Chapter 45
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 045
Chapter Title: The Coward and the Bramble Knight (6)
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"Heh heh..."
After my meeting with Baron Birch.
On the way back to our camp.
I couldn't stop laughing.
Wondering if my expression looked strange, Bear—who was following a step behind me—asked,
"Are you that pleased, sir?"
"Of course!"
I answered immediately.
And why wouldn't I be? Tucked in my arms were grimoires.
No less than three of them!
All gifts from Baron Birch.
He'd handed them over without hesitation, even worrying if the reward was enough.
A truly exemplary noble.
'Oh, what should I do?'
Grinning from ear to ear, I rejoined the group, and we resumed our march.
As we walked, I pondered.
Should I read the grimoires or not?
Reading while walking—or in a crowd—felt a bit off.
'Fine, just check the names.'
I hadn't examined them back at Baron Birch's.
Wouldn't want to accidentally offend my patron and employer.
'Grimoires always have such intriguing covers.'
The three grimoires each had distinct covers.
One overgrown with weeds: the Weed Grimoire.
Another covered in dense white threads, giving it a pale sheen: the Marionette Grimoire.
And the last, cracked like drought-stricken earth: the Thirsting One Grimoire.
Judging by their auras, they seemed to hold plant magic, necromancy, and outsider magic, in that order.
'Time to hear their voices.'
Having confirmed their names, I needed to know what they demanded.
I focused on their voices.
Without the will to read, no grimoire would open, even if conditions were met.
That let me listen without commitment.
'Start with the Weed Grimoire.'
First up: the Weed Grimoire.
"Water ten bundles of weeds, and the green friends will repay your kindness."
A clear, gentle voice.
It soothed the listener's heart.
And the demand was simple: just sprinkle water on the ground.
'Great start. Next.'
I set the Weed Grimoire aside and tuned into the Marionette Grimoire.
A metallic rasp followed.
"If one of your familiars slays over a hundred foes alone, I shall impart my arts to you."
My familiar was Gilbert, end of story.
If he'd killed over a hundred enemies so far, this grimoire was mine.
'Way over a hundred.'
Gilbert had felled plenty before Bear joined.
He'd guarded me solo back then.
Even after, he'd taken down dozens of Kudraks at Rabbit Farm.
Easily over a hundred.
Marionette Grimoire: success.
Smooth sailing.
'What's the last one?'
I listened to the Thirsting One Grimoire.
A hoarse voice, like it hadn't spoken in ages.
"Ten or more spells mastered: pass. Fewer than ten: fail."
An odd demand from the Thirsting One: ten spells mastered.
Luckily, I'd already cleared it.
Eleven grimoires read, twelve spells learned.
So, in the end...
'All three ready to read right now?'
Perfect timing, boosting my power before facing the black mage officer.
But I had to wait till night.
No showing off grimoires in public.
Wouldn't want black mages learning I'd gained new spells.
'Finally!'
The long-awaited night arrived.
Everyone but the watch was asleep.
I tasked Bear with perimeter watch and gazed at the three grimoires.
Suppressing the urge all march had been torture.
Now, freedom.
'Weed Grimoire first.'
I spread my arms, palms down.
Chaining Moisture spells.
Droplets formed, grew, and fell.
Plip plop.
Weeds on the ground glistened with dewdrops.
With the area moistened via Moisture, the Weed Grimoire's cover opened on its own.
"Such pure water! The green friends are delighted. Thank you, Heros. This small act today will be the key to saving your life."
With those words...
Flutter!
The pages flipped rapidly.
Soon, the back cover appeared.
One spell only.
The closed grimoire crumbled to dust.
'Let's see...'
The Weed Grimoire held Green Knot.
A plant spell animating ground weeds into binding knots for foes' feet.
Mana cost: 5, scaling with size and strength.
Required weeds nearby—a minor drawback.
Still satisfying: +25 Magic Power.
'Good. Next: Marionette Grimoire.'
No time to rest.
I read the Marionette Grimoire.
"A fine familiar you command. I approve. Let it do the work, and you reap the rewards. What could be better? Right?"
Laughter echoed, then the cover opened.
Pages flew, stopping at the one-third mark.
Two spells learnable.
Great news.
'Familiar enhancement spells.'
First: Foe of Hundreds.
A passive boosting familiar stats, like Smooth Skin or Burning Hands.
+25 Magic Power, but the spell cost 25—no net gain in total mana.
'But Gilbert's stronger now. That's what matters.'
Two more spells pending.
Far better than the Tireless Grimoire.
"After hundreds comes thousands. Succeed in your familiar slaying a thousand foes, and I'll teach the next art. Remember: not just anyone—your 'enemies'."
Next: Gilbert fells a thousand enemies.
Nine hundred more to go.
Long-term quest.
On hold.
'Last one.'
The Thirsting One Grimoire.
"So many spells already, fresh as a mage? Impressive! But don't rest—keep striving."
Praise from the Thirsting One.
Its cover flew open.
Pages turned, halting at one-third.
Like the Marionette: three spells total.
But no joy.
The effect was too shocking.
'Whoa, a grimoire like this?'
No spells in the Thirsting One.
No new magic.
Yet satisfying: +100 Magic Power.
Unique effect: boosts the reader's total mana, no spells taught.
Rain in my drought.
I'd felt mana shortages lately.
"Fifty or more spells mastered: pass. Fewer: fail. Strive on, young mage."
Next demand tougher, but doable.
'Too good.'
I wanted to rush out, cheering and leaping.
That elated.
Three grimoires: total mana now 405.
Up 125 from before.
Enough for five Lightning Bolts or Stone Spikes.
Huge growth.
'Ah, I miss Master.'
First thought in joy: Master.
He'd celebrate with me.
Over three weeks since parting, plus days.
Not long, but his absence felt deep.
Could I see him again?
No past certainty now.
Plan for worst, like he taught.
'Check my status.'
Back to reality.
Review spells one by one.
Plan combat tactics to avoid panic.
Active Skills (14 total):
Moisture, Tree Bark, Ignition, Lightning Bolt, Thought Body Summon, Hide and Seek, Leaping Flames, Mana Clay, Stone Spike, Green Knot.
Passive Skills:
Smooth Skin, Burning Hands, Foe of Hundreds. (Death's Reprieve—treat as passive via Gilbert summon.)
Exclude passives: no focus needed in combat.
'Ten actives left.'
Cull combat-weak ones: Moisture, Tree Bark, Thought Body Summon, Hide and Seek, Mana Clay.
Moisture and Mana Clay: non-combat for sure.
Others?
'Tree Bark for defense in spots, Thought Body to confuse foes.'
Folks lacking magic knowledge might mistake my Thought Body for a ghost.
But low real-battle odds: 100 mana, short duration.
'Still, pre-planning use has value.'
Now, Hide and Seek.
Tricky like Thought Body: dark places only.
Near-perfect stealth for ambushes.
So, final tally...
'Five core combat spells.'
Ignition: early spell, excels close-range.
Boosted by Burning Hands.
Great for crises.
Lightning Bolt: fast, powerful—my favorite.
Seems extra effective vs. humans and similar.
Leaping Flames: sole AoE.
Best for crowds.
Left: Stone Spike, Green Knot.
Stone Spike: hits lightning/fire-resistant foes.
Rocks bash bodies.
Also repels close enemies.
Main with Lightning Bolt.
Green Knot...
'Perfect for variables.'
Who checks feet in chaos?
Bind ankles unnoticed; they trip forward.
Outcome obvious: pathetic death.
'Alright, summarize.'
Close foes: Ignition/Stone Spike.
Mid-range: Lightning Bolt.
Crowds: Leaping Flames.
Resistants: Stone Spike.
Clean framework.
Not rigid—flexible frame for quick action.
'No more doubt. I can win.'
Pre-battle jitters gone, confidence filled.
No complacency, though.
Two days after felling the Bramble Knight.
We spotted a group approaching from the rear.
Outnumbered at a glance: two hundred easy.
Issue: their look.
Clearer as they neared—not a normal army.
'Undead?'
Lead man: half his face gone, yet shambling.
No living man.
Others suspect: gut-holed, armless.
All undead likely.
Black mages' army probable.
"Black mages! Black mages inbound!"
Rear scout cavalry confirmed it.
Little panic.
We'd warned all: black mages trailing.
Countermeasures set.
"Move, move!"
"Buy time—widen the gap with black mages!"
"No walking—run! No breaks!"
Baron Birch's soldiers urged noncombatants.
They picked up pace.
Plan: split group.
One flees; one fights, delays.
Fleeing: Baron and wife.
Staying: me.
Baron takes his original crew evacuating; I stay with mine.
Good he took the kids.
'But... why's Conall staying?'
I glanced right.
Sir Conall eyed front.
He should guard the baron.
Unexpected.
I asked.
"Sir Conall."
"Yes."
"Shouldn't you stick by your lord?"
"Baron Birch isn't my lord. Like you, sir, I'm just hired."
"Ah."
Curiosity lingered.
"Still, no need to stay. You could die."
Sir Conall smirked.
"No knight shuns battle. If one does, he's a coward in armor."
Bear, left of me, nodded.
First harmony between them.
No time to savor.
Undead horde nearly upon us.
"Fear not! Heros stands with us!"
Bear rallied the men, naming me.
Conall glared ahead, ready.
And I...
'Where are the black mages?'
Scanned for their casters.
Thin their numbers first.
'There.'
Soon spotted: hooded figure amid undead.
No normal man with corpses—black mage for sure.
'Lightning Bolt.'
Lightning Bolt
Crackle!
The swift bolt struck true.
Battle began.