44. coming (1)
The monster was persistent.
The sword of Archduke Quenore cut down countless white wolves every time it flashed, but the corps commander-werewolf who blocked the dukes along with the thugs was doing well to block the attacks of the dukes. When the white wolves fell, they popped up from somewhere again, and Quenore’s heart grew impatient every time that happened.
“Damn the beasts.”
Quenore muttered as he sharpened his sword. The werewolf, ‘Gut’, laughed slyly and swung his claws like a sword to block Quenore’s sword attack. Certainly, he was strong enough to call himself the subordinate of a giant and the commander of a monster’s corps. He did not blindly believe in his own strength.
“Yes, as expected, strong. But you must be feeling that too, right?”
Literally tied feet.
A strategy that wastes Quenor’s strength and prevents him from going to rescue other patrols. It never came in for a deep attack. Repeat hit and run for the purpose of just holding on, and take a defensive momentum as much as possible.
Of course, if this situation continues, it won’t be long before Quenor decapitates Gut. But the problem is that there is no guarantee that the other patrols will be able to hold out until then. Rather, it is more likely that they will be defeated and other monsters will join Gut.
“We are the ones who gain the advantage over time, humans.”
Gut said so, baring his teeth. It was not the time to preserve more power. Quenore raised his mana even more and raised his aura. Quenor’s new model faded and collided with the corps commander. Gut confronted Quenor’s power, which was much stronger than expected, bewildered. Quenore’s sword seemed to grow sharper and faster as time passed, rather than weakening.
‘this guy… . It’s a monster.’
However, if he endured a little longer, it would be his victory. Look, even now his sensitive ears could hear the sounds of the carnage echoing from deep in the forest. Those sweet, human screams… .
Kang. sesame. kek.
uh?
Gut’s eyes twitched in bewilderment. No, did I hear it wrong? Why, why do I hear only the dying wolves? Gut managed to deflect Queanor’s next blow and focused all his senses deep into the forest.
light. The sound of swinging a sword. frightening smell.
“Unbelievable… .”
Kwajik.
Seeing that scene, Quenor’s blow pierced Gut’s dazed body. Quenore lifted his gaze as he trampled the werewolf’s head as it fell forward with deep cuts.
“… You did it, Hero Illroy.”
Quenore’s eyes were looking at the same place Gut had been gazing at. The light was flashing. An aura that shines white and silver. The signs of the ominous monster that had been encroaching on the entire forest were gradually being erased by that light. It was hope, and it was the wind that kindled the fire.
“Don’t talk nonsense. There’s no way something like that could happen!!”
Quenor looked down at Gut, who was struggling at his feet. To Gut, who said that couldn’t be the case, Quenore raised one corner of his mouth and said.
“There are people who make the impossible possible. You guys don’t know.”
Quenor’s aura penetrated Gut’s head. The light grew stronger and was approaching Quenore. Quenore smiled and faced the warrior holding a sword in both hands.
“Patrols 2, 3, 4 and 5 have arrived.”
Archduke Quenore nodded and declared in a loud voice.
“All the patrols! Return to Evernode!”
—
Fortunately, fortunately, I was able to rescue patrols 3, 4 and 5 before it was too late. I and the 1st patrol team roamed the forest, stirring monsters like a whale cutting through the raging waves, and gathered all the patrols.
Archduke Quenor arrived at the location of patrol number 5 when I rescued all the patrols, and we were able to return to Evernode after a difficult first battle. I stayed sane until the end and watched until the gates of the outer castle were closed and the soldiers returned safely. And finally when they’re all gone I
‘Illroy?’
‘Hero!’
Well. I don’t remember the last time I heard their voices after my eyes went dark. I guess I just fainted. And waking up again now. I woke up in an unfamiliar room with a dark blackout screen. I’m pretty sure I’ve been sleeping for quite some time, but the pain lingers here and there in my body. No matter how much the recovery ability the holy sword gave me, it seemed that I had received a wound that could not be quickly recovered.
“[Of course. It’s because I overworked it with the momentum to tear and burst all the blood vessels and muscles in my body. It actually ripped and burst. Be glad your heart didn’t explode in the meantime, Illroy. It was an attempt that was too risky even if it was dangerous. It is luck that you were able to handle it with your body.]”
As soon as I woke up, I heard the voice of the Holy Sword nagging me. It was a bit brusque, but nonetheless, it was a voice that I couldn’t help but welcome. I groped for the scabbard of the Holy Sword and sighed with a smile. I felt a sense of relief.
“I’m glad you’re here, though.”
“to?”
“yes?”
I lifted myself up at the familiar voice and looked to the left side of the bed. Blink. Oops. At the end of the bed, at my feet, I fell asleep on my bed and met Daphne’s eyes. There was a silence of about three seconds, and I could very clearly see Daphne’s face, which gradually turned red, even in the dark of the room. Daphne’s lips and eyes began to pulsate in an indescribable way.
“That, eh. there.”
what to do I think he’s broken.
“[Fix it yourself.]”
The Holy Sword didn’t speak again after that. I scratched the back of my head awkwardly and looked at Daphne. Daphne froze for a while, then slowly came to her senses, looked away from me, looked at the bed sheets, and twisted her flowing hair.
“It’s been a day since Illroy fell.”
Daphne gave me an answer before I could even ask how much time had passed. I awkwardly nodded. When the blackout on the side window was lifted, the light entered my eyes. In the meantime, the figures of soldiers moving busily came in. Somehow, the streets seemed a little empty.
“Looks like there are few people.”
“The evacuation has begun. It is said that Mr. Luke leads the refugees in advance, and sets aside one knight to escort the people along with the adventurer’s guild.”
Daphne’s cheeks were still red when she said that.
“The limit line is said to have stopped in front of the lake. The demons are probably using the lake as their outpost to prepare for an invasion. Regular patrols have stopped, and now they are focusing on preparing for war. The Grand Duke said that it wouldn’t be strange if demons started to invade at any time.”
Oh, and I also asked to be notified when Illroy wakes up.
Daphne said that and looked at my face again, then turned her head away. I waited for Daphne to come to her senses, then asked a question.
“Are Georg and Marianne okay?”
“Yeah. He suffered minor injuries, but it doesn’t seem to interfere with his activities. Both of them are preparing for defense and attack battles with the knights of Evernode.”
I shook my head and tried to stand up, but Daphne’s hand stopped me. Daphne pressed me lightly on my chest and put me back on the bed. Daphne’s face was close. Her pale pink hair cascaded down and tickled my cheek.
“Lie down. The war hasn’t started yet, so I only think about fully recovering until then.”
Daphne’s breath caught his breath. The trunk was as close as an elephant would bump into. When I looked away, Daphne met my eyes and jumped up like a cat seeing a cucumber. I let out a wry smile and put the back of my head on the pillow again.
“Are the other returning people okay?”
“… Yes. Everyone who returned is safe. Those with severe injuries are being treated in the ward downstairs. All other knights have now returned.”
like that.
Of course, there must have been some who did not return safely. A corner of my chest felt heavy again. Daphne looked down at me, then got up from the bed.
“I will go and call the Archduke of Quenore. Because Illroy asked me to call him when he wakes up.”
I saw Daphne’s back as she left the room with my eyes. After the door closed, I let out a long sigh and let my limbs hang down. know. Unless I really become a god, it is impossible to save everyone from war. I understand that their deaths are not my fault, and I know that I should not be brought down by their deaths.
‘It’s lame and weak. You’re no different from all the other knights I’ve eaten.’
‘All you have right now is that strange, ominous white light.’
I remembered what Captain White Wolf, Robo, said to me.
“… Still, if only I had killed them sooner.”
“[I could have gotten a little more.]”
The Holy Sword took my words. It wasn’t a clumsy consolation, but rather good. I raised the holy sword with both hands and frowned.
“If only I had opened your second stage.”
“[Could have saved more people.]”
It felt like something, the Holy Sword was staring at me.
“[I’m not going to tell you to forget. I won’t even say that it can collapse. However, if the sacrifices of those who gave their lives that day eventually lead to the salvation of this land and its people, it can be a little bit of a reward.]”
The Holy Sword’s voice was as soft as ever, yet strong. A little strength went into my hand holding the hilt of the holy sword.
“[Be strong, Illroy. As you once said to Iron-Blooded Princess.]”
I sighed and nodded my head. Yes, in the end I have to be strong. In order to achieve some salvation that was not achieved in the original work, and to move forward.
Then, the door to the hospital room opened. Putting down the Holy Sword, I stood up and saw the door open. The person standing at the door was none other than the Archduke of Quenore. I looked at the Grand Duke and nodded my head in greeting, and the Grand Duke also nodded and accepted my greeting.
“How are you feeling, Illroy?”
The Archduke closed the door to the hospital room, walked over, and sat down in the caregiver’s chair. The Archduke’s blue eyes were more calm than ever, and he was showing off a heavy spirit.
“It’s sore all over the place. But it’s not so painful that I have to lie still like this.”
I subtly hinted to get out of the hospital room, but the Grand Duke deliberately shook his head, pretending not to notice.
“Don’t overdo it. Just lying quietly in the hospital room is helping us as much as we can right now.”
To hear that being still is helping. As I frowned, Archduke Quenore chuckled and crossed his arms.
“If you send an injured warrior to the front for no reason, the soldiers will be too concerned about you and won’t be able to focus on their work.”
… That’s not wrong. I opened the blackout screen and let the sunlight into the room. Dust fluttered in the dark and scattered through the sunlight.
“I heard about the situation from Daphne. They say monsters are forming an outpost.”
“yes. We are also preparing for the siege battle accordingly. Your co-workers are quite helpful. Georg is generously sharing his rich experience on the battlefield, and Marianne is fulfilling her duties as a priest instead of fulfilling the role of a warrior.”
Archduke Quenore looked out the window and smiled faintly.
“Daphne is actively conducting meetings with the wizards of Evernode. He’s a mighty wizard in real life, but as a theorist, he’s said to be on par with scholars.”
Did you say that you continued to master only the theoretical books in the Mage Tower? Daphne wouldn’t have expected that past experiences she wanted to forget would be so helpful.
“… And, it’s too late to say thank you.”
The Grand Duke said so in a serious voice.
“You cut through the hordes of monsters while I was tied up and rescued all the rest of the patrol.”
“Anyone would have done that. It’s not something to be thanked by the Grand Duke.”
“It’s a world apart from having done it. The forces of the fourth plague must have been hit hard then too. I lost one monster called Corps Commander and several monsters with names. It can be said that it is a very big harvest for this war.”
My expression blurred. The Grand Duke looked at me as if he was in doubt. An opportunity to become stronger. I thought about what I need.
“grandee.”
“Why but?”
I took a deep breath and looked straight into the archduke’s eyes.
“Would you like to spat with me?”
Finally, go get some wisdom and experience from him