Ch.256256. Mir Park Blockade Battle (5)

From somewhere, a pack of demonic beasts emerges.

When one of them, no different from a massive lion, leaps out, the Imperial soldiers receive orders and hastily retreat.

Howling with monstrous screams and threats, it was clearly unsuited for this ecosystem.

Looking at its grotesque appearance, as if combined with parts of other demonic beasts, it was no longer a lion. Infused with demonic energy, made more ferocious and enormous—it was a Chimera.

A terrifying monster created from all sorts of creatures fused together.

“KYAOOOOO!!”

The Chimera roars with a ferocity matching its appearance. After biting others in sequence, Tembris begins their formal attack.

While typical demonic beasts are often handled through close combat, that’s not always necessary. Like the Chimera standing before them.

-Sssssss.

Demonic energy ominously emanates from the Chimera’s body. The energy gathers and clumps together like mana activating a spell or forming a magic circle, eventually coalescing into a single object.

The concentrated mass of demonic energy forms into dull-colored spikes, sharp enough to mercilessly tear through delicate human flesh.

─What the… Is the demonic beast using some kind of magic?

─It’s not elemental projection magic, but… at least physical projection magic…

“Don’t panic. This is common when facing high-rank demonic beasts.”

It’s understandable to be frightened when a mere demonic beast appears to be mimicking human magic. Goden steps forward conspicuously to prevent the soldiers’ morale from wavering, as if to demonstrate that he can handle it.

At that moment, dull-colored spikes fly toward the human standing at the forefront with a sharp whistling sound.

Six projectiles in total, including the horns launched from its head.

An ordinary human would be pushed back, unable to properly absorb the impact. If they failed to control their mana and their equipment broke, they might suffer fatal injuries and have to leave the battlefield.

But Goden doesn’t budge.

His body doesn’t move even a single centimeter, and the six demonic energy projectiles dissipate upon impact as if they’d hit a wall.

“”As expected…!””

Living up to the Imperial army’s expectations, he withstood the demonic beast’s power head-on.

To the soldiers watching his back, it was as if a massive mountain stood before them.

Indeed.

To the demonic beast, he was an enormous mountain—a mountain of impossible sturdiness.

After several failed attempts at spewing demonic energy attacks, the Chimera switches to close combat.

As if waiting for this moment, Goden rushes forward and raises his shield.

An incredible pressure wave and a deafening roar that makes ears ring. The soldiers can only squint their eyes, unable to approach. And then—

-KWANG!!

Lightning strikes from the sky. Not just sound but overwhelming power as electric shock hits the crown of the demonic beast’s head.

Though it struck the crown, the beast noticed the electric attack and released demonic energy, sensing a threat to its life. Still breathing, it charges like a tank toward the spellcaster, utilizing the agility of its four legs.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

-Crack, crack. Tssssss.

But it was weaker than before taking the attack.

Now it can’t match even Cain’s power, let alone Goden’s. Its body and demonic energy, not concentrated due to being stunned, can only produce clumsy attacks.

Realizing its charge attack failed, the beast surrounds itself with demonic energy again, preparing to crash like an armored vehicle, but an elegant blade strike precisely cuts through its dulled flesh.

“KYAOOOOO!!”

Blood sprays into the air as chunks of flesh roll on the ground.

What was once part of the demonic beast’s body twitches for a few seconds before going cold.

The rest of the team, not missing the opening, targets the beast’s disrupted mana balance to control its movements, flexibly pouring in physical and magical attacks until finally, a purple fountain erupts from the massive beast’s heart.

Splash.

Goden, Senia, and Cain—the three frontliners—withdraw their swords in sequence.

─Waaaaaah!!!

Seeing this and confirming the massive beast’s collapse, the soldiers cheer, raising their morale even higher.

“Advance!!”

The Imperial army unit pushes forward one more step.

With the Tembris party at its center, they cut down the incoming Mains and demonic beasts released during research, heading toward Mirpark’s stronghold city.

***

The Lakans say they originally owed Junon a debt of gratitude, which is why they searched around and found this place.

When asked if anyone had followed them, the Lakans replied that they were well aware of how ruthlessly the nobles plant spies, so they had been extremely cautious.

Well then, there was nothing to worry about.

But…

Clang, clang!

As the pickaxe sounds continue, the sacks that had been thrown on the ground gradually fill with Badelite and Elcherium.

Ironically, the person who came here needing those materials wasn’t the one using the pickaxe.

“…What? A license?”

“That’s right. You need a mining license to dig.”

“But, that…”

Junon wanted to say he used to have one long ago… but since being discovered by them, he hadn’t been allowed to touch a pickaxe.

Whenever he tried to step in, the Lakans would click their tongues and shake their heads, and if he tried to secretly grab a pickaxe, they would rush over and stop him… so all Junon could do was remove impurities from the ores and stones they mined.

Finally, one sack was filled.

Then two sacks. Three sacks.

By the time all the brought sacks were filled, the cave that had been full of minerals was now empty. All the large pieces had been mined, with only small bits remaining. It was fortunate they didn’t have more sacks, or they would have taken those too.

“Wow, we’ve packed them tight!”

“Shall we head down now?”

If he had been mining alone with a pickaxe, he wouldn’t have been able to fill even one rice-sack-sized bag before heading back down. Human stamina isn’t unlimited, and mining is hard work regardless of technique. It would have taken several days to mine everything, but now it seems just another day or two would be enough.

As they carried the sacks down, Junon expressed his gratitude.

“No need for thanks. We should be thanking you for saving us from certain death.”

“Ugh. I still shudder thinking about that time.”

“We have strength to spare!” they said, showing a relaxed attitude. Well, the Lakan physique is naturally adapted to the wilderness, so it made sense.

Still not satisfied, they even took the sacks full of minerals from him.

“We’ll deliver these. You should rest.”

“No, who do you think I’m delivering these to…”

“Heh heh, we know you’re taking them to McGuffin anyway.”

“…What?”

“McGuffin and we were drinking buddies. It would be stranger if we didn’t know.”

Ah. So that’s how it was.

Come to think of it, I’ve heard that Lakans enjoy alcohol almost as much as dwarves.

It would make sense for that old man to have mentioned me during their drinking sessions.

“Ahem. So enjoy the scenery and come down at your leisure. Understood?”

“What?”

“Why, the scenery here in Sirah is beautiful. And you can’t run around easily like we can.”

“Um… yes. Well… that’s true…”

“Don’t worry! We’ll deliver these quickly. You go on now!”

“Yes, yes!”

The Lakans leap over trees and rocks along the path as if walking through their own living room. They seem to be in quite a hurry.

“Even if I deliver these to Mr. McGuffin, it’ll take a long time for him to refine them.”

Junon tilted his head, wondering why they were moving so urgently.

“Scenery… I didn’t have time to appreciate it here.”

In the cave, every day had been a struggle to move while avoiding the eyes of demonic beasts. There had been no time to look at the red sunset blazing in the sky or the view of Sirah bathed in that crimson glow.

His eyes are suddenly drawn to the rocking stone on the hillside path, cutting the sunset in half.

-Clunk, clunk.

Push it and it returns. Push it and it returns.

As always, the sound of the rocking stone returning to its position like a roly-poly doll gives him a moment to reflect.

-‘Yon-seok. What’s wrong with your mana structure?’

-‘What do you mean?’

-‘Listen, kid. Mana is supposed to be absorbed when you put it in, but yours just bounces back out.’

McGuffin shouting in exasperation at the forge. He had heard something about mana back then too.

-‘I can’t make your magic weapon, boy. For others, it’s because of divine energy, but what’s your excuse?’

He had seen it with his own eyes when asked to look. Put it in and it bounces out, put it in again and it bounces out again, just like this rocking stone always returning to its place.

Perhaps that’s why this stone catches his attention. But.

“It mustn’t repeat again.”

The past should be buried as the past, and a new future must be embraced.

Just today, how many familiar faces had he encountered? People who hadn’t existed in the past.

People who would have lost their lives when the demonic beasts attacked, or whose lives had already been cut short.

But they are alive now. Because the past hasn’t repeated itself.

Because they remain in the present that has been changed, however slightly, by his own hands.

“Right. Being useless once was enough.”

Let’s move forward step by step. Like today.

***

“Another wasted effort today…”

After finally finding a mushroom said to wake even those who are bedridden when brewed into tea, being told it’s poisonous after examination is quite disheartening.

Renias had been searching for methods that might wake Lonelion, but she was gradually becoming exhausted.

Both physically and mentally.

In this state, she encountered a somewhat bustling scene.

“Well now, is this how you treat us?”

“If you think we’re just going to let this slide, you’re sorely mistaken.”

Due to the darkening evening, she couldn’t see clearly, but three people seemed to be confronting one person.

Though their tone was displeased, it wasn’t violent or coercive. More like teasing. Almost like the relationship between an uncle giving pocket money to a nephew.

Suddenly, the girl recognizes a familiar voice.

“No… this isn’t right, you know.”

This voice, could it be?

The emotional indicator on top of her head perked up.

With a sense of disbelief, Renias peeked her head out from behind the wall. Her violet eyes, somewhat adjusted to the darkness, fell upon a boy who seemed troubled.

‘Ugh… I still can’t see well.’

It would be better if there were more lighting. Perhaps because the street lamps hadn’t all been installed yet, it was quite dark.

Given her position, getting closer wasn’t an option. Nor could she use magic to clear her vision and confirm if it was the same person.

Well… hearing the voice once or twice more should be enough.

Just then, the other men initiated conversation.

“Ahem. Are you asking us to do something for you? You entrusted artifacts to the Sirens, but we can’t even do that.”

“All we can do is physical labor. We don’t have the craftsmanship of dwarves to maintain weapons, nor are we proficient in magic like elves. So at least use us as laborers.”

The conversation seems random and hard to follow, and she can’t hear everything clearly.

If only that person would speak once more.

“And I told you to come down slowly. Sheesh.”

As the last person complained, the troubled one finally spoke.

“You told me to come down slowly, and I was wondering why. How could you do this in the meantime? A house in my name?”

“…!”

The familiar voice was indeed that of Senior Junon.

The person she most wanted to see right now was right before her eyes, when both her body and heart were exhausted.

‘But why is Senior here…?’

Was it just a coincidence that their paths crossed?

It seems he was talking about a house being built… listening a bit more, she could understand the reason.

“You left Lebrant Academy! Where else would you go?”

“What? No, that’s…”

Senior… dropped out? What does that mean?

She wishes he would explain a bit more, but Senior just scratches his head awkwardly.

The fact that he didn’t deny it spoke volumes.

-Thump.

She wants to run to him right now.

To ask why he dropped out, why he suddenly left the academy just when he was starting to become recognized. To throw a tantrum and ask when he’s coming back.

He had mentioned having his own plans before. If he chose to leave the academy for that purpose… there’s nothing she could say.

But even if that’s not the case, she wants to go to him and ask for something.

To comfort her. To reassure her.

To tell him that her only remaining family, Lonelion, hasn’t even regained consciousness.

She wants to confess how terrified she is that he might never open his eyes again, to fall into his embrace.

She wants to fall asleep listening to Senior’s voice as he strokes her head and offers his shoulder, telling her everything will be alright, just like he did at the hospital.

But unable to do so, Renias wiped away her tears secretly and left the place.

“Sob, not yet. I can still look for more options.”

Because she didn’t want to be a burden to Senior.