Battle Race in the Fantasy World

EP.142 A Brush with Death

While everyone in the legion was caught off guard by their sudden appearance,

Kyle quietly moved to greet the approaching children.

Seeing Kyle’s face, the children let out an excited “Oh!”

“It’s the youngest young master!”

“It’s the youngest young master!!”

Whoosh!!-

The children came running with bright expressions and happy faces.

Same as always. After all, kids are the same everywhere. That’s just how kids are.

As Kyle was about to spread his arms with a smile, a sudden thought occurred to him.

‘…Uh. Wait a second.’

One or two, sure. Three? No. He might be able to handle up to five.

But the kids running over there were at least ten, if not more.

If all those kids piled on? Could he withstand it? He’d probably end up flat on the ground.

‘And they’re covered in monster bits!’

He lowered his arms and turned around. Then he ran away at full speed.

“youngest young master!”

“Where are you going?!”

“Get away, you little rascals! You’re trying to hug me looking like that! Go wash up first!!”

Kyle and the children engaged in a chase across the plains.

If you only saw that much, it might look like simple play, but it wasn’t at all.

Not only the legion members but even Commander Priscilla had a surprised look on her face.

The speed they were displaying was enough to keep pace with a decent cavalry unit.

‘Can a person… move that fast?’

Kyle, well. Let’s say it’s possible for Kyle.

After all, he fought without much difficulty against herself, a Top 10, and even defeated Mathieu of the Alliance.

That’s enough to defeat one of the Top 10 and become a new Top 10 himself.

The problem was the young children chasing after him.

Even the oldest-looking one was at most in their late teens.

And these children were keeping up with Kyle, almost catching him!

“Ho ho ho! The children seem to be in high spirits seeing the youngest young master.”

Clang!!-

At the sudden sound of hearty laughter, Priscilla drew her sword.

It was a reflexive response, as she hadn’t even properly sensed the presence.

The blue blade instantly aimed for the other person’s neck.

Whoosh-.

“Oh my. You seem startled. I apologize, my lady. Ho ho ho!”

That sword was blocked by a white-haired old man standing in front with one hand.

Although she hadn’t infused it with sword energy, it was still a menacing ‘weapon’ with a sharp edge.

Yet the old man was simply pushing back the sword with a relaxed laugh.

There was no hostility. It was just that she hadn’t noticed his presence.

Realizing her mistake, Priscilla quickly withdrew her sword and bowed her head.

“I apologize, Brother. I was rude.”

“Not at all. If you were startled, I should be the one apologizing.”

As she watched the old man wave his hand dismissively, Priscilla thought.

‘He’s strong.’

She involuntarily swallowed hard.

Strong. Not just his innate strength, but something indescribable emanated from his entire body.

This is, yes. The maturity of a veteran soldier who has gone through countless battles.

“Old man.”

At this moment, Kyle approached with children hanging from his arms and legs.

It looked like a tree full of people.

The old man smiled brightly at the sight and bowed slightly.

“It’s been a while, youngest young master. Hmm… Just as the eldest young master and young lady said.”

“What did my older brother and sister say?”

“That you seem to have gained a bit of weight and lost some muscle mass compared to when you were at home.”

“…I haven’t missed a day of exercise. Really, old man.”

“I’m sure you have. I’m not worried. The youngest young master will take care of himself. Ho ho!”

Peeling off the children clinging to him one by one, Kyle approached Priscilla.

“Let me introduce you, Commander. This is Old Man Neil. He’s one of the people who helps my father.”

“Ah… Are you… Jonathan’s butler?”

“Ho ho! That’s not it. Butler, you say. I’m just a person who does odd jobs here and there.”

Odd jobs. Odd jobs, he says. What kind of odd jobs could make someone this strong?

It seems the rumor that even a Top 10 is just a guest who’s good with a sword when they go to Jonathan’s place wasn’t just an empty rumor.

“Ah, and also.”

Kyle poked Priscilla and added a word.

“This old man is ‘that person’.”

“…No way.”

“Yes. The person Commander Priscilla was looking for. That’s right.”

At Kyle’s words, Priscilla quickly looked at Old Man Neil.

On the surface, he looked like a person who had just passed sixty. But in reality, he was well over eighty.

Jonathan’s warrior who had a splendid battle with her grandfather and ultimately handed him defeat.

That figure was standing before her, without a trace of aging.

‘…Thank goodness.’

Yes. Thank goodness. Grandfather didn’t lose to just anyone.

And thank goodness. That I, too, can dare to ask for teachings from such a figure.

Once again, thank goodness. That Grandfather will be able to meet that person once more.

Perhaps if he sees that old man, my grandfather would jump up from his seat.

Shouting that no illness can stop him, wouldn’t he return to those times?

“I’ll speak to Old Man Neil separately later, Commander.”

“I’d be grateful, Brother Kyle. Please, I really must ask this of you.”

Commander Priscilla bowed her head several times as she made her request.

Kyle reassured her not to worry, then approached Old Man Neil.

“By the way, Old Man. Father is…”

“Ah, about that. He said he was concerned about startling the kids. From what I can see, it seems he’s intentionally not coming in.”

At Old Man Neil’s words, Kyle glanced towards the legion.

The Empire’s pride, the regular legion. A well-oiled war machine, specialized in slaughter.

A massive force that no one on the continent could ignore.

‘They are kids indeed. Hmm. Absolutely.’

Kyle wholeheartedly agreed with referring to that legion as kids.

“Um, Commander Priscilla. Could you take these kids and return to the legion first?”

“That’s not a problem, but aren’t you coming, Brother?”

“I need to go greet and bring someone back.”

“Someone you need to bring back…”

“My father.”

At Kyle’s words, Commander Priscilla let out an “Ah… Aah!” exclamation.

‘The northern monster even the Empire feared!’

No, perhaps even the word monster is insufficient.

At least with monsters, there’s a slight chance of victory.

During the Empire’s war with the northern people.

There was a figure who usually didn’t appear on the battlefield, but would show up when strong opponents were deployed.

The number of people defeated by his hand was countless, including several of the Top 10.

The fact that they didn’t lose their lives was purely due to that man’s mercy.

“Go back. Come again when you’re stronger.”

Letting them live with those parting words, how could morale be maintained?

The northern people’s absurd combat prowess was one reason, but.

The reason the Emperor himself came all the way to the north was, of course, because of that man.

‘Such a figure… right before us!’

Was this pounding of her heart excitement at meeting a strong opponent?

Or was it the fear of a human faced with an insurmountable existence?

Everything would become clear once she encountered him.

*

“I didn’t expect you to bring the children. And for Father to come personally as well.”

On the way to meet his father.

Kyle decided to ask Old Man Neil about the things he was curious about.

“You’re surprised, I understand. Actually, a rumor came in while we were in the midst of the hunting festival. They said very strong monsters were appearing in the west. As it happened, some parents who wanted to check on the children’s levels asked your father. They wondered if he could take the kids to the west.”

“The west is fine, but why the kids specifically?”

Old Man Neil smiled at Kyle’s question.

“They didn’t want to go themselves because of potential muscle loss, but they were too curious to ignore it. So, to give the children some good experience, they decided to send them as a compromise, young master.”

As expected. Our hometown people are really something else.

They’re sending the kids because they’re disappointed they can’t go themselves.

Only people from here would consider beating man-eating monsters a good experience.

What’s even more frightening is that those children, barely in their early teens, can actually do it.

Didn’t they just efficiently take down the monsters that were rushing towards the legion?

From the monsters’ perspective, it must have been a bewildering end.

Tiny kids rushing at them and excitedly tearing them limb from limb.

“Fortunately, they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. I was worried they might be disappointed.”

“The monsters in our hometown are much larger and fiercer compared to other places. To suddenly tell them to go west instead…”

“Some children even cried, thinking they were being punished. They said they’d exercise harder if we’d let them hunt even stronger monsters.”

Wow. Well, the future of Jonathan sure looks bright, very bright indeed.

Shaking his head, he continued walking, then stopped in his tracks.

An familiar yet enormous energy emanating from up ahead.

Even in his hometown, teeming with powerful individuals, only one person exuded such an aura.

“Go have a brief chat, young master. I’ll wait here.”

Kyle nodded at Old Man Neil’s words.

Then, carefully, he made his way to meet his father, whom he hadn’t seen in a while.

Boom-. Boom-.

An eerie vibration travels from up ahead.

Others might have panicked, thinking it was an earthquake.

That’s how tremendous the vibration just now was.

‘If I told them this vibration was from someone exercising, they’d all faint for sure.’

The sight that greeted Kyle when he finally arrived at a deserted spot was.

“You’ve come.”

“Yes, Father.”

Holding a terrifyingly large boulder in each hand.

It was Baron Dagon Jonathan, using them as makeshift dumbbells.

He’s an opponent that neither Kyle himself nor his brother Lear could hold a candle to.

Look at those boulders. The spots where his fingers gripped are deeply indented.

It seems like even a slight brush against his fingers could break a bone.

The Jonathan among Jonathans, already the strongest without even using his full power.

“You’ve changed a bit since you left.”

“I’ve been exercising without fail.”

“…”

“Really, I have.”

“…”

“I swear on my muscles and efforts.”

Kyle hastily added, tensing up.