Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Finally Arrived!
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"It's finally in sight."
As Ariana had said, the forest began to come into view. After cresting a gentle hill, a vast woodland thick with trees revealed itself.
This was Rakton Forest, home to magical beasts. From our elevated vantage point, the villages along its edge were visible too. There hadn't been any damage from the beasts yet, but access had been forbidden to prevent anyone from entering. Still, if left unchecked, it was only a matter of time before the beasts burst out and threatened the villagers.
"The magical beasts are inside the forest, so we can't see them yet, but from here on out, we're in battle territory. No one drops their guard starting right now! Understood?!"
"Yes!"
The knights responded in unison to Ariana's command, their voices booming. Magical beasts lurking in that dark forest...
We hadn't entered the forest yet. Instead, we set up camp just outside it. While the regular soldiers built tents even for the knights, I headed to Ray's position to help her with her tent.
Ray and the support staff wouldn't be going into the forest. Their job was to monitor the situation from outside, supply food, and tend to the wounded. Only the elite knights would enter Rakton Forest.
After helping Ray, I was on my way back to the command tent when I spotted Rise.
"Vice Commander."
"Ah, Daron."
This was different from the excited look she used to give me every time she saw me. Sex with me was important, sure, but right now, she needed to focus on the upcoming battle rather than acting like that. It was very knightly of her.
"What is it?"
"You look pretty serious today. Lately, you've been giving me that bitch-in-heat face every time you see me."
"Ahem, ahem. Daron. I'm a knight too."
"Even though you turn into a useless mess once I shove my dick in you?"
"D-Daron. Can't you let it slide right now?"
She looked like she'd melt and love it if I fucked her again. Rise knew it too, judging by her crumbling expression. Given the situation, it seemed she'd dusted off her knightly demeanor after a while, buried under me.
I didn't exactly want Rise to be horny all the time. From now on, I needed to focus on fighting the magical beasts. I didn't want to screw around with my dick and end up truly screwed.
"That's not why I approached you, Vice Commander."
"Then why?"
"I need your help."
Help?
No.
"You'll listen, right? Actually, since you obey me, you have to."
"You're saying it even though you know... I'm yours anyway. Just... tell me."
Rise spoke shyly, uncharacteristically, flashing me a soft smile.
Despite her words, if I said let's fuck right now, she'd spread her legs in an instant. My word was law to her now. Come to think of it, I hadn't told Rise about my regression. No need to mention it now with time being short.
"Rise, there's a command meeting at the headquarters tent later, right?"
"Yeah. That's where I was headed."
"Let me join."
"Hm? You, Daron?"
"Things could go south otherwise."
The Gold Eagle Knight Order had suffered massive casualties before finally driving out the magical beasts. Some had even escaped the forest, causing deaths among the villagers. First, I needed intel from the command staff. Then, if I saw something actionable, I could subtly pass it to Ariana. If she didn't bite, Rise was there too. She was my fucktoy, but as vice commander, she'd have influence.
Rise and I entered the command tent first. With soldiers and knights around, we didn't chat privately. Some eyed my presence curiously, but no one spoke up since the vice commander had brought me herself.
A crisp salute rang out from the guards at the front. Then a blonde female knight entered, followed by a silver-haired woman.
It was Princess Asabel Sylv, the one who'd tagged along on this expedition.
"We greet Your Highness the Princess."
Rise saluted first, and the other knights followed suit. I gave a half-hearted mimicry.
"Oh? Isn't this the soldier Ariana's been training?"
Asabel's eyes landed on me first. I hadn't expected the princess to attend the meeting. A little more thought, and I could've predicted it, but I'd been shortsighted.
"Daron. Why are you here?"
Knight Commander Ariana didn't know what to make of my presence. She valued me, but even so, a mere soldier didn't belong in a meeting like this.
"I brought him."
"The vice commander did?"
Rise glanced at me. She wasn't dumping the explanation on me—I'd insisted on handling it myself. It'd come better from me anyway.
"I asked her, Vice Commander."
I pulled out my prepared excuse.
"Because no one knows magical beasts better than I do."
No one believed it. A cocky soldier spouting confidence just looked ridiculous. Even Ariana, who'd trust me on most things, looked flustered.
Silence fell. Rise darted her eyes between Ariana and me, gauging the mood—it was kinda cute.
"Daron. Is that your name?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Princess Asabel broke the heavy atmosphere. As the highest rank here, she'd stepped in. I hurriedly dropped to one knee and bowed my head. As a soldier, I had to be as deferential as possible when speaking to the princess.
"Stand at ease."
"Thank you."
I showed eager loyalty, and a pleased smile tugged at her lips. This was my first real talk with Asabel. Seemed like a good start.
"Daron. You said you know a lot about magical beasts?"
"Yes."
"So you came here to help?"
"That's right. You have the vice commander's permission, so you're not breaking military law, but it's still overstepping your station."
It even came off as arrogant. If someone disliked me, they could accuse me of insulting superiors. Ariana would protect me, though.
"I know it's highly presumptuous."
"At least you know that much."
"Yes. But if I could muster a bit more courage to minimize casualties among our knights and soldiers... I'd gladly do it."
Not for me.
For everyone.
It sounded fake coming from me, but it was true. This was the knight order represented by Ariana and Rise—the Gold Eagle Knight Order that would shine in the war against the Demon King. They couldn't afford to lose strength here.
"Are you really that knowledgeable about magical beasts?"
"Yes."
"How could a mere soldier know so much?"
Because in my previous loop, I'd fought in the war for years. I'd battled demons and the magical beasts they controlled countless times. I hadn't hunted many myself, but I'd seen plenty—enough to know their weaknesses, habits, and trivia.
And that knowledge only spread in the war's later stages. With scant research on magical beasts now, I was the top expert.
"I used to follow around a magical beast hunter and learned from him."
"A magical beast hunter?"
"You probably haven't heard of them. It's a very rare profession."
I couldn't just say I'd regressed, so I mixed in a lie. No way to verify it, and no time anyway. Once I proved my knowledge, it'd become fact.
"Knight Commander Ariana."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"This is the one you've been raising? Can he be trusted?"
"He's never lied to me."
Ariana's evaluation of me was as high as ever. The question was asked, the answer positive. So Princess Asabel would give me a chance.
"Fine. I'll assume you're knowledgeable about magical beasts."
"Thank you."
"If you're truly helpful on this expedition, there will be a reward. But... if this is some shallow ploy to mock me for your own advancement..."
It could look like currying favor with the higher-ups. So Asabel warned me with a chilling gaze.
"You'll pay the price."
"...Understood."
Was I doing this for myself?
No, for you all.
"Well then, shall we begin the meeting?"
No one could object once the princess approved my presence. She and the high-ranking knights took their seats one by one. With no chair for me, I stood and participated.
"Let's begin."
Ariana unrolled a prepared parchment on the table—a map of the entire Rakton Forest we were targeting. As she began her briefing, I listened quietly while scanning the terrain.