Rift, Battle (2)
Adel did not rush.
He dealt with the demonic beasts methodically, starting from the nearest ones. He needed to secure one place firmly. That way, others could escape more easily. That was why he wanted to turn areas where demonic beasts paid little attention into safe zones. He worried that people might suspect his identity, but no one knew the truth. Since it was a secret, of course.
The rift's color was red, the stronghold of 3rd-grade demonic beasts. To him, it was simply a daily occurrence. But to others, it was pure disaster. He had to move according to their levels. He advanced by killing the demonic beasts one by one. He had to gather the scattered companions and build a secondary defense line. Otherwise, it would lead to a pointless brawl.
“Uwaaaaa!!”
He turned his head at the familiar voice. The woman the knights had tried so hard to protect. Sien Lichtenauer. She was rushing toward the demonic beast.
Thud!–
Unlike the demonic beast that staggered for a moment, Sien rolled on the ground. She already had injuries, blood pooling on her body. Krrk!–
Due to the shock, Sien could not steady herself. Unlike her, the demonic beast immediately rushed toward her.
Adel immediately stomped the ground.
Crack!–
“…It was a close call.”
After accurately destroying the area near the heart, he spoke to Sien, who was sitting behind him. “Why did you do that?”
“…What?”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
He had fought demonic beasts for an incredibly long time. From the moment he was taken in by the Emperor until now. And he had seen many things. People who should fight but did not. People who should fight but only ran away. There were many cowards in the world. People who abandoned their own and fled.
“You don’t have to fight, do you?”
But Sien was different. She was not someone who had to fight. She was someone who had to lead others. It might be necessary to fight in front, but sometimes you also needed to know how to plan for the future. “That’s why. You have to, right?”
It was an incomprehensible statement. Why do you have to? What did that mean? Adel could not accept it at all. Not someone who only knew how to kill like him. Not someone who had to be killed, but someone who had to lead. Why must you step forward? He could not understand.
“…”
He was curious, but he wanted to know the reason. Resolving that intent was for later.
Thud–.
Adel tossed aside the demonic beast whose breath had long since stopped. Battles continued all around. No matter how strong the knights were. No matter how well they could deal with demonic beasts. That was only when the gap was appropriate. A rift appeared nearby and demonic beasts poured out. The number of allies was ridiculously small and reinforcements did not come. But Adel had a completely indifferent expression. For him, all of that was an extremely natural daily routine.
“I’ll borrow this for a moment.”
After supporting Sien and helping her up, he picked up the sword that had fallen on the ground. “You, what are you trying to do?”
“It’s the same. I’m doing what I have to do.”
Even if I leave, where would we go? No matter how hard we try to live like humans. In the end, wolves are wolves. Adel smiled, recalling the words left by a comrade who was retiring due to injury.
“Ugh, cough, cough!”
“Captain. Are you okay?”
“Gulp! …I’m fine… Hic. Don’t look like you’re seeing someone about to die.”
It was a lie, this was an exaggeration. He was spitting blood from his mouth, how could he be fine. However, the knights could not stop Brender from doing so. As the escort commander, he had lost the one he was supposed to protect. No matter how fierce the demonic beasts’ attacks were, it did not change that he had not fulfilled his duty.
“…The last place I saw Sien-nim was.”
“Not far. It’s nearby.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
Leading the remaining few knights, he jumped into the group of demonic beasts again. With the resolve to definitely find his master. But he did not get far. He was trapped in the demonic beasts’ encirclement again.
“Captain. This is where we will block, so you…”
“Wait.”
The demonic beasts were agitated. They should be focusing on attacking this side immediately. But they kept turning their heads back restlessly. “Push them.”
Brender did not miss that timing. The encirclement was clearly a powerful attack, but if it was sloppy, it was worse than not doing it. And the skilled knights did not miss that sloppiness.
Kieek!
Kieekeeek!!–
Cutting through the demonic beasts, the knights advanced a little at a time. Finally, they could see the one who caused this change in front of them.
“…Captain. That… isn’t that young man?”
“Adel! It looks like Adel! But…”
There was Lus, who had fought against Adel before. He let out a sigh and opened his lips. “It didn’t seem that good….”
Kieekeeek!!–
Kieek!!–
The demonic beasts were making pitiful and sad screams. Not 5th-grade demonic beasts, but a mere 3rd-grade demonic beast. Even the knights of Lichtenauer had to work hard on these guys.
“…”
Adel was slicing through such demonic beasts effortlessly. Kieek!–
Kkuek!!–
Wherever Adel passed, the demonic beasts turned into corpses. The demonic beasts that had rushed in boldly were cut into two pieces. Those that hesitated were beheaded as is. Those who tried to escape were caught and crushed.
Gulp–.
While remembering this scene vividly with his two eyes, Brender unconsciously swallowed his saliva. ‘First time seeing this swordsmanship.’ He had seen many knights and many sword techniques so far. But this swordsmanship of Adel’s was too unfamiliar. ‘There is no blockage with the sword.’ Is this really the same young man who was sparring with Lus earlier? He could not believe it, it felt like seeing a different person. Even he could not kill a 3rd-grade demonic beast that easily. He could win, but in the end, he would kill the guy. But playing around like that is a completely different matter. ‘He’s strong. That young man is definitely a strong one.’
It was not just a conclusion based on physical strength. The attack method that understood the weaknesses of the opponents. The action without any hesitation. And the eyes. I do not know what past he had, but he was definitely a person who had rolled through hells of life and death.
“Captain.”
Adel, who had come right in front of Brender, opened his mouth. His body was covered in the blood of demonic beasts. But the light in his eyes between them was terrifying. “Sien-nim is over there.”
“…Ah, Sien-nim! Is she safe?”
“She’s a bit injured but no problem with her life. She’s with the civilians, so go ahead.”
After telling the direction, Adel turned his body again.
“Ah, Adel!”
Brender reflexively grabbed Adel. The suspicion about him had disappeared at some point. What remained was just curiosity. “You’re not coming with us?”
“That is your business.”
“…What?”
Whoosh, thump–.
While shaking off the blood of demonic beasts stuck to his sword, Adel said in an extremely calm voice. “I’m going to do my job.”
You are the ones who fight to protect. And I am the one who fights to kill.
- Until the hunt ends, run wild. My wolves. -
- Engrave your anger, your hatred. Into your fangs and claws. -
The slaughter had just begun.
“…”
Adel gently closed the cold eyes of the corpse. His comrade who was talking to him just a moment ago was now gone from the world. Brender took the last rites with a gloomy expression for the knights. ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’
Brender chewed his lips, repenting and repenting again. The appearance of the rift was something no one could have predicted. The casualties in battle were unavoidable. Still, it was the fate of the commander that he could not feel at ease.
“Captain.”
“…Tell me.”
“One dead, five seriously injured. The rest are all lightly injured.”
“…”
“It’s a bit hard to say this, but… this is a miracle.”
Even though he lost a comrade, the knight said ‘miracle’. However, no one standing here could object. Even Brender just kept silent with his mouth shut. Hundreds of 3rd-grade demonic beasts had attacked. The formation was broken in just two attacks and a brawl broke out. He thought they would be more injured and more dead. Everyone might end up buried here. He prayed that at least their master would be safe. But, the majority of the group survived. Even the demonic beasts were all slaughtered. In short, this was a miracle.
Tap, tap–.
“Captain. Here they come.”
Upon the knight’s words, everyone turned their heads. Adel, who was covered in blood from afar, was walking over. As he approached, the knights stepped aside to the sides. With eyes mixed with awe, curiosity, and fear. “…There.”
Unlike the appearance that had come out of hell, the voice that flowed from Adel’s mouth was quite cautious. “Does anyone have some water?”
Then Lus quickly offered his water bottle. With words of gratitude, Adel drank the water. And poured the remaining water over his head. Sizzle–.
The blood flowed down and finally returned to human form. The knights who saw Adel’s appearance let out another sigh. Even though he had such a clean appearance. Is it really the same man from earlier?
“The rift has been destroyed.”
The destruction of the rift meant the extermination of the demonic beasts. The dozens of terrifying 3rd-grade demonic beasts had been slaughtered by this young man’s hands.
“Where is Sien-nim?”
Adel asked for Sien, and Brender looked at him. It was a silent question of why he was looking for her. “Because I have to return her.”
Adel’s hand held Sien’s sword. The sword used by the head of Lichtenauer was with a strange person. Originally, it would not be a problem to feel unpleasant about that part. But no one standing here. Even Brender could not say anything. “…This way.”
It was just that he got up from his seat and guided Adel.
“Sien-nim. It’s the captain.”
Brender, who had arrived in front of the carriage, opened his mouth. Then, the sound of someone adjusting their clothes came from inside. He had not been able to bring a maid. That was why Sien had to examine her own body. She had to bring at least one maid in front. Brender thought about his mistake like that. A while later, Sien came out from outside the carriage. Except for her somewhat pale complexion, she looked fine.
“I’ve come to return it.”
Adel offered the sword with a polite demeanor. Even though he himself was still covered in blood here and there, he had wiped all the blood from the sword he borrowed from Sien.
“…Adel. Can I ask you one thing?”
While carefully receiving the sword, Sien opened her mouth. To that, Adel slowly nodded his head. He seemed to have roughly anticipated what question would come.
“You are from a soldier, right?”
“No.”
“Then… are you a knight?”
“I am not a knight.”
“Then. Are you perhaps a mercenary?”
“I am not a mercenary either.”
Not a soldier, not a knight, not even a mercenary. Sien’s expression was one of disbelief. If it’s not anything, then what was that overwhelming bravery shown earlier. How was that supposed to be explained.
“Sien-nim.”
Sien was about to open her mouth again, but Brender stopped her. A group of soldiers was approaching from afar.