My Demons

Chapter 48

Phoenix!

As I observed the bandits fleeing, a recognizable voice called out.

Ellen? Are you injured in any way?

I specifically advised you not to wander off alone

The girl who was complaining interrupted my sentence as she scanned her surroundings.

Ellen, who had rushed over, was followed by Luke and Arnal. Fortunately, they didnt appear to be injured.

With a sigh, Ellen quelled her anger and regarded me with a pale face.

Are you alright?

Unsurprisingly, I was in a sorry state, pierced by a spear and struck by arrows. I looked terrible, but thanks to my tenacity, I was hanging on.

Suppressing her words of concern, Ellen was about to retrieve a potion when I halted her.

Ugh, Im fine. I wont die.

Still

I said its fine. Have you seen Grania? I havent seen her.

As I scanned the surroundings and asked, a man beside me removed his helmet and chuckled.

Ah, such brotherly affection. All the mercenaries have been taken to the priests tent, so dont worry.

It was the very knight who had just saved me.

I recalled the knight, who had been addressed by name, and nodded my head in gratitude.

Thank you, Sir Randel. You saved my life.

Randel briefly tilted his head and then smirked.

It seems youre mistaken. Im not a knight, just a mere soldier.

What?

A mere soldier, fully clad in plate armor and riding a horse?

Noticing my confusion, Randel, or rather, Mr. Randel, frowned.

I thought you were a seasoned mercenary. Havent you ever seen a knight before?

Uh, well

Anyway, whats important now is not that. Come along. Our lord will be looking for you.

With those words, Randel handed the reins to his comrade and started walking. Arnal quickly approached me and supported my left arm on her shoulder.

Are you okay?

Ugh, I can walk on my own.

Dont be foolish. Youll worsen your injuries.

Uncertain whether she was aware of Ellens gaze, Arnal whispered softly,

Thank you.

For what?

For not leaving Grania behind.

Thank you? I simply did what was right.

You make it sound so natural.

As I looked around, aided by either Arnals shoulder or her arm, Arnal grinned and spoke up.

The knights are over there.

Huh? Then who are these people

Theyre probably the private army of the nobles or something like that.

Excluding Randel, six heavily armored soldiers were holding the reins of their horses.

Each was clad in similar armor, a combination of chainmail with additional plates.

There were six who appeared to be knights, distinguished by their colorful cloaks and shields with unique emblems.

Upon closer inspection, unlike the other heavily armored infantry, each knight sported uniquely stylish plate armor.

The knight wielding a two-handed sword and the one in the blue cloak with a sturdy presence were indeed knights.

They had handed their armored horses over to other infantry or attendants and were making their way toward the tent at the center of the encampment.

As I marveled at the knights armor, a head of golden hair suddenly appeared on my right.

Phoenix, look over there.

Hm? What?

With her eyes, Ellen pointed to a flag fluttering nearby.

Enough, Sir Liam. Do you think my brother would send people this far?

Very well, as you wish.

The one who intervened was wearing armor adorned with gold. He was the very knight who had been expertly shooting arrows.

Whats your name?

Phoenix.

Upon closer examination, the golden adornments on his shoulders and chest were fashioned to resemble a lions mane. His attire was significantly more extravagant compared to the other knights.

Phoenix. Whats your last name?

A last name

Phoenix was either a commoners child or a descendant of a fallen noble family. Having a surname would be typical, but

I dont have one.

Could one recall such a thing?

Hmm. So youre just a mercenary?

Thats correct.

Through a small opening in his faceplate, deep blue eyes sparkled.

An intriguing matter. A mere mercenary who can wield blood magic.

Your skills are also exceptional. You managed to defeat several of the cavalry.

Well, I was fortunate.

The knight clad in armor resembling a golden lion let out a chuckle and turned his gaze to the other knights.

What do you think, Sir Ankir? How many bandits do you reckon you could dispatch without mounting your horse?

At that, Ankir thumped his breastplate and boasted.

Do you not know my capabilities, my lord? Handling a hundred of those ruffians would be no challenge!

Haha, I knew youd say something like that. How about you, Sir Langbolt?

Langbolt, upon hearing the question, stroked his mustache and shrugged.

It would depend on the terrain and circumstances. But in a general sense, around seventy-seven would be manageable.

Seventy-seven, huh. Even a renowned swordsman from the East agrees with that estimate.

The knight with the gold embellishments then directed his gaze back at me. Feeling the scrutiny, I remained silent.

After a brief pause, the knight shrugged.

No one would be foolish enough to employ such capable men as spies or assassins. Isnt that right, Sir Liam?

You speak the truth, my lord.

Now, then Answer, mercenary Phoenix. Do you know who the lord of this place is?

Damn, how should I respond?

Hesitating for a moment, but ultimately encouraged by the knights expectant look, I spoke up.

Yes, His Highness, the Prince.

Haha!

Upon my response, the knight laughed and immediately removed his helmet. Streams of shimmering silver hair cascaded around his neck.

Indeed, the man was strikingly handsome.

With a well-built physique that matched his upright posture, long hair flowing down to his chest, long straight eyebrows, slender yet profound eyes, a tall nose bridge, and lips that were red in contrast to his pale skin, he exuded a mysterious aura.

I staggered and knelt on one knee. It was a rough approximation of something Id seen in a movie, but considering that the rest of the group also knelt, it seemed I hadnt botched the protocol.

Gazing down at the assembly, the Prince in his mid-twenties wore a radiant smile.

Welcome, messengers from South Harbor. His voice, which had been deep, seemed to have cleared upon removing his helmet.

Suddenly, I looked up and noticed that the golden mane etched on his helmet had lost its luster due to dirt and blood.

However, the long silver hair that had settled on his breastplate gleamed in the torchlight.

I am Ulkar, the third son of His Majesty King Lionel III of Millanol.

With his impressive armor, valor leading the knights, an extraordinarily handsome face, and an inviting voice, Prince Ulkar possessed the ability to enchant anyone meeting him for the first time.

In the presence of his peculiar charm, my body tensed with caution.

It wasnt because of his lofty status, the knights surrounding us, or the pain from where Id been struck by an arrow.

Striving not to appear awkward, I spoke.

It is an honor to meet you, the third Prince.

Saying so, I bowed my head to the boss of the sixth chapter.

Lift your head. There is much I want to hear.

And the man who wore the radiant smile youd expect to find only in a fairy tale would later be known as the King of Slaughter.