The Glory of Knights

“Good Lord.”

Yak’s jaw dropped. A mountain of treasure he couldn’t have seen even in dreams spread before his eyes.

‘Just how many people did he kill to gather this much treasure.’

Pernok scanned the surroundings and asked Yak.

“Didn’t you say it’s been about 20 years since this territory’s lord changed?”

“Probably, about that much.”

“Meaning they’ve been feeding off the Fighting Pit for at least 20 years.”

“Could it possibly be the lord’s slush fund?”

“Why would someone else’s slush fund be hidden under the study. This is the manager’s money.”

Yak gulped and asked.

“How do we handle this?”

“We have to move it outside or conceal it.”

“Should we call people? If we share a little and ask for help…”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Do you think all people in the world are simple-hearted like you? They’ll definitely point their swords at us to take the treasure.”

“But we helped them escape.”

“Plenty of bastards get corrupted before desire. Never mind gratitude, we’ll be fortunate if they don’t show force demanding we hand over the treasure.”

“Then we’re moving this just the two of us?”

When Yak made a dumbfounded expression, Pernok was walking around the treasure mountain.

“Isn’t this strange?”

“What is?”

“Among these, there are treasures difficult to bring through the study entrance. For instance, that statue erected on the wall.”

Only then did Yak discover the oddity Pernok pointed out and nodded.

“The Fighting Pit is a place whose true nature will be revealed someday. Even if this territory’s lord doesn’t know, someone could find fault and storm in. The manager definitely anticipated this secret space getting discovered. To avoid having treasure stolen with eyes wide open, he had to make spare passages.”

“Could there be an escape route?”

“There’s definitely a passage enough to move a statue that large.”

“I’ll try finding it!”

“You thoroughly search the right side.”

Pernok and Yak split exactly in half and began searching for the exit.

It was when they were walking around touching walls meticulously.

Wheeee.

A sound like whistling came from between the displayed suits of armor.

When Pernok moved the armor aside, a wall of slightly lighter color than elsewhere appeared.

It was large enough to easily fit two or three suits of armor at once.

When Pernok ran his hand down the wall, a small groove that looked like a keyhole appeared.

A line was drawn following that groove all the way to the floor.

‘A means to move the treasure at once?’

It was when he thought there might be a means to transform this entire floor into an escape route.

“My friend! There’s something here!”

Yak pointed at something and shouted loudly.

Pernok approached nearby and examined it.

It was a safe, uniquely plain among the dazzling treasures, easy to pass by.

There wasn’t even a groove to insert a key, so he couldn’t tell what method to use to open it.

“Hmm…”

Pernok, who’d been knocking on the safe, soon nodded and moved Yak aside.

Then he regulated mana to only break the safe’s frame and struck the side with his fist.

Wham!

The safe’s side broke and various items flowed out.

‘Forged identity passes and immediately usable pouches of gold coins and… ledgers.’

The thick booklet explicitly recorded who he paid how much to.

He could grasp at once how deep a relationship the manager and lord had.

‘He was offering much money to the lord. The VIPs are famous large landowners or merchants, there are also slave traders… Plenty of various bastards who came from each region.’

Later when he took over the kingdom and needed money, what if he exposed these guys’ disgraceful secrets to blackmail those families?

‘Hard to use right now, but it’ll be good to utilize after building influence.’

Pernok put the ledger, more valuable than any treasure here, into his bosom. Then he gathered the identity pass, gold coin pouch and rusty-looking key.

“The exit is over there.”

Pernok fit the key to the groove and turned it clockwise.

Clunk, krrrrrk!

A pleasant sound like gears meshing pushed the wall inward.

“Look at this.”

A silver rod was embedded in the floor right beside.

Confirming that rod connected to the floor’s solid line, Pernok nodded.

“Wait a moment.”

As if something occurred to him, he walked the long exit alone.

It was when time long enough to only hear Yak’s breathing had passed.

The returned Pernok suddenly headed for the stairs.

“Wasn’t that place the exit?”

“It is the exit. But I’m going to block this place off first.”

“Why…?”

Yak’s voice was buried in the roar.

Pernok went up to the study, destroyed the surroundings, and closed the entrance descending to the iron plate.

Not satisfied with even that, he collapsed the stairs and blocked even the entrance descending here with the fallen ceiling’s debris.

“Now no one can enter here.”

Pernok turned his body with a refreshed expression.

When dubious Yak stood blankly, he smirked and entered the exit.

“The manager really is cunning. He made a means to smuggle this place’s treasure outside at once.”

“Means?”

“There’s an interesting place at the exit’s end. The moment that rod is pulled out or pulled, the bottom will open and the treasures will move there all at once.”

“Ah!”

Only then did Yak understand Pernok’s actions.

The people who know this place’s secret are now only Pernok and Yak.

He even broke the stairs descending here and filled that place with debris, so even if the knight order came, there was no worry of discovery.

Even without moving it outside, it became a treasure vault Pernok could use as he pleased.

“Let’s just gather a few decent jewels and leave. Pack only small-sized ones in your pockets as much as possible.”

“Accessories, you mean?”

“Right. Large jewels being conspicuous is no good. We’re not desperate for money right now, so don’t be greedy for nothing.”

“Understood.”

Yak completely tore cloth to make a small pouch and put in accessories like rings, bracelets, and necklaces.

When he put the pouch in his underpants, the heavy weight he felt couldn’t be more satisfying.

“Keep walking.”

Pernok and Yak walked following the escape route.

When he thought his knees were getting stiff, bright light shone.

Following the light outside, the marquis territory could be seen at a glance in the distance.

“Good heavens… Were we inside a mountain all this time?”

Pernok was equally amazed.

They hollowed out one corner of a vast mountain range to make a Fighting Pit and built connected prison-like spaces underground.

It was a design that ordinary construction techniques couldn’t dare attempt.

At minimum, it was technology far superior to the era Pernok had lived in.

‘Is this the new world.’

After spending uncountably long time in the Netherworld and finally greeting the sunlight.

A clear fragrance tickled his nose tip, and gentle wind brushed his skin.

It was when a pleasant smile hung on Pernok’s lips.

“The knight order is coming out from the castle!”

As soon as he saw the group of warhorses rushing out the castle gate, Pernok placed his hand on the exit and activated magic.

[Bonding Lv.2]

Draws objects touched by the hand toward each other.

The exit walls stretched long and merged in the middle.

There were slight seams, but it was secretive enough not to notice without examining closely.

“Now the entrance heading to the secret vault is known only to us two.”

When he asked with subtle threat as if asking if he knew what that meant, Yak smiled bitterly and said.

“When I even had my life saved by you, would I harbor different thoughts?”

“Have you been stabbed by someone you saved?”

When Yak shook his head, Pernok smirked.

“I don’t trust people after that.”

“Then why did you save me?”

“It’s compensation for looking after me then.”

“You’re really unknowable the more I know. You seem to have no affection yet meticulously pay attention…”

Yak shook his head.

“…Never mind. So where will you go now?”

“Do you have a separate home?”

“For a wanderer like me, wherever my feet take me is home.”

“Then have you heard of that sort of place that records or searches old history?”

“History? Hmm… Are you talking about a library perhaps?”

“Library?”

“Lots of books. It’s a place ordinary people just look at because paying the entrance fee is tight.”

“Are there many records too?”

“If you want a large-scale place… Ah!”

As if something occurred to him, Yak smiled and said.

“There’s a very famous library in Rezhen Kingdom. I haven’t entered directly, but they say books are piled like a tower. Plus there’s a historical society nearby. An archaeological society was established too.”

Pernok’s eyes gleamed.

“Do you know the way to Rezhen Kingdom?”

“Hehehe, just cross the southern border and it’s straight to Kizan. From here to the library, figure roughly 3 months. If we ride horses, we might arrive earlier.”

Pernok handed one forged identity pass to Yak.

“Let’s move with this. Borrowing horses along the way.”

* * *

As if proving his words of wandering the world, Yak appropriately utilized the identity pass and prepared things needed for travel.

Pernok diligently trained in Mana Reinforcement while enjoying the ecstasy life brought.

Many things had changed from the era he lived in, so every place his feet took him was new.

The scenery where people stayed that couldn’t be known from Yak’s explanations alone.

Experiencing this era’s various architecture and art and how the world turned, he crossed the border.

Fortunately, Illumina Kingdom and Rezhen Kingdom were in truce with each other, so no great disputes arose.

Occasionally there were foolish bastards who charged at Pernok’s gold coins, but handling them very quietly, he entered Duke Behina’s territory.

Befitting a territory where artists particularly gathered even in Rezhen Kingdom where culture flourished, various buildings and statues were abundant.

Minstrels’ songs flowed from everywhere, and children were playing around fountains carved with birds.

Pernok looked around the peaceful afternoon and entered deep into the duke’s territory.

Various society buildings were erected around a tower built high in the distance.

“Do you see the pointed building?”

“That tower-like thing?”

“Right. That’s the treasure trove of knowledge called Behina Library. It won’t fall behind compared to the Holy Kingdom’s archives.”

“I heard there’s separate entry authorization.”

“You have to pay money and get a membership card issued. It’s not cheap, but we have plenty.”

On the way here, they stopped by jewel shops and occasionally converted expensive accessories to cash.

Gold coins enough to spare even after starting business in Duke Behina’s territory were in his bosom, so his heart was relaxed at that heaviness.

“You can make membership cards at that historical society.”

“What’s the building opposite the historical society?”

“Ah, they’re the archaeological society. If the historical society organizes and records old history to deliver to the library, the archaeological society excavates forgotten relics based on those records.”

“The street vendors?”

“The street vendors are archaeological society members, and I heard they sell antiques for research. And those small buildings beside are branch offices of famous trading companies.”

“Trading companies?”

“Occasionally when good relics flow in, they try to purchase faster than anyone. Plus the library is a place people gather from each region. Good for business.”

“You talk like you’ve done it.”

Yak smiled awkwardly.

“I needed money, so I went between the society and trading companies doing odd jobs. Do you see the blue roof? It’s a place called Stalreksia where I worked. Already over 10 years ago. Clean and unchanged just like then.”

Yak walked the still unchanged street with Pernok.

They paid the large sum of 20 gold and got membership cards issued at the historical society.

As the sun set and the library closed its doors, Pernok had to turn his feet to a tavern.

When they sat in an appropriate place and ordered drinks and food, Yak clicked his tongue as if the membership card price came to mind.

“10 years ago it wasn’t even 5 gold, yet they raised the price by 4 times? With that money I could laze about for 2 years. They say those who have go too far, geez.”

Pernok found it more interesting that the forged identity wasn’t caught than the money.

“Is security lax?”

“I don’t know well. I couldn’t enter inside either. But seeing there’s not been a single commotion about books being stolen, the security must be thorough.”

“I’ll have to be stuck holding books inside without budging.”

“Now that I think about it, why are you paying expensive money to enter the library? If you want to learn something, rather enter an academy. With that skill, you’d have plenty left over to comfortably enroll with a new identity dug up. You might even skip grades and graduate immediately!”

“The lessons from you are enough. I simply have something I want to find here.”

Pernok recalled the rumors he’d heard coming here.

“They say Illumina’s king is on his last legs.”

“Then who becomes king will be decided quickly.”

“Who knows. The throne succession war doesn’t start until after the king dies, right? It’ll need 4 or 5 more years.”

Pernok had no intention of ending this journey with simple revenge.

To resolve his lingering attachment, he needed a large chunk of land like Illumina.

The method to both get revenge and seize what he wanted was sweeping up the ‘throne succession war.’

‘If I charged into the kingdom with my current power, I’d die right at the gate. Never mind revenge, I’d return to the Netherworld without doing anything.’

No matter how strong the power he had, time was needed to govern it.

Pernok resolved to build strength until 4 or 5 years later when the full-scale throne succession war began.

If he seized not only his own ability but also various ‘powers’ the absolute beings left here, he’d have plenty left over even after crushing a nation.

“Hehehe, I don’t know what it is, but I hope you find what you want quickly.”

“What will you do now?”

“…”

Yak had just blindly followed Pernok here, so nothing came to mind immediately.

The thought of helping him was everything, so he hadn’t even thought of what came after.

To Yak blinking silently, Pernok said.

“Rather settle here.”

“Settling… Sounds like a dream. Hehehe.”

Everything had jumped more than double from 10 years ago when Yak worked.

It was a place a wanderer couldn’t covet even in dreams.

To Yak smiling bitterly, Pernok raised a heavy pouch.

“It’s money I gathered while selling accessories here and there. Buy a house and do what you want with what’s left.”

“N-no. There’s no need for this. This is all yours.”

“Think of it as payment for guiding me here.”

“Even so…”

“Instead, forget the treasure vault.”

“If I can’t even speak, really…”

At the goodwill mixed with warning, Yak smiled and received the pouch.

“How long will you stay here?”

“Until I find what I want.”

“Can we meet again?”

“If we run into each other passing by, I’ll greet you at least.”

Yak laughed heartily and raised his beer mug.

“May your journey always be smooth!”

The two people’s mugs clinked.

They exchanged trivial stories until that night passed.

And the next day, Pernok disappeared like smoke.

* * *

Long ago, there was a country that made and used weapons with metal containing special power.

That place was called the land of knights, but it collapsed along with an absurd calamity.

The metal and unique techniques to refine it disappeared together.

The glory of knights seemed to be buried in history.

However.

[There are relics I couldn’t recover in my tomb. Your Majesty may use them, so please grant just one request.]

The King of Knights sent to Pernok’s memory an unforgettable lingering attachment even in death.

That was intense will that brilliant glory not yet buried still remained.

Also like history so absurdly old it felt overwhelming.

As various countries repeatedly perished and were born, the terrain changed.

Even scouring later generations’ records, finding it was close to impossible.

But Pernok had one means.

Memories engraved in the soul.

When contacting something with direct connection like related objects or bloodlines, memories surface.

That merely evokes nostalgia for reminiscence, but with just that, he could grasp that related things were ‘truth.’

A method possible because he’s Pernok.

That too would take considerable time, but the Knight King’s glory had that much value.

Unique even among special metals.

A weapon that changes to free forms following the owner’s will and grows together with the owner.

The First.

To find the symbol of the sovereign that only the Knight King could possess, Pernok entered the place where forgotten records were stored.