The Third Son of a Medieval Knight Family Chapter 44 - Tribal Conflict (9)

‘I was just going to kill it outright…’

Since the Leshy had caused trouble once, Viktor saw no reason to keep the creature alive.

What if he spared it and it held a grudge and caused more problems later?

Rather than worry about that, it would have been cleaner to just kill it.

‘But…’

Watching the Leshy bow its head and quietly wait for judgment, Viktor soon made up his mind.

“Raise your head, Leshy.”

[…]

“Anyone can make mistakes. Since you’ve solved the troublesome problem, I’ll forgive you.”

[Human! Is that really true!]

The Leshy’s eyes flashed with joy as it cried out.

“Yes. However, let me say this—you’d better act more carefully from now on.”

Viktor put away the axe he was holding and extended his hand.

Flinch!

As the intense memory came flooding back, the Leshy hesitated, but seeing the hand that wasn’t being withdrawn, it cautiously began to reach out its own hand.

This time there was no mutual violence.

As Viktor helped the Leshy to its feet, the spirit looked at him with a complex expression.

[Human! I haven’t thought much about humans until now, but seeing you has made me feel many things!]

“Oh? What did you feel?”

The Leshy touched the branch-like horns protruding from its head as it answered.

[Humans are scarier than I thought! And… they’re also more generous than I thought! From now on, I’ll stay quietly in the forest! Coming outside only brings trouble!]

All traces of its ferocious appearance from when it had thrown its tantrum had vanished somewhere, and the Leshy muttered while touching its horns with a docile expression.

The sight looked somewhat… stupid, causing Anton to unconsciously burst out laughing.

Then he smiled warmly as he looked at Viktor and the Leshy.

“Sir, Leshys originally become violent in winter or when the weather is bad, but they’re actually quite gentle by nature. You’ve given this spirit a good lesson.”

Viktor looked at the Leshy with fresh eyes.

The sight of the Leshy, which had an elderly appearance, fidgeting while watching for his reaction wasn’t particularly pleasant to look at, but it certainly no longer seemed dangerous.

“Well, there are those who don’t come to their senses even after getting beaten up. In that regard, this seems better.”

[Human! I’m not that much of a fool!]

Viktor nodded.

“Then, Father, we should report this incident. If the Leshy paves the road to the east, our future journey will be much smoother.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already sent word.”

At the sound coming from behind, Viktor and Anton turned their heads.

Mikhail was approaching them with an admiring expression.

“Truly magnificent, Sir Viktor. To subdue and tame such a fierce Leshy. This must be unprecedented in the principality’s history.”

[Human! I haven’t been tamed! Don’t get the wrong idea!]

The Leshy growled, seemingly offended, but when Viktor glanced back slightly, it quickly shut its mouth.

‘It does seem tamed though…’

Mikhail muttered inwardly but soon bowed his head slightly.

“I misspoke, Lord Leshy. From what I’ve heard in passing, it seems you’ll pave the road for us. We’re grateful for your assistance.”

[Hmph! It’s to make up for my mistake, so there’s no need for such requests!]

The Leshy seemed to dislike Mikhail and responded only with a cold attitude.

Mikhail smiled bitterly.

“It seems I’ve earned some dislike from Lord Leshy.”

“Sir, is there really a need to be so respectful?”

When Viktor asked with a puzzled expression, Mikhail waved his hand.

“Haha, that spirit represents the forest. It’s worthy of reverence. Though many people fear it as an evil spirit, some worship Leshys.”

“Spirits are just spirits. It’s because the true light of truth hasn’t reached everywhere yet.”

Anton also muttered bitterly, but didn’t particularly object to the idea that the Leshy was worthy of reverence.

Viktor looked at the Leshy again.

The Leshy was rolling its green eyes around, looking this way and that restlessly.

It was quite fidgety.

‘Well, that’s possible.’

It didn’t matter to Viktor at all.

Though he had actually killed it once, honestly he held no particular ill feelings toward the Leshy.

To be precise, he wasn’t that interested in it.

Whether the Leshy was worshipped somewhere or became a symbol of fear by acting violently, such things weren’t very important.

As long as it faithfully fulfilled its end of the bargain for being spared, that was enough.

‘And if it causes trouble again, I’ll just cut it into five pieces for real.’

Whether the Leshy knew Viktor’s inner thoughts or not, it sidled up and spoke to him.

[Human! I don’t like that guy! He smells of iron!]

‘What am I supposed to do about that.’

Despite having been beaten and even threatened with death, it was quite thick-skinned.

“That’s not your concern. More importantly, you’ll need to pave the road from now on. Can you handle the entire road to the east?”

At Viktor’s question, the Leshy replied with an embarrassed expression.

[Human! The farther I get from the forest, the less power I can use! But I can create a new road up to where the path is blocked!]

“That should be sufficient. Just past there, it’s only a short distance to Radovitz.”

When Mikhail interjected, Viktor nodded as well.

“In that case.”

“Lord Leshy, please make us a sturdy, good road.”

[Human! You’re not the one who asked me! Don’t act so important!]

“…”

---

The Count burst into hearty laughter repeatedly.

“I’m wondering if what I’m seeing now is a dream. No one would believe this story even if I told it!”

“Your Excellency, don’t worry! If anyone doubts it, we’ll all stand as witnesses together.”

“Hahaha, that’s right, that’s right. There aren’t just one or two eyes here who’ve gathered to see this, haha!”

While several knights flattered Count Yakobski, the road was being smoothly rebuilt.

When the Leshy put strength into its hands and exerted effort, roots instantly grew from underground and began covering the road.

People following behind the Leshy were busy exclaiming in amazement at that surreal sight.

“So the knight really subdued something that can use such power?”

“You idiot, are your eyes just decorations? Would it be doing this if it weren’t for the knight?”

“I… I’ve never seen anything that fucking scary in my life. You guys really need to be careful.”

“Careful of what?”

“Don’t get cocky just because the knight treats you well! You could really get fucked!”

“Ah, this bastard’s getting worked up. Did you get beaten by that Leshy up there or something? How many years have you been a mercenary without knowing that?”

And the mercenaries at the front, who had been able to witness Viktor’s entire performance, were busy surrounded by people telling the unbelievable situations they had seen.

He beat the Leshy to death, then threatened the revived creature, subjugating its soul and using it as a servant!

Some mercenaries were making expressions suggesting something was wrong as they recalled the image of the kind and generous knight, but most of the mercenaries were nodding.

Regardless of Viktor taking good care of his subordinates, no one doubted the violence and charisma that lay dormant within him.

“The knight is quite generous, but that’s separate from this. Besides, I knew long ago that the knight is a great person.”

“If he can make evil spirits submit, there’s no need to say how deep his faith must be. He’s truly a remarkable gentleman.”

“But isn’t something strange? If he’s a knight with deep faith, shouldn’t he solve things with prayer or something? I heard he beat it to death once.”

“Fuck, look at this guy talking. Hey, are you a newbie? What the hell do you think prayer is, when the knight is what he is?”

“That bastard’s been spouting nonsense since earlier about how the knight isn’t that kind of person. Could he be an unbeliever?”

“What are you saying! Fuck no! Ah, don’t come over here!”

And the rumors inflated by these people, combined with the actual achievement of subduing the Leshy and having it pave the road, were amplifying the respect for Viktor, whose status was already high, several times over.

Now the mercenaries would send extremely respectful salutes that they wouldn’t even give their own captains when Viktor passed by.

“Did you eat something wrong?”

“No, Sir Knight! I’m just filled with respect!”

“Must be because of the Leshy. Still, don’t be so stiff about it. It’s not like I did it alone.”

“…?”

“Without the other brave mercenaries and the Father who were there, how could I have subdued the Leshy by myself?”

“Uh… but they said you beat up the Leshy alone, Sir Knight…”

“My goodness. I could do that because I knew they would step forward to help if needed. I’ll be counting on you all in the next battle too. Can I entrust my back to you?”

“Ah…!! Don’t worry! I’ll give it my all!”

And along with Viktor’s behavior and words that maintained a kind attitude toward them, his popularity soared explosively.

The Count who was the leader of the group, Mikhail who was the head of the knights, Anton the priest, and countless mercenaries.

With the goodwill they sent, Viktor’s position was becoming more solid day by day.

And naturally, when someone becomes popular, there are always those who become jealous of that person as a consequence.

People who envied Viktor’s overwhelming achievements began to appear one by one.

---

“Doesn’t that fellow seem to be going too far lately?”

“Hmm… he got lucky taming that spirit and completely captured His Excellency’s favor.”

“Tch, it’s not like he paved the road himself—the spirit he commands did it all. Yet he’s acting so proud.”

“That’s exactly right. If we put our minds to it, subduing that mere spirit would be nothing at all… he does seem to be getting too full of himself.”

“Every time he passes by, even the lowly ones only talk about him. This can’t continue. We need to win back His Excellency’s favor!”

“Do you have any good ideas?”

“Listen to this. How about we do it this way…?”

“Ho… not bad.”

By the time the Leshy had paved most of the road, secret conversations were taking place in a corner of the military camp.

The sense of crisis that Viktor would steal all the credit and run away with everything at this rate had brought them together.

“But is this really okay…? I’m worried we might get caught. Maybe we should just…”

When someone expressed concern, the one who had gathered them shook his head with a displeased expression.

“If you’re that worried, then drop out. Aren’t you ashamed that some fellow who rolled in from who knows where is leading the situation? Are you really a noble?”

“That’s not what I meant! Fine, let’s try it!”

“Right. If everyone moves as planned, there won’t be any problems. Everyone remember this. Don’t forget that we are the true loyal retainers of His Excellency the Count.”

In the dim surroundings, the weak torchlight faintly illuminated those leading the group.

Young, confident faces.

The hot-blooded young knights who had joined the Count’s campaign were beginning to harbor resentment toward Viktor.