Black Badger - Chapter 426



Only Noblemtl

426. Old Tale, Night Owl (3)

I couldn’t yell at Kyle to ask.

Because they hadn’t left yet. I thought I heard Ray mutter, “Oh, man.”

If you sympathize, help me!

The wind blew sharply against my ears.

Kairos helped me sit down next to him. I quickly took my place and grabbed the beast by the neck.

The night-flying bird, called the Night-Flying Bird, is a monster that looks like two birds combined.

I sat on the left side of the body and pressed my upper body against the fluffy body.

If I hadn’t done that, I would have fallen.

“Is it originally fast?!”

He shouted, holding the bird tightly by the neck.

We were soaring into the sky at a steep incline.

The nighthawk behind it also seemed to have set off. Ray could be heard making a strange noise.

I wanted to tease you, but my situation was absurd to begin with.

Isn’t it too fast and steep?

Kairos smiled coolly.

“I heard it’s a long way to go.”

“I’m not that busy!”

“Isn’t it fun when things are fast?”

The red-faced minister looked at me with glowing orange eyes.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry! Look ahead!”

“You don’t have to worry, it’s safe!”

The wind was so loud that we had to shout to have a conversation.

It meant that the speed hadn’t slowed down at all. A cold air enveloped my body.

How high on earth do you go?

The wind brought physiological tears to my eyes.

The moment the teardrop flew away in the wind, the nightingale’s body tilted forward and became horizontal.

The sky that comes into view.

The empire of the night spread out below.

“and.”

The class distinction is clearly visible.

Only the areas that used the kerosene with magical powers were lit. The story goes that the closer we got to the imperial palace, the brighter the light became. We were going west, so we were crossing the zodiac diagonally, and the imperial palace and the nobles’ mansions came into view to the side.

The palace is always beautiful.

An area always protected by a magic circle. A towering spire and a surveillance magic that circles the spire like a comet’s tail.

Knights were not allowed to enter the Imperial Palace area unless they received a mission from a noble.

I, too, only stayed within the palace grounds for a long time when I took the exam to become a knight and when I was officially appointed as an imperial knight.

I don’t think there will be much need to go there in the future.

Even though our skills improved, Kyle and I were still outsiders.

On the other hand, Ray had a high chance of entering the Imperial Palace because his status was guaranteed and his skills were good. He might not like it, but when the time came, I was definitely going to push his back.

Because I don’t think that Ray and I’s friendship will be shaken no matter what happens.

So, why should Ray give up his guaranteed success?

On the other hand, Kyle and I had similar situations.

It would be nice if my efforts and skills were accepted as they are, but I couldn’t be sure that things would work out that well. Since the value of life varies depending on one’s status, it wouldn’t be easy.

But since we won’t put down our swords, won’t we eventually walk the same path?

Even if the path that time takes changes a little, I don’t think things will be completely different.

I wish I could stay by your side like this forever.

I turned my head to see the palace where beautiful light molecules were flying.

The closer you get to the edge of the zodiac, the darker it gets.

As poverty grew, lights could not be turned on at night. I looked at the streets buried in the moonless night and thought that it was fortunate that Kyle’s tribes still lived on the southern shore.

The most difficult ones lived on the western shore of the zodiac. In the west reside the most poisonous monsters.

At first, Kyle’s tribe also settled on the western shores. However, after Kyle was knighted, the situation gradually improved and they moved to the south of Seolseol.

The night owl flew steadily through the night sky, enough to make me think like this.

“Thank you for slowing down… .”

I spoke in a tired voice and stroked the nightingale’s neck.

The minister smiled softly.

“Because we have to cross the mountains.”

So you’re saying it’ll continue like this until the mountain range comes into view?

I felt relieved and gently hugged Bambi’s body.

Suddenly I realized that the tip of my scabbard was making Bambi-ik-jo uncomfortable. I changed the direction of the scabbard.

Then, for a long time, I stared at the silhouette appearing in the pitch-black darkness, buried in the feathers.

***

The mountain peak came into view.

The mountain range where giants sleep.

A heavy shadow appears. It is leaning against the peak. Since there is no sun, I cannot make out its shape clearly, but its shape alone is sufficiently imposing.

This monster is both a curse and a blessing to the empire.

The giant would block monsters coming over the Western Mountains, and would also crush and kill people trying to pass over the Western Mountains.

So people did not go near the third peak. Neither did beasts or monsters. The giant, who woke up only at dawn, did not eat or drink anything, but he did not die and always stayed in that place.

According to legend, it is the last remaining member of a giant race that went extinct in ancient times.

A being cursed and not permitted to die.

But no one has ever seen the true form of what is inside the huge armor, because no one has ever looked inside it.

Rumor has it that the eyes inside the armor glow yellow.

Thus, there were rumors that the cursed giant was a child of the World Tree, but no one confirmed the truth.

Anyway, during the day and night, it is quiet.

So, no need to worry… .

“what?!”

Ray’s panicked cry was heard.

“Why are you moving?!”

It’s true.

I was startled by the giant’s presence as I got closer.

What the heck?

Kyle, riding in the Bambi Wing that was following behind, shouted.

“Kairos!”

The missionary wasn’t particularly flustered.

“Hmm, I felt it!”

The one who responded pressed his body close to the nightingale.

Kairos announced.

“Going down!”

Going down?

Aren’t you climbing up to avoid the giant?

There was no time to ask questions.

The nightingale has descended.

“Eww!”

The body rose.

If I hadn’t quickly grabbed the Bambi-Ik-Joo’s neck, I would have fallen. I held on to the monster’s body with all my might, feeling the blood draining from my body.

Too fast!

It feels like all the organs inside me are excited.

A strong wind blew my cheeks violently.

Ray’s short scream was heard.

Kyle’s scream too.

“Kairos!”

The nightingale was swooping down on the trees that were rising up in the darkness.

“It’s urgent!”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t think they would fall since they are royal knights!”

If it comes out like this, we will have nothing to say.

Indeed, since the missionary had received it, we had not uttered a word of complaint, even when the nightingale descended obliquely through the densely planted trees, and when the branches of the trees that struck our arms and scabbards snapped and flew into the air.

There wasn’t much time to talk.

The bird, which had descended in an instant below the canopy, now passed quickly between the thick tree trunks.

The body angle and field of view changed quickly.

Is this what the minister next to me is doing right now?

Your reflexes are really good.

I think this will be a really good article… .

Kuung!

The ground and trees shook.

As the trees passed behind me, I felt a heavy presence on my right.

Bam!

The sound of tree trunks breaking is mixed in.

I tensed my muscles and turned my head to the right.

The clanking of armor announced its approach.

The creaking sound of old, rusty armor.

A heavy presence struck my senses.

Kwaaang!

“Why are you awake?”

Ray shouted.

“If it was going to be like this, I should have slept well and taken a flight!”

“Kyle!”

Kairos shouted.

“why!”

“Can’t you use your sword?”

It hits a sore spot.

The missionary pointed out the part that the three of us are most obsessed with now. Only after becoming a sword expert can we swing our swords while sitting down.

The problem is that admitting this is very humiliating.

As expected, Kyle’s gruff shout came back.

“I can’t do it!”

“Then just run away!”

The speed of the nightingale has increased.

I gritted my teeth and clung to the monster.

Now I’m worried about the wing condition of the nightingale.

“Is Bambi Ik-jo okay?!”

He spat out the leaf that had entered his mouth and shouted.

“Isn’t that overworking you?!”

The detective burst into laughter.

“You must have done well even if you were a private person!”

What on earth have you been talking about?

Rather, I suppressed the urge to say the opposite, and lay flat on my back until the night owl passed between the giant’s legs, blazing a trail up the peak and into the night sky.

The cold air enveloped my body again.

There was no need for a sword while crossing the mountain peak.

Just as Kyle had promised with a grin, we safely crossed the peak on the Bambi Ikjo.

***

“Someone was serving.”

These were the words spoken with a smile by Kairos, who got off at Bambiikjo.

“Because he was a powerful person who could not guarantee the success of his interference in the ministry, he did not attempt to interfere in the ministry.”

“I told you not to do that.”

Kyle crossed his arms and furrowed his brow.

He seemed to be well aware of the reckless and sudden actions of the red-light minister.

It seemed like he was used to this kind of flight. He was so fine that he was the only one who felt sick. As soon as we got off the Bambi Wing, Ray and I staggered and clutched our stomachs in disgust.

We stood leaning against the huge stone, clutching our broken pride.

Kyle teased us enough to make fun of us like this.

He laughed excitedly at me, saying that I had a terrible sense of balance, but as soon as he heard my question, “You’re good at flying, but why are you so bad at climbing?”, he walked over to the missionary and started talking to him.

I sat there listening to their conversation.

He straightens his upper body as he listens to the story of the mysterious servant who was near the giant.

They were telling a curious story.

“Do you think they’ll play fairly?”

Kyle said, his brow furrowed.

The minister standing across from me smiles quietly.

Kairos had just told Kyle that he was thinking of entering the ‘Empire Horse Games’.

“You’re already famous for using dirty tricks! We’re the conquerors, so everyone sitting in the stadium will be counting down the days until your miserable defeat!”

“hmm.”

I saw Kairos smile awkwardly.

He looked at his friend with orange eyes and added this.

“Shouldn’t I have told you in advance?”

and.

Ray and I were terrified.

Kyle was furious.

“This kid!”

“Uh huh.”

We woke up in a hurry.

And he grabbed his friend who was furious like a lion. He wrapped his arms around Kyle’s strong torso and put some distance between himself and the minister.

“Calm down, calm down.”

“Yeah. The results could be good.”

I talked Kyle out of it and Ray defended Kairos.

“Looking at it, your ministry skills are really outstanding. If you choose your ministry horse well, you could definitely win.”

“There’s no way they’re fair! Just last week, someone died in the game. I heard the knights dealt with the rampaging servant horse that lost its master!”

Yes, that’s right.

I also heard the news. The knights belonging to the eastern unit were called in and took care of the matter.

I can’t say for sure since I didn’t see the match myself, but I’ve heard that it seems like the pastor intentionally killed his opponent.

In principle, it is a match between two servant horses, but there are deaths every time there is a match.

Honestly, I couldn’t just tell you that it would be okay.

So why are we out on the western mountains at this hour of the morning?

“And if you really want to go out, our family can support you.”

Ray’s cool words bring me out of my thoughts.

Kyle and I turned our heads, widening our eyes a little.

How dare you hate being associated with your family so much?

Ray, who read the meaning of the gaze, responded blankly.

“When you can use the family crest, use it.”

The third son of the Reneur family spoke calmly.

“Didn’t I say that was really weak? I’m trying to follow your advice, but why are your expressions like that?”

Kyle let out a small laugh.

I smiled broadly too. The expression on the face of the son of a noble family who knew everything was so funny.

Now, I was going to tease Nari that she had finally come to her senses.

At that moment, the missionary intervened.

“It is an honor, even if only to say it.”

The minister, who had made a formal greeting, continued speaking without giving anyone time to respond.

“And Kyle. If you think about it, being ignored isn’t all that bad. People tend to be excited about someone who overcomes such contempt and wins. A game is more fun when there’s a great story behind it. So if I win, there’s a chance that I’ll get an even more enthusiastic response than usual… .”

“Let go, Hilde.”

I had to hold on tight to Kyle as he tried to run towards the minister.

“Let go!”

“You helped me get over the peak, so let’s get over it!”

I cried out in sympathy for my friend who must have had a hard time with Kairos.

“It doesn’t seem malicious, so let’s just give it a chance!”

Kairos eventually returned home safely aboard the Bambi Wing.

He waved his hand brightly at the angry Kyle and flew up into the sky.

It is truly a unique entity… .

I thought as I felt the movement moving away.

The moment you get deeply entangled, life becomes tiring… .

That was my first impression of Kairos.

***

But life isn’t something that can be resolved as you wish.

A year had passed since that day, and the three of us were summoned together to Kissis.

You are given a mission within the zodiac.

“The missionary horse race begins.”

The knight of the throne smiled languidly at us, standing side by side, holding our hands behind our backs.

He sat lazily leaning against the table, holding a bright red apple with a bite bitten into it.

“This time you guys will go in as escorts.”

We stared into the purple eyes.