Chapter 84:The Monster of Spitzenberg (11) Part 2

For a noble especially a knight the act of hunting was directly tied to their honor, demonstrated through the trophy they claimed.

Stealing such a prize would be a disgrace, a loss of both face and honor.

Unless the Baron had lost his mind, there was no reason for him to take Keldric’s hard-earned trophy.

“Ah, would you prefer to keep the hide?

If so, I will allow it.”

“No, just the skull will suffice.

But… didn’t you wish to display the head for the people?”

“That won’t be necessary.

One pelt is enough, and the villagers and soldiers have already seen it.

That is sufficient.”

For Keldric, who had no permanent residence where he could even display such a trophy, it was somewhat inconvenient.

But since it was a matter of honor, he accepted it nonetheless.

Afterward, a customary reward ceremony took place.

The soldiers who participated in the hunt were each given a sum of silver coins.

The wounded were taken into the care of the church for proper treatment.

“Sir!

Thank you!”

“Sir Keldric!

I will follow you for life!”

The same went for the Iron Claw Mercenaries, who had toiled alongside Keldric for days.

Though they were outsiders like him, they had helped protect Spitzenberg and were handsomely rewarded by the Baron.

Yet what Keldric received was far greater.

A leather pouch filled with silver coins.

A carefully cleaned and mounted trophy made from the monster’s skull.

And, most importantly, the Baron’s written response to Count Bogenberg the true reason Keldric had come to Spitzenberg in the first place.

It was a satisfying conclusion.

Keldric thought so.

Even though it was Lent, a modest feast was held.

Even as he went to bed that night, satisfaction still lingered within him.

And that night, Keldric dreamed again.

When Keldric opened his eyes, he found himself in the exact same place as in the dream he had on his first night in Spitzenberg.

A vast cavern, thick with dampness, where countless stone statues in the shape of people were scattered around.

Keldric slowly steadied his breath.

Unlike the first time he had this dream, he now wore the new breastplate he had recently acquired.

With firm steps, he strode into the cavern, where the statues stood irregularly.

There was no hesitation in his stride.

He was the one who had slain that monstrous beast.

There was nothing to fear.

Especially not when he was armed like this.

His field of vision was limited to a certain range, but with each step he took, the darkness receded, revealing more of the cavern.

[You.]

Suddenly, a mysterious voice echoed in Keldric’s ears.

He turned toward the source of the voice, but it was elusive, floating on the wind like a whispering breeze.

[You have done well.]

Black smoke slithered toward Keldric’s feet, creeping along the ground and spreading in all directions.

Keldric did not so much as flinch.

Slowly, he donned his helmet and gripped his wrought iron longsword tightly not with bare hands like before.

[Did you gain wealth by hunting that pitiful beast?Do you find honor and glory sweet?]

“Who are you?”

[I can give you far greater things.]

The deep, hoarse voice faded. Then, from somewhere, a new breeze stirred.

[Do you crave gold and women? I shall grant them to you.]

The voice now hissed like a serpent, sending an unpleasant shiver down Keldric’s spine.

His brow furrowed slightly.

[Do you wish to ascend to the heavens and claim the stars? I shall raise you high.]

This time, the voice was sharp, like an eagle crying as it soared through the skies.

[Are you truly satisfied with where you are? Your achievements surpass those of ancient heroes.

Do you desire martial skill beyond challenge? I shall grant it.]

“…”

[Do you revere a god who gives you nothing? I, however, can give you everything.]

The voice returned to the deep, hoarse tone from before.

Only then did Keldric recognize what this place was.

It was the secret passage hidden beyond the sealed side door of the church a mass grave where the barbarians had been slaughtered.

A hell on earth.

The stone statues around him must have been those barbarians.

Yet, there was no water here, making it unclear how they had been drowned. The only sign of moisture was the dampness clinging to the floor.

[If you worship me, I will give you all of this.]

Keldric had his suspicions.

This voice belonged to the entity that had petrified those barbarians.

A demon.

And it was likely the very entity that had created the monster in Spitzenberg.

“Show yourself.”

[Oh… I suppose I must.]

Thud!

Something suddenly fell from midair.

Keldric examined it closely.

It was the headless corpse of a gaunt man.

A gaping hole had been torn into his chest. Judging by its size, it matched Keldric’s fist.

Keldric recalled the first time he had this dream the memory of striking someone down with all his might.

The severed neck had no head.

The answer was obvious.

“Was this the monster before it transformed?”

The beast had once been human.

It had simply succumbed to the demon’s temptation.

[This was the beast you hunted. Even this wretched thing became what it was through my power.]

Laughter rang out mocking, ridiculing.

“It doesn’t matter. Show yourself.”

[You could gain so much more. Surrender yourself to me, and I shall—]

“You don’t understand words, do you?”

Keldric felt no fear.

The demon wasn’t worth speaking to.

Instead, he began to destroy the statues around him, smashing them to pieces.

[Do you think I am the one tempting you? No. It is the Son of Man who tempts and tests you.]

Boom!

Crash!

Nothing remains for those who defy me.

No honor, no glory only empty, meaningless illusions.

If you truly wish for more, then surrender to me.

Boom!

Boom!

Crash!

[You are… a warrior.]

Keldric’s body halted.

Surrounded by shattered statues, he now stood alone in the vast cavern.

A powerful wind swept through the chamber.

Keldric turned toward it.

[A strong warrior deserves proper rewards.]

At the very center of the cavern—it appeared.

A massive black wolf.

A serpent hissed where its tail should have been, coiling and flicking its tongue menacingly.

Wings sprouted grotesquely from its back.

Its fanged maw exhaled wisps of searing flames.

The wolf spoke.

[I will give you everything. If you worship me.]

“Hah!”

Keldric didn’t hesitate.

He ignored everything and immediately charged.

The wolf, momentarily startled, leaped backward.

But Keldric was faster.

His wrought iron longsword descended like a thunderbolt, aiming straight for the wolf’s skull.

[Wait.]

Boom!

A thick cloud of dust erupted.

As it settled, all that remained in the clearing was a single fang.

Keldric frowned at it.

He had definitely struck something.

Yet, rather than a bisected wolf’s corpse, only a single fang remained.

[Foolish, but brave.]

“Why are you hiding?

Are you afraid?”

[I do not dislike courageous warriors.]

The whisper was growing distant.

As though the voice was receding into the farthest reaches of the abyss.

[Then tell me, what is the source of your reckless, unrewarded courage?]

“…?”

Keldric felt his consciousness slipping.

He recognized the sensation he was waking from the dream.

As thoughts flooded his mind, a single phrase surfaced the words once inscribed on the sealed door.

“God has triumphed (Deus vicit).”

[…]

“This is the source of my courage. Now tell me where does the fear you feel toward me come from?”

[… Cunning one.]

And with that, the dream faded.

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Keldric awoke suddenly, feeling his consciousness rise rapidly.

His familiar guest chamber in the inner castle came into view.

Sitting up abruptly, he exhaled before lying back down.

The fact that he had managed to mock the demon at the very end brought him a deep sense of satisfaction.

The demon had achieved nothing.

It had failed to worm its way into Keldric’s heart.

It could not shatter his shield of courage.

Keldric was Keldric.

No one else.

Then, he noticed an odd sensation in his hand.

Opening his palm, he found the very fang the demon had dropped in his dream.

Keldric casually tossed it into a leather pouch.

He would meet Brother Marcus again soon he could hand it over then.

Yawning deeply, Keldric closed his eyes in satisfaction.

“Maybe I’ll sleep a little longer…”

Soon, he would leave Spitzenberg.

But before that, he wanted to rest properly.