Future Knight

Chapter 19

In the past, humans had created the Iron Golem, known as Gigantes, mimicking the ancient giant weaponry that the gods had bestowed upon them. This war machine possessed such terrifying power that it nearly allowed humans to dominate the entire continent.

Now, the Gigantes standing in front of them were masterpieces, collaboratively crafted by the Elves and Dwarves, mimicking the humans’ Gigantes.

Created by the hands of the greatest wizard and the finest artisan, it was certain that their performance would be beyond reproach.

“Everyone, please come down. Though it’s modest, we’ve prepared a banquet for your long journey.”

“Oh ho! It’s been a while since I’ve had the Elves’ fruit wine. Hahaha!”

At the mention of alcohol, the Dwarves’ mouths collectively began to water.

“We’ve prepared the strongest fruit wine from our village. Drink to your heart’s content. Come on, over here.”

“Wait a moment, we’ll come down soon.”

As Cracsion’s Gigantes knelt, the other Gigantes also knelt in unison, and the sight of fifty gigantic Gigantes kneeling one after another was truly magnificent.

As the Dwarves descended from the Gigantes and followed the Elf Lord, Arteon, Elradian, left alone, gently patted the leg of Cracsion’s Gigantes and murmured softly.

“A union of those who have the skill to build the bodies but do not know the magic to breathe life into them, and those who know the magic but lack the skill to build the bodies—such contradiction from the start.”

Elradian, looking up at the Gigantes for a while, called out to Kang Chan without turning his head.

“How long are you going to hide?”

“…”

Feeling a pang of guilt, Kang Chan, who had been hiding in the forest, awkwardly revealed himself.

“Why were you hiding there?”

In response to the master’s slightly suspicious question, Kang Chan quickly answered.

“I followed them cautiously because they were heading towards the village, Master.”

Touched by his disciple’s sincere concern for the Elves, Elradian’s expression brightened.

“You thoughtful lad. Well, it’s just as well. There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know what these are?”

“I don’t know. They just seem to be giant iron giants.”

“Yes, that’s right. They are giant killing machines made of iron.”

“Killing machines?”

Elradian slowly turned his head and looked at Kang Chan with sad eyes.

“Now, it is time for us to part, my disciple.”

“What do you mean all of a sudden?”

Shocked by his master’s sudden bad news, Kang Chan rushed to Elradian’s feet and knelt.

“A great war that will determine the survival of our race is about to begin. There are still so many things I haven’t taught you, and I feel truly sorry for that.”

“Did you just say war?”

Kang Chan’s face was filled with astonishment at the mention of war.

‘Is there really a war in such a peaceful place?’

To Kang Chan, the Elves seemed like people who could live without laws.

Therefore, they seemed far removed from war.

But war was a reality.

The gigantic iron giant standing before him was proof of that.

“Yes, that’s why these killing machines have come to our Elves’ forest.”

“I will go with you, Master!”

“No, there’s no need for you, who are not an Elf, to risk your life for the Elves. I will simply be grateful for your kind heart.”

“But it was Master, an Elf, who saved me, and it was Master, an Elf, who taught me swordsmanship. How can you say such a thing?”

“We are not going for a leisurely trip. This will be an exceedingly difficult war, and everyone might die. Even so, do you still insist on following me?”

With resolute eyes, Kang Chan spoke.

“I will follow you to the end, Master! Even if that end is death.”

Touched by Kang Chan’s earnest words, Elradian’s gaze softened with affection as he looked at him.

“Very well! From today onwards, we will commence rigorous training. It will be far harsher than anything you’ve experienced so far. Are you prepared?”

“Yes, Master!”

Elradian’s gaze, filled with pride, contrasted with the look in Kang Chan’s eyes, which was filled with a different emotion entirely.

‘War…’

Born and bred as a soldier, Kang Chan’s heart ignited at the mention of war.

* * *

While the Elves and Dwarves of the forest were fervently preparing for war, the human kings who ruled the Erkanor Continent were busy accusing and slandering each other in a heated assembly.

When the Duchy of Carmel was in crisis, they had each tried to minimize the damage to their own nations.

Thus, they only provided minimal support in troops and supplies, watching the situation unfold as if it were someone else’s problem.

Consequently, the Duchy of Carmel was destroyed by the enemy in just three days, and within a year, Arjan and Sempron, neighboring countries, also fell into their hands.

While the green Elves thrived, all they did was heighten their walls, hire mercenaries, train farmers, and increase their personal forces to protect their nations and territories.

Now, with the fire at their feet, they belatedly gathered, blaming each other and running around in confusion.

It was then that the grand doors of the meeting hall were flung open, and Emperor Helaine Din Frompel III of the Visman Empire entered.

Suddenly, a suffocating silence fell over the room.

In the quiet so profound that even the sound of a pin drop could be heard, the Emperor of the Empire surveyed the room with arrogant eyes and shouted.

“How long will we continue this fruitless debate while these lowly mongrels, relying only on their numbers, dare to covet our Erkanor Continent!”

No king dared to oppose his rebuke, and they all held their breaths.

“From now on, by my name, Helaine Din Frompel III, Emperor of the Visman Empire, the structure of the continental alliance forces will change!”

He slowly crossed the room and sat on his chair, which was specially made for him and was at least twice as large and ornate as those of the other kings.

“Sir Saxon, show them what you have prepared.”

At the mention of Sir Saxon, the hall buzzed with excitement.

Lumiere von Saxon, Duke of Saxon.

He was one of the ten well-known Sword Masters in the human world and was the representative of the human race among the five great warriors of all races.

When Duke Saxon spread out the enormous parchment on the grand round table in the meeting hall, the detailed map of the Erkanor Continent was revealed.

“Duke Lumiere von Saxon will now serve as the Supreme Commander of the continental alliance forces to subjugate them. If anyone has objections, raise your hand.”

No one opposed Emperor Helaine’s words.

The power of the Visman Empire was the greatest on the continent, and everyone feared him.

The Emperor smiled slyly, seemingly enjoying their fearful gazes.

“Since everyone agrees, we will commence the strategy meeting. Begin, Duke Saxon.”

“Greetings, I am Duke Lumiere von Saxon, commander of the Royal Guard of the Visman Empire. From now on, we will start the military meeting regarding the combat organization and supplies for each nation.”

As he took the command stick, all eyes focused on him.

After briefly introducing himself, Duke Lumiere von Saxon began the strategy meeting with the continent’s kings, moving his command baton back and forth.

As he spoke, each king’s discontent grew at the immense financial and military burdens they would have to bear. However, none dared to voice their complaints before the Emperor of the Visman Empire, so they stayed silent like mute puppets, and Duke Saxon’s military meeting proceeded smoothly.

* * *

“Hey! You’re going to war with Lord Elradian?”

“Yes.”

“Are you insane? Are you so eager to die?”

“I would have already been dead if the Elves hadn’t saved me.”

“But still.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t die.”

Kang Chan, finding Jaina’s concern for him endearing, patted her head. Jaina’s face turned red, and she roughly pushed his hand away.

“Hmph! Who’s worried about a crybaby like you? Don’t drag the innocent Elves down with you.”

At the word ‘crybaby,’ Kang Chan’s face darkened immediately.

That was a most embarrassing moment in Kang Chan’s life.

“I told you never to bring that up again.”

‘Oops!’

Realizing her mistake, Jaina covered her mouth.

“Jaina, can I see you for a moment?”

“Sorry. Can’t you let it slide just this once? Eek!”

“Where do you think you’re running to!”

Terrified by Kang Chan’s rough advance, Jaina started to run away.

“Hey! Don’t you dare run away!”

“Crybaby, nah-nah!”

Seeing Jaina’s cute teasing while she fled, Kang Chan wasn’t really angry but pretended to be furious.

“Just wait till I catch you!”

Just as Kang Chan was about to run after Jaina with all his might, someone suddenly appeared and blocked his way.

“You?”

“Are you still doing such childish things?”

The person blocking Kang Chan was none other than Keremion.

“What did you say?”

Although Kang Chan’s anger flared at Keremion’s mocking tone, he held it back since Keremion was the Master’s favored disciple and his senior.

“Why don’t you mind your own business and just say what you need to say?”

Keremion’s eyebrow twitched at the human’s defiant attitude.

“I came to tell you to stop meddling and stay in the village, continuing with your childish antics.”

“What?”

Kang Chan’s expression soured as if he had bitten a bitter herb.

“I’m telling you not to interfere in Elves’ matters, human!”

Keremion’s shout slowly turned Kang Chan’s sour expression into a twisted smile.

“Why do you care so much about others’ business? And just to set the record straight, I’m willing to risk my life in battle for the Elves, so what’s your problem with that?”

“You’ll just be a hindrance to us Elves with your pathetic skills.”

“I beat you, didn’t I? I’d probably be more helpful than you.”

At Kang Chan’s taunting words, a murderous intent emanated from Keremion’s entire being.

“Bragging about how you caught me off guard a year ago? Fine! If you’re so confident, face my blade again. This time, I’ll show you everything I’ve got.”

“So you weren’t serious back then? In that case, I’ll be serious this time too.”

“What did you say?” Keremion glared with murderous intent.

However, Kang Chan brushed off his glare with ease.

“I’ll make you deeply regret accepting this duel.”

“We’ll see about that.”

As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Jaina, who had returned, interjected between the two and tried to dissuade Kang Chan.

“Wait a minute! Sir, you can’t fight him!”

“Why, Jaina?”

“Sir, you can’t fight Keremion! He has just passed the intermediate exam for Sword Expert, mastering the Aura Sword.”

Jaina spoke cautiously, glancing at Keremion, who then glared at her.

“Be quiet and get lost, will you?”

Keremion’s cold tone and fierce gaze made Jaina shrink back in fear, and Kang Chan’s eyes grew even sharper as he observed this.

“A man bullying a woman, aren’t you ashamed?”

“And you, hiding behind a woman and making noise, do you think you have the right to talk like that, human?”

“I know why you hate me, or rather, why you hate humans, from what Lord Elradian told me. But this isn’t the time to use me as an excuse, is it?”

When Kang Chan mentioned knowing his story, Keremion’s face showed surprise, but then he changed his expression and sneered at Kang Chan.

“For someone who knows, you’re awfully talkative. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

“Of course not. I’m different from those guys. While I understand your feelings, hating all humans for that reason alone isn’t right.”

“Don’t make me laugh! You’re all the same! Humans are all despicable and disgusting!”

“….”

Feeling the deep-seated resentment in Keremion’s heart, Kang Chan realized that further conversation was futile.

“I didn’t realize you were such a narrow-minded fool. It seems we can’t settle this with words. Follow me! Let’s have a conversation with our swords, just as you wish.”

“That’s music to my ears.”