WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Oblivious

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Weakest Knight Became a Swordmaster, But Only in Dungeons ◈

Chapter 41: Puppet (2)

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Demonkin, Kilohr the Puppeteer.

She wandered beyond the Empire’s eastern region, gathering corpses and turning them into puppets to build an army of her own.

Elise had happened to come to the eastern border, so Kilohr intended to seize the fairy’s power while she had the chance.

The reason she wanted to call Elise to her Dungeon was that she had stockpiled her forces there.

Besides, fighting outside the Dungeon risked the Eastern Base detecting the disturbance and sending reinforcements. She was being cautious.

But then...

‘She’s personally taking me to her Dungeon...?’

What a considerate Demonkin. I was almost grateful to Kilohr.

It made sense, of course. Kilohr belonged to the Exchange Realm Society, so she must have known the Knight Academy’s internal affairs.

That meant she knew about my relationship with Elise, as well as the talent I had shown.

More than anything, Kilohr was someone who enjoyed making people with close relationships kill each other.

Was there a target more suitable and easy to handle than me?

“Who said you could take him!?”

“Senior!”

Mary, the messy-haired female knight, charged at Kilohr.

Her aura-wreathed blade aimed for Kilohr. Then Kilohr flicked a finger.

Snap.

“Uh...?”

Mary’s body froze.

Her whole body trembled violently. She could not move a single finger.

Clatter.

Her grip was forcibly pried open, and her sword fell.

[You need to bring the fairy’s contractor.]

“Urgh...!”

Mary blazed aura around both arms and tried to move...

[Are you trying to resist again? Haha... How presumptuous.]

Thud.

Mary’s body twitched like a broken machine before collapsing unnaturally facedown on the ground.

As Kilohr moved her fingers, Mary’s arms slowly bent behind her back.

[You don’t particularly need your arms, do you?]

“You Demonkin bastard...!”

Mary’s arms began bending at an angle they should never bend.

Ah. No, that wouldn’t do.

“Stop!”

“...!”

Mary’s head trembled at my shout.

“I’ll go with you, so stop.”

I deliberately made my voice shake with anger as I approached Kilohr.

Kilohr smirked and stopped moving her fingers. Mary’s arms stopped before they bent any further into dangerous angles. Thank goodness.

Mary looked at me, moving only her eyes. Shock poured from her gaze.

‘For now, I’ll tell Violet to stay put...’

I grabbed my left wrist for a moment and tapped it twice with my index finger.

The bracelet equipped in mana form inside my wrist would send a signal to Violet.

It was the code Violet and I had agreed on beforehand, meaning she should wait for now.

“What are you saying...? You’re going to follow that Demonkin? You’re surrendering!?”

“If I go with her willingly, Senior won’t be hurt, right?”

“...!”

Ignoring Mary’s rebuke, I asked Kilohr. She grinned with all three mouths.

[Of course. I don’t wish to hurt either of you if I can help it. You must become my puppet, and that messy-haired one must bring the fairy’s contractor.]

“Then... I’ll go with you.”

Gritting my teeth, I forced an extremely resentful expression.

‘I am powerless right now. I am very sad...!’

I kept giving myself that suggestion.

“No... Don’t do it...! Can’t you see what’s around you? It’s obvious what she’s planning to turn you into!”

Mary cried out desperately.

Thanks to her, I found it easier to immerse myself in the act.

I turned toward Mary, smiled like a tragic supporting character, and pretended to swallow back tears.

“It’s alright, Senior. Please stay safe.”

Mary’s eyes widened.

Click.

I sheathed my sword, raised both hands, and approached Kilohr. It was a sign of surrender.

“Ron Hazely!! No!!”

[I’m glad you’re so reasonable. Thank you, Ron Hazely.]

As Kilohr moved her fingers, an unpleasant sensation coiled around my body.

‘I can’t move. Is this puppet magic?’

Purple threads had somehow connected to my shoulders, arms, waist, and legs.

As expected of this weak body, such unfair magic worked on me easily.

To think I would end up caught by Demonkin magic.

‘Ugh, this feels disgusting.’

An unpleasant warmth seeped from where the threads of demonic energy connected. It was an instinctive sense of rejection.

‘Now...’

Kilohr would have me fight Elise in the Dungeon.

Since she wanted Elise to hurt me with her own hands, she would take me there in as intact a condition as possible.

[Mary, was it? Take this.]

Whoosh.

Thud.

Kilohr lightly tossed a magical device compass. It landed in front of Mary.

[It will guide you to my Dungeon.]

“You bastard...!”

[Bring only the fairy’s contractor to the Dungeon. Ah, if you’re truly worried, you may also bring the Fish Sword-wielding cadet or the two assigned knights. That could be quite entertaining as well.]

She was awfully confident.

[However, if you report the situation anywhere else or bring anyone other than them... Ron Hazely’s life cannot be guaranteed.]

Kilohr’s long finger softly stroked my cheek.

Why did this feel like I was a heroine being taken from the protagonist...?

“Aaargh!!”

Mary let out a furious cry and unleashed her aura.

Even with that violent resistance, it was useless. The threads pulled taut and controlled Mary even more firmly.

Oh dear, Kilohr’s face had gone stiff again.

“Senior!”

“...!”

“I’m fine. You’ll get hurt if you keep this up.”

I gave Mary a kind smile, trying to reassure her.

...It had the opposite effect.

“Damn it...! Agh! Is this really the time to worry about someone else!? Don’t say things like that...!”

Mary’s face twisted horribly. It was stained with fury, desperation, and helplessness.

‘Ah, now I feel bad...’

Damn it. I couldn’t explain this, either...

I should just leave quickly.

‘Right, should I at least leave her this message?’

I needed to leave a message for Elise.

“Senior, could you pass this on to Elise?”

“What...?”

“Tell her this was my choice, not her fault. And if she’s going to rescue me, she should come properly prepared.”

‘It’s obvious Elise might blame herself.’

Elise’s mental state was closely tied to my future survival.

And please come as slowly as possible. I was going to sort this out myself.

[Haha...!]

Laughter burst from Kilohr’s three mouths.

Perhaps because she had three mouths, her laughter formed a harmony.

[Ah, what a spectacle... What a truly beautiful sight. Ron Hazely, I had no idea you were such a considerate person... How wonderful... Then shall we be going?]

Kilohr flicked her fingers, and my body began moving on its own with a creak.

‘Oh, what is this? It’s convenient.’

It was my first time experiencing my body moving through an AUTO function. I was having all sorts of strange experiences today.

“Ron Hazely...! I will save you, no matter what! I will! On my honor as a knight! I will!!”

Behind me, Mary shouted as though she were the protagonist of a revenge story.

‘There’s really no need for that...’

I needed to end this quickly somehow.

With Kilohr’s help, I comfortably headed toward the Dungeon.

* * *

Demonkin Kilohr left while controlling Ron Hazely and the monster corpses like puppets.

Only after they disappeared did the threads of demonic energy controlling Mary slowly unravel.

Boom!

Freed at last, Mary violently punched the ground. The earth cracked and caved in.

“Grrr, damn it...! Damn it!!”

Veins bulged in her wide-open eyes, and her teeth ground together. Had she ever felt this helpless before?

But this was not the time to be consumed by rage. She had to save Ron.

How could she leave behind that kind apprentice knight, who had decided to sacrifice himself without hesitation even with his life at stake, and who had worried about her rather than himself until the very end?

‘Hold on to your reason...!’

If she chased Kilohr now, she would only die a meaningless death. So would Ron.

If she reported this to the Eastern Base, Ron’s life could not be guaranteed.

Her only option was to join Elise Lorendia, Lara Twisloff, and the other knights to come up with a plan.

Whoosh!

Mary grabbed her fallen sword and the Dungeon compass Kilohr had given her, then immediately began running.

She knew exactly which route Elise and Lara were patrolling. Their patrol areas and routes had been decided in advance.

Soon, Mary met up with Elise, Lara, and their two assigned knights.

“A Demonkin appeared and took Ron Hazely. She demanded that we bring Elise Lorendia to her Dungeon. And...”

Mary did her best to calmly explain the situation.

A mysterious Demonkin who knew about Ron and Elise’s relationship had appeared.

Ron had been controlled like a puppet and dragged away by the Demonkin.

Ron had stepped forward to protect Mary, and until the moment he was taken away, he had worried about her rather than himself.

The longer Mary spoke, the more Elise’s expression hardened like stone.

“Hazely was taken by a Demonkin...?”

Lara’s midnight-blue eyes shook as though an earthquake had struck.

For some reason, an indescribable emotion welled up, stirring deep in her chest.

“Huh?”

A cold chill suddenly brushed Lara’s skin. She turned toward it.

Elise came into view.

Elise, who always wore a bright, lively smile, was looking at Mary without the slightest trace of one.

The life had vanished from her normally clear turquoise eyes.

“Is that... so...?”

A sunken voice slipped through Elise’s lips.

“And Elise Lorendia, there’s something Ron asked me to tell you.”

“What...?”

“He said this was his choice, not your fault. And if you were going to rescue him, you should come properly prepared... That was the message.”

Elise’s head jerked slightly, and her lips parted.

As if time had stopped, Elise did not move at all.

Lara was flustered too.

How could she not understand what those words meant?

Even in that dangerous situation where his life was at stake, Ron had worried Elise might blame herself.

“Elise Lorendia.”

Mary swallowed a groan and lowered her head.

“I’m sorry. I have no excuse. I don’t want to push you into danger, either. But no matter what you choose, I’ll find the best way to save Ron Hazely.”

“...”

“I’m sorry that all I’ve shown you as your senior is how helpless I am.”

Mary’s tightly clenched fists trembled.

“It’s alright, Senior.”

“Hm?”

“The Demonkin holding Ron...”

Cold murderous intent bloomed in Elise’s turquoise eyes.

“I’ll tear her apart and kill her, no matter what it takes, then bring Ron back.”

* * *

‘This is damn convenient.’

My body moved on its own as we entered deep into the eastern forest.

[Ron Hazely. How are you feeling right now?]

“...”

[Ah, I suppose you can’t speak. I was inconsiderate. I’m sorry.]

It was difficult to answer when I was already busy maintaining a sad expression.

Kilohr’s hand lightly brushed my cheek.

[My precious puppet...]

Well, she was providing such considerate service. Wouldn’t it be polite to give her at least one reaction she wanted?

As though the emotion I had been suppressing finally leaked out, I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Damn it, I’m furious...!”

Kilohr’s three mouths curved into smiles.

[Ah, what a wonderful response. Keep hold of that feeling. No, make it grow even stronger. My precious puppet. Please...]

I was glad she was satisfied.

We entered an underground cave hidden in the forest. Inside was a Gate covered by concealment magic.

We passed through the Gate.

‘Oh.’

The sight of a Dungeon resembling a vast stage filled my vision.

A bright red carpet stretched out ahead, and puppets were piled as high as mountains.

Two absurdly massive puppets stood on either side, radiating an overwhelming presence.

Those struck by Kilohr’s magic gradually lost their sense of self. Once their selves vanished completely, even their bodies hardened, turning them into actual puppets.

The monster corpses I had seen earlier had no selves to begin with, so the process must have been much faster for them.

In other words, that mountain of puppets had to be made of victims.

‘She has killed a lot.’

I almost clicked my tongue, but I came to my senses and put on an expression full of fear.

[What do you think? Isn’t it wonderful? This is my Dungeon. My proud work of art!]

Kilohr spoke as she led me across the bright red carpet.

‘In the original story, Elise killed Mary here... Then, when Elise had suffered terribly and fallen into danger, the commander finally appeared.’

The Eastern Commander from the original story had sensed that something was wrong, found the Gate, and saved Elise’s group.

Kilohr had been driven back by the commander, fleeing while promising to return. That was how Chapter 1, Act 10 had ended.

‘But I’m going to wreck everything before Elise and the others get here, commander or not.’

Kilohr floated into the air, landed on the mountain of puppets, and crossed her legs.

My body was also pulled by the threads until I stopped in front of her.

[Ron Hazely. You will fight the fairy’s contractor here. That will be the purpose of your existence from now on.]

Kilohr smiled in ecstasy.

[Ah... Isn’t it entertaining just to imagine? Two people who have built such a deep bond fighting a tragic battle to kill and be killed by one another...!]

When I simply stared at her without answering, Kilohr’s eyes sharply fixed on me.

[Answer.]

Her commanding tone made me snort.

“Bullshit.”

[...What?]

Creak.

Creak-creak-creak-creak.

Kilohr’s head twitched like a puppet’s, and red light rose in her pupils.

[It seems you don’t understand your place. You are my puppet...]

The moment anger appeared on her face, I formed my intent.

[You have activated the Unique Ability “Swordmaster’s Soul”!]

Fwoooosh!

Immense vitality and a sense of omnipotence enveloped my entire body.

Crackle...

With a few casual movements, the purple threads of demonic energy controlling me fell away easily like cobwebs.

[...!!]

Kilohr shot to her feet on her long legs.

Her eyes widened with confusion, and she could not close her mouths.

[What... are you?]

Creak. Creak-creak-creak-creak.

Clatter-clatter-clatter-clatter.

Thooom!!

The mountain-like pile of puppets began to rise, and the giant puppets opened their eyes wide.

[What the hell are you!?]

Fwoooosh!

With Kilohr’s furious shout, a heavy wave of demonic energy spread out.

“None of your business.”

Silver-gray mana and blue mana rose simultaneously before me. They soon transformed into two renowned swords.

The wolf’s sword, Ravenous Wolf Sword Kalzak.

The fire goblin’s sword, Flame Demon Sword Hwama.

I took both swords and wore them at my waist. Then I drew Ravenous Wolf Sword Kalzak.

Riiing.

A clear sword chime rang out.

“Kalzak.”

Thump.

Whoooosh!

Ravenous Wolf Sword Kalzak pulsed and fiercely created silver-gray blade wind. A wolf’s breath flowed from my lips.

The Iron Wolf trait.

Kilohr’s three mouths hung open.

“Did you say this Dungeon was your work of art?”

A mocking smile spread across my face.

“It’s goddamn awful... You have no talent for art.”

[Aaaaargh!!]

Kilohr let out a monstrous shriek, her confusion and rage intertwined.

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