Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 124

Chapter 124   The King of Cade Dies

“Cut through and clear a path!”

“Right!”

Even in a small group, Don displayed brave leadership.

To escape pursuit, he didn’t choose the highway as a route of retreat.

Thus, it was a harsh escape through the forest, traveling along animal trails.

“Ugh!”

But the monsters kept coming without end, appearing day and night.

In the midst of it all, one guard fell, then a second, until only Don and I remained.

“Come forth, servants of the Demon Realm, answer my call!”

How many summons had I performed by now?

To counter the monsters that kept appearing to attack Don, I summoned my own creatures.

My magic power was nearly depleted, and the number of monsters I could summon was becoming limited.

“Ugh!”

An enemy arrow hit Don’s knee.

I quickly sucked out the poison, cut through his skin and muscle, removed the sharp, poisoned arrowhead, and tied the wound with cloth.

“Grant me the mighty strength of a giant!”

I gulped down a precious emergency magic recovery potion.

Despite being tormented by the intense lethargy from the side effects, I continued to use my magic.

“Damn it… they’re here again!?”

“Heh heh! Hand over the king, and I’ll let you go!”

The one leading the undead monsters that appeared was a Lesser Vampire.

Even with a weapon made of mithril, this enemy was difficult to handle.

Moreover, my magic power was nearly exhausted, and fatigue was steadily accumulating.

On top of that, I had to carry the injured Don, which was a major burden.

…At this rate, should I escape using teleportation alone?

Though I might be able to escape on my own, protecting the injured Don while fighting off enemies seemed impossible.

As I considered this, Don, enduring the pain with a grimace, murmured to me.

“My fate is sealed. I leave my daughter, Fie, in your care…”

The king of Cade, Don, could no longer stand on his own.

Yet, without ever abandoning his fighting spirit, he raised his sword against the monsters.

In his stance, I could feel the dignity of a ruler, leading many loyal subjects.

“Kuhuhu, bearer of the giant’s power, it pains me to kill you. Leave at once!”

I was ashamed of myself for having considered fleeing just moments ago.

“I will not flee! Take my head and claim your glory!”

I spat those words at the monster, and inwardly laughed at myself for saying such a strange line.

…I’m sorry, Io.

My arrogance led me to this battle without sufficient preparation.

I probably won’t return alive.

I will have to make my apologies in the afterlife.

At the moment I resolved myself to die, the ground before me began to shine brightly.

From within that light appeared a familiar figure.

It was Count Bartholomeus, a true vampire I had previously requested help from.

“My lord, I apologize for my late arrival!”

“…Ah, everyone, retreat!”

Against a genuine vampire like Count Bartholomeus, the Lesser Vampire stood no chance.

In a panic, the Lesser Vampire fled somewhere with his underlings.

“…Now, things should be a bit easier.”

Once the enemy disappeared, Count Bartholomeus used magic to heal Don.

However, the effects of the repeated poisoned arrows were severe, and Don could barely walk.

“Let’s go!”

Under the protection of Count Bartholomeus men, we set out for Ramora Castle in the Heather Basin.

The journey lasted ten days, and we encountered over twenty battles along the way.

“I can see the castle!”

Don let out a joyful shout.

I too was so exhausted that I could no longer stand.

“My lord, from here on, it is sacred ground—Heather. We are not permitted to enter. This is where we part ways.”

“You have been a great help. Thank you!”

“No thanks are necessary.”

Shortly after Count Bartholomeus gave a salute and vanished, knights from Ramora Castle arrived to greet us.

“Don-sama, please, this way to the carriage.”

“Very well.”

“Escort, you too, ride in the carriage!”

“I am honored!”

Rocked by the carriage, I entered Ramora Castle, which had a temple attached to it.

◇◇◇◇◇

Early September, Unified Calendar Year 568—

The Cade army suffered a crushing defeat against Levin and retreated.

Despite relentless pursuit, many of the soldiers managed to withdraw to Ramora Castle.

Leroy Castle and Gregory Castle, abandoned by the reinforcements, fell one after another. Only Noel Castle held out, enduring Levin’s offensive through a siege.

“Drive out the demons!”

“Right!”

Ramora Castle was a jointly controlled region of the Cade Alliance and the Holy Norland Church.

Thus, they were able to receive assistance from the clergy of the Norland Church, who had special powers against demonic forces.

“Charge!”

“Throw the stones!”

The demon forces, in addition to using magic, also attacked Ramora Castle with catapults.

However, the castle withstood the assault, and with the enemy lacking a supply train, they were forced to retreat.

“Victory shout!”

“Ei-ei-oh!”

Although cheers of victory rang out in Ramora Castle, there was no energy left for a counterattack.

It was, at best, a narrow victory—barely won.

◇◇◇◇◇

Inside Ramora Castle—

Don was in the lord’s chamber.

He had become severely weakened, with no effect from the treatment.

“Lord Reister, you have been of great service to me. I cannot express enough gratitude for preventing the demons from taking my head.”

“Your words are too kind.”

“…Now, I shall bestow upon you the treasured sword of my house, Odin. Please accept it.”

“I am deeply honored.”

I received the treasured sword and bowed deeply.

“Forgive me, but I must rest now.”

“Understood.”

Following Don’s wishes, I left the room.

That was the last time I saw Don.

He returned to the land of Ram and passed away shortly after.

It was the end of the great king of Cade, whose presence had struck fear into the surrounding regions.