Episode 79 – Let’s catch that.
79. Let’s catch that.
Less than two weeks left until vacation.
“Today is practical training.”
During the morning class of the second period, Cheren suddenly came in and said.
While the Class A cadets were confused.
‘Is this the beginning?’
Leon’s eyes lit up and her body shook.
“Everyone, change your clothes within 20 minutes and gather in front of the main building.”
The Class A cadets quickly changed their clothes and headed to the front of the first-year main building.
The day was nice. The sky was clear and the sun was warm.
The square was full of first-year cadets who had been dragged out during class along with them. Everyone looked like they didn’t know what was going on.
Cheren spoke as the representative.
“This morning, news came that a Horde had broken out in the Mashali Mountains, located northeast of Elaim. They must have collected all the monsters in the mountain range, and their scale and number are at an all-time high. “They say it’s currently heading straight toward Elaim.”
Surprise and tension spread across the cadets’ faces.
The phenomenon of monsters flocking together in large colonies is called a ‘horde’.
“It’s a good opportunity. You guys will form separate groups and contribute to the subjugation through practice and experience. However, we must ensure sufficient safety. Key areas will be occupied by senior cadets and soldiers, so your activities will focus primarily on support. Instructors will also be stationed nearby at all times.”
Of course, if you are an Elprime cadet, you can easily defeat most monsters, but you still have to be careful.
I don’t know what variables or mistakes I might make because I don’t have enough experience yet.
“The basic group size is 5 people, but cadets from the Ministry of Magic’s combat branch can also participate by dividing up the number of people.”
Unlike the martial arts club where all 250 people participated, the magic club only accepted applicants.
“Everyone, let’s start with the group. “Move.”
The cadets quickly began to form groups and the hall became very noisy.
In a crowded situation.
“Master!”
“Aria, here!”
Leon and Aria looked for each other as if they had made a promise in advance.
To their side.
“Let’s go together.”
“Leon!”
Carotene and Celia.
“Can I wear it too?”
Esabel is seen a lot these days.
“Sir Leon. Can I come in too? “I am confident that I can do my part.”
Even an unexpected person, Liana.
“Oh, are you here too?”
“hehehe. “I can’t be left out of such an important matter.”
“Hmm, okay. Come with me.”
Leon accepted her without worrying about her.
‘If you have to, you can just throw it away.’
You should check your skills appropriately, and if you think it is not good, leave it to a nearby group.
“Are we going to continue like this?”
“Yes.”
Leon took his group and went to get confirmation from Cheren.
It was a party filled with only the most elite talent, so of course it passed.
* · * *
Two hours later, the cadets went outside the walls of Elaim.
Everyone was well aware of the precautions.
“Again, we mainly hunt those that have broken away from the Horde. Going deep is absolutely prohibited. “You shouldn’t relax just because you press the pager and an instructor comes.”
“””Yes!”””
The Monster Horde was approaching the northern gate of Elaim.
The cadets were planning to turn to each side and aim for their flanks.
Horde does not come in formation like an army.
They are roughly gathered together by several powerful command entities and fly around like a swarm of locusts.
That’s why they are so spaced apart from each other.
If only the outer perimeter is covered, a situation where a large number of people attack at once or are surrounded will not occur.
If there were no such situation, mediocre monsters would not be a problem for expert-level warriors.
It is a simple matter of just walking around a designated area and hunting everything you see. Instructors are even deployed to prepare for dangerous situations.
Maybe that’s why the cadets seemed more excited and excited than nervous. Because life and safety are guaranteed.
The 50 groups were torn in two, with one side facing west and the other side facing east.
Leon and his party came to the east.
Cheren spoke to the 25 groups gathered in front of the castle gate.
“Now, I think we can just disperse from here. Everyone, don’t deviate from the route. Each leader must always pay attention to their position. Depart.”
The cadets spread out in all directions.
“Let’s go too.”
Leon, who was looking at the map, said to his group.
“I’m going to go a little faster, is that okay?”
Everyone nodded.
Naturally, no one questioned the fact that Leon became the team leader. Even though there was a princess.
Even Leon and Essabel themselves didn’t pay much attention.
“Then let’s go.”
Blame- Blame-
Leon started running. Of course, it wasn’t sprinting at all, but rather a moderate jumping level.
The place where they ran was a mixture of plains, hills, and forests. At the end of the horizon, I could glimpse the peak of the Masali Mountains, where the Horde had departed.
“Where are you going?”
Esabel asked. Her silver ponytail billowed beautifully with each step she took.
“I want to go a little deeper. Isn’t our group the strongest among first-year students? “It will be enough.”
“Hmm, good.”
Of course, the ‘a little deeper’ that Leon said was completely different from the ‘a little deeper’ that the party thought.
* · * *
Horde, a horde of monsters attacking the city.
It’s not common, but it happens if you forget about it.
Among monsters, a King-class entity occasionally appears.
They have far superior abilities in all aspects compared to those of the same race. So, like kings, they lead their own forces and live.
Among such King-class individuals, those that are particularly outstanding organize large-scale colonies.
The colony created in this way is no different from a swarm of thieves or a swarm of magic bandits. The leader has as much intelligence as most people.
If such a colony determines that its strength is sufficient, it will attack nearby villages or cities.
This Horde was structured as a union of several colonies.
This was also possible. The leaders of the colony are no different from wealthy people, and can create cooperation or superior-subordinate relationships.
It is said that the Orc King may subjugate the Lizard King and treat him like a subordinate.
However.
‘Not this time.’
Leon knew that this Horde was not caused by monsters fighting each other.
Artificial intervention. A maneuver carried out with clear malicious intent.
It was an attack, an attack on Elprime.
“That means so much enthusiasm.”
Muttering, Leon glanced back.
Everyone in the group was following along well.
Liana, ignoring her worries, matched her speed by covering up her slow running with light fly magic. She floated a few centimeters off the ground and flew leisurely through the air, as if she were some kind of ghost.
It seemed like it wasn’t just his own skills, but the help of the artifact.
‘Everyone seems to be in good condition…’
It has already been more than 30 minutes since departure.
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She had only encountered one group so far. Fifteen goblins. Leon and the others were reduced to a mess with a few indifferent kicks.
To them, enemies as small as goblins were no different from insects. Maybe that’s why everyone seemed to want something stronger and more provocative.
Leon nodded his head happily.
‘Then you should do whatever you want.’
“Come on, come on! Come this way!”
Leon cleverly changed direction.
* · * *
30 Minutes later.
Chaaa!
Fresh blood drew a curved line behind Leon’s back.
Blood flew in the air, and a colorful picture made up of red lines unfolded.
The lizardmen whose carotid arteries had been cut belatedly put their hands on my neck.
Of course.
But that didn’t mean death could be avoided.
The seven new types of Lizardmen fell to the ground.
It took less than two seconds for Leon to catch them and cut them all down.
This was the result of using the quick sword technique that I have been practicing recently.
“Hmm.”
In fact, his expression was grave. The taste was okay, but they were so weak that it was hard to feel anything. As expected, a more threatening opponent was needed.
Of course, everyone in the group had their mouths wide open.
“Oh my God…!”
“Wow, you seem a bit busy these days.”
“What, what is it…?”
While they were admiring.
Leon climbed up on a tall tree and looked around.
In the distance, I could see an open area crowded with green monsters.
“Is that colony… Lizardmen?”
I checked further and found out that it was correct. The lizardmen we just caught must have come from there too.
Leon narrowed his eyebrows slightly.
‘I need to find an orc colony.’
Although it was not the goal I was looking for.
It caught my eye already, but I had no intention of just passing it by.
“Let’s see…”
Leon frowned and observed the Lizardman colony more closely.
“I found it.”
A body two heads taller than others and fierce eyes. It was the Lizard King.
Beside the Lizard King, ferocious-looking Lizardmen surrounded him like a wall.
They seemed to be the elite of the colony, or the SS.
“Guys.”
Leon hinted and threw his horse downwards.
“Let’s catch that.”
And then he smiled brightly and stretched out his index finger.
“······?”
The party followed Leon up the tree, tilting their heads, and caught sight of a swarming horde of Lizardmen.
The answers flowed out immediately.
“Let’s go right away.”
“It’s appropriate.”
“It will be good to warm up.”
“Shall we make a bet on who catches more?”
The reaction of the group was favorable.
“Yesss?!?! No, wait! Wait for a sec!”
······Except for one person.
“Why is everyone leaving so calmly?! That’s the colony’s headquarters! “There’s even a Lizard King!”
Liana jumped up and down, her blonde hair flying.
However.
“It’s a good bet.”
“How about the person who lost buys dinner later?”
“What? “Then I’ll go first!”
“Go, go!”
“······.”
This time, Liana’s voice did not reach anyone.