With crocodile tears, Haruto cried out, “Oh son, is there nothing in your little pig mind but eating. I did not wish to do this, but you require a wake-up call.” Haruto grabbed Boris by the neck, lifting him with ease. Straddling Boris on his knees, Haruto began ferociously smacking the pig’s ass. Haruto’s hits were devastating. “Combat Detected. Activating HUD.” “Name: Boris. Class: None. Level: Incalculable Basic comprehension activated. Recalculating. Danger rating: White. The pig’s rating is not even a color, what is this? HAHAHA.

The sound traveled throughout the whole tavern. A normal person’s bones would have broken by now, but thankfully the lard had blocked out most of the damage. The smacking had a certain rhythm to it, and Haruto never strayed offbeat. 

The commoners couldn’t help but wince some even rubbed their own butts to make sure it was safe.

The adventurers watched in disbelief and couldn’t wait to tell the stories of tonight to their friends.

Thomas merely relaxed and sipped on his beer. Watching the comedy play out. Poor pig oinked up the wrong tree. But I do feel sympathetic to his plight. I went through a similar experience, and I know first-hand how hard that boy's hands are.

The runic knight’s face distorted watching the display. In a daze, he muttered, “What the hell are you doing?” Since when did demihuman scum have such audacity to strike a noble. Is this even Titan, have I been transported to a bizarro world? Perhaps in the border areas, a demihuman might muster up enough courage to attack a homeless man, but striking a viscount in Wessex...

Haruto shook his head in disappointment. As if grief-stricken, he sobbed, “Isn’t it obvious! I am doing the one thing his mother never would. I am disciplining my son, for that is what a loving father must do.” A sense of fatherly duty could be felt from the nonsense spewed from Haruto’s mouth. I wonder who will be the first to puke up blood.

The knights didn’t know how to react in such an abnormal situation if they charged their employer might be killed. If they didn’t charge, he still might be killed. The only difference was that they would be fighting for nothing if Boris ended up dying. To easily lift someone of Boris’s size with one hand, the demihuman must be powerful. The smarter thing to do was to wait for the runic knight.

Boris squealed like a pig going to the slaughter in between smacks and oinked to his men in anger. “What are you idiots standing around for? Quickly save me! Hurry up, or instead of this beast I’ll be eating…” Before Boris could finish, a heavy hand came down, causing him to lose the ability to speak or breathe.

Haruto roared as if his heart was in pain, “Eating eating eating is this all you have on your mind, Boris? Your mother would be so sad to know you have fallen this far.” Haruto shook his head, wondering where he went wrong with this boy.

Boris’s squeals woke the knights up from their stupor. They quickly pulled out their swords and formed a square around Haruto. But none were brave enough to charge.

Haruto candidly smiled at the knights. “Oh, did you boys become angry that your father is disciplining the oldest. Do you disagree with this one’s decision? Is today the day you boys finally challenge your father’s position of the patriarch? Your mother would be so proud if you win.” Haruto’s narrowed as he hissed, “Fret not she will still console you with her teat for trying your best after defeat.” Haruto hoisted Boris up and mocked, "This is one small step for pig, one giant leap for pig kind." Then he flung Boris, sending him across the room, smashing through the wooden walls. "Pigston, we have lift off." As the MC it is my duty to dethrone corrupt nobles, and that pig is guilty of eating all the food.

Boris went into shock from the insane action and passed out. 

The nobles' eyes almost fell out of their heads. They gawked at the sight of Boris zooming through the bar.

The guards were both relieved and mortified as the hostage was out of Haruto’s hands, but the way he got out was not pretty. Haruto's second feat of strength pummelled their last bit of morale.

The runic knight gathered himself and shouted, “surrender now, and we promise to allow your master to leave this place alive.” The runic knight shot a pitying glance at Thomas, who had been sitting quietly in his seat with a blank expression until now. To others, this was a face of resignation. Most likely, this unfortunate noble regretted the day he bought this demihuman. 

The runic knights couldn't help but think. Even I would be interested in such a rare creature. Never before have I seen a snake demihuman. They must be quite rare and perhaps near extinct. No wonder though their rash actions would put them at odds with others. At worst, we shall just charge for 1000 gold coins for his pet injuring Boris, as we would have killed a rare and exotic beast.

The four royal knights who were equipped with standard armor were afraid to charge ahead, but the runic knight was sure of his victory. He roared, “Remember my name mongrel. I am the RUNIC KNIGHT CLARENCE OF Scottsburg. With a spear drawn he looked heroic.

A smug smile floated on Haruto’s face as he proclaimed, “Daddy will go easy on you boys today only because it warms my heart to see you look out for each other like this.” After defeating these knights, I'm sure the catgirl will fall in love with me.

The runic knight powered his magic armor, increasing his power as a solid aura formed around him coursing into his spear. The spear glowed a blue hue as electricity began flowing from the tip. Once a dazzling brilliance came into existence, the runic knight leaped towards Haruto. “That is quite enough, you subhuman filth.” 

Most in the tavern were awed by this strike, and with Haruto making no apparent move to stop the attack, they felt the battle was already over. Many thoughts happened before the impact. 

The questionable types mostly had a similar view that Haruto was just playing up his strength. Tch, it appears talking was the only strength this demihuman possesses. 

The citizens secretly cheered Haruto on. Don't give up so soon, lad, give those pompous jerks a good licking.

The nobles being pampered and used to winning thought of matters beyond the fight. With Boris having a runic knight, his chances of becoming a Count is high. I should get in good with him tonight to show my support. Some of the nobles even thought of sending alcohol to Boris that best suited his meal of Haruto. I wonder if demihumans are gamier, if so, a hickory-smoked whiskey would do the trick.

The adventurers watched the fight with the most interest. It wasn't often for the village people to see a person of the runic knight's level fighting. Watching a demihuman fight would make for a great story and could be used as experience when finding a quest.

Right as the spear reached Haruto's face, his eyes became alive with killing intent so thick it stopped the spear in its tracks. Unbeknownst to Haruto, focusing his eyes like this, caused the half reduction of beadiness he was so proud of to disappear. “Combat Detected. Activating HUD.” “Name: Clarence. Class: ??? Level: Incalculable Basic comprehension activated. Recalculating. Class: Knight (Subclass Samurai) Danger rating: Green. And this is me taking it easy. I'm sure if I fully activated my shogun's aura, I could make the runic knight's heart stop beating.

The runic knight was flung back by the killing intent alone. Pulling himself from the floor, he began spitting up blood. Impossible. Impossible. It has to be impossible, a lowly demihuman could never be stronger than me. There must be something else. 

A wicked smile ran up Haruto’s face seeing the runic knight spitting up blood. The look for observers was scary enough to scar someone. Creepily Haruto announced, “Winner winner piggy dinner.” My first blood spitter. Just like in the novels.

The knights became frightful from this scene. Many dropped their weapons in defeat.

 The runic knight peed himself as a realization struck him. He stuttered out, “You. You. You. You are not just a snake demihuman but a snake-devil half-breed. Aren’t you?” 

Haruto, enjoying bullying these pompous pricks, felt the joy ripped right out of him from this one comment. A deep sorrow overtook his heart. 

For those watching, it appeared that the runic knight’s hypothesis was right on the mark. 

Seeing the silence and feeling the tension rising, the runic knight quickly prostrated himself on the floor, ignoring the puddle that had formed beneath him. A devil here on the continent, in this small village of all places. What are the odds, is the holy church aware of this. Is he in cahoots with the rumored lich? No, more importantly, I offended him by calling him a lowly demihuman. Will I be tortured for all eternity?

 Haruto looked at the knight. With sadness choking him, Haruto's voice became raspy as he fought back the tears. “What did you just ask your father?” Perhaps I misheard him. Yes, I've checked before leaving the cave. My eyes are no longer beady. I couldn't be a snake demihuman. Haruto was unbothered being called a devil, he even took it as a compliment, but a snake. He didn't die on earth just to keep that nickname on a new world. 

“Ah, Please forgive our insolence.” the runic knight stared daggers at the other four knights communicating for them to prostrate as well if they wished to live. “It was our misunderstanding to believe you were a mere snake demihuman. We had never heard of such an existence before and believed you were a rare mutation. But after seeing your prowess, we lowly ones truly see you for your true greatness.” If I was a human of old, I would have the pride to fight this abomination. Where is the defender of Wessex, how could he not sense such evil? Calm down, I just need to suck up, devils are known as eccentric.

An eerie silence took over the tavern as Haruto quietly stared in a daze. No, it appears, my ears are working just fine…. Well, one bad egg shouldn’t ruin the bunch, right.

The knights were all prostrated fearful of moving. 

Finally, a whisper crawled out of Haruto's mouth. But the whisper loudly entered everyone’s ears despite being said so low, “do you four agree with the second eldest’s opinion that daddy here is a snake demon?” When will my true reincarnation begin? Every time I get close, something off-rails me. Sadistsama? Are you watching? Are you entertained? Fuck whatever game you are playing. I am the MC.

The four knights believing the correct choice was to answer yes all quickly affirmed their stance and deepened their prostration.

Ah, I must kill them all, or I will never be able to live past this shame. I already shamed my descendants with the underwear, you all can only blame Sadist-sama for putting you in my path. With that thought, Haruto slowly approached the runic knight.

The runic knight was so focused on prostrating he did not notice Haruto’s arrival until an iron grip was placed on his head. The runic knight thought his head was being crushed. 

But Haruto hadn’t even mustered the strength to put real pressure on. He endlessly repeated the question of being a snake. An unbridled aura rampaged about as the shogun aura fed off Haruto’s anger, activating without him realizing and quickly crushing the other knights onto the ground. Here I was making fun of the pigman when everyone thought I too was not of human origin. Haha, I am not lost on the irony, I am lost on why I must be fucked over for it to happen. Wait, didn’t Thomas offer me an artifact to hide my face. Does he also believe I look like a snake person?

Unaware of Haruto’s inner thoughts, a deathly chill went down Thomas’s neck, causing him to make eye contact with Haruto. He felt Haruto’s eyes burrowing into his mind as if searching for something. Thomas quickly broke eye contact and tunelessly whistled to avoid muddling himself into the current situation. I have failed to stop the bloodshed, but I can still be spared. 

 Haruto regathered his focus on the runic knight and hissed, “You unfilial son, how dare you call your father a snake.” 

Everyone in the tavern couldn't believe this thing that just hissed had the nerve to question being called a snake. But a quick glance from Haruto ended everyone’s thoughts on the matter. They feared the devil's eyes might figure out what’s going on in their minds.

Boris finally awoke from his slumber and noticed things had spiraled out of control inside. Not being a super idiot, he quickly made his escape leaving his men to fate. I am not running but strategically retreating. If I, the proud viscount died, what good is the lives of my people?

 “I. I. I. I.” not knowing what to say the runic knight began stuttering as the iron grip on his head crushed the reason from his mind. 

“You what? Huh, do you wish to apologize to daddy for that undeserved insult?” Haruto secretly hoped the guy apologized, or his heart would never truly heal. Don’t these guys know bullying based on looks is frowned upon? Unless you are the MC of course. Only I have such rights to make fun of others and still be cheered on by the crowd. The difference in treatment between the MC and side-villain is the distance between Earth and the heavens. 

Unfortunately, the runic knight had long become incapable of thinking rationally. Instead, his life had begun flashing before his eyes. The knights were better off, at least they got to faint.

 Haruto lifted the runic knight off the ground by the head and swept the entire tavern with an icy gaze. “Today, I will re-educate you all, so you no longer make such foolish choices.” Haruto knowing a punch would one-shot the runic knight used his pinky to flick him in the head. A loud bang rang out, and a dent formed in the runic knight’s steel helmet flinging him towards a random table in the adventures section. 

Everyone was in a daze. A single flick incapacitated a runic knight with ease. 

Haruto proclaimed, “Everyone here shall obediently take one flick to the head in hopes that the bad thoughts are erased.” 

The single sentence spurred everyone from their daze. The normal villagers began shaking with fear as one flick will surely erase all their thoughts forever. 

The adventurers fell into their imagination. After seeing the runic knight fall their latent talent activated, and after a grueling battle, they would defeat the devil. Some even gripped their swords to try their luck, but a quick chop by their smarter partners ended the fantasies.

The questionable types were formulating plans of escape and eyeing each other to see where not to run. They knew spots of large concentration would cause doom, so they hoped to sneak away in the exit no one else would. The weak peasants would likely all be murdered, and the dense but brave adventurers would allow them time to flee.

The nobles had lost their ability to talk or move or think.

 A loud crash resounded. Everyone turned to see that the runic knight had crashed on a table in the adventurer section.

The group of adventurers at that table were still happily enjoying their drinks and meals, paying no heed to the circus around them. The abnormal group up until now went unnoticed as Haruto’s act had stolen the spotlight. Still, the people couldn't help but wonder who these fools were to ignore the demonic spawn threatening the tavern.