How to Live As the Vampire Lord

Chapter 82

Boom!

Uagh!

The knight in the cylindrical armor was knocked back after being tackled by Eugene. He fell in the water without even getting a chance to swing his sword.

Sir Valzak! The other knights shouted. They quickly unsheathed their own swords and shields after watching Valzak drop to the water.

Shiing!

The battle axe was a heavy weapon intended to be used with both hands. But Eugene held one in each hand and swung with a tremendous force.

Booom! Clang!

Argh!

A single blow was sufficient to completely shatter a shield and a knight was forced back with a broken arm. The knight standing next to him attempted to deflect Eugenes blow with his own sword, but failed and lost his blade in the face of the monstrous force. Yet after all these, Eugene did not stop.

He continued forward while rotating his body. Eugenes cloak fluttered in the wind as the sharp edges of the axes whistled eerily while cutting through the air. It was like the descent of a black tornado.

Shuuuack! Boom!

As one of Eugenes battle axes struck the thick chest plate of one of the knights, he let go of the handle.

Kuagh!

Thanks to the thick armor, the blade did not penetrate the body, but the knight was flung back several meters after receiving a blow that contained unimaginable power.

Boom!

!

There was only one knight remaining. He stood with his jaws agape, remaining motionless with shock and fear. In just a few seconds, three knights had been defeated without even getting a chance to retaliate. Moreover, they had been propelled backward regardless of whether they had blocked the axes or not.

Eugene glanced at the remaining knight while loosely holding the remaining battle axe in his hand.

Heup! The knight gasped and flinched involuntarily.

Are you coming? Eugene said.

The knight shook his head madly.

Sir Valzak! Sir Valzak!

Sir Valzak fell into the water!

Soon, the people of the castle began rushing over.

Lets go, Eugene muttered.

Yes, master! Luke answered as Eugene once again climbed on Silions saddle. The two men started to leisurely cross the bridge.

!

Was it a hallucination? Eugene blinked hard several times and even rubbed his eyes before narrowing his eyes and staring with disbelief. Among a group of troops armed with chainmail, there were three knights with silver plate armors and blue surcoats. One of the knights was descending from a dazzling white horse, and his face was one that Eugene would never forget.

Jung Dircht?

The arrogant face of the holy knight fully occupied Eugenes line of sight. It was him, the one who had been responsible for Eugenes death in his previous life.

Suddenly, a strong wind blew down the river and over the bridge.

Eugenes eyes glowed a strong crimson as his black hair fluttered in the wind. The memories of his past life were running rampant in his head.

He could vividly recall the feeling of the silver sword digging into his flesh.

Eugenes breathing quickened as he recalled the holy knight mockingly laughing at him when he had been desperately crying out.

Should I kill him?

The unfathomable anger and killing intent imprinted on his soul began to surface, but Eugene quickly caught his breath and put his murderous will to rest.

Eugene had known that he would one day face the holy knight, but his emotions had almost gotten the best of him after seeing the knights face in person. Sadly, he could not kill Jung Dircht in Count Winslons castle.

Unlike in his previous life, Jung Dircht had no idea who Eugene was, and if he openly killed a young, acclaimed holy knight, he would face harsh backlash, especially since Jung Dircht was adored by the high-ranking members of the church.

But this didnt mean that Eugene wouldnt do anything. The fact remained that Dircht had killed him in his previous life. Eugene had no intentions of showing any mercy just because the two werent acquainted in this life. Eugene had no reason to do so. It didnt matter if Jung Dirch would feel unjustified.

I will definitely get the chance.

Eugene wasnt only stronger compared to his previous life.

Discipline and patience.

Having learned these two important virtues, Eugene managed to control his anger and turned back from the bridge.

Lets go back, Eugene said.

The spirit of desire became furious and started running wild.

Kieeek!? Why arent you going into the castle!? Sir!? Sir!? Although Mirian had traveled to many places after signing a contract with Eugene, it was the first time she had seen such a large, magnificent castle. She was strongly convinced that Eugene needed a castle just as big and magnificent as this when he became the demon king.

Or we can take it away by force! Kekeke!

She had been having such exciting, insidious imaginations after seeing the castle, but what was happening?

Lets gooo. Pwease? Hmm? Dont you have to take the recommendation and meet the count? Mirian begged.

However, Eugene remained silent as he crossed the bridge back to the village.

I Kiek! Mirian started to beg again, then she suddenly squeaked with trembling wings. Eugenes eyes were gleaming coldly, and his lips were tightly closed.

This is a very serious situation! I need to stay quiet at times like these.

The spirit had gained the ability the gauge Eugenes condition after several incidents, which involved her getting battered after failing to acknowledge the atmosphere. She quietly folded her wings and entered the leather pocket voluntarily.

Master. With all due respect, could I ask you a question? Luke said carefully.

All right, Eugene answered.

The articles who were at the castle gate earlier. I dont know if I am mistaken, but the symbol on their surcoats Luke said.

You werent mistaken. They were indeed holy knights. Eugene answered.

Ah. I see. Luke nodded. He had also seen paladins, who were associated with various monasteries, but this was the first time he actually witnessed holy knights, those who were known as the Constellation of Blood (Pentagonal Start). They represented the central churchs force.

Even others who walked the path of the blade could feel the difference and distance between themselves and the holy knights.

Moreover, as a man born in Brantia, Luke hated the holy knights.

As expected, master is a man of true faith. Im certain that he felt disgusted by those holy knights those mindless pawns for the rotten cardinals and the bishops who declare their faiths only on the surface.

The cardinals and bishops of the continents church declared the lords of Brantia as pagans, which resulted in an invasion that turned Luke into a slave. As such, since those bishops and cardinals caused Luke to be enslaved, his loyalty toward Eugene grew more intense as a result of their conversation, albeit for slightly wrong reasons. Eugenes reaction to seeing Jung Dircht also led to an unexpected chain of reactions from others.

***

Eugene? Have you heard of it?

Never. Is it a family based in one of those shabby villages?

The name sounds like it should be based off the empire.

Knights conversed with each other while wiping off their sweat. They had just finished their training.

So, one died and two were defeated? Who died?

It was Sir Valzak, master.

And who was that? Ah, the country boy with the beer barrel for armor?

Hahahaha!

The knights burst into laughter while recalling Valzalks cylindrical armor. However, the only witness of the confrontation, an aide, could not join in.

Sir Valzak flew about five meters into the air and drowned in the river. The aide reported solemnly.

...

The sounds of the laughter immediately trailed off. The knight had been blown away several meters even though he had been equipped in heavy armor?

There were three more, sirs, and one of them suffered a broken arm and his shield was smashed. One of the others had the blade of his longsword broken into two and an axe was embedded into his chest. The impact also cracked his ribs. The aide continued.

Hmm. It seems he possesses formidable strength, but its not very difficult to deal with one or two country bumpkin knights, is it? One of the knights muttered.

Thats right. They were loitering around the bridge because there werent any spots in the castle anyway. They were merely free knights who were dime for a dozen. They were even worse than some of the mercenary captains out there. Another knight responded.

Although they were slightly surprised, the knights appeared quite calm and leisurely.

Sirs. Sir Eugene dealt with all three knights simultaneously, the aide carefully said.

!

The knights flinched. Even though all of them were quite confident in their skills, dealing with three knights simultaneously was not an easy task by any means.

How long did it take? He must have traded more than ten blows with each knight, right?

The knight named Eugene must have suffered quite a few injuries as well.

He may have the skills, but he is quite narrow-minded and short-tempered. To think he would let himself become injured with only two days left until the competition.

The knights responded.

It took less than 10 seconds, the aide said.

What!? Is that true? The knights took on shocked expressions after hearing the response.

Yes, its true. Sir Eugene wasnt injured at all. There wasnt even a single scratch on his armor, the aide continued.

A heavy silence befell the knights.

After a while, one of the knights said to the aide with a stiff expression. So, where is this Sir Eugene now? The outer castle? The annex? Not the main castle, right?

No way! How could that be? Ive never even heard of his family before.

Many of the knights entering Winslon Castle were taken in on a first-come, first-served basis, but the knight without any connections took their residence in the outer castle. Those gathered here, in the annex, were quite famous in their respective regions or were knights serving lords with titles.

Those who could stay in the main castle were knights who were also real nobles. Those residing in the main castle were quite diverse in nature as well. Most of them were titled nobles, and there were even rumors that holy knights were participating as well.

I should build up a relationship with him once he arrives at the annex.

Good idea. Everyone will be competing with each other in the swordsmanship and the jousting competitions, but it will be better to have even one additional strong knight in the mock battle.

What if those from Antinori snatch him away first? Where did you say Sir Eugene came from?

The knights started to ask a variety of questions. The aide took on an awkward expression and answered with an expression of disbelief, Well He simplyreturned.

What? They responded.

Im not entirely certain, but it appeared as if he was returning to the campground outside the castle walls where the free knights were assigned. The aide said.

A surprising rumor began to spread throughout the castle that a knight strong enough to cause a huge commotion did not enter the castle but instead chose to reside outside the walls.

Naturally, it also entered the ears of Count Winslon, the owner of the castle.

***

Eugene set up a temporary residence in a remote place located outside the castle walls in the campground. It was a place established by the free knights who came to participate in the knight competition.

He set up a tent with the leather he purchased from the village, and he placed a chair and two small beds inside. It was quite decent in Eugenes eyes. But since he couldnt leave Silion, a pedigree horse, unattended, he brought Silion and Lukes horse into the tent as well.

I feel sorry about that time as well.

Neigh!

Silion whined as if pleased with Eugenes touch.

However, theres nothing I can do about it if we encounter a similar situation.

Yes, good boy.

Eugene laughed coldly, recalling the time when he used Silion as bait to lure the griffons. He felt as if Silion had trembled momentarily, but he brushed it off as an illusion.

Kieee You should have headed into the castle and disregarded those holy knights. It doesnt make sense for your precious self to stay in such a shabby place. This is absurd, Mirian said.

Something seemed rather strange about the greedy spirits expression, but Eugene completely ignored her. In the first place, Eugene didnt like being served by maids and servants in a spacious, large space. As such, he didnt feel inconvenienced at all.

In addition, Luke was quick-witted and did his best to make Eugenes stay much more comfortable.

Hmm. Should I take Luke as an aide?

Eugene contemplated the thought. There was no law that stated that a knight could only take in a single aide. However, unlike Felid, Luke would be accompanying him for a long time. Eugenes identity as a vampire could be exposed if he made Luke an official aide.

Then I would have to kill him.

Although Luke was quite useful, he was different from Galfredik or Romari. It was still early to entrust him with the truth, and as such, killing him would be the best choice if he were to ever find out the truth.

However, Eugene didnt want to kill Luke. It was because he was quite fond of the slave.

Ill have to wait and see.

Suddenly, the outside became rather noisy.

I will check it out, master, Luke said before hurriedly exiting the tent. A shortsword was hanging from his belt. In less than ten seconds, Luke came rushing back in and spoke. Master, I think you should come out.

Hmm? What is it? Eugene answered.

You have a guest. Its Luke answered with urgency. It was rather uncommon for Luke to become flustered. As such, Eugene frowned before exiting the tent.

Isnt that Count Winslons knight?

Thats true. But why is he here? Did he come to see that man?

I caught a glimpse of him earlier. His armor and equipment looked very expensive. But other than that, he didnt look all that special.

Eugene stood still and gazed at a knight slowly walking towards him while listening to the murmurs of the free knights. The newcomer had his helmet pressed down low.

Upon recognizing the identity of the approaching knight, Eugenes eyes filled with astonishment. The knight took off his helmet and spoke with a smile after seeing Eugenes expression. You have very good eyes, Sir Eugene.

The knight spoke with a refreshing smile. It was the guard that Eugene met early at the gate, Lanslo Drak.