Chapter 11
Chapter 11
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Coincidences
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In a place like this, the real problem comes after you've launched yourself up.
You have to choose your landing spot carefully.
That's why I scouted a spot beforehand while hanging from the cliff face.
I shot up into the air, landed in the spot I'd picked out, and immediately started running.
*Rumble…!*
The shock of my landing made the cliff path tremble, and then it began to collapse.
It meant the path had been precarious from the start.
"It's collapsing!"
"Run, run!"
Only then, after hearing my earlier shout and finally grasping the situation, did the others follow me.
Without even needing to look back.
I could feel the path crumbling right behind me as I ran.
It wasn't a full-blown landslide, but it wasn't small either.
If you got swept away, you literally wouldn't even leave your bones behind.
I could feel the presence of others close behind me.
They seemed frustrated for some reason.
"Can't you run any faster!"
"Nope. This is my top speed."
"Hmph..."
Seeing the knights overcome with impatience was somehow amusing.
I burst out laughing even as I panted for breath, and the knights and Arjan scrambled to keep up behind me.
We sprinted frantically until we were completely off the cliff path.
* * *
The Arts of the Greatest of All Time has different strengths and weaknesses for each element.
For example, the Forest Verdure Arts that my Eldest Martial Brother learned is the simplest of the martial arts, characterized by its straightforwardness.
Like a giant tree stretching straight up, it means it's most effective when you trim away the small branches and focus on a single path.
That's why, in the grand scheme of things, my Eldest Martial Brother has mastered only one martial art.
Besides that, the Dark Iron Demon-Subduing Arts my second eldest sister learned and the Myriad Transformations Diamond Arts my fourth eldest brother learned each have their own unique characteristics.
So, what is the greatest strength of the Flame Arts of the Greatest that I've learned?
It's recovery.
You might ask what flames have to do with recovery, but from ancient times, fire has also been a symbol of life and rebirth, or so they say.
In any case, just by learning this divine art, one's physical recovery ability increases dramatically, and this recovery isn't just about regenerating from injuries.
Its greatest effect is seen in physical training; because it maximizes metabolism, the regeneration of overworked muscles is incredibly fast.
In short, it means you can drastically shorten the time it takes to build up your body.
It's also the reason why I'm trekking through the mountains without using my internal energy.
Of course, it's not without its downsides.
First, the physical pain is beyond imagination.
It's better when I'm moving; when I rest, the side effect of the ultra-fast recovery makes it feel like my entire body is being torn apart.
And the second is the amount of food I need.
"More food."
I scratched my head and held out my plate to Osel.
"...I believe you've eaten quite enough."
"I'm a growing boy. I need to eat a lot."
"We must conserve our rations as much as possible."
"Why? If worse comes to worst, we can just hunt some wild animals."
Osel sighed at my words.
"...Young Master, we are knights, not hunters. Besides, do you have any idea how difficult it is to hunt animals? In some ways, it's far trickier than killing monsters."
"..."
The guy's tone was annoying, but he wasn't wrong.
Hunting animals in the mountains is no easy task.
Moreover, this was a mountain range teeming with monsters.
The animals living here would be much quicker and more perceptive than ordinary ones.
'If it comes to it, do I have to resort to picking berries?'
That's a bit much.
I desperately need meat to replenish my energy.
Judging by Osel's attitude, he didn't seem willing to give up any more food.
Disappointed, I took out some jerky from my pocket and started chewing on it.
"Anyway, they said monsters appear even at the entrance, but it's been quieter than I expected."
Arjan, who was standing next to me, nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. We might even be able to pass through without encountering a single one."
"Ah."
When you say something like that—.
*Groooaaar!*
Suddenly, a monster burst through the bushes ahead, revealing itself.
* * *
During my life as a mercenary, the most common obstacles I faced weren't people, but monsters.
Of course, I'd fought a variety of monsters during my years as a mercenary.
The ones that appeared before me now were no exception.
Dumb-looking faces, primitive attire.
The epitome of regeneration.
A monster considered a relatively high-tier species among the Green Skins.
Trolls.
There were five of them in total, and upon encountering these monstrous beasts, I finally understood why the Jewel Mountains were a forbidden zone.
'They're huge.'
While applying the word "average" to monsters isn't quite right, trolls generally don't exceed three meters in height.
But these ones seemed at least one and a half times larger than any trolls I'd known.
One and a half times might not sound like much, but using three meters as a baseline, it meant these things were nearly four to five meters tall. At that size, they were practically walking houses.
"Prepare for battle!"
The moment Osel shouted, the knights instantly formed a line.
*Groooaaar!*
Sensing our fighting spirit, the trolls began a mindless charge.
'I'd like to fight one of them myself.'
I was pretty physically exhausted, but I could probably handle one of them without a problem.
My body was itching to use the White Sun Eclipse in a real fight, but I doubted the knights, let alone Arjan, would allow it.
So, for now, I decided to watch this fight with great interest.
This was a chance to properly observe the skills of the renowned Fang Knights.
*Fzzt!*
Blue sword energy erupted from the knights' blades.
It was the Mana Blade, something that pretty much anyone called a knight could use.
However, the deep color of the flickering blue flames spoke of their skill level.
Generally, the denser the mana, the more transparent it appears.
"Avoid unnecessary attacks! You must end it with the first strike!"
I was a little surprised by Osel's command.
Killing a troll in a single blow is quite tricky.
Naturally, as a high-tier monster, their hide is thick and their bones are hard. And their regeneration goes without saying.
But "tricky" also means it's not impossible.
The brain, the heart—the weak points of any normal creature.
No matter how tough a troll is, if those two areas are damaged, it's game over.
In short, Osel's command was difficult, but precise.
'But...'
Despite this precise command, I noticed a flaw in the knights' formation.
Was it because the battle was so fierce that they didn't realize it?
Just then, a troll forced its way into that weak spot, finally breaking their line.
"Damn it!"
"Be careful!"
Amidst the knights' flustered cries, I saw the troll let out a roar and charge forward.
At the same time, something fast shot past me from the side.
*Fwoosh!*
A brilliant flash of light followed, and the troll's movements ceased.
At first glance, the troll's appearance seemed unchanged, but I saw a small hole near its Adam's apple.
"Gurgle..."
Bloody phlegm bubbled in its throat.
Looking to my side, I saw that Arjan was now holding a thin dagger.
"Butler, impressive."
"You're too kind."
I wasn't being sarcastic, I was genuinely impressed, but seeing Arjan put away her dagger right after prompted me to nag.
"But it looks like your experience is skewed towards fighting people."
"Pardon?"
"A troll won't die from just that."
*Graaaagh!*
As the troll shot back up and charged again, I twisted the ring on my middle finger.
The Ring Sword, an artifact I'd brought from the mansion.
A faint halo of light emanated from the ring, transforming it into a sleekly designed sword.
I took a large step forward and plunged the blade into the troll's throat—right into the wound Arjan had made earlier.
*Gack!* Choking, the troll spewed blood. Its eyes, fixed on me, turned blood-red, and soon it was crying tears of blood.
*Thud—.*
Having been attacked in the same vital spot twice, even a creature as tenacious as this couldn't possibly endure.
But trolls were monsters you could never let your guard down around.
Taking into account that this monster was a mutant, I finished the job by repeatedly stabbing the vital spot with my blade.
By the time I wiped the splattered blood from my face, the knights' battle was also winding down.
"Young Master?"
Belatedly, Osel ran toward me.
I didn't answer, just looked at his face for a moment.
There was nothing out of place in his urgent expression and seemingly worried demeanor.
"—Ah."
In that moment, I recalled the incident on the cliff path.
The path that had suddenly collapsed.
Even if I was tired, I wasn't so out of it that I would have missed the weakened ground.
It wouldn't have been strange for Arjan, who was walking ahead, to have missed me, but what about the knights behind me?
They must have seen me stumble, and they weren't that far away.
If they had wanted to, couldn't they have easily caught me before I fell?
Of course, it was too ambiguous to be certain, so I'd put the thought aside. I could have been overthinking it.
But now, a similar coincidence had occurred again.
The opening in their formation just now.
A clumsy gap that didn't match the swift movements the knights had displayed.
As I've said, I have a troublesome habit.
I always assume the worst-case scenario.
At that moment, along with my budding suspicion, I recalled someone's face.
Psychological warfare, all sorts of schemes, ploys, and machinations... My fourth eldest brother, who was an expert in mud-slinging fights.
There was something that fourth brother of mine always used to say.
'Greet your friends with a smile, and your enemies with an even bigger one.'
"Are you all right?"
Just then, Osel approached and asked in a flustered voice.
Following my brother's advice, I smiled.
"I'm fine."