The Old Knights’ Grand Entrance

I am the Hero.

After evacuating the villagers, I arrived at the blacksmith’s shop.

“Old man! Why hasn’t that bald fellow come out yet?” the big brother in the black hat demanded.

The Village Chief chuckled, bloodstains still smudged on his face. “He’ll be out very soon.”

“If you’re playing tricks, you’ll regret it!” the big brother threatened, grabbing the Village Chief’s collar.

“How could I dare, with so many of you here? Besides, my villagers are still under your control…”

I hid by the door, peeking cautiously inside.

There were five bandits in total, including their leader. Logically, there should have been six. Was the sixth one inside with the Blacksmith?

I couldn’t make a move. Even if I could defeat the Demonic Fire, what if the one inside heard me and attacked the Blacksmith?

The Village Chief glanced towards the doorway, spotting me again.

“Cough, cough!”

That fake cough was far too loud…

“Ahhh————”

What? A scream? From inside the house!

“What did that bald man do?!” The big brother immediately seized the Village Chief’s collar.

The Village Chief reacted swiftly, struggling free and retreating a considerable distance.

“Oh, it seems the Blacksmith didn’t cover his mouth before striking…”

“What did you say?!” The big brother’s words were cut short.

“Give me a weapon.”

“Thump!” A bald figure leaped from the second floor, landing squarely on the big brother in the black hat.

“Coming through! Sir Knight!” the Blacksmith exclaimed, carrying a large chest full of weapons. “Choose your weapon!”

From the assortment, the Village Chief immediately selected a massive weapon.

It was a heavy lance, typically used by knights!

Good heavens! Where did the village acquire such a weapon, and how was the Village Chief even wielding it?

“Now, the Old Knight makes his appearance!”

The Village Chief swept his lance, striking the ground with such force that the remaining thugs recoiled in panic.

Wow! So cool! He’s still got it!

“Who are you?!” “Oh, hell no!”

They hastily drew their short swords.

“Blacksmith!”

“Understood!” The Blacksmith stood, savagely kicking the big brother aside. “I am your warhorse!”

The Village Chief grabbed the Blacksmith’s weapon chest, leaping sideways to stand atop it.

Then, the Blacksmith dropped to all fours. “Gigantify!” His body began to swell, unleashing a powerful gust of wind. For a moment, I truly believed a robust… bald horse… had appeared before me.

“Tremble before the sacred Old Knight of Caster! Your opponents are…”

“Aaaaaaaah——”

Before the Village Chief could finish, the Blacksmith eagerly roared and charged! He really gets into character quickly; calling himself a warhorse made him a warhorse!

“Thwack!” “Thud!” Like bowling pins, two bandits were sent flying straight into the wall.

“Hey! Let me finish, Hauls!”

“I can’t wait! It’s been too long since I’ve fought like this, Lava!”

Come to think of it, this was the first time I’d heard their true names… So, they weren’t actually called Village Chief and Blacksmith after all.

“Hauls and Lava…” A minion broke out in a cold sweat.

“Who are they?” another ignorant one frantically asked.

“The Human Warhorse and the Volcanic Knight! You don’t know? These two were partners during the era of the Old Twelve Knights! They fought on the battlefield against the Demon King twenty years ago! They went into hiding after the Old Demon King was sealed!”

The Old Twelve Knights? Twenty years ago? The Demon King? It seemed the Village Chief and Blacksmith had quite the impressive past!

“What do we do now?!”

“Run! Find the boss!”

“Thwack!” “Thud!” Allowing them time to speak, they were instantly sent flying.

All five outside were wiped out.

“Hey, why didn’t you let me stab a few? You knocked them all out.”

“Can you blame me? I’m old, my coordination isn’t what it used to be…”

The Village Chief dismounted from the Blacksmith’s back, patting him. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m exhausted…” The Blacksmith’s enormous body began to shrink, gradually reverting to his original form. He set down the weapon chest, sat on the ground, and panted heavily.

“Hero, what are you still looking at?” The Village Chief turned to me.

“That was incredible…” I couldn’t help but exclaim. “Why didn’t you do that before you were captured?”

“When that cannonball hit, we nearly lost consciousness. By the time we came to, the villagers were already under their control, and many had died…”

Right, half the village had perished.

“Hero, are the remaining people safe?” the Village Chief asked me.

“They’re safe! Don’t worry!”

“Excellent, phew~ Now, hurry and deal with the boss. If I’m not mistaken, Helter should be in a tough fight right now.”

“Huh? Isn’t this the boss?” I asked, pointing at the young man in the black hat.

“No! We two old men managed to defeat him; do you really think he’s the boss?”

“He’s just a squad leader!” the Blacksmith added.

“You’re kidding? If the boss isn’t in the detention room, what are they doing out there?”

“I don’t know, but it seems they have an irreconcilable feud with Helter. Go help him quickly!” the Village Chief instructed.

Damn it, Helter is drawing so much fire and facing the boss directly?! I hope he’ll be alright!

I turned and sprinted towards the village entrance.

I hadn’t run far when, inexplicably, a massive wave of fire erupted ahead!

“Ya ha ha ha ha!” A man cackled wildly in mid-air!