Chapter 14: 14 Cold Lizard Fear Knight

Chapter 14: 14. Cold Lizard Dread Knights

The beast tamers opened the crates containing the black steel, copper-edged lizard armor and systematically began dressing the cold lizards. First, they draped chainmail over the lower back to protect the hips. Then, they installed the helm, gorget, cuirass, greaves, sabatons, claw guards, and tail armor. Finally, they draped silk woven with family crests around the waists and fitted the saddles and reins.

Watching from the side, Dakus thought to himself, "What a fucking hassle. It's like an old lady putting on padded trousers—layer after layer, and they even have claw guards."

Once the cold lizards were armored, the tamers assisted Dakus and his brother Takaya in donning their own plate.

"Flanais!"

"My Lord!"

"Are we ready for battle?"

Flanais roared with all his might, "Ready!"

Dakus threw his head back and laughed—a laugh so eerie and unpredictable.

The process of arming a Cold Lizard Dread Knight was even more tedious than arming the lizard itself, and it required a certain Duruchi sense of ritual.

First came the black steel and gilded copper full leg guards and pointed sabatons, maintaining a Gothic style; a flintlock pistol was tucked into a leather pouch on the outer right thigh. Since cold lizards possessed relatively low intelligence, knights typically used the tips of their boots to kick the lizard's abdomen or the butt of their pistols to strike it for control. As for the reins? The reins were merely a place for the knight to rest his hands.

Dakus had originally been wearing a noble silk robe, purple on the outside and crimson within, over which he donned the Dalakoi—claimed to be "the power that defies death," but in reality, it was a long chainmail shirt lined with soft leather, with the mail extending to the elbows. As for the type of leather used? Dakus didn't dare ask.

Over the robe, he wore a split chainmail skirt, followed by a double-sided black steel and gilded copper cuirass, a gorget, and pauldrons. On his forearms, he wore integrated vambraces with reverse blades. These blades were exaggerated and sturdy, designed to catch an enemy's weapon or to strike and slash in close-quarters combat.

The helmet was composed of various components following a typical Duruchi design, with crescent wings sweeping back in an exaggerated fashion.

Finally, belts were fastened around the waist, accompanied by a noble saber, a messer, and a stiletto. The number of weapons a Cold Lizard Dread Knight carried symbolized their noble status. Dakus was qualified to carry two weapons, whereas the brothers, Takaya and his kin, were not.

The noble saber, also known as the "Soul Taker," was primarily used for ceremonial combat and duels between nobles. Ceremonial combat usually occurred during noble banquets to provide entertainment and set the mood.

In formal duels, the stiletto was used alongside the noble saber. The stiletto was intended for paralyzing strikes to the neck or limbs; its use was highly technical—if a knight failed to use the stiletto to pin and execute an opponent before they died, it would draw dissatisfaction from the spectators. The stiletto also served another purpose: skinning.

With great ceremony, a tamer opened an exquisite box containing five rune hooks that looked like jewelry. These would be hung on the outside of the armor in different positions, representing a Cold Lizard Dread Knight's loyalty, combat honors, and family. Their complexity rivaled medieval heraldry. These rune hooks were called "Spirit Rings," and could also be worn in the ears; the Duruchi believed they could dispel the evil spirits inhabiting Nagaros.

Dakus mused, "What kind of 'Nagaros evil spirits'? What even is an evil spirit? And besides, is there anything more evil in Nagaros than the Duruchi?"

He was able to mount the cold lizard without the help of a tamer because Duruchi armor was extremely lightweight; he could even perform a Cossack dance, provided he didn't trip on his robe or the split chainmail skirt.

Next, he took up a repeating crossbow and a black pine steel-rimmed shield shaped like a vulture. Duruchi shields varied greatly in design, engraved with different crests representing legions, cities, or families. However, they shared one common trait: they were highly aggressive. The bottom of the shield usually featured a spike, used for stabbing or pinning an enemy's foot.

Finally, he took up the "Soul Eater," the lance used by Cold Lizard Dread Knights. While the tips of the lances varied in shape, the connection between the tip and the shaft had to be adorned with long silk ribbons or triangular pennants. Runes were embroidered onto the ribbons, proclaiming the knight's devotion to Marekis, his great deeds in service to him, and the glorious history of his knightly house and ancestors.

Despite all this talk, the entire process actually took less than five minutes.

Dakus gave the tamer a grim, cold smile. "Head north. Find a village... what was it called? A-something?"

Flanais supplemented, "My Lord, Avignon."

"Right, Avignon. Find it!" Having said that, Dakus glanced at the two knights and said maliciously, "My fickle self has changed my mind again. Bring those two along."

It was called a "trial," but in reality, it was a pirate gang. Who in their right mind would land and then go looking for fresh water? Did a man of Dakus's status have no dignity?

Alisha sat atop her dark flying steed, her eyes bright as she watched the fully equipped Dakus. The steed was a graduation gift from Annaサラ, the Matriarch of the House of Hell's Calamity, given to her upon completing her studies as a sorceress.

The Duruchi soldiers lined up beside Dakus, looking at him with envy and longing.

"Praise Kane! Tonight will be a good day! Move out!"

"Duruchi! Spear and Shield!"

The forest was unnaturally silent. The sickly green light of Morslib illuminated the earth. The hooting of owls in the treetops had vanished; badgers and foxes had stopped foraging in the dense undergrowth; even the chirping of crickets and grasshoppers had strangely ceased. An air of dread permeated the woods, and the forest dwellers sensed it, wisely deciding not to venture out tonight. A pungent smell of smoke drifted over the forest. If one listened closely, one could hear cries of terror and despair carried on the distant wind.

Suddenly, a young boy burst from the bushes, breaking the terrifying silence.

The boy was running, faster than he ever had before. His heart hammered so violently it felt as though it might explode at any moment, but he didn't care. It felt as if a pair of hands woven from fear were clutching his throat. He sprinted through the thickets, completely ignoring the vines that tugged at him and the branches that scratched his arms. Though he didn't realize it, tears streamed incessantly from his eyes, and a warm sensation spread from his groin down his pant legs.

Without warning, the boy tripped, a sharp pain shooting through his ankle. He fell to the ground, the skin on his palms scraped raw. He let out a frustrated scream and struggled to stand despite his injuries. However, when he tried to put weight on his injured ankle, his scream turned into a wail of agony. He cursed hysterically—if his ankle was sprained or broken, how would he escape? As he limped forward, he looked back. He saw no sign of an enemy and felt a momentary relief. Had he made it out? Did he still have a chance to escape alive? As he stumbled onward, his ankle burned with pain.

Who were these mysterious attackers? And why had they come?

(End of Chapter)