The Third Son of a Medieval Knight Family

Author: Dawn

The surroundings became tumultuous.

Bohdan.

The name of the barbarian chieftain who had once put Radovitz Castle in crisis with his sinister schemes and swift encirclement tactics was mentioned from Viktor’s lips.

“Sir, if it’s Bohdan, surely…”

Mikhail asked with a somewhat surprised expression.

“Yes, he’s definitely the one whose arm I cut off that night.”

“Good heavens… to think that fellow was hiding in such a nearby place.”

At most three or four days’ distance from the castle.

If his location was discovered, it was close enough to close in on him instantly as now.

Mikhail clicked his tongue at the boldness of this man called Bohdan.

“If I had been defeated in such a manner, I would have fled far away first. Ha, indeed. This fellow is also formidable. Is he planning to gather scattered forces and reorganize despite the risk?”

“If we had left him alone, it would have become quite dangerous. Tumen, you found him well.”

“It was by chance… we were lucky.”

When Tumen muttered with an embarrassed expression, Viktor firmly shook his head.

“No, sometimes nothing is as important as luck. No matter how much a person does their best, whether that work succeeds ultimately depends on heaven.”

“…?”

When people looked at Viktor with strange expressions as if hearing such words for the first time, he quickly added.

“God is smiling upon us.”

“Indeed…!”

“Unlike Bohdan’s god abandoning him. Haha!”

People were stirred up by the news of an unexpected big catch.

If they could capture the famous barbarian bigshot who had once nearly swallowed the entire east, the benefits they could gain would be endless.

While everyone was excitedly exchanging various stories, Krupin opened his mouth with suspicion over his characteristically cool face.

“But is this really by chance? In such an empty plain with nothing, by amazing luck, we happened to find traces of the escaped enemy leader by chance? Isn’t that a bit strange?”

At his words, the atmosphere instantly sank as if cold water had been poured on it.

Tumen bristled and shouted.

“Are you saying I conspired!”

“Conversely, not having any suspicions seems stranger. In the first place, weren’t you captured as a prisoner while fighting under that Bohdan fellow? He might have set a trap.”

“I’ve been locked in prison the whole time! I only found out later that Bohdan had his arm cut off and fled!”

“Hmm… even so, this is too coincidental. I think there’s need to be suspicious, Sir Viktor.”

At those words, Viktor calmly replied.

“Sir Krupin, then what do you want to do?”

“Since it would be a disaster if we follow only his word and fall into a trap, we should first send scouts to confirm the situation. During that time, we could surround them, then attack if there’s no problem. How about that?”

“More reasonable than I thought.”

If Krupin had requested interrogating Tumen or insisted there must definitely be a trap, he had been planning to give him a piece of his mind.

Since Krupin hadn’t liked Tumen from the beginning, frankly speaking, he had thought he was deliberately trying to find fault by mixing in personal feelings.

However, Krupin’s opinion was objectively reasonable enough, and naturally something that could be said.

Since Tumen had been waiting with a trap set from their first meeting, it was hard to assert that he couldn’t scheme, and as Krupin said, it was too advantageous to their situation to be mere coincidence, making it a matter worth suspecting.

“I don’t think Tumen set a trap, but… being cautious wouldn’t hurt.”

“Hmm… then would you go scouting, Sir?”

Krupin’s face brightened.

“Sir, just leave it to me. I’ll check everything without missing any wicked schemes that might be hidden!”

Krupin had been worried inwardly even while speaking.

Since Viktor had shown an attitude that seemed to somewhat protect Tumen from the beginning, he worried his words might be ignored, but that was excessive thinking.

“Indeed there’s no way that would happen. You lowly barbarian slave… I’ll thoroughly expose your true intentions!”

Krupin glared at Tumen with an arrogant face, then disappeared saying he would move immediately.

Mikhail looked in the direction he had disappeared with a somewhat incredulous expression and whispered in a small voice.

“But Sir, whether that slave’s words are true or not, shouldn’t we naturally scout anyway?”

“Well, that’s true, but Sir Krupin has his dignity too.”

“…Haha, to think of even such aspects, it’s like seeing an experienced, seasoned commander.”

“It’s nothing much.”

Viktor lightly brushed off those words and looked at Tumen.

He was quite angry, his face dyed bright red as he clutched his head.

Unable to say anything and only pulling at his innocent hair looked somewhat pitiful, and just as Viktor was about to offer a word of comfort.

“There’s no such thing as coincidence.”

The witch Alisa, who had been quietly following along until now, muttered in a quiet voice.

“What did you say?”

At Viktor’s words, Alisa dyed her already pale face even paler as she replied.

“There’s no such thing as coincidence in this world. Everything flows as fate leads it.”

Her mysterious appearance and attractive voice carried strong power.

“Alisa, like how you were captured?”

“…”

At Viktor’s joke that didn’t seem like a joke, Alisa’s shining eyes wavered.

“…Yes, like that, Bohdan ultimately won’t be able to escape his fate no matter how much he struggles. When two stars meet, the smaller star is eventually devoured by the larger star.”

After that, she continued with various words about how fate’s causality was this way or that way.

At her words, not only Mikhail but even Anton the priest showed admiring expressions as if finding it plausible, but Viktor alone was different.

He tilted his head and opened his mouth.

“But since when could you prophesy too? Didn’t you say you were a praying witch?”

“This isn’t prophecy! You could say it’s knowledge and wisdom.”

“Oh, I see. Since you talked about Bohdan’s fate and such, I thought it was something like prophecy.”

“Ahem… the knowledge passed down from ancient times among witches is tremendous. It will surely be of great help to you too, Sir Knight.”

A crafty aura began to flow from Alisa’s body and flicker as if adding to her charm.

Anton cried out in alarm.

“Sir Viktor, be careful! You mustn’t be bewitched by the witch!”

“Indeed. But if you have such great knowledge, why were you captured?”

“…”

“Ahem, ahem…”

Anton coughed awkwardly as if embarrassed.

Alisa’s power didn’t work on Viktor at all.

He only threw questions with an indifferent expression.

“Answer me, Alisa. You who can discuss fate, why couldn’t you read your own fate even an inch ahead?”

“…Th-that’s…”

‘This isn’t right…’

When Tumen showed his abilities, Alisa became anxious.

She began to feel a sense of crisis that if she stayed still like this, she might be abandoned as useless despite being a witch.

So she tried to step forward to show her abilities even by force, but it didn’t seem to catch Viktor’s interest.

No, rather, from what he was saying, his mood had definitely gotten worse.

Her pale face now turned completely blue.

In the end, Alisa couldn’t make any reply and lowered her head.

When Viktor approached, she squeezed her eyes shut.

It seemed like he would immediately grab her neck and snap it.

However, Viktor only offered advice in an unexpectedly kind voice.

“Mm, Alisa. If I may give you one piece of advice, it would be better not to bring out that strange aura in the future.”

“…Yes?”

“Principality people tend to dislike using such ominous auras.”

At those words, Alisa quickly raised her head.

Behind Viktor, Priest Anton was glaring at her with a frightening face.

Not only that, she could see other people looking at her uncomfortably too.

‘Wait, principality people? Then he’s okay with it…?’

While she hesitated, Viktor continued.

“And I didn’t want this kind of thing from you either. Don’t be too anxious. Someday there will definitely come a day when your power is needed.”

“Yes…”

Alisa blushed, feeling like her inner thoughts had been seen through.

She had only made her reputation worse and embarrassed herself by stepping forward unnecessarily.

But why was it, she didn’t feel that bad.

More than all the awe and respectful words she had heard countless times while active as a witch, strangely Viktor’s single remark seemed to remain more in her heart.

“Sir Viktor! Sir Viktor! I found it! I discovered that slave’s wicked plot!”

“?!”

When Krupin came running while shouting with a bright red face, people all looked at Tumen at once.

“I confirmed enemies lying in ambush at the entrance to what appears to be their supply base!”

The location of the barbarian supply base was a small hilly area formed between plains.

Originally a principality village had been established there, but due to being located in such a good position, it had been captured early by the barbarians.

Krupin shouted while spitting.

“They definitely weren’t simple patrol units. If their purpose was patrol, there would be no reason for so many troops to be out there. In other words, they must have obtained some information and were preparing an ambush in advance!”

Whoosh!

Then he glared at Tumen and boldly declared.

“You wicked barbarian bastard! I’ve long since seen through your shallow thoughts. If you have a mouth, say something!”

“No, no…! That doesn’t make sense!”

“Shut up!”

Though Tumen protested as if wronged while shaking his horns, Krupin didn’t even pretend to listen.

“Sir Viktor, give the order! Shall I hang this lowly bastard right now?”

“It seems they’ve noticed our unit approaching.”

“I think so too. Barbarian scouts are fast and nimble. It should be good experience before fighting the Grand Chief.”

“Uh… Sir Viktor?”

Viktor didn’t even pretend to listen and turned around.

Then he gave orders in a low but strangely clear voice.

“Prepare to attack.”

“Yes, prepare to attack!”

A large flag fluttered, and unlike other units, the mercenary companies that had been advancing in an almost concentrated formation began to quickly assemble while flying mercenary banners with their respective symbols.

“Tell the captains. Maintain distance so you don’t get too separated from each other. All cavalry follow behind me.”

“Yes!”

Podaga snorted roughly.

Like the intelligent warhorse he was, he sensed that battle would soon break out and became excited.

Viktor stroked Podaga’s mane while shouting with his usual calm expression.

“I’ll take the lead. Hiya!”

“Escort the Sir! Charge, charge!”

Though it was a sudden attack order, Mikhail skillfully led the cavalry and supported Viktor’s side.

The mercenaries too, though confused, showed veteran-like aspects worthy of Viktor’s careful selection, quickly following along.

Having instantly prepared for battle and people rushing forward frantically, Krupin was left alone in a daze.

“S-Sir… no, please wait a moment!”

In the end, he too began hurriedly chasing after Viktor.