Tamed Monster - Chapter 54

Whether a weapon was poisoned or not could be sensed simply by breathing. Realizing his target was a worthy opponent, Kuinan fought with tension.

[I like you more than Hector. Hmm… better to keep you around as long as possible.]

Since he had to disguise himself, Kuinan couldn’t kill Lancart immediately. But because he liked him, he planned to delay the kill until just before Lancart took his last breath.

Suddenly, Kuinan spoke in human tongue—wanting to have a proper conversation from now on.

“You have a wife, don’t you?”

He checked, just in case he’d hunted the wrong person.

The man’s eyes widened, likely thinking Kuinan was a bizarre creature who didn’t understand human speech. His guttural voice sounded chilling as Lancart’s furrowed brow twisted further.

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“None?”

“What do you want? Just kill me already.”

Despite the gruff response, Kuinan persisted.

[Yes, no.]

Though spoken in a monster language incomprehensible to humans, Lancart surprisingly understood this phrase. His prey responded in a low voice.

“…Is there a noble without a spouse?”

In that self-deprecating mutter, Kuinan confirmed he’d caught a worthy prey.

“Hmm… I see.”

“There’s one annoying burden. Whether it lives or dies doesn’t matter.”

He lamented to the monster, begrudgingly revealing his existence. Realizing he’d talked too much, Lancart quickly shut his blood-stained lips.

The monster chuckled, looking down at the noble-looking knight. After watching him sink deep into the swamp, Kuinan grabbed his shoulder before his head disappeared, pulling him up.

Lancart was shocked at the brutal grip—unbelievable even for a monster.

“…”

“…Surprised?”

The monster giggled and teased the stunned knight. His wide mouth opened and closed repeatedly, revealing a long, black, wet tongue inside—like a separate swamp creature.

It was an absurdly strong and creepy sight.

“…nothing, special.”

“You look so amazed. Why be stingy with compliments?”

Apparently, Kuinan had picked up various human languages from many social classes—sometimes speaking innocently like a child, other times spouting coarse nonsense like a street thug, or composing elegant sentences like a refined noble.

After a phrase or two of refined speech, he’d immediately slip into crude language to disrupt conversation. Lancart guessed the monster must be several hundred years old, for no one else would wield such strength and knowledge.

At first, he thought the monster was about thirty years old, but now he realized he was mistaken. Surely the monster Lancart’s half-brother wanted to hunt was this very one.

If he dragged such a giant captive to the capital square, he could easily attract the public’s attention. While carrying out the Crown Prince’s true mission—bringing ‘them’ to the palace.

As time passed and fate led him to a life of ceaseless evil, he was captured by a being more wicked than himself. Lancart decided to see this as a golden opportunity.

“Kill me. Stop wasting time.”

Though resolute, the large black entity before him didn’t even heed Lancart’s words.

“What are you babbling about? I still have plenty to ask.”

“You damned monster—.”

“I’ve heard that so much it doesn’t bother me anymore. Now, shall we go to my courtyard? It’s too open here, and too many eyes are watching.”

Several knights besides Lancart were still alive. Both at dawn’s fierce battle and now, many mysterious entities—big and small—watched from nearby.

Rather than joining the monster to attack, these low-level monsters merely watched as the monster single-handedly slaughtered the entire knight order.

Hearing the knights’ groans, the great monster finally glanced their way.

Soon, like freshly caught fish strung together, Lancart and the others were dragged to the swamp’s center—what Kuinan called his “courtyard”.