The Count's Gun-Shooting Scoundrel-Chapter 26 : The Hunt

“Faster!”
Arthur ran relentlessly, cutting through the dense forest undergrowth.
Skevin had tried to stop him, saying that going alone was no different from a suicide mission, but he couldn't stop Arthur, whose anger had exploded.
He took a mountain path to catch up to the man.
With the CheyTac slung over his back, he moved forward, mercilessly hacking away at the bushes with his Kukri.
A good while passed like that.
He was drenched in sweat, having run single-mindedly forward.
As the border with the Aslan territory came into view, Arthur quickly looked down the mountain.
A road wide enough for a carriage was visible.
But it was quiet, with no one in sight.
It seemed he had lost the man.
“Damn it!”
Just as Arthur scowled.
He saw a figure riding a horse in the distance.
They were wearing red armor.
‘That’s him!’
Arthur quickly descended.
A moment later.
Clip-clop, clip-clop-.
The sound of horse hooves was heard.
Hiding behind a tree, Arthur gripped his Kukri tightly and waited for the man to get closer.
The moment the man entered his attack range.
Arthur revealed himself and threw the Kukri with all his might.
Thud!
Neeeigh-.
The horse, with the Kukri embedded in its head, reared its front legs high into the air before collapsing.
Thump!
“Aaargh!”
The man, pinned under the horse, let out a scream.
Arthur rushed over like an arrow, retrieved his Kukri, and stood before the man.
The man’s face turned pale as he looked at the blood-dripping Kukri.
“Wh-who are you?”
After pulling off the man’s helmet, Arthur mercilessly cut off his ear with the Kukri.
“Aaaaaah!”
The man thrashed around like a madman.
Arthur threw the severed ear at the man’s face and asked.
“Who ordered this?”
“You think you’ll get out of this alive!”
The man screamed belligerently.
“You still don’t grasp the situation.”
Arthur shoved the Kukri through a gap in the plate armor.
Stab!
“Keuk!”
The man coughed up a mouthful of blood.
“Answer me, and I’ll give you a painless death.”
“Ugh… I was following Sir Berlo’s orders… Keoheok!”
Blood gushed from his mouth.
Arthur ruthlessly twisted and pulled out the Kukri embedded in the man's body.
“Keuk…”
The man died on the spot, his eyes wide open.
Arthur glanced at him for a moment before turning away without a second thought.
Just as he was about to move to find the enemy's main camp somewhere along the border.
He sensed a presence behind him.
“……!”
His eyes flashed as he spun around, swinging his Kukri.
Swish-.
But he only cut through empty air.
Arthur quickly took a defensive stance and glared ahead.
“What?”
It wasn’t an enemy, but Dark and Peri.
Feeling uneasy about sending Arthur alone, the two had followed him.
“We will go with you.”
At Dark’s words, Peri added.
“I will guide you.”
“You know what happens when you disobey my orders, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
The two bowed their heads.
“Then why did you follow me?”
“You always said it, didn’t you? That we are one.”
“Hmph.”
Arthur maintained his stern expression and continued.
“Listen carefully. Absolute obedience to orders is the top priority. So, go back.”
“I refuse.”
Dark refused firmly.
“I believe I said absolute obedience?”
“We cannot return leaving you alone, Young Master. I would rather go fight alongside you and then leave the Devil's Corps.”
“I can’t go back like this either.”
“Ugh…”
Arthur’s face contorted.
He couldn't afford to waste time here.
But he didn’t know where the enemy’s main camp was, and infiltrating it alone to rescue the reconnaissance team was realistically impossible.
Objectively speaking, going with them would increase the chances of a successful rescue.
He nodded with a reluctant expression.
“Just this once. If I feel you’re a burden, I’ll abandon you without a second thought, so stay sharp and follow me.”
Arthur sprinted toward the border like an arrow.
“Gasp!”
Dark and Peri’s eyes widened at Arthur’s incredible speed, and they chased after him with all their might.
***
“It’s over there.”
Upon arriving at the enemy's main camp, Peri pointed to the barracks where the reconnaissance team was being held captive.
Arthur looked at the barracks on the left side of the main camp and asked.
“How far did you get?”
“We were discovered as soon as we entered the main camp.”
“Hmph.”
Arthur scanned his surroundings with a grim expression.
The barracks with the Rose Knights' banners were mostly positioned near the border, while wolf banners were visible around the barracks where the reconnaissance team was held.
He could tell the mercenaries were managing the reconnaissance team.
If so, it was highly likely that the Berlo mentioned by the messenger was a mercenary.
“Hmm…”
Arthur’s gaze deepened as he sank into thought.
To orchestrate something like this, the person had to be in a considerably high position.
He suddenly recalled the man who had led the messengers.
He seemed to be on par with Skevin in terms of skill; it was probably him.
Before dealing with that man, he first had to find the one called Yakim.
Since he was said to be a Sword Master, he couldn't afford to be careless.
“You two wait here. I’m going to get a little closer to check the situation.”
“Please be careful.”
Peri’s face darkened.
From his experience fighting them, their skills were in no way inferior to the Phoenix Knights.
In fact, just making eye contact with a few of them had sent shivers down his spine.
Although Arthur was strong, he was worried he might be discovered by the enemy just as they had been.
He watched Arthur move toward the enemy's main camp and said to Dark.
“Don’t let your guard down for a second.”
“Don’t worry. If anything happens to the Captain, I’ll run in immediately.”
Dark also kept a close watch on the situation.
***
At that moment.
Inside the Red Warriors’ command tent, Berlo was cackling.
“They must have been shocked.”
“I’m starting to think this will be over too easily.”
“Nah, no way. They’re a Knight Order that once held the title of ‘Invincible,’ after all. Isn’t that right, Captain?”
One of the subordinates looked at Yakim.
At that, everyone’s gaze focused on Yakim.
Yakim gave a sly smile.
“We’ll know when we see.”
“Brother, there’s nothing to see. It’s obvious they’re scared stiff.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Berlo wore a bewildered expression.
“The House of Count Julius may not be as powerful as it once was, but we can’t ignore the public’s perception of the Phoenix Knights. Count Yarve must have called for me because he judged he couldn't ignore it either.”
“Well, seeing as he called for you, brother, to strike the House of Julius, it’s true he’s not taking them lightly.”
Berlo nodded in agreement and looked outside.
“But why isn’t that guy back yet?”
“Hmm.”
Yakim seemed to think for a moment, then said to Berlo.
“Send a scout team to check.”
“Is there really a need for that? Let’s just wait a little longer.”
“Do as I say.”
As Yakim’s gaze turned cold, Berlo quickly bowed his head and went outside with the other officers.
Left alone in the tent, Yakim stared at the entrance he had just left through, lost in thought.
Despite the declaration of war, they had shown no intention of surrendering and had instead sent a reconnaissance team to his main camp.
From this, he could surmise that they would not back down easily.
Moreover, the Phoenix Knights did not engage in external activities, so there was no information on them.
Facing a veiled enemy was foolish, but he couldn't resist the temptation of a huge sum of money.
It wasn't often that a single commission could cover a year's worth of operating funds.
So he had taken the job, but…
“For some reason, something feels off.”
Just as Yakim’s face hardened.
He caught a movement that grated on his nerves.
‘……!’
He shot up from his chair and ran outside.
***
“Damn it!”
Just as Arthur saw someone burst out of the tent and was about to make a quick escape.
A wild beast the size of a boar charged toward the tent like an arrow.
Just as it opened its jaws wide to swallow the man’s face, the man grabbed the beast by the scruff of its neck and slammed it straight into the ground.
Smash!
The beast’s head was crushed, splattering blood everywhere.
The man scanned his surroundings with the chilling eyes of a predator stalking its prey.
He felt it instinctively.
That man was the Sword Master.
Arthur held his breath, even quieting his breathing as much as possible, as he watched him.
The men who had left the tent a moment ago returned and surveyed the area with him.
After a few seconds, they went back into the tent.
Arthur watched with bated breath for a while longer before quietly slipping away.
Instead of going straight back to Dark and Peri, he moved slowly in the opposite direction, checking the enemy’s reaction.
He had to consider the possibility that they had noticed him and were waiting with a trap.
But even after a long while, they did not come out.
“Phew-.”
Just as he was thinking it was a huge relief.
He sensed someone approaching.
He quickly lowered his stance and gripped his Kukri tightly.
“Young Master.”
It was Dark.
Arthur frowned and asked.
“What is it?”
“You were moving in the opposite direction from us, so I came because I was worried you might have been discovered by the enemy.”
“Did you forget my order to wait?”
“Still, I couldn’t just pretend I didn’t see what was happening right in front of me—!”
Arthur pointed his Kukri at Dark’s throat.
Dark, startled, gulped down dry saliva.
“Next time, I’ll slit your throat without hesitation.”
Killing intent filled Arthur’s eyes.
Dark was shocked and quickly bowed his head.
“I’m sorry.”
“First, let’s get out of here.”
Arthur swiftly moved to where Peri was.
Peri, who had been observing the enemy camp, quickly approached as Arthur returned.
“It seems the enemy has sent out a scout team.”
“I see.”
The men who had come out of the tent must have been giving orders to the scout team before returning.
‘Did he say Yakim?’
Not only was he skilled enough to have noticed his presence if not for the wild beast, but he had also deployed a scout team without hesitation when the messenger was late.
He seemed to have considerable experience in war.
Just these mercenaries alone seemed to have superior combat strength to the Phoenix Knights, and then there were the Rose Knights as well.
At this rate, it was a certain defeat for the Phoenix Knights.
“Hmm…”
Arthur stared at the enemy's main camp, lost in thought.
Dark and Peri watched him silently, awaiting his orders.
Arthur brought the Cheytac from his back to his front and spoke.
“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
Dark and Peri’s eyes lit up.
“While I lure the enemy, you two rescue our men.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Once you’ve rescued them, don’t look back. Just run.”
“What about you, Young Master?”
“I’ll lead them as far away as possible and then follow you.”
“Just the two of us…”
They couldn’t just leave Arthur behind and return alone, but they knew that if they disobeyed his orders again, they might really die.
They had no choice but to follow his instructions.
Peri, sharing Dark’s thoughts, looked at Arthur with worried eyes.
“You must come back.”
“I will.”
Arthur slid his Kukri into its sheath on his lower back and continued.
“Wait here, and move when you hear a gunshot.”
Peri asked.
“What is a gunshot?”
“The sound of this thing crying out.”
“Understood.”
“And outside, call me Captain. My identity can’t be revealed yet.”
“Understood.”
“Then be careful. I’ll see you at the castle.”
Arthur quickly moved off somewhere.
He intended to get as far from the border as possible.
Once his attack began, it would only be a matter of time before Yakim discovered him.
Currently, his effective range was at most 200 meters, but he should be able to eliminate a few of the command staff.
As he entered the forest, a large rock came into view.
The distance to the enemy was within 200 meters, and it was hidden among the trees, making it a perfect spot for cover.
He took his position behind the rock and took out the beads to make loading easier.
Then, he loaded the weapon and aimed the barrel toward the enemy barracks.
Through the dense undergrowth, he could see their tents.
“Shall we begin the hunt?”
He focused all his senses on the scope and placed his index finger on the trigger.
A few minutes passed like that.
He caught sight of men emerging from a tent, laughing heartily.
He was disappointed it wasn’t Yakim or Berlo, but he pulled the trigger without hesitation.
Bang-!
A gunshot echoed through the forest.