The Third Son of a Medieval Knight Family Chapter 111 - Knight of Ascension (46)

A very long time ago. When not even a single fragment of the light called civilization had yet shone upon this land. Even in this desolate frontier that the people of the old empire at its peak, who once commanded the entire world, dismissed as abandoned land and paid no attention to, their own culture was being passed down.

The weak humans could not possibly handle the monsters that appeared everywhere, so they began to have faith in order to survive.

The various spirits that existed in the steppes. Some called them demons, others called them spirits, but no one knew what their true existence was.

And until the unseen god of light from the west finally spread that light to this barren land, all the rulers of this land were priests and shamans.

However, as the priestesses who presided over rituals and always served the gods closely were relegated to witches by the priests of light, and tribes that followed spirits were defined as barbaric clans, such culture quickly disappeared.

The few steppe people who knew its traces also all died from war, famine, or old age. Nevertheless, in some corner of this vast steppe, such traditions were still being passed down.

Yugrichi was a man born in just such a tribe.

---

“My word… Father, I’ve never heard of or seen anything like this before! Good heavens…”

White flags fluttering to the rhythm of rapid drumbeats and strange flute sounds. Whitish smoke seemed to weave between them, circling around the escorts holding the flags, then spreading among those galloping in the rear.

And each time that happened, as if looking ahead with tearful faces, those enveloped by the smoke repeatedly became distorted as if isolated from the world, then returned.

Achar shuddered. It felt as if some giant existence was breathing right beside him. A feeling where he couldn’t even breathe as he wished, where even blinking his eyes seemed forbidden.

“Gasp… gasp… huk!”

When Achar, who had been suffering, momentarily let go of his reins and was about to fall backward, Yugrichi, who had appeared at some point, supported his back.

“Stand straight, my son. Have you forgotten we’re galloping on horseback?”

“Huk… huk… Father, what is this…?”

“There’s no need to fear. He won’t harm you. He’s our tribe’s guardian deity.”

“…Guardian deity?”

“You probably didn’t know such things were possible at all. It’s a power passed down only to the direct lineage of the tribal chief, but there’s a tradition of passing it on only to those who have the ambition to become the next tribal chief.”

“…That can’t be. Then does that mean brother knew about this?”

“He could even use it. Tumen probably just knows that such a thing exists. But that fool Vashi relied only on witch sorcery despite having such power. It’s one of his shortcomings.”

Yugrichi seemed much more relaxed than before. Smoke was billowing from every opening in his face, and each time that happened, the curved horns on his head seemed to glow faintly. And that appearance filled Achar with terrible fear.

“Father… what exactly is that appearance…!”

“It’s proof that the White Deer has descended upon me. Do you understand, my son? This is the real way of fighting in the steppes.”

Yugrichi glanced at his bewildered son, then turned his gaze forward again.

“I hear there’s a witch who can use sorcery in that Viktor fellow’s camp? They say she was a witch raised by that Bohdan fellow? Well, in the old days, such a thing would have been impossible.”

Yugrichi muttered this while recalling old memories. He had never liked the witches who now roamed these steppes as if they were their own backyard.

In the past, when each tribe had not yet lost their faith, witches would have been nothing more than assistants to each tribe’s rituals.

Of course, it wasn’t a story Yugrichi had experienced directly. From when he was born, the culture of this land had already been erased, and they were nothing more than ‘barbarians.’

He moved to the front again. This was to prevent the warriors from getting excited by the mad exhilaration and charging ahead first. Yugrichi had somehow pulled out an old bell from his bosom.

And he raised the bell high toward the sky and shook it with all his might. Then, as if thousands of warriors had become one body, they all began to turn in unison following the direction the bell was shaken.

At some point, Achar realized.

‘This strange formation… could it be!’

A formation he had never seen once while living as a steppe warrior. Both ends protruded beyond the front leading the group, but strangely, they never deviated from the direction led by the front, and though the rear was also thin and pointed compared to the thick center, it never left the group.

If Achar had been a bird cutting through the sky, he would have cried out: The White Deer has thrust its face down to the earth.

---

No one in the expeditionary force could guess Yugrichi’s thoughts.

If the Grand Chief had already predicted they would leave the castle and knew they were taking them lightly, thinking to charge at everyone they saw, those currently racking their brains to restrict enemy movements would have been unable to hide their dismay. That said, they weren’t doing completely useless things.

“…Then we must devise strategy on the premise that they will discover our formation first.”

“That’s right. According to the messenger’s report that they’re staying close to the castle, if they don’t detour, the direction the enemies will likely appear is here. Therefore…”

Wooden horses moved over a map that was crude but had everything it needed.

“Seeing our forces that came out of the castle… the actions they can take are three. Get close, be wary, or detour.”

“…And however they move, if they’re not retreating and returning, they’ll have no choice but to move left or right. It would be even better if they come straight ahead.”

“The center is formed thick in two lines to withstand cavalry charges as much as possible. Though the field commanders and mercenaries will move autonomously, we’ve explained their proud deception tactics in advance, so they won’t be fooled by false retreats.”

“Then there should be no worries. What did Sir Yelchin say?”

“He knows that agile coordination between each other is impossible from the start. He decided to move only as promised beforehand. When enemies approach his side, he’ll draw their attention as much as possible while the left wing cavalry and central army can surround them, and if they slip to the center or left, he’ll block the rear so enemies can’t retreat.”

“Perfect. Then what remains… would be the left wing led by Sir Viktor directly.”

“Well… they would be the most important ones to decide the direction of this war. However, I still… can’t help but worry.”

“…Well, we have no choice but to trust Sir Viktor. Besides, the knights dispatched from the Church decided to join them, so we probably don’t need to worry about the surrendered barbarians causing problems.”

“Indeed… Sir Viktor will handle it well on his own. Seeing those inhuman bastards become converted and volunteer to follow, I suppose we should say he’s truly worthy of being a knight sent by God…”

“I was shocked from the start that Sir Viktor accepted them, hmm hmm.”

The expeditionary force staff confirmed once again the things they had repeated many times, preparing for the coming battle.

The burden of having to face barbarians in field battle again after leaving the castle was the same for everyone from individual mercenaries to staff officers, commanders of each unit, and high-ranking nobles.

It was when they were catching their breath for a moment. The tent door opened urgently and a messenger, breathing roughly, reported one piece of news.

It was word that the enemies had finally revealed themselves. The staff who rushed out in a hurry looked ahead with trembling, panicked eyes.

In front of Roshtov Castle. Though it was generally rolling hills, this place was no different from flat plains compared to the dense forest terrain of the principality’s north. There, barbarian warriors filling the space densely were looking this way.

“Could it be… a frontal breakthrough?”

“No, wait. Something’s strange. Their formation…?”

While confused but orderly soldiers moved and trumpet sounds warning of enemy appearance echoed, the barbarians didn’t move at all. As if giving the expeditionary force time to prepare.

“What on earth…?”

That’s when it happened. They suddenly began to move. A formation where both sides protruded but spread widely diagonally, seeming tactically meaningless. Though the sight of them moving like one mass was spine-chilling, that was all.

“Flags are up! His Excellency has given orders! Load arrows!”

“Volley fire! Tell the mercenary captains! Anyone who shoots first without permission will hang on the gallows!”

Front-line commanders shouted, and mercenary companies and soldiers brought by nobles all loaded arrows in unison.

Some trembled with tension and fear, but others prepared much more skillfully and quickly than the rest.

Most of them were from the defeated soldiers Viktor had rescued. Having survived the terrible night attack and nightmare-like enemy hunt to become excellent veterans, they encouraged those around them while glaring at the barbarians.

Preparations were perfect. Morale was also very high. The fact that they were participating in a holy war, the fact that the famous barbarian slaughterer Viktor was with them, the fact that they had built a solid and powerful defense system – all of this provided strong motivation to the expeditionary force. One commander shouted loudly.

“Good! Starting with those who entered range, fire in order… fire… huh?”

And suddenly, blood flowed from his eyes and he collapsed. Thud! Thud! Similar things began happening everywhere.

“Wh-what is this!”

“Is it an enemy attack?! Hey, get a grip… uuugh?”

Cases of foaming at the mouth and collapsing while not understanding themselves. Cases of bleeding from eyes and ears then fainting. Cases of suddenly prostrating and vomiting. The defensive line crumbled in an instant. And barbarian warriors rushed to that spot.

“Kyaaaah!”

“R-run away! It’s a monster! A demon!”

Like people who had seen something they shouldn’t have, those who had been looking at the charging barbarian warriors trembled with fear.

The barbarians viciously contorting their faces and wielding weapons were the ordinary ones they’d always seen, but the existence giving real fear was separate.

One staff officer, looking around with vision blurred from being hit in the head with a blunt object, finally realized. Behind the enemies, there was ‘something.’

And the moment he met eyes with the gaze barely visible through the whitish, space-distorting area, the staff officer couldn’t endure the surging fear and fainted.

A deer. A giant white deer that seemed to burn one’s soul just by looking at it was watching him.

The time it took for the center to collapse was not long.

---

Viktor watched the center army being smashed in an instant with heavy eyes.

His excessively good vision clearly and definitely captured it. The sight of people collapsing on their own before even directly crossing weapons with the barbarians.

‘Their morale wasn’t low enough to be swallowed by fear. I decided to place skilled mercenaries, not just ordinary conscripts, at the front. Looking at the clothing of those visible, there’s no mistake. But how…’

It was when he was stroking Podaga’s mane with a confused face.

“Wh-what is that terrible thing?!”

When Alisa came running to his side in a hurry and said this, Viktor turned his head. It wasn’t just her.

“…Such a disgusting and ominous existence… just looking at it makes me nauseous.”

Using rough expressions unlike his usual self, Anton ground his teeth and stepped forward.

“Something seems visible. Very unpleasant and dirty… that’s right. I felt exactly like this when I faced a pair of Drekabark I burned to death in the principality’s south.”

Vino also muttered while stroking his sword tip with a cold face.

‘It seems they see or feel something…’

However, even with Viktor’s good eyes, nothing particular was visible. There was just the central army suddenly panicking and collapsing too easily, and the barbarian warriors he’d always seen, excitedly pursuing them.

“Alisa, do you see something? Sir Vino, what’s a Drekabark?”

To Viktor’s question, both answered almost simultaneously.

“When the children of pagans are abandoned without blessing, they sometimes turn into demons. That’s Drekabark. From the same feeling as then, I’m certain there’s a demon behind them.”

“A spirit I’ve never seen before…? No, is it a spirit? I don’t know its identity, but it’s spewing out disgustingly unpleasant and terrible energy. Ah, I see! If it’s intentionally acting like that…!”

As Alisa cried out as if she understood something, Vino looked at her with displeasure, turned his head, and Anton slightly blocked Vino’s gaze as if protecting her, asking her a question.

“Do you have a guess? I can’t look for long, so it’s hard to know its identity.”

Alisa caressed something in her bosom and hurriedly continued.

“There’s a reason those affected by my sorcery suddenly fall into hallucinations. Those orbs are power I receive in exchange for offering prayers and sacrifices. In other words, power spat out by my spirit.”

“So? What does that matter?”

Though Vino withdrew in disgust, Viktor didn’t mind. No matter how much fuss he made, having initially promised in God’s name, he had to follow Viktor’s orders.

“But spirits are too great for individual humans to face. We witches are also careful not to see their voices or forms. Ordinary humans instinctively become frightened or show rejection reactions to their power and appearance. Those who see my sorcery end up that way for precisely that reason. It’s not intentional, but a kind of side effect.”

She finished speaking incredibly quickly, then bowed her head to Viktor and ran backward while shouting.

“That’s a very ancient method our witches have forbidden. Intentionally amplifying such elements of spirits to force fear on opponents… a very old and barbaric method. If left as is, terrible things will happen. Sir Viktor, permission for sacrifices! I’ll prepare to somehow stop it!”

“Ah, please wait a moment! Lady Alisa!”

Without even listening to Anton’s restraint, Viktor watched Alisa retreat to the rear, then quietly opened his mouth.

“I don’t know what’s what, but… we can’t just leave the center as is.”

“Sir? You mustn’t! That’s dangerous! At least after bringing any bishop from the archdiocese…”

Seeing Anton this frightened for the first time, Viktor couldn’t help but burst into laughter even in the serious situation.

“Don’t worry, Father. I can’t see anything. So I’m not afraid either.”

“…!”

Anton looked at him in surprise. Viktor’s face was solid as rock. He spoke with a face showing no fear at all.

“There’s a saying that superstitions arise because we fear them. Fortunately, I’m not scared, so it doesn’t seem like it could harm me.”

“…Demons grow by feeding on fear… my word, you really did attend university after all!”

And surprisingly, Viktor’s words pierced the most central part of exorcism. The maxim itself was similar yet different, but the content it contained was the same.

“I told you I didn’t. Perhaps it’s because God is with me. What I believe in is only the One in heaven, so there’s nothing to fear.”

Watching Viktor, who now had enough experience to calmly spout plausible words, Anton made the sign of the cross with tears in his eyes as if overcome with emotion.

“Sir, Sir… Indeed I! I…!”

‘But would that be effective on steppe warriors too? Perhaps it touches the instinctive fear of transcendent beings. If so, would a mass charge be dangerous…’

Viktor roughly comforted him while making a cold judgment. If so, even deploying steppe warriors to rescue the central army wouldn’t seem to help much.

“Sir Vino!”

“…Give your orders!”

As if his ears had been directed this way even while distant, when Vino bowed his head with an moved face, Viktor gave orders like lightning.

“I’ll charge with the monastery knights! I’d like to raise the Church’s flag first – is that possible?”

“…What I’ve been hoping for! Glory to God!”

“Good! Tumen, Kulak!”

“Yes, Sir Viktor!”

When those who had been somewhat distant approached orderly, Viktor looked at them and shouted.

“Thank you for waiting! But it’s only a little more now. When I charge in first, you block the rear so enemies can’t escape. Watch the situation and if the enemy’s dangerous element disappears, you may attack! I leave the judgment to you.”

“It’s because of that strange energy, right? Understood! Just leave it to us!”

“I’ve been indebted to Lord Viktor twice. Now I’ve recovered completely, so I’ll show you my performance, hehe!”

After sending off the calm Kulak and the playful Tumen with a smile, Viktor drew his axe. Since everyone had already been preparing, the monastery knights had assembled at high speed. The Kobarov family crest fluttering beside the holy flag raised above them was impressive.

“It’s an honor to charge together.”

When the monastery knights all bowed their heads in unison to show respect, Viktor waved his hand familiarly and stood at their front.

He had now become completely accustomed to being treated as a knight sent by God, a knight to lead the holy war. Strong dignity and charisma naturally appeared in his relaxed actions.

He didn’t say anything particular. He just pressed down both the excitement of entering battle and the tension of having to face some unknown existence, whether demon or spirit. And toward the knights who looked at him and made the sign of the cross, he spat out the optimal words he could say now.

“Kill them all. God desires it.”

“Amen!”

Viktor spurred his horse.