Duke Pendragon

Chapter Side Story 56

"Old man…"

Number 1 muttered quietly before swinging both of his arms. Both daggers flew towards Argos' head like lightning, drawing a parabola through the air.

"Haaap!"

Argos inhaled sharply before spreading his arms outward.

Clang!

A loud sound resounded as the daggers were met with his metallic sleeves, and almost simultaneously, Argos stepped forward and stretched out his right hand.

Fwoong!

A fierce strike containing his spirit shot forward towards the chest of Number 1. Most fighters who were capable of sensing and responding to the spirit could imbue their strikes with the spirit. Doing so would allow them to split large rocks with their bare fists, and at a high enough level, a fighter could extend the spirit to about a palm's length.

However, the old fighter already stood at the pinnacle of his art. He could use the spirit to extend his blows to about an arm's length.

Paaang!

Number 1 quickly stepped back and transformed into the black mist, sensing the powerful energy contained inside of Argos' blow. However, the royal knights of Pendragon were already waiting for him.

Shuack!

A blade cut through the air with a sharp sound. It was aimed towards Number 1, who was just about to morph back into his human state from the black mist. However, unlike his other siblings, Number 1 was capable of reusing the technique in the blink of an eye. He quickly transformed back into the black mist seconds before the blade reached him and transported back near the window.

Clang!

The window shattered apart and his body scattered into mist before disappearing into the shadows of the night.

"Chase him!"

The royal knights started to run toward the window and the door at someone's shouts.

"Stay here and protect Baroness Conrad."

"What? But…"

Argos promptly stopped them, and the knights were startled.

"He's an assassin capable of utilizing strange techniques. He could return here after luring you sirs away. Just send me an emergency signal if that does happen. I will deal with him along with the other royal knights stationed outside."

"Yes."

The royal knights were the elite of the Pendragon Kingdom. They were quick to nod their heads in agreement and positioned themselves around Lindsay.

"Now, then."

Argos' small body shot out of the window.

Dang! Dang! Dang!

Argos focused his senses. He could hear the sound of the bell, as well as the royal knights and guards flocking to his current location. It was just as Regent Vincent said – it was quite difficult to detect the presence of the enemy, the leader of one of the empire's most notorious assassin organizations.

However, Argos was no ordinary fighter either. He had been arduously trained in the Tiramis Temple. He collected his breath and started walking through the dark garden while unfolding stems of intangible spirit.

'He can hide his heartbeats and breaths. However…'

He sensed a place where the temperature was slightly different from the surroundings, even though the cold wind of a winter night should have been fair to all. Argos leapt into the air before rotating his body and stretching out his leg like a storm.

Boom!

A stone statue was smashed into dozens of pieces after receiving his kick.

Sararak!

Black mist darker than the shadows of the night appeared behind the shattered statue. The obscurity of the vapor was even more evident under the light of surrounding torches.

"Who are you, old man…?"

A dreary voice flowed from the mask.

"I guess you could call me a scrounger of the Pendragon family. I escorted Her Majesty the Queen until not too long ago, but as you can see, I've aged a little."

Argos answered while shrugging, and the eyes inside the mask glimmered with light.

"Argos... So you're the Black Tiger of Tiramis, old man."

"That's what they call me."

Argos' attitude was rather carefree, which was perhaps reflective of his old age. However, the flames of spirit surrounding his figure could not be considered that of an old man.

Number 1 was a little surprised as well as anxious.

He knew that the fighter had been quite capable in the past when he took revenge for his son and daughter-in-law.

"Could you… have known that I was going to come?"

Someone had been expecting it. Otherwise, there was no reason for the old man to have been next to Alan Pendragon's only companion, especially since he was said to have retired.

"Isn't it obvious? Though, this old man's not all that when it comes to using his head, even though I'm quite good at using my fists."

"….."

The yellow eyes of Number 1 darted to the side as Argos answered. He could sense several figures approaching. Dozens of soldiers, four knights with great spirit, and…

"Great work, Master Argos."

"It's nothing. This is the least I can do to earn my fill. After all, His Majesty took in this useless old man."

Vincent bowed lightly to Argos before turning to Number 1.

"The head of the Shadow Brotherhood. Are you the oldest brother of the quintuplets?"

"….."

Number 1's eyes glimmered with killing intent. However, he did not answer.

He was no longer surprised that someone had seen through his plans and had the old man waiting for him. No one in the world could possibly be aware of their true identity unless they were from a certain place.

Number 1 was certain.

Although he looked quite ordinary, the man with the unusual spirit was responsible for everything.

"Vincent Ron, the Regent of Pendragon… Don't tell me that you…"

"That's right. I am from the tower."

"…..!"

The eyes of Number 1 filled with shock for the first time after having his guesses come true. The Tower of Twilight had persistently chased after him and his brothers.

If the enemy was a person of the tower…

Saa.

The daggers of Number 1 started exuding an evil energy.

"So you are a Master of the Twilight Tower. Well, no one else could have seen through our plans. Then would I be correct to guess that today's events, the death of my brothers, was your doing as well?"

Vincent nodded while meeting the gaze of Number 1, which was flashing with killing intent and anger.

"Currently, the strongest man in the castle is Sir Killian. All of your brothers headed there to prepare for any unknown variables, just as the case was with His Majesty the King. However, even that was just a deception to disguise your true purpose. Your real goal would have been His Majesty's companion, Baroness Conrad."

"You…"

The eyes of Number 1 burned bright with anger.

He wasn't the true head of the Shadow Brotherhood and the oldest of the brothers just because he was a little stronger and born earlier than others. He possessed intelligence and brilliance that allowed him to look down on the world with disdain for decades. His brain was the biggest reason why he was the truest 'Number 1'.

However, someone had already seen through all of his plans, and they were currently standing in front of him. Number 1 suffered a huge blow to his pride, on top of the pain and anger he felt from the deaths of his brothers. He muttered while gathering all of his spirit.

"I will kill you…"

Although the plan had slightly veered off its mark, it was still possible. He was still the strongest person in this place. First, he would kill the abominable annoyance responsible for killing two of his brothers, kill the damned old man, then he would finally take Alan Pendragon's girl. He would have her suffer all the pain in the world before killing her.

"Hmm. It appears you aren't as great as I expected."

Vincent muttered coldly, and Number 1 frowned.

"Why do you think we had Baroness Conrad move her residence here."

"What…?"

The wench had moved her residence?

What was he talking about?

"And why do you think we drove you out the window? You aren't very smart for an assassin, are you? I think I must have given you enough hints…"

Number 1 flinched before hurriedly looking around. They were currently in the back garden of the castle. There were dozens of trees in the surroundings, and stone statues lined the various paths. Finally, the area was surrounded by armed guards and royal knights.

"…..!"

Number 1 clenched his teeth after coming to a realization.

The enemy had not simply identified himself and his brothers. Judging from their surroundings and the sly smile of the enemy, it appeared he was already aware of the brothers' strange ability.

"The masters of the tower closely investigated the murders and kidnapping you brothers committed. Strangely enough, most jobs were carried out in wide-open spaces. When we added the various testimonies into the equation, we narrowed it down to one conclusion.

Shiing.

Although he was a competent regent, Vincent was also an outstanding knight with a talent for the sword. He continued while unsheathing his blade.

"You cannot use your technique to move to the same place twice. That's why I had Baroness Conrad move her residence to the room closest to the back garden. So that you would find yourself in trouble trying to use that ability of yours."

"Keugh…!"

A groan escaped the lips of Number 1. Even though he always mocked and jeered the world, there was always another sky above the sky. The Pendragon family was filled with monsters, including the founding king and the knights under his command.

"But even so, it would have been difficult for me and the knights to deal with you alone. That's why I made preparations."

Vincent's gaze headed towards Argos, and the fighter's fists began to flow with spirit.

"….."

Number 1 clenched his teeth.

Fighting a battle in such a narrow terrain was extremely disadvantageous for him, since he could not utilize Mist Walking freely. However, such a narrow terrain would allow a fighter to maximize his abilities.

He had been gauging his rate of victory at 70 percent until now, but after realizing such facts, it had decreased to 50 percent. The strongest assassin was able to calmly assess the situation with a cold head, even faced with unexpected variables.

"Haha…"

Shock turned to fury.

He could not forgive. He would kill.

Even if he had to suffer serious injuries or even die, he would make sure that the damned raccoon…

"I'll kill you…"

Number pushed his spirit to the limit after murmuring, then spread out his arms to the sides before preparing for an attack. Vincent and Argos also prepared themselves after sharing a gaze, carefully looking over the movements of the strongest killer.

It was then.

Number 1 had been about to throw his dagger, and Vincent and Argos were about to launch their own attacks. However, all of them suddenly stopped moving.

They could feel it.

A presence with a dizzyingly enormous spirit was nearing them from the other side of the sky. It was certainly, and overwhelmingly stronger than the enemies they were facing.

Kwarararararara…!

They turned toward the growing roar. It was as if a storm was approaching them.

Their eyes filled with astonishment and shock.

An immense creature was flying towards Conrad Castle. Thousands of the creature's green scales shone brilliantly through the darkness like numerous shields wrapped around its body.

"D, dragon…"

Someone murmured with a dazed expression.

However, Vincent knew the identity of the majestic creature. He spoke without hiding his surprise.

"The Wise Dragon… Ellagrian?"

The guardian of the remaining elves.

Unlike his other arrogant brothers, Ellagrian was a hermit of the forest, and known to be gentle and fair to all creatures. Ellagrian spread his large wings above the back garden of the Pendragon family's royal castle.