Chapter 129
Chapter 129
Chapter 129
Monster Subjugation War (2)
The first encounter with Seven Arks had come to an end like this.
'It's a bit disappointing that I couldn't reduce their strength...'
Still, better than nothing—Rudian decided to be satisfied with having dealt with Demon King Crosel using their hands.
"Rudian Belstad, our alliance is still valid, right?"
"Of course."
Moreover, since the alliance with the demons hadn't been broken either, the results were just modest, but it certainly wasn't a loss.
"What are you planning to do from now on? Honestly, we're also in a difficult position since Crosel, the subject of our pact, is dead."
Before parting, Rudian casually asked Jagan.
Having lost his lord, Jagan gritted his teeth and answered.
"Since Lord Crosel has fallen, we will inform headquarters and bring another commander. The temporary alliance with you is also known by headquarters, so there shouldn't be any problems even when a new person comes."
"I hope someone strong comes if possible."
For instance, Iblis or Barbatos...
"Well, anyway, please take care of the tribute for a while."
"The magical beasts that Lord Crosel was controlling will desert in large numbers anyway. If those aren't enough, tell us separately."
"Huhuhuh, it's good that we understand each other."
This great forest is a treasure trove of real combat.
Even though they must have experienced it once already, the behavioral patterns of magical beasts released into the wild are truly unpredictable.
Rudian himself was exhausted from responding to all sorts of emergency situations that suddenly appeared, but if he survived, he would be able to achieve tremendous growth in capability.
'Still, I want to reduce their forces before entering the Hall of Heroes...'
Even without Yev having to step forward, Eugene is here so the worst case would be avoided, but if all seven of them came charging like madmen, there's a high chance of being in trouble.
Who knows what kind of interference they might cause even within the Hall.
'If the situation seems really bad, should I cling to the Celestial guys and act like a fox borrowing a tiger's authority?'
Rudian slightly turned his gaze to glance at Eugene.
The promise with Giovanni included keeping Seven Arks in check, so if he requested it, they would at least not ignore him.
"Ugh, this time I could have really given those guys a blow..."
Unaware that Rudian was looking at him with impure intentions, Eugene was suppressing his anger, regretting having missed the opportunity so futilely.
"Obviously, but be careful not to carelessly reveal what just happened."
Although the 'tribute' was considered a kind of event from the other races' perspective, it still wasn't hunting without sacrifice.
His companions trusted Rudian, so there were no particular problems.
The Celestial that Eugene belonged to also wasn't antagonistic enough to have fits over allying with demons.
While the current secret alliance would ultimately benefit the other races, there was nothing good about it being known either.
As they were returning after finishing their business, Gray asked Rudian.
"Brother, weren't we originally planning to go to Kingdom of Rohans through the great forest?"
"That was the original plan."
"The fact that it was the original plan means we're spending some time here?"
Actually, strictly speaking, this place they were stepping on could also be called Kingdom of Rohans.
"The purpose of going to Kingdom of Rohans was to find the Seven-Colored World anyway. Since the business here isn't finished yet, let's focus on accumulating real combat experience for now."
"I don't have any particular complaints... I just asked once."
Gray's obvious intention almost made Rudian laugh.
Rudian pretended to look into the distance and spoke as if in passing.
"Elves' time is different from humans'. That's why elves don't easily give their hearts to other races."
"What, what?"
"The reason elves treat other races kindly is mostly out of sympathy for those who don't live long. Like the affection given to pets?"
"...!"
Gray's expression instantly turned pale.
This wasn't exactly wrong, but it wasn't absolutely right either.
It was just something he said to tease Gray.
"The most basic method is to give confidence that you can live the same time together... But before that, you need to show your masculinity to the opposite sex, right?"
"Ma, masculinity!"
...The reaction was so dramatic that he felt sorry for teasing him.
As Gray clenched both fists and began muttering something to himself, Rudian clicked his tongue slightly and shook his head.
'But how did this guy fall for an elf?'
The golden-haired elf named Silpea was certainly beautiful.
But judging by appearance alone, there would be plenty of women in Morian Empire's social circles who were no less than her.
Gray's background and skills were impeccable as the best marriage candidate, and he must have grown up seeing only beauties from childhood.
'For example, Princess Luciella...'
Rudian hastily shook his head as if realizing what he was thinking about.
'Well, appearance isn't everything.'
Looking at the audacity to call one of the greatest beauties a beanpole, Gray's first love certainly wasn't based on appearance alone.
'Hang in there, Gray!'
Rudian quietly cheered for Gray's future.
***
After entering the great forest, Rudian and his party spent their days hunting monsters for a while.
The aftermath of Crosel's death appeared immediately.
Reports of at least ten thousand magical beasts that had lost control rampaging throughout the great forest were being made frequently.
Fortunately, an equal number had been reverse-summoned and their numbers decreased, and the uncontrolled magical beasts began attacking other controlled monsters, causing them to fight among themselves.
"It's a festival!"
Naturally, as the situation flowed this way, the bellicose races led by orcs and werewolves struck up music and took up spears and swords.
"Hahahaha! What happened to the demon bastards? Lately they've been offering tribute quietly!"
"Look at this thick hide! If we just tan it a bit, we could use it to build houses too!"
The ones dying in the other races' day-and-night hunting festival were naturally Rudian's three companions.
"Don't those guys... Ever get tired?"
Even Elvin, who was confident in his stamina, became completely ragged after just a week.
His steel-like resolve dulled day by day, and accordingly his body gradually became exhausted.
But that didn't mean he would rest.
"Let's go, Sir Elvin."
With Luciella, who was higher in rank than him, taking the lead, Elvin, who was at a different level, couldn't comfortably lie down.
"...Aren't you tired?"
"Of course I'm tired."
Luciella's face answering was beaded with sweat.
Her hair was roughly disheveled, her travel clothes were soaked with sweat, and the blade of her beloved sword was covered with dirt.
An unseemly appearance unbelievable for a noble Imperial princess.
Nevertheless, she continued training without caring.
"The reason they still seem to have overflowing stamina isn't because their stamina is really superior to ours. They're just much more familiar with this great forest than we are."
Adaptation in extreme environments.
This was also one of the training results Rudian wanted from his companions.
"Besides, that level above is still... So far away."
"That's right."
Even though they had reached Sword Master level, they were subdued without even being able to resist the monsters of Seven Arks a week ago.
That humiliation became one of the driving forces moving the two.
Looking slightly to the side, Gray was also calculating magic formulas with a haggard expression.
Even while experiencing magic exhaustion almost daily, and even while being scolded by instructor Eugene, he repeated training and real combat without showing any sign of difficulty.
Luciella looked at Gray, then smiled softly and said this.
"Most importantly, when the captain is working so hard, we can't make complaining sounds."
In the distance, Rudian's figure could be seen still fighting at the front more than anyone else.
Elvin let out a slightly complaining sound.
"I think we could make him an exception now, couldn't we?"
"No. If we do that, I feel like we'll never catch up."
Luciella was firm.
"If we keep chasing that back, someday we'll be able to reach where Maria is."
"......"
Elvin desperately swallowed the words that were coming up, trying to say that was honestly a bit...
No matter how much she was his sister, Maria's potential still had no visible end.
'The princess surely knows Maria's true worth...'
No matter how distant the goal.
Even if it's a sky hidden by clouds and invisible.
She would definitely catch up.
She would definitely reach it.
The primitive ambition that people possess.
"When that time comes, definitely..."
'That time?'
He didn't know what her words meant.
But seeing her clenching her fist and wishing for something, Elvin also recalled his past determination to surpass Crux.
***
His companions gradually became accustomed to life in the great forest.
Although it was a bit unstable at first, after about a week they quickly adapted and developed their skills.
"Lord Rudian."
In such circumstances, Eugene, who had received some request from Rudian, came with news.
"I've located your other companions."
"Oh, that's fast."
Rudian had simultaneously made requests to both Sonya in Nevan and Celestial to find Maria and Rebecca's whereabouts.
Sonya's side would naturally move the Information Guild, and Celestial would also have their own subordinate organizations, so he had tried making requests to both as a test...
"Much faster than the Information Guild."
"Of course. We have ultra-wide-range search magic. It's rude to compare with manpower."
Eugene spoke proudly, straightening his shoulders.
"However, there's a bit of a problem."
"A problem...?"
"Well..."
Rudian's expression hardened after hearing Eugene's explanation.
"A battle occurred?"
"Yes, didn't I tell you before that there were those targeting Lord Rudian's party?"
"You did, you said they were forces from the temple side..."
He didn't know their exact identity, but he had vaguely felt that someone was watching from afar.
"But... It seems they got caught by Lord Rudian's companions and were smashed."
"...What?"
"Literally. The Dark Knights serving the Dark North and Garganta of Revenge clashed with your companions and suffered near-total casualties before retreating."
"......"
No matter how much they were Knights, they should have definitely looked at their opponents before attacking.
No, why did the Knights who were originally targeting this side clash with Maria's group in the first place?
"We don't know the detailed circumstances either. We judged based on the circumstances of their movement routes and battle traces..."
"Is that so?"
"Considering their movement speed, we expect them to enter the entrance of the great forest within a week. However, there's one more problem..."
"Why do you keep making me anxious...?"
Although Rudian sighed, Eugene just shrugged instead and continued speaking.
"After the clash with the Knights, it's said that Lord Rudian's companions gained one companion."
"A companion?"
"Yes, since we observed from far away, it's not certain but..."
Rudian's expression became seriously stiff after hearing Eugene's next words.
"A male with burning red long hair and... A somewhat lax atmosphere."
At that moment, the image of a certain 'Demon King' naturally formed in Rudian's mind.