Chapter 16
Eugene stood before a shop, his heart pounding, the sign above reading 'Undine Tavern'.
*Gulp.*
Having drunk only muddy, village-quality beverages for so long, he craved a proper beer.
"In Boneyard, they cool beer barrels by submerging them in the cold water of the canals. The taste is absolutely superb. You must try it when you arrive. The place I recommend is the Undine Tavern."
It was the Tavern Beard had recommended before they parted ways.
"Undine? Why that name?"
"Because of its location by the canal, that tavern's beer is the coldest."
"Aha! Good information, thank you."
With swelling anticipation, he opened the door to reveal a spacious hall.
Unlike Kingdom's End, which only exuded the weariness of a hard day, this place was filled with endless chatter and laughter.
On one side, Peddlers earnestly discussed their wares, while on the other, Mercenaries cursed their former employers. An Adventurer, deep in thought, stared intently at a crudely drawn map.
*Ding-a-ling.*
The sound of a hooded female Bard tuning her lyre added to the atmosphere.
*Is this what adventure is like?*
Admiring the atmosphere, he placed an order, and two mugs of beer with clear foam were brought out.
"Why is the foam white here? That's how beer is supposed to be. What we've been drinking was the strange one,"
"…!"
With surprise and anticipation, Homi's tail, resting on her lap, thumped like a mullet.
"Alright, cheers!"
*Clink.*
The Knight and his Squire clinked their wooden mugs and drank in unison.
"!!!"
Eugene blinked.
It was bitter yet savory, the foam smooth, and it was cold! This was the first proper beer he'd had since arriving here.
"This is good. Much tastier than I expected..."
*Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp!*
Beside him, Homi, eyes wide, gripped her mug with both hands and guzzled it down.
As her head tilted back, her sandaled toes curled tightly, and her long tail stiffened into a straight line.
"Phaaa!"
After drinking about three-tenths in one go, she let out a refreshing cheer.
"It's a relief that even if she can't speak, she can still express her amazement just the same."
Unlike him, who had many memories of delicious drinks, she was tasting real beer for the first time in her life.
Homi smiled happily. The beer tasted good, but the moment of adventuring with her Liege Lord and experiencing all sorts of new things was truly delightful.
Unfortunately, the good atmosphere didn't last long.
"Hey, Young Lady!"
A boisterous male voice came from behind.
Two men, clad in Chainmail and with swords at their hips, stopped in front of the Bard who was playing her lyre.
"Play us a song."
One of them flicked his thumb, and two copper coins landed on the table.
"Thank you, My Lord."
The Bard swept her hand over the table, and the coins vanished as if by magic.
"What song would you like me to sing?"
"Go on, guess. What do you think we'd want from you?"
Long fangs protruded from between the laughing man's lips. His ears were shaped like a human's, so he must be a Dhampir.
He pulled back his cloak, revealing a Family Crest. Above was a rose dripping blood from its petals, and below, thorny vines seemed to squeeze a naked man.
"You are Knights of the Piranian Family. I understand."
The Bard recognized the Family by its crest alone. Due to the nature of her profession, she needed to be knowledgeable about Noble crests, in addition to songs and various skills.
When performing, Bards sometimes interact with Nobles, and singing songs about a particular Family's glory could earn them extra tips.
Conversely, singing a song about a Family's disgrace or honoring their enemies could cost them a hand.
*Ding.*
The Bard gripped her lyre with a tense posture.
The Piranian Family was a Noble House from Barsia. As their crest suggested, they were infamous for their cruelty, from the Feudal Lord down to his vassals.
"A pregnant woman once said,"
The Bard began to sing.
"Please, My Lord, do not kill me.
I have a child within my womb."
The lyrics were unsettling from the start.
"Then the Piranian Feudal Lord laughed.
Why would I bite you now?
Your child is not yet ripe."
The unpleasant lyrics and gloomy tone made everyone in the Tavern frown.
This was a song commemorating the Piranian Family's annihilation of their sworn enemies, the Nightfall Family.
The pregnant woman in the lyrics was the Feudal Lord's wife, the last survivor at the time.
No one knew what became of her afterward. The Piranian Family claimed she had been sent to a distant Monastery, but no one believed them.
"Excellent."
"For a Bard from the Borderland, it's quite listenable. And it's commendable that you know this song."
A moment later, when the song ended, the Dhampir Knights applauded.
"Thank you, Sir Knight."
The Bard bowed so low her head almost touched the table.
"W-well then, I'll be going."
Her wrist was seized as she tried to leave quickly.
"Hold on! Sing another song."
*Clink.*
Another copper coin dropped.
"My Lord, my throat is sore, I need to rest..."
The Bard said, glancing nervously.
"What? Your throat is itchy?"
"Shall we scratch it for you? I guarantee, the sting will be brief, and you'll feel good quickly."
As the Dhampirs bared their fangs, the Tavern's atmosphere didn't just dampen; it froze solid.
"I'll sing!"
The Bard quickly sat down and gripped her lyre with trembling hands. Cackling laughter erupted above her.
Everyone hated listening, but the fear of the Knights' swords kept them silent.
Eugene, who had been stroking Homi's head, sighed.
"I suppose I'll have to step in."
However, Eugene, who had been about to stand, awkwardly sat back down. A man was already standing before the Dhampir Knights.
He had a unique appearance, seemingly a mix of Latin and Asian heritage. With black, seaweed-like hair and deep dark circles, he was a strangely attractive man.
He wore dark Leather Armor and had a Rapier and a main-gauche at his waist. In his hand was a half-empty mug of beer.
"Do you want to request a song too? We were here first, so go somewhere else."
The Dhampir Knight said.
"I came to cancel the song request."
"What?"
"Because the song is terrible. This place makes good beer, but listening to that crappy song makes it taste like crap."
The Dhampir Knight looked dumbfounded.
"I can't stand to see good beer wasted on a Samurite monkey. Leave that beer and get out."
His companion mimicked a monkey and scoffed.
Samur is a country located in the south, a harsh land where deserts and jungles coexist.
However, it had access to the eastern and southern seas, and the Desert Trade Route extending to the southwest, leading to active trade.
The Dates traded in Boneyard also came from Samur, and palm trees and bananas were cultivated there.
"It's just as strange that Barsia bastards like you came all the way here. You're unwelcome guests wherever you go, so what did you crawl in here to pick up?"
Instead of answering, the Dhampirs scrutinized the Samurite's appearance.
Unlike themselves, who wore Metal Armor, they gave him a contemptuous look, seeing that Leather Armor was all he had.
"What did you ride to get here? A beggar like you wouldn't have a horse, so a donkey?"
"Donkeys are good, yes. We have to ride horses and, when lonely, go to a Brothel, but Samurites can take care of it right there."
The Samurite approached the scoffing Dhampirs.
Then, his demeanor changed as if his relaxed posture from moments ago had been a lie. The atmosphere became sharp, ready for a sword to be drawn at any moment. Even if they were thugs, perhaps Knights were still Knights?
However, it was two against one, and perhaps due to pride, they didn't stand up from their seats.
"Your ears are short, you lot."
"..."
"..."
One of the things you shouldn't do in front of a Dhampir is mention their ears. Not being pure-blooded was their biggest complex.
"Do you know why I came all the way to Boneyard? Riding an expensive horse?"
The Samurite drained the beer he was holding to the bottom. As the wooden mug tilted upwards, their gazes clashed.
*If it were me, I'd be worried about being ambushed while drinking, so I wouldn't let my guard down properly.*
Eugene admired his nerve.
"I came to make money. I was promised a large sum if I swung my sword a few times here."
He placed the empty beer mug on the table.
"But when I arrived, I found something else I liked. Turns out there are Barsia bloodsuckers who came to the City for the same reason as me. I already wanted to beat them up, so how great is it that they came all the way from the northwest just to get beaten?"
"Such insolence!"
Both Dhampir Knights drew their swords simultaneously.
But the Samurite was faster. He kicked the armrest of the chair where the farther Dhampir was sitting.
*CRASH!*
The chair toppled, and the one sitting in it tumbled to the floor.
The Dhampir directly in front stood up, but he was too close to swing his sword. As he hastily retreated, a shoe, like a stone, suddenly wedged itself around his ankle.
*Thud.*
"Ugh!"
The Samurite grabbed the arm of the Dhampir who was losing his balance and falling. It was the arm holding the sword.
*Slice!*
"Kuaaaak!"
As the main-gauche flashed past, blood gushed from the Dhampir's wrist, and his longsword clattered to the floor.
"You bastard!"
The Dhampir Knight who had fallen with the chair sprang up but had to stop.
"Be careful."
Because the blade of the main-gauche was poised at his friend's severed wrist.
"That was just a shallow cut. But if I make one more proper slice, this guy might die, no? Even if he somehow lives, he'll be crippled for life."
"Kuh-uh-uh."
The Dhampir Knight couldn't charge forward, seeing his friend in agony. The Bard and other patrons had long since fled, and the owner was nowhere to be seen.
"As much as I'd like to just kill him, I'm a guest here, so I suppose I should hold back. It wouldn't do for a guest to commit murder on the first day. Though I'm not sure if swatting a mosquito counts as murder."
The Samurite pushed the Dhampir he was holding, as if throwing him.
"Ian!"
The unharmed Knight frantically caught his friend.
"Take him and get out."
"You'll regret this!"
The Dhampir Knight quickly disappeared, intending to treat his friend before he lost any more blood.
"We didn't even get a chance to intervene, did we?"
Homi nodded.
"Hey, you with the sword there."
But the situation wasn't over yet.
"Me?"
"Yeah. You, the cowardly Knight who couldn't live up to his size and just cowered."
Eugene restrained Homi, who was about to spring up in indignation.
"You're not wearing armor, but it's obvious you're a Knight. And you just stood there and took that? Are you even a Knight?"
"I wasn't trying to hold back. I was about to step in, but you beat me to it."
"Anyone can say anything."
Eugene looked at the Samurite's face.
"Are you still angry because you couldn't kill that guy earlier?"
"As expected of a coward, you're quick on the uptake."
"So, what can I do to appease your anger?"
"Hmm, I've seen enough blood for today."
The Samurite wiped the blood from his sword with a piece of bread from the table and sheathed it. Then, he clenched his fist towards Eugene.
"Just one punch."
"This isn't Samur."
The Knight Investiture procedures varied by region, but many places included an assault as a rite of passage.
Among them, Samur, along with Gord, was known for being tough, so much so that Knights sometimes fainted during their investiture.
"This is the best way to remind someone of forgotten chivalry. In my opinion, those Knights up north aren't knightly enough because they haven't been beaten enough."
The Samurite spun his fist and laughed.
"Just one punch and it's over?"
Eugene asked.
"Yeah. Just one punch, and I'll completely forget about it."
"Alright."
*Thump!*
Eugene pushed off the floor.
"What?"
Despite the considerable distance, the immense leg strength closed the gap in an instant.
The Samurite instinctively threw a punch, but it was easily caught by Eugene. This was followed by a single Shoulder Throw, executed with monstrous strength.
*WHOOSH!*
The Samurite felt the world spin as he was slammed into the ground.
*CRASH!*
"Cough!"
An incredibly powerful impact! His breath was knocked out, and all the air in his lungs was expelled. His vision swam yellow as his consciousness rapidly plummeted.
Eugene confirmed that Homi had placed the beer money on the bar and headed for the exit.
The Samurite thrashed on the floor, trying to grab Eugene, but he couldn't control his body.
*Thud.*
In the end, he collapsed without a word and lost consciousness. Homi, who had followed with short steps, grabbed him and tossed him into a corner.
*CRASH!*
"Hmph!"
Homi brushed her hands off as she exited.
It was a rather pathetic end for a "Knight of Justice" who had just displayed such overwhelming power.
***
Two days later, Sorin came to the Inn.
"Sir Knight! The City is ready to receive you. Will you come with me?"
"I've been waiting. Let's go."
Eugene was escorted to a Mansion where Distinguished City Guests stayed. The Inn he was currently at wasn't bad, but this place was on a different level.
The Maids passing by were all beautiful women dressed in fine clothes, and expensive artworks lined the corridors.
In the garden, a man with a splendid mustache was trimming hedges with pruning shears. Each guest room was more than suitable for a Noble.
"You will be meeting Magistrate Panis."
"He's the one who invited me, isn't he?"
"That's right."
A large brown wooden door with a visible grain appeared. A nameplate reading 'Magistrate Panis' hung on it.
"Here we are."
The moment Sorin was about to knock, a desperate voice came from beyond the door.
"Sir Karas! Those were Knights I went to great lengths to find!"
It was Panis's voice.
"Their character was trash, and their skill was trash, too, wasn't it? They just took up space; sending them out wouldn't have helped anyway. With ruffians like that, only innocent City folk would get tired."
A voice that sounded familiar came from somewhere. Judging by the atmosphere, the owner of the voice seemed to be Karas.