Chapter 12 - Royal Smoke and Mirrors

Soldiers were lined up in rows marching on the flat path, “It’s too damn hot with all this equipment!” One of them complained about the amount of items required to be carried in case camping in the wilderness was necessary.

“Better keep quiet. The Prince could easily hang you for such words,” a fellow soldier warned the one complaining.

Amidst the banter among the troops, Krist had sensed a group of goblins a while ago and waited for them to get closer, “Platoon, halt!”

“What is it, Knight Krist?” Morcok questioned.

“Goblins incoming! Prepare for defensive measures!” Krist immediately yelled out the order and the soldiers acquiesced. The Medical Sage had a reputation that preceded him and no one dared to challenge the savior of the disease, Ice Demon.

“Prepare to charge!” Krist saw that the soldiers were adept at defensive measures by forming a line, therefore, it was expedient to take care of the vermin.

Equipped with their service weapon, an iron spear, the soldiers made use of the long-range combat, “KYAAK!” The green blood of the Goblins stained the earth. Although weak individually, they become dangerous when in large groups.

“YAARGH!” The soldiers continued to thrust their iron spears as the Goblins held crude weapons and could not defend themselves against the trained soldiers of Lukedonia and Carceron.

At a moment's notice, the Goblins were easily slaughtered, “How in the hell did those monsters appear in our territory?”

The three big cities in the Carceron Kingdom, Lowgarden, Highgarden, and Greenlot act like a triangular defensive system in which the zone is constantly monitored by Barons and Knights preventing monsters and brigands from entering.

You’re timing is impeccable, Raiden. The plan to assassinate Prince Emeric would have been successful, that is, if I was not present.

After marching a few miles away, Krist had planned to set traps around the area, “We’ll make a stop here. Rest and recoup!”

Steering away from the platoon, Krist took the bag filled with wire traps sent by Ragar, “Woof!”

“You’ve been hunting, haven’t you, Carbuncle?” The side of the Demonic Direwolf's mouth was bloody.

He should be of the age where his hunting instincts kick in. An apex predator should think as such. Anyway, the wire traps are all set.

Returning to the platoon, Morcok noticed, “You’re back Commander!”

“I scouted the area if any goblins were prowling the territory. We can not allow any mistakes when meeting Prince Emeric,” Krist had a convincing answer to his whereabouts. “Platoon, roll out!”

The sun was getting close to setting and another group of goblins appeared before the platoon, “Vermin.” Such monsters were easily culled.

“Commander, we won’t be able to make it to Lowgarden at this rate!” Morcok complained.

“Indeed. Make camp for the night. We’ll continue the march in the morning. That’ll be all, dismissed!” Krist set the order and the rest acquiesced. “Roger!”

***

The first sliver of light had covered the world and the platoon was ready before dawn, “Foward march!” Krist led with a valiant tone.

It did not take long for the platoon to arrive at Lowgarden since they’d covered a lot of land, “You must be Knight Krist. We’ve heard a lot about you, but, why have the escort guards arrived late?”

Krist shook the hand of the gatekeeper, “We were ambushed by groups of goblins on several occasions making us late to the appointment.”

“Goblins this close to our territory?” The gatekeeper asked.

“They were most likely chased out of their habitats, though, there wasn’t a lot of them,” Krist replied. “Has the Prince been waiting long?”

“The Carceron Prince has yet to arrive. Ah! Speak of the devil.”

Prince Emeric had arrived in a fancy carriage, “Make way! The Prince of Carceron enters!”

Krist bowed as is the formal procedure when receiving outside Royalty, “Knight Krist reports. Following the Lord Emir’s imperial decree, I am in charge of your protection.”

Step. Step. “Please rise.”

Your voice is not as aggressive as it was in the past. Knight Krist saw that Prince Emeric was wearing a smile.

He is Carceron’s Crown Prince, Emeric Fitzroy-Grey. Since the founding of the Carceron Kingdom, the Grey Royal Family were originally Treasure Hunters discovering Artifacts that enabled them to build the Kingdom into what it is today. Although not in league with most large countries, the Carceron Kingdom is borderline on the level of a medium-sized nation militarily.

Why does it seem that you’re more lenient, Emeric? “I have heard much of your exploits, Medical Sage. Truly, to be so young, I hope the younger generations learn from your example.” The Crown Prince is nearing his early twenties and is about to ascend the throne in the future. “Now, enough dilly-dallying. Let us depart!”

Emeric, they would not know that you have two faces. Still, for you to have the air of nobility around you, just how different are you in this life?

The Crown Prince entered the royal carriage and the Sergeant Major introduced himself to Knight Krist, “I am Lowgard’s Sergeant Major, Nelson Hughes.”

“The honor is all mine,” Krist showed his manners.

“Let us make haste. All preparations were completed before entering Lowgarden,” Major Hughes was trying to sound convincing.

Of course, you guys made “preparations.” Kuku. Little do you know that your plans will come to naught.

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“To Greenlot! Forward march!” Krist gave the order and the band moved thereafter.

The platoon had marched and marched for some time and the soldiers began to banter. Banter. Banter. Banter. Little did they know, assassins clothed in black were hiding amidst the bushes and shrubs.

?

Before their primal instincts kicked in sensing the bloodlust, the assassins had preemptively made the first attack and sliced the heads of several soldiers, “Ambush! Ambush!”

Kuku. The call to battle enthralls me. Internally, Krist was looking forward to fighting, “Commander, enemies are approaching!”

“Vanguard hold the line! Guards at the rear protect the Prince’s carriage!” I’ll be limiting my power on the precipice of the Peak Realm. There was a precise reason why Krist had to lower his power.

“KUAHH!” The assassin was pierced with an iron spear. Krist was killing off the assassins with Martial Arts and without the need for Aura.

“Don’t die on me Morcok!”

“I’ll look after myself thank you!” Not wanting to be a burden, the young Noble carried his weight and fended against the enemies.

Major Hughes looks to be in trouble. I’ll play my part and cull most of the assassins.

In a display of spear mastery, Krist made his spear twiddle in a hurricane-like fashion whilst bending the spear as if it were a snake’s tongue. This was a highly advanced technique that belonged to Triquell which was taught before the escort mission. The assassins could do nothing but be slain without comprehending the path of Krist’s spear.

“Major Hughes!!” The Crown Prince of Carceron had shouted in despair. An assassin had already placed his sword on the throat of Prince Emeric.

However, thanks to Krist’s quick thinking, he threw his spear towards the torso of the assassin.

!!

Another assassin was approaching the Prince, “No you don’t!” Krist had lowered his stance and leaped like a frog. Thanks to the nature of the Mana Breathing Method, Krist could make his body light enough to jump in the sky as if he were flying. In this case, Krist had leaped and performed a crushing axe kick on the head of the assassin, instantly pulverizing the brain.

More enemies were incoming and Krist dealt with them with Mystic Taijutsu Arts taught by Triquell, “Your Highness, we should move you away from here!”

“Of course!” The Prince was apt in matters of escape.

“Major Hughes!” Krist bellowed from his stomach.

“Your order!” Knowing the intent of Knight Krist, Serjeant Major Hughes acquiesced.

“I will take the Prince to Greenlot! Meet us there when you are able!” The order was heard and obeyed.

Notwithstanding, the assassins had grown wild upon hearing the order, “Where the hell do you think you’re going!”

KABOOM!

Krist had ignited a smoke bomb, “Fuck! Where are they!” The assassins had quickly deduced Krist’s location. “Over there! Quick!”

Carrying Prince Emeric who is much taller, Krist was strong enough thanks to the strengthened body through Mana Cultivation. Right there! Passing by the area where the goblins had been slaughtered, Kris was leading the assailants to the trip-wire that was installed before entering Lowgarden.

KABOOM!

Another smoke bomb was ignited, “Just how many do you have, huh?!”

“To hell with it! Keep chase!”

When the assassin passed the trip-wire, his head had fallen, unable to comprehend what had occurred. Krist had imbued his mana to the trip-wire that was harder and sharper than steel. Without hearing the deaths of their comrades, all of the assassins fell to the mana-enforced trip-wire, either by having their heads cleanly cut off or parts of their bodies.

Running for miles away, Krist had successfully escaped the ambush of the assassins and the sun was just about to set, “We can walk from here, Your Highness.” Krist placed the Prince on his feet.

Duke Murdoch, your ambition to the throne knows no bounds. To even murder your nephew, such is the deadly dance of Royalty.

***

“How dare you return…”

“Please kill me!” The assassin reported to the superior while kneeling.

Raiden, a foreigner from the east, and Duke Murdoch’s Knight and Strategist.

Preposterous! Outdone by a single Knight? Raiden was assessing the situation with his quick thinking. Duke Murdoch will not let this go easily.

“I’ll do it myself,” Raiden’s resolve did not falter even with the failed ambush.

“Roger!”

What a cunning soldier from Lukedonia. This will be the last instance where I underestimate you, Medical Sage! Clenching his katana that was made from the east, Raiden would not hold back his strength when the time would come.

On the other side of the forest, the sun had already set and Krist and Emeric were walking closer to Greenlot, “Why do you halt, Knight Krist?”

“I believe it would be too dangerous to travel during the night. Let us make shelter in the forest until the day breaks.”

“Come now, there’s been something on your mind this whole time,” the Prince was perceptive.

“There are people in your midst, Your Highness, who wish to kill you. It was suspicious that the assassins knew of our route.”

“Indeed. I had thought so as well,” Prince Emeric knew exactly who would aim for his throat.

“Not only that, the person who commissioned such a job was Axel Van Solidor, the son of Count Ludwig Van Solidor of Lukedonia.”

“The plot thickens…” Prince Emeric acted like he knew of such events. “So, the son of a Count is in collusion with my Lord Uncle.”

“It is mere conjecture, for now, Your Grace. There is no solid evidence of the collusion between the two.” Krist had wanted to build rapport with Carceron’s Royalty. “The enemy must have thought that we would have reached Greenlot by now. This was to confuse the enemy. It would be best to rest in the forest so that intruders would not know of our location.”

Krist would be monitoring Prince Emeric while he sleeps, “Knight Krist, you have my gratitude.”

“I’m just doing my job, Prince,” Krist was humble. “Unlike the rumors, you’re quite the gentleman.”

“Keke! Most people would shiver in fear if they talked in such a way to me.”

“I understand that most people hide who they are for the sake of protecting oneself from the world. I knew better than to listen to silly rumors.”

“Such nonsense. Keke!” The Prince was amused, although felt empathetic to such words.

The Prince had fallen asleep in no time. Yesterday’s ordeal had placed Emeric in an exhaustive state.

You’ll appear won’t you, Raiden? Krist was assessing his current skills and how he would perform in the inevitable duel. It’s a shame that I can’t reveal my true power. Showing you Triquell’s technique should suffice. After all, the Trick Lord’s skills would be the best for the battle.

!!?

Deep in thought, Krist had sensed a powerful ‘Killing Intent,’ a skill that every true knight possesses. It is a type of energy emanating from a user who has a high control of mana, often sending weaker foes into a state of shock.

“Your Highness, an enemy! Quickly, you must get up!” Krist alerted the Prince.

“Hmmm?!”

“For you to sense ‘Killing Intent’ at your age? Your reputation precedes you, Medical Sage,” Raiden had made his appearance shrouded in assassin dark clothing.

A knife against a katana. Let’s see how far I can take things while limiting my power to that of the Peak Realm.

BZZTT!! Raiden emitted his mana.

Transcendence Realm! Krist would be in the fight of his life.