The Count's Gun-Shooting Scoundrel

“Is everyone gathered?”

“Ack!”

A look of resolve was etched on Skevin's face as he answered with military precision.

Arthur looked over the Knights gathered in the Sparring Arena.

Having restored their stamina with Mana after the training ended, they looked far from tired; their faces were filled with dissatisfaction.

“It seems you’re all still in one piece.”

At his words, the Knights scowled, openly showing their displeasure.

Arthur descended from the platform and said to Skevin.

“We’re moving out. Follow me.”

“Ack!”

Skevin followed Arthur, giving Hellot a meaningful glance.

At Hellot’s signal, the Knight Order followed quietly, harboring their complaints.

***

An hour later.

They arrived at the white sandy beach on the eastern coast.

As soon as they arrived, Arthur had the Knights stand with their backs to the sea and then lined them up by number.

He had already explained this training to Millerf and Skevin on the way, so they moved on their own without needing further orders.

“Do not move!”

‘What the?’

‘Isn't the Captain participating with us?’

‘For some reason, I have a very bad feeling about this.’

The Knights' faces hardened.

As Skevin shouted, applying pressure and creating a solemn atmosphere, Arthur gave an order to Millerf.

“Find anyone who uses Mana during the training.”

“Should I do as you instructed?”

“Yes, rough them up a bit and send them back. This is to prevent their body temperature from dropping.”

“Very well.”

Millerf glanced at the Knights with a smile playing on his lips.

The sense of foreboding grew in the minds of the Knights watching the two.

‘After running us ragged during the day, what is he planning to do now?’

‘That bastard, he’s making me anxious.’

‘What on earth did he say to the Captain and Sir Millerf?’

They all cursed him inwardly with every profanity they knew.

Arthur stopped about five meters away from them.

Then, he firmly stuck a rod with a ‘bell’ attached to it, which he had prepared, into the ground.

‘A bell?’

‘What’s he plotting?’

Just as questions clouded the Knights’ faces, Arthur smiled meaningfully.

“Anyone who wants to give up during the training can ring this bell. Then you can take a comfortable rest.”

‘What is he talking about?’

‘Trying to scare us before we even start.’

‘Son of a bitch.’

The Knights hurled all sorts of silent criticisms and curses at him.

Arthur scanned them once before speaking to Skevin.

“Begin.”

The moment his order fell, Skevin unleashed a fierce aura and roared like a thunderclap.

“Everyone, heads on the ground!”

        *        *        *

Around the time dawn broke.

The Phoenix Knights finished their training and returned to the castle.

A sense of grim determination could be felt from them as they entered the castle gates in sharp, disciplined formation.

Their faces, soaked with water, were so pale that they seemed drained of all blood.

But their eyes were as sharp as honed blades, and their aura was nothing short of murderous.

Overnight, they had returned as completely different men.

‘What in the world happened?’

The guards, crushed by their presence, couldn't even look at them properly, lowering their heads like frightened puppies tucking their tails.

Skevin led them to their quarters.

At the very back, Millerf entered the castle gates with Arthur and asked.

“How did you think of such a method?”

“I realized it during training. That no matter how strong the body is, it's useless if the mind collapses.”

“I, too, have learned a great deal through this training.”

“I’m glad to hear it was fruitful.”

Arthur gave a faint smile and turned toward the Sparring Arena, making Millerf tilt his head.

“Aren't you going inside?”

“I have things to sort out in my head, and training starts in an hour.”

“I’m worried you might be overdoing it.”

“War is approaching. This is no time to be complacent.”

Arthur replied coldly and walked toward the Sparring Arena.

Millerf watched his retreating back and thought of Count Malcolm.

‘Seeing that I can’t keep up with the Young Master's thoughts, I must have wasted my years.’

Smiling to himself, he headed toward his room.

He wanted to follow, but his mind and body were exhausted from having continuously cast Healing Magic on the Knights who had fainted or were on the verge of it.

To observe the upcoming training, it was best to get at least a moment's rest.

***

Arthur crossed the empty Sparring Arena and stepped onto the platform.

He looked up at the brightening sky and recalled the night's training.

Every time they faced a crisis, they gritted their teeth or let out roars.

Moreover, whenever a comrade was about to fall behind, the others would shout ‘You can do it!’, encouraging them.

The synergistic effect that appeared when they became one, not just individuals, was incredible.

As a result, they completed the night training safely, without a single person dropping out.

This training had two objectives.

When one becomes hypothermic from the seawater, everything collapses.

The goal was to have them overcome that situation with strong mental fortitude and feel a sense of camaraderie.

Thus, they gained the confidence that they could overcome anything if they united as one.

Having overcome their limits, they would not only become stronger than they were now, but they would also undergo many changes.

“I suppose the first button has been fastened.”

Arthur closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of nature.

The sound of the wind and the chirping of birds soothed his mind and body.

He slowly drew up his Mana, allowing every cell in his body to feel it.

‘So this is my power…’

The power of the second stage was like a gentle wave. But when the accumulated power was released, it surged forth like a raging one.

As he became mesmerized by his own power, a hazy aura rose from his body like fog.

        *        *        *

“We are one-!”

The Recruits spent the whole morning running and repeatedly standing up and sitting down with their arms around each other's shoulders in groups of ten.

If their shouts were too quiet, or if they failed to stand and sit in unison and created a wave effect, punishment was sure to follow.

Although the Knights had restored their stamina with Mana during their break, their minds were so worn out from the night training that their ability to handle the training was similar to that of the Trainees.

It was truly a continuous hell.

If they had two lives, they would have wanted to die on the spot.

After the grueling morning session ended, it was finally lunchtime.

They were glad to have a moment of rest, but as the tension eased, pain they hadn't felt during the training came flooding in like a bursting dam.

“Ah…”

“I think my back is broken.”

“Aargh! A cramp in my leg!”

“Ack! Me too!”

Several of them, on their way to the dining hall, collapsed with a thud, groaning in pain.

Not only that, but when they managed to get to the dining hall and tried to eat, their hands trembled so much they couldn't even eat their food.

Even when they managed to put food in their mouths, it felt like chewing on grains of sand.

Their mouths were also sore, and every time food entered, the pain made their hair stand on end.

It felt like they were going to lose their minds.

But to endure the afternoon training, they had to force themselves to eat.

“Agh! I can't take it anymore!”

Hellot, in the middle of his meal, shot up from his seat and went outside.

A Knight who saw this ran to Skevin with a worried expression.

“Will he be okay?”

“Just leave him be.”

“But it’ll be a huge problem if the Young Master gets hurt, won't it?”

“That won't happen as long as Sir Millerf is by his side.”

“Still, you never know with people…”

“Just eat. Hellot won't be able to do anything to the Young Master with his bare hands. Even if he used Mana, it wouldn't be easy.”

“Really?!”

The Knight’s eyes shook uncontrollably.

***

Arthur skipped lunch and was practicing various movements in a handstand.

Lifting one of his two arms off the ground, he supported his body with only one arm, and sweat poured down like rain as he maintained his balance.

The fact that he didn't waver in the slightest even when a strong wind blew meant that strength was being transmitted all the way to his toes.

His physical ability seemed to have reached almost 90 percent.

‘Just a little more effort.’

Just as Arthur was focusing and about to switch to the other arm.

“Young Master!”

Hellot could be seen approaching, panting with rage.

His face had been full of dissatisfaction since yesterday, and it seemed he had finally exploded.

Arthur ignored him and silently continued what he was doing.

Hellot's anger flared at Arthur, who was only performing bizarre movements as if he didn't even exist.

“I request a duel with you, Young Master!”

“I’m in the middle of training.”

“Surely you're not avoiding it? Then again, unlike our considerate Captain, I am quite ruthless.”

“Hmph.”

Arthur snorted as if in derision.

At that, Hellot's face hardened, and he began to spew out what he had been holding in, as if he had made up his mind.

“If you are taking out your pent-up frustrations on the Knights under the guise of training, then please stop. Isn't it time you grew out of your childishness?”

For a moment, Arthur's movements stopped. Then, he sprang up like a coil to stand straight.

“Did my actions seem childish?”

“In my judgment, yes. But if you can defeat me, Young Master, my opinion will change.”

Hellot gave a sly smile.

“It seems there's no other way. But, putting aside the insult to me, how will you compensate for taking up my precious training time?”

“It won't happen, but if it does, I will offer my life to you, Young Master.”

“Not bad.”

“Conversely, if I defeat you, Young Master, please stop the training and leave the Sparring Arena. And you must not hold me responsible for any mishaps that occur during the duel.”

“You seem to have a lot pent up.”

A smile appeared on Arthur's lips.

“You may use a weapon, Young Master.”

“No need. I can handle someone like you with my bare hands.”

Arthur sneered as if finding him pathetic and beckoned with his finger.

At his provocation, Hellot's face contorted.

“I will be different from the Captain.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he charged like a bull.

Arthur dodged lightly, using his footwork.

In an instant, their positions switched, and they faced each other.

Hellot growled and grinned.

“Have a little taste of hell.”

He charged again.

“...!”

In that moment, Arthur's eyes flashed, and he quickly turned his body to the side.

He dodged Hellot's attack by a hair's breadth.

“Oh~.”

Hellot showed a slightly surprised reaction, as if he hadn't expected him to dodge that attack as well.

Arthur was just as surprised.

‘That speed in a body that large...’

“Did you know? The Captain is so fast he can't even be compared to me.”

“...!”

His speed increased even more.

Thwack!

This time, he couldn't dodge the attack and was sent flying backward.

“It's started!”

Hearing the news that Hellot had requested a duel with Arthur, the Knights and Trainees flocked over.

Millerf, who had been away for a moment, also heard the news and appeared in the Sparring Arena.

“Oh dear.”

He frowned upon seeing Arthur on the ground.

Skevin approached and stood beside him.

“Is the Young Master currently under a magic spell?”

Millerf nodded.

Skevin’s belief that Arthur would win was unchanged, but Arthur was under the pressure of the weight and couldn't exert his full strength.

Moreover, Hellot’s personality of seeing things through to the end once he started also weighed on his mind.

“He's not the type to end things lightly.”

“Then this will be a good chance to know the Young Master's skills precisely.”

“How skilled do you think he is?”

“Looking at his Hand-to-hand combat alone, I believe he wouldn't be pushed back even against a formal Knight, but am I overestimating him?”

“Sword Actor level…”

Skevin seemed to ponder for a moment, then grinned.

“I think you're underestimating him.”

“Is that so?”

“If I were to spar with the Knights using only half my strength, would there be anyone who could defeat me?”

“Now that you put it that way, you're right. Then we can see this duel as one between Sword Experts. But the Young Master is restricted by magic…”

A mix of anticipation and worry crossed Millerf's face.

***

“You're weaker than I thought.”

Arthur stood up, rubbing the chest that had been hit.

Hellot’s face hardened.

“I thought a Vice-Commander would be quite something. I guess I overestimated you.”

“I'll show you my true skills.”

Hellot's eyes flashed coldly as he charged.

This time, his attack was not only fast but also carried immense power.

It seemed reckless to face him in this state.

Just then, his eyes met Millerf's, who was standing with Skevin.

Arthur grinned and nodded.

As if he had been waiting, Millerf dispelled the Weight Magic.

As the pressure crushing his shoulders vanished, Arthur felt so light he could fly.

“Bring it on. I'll play with you properly.”

He ran to meet Hellot.

‘Crazy bastard.’

Hellot snorted and threw a punch.

Fwoosh-.

The punch flew with incredible wind pressure.

Arthur dodged by tilting his head to the side and then drove his elbow into Hellot's chest like a nail.

Thud!

It was ineffective against the hard, thick muscle.

“Is this all you've got?”

Hellot also threw an elbow strike.

Arthur quickly bent his knees to dodge and this time struck his side.

Thwack!

Again, it failed to deal any impact.

“What are you doing now?”

Hellot grinned eerily and swung his fist with all his might.

When Arthur ducked to avoid it, he followed up with a kick.

Smack!

Although he blocked it with his arm, the terrifying brute force sent his entire body flying through the air.

At this point, one would normally be intimidated by the clear difference in skill, but Arthur was not like that at all.

He even had a smile on his lips as if he was enjoying it.

“This is really fun.”

“It's not too late. You should give up.”

“Not a chance. I'm just getting started.”

Arthur's eyes glinted sharply as he charged again.

‘A desperate struggle.’

Hellot sneered and raised his guard.

Punches flew toward his face and vital points, but his two arms served as a shield, blocking them all.

“You can't defeat me with such shabby attacks.”

The moment Arthur's assault paused, he swung his fist.

Whoosh-.

The sound of it cut through the air.

Knowing that his opponent's attacks were so ruthless they would render any defense meaningless, Arthur focused all his senses on dodging.

The immensely powerful fists grazed past his body by a razor's edge.

Each time, his senses reacted sharply.

As they did, he felt as if he were gradually improving, as if awakening.

Hellot's movements, which had been difficult to follow with his eyes, slowly began to slow down, coming into sharp focus.

‘This is...!’