The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 64: Knight Commander

Episode 64: Knight Commander

(To think he’s actually here…)

While thinking that, I observed the situation through the gaps in the forest.

—Reinhardt Granze, Knight Commander of the Luxteria Kingdom.

Second son of the Duke Granze family, a great noble house that pours its effort into the kingdom’s military.

In the game, he was one of the few characters to appear in combat events as an ally. His strength at that time was unmatched—whenever people argued about who was the strongest, his name always came up.

Among the skills that could only be confirmed during his ally participation, the one that stood out was a Unique Skill: “Swordmaster: Lv.9.”

According to the “testers” who verified things, the performance of “Swordmaster” is about three times stronger than the regular “Swordsmanship” skill.

In other words, if you wanted to fight Reinhardt with a sword, you would need at least “Swordsmanship: Lv.27”.

Even when leveling up from Lv.1 to Lv.2, I could feel a drastic difference… so what kind of level would Lv.27 be? I can’t even imagine it.

Furthermore, the “Swordmaster” skill isn’t just about raw performance—it has hidden effects that come with skill levels. Among them, “+200% damage dealt with swords” and “Half-Defense Penetration” are considered broken.

Dealing three times more damage with a sword alone is already more than enough. But on top of that, the effect of defense penetration—which is normally only allowed for “ice attribute”—is added to “Swordmaster”.

Half-Defense Penetration means the enemy’s defense is recalculated as half. And then the damage is calculated again. On top of that, resistance-related skills are also affected.

In the events where he appeared as an ally, just a single swing of his sword would completely change the battlefield. That’s what they call turning the game into a “cakewalk.”

If you faced him head-on, you would need “Physical Resistance: Lv.15” at minimum. For greater safety, “Slash Resistance: Lv.10”. Even then, because of the Half-Defense Penetration, the effectiveness of resistance skills is halved—it’s not foolproof.

And right now, my “Swordsmanship” is only Lv.2… The difference is so great I can’t imagine fighting properly. Back when I was a noble, my pride must not have allowed it. But I remember always holding hostility toward him.

As for why he has such a skill, it wasn’t something he was born with—the setting was that he trained for years under the man called the “Sword Saint,” who wandered the world.

Information on this so-called Sword Saint was almost nonexistent. It was practically just setting—but in this world, he must really exist.

…Of course, right now, I can’t compare to either of them. If I crossed swords, I’d be on the ground with a single strike.

(A wall I must overcome, huh…)

Excitement swelled in my chest. But more than that, there was one thing I had to wonder.

Why is the knight commander of the capital here along this highway? Is it just a patrol—or something else?

The moment our gazes met through the thicket, several knights standing behind him silently drew their swords and stepped toward me.

(Fast reaction.)

Even the slightest movement was caught by their eyes. They were like predators hunting prey. I was about to move before they closed the distance, but—

“Stand down.”

A low but firm voice rang out. Reinhardt raised his hand lightly. And the knights instantly relaxed and sheathed their swords.

(They follow orders instantly… the result of training, no doubt.)

Feeling a little tension ease, I stepped out of the forest. The knight commander approached me. And as the distance closed, a strange pressure filled my chest.

“…It has been a long time, Alphonse-sama.”

Then, his lips curved faintly.

“No, perhaps I should call you Alphonse-san now?”

His tone carried both a warmth of familiarity and a hint of calculation.

“It has been a while, Reinhardt-san.”

I bowed lightly. He twitched his brows slightly.

“…You’ve changed a lot.”

“Have I?”

“Yes. For someone who knew you before, it’s surprising.”

A faint smile on both our lips. But neither of our eyes were smiling. His gaze scanned my equipment and posture in an instant. Whatever he read from that, he didn’t say—but I felt the weight of being measured.

“And so… may I ask why you’re in this forest?”

“A request.”

“…I see.”

He nodded slightly but didn’t avert his gaze. As though he was reading more from my breathing than my words.

After that brief exchange, Reinhardt glanced slightly deeper into the woods.

“There was a report of strange monsters appearing here. …You should be careful too, Alphonse-san.”

“Thank you for the warning. You as well.”

As we passed each other, I still felt the weight of his gaze lingering. The exchange was short. But it left an odd residue in my chest.

◆

Once the knights left the forest, silence quickly returned. But it wasn’t a pleasant silence. The trampled ground reeked of damp soil and iron.. Something heavy was pressing down on my chest.

Even though my breathing was steady, my lungs burned faintly. My body was still a little stiff—proof that Reinhardt’s pressure had affected me.

The moment he looked at me—my feet unconsciously rooted to the ground. My movement was delayed by half a beat.

That was the sheer difference in power. Without even drawing his sword, the distance and the air alone bound my movements.

(…I can’t win.)

The cold truth formed easily in my mind. But it wasn’t despair. Rather, something within me burned brighter.

Back when I was a noble, I never acknowledged Reinhardt. Even when I saw someone better than me, my pride didn’t allow it.

The only thing I was above him in was rank. But that was just because I was the heir to a marquis house.

On paper, the “Swordmaster” skill was just numbers. But when shown in reality, its threat was far greater.

If he drew his sword, my defenses would be sliced apart like paper. With a single blow.

But now it’s different. With the eyes of an adventurer, I can see it clearly. His strength isn’t just the “Swordmaster” skill.

It’s his reading of distance, the speed of his steps, and above all, the way he sees the battlefield as a whole—that makes him one of a kind.

(…But, “not yet,” right?)

I thought I was smiling inwardly. But my mouth was already curving up.

Right now, I can’t reach him. But a distance I can’t reach can be closed. If I keep training, gain experience, sharpen my skills—someday.

Looking down, I saw traces of monsters slain by the knights. Strange monsters had been appearing—Reinhardt’s words echoed in my head.

For him to come in person, the situation must be serious. Coincidence or fate, I don’t know. But maybe this too is part of the “path.”

And remembering the unease I felt when fighting wolves earlier, perhaps it’s no coincidence.

From deeper in the forest, the sound of wind shaking leaves reached me. The heavy pressure I felt earlier faded. It was replaced by a strange exhilaration filling my chest.

The fact that there exists an opponent I can’t defeat—pushed me forward more than anything else.

I touched my sword’s hilt and tapped the scabbard quietly.

“Yes… not yet.”

That small whisper dissolved into the forest, unheard by anyone.

Original Author’s Comment:

――――――――――――

Thank you very much for reading this far!!

Thank you so much for the daily support—stars, cheers, reviews!!

I hope you’ll enjoy the next chapter as well…!!

(Here’s the link if you want to support the Author: https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176303375188.)