Chapter 94: Radical Holy Knights (1)
Zain gripped the longsword.
It wasn't the ceremonial longsword of the Iron Lion Knights, but a crude goblin-made blade.
The balance was off, but a longsword was still a longsword.
From the moment he grasped the sword, Zain became a knight.
Although he never did so after three months of joining the knights, he shouted while swinging the sword.
"Swing as heavy as a mountain, Iron Lion Ceremonial Greatsword, First Form!"
Whoosh!
He swings the sword downward like chopping firewood with an axe.
"Shift your weight forward and put your weight into it!"
That's what the instructor clearly said.
Shifting your weight onto your front foot while putting your weight into the sword is the basic principle of the greatsword.
The Iron Lion Ceremonial Sword Technique was a swordsmanship that thoroughly emphasized practicality.
"Combo Form, Four, Lion Thrust!"
And he takes another step forward.
At the same time, he thrusts the sword forward like a spear after bringing it down.
Because it's a posture with the arm fully extended, the sword's reach exceeds the opponent's expected range.
It's a combo move to pierce the throat of an opponent who has stepped back.
Clap clap clap clap-
Those watching Zain applauded.
Rania also clapped enthusiastically, while Oliver looked reluctant.
The problem was that goblins were also included in that audience.
Zain's face turned bright red.
It wasn't that he had a strange fetish for getting excited when receiving attention.
It was just that the current situation was too strange to accept.
'Is this a dream?'
Demonstrating swordsmanship while surrounded by monsters and goblins.
Moreover, receiving applause from monsters.
All of this was requested by one monster.
The small white snake... attached to the neck of that huge chimera snake.
It looks insignificant no matter how you look at it.
Although its scales were like crystal and the crown on its head was extraordinary, you could tell just by its expression.
It was gaping its mouth open with sparkling eyes.
Why on earth would a snake want to learn swordsmanship?
"This is the Greatsword First Form and its combo..."
"I am most satisfied."
The one who interpreted the snake's words was the king of the goblins.
It's doubtful whether it was a proper interpretation in the first place.
That small white snake probably wouldn't use such an archaic and dignified way of speaking.
"Would you like to... try it yourself?"
Zain asked so.
At first, he didn't know how the snake would swing a sword.
But surprisingly, the snake could use magic.
It held the stolen dagger Ashura as if it were a longsword.
In other words, the sword floated in mid-air.
"Uh, so, now put your weight on your front foot..."
Zain stopped mid-sentence.
The snake has no front feet.
Moreover, its main body is stuck in that tree trunk over there.
"...Swing the sword downward."
Whoosh!
The sword descends weakly.
"Take another step forward and shoot it out like a spear..."
The dagger shot forward.
Then it went high into the sky, whoosh.
The invisible hand made a full circle in the sky and returned to its original position.
'...'
This was clearly not swordsmanship.
Clap clap clap clap-
But the goblins applauded, and Rania, who had been dozing off, startled and followed with applause.
The snake was dancing with joy.
Zain had no idea why it was so proud.
'It's forbidden to teach the ceremonial sword technique to others without permission...'
Obviously, one must not pass on the Iron Lion Knights' ceremonial sword technique to others without permission.
However, there was no rule against teaching it to a snake.
Zain took comfort in that.
Moreover, Zain wasn't the only one in this awkward situation.
Oliver, the hunter with a suspicious past.
He too was asked to teach dagger techniques to the snake.
Oliver showed extreme dislike, but endured for Rania's sake.
"I will... teach you the Ferang School Dagger Technique."
He's a hunter who makes a living by catching and killing monsters.
Who would have thought he'd end up teaching dagger techniques to his prey?
Did it notice that his dagger technique was special?
How on earth?
The goblin in charge of interpretation specifically asked to be taught the Ferang School Dagger Technique.
Oliver couldn't even guess the inside story.
The Ferang School Dagger Technique.
Ferang is the name of a great thief who made a name for himself in the empire.
'Treated Ferang', still idolized by rogues.
Surprisingly, Oliver was someone who inherited his dagger technique.
Of course, it was a secret. Although it had already been revealed to Zain and Rania that Oliver had acquired it.
"It's a very difficult dagger technique... it's natural that you can't follow it."
It starts with drawing the dagger from the holster at the waist.
"Stab, stab, stab, Eagle Killer...!"
It was the first time shouting technique names while performing dagger techniques.
Oliver threw the dagger as soon as he drew it.
The dagger spun in mid-air.
Then Oliver's body sank down and a ghost-like kick unfolded.
He accurately kicked the handle of the dagger.
Swish- Thud!
The flying dagger vibrated as it stuck into the ground.
Although it's a move with low practicality, it was very cool, befitting the Ferang School Dagger Technique.
The snake's reaction to seeing this was intense.
"Saaaaak!"
"I am most satisfied!"
Even without Nanaluk's interpretation, it was clear that the snake was satisfied.
"Let's try it."
How could a snake without feet perform the Eagle Killer?
However, the snake managed to do it.
Whirrrr!
The dagger Ashura spun in mid-air.
The problem was that despite the slow rotation, it didn't stop.
'...Crazy.'
The invisible hand holding the sword hilt.
The magic that was only implemented up to the wrist was clearly spinning the sword in mid-air.
But admiration burst out from around.
"Ooooh!"
"Waaaaaah!"
The goblins clapped and shouted.
Was it because the sight of the sword endlessly rotating seemed magical? (It actually is magic.)
Thud!
Instead of kicking it, the dagger just stuck into the ground.
Although the force wasn't impressive at all.
Lunga's goblins chanted the snake's name first.
"Ouroboros! Ouroboros!"
"Ouroboros! Kaak Chingit!"
The spreading heat felt like the appearance of fanatics.
Despite that, the white snake, the object of their faith, was just dancing ridiculously.
For some reason, Oliver felt anger rising in his chest.
It feels like he might develop a stress-induced illness at this rate.
"Phew..."
He barely manages to calm his mind while heaving a sigh.
Zain and Oliver's eyes met.
Until just a moment ago, they were trying to kill each other, but at this moment, they felt a shared empathy of being in the same boat.
However, there was something that comforted them.
'They definitely won't be able to learn it properly.'
Excellent swordsmanship becomes a higher-level skill in itself.
But monsters almost never successfully learn swordsmanship.
At most, only bipedal monsters with proper hands and feet rarely learn something resembling swordsmanship.
In other words, it's impossible for a magic-using snake like that to learn swordsmanship.
Not extremely difficult, but literally 'impossible'.
There will be no leakage of the Ferang School Dagger Technique or the Iron Lion Ceremonial Sword Technique.
'Let's just let them imitate it.'
That was the common thought of Zain and Oliver.