The Third Son of a Medieval Knight Family Chapter 64 - Tribal Conflict (29)

‘Urgh…’

A groan that couldn’t quite escape Viktor’s lips lingered within him.

While he had been able to shatter one sphere that rushed at him in an instant with his mace that shot out like lightning, there hadn’t been quite enough time to eliminate the other one as well.

He had no choice but to take it with his body while retrieving his mace to destroy the remaining sphere, but the way his armor was rattling was far from reassuring.

He carefully lowered his eyes to examine his waist area.

‘Am I injured…’

Not only had the chain mail been completely torn away, but unluckily, broken fragments were embedded here and there inside.

The impact had been severe enough to completely tear even the gambeson he had worn underneath, so it was unavoidable.

Viktor swallowed his saliva as he caught the metallic scent of blood that had begun to rise to his lips.

It was the first major injury he had sustained since setting out on campaign, but he didn’t show it.

He still looked down at Bohdan with the same unchanging steel-like expression.

Bohdan was sitting collapsed on the ground, mouth agape like someone who had witnessed something unbelievable.

‘How does this make sense…? How can a person withstand that… I definitely confirmed its power. They must have changed the sacrifices too, so how on earth…’

It would have been understandable if he had become covered in blood.

However, Viktor appeared perfectly fine on the surface.

Bohdan bit down on his tongue with all his might, feeling dizzy.

Blood burst forth and he seemed to regain some of his senses.

‘Insane monster bastard… but if I can’t overcome trials like this, I’m not qualified to become king of the steppes…!’

He slowly rose from his position with eyes that leaked venom and ambition.

Then he drew his beloved weapon from his waist and aimed it at Viktor.

“Monster-like knight bastard. To be fine even after taking that—I’ll acknowledge your guts at least.”

“Don’t talk shit. Who do you think you are.”

Viktor’s speech had also become rougher than before due to his considerable injury, but Bohdan failed to notice this.

He was concentrating all his attention on gauging when the knight might charge, cold sweat flowing from tension.

Viktor frowned and raised his mace, beginning to take steps forward.

Though half the mace’s head had blown off, the torn cross-section was incredibly sharp, making it look even more vicious and terrifying.

Just as he was about to raise his mace and bring it down with all his might.

Ping! Ping!

A volley of arrows flew from somewhere, causing Viktor to swing his mace in that direction.

“…!”

At the same time, loud sounds began coming from behind.

It was the sound of knights clashing and fighting with someone.

When Viktor turned his head again, mounted barbarian warriors were arriving one after another on both sides of Bohdan.

Though their numbers weren’t great, judging by the increasingly approaching sound of horse hooves, many more would surely arrive soon.

They opened their mouths while breathing heavily.

“It was worth departing early on Kulak’s orders! It seems the chief didn’t give the attack command for nothing…”

“…Kulak!”

Though it could be seen as disobeying his orders in a way, Bohdan’s face actually brightened.

This was because the possibility of survival had increased thanks to his wise subordinate using his head.

However, the warriors guarding his side still had rigid expressions.

“You must flee immediately. We came in a hurry so our numbers aren’t that great. It’s not enough to capture and kill those bastards.”

“Hmm…!”

Bohdan mounted the horse the warrior had brought with him and looked down at Viktor.

The knight was simply watching them quietly.

Bohdan laughed heartily as if to push away the fear that was welling up.

“Hahaha! It seems fate is on my side after all. You can communicate directly with your god, can’t you? Go and tell your god this, knight! According to tradition, this steppe will be claimed by us wolves! You will never be able to stop me!”

‘…Can I catch him?’

Viktor paid little attention to his words and looked at Podaga, who was waiting for him in the distance.

And even his servant who was watching this way with worried eyes beside the horse.

Seeing his loyal servant waiting for an opportunity to bring his master a horse while paying no heed to the commotion behind, a smile formed on Viktor’s face.

‘I’ll try to make use of one opportunity. Well, if I can’t catch him, it can’t be helped.’

Viktor replied to Bohdan with the same smiling face.

“Tradition, how ridiculous… but then I would have qualifications too.”

At his unexpected words, Bohdan’s face wrinkled.

“What bullshit are you spouting, knight! What qualifications do you have?”

“Didn’t you say the qualification to become master of this steppe belongs to the strongest one, the strongest tribe? Then I too have sufficient qualifications to participate in that tradition of yours.”

“…!!”

Bohdan frowned at Viktor’s words and growled.

“Ha, you must be heated because you couldn’t catch me? Even nonsense has its limits…!”

“We’ll have to see about that. And why doesn’t it make sense? The principality is a power stronger than any of your tribes. And I dare guarantee—do you think there’s anyone stronger than me in this steppe?”

“…Chief, you mustn’t listen. Please flee quickly!”

Unable to bear it any longer, the warriors urged Bohdan and encouraged him to escape, but he remained planted in that spot as if nailed down, glaring at Viktor.

Viktor’s words circled his ears like a deep brand.

“You blind god’s dog…”

Even at the chief’s rough words, Viktor paid no heed.

“What does religion have to do with it? Whatever I believe, whatever country I belong to—that’s not what’s important, is it, Bohdan. Wasn’t that what you claimed? That might makes right is the steppe’s foremost law?”

“…”

“Bohdan, prove it.”

Viktor slowly waved his hand.

He could see Lukovich in the distance, who had understood the signal, approaching with his horse.

“I respect your thoughts about that tradition. So show me. Whether you have the qualifications to become ruler of this steppe.”

Seeing Bohdan’s body trembling, he continued.

“I’ll prove it too. Watch carefully, Bohdan. From now on, I too plan to participate in that tribal conflict of yours to become the leader, representing the principality.”

“…!!!”

“And I will stand above you all.”

“Lord Viktor!”

Lukovich, who had approached in an instant, pointed toward Viktor and struck Podaga’s rump.

As Viktor mounted his beloved horse like lightning, Bohdan, who had snapped to attention, hurriedly began riding his horse among the warriors.

Watching him flee with his tail between his legs, Viktor muttered.

“Strangely, I haven’t had much luck with spears, but I’ll trust you this once.”

Viktor looked at his weapon, which had now become more like a saw than a mace, then glared ahead.

He then hurled the mace with all his might toward Bohdan, who was fleeing while hiding his body among the warriors.

Whizz!

With an excessively sharp sound of cutting through air for a mace, the weapon shot out in a straight line.

“Argh, aaaaah! Damn it! Damn it!!”

“Chief, you must endure! Hey, what are you just standing around watching for! Hemostatic! Bring hemostatic!”

And it cleanly sliced through the left arm of the fleeing Bohdan before flying far away.

Viktor muttered with a rare expression of regret.

“Tsk, I should have hit his torso…”

‘Hitting an arm in such darkness seems quite impressive though…’

Though the burst light clusters were still circling the area, it was still dark for hitting those fleeing in the distance.

It was truly remarkable vision and strength.

Lukovich looked at his master, who consistently displayed unbelievable abilities, with a jaded expression before shouting.

“Lord Viktor! Shouldn’t we retreat for now? We’ll be surrounded soon!”

“…That would be right. Let’s go back.”

He twisted his waist once uncomfortably, then turned his horse around.

The knights were easily slaughtering the enemies, but the numbers rushing toward them were increasing.

Having already been ambushed, he had no desire to be surrounded by mounted barbarians who were heated to the tips of their heads.

---

Even amid the chaos, the knights stood in orderly rows.

Around them, attendants were busily moving about, organizing seized goods and keeping watch to see how close enemy reinforcements had come.

When Viktor appeared among them, the knights bowed their heads with respectful expressions.

“Sir, you have achieved truly great deeds! I will pass down participating in this battle as pride to my descendants for generations!”

“What deeds… I even let their leader escape.”

Though Viktor answered curtly, the knights didn’t mind at all.

They spoke with even brighter eyes.

“I clearly saw their leader flee from you like a dog with its tail on fire! It was truly refreshing, haha!”

“Though we missed him this time, we’ll definitely be able to catch that bastard next time. I look forward to the day we hang his head outside the castle gates, sir. When that time comes, I’ll lend a hand too!”

“…Thanks?”

‘The atmosphere isn’t too bad… that’s fortunate at least.’

Viktor, who had thought there would surely be those who would pick fights since he had failed to achieve his objective at the last moment despite launching a well-planned ambush, relaxed his clenched fists along with his unwarranted embarrassment.

Fortunately, it seemed he could retreat peacefully with them without having to use force.

Viktor spoke with an indifferent expression while touching his side.

“You all worked hard. Though we regrettably let their leader escape this time, we succeeded in breaking through one side of their encirclement. This level of result isn’t bad.”

As soon as his words ended, Mikhail, who was beside him, suddenly interjected.

“Sir, what are you saying! Of course letting that bastard escape is regrettable, but breaking through one wing of the enemy is a tremendous achievement.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

When Viktor didn’t show much reaction, Mikhail became flushed and spoke even louder.

“I’m certain! With this victory, those bastards will lose the capacity to besiege the castle! In other words, sir, you’ve essentially changed our fate. We no longer need to worry about being surrounded, starving, and surrendering disgracefully! Victory—no, great victory has been achieved!”

As the knights began raising their weapons and cheering in response to his words, the atmosphere heated up.

“Hahaha, thinking of the mental anguish we suffered because of those lowly bastards… damn, why am I tearing up…”

“You worked hard, sir. This is just the beginning. Let’s completely wipe out the barbarian bastards.”

“Right… that’s what we should do! They have debts to pay for what they did in the east!”

The viscount’s knights seemed overflowing with emotion, perhaps due to achieving great victory after long defeats, and the count’s knights were also comforting them while strengthening their fighting spirit.

Mikhail, who had been watching this scene warmly, suddenly looked at Viktor.

He still had an indifferent expression.

‘He’s completely unshaken even by such a victory. Well, it was the same at Permikoff… what does one have to eat and drink to become like that…’

If they had realized that Viktor was actually only focused on his aching side, it might have caused an uproar, but people didn’t notice at all that he had been injured.

Viktor’s expression appeared that peaceful.

‘I should receive treatment immediately upon return in case of blood poisoning…’

Even knowing his body was sturdy, he was still worried.

If he delayed and got tetanus, he might even lose his life.

Viktor controlled his increasingly anxious heart and spoke to the knights.

“Then shall we gradually withdraw? If we get surrounded here, it would be worse than not having come at all.”

“That would be good. Ah, speaking of which, there’s something to report to you.”

One knight gestured as if something had occurred to him, and someone who appeared to be his attendant approached, dragging someone by the hair.

“Let, let go of me…!”

“Shut up, you bug-like bitch! Make one more sound without permission and I’ll cut out your tongue.”

The attendant who had been threatening fiercely came before Viktor, bowed his head, then opened his mouth as politely as if he were a different person entirely.

“Sir, while searching the tent where the enemy leader was staying, we found this woman and captured her for now… how should we handle her?”

Viktor examined the woman who was caught by her hair in the attendant’s grasp, not struggling but hanging limply and powerlessly.

Her wavy ash-gray hair looked dry and brittle, and her corpse-like pale skin made her appear no different from a dead person, but her two eyes, the same color as her hair, still sparkled with undiminished strength.

He looked at the woman and asked a question.

“Was she very resistant? Did you beat her up?”

“What? No. She didn’t resist much.”

“Then why does her face look like that?”

The woman was streaming blood from her mouth and nose, clearly looking as if she had been severely beaten.

“Please… let me go.”

The woman spoke in a frail voice.

The delicate, pitifully trembling voice was enough to evoke sympathy, but unfortunately it didn’t seem to work on the people around at all.

The attendant holding her hair spoke with a terrifying expression.

“Didn’t I say I’d cut out your tongue if you opened your mouth without permission…?”

“Aaaaah!”

The attendant pulled her hair hard to expose the woman’s neck and raised his dagger.

As the sharp blade wavered before her eyes, the woman screamed.

“Enough, stop that.”

At Viktor’s words, the attendant bowed obsequiously and threw the woman down.

“I’m sorry, sir! But she dared to act presumptuously before you, so I couldn’t help…”

Viktor, who had been touching his side briefly, looked at the woman sprawled face-down on the ground and spoke matter-of-factly.

“Take her with us. She’s definitely the witch who used sorcery.”

‘…What, how…?!’

The young witch was horrified while keeping her face pressed to the ground.

As if in response, Viktor’s words continued.

“There were no women serving in their camp. If there’s a woman left alone, she’s obviously a witch. She might try some tricks, so tie up her whole body, gag her, and drag her along.”

“Wait, please! Listen to what I have to say…!”

The witch desperately raised her head and tried to say something, but Viktor had already left.

One knight looked at her with a disgusted expression and gave orders.

“Tie her up tight. Don’t let that bitch pull any tricks.”

“Yes! Hey, get up!”

Being led away by the rough hands of the attendants, she cursed while thinking of the wolf beastman.

‘That fucking wolf bastard! It’s all because of you! I’ll curse you until I die! Lying wolf bastard! Aaaaah!’

Unable to find the promised payment anywhere, the witch who had been wandering around that area was unluckily caught by the attendants.

She sensed her fate and dropped her head.

Since it was clear she had used sorcery while siding with the barbarians, avoiding death would be difficult.

Perhaps an even more terrible fate awaited her where she couldn’t even die comfortably.

‘Please… some other way…!’

But for now, there was nothing she could do except obediently follow orders to avoid getting beaten.

---

The news that last night’s recklessly brave and bold raid had succeeded was more than enough to set the entire castle ablaze.

When news came that barbarians from other directions had begun withdrawing upon hearing that one side of the encirclement had collapsed and their leader had fled, that fervor more than doubled.

Everyone in the castle would gather and whisper about that legendary charge.

The hard-to-believe achievement that a strike force composed solely of a small number of knights had struck the enemy leader’s location in one blow and completely destroyed it spread far too quickly to every corner.

People in the castle rang bells, offered prayers of gratitude to God, and sang of the knights’ achievements.

The excited people knew no distinction of rank.

The news that the viscount, the castle lord, had undignifiedly waved his upper garments while running around the garden wasn’t even worthy of being considered gossip.

Everyone was eagerly waiting with longing eyes for the return of the legendary protagonists.

The heroes who had saved the castle from crisis and shattered the barbarians who had seemed invincible!

“…We must take action.”

“At this rate we’re ruined!”

“The knights’ glares are ominous! We can barely sleep!”

“This is all because of you! Why did you say unnecessary things…”

“Are you done talking!”

…Of course, there were a few who weren’t in such spirits.