Chapter 172
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 172
“Block the barbs!”
“Aim for the wings! Don’t let it get near the soldiers!”
Kieeeee—!
The knights struggled against the enraged Black Moth Queen. They dodged the sharp barbs and poisonous mist she spat, desperate to land a direct hit, but…
Flap-flap-flap—.
“Ugh.”
Thanks to the swarm of Black Moths shielding their queen, even getting close was a challenge.
Whirrrrr—.
Like a school of sardines darting through the sea, the swarm constantly circled and protected her. No—the movement of that gruesome insect swarm was more like a plague of locusts.
Moreover, the swarm wasn't just playing defense. In addition to relentlessly diving at the knights, they obscured their vision, making it nearly impossible to react to the queen’s own attacks.
Fwip—.
A sharp barb shot out from the living cloud of moths.
Clang—.
The unexpected strike tore a knight’s helmet from his head, sending it spinning into the distance.
“Tch.”
Even in this frantic, chaotic battle, the knights of House Devalis fought on. If they were mere greenhorns who had only trained with wooden swords, they would have been dead long ago. But even for veterans, there was little they could do here. They had no clear way to break through the ceaseless swarm and subdue the queen, who simply rained death from behind her living shield.
“Tch, let’s regroup for now!”
“Right!”
At Crossen’s shout, the four knights who had been trying to draw the queen’s attention from different directions pulled back. They caught their breath, exchanging brief words.
“Hoo. What about the Family Head?”
“...She hasn't arrived yet.”
“Dammit, could something have happened to her?”
“Enough. She isn't someone we need to worry about. Focus on the enemy in front of us.”
Clang—.
Even as they spoke, the queen’s barbs and the Black Moths continued their assault. Still, with the four knights gathered in one place, they had a little more breathing room to withstand the offensive.
“We can manage, but…”
The knights turned their gazes toward the soldiers further back.
“Hold the line! If they break through, we’re dead!”
“Cover the flank!”
The soldiers were surrounded, struggling to block the swarm. They had formed a defensive square and were holding their ground for now, but there was no telling how much longer they could last. No matter how seasoned these veterans were, they were still ordinary men who couldn't wield sword ki. In terms of stamina and raw power, they were no match for the knights.
“Haap!”
“Hah!”
‘They’re only holding on thanks to Ciel and Lady Freya…’
Crossen watched Ciel and Freya as they moved around the defensive formation, cutting down Black Moths. If not for them, the line would have collapsed long ago.
‘But where is Lord Roen?’
He was sure he’d seen him among the soldiers. Just as Crossen looked around…
“I’m right here.”
Roen walked toward the knights, looking perfectly composed.
“You’re safe.”
“I’m fine, of course. But the soldiers aren’t. I assume you have a grasp of the situation?”
“…”
As the knights nodded silently, Roen continued.
“A lot of time has passed since Aslan should have arrived. We have no chance of winning if we just stay on the defensive. It’s time to go on the attack.”
One of the knights, Hakon, asked, “Do you have some brilliant plan, then?”
“Yes, I have a way to take down the Black Moth Queen in a single blow. I believe I mentioned it earlier, though you all chose not to listen.”
“…”
The knights avoided his gaze. Roen shrugged.
“Of course, I know you don’t want to follow my lead. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t either. But this is no time to be picky.”
Roen pointed to the soldiers’ defensive square.
“Even with Freya and Ciel, there’s a limit. Soon, there will be casualties. Once the formation breaks, we’ll be wiped out in an instant. If we wait for Aslan—who may or may not come—we’ll all die. Before that tragedy occurs, how about you try following my lead for once? The outcome is obvious if we stay the course. I look forward to your wise decision.”
Crossen didn't hesitate. “What is this method of yours?”
As Lord Roen said, they were in no position to be picky. If there was a solution, they had to take it.
Roen smiled. “You four will clear a path for me to the Black Moth Queen.”
“...Are you saying you’ll deal with it yourself?”
Roen grinned and clenched his fist.
“That’s right. I plan to feed it some powerful flame magic.”
Moths, after all, were weak to fire.
*
Kieee—!
The swarm of Black Moths surrounded the queen like a thundercloud. Pushing through them felt like being submerged in an ocean of insects. It was impossible to move properly amidst the relentless onslaught.
Zwoong—.
I expanded the range of Aegis as much as possible to give the knights room to move.
“Hoh, is this that artifact you used during our sparring match?”
“Yes, the Aegis Shield. It’s not indestructible, but it’s versatile.”
The knights, huddled within the protection of Aegis, began to carve a path.
Slice—.
Shwaaak—.
The four knights cut through the dark swarm, scattering blue sword ki. I helped by using alchemy to create temporary walls and passages. As we moved, I quietly addressed the men.
“Your names are Hakon, Ranmir, and Nusen.”
“Yes, well,” the knights answered curtly, their focus on their blades.
“Do you hold a grudge against me too? Something from the past, or some nasty rumor you heard? Don't hold back; speak your mind.”
“…”
They kept their mouths shut. I didn't expect an easy answer, but the silence was awkward. After a moment, Crossen spoke up.
“We have been apprentice knights of House Devalis since you were a child, Lord Roen. However, we were stationed at a training ground far from the servants’ quarters. We never had any direct involvement with you.”
“Is that so?”
Fortunately, it seemed I hadn't personally wronged them. If their resentment had been as deep as the villagers in Morepit, this would have been much harder.
“Then this will be quick. If we finish this battle, will you accept me as a member of the expedition?”
“…”
These were the knights who had treated me with utter disdain. To them, Roen was the scoundrel who had tarnished the honor of the Devalis family—honor they and their brothers-in-arms had bled for. They likely saw me as a burden. Even if I could fight, I was a greenhorn with no experience. Furthermore, they blamed me for endangering the soldiers by setting the forest on fire.
However…
“There’s nothing to accept or reject. We are not so petty.”
“As long as our soldiers are safe, we don’t care.”
“...If you wish to be a member of the expedition, you need only prove yourself.”
The knights answered with surprising readiness. Their attitude was simple: if we win, nothing else matters. In House Devalis, action was the only currency that mattered. If I could burn down the habitat and slay the queen, it would go a long way toward eroding their distrust.
Finally, Crossen spoke. “I have never thought of you as anything other than a member of the expedition, Lord Roen. But this will be your opportunity to gain everyone’s acknowledgment.”
I nodded slowly. “That’s good enough.”
Fwoosh—.
After cutting through the dense swarm, we finally stood before the Black Moth Queen.
Kieee—!
The creature’s roar shook the very air, the pressure threatening to push me back. I ignored it and charged.
Fshushu—.
Sharp barbs and a misty, purple poison rained down. Trusting in the Aegis Shield and my suit, I pushed forward.
Clang-clang-clang—.
Thanks to the Silver Dragon Gauntlet, I was immune to all poisons. The toxic mist was irrelevant. As I advanced, taking the barbs with my entire body, the queen swung her forelegs—massive, sharp hooks that looked like the Grim Reaper’s scythes.
Swoosh—.
It was a speed I shouldn't have been able to dodge with my stats, but I had her patterns memorized. I slipped past the strike without difficulty.
Tat—.
‘When I get close, she’ll try to retreat.’
Kieee—!
Anticipating the move, I lunged forward, closing the gap before she could flap her wings.
Thud—.
At last, my gloved hand touched the queen’s hide. She froze for a moment. Being a massive monster, the stun effect was halved, but I wasn't looking for a stun.
‘Absorb Mana!’
Swaaaa—.
The queen’s powerful demonic energy surged into me through the gauntlet.
‘Disgusting.’
It felt like thousands of tiny caterpillars crawling over my skin. I couldn't distinguish the properties of demonic energy yet, but it didn't matter. Because of Derod’s ring, the energy didn't enter my body; it swirled around me in a dark cloud.
I channeled that energy into a single spell.
“Fire Bolt!”
Swaaaa—.
The demonic energy condensed instantly. An intense flame swirled like a vortex before my palm.
KWAAAAA—!
A pillar of scorching white flame erupted, piercing straight through the Black Moth Queen’s torso.
Kkieeeeee—!
The fire shot high into the sky, tearing the creature apart from the inside out. The queen plummeted to the earth.
Kooong—.
Her corpse twitched, spilling green fluids and entrails from the gaping hole in her chest.
Whirrrr—.
Sensing the death of their queen, the Black Moth swarm ceased all attacks instantly. The ones guarding the corpse and the ones harrying the soldiers all stopped. They hovered in place, wings beating blankly. After a moment of eerie stillness, they turned in unison and flew toward the horizon.
They were gone, off to find a new queen to serve. The sight of them retreating was like a black cloud lifting from the land.
“W-we’re saved!”
“We won! We won!”
The soldiers dropped their weapons, embracing each other in relief.
“Hoo, we finally beat it.”
“Good work, everyone.”
Crossen and the other knights finally allowed themselves to smile.
“Are you alright?”
Ciel and Freya rushed over the moment the battle ended. I picked up the Dark Mana Stone dropped by the queen and looked at them.
“I’m fine. But you two… you’re a mess.”
“Ah.”
Both were drenched in green moth fluids. They looked like they had crawled out of a swamp. It wasn't just them; the soldiers and knights were in a similar state, looking like drowned, slime-covered puppies.
I chuckled and gave the order. “Let’s return to base camp.”
Aslan’s water spirit could wash them off. The soldiers needed rest, and I needed to find out why Aslan hadn't come to our aid.
“Everyone, prepare to return!”
“Yes, sir!”
The knights checked the wounded and gathered the men. There were injuries, but miraculously, no one had died in the chaos.
“Move out! I’m starving. Let’s go back and eat!”
“Yes!”
Just as the atmosphere turned celebratory…
KWAANG—!
A massive vibration shook the earth.
“Whoa!”
As if a meteor had struck, something plummeted from the sky and crashed into the ground nearby.
“What was that? What’s happening?”
As the dust cloud cleared, a gargantuan figure emerged.
“...!”
It was a red-skinned brute with a body that rivaled a troll's. His muscles were grotesquely developed, twisted like rebar and bulging as if they might burst. His fists were the size of stone pillars, radiating a ferocious power that felt like it could shatter bone with a mere glance.
Gulp—.
Primal instinct screamed a warning. This thing was death.
Crack—. Cruunch—.
The giant stepped out of the crater, cracking his neck as he looked down at the expedition.
“Well, well. To think you’d crawl outside the barrier on your own. How very kind of you.”
“…”
Silence fell. No one dared to breathe. The giant’s overwhelming presence alone was enough to crush their spirits. I looked up at him, biting my lip.
‘...I’ve run into the one person I wanted to avoid most.’
He was one of the Twelve Honored Ones.
Amur, the War Fiend.
A spirit race being from ancient times, governing the attribute of Combat. He was a madman who lived only for the thrill of the fight.
Swish—.
Ignoring everyone else, his gleaming red eyes locked onto mine. He raised a hand, pointing a blunt finger at me.
“You must be Roen. I shall test you myself to see if you are truly worthy.”