Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Advancing One Step at a Time, Calmly. (10)
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I stepped forward leisurely, lost in thought.
*Good thing I took the mountain path on the way out of Ovest Territory.*
That experience was proving immensely helpful now. It was also thanks to the dramatic boost in stamina and strength from Requiem.
It would take a lot more before I'd even start to feel winded.
*A healthy body really is the best.*
The old me who struggled with even a single flight of stairs was now climbing these treacherous mountains without batting an eye.
The sheer reality of it brought a smile to my face.
"......"
Conrad furrowed his brow even more at the sight of my expression.
I turned my head to check behind us.
Right now, the only ones smoothly navigating the mountain path were the Ovest Knight Order, already accustomed to the western mountains, and Mikel's Nord Knight Order.
Everyone else was a mess, collapsing and tumbling in the grueling ascent they were experiencing for the first time.
The situation worsened once we entered the snow mountains.
Whooooo!
As if by some lie, the moment we crossed a certain point, a blizzard suddenly whipped up.
Even the mountain-savvy Ovest knights struggled at this.
"Batten down your collars! Don't let any skin show!"
"Check your swords and arrows constantly! Leave them be, and they'll freeze solid!"
Conrad bellowed his orders, but the howling winds drowned them out.
I could see it clearly, though.
*They're handling it on their own just fine.*
The knights were following the precautions I'd warned them about in advance. The other orders might not be so lucky.
"Hmm......"
My eyes narrowed slightly.
Ahead, beyond the humans I'd sensed so far, I felt a different presence.
"Everyone, halt."
Thanks to Conrad relaying my command, the Ovest Knight Order stopped in their tracks.
"Young Master?"
"Step back bit by bit and surround the Graham Family's knights. Include the other orders beside them."
"In this situation, I'm not sure we have the luxury to help them."
Conrad let a hint of displeasure slip.
"Last time, you even gave them heaps of rations. For free, no less. We're already short on food as it is......"
"Are we really?"
Conrad faltered at my sharp, probing question.
"My apologies. I slipped into old habits from back in Ovest Territory."
"Conrad."
"......Yes, Young Master."
A look of realization dawned on Conrad's face as he glanced at me and shrank his shoulders.
"I don't like repeating myself."
Despite my icy tone, a faint smile played at my lips.
"Don't question my orders again."
My voice dropped even lower, striking him colder than the blizzard.
"If you want the whole order to turn back."
Conrad bowed deeply, then straightened.
"Yes, Young Master. I'll keep it in mind."
I leaned close to his ear and whispered.
"Prepare for battle. It'll start soon."
Conrad startled and looked up. His wide eyes scanned around, but all he saw was snowfields and rocks.
"......"
He didn't argue with my sudden command anymore. He simply directed the knights as I'd instructed.
*Now that's more like it.*
I might have to go easy on him in our next spar.
Tap.
While others huffed and puffed up the treacherous path, I lightly leaped over it.
Disbelieving stares followed me.
"Lord Mikel."
I headed to the side of Mikel, who was leading at the front.
"Young Lord Abel."
Anxiety clouded Mikel's wrinkled cheeks.
"The weather's far from normal. I've never seen a blizzard like this."
"It's strange. It shouldn't be this intense."
Mikel lowered his voice so those behind wouldn't hear.
"And this path doesn't usually get this much snow. The snow mountains proper start only after that outpost......"
The reason was obvious.
*It's because of Aria.*
The winter sword Aria brings fierce blizzards with her.
A drop in northern temperatures and unseasonal weather meant her descent was near.
*I need to arrive before she appears.*
The date of Aria's descent from my prior knowledge had likely shifted. Everything was progressing faster than in the original story.
"We should stop and regroup for a bit."
"Stopping here would just chill us further. Better to hurry to the outpost before we're buried in the blizzard."
The blizzard-obscured view ahead, the numbing cold stiffening their bodies, and the stragglers unaccustomed to mountains.
Mikel looked quite urgent.
*He hasn't noticed those monsters, huh.*
The raging blizzard blocked sight and muffled sound. Even with sharp senses, judgment clouds in these conditions.
Unless you have something special like my Absolute Domain, that is.
But I couldn't just say monsters were approaching—that would sound like grasping at clouds......
"My gut feeling's bad. That terrain up ahead is perfect for an ambush."
"You're quite cautious, Young Lord Abel. But no worries. Monsters have never come down this far before."
Mikel chuckled reassuringly. Words alone wouldn't convince him.
*In that case......*
As I pondered several violent, abrupt options,
"-!"
A chill ran down my spine.
The moment I whipped my head forward, my eyes met glowing yellow ones peeking from between rocks.
Soon after, massive boulders began tumbling down beside them.
"Watch out—above!"
I shouted a warning to Mikel and leaped back.
"What the......"
Mikel's face hardened as he looked up too.
"Ambush! Watch the cliffs above!"
The knights finally heard the late order and looked up. They recoiled in horror at the boulders rolling down at terrifying speed.
"Evade!"
"Find cover!"
Lips pressed tight, I dashed back toward the Ovest Knight Order.
Rumble—
Over twenty boulders visible at a glance. Enough to shatter the formation and cause casualties in seconds.
Tap!
By the time I returned,
"Huff, huff. Taking care of the other orders winded me."
"Pretty intelligent monsters. Using their heads."
The knights were already huddled behind a protruding rock wall, chatting idly. The other knights hiding with them wore stunned expressions, naturally.
Conrad, hiding there too, waved at me.
"Young Master, over here!"
"No thanks."
"......"
I'd rather find an empty spot than squeeze in tight with him.
That's when I spotted it.
"Young Master! Hurry over here!"
"Wait a sec. Aaron's......"
Derek struggling to shove a leg-trapped knight into a crevice.
"......Sigh."
In the original story, Derek survived until Cain ascended the throne.
But his fate hung in the balance now.
"Young Master?"
Conrad eyed me as I subtly stood.
"Keep the knights in line."
With that, I stepped out from the rock wall.
Rumble!
The boulders' scraping grew louder,
"Everyone, heads down!"
"Stay tight! Don't look up!"
"Protect the wounded!"
As the captains shouted urgently.
Whoosh!
I slid down the snowy slope toward Derek.
"Young Master! Where are you going? It's dangerous!"
"Why start acting noble now? Since when were you so soft-hearted?"
Amid the knights' worried cries, one pessimist muttered softly.
"Worrying over nothing...... As if the Young Master could get hurt by that."
"......"
The Ovest knights fell silent at his piercing realism.
By then, I'd reached Derek.
"Stay put here. Hold out till the others rescue you."
"Young Master......"
I clicked my tongue at Derek's tearful scene with the young knight.
"You guys playing around?"
"Ah, Young Lord Abel?"
I yanked Derek's shoulder.
"Wha—!"
I hoisted him like luggage and leaped away. Fortunately, he didn't flail like some princess.
Boom!
A boulder crashed right where we'd stood.
"Eek!"
A nearby hiding knight gasped. Derek startled and tried to turn.
"Aaron!"
"He's fine, don't worry."
Thud, rumble—
The boulder shattered, remnants tumbling down the mountain.
Derek groaned, tracing its path.
"My god. If it'd grazed us......"
"Not over yet."
No sooner had I spoken than more boulders came flying.
Boom, boom, crash!
They smashed into protrusions, echoes thundering like lightning. The whole mountain shook.
Amid the quaking ground that made legs buckle and deafening roars.
"Hmm."
I dodged the boulders lightly, like performing acrobatics—Derek dangling from my side.
"Crazy!"
"Is he insane?"
"Dodging all that?"
The Ovest and other knights peeking from cover gasped in shock.
*Easy.*
To others, house-sized rocks appeared in blinks, but to me, they were just rolling pebbles.
"There!"
Derek, clinging without distraction, pointed. Toward a rock wall that could hide us both.
Tap!
I kicked off and leaped hard, crossing several paces in one bound.
The instant we arrived,
"Watch out!"
Derek screamed shrilly.
Shattered boulder chunks from a ground impact surged toward us. Too big to dodge.
Shing!
I stood firm and drew my sword.
"What are you......"
As Derek twisted in surprise, the sword thrust straight.
Boom!
The clash exploded thunderously.
Crackle—
The boulder shattered into gravel, scattering.
Derek, covered in debris, looked dazed.
"......Rocks shatter like that?"
"You don't know the song?"
I sheathed my sword and ducked under the target boulder.
"Break the big rock into gravel. Or pebbles?"
Humming it with tune, I watched Derek pale.
"Nope. Never heard that one."
"Then don't."
"But how? You just tapped it with your sword!"
"Strike the right spot with the right force."
Derek shook his head at my casual reply.
"Guess the rumors are true......"
"What rumors?"
"Lord Mikel said the empire's strongest might change soon. Debate was whether it meant you. Looks like it does. Genius talent is something else."
Derek sighed deeply as I released him.
*Mikel, that old coot said that?*