Chapter 160
Chapter 160
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Night Guests Arrive Without Warning (4)
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"Indeed. I wonder if Lady Lea, who has such discerning tastes, would take a liking to me."
I shrugged and turned the arrow toward Lea, causing steam to billow from Mikel's nostrils.
"Don't say such things. If I didn't hold Young Lord Abel in high regard, I wouldn't even bring it up."
"……."
"For now, once the two of you meet, I'll do everything in my power to help. So put those worries aside!"
Oh dear.
If this went wrong, I might end up having tea alone with Lea. And with Mikel secretly watching from behind the wall, no less.
"I appreciate the words, but……."
I twirled the spoon in my teacup as I spoke.
"You know how meddling from others often makes things between a man and a woman go even worse?"
I had no intention of getting involved with Lea in that way, but considering Mikel's gaze, I chose vague phrasing.
Sure enough, Mikel fixed hopeful eyes on me without giving up.
"You're right, Young Lord Abel."
"I understand your concern for your daughter, but this doesn't seem like something we should decide on our own."
I did plan to build a friendship with Lea, the owner of the winter sword Aria.
But not like this.
The initiative had to remain with me at all times. Being swayed by others or following orders wasn't in my nature.
"We'll naturally meet once we arrive in Nord Territory. How about watching until then?"
"……."
"Once Lady Lea sets her mind to something, it's hard to change it."
I subtly threw back the comment that her daughter's stubbornness wasn't just like a Minotaur's horns.
"Right. I'm getting old and sentimental."
Mikel looked disappointed but quickly acquiesced.
"Who else would I share this with if not you, Young Lord Abel? I leave it in your hands."
Fatherly affection filled Mikel's eyes as he wrapped up the conversation.
"Our Lea is a child who feels loneliness deeply. I hope you'll be a good friend to her."
"Understood. Don't worry."
Too bad, but I planned to exploit that very 'loneliness' of Lea's. That emotion was the path to getting Aria into her hands.
As I leisurely sank into thought,
"-!"
Goosebumps suddenly erupted across my entire body. Intense killing intent was surging toward us from afar.
'No way?'
In a panic, I hurriedly expanded my absolute domain.
"Young Lord Abel?"
Mikel was startled by my sudden change in expression and asked, but I had no time to respond.
'10…… 20…… 50. No, more than that.'
An enormous number of lifeforms were gathering here.
Not human—clearly blazing auras. Hostile and insidious above all.
'We're screwed.'
It seemed they were starting the night hunt first.
"Lord Mikel."
"What is it?"
"The enemy is coming."
"What do you mean all of a sudden……."
I stood up entirely, preparing to head out.
"We need to prepare right now."
There was no time to resolve Mikel's doubts. They were charging here with clear intent.
"If you trust the senses that noticed the ambush before, please follow me."
"No, this is so sudden……."
Mikel looked like he couldn't believe my words at all.
Of course, after leisurely sharing a tent, suddenly saying this would be bewildering.
"I'll take my leave then. Please forgive my rudeness."
Giving up on persuading him, I turned around. More important matters loomed right now than getting scolded.
"Wait, Young Lord Abel."
Mikel grabbed my wrist firmly.
"What do you need from me?"
His tone indicated he would trust me for now. His pale blue-gray eyes gleamed with cool intellect.
A short while later.
Clang clang clang!
"Everyone, wake up!"
Clang clang clang!
"Battle stations!"
Several Ovest Knights ran between the tents, banging pots and ladles.
"As expected of the young master……."
"He never forgets a grudge……."
The remaining knights watching them had pale green faces.
The knights making all that racket between the tents were ones who had fallen out of my favor before.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
"My sins are grave……."
"I'll never go against the young master's mood again……."
They tearfully took on the role I assigned them, like eating bitter mustard.
Waking people up and getting cursed at, that is.
"What the hell is that noise?"
"Which crazy bastard is this?"
Lights flickered on in the quiet tents here and there, and people burst out from sleep, irritated.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Stop that right now!"
They glared murderously at the awkwardly standing knights holding pots and ladles.
"We're sorry. Truly sorry."
The knights apologized with their mouths while their hands moved even faster.
Clang clang! Clang clang! Clang clang!
Arms that had smashed monsters showed no mercy pounding pots either.
"If you're sorry, then stop!"
"What group are you…… Huh?"
People soon recognized they belonged to the Ovest Knight Order.
"Young Lord Abel. What is this?"
"Have you gone mad in the middle of the night?"
The arrows of anger turned toward me, but I didn't flinch.
"Everyone, prepare for battle. The enemy is coming."
Not only those just emerging from tents but even the sentries looked baffled.
"What are you talking about?"
"If so, the scouts would have reported it already!"
Eyes turned toward the top of the walls.
The scout patrolling the walls shrugged.
*Nothing there.*
*Can't see anything.*
Conveying that meaning.
"If you don't move now, it'll be too late."
"Young Lord Abel, did you have a nightmare?"
"No matter how elite the Ovest Knights are, this is too much!"
People vented frustration at my words but showed no sign of moving.
'Ah, these idiots.'
If there weren't so many monsters, the Ovest Knights alone could have handled it.
I had no intention of sacrificing the Ovest Knights to block those monsters.
Unless I used these fools as shields.
"Enough. This is with my permission."
Unable to stand it, Mikel stepped in to back me up.
"Prepare for battle quickly."
Only then did people slightly temper their fierce momentum, but they didn't stop protesting.
"Even you, Lord Mikel, are taking Young Lord Abel's side?"
"Why are you doing this? We don't understand!"
From their view, all was quiet, and the scouts saw nothing.
But my absolute domain clearly and vividly announced the monsters' presence.
Now much closer than before.
"If you don't believe me, I'll show you."
With a flat tone, I strode up to the walls.
This supply base, as a mid-base, had scaled-down walls compared to normal territories.
The waiting scout on top flinched back in surprise.
"Lend me that for a bit."
I snatched the bow he held.
"Eh……."
The scout, robbed of his bow without a chance to resist, looked stunned.
"What do you plan to do?"
"You need to say something sensible……."
"If this turns out to be nonsense, I won't let it slide."
The other knight captains grumbled but followed me up the walls.
"Do you know how to use a bow?"
Mikel was already by my side.
"I can only 'shoot' it, literally."
I curtly replied, then coated the arrow tip with sticky oil, lit it, and nocked it.
Creak—
The sharp sound of the taut bowstring cut through the quiet air.
The monsters were stealthily approaching, muffling their sounds. Even the objects looking like weapons reflected no light.
'Must've smeared mud on them or something.'
A hollow laugh escaped at their increasingly cunning and meticulous behavior.
No need to aim.
Just shoot toward the distant monsters.
My goal wasn't accurate shooting but sending it as far as possible.
As eyes focused on the blazing arrow tip,
Whoosh!
The arrow left the string.
It traced a red trajectory across the dark night sky, flying an immense distance swiftly.
"What kind of strength……."
"An arrow flying that far?"
People widened their eyes, tracking the fire arrow. Just before it hit the ground,
"My God!"
"Those things!"
Shouts of alarm burst from their mouths. The flames illuminated the monsters around the field of view.
"……Lord have mercy."
Mikel's face hardened gravely. Having half-doubted my words, seeing it himself seemed a great shock.
Kirrrk!
Kroooar!
The monsters, their ambush discovered, began charging rapidly.
"Fire a few more fire arrows left and right!"
The wall-top scouts hastily followed my order.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Successive fire arrows lit up the distance.
Black masses wriggling and swarming into view. Even in the darkness, thick, sharp killing intent was palpable.
Kirrrk!
Kroooar!
Yap yap!
No need to hide now, they charged noisily. The heavy footsteps and roars shook the ground—or so it felt.
"Monsters ambushing at night? What level of intelligence is that?"
"Over 50 by rough count?"
People groaned, staring at the monsters.
"Archers, prepare!"
Mikel's booming voice echoed across the walls.
Clack, clack.
Archers who had climbed the walls began taking positions.
"Light up the view!"
Once the fire arrow archers finished loading,
"Where about?"
Mikel openly asked me.
"At this speed, they'll reach the hills below in about five minutes."
Without asking twice, he ordered the archers.
"I'll count to ten. Ready!"
Then, turning back to the people, he said,
"No time to gawk. Get out the gates and prepare for battle!"
People rushed down the walls. Their eyes glanced at me standing beside Mikel.
"There really were monsters……."
"How did Young Lord Abel know?"
In an instant, the walls fell silent.
Only the archers catching their breath and preparing shots, plus Mikel and me.
"Young Lord Abel often shows insights hard to comprehend."
Mikel crossed his arms, gazing into the distance.
"As if seeing what others can't."
His quiet voice pierced my ears.
"For now, thank you. For warning of the danger. And someday…… I'd like you to explain in detail."
Mikel's pale blue-gray eyes fixed on me.
"As much as I trust you."
The seasoned swordsman and experienced lord seemed to have faintly seen through me already.
"I'll keep that in mind."
I grinned at Mikel before turning from the walls myself. I felt his complicated gaze on my back.
"Young master."
Exiting the gates, Conrad and the waiting Ovest Knights approached.
"The number of monsters is considerable. Tonight will be the crux."
They were already prepared per my orders. Unlike the other knights scrambling for armor and swords now.
"The other knight orders aren't ready yet."
"We'll likely have to take the vanguard."
"We'll hold with all we've got."
Resolve filled the Ovest Knights' faces.
Defending walls from waves of monsters was all too familiar to them.
A situation forced upon them, requiring sacrifice of precious lives.
'I won't let that happen again.'
Hiding my twisted feelings, I opened my mouth.
"I'll keep it short."
I looked each of them in the eye and said,
"Don't get hurt. No matter what."
"Yes!"
"If it looks like you'll get hurt, just run back inside."
"……Yes?"
The knights, responding energetically, looked puzzled.