Ch.130130. War (6)

The moment he first encountered the magic user riding on the back of a flapping griffin.

What he realized was that the appearance of the griffin carrying the magic user Gregory Aleinos had changed significantly from before.

Although it was already an impressively large adult griffin, the creature that now revealed itself again seemed somehow different even to Baron Lefant.

‘That beast…’

Judging by the size of the magic user riding it, the griffin had grown at least 1.5 times larger than before, and its impression and subtle details showcased a completely different appearance.

Of course, rather than assuming the griffin’s appearance had suddenly changed, one might reasonably suspect that the current griffin was simply a different individual from the previous one…

Baron Lefant denied such thoughts himself. He could be certain.

This enormous griffin before his eyes, now 1.5 times larger than before, was indeed the same creature as before.

In any case, this enlarged griffin wasn’t just bigger compared to ordinary griffins.

From minor details to its overall impression, while appearing subtly similar, there were definite differences in its appearance.

For example, while normal griffins have beaks not much different from ordinary birds of prey,

the inside of this massive griffin’s beak contained small, sharp teeth, giving the impression that anything bitten would surely not survive.

Additionally, the head feathers and wing tips were tinged with a subtle golden hue, and the forelegs, though resembling those of birds of prey, looked more like those of reptiles or dinosaurs rather than simple avian limbs.

Faced with this griffin that had taken on such a wild and ferocious appearance,

and momentarily confused by the sight of the magic user mounted on it, the Baron raised his spear, paying no attention to whatever the man was saying.

In any case, the only apparent leader of the enemies in this battle was that lone magic user.

In other words, if he could eliminate that man, who could be considered the root cause of this entire situation, the battle would result in the Baron’s victory.

Therefore, as the Baron moved with lightning speed to raise his large, beautiful spear, the magic user also began gathering magical power while swinging his elegant staff.

-KWAAAANG!!!

Immediately after, the Baron swung his spear infused with aura, while the griffin countered with its claws similarly coated in aura, beginning the clash between the two intermediate-level fighters.

Each time the two aura users collided, explosions and shockwaves erupted, and the power leaking from the clashing auras slashed wildly at the ground and castle walls.

In terms of technique and combat skill, Baron Lefant clearly had the advantage.

As if to prove that his more than 30 years of training hadn’t been in vain, the Baron handled his absurdly long 2.7-meter spear as skillfully as if it were an extension of his body.

He blocked enemy attacks with the hand guard (so-called) between the spear blade and shaft, and continuously chained attacks by utilizing the spear’s length and incredibly light weight.

The griffin, though large, was not particularly skilled in terms of experience and struggled to defend against these attacks, allowing several effective hits.

However…

‘…Why is it so damn tough?!’

Despite successfully landing several effective strikes, Baron Lefant couldn’t inflict any meaningful damage due to the griffin’s unexpectedly high durability and defense.

The aura-coated feathers were so tough that he had to thrust his spear blade between the gaps, but even when he managed to do so, he was met with incredibly strong hide and muscle.

At a point where both sides were using aura, the cutting power and defensive enhancement of aura should apply equally to both sides…

No, in terms of aura-handling technique, Baron Lefant was clearly far ahead.

The problem was that this griffin’s physical abilities completely offset all the advantages the Baron possessed.

‘…Kugh, kuk!’

Its brutally powerful strength turned every movement into a lethal attack.

Moreover, despite its enormous size, it moved so quickly that the Baron would lose track of it with even a moment’s lapse in concentration, and the muscles producing this strength and speed were literally as hard as steel.

Therefore, just as the Baron, who had been barely holding on, tried to readjust his grip on his spear to block the griffin’s attack—

‘…Hehe, this should do it.’

Sensing strong presences approaching from behind, Baron Lefant felt relief wash over one corner of his mind and gladly welcomed them.

“My lord!”

“Charge forward—!!”

Eight powerful presences. The eight knights he had summoned were about to enter the battlefield after approximately 50 seconds of combat with the griffin.

Though they might all wield different specialized armaments or weapons, they were all knights who had received their knighthood through appointment, possessing skills worthy of their titles.

They quickly scaled the over 5-meter high castle wall, then mercilessly cut down the wolf pack that had been slaughtering soldiers on top of the wall, turning the tide of battle in their favor.

No matter how much stronger the wolf pack had become, making them difficult for ordinary soldiers to handle, they ultimately couldn’t transcend the limits of lower-class beings to become irregulars.

Even the spirit-giants clinging to the base of the wall, throwing rocks and logs, were nothing more than big fools before properly armored and armed knights.

“Coordinate!”

“”””Yes, sir!!!””””

Particularly, four knights approached his side where he had been struggling.

A knight armed with a traditional shield and arming sword, a knight wielding a large, beautiful great hammer,

a knight swinging a lance like a club, and an exotic knight armed with an axe and sword.

These veterans and newcomers who had served Baron Lefant and his house for over 10 years had noticed their master in danger and rushed into battle.

“…Kill them.”

At that moment, when the cold and merciless voice of the magic user was heard, the knights and the Baron realized that something was terribly wrong.

Of course, realizing it wouldn’t change anything.

-GRRRRRR!!

A flash, followed by a thunderous roar. After the preliminary phenomenon of thunder passed, a bolt of lightning from a small shadow high in the sky struck the knight with the axe and sword who was at the rear, burning him with all its might.

Even with the magical resistance granted by aura, surviving a lightning bolt that seemed to pierce the sky was nearly impossible.

[GRRRR—!!!!]

The knight holding the lance was attacked by a massive wolf that suddenly appeared after completely concealing its presence.

This wolf, surrounded by extreme cold that seemed capable of freezing all moisture, bit through the back of the knight’s neck in one go, then expelled cold energy to freeze all his bodily fluids, hunting the knight in this manner.

Normally, he could have easily expelled the cold using the aura within his body, but due to the shocking injury of having his neck bitten, the knight was in such extreme pain that he couldn’t even think of resisting.

The knight holding a piece of metal as large as a human head.

He was suddenly engulfed by a wave of black rats that emerged from the shadows, from areas where sunlight didn’t reach.

“AAAAAAHHH—!!!”

These rats, numbering at least in the thousands, swarmed over the knight and eagerly bit into his flesh regardless of his resistance, until eventually even his screams could no longer be heard.

And the knight with the shield and sword was overwhelmed by a barrage of invisible slashes coming from all directions.

At first, he seemed to block a few with his sword and shield, but that was only possible once or twice.

The continuous slashes pouring in from all directions were each capable of easily taking a life, and thus he couldn’t respond to attacks coming from completely unpredictable angles.

First his arms fell off, then his legs were severed.

The continuous barrage of attacks was simply impossible to handle, and at some point, the knight’s body was completely dismembered and fell to the ground.

“…?!!”

Having witnessed four knights being killed instantly before his eyes, the Baron momentarily froze, unable to comprehend the situation for just a brief moment…

-SLASH!!

The griffin, which had been exchanging blows with him all along, didn’t miss this brief opening and cleanly sliced open his abdomen.

“Ku, kuuuh…”

While making an empty sound of air escaping from his mouth, the Baron felt the sensation of claws piercing through his armor and tearing his heart, and was overcome with a strange emotion.

And then, as the Baron clung to life only by the power of his aura, a quiet voice whispered in his ear…

“…Farewell, Baron. You touched what should not have been touched.”

With that, the Baron’s body moved no more.