Chapter 37
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Strike Team
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Undying Genius Spearman (37)
The officers' gazes focused on Demian.
Wilkis, in particular, furrowed his brow.
His eyes seemed to say he would take Demian’s head right there if he spouted nonsense.
Demian paid it no mind.
This kind of atmosphere…
‘This is familiar.’
It had been the same in the past.
How dare a mere commander of the Punishment Squad try to stand on equal footing with them?
Weren't there always plenty of bastards around, looking down on him, determined to devour him?
Demian met Wilkis’s eyes head-on and spoke.
“Objectively, with our current forces, we cannot handle the upcoming monster wave.”
“I made it clear there will be no retreat…”
“However.”
Demian cut Wilkis off.
“What if we form a strike team to destroy the crystal imbued with demonic energy before the second wave hits?”
“Destroy the crystal?”
Basel’s eyes widened.
Tarone looked at Demian with a hardened expression.
“Do you believe that’s possible?”
“Yes, I believe it’s an option well worth trying.”
Demian’s answer was unwavering.
Hemeren, who had been listening to the others until now, looked at Demian.
“Were there no other monsters around the crystal imbued with demonic energy?”
“Of course, there were.”
Demian recalled the monsters positioned around the crystal as if they were guards.
A few giant monsters that made the existing black bears seem small.
And about a dozen other monsters that looked like small fry.
“Realistically, we won't be able to kill them. Especially… that large monster is likely stronger than an ogre.”
If such a large monster was imbued with demonic energy, its combat power would be immeasurable.
At Demian’s words, Wilkis’s scowl deepened.
“However, it is my judgment that if we attack the crystal while drawing their attention, rather than trying to kill them, we can succeed.”
“Hmm…”
“So you’re saying we lure them away and break the crystal in the meantime.”
It was a plausible story.
Of course, the risk would be substantial.
There was no way to be sure of the giant monster's combat strength.
“Retreating is the best option, but…”
If they retreated and more monsters became infected by the demonic energy later, they wouldn't even be able to attempt a subjugation without a considerable force.
It would require a legion-sized army to move.
“…May I confirm one more thing?”
“What is it?”
“Demian, bring me Bex.”
Tarone called for Bex, who had gone scouting with Demian.
Bex had keen eyes and excellent judgment. Since he had gone on the reconnaissance mission, Tarone wanted to hear his assessment of the situation.
“Bex, what do you think?”
Tarone explained Demian's proposed plan to Bex and asked for his opinion.
Bex turned his head to look at Demian.
He came up with that plan?
“…”
He couldn't believe this guy was the youngest.
Bex thought about what he had seen and the plan Demian had proposed, then spoke honestly.
“I think it’s a reckless plan.”
“Hmm.”
“…Is that so.”
At Bex’s words, the other officers let out small sighs.
It felt as if a glimmer of hope had been extinguished.
“However.”
Bex wasn’t finished.
“If there is any way to lead this subjugation to victory… I believe the plan Demian devised is the only one.”
Bex stated firmly.
At that, Tarone pressed his lips together and nodded.
“I see.”
Tarone turned to Wilkis.
“The Neokalitz Unit agrees to form a strike team.”
“The Erkal Garrison also agrees.”
As Tarone voiced his support, Basel joined in.
Hemeren then spoke with a grim expression.
“We cannot spare many from our side. Our strength will be needed here as well. However…”
*Shhk.*
Hemeren took a step forward and said.
“Priestess Claire and I will go. Priestess Claire possesses immense divine power, unlike ordinary priests. She will be a great help in this situation.”
Everyone had reached a consensus.
Wilkis nodded.
“…Fine, we will form a strike team.”
Wilkis said.
He had no other choice, anyway.
Besides, now that he’d heard it, the plan didn't seem impossible.
“Select the ten most skilled individuals from each unit. We will form a strike team of thirty-two in total.”
Wilkis asked Demian.
“Will this number be enough?”
“I believe the numbers are sufficient.”
Demian replied.
There were three large monsters.
The other dozen or so were small fry.
With thirty soldiers and two priests…
‘It’s possible. No, we must make it happen.’
The subjugation was happening sooner than he’d expected, but…
‘If the subjugation succeeds, I’ll be able to get a significant portion of the credit.’
Furthermore, if the Hamel Merchant Guild came in and established itself afterward, it would be much easier to produce the elixir that increased mana.
This was a necessary step for Demian's future endeavors.
“Prepare at once. Hurry!”
As soon as Wilkis’s order was given, each unit began to select its members.
Since it was the most dangerous mission, only the most skilled from each unit could be chosen.
And.
“Demian, you’re going too.”
“Yes, sir!”
At Tarone’s words, Demian gripped his spear.
***
The strike team was quickly assembled.
Only the ten most skilled from each unit were gathered.
“What’s with that young punk?”
“…He looks too young, doesn't he? A brat who hasn’t even finished growing?”
“Kekeke, what unit is he from? Neokalitz? Didn't they have anyone else to send?”
The men who saw Demian among the strike team members snickered.
They were all soldiers from the subjugation force sent from the capital.
But then.
“I heard that brat is the one who found the demonic abomination and came up with this plan.”
“…Sir?”
“No way.”
They looked at the man in front of them.
It was Bertos, a commander under Wilkis and the de facto leader of the subjugation force.
He looked at his bewildered subordinates and said.
“We are now undertaking the most dangerous mission here. Seeing you all have the leisure to jest, you must have two lives to spare, I suppose?”
“N-No, sir!”
“S-Sorry, sir. We misspoke.”
At Bertos’s words, they spoke hastily.
“You said it was a dangerous mission… and seeing such a young kid mixed in… I apologize.”
“It was my fault.”
“Age doesn't matter when it comes to skill. If you lack skill, you will die.”
*Shhk.*
Bertos’s gaze shifted to his subordinates.
“You'd all do well to look after your own lives. After all… you might not make it back alive.”
They had been told beforehand how dangerous this mission was.
Perhaps it would have been better to remain behind.
The somber atmosphere made the subjugation soldiers gulp.
Bertos then turned his gaze to Demian.
“…”
Demian looked toward the small commotion and his eyes met Bertos’s.
‘…So there’s a fairly capable one here.’
Demian stared at Bertos intently.
It had been a long time since he’d seen eyes like that.
Did someone with eyes like that even exist in this era of peace?
‘I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before…’
Demian searched his memory, just in case.
‘I don’t know.’
He thought he might have crossed paths with him on some battlefield in his past life.
After all, he had wandered and fought in so many places.
“If preparations are complete, we depart immediately.”
Bertos said, looking at the assembled strike team members. Tarone nodded in agreement.
“Demian.”
“Yes, I will lead the way.”
Demian took the lead.
He was the only one among the strike team who knew the way.
Demian glanced back and said.
“We’ll take the fastest route, avoiding monsters as much as possible. The path may be rough, so keep up.”
“Pfft!”
“The path may be rough, he says. Kekeke.”
“As if we couldn’t follow a path that brat takes.”
At his words, a few of them snorted.
Demian paid them no mind and started running.
*Tap!*
‘From now on…’
It was a race against time.
They had to break the crystal before the main force collapsed.
*Fwoosh!*
As his urgency grew, Demian’s pace gradually quickened.
The expressions of the strike team members following him began to stiffen.
“…Huh?”
“What the hell is with that guy?”
A few of the soldiers who had been snickering earlier were already breathing heavily, the distance between them and Demian widening.
Seeing this, Bertos spoke.
“What are you doing? Are you planning to fall behind the brat you were talking about?”
“N-No, sir!”
“Ugh…!”
They gritted their teeth and began to chase after Demian.
“Hah… hah… hah…”
And Claire, the only one, had already fallen completely behind.
She simply couldn't keep up with their incredible speed as they dashed through the forest.
But then.
“May I, for a moment?”
Tarone approached Claire and asked carefully.
Claire nodded.
“Of course.”
Knowing Tarone's intention, Claire readily agreed.
And then.
“Kyaa!”
Tarone slung Claire over one shoulder.
Claire, who had expected him to simply carry her, let out a short, startled scream.
Tarone said.
“We have to run like this to catch up. Please hold on for a moment.”
“Ye-Yes! Don’t mi— Ugh! —nd me… Ugh!”
Every time she was jostled, her stomach pressed against his shoulder, making it hard to even speak.
Claire gritted her teeth and endured.
And after some time had passed.
Just when they thought they had ventured quite deep inside.
*Shhk!*
Demian, who had been running, clenched his fist and lowered his stance.
The others following him caught their breath and crouched down.
Demian slowly parted the bushes, pointing to a clearing beyond the dense trees.
“There it is.”
The wide clearing Demian had mentioned.
It was strange to find such a place in the middle of the forest, but what caught their eyes was the massive crystal.
“Hah, huff!”
“What is that? That crystal is absurd.”
“…Shit, that's huge.”
The crystal was nearly the size of a person.
Somewhere between a brilliant violet and a deep black.
Hemeren and Claire’s eyes widened at the sight of the crystal, which seemed capable of bewitching a person with a single glance.
“It’s… incredible.”
“An unbelievable power.”
The demonic energy was stronger than they had imagined.
“If we break that carelessly, the backlash will be hard to handle…”
But they had no time to worry about such things now.
Demian quickly scanned the monsters around the crystal.
Three large monsters.
And the other monsters…
‘Less than twenty.’
Nothing had changed.
In that case.
“Everyone, gather around.”
Bertos assembled the strike team members.
With Wilkis absent, he was the commander.
Bertos looked at the crystal before them and spoke in a low voice.
“I will now explain the detailed plan.”
Their success would be determined by how they moved from here.
At Bertos’s continuing words.
“Understood.”
Everyone nodded.