Chapter 77.

At first, Seon-Hyeok thought it was an optical illusion caused by the distance. However, this was not the case.

Why did you shrink so much?

The brilliantly s.h.i.+ning scales and proud appearance remained the same, but the intimidating size was nowhere to be found.

[The huge size was a desperate measure in case I lost my sense of self and became a monster.]

Seon-Hyeok had wondered whether the sea dragon had completely forgotten human language, but the serpent spoke to him.

[In addition, maintaining that form requires significant water attribute energy, so it would only be a burden at this time.]

Ah

Whether or not the sea dragon could expand and shrink his body at will, Seon-Hyeok felt discouraged by the current smaller size. Of course, it was true that the sea dragon in his current state was still large enough to tear through most monsters without problem, but he no longer had his originally overwhelming presence.

[Take me with you. Our relations.h.i.+p has not been solidified yet, so it could revert at any moment.]

Seon-Hyeok had been planning to in the first place. It mightve been different if the sea dragon was his original monstrous size, but it was possible to take him in his current, smaller state. It would just require some time and money to bring him back to Rheinperle.

Okay. Lets go.

Bluegon seemed somewhat taken aback at Seon-Hyeoks blatant disappointment, but those reservations didnt last long. The sea dragon soon forgot language once again and began to roar.

Ugh, theyre all tiring.

It was clear that exchanging conversations with dragons or their subspecies was an exhausting task.

Well have to get a wagon and horses since this big guy wants to come with us.

Jona.s.son and Jackson turned their horses back towards Rugenburg.

Though the sea dragon had shrunk, he was still almost 10 meters long from head to tail. It wouldnt be an easy task to haul such a monster back to Rheinperle. They would need to commission a giant wooden frame to hold him and cover the accommodations in cloth while paying special attention so that it didnt leak or dry out on their journey. Moreover, the party had to spend a significant amount of time acquiring oxen and horses to carry the heavy cargo.

However, thanks to their efforts, the group was able to reach the tributary of the Rheinperle River safely.

Pull!

The party lacked the strength to pull the sea dragon out of the wooden frame, so Seon-Hyeok drove the entire cart into the riverbank.

Flop. Flop.

Bluegon burst out of the wooden tank before flopping in and out of the water. He soon dove deep into the river and out of sight.

While Seon-Hyeok waited there to allow Bluegon to recover his strength, Jackson and Jona.s.son stopped by the nearest village to sell the cows and horses used to pull the cart.

Ugh. Its still a loss for us. That cart was so expensive.

Of course, Bluegons value was such that Seon-Hyeok couldnt truly lament the cost of a mere cart, but it was nonetheless heartbreaking to see the money equivalent to paying two soldiers salaries for a year disappear into nothing.

Lets get going. Weve wasted too much time.

Seon-Hyeok pushed back his feelings and urged his party on. His plan was to make up the time lost while moving the sea dragon up to this point. Bluegon poked his head out of the water before chasing after the galloping horses.

The party had left prior to the harvest, and after spending two months on their journey, they returned to see the territory beginning to show its bare skin once again. Seon-Hyeok was deeply moved at the sight, having returned after a long time away.

Were finally back.

When they arrived at the entrance of the village, the 1st squad, led by Adol, was patrolling the area. Noticing the group, the squad captains eyes grew wide before he hurriedly gathered the troops.

M, my lord? Salute!

It seemed as though the soldiers hadnt been lax with their training while he was away. Seon-Hyeok entered the village while receiving the salutes of his now more dignified soldiers.

Youre doing well.

Inform the mansion! T, the lord has returned!

Seon-Hyeok was fascinated by the sight of Adol and the soldiers making a fuss, as well as that of the villagers looking at their lord curiously. He looked on fondly.

Its home! Home!

Seon-Hyeok finally felt he was home when he saw the old scholar, Antoine Montaigne, waiting for him at the entrance of his mansion.

***

Thats all I have to report. Ive kept a meticulous record of the daily events and ledgers for your return. If you take a look when you get a chance, I am sure it will be beneficial in managing the territory.

Antoine Montaigne had flawlessly managed the land while his lord was away, and he calmly reported on the main points. Seon-Hyeok had always left the territorys management to Julian while he was present anyways, so all he could do was offer his thanks.

So I get the sense that operations within the territory have been smooth, but has there been anything else of note?

Ah. I was going to say that you had visitors while you were away.

Seon-Hyeok looked puzzled, wondering why guests would come seek him in this remote location.

First and foremost, Knight Laylark visited towards the end of last month. He left as soon as he heard that you were away, but it didnt seem to be particularly pleasant business.

Ugh.

It was obvious why Raiden Laylark visited, even if he hadnt disclosed the reason. He must have stopped by to avenge his loss in their previous duel. It was understandable the loss itself must have been frustrating, but he must have been even angrier and more upset to see the Gradus of his enemy rise due to his own successes.

He said he would return, so I believe well hear from him soon. There have been several other knights who visited besides Knight Laylark.

Antoine Montaigne expressed his admiration, saying that while he knew Seon-Hyeok had a high reputation, he didnt realize it was at the level where knights would repeatedly come to seek him out.

However, contrary to the beliefs of the old scholar ignorant about swordsmans.h.i.+p, the knights hadnt come to this remote place out of respect for Seon-Hyeoks reputation.

That d.a.m.ned Gradus.

They would have come because Seon-Hyeok was the knight with Gradus 89, and defeating him in combat would mean immediately becoming included in the ranks of the kingdoms 100 most powerful individuals. Knights had few opportunities to increase their reputation by partic.i.p.ating in wars, so they would have been fired up by this chance.

I explained your absence to them and sent them away. Was that disrespectful of me?

No. You did well. Please continue to do so in the future. I have no desire to play along in their quest for fame.

Antoine Montaignes eyes grew wide at Seon-Hyeoks cynical response. The administrator didnt think it was something a reputable person, like the Drake Knight, would say.

However, there was another reason why Seon-Hyeok expressed his disgust. It was plainly evident why those knights came all the way to this remote location, rather than the capital, where Gradus owners were plentiful.

Theyre looking down on me.

Seon-Hyeok had defeated the Sword of Lightning, but he was still a foreigner, and few recognized him as a true knight. Moreover, the Drake Knight was unable to use his most powerful weapon, his drake, in a duel, further suggesting his weakness in such environments. Those jackal-like men had come to Rheinperle because they felt the Drake Knight would be the easiest pickings out of the knights with Gradus.

Is that so? Im sorry to say that two of the visiting knights still havent left. They found accommodations in the village, so its possible they heard about your return by now.

My lord. You have a guest.

A servant came to inform him of a visitor the moment the scholar finished speaking. When Seon-Hyeok frowned, Antoine Montaigne stepped up in his place.

The lord is very tired from his long journey. He went to his quarters right away, so ask the knight for his understanding and let him know the lord will see him at a later date.

The servant bowed his head in admiration at the scholars refined manner of speaking, which was subtly reprimanding the guest for his rudeness.

I hope I wasnt being presumptuous just now.

No, not at all. To be honest, I never asked for this Gradus, and I find this pretty unpleasant.

Seon-Hyeok sighed, feeling as these bothersome incidents would continue to occur.

***

Bad feelings always became reality. The two knights that stayed in Rheinperle visited the mansion every day.

At first, they were turned away under the pretext of needing to recover from the fatigue of travel. Afterward, they were refused, saying that the lord needed to catch up on the work that had been delayed while he was away. However, the knights were more persistent than imagined, and they didnt hesitate to lose face in their blatant attempt to improve their reputation.

Ah, d.a.m.n it. Why are you refusing me a single meeting with the lord? Arent you being too unreasonable?

The Drake Knights a busy man. Hes not someone you can have an audience with at a moments notice.

At first, she sent them back courteously, but Julian lost her patience as the same events repeated themselves over and over again, and her tone now was sharp. Instead of being embarra.s.sed, the knights pushed on.

And were not busy? Im telling you I just want to see him once.

Among them, the knight currently throwing a tantrum was the worst. The att.i.tude of this barely-average knight -- disrespectful because he was blinded by the prospect of fame -- wasnt pleasant to see.

Go back. If you leave the name and place of your accommodations, my lord will send you a message later.

The second knight who stayed at Rheinperle joined in after seeing the firsts obnoxious behavior. To make matters worse, other knights who later visited the territory likewise came and bothered Julian, already weak from her previous bout with poisoning. Eventually, Seon-Hyeok couldnt take it anymore and summoned Julian to demand the names of the disrespectful knights.

Who are those stubborn b.a.s.t.a.r.ds? Do they think Im their friend? Do they think Im someone wholl come out and play whenever they call?

Theyre Ainol Reynold and Hark Robinson. Both are rank-and-file knights, and theyre n.o.bles from the east and the north, respectively.

Sigh. They arent even senior knights? They really are looking down on me.

Dont pay them any attention. There are people blinded by fame everywhere. It would be demeaning to even deal with them, so its best to just ignore them.

Julians face was pale and lacking any color as she tried to console him. Seon-Hyeok still felt responsible for their previous incident with the sea dragon, and he grew furious as she supported him without showing any feelings of resentment.

Summon them all.

Huh?

Julian opened her eyes wide and reflexively spoke back upon hearing his command.

Not just the two of them. Gather all the d.a.m.ned knights currently in my territory and acting like there is some queue to duel me.

What are you

Isnt it obvious?

Seon-Hyeok angrily clenched his teeth and shot back as he saw her concerned expression.

Ill make sure they cant ever crawl back here again.

***

As always, Ainol Reynold prepared his equipment after eating at his accommodations. The disdainful lord continued to refuse him an audience, but the knight calculated that Seon-Hyeok would eventually fold out of frustration.

The lord has granted you an audience.

Just as he was about to step outside, a soldier came to deliver him a message. The knight had been in the area since before the lord returned, so it had been almost two months before he was allowed a meeting.

He commanded that you come properly armed.

The lord was granting him everything that he had desperately asked for. This was beyond Ainol Reynolds expectations. He could instantly become a knight with Gradus if he defeated the Drake Knight, and he thought he had a good chance of winning. After all, Raiden Laylark, the only knight who had dueled Seon-Hyeok, had openly disparaged his opponents abilities.

I lost because of bad luck and carelessness, not because of my abilities. If I get another chance, Im confident I will defeat him.

The Judge of House Laylark didnt hesitate to denigrate the Drake Knight, claiming that he wasnt a real knight and was nothing more than a coward who managed to trick him with his unusual spear. If those words were true, the Drake Knight wasnt anyone to be afraid of despite his successes and reputation. Ainol Reynold couldnt hide his excitement.

Then I will be on my way.

The soldier looked at him strangely before disappearing. Ainol Reynold inwardly criticized the soldier for not guiding him personally to the lords mansion, but he was already familiar with the directions after his repeated visits. There wouldnt be a problem.

Hey. Knight Reynold.

But on the way to the lords mansion, he unexpectedly encountered Hark Robinson.

You must have heard from the lord.

You too, Knight Robinson?

It seemed that he wasnt the only one granted an audience. Suddenly impatient, Ainol Reynold picked up his pace, but Hark Robinson followed without falling behind.

Knight Kyleson?

Theres Knight Chicks, too.

But strangely, they saw a lot of knights at Rheinperle that day. They were all heading towards the lords mansion.

Hm.

The knights, after greeting each other briefly, glanced at each other before rus.h.i.+ng towards the mansion. It was an att.i.tude suggesting they all believed that the first to the lords residence would be the one to take the Drake Knights Gradus.

***

Seon-Hyeok looked bewildered as he saw the knights rus.h.i.+ng towards the mansion from afar.

What the h.e.l.l? Who told them it was first come, first served?

No, thats not it. I told them exactly what you said.

Then why are they all in such a hurry?

After tilting his head in confusion, Seon-Hyeok belatedly realized why they were running so desperately. His expression crumpled.

So they think the first one here will take my Gradus?

How much of a pushover do they think I am?

Seon-Hyeok grew even more furious, seeing these knights acting so c.o.c.ky despite being cowards who didnt dare challenge the capitals knights.

Its an honor to meet the famous Viscount Drachen, and I humbly ask for an opportunity to face off against your renowned spearmans.h.i.+p

Im Knight Ainol, second son of House Reynold, and I request a duel with the Drake Knight

Seon-Hyeok completely lost his temper as he saw the knights hurriedly requesting a duel without even properly greeting him.

Im Knight Kyleson from the east. It

Shut up.

The knights were silenced by the icy voice as they scrambled to introduce themselves.

Shut up and catch your breath. I dont want to hear any bulls.h.i.+t later about how you only lost because you fought while out of breath.