Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Eve of the Storm
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How much time had passed since then?
An emergency meeting had been called at the forward base.
All command-level officers from the territory had gathered.
"...Fortunately, he survived."
The chief medic reported cautiously.
"However, his condition is so critical that it will take quite some time before he regains consciousness."
Mikhail nodded at those words.
It meant he hadn't died, but that was all.
"Good work. You're dismissed."
"Yes, my lord. Excuse me."
Once the chief medic withdrew,
Mikhail scanned everyone in the meeting room.
Then he unfolded the letter Arnold had risked his life to deliver.
"This letter was written by Knight Commander Sir Baros, who infiltrated the Great Dense Forest as head of the reconnaissance platoon."
His voice dropped low.
"According to this, the entire Great Dense Forest has become a massive monster colony... or perhaps a kingdom."
An unbelievable story.
But it was the truth.
"It also states that they are forming a systematic organization under someone's command and preparing for war."
The officers stirred at his words.
"...Monsters?"
"How could such an absurd thing..."
"Nothing like this has ever happened in the territory's history, has it?"
It was a natural reaction.
Monsters, lacking intelligence or having only scant amounts of it, forming a structured system and preparing for war?
Impossible by any common sense.
"The current monster wave was the same."
Mikhail stated firmly.
"There has never been a wave this fierce in history."
No longer could they dismiss it as "something that has never happened in history."
"History is already changing."
No one could refute him.
They all felt it deep down.
A colossal storm was brewing.
"So, what should we do?"
Were they to remain on the defensive?
Or choose another path?
"If they are truly preparing for a full-scale war..."
Mikhail stood and pointed to a massive map.
It was the vast expanse marking the eastern Great Dense Forest.
"We have no choice but to strike first."
"...Pardon?"
The officers doubted their own ears.
What did he just say?
Strike first?
"Before they come to us, we pierce their defenses."
A shocking proposal.
The meeting room buzzed once more.
"That's too dangerous!"
"The Great Dense Forest is their territory!"
Natural opposition.
To anyone, it seemed a reckless plan.
"I know."
Mikhail remained unshaken.
If anything, he was calmer than ever.
"That's why we need to gather more solid intel."
Exactly what a "monster kingdom" entailed.
What being had unified them.
Their plans, their scale.
"The reconnaissance platoon's report alone isn't enough to go on."
The reconnaissance platoon hadn't even covered half the Great Dense Forest.
They needed broader, more reliable information.
The decisive clue to turn uncertainty into certainty.
"Vice Commander."
Not "daughter," but "Vice Commander."
Elena responded in kind.
"...What are your orders, Grand Lord?"
"Assemble a death squad immediately."
"A death squad... you say?"
"Form it from elite personnel surpassing the previous reconnaissance platoon."
An elite death squad surpassing the elite reconnaissance team.
They would accurately assess the Great Dense Forest's situation.
"This time, I'll lead it myself."
Even Grand Lord Mikhail Sobkov would go personally.
As commander of the elite death squad, infiltrating the Great Dense Forest.
"Grand Lord!"
"Even so, you can't go yourself...!"
Natural backlash.
But Mikhail's resolve was ironclad.
"Who is the strongest knight in this territory?"
"Th-that would be..."
"Me."
Was it only Sobkov Territory?
One of the top powerhouses in the Coldwood Kingdom.
Among Experts, he stood at the pinnacle.
That was Mikhail Sobkov.
"Who else could handle this?"
"..."
There was no counterargument.
And it wasn't just personal might.
Judgment, leadership, senses transcending the five—
No one else was more suited than Mikhail.
"This is an operation where failure is not an option. That's why I must go."
"Then let me join you...!"
"No. The Vice Commander stays in the territory. The Grand Lord's seat can't be empty."
Mikhail's sole blood kin, Elena.
In other words, the Sobkov heir.
The lord and heir couldn't both risk death.
"But..."
"Who will hold the defensive line without you and me?"
"..."
"Who will liaise with the royals? Who will uphold the Sobkov family's duties?"
"..."
"If you understand, select personnel for the death squad immediately."
Mikhail Sobkov had persuaded Elena.
He laid out specific criteria.
"Those with exceptional martial prowess as a baseline."
It was a life-risking infiltration mission.
High-level combat skills were the minimum.
"Those skilled in tracking and stealth, those with excellent memory."
Tracking and stealth essential for reconnaissance.
Memory to retain every detail seen and heard.
"Those who can draw maps."
Ideal if they could create detailed maps of the Great Dense Forest.
Invaluable for any potential all-out war ahead.
"Those expert in traps and ambushes, emergency treatment, basic herbal and alchemy knowledge."
The unique environment of the Great Dense Forest.
Various skills needed to survey that vast land.
Knowledge for on-site potion brewing and first aid in emergencies.
"Select everyone matching at least one criterion as quickly as possible."
The territory's future—
No, the kingdom's fate hung on this order.
All present bowed their heads.
It was the start of another war.
"...My lord."
As everyone prepared to disperse,
Elena spoke to Mikhail.
"One of us must stay, remember?"
"No, not that. About the troll berserker you mentioned earlier."
"Ah, right. That. Tell me the details."
An issue briefly postponed amid the urgency.
Now they could finally hear the full report.
"He took down an elite specimen alone?"
"His growth rate doesn't make sense."
"Hmm, indeed..."
His eyes gleamed with interest.
Soon, realization dawned on his face.
Mikhail shot to his feet.
"I'll see for myself."
* * *
Eve of the storm.
The entire Sobkov Territory was in turmoil.
An unprecedented monster wave, an elite specimen penetrating inland.
And the gruesome return of the elite reconnaissance platoon sent to investigate the Great Dense Forest.
'What a mess.'
Damian thought as he looked around.
It was certainly a situation that warranted it.
'Red signal flare, huh.'
According to the soldiers, it signaled a critical emergency.
That explained why no command officers had emerged from the meeting room.
'Can't just wait around forever, though...'
The fact that he'd hunted an elite monster deep inland alone.
Normally, there'd be an immediate investigation.
But not now, with everything in chaos.
'They'll call if they need me.'
He'd be summoned anytime if required.
No need to volunteer.
'Might as well head back to the barracks.'
Everything was sorted now.
Time to rest.
Today had been eventful.
'Gotta think about what to do next...'
His thoughts reached that point when—
"...?"
A sharp chill raced down his spine.
The sensation he felt mainly against strong foes.
Why feel it here, in the heart of the forward base?
'What the?'
He turned just as—
Bam!
Someone charged at Damian.
Overwhelming speed and destructive power.
A beast's lunge.
Shing!
Damian instinctively drew Dawn.
Clang!
A dull impact rang out.
The recoil made his wrist throb.
"Ngh...!"
Damian was hurled back.
He'd barely blocked, but the shock was immense.
'Who the hell?'
Swordplay in the middle of the forward base?
Did another elite specimen infiltrate?
"Hoh."
But Damian's guess missed the mark.
A low, heavy, intimidating voice.
Undoubtedly human.
"You blocked that?"
The figure revealed himself.
Damian's eyes widened.
"...Sir Mikhail?"
The Grand Lord of Sobkov Territory.
Mikhail Sobkov stood there.
With the greatsword that had just struck Damian.
"What was that about all of a sudden?"
"I heard you hunted an elite specimen that penetrated inland—alone."
His eyes flashed.
The gaze of a predator.
"I figured you'd call me soon anyway..."
"Does it need explaining in words?"
"...Pardon?"
"I'll confirm it myself!"
With those words—
Boom!
Mikhail Sobkov charged again.
Not just anyone—a Sword Expert monster.
'Dangerous.'
No doubt about it.
A graze alone would be fatal.
Pressure on a whole other level from the initial ambush.
'What kind of person is this?!'
Damian gritted his teeth.
He couldn't just take it.
'Fine, let's see what you've got.'
Damian readjusted the buckler on his left arm.
An elven buckler, handcrafted with elf blacksmithing.
'Been wanting to test it in real combat.'
A new shield.
And new power.
'Primal Mana Breathing.'
Damian inhaled deeply.
A breath deeper and more primal than before.
Wild energy surged from his throat through his body.
"Haaaa..."
Whoosh!
He charged head-on.
At the Sword Expert monster.
This much was needed to gauge it, right?
'The limits of my new power.'
What he'd built in Sobkov Territory.
Power gained from hunting all sorts of monsters and elites.
How far did it extend?
The answer came swiftly.
Kaaaaang!
Swords clashed in midair.
Yet—
Clang! Clang! Claaang! Clang!
The sounds didn't cease.
Neither had yielded yet.
'I'm holding.'
Though his arm and shoulder felt like they'd tear off.
His waist and legs like they'd burst.
Still, he endured.
'The monster's blade, with my sword and shield.'
By now, omnipotence surged within him.
The feeling he could do anything.
But—
"Pass."
With an enigmatic word—
Kabooooom!
The Grand Lord's full-force strike.
One blow sent him flying far back.
Without the new shield, he'd have been bisected.
"Hah! Heh! Hah...!"
Damian gasped for breath.
He'd felt the "wall" from Mikhail Sobkov.
"You alright?"
Mikhail approached such a Damian.
"...I'm fine."
"Good. That's the spirit of youth."
He even offered a hand to help him up.
"Anyway, I believe it now."
"...?"
"The troll berserker—you killed it with your own hands."
So this was what "confirming personally" meant?
"But..."
Mikhail eyed the incredulous Damian sharply.
"What was that mana breathing just now?"