Chapter 110
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Night of the Howling Moon (1)
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Cophet was a small village at the tail end of the Quint Mountains.
It was a two-day ride from Elgrace on horseback, with one full day spent traversing the winding paths deep in the mountains.
The road was wide enough for carriages and wagons, but the hills were narrow and steep, riddled with landslides, making it a constant test of nerves.
After two days of riding with my nerves stretched taut, I was already exhausted before we'd even begun climbing the Quint Mountains.
"There it is."
The Silver Guard Knight peered through his telescope at the distance and spoke.
I quenched my thirst with clean water, caught my breath, and took the telescope from him.
In the direction he pointed, a small village nestled in the mountains came into view, half-buried in the slopes.
Tiny houses clung together along the incline, and at the village entrance stood a massive barricade built of brick and timber.
From here, a straight downhill path led to the entrance—thankfully, we'd arrive before sunset.
"Do we have to pass through that village to cross the Quint Mountains?"
I handed the telescope back and asked.
"Not necessarily. There are paths to the north and south, but this is the quickest way to the Fifth Outpost near the ruins."
"Ah, right. We arranged to meet the Quint Mountain Guards here in Cophet."
The Silver Guard Knight had notified them in advance of our arrival date, so we'd agreed to rendezvous with the Quint Mountain Guards in Cophet.
They were the ones who had sent the request regarding the ruins from the Nameless Era.
"We'll meet them soon enough."
After a brief rest, we set off again.
Leaving the densely green mountain paths behind and descending the hills, fields came into sight, followed by houses appearing one by one.
The cloudy sky was growing dim, but there was still daylight left.
Just as I relaxed, thinking we'd sleep in beds tonight...
Ding-ding-ding...
A bell rang out from the direction of the village barricade.
Shouts rose from the people, and the wide-open gate in the barricade began to close slowly.
"What's going on?"
"Magical beast alert."
The Silver Guard Knight's face hardened as he gazed toward the village.
He turned his horse toward the barricade and looked back at us.
"Shuren, follow me. Liberic, Wedin, Ash—stay back and out of the fight. They won't open the gate until the beasts are dealt with."
With that, the Silver Guard Knight spurred his horse straight toward the barricade. Shuren followed close behind.
As ordered, Wedin, Ash, and I proceeded slowly on horseback.
A battle was raging on the right side of the barricade, but it was too far to see clearly from here.
The bell continued to clang noisily, accompanied by endless cries—screams or battle shouts, it was hard to tell.
"I don't get it."
Wedin rode up beside me, his face full of dissatisfaction.
"What?"
"Why tell us to stay out of the fight and wait? We've been training for situations like this."
"Because we have other roles."
I fully understood Wedin's frustration.
I'd felt the same way when we first left Prion's walls.
The urge to prove what I could do had once put everyone in danger.
"That eager to swing a sword?"
While staying in Elgrace, Wedin had trained diligently every day.
Thanks to that, he'd grown taller, with lean muscles and small scars accumulating on his arms.
He scowled slightly and muttered.
"...Well, now that I think about it, it's probably better if I don't have to charge in with a blade."
"Exactly."
As we talked, the Silver Guard Knight and Shuren had nearly reached the barricade entrance.
There, soldiers were holding off boar-like magical beasts the size of grown men.
The Silver Guard Knight and Shuren dismounted, drew their swords, and plunged into the fray.
I inched closer for a better look when a young soldier yelled at us.
"Stay back! We'll open the gate once the fight's over!"
Not just us—villagers working outside the barricade and passing merchants gathered at a distance, murmuring.
We dismounted and held our horses' reins.
Ash, who had been with us, slipped into the bushes to avoid notice.
"How many times have beasts come down from the mountains this month alone? We'll all die at this rate."
"They asked for more soldiers, but the capital hasn't even responded..."
We wove through the worried, murmuring crowd, edging closer to the battle.
"That's a Bartan, right?"
Wedin squinted hard at the barricade, his voice uncertain.
The Melgram I'd given him hung around his neck, blackened by the detection of a magical beast.
"Yeah, a boar-type magical beast."
Bartan: a ferocious boar covered in stiff black bristles, armed with solid tusks and brute strength.
Once it spotted prey, it charged at terrifying speed, powerful enough to shatter boulders.
"...But that one's kinda big."
The books said they reached an adult man's waist in height and weighed as much as one person.
The Bartans the soldiers faced were tall enough to reach a man's head, massive enough to send three flying with ease.
The Silver Guard Knight directed Shuren, then thrust his sword into a Bartan's forehead.
The Bartan twisted with a shriek.
Shuren circled to the other side and stabbed deep into its throat; only then did it collapse, spilling black blood.
"Whoa, those travelers are pretty good!"
"Take 'em all down!"
The onlookers cheered and clapped.
The locals seemed accustomed to beast attacks, showing little fear.
"Is it over?"
Wedin scowled toward the battle, too distant to see well.
"No, not yet..."
I answered for him.
"Argh! It's coming this way!"
The ground shook with thuds, followed by screams. We turned toward the noise.
A massive Bartan, covered in blood, charged the onlookers.
A young soldier raised his shield to block, but one toss of the beast's head sent him flying.
He landed not far from us, unconscious from the impact.
"That soldier...!"
"I'll go!"
After Wedin rushed to the fallen man, I gripped my staff and charged the rampaging Bartan.
Ash burst from hiding to help me.
The Silver Guard Knight and Shuren were too far to reach in time.
"Raaah!"
"Run!"
The casual spectators finally screamed and scattered.
I pushed through the crowd to stand directly in the Bartan's path, calmly gathering mana.
Thwack!
Suddenly, a sharp hook flew from somewhere and embedded in the Bartan's flank.
It let out a piercing squeal and tumbled right before me.
The thick rope attached to the hook went taut. At its end stood a burly man.
"Hmph!"
With a short grunt, the Bartan—which had flung several people aside—was dragged away hook and all.
It thrashed as it was hauled off, only to meet its end on the short sword he drew.
"No injuries?"
The man grabbed the Bartan's scruff with one hand and yanked the hook from deep in its body.
Black blood dripped from the iron hook.
"Pardon? Oh, no, I'm fine."
I'd been staring blankly; it took a moment to realize he was addressing me.
He gave a curt "Hm" and nodded, then slung the hook and rope at his waist before heading back to the barricade.
Looking closer, he wasn't in soldier's garb and wasn't Denan.
His gray hair was cropped short, and he stood a head taller than average. Broad shoulders packed with solid muscle. Dark skin scarred heavily.
The short gray fur covering his nape suggested a bear Loran.
Seeing anyone but Denan in the Lesion Kingdom felt refreshingly novel.
Dong...
A slow bell toll echoed from atop the barricade.
Signaling the end of the beast fight and the return of peace.
With it, the village gate began to creak open.
"Hunter! It's been ages!"
A sturdy Denan woman with brown skin and toned muscles spotted the Silver Guard Knight and greeted him effusively.
In contrast, he remained impassive as ever, giving only a slight nod.
"It's been a while, Platoon Leader Makina."
"Come on, no need to be so formal between us!"
Makina laughed heartily and strode forward, but the Silver Guard Knight quietly stepped back—as if maintaining that distance was proper.
"Allow me to introduce: Shuren, Liberic, Wedin. They'll be joining the mission."
We gave light greetings as introduced. He then turned to us.
"This is Platoon Leader Makina of the Quint Mountain Guards, and squad member Max. They'll guide us through the passes."
"Looking forward to working with you, knights!"
Makina waved with a bright smile. Beside her, the hulking man—Max—gave us a heavy once-over.
The bear Loran. I'd thought he wasn't a soldier; turns out he was with the mountain guards.
"Likewise."
As we exchanged greetings, a commotion erupted outside the barricade.
"Gah, wh-what is that wolf?!"
"Another beast?!"
We turned to see Ash surrounded by soldiers.
Ah. No good hiding spots inside the village, it seemed.
"Silver Guard, I should go."
I said anxiously; he nodded briefly.
"Yes. Platoon Leader Makina, we'll talk later. Wedin, check the field clinic. Might be able to help."
Wedin, who'd been worried about the injured soldier, agreed readily.
Moreover, several kingdom soldiers had been hovering, clearly wanting words with the Silver Guard Knight and Shuren.
"Alright, meet at the Echo Inn once things settle. It's the big one mid-street. Rooms are booked."
"Got it."
With that, we dispersed.
Wedin headed to the clinic; the Silver Guard Knight, Shuren, and Makina moved to speak with the kingdom troops.
I hurried to rescue Ash from the crowd.
"It's fine!"
I slipped between the growling Ash and weapon-ready soldiers, shouting loudly.
The soldiers startled back upon seeing me.
"Dangerous beast! Get away now!"
An older soldier brandished his sword at me.
"Wait, you're with those travelers who helped us earlier..."
Luckily, the young one beside him recognized me.
"Yes, exactly. Ash, stop growling! You're scaring people."
To show the soldiers it was safe, I approached and stroked Ash's forehead.
They flinched, but relaxed as Ash quickly calmed.
'...Hmph.'
Ash shrank his puffed-up form, planted his paws before me, and sat.
He curled his shining silver tail aside and yawned boredly.
"Wanna play with this? Don't wander and freak people out."
I pulled a small leather ball from my bag—Airan's gift to Ash.
'Play with this? What do you take me for...'
Despite his words, Ash's eyes snapped to the ball as it bounced on the ground.
'I'll tear it to shreds in one bite.'
Ash eagerly attacked the ball with teeth and claws.
But as Airan's gift, it had some magical treatment; it held up fine, even bouncing away to tease him further.
I knew he'd love it.
Watching Ash play, the soldiers sheathed their weapons one by one.
"Doesn't seem that dangerous, but keep the noise down in the village."
They gave me that advice and dispersed to their duties.
I let out a relieved sigh.