The Knight King Who Returned with God-Chapter 33 The Kind Orc (4)

The aftermath of slaughtering over 4,000 orcs was monumental.

The low-ranked Hunters—most of them D-rank—who would normally struggle even in a one-on-one with an orc, easily hunted dozens each and gathered all their supplies.

"Wow... Mr. Gu, look at this. Just in this one camp, there are over 500 axes."

Team Leader Kim Do-han, who had spent his days mining resources inside gates, and Gu Dae-seong, who until now had only ever worked as a porter in green gates, were stunned by the spoils of war before them.

"Amazing..."

More than 4,000 orcs meant an enormous stockpile of supplies.

Weapons, alcohol, meat, orc boars—though as is typical with orc gates, the only truly valuable items were weapons and certain rare items.

"Spirit weapons! We need to find the spirit weapons!"

Some orc weapons were imbued with elemental spirits.

These were special weapons that could only be created with the help of orc shamans and could only be wielded by at least mid-tier warriors.

Most of these spirit weapons contained spirits like the Wolf Spirit, which enhanced agility, or the Rock Spirit, which reinforced defense—making them perfect drop items for low-tier Hunters.

"But how do you tell which ones are spirit weapons? I've never even been inside an orc gate before!"

Team Leader Kim, who had only ever mined, had no idea how to identify them. Gu Dae-seong explained,

"Orcs embed the fangs or fragments of the spirit into the weapon like ornaments! Just look for those."

"You really know your stuff, Mr. Gu!"

Fifty Hunters scoured the field tirelessly. The gate was so massive that even after fulfilling the closing conditions, there was still plenty of time left before it would disappear.

"Ha ha ha! Mr. Gu, look at this! Twenty spirit weapons! Twenty!"

"Seven staffs from orc shamans... and five Warlord Hearts."

Jackpot.

The orc shaman's staff was highly prized by spirit mages, and the Warlord's Heart was a core ingredient in making extremely powerful permanent enhancement elixirs.

If a D-rank Hunter consumed one made from the Warlord's Heart, they could immediately leap to C-rank thanks to the massive physical boost.

Its effects were so powerful that most high-tier Hunters considered it a standard part of their development path.

'Maybe... I could sneak one?'

Gu Dae-seong couldn't deny the temptation. Each one was worth at least 400 million won. There's even a saying that a perpetual D-rank Hunter should take out a loan just to get their hands on a Warlord's Heart.

Someone like him, who had only ever worked as a porter in low-level gates—when would he ever get a chance at something like this?

"Ugh..."

But Gu Dae-seong placed the Warlord's Heart into the storage container. He wanted to get stronger—but his conscience was just as strong.

"Graaaah...!"

Then it happened. A sharp scream pierced the air, drawing everyone's attention.

"W-What the hell are you doing, you damn robot?!"

There was a Hunter wrestling with Yacht Spinner.

[Gokruk's Severed Right Arm]

The severed right arm of Gokruk. The remains of the avatar that Leon had cut down with the Holy Sword of Radiance still lingered.

The question was—what to do with it?

—Kkiruk!

Just then, Yaffy, perched on Hari's head, chirped and caught everyone's attention.

"Do you have something to say, Sir Spinner?"

—Message. Delivering. Iron.

It seemed the god of iron and blacksmiths, Hetto, wanted to send a message through his knight.

Yaffy immediately projected a hologram of Hetto's image and began relaying his words in real-time.

[There is considerable magical energy within the beast's severed arm, Lionheart. If you absorb it through the Holy Grail, we can refine it and grant you a strength that will aid you.]

"I understand."

Without another word, Leon pulled out the Holy Grail from storage. Just as he had absorbed the Jewel of Wisdom in the Cheongju Gate, he now used the Grail to absorb Gokruk's arm.

"Tch."

Though the arm was successfully absorbed, Leon clicked his tongue. Even he could feel it—the energy was similar to holy power.

"The worship of those beasts must've been... quite sincere."

Gokruk—the shaman god of the orcs. He had to admit the being was technically a god. But Leon refused to recognize it as one.

Demon gods. Gods of the green beasts. To Leon, these were not gods—they were evil. Absolute evil, worthy only of destruction.

So even if they were called gods, he would never acknowledge them as such. The only god he recognized was the one who showed love to all of creation.

At that moment, Leon heard a familiar voice echo in his ear.

[Lionheart. My knight.]

"...My goddess. Why do you push yourself so hard?"

Even without performing a ritual, the goddess spoke directly.

Leon was reminded that he was no longer in the days of abundant divine power.

[It is all right, my knight. Absorbing that foul beast's magic has made this much easier.]

"Is that so."

[I have come to you because a choice must be made.]

A choice? Leon gave a nod.

[This magical power is as rich as divine power. With it, you could restore the power of one of your holy relics.]

"Is that truly possible?"

Leon possessed four holy relics.

The first was the Lionheart—a sacred heart passed down through the kings of the Lionheart line, forged from pure divine strength.

One who bore this heart could empower countless soldiers simply by existing, and would themselves possess inexhaustible vitality.

The second was the Holy Sword—a sword like those wielded by Grail Knights, naturally imbued with indestructibility. It could never be broken.

And then, Radiance—a light that never went out. A blade that could cut through anything. But with Leon's current strength, he could no longer sustain its full power for long.

The final ability of the Holy Sword was too powerful. If he were to reclaim it...

"I shall hold off on the Holy Sword."

[Wise. Now is not the time to reclaim that strength. It consumes too much divine power.]

The final ability of the Holy Sword was Leon's most powerful asset—and also the most draining. Without a following of believers to sustain him, it was nothing but a dream.

That left the remaining two relics: the Holy Lance and the Holy Grail. Leon, unusually deep in thought, made his choice.

"I will restore the Holy Grail."

[Very well. I respect my knight's choice.]

Ariana, understanding Leon's decision, breathed life back into the Holy Grail. The arm of Gokruk, transmuted by the gods of the Pantheon, was used to restore its power.

Once a mere ceremonial object, the Grail now shone brilliantly—its original golden glow returning, and with it, the glory of the past.

"Ah..."

Leon couldn't contain his emotion as he witnessed the change.

After the great war 200 years ago, when all humans except him had perished, the Grail had also lost its light.

What a disgrace.

He had grieved, unable to bear the sight of the extinguished Grail.

And yet, this was the very Grail that had quenched his thirst throughout countless battles.

Though not all of its functions had returned, Leon used the Grail to create Holy Water.

To others, it seemed no different from before. But as the Grail's guardian, Leon knew—

This Holy Water was imbued with a power unlike any before.

"It is done. This is a great gain."

Leon turned to tell Hari and Yaffy to gather the spoils and prepare for their return—but Yaffy, who had been on Hari's head, was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Sir Spinner?"

"Huh? You're right. When did he disappear?"

At that moment, a sharp scream rang out from the loot pile.

"W-What are you doing, you damn robot?!"

There stood a Hunter in a standoff with Yaffy, who had deployed his wires.

"What's going on?"

"K-Kuh... This damn robot attacked me..."

"To insult a Grail Knight... unless you wish to have your tongue cut out, you'd best mind your words."

The Hunters were taken aback, but to Leon, this was only natural.

How dare a lowly commoner treat a knight—

No, worse—a Grail Knight chosen by the gods—with such disrespect?

"Sir Spinner is ranked directly below this king. You will treat him as you would treat me."

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"A r-robot... you're calling that a knight...?"

"Silence. A wretch like you has no right to address a knight so casually."

Leon ignored the Hunter bleeding from his slashed wrist and approached Yaffy.

"What happened, Sir Spinner?"

–Loot. Theft.

At Yaffy's robotic words, the Hunter's face went pale.

"N-No! That's... I mean, it's a misunderstanding!"

"We'll see if it's a misunderstanding once we search you. Han Hari!"

Leon gave his command.

"Search this man."

"Aye, sir!"

"W-What are you doing?! You're really going to believe a robot?! W-Wait, stop—!"

–Thud!

A pouch dropped from the resisting man's clothes. A crude, blood-soaked cloth pouch.

Hari opened it and found a large, pulsing heart inside.

"T-This is..."

The Warlord's Heart. The most valuable loot from the orc gate—this was what the man had tried to steal.

"This is... a misunderstanding. I-I swear, I never..."

It happened in an instant.

Leon's sword flashed, and the man's wrist flew through the air.

"...Huh?"

The man stared blankly at the space where his hand had been. And once the shock wore off—came the agony.

"AAAAAAARGH! M-MY ARM!"

All eyes turned to him. Except for Yaffy, everyone's face turned pale. Toward them, Leon calmly declared:

"I understand that your laws and norms differ from mine. However, you have entered the military command of the Lionheart King. That means you are to follow not your own laws and customs—but his military law."

Thieves lose a hand. That was the iron law of the Lionheart Kingdom.

And obedience to a knight surpasses life itself.

"This is the royal law and the military code! If any among you cannot accept it—raise your hand now!"

The Hunters hesitated.

This powerful being from another world was unlike them in every way.

His laws and discipline were things that modern Earthlings struggled to comprehend.

But even so...

—That massive stat boost...

—I'm a D-rank and felt like a C-rank... maybe stronger.

—Honestly, wasn't the guy in the wrong? He stole the heart of an Orc Warlord for crying out loud.

—Screw it. Die here, die there, what's the difference?

Though they hesitated, the Hunters ultimately chose to accept Leon's rule.

Ever since the Great Upheaval, the world had become a place ruled by top-tier Hunters. Theft inside a Gate often meant death—even if unofficially.

How would anyone even know what happened inside?

Betrayal and thievery were common. And with no one to report them, they went unpunished.

In that light, Leon's strict and transparent military law seemed almost... reassuring.

"Uh... Y-Your Majesty."

At that moment, someone cautiously stepped forward.

"State your name, soldier."

Leon already knew who it was, but he demanded a name—for the man to claim his words before all.

"G-Gu Daeseong, sir."

"Why do you speak, Gu Daeseong?"

"Could we... keep the thief's arm, and allow him to reattach it?"

"You intend to have it sewn back on?"

"...Yes."

Modern medicine had advanced dramatically after the Great Upheaval. Especially for trauma—if treated quickly, reattachment was often possible.

"But that would render the punishment meaningless. Your plea would dishonor the Lionheart King's judgment."

"I... I understand. But..."

Gu Daeseong looked bitterly at the hunter who had lost his hand.

They were both eternal D-rankers. He knew exactly why that man had risked stealing the Orc Warlord's heart.

And more importantly... that man had a family to provide for.

"Your Majesty... we come from a world governed by different values. We didn't know your military law. Now that you've made it clear... perhaps he deserves one chance."

In short: How could they follow a law they didn't know existed? And wasn't the cost for theft a little too high?

"...A reasonable point."

"I-I apologize."

"Soldiers are not to speak back to knights. But... I suppose even this Earth has its own laws and codes."

Leon produced Holy Water. Then, turning to the sobbing thief clutching his severed arm, he spoke.

"Be grateful that your comrade speaks with reason."

He poured the Holy Water. And then—an astonishing thing occurred.

From the stump of the thief's arm, a new limb regrew!

"W-What... it healed?"

"H-How is that even...?!"

It was a miracle.

The severed arm didn't just get reattached—it regrew entirely from nothing.

Healers did exist, of course. But even the best of them could only reattach, not regenerate whole limbs.

Even the top S-rank healers could only accelerate healing—not cause new cells to grow from scratch.

Insane... his recovery ability is stronger than an S-rank healer?!

What even is this man? This level of power from one person?!

Even the Hunters—and especially the one who had just grown back an arm—were speechless in the face of this miracle.

No, the one who experienced it firsthand dropped to his knees in tears.

"I-I'm sorry! I was wrong! Thank you! Thank you!"

"Hmph. Get lost. I'll forgive you this once, respecting the laws of your world—but you have lost the right to serve under my command."

"Ah..."

What have I done?

He regretted everything—his greed, his theft, his choice.

Leon turned his back on the man and addressed the rest.

"Those who wish to enlist in my army, remain. The rest may take their share of the spoils and leave."

No one chose to leave.

They had witnessed overwhelming power.

They had witnessed a miracle.

And in the eyes of those who stayed, Leon could sense admiration—and hope.

He had dismissed one out of fifty, but all things considered, this was a fine result.

"Good. Then we begin training immediately. I trust none of you will be weak enough to fall behind during even that."

This is your chance. There is no retreat. There is only forward.

It didn't even take three days for the Hunters to begin crying and regretting their decision.