Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 316

Lexion removed all the remaining barriers from the lair.Although there was nothing more to salvage, as he had said before, Count Stadler was overjoyed at the prospect of exploring new sections.

“Why on earth do you find this interesting?”

Count Stadler, agitated by Lexion’s incredulous remark, raised his voice.

“Just being able to observe the lifestyle of dragons that lived in ancient times is incredibly valuable!”

But to the dragon, it only seemed like he was searching through someone else’s dusty house.

Regardless of Lexion’s displeased gaze, Count Stadler hummed and treated them to a sumptuous meal.

And the next day, the Count took Arendt and Lexion to his laboratory.

There Arendt came to understand why passionate researchers were reluctant to undertake the Count’s research.

“…This is a bit.”

It was a rare occasion where a weary voice came out of Arendt’s mouth. Read full story at N0veI.Fiɾe.net

The Count, who also had some conscience left, smiled awkwardly and made an excuse.

“I think we need to figure out how the monsters move. If they’re living creatures, figuring out their behavior patterns and weaknesses will be helpful later on.”

Inside a fairly large glass case, a fleshy mass the size of a palm was writhing and moving.

It was a specimen that reproduced the monster that Jin created.

It had no organs except for the muscles that made up its skin and a small hole that looked like a mouth, so it was difficult to even call it a living thing.

It was a little nauseating to see that guy crawling on the glass floor.

Inside, there were various insects, small mice, and grass that seemed to have been put in by the Count as food.

Lexion muttered in disbelief.

“You’ve got quite the strong stomach, Count. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but… how on earth did you come up with the idea to make something like this?”

“I carved out a bit of the fake spirit stone and combined it with a bit of the Miracle Soldier flesh that Sir Arendt had retrieved last time.”

Count Stadler said proudly.

“It doesn’t eat food at all. I guess it’s because its source of power is the spirit stone, and it shows great aggression towards living creatures, whether human or otherwise. At this size, it only bites, so it’s not that dangerous. It does hurt quite a bit, though.”

“…Don’t tell me you actually tested that out yourself?”

When Arendt asked again, doubting his ears, the Count readily nodded.

“Someone should check it out. I bled a little, but there were no other side effects. It would have been a problem if it had spread diseases or venom, but it doesn’t seem to have that ability.”

“…”

It was definitely helpful information, but they had no idea what to say about the process.

“I said you could go crazy in style, but this is a bit much.”

“Huh? Sir Arendt, what did you just say? I didn’t hear you correctly.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Arendt waved his hand and changed the subject.

“This little thing just crawls around on the floor and occasionally bites people. Does it have any special abilities?”

“You’re right. I can’t confirm it right now, but this thing divides once every two or three days to increase its population.”

Count Stadler began to explain as if he had been waiting for the question.

“I made this using the one that Sir Arendt dealt with in his small territory as a model. It was the source that spewed out ghouls, and I think it may have split because its habits remained even in this form. When I checked, I found that the ones that split from this one lost the ability to reproduce or increase their population.”

Just like the ghouls that were born from the main body, those that split off from this small lump of flesh were simply ignorant and aggressive, with some regenerative powers.

“I tried making something similar with the spirit stones that Captain Diana retrieved from the border of the Everan Kingdom, but this one was the only one that could split. That means that ‘split’ is a unique ability that only this one has. So I guessed that depending on which spirit stone Jiklin used, the enemy’s purpose or appearance might change.”

The one Arendt fought against was a giant humanoid, while Laius defeated a homunculus in the form of a dragon.

And it was said that what appeared at the border of the Everan Kingdom this time was a giant snake.

In addition, the monsters that appeared before the appearance of the homunculi also showed various appearances.

Because there were ghouls, chimeras, and even beings that were infinitely closer to humans.

“Please wait a moment.”

Count Stadler left.

A moment later, he returned, hugging a mountain of books and documents.

!

The ground shook slightly as he put down the stack of papers.

“Based on the reports submitted to the palace by the Knights, I have recorded and classified all the entities that have appeared so far! Hahahaha!”

“…”

The Count’s eyes, as he proudly declared his findings, looked ever so slightly unhinged.

With bloodshot eyes, Count Stadler muttered on, facing the dragon and apprentice knight who were looking at him with tired eyes.

“Although it was an incredibly difficult task, who am I? Even the reports weren’t properly received due to the continuous battles, and there were many places where the reports on enemy entities were not certain! That’s why the Explorers’ Union and our researchers visited the areas where the battles had ended and collected some of the bodies!”

“…”

“Hahaha, sorting and matching them one by one was quite enjoyable! And I got help from the Khan Union to sort the data, thanks to Vice President Arcus for his hard work.”

It might have been expected for the researchers, but it would have been a bolt from the blue for the Explorers’ Union members and Arcus.

Lexion took a step back as he faced the giggling Count.

It was a gesture that screamed he wanted to get as far away from this lunatic as possible.

“I have written down everything I could find, but since you are all busy, I am sure you don’t have time to review everything one by one. So I have categorized them briefly, and I will give you a copy when you return later. I would also appreciate it if you could give one to His Highness.”

As he said this, Count Stadler showed Arendt a relatively thin booklet.

There were brief descriptions of the ghouls, their physical characteristics, and research results, along with rough sketches of the ghouls.

“Take a look at it when you have time. I’m sure it’ll help you. And this guy.”

Count Stadler knocked on the glass box, through which the fleshy mass was writhing.

“I’ll observe it a bit more. If His Highness wishes to see it for himself, I can make something similar. It won’t be too dangerous.”

“Hoo…”

For a moment, a strange light flashed across Arendt’s eyes.

Lexion, who noticed this, said with a frown.

“It’s none of my business whether you torment the Crown Prince or not, but don’t make a racket. I’ll make sure to burn it all down first if it gets too loud.”

Despite the warning, filled with genuine intent, Arendt merely shrugged his shoulders shamelessly.

“Well, who knows? His Highness the Crown Prince might have a hobby of raising strange animals.”

“It’s not like it’s a strange animal, and as far as I know, the Crown Prince doesn’t have such a hobby. Do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking? I told you clearly. I’m going to burn it.”

“Tch.”

Lexion glanced at Arendt, who clicked his tongue as if he was disappointed, and then turned his gaze back to Count Stadler.

“You too, do your best. You should only focus on the analysis. Trying to create something more based on it is dangerous. Especially because Count, you are too curious.”

“Haha… I’ll keep that in mind.”

Count Stadler burst into an embarrassed laugh.

“But you don’t have to worry. As I said before, all the researchers are under strict supervision. And my research needs are fully satisfied. And…”

Count Stadler paused for a moment and then turned his gaze to Arendt.

“I will never do anything that would harm Sir Arendt and the royal family, who gave me a second life. I am still very satisfied. I will also engrave in my bones what Lord Lexion said.”

The Count, with his pale face and bright smile, showed no sign of lying.

“I understand what you are worried about. I will find out what I need to find out about this and then discard it. To be honest, I have thought about using this to create weapons similar to those used by our enemies, but I will never do it. There is a clear line that must not be crossed as a person living on this land.”

Only after Count Stadler made his firm promise did Lexion nod.

“Okay, and don’t ever hand it over to this bastard. He’s the most untrustworthy guy in the world.”

“What did I do?”

Lexion snapped at Arendt, who was chattering next to him, in irritation.

“Be quiet. If you think about it, you’re the most dangerous one.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“Did that sound like a compliment?”

Count Stadler, who had been watching Lexion and Arendt bicker, opened his mouth again.

“And I have a small favor to ask of you, Sir Arendt.”

“What is it?”

When Arendt stopped squabbling with Lexion and looked at him, Count Stadler smiled brightly.

“I know that you all, the Knights, are busy and distracted, but please, please, please write up your reports properly. Especially about the enemy entities.”

“…”

“Of course, we are receiving help from the Khan Union and the Explorers’ Union, but isn’t there a limit to that? In just a few months, five researchers have already quit, saying they can’t do it anymore.”

The Count’s dark-tinted eyes drew an extremely kind smile.

“So, please, please. Sir Arendt’s report is always so concise, but I would appreciate it if you could pass this on to the others.”

.

The Count stood close to Arendt.

“Please, I do enjoy research, but I still feel a bit uncomfortable when the workload piles up too much.”

His smiling face looked even more bizarre than a ghoul.

Arendt, looking at it with a hint of distaste, made a suggestion.

“…Shall we find out who they are and bring them before the Count?”

“That’s not bad either. Instead of writing a hastily written report, I think it would be better if they came and testified in person.”

“Okay, I’ll catch a few people and hand them over to you, so please do me one favour.”

In an instant, several members of the Third Knights were sold to the Count.

Count Stadler nodded in agreement with the proposal.

“If it’s a request from Sir Arendt, of course, I’ll do it without hesitation.”

“Please process the magic stone into a new form so that it can help the spirit mage train. After all, neither Lexion nor I can stay with him all day.”

“You mean Salem? I heard the news too. Do you have any plans in mind?”

When the Count readily answered, Arendt began to list one by one everything he had been thinking about.

“He has enough magical power as an elf, but he’s still not good at using it while sharing it with the spirits. He’s also training in swordsmanship, and his progress is faster than I thought, but he’s still far from being able to use it in actual combat.”

“I see. In that case, I think it would be best to think in terms of using Salem’s magic power itself as much as possible.”

“…”

Lexion just quietly ignored the two of them who were discussing things.

It had been quite some time since he had felt sympathy for humans, but at least at this moment, he couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for the knights who had been sold without knowing anything.