Read Black Noblesse (novel) :: I’m Just a Butler

Pelegon charged at Edwards without hesitation, swinging his sword wildly.

Edwards moved with fluid precision, sidestepping the attack and deflecting the strike with such force that Pelegon's sword flew from his hand. In one smooth move, Edwards caught the sword and took it for himself.

From a short distance away, Botheus' eyes narrowed in shock.

"This is no ordinary servant… This man has seen battle." He tightened his grip on his sword before calling out, "Pelegon, let’s take him together!"

"Yeah!!" Pelegon shouted, as he was pulling a knife from his boots.

The two charged in unison, their attacks coming from different angles. However, Edward moved like a specter, dodging, blocking, and countering. Each of their attacks was blocked perfectly, and Botheus growled in frustration.

"He's strong…!"

A shadow fell over Edwards. His instincts kicked in, and he turned just in time to see Henry’s blade swing past his face.

Henry didn’t slow. His momentum carried him past Edwards as his sword hurtled toward the horsomobile’s roof toward Nailah.

Edwards' eyes widened in realization. Don’t tell me—he’s aiming for Mistress!

Before he could act, Pelegon struck from the side. Edwards dodged, but tension showed across his usually impassive face.

Henry’s sword pierced through the roof. The tip halted just shy of Nailah’s neck.

And then, it stopped moving.

Henry’s eyes widened as he felt a crushing grip on his forearm. He turned, stunned, to see Edwards holding him in place.

Veins bulged along the butler’s hand as he tightened his hold.

"What?!" Henry gasped.

Without a word, Edwards yanked Henry forward, forcing his own weapon to intercept Pelegon’s incoming strike. Using Henry as a human shield, he deflected the attack before pivoting sharply, then, with a powerful kick, sent Pelegon flying off the horsomobile.

With the same effortless grace, Edwards threw Henry after him. Both warriors tumbled onto the ground, left behind as the vehicle sped forward.

Edwards stood tall, his strong presence standing out in this chaotic battle.

Thedric's voice rang out. "Who… who are you?"

Edwards turned slightly, his expression as composed as ever.

"I’m just a butler."

Thedric scowled and turned to Botheus. "Botheus! I’ll keep him busy. The moment you see an opening, finish the girl!"

Botheus nodded. "Yes, sir!"

Edwards' usual calmness faltered, his voice filled with contempt. "Attacking a defenseless little girl… That’s not very knightly of you."

Thedric’s horcycle sped closer, his glare intense. "She is a witch and a murderer!"

Still standing on his horcycle in auto-pilot, Thedric closed the distance. Their eyes locked. The moment stretched into eternity.

Then, the battle resumed.

Blades clashed, sparks flying as Edwards and Thedric exchanged blows. Meanwhile, Botheus maneuvered his horcycle closer to Nailah.

Thedric thrust forward, but Edwards dodged with ease, twisting his body to land a precise strike with the back of his sword handle.

Thedric’s helmet flew off, exposing his face.

Before he could recover, Edwards kicked the airborne helmet straight at Botheus.

The impact sent Botheus crashing off his horcycle.

Thedric’s eyes widened. "What?! What power…!"

Blood trickled from his nose. Fury twisted his features. "You bastard… No more playing around!"

A low chant left his lips, his voice thick with power.

"I, Thedric Minos, demand to borrow the strength from the Laborious Bear!"

A deep glow pulsed from his knightly crest, illuminating his golden armor.

"Insigne Conversus!"

Edwards watched, unimpressed. "So, you’re borrowing your Order’s crest power, huh?"

Thedric smirked. "Yes! It’s over for you now!"

His entire armor radiated with power, a golden aura pulsing through it.

He took a stance.

Then, with terrifying speed, Thedric leapt from his horcycle, blade raised high.

"Monster Slayer… Strike!!!"

Edwards braced himself, crossing both swords just in time. The sheer force of Thedric’s attack sent him reeling, pushing him downward.

The horsomobile shook violently, losing balance.

Then, disaster struck.

The entire vehicle tilted, and they tumbled.

The Skyland Station loomed in the distance.

The battle was far from over…

A glowing golden figure was moving faster than anyone could see in the street of Skyland. Only a glowing blur and a rush of wind followed. It was headed straight for the horsomobile, aiming for Nailah.

Unaware, Nailah looked ahead at the Skyland Station, oblivious to the blade that was dangerously close to her. The attacker was almost on her, moving quickly and skillfully.

The attacker was Henry, also borrowing power from his emblem. The power boost made him move incredibly fast, and his sword was about to strike Nailah’s throat.

Edwards sensed him and acted immediately. He shoved Nailah out of the way, taking Henry’s sword across his chest instead. Blood sprayed as the blade cut deep.

Nailah gasped, eyes wide in horror. "EDWARDS!!!" she screamed.

Despite the pain, Edwards merely patted her head with a gentle smile. "I’m fine, Mistress." His voice was calm, as if the gash in his chest was of no concern. The wound in his chest was nothing new, it would take much more to make a seasoned warrior such as him feel truly threatened.

Nailah clenched her fists, trembling. Her mind reeled back to the past—to her father, shielding her with his life. She wouldn’t let history repeat itself. Not again.

I’m not going to let you die protecting me as my father did!

Her resolve hardened. She turned to Edwards with fierce determination. "Edwards, I’ll go steal an empty airship. With me not around, you should be able to handle them easily, right?"

He regarded her with a glimmer of pride. She was taking initiative. "Yes, I can, Mistress."

She nodded and took off. "I’m counting on you!"

Henry lunged at Edwards once more. Edwards sidestepped effortlessly. Thedric followed up immediately, aiming a vicious strike, but Edwards evaded that too.

With a swift movement, he shoved Thedric aside. The knight stumbled back but landed gracefully on his feet, eyes burning with fury.

They faced each other in tense silence.

Edwards exhaled and tightened his grip on the sword. His gaze bore into them with quiet finality. "You better give your all because I’m ending this with the next attack."

Thedric snarled. "Like hell you are!"

Edwards stomped the ground with such force that the earth beneath him cracked.

Henry’s aura ignited as he bolted forward. "Speedster Thrust!"

Thedric swung his blade, pouring all his might into the attack. "Monster Slayer Slash!"

Edwards met them head-on. "Destruction Slash!"

His blade cut through their attacks as if they were nothing. A shockwave erupted from the clash, sending both knights flying. They hit the ground, their bodies battered and broken.

As Edwards turned, he sheathed his sword. "Worry not, knights… I have held back. This average sword could never handle my full strength."

Then he heard her voice. "Edwards!! Over here!!"

Looking up, he spotted Nailah waving from the deck of an airship. Without hesitation, he leaped onto it.

Nailah rushed toward him, eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

Edwards gave her a reassuring smile. "I’m fine, Mistress."

But as the airship soared into the sky, Nailah sat in a corner of the cockpit, a storm of emotions swirling within her.

Edwards took the helm, his thoughts focused. We need to find a place to lay low…

Meanwhile, Pelegon finally arrived with reinforcements. But instead of triumphant warriors, he found his comrades defeated, battered, and unconscious. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"Impossible!!! How can a simple butler defeat two Gold Knights and a Silver Knight all by himself?!"

A handsome young man with messy blond hair wearing a golden armor stepped forward, his expression impassive. His name is Killeus Styx, he is a prodigal knight of 18 years old who has reached the Gold Rank at such a young age.

He scoffed as he looked down on his unconscious comrades. "I can’t believe they let him escape."

Pelegon clenched his fists. "Can’t you see that they fought bravely?"

"Doesn’t change the fact that they let two criminals slip through their fingers. They were weak."

A voice interrupted them from above. "You younglings keep saying they escaped… but that’s not true."

An older man in gleaming diamond armor stood atop a roof, exuding an aura of absolute authority.

Hercules, Age 42, Diamond Knight of the Order of the Laborious Bear

Killeus gasped. "Captain Hercules!!!"

Hercules’ gaze locked onto the sky. "They are still within my reach."

He drew his bow, nocking an arrow. His fingers tightened. His aim was absolute.

The arrow flew. It tore through the sky with terrifying speed, slicing through the clouds like a divine judgment.

On the airship, Edwards sensed the approaching danger. A bright light flashed behind them, speeding toward them impossibly fast.

His eyes widened.