriously injured.
It was the best result she could hope for.
“It’s all thanks to Luke-sama’s presence.”
“It’s dizzying what would have happened if he hadn’t held the baton.”
“The inaction of Sir Bruno and Sir Ray was also great.”
The Paladins were excited and introduced the protagonists of this subjugation. It pushed people back a bit, but not out of earshot.
People stood up and eagerly listened to the words of the Paladins. encounter with the devil. A shadow with the power of a hero. Two knights against him.
Luke fights while commanding people, but is attacked by a demon from behind. And at the moment of desperation, a holy sword of flame that pierces through the illusion and is swung!
“…So we were able to barely win. Thinking about it again makes me dizzy.”
“oh my god.”
Lydia covered her mouth and let out an exclamation. Bruno and Ray’s strength, Luke’s command, and even the willpower that endured the fantasy at the end.
If even one was missing, it would have been annihilated several times on the spot. It was a complete victory that was obtained when everything matched exquisitely.
It was truly an achievement worthy of an epic.
“You did a really good job. You must all be tired, so come on in.”
“Thank you, but there are still things to do…”
“You guys have done enough. Have a good rest for today.”
Lydia led the entire party into the inn. After the entire party disappeared inside the building, the people who had been listening so far were whispering.
“Hey, something really great happened.”
“The story I heard now, I must tell my family when I return to my hometown.”
“Sir Bruno and Ray anyway? Why have I never heard of it before?”
Some were grateful for their good fortune in surviving despite such incidents, while others were excited at the thought of telling a vivid story.
Those who were quick to count paid attention to the two knights who were said to have the skills of a hero. And there was a bard among them.
The middle-aged bard quickly took out charcoal from his bosom and scribbled letters on the paper.
“Devils, saints, heroes, and holy swords! The award comes to mind, the award!”
In any era, the achievements of heroes are conveyed through songs. The song of Luke and his party was being born here.
****
Just because the devil is gone doesn’t mean everything is over. Rather, those from the Bernstein family were busier from now on.
It was time to investigate the extent of damage to the city, how many casualties there were, and how long it would take to recover.
However, Luke, Bruno, and Max were excluded from this investigation. It was because of Julich’s strong recommendation.
“It looks like you went through a lot in the subjugation, so I’ll take care of the small things.”
“I don’t really care. My body is fine.”
“I heard that I was attacked by the devil. You should take care of yourself just in case.”
“I’m really fine.”
“Get some rest!”
Unbearably, Julich shouted out loud. I didn’t say it because I was really thinking about Luke’s body, but he kept doing that, so I got annoyed.
‘sh*t. This guy’s reputation has risen too much.’
So far, what Luke has done in the family has been at a level where he can get over it. Although his position has increased, his position within the family is still there.
No matter how talented he is, he is nothing more than a bastard with no right of succession. But this time is different.
Didn’t he take the lead in solving the unprecedented situation of the descent of demons?
‘No matter how high a position in the family is, it is only within the family. However, if this situation spreads throughout the empire by riding on rumors…’
That in itself becomes a reputation. Instead of being Luke, the bastard of the Bernstein family, he became Luke, an aristocrat with a heroic side.
If that happens, it’s nabal to stand and it doesn’t matter anyway. Bastard status is a weakness only within the family, outside it is just a nobleman.
From noble mtl dot com
‘In the worst case, I could become an independent lord.’
The founder of a family who was given a domain and a new surname by the emperor. In that case, you will stand proudly as a monarch with one force.
And what if he grows up riding the winds of the chaos that will soon follow? It was terrifying just to think about it.
“Relax anyway! I am worried about your body!”
bang
Saying something he didn’t mean to say, Julihi closed the door and left. After blinking for a moment, Luke quickly smiled.
It was to the point of feeling sorry for him because he found it funny that he was trying so late.
“What are you going to do when the rice is already cooked and turned into rice?”
On the other hand, it would be like trying to block Luke from going around and expanding his influence. It’s not really a bad idea.
Luke is still considered a hero. If you go around and take a face stamp, the heat will be overheated.
From Julihi’s point of view, he would want to extinguish the fire at his feet.
‘The problem is that it has already exceeded that level.’
It was when I was deep in thought. There was a knock and a voice from outside.
“Master, are you there?”
“there is. come in.”
When permission was given, Bruno and Max entered. Looking at the two of them still in their dressing gowns, Luke burst into laughter.
“Did you all tell Julich not to budge?”
“At first, I spoke politely. I mean.”
Bruno smiled bitterly and sat down on the chair next to him. It was polite, but no one knew that it was coercion.
“Then you don’t know the situation outside?”
“I know.”
“Max, you? By what means?”
“Because I looked around early in the morning. But on the way back, Master Jullich and I met eyes. His face was more terrifying than the devil.”
Max trembled as he remembered that time. If Julihi, who was good at managing facial expressions, was like that, it must have been quite crowded.
“How are people reacting?”
“There is a lot of talk about subjugating demons. It’s a hero’s feat. Especially the names of Lord, Sir Bruno and Sir Ray are enormous. It’s disrespectful, but the saintess is on the sidelines.”
“I guess so.”
As expected. No matter how saintly she is, people tend to remember the grandiose battles more than the people behind them.
But Max said something unexpected for Luke here.
“What’s surprising is that the song was created overnight.”
“what? sing?”
“yes. It seems that there was a bard among the citizens. He must have been a talented bard, and his singing was quite good.”
Max hummed a few lines from the song. His name was not mentioned directly, probably out of fear of blasphemy.
However, he was referring to a specific person with a metaphorical expression like a warrior with a holy sword.
“Sir Bruno is the Storm Knight, and Sir Ray is the Flash Knight.”
“Ah, that’s cool!”
Bruno tapped his knee, as if he liked his nickname. Both were very good nicknames, even in Luke’s opinion.
“Sir Ray is the hair of flame. I have luck.”
“Perhaps the melody is good to hear, so the song lyrics are spreading all over the place. If you leave it like this, you will become quite famous.”
“Good.”
Luke smiled contentedly. I have no intention of acting as a genius within the Bernstein family forever.
Reputation always helps. There was nothing wrong with being famous.
‘By the way, it’s a knight of lust.’
Like Bruno, Ray was also slowly becoming famous. After all, that force was like an awl in a pocket.
Luke’s eyes twinkled in thought.
‘I think I might be able to bring him if I do well.’
Even if Lu Bu was by his side, no one would reject the way to get Guan Yu as a bonus.
Luke began to make a plan with his eyes glistening with greed for talent.
****
The survey of the city and the appointment of the new magistrate itself were completed within a week. Because the devil was a dreamer, there was little property damage.
In addition, the transfer of duties was not difficult because the previous administrative officer had been faithfully raising his successor. It was fortunate among the misfortunes in the Demon Avalanche.
After the damage restoration process was over, the saintess and her party decided to leave just in case.
“As the heir to the Bernstein family, I thank you. I still get dizzy from what would have happened without you.”
“no. It is the church’s natural duty to protect people.”
Lydia responded with a smile to Julihi, who took the lead and said hello. The tone itself was polite, but I couldn’t get rid of the cliché feeling.
Although Julihi was the representative of the family, he was not a comrade who fought on the frontline.
“The Bernstein family will never forget this grace.”
“It’s not grace, so please don’t keep it in your heart.”
“Let me know if you need any help.”
“Thank you for your words. Oh, and finally…”
Lydia, who was having a formal conversation, approached Luke. Leaving the flustered Julich alone, Lydia held out a small necklace to Luke.
“If it wasn’t for Luke-sama, we wouldn’t have been able to win. I would like to give you this in return.”
“This…?”
“It’s just my necklace. Think of it as a token of a friend.”
Julich’s face hardened. Even if you say it like that, it can’t be a simple gift. In other words, a declaration that ‘you are a person who has a great relationship with me’.
Forming a connection with the saintess was not something to be taken lightly. Lydia smiled softly and continued.
“Please come to the church with that necklace anytime. No matter how busy I am, I will definitely come.”
“thank you. Be sure to visit.”
“yes. It doesn’t matter anytime, so please come.”
Unlike the clichéd conversation earlier, friendly greetings came and went. The paladins also smiled and nodded their heads.
Julihi managed to control her expression while suppressing her uncomfortable feelings.
“Then we will go. God bless you all.”
“Please pay respect to the saintess too.”
It was Yulihi who said the last goodbye, but somehow I couldn’t get rid of the feeling of being a bridesmaid.
After the saintess’ party left, Julich sighed and led the party toward the family.
Everyone’s hands holding the reins were light, but only Julich’s was stiff.
****
“Brother Julihi! You’re all right!”
“Brother Luke! I heard the news!”
“Is anyone hurt!?”
The party took several days to arrive at Count Bernstein’s house again. Servants and knights within the family rushed to check on the safety of the two.
In particular, Oscar was the first to run.
“Lord, Lord! Are there any injuries!? Didn’t something happen!?”
Oscar quickly glanced at Julich with a cry full of worry. I was afraid that there might be something wrong.
After scanning Julich’s entire body, Oscar let out a sigh of relief.
“Huh! I couldn’t sleep because I wondered what would happen to my lord. I’m really glad you came back unscathed.”
“Oh my. is it?”
“yes. Seeing you again like this, I sincerely… lord?”
Oscar tilted his head. For some reason, a vein formed on Julich’s forehead. It was too much to live like a blow at any moment.
“Now, I missed you very much.”
“Lord, Lord? What are you doing?”
“Nothing. Let’s go to that corner first before we see Father. There was something I really wanted to say.”
Julich, who dragged Oscar along, moved deep into the garden. And after a while, a cool hitting sound was heard.
puck, puck, puck
“Bastard, you said you weren’t chosen by the demonic sword! He said he didn’t get it!”
“Keuk, kkeuk!? Lord, Lord! Hold on, break!”
“The guy who said he didn’t get it calls the fireworks! You call it what you want! But you didn’t get it!?”
“My lord, that’s because I’m a human too, so I can’t be wrong!?”
“Are you saying that now, Sage-nim!? I’m really blown away…!”
On that day, the sage of the desk bite realized the harshness of the world.