Chapter 167
Chapter 167
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: 70. Human Hunting (1)
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The Empire's army marched south toward Brioll.
Brioll didn't sit idle either. Armies from each territory were mobilized.
The knights gathered at the assembly point, swept up in a subtle excitement.
Brioll's king, Fiore Brioll, had declared he would lead the army personally.
His name carried such weight that the Empire no longer inspired fear.
The thought of witnessing Fiore's divine might even had the knights anticipating the war.
But Yuri was heading in a different direction.
"They say a Black Knight is coming from the Empire. The 2nd Knight Order through the 10th have been mobilized. No movement from the Shadowless Black Star, but that's to be expected from someone like that..."
Yuri nodded at Jared's words.
"More than I thought."
"Tell me about it."
He was heading toward the Empire's army with Rolang and Jared to carry out scouting duties.
Once out of Brioll, they avoided people's eyes and moved through the forests toward the Empire's route.
"Still got enough rations?"
"Yes."
Several small kingdoms dotted the area between the Empire and Brioll.
Liberda lay off to one side, but the Empire's current path veered to the opposite direction.
Yuri's group minimized stops in cities or villages, making do with jerky and biscuits for meals as they pressed on.
Yuri wasn't taking it easy like before.
"Stay alert at all times."
His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings before he spoke again.
"They've probably sent out scouts too, just like we did."
Rolange and Jared looked grim as well.
This wasn't like the battles they'd fought so far. Their opponent this time was the Empire. In a way, the odds of defeat were clearly higher.
It was impossible not to be tense in a situation like this.
Suddenly, Yuri stopped in his tracks.
"There."
A group of mounted soldiers was moving through a treacherous path between mountains.
No distinctive markings, but Yuri could tell they were from the Empire.
"Empire."
"Not just local lord's men?"
"No."
Yuri had seen enough of the Empire's forces in his previous life to know their traits well.
"Definitely Empire soldiers."
"What do we do?"
There were four in total.
"Can't let them escape or signal."
Yuri's group hid in the underbrush and watched them.
The Empire soldiers glanced around warily. Well-trained.
"Going down."
The enemy was descending toward their southeast, while Yuri's group climbed from the northwest.
They'd meet somewhere in between.
Yuri descended while concealing his presence as much as possible. Jared and Rolang followed. Their movements were stealthy.
Running the guerrilla training grounds hadn't just been about punishments. Yuri had picked up techniques from the instructors too.
And above all, he had the memories of an ancient hunter.
"Your Highness, a bit slower..."
It was hard for Rolang and Jared to keep up.
Yuri nodded and eased his pace.
As he descended the slope, Yuri kept his eyes on the approaching Empire soldiers. They hadn't noticed his group's approach at all.
Soon, he reached his target spot.
Yuri drew the bow from his back and aimed at the enemy. Rolang and Jared gripped their swords, ready to charge.
Yuri loosed an arrow at the rearmost rider, who had removed his helmet.
The arrow pierced his head without a sound.
As the other three belatedly grasped the situation, Rolang and Jared charged.
"Wh-what?!"
"Ambush!"
Yuri nocked another arrow, drawing the string to his cheek. Tension bit into his fingertips.
He focused on the rider reaching into his pouch while backing away.
Another arrow sliced through the air.
This one went through the helmet's eye slit, piercing the brain.
Two down in seconds.
The remaining two weren't skilled enough to handle Rolang and Jared. They were knight-level, but not enough to stop the pair.
Yuri's group dispatched the four Empire soldiers in an instant.
Yuri slung his bow and approached Rolang and Jared.
"All dead?"
"One's still breathing."
Yuri went to him. Stabbed in the gut by Rolang, he gasped raggedly but hadn't expired yet.
Wouldn't last long, though.
"Where's your main force?"
No answer.
"You're dying anyway. Painful death or quick one?"
Yuri pressed on the pierced abdomen, twisting. The man's face contorted, blood trickling from his mouth.
"K-kill me."
"Answer. Or I'll leave you."
Yuri pointed skyward.
"See those crows? Waiting for you to die. Let's make it easy."
"F-fucking bastard."
"My line."
Yuri had no more words to waste. He gripped the abdomen hard.
The chainmail's cut edge, pierced by Rolang, curled into the wound, widening it.
"Gah..."
Yuri worked his gauntlet relentlessly.
The man's eyes trembled.
Yuri whispered.
"Talk. I'll end the pain."
His lips moved faintly. Yuri nodded.
Then snapped his neck.
"Clean up and move."
Fear of signals to the main force meant killing the four horses too. Ruthless, but necessary to win the war.
Before hiding the bodies, Yuri stripped their Empire uniforms.
"Wear them over your clothes, just in case. Might help in a pinch."
Rolang and Jared stared, stunned by his proficiency.
"Why?"
"How do you know this stuff so well?"
"Read books."
"Books cover this?"
"Dig in the library."
"Yes, sir..."
"Let's hide them."
Yuri buried the bodies shallowly in the mountain, using Mana Circulation Method to dig and cover quickly.
Done, he said,
"Main force is still near Arcaine."
"A ways off."
"But scouts made it this far."
Yuri grinned.
"What does that mean?"
"Black Knight's being cautious?"
"Close enough."
Yuri eyed the direction they'd come from.
Nothing visible yet.
"Means heavy patrols between them and the main force."
"Ah."
"Lots of work for us, huh?"
"Weren't you just gonna confirm the main force and head back?"
"Might as well thin them out while we're here."
As he walked, Yuri added,
"And plant some fear."
Following, Rolang marveled.
"As expected of Your Highness. Thinking several steps ahead."
"Sir Rolang, isn't he just doing what he wants and rationalizing it after?"
Ignoring Jared's grumble, Yuri melted back into the brush, staring into the distance. Empire soldiers could appear any moment.
If this slowed them even a little, it'd be a huge win.
Yuri's group pushed upstream toward the Empire's main force, hunting down several scout parties.
All in groups of four, reacting much the same way.
They'd struck so fast the main force hadn't noticed yet.
But they'd soon realize when reports stopped coming.
"All knight-level, it seems."
Jared said while burying bodies. Yuri nodded.
"That's why we're chipping away at their strength so effectively."
"Easier than expected. Is it always like this?"
"Well..."
It wasn't that the Empire's knights were weak—they were strong.
But Yuri just stared at Jared without answering.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Traveling with Yuri had sharpened Jared's skills immensely. He handled average Empire knights with ease.
"Short break."
"Yes."
They sat, pulling out jerky to chew while resting.
In the dead Empire soldiers' uniforms, they looked like Empire scouts at a glance.
That's why the enemy approaching from behind didn't attack immediately.
"Three? Should be four. Where's the other one?"
The sudden voice froze the trio.
Yuri turned slowly.
A man in Empire garb approached casually, hands behind his back.
"Vanishing during ops? Not good. Court-martial material."
He joked, not yet grasping the situation.
"What's that? Jerky? Share some."
Yuri rose naturally. Solo mover— no ordinary man. End it quick while he was mistaken.
"Want some?"
"Yeah."
"Here..."
Turning to hand jerky, Yuri drew and slashed at his neck instead.
Fast and clean.
But the man slipped back like an eel, dodging.
"Hold on?"
His eyes swept Yuri's group.
Empire uniforms, but sloppily worn.
"No way..."
Yuri pressed without mercy. His sword targeted vitals.
The man dodged acrobatically and drew his own blade.
Yuri sensed he was no ordinary foe.
Lone wanderer—likely a scout leader.
Killing him would be a big score.
"Brioll?"
Yuri answered with a surge of Mana Circulation Method. Heart-Soul Severing blazed from his core.
Rolang and Jared flanked him, swords ready.
Surrounded, the man's face paled.
"No, wait. Let's talk..."
Yuri stepped forward, unleashing sword aura. The man parried.
Ducking low, Yuri swept low. Man slammed his sword down to block.
Yuri spun reverse and slashed again. Man withdrew his blade.
Clang.
Quick reactions.
Yuri recovered and thrust wide. Man sidestepped. They glared, gauging rhythm.
"Impressive."
Man still composed. He asked Yuri,
"Who are you?"
Yuri's hair concealed his identity.
Meanwhile, Rolang and Jared struck from behind.
Man dodged without looking.
Not Ten Strengths level, but sword skill this good? Must be an Empire knight order captain.
Silent, Yuri advanced. Blades danced ever more intricately. Speed built, whooshes echoing everywhere.
Yuri thrust at his shoulder. Man deflected outward and lunged at Yuri's gut.
Yuri tilted aside barely. Pulled his deflected sword back in a heavy overhead.
Retreating man's forearm sliced, blood spraying.
"Whoa, insanely fast..."
Yuri didn't let him finish. Advanced faster than his retreat. Distance closed instantly.
"D-damn."
Man twisted sideways to evade.
But his body wouldn't obey.
"Huh?"
Yuri's foot pinned his instep.
Balance lost, he toppled.
Yuri slashed down.
But the man fell steeper than expected, adjusting mid-fall.
To Yuri, it looked like the sword rose from the ground.
"Tch!"
Despite pinning his foot, Yuri bled.
Deep arm cut. Blood flowed steadily.
"Whew, incredible. Knight kingdom indeed."
Man rolled away, creating distance, then sprang up.
Thrust to block Rolang and Jared's approach.
"That was close. Which unit? Name at least."
The three stayed silent. They were the ambushers now. Reformed encirclement quietly.
Yuri realized the man was stronger than expected.
He pondered entering Heart-Soul realm for Chaos power.
Then the man pulled something from his bosom and tossed it skyward.
Flare shot up.
Explosive signal.
They'd neutralized signals before, but not this guy.
"Bet you're thinking kill me before backup. Sure. But as you see, impossible..."
Responding flares lit the sky from mountainsides.
More than expected.
Man grinned.
"Now you're the prey."