The Mad Dogs Walk the Swamp
Lake Bikorn lay between Zieghart and House Arian. It was not as vast as Porvan, but it had made a name for itself as a tourist destination—a silver lake of quiet, elegant beauty.
The Light Wind Squad filed into a restaurant built at the water's edge to have lunch.
"Whoa..."
Burren let out a breath of admiration as he gazed at Lake Bikorn glittering in the sunlight.
"I'd heard it was impressive, but I never imagined a lake this beautiful."
He couldn't take his eyes off the water, a gentle smile on his face.
"A lake's a lake, no matter how pretty it is."
Marta pulled her gaze from the water as if bored and shoved the menu toward Burren.
"Just order your food first and gawk later!"
She barked at them to place their orders quickly so they wouldn't inconvenience the waitstaff.
"Mm..."
Runaan stared at the lake with her mouth hanging open in a daze.
"Sleeping out there would feel nice."
She wiggled her feet, saying she wanted to lie down in the center of the lake where the warm sunlight poured down. Just thinking about it seemed to make her drowsy; her eyelids began to flutter.
"It looks warm, but it'd be freezing if you went in."
Crain shook his head, pointing out that it was still a cold season.
"Well, we've trained, so we wouldn't sink easily."
He grinned, jerking his chin with overflowing confidence.
"Hm?"
Raon looked up from the menu at Crain.
What are you doing?! Ordering a meal is a sacred duty! Do as the beef girl said and focus on the order first!
Wrath examined the menu with a pious posture, as if offering a prayer to the gods.
This King wishes to eat whole roasted pork jelly and cucumber-chili lamb ribs!
Those names are a bit concerning... roasted pork jelly and cucumber-chili lamb ribs...
Food is, by nature, a new challenge. This King shall broaden your horizons, so hurry up and order!
Sigh...
Figuring Wrath would keep whining if he didn't, Raon ordered the dishes the creature had named.
Once three waiters had taken the entire Light Wind Squad's orders and left, Raon gestured to Crain.
"Crain."
"Yes?"
"You said you wouldn't sink easily in the water, didn't you?"
"Huh? W-well, I did say that..."
Crain nodded, his lips trembling as if he'd sensed something ominous.
"I like that confidence."
Raon stood with an excited smile, walked over to Crain, and caught him by the shoulder.
"V-Vice Leader?"
Crain looked up, biting his nails.
"They said the food will take a while. How about a little training in the meantime?"
"Excuse me?"
"If you can stay still on the lake for thirty seconds, I won't make you train on the way to House Arian."
"H-huh?!"
"No training?"
"I-is that true?"
He'd been putting them through drills even on the way to this lake, so not just Crain but the entire Light Wind Squad went wide-eyed.
"But if you can't last, everyone trains in that lake until tonight."
Raon nodded with a smile.
"Thirty seconds..."
"That's easy enough!"
"We can do that!"
The Light Wind Squad declared that thirty seconds would be simple, shooting Crain intense looks.
"Urgh..."
Crain shrank under the squad's manic gazes, his shoulders trembling.
You fools!
Wrath snapped his head out and shouted at the Light Wind Squad.
This one is a century-old serpent! Don't be deceived! He clearly has an ulterior motive!
Raon shoved aside Wrath, who was screaming that it was a lie, and looked down at Crain.
"You in?"
"I'll do it. Just give me a moment to prepare..."
"No need to prepare."
Raon put force into the hand gripping Crain's shoulder, a chilly smile on his face.
"W-wait a second..."
"I'm looking forward to it."
He lifted Crain and hurled him out the window. Using strength that had left the bounds of humanity, Crain flew like a cannonball and plummeted toward the center of the lake.
"Aaaaaaagh!"
Even as he screamed, Crain kept his balance in midair like a proper martial artist and landed on the lake with his feet.
A heavy splash erupted. Raon's brute-force throw had driven him in up to his waist, so he couldn't use the water-walking footwork he'd learned and sank immediately.
"Gyaaaaah!"
Crain flailed his arms, screaming.
"C-cold! I'm gonna freeze to death!"
"And that's a fail."
Raon turned around. He looked down at the Light Wind Squad with a smile colder than the lake itself.
"H-hold on, you never said you'd throw him!"
"If you suddenly chuck someone with that monstrous strength, nobody could last!"
"Raon, dirty cheater."
Burren, Marta, and Runaan all frowned, calling it unfair.
"Would you call it cheating in a real fight too?"
"Ugh..."
"That's..."
"..."
At the mention of a real fight, all three squad leaders fell silent.
"Besides, I never said I wouldn't throw him."
As he said that, Raon grabbed Dorian—who'd been sitting next to Crain—by the scruff of the neck.
"Eek? I-I haven't prepared yet..."
"I'll throw you on three. One, two, three."
"Huuuh..."
"Three."
He only shouted "three" while Dorian was still catching his breath, and hurled him out the window.
"Aaaaaaagh!"
Dorian screamed as he somehow flipped his body and landed on the lake. Still, as an Expert Peak-Class, unlike Crain he only sank in up to his ankles.
"Eugh! I-I'm gonna freeze to death!"
"You've gotten used to the water, but you still can't hold out when an external force is applied."
Raon clapped his hands as he listened to Dorian's shrieks.
"In other words, your training is still far from enough. Start practicing on your own before I throw you."
"Please throw me as well!"
Mark Goetten ran over, asking to be thrown like Crain and Dorian.
This is why I like him.
Ever since he'd pledged to follow, he'd never once slacked on his training. He was a man qualified to climb higher.
"Very well."
Raon nodded and hurled Mark Goetten with all his strength. Despite the tremendous force behind the throw, Mark controlled his body in midair like the Master he was and landed on the lake with his feet.
The surface exploded in a great spray of water, but unlike Crain and Dorian, he settled safely on top of it.
"L-let's go!"
"Aaaaaagh!"
"Damn Light Wind Squad..."
"Shit!"
The Light Wind Squad swordsmen, apparently not wanting to be thrown like Mark Goetten, screamed as they leaped toward the lake.
"Let's go too!"
"Ugh..."
Yua and Julius also climbed out the window and jumped into the lake.
Every member of the Light Wind Squad who'd been sitting at the ten tables had jumped in. The only one left was Raon.
The people in the restaurant stared wide-eyed at the Light Wind Squad, who had leaped into the water and started walking or running across it.
"W-what the hell are they doing?"
"Going into the lake in this weather? Are they insane?"
"Who even are those lunatics..."
"They are insane, all right."
As the people reeled in confusion, a middle-aged man who appeared to be the restaurant's owner let out a dry chuckle and nodded.
"Mad Dogs?"
"Zieghart has a squad like that?"
"Ah! That's right! I heard they call the Light Wind Squad the Mad Dogs!"
"Yeah, that's it."
The owner nodded, looking at Raon's back.
"Because of the vicious madness they showed in the duel tournament in the Owen Kingdom, and the deranged way they train, people call them Mad Dogs instead of Light Wind."
"Whoever coined that, it fits..."
"Right. 'Rabid dogs' is exactly right."
The people nodded in agreement.
"Who the hell's calling us Mad Dogs?!"
Marta, apparently having overheard, glared toward the restaurant and roared.
"Th-then that woman is the Rakshasa Girl?"
"Yeah. You can tell at a glance. Her eyes are steeped in madness..."
"R-Rakshasa. Even the name..."
"It's not Rakshasa Girl, it's Rakshasa Sword!"
Marta stomped her foot as if she were about to charge them, kicking up a massive wave.
The rumor that they're Mad Dogs has spread all the way here! Stop tormenting the children already.
Can't be helped.
Raon twisted his lips as he watched the Light Wind Squad desperately trying to stay afloat in the freezing water.
This is something I have to do.
He had no idea what might happen in the Swamp of Death, so making sure they could take care of their own bodies even in dangerous situations was the minimum safety measure.
And the situation over there isn't great either.
House Arian had forgotten its former glory and was steeped in indolence. He didn't want to show them any kind of weakness, so he wanted the squad to at least master the technique of staying afloat in a swamp.
Raon turned around and waved at the bewildered waiter.
"Sorry, but could you bring the food in an hour?"
"Ah, yes!"
The waiter nodded quickly and went into the kitchen.
H-an hour from now?
Wrath rushed at him, his chin trembling.
Stop tormenting This King as well!
Thanks to their relentless training, the Light Wind Squad managed to learn the footwork for staying afloat on water before they arrived at House Arian. Standing still on the surface was still beyond them, but if they kept stepping through the footwork, they could last quite a long time without sinking.
Raon frowned as he looked at the path, which had already swollen into a soggy swamp even though they hadn't reached House Arian yet.
So it's risen on this side too.
Ever since he'd heard the water level of the Swamp of Death had risen, he'd figured other places would have risen as well. He'd been right.
"W-what? There's no path!"
Burren's jaw dropped as he stared at the area completely filled with swamp, no road in sight.
"Nobody said the swamp started from here."
Marta narrowed her eyes, looking flustered as well.
"I wonder if it's soft."
Runaan tilted her head, apparently thinking of the swamp as a bed.
"So from here on, we have to walk across this swamp?"
"That's right. The path's gone."
"Yeah."
The three of them had already adapted to the water-walking footwork, so they stepped onto the swamp with calm expressions.
"This is easy."
"Yeah."
"We practiced in the water, so a swamp's nothing."
A satisfied rumble went through them. The training had been worth it. Their chests swelled with pride.
The rest of the Light Wind Squad followed Burren, Marta, and Runaan onto the mire. They marveled at how easily they floated on the swamp and smiled.
"It's still hard for me."
"Ugh..."
Yua and Julius, with Mark Goetten's help, barely managed to stand on the swamp.
Raon stepped forward and turned around. Meeting the Light Wind Squad's eyes, he curled his lips into a smile.
"You know whose credit it is that you can stand on this swamp, right? I told you it would all be useful."
At those words, a bright yellow madness flared in the Light Wind Squad's eyes.
"Krgh!"
"We really went through hell for this..."
"I'm pissed. What's even more infuriating is that I have nothing to say back!"
"That smug bastard..."
The Light Wind Squad bit their lips at the countless memories of being put through the wringer by Raon, but they swallowed their rage because he wasn't wrong.
"Let's go."
Raon chuckled and gestured west.
"House Arian will send a welcome party, but there's no need to wait around."
Following his gesture, the Light Wind Squad began moving toward House Arian. Despite the heat of their resentment toward Raon, their steps across the swamp were as smooth as walking on solid ground.
The Lord's Palace of House Arian.
A swordsman in a yellow uniform walked into a crimson chamber even more lavish than Zieghart's and dropped to one knee.
"My lord. The support unit dispatched from Zieghart has entered our family's territory."
The swordsman looked toward the dais, her sharp eyes gleaming.
"Please grant me permission to send the rangers to receive them."
"..."
No answer came from the dais—only a cold glare.
"You were the one who called them, so why don't you handle that however you like as well."
"My lord..."
"The swamp's water level rising and the monster numbers increasing is a common occurrence! And you had to go and bother Zieghart over it!"
A voice thick with anger erupted from the dais.
"If it turns out to be nothing, that would be fortunate, but if something unfortunate happens, the people will suffer greatly. I only wanted to prevent the problem in advance."
"I know this family and this swamp better than anyone! You can just swing your sword outside, but receiving them is my job! Do you have any idea how hard it is to grovel and fawn over those brats?!"
"I'm sorry."
"Tsk."
The man on the dais clicked his tongue and waved his hand.
"I didn't start this, but I suppose I have to see it through. Take the rangers and a carriage and go receive the Zieghart swordsmen."
"Thank you."
The swordsman bowed her head. She rose immediately and was leaving the Audience Chamber when small voices drifted from behind her.
"I really don't understand why she has to stir up such troublesome affairs."
"Right? Even an inspection is annoying enough..."
"As if she knows anything about this swamp."
"Wendy has always liked causing trouble."
The swordsman bit her lip, pretending not to hear, and left the Lord's Palace. Outside, two rangers were waiting.
"Frika."
"Yes."
At her call, the red-haired ranger bowed his head.
"I'm counting on you. Bring them here safely."
"Don't worry."
The ranger called Frika nodded with a faint smile.
"Wellis, no pranks."
"How could I play pranks on people from Zieghart? Though I don't know how many of them will fall for nature's initiation..."
The black-haired ranger called Wellis grinned.
"I said don't do that."
"Even if I don't touch them, they'll fall in on their own, won't they?"
"Frika. I'm trusting you."
"Don't worry."
Frika bowed his head and headed for the eastern gate with Wellis and the rangers. Behind them followed horses with webbed feet.
"Let's go!"
The rangers loaded bulky cargo onto the horse-drawn carriages and left House Arian.
"Haa..."
The female swordsman let out a short sigh as she watched the departing rangers.
Whenever Wellis left with that expression, a few people always arrived here covered in mud. Looking at their faces, it seemed they were planning to pull a prank as an initiation this time too.
I hope they keep it in moderation...
Frika frowned as he looked at the swamp that had risen over the ground.
"The water level's gone up on this side too."
"They'll be stuck, unable to go forward or back."
Wellis nodded and gestured behind him. The rangers following on horseback picked up speed.
"Who do you think they'll send?"
Frika brushed aside the foliage hanging down to his forehead and looked to the side.
"Well. Zieghart doesn't consider us that important, so it'll probably be one of their squads."
House Arian was a vassal family of Zieghart, but they didn't have much contact with each other, and nothing particularly major had happened on this side, so he didn't expect anyone too impressive to come.
"Still, considering how much tribute we send, they'll send someone decent. Maybe the Light Wind Squad that's been most famous lately?"
"You think they'd send those precious people to a place like this over nothing? They'll have sent some middling squad."
"You never know. Well, whoever comes, they'll have a pretty rough time."
Wellis scratched his cheek and smiled.
"That's true enough."
Frika nodded.
This place is different from the center of the continent.
House Arian was surrounded by swamp on all sides. Now that the water level had risen, even rangers who'd lived here for years had trouble moving without swamp boots. It was, quite literally, nature's initiation. No matter that they were martial artists from Zieghart, traversing this place right now was close to impossible.
"Pick up the pace a bit more. We'll get out of the eastern swamp before the day is over."
"Yes!"
At Frika's order, Wellis and the rangers raced without rest toward the eastern edge. Around the time afternoon ended and evening arrived, a number of human figures appeared ahead of them.
"Halt!"
Wellis, who'd been riding in the lead, raised a hand and stopped everyone.
"What is that?"
Frika narrowed his eyes as he looked ahead.
Was there a scouting party besides us that went out?
No. That couldn't be. House Arian only had three scouting parties. He'd never heard that the other two had gone out, so those people couldn't be scouts.
"They're not merchants either."
Wellis shook his head, saying no merchants would be moving in a situation like this.
"Stay on guard and wait."
Frika took the bow from his back and steadied his breathing. At first he'd thought they might be Zieghart swordsmen, but watching them walk so lightly across the swamp, they were clearly people who knew this place well.
The rangers lowered their stances and stayed on alert as the mist cleared and the people's figures were revealed.
The one at the very front was an extraordinarily handsome man with blond hair and red eyes, yet he gave off no presence at all, as if he weren't even human. Just as Frika thought he might be a ghost and lowered his gaze, the emblem of a burning sword engraved on the man's chest caught his eye.
Zieghart?
Then that man was...
It came to him immediately. It was clearly Raon Zieghart, the White Sword Dragon, one of the most famous young martial artists on the continent right now—and the Light Wind Squad.
B-but why...
Raon Zieghart was at the Master realm, so walking here wouldn't be a problem for him—but the other swordsmen behind him were also walking across the swamp as naturally as if it were solid ground. The two young children looked a bit strained, but the entire Light Wind Squad walked the swamp more calmly than the rangers themselves, who were wearing special boots.
"Uh..."
"W-what?"
"They're walking the swamp that easily?"
"What in the world..."
Wellis and the rangers also gaped in shock, their mouths hanging open.
"Hah!"
Frika lowered the hand holding his bow and swallowed dryly.
What the hell are these people...