story_blkkgt_1_1

A knight softly sighs on the terrace of a Kjerag bar.

Harsh winds these days, friend. Best you don't stay out there too long.

Something up? Why all the sighs? Aren't you on vacation?

Ah... I'm fine.

I've been in Kjerag for just a few days now, but whenever I'm outside, kids circle up to point and laugh at me. Little tiring is all.

Haha, they don't mean anything by it. You're a Kazimierzian knight, no?

Some of your people've been showing off in Kjerag recently, and the kids want to try on your armor.

This standard issue competition armor? It's not exactly high-end stuff...

Competition...? Are you here for the Black Knight, maybe?

Oh? You know the Black Knight?

Of course. All Kjerag knows her. Couldn't find you a single soul here who hasn't met her.

What is she into? Or what makes her angry? What does she actually care about?!

I...!

...I'm actually a fan. I want to know everything about her.

Settle down, fella. Ask away, I know her well enough.

If she weren't so busy I'd figure a way to let you meet her, even.

What keeps somebody busy in Kjerag?

Don't believe the foreign nonsense, 'Kjerag's so poor it only has snow' now, you hear?

Look at the newly built streets out there. Kjerag is changing by the day, and we have lots of places needing more hands.

It's true some spots are still a little poor, but one day, each and every one of Kjeragandr's people will rise up from the valleys.

But that time isn't now, is it?

Heheh, that's where you're wrong. Now, when everything's starting up, is the most interesting of times.

So you're telling me, the legendary Black Knight has been busy laying bricks in Kjerag?

Uh... Actually, I haven't a clue what she's been up to lately.

I haven't seen her in the city for a while now. Been a while since our last chat.

Sounds like you aren't that close to her.

It would seem that way...

Another sigh on the terrace.

Truth be told, I met the Black Knight yesterday. It was our second meeting.

Many years ago when I had just become a competition knight, the General Chamber told me my debut fight wouldn't be in the arena.

They wanted us to rush over to the city outskirts, to intercept and prevent a determined and unstoppable warrior from leaving.

Fortunately, the younger me only happened to spot her from afar, before she kicked a little rock in my direction, hitting me square in the head.

I woke up in the hospital and eavesdropped on the gossiping nurses, where I learned the others had gotten hit by her greatsword instead.

And their fates were beyond miserable.

It was then that I knew, the Black Knight would be the focus of my life—

My goal, is to defeat her.

<p=2>Yesterday...</>

What exactly do you want?

Heh heh. I didn't think you'd remember me.

I don't.

But you've been dallying here for so long, you're interrupting my work.

Then let me tell you of a young knight, many years ago, on the outskirts of Kazimierz—

What?

Put the fowlbeasts down first!

Degenbrecher stops in her tracks and sizes up Chilly Knight. In her arms rest four or five fowlbeasts, with many more scurrying around her on the ground, letting out the occasional cry.

...Never mind. I'll keep it brief.

Because of you, I've endured years of humiliation and hardship. I finally made a name for myself in the arena, becoming a well-known knight with a string of victories under my belt.

All for one reason: a real match against you, here and now!

...You even brought a camera with you?

Afraid I'll capture the Black Knight's pathetic defeat? Heh—

Draw your greatsword! I'll take it you accept my challenge so long as you brandish it!

She... looks away? Before the Chilly Knight can even wonder why, Degenbrecher suddenly bends down to scoop up a fowlbeast that has dashed over to her feet.

You should go. Stop bothering me with this nonsense.

I didn't think 'The Black Knight of Kazimierz' would refuse a fight...

Did the Darksteels wound your courage along with your body?

A fight? Each and every one of you comes with cameras in hand. I suspect you're just trying to get some B-roll for your commercials.

I'm retired, so think whatever you want. Don't get in my way.

So... you're just willingly staying here in the depths of this old forest, following orders and doing pointless busywork?

Any stalwart local could deal with these runaway fowlbeasts.

Don't we competition knights... no, don't all warriors exist to duel and push ourselves to the limit?

Are you done?

Let me through.

While Chilly Knight is busy rambling away, Degenbrecher has managed to capture all the fowlbeasts, and briskly walks past her agitated visitor without even returning a glance.

...I'll bring your true self back! You <i>will</i> draw your blade, Black Knight!

Madam Degenbrecher—I-I finally found—

Calm down. Did Hans wander off again?

Hans?

Phew... Of course you'd know!

I'll look for him once I'm done returning these fowlbeasts. Give me a moment.

Your grandson lost or something?

What? Grandson? Hans is my outpost burdenbeast.

To such a trivial matter, the Black Knight nods with a smile. As he thinks about the cold and dismissive attitude she showed him...

Chilly Knight clenches his fists.

<i>Kurwa!</i>

The sudden display of anger startles the barkeep, drawing the other customers' curious looks.

...Sorry, sorry. I lost my cool.

All good. I don't even know what that 'coo-vah' means.

Many tourists come to Kjerag just to let off steam, you know? Run off into the mountains, yell their hearts out. Why not give it a try?

But the Black Knight lingers on my mind... Right, do you know anything else about her?

Hm, let me think... Many years ago, when she was still new here, the old boss would ask her for help whenever we had too many supplies to deal with.

I was just a nobody who helped out with odd jobs then, and had no inkling of her foreign fame. But one night...

Yo, you're the knight or whatever they were talking about?

A guy here told me you could drink from dusk till dawn, and still manage to walk straight back home.

...Who told you that?

Don't you worry about it. We're not going to give up our rep just yet, so don't even think about leaving the place if you can't drink past us!

I have one condition: All of you write down your home addresses on a piece of paper first.

Easy!

Wait, what did she want with their addresses?

Slow down, pal.

Those punks regretted the challenge after the first mug. Degenbrecher finished a bottle in two chugs without even pausing.

They started to play dirty, saying they'd take turns against the Black Knight, but she was downing mug after mug for two hours straight.

By then, all the drunken louts were passed out on the floor, and she carried them back to the outpost.

Only then did I realize what she wanted the addresses for. No one ever dared to bother her like that again. Haha.

...An incredible story, but that doesn't tell me about her interests or character.

Don't you get it? She loves booze most of all! How else would she have won the drinking contest?

Well...

Hah, just listen to him babble. The man is practically a stranger to her.

*sigh* Fine, if you're so chummy with her, share some wisdom, will you?

I sure will!

Listen to me, buddy. Know what Degenbrecher loves the most?

Angling.

Madam Degenbrecher, you've been here for almost a whole day now.

It's fine to go back empty handed. This is your second try at fincatching after all.

No, I haven't...

Come on now, I'll give you some lures next time, you'll surely—

Quiet!

The pole moved.

Degenbrecher wields the rod as coolly as if it were a blade in her hands. She holds her breath, then swiftly flicks upward—

Only the hook remains on the line, with the bait nowhere to be seen.

Ah, don't worry about it. There's always next time.

Madam?!

...When she emerged from the lake holding a huge finbeast, she won all of our respect.

After all, someone who never fails to catch is someone we can ask for the occasional spare meat.

Of course, she eventually improved her angling skills, but that's a story for another time.

Nuh-uh!

When did you get in here, girl? Out with you!

Let me finish! I've seen Degenbrecher releasing the fins she caught back into the lake.

She loves all the little animals here.

Surely she likes hunting more?

No, no!

Degenbrecher!

Are your parents out?

Uh, are you looking for them?

...I was passing by and remembered delivering some medicine here three months ago. For your sickly baby cystybeast.

Is it better now?

Yeah... oh, careful—

A cystybeast charges straight for Degenbrecher—then shakes its head in pain as she remains completely still.

The shocked girl watches as Degenbrecher crouches down to stroke the cystybeast's neck, and gradually calms it down.

...It's grown so big in such a short time.

I'm glad.

Ever seen somebody get rammed by a cystybeast and shrug it off like nothing happened?

She comforted it for a good while, and even reminded me to feed it when she left.

Heh, you're belittling her with the animal lover talk.

You think the same? Exactly, how could the Black Knight possibly be into such things!

Degenbrecher has a secret only a select few know.

Madam Degenbrecher?

What are you doing sitting in the snow?

I have a rare pocket of spare time today, so I wanted to find a quiet place to relax.

If there's nothing you need my help with—

Ah, of course.

I know! She was practicing her swordplay in the snow, yearning to return to her competition days, but she didn't want to show off to the locals.

Of course not.

Then, what...?

I'm sure of it—

She was ready to become a follower of Kjeragandr!

Huh?

Thank Kjeragandr, for Degenbrecher is definitely one of us.

Wait, what does that have to do with your Kjeragandr?

Kjeragandr taught us that meditating in the snowy mountains is a way to attain wisdom.

Even a woman as remarkable as Degenbrecher is sure to find new insights this way.

So, young man. If you wish to understand Degenbrecher, you ought to study Kjerag's culture.

In the dark of night, the crowd has long gone home, leaving only the barkeep wiping down glasses as Chilly Knight remains seated by the window, in silence.

Didn't get your answer?

...I prepared for over a decade, just to defeat the Black Knight.

News spread about how she showed her might to the Victorians, so I decided to rush over to Kjerag immediately after my arena fights.

I didn't expect the invincible Black Knight to be reduced to a country bumpkin, displaying only the most trivial of interests.

I suppose the talk of her facing the Victorians was just baseless gossip spread by troublemakers.

What makes you say that? I wasn't there myself, but there were plenty of witnesses. Why not go ask around again—

Save it!

...Sorry, but I haven't heard a shred of truth from anyone here the past few days.

A warrior's obsession may seem strange to outsiders, but I won't force you to understand either.

Since the Black Knight has willingly shed her glory, I'll take my leave. Thank you for your hospitality.

Alright, alright.

But come on, friend. Look at the weather outside. That's Kjerag for 'incoming blizzard'.

Why not stay one more night? I'll give you a discount with a bottle on the house, so you can leave Kjerag with a good impression.

A plain old blizzard isn't much to me. I'm used to navigating harsh weather.

Well, you don't know the blizzards here often come with avalanches.

So how do you deal with them? I'll learn.

Deal? Haha. We just accept our fates, save for Degenbrecher.

It's been a few years since Karlan Trade installed a warning system. Now they ban people from going up the mountain when they detect a potential avalanche.

But she doesn't care. The worse the weather, the deeper into the mountains she goes, to see which one's making trouble.

She'll find the right spot, and with a few huffs at the falling snow, everything's settled in a blink.

I was lucky enough to witness it twice. Heheheh. Much more exciting than watching recordings of her fights in Kazimierz.

So you mean, she drew her greatsword and countered the avalanche with her martial prowess?

Sword? I don't know what method exactly, but she did look all ready to fight.

...Are you pulling my leg?

Hmph! I swear by Kjeragandr, it's all true!

May She bury me in the snow if I utter a single lie! So deep that Degenbrecher can't find me!

Then—

Do you have any mountaineering gear here, sir?

What, you don't wanna leave anymore?

Chilly Knight turns around to look out the window, towards the distant snow-capped peaks merging with the dark clouds into a vast haze.

I changed my mind.

Kjerag is indeed a wonderful place.

The blizzard descends. Every household in Kjerag bolts their doors and windows shut, ready to weather Kjeragandr's ordeal.

Among the snow-covered mounts is but a single soul still wandering the peaks.

This is a rare 'break' for Degenbrecher, all along on a winding mountain path with no one else in sight. The cold and wind only help to clear her mind.

She lifts her head, waiting for an opportunity.

Here it comes.

She quickens her steps, leaving a trail of footprints going forward. Her heels halt beneath blocks of snow shaking atop a single solitary peak.

Heh—

A snow block falls, and she steps forward, drawing the dual degenbrechers at her waist, she aggressively swings at a waterfall of snow, turning it into tiny snowflakes behind her.

Until she sees within the falling snow... a dark figure, dropping down from on high.

What?!

Shortly after, a muffled, yet <i>familiar</i> voice comes from the snow.

<i>Kurwa!</i>

Pfft, bleh, argh!

My helmet's full of snow now *cough* <i>Skurwysyny</i> Kjerag!

You again.

I didn't think I'd hear Kazimierzian profanity here...

Chilly Knight is still shaking the snow off his body as he turns to the source of the voice—the Degenbrecher he was hoping to find, with weapons in hand.

The Black Knight!

I knew you'd return. Now this is the real you!

Degenbrecher looks at her own weapons and realizes something.

Don't get the wrong idea now...

I, Chilly Knight, with—Kjeragandr as my witness, accept your challenge!

May your blade be swift!

Where's that greatsword of yours?

Why the two sticks?

I'm in no mood for your attempt at comedy.

Was that avalanche your doing?

Pretty good! Yes, that was me!

An outsider and troublemaker starting an avalanche is perhaps reason enough to wield my degenbrechers.

We may be surrounded by snow, but falling all the way down from such a height will leave you injured.

A flesh wound won't stop me.

I waited over a decade for this moment, and any flaws in my plan can be patched afterward. The whole of Kazimierz will know of my valiant victory over the Black Knight!

You have a death wish, then.

As Chilly Knight presses record on his camera, the Black Knight leaps forward, swinging her weapons as she did years ago.

Their weapons clash repeatedly as Degenbrecher forces her challenger down to the foot of the small mountain. Chilly Knight grits his teeth, and leaps up from the dead end he was forced into—

His opponent's slightly late swing smashes into the mountain, sending rock flying everywhere.

She follows up with a kick, sending a small stone flying at Chilly Knight, as she had many years ago on the outskirts of Kazimierz. He flicks his blade, slicing it into two.

The knight walks back up the mountain as Degenbrecher returns to a fighting stance as they face each other once more.

I knew it.

I'm not the only one who remembers that fateful day.

Our first meeting. On the outskirts of Kazimierz, you kicked some rubble in my direction and struck me in the head.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Haha. Even if your actions have just betrayed your thoughts?

Unfortunately, in the days since we last met, I've become more than an easy target for you to manipulate at will.

I'll send this next strike straight through your heart!

You won't.

You turned an avalanche into a farce.

Immersing yourself in delusion for too long will only dull your mind.

Hahahaha. The Black Knight dares to boast of force! This is truly—

A faint rumble interrupts his sentence. The knight looks up, and realizes their fight has triggered a new avalanche. A waterfall of snow crashes down with boulders in tow.

Stones collide with metal, and a few momentary muffled screams follow, leaving Chilly Knight collapsed on the ground and submerged in snow.

*cough* *cough*... I expected no less of a three-time champion.

Could the tournaments be easier now than they once were...?

Becoming a victim of the Black Knight's blade—rods, I mean, is my honor.

You don't deserve death.

But Kjerag will no longer welcome you after deliberately causing an avalanche. You'll be exiled.

No, wait.

You're still so powerful, even now, Black Knight. If you return to Kazimierz, you can claim back your championship title at will.

You might not know it, but the competition scene has been declining ever since the Radiant Knight retired. There are many looking forward to your return. The General Chamber of Commerce has even issued a statement that they're willing to make some concessions for you.

I already told you, I'm retired. No matter what Kazimierz offers me, I'm not going back.

But... alright, say Kazimierz's out of the question. There are many more places that could use your might.

So why here? There's nothing but snow and mountains!

Even a man as foolish as I knows a warrior's life only sees value from fighting for as long as we can.

Are you so content to waste your life in Kjerag? Could it be, you actually believe the nonsense written in those scriptures? *cough* *cough*

...That's enough. Save your energy.

What is the value of a Leithanian who cannot use Arts?

Degenbrecher had no answer for this, and so she took her scrappy equipment all the way to Kazimierz. There and then, she thought the 'Glorious Land of the Knights' could give her an answer.

It was rare for her to experience failure, even in her younger days, and her successive victories only solidified her belief that the answer lay in a future arena.

Until she reached the peak with no one left to fight, and no meaningful answers either.

Some Kazimierzians told her, enjoying opulence is what drives them. Her desires would outgrow what she could gain.

Trying to understand this took more energy than her actual fights. All her experiences only made her certain that in the end the so-called 'excellent life' was absolutely boring.

Any grand pretense was only born from the desire to continue living, striving to spice up a boring life.

...No, the most important thing I gained in Kazimierz was the refusal to believe in any lofty ideals.

When I realized Kazimierz only gave me egregiously packaged vanity, I chose to leave.

As for the 'pure duel' you lot love to talk about... I only found it when I first faced off against an avalanche here.

When I rescued avalanche victims off the mountains, I knew that is where I'd stay.

So if you can't get this into your head—

The competition knight is nowhere to be seen, replaced by a mysterious, crude 'snowman'.

Degenbrecher softly sighs, and knocks away the snowman's head, revealing a familiar metal helmet.

There is no response, but warm steam escaping from the helmet vents indicates the presence of life within.

As usual, the locals wait for Degenbrecher to return from the mountain where the avalanche occurred, but today she comes back with a man on her shoulder.

Glad you're late, Madam. I bet my friends you wouldn't be on time today.

It's best not to mess with an avalanche at all. Kjeragandr's wrath is not so easy to forecast.

Degenbrecher nods. Perhaps she has not noticed it, but she has long since grown used to responding to the locals' concern for her wellbeing.

Madam Degenbrecher!

Thank you for finding Hans. Now we're back to business.

Perfect, I just so happen to need this man sent to the station. Get him back to Kazimierz.

That's where he belongs.