Volume 3 Chapter 174 The One Who Inherits Danofen
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
[Enemy Forces]
* Black Panther: 700 (20 magicians)
* Steel Tiger: 800 (15 warriors)
* Silver Wolf: 300 (36 warriors) ← Before Kian used the sleep curse and other spells.
* Cat Beastmen: 300 ← Equipped with clubs and crude axes. Most wear only waist cloths, some are barely clothed.
* Dogs, rabbits, pigs, horses, dwarves, and other small tribes: 600–800 ← Similar condition as above.
Total: Approximately 2,700–2,900 (71 magicians)
[Allies]
* Owl’s Knight Order: 101 members (10 active)
* Sacred Order: 40 members (40 active)
* Natra, Rufna, Sarah, Linca, Serena, and Chimp: 6
Total: 147 allies (56 active)
—
When Maribel opened her eyes in the dream world, she stood before a familiar house, sword in hand.
Her long golden hair flowed down to her waist, tied in one smooth strand. She wore a white blouse tucked into brown trousers, her expression focused. In front of her, a scarecrow stood firmly planted in the soil.
”Haah…! Hyaaah!”
With every shout, her sword slashed through the air. The blade stretched over a meter long and four centimeters wide—slim, but clearly forged for battle. Its curved edge and sturdy guard gave it the look of a sabre, something between grace and ferocity.
Silently, she raised it high and shifted her posture.
Her stance was one used by knights of the Franz Kingdom—Fury Stance.
Her left foot stepped forward, right knee bent slightly, hands gripping the sword tight. The pose was raw and powerful, designed for wide, sweeping strikes, as if channeling unrestrained rage into a single blow. That wild instinct was why it was named “Fury.”
But some also called it the “Lady’s Stance,” saying it resembled the figure of a noblewoman in old paintings. Kian, however, never understood how that pose looked anything close to modest.
”Daaaah!”
With a fierce cry that had nothing to do with elegance, Maribel brought the blade down. The scarecrow—metal core and all—was split clean in two.
Even in this dream realm, the blade could not withstand the power. It shattered in her hands.
Watching nearby, Priscilla gave a small nod, impressed by the level of detail in this dreamscape. As Maribel let the broken sword fall and stepped closer, her tone shifted.
”Father Godfrey… In his youth, he was a fine ruler—and a proud knight,” she said, unfastening her belt and letting it fall beside the scabbard.
”Even Renaud de Châtillon recognized his strength. They were friends. He still guards the government office at Izerland’s villa… maybe out of loyalty to my father.”
She turned, her eyes quiet and distant.
”Still, he didn’t move when I died. Not even when Oswald’s fortress was attacked.”
”…Was he originally human?” Kian asked softly.
Maribel gave a small nod. “It seems that way. Maybe that’s why he still uses sword techniques made for fragile human bodies. Maybe he practices them to remember who he used to be.”
Her voice fell.
”The children he made… by putting himself into tree hollows… They don’t understand such things.”
When she untied the ribbon from her hair, her usual soft expression returned.
”I’ve been waiting for you, Kian,” she said with a gentle smile. “I thought you’d show up soon, so I stayed here for the last few days.”
Kian lowered his head slightly. “Your Excellency… I bring unfortunate news.”
”The barrier around Ramsey’s fort has collapsed. The Bloodsucking Kinds that swarmed the streets have scattered. It seems teleportation is temporarily possible now. My comrades are working on restoring the barrier,” Kian added.
Maribel turned toward the red-roofed house behind them. “I see. Let’s talk inside. Priscilla’s not here today, so feel free to speak openly… even the painful parts.”
Inside the familiar home, Kian sat and began recounting everything—starting from when they entered Ramsey until the present. Maribel listened quietly, offering no interruption.
Once he finished, she glanced up, her expression faintly worried.
”…So, just to confirm. The Beastmen… they won’t invade Izerland, right?”
”That would be impossible,” Kian said, shaking his head. “To attack Izerland, they’d need to leave troops to guard Ramsey and keep the supply line steady. But if they commit, say, a thousand soldiers just for that… who among their tribes would accept that burden?”
”They can’t just say, ‘Black Panther, we leave it to you,’” she murmured.
”Exactly,” Kian replied. “Black Panther and Steel Tiger aren’t just looking to loot. They’re aiming for the heads of Izerland’s warriors. To gain recognition in their clans, they must fight bravely on the front lines. Only the Silver Wolves might consider guarding supplies.”
”But distributing that role equally isn’t an option,” he continued. “In their culture, men must fight—or risk losing their women. A tribe’s females are often taken by stronger warriors to support their families. Refusing to fight means losing everything.”
”Besides,” he added, “only Black Panther, Steel Tiger, and Silver Wolf have proper armor. Even if they capture equipment at Ramsey, most tribes won’t have enough to share.”
”To breach Izerland’s walls, they’d need elite units. But if they divert those elites to supply duty, the front will collapse. And if a nearby lord takes the chance to strike Ramsey… their entire line falls.”
Maribel’s breath caught slightly.
”Once their food runs out, the Beastmen will be stranded on the plains. They can’t plunder or hunt in that terrain. They’ll grow weaker. And when the magic soldiers—at most 71—can no longer restore their mana, our witches will strike them down from behind the walls.”
Kian’s voice lowered.
”If they ignore the supply lines and try to rush in, it’s even worse. Without fresh weapons, they’ll lose them faster. The rivers nearby are corrupted by Aquavore Alligators. Without someone like Christy to purify the water, they can’t even drink.”
”…I’m glad to hear that,” Maribel said softly. “I was afraid something terrible might happen. I should thank my father… He chose well when building the Danofen estate on difficult terrain.”
She gave a small, delicate smile.
To Kian, she looked like a fragile child trying to protect her life with brave words.
”I’ve been assigned as acting guardian by Owl,” Kian said. “From now on, I’ll oversee Ramsey’s defense. The odds are poor, but… I’ll do my best for Your Excellency.”
”As expected of a Master Knight~desuwa!” Maribel said brightly. “I’m counting on you, Kian.”
”Is that your way of saying I’ve been formally appointed as Ramsey’s protector?”
”This is just a dream… but yes. I’ll send the official notice soon.”
”Please don’t dump the Defense Minister role on me.”
”My, how sharp you are.”
”Please. Stop it.”
Still smiling, Maribel nodded with a faint sigh.
”Very well. For now, I appoint you temporary commander of the castle.”
And with that, the report came to an end.
All that remained was for Maribel to leave the room.
Kian let out a quiet breath and eased his stance, thinking that the fine details of strategy would be left in their hands from here on.
But Maribel had more to say.
”We will also send reinforcements. Three hundred soldiers,” she added calmly.
”Three hundred?” Kian raised an eyebrow. “Even with Your Excellency’s personal guard, that feels awfully light.”
Maribel gave a soft laugh. “We can’t send Gao and the others. They’re young men raised by powerful merchants to serve the court and protect Izerlando. If I told them to dispatch to Ramsey, I’d be tossed aside without hesitation.”
”Then how did you manage to gather three hundred soldiers?” Kian asked, narrowing his eyes.
”I hired them recently,” she said without hesitation. “They’re bandits from my directly ruled Westside territory. A knight I recruited gathered them.”
”A knight you recruited… just now?”
Maribel gave a firm nod. “His name is Bertrand de Geculan.”
”Bertrand de Geculan…” Kian muttered. “I’ve never heard of him.”
”He’s a beastman from the boar tribe. Until recently, he worked with regular bandits, stirring up trouble in places like Westside.”
”‘Knight’? Is that really the right word?” Kian frowned.
Maribel gave a faint smile. “Lord Bertrand has unusually long arms, is short, and has a pig-like face. Some even say he looks like a goblin.”
”That’s… harsh,” Kian said, lips curling slightly. “Worse than my nickname—’garbage scavenger.’”
”Recently, he united the pickpocket gangs and wandering thieves all over Westside and Izerland,” Maribel continued. “I gave him the title of knight and turned those bandits into official soldiers. I paid them properly, so they won’t lay a finger on our allies in Ramsey.”
”And how much did you pay?” Kian asked, wary.
”As a welcome gift, five Franz Gold Coins per person.”
”Five Gold Coins each!?”
For reference, an average mid-rank adventurer earns about five Silver Coins per day.
One Gold Coin equals a hundred Silver Coins. That’s more than three times their monthly earnings—just as a welcome gift.
”You paid all three hundred of them that much?”
”Yes,” Maribel said without hesitation. “I also gave Lord Bertrand one hundred Gold Coins. Thanks to that, they’ve all equipped themselves with armor and weapons on par with the Owl Knight Corps.”
”Where in the world did you get that kind of money?” Kian asked, eyes narrowing.
”From all across Izerland,” Maribel replied as if it were obvious.
Her answer sounded unbelievable.
In truth, Maribel could only collect taxes in her directly governed regions—Westside and central Izerland. If she tried to levy taxes across the entire Margrave territory, the powerful vassals, led by Renaud, would surely revolt. Or more likely, no one would pay at all.
Still, Maribel went on.
”Kian, are you familiar with Izerland’s emergency taxation law?”
”No,” Kian admitted. “I’m afraid I’m not.”
”It’s a very old rule. Older even than when our Danofen family came to govern this land.”
She paused, then explained.
”The Margrave of Izerland is allowed to tax all borderlands under four specific circumstances.”
She raised one finger at a time.
”First, when the Margrave is captured by the enemy and needs ransom money.”
”Second, when the Margrave’s eldest daughter is married.”
”Third, when the eldest son is formally knighted.”
”And fourth—when an invasion by heretics or pagans threatens the destruction of Izerland itself. In such a case, the Margrave may impose taxes across all territories in exchange for protecting the people.”
”In this situation, we fall under the fourth,” she said firmly. “The law was officially passed two weeks ago. Just recently, Châtillon submitted a large sum in taxes. All thanks to Owl’s efforts.”
”────”
”Oh, and since the timing is convenient,” she added, tilting her head, “please revise the official announcement. Say that Owl was killed by a monster, and that monster then took his place as castle governor. It’ll spark more fear among the people if they believe he died. And besides, that monster won’t be returning to Izerland again.”
”…Your Excellency, if I may,” Kian said, choosing his words carefully. “What are your true thoughts about Lord Owl?”
”My thoughts?” Maribel tilted her head slightly. “I don’t quite understand what Kian is asking.”
She furrowed her brows in genuine confusion.
Kian pressed on. “He tried, in his own way, to be a faithful knight to you.”
”Would a loyal knight curse his master with transformation into a monster?” she asked softly.
”…No. Certainly not.”
”I had originally planned for someone else to deal with Owl,” Maribel admitted. “I thought it might be Kian, if things worked out that way. But in the end, that didn’t happen. Still, I am truly grateful that Kian took over as castle governor.”
With that, Maribel stood and slowly stepped closer to him.
She knelt down and gently took Kian’s hands, placing a soft kiss on his fingers.
Her dark blue eyes, once cold as frost, now glowed with the quiet burn of a flame.
”I will never let you die,” she said, her voice firm yet full of care. “Along with the three hundred soldiers, I’ll send three magicians. If it’s possible, I’ll request help from two others who are even more powerful.”
”One of them… is Christy?” Kian asked, his tone cautious.
”No,” Maribel replied, shaking her head lightly. “If she leaves, the entire fortress’s water and sewage system will collapse. I’m sorry, but Christina can’t be spared. Instead, I’ll send three witches—our best. You can look forward to their arrival.”
She sounded confident, but her words still carried a strange weight. Kian found it troubling to be told to expect something from the same person who was sending three hundred former bandits. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to object to the way she handled such matters. A faint smile touched his lips, though inside, unease sat heavy.
”I’ll also gather wands for the magicians and send them over. The army will teleport to Ramsey by noon today,” she continued, brushing her hair back. “The signal will be that long-armed, ugly wild boar Beastman. We’ll bring food as well, so don’t worry.”
”Understood,” Kian said with a nod.
”I will take control of the Owl Knight Order. Their assets will be seized starting today,” she added without pause.
”────”
Maribel stood and reached into her cloak, pulling out Priscilla’s necklace.
Sensing her intention to leave, Kian rose and bowed respectfully.
”To rebuild the castle Oswald destroyed, we’ll need a large amount of timber. If possible, I want to contact the Steel Tiger tribe’s leader—Malbodous. I have no intention of dealing with his violent brother, Marcomanni, who controls the snowy plains. I leave that matter in your hands, Lord Kian.”
”Understood,” Kian answered.
”If the Beastman warriors try to bypass the battlefield or run, release high-grade magic on the ten thousand and seven hundred families behind them,” she said, her voice suddenly cold. “Tell them it was my order.”
”……”
”I’ll send the formal document later. Any Beast who stands against me is an enemy of peace in Izerland. To stop the next generation of pests, it’s better to burn them now. That’s the shared view of all the frontier lords—including me.”
”I’m afraid… I can’t promise that,” Kian said quietly.
Maribel’s eyes widened for a brief second at his answer. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a gentle smile.
”It’s because of you… that this Maribel has fallen in love with Kian of Izerland,” she said softly.
”────”
”Let’s meet again, Kian♡”
Her lips brushed his cheek as he saluted. He didn’t move or react, simply stared ahead as if trying to freeze that fleeting moment in time—until her presence vanished like a dream fading away.
* * *
When he returned from that dreamlike world, the thorn-covered monster was already back to work, spreading mortar and lining up tiny bottles on the stone floor. It was preparing medicine needed for transformation.
”Oh, you’re back, Kian,” it said.
”I’m home. Anything happen while I was asleep?” he asked, turning to Talia.
She sat nearby, casually playing with countless insect-type golems. Butterflies fluttered around her, but there were also beetle and stag beetle-shaped golems—an improved version of the ones Sarah had once used. Talia had upgraded them with six gunports on their abdomens, each capable of launching stone bullets.
A small lever on the side rotated the gunports. When she waved her finger, one of the beetles spun its body, and stone bullets fired from its belly in rapid bursts.
The stones came from the very ground at her feet. Each one smashed into the thick wall protecting the Owl’s magic circle, leaving behind deep dents.
”Please give this design to Lady Sarah,” Talia said, handing over a scroll. “It explains how to enhance the attack power of the insect golems. She might not finish them in time for the battle, but… if needed, I’ll make a few myself to cover for the lack of soldiers.”
”That would be a great help,” Kian said.
”If I remember right, next is the wetland inspection at the battlefield,” Talia added.
”Yeah. Rufna and the others should be done fixing Ramsey’s barrier around now. According to the plan, Rufna will fly out alone at two in the morning,” Kian said.
”I’d rather bring everyone with me…” he muttered.
”Serena, Homork the Third, and Gary need rest,” Talia reminded him gently. “Sarah and Linca should focus on fixing the barrier. Natra is guarding the front gate of Ramsey Castle.”
”The Owl Knights are stationed there too, but if the Black Panther assassin squad shows up, they won’t last.”
”That’s why Natra’s doing some light-duty jobs,” Talia said, nodding. “But if the worst happens, it’s better to place our strongest close-range fighters nearby.”
”Sarah and Linca should be enough. Also, the Tobal Cain Knights are excellent—well-trained, well-armed, and with high magical resistance and core strength. They’ve got Oswald’s elite unit, and they know the terrain in Ramsey. Perfect for infiltration or surprise attacks if needed.”
”If Homork the Third’s there too, normal Black Panthers shouldn’t be a problem… except for Arminus.”
”As for him,” Kian said quietly, “no one we have now can handle him directly.”
* * *
After that, as if pulled by something invisible, Talia’s body followed right behind Kian as he ran down the corridor.
(Is my body being used as a vessel…?)
He glanced at his right arm. Talia hovered silently beside him, not offering any answer.
(I’ll deal with that later.)
A small vial flew through the air—tossed by the thorn monster under Talia’s control. Kian caught it smoothly and tucked it into a hidden pocket inside the KnightWraith armor on his chest.
Picking up speed, he sprinted toward the third basement level of the Catacombs.
From there, he burst into the street district and slipped through the barrier around the castle. After exchanging a quick greeting with the guards, he ran up a short hill and leaped over the iron fence that circled the front yard.
Fires burned across the yard, casting flickering light on the stones. In the center stood an old butler, his back to Kian, deep in conversation with someone.
Kian slowed to a stop beside them.
The one speaking with the butler was a man in his fifties—gentle-faced and calm. He was the vice-Guild Leader of Ramsey.
”Ah, Lord Kian,” the man greeted with a smile.
”Butler,” Kian said, turning to the older man. “You called the vice-Guild Leader here?”
”Yes,” the butler replied with a nod.
Kian stepped forward, facing the man with quiet formality. “Vice-Guild Leader, I am Kian of Izerland. As you’ve heard, I’ve taken charge as Ramsey’s steward.”
”It’s been a while, Lord Kian,” the man said kindly, though his expression held a hint of confusion.
He was handling the relocation applications for Ramsey’s residents in place of the Guild Leader.
”I’m sorry for calling you out so late,” the Vice Guild Leader said, bowing his head with a guilty look. “It’s shameful of me.”
”It’s all right,” Kian replied, organizing a few loose papers. “I was still up dealing with documents.”
The Vice Guild Leader wiped his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief and gave a strained smile.
”I suggested we lend the application window to you, Lord Kian, as a way to make amends. The Guild Leader yelled at me—said if I wanted it that badly, I should see it through myself.”
”I’m truly grateful,” Kian said with a small nod. “Once Ramsey is secured, I’ll personally inform the Princess of your support.”
”Haha… Thank you. So, you’re asking me to investigate the background of our Guild branch’s leader, right?”
”Yes. It’s a special request from the guardian council.”
”I see. These are the official records,” the Vice Guild Leader said, pulling out a small stack of parchment. “The Guild Leader hasn’t seen them. This is confidential.”
”If anything happens, mention my name,” Kian said firmly, taking the papers. “I’ll take full responsibility.”
With that, he accepted the documents and flipped through them silently.
[Background Summary – Guild Leader]
— Born into a wealthy merchant family in Ramsey.
— Parents killed by Beastmen in his youth.
— Sent to live with relatives.
— Entered the Royal Capital Academy, but was expelled due to poor grades.
— Relatives paid to send him to Azrael Academy.
— Attended a new academy in the Vahid region.
— Graduated at age 30.
— Built a long career with the Adventurer Guild across regions like Châtillon.
— At 52, assigned to Ramsey as Guild Leader.
— Appointed “King” of the regional Guild for his years of service.
”Thank you,” Kian said, quietly returning the documents to his cloak.
”…No problem. Though, may I ask—why are you suddenly interested in the Guild Leader’s background?”
Just as the Vice Guild Leader spoke, a sharp voice echoed from the direction of the iron gate.
Kian quickly tucked the parchment away. Both he and the Vice Guild Leader turned toward the noise.
The man walking through the gate was none other than the Guild Leader himself. After exchanging a few words with the guard and glancing at a soldier pointing their way, he began striding over.
”Hey, what’s going on here!” the Guild Leader shouted.
”Guild Leader… I-I’m sorry,” the Vice Guild Leader stammered.
”This is your job! Handle it properly until the end!”
”I’ll return right away. I truly apologize.”
”I was the one who called him,” Kian stepped forward, speaking calmly. “I requested a progress report on the relocation applications.”
The Guild Leader’s eyes narrowed. He stared at Kian for a moment, frozen stiff under his cold gaze.
”It’s late. Lord Kian, are you heading somewhere now?”
Kian responded with a faint smile. “Yes. I’m going to survey the terrain past Azancourt—towards the wetlands of Ramsey.”
”At this hour?”
”I’ll be away for a while,” he said. “In the meantime, I’m leaving the town’s defense in your care.”
”Fine… but you’re going alone?”
”If I go with a group, the Beastmen will notice. My skills are especially effective against the Bloodsucking Kind. It’s safer alone.”
”A magic-user, huh… You can’t teleport, can you?”
”I’ll use Wing Cain. It’s fast enough.”
”I see,” the Guild Leader muttered, then turned to the Vice Guild Leader. “Let’s go.”
The Vice Guild Leader gave Kian a small bow and followed behind silently.
”…”
Kian watched the old Guild Leader’s back with narrowed eyes.
(Talia.)
’Huh?’
He turned his gaze back toward the castle.
(I agree with your plan. Let everyone except Serena join the terrain survey. It’ll go faster that way.)
’Sarah and Linca should see the wetlands firsthand. Call in the Holy Squad instead.’
(Right. Homork III and the others should be given proper temporary rewards.)
The Owl’s funds were still untouched in the castle vault. That money would cover the rewards.
Kian sighed inwardly. (Sorry, Owl. But if I’m handing off the town’s defense, I’ll endure the blame myself.)
If he didn’t act, Maribel would likely claim everything anyway. Before she could take it, he had to use the funds properly as the lord of this place.
* * *
Later that night, Kian returned to the castle and quickly explained everything to Rufna, Sarah, and Linca, apologizing again and again.
He also contacted Natra at the gate and woke Homork III from the guest room, informing him of the sudden duty change.
None of them complained. Homork III and the others accepted the night watch without a word of protest.
Thinking it over, Kian realized something. Not just Homork and his men—Natra, Rufna, Sarah, and Linca were all the same.
(Good people… all of them.)
He stared at the companions he had summoned so abruptly.
(Trusting others… huh.)
He lowered his gaze slightly.
(…It’s hard for me. Everyone else can do it, but… I just can’t.)
”Master? You’re heading out, right?” Natra asked.
”…Yeah. But first, I need to give this to Sarah,” Kian said, handing her a scroll.
”What’s this? …A blueprint? For a golem?”
”It’s a revised golem enhancement plan. Review it when you have time.”
”Understood.”
”I also prepared blueprints for the explosive bombs.”
Kian pulled out another scroll, unfolding it in front of the group.
”During the operation, I’ll use Wing Cain for mobility and provide air-blast support. I need to test whether it can handle air-blast deployment too.”
”Understood,” Natra said with a nod.
Kian looked around, meeting everyone’s eyes.
”I also spoke with Her Excellency Maribel earlier. I’ll share the details—give me a moment.”
”Make it quick,” Rufna said. “We’re moving out by two.”
Kian nodded and began summarizing the conversation he’d had with Maribel.
Notes:
• Serena – Wolfmen Girl
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Bertrand – The recent knight recruited by Maribel from bandit. He is from boar tribe and have goblin-like face.
• Marcomanni – Male. Member of the Steel Tiger Clan. Known for his strength and tactical skills. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Malbodous – Male. Member of the Steel Tiger Clan. A formidable warrior with significant combat experience. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Arminus – Male. Leader of the Black Panther Tribe. Possesses extraordinary physical abilities, enhanced by the tribe’s unique technique that repels energy and magic attacks. His speed and strength surpass those of High Warlord Isthbaran. Wields the magic sword Balmung, capable of cleaving through an ice dragon with a single strike. His black fur provides camouflage in low visibility, making him nearly undetectable. Relationship: Leader of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Azancourt – A location mentioned by Kian when discussing his terrain survey of Ramsey’s wetlands. Likely near Ramsey.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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