The Genius Blacksmith's Game
preparation
The knights of the Parian Empire, numbering over a thousand, met their deaths.
Shhhhhhh-
The knights who had rushed to kill the women and the elderly scattered, and the knights who had become madmen in the name of 'greed' and swung their swords scattered.
Pretending to be a loyal knight in front of Jas.
The knights who had upheld knightly discipline more splendidly than anyone else all scattered like that.
“You bastards. They look good. You want to slaughter that tree because you want it, yaaaah!”
A young man from the village gathered up some phlegm, spat it onto the pile of ashes, and then moved to help support the elderly.
“I, I’m alive……!”
“The Knights of the Pharion Empire are truly wicked bastards…….”
We were all pretty much caught red-handed and nearly died.
"You're safe!"
The villagers were relieved, and Jas silently accepted the contempt they felt toward the knights of the Pharion Empire they were sending.
Inauguration ceremony for the new knight.
The number one knight of the Heart of Parion attends this inauguration ceremony for new knights, which is held once every three months.
When the number one ranked knight said a number, the knights placed one hand on their chests and shouted it out at the top of their lungs.
'one.'
"I do not raise my hand toward the weak and the dark!"
'two.'
I uphold conscience before orders!
'three.'
I do not make excuses for defeat.
'… … .'
Five. Do not forsake honor for victory.
It was an unforgettable moment.
On a fine day, hundreds of new knights swore an oath while reciting the Knights' Code.
Protect the weak, and wield your sword only against the strong.
I will not give up being a knight even at the last moment.
In that moment, Jas also made a clear resolution.
But what on earth is this?
Their greedy expressions, the way they seemed unconcerned about killing as many people as possible to climb up.
There was no such thing as the chivalry he wanted.
"How could you, a knight, try to kill them? How could you, a knight, try to kill the weak over that single tree!"
Despairing Zas shouted.
However, the dead would never listen.
Jas saw the look of contempt directed at him.
This is where Jas was born and raised.
The villagers raised Jas, who was an orphan.
Even though Zas tried to protect them, the very fact that he was a Knight of Parion was bound to have a negative image.
It's all over. Haha.
Jas laughed hollowly.
Everyone was dead, and it was clear that he, too, would die if he returned to Parion.
A man walking toward Jas, who was giving a hollow laugh, caught my eye.
He has an appearance reminiscent of a commander from a certain place.
Short hair, long, large eyes, ornate armor, a cloak with a crow design on the back, and a huge sword.
'no way?'
Jas also knew the appearance of Hyun-su, the leader of the country of Hyun, which was currently at war.
Kun saluted the conjoined trees, turned around, and walked toward the tree.
“Kun, the former Knight of Gronit, will now protect this village for the rest of his life. Even upon hearing the rumor that the Farian Empire’s forces have been repelled, no one in this village will attempt to cut down that tree.”
Th-thank you.
“I was thinking I might have to leave the village, but who are you?”
I am Hyunsu, the King of the Kingdom of Hyun.
“……So you were the Blacksmith King of the rumors.”
“Waaah!”
Cheers erupted.
Amidst the cheers of the villagers, Jas could tell that it was Hyunsu who had sent that knight, Kun, here.
In reality, as the King of Hyun's country, Hyun-su effectively eliminated a thousand knights of the Parion Empire without lifting a finger, despite being in a hostile relationship with Parion.
Jas put down his sword.
Tang-
He is the only one left among the Farian Empire forces.
He intends to humbly accept having his head cut off.
However, Hyun-su had no intention of beheading Jas.
“Will you come with me to the Land of Hyun?”
“……Is it pity?”
Jas wore a humiliated expression.
As if saying they would rather die than endure such pity.
Hyunsu shook his head.
“It is not that I hold your convictions in high regard. I have knights who share the same beliefs as you, too. Luxio is a prime example.”
“…….”
Luxio.
He was the commander of an enemy nation, but he is the one whom Jas admires.
Because he, who upholds the most perfect chivalry, is the idol of all knights.
“At the very least, the Kingdom of Hyun won’t raise its sword against the weak, just as you said. Even now, we only raise our swords against Parion, so come to our Kingdom of Hyun. If you want to leave, leave whenever you want. Isn’t that better than going back and dying?”
Hyunsu reached out his hand.
This is the first time I have seen a king or emperor extending a hand.
Hyunsu's words were entirely true.
“If you show me chivalry, I will become a king worthy of you. I promise.”
In fact, Jas could not believe anything.
But there was no choice.
It is only a matter of dying, or going to the country of the prefecture to learn what the true discipline of a knight is.
Jas clasped his hand.
I will go with you.
Welcome.
Jas didn't know until this point.
That the choice he made at the boundary between life and death would awaken him to the true life of a 'knight'.
***
The whole world is in a frenzy of excitement for the Dragon Raid, which is just a week away.
The whole world is watching to see what new artifacts will appear this time, and with whom the strongest users will form teams.
A large-scale event triggered by Purum Co., Ltd. from time to time.
It is a festival that users all over the world can enjoy.
Just as the Rule Cup, which led the world in the past, sent shivers down its spines watching Korea's Faker.
Many people were watching to see who would become such a hero this time.
Just because you are Bahala does not mean you are the strongest. This is because the field of boss monster hunting and being the supreme being are distinctly different.
Everyone knows that just because someone is the strongest doesn't mean they are good at everything.
It is said that as many as 30,000 people volunteered for the Team Sword Gathering led by Sword Emperor Pond.
It is truly amazing that 30,000 high-level users applied.
The Sword Gathering has declared that this time, they will not be with Poison King Liu or Dragon Moon, who have always been with Pond.
That's a bit of a surprising story.
so.
This raid is not restricted by country.
Each person forms their own new team in their own way.
“Why on earth are you refusing to come to the Gathering of Swords? Haven't we been working together as a team all this time? I even promised to provide full support.”
Liu said at Pond's words.
“Were we ever colleagues? You were the king and we were his subjects. I didn't want to be on your team from the start. But they say I don't have to feel that way this time.”
“You damn bastard!”
“Shall we give it a try?”
“Both of you, calm down. Pond, Liu and I just want to form a team among ourselves this time, not with you. What you said was just the explosion of pent-up frustration.”
Pond was silent.
Liu and Yongwol's expressions were firm.
“……I understand. And I’m sorry. If you felt that way.”
Liu and Yongwol were surprised by Pond's apology.
Pond, the Emperor of Swords.
It was unexpected that Ranker, who had always been arrogant with Emperor Volond on his back, apologized.
Pond reflected on the past events.
Liu's words just now became the trigger.
So Liu said.
“……I hate you. But still, Team Sword’s Gathering…… No, seriously, what’s with this name?”
“I hope the Gathering of Swords achieves results even without us. I mean it. And I also apologize for what I just said.”
Pond, Liu, and Yongwol smiled subtly.
Unbeknownst to me, they grew in character.
It just so happened that all three of them thought of the same person at that moment.
Good luck.
"Okay. I'll be rooting for you."
Pond, Liu, and Yongwol parted ways.
Liu and Yongwol met a new person.
He was 180cm tall and, unlike the worldview of Ares, was wearing a coat and had a dagger at his waist.
There is a saying about a ranker above a ranker.
It refers to users who stand higher than the ranked players, and there are fewer than ten of them worldwide.
One of them.
“Tyrant Cavel…….”
“I couldn’t believe it when I received the call, and I still can’t believe it. What is the reason? I mean, why aren’t you teaming up with Hyun-soo or Bahala?”
Kavel received a message from Hyunsu and Bahala.
It was a message that the two people were making a team and a lantern.
However, Cavell did not agree.
Because I, too, want to stand higher than them.
They are friends, but they are opponents to be defeated.
Also, seeing that the two had already formed a team, Cavell instinctively felt that their team would be different from his own.
He will form a team with the combination that is most necessary for him.
“Liu, you are likely the only one who has the way to awaken the Divine Beast Hydra.”
Poison King Liu's power originates from the Hydra.
However, just because you can meet doesn't mean you can.
“I know the way to the Tomb of the Hydra. To go that path, I need your power, Yongwol. Also… I need her, too.”
She?
Everyone turned their heads.
Another high-ranker appeared there.
People these days call her the 'Wizard of Change'.
He was Gremory's representative, and then…
He was Dantalion's agent, and then…
Since I have become the Commander King.
“Vera…….”
Hello everyone~
Vera does not get along well with Cavell.
To be exact, Vera has no choice but to be afraid of Cavell.
It was he who inflicted upon her a humiliation that would never be repeated.
The fact that she joined that team this time meant that she, too, wanted to make a name for herself in the raid.
Four people already.
An unbelievable team has been formed.
Tyrant Cavell.
Poison King Liu.
Assassin Yongwol.
Commander Vera.
We recruit Hydra.
“……!”
Everyone looked surprised, but soon thought that it might not be entirely impossible.
Kabel now knew how to get to the Hydra's Tomb.
It is thanks to the title 'Dungeon Slayer'.
Also, it might have been possible if these four people were together.
“Captain, so what’s our team name?”
Vera smiled with alluring eyes and asked.
You guys decide that amongst yourselves.
Cavell turned around, and those chasing him spent 30 minutes naming things among themselves.
Soon, a team was added to the Dragon Raid team roster.
[Team Heukya (Black Night) is registered for the Dragon Raid.]
In this way, the Gathering of Swords and the Black Night were also advancing toward the raid in their own ways.
And the land of the strings, the blacksmith.
“Shall we begin crafting the Dragon Slayer Sword?”
The team and lanterns that would illuminate the world were also preparing for the raid in their own way.
