Queen's Knight Kael
/ Queen's Knight Kael Vol 1 Chapter 1
10 minutes before summoning. The young girl looked at her left arm while holding a dagger in her right hand. The girl who wore a big backpack below long, swaying hair was shivering slightly. After putting the blade of the dagger on her left arm, she breathed deeply a few times. Every time she did that, her small body slightly expanded and became small again. The skin of her arm seemed so soft, that scratching it with even a fingernail was enough to rip it. Above that weak arm, the sharpened dagger slowly approached. The girl stopped breathing after closing both eyes and mouth, and boldly slashed her arm with the dagger. "Ah." A small scream leaked out of her closed mouth. But that was it. While frowning, yet not shedding a tear at all, the girl raised her arm to the bowl. Just like that, blood filled the bowl. The more her blood filled the bowl, the paler she became. Even while that happened, she stood up while not even showing a crying face, nor stopping the blood. Although her leg shook a bit, she stopped the bleeding only after filling the bowl completely with her blood. "Yulia. Think again. You still do not know what it means to control a demonic being." Her backpack spoke with a voice like a human's. "Pristine. Do you know that you have said that 29 times already?" "Not only 29 times, I will say it 290 times. It is not too late. Stop." "Then I will say for the 29th time: is there any other way?" Yulia wetted a quill with her blood and started to draw shapes on the floor. After drawing a circle big enough for a person to stand, she wrote numerous words in there. Every time she wrote a word, smoke came from that word and left purple residue. She wrote the taboo language of high-class demons without stopping. "Although you are right… that is still not right. Do you think that the Devil King of Darkness' measure will give you much price for your soul? At most, it will be a 5th-class demonic being. In this age, those beings can't even compare to a single tank." Pristine tried to stop Yulia even while knowing that Yulia was getting annoyed. It might have been different in the past. In the time where soldiers armed themselves with spears and arrows, even 5th-class demons were strong. But in this time, summoning a 5th-class demon, using a soul as the medium? There was nothing more foolish than that.
'Saying she is okay with it.....'
Short height, tight shoulders, thin arms and legs, and a small stature made Yulia's bold action look as if she was taking it easy. But if observed closely, it was different. A small back that seems like it was unfit even to wear a backpack, was drenched with sweat. Legs that seem like they can be bruised just by touching a corner, shook. Although her dress hid those things, for this backpack that felt but had no sight, it was laid for all to see. Even while like that, she did not show it in her outer appearance. She spoke clearly without error. Her raised hands stopped on air without any movement. She even had a confident smile on her face. Only her hair that almost touched the floor shook without any control. 'For such a smart kid, she should know better about the consequences.' Pristine was saddened. It was a condition where, if she was human, she will say that it is the wrong thing to do or something like that. In truth, Yulia should be scared as much as she knows. But proceeding with the taboo of ceremony while smiling confidently, this 8 years old kid was acting like an adult way too soon. She is only a kid.
"With my blood I will buy your body.
With my soul I will buy your authority." The smoke that had been coming out filled the surrounding air and from the circle came a wave that shook the place. Inside of the circle became a place that cannot be called something from this world. "At this place, become my faithful servant.
Send me the Knight of Contract that will protect me." The summoning circle was encased in darkness. From that darkness came a shackle that came and grabbed Yulia's right hand. As if heated steel were burning her hand, smoke came from the point of contact. Ever-white skin became red as if burning, then became empty and black. A sizzling sound filled the room. As if marking the cow, darkness stamped on Yulia's empty darkness. She bit her lip upon experiencing sharp pain, but not only did no sounds of pain leak from Yulia's mouth, she also finished the final words of contract.
Pulling apart the Worldstone's restriction by the rule.
The first thing that came into view was two bugs that were bigger than him. They had enormous, scythe-like front legs, and strong jaws that could break a man's neck instantly, and seemingly tough armor. The corpse of Yulia's subordinate was sprawled out on the ground, limbs scattered, and half-eaten by these things.
Flinching, Yulia held Kael tighter. Although not even a small scream came out of her mouth, her grip strengthened, and her trembling could be felt through the clothing's fabric.
Although he noticed it, Kael ignored it and ran forward after unsheathing his sword.
The scythes attacked him from both sides. Choosing not to avoid them, Kael ran deeper within and slashed at the joint. Although the armor could deflect bullets, Kael mercilessly slashed at the places that were vulnerable, and not protected as well by the armor.
Green blood splattered, and the bug that lost its forearm stood up, dumbfounded. Taking advantage of that short moment, the sword lashed out yet again, slashing an area on the bug's neck. Although the neck was covered with the bulletproof armor, the upper slash perfectly pierced the area between the armor. The small weaknesses, that a frontal assault with guns couldn't reach, were being mercilessly attacked.
Watching the death of its comrade, the other mantis-type slashed with its scythe arm, vengeance evident in its multi-faceted eyes. But Kael, seemingly noticing it, charges at the other bug in the same manner as the first. It was a complete repeat of the first takedown: forearms were cut, neck was pierced, and Kael dodged the green blood that spurted out. Not letting a single drop reach Yulia's body, Kael dodged and resumed running.
Although there was no wind blowing inside, Kael's movement was so fast that it was beginning to create a current akin to wind in his wake.
In front of Kael, running ruthlessly now, came a group of three bugs, blocking his path. Maybe they had heard of their comrade's death. This time, they attacked all at once.
Kael didn't slow down at all, or even falter. Slightly twisting his body, he thrust his sword into their synchronized attack and raised it,, causing the bugs' bodies to entangle. Then, with his speed, pierced one bug's neck. Although the other enraged bugs leapt to attack, Kael took back a step to disrupt their timing and assumed a stance.
For a brief moment, thunder and lightning erupted from below. The storm was actually an afterimage of Kael's sword, a manifestation of the energy given off from his immense speed, giving the impression of real thunder and lightning.
Kael started running again, followed by the sound of three bodies collapsing. A flabbergasted Yulia stared up at him, the man who was slaughtering the bugs that had mutilated her personal army so easily.
Although he said himself that the sword is an antique in this age compared to guns, and it was true if the comparison were made from a normal point of view.
But is it the truth?
Kael's body moved like the wind, and the moments when he stopped to fight were like a tornado tearing through a forest. His movements between attacks were fluid, almost like water, and the moments when he attacks the enemy's weakest points, his speed and accuracy were like that of lightning.
These were movements made for real fighting, not for show.
His movements consisted only of blocking the opponent's attack and countering with his own. But why did it seem so beautiful?
The centipede-type bugs came out to block his path. Kael stopped for a moment. Yulia, who was only staring at his performance, pressed down on his shoulder and opened her mouth to warn him.
"Be alert. Those things--"
Before she could finish giving her warning, the centipedes rolled up and shot poison stingers in a wide sniping pattern that couldn't be avoided.
In that moment, Kael spun Yulia behind him and slashed away at the stingers. It may have been inevitable that the young Queen saw an immovable mountain, from the sight of Kael blocking the poison stingers while holding his ground.
After deflecting them all away, Kael grabbed Yulia again and ran. Before the bugs could shoot another salvo of stingers, he slashed, repeatedly: downward, left to right, diagonally, in every direction. After his series of attacks, the scene was chaotic, countless pieces of minced centipede raining down.
"The poison.... are you okay?"
Yulia looked at Kael while touching his arm cautiously. Her lips lost their smile and her eyes, eyes that once held a beautiful light, were now filled with worry.
No matter how fast his sword was, there was no way he could have deflected away all of the stingers that were shot at him. If he could, then there was no way a sword could ever lose to a gun, at least when it was in Kael's hands. She was also able to spot poison stings here and there. Kael smiled and patted the worried Yulia's head.
"Don't worry. Because I am a demon, I'm immune to normal poisons. Although killing all 300 is hard, I won't fall before reaching the goal."
"I thank you for protecting me."
"Thank me after we escape."
Embracing Yulia again, Kael ran on.
'Tch, it's not good. This poison's strong."
The talk of immunity was not a lie. But the mysterious giant bug's poison exceeded that of a normal poison. If Yulia got hit by it, she would have died within a matter of seconds. Even Kael, demon that he is, felt dizzy.
Not showing it, he clicked his tongue mentally. This was a battle against time: if they all came at him at once, then it would be impossible for him to do anything. It was a good thing that the bugs were spread out throughout the wide castle.
"There's no time. Change in plan."
Breaking the window, he jumped outside. Nine bugs that were waiting outside leapt at him, all at once.
Four centipedes shot their poison stingers, and five mantises lunged, scythes in the air.
"Ah."
Before Yulia could ask what he was going to do, Kael was already in front of a mantis. He pierced the area below its jaw to scatter its brain, and used its corpse to block the stingers. As if saying that they will not forgive him, the other four mantises attacked him with their scythes, but Kael jumped above their reach.
Jumping again using the raised scythes with grasshopper-like agility, he jumped over them while kicking one in the head. While the bugs had a hard time regaining their balance, Kael rushed at the centipedes that were readying their stingers again.
What followed was an explosively endless barrage. One was decapitated while Kael spun along with the sword, and another's head was sliced open. The joint between the armor was cut off without a second's thought, and all four centipedes were taken care of.
While being chased by the remaining four mantises, Kael ran on with Yulia hanging on him to reach the statue that she mentioned. Taking advantage of the moment that Kael stopped, the bugs attacked him, but it was all useless. While dodging them like flowing water, he attacked them with lightning fast movements to kill them off, one by one.
"Now, we're here. Activate the thing you were talking about."
Kael finally let down Yulia.
"I shall, then."
Jumping down like a rabbit, Yulia pressed the name tag area under the statue here and there. When she did that, the garden in front of them opened and revealed an expensive looking black car. The windows were tinted, so much so that they were more like mirrors, and the frame was tough.
As though she just remembered, Yulia told Pristine.
"Pristine, keep one of each of those bugs within you."
"Ek, those grotesque things…"
"We need the sample for the experiment. I command you."
As if to say that she was never scared of those bugs, Yulia bravely commanded Pristine.
"Fine then."
After mumbling that, Pristine shook, and like what happens with a vacuum cleaner, one of each type of bug was sucked into it. The size of the bugs, much too large for a normal backpack, entered just like that.
"So, the inside must be wide. Why couldn't you just swallow the bug army?"
Pristine answered Kael.
"It can't be helped, because they might come out after ripping me up."
"Is that so? Well, it can't be helped. And by the way, is this thing the emergency device you were talking about?"
Yulia proudly nodded when Kael pointed at the car that fully appeared from within the ground.
"That is correct. This is Thunder Bird, the car made from the country's finest technology. 300 kilometers per hour is of no problem. Now, Kael. Drive."
Flicking her forefinger, Yulia selfishly ordered.
"No, wait… that's impossible."
"How is that so?"
Yulia's eyes opened wide, and her pupils followed after it. Her eyes were filled with question marks, like a kitten that witnessed something mysterious.
"I've never even been in a car before, much less driven one. That thing is only used by Heavenly Beings and humans. It doesn't exist in my realm."
"If it is a knight from the past, horse riding, and if you are a knight from this present, then it is driving. Is this not common education?"
"It can't be helped. From the beginning, wasn't it human technology made from the Worldstone that demons hate? There's no way I would learn something like that."
The only thing given through the contract is the language and basic knowledge of the day's society; specific skills don't come along with it.
"Kuuh."
Finally understanding her mistake in her plan, Yulia creased her expression.
"What are you going to do? If we spend too long because of this, we will get surrounded."
While they were discussing the situation, bugs could already be seen in the distance.
Lifting her forefinger to her lips and lowering her head, Yulia was contemplating. Then, she raised her head and flung her hair back and made a big smile.
"Huu, it cannot be helped, then. Get in the car, for I will drive instead."
Saying that, Yulia hopped in the driver's seat. Pushing back the seat that was meant to be used, she simply stood behind the wheel. The car's ceiling was high enough that she didn't have to crouch forward. Strongly holding on the steering wheel, she breathed in and out a few times.
"Why didn't you do that from the beginning?"
Not noticing the fact that an 8 year old kid is driving because of his lack of experience, Kael entered from the opposite site. Then, he noticed that something was weird.
The way she had a hard time reaching for the acceleration pedal didn't seem natural at all. More so than that, the hand that was holding onto the handle was shaking and the long hair that was laid upon the chair was twitching.
Although it was his first time riding in a car, Kael immediately knew that the car was not supposed to be used this way.
"Hey… are you okay?"
"I have witnessed the driver's performance a few times already. For I at least understand the concept, it will be fine."
Making a smiling expression of confidence comparable to her trembling body, Yulia inserted the key and turned it, then put it in gear. Afterward, she tightly closed her mouth and stepped on the pedal with the short leg she had.
"Saying that you saw it a few times, then that means that you also don't have any experien-"
Next thing he knew, the car rapidly raised its speed and started to move. The speedometer's needle danced and the number accelerated.
30… 50… 100… 150, 200, 250, 300.
It can be said that the way the car accelerated could categorize this car as a monster car, but it also brought an intense rumbling from the engine.
"Uwaaaahk!?"
A scream escaped from Kael's mouth as he witnessed the scenery change rapidly. Although the car was rapidly approaching a closed gate, Yulia showed no signs of slowing. Scratch that : she raised the speed instead.
350.
The speedometer's needle moved into the red zone.
Crrrrraaaash!
With a deafening sound, the steel door was broken through. The gate's lock was broken and the doors flew, but the car didn't stop at all and continued on.
Except for the slight dent on the bumper, there was no damage to the car at all. But because of the impact, Kael's head was dizzy and his eardrums hurt because of the loud noise.
The steering wheel, not being handled properly, shook. The car moved here and there, and just before the car crashed into a pole, Yulia desperately threw the wheel opposite way. With a sudden change in direction, the car spun and moved onto a different road.
While the car moved around restlessly, it pulverized the decorative median that was meant to separate each side of the road. Although broken pieces of scenery rained down upon the car, the bulletproof windows held on, with only slight chips here and there.
But that is only talk of how it looked from the outside.
Inside, Kael was having the worst time, trying to suppress his stomach from turning itself inside out.
'Death.'
'If this goes on, I will die.'
'Definitely, I will die along with this car.'
It may have been his first time in a car, he knew that this brat's driving was not normal at all.
"Go slower… slower!"
"Do not be too loud. What if we are caught because we slowed down?"
Not listening at all, Yulia twisted the wheel again. Her hair flew this way and that way. Not knowing how much her small hands held, the angles that she moved the wheel at were truly barbaric. Following the road that took a slight curve, the car moved 90 degrees. Sometimes it moved up the road, and other times it came down. The car's rampage continued.
"Uuuk…"
Kael forced back the stomach acid that was coming up. There is no way he will ever puke in front of a child.
Maybe having a hard time pressing down on the pedal, Yulia shook while raising her leg, but mercilessly stepped on the pedal while leaning forward. The car slowed down because it was turning around, then sped up again crazily. As the car moved rather roughly, Yulia's body followed like a small boat in stormy waters. Even through all that, she held on to the wheel. Kael was shaking while holding on to the side of the car.
The car's immense speed finally let up when the castle couldn't be seen anymore. Only then did the car find itself in a peaceful atmosphere.
"Huaaaaaaa."
Kael exhaled instinctively.
"I'm alive."
"Like you have said, we are alive. Thanks to you, we were able to escape safely."
"…Although something scarier than the bugs came out in the end…"
"I have only witnessed the skill from the backseat, this was the first time driving myself. Do not complain because of a bit of clumsiness."
Pouting slightly, Yulia ballooned her cheeks. Twisting her eyesight by 15 degrees caused her hair to shimmer. That slightly peeved expression further increased her inner grace.
"Small? Small…? Did you say small!?"
Kael's hand shook considerably. Instead of taking care of this peeved queen, it seemed as though he would hit her any time.
"Although it may have been my first time in a car, I still know that this exceeds the boundary of 'small'!"
"Puu."
Ignoring Kael's silent roar, Yulia laughter leaked out. At that moment, her appearance was not that of the graceful queen, but a very innocent child.
"You defeated the monster bugs without having much trouble, but are scared of cars. 'Tis funny."
"No… I believe that I'm not the only one who would be scared of your driving."
"Nevertheless, it seems like we escaped safely. If there is no other problem brewing, then we would reach the palace safely. I thank you."
Saying that, Yulia stopped her childish smile and gave a soft expression. Although it was a graceful smile, because it was a child's smile, it was that of a princess's smile. Because of that, Kael was slightly disappointed.
'Even so, this expression must be more of a usual one. Her expression from a moment ago must be a very rare one. Let's just be happy with witnessing that.'
"Well no, it wasn't much of a big deal."
"It was. You were able to pierce through the wall of monster bugs that my army was powerless to do anything against. You may have said that the sword is a lost cause in this age, but in my eyes, it was beautiful and strong. Especially, the moment when you jumped using the monsters as a springboard was most breathtaking."
She praised him with a beautiful smile with her tone lowered a bit. Although the moment when she said breathtaking, her eyes shone bright and strongly, like that of a child's.
"That's the illusion that you got because the bugs were a special case. If your army had stronger guns, then it would have been better for you."
As if to say that swords will always be swords, Kael shook his hand.
"I might be useful in infiltration maybe, but on a real battlefield, it has no meaning at all. Let's say that your subordinates get a machinegun each and they shoot at me. Someone like me will become a beehive in an instant. Maybe a higher ranking demon's magic will be able to block it, but when it comes to someone like me, nothing can be done at all."
"Maybe so, but the one who rescued the distressed me is none other than yourself. That is the sole fact that matters. So be more proud, for you will be awarded when we get to the palace."
"Well, I don't need something like an award."
Kael raised and dropped his shoulders. Although he was called into an annoying job while he was having a good time sleeping, it was rewarding because he was able to protect this kid's smile.
'Exercise here and there isn't that bad.'
It's better than that expression turning into that of fear and pain without the body, right? It seems like we are out of danger, after all.
Chapter end
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