God of Knight

Chapter 9 - Blades at the Inn

Surprised, Kenzou inquired, “Are you sure? You might be wrong!”

Kazan nodded and then recounted what he had heard.

“If everything you said is true, that means the village chief must be in danger—I have to get there right away!” said Kenzou. He tried to leave, but Kazan held his hand.

“Young Master, if you’re afraid, you should stay in Daigo’s room,” Kenzou said, trying to lead him there.

Kazan shook his head, leaving Kenzou confused.

“Young Master, I can’t just sit idly by here while the village chief is in danger!” said Kenzou.

Kenzou looked toward Daigo’s door, mistaking the grip on his hand for a child’s fear of being left alone.

“Teacher! Mom once said that if wolves are watching our sheep, we shouldn’t wait for them to attack. Shouldn’t we go to their den first and frighten them away?” Kazan asked.

“Yes… of course we have to go to the wolves’ den—that is, if we even know where it is!” said Kenzou.

“But don’t you already know where their den is, Teacher?” Kazan asked, feigning innocence.

Kenzou’s gaze shifted to the other wall. The men he wanted to stop were already within reach.

“You’re very young, but quite clever. Thank you, Young Master. Now, please come with me.”

Kenzou took Kazan to Daigo’s room and then explained the situation to his two students.

Kenzou asked Kanezawa to come with him, while Daigo stayed behind to watch over Kazan in the room.

Kenzou and Kanezawa headed to the bandits’ room.

“Excuse me, sir!” Kenzou called, knocking politely on the door.

The door opened. A burly man in a sleeveless shirt stood behind it; two blades inside a black circle were tattooed on his upper arm.

His hand tightened on the doorframe when he saw Kenzou.

“You…! How did you know we were in this room?”

“So you belong to the Blood Blade Circle. The Young Master heard correctly after all,” Kenzou said.

Two more men appeared behind him, one a knight wielding a Fengrui Sword.

Kenzou gave the man holding the Fengrui Sword a bitter smile, then spoke again.

“I know what you’re planning. Since I’m already here, I’ll capture you and take all three of you to the village chief. Perhaps I’ll earn a little money for my trouble!” Kenzou said.

The three of them laughed at Kenzou’s words.

“Hahahaha! Are you sure about what you’re saying, Old Knight? Look—there aren’t just three of us, but five!” said the big man.

Two more men emerged from the room beside Daigo’s. The bandits had occupied both of the inn’s other rooms.

Kenzou let out a breath and assessed the men around him. Apart from the Fengrui swordsman, they were at the Lower Level, in the second stage of its training.

“Everyone, attack quickly and kill those two!” said the man wielding the Fengrui Sword.

“It’s too cramped to fight here. The two of us will take on all five of you outside!” Kenzou said.

Before the tattooed man could raise his weapon, Kenzou clamped a hand over his face and hauled him through the doorway into the open courtyard.

Kanezawa struck at the nearest bandit’s guard with a clawing hand, then sprang outside before the others could box him in.

The other four followed with swords drawn. Chairs scraped behind them as the inn’s occupants drew away from the doors.

“You two, be careful—he’s from the Golden Lion Sect!” warned the man with the Fengrui Sword, then resumed his attack on Kenzou.

They were unaware that Kenzou was, in fact, a First-Stage Knight of Light.

Nearby doors slammed shut. Kenzou and Kanezawa faced the five bandits outside the inn.

Kenzou kept three men before him: the tattooed bandit, the Fengrui swordsman, and one other. Kanezawa intercepted the remaining two.

“Take this!” The tattooed man’s sword cut toward Kenzou’s abdomen. One companion attacked his flank while the Fengrui blade closed off his retreat.

“Lion’s Roar!”

Kenzou planted his feet. Ki rose from his abdomen to his throat.

ROAR!

The sound struck before their swords could reach him. All three staggered backward, arms thrown wide by the burst of Ki.

They bent over, trying to draw breath. The tattooed man shook his head, but the ringing in his ears would not stop.

“We can’t beat him—run!” He turned, abandoning his attack.

“You’re not getting away!” Kenzou sprang after the Fengrui swordsman first, his fingers curved into claws.

“Lion’s Claws Tearing Prey!”

Four diagonal wounds opened across the man’s back. His shirt tore, and he fell before he could take another step.

Kenzou left the wounded man where he lay and bounded after the other two.

“Damn, he’s fast!” The tattooed man glanced back. Kenzou had already halved the gap between them.

“Argh, damn it!”

He flung his sword down and dropped to his knees, palms raised.

“Please spare me, Knight, I surrender—please don’t kill me!” said the tattooed man.

Kenzou stopped before him. Farther away, the last fugitive hesitated, then disappeared into the dark, leaving his companion kneeling in the road.

“I’m not like you people who rob and kill as you please, but you must come with me to the village chief’s house! If you dare to refuse, I’ll take you there by force,” said Kenzou.

“O-Okay, Knight, I’ll do as you say!” replied the tattooed man.

Kenzou bound the man’s wrists and marched him back to the wounded swordsman.

One of Kanezawa’s opponents lunged as the other tried to circle behind him. Kanezawa turned with them, broke their footing with successive strikes, and forced both to the ground. He stood over them, breathing hard, until they dropped their swords.

“Come with me and take them to the village chief’s house!” said Kenzou.

“Yes, Master!” replied Kanezawa, who had already tied up the two men he had defeated.

They led the four new prisoners toward the village chief’s house. Kazan watched from the inn’s doorway.

His fingers curled against the doorframe. Kenzou had let one escape and the rest live; Kazan would have left none of them able to return.

“Young Master, didn’t you just say you wanted to go back to your room? Then why are you still here?” asked Daigo.

“I just wanted to see the Master, but he’s not here anymore!” replied Kazan.

“In that case, let’s go to your room, Young Master. It’s too dangerous to be here alone,” suggested Daigo.

Kazan complied and went into his room, while Daigo followed him.

While Kenzou was rounding up the captives, Daigo had stepped away to relieve himself. Kazan had asked to return to his own room.

With the fight outside apparently over, Daigo had agreed.

He had returned to find Kazan at the outer door instead. Now he kept close behind the boy.

“If you’re sleepy, Senior, you should just go back to your room!” said Kazan.

“No, Young Master, let me stay here until the teacher and Kanezawa arrive!” replied Daigo.

Kazan nodded while yawning, then lay down on the bed and fell asleep without waiting for Kenzou to arrive.