Future Knight

Chapter 64

“Just thinking about how much I pounded that hammer to make this thing in my youth makes my blood boil! Absolutely boil!”

Unaware of the dwarves’ feelings inside the workshop, Kang Chan continued walking diligently, step by step.

However, the dwarf elder, who wasn’t secured in the cockpit, was swaying violently.

“Whoa! Be careful!”

After exiting the massive war factory’s entrance, which was built to allow the Gigantes to pass through, Kang Chan headed towards the wide open field, the Gigantes’ mobility test site.

“How are you able to handle the Gigantes so skillfully? Have you piloted one before?”

『I’ve never piloted a Gigantes before. It just seems somewhat similar to operating Zaid.』

“Is that so? Does the Gigantes in your world also operate through mental synchronization?”

『Yes, it does.』

When you think about it, the difference was merely between mana and electrical signals.

Connecting his synchro with Zaid’s computer could be considered a form of mental synchronization.

『What should I do now?』

“Well, first try running slowly around the field.”

Following the dwarf elder’s instructions, Kang Chan began to run slowly around the vast open space.

As Kang Chan gradually increased his speed, the ground around the field started to tremble as if there was an earthquake, and the body of the dwarf elder, who was riding along, began to shake violently.

“Whoa! Hold on! Run slowly!”

『…….』

Feeling disappointed for not being able to run freely yet, Kang Chan reluctantly slowed down. The dwarf elder, finally able to catch his breath, shuddered as he spoke.

“Th-that’s enough! This is sufficient!”

『Is it sufficient?』

“Whew, yes, it’s sufficient. Now, could you let me down?”

Kang Chan extended his hand from the shoulder section to receive the dwarf elder and set him down on the ground.

The dwarf elder shuddered.

“If I ever ride in another person’s Gigantes again, I’m not a dwarf…”

A running Gigantes shook so violently that one couldn’t maintain balance unless firmly secured in the cockpit.

“Alright! Then that Gigantes is now yours! Use it well and return it when you’re done.”

『Thank you.』

“You can dismount now.”

After dismounting from the Gigantes, Kang Chan transported the Gigantes to another space.

The only ones who could store and retrieve the Gigantes from a subspace were the covenantors who had made a covenant with the golems.

“Remember, you can only summon the Gigantes from the subspace once a day.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

As promised with Cracksion, Kang Chan took possession of the Gigantes, returned to his quarters, had a belated lunch, and lay down on the bed to think deeply.

He still had a long way to go for his revenge.

“Sigh…”

To steady his increasingly complex emotions, Kang Chan attempted to practice mana cultivation.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Who is it?”

“It’s Jaizen.”

Jaizen, who was supposed to leave for Bellaren today, had come to see him.

When Kang Chan opened the door, Jaizen, prepared for a long journey, was standing there.

“What’s the matter?”

“I came to greet you on behalf of the princess before departing. And also, this…”

Jaizen took something out from his chest and handed it to Kang Chan.

“What’s this?”

“The princess asked me to give this to you.”

What Jaizen handed over was a comb.

It was an extremely delicate and beautiful comb.

“Why give this to me?”

“The princess only said to convey it as a token of gratitude.”

“I appreciate the gesture, but I don’t need a comb.”

Kang Chan’s hair was too short to need a comb.

It was the typical hair of a soldier.

“This comb isn’t given for such a purpose.”

“Then for what?”

“This comb is a royal item, bearing the royal family’s seal. When you come to Bellaren, show this comb at the royal palace, and you will be able to meet the princess.”

In other words, it meant that he should find her when he came to Bellaren.

“Is this an invitation to the royal palace?”

“Yes, it is.”

Though he couldn’t promise he would go, seeing the princess’s sincerity in giving the gift, Kang Chan promised that if he ever went to Bellaren, he would definitely visit.

“I understand. If I visit Bellaren, I will make sure to find her.”

“I will convey that to the princess. And also…”

“?”

Jaizen seemed to have more to say as he glared at Kang Chan.

His eyes were filled with hostility, just like when they first met in the Elf’s Forest.

“The princess may have a rough and immature personality, but she is more innocent and tender-hearted than any other woman.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“If you have no intention of pursuing something with the princess, I hope you will not approach her any further. Well then… I shall take my leave.”

Jaizen placed his right hand on his chest and bowed slightly, making a farewell gesture, and hurriedly returned to where the princess was.

“……”

Kang Chan pondered the words of the young knight, who had said his piece and then disappeared, with a bitter smile.

“Well… I’m sorry about that.”

To him, there was only Jaina. The fact that Edelene had taken a liking to him only made him feel apologetic.

There was no room in his heart for anyone else to enter.

Looking at Edelene’s comb, Kang Chan thought of Jaina.

If he had given this beautiful comb to Jaina, how happy she would have been.

But just the thought brought a deep sadness, and Kang Chan felt like he was about to collapse under the weight of that sorrow again.

‘No! I can’t weaken… My revenge hasn’t even begun yet.’

Forcing himself to pull together, Kang Chan sat back on the bed and began practicing mana cultivation.

When feeling as downcast and gloomy as this, mana cultivation, which refreshed both body and mind, was the best remedy.

Kang Chan slowly drew in mana and started rotating it through his mana lines.

As the surrounding mana was drawn into the flow, it swirled and was pulled into Kang Chan’s mana hall.

These manas then surged up through Kang Chan’s mana lines and rose above his head.

Repeating this several times, as the manas accelerated and reached their peak, a multicolored flower bud bloomed above Kang Chan’s head, creating a mystical scene.

Just then, Zikyon, who had returned from a walk, saw Kang Chan and was startled.

“Hmm? What’s that?”

Even Zikyon, who had lived for thousands of years, had never seen someone practicing mana cultivation after reaching the rank of Sword Master.

No wonder, as there were fewer than ten Sword Masters across all species on the vast continent.

Moreover, when deeply immersed in mana cultivation, one became extremely vulnerable, so it wasn’t something done just anywhere.

Especially not in front of a dragon, no matter how daring one might be…

‘I’ve been wondering about the abnormal increase in his mana lately. Is this what it looks like to reach the Sword Master level?’

Watching Kang Chan’s mana cultivation in awe, Zikyon was filled with a sense of wonder.

To a dragon, a species extremely sensitive to mana, watching a knight handle mana was both unique and beautiful.

The sight of vibrant mana radiating powerfully throughout his body, forming a flower-like shape, was dynamic and artistic.

No wizard could ever achieve such a thing.

This was because the way knights handled mana and the way wizards handled mana were fundamentally different.

Magic involved moving mana outside the body, combining or maximizing it based on its inherent properties.

However, knights took mana into their bodies, harnessing the power that arose when each cell responded to the mana.

Zikyon quietly leaned back in her chair and observed Kang Chan.

She felt a tremendous curiosity about a method of using mana that was completely different from what she knew.

As someone who had mastered magic, Zikyon gained many insights while watching Kang Chan’s mana cultivation, even for a brief moment.

“Whew…”

With a deep breath, Kang Chan opened his eyes, which sparkled with a bright light.

As the light gradually faded, Kang Chan noticed Zikyon sitting in front of him.

“When did you get here?”

“A little while ago.”

“Sorry, I didn’t realize you came in while I was doing mana cultivation.”

“It’s fine. I got to see something interesting. By the way, when did you become a Sword Master?”

“I’m not exactly sure, but it seems to have happened since that night.”

Zikyon was slightly surprised at how nonchalantly Kang Chan spoke about entering a path that fewer than ten people on the continent had achieved.

She, having experienced the human world countless times, was well aware of the tremendous power enjoyed by Sword Masters.

But no matter how she looked, the human before her had no desire for power or wealth.

This was something Zikyon found quite appealing.

“Anyway, congratulations. At least now you won’t go hungry anywhere?”

Kang Chan smiled wryly at Zikyon’s joking remark and began to pack his belongings.

“Why are you packing already?”

“I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Why don’t you stay a bit longer?”

“I can’t afford to waste any more time here.”

“But still…”

Zikyon couldn’t hide her disappointment.

She wanted to spend more time with Kang Chan here, drinking and shopping.

This place was full of rare and exquisite items made by the dwarves.

In the human world, such jewelry would be priceless.

Of course, Zikyon never paid the dwarves for these items.

As a result, Zikyon, adorned with dazzling jewelry that complemented her already stunning appearance, looked indescribably beautiful.

However, Kang Chan’s gaze, as he looked at her, was filled with sadness.

“You don’t have to push yourself to follow me. This is a very personal matter.”

Zikyon flared up at Kang Chan’s words, telling her not to follow him.

“Push myself? I’m going for my friend, of course! Alright! Let’s leave tomorrow then!”

Zikyon hurriedly began packing her own things.

The numerous pieces of jewelry she had gathered over two days in the Mine Kingdom spilled out everywhere.

Her frantic sweeping of these items made her look like a robber.

To have collected so much jewelry in just two days… Zikyon, after all, couldn’t help but reveal her dragon habits.

Watching her lively actions, Kang Chan smiled faintly.

In truth, it might have been him who wanted Zikyon by his side.

Since Jaina’s death, the only people Kang Chan could truly rely on were his master, Elradian, and Zikyon.

“Thank you, my friend.”

“What’s with the sudden gratitude? There’s nothing to thank between friends.”

Zikyon stood on tiptoe and put Kang Chan, who was a head taller, in a headlock.

As a result, Kang Chan’s face pressed against Zikyon’s ample chest, and he struggled to escape, his face turning bright red.

“Hey, let go! Aren’t you going to let go?”

“Where do you think you’re going!”

Zikyon’s strength was beyond human limits, so Kang Chan couldn’t easily escape. Of course, it wasn’t impossible for him to get free.

However, Kang Chan didn’t forcefully break free from Zikyon’s headlock, unintentionally so.

Men are just like that…

The next day, at dawn, Kang Chan headed to the battlefield, receiving farewells from Arteon, Elradian, and Cracksion.

“Have a safe trip.”

“I will, Master.”

Elradian tightly gripped Kang Chan’s shoulder as he spoke.

“Don’t die. Please…”

“Yes, Master.”

Kang Chan and Elradian shared a heartfelt farewell hug.

“Lady Arteon, thank you for taking care of me.”

“Kang Chan, we elves will follow the dwarves soon. Don’t talk as if we won’t see each other again.”

“I understand.”

“See you on the battlefield soon, my human friend.”

When Cracksion extended his rough, firm hand, Kang Chan grasped it firmly, and they patted each other’s shoulders.

After exchanging farewells with Cracksion, Kang Chan turned to Zikyon, who was standing behind him, and spoke politely.

“Do visit us again, great one.”

As Cracksion bowed and uttered words he didn’t mean, Zikyon responded with a sly smile.

“Alright. I will definitely return.”

When Zikyon emphasized the word ‘definitely,’ Cracksion’s face stiffened like stone.

“Y-yes, great one…”

At that moment, he was calculating the value of the jewelry Zikyon had taken, an amount so large it brought tears to his eyes.

And yet, she said she would definitely return… Cracksion’s legs trembled at the thought of the dragon’s insatiable greed.

Having shared heartfelt farewells with everyone, Kang Chan left behind the well-wishers and embarked on his journey of revenge with Zikyon.