The Runesmith

“Wayland did? Are you sure?”

“Yes! Isn’t it interesting? Who would have thought that he was an actual Knight”

“Yeah… who would have thought…”

An elven woman dressed in the guild receptionist attire along with a large bald man were peeking out through the window. There they could see a barricade of soldiers in the distance blocking the way to the Valerian estate where Lord Arthur lived. Not so long ago they all heard the news that some trouble between the nobles were brewing.

“Are you sure the information is correct? Is it really that Wayland?”

“My sources said that it was a man dressed in runic armor, it did look like the one Mister Wayland uses but perhaps it could have been someone else inside?”

Solana the sun elf receptionist answered while also trying to peek at the knights. Some of them were frantically running around with no purpose. It was as if they were caught with their pants down and didn’t know how to react. Then there were also the regular soldiers that belonged to the city lord, they were on high alert.

“Guild Master, will you get involved?”

“Why should I?”

“Oh, I don’t know~. What if it’s really Mister Wayland?”

The elven lady chuckled while leaving the guild master in his office. The large man’s lips started to angle down as he watched the scenes play outside. He had chosen to ignore the city lord’s call in favor of the older brother. In his mind the bastard son had no way of winning and putting his neck out could only cause him harm. Yet if this new Head Knight could cause a reversal, it could put him in a bad spot.

“...Is this why he hid his status screen? Did I misjudge his worth?”

He asked himself a few questions while giving out a sigh. In reality, he didn’t feel that he did anything wrong. With the information that he was given, this was the correct choice. Theodore Valerian or one of the other brothers would normally be the ones to take the dungeon over.

“A hidden Knight? Could he be his Head Knight? Then what was it with that offer…”

To him, it didn’t make any sense, was Arthur several moves ahead of him? The position of a knight was also offered to the guild master. It wasn’t that strange for powerful adventurers to be given these positions but he chose to refuse it.

“Was this all just to test my loyalty? Haha, did I fail then… interesting. Well then, let’s see what this Knight can do, That Emmerson should not be an easy target.”

After putting in some thought the large man finally smiled. He was now actually interested in who this new player was. Could it actually be Wayland or someone that was just using his equipment? There was a large possibility that it was just a platinum adventurer coerced by Arthur.

However, if it was just an adventurer he could not see him easily winning over that Knight Commander. There was a difference when it came to fighting monsters and humans. Adventurers delved into the depths of the dungeon and spent most of their lives there honing their skills. Knights on the other hand were primed for war, their skills were developed to kill other people of the races and this duel was probably something a powerful knight would be used to.

“S-stop!”

“Why should I listen to a lowly knight like you? Don’t you realize that you are in the presence of your superior?”

“I…”

The Valerian Knights that arrived at the villa some time ago were confused. Some of their people had been tossed like rag dolls to the side while attempting to stop an armored man from entering this estate. He had a certain presence that could be attributed to tier 3 class holders. It was clear that they would not be able to easily subdue him.

“If you understand then make way, your commander owes me an explanation and I will not leave without one!”

This person was not kidding, soon after arriving he was shouting and trying to duel their leader. This was not something any of them expected. The injured group of knights that returned from their mission from the forest area must have been responsible for all of this. Five returned from a group of fifteen and apparently, the Lieutenant had been slain by this person.

“Who are you? Do you expect me to believe that someone like you is part of the noble Valerian Knights?”

Finally, all of the knights gathered here looked at their savior. There he was Commander Emmerson, one of the strongest people that they knew and their leader. When he appeared all the fear that they were feeling instantly went away, it was as if there was no foe they couldn’t defeat as long as he was fighting with them. They knew that this man would not stand for any of this and that this false knight before them was a deadman.

…

Name:

Emmerson L 215

Classes:

T3 Spirit Blade Guardian L65

T2 Spirit Sword Knight L50

T2 Shield Knight L50

T1 Squire L 25

T1 Warrior L 25

‘He is not using anything to hide his status screen and look at those tin soldiers…’

Roland wanted to laugh at the lower leveled knights that were quick to hide behind their leader. When he arrived at the scene they were like headless chickens, just running around and covering in fear as he used his suppression skill. While it was not powerful enough to make them kneel, it was enough to affect their behavior. However, this skill could be countered by another tier 3 class holder with a similar one and Emmerson clearly owned it.

‘A Spirit Blade Guardian… At least it’s not an Aura one like that woman.’

The man that he was facing was thirty-nine levels his superior. Normally this would not be a level gap that could be easily bridged. The levels weren’t even the main problem as the difference in skills would be the bigger issue. The almost forty levels in difference indicated a difference in years of training and honing. The only thing that Roland had going for him was the broken stat multiplier that potentially put him over Emmerson’s stats.

Roland’s information about other tier 3 classes was very limited. The names were dropped here and there but not much information could be gathered about the skills these classes used. By the name, he could be sure that this class had something to do with the defensive guardian class. The spirit blade part indicated that he could potentially have some powerful offensive sword skills that he needed to watch out for.

The equipment that Emmerson was wearing was the second tip. The moment the man came out he was already trying to analyze the enchantments that were on that piece of armor. Just as he expected the weapon, shield, and even the armor had greater enchantments on them. They were not of runic origin but ones probably created by a Master Enchantsmith.

‘This complicates things a bit…’

The skill that he used to identify magical enchantments wasn’t perfect. There was a problem with him being unable to see the entire structure from up close. Even though his eyes had become enhanced, analyzing intricate enchantments wasn’t easy. Then there was the other issue, these magical words that were spread over the armor were not concentrated as runes were.

Parts of the symbols were on the back of the man’s armor and the same was true for the weapon and shield. For Roland to be able to truly analyze everything he would need to see all of those items from all sides. This didn’t mean that his skill would be useless in this fight, it just meant that he couldn’t use it right now. While he could tap into the golem eyes of the turrets that were placed here, the skill used to analyze the enchantment wouldn't work through them, and the image quality left a lot to be desired.

“Who are you? Why do you come here to make a scene just to remain quiet? You wish to duel me? Do you even have the right?”

Emmerson was not amused by Wayland’s appearance and even less about him just remaining silent for so long. For Roland, the battle had already started the moment he appeared before him. To the others, it looked like the man that was calling for the duel had gone quiet and perhaps gotten cold feet after seeing the Knight Commander in person.

“Who am I? Did your men not inform you? Did they also not inform you of their offense against me? Did they not tell you of their attack on my land or how they injured people living under my care?”

Roland finally responded while focusing on the task at hand. The man didn’t react at all and didn’t even glance at the injured men that made it out alive from his home. In the group of five, he spotted the mage along with the young knight that had made it out with a small injury to his shoulder. With the mage there he was sure that they explained but he would still need to make the announcement here himself.

“Lord Arthur, who is this man?”

“Impudent, you dare to speak to the lord without permission?”

Arthur had appeared along with Emmerson but remained slightly in the back. He was still confused about the whole situation and Roland had no real way of informing the young noble about the issue or his plan. This was also the moment that he had to play it up, Emmerson was still retaining his superiority over this place.

The way that he talked to Arthur was inexcusable. Knights were not free to talk to noble children like commoners. Only if the noble in question allowed it, was it permissible. It was a different thing if there was an existing master-knight relationship already formed but Emmerson was an outsider here. Normally he would need to keep proper decorum and let Arthur take the center stage. By how he was acting it was as if he was putting himself above the city lord which could not be allowed.

Roland wasn’t sure how to start this thing but he was now given another excuse. Having their lord disgraced in front of a knight was not something they could let slip by. Thus to show that he was not joking around, he raised his arm at his target. Everyone could spot the massive amount of mana gathering in front of the armored gauntlet the moment it was getting charged. Emmerson could feel it too as the torrent of magical energy was pointing his way.

“What are you…”

His large oval shield was raised to intercept the magical spell. Just as per usual a drilling effect was added to this beam of energy, the same one that turned all those skeletons into minced meat. Now after passing and ascending to the higher tier he did not need the large cannon anymore, he could easily generate the same amount of force just from his runic gauntlet.

Emmerson was not expecting this turn of events as he was not even wearing his helmet. He also only now realized that Roland was not someone that he could just brush off with words. The defensive shield that had easily defended him against the orc chieftain was buckling under this attack and his feet were sliding back against the pressure.

Without much thought put into it, he activated one of his defensive skills. It added a reinforcement around the shield that enhanced the protective enchantment that it came equipped with. Only after stacking these two on top of each other was he able to actually keep himself from sliding back. His hand moved to his large blade as he now knew of his opponent's capabilities.

“Stop this instant! What are you two trying to do!?”

Yet before Emmerson could charge forward to attack his new foe he heard the voice of young lord Arthur. The moment the noble got involved the stream of blue energy halted. Roland stood on the other side and the moment the voice was raised he continued with his act. A head knight needed to listen to their lord and thus he performed a small bow.

“Knight Commander Emmerson, halt your actions right now, don’t draw your weapon in front of me.”

“...”

Roland could see that the man was conflicted about the situation. This was somewhat according to his plan. Now that his presence and strength were revealed even this person could not act out. If one tier 3 knight was here then perhaps more of them were waiting somewhere. A good leader would now try to recess the situation not jump into a battle they could possibly avoid or lose.

“Have a word with me… Sir. Wayland… and all of you, put down your weapons I will not allow this to turn into a bloodbath!”

“As you wish My, Lord!”

Arthur had been able to figure out what he was going for without an issue. The soldiers that Emmerson arrived with had their weapons raised and were already waiting for their leader to give them the order to attack. The same could be said for Roland's side, the soldiers that knew him had realized that a tier 3 knight was now on their side and finally saw a way for them to win this. Previously their egos had been hurt by the arrival of these outsiders but they outnumbered the enemy forces and now could see a way to victory.

“I blocked out the sound, they won’t be able to hear us talk.”

Roland proclaimed while still acting very knight-like toward the confused Arthur. Even though the other soldiers could see them unless they were able to read their lips while looking at their backs, there would be no way of knowing what the two were talking about.

“What are you trying to do?”

“The circumstances have changed, I want to make a new deal and for that, I need to be your Head Knight.”

“You want to willingly be my head knight? Were you hiding your true strength… so this is how you were able to defeat the Lich by yourself…”

“Something like that but that’s not important now, let me duel Emmerson.”

“Why would you want to do that? and why did you kill his men?”

It didn’t go unnoticed to Arthur that some of the knights that returned were injured. From the conversation they had with Emmerson, it was clear that they had suffered casualties. The party responsible was Roland, and this was obviously an attempt to get out of trouble. If Arthur accepted the offer he would also become responsible for the deaths of those knights wich could complicate things.

“They did something that they shouldn’t, they attacked my property without provocation and hurt someone dear to me.”

“I see… so you need me for your excuse for your vendetta.”

“In short… yes.”

“At least you are honest about it…”

Arthur looked like he wanted to cry after hearing Roland’s explanation of the situation. He was smart enough to figure out the logic behind the plan.

“You probably already figured out my circumstances. Now that it has come to this, I won’t refrain from using my true name if I have to but you should make up your mind fast, I don’t think Emmerson will wait for much longer.”

While Arthur and Roland were having their conversation their main foe continued to move. He had taken his helmet from the soldier that was holding it for him and was ready for battle. The knights on the sides were also ready to follow their leader into battle. It was clear to the two that a battle was imminent.

“Can you win?”

“I can.”

“...”

This was not an easy choice to make for the young lord but after everyone else had abandoned him already this was the only thing that remained. When he needed someone to lean on Roland appeared and made him an offer. This offer was quite insane but also had the potential to further his cause. If Emmerson was defeated in a sanctioned duel between knights, not even his brothers would be able to say anything about it.

Theodore’s men were the ones that poked the beehive. If Roland was truly Arthur’s Head Knight and a Knight Commander there was nothing wrong with the actions that he took. It was even something that was expected of a proper noble knight. His mind was torn but finally he nodded.

“I hope you won’t regret this choice.”

“I already am.”

“Haha.”

Arthur almost burst out in laughter at the quick reply with no hesitation behind it.

“Very well, Sir. Wayland, I will allow for this duel to happen but after this is over, we will have to have a little chat.”

“Thank you.”

Finally, the sound barrier was removed and everyone's gaze fell on Arthur who moved into the middle of the courtyard. After clearing his throat he turned toward Knight Commander Emmerson.

“My Knight has informed me about the transgressions that your men conducted. The fault doesn’t lay in the soldiers but in the hands of the man that gave that order, if I’m not mistaken, this would be you, Knight Commander Emmerson.”

Arthur’s words were thrown around to give Roland validity to this confrontation and the soldiers gathered here already knew where this was leading to.

“In light of these events, I Arthur Valerian, will sanction this duel.”

Both armored men weren’t even listening to the words of the noble. In their minds, the fight was already happening and they just needed him to move so their clash could commence. Soon all the soldiers were spreading to the sides while creating space. No one wished to be entangled in a battle between tier 3 class holders.

“Let the duel commence!”

Arthur removed himself from the middle and took his place next to Mary. Both of them were then surprised by the gust of air that instantly followed those words. The speed the two showed off was tremendous. Yet the more surprising thing about it was that the person that was being pushed back was Knight Commander Emmerson.

A large hammer had connected with his oval shield and sent the huge armored man flying backward. The weaker Valerian knights could not believe what was happening as their leader had to already regain his footing after the first exchange…