Slaying the Highest Erosion Beasts
Ludenberg mounted the arm of the erosion beast and charged straight toward its torso. The massive humanoid highest erosion beast seemed irritated by Ludenberg scrambling across its arm, shaking it wildly while sprouting thorns from the limb or swinging the chains around its body in an effort to dislodge him.
But Ludenberg, hardened by countless battles with erosion beasts, raced adeptly along its arm, searching for its heart. It was clear his skills had sharpened dramatically since the Solemnute raid—now he wielded Liberatus's body far more fluidly than before, quickly pinpointing the heart through sheer instinct.
The heart lay in the beast's chest. Without hesitation, Ludenberg leaped from the arm to its armored torso, where a tough exoskeleton formed natural plating. The erosion beast sensed it too and lunged to snatch him, but Ludenberg slashed its arm clean off and immediately carved into its chest.
Kirrrrk! A brutal clash like metal grinding on metal rang out as the beast's chest armor shattered completely. Ludenberg swung again at the exposed flesh...
In that instant, the upper half of its chest sheared away entirely, forcing the heart inside to split in two. As one highest erosion beast fell, Ludenberg scaled its body and targeted another assaulting the right side of the wall in the same fashion.
One swing of his sword crumbled their exoskeletons; a second cleaved their colossal bodies in half. The knights atop the wall who had greeted him could only gape in disbelief at this impossible feat.
"What in the world is...!"
Highest erosion beasts were monsters capable of razing a fortress city single-handedly—yet he dispatched them with such ease. Overwhelmed, the knight instinctively recognized the swordsman shredding them to pieces.
There was only one knight in the empire who wielded such overwhelming power.
Noting the knight's dawning realization, the soldiers asked, "Sir, who is that man over there?"
"Liberatus Ahad."
"Liberatus Ahad...? Oh. No way!"
"That's exactly who it is. Captain of the Imperial Knights... and the empire's greatest knight."
"Why would someone like that be here?"
"I don't know the details. But one thing's certain—we survived today."
Relief washed over the knight's words, and the soldiers broke into joyful smiles. At that moment, the last highest erosion beast's heart was sliced open.
Having slain all the highest erosion beasts, Ludenberg promptly scaled back up to the wall. The knight from earlier bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your aid, Sir Liberatus Ahad."
"You know me?"
"No one in the empire doesn't. You're the captain of the Imperial Knights."
"Not anymore. I stepped down from that post."
"Even so... the fact remains that you saved us. We're truly grateful. Without you, Garundel would have been obliterated, and everyone inside slaughtered."
"I merely did what needed doing."
Ludenberg sensed a seething blaze within Liberatus's soul. Identifying it was simple: hatred. As his diary revealed, Liberatus had lost someone dear to an erosion beast, fueling his rage and vow to exterminate them all.
That's why he called it a duty—not ordered by anyone, but a burning personal resolve to annihilate every last erosion beast. Even as soldiers and knights thanked him profusely for saving their lives, he merely nodded once.
Descending the wall, Ludenberg returned to where he had left Kyle and Orpina. They stared at him—at Liberatus—with shining eyes.
"Incredible!"
Kyle and Orpina clamored excitedly, praising the display Liberatus had just given.
"Unbelievable. Those looked like highest erosion beasts by their size... and you felled one with a single stroke. Liberatus, who are you, really?"
"Former captain of the Imperial Knights."
"Whoa... you're a total legend!"
"Just a wanderer now, so no need to overhype it. Orpina, you're unhurt?"
"...Yes. I'm fine."
"Good. We'll stay here a while. I need to teach you some swordsmanship properly."
"Yes!"
"Let's secure an inn first. It'll be packed with refugees."
"No need for that, Sir Liberatus."
A middle-aged man in fine attire suddenly addressed him, expressing his gratitude.
"And you are?"
"Lord of Garundel Castle."
"What brings the lord all the way here...?"
"Could I sit idle while highest erosion beasts breached the fortress? I came to lend what strength I could at the front lines. And I witnessed your valor."
"...I see. But what do you mean no need for an inn?"
"A knight who saved Garundel needn't slum it in some dingy room. We have spare chambers in the castle—stay there with your companions."
"My thanks for the hospitality."
"It's I who should thank you. You've saved Garundel. I'll provide a carriage; ride with me to the castle. Ah, but those children—are they with your party?"
"Yes. If possible, could you spare separate rooms for them too?"
"Of course. I'll instruct the steward."
Liberatus thanked Garundel's lord, gathered Kyle and Orpina, and boarded the offered carriage. With that, the trial concluded.
"You're getting good at this. Quite accustomed to Liberatus's body now..."
"Fair to say. Plus, my personal skills surged after that Solemnute ambush."
"Yeah. Without that growth, you'd have been swarmed and struggled badly against those highest erosion beasts."
Ludenberg nodded at Raha's words. Had his prowess stayed the same, he'd have died several times over this trial too.
"So, Raha—when's the next one?"
"Next week. I'll call you then."
"Got it."
"You'll probably witness Kyle and Orpina's training next."
"Likely."
"Don't miss a word Liberatus says. It'll sharpen your edge."
"I'll remember."
"Good work today. See you."
Raha waved, and Ludenberg's vision faded to black.
Ludenberg opened his eyes. The familiar agony post-trial slammed into him. This pain didn't just worsen with deaths in the trial world—it intensified with his growth there. And it thrilled him. Ludenberg always rejoiced in his own progress.
Body's wrecked, so training's out today... Holiday anyway, nothing pressing. Festival's right around the corner now.
The past week assisting Dalia as a student council member had immersed him in thoughts of the Adem Festa.
Adem Festa... We were slammed prepping it—hope it goes off without a hitch.
And lately, he'd been working closely with the student council president herself.
Dalia's no bad sort. If she were, she'd dump everything on us. Least my forced boss isn't awful—small mercy.
He'd bristled initially at the unwanted role. But Dalia's diligence, plus the perks for council members, convinced him it wasn't so bad. Once the Adem Festa ended, he'd reap those benefits more than shoulder the duties.
Unable to move, Ludenberg grew bored.
Boring. But rest is mandatory post-trial, or it'll wreck me. Might as well plan future training... and what to do with Ashytara at the festival.
The holiday passed, and Solemnute Adem—somber since evaluations—buzzed with renewed energy. Students strolled campus beaming; merchants in the shopping district shouted and hustled.
In that vibrancy, Ashytara bathed neatly, donned her prepared priestess robes. White and gold blended elegantly, lending her an air of sanctity. Preparations complete, she left the girls' dorm for the plaza.
A massive brazier dominated the square, surrounded by Solemnute Adem's students and faculty. Ashytara approached it steadily.
As she reached the brazier, the chatter hushed. Channeling her divine power, she ignited it with fierce flames. Sacred Solem flames roared to life, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The Adem Festa had begun.