Future Knight

Chapter 60

“Where is Master right now?”

“He is in the room.”

“Understood, Erika.”

“Yes, then please continue your meal. I will take my leave now.”

As Erika blushed and left the room, Zikyon, who had been watching her, spoke with a nonchalant expression.

“Ugh, with an elder here, how dare she tell someone to come and go?”

“Don’t do that. She is my master.”

“Alright, eat and then go. Don’t go on an empty stomach.”

“Okay, got it. You eat a lot too.”

Kang Chan, smiling brightly at Zikyon who worried about him, picked up his fork and began eating again.

While Kang Chan and Zikyon were enjoying a cozy meal prepared with great care by the Dwarf chef.

The frontline soldiers, who were confronting the Green Elves, were also having a late lunch.

“Ah! Damn it, again? Do they expect us to eat this?”

The food given to the shabby-looking infantry was nothing more than a thin cabbage soup and a rock-hard rye bread.

“Hey, Fibro. At least we have something to eat. Just bear with it and eat…”

“Look! Brunnen! Even so, we’re risking our lives fighting every day, and the difference between what we eat and what the regular soldiers eat is like heaven and earth! We’re not pigs or dogs, this is really too much!”

“Are they the same as us conscripted serfs? To them, we are just expendable. If you start comparing, you’ll only give yourself a headache. Just eat what you’re given.”

“Ah, this is driving me crazy! Living like this, eating stuff even dogs wouldn’t eat, for a year now… I’m sick of it! Sick of it!”

“Ha! Isn’t it a miracle that you’re still alive? They say it’s better to roll in dog poop and live in this world.”

It was a miracle they had survived for a year on this hellish frontline.

As serf soldiers, they were always the first to be sent to the most dangerous places, and most didn’t survive more than six months.

Yet, the two of them had endured for a full year, earning the status of veteran serf soldiers.

“By the way, did you hear the rumor that the Elf Forest was destroyed by a Green Elf ambush?”

“Yeah, I heard it yesterday. Damn it! I thought once they joined, this damned war would end quickly and we could go home…”

“But the good news is that the Green Elves seem to have taken quite a hit. The bastards who used to attack us almost daily have been quiet lately.”

A fellow serf soldier, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, joined in.

“Also, I’ve heard that a lot of reinforcements from the eastern kingdoms have arrived. Did you hear about that?”

“Ah! That story? The eastern bastards who were desperate to avoid sending reinforcements? Now they finally send some. Let’s see how they handle it. Spit!”

“Hehe, by the way, this rye bread is particularly hard today.”

“My teeth can’t even get through it. Damn… Is this bread or a rock? It’s so bad. We could probably use it to bash in the heads of those Green Elf bastards.”

“Yes! It’s an excellent weapon. Hehehe.”

“Hehehe…”

Today too, they complained about the food, diligently soaking the rock-hard rye bread in the thin cabbage soup.

* * *

“Master, did you call for me?”

“Yes, come and sit down.”

“Yes, Master.”

As Elradian poured Kang Chan a cup of tea, he sipped his own and began to speak.

“Will you leave?”

Kang Chan nodded at Elradian, who had already seen through his thoughts.

“Yes, I want to avenge Jaina.”

Master Elradian nodded, understanding Kang Chan’s feelings.

“I see… You have no choice.”

“I will do whatever it takes to avenge Jaina.”

“Yes, I understand. I feel the same way. For the revenge of my deceased family, compatriots, and students, I too want to do anything. But now, I have the enormous duty of rebuilding our tribe. So, I cannot leave this place with you.”

“Master…”

Kang Chan calmed his anger at Elradian’s solemn voice.

He knew very well that Elradian was suffering more than anyone.

Elradian took out an item wrapped in cloth and handed it to Kang Chan.

“I have prepared this for you. Take it.”

“What is this?”

“Unwrap it.”

Carefully receiving the item from Elradian, Kang Chan unwrapped the cloth.

Inside, there were two stunningly beautiful daggers.

“This, what is this?”

“This is a token of your graduation, given by me, your master.”

“Huh? A token of graduation?”

“From ancient times, our esteemed Elven martial arts house has given this token of graduation to disciples recognized by the master.”

“So that means…”

“Yes, I, your master, have acknowledged you, so I am giving this to you.”

“Oh…”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Kang Chan drew the dagger and gasped once again.

The blade of the dagger was extremely sharp, radiating a beautiful, snow-like shine just like his master’s Shining Flare.

“The blade is made of mithril. The mithril was obtained from nature and refined using our Elven tribe’s unique method, resulting in very high purity. That’s why it shines even more beautifully. The blade itself was crafted by Cracksion, the greatest artisan among the Dwarves. How is it? Do you like it?”

Entranced by the dagger, Kang Chan barely managed to speak.

“It’s so beautiful, master. Do I really deserve something like this…?”

“You are more than worthy to receive it. Come here.”

When Elradian opened his arms, Kang Chan hesitated for a moment due to his perfectionism before embracing his master.

“Thank you. For saving my life, as well as the lives of the villagers and Lady Arteon.”

Moved by Elradian’s heartfelt gratitude, Kang Chan found himself able to smile in his master’s embrace without any reluctance.

“Don’t say that. I am the one who is grateful. Master, you saved my life.”

“You rascal…”

After sharing such sentiments for a while, Elradian spoke to Kang Chan.

“The reason I called you today was to give you this sword, as you have now achieved the rank of Sword Master.”

“Thank you, master.”

“And there is one thing I must ask of you.”

“Please, tell me, master.”

Kang Chan listened attentively to Elradian’s words.

“When driven by vengeance, you may find yourself capable of anything, but there is one thing you must never forget.”

“What is that?”

“Never forget that you are human.”

Kang Chan etched his master’s profound words into his heart.

“I will remember, master.”

“And there is something I’ve been keeping from you…”

“What is it…?”

“Do you remember those black Gigantes we fought?”

“Yes, master.”

Those terrifying black Gigantes that used the Aura Blade. No matter how much he tried, he could never forget them.

“The owner of those Gigantes is named Nemitz. He was a long-time friend of mine.”

A friend with a Dark Elf? Kang Chan asked in disbelief at Elradian’s words.

“As far as I know, Elves and Dark Elves have a very bad relationship. How did you two…?”

“He was originally an Elf like me. When we used to hang out together, he was very brave, righteous, and kind-hearted…”

“How did such a person become a Dark Elf?”

“It was his kindness that caused it.”

Elradian hastily drank his tea and smacked his lips.

“I tried to stop, but tea just doesn’t cut it in moments like this. Disciple.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s have a drink.”

“What, what?”

Still suffering from a hangover, Kang Chan’s face darkened immediately at Elradian’s suggestion to have a drink.

“Today is also your graduation, so let me treat you to a drink. There’s a beer house I know well. Though I haven’t been there in a while, I hope it’s still around.”

“…”

His words gave Kang Chan a sense of déjà vu.

Feeling very uneasy, Kang Chan asked for confirmation.

“Master, is that beer house called ‘Chelsea’s Beer House’ by any chance?”

“Oh? How do you know about it? Yes! That’s my favorite place. Have you been there?”

How could he ever forget?

The name was so simple that it was unforgettable.

‘Ugh… my hangover is coming back.’

Just the thought of it made the beer from yesterday threaten to come back up.

No matter how delicious something is, too much of it becomes tiresome.

But what could he do?

It was his master’s first invitation to drink.

Refusing was not an option.

“Oh, it’s such a famous place that I heard about it countless times while staying here.”

“Really? Then that means it’s still there. How about it? Shall we have a drink together?”

“Yes, master.”

“Then let’s go.”

Thus, Kang Chan unintentionally committed the folly of curing a hangover with more alcohol.

It was akin to killing his liver and stomach twice over, a very cruel act.

### Chapter 19: Resolve

Chelsea’s eyes widened in astonishment.

The man who had drunk 30,000cc of beer the previous night and had to be carried out by a woman had come again in the early evening, asking to drink once more.

Even among the Dwarves, known for their drinking prowess, none drank as much beer as he did.

Thanks to him, she had received an excessively large tip the previous night, but she still couldn’t shake off a feeling of unease.

Elradian, who had been watching her, cautiously spoke.

“By any chance, are you that little Chelsea from back then?”

“Who, who are you?”

Chelsea tilted her head, puzzled at the elf suddenly calling her a little girl.

Then she opened her mouth and screamed.

“Ahhh! No way? Elradian oppa?”

Her loud voice drew the attention of every dwarf in the tavern.

“How long has it been? About fifty years?”

Chelsea jumped out from behind the counter and hugged Elradian. He opened his arms wide and lifted her up.

“Wow! The little girl has grown so much! I can’t give you a shoulder ride anymore.”

“Geez, oppa! What little girl? And talking about fifty years ago!”

“Yes… Time has really flown by. How is your mother?”

When Elradian mentioned her mother, Chelsea’s face quickly darkened.

“Mother passed away five years ago. So, I took over the shop after her.”

“I’m sorry to hear that Carla has passed away…”

“It’s okay now, it’s the way of the world. Anyway, the taste is just the same, so eat and drink as much as you want today.”

Behind Chelsea, who was smiling bravely, Bruno, who was soothing his throat with beer after a hard day’s work as usual, added a comment while gulping down his beer.

“Is it only the same? It’s much better! Isn’t that right, everyone?”

“Oh, absolutely! Chelsea’s beer is the best among the Dwarves.”

“I can’t live without this beer!”

“Hahahahaha!”

As all the Dwarves in the tavern praised Chelsea’s beer, her face turned red.

“Geez! You sly foxes, I can see right through you. Whatever! I’m in a good mood! Today, the beer is on the house. Drink as much as you want!”

“Re-really?!”

“Yay!”

“Alright! Let’s get plastered tonight! Hahaha!”

The tavern erupted in cheers from the drunkards, and even the passing Dwarves, drawn by the noise, came in, took seats, and started drinking beer.

“Oppa! Come sit over here. It’s on me today, so drink as much as you like.”

“Will it be alright? Everyone seems determined to drink every single drop of beer you have in the shop.”

The Dwarves were pouring beer down their throats at an incredible speed, inspired by the promise of free beer.

Worried by their pace, Elradian asked Chelsea with concern, and she shrugged her shoulders lightly.

“Well, if not on a day like today, when else will I have the chance to treat those idiots like this?”

“Thank you for the treat, Chelsea. Hehehe!”

“Thanks for the drink, hehehe!”

“Drink moderately! If you enjoy free beer too much, you’ll lose more hair!”

“Whoops! That’s bad!”

“Hahahahaha!”

“By the way, what’s your relationship with the young man next to you?”