That midnight, I stayed at the hobgoblin forest to wait until Hado appeared.
The place where I’m in was the flowerbed that was once the lair of Goblin King. This place seemed like a hollowed out part of the forest since there was no trees growing here.
On the center of the wreckage from when I fought the Goblin King, there is a fallen huge tree.
I sat there, with all my senses on alert.
Hado will surely come here.
Just to make sure, I had left behind several goblin corpses that lead toward this place. If he still couldn’t find me, then Hado’s incompetence is already beyond helping.
It’s still depending on whether Hado picked up the rumour about Mukuro’s habit.
At present, Mukuro only attacked goblins and never any human. If Hado put this fact into consideration, he won’t think that those corpses as a bait to lead him into a trap.
I could only hear the sound of leaves rustling to the wind for now, so I kept my ears open.
Why he hasn’t appeared already? Was the story told by the barkeeper a lie?
While thinking of that, I began to hear different sounds. Sounds of twigs being trampled.
And many of them.
It gradually closing in to where I am. Then, the footsteps stopped right outside the flowerbed.
Not moving an inch from where I sat, I sent an observing glance toward the surroundings.
There was also movement from another side. They’ve started spreading out to surround the place.
Once the encirclement is finished, only then they will come.
Still, I’m not going to move. I’ll give you the first strike. What I need to do, is to not let Hado escape.
Mukuro hasn’t noticed our presence, it’s our chance…. That must be what Hado is thinking now.
Originally, Holy Knights like Hado are meant to subjugate the stronger demons that overflows from the Gallia continent. However compared to his brother Rafal, Hado who’d never saw Gallia continent is like a goldfish.
In a word, despite having a fit body, Hado is actually a rather timid person. He’s the kind of guy that will only fight if he’s sure that he can win. Having worked with him for 5 years, I knew that bastard all too well.
By using the seemingly easy subjugation of Mukuro as leverage, he wishes to contribute a little to the kingdom, so that he won’t be sent to the Gallia continent.
As a holy knight, Hado had no ambition to become stronger. That guy, he only wants to use his position as a holy knight to gain power and status. Burix family itself was a collection of those kind of people
『Fate, here they come！』
[Yeah, I can see that too.]
According to what Greed had said, the enemies had started moving. From behind, and right side, I could hear bowstrings being pulled. Due to the boost from being in semi-starving state, I could hear such minute detail as clear as day.
I jumped away from my original spot once the bows has been released at the same time, and managed to evade two arrows.
At my unexpected evasion maneuver, those people who’re hiding on the forest gasped――I could sense that they’re shaken.
I drew out the black sword Greed when I landed back on the ground.
『Shall we？』
[Just a little more, let’s wait.]
If I don’t make any move, Hado will certainly do. Even if the long range bow attack was ineffective, they still had the advantage of one against many, so they will eventually enter the flowerbed.
Hado especially loved this method of outnumbering the enemy. There is no way he’ll resist this temptation.
There, as I thought he had showed up.
Along with the silver armored Hado, they were amounted to 15 person. That’s a rather large company.
Perhaps, those are chosen soldiers that Burix family had employed.
Each one of them pulled out their sword, with ugly smile plastered on their face.
Looking at that, I deliberately showed a slightly troubled look.
Hado will then convinced that they are in an advantageous position.
[Hado-sama, this person seems to be the rumoured lich……Mukuro. His appearance matches our information. But even so, we already have him surrounded.]
[You are right. We are different from those people who hunt goblins for money. We are chosen ones. I’m the Holy Knight chosen by god. Stronger than anyone！ Which demon who doesn’t cower upon my presence? Look, even Mukuro is shaking his feet!]
[It’s true. None other can do that to Mukuro with mere gaze except the holy knight]
[Hahaha, it’s only natural]
Say it all you want.
Well, my acting seemed to work wonder. With just a little lick, Hado had completely fallen to my scheme.
The Burix has been causing various pains over these 5 years time. This act is quite fun…. Nah, boasting over such thing will only make me feel empty.
Hado is out on the table now. Can’t afford to miss it.
First of all, let’s get rid of the other obstructions.
As I decided to drop the act and grasped the black sword Greed, one the men was spouting more superiority non-sense.
[Hado-sama, let us folks take care this Mukuro. Against the likes of him, you don’t have to dirty your own hand.]
[Indeed, you are right. Do as you like!]
[Understood]
If that’s what you think, then I really want to see you try.
Taking full advantage of my stats, I approached the guy who spoke first. Then launched a left fist straight to his face.
The man was blown off back to the forest before he could say anything more.
Hado disregarded his astonishment, and attacked with the remaining 13 people.
All I used was my empty left hand. Never did I swung the black sword Greed on my right hand. Other than Hado, I had no particular grudge toward these soldiers, so I’d like to keep them alive.
However, if the hit didn’t incapacitate them, there is a chance that they will rise again and counterattack. Therefore, I used the martial art skill [Chun Jin]
that could destroy internal organs――to break their bones. (TL Note: In case you forgot, Chun Jin is One-Inch Punch. Acquired on ch.18)
That one had his right arm crushed, while that other one had his left leg broken. And this fellow here broke his jaw…. Even though all of them were elite soldiers, they are nothing under the huge difference of stats. At this level, even I who had no real capability in hand to hand combat could easily suppress them.
I kept throwing [Chun Jin]
here and there. Hado’s subordinates soon all sprawled on the ground, struggling in pain. The sword that was held high on their arm, now lying there uselessly.
Now, all who remained standing were only Hado and myself.
Speaking of Hado, he’s breathing hard with his mouth kept opened, like a fish out of the water.
When I approached him, he started to scold the subordinates to get back up and fight me again.
[What are you doing? Quick, get up and fight! Fight for the Holy Knight that is I!]
Urged by Hado, one of them actually managed to stand up.
But even so, once I put the black sword Greed just an inch away from his neck, his face became pale, and he immediately turned tail.
Apparently that guy did not have enough loyalty for the Burix. Running away to the forest and left his Hado-sama behind.
[Hey you! Don’t run away! I’m Hado of the Burix family!]
Shi~~n. There was no reply from the bloodied subordinate.
No matter how loud Hado shouted, that subordinate seemed to have escaped too far to hear it.
It’s so pitiful to see you being abandoned by your subordinates, Hado. Has the backlash from your lack of ambition kicked in?
[Damn you……are you making fun of me? I won’t forgive you, you lousy monster!]
Brandishing his golden sword, Hado came upon me. His power was the only thing worth praising.
However, his knees were trembling slightly. Whether it’s a fear that came by instinct, or was it just fluke, we’ll find out from the fight.
There were only two of us here, no other people present. That means, no more obstacle between us.
I slowly took off my hooded cape. The skull mask that had been concealing my face follow suit afterward.
The moment he saw my real face, Hado’s face distorted immensely.
[It can’t be……for garbage like you, to have that kind of power……tell me!]
Did not anticipated that it was me, Hado stepped back in surprise.
So I simply shortened our distance.
[I have no reason to tell you. Besides, I’d rather you answer my question.]
[Haa……what’s with that cocky attitude. Ha, if I don’t want to, what will you do?]
[If you answer, I will give you a quick death. But if you don’t, you’ll suffer until I got the answer out of you. That’s it.]
[Are you joking！ I am the second son of the Burix family――Hado, the Holy Knight. Garbage like you will not be able to do that!]
[Then let’s just prove it. Show it to me, that strength the holy knight is boasting about.]
I spun the black sword Greed around then turn it toward Hado, brandishing it confidently.
If I let you live longer, you’ll become a problem for Roxy anyways. So, after extracting all the information I needed, I’ll just kill him right here.
Surely Roxy will be sad if she knew what he’s up to.
But, I’ve already decided. That seed I have sown, I’ll take responsibility for it.
