Daru didn't speak, his gaze shifting from King Carthur to Sir Meowdred, then to Sir Lancelynx and Sir Nyalahad.
"You! Cluckson Commander [Omaru]! I trusted you! Didn't you vow to restore the kingdom's former glory with me?!"
The temporary silence was broken by Sir Meowdred's heartbroken and betrayed voice.
'Well…I certainly didn't promise such a thing, so you're a liar…I just arrived here…' Daru thought inwardly.
"Look! Look at my father's corrupted appearance! Do you truly think he's fit to rule a kingdom?! Answer me!" Meowdred continued, prompting Daru to observe the corrupted king a bit closer.
The guy was chuckling to himself while sniffing on something inside a pouch…
"Oh." Daru snapped his fingers, realizing something. "Is he sniffing on some illegal drug?"
"Yes!!" the rebel nyaight quickly confirmed, "Not just illegal, but the most heinous drug of all!
The Catnip!!
He's been on it every day for the past five years! His judgments have been clouded since then!
He was once a mighty leopard. Now, look at him, he's become a damned clouded leopard! I don't know why these idiots are still supporting my father, but I've had enough! I won't allow him to ruin the kingdom anymore!"
In the next moment, Sir Meowdred lunged at Sir Nyalahad, resuming the battle.
Daru locked eyes with Sir Lancelynx, who was looking at him warily with a single eye, the other covered with a black eyepatch similar to his.
"You're truly a dishonourable nyaight, aren't you?" he suddenly said to the latter.
Sir Lancelynx snorted in response: "Hmph, and what's dishonourable about remaining loyal to one's king? Quickly, help us end this rebel leader!"
Daru turned to look at Sir Meowdred, then at King Carthur.
His quest told him to eliminate the rebel leader to restore peace in the Catmelot Kingdom.
'Sigh...but I don't want to help that drug addict…'
Stopping to think for a moment, determination flashed in Daru's eyes, and he rushed towards Sir Lancelynx, slashing at him without hesitation.
"You!! You dare side with the rebels?!" growled the attacked nyaight in fury, swiftly stepping back to dodge the attack.
Sir Meowdred noticed and was over the moon, commenting on the side: "A wise choice, Cluckson Commander!!"
"You'll pay for this, Cluckson Commander [Omaru]!" snarled Sir Lancelynx, whose level and HP suddenly appeared.
==
[(Elite) Sir Lancelynx Lv.10]
HP: 560 / 560
==
'Level 10?' Daru mused, sidestepping his opponent's lunging stab.
Wasn't this guy level 7 only when he fought him?
He didn't have much time to think, though, as the nyaight recovered his footing faster than he expected, rushing at him again.
Chaos ensued in front of the flipped cardboard box.
Daru stabbed back at the dishonourable nyaight, stopping his rush. But Sir Lancelynx was determined to eliminate him.
The right-hand nyaight stepped back to reset the distance before charging in again.
Lancelynx then cartwheeled, launching himself in the air and stabbing down at Daru with his rapier.
But Daru wasn't confused by the nimble maneuvers. He saw right through the distraction.
His heart remained calm as he followed Sir Lancelynx with his eyes, deflecting the lynx nyaight's attack with a well-timed and angled rising slash that sent the dishonourable nyaight flying a fair distance.
But felines have always been adept at landing on their feet.
Sir Lancelynx easily managed to stabilize his footing.
However, it was now the nyaight who had to defend. Daru was already rushing, stabbing his slightly rusty tachi at Lancelynx.
"A fine strike! But I, Lancelynx, am a master of ripostes!"
As if to prove his statement, the lynx nyaight shifted his stance slightly, allowing Daru's tachi to slide through his angled rapier before rotating his wrists and stabbing back at his opponent's neck.
Daru's lips curved into a faint smile.
His trap offensive worked.
Before the dishonourable nyaight's dishonourable rapier struck, Daru somersaulted, avoiding a vital hit from Sir Lancelynx and firing back with a red slash mark.
The crescent tore through the air, cleanly slashing through the lynx nyaight's neck.
[- 650!]
It was only half a moment later that Lancelynx realized what had happened, desperately turning to look at Carthur and grasping at the air.
"Im…possible…my king…" he lamented.
In the next moment, the nyaight burst into red cubic particles, dissipating into the wind.
[You have slain an (Elite) [Dungeon] Swordspawn [3] levels higher than you! Calculating experience point rewards…]
[You've obtained 3,000 Experience Points!]
The smile on Daru's face widened slightly, and he sighed in relief.
'Brother Bob, your move proved effective in defeating your rival…'
To his surprise, another unexpected notification appeared:
[You have slain the (Elite) [Dungeon] Swordspawn, [Sir Lancelynx], using [Quest Trigger] Swordspawn, [Bolo Bob]'s sword skill! [The Overseer] was pleased and has rewarded you with 1,500 Experience Points!]
[Congratulations! You've leveled up to 8!]
'Oh?'
Daru was naturally delighted.
However, he couldn't celebrate for long. The clangs of a metallic armor set sounded in the distance.
[King Carthur] has put his catnip pouch away, glaring at Daru with bloodshot eyes.
The corrupted king then pulled the huge, fancy greatsword out of its sword stone, descending a few steps as he walked toward the traitor.
"Cluckson Commander [Omaru]. You dare double-cross this king?" Carthur slurred, assuming his fighting stance despite his rather unstable condition. "I shall personally pass judgment on you on behalf of the Catmelot Kingdom. My sword, Excatlibur, shall be your end."