I Became a Mythical Knight King

Chapter 39: Night of the Living Dead (1)

In the western region of the Kingdom of Silatein, there were five counts, and among them, the most powerful was Count Baltois.

However, Count Baltois, being a border count tasked with defending the frontier, was not a figure who could be compared on the same level as the other ordinary counts.

So, excluding Count Baltois, who could claim the title of the greatest in the west?

Opinions varied, but the candidates usually narrowed down to two among the remaining four.

Count Artua, who owned a fertile grain-producing region, and Count Carian, who possessed iron mines.

If the territories of the two counts were adjacent, there would inevitably have been some disputes, big or small. But whether by coincidence or fate, a certain distance separated their lands.

Count Carian’s territory was located at the junction between the western frontier and the central regions, while Count Artua’s land, though referred to as part of the west, was actually closer to the southern regions.

Several baronies existed between the two territories, and among them was the Barony of Volano.

“Ultimately, the Barony of Volano has been left as a void.”

The city of Gishen, the most developed within the Count of Carian’s domain.

From an office situated atop a high hill that overlooked the city, Count Carian was staring not at the city’s view but at a map spread on his desk.

About a month ago the Volano Barony was destroyed by a monster invasion.

Baroness Iserina, the daughter of the late Baron of Volano, survived, but she was merely a widow who had once been married and returned.

Under normal circumstances, Count Carian would have swiftly annexed the Volano Barony through a political marriage or even abduction.

But this time, he could not.

‘[The Black Knight of Lothian].’

An exotic knight who succeeded Baron Latus and became the lord of Lothian.

Iserina sought refuge not with Count Carian but with Lothian’s Black Knight, and as a result, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the Barony of Volano was now effectively under the control of Lothian’s Black Knight.

‘He is not a man to be taken lightly.’

Though his origins were unknown, he was not someone to be underestimated.

Even if only half the rumors about his martial prowess were true, it was enough for him to claim the title of the greatest knight in the west.

A man who single-handedly defeated the Prince of Kobolds.

One who traversed the Barony of Volano accompanied by only a single mage, slaying countless goblins and trolls, and rescuing the people.

The Troll Slayer who felled a giant troll the size of a fortress.

But his strengths were not limited to mere martial power.

Whether it was his own wisdom or the advice of the mage who always accompanied him, the man displayed remarkable strategic insight.

‘He didn’t take the barony.’

Despite holding the justification through Iserina, he did not claim the Barony of Volano.

What he seized was merely a single village near Lothian and the resources of the Barony of Volano.

Of course, since it encompassed all the resources of the barony, the amount was by no means insignificant. Yet, it was an uncommon course of action.

Why did he do that?

There was no need to ponder the answer.

It was likely for the same reason that Count Carian himself was leaving the Barony of Volano unattended.

‘You never know when the monsters will come again.’

There were rumors circulating that the Era of Ominous Stars had begun.

It was a prophecy once told as an old tale to scare children, but it was now becoming a serious matter.

Not only Lothian and the Barony of Volano but also various places across the Kingdom of Silatein were seeing the emergence of monster armies.

Furthermore, it was not just the Kingdom of Silatein under attack.

Rumors had spread that the other four kingdoms and even the Empire were also facing monster assaults.

Though these were mere rumors and their veracity remained uncertain, the fact that the entire Kingdom of Silatein was under attack was undeniable.

News had arrived of monster armies appearing in the domains of Count Baltois and the southern Count Artua.

The kobolds that attacked the Barony of Latus were believed to have come from beyond the untamed forest of Lotho.

Similarly, the goblins and trolls that invaded the Barony of Volano emerged from the untamed lands connected to the Lotho Forest, leaving the possibility of another monster horde ever-looming.

Thus, the Barony of Volano was not an appealing land.

To forcibly annex a devastated land and expand the areas requiring defense would be an unwise decision.

‘Of course, in Lothian’s case, their lack of resources compared to ours may also be a factor.’

After all, Lothian was merely a baronial city.

It was relatively large among the baronies, but it could never compare to a county.

And after enduring two major battles, it was obvious they would lack resources.

‘But what a surprising man.’

What surprised Count Carian this time wasn’t just the Black Knight’s martial prowess or his clever decision to forgo the Barony of Volano for its resources.

It was the Black Knight’s ability to exert influence.

‘He has completely brought the Western Branch of the Omphalos Order under his control.’

It was one thing for Ruan, a paladin who was both a knight and a priest, to fight alongside him on the battlefield. But for him to bring even High Priestess Jillian to his side was remarkable.

What kind of magic did he use?

Even though High Priestess Jillian was timid and tearful, she was a rational person.

‘Could it have been threats?’

Count Carian shook his head with a bitter smile as he thought of the High Priestess Jillian, an elegant beauty outwardly but timid and shy underneath.

While he could easily imagine her crying from threats, he couldn’t picture her bowing down to anyone because of them.

‘She’s the type to cry but still say everything she wants.’

Though she lacked divine power, she was exceptionally devout.

It was difficult to imagine her submitting to a worldly lord out of fear.

Then what could it be?

What moved High Priestess Jillian?

“You hold High Priestess Jillian in high regard, don’t you, my lord?”

While stroking his beard, deep in thought, Carian was interrupted by his guard knight, Louise, speaking softly.

It was as if she could read his thoughts just by looking at his face.

“She’s a woman worthy of such regard. She has talents too valuable to be wasted away in a monastery.”

At Count Carian’s words, Louise frowned slightly and quipped sharply.

“Isn’t it simply because she’s beautiful?”

“High Priestess Jillian is quite the beauty, I admit. She even has a mysterious allure that makes you want to tease her. Why, are you jealous?”

“Think whatever you like.”

Louise, answering in a slightly sulky tone, clammed up, and Count Carian simply chuckled before returning his gaze to the map.

‘A month since the fall of the Barony of Volano.’

Though not a long time, it was also not short.

‘If this truly is the Era of Ominous Stars…this is just the beginning.’

Count Carian turned his gaze from the map to the view outside the window.

To the west of Lothian and the Barony of Volano—toward the Lotho Forest.

At the same time.

On the western walls of Lothian, dozens of workers were gathered, each holding a cup, looking up at a platform.

On the platform, along with plates piled high with meat, stood two women—a black-haired woman with pink eyes and long hair and a golden-eyed woman with shoulder-length deep purple hair.

The black-haired woman, High Priestess Jillian, held a cup tightly in her hands and spoke to the workers.

“Thanks to all of you, the construction has been completed safely. I sincerely thank you all.”

Though her voice was soft, typical of Jillian, the silence ensured that her words reached everyone clearly.

When Jillian finished her brief speech, Rene gave her a look as if to ask if she had anything more to say. Jillian quickly shook her head.

Seeing this, Rene laughed heartily, turned to the workers, and said cheerfully.

“Well, here’s the drink and meat provided by the lord. Shall we toast?”

Winking playfully, Rene raised her cup high, causing the workers to blush and lift their cups one by one.

Rene lightly tapped her own cup in the air as if toasting the workers and raised it high again, shouting.

“To Lothian!”

“To Lothian!”

“To the Successor!”

“To the Successor!”

“Let’s drink!”

“Let’s drink!”

Following Rene’s lead, the workers cheered in unison, raising everyone’s spirits.

Rene, already excited, brought the cup to her lips again, this time intending to drink it all in one go.

-Gulp. Gulp.

As she downed the drink without stopping, the workers watched in awe as her slender neck and bobbing throat moved rhythmically.

“Ah!”

Finally, Rene finished the drink and turned her cup upside down above her head, drawing cheers from the workers.

“Drink! Drink! Or are you just watching?”

At Rene’s half-scolding, half-teasing remark, the workers laughed heartily and began drinking.

Watching them enjoy themselves, Rene turned to Jillian and said warmly.

“High Priestess Jillian, you really worked hard too.”

“It was all thanks to everyone’s efforts.”

Jillian shyly blushed and spoke, and before long, Rene, who had brought a new cup of wine, shook her cup as if to propose a toast.

A little less than a month since Jillian joined, she not only rebuilt the western wall, which had been destroyed in the battle with the kobold army, but also completed the moat surrounding Lothian’s outer fortress.

Of course, it was called a moat, but it was just a long trench dug along the wall. However, even so, it was still a moat.

Though the water didn’t flow, and the width and depth were only about 2 meters each, just this alone would significantly increase the castle’s defensive power, a fact that even Rene, who wasn’t an expert in this field, could easily understand.

“This is just the beginning. Based on this, we will create a wider and deeper moat. We’ll also reinforce the walls.”

Jillian said with a surprisingly determined expression, unlike her usual self.

But how should I put it?

It was as if the voice and the gaze showed a joy different from that of accomplishment.

It felt as if she was thoroughly enjoying the act of building the wall and digging the moat itself.

‘Well, she is serving Iron Wall Omphalos.’

It was only natural that the High Priestess of the Omphalos Order would enjoy the work of building walls.

“Just wait. Lothian will become an impregnable fortress.”

Jillian said with a smile while tightly holding her cup with both hands.

Regardless of the content, thanks to her sparkling eyes and slightly flushed cheeks, she looked like a dreamer.

Thus, for a moment, Rene, who had no words to say, gave an appropriate compliment.

“I’m really glad that High Priestess Jillian joined us.”

“It’s by the will of Lord Omphalos.”

Jillian, once again smiling shyly, drank a little bit of wine, though not as freely as Rene.

“They’re all enjoying themselves.”

“Heir.”

When Yoo Seong arrived, Rene smiled widely with a welcoming face, and Jillian quickly showed her respect.

“I greet you, my lord.”

It wasn’t just Jillian.

The workers under the platform also recognized Yoo Seong and awkwardly showed their respects. Yoo Seong waved his hand as if to say it was alright, then accepted the cup that Rene quickly offered and shouted.

“Everyone worked hard. Eat and drink to your heart’s content.”

“Uooh!”

“Long live my lord!”

“Long live the Scorching Black Knight!”

As the workers cheered, they started enjoying more food and drink. Yoo Seong, with a bitter smile, turned back to Rene and Jillian.

“Hehe, my lord is so shy.”

Perhaps a bit tipsy by now, Rene chuckled and spoke, but instead of affirming or denying, Yoo Seong addressed Jillian.

“Not only the moat, but I was also surprised by the completed castle walls. They look much sturdier than before. You really worked hard.”

“T-Thank you. I will work even harder.”

Thanks to the alcohol, Jillian shyly showed a pleasant smile.

‘But is it really okay for a clergyman to drink?’

Perhaps the Omphalos Order doesn’t mind.

While Yoo Seong was having such thoughts, Rene, having finished another drink, asked.

“What about Lady Iserina?”

Kate had also mentioned it, but now, Iserina had become “Lady.”

Yoo Seong, looking at the friendly mage, replied.

“She secured a route for selling mana stones. It’s from a merchant group she has ties with.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

The mana stones collected from the monsters were items that could not be processed within Lothian or the Latus Baronies. Although the blacksmiths in Yoo Seong Castle had made some requests, the quantity was so large that they needed to be sold outside, and fortunately, through Iserina, a sales route had been secured.

“Right, so today, drink and enjoy yourself. You’ve had a lot of work to do, Rene.”

Caught off guard, Rene blushed and laughed, then said almost as if pleading.

“Heheh, then could you show me the status window?”

“Of course.”

Rene’s hobby was observing Yoo Seong Castle.

When Yoo Seong agreed, Rene smiled widely.

“In that case, I’ll come to your room tonight, my lord.”

“Okay.”

In fact, it wasn’t just today. Rene often visited Yoo Seong’s room to tour Yoo Seong Castle.

So, it was a very innocent conversation between them, but Jillian, who didn’t understand the situation, became very flustered, her face turning bright red.

It was quite natural for a mage to casually mention going to someone’s room at night, and for the lord to accept it. But Jillian was left bewildered.

As Jillian nervously darted her eyes around, another couple approached the platform.

It was Robin and Edgar.

Seeing the two, Yoo Seong left an appropriate greeting for Rene and Jillian and then descended from the platform.

“I greet you, my lord.”

Yoo Seong returned the greeting to Robin and Edgar, and walked with them towards the inner castle while receiving their report.

“Both Count Baltois and Count Artua’s territories are under attack by monsters. However, it doesn’t seem like they are facing large-scale military invasions like here.”

“I heard that not only here but also in the neighboring undeveloped lands across the kingdom, monsters are appearing.”

This was somewhat expected.

“Should we not be too concerned about Count Baltois’ territory?”

Yoo Seong asked again with some concern, to which Robin nodded with a serious expression.

“It should be fine. Count Baltois holds the strongest army in the west, and they also have Commander Ivnael and the knights.”

Although Robin spoke a bit longer as if still worried, it seemed that there was no great cause for concern.

The entire kingdom was under attack.

Although Robin and Edgar hadn’t reported it, it was highly likely that other kingdoms and even the empire were also facing attacks from monsters.

Among them, some regions, like the Volano Barony, might already have been completely destroyed.

The Age of Ominous Stars had begun.

It was a situation that no one could deny anymore.

Yoo Seong turned his gaze towards the Lotho Forest.

The kobolds had attacked from beyond the Lotho Forest.

They had been repelled, but it wasn’t over.

There was no way of knowing when another new army of monsters would come rushing in.

‘No, it’s not unknown. They will definitely come.’

This was the reason Yoo Seong hadn’t yet restored the villages in the western part of Lothian.

“What about the regular reports from the scouts?”

“They have arrived. There’s nothing unusual today.”

This was the report from the scouts Yoo Seong had sent to the Lotho Forest area.

Their task was to report the situation in the western region twice a day, using magical signal flares and smoke signals created by Rene.

“I understand. Both of you should rest now.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The two who had offered their greetings approached Rene on the platform.

Yoo Seong briefly watched their retreating figures, then once again turned his gaze toward the Lotho Forest.

Night was approaching.