The Third Son of a Medieval Knight Family Chapter 33 - Knight of the Principality (19)

Everyone was focused on Viktor.

The mercenaries, knights, and even Georgi.

With anticipation and excitement that they might be standing in the middle of a legend that would be passed down for generations, they were all waiting for the first words this knight would utter.

Viktor slowly surveyed the gathering.

Those who met his gaze unconsciously bowed their heads, made the sign of the cross, and murmured the Lord’s Prayer.

Even the most faithless person in this place could not help but behave like a gentle priest, at least in this moment.

As Viktor slowly opened his mouth, people’s expectations and gazes intensified.

“…What are you all doing? Hurry up and help the wounded! There’s much to do, so get moving.”

For a moment, people stared at each other with blank expressions.

The knight’s first words… were far more deflating than anticipated.

Georgi approached Viktor with a slightly disappointed and bewildered expression, carefully speaking.

“Um… Sir Viktor. Perhaps you have something else you’d like to say?”

A knight who charged alone against the barbarian army, and proudly secured victory!

Surely a knight who had achieved such an incredible feat would have something to say?

But Viktor just looked at him blankly and replied.

“I don’t have anything else to say… Oh, is it about that? Georgi, I sincerely apologize. I disobeyed my word and rushed out on my own, so I have no excuse for my wrongdoing.”

At his words, Georgi exclaimed in shock.

“No, no, no, not at all! I’m not blaming you at all, Sir Knight! How could I possibly harbor such thoughts? Please believe me! I swear to God I never had such impertinent thoughts!!”

‘What’s going on…?’

Viktor couldn’t understand why someone who had been quite friendly until recently was suddenly showing such deference and prostrating himself as if begging for mercy.

“Stand up. What’s wrong, Guard Captain? Are you protesting right now? I promise I won’t do it again…”

As Viktor tried to lighten the mood with a casual joke, he could feel the atmosphere instantly grow colder.

A mercenary cautiously approached him, bowing at the waist as he spoke.

“Sir Knight. Shall we arrest the Guard Captain?”

“…What did you just say?”

“How dare he harbor such thoughts toward you, Sir Knight… Perhaps the Guard Captain is an infidel!”

“No! Absolutely not! Sir Knight! I was wrong! Please forgive me!”

The Guard Captain originally had no reason or necessity to behave this way toward Viktor.

Although Viktor was a knight, their relationship was merely contractual with the city.

There was no absolute hierarchy or overwhelming difference between Georgi, the captain of a major city’s guard, and Viktor.

Yet at this moment, Georgi was begging, having abandoned all pride.

Falling out of favor with a knight clearly sent by God was equivalent to blaspheming against God Himself.

Being labeled an infidel or apostate was difficult to recover from, even for nobles.

For Georgi, fundamentally a commoner despite being Guard Captain, such an accusation was even more unbearable.

Viktor looked around with a confused expression at Georgi, who was still trembling and begging despite having commanded the mercenaries to a great victory, and at the mercenaries who were murmuring with unsettling expressions as they stared at Georgi.

‘Has everyone gone mad from the difficult battle…?’

Just then, Viktor’s eyes met those of a knight wearing fine armor, and he brightened, smiling slightly.

Though he didn’t know who the knight was, he appeared to be of high status, so Viktor was silently asking for help.

The elderly knight nodded solemnly.

“I’m grateful for your rescue, but to think the Guard Captain might be an infidel… Don’t worry. If that man is brought to trial, I will take responsibility and testify.”

“…”

Unfortunately, the elderly knight also appeared to have lost his mind, despite his dignified appearance.

Viktor had to spend a long time calming the increasingly chaotic crowd and clearing up misunderstandings, without even getting a chance to rest.

****

Georgi, with a haggard face, was issuing various orders to the mercenaries.

The way the mercenaries still glanced at him suggested that once suspicion had been cast, it would not easily be dispelled.

Beside him, Viktor muttered with an apologetic expression.

“I guess I caused quite a misunderstanding… I had no idea people thought of me that way.”

“Not at all, Sir Viktor… it’s all my fault…”

‘Tsk… things will be awkward for a while.’

Viktor could only click his tongue internally as someone he thought he had become friendly with was now acting this way.

Viktor turned his gaze away from Georgi and watched the rapidly forming campsite.

He was able to rest comfortably while the mercenaries busily cleared away the bodies and organized the surroundings.

At first, Viktor had tried to help with the work, but the mercenaries jumped in protest, leaving him no choice but to retreat without even being able to properly offer his assistance.

Lukovich, helping to remove his armor and clean his wounds, muttered beside him.

“Lord Viktor, though I haven’t served you for long, might I presume to offer a word of advice?”

“Oh, Lukovich. Why so formal between us? Feel free to speak.”

“Well, Lord Viktor… I think it would be better if you refrained from making jokes in the future.”

“…”

“When I hear them, it’s truly spine-chilling…”

“…”

Was it that bad?

Viktor decided to heed the advice of his loyal servant.

He resolved to focus on his wounds from now on and keep quiet.

He hadn’t noticed during the battle, but some of the wounds he had sustained could have been dangerous.

If any had been just a bit deeper, even someone as resilient as him would have struggled to endure.

‘I was too reckless this time… I should refrain from completely surrendering to my instincts next time.’

Things had worked out well, but it could have been disastrous.

If Georgi hadn’t led his troops in at such an opportune moment, Viktor would likely no longer be alive.

As this thought crossed his mind, Viktor suddenly remembered another group.

“By the way, Lukovich. About those knights from earlier, perhaps…”

“Do you mean the Count’s knights? Oh, perfect timing, here they come.”

Speak of the devil—in the distance, the elderly knight Viktor had briefly spoken with earlier was approaching with others.

And at the front of the group was a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious clothing.

When Viktor raised his hand in greeting, the elderly knight waved back happily and began to approach.

But before him, the middle-aged man at the front rushed forward without giving anyone a chance to stop him, suddenly embraced Viktor, and exclaimed.

“Oh, great knight, blessing bestowed upon the principality by God, my savior!”

Viktor’s expression soured at these overwhelmingly uncomfortable words.

****

“I am honored to meet you, Count.”

“Hahaha, no need to be so formal! I’m truly sorry. I was so overjoyed that I forgot my manners. But I trust you’ll understand. Hahahaha!”

The man laughing heartily before him was Count Yakobski, who had been the most influential factor in the city’s decision to send troops.

Though now in his forties, despite his status as a count, his body was solid from consistent training. Though wrapped in bandages around his upper body from what appeared to be a rather deep wound, his uninhibited behavior suggested he wasn’t concerned about it at all.

At a glance, he looked more like an energetic knight than a high-ranking noble, but his flowing ash-gray hair and broad, distinctive jawline clearly proved he was of the Grand Prince’s bloodline.

“Ah, I truly can’t contain my excitement. When you first began your charge, I thought to myself: Oh, that knight is being too reckless. He came rushing to save us, but will perish before he can fully display his valor. How regrettable. Because of my inadequacy, the pillars of the principality are dying without even blooming… But how wrong I was! I completely failed to recognize what a great knight you are! Truly, my perspective was narrow and ignorant! My eyes were mere knotholes! Yes, that devastating charge! That overwhelming destructive power! Truly, you are… you are!!”

…And he talked too much.

He spoke rapidly and extensively, using elegant and difficult words typical of high nobles, making it difficult for Viktor to understand even half of what he was saying.

‘What on earth is he talking about?’

Yet it was difficult to show his confusion.

As the future Grand Prince and a noble of high standing in the principality, the Count was someone Viktor could never treat carelessly.

So Viktor had no choice but to listen silently to his words.

The elderly knight beside him seemed to bow his head slightly in apology, but honestly, Viktor didn’t feel particularly bad about it.

At any rate, Count Yakobski seemed quite impressed by his martial prowess, and above all, Viktor could just listen with one ear and disregard it!

As Viktor maintained his steel-like expression, nodding quietly, Count Yakobski muttered with immense satisfaction.

“Indeed…! You are a remarkable knight. Though I hesitate to say it myself, you don’t even boast when receiving praise from a noble of my stature… Truly, thank you, God! For allowing me to meet such an extraordinary knight in my darkest hour! But I’m also resentful! Why didn’t you send such a knight sooner! Ah, God!”

‘Hmm… I should treat myself to something delicious when we return to the city, since I worked hard today.’

Fortunately, the Count did not notice what Viktor was thinking beneath his rigid expression.

He talked non-stop for over ten minutes, moving his muscular body without any dignity, and only when Viktor was seriously considering showing genuine displeasure did the Count’s excitement finally subside.

“Ahem, ahem… I apologize. I tend to talk excessively when excited.”

“It’s quite alright, Your Excellency. More importantly, please don’t be so humble with me. I can hardly bear such honor.”

“Nonsense! If a knight like you is not respected, which knight in the principality deserves respect!”

The Count continued, constantly scratching his beard.

“I will never forget that you saved my life this time. How to repay this debt… I thank you once more, from the bottom of my heart.”

Count Yakobski finished speaking and began to bow his head respectfully.

Those around him tried to stop him in alarm, but he paid no heed.

Soon the Count raised his head and spoke again in a serious voice.

“So about that… I have a proposal.”