How to Live as a Genius Knight in a Fantasy World

51.

The journey from Tigrun to Count Frederick’s castle was anything but comfortable.

Already a long distance to travel, having to detour around Arden made the distance to be covered incredibly long.

Furthermore, to save time, they had to traverse several paths through the mountains, and climbing snow-covered mountains in the bitter winter was in itself a painful ordeal.

Rohan, though less uncomfortable than the ordinary soldiers, found the unfamiliar and harsh sleeping conditions equally uncomfortable.

But Rohan had a crucial difference from the others.

The sense of accomplishment that came with effort.

For Rohan, a fortnight of hardship was not only challenging but sweeter than honey.

Having filled the proficiency of two N-grade skills using the feathers obtained, equipped a new SR-grade skill, and even managed to lure soldiers from other units to acquire two more new skills.

Although it was inevitable for his heart to feel empty every time he saw the ‘0’ displayed on the feather’s number.

After acquiring the new skill, the darkness that had been looming in Rohan’s mind seemed to lighten slightly.

The joy of growth and the eagerness to try out the new skill diluted the fear of the potentially life-threatening battle.

Rohan was well aware that despite the favorable effects of the skill, he should not take the battle lightly.

However, the effects of the newly acquired skill were so immediately noticeable that he couldn’t help but feel an urge to try it out, even unknowingly moving his body vigorously.

– Examiner’s Physical Enhancement (SR) / 10%

Since he had not yet fully mastered the proficiency of the Warrior King’s Strike, Rohan chose the barbarian’s swordsmanship and the ancient warrior’s swordsmanship as the ingredients for synthesis.

Both being R-grade skills, it required the consumption of four feathers.

After synthesis, when Rohan confirmed the name suited for just an ordinary N, SN-grade skill, he felt a slight disappointment.

With a major battle ahead, he had hoped for a skill with a prominent active effect like the Warrior King’s Strike.

Yet, as the excruciating pain passed through his head and body, and he confirmed the effect imprinted in his mind, his perspective inevitably changed.

When holding the sword, all physical abilities increase by 30%.

Just this alone made the body feel significantly lighter, but the separately running active effect further enhanced physical abilities by 70% for a whole minute.

Although there was a long cooldown of a week, it was an effect that could instantly display a completely different level of power for a short period.

Rohan, who had obtained tremendous skills, couldn’t help but feel a sense of shrinking in front of the breath exuded by Shicheryong.

“If hit by that, there’s no need to think; it’s instant death.”

No matter how much Rohan’s specs increased, there was no way he could withstand it.

As Rohan had such thoughts, a chilly silence swept through the entire punitive force.

Even the high-ranking knights and priests of the esteemed order, with their utmost faith, seemed overwhelmed by the enemy’s power at this moment.

It was only after the breath ceased and the demons rushed toward the crumbling walls that the punitive force members regained their composure.

To the nobles hesitating to head to the battlefield, Viscount Tigrun spoke in a solemn tone.

“The enemies are undoubtedly formidable. However, if we just watch Frederick crumble like this, we too will unavoidably fall into a miserable state. The land that has been our territory since ancient times cannot be left to be shrouded in darkness under their rule. Everyone, prepare for the attack.”

In response to the Viscount’s words, the nobles with darkened faces nodded heavily.

They, too, knew.

That if they became nobles of a kingdom that fell to the likes of dark sorcerers, they would not receive proper treatment even in foreign lands.

There was no country that would properly treat nobles who had lost both their wealth and honor.

For those who had lived their whole lives as dignified individuals, losing their current status was akin to death.

Knights put on their gear, soldiers gripped their spears.

The mages moved to the center of the troops, and the riders called wyverns using magic.

Despite being in battle formation, there were quite a few among them who trembled as they held their weapons due to the exhaustion from long marches and fear of the enemy.

Rohan could fully understand their feelings.

Even he himself would feel nothing but despair if he were told to stand on the battlefield where foreign demons were rampant without any ability.

But if they didn’t fight now, they would have to pay a much higher price later.

Not only their own lives but also their families would be ravaged by the hands of dark sorcerers and demons.

Facing their fears, raising their spears to the end was likely the best choice for the soldiers.

Emerging from the mountain path, the punitive force swiftly formed their ranks on the plain.

Flags of each territory rose above the troops, and the knight forces came forward and stood at the front.

Priests mingled among the soldiers, and the holy knights marched alongside the knights.

As the new military force appeared on the plain, the gaze of the dark sorcerers, who had been casting magic into the air, turned towards them.

They were a formidable force, but they showed no signs of wavering.

“They’ve finally arrived.”

“Just be cautious of the wyverns.”

They had known that they were advancing long before.

The remaining number of demons was still in the tens of thousands, and there were plenty of gems made from the residents of Arden.

Following the orders of the dark sorcerers, some of the demons that had been densely packed to break through the castle entrance turned and rushed towards the punitive force.

Thousands of demons swiftly crossed the dry plain, sparsely covered with snow.

In their movements, there was a strong sense of ferocity, as if they were famished for human flesh.

It didn’t take long for the punitive force to encounter the demons.

“They’re coming!”

With an unknown shout, demons rushing like a wave towards the punitive force from near the Viscount’s castle.

From those resembling humans to those with a mix of beasts and humans, and even those with a completely insect-like appearance.

The forms and sizes varied, from the size of a palm to creatures larger than large beasts.

In accordance with the viscount’s orders, arrows drenched in holy water filled the air like rain.

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The smaller creatures lost their lives in a single strike, trampled and crushed by other monsters, while the larger ones staggered, bearing significant wounds.

However, it was impossible to halt their charge with mere arrows.

Monsters, now dangerously close, unleashed their ferocity as they rushed forward.

At the forefront, monsters impaled themselves on the dozens of spears the soldiers had planted, while knights emerging between the spears swiftly severed their throats.

The slowing pace of the march was significantly influenced by the long pikes planted in the ground, finally proving their worth in battle.

Rohan, too, effortlessly surpassed the monster that had come before him.

The creature, resembling a cockroach down to its sharp forelegs, was so repulsive that words failed to capture its grotesqueness.

Even the sturdy soldiers were pushed to their limits under the force, but Rohan remained unfazed.

“This one looks like a dog. That one, a chicken. This one seems like a mix of a goat and a dog.”

Mastering both the swordsmanship of ancient warriors and the sword defense of barbarians, in addition to surpassing 50% proficiency in various martial arts, Rohan’s skill set clearly gave him an edge over ordinary knights.

With the added adjustment from skills, even the most hideous creature couldn’t withstand Rohan’s blade for long.

As Rohan swung his sword, a gaze filled with awe from numerous soldiers passed over him.

Even in the chaotic battle, Rohan’s prowess was noticeable.

As Rohan swiftly dispatched minor monsters, he suddenly leaped into the heart of the battlefield.

He had spotted a monster with a size surpassing that of a troll approaching.

Despite the formidable resistance of the soldiers’ pikes, there was no need to directly face the overwhelming mass.

Rohan’s sword pierced the forehead of a monster resembling a giant boar, shattering its skull.

As he pulled out the deeply embedded sword, a glow emitted from the blade, not blood.

Seemingly in agony, the monster thrashing with Rohan on its head was impaled once more in the neck, losing about half of its thick neck in an instant before collapsing with a gasp-like sound, lifeless.

In the midst of combat, Rohan once again felt the usefulness of his newly acquired skill.

The increase in physical abilities wasn’t just about strength or reaction speed; it felt as if the world he perceived had expanded.

Even attacks coming from all sides were now perceived and dealt with more swiftly than before.

Knights, including Rohan, displayed their prowess, and the monsters unable to breach the wall of pikes fell helplessly to the ground.

In head-on collisions, the extermination forces clearly dominated.

With the concentrated force of knights, and the paladins emanating divine power melting the monsters away, victory seemed certain.

Yet, the situation was different on the flanks.

Though knights were interspersed between the pikes, their numbers were significantly fewer than on the front lines.

While the knights held the enemy’s advance on the front, the monsters that hadn’t yet engaged in the front began attacking the flanks, causing casualties.

Despite swinging spears drenched in holy water tirelessly, it was impossible for ordinary humans to completely repel the monsters.

“Ahh!”

“Help! Get them off! Quickly!”

“Argh!”

The soldiers assaulted by minor monsters screamed, their struggles causing the formation to break naturally.

Eventually, a troll-sized monster, which the knights had failed to confront, successfully broke through the soldiers, shattered their pikes like twigs, and began swinging its limbs.

“No!”

One of Izell’s soldiers was hit by the giant fist, and witnessing the soldier’s bruised body, Argan let out a scream.

They had served together as guards for a long time, sharing both joy and sorrow.

In Argan’s eyes, filled with anger, the image of the colossal monster was vivid.

Every time the brute swung his arm, several soldiers were swept away in an instant.

As the brute caused havoc, the holes in the barrier grew larger, and ferocious creatures found the gaps, rushing towards the soldiers.

A monster seemingly impossible to defeat.

However, Argan knew.

In this world, there were skilled individuals who could easily slay such a monster.

No, even an ordinary knight would have been able to hold their ground against the brute.

It was just that those who were now dying miserably hadn’t reached that level.

Argan himself was one of those exceptions.

Blessed with a robust body, wielding a sword all his life, yet the path to greatness seemed too distant.

Now, at a considerable age, his body was steadily weakening, and his possibilities diminishing.

Or rather, if things continued this way, this place would become his grave without any thought for the future.

Suddenly, deep within Argan’s heart, resentment surged.

“Is this how I’m going to die after wielding a sword countless times?”

He hadn’t taken up the sword just to end his life as a mere soldier unable to even attempt to save his comrade.

In his eyes, clouded with fear and determination, a flame ignited once again.

It was a mix of long-held grudges, anger towards the one harming his comrades, and determination to face a formidable enemy.

Occasionally, he had envisioned his own demise.

The death of a man named Argan.

There were numerous scenarios, but never had he considered fleeing from demons only to die like an insect.

His shield fell from his left arm, and his hands firmly gripped the sword’s hilt.

Just a few days ago, he had learned a technique through Rohan.

“The ancient warrior’s swordsmanship, was it?”

Though the technique had no proper name, it was far superior to the swordsmanship Argan had originally mastered.

Matching the hurried breath from excitement, he adjusted his swordsmanship’s rhythm.

With a powerful thrust of his leg, Argan’s sturdy body advanced towards the giant monster as if shooting forward.

As if noticing Argan, the monster’s gaze turned.

A massive palm swept low, as if trying to grab him.

Instinctively, he twisted his body to evade the attack.

Approaching the monster’s proximity in no time, Argan’s arms rose, and his sword, full of his strength, plunged straight down.