The Third Son of a Medieval Knight Family Chapter 109 - Knight of Ascension (44)

“Your Excellency, I will gladly accept any punishment for my rudeness. Naturally, I will also return my knighthood.”

Count Yakobski looked with complex emotions at the back of the knight’s head as he bowed low, quietly awaiting his punishment.

The situation had somehow been resolved well. No, rather than being resolved well, it would be more accurate to say that all problems had been swept under the rug in the face of an overwhelming miracle.

The nobles who had been fiercely attacking each other, and even Mikhail’s rudeness in sharply criticizing them including the Count, had been cleanly erased before the miracle Viktor had shown.

Anyone who continued to insist on their previous positions after witnessing such a thing would be either an idiot or an unbeliever – one of the two.

And the nobles, while greedy, were not stupid. Now the expeditionary force’s policy was firmly decided. According to the knight who had received a ‘revelation,’ they would fight to the end without retreat.

Even the nobles from the capital who had most fiercely opposed continuing the war had transformed into active war advocates – the effect of the miracle needed no elaborate explanation. So now the Count had few options left.

“Though you crossed the line, I know it was purely from loyalty. And you are still the talent I need to win this war. You need not return your knighthood.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Looking at Mikhail, who was still bowing his head deeply, the Count spoke again.

“But let me ask you something. While I don’t doubt your loyalty, why did you protect Sir Viktor to such an extent? Was it because of your friendship with him?”

At the Count’s pointed question, Mikhail remained silent for a moment before quietly replying.

“I simply believed that Sir Viktor was the most necessary talent for Your Excellency. If Sir Viktor’s relationship with Your Excellency were to sour because of some nobles speaking carelessly, wouldn’t that be a great loss?”

It was flawless reasoning. However, the Count felt unsatisfied with this answer. He continued looking at Mikhail with a complicated expression, then sighed.

“I understand. We’ll discuss other matters later. But the punishment itself cannot be avoided, so remain in confinement for a while.”

“I am grateful for Your Excellency’s mercy.”

After giving a clean bow and withdrawing, Mikhail left, and the Count saw him off without looking at him. There was a strange distance between the two that hadn’t existed before.

Count Yakobski fell into thought for a moment, then gave orders to his attendant.

“There was someone who came to see me recently but was driven away. He had hideous scars on his face… yes, he definitely claimed to be Sir Viktor’s brother. Bring him to me.”

---

Igor was prostrate before the Count, trembling. His grand plan had been shattered from the very beginning.

Being freed had gone as expected, but when he immediately requested an audience with the Count, he had been literally beaten up and thrown out.

From his clothing to his hygiene and the scars on his face. Though some traces of noble speech and behavior remained, unfortunately Igor hadn’t been particularly noble-like even when he was in the village.

Once the fine clothes, horse, and neat appearance that had proven his status disappeared, he was now treated no differently than commoners in the marketplace.

Since Viktor had been indifferent to him and provided no support, Igor had no choice but to swallow his tears of frustration.

It was just moments ago that Igor, who had been drowning his anger and sorrow in alcohol, had been dragged here by the Count’s knights in what amounted to kidnapping. With his face instantly sobered, he cautiously asked a question.

“Count, Your Excellency. It is an honor to meet you like this.”

“You dare speak without permission? Do you want to die?”

When a knight rebuked him, Igor flinched but still said what he had to say.

“I am a legitimate noble of the principality! I have the right to be respected!”

“This ridiculous commoner dares call himself a noble!”

“Enough.”

When the knight who had been raging fell silent at the Count’s single word, Igor looked at him with awe.

At a single command, dozens of knights followed, and as the head of an enormous expeditionary force wielding tremendous power – even if he had properly inherited the knighthood and received the village after Igor’s current wretched state, he would have found it difficult to face such a great noble who possessed real power.

“I called you here because I have a few things I’m curious about, Igor.”

“Ah, that you remembered my name is nothing but an honor. Whatever you wish to know, if it’s something I can tell you, I will do my best to answer!”

Looking at Igor, who was showing extreme courtesy, the Count spoke with an indifferent expression.

“First, one thing. Are you really Sir Viktor’s brother?”

‘Damn, that bastard again… No, this is actually an opportunity. I’ll reveal my status and escape this unjust situation!’

Though Igor’s teeth momentarily ground at the mention of his cursed younger brother’s name again, he quickly recovered his composure and answered respectfully.

“Yes, it’s true. I am Igor of House Kobarov. If necessary, you may call Viktor to confirm.”

“That would be Sir Viktor. He is my knight. Setting aside whether you’re really brothers, this isn’t a private meeting, so please observe basic courtesy.”

“I apologize.”

The Count looked coldly at Igor’s reddening face, then spoke leisurely again.

“Well, fine. Such things can be confirmed easily enough. But if you’re really Sir Viktor’s brother, you would know things about him well?”

At the Count’s confident words, Igor bowed his head.

“I don’t know much about how he’s been since we parted after the war broke out, but I know most things from when we were together in the territory.”

This was natural, as Igor had always paid considerable attention to Viktor, viewing him as a potential rival. Satisfied with this answer, the Count asked a question.

“Good. Then are you and Sir Viktor brothers from the same mother?”

“Ah, that’s not the case. Viktor… Sir Viktor is the child of a stepmother my father took in later.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. However, she passed away right after giving birth to Sir Viktor…”

“I see. What kind of person was she?”

When the Count questioned him with strange persistence, Igor felt puzzled but hesitantly spoke.

“Ah… from what I understand, father happened to bring her back during an expedition. He fell in love at first sight and married her quickly…”

Igor couldn’t bring himself to say that his father had picked up a woman from the roadside during what was essentially pillaging disguised as patrol. After all, she wasn’t even a free citizen or serf of the principality, but clearly of barbarian lineage with unclear origins.

“Happened to? I see. Then which family was Sir Viktor’s birth mother from?”

‘Damn it… how would I know that!’

Since family honor was at stake, Igor couldn’t possibly answer that she was some barbarian of unknown origins who had been rolling around on the streets with only a pretty face. Igor racked his brains somehow.

“Well… I don’t know the details either, but she was certainly from a clan in similar circumstances to our family. As you may know, the ancestors of House Kobarov were converted northerners… so…”

The Count cut off Igor’s rambling as he looked at him emotionlessly.

“Just the main point.”

“I think she might have been of beastman lineage, but maybe not, so… honestly, I don’t really know.”

“Are you playing games with me?”

At the Count’s cold words, Igor quickly shook his head.

“No, really! I truly couldn’t tell what she was… It was certain she wasn’t pure human, as she had small wings on her back… at first I thought she was an avian beastman, but…”

As Igor spilled the secrets of House Kobarov, the Count fell into thought with his chin propped up.

‘As I suspected, Sir Viktor’s power is not ordinary… It’s definitely mixed with something other than human blood as I guessed. But wings…?’

“From what I know, avian beastmen don’t have wings.”

At the Count’s sudden remark, Igor nodded frantically while looking flustered.

“Right, exactly! That’s why some family members who knew the truth were wary of her. Wondering if she might be a hybrid with a monster… Haha, of course there’s no way our proud family would have such strange bloodline…”

The Count let Igor’s desperate chatter go in one ear and out the other as he let out a heavy sigh.

‘Monster blood… If that’s the case, that power wouldn’t be entirely incomprehensible, but is that really the answer? If Sir Viktor is a monster hybrid, there should be evidence on his body… but I haven’t seen any such thing.’

The Count organized his thoughts and spoke again.

“Have you ever seen those wings?”

“No matter what, I couldn’t see my father’s wife’s back. But I heard there were small white, soft feathers attached… But is this important?”

‘Tsk, how presumptuous.’

The Count frowned at Igor’s question.

From the beginning, seeing the state of the one claiming to be his brother, it was obvious he wasn’t receiving much attention from the successful Viktor. A mere self-proclaimed heir to a countryside village, not even a formal noble, acting like this was irritating.

“Hmm, no. Thank you for answering my questions.”

“Haha, I’m glad I could be of some help to Your Excellency. But Your Excellency, about what I wanted to say when I requested an audience last time…”

“Ah, I heard about it from my attendant. It’s about your family’s territory, right?”

Igor smiled brightly at the Count’s words.

“Yes! Since it’s chaotic now, the territory is left floating without a proper owner, but when the war ends, shouldn’t the rightful owner return to their place?”

“I’ll consider it favorably.”

“Your Excellency! Thank you so much! If I can reclaim my rightful territory…”

“Yes, yes. You may withdraw now.”

The Count looked emotionlessly at Igor, who was departing with joy at his casually thrown words.

Since he had already promised to give that palm-sized village to Viktor, unfortunately there wouldn’t be even scraps left for that fool. But that wasn’t his concern.

‘I should find out if there’s a race with such wings. Sir Viktor’s power might not be a miracle after all.’

A suspicion had taken root in the Count’s mind.

He suspected that Viktor’s shattering of the pillar wasn’t a miracle, but something accomplished entirely through his own power.

It was a conclusion drawn from observing Viktor’s martial prowess directly for a long period.

‘Of course, I can’t rule out the possibility of it being a miracle… but if Sir Viktor really has mixed monster blood or gained some unknown power because of it, and used that to orchestrate this…’

The Count fell into deep contemplation with an unreadable expression.

---

Viktor was turning away visitors with a troubled expression.

“Sir, I don’t have any other intentions… please, couldn’t you just come to my camp once and conduct a service?”

“I’m sorry. Since I haven’t been ordained, that would be difficult.”

“No! If a saint who performed miracles doesn’t have the qualifications, who could possibly have them!”

“And the title of saint is too much for me. I’m afraid someone might hear. Please return for today. Instead… I’ll visit you when I have the opportunity.”

“Hmm… if that’s the case.”

Watching the noble who finally left somewhat convinced, Viktor sighed. The situation he had created desperately to resolve things had grown larger than expected and was now expanding into something beyond easy control.

Viktor’s name in Roshtov Castle was now equivalent to that of a saint. Daily rumors were expanding and reproducing, growing like a snowball, and when the praise exceeded limits and reached the point of hymns, Viktor was getting stomach pains from watching the Church’s reaction.

And finally, when news came that mercenaries had gathered to worship while chanting his name, Viktor steeled himself that what was to come had come.

No matter what, he thought the Orthodox priests wouldn’t be lenient enough to overlook such news.

‘Though I didn’t expect a priest to be leading it…’

However, contrary to expectations, no one stepped forward to blame Viktor.

After all, the worship had been led by another priest belonging to the expeditionary force. Viktor sat down and covered his face with both hands.

He had underestimated the power of religion. No, he hadn’t exactly underestimated it, but… everything was beyond his imagination. The crumbling discipline of the expeditionary force had become completely strict.

Even the most unfaithful and debauched were straightening their behavior at the fact that they were participating in a holy war led by a knight followed by revelations and miracles.

The recent defeat was long forgotten. The shameful defeats so far were trials given by God, and now that the knight to lead the holy war had appeared, they would surely be victorious – this consciousness pervaded from bottom to top.

And those making all these things even more fervent were the Church forces he had expected to put on the brakes.

‘Even if others don’t know, even Father Anton… what should I do about this situation?’

Anton’s excited expression as he went around every corner of the castle with Vino, singing of holy war, made Viktor wonder if this was really the same person he had known.

The current atmosphere was that dangerous. The people inside Roshtov Castle were now so fanatical that if Viktor suddenly pointed to a noble and called him a heretic, they would hang him and burn him without hesitation.

But this was only the aftermath of the lies about revelations and miracles. If Viktor were defeated, they might turn around like a lie and hang him and burn him instead.

‘No, even setting that aside… at this rate, I’ll have to lead them… the Count won’t stand for it.’

That wasn’t the only danger.

Due to the overwhelming religious passion that was unthinkable from the debauched and barbaric nobles he had known and observed, Viktor was somehow being marked as the one to lead the expeditionary force. And naturally, this had nothing to do with the Count’s will.

‘In this atmosphere, the Count will have no choice but to be pushed along. It’s essentially a knight pushing out his lord and taking that position, so resentment is inevitable.’

Recently, only worrying matters had been arising. He unconsciously stroked his axe handle and muttered.

“To think I’d feel that going to the battlefield would be better… I’ve really become a person of this place too.”

But it couldn’t be helped. Rather than having headache-inducing banquets with nobles and racking his brains, it was more comfortable to smash enemies’ skulls. He had to do what was necessary, but he was starting to regret whether he had caused too much trouble.

It was when Viktor was showing a bitter smile and continuing to stroke only the handle.

Knock! Knock!

“Lord Viktor, you need to come out for a moment.”

“Oh, Lukovich. You’ve become quite spirited lately. While I, the master, waste away like this every day.”

Lukovich, who had grown quite a bit and seemed to have gained some weight, now looking quite handsome despite his age, looked at him with an incredulous expression.

“What are you talking about? That’s not a funny joke.”

“And you’ve gotten bolder too.”

If it had been before, he wouldn’t have been able to retort like this, Viktor muttered regretfully.

Lukovich, who had gained experience as Viktor’s attendant and squire, had now become an iron-hearted person who wouldn’t budge at ordinary jokes.

It was thanks to daily training with his master.

Lukovich, who had been looking at his master with bewildered eyes as he continued making silly remarks and stroking his axe handle, suddenly came to his senses and spoke.

“More than that, Lord Viktor. You probably don’t need to just stroke the handle anymore.”

At those words, Viktor stopped his actions.

“There’s a report that enemies have approached close to the castle. Everyone’s gathering in the great hall.”

“I see.”

Viktor put away his axe and slowly stood up. Finally, the time to settle everything was approaching.

“In the end, nothing changes. The small things can be thought about after winning.”

At Viktor’s muttering, Lukovich bowed respectfully.

“At your command”

A slight smile had somehow appeared on his master’s lips. For Viktor, it was a smile of joy at finally being able to escape the headache-inducing situation, but to Lukovich’s eyes, that smile looked like nothing but the ecstasy of a conqueror facing the coming battle.

“Then shall I tell them to prepare as well?”

“Please do. Looking at this situation, it’s actually fortunate.”

It was a statement with many meanings omitted, but Lukovich understood it without difficulty and let out a slight laugh.

He knew well that his master had worried and been concerned when he received the Church’s banner. But now, at least within the expeditionary force, there was no one who would go against his will.

Moreover, even the head of that military order, Vino, was blindly following Viktor’s will. Finally, the time had come for those who had been shivering in the cold yet still hiding and waiting to come to the front.

The knight and attendant left the room and began walking under the piercingly blue sky.

The final battle that would determine the course of the war was approaching.