Ch.286EP.62 – What is a Knight’s Cause to Fight? (9)

What would happen if a giant termite running at 50km/h, weighing over 60kg, appeared before your eyes?

Additionally, what if there were 30,000 of these giant termites, with shark-like serrated teeth densely packed in their heads?

Generally, one might think…

‘I should run away.’

With their already hard exoskeletons becoming even more formidable due to their size, and speeds averaging 50km/h with maximum speeds of 70km/h, humans made of mere flesh would be torn to pieces upon impact.

Even decent city walls would likely collapse under the charge of such monsters.

They could annihilate an entire city in less than half a day, and some might tremble with fear and dizziness, but…

“Today’s numbers are quite decent.”

“The locusts that came last time were scarier.”

“When a million of them poured in, I truly thought it was the end of the world.”

“Don’t exaggerate! When I was young, there were 3 billion locusts flying around the kingdom, you fools!”

“Come on, stop lying.”

“I’m not lying, I swear!”

Among the soldiers, or rather warriors, not a trace of fear could be seen on their faces.

Their expressions showed only relaxed smiles and eyes mixed with appropriate tension.

Veterans of many battles.

Such a title naturally came to mind seeing the imposing warriors of Modred, and the man leading these warriors had already raised a worn and tattered flag.

A white flag with a black shield and a ghost’s face engraved on it—this flag served as a guidepost for all warriors today as it was held in the hand of the Margrave.

“Aim!”

Click!

Guns, artillery, and peculiarly shaped giant cannons made rough metallic sounds as they were aimed at the approaching horde of monsters.

Despite the monsters rapidly approaching, the raised flag did not give the signal.

As if saying to wait just a little longer.

Rumble!!!

As they drew closer, the pressure and momentum transmitted by the monster army weighed down on everyone, and the ground shook as dust-filled wind blew.

When the rising tension and pressure drew ever closer.

“—Fire!!!”

Swoosh!

The flag was vigorously swung.

Bang…!

As soon as the flag was swung, fire spewed from guns and artillery, and the peculiarly shaped giant cannon,

Whoosh!

—spewed [Flames].

Boom!!

In an instant, the powerful flames engulfed not only the monsters at the very front but also those in the rows behind them.

Bullets and artillery shells accurately hit those behind, and while the artillery hurried to reload, archers fired arrows without rest.

Crack! Crunch!

[Keaaaa!!!]

The monsters, already weakened by flames, artillery, and guns, were pierced through the head by hundreds of arrows and died on the spot.

Of course, there were monsters that broke through the arrows and gunfire.

Whoosh!

[!!?]

The speed at which the terrifying flames, reminiscent of “Greek fire,” spread across their bodies was horrific, and consequently, many monsters were burned alive in the flames.

However, there’s a limit to how much attack can be poured out.

Crack!

Having overcome all the aforementioned trials, the monsters finally attempted to pierce through the palisade and charge.

However…

Slash!

“Where do you think you’re going, mere monsters.”

When did they get there?

The White Ghosts who had descended below the palisade exuded a brutal aura as they slaughtered the monsters.

Boom!

Boom!

[??]

The monsters that charged at the knights were greatly bewildered.

While the monsters rushing like cannonballs ended up self-destructing due to their own speed, the knights remained perfectly fine.

“Do you think you can pierce through our defense?!”

The knights sneered at the monsters.

The armor of the White Ghosts isn’t merely hideous.

It has not only sturdy defense but also powerful repulsion against physical attacks.

Yes, as if copying the characteristics of ghost-type monsters.

Therefore, no matter how fast or how hard the monsters were, it was useless against the White Ghosts.

Because their armor was both the strongest shield and a blunt weapon.

“In your next life, never dare to covet Modred.”

Crack!

* * *

“—Those fellows seem particularly spirited today.”

“?”

“Ah, I mean that in a good way. Just the other day, they were fighting mechanically as if their souls had been drained, but look how vigorously they’re fighting now? Perhaps they’ve gained strength from receiving your letter. Though because of that, they all seem to be wasting a bit too much energy.”

“I see what you mean.”

Somehow, they did seem to be fighting with strange exaggeration.

…As if they were performing in a play?

Ah, of course, this situation itself isn’t a play.

Although the soldiers and knights are fighting incredibly well, and the monsters are dying pathetically, it’s truly a nightmare from the monsters’ perspective.

Those monsters aren’t weak.

It’s just that.

‘The problem is that these people’s combat is too skilled and refined.’

Like the craftsmanship of an experienced farmer harvesting crops.

It was a one-sided massacre, and one had to wonder how many repeated battles they had fought to become this skilled.

At least in terms of fighting monsters, could there be any troops better than these?

‘Did they develop these weapons themselves?’

One of the more impressive aspects was undoubtedly the ‘quality’ of the weapons.

‘I suppose fighting so much led to weapon development.’

Ihan has his own experience participating in wars.

As such, he had seen quite a few weapons and knew well how weak guns and artillery could be.

Yet now, their firepower technology was clearly surpassing that of the royal military.

Especially.

‘How did they make something like that?’

A weapon that spews fire…

And not just ordinary fire.

Like napalm, the flames continued to spread, and toxic substances further weakened the monsters.

“I sense quite strong toxicity… Is that safe?”

“No need to worry about the knights. The <Soul Iron Armor> repels even most poisons and curses.”

“Oh.”

“The Soul Iron Armor is the culmination of all of Modred’s essence; such functions are only natural. Ah, you should avoid getting too close. You might get poisoned.”

“No need to worry. I can digest most deadly poisons.”

“…?”

“This level is not really deadly poison, just somewhat stinging.”

“R-Really? That’s fascinating. I thought only that fellow had such poison resistance…”

Roar!!!

As if he heard himself being mentioned, he appropriately displayed his presence.

“Hraaah!!”

If one were to ask who was making the biggest contribution in this battle, it would be meaningless, but if asked who was making a ‘massive contribution,’ one could definitely say it was that man.

Crack!

“Aaaah!!”

Felix.

His massive body had become even larger with plate armor, and every time he swung the giant maces in both hands, he demonstrated what overwhelming, even violent, power truly was.

Monsters fell wherever his maces passed, and even when dozens charged at him, each swing of his mace crushed two or three monsters into pulp, making him worthy of the title “slaughterer.”

Furthermore…

“Uaaaah!”

“Vice Captain! You shouldn’t charge in alone like that!”

“Felix! That crazy man, again…!?”

His momentum grew stronger the more monster blood he saw, and he showed the epitome of recklessness by charging straight at the oncoming monsters.

It would be no exaggeration to call it suicidal, but neither Ihan nor Ganok showed much concern.

That’s because.

Crunch!

It was obvious that it was the charging monsters, not Felix, who were being crushed.

In less than 5 minutes, Felix had crushed over 300 monsters, and he continued to charge at the monsters as if seeking more opponents to crush.

The Hound of Modred.

Such a nickname must have been given due to his tenacity and aggression.

“That fellow, aside from poison resistance, isn’t he affected by the heat of the flames?”

“It’s because he’s of Modred’s bloodline. With a ‘guardian spirit’ attached, he can move within flames for about ten minutes. Ah, by the way, this is a secret. If he learns about the guardian spirit, he’ll surely make a fuss trying to remove it.”

“…You have it tough.”

“…Sadly, I can’t deny that.”

Ganok then put on his helmet.

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll go help that fool.”

“Take care.”

“Huh, you’re not expressing concern or offering to help?”

“This is not my battlefield. It’s yours.”

“……”

Ganok’s eyes widened at the unexpected response.

It wasn’t because he found it heartless.

Rather…

“What a charming answer!”

It was a response full of respect for them, not pity, which made him feel good.

Ganok raised the corners of his mouth and headed to the frontline.

With utmost joy.

Boom!

“…He could get remarried at his age.”

As Ihan uttered words of admiration, not quite admiration, toward the old knight who jumped down from the eight-story high palisade, he sensed someone approaching and willingly made way.

“Did you come because you were worried about your father?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. My father is Modred’s strongest knight. Even I can’t defeat him yet.”

“Then why is the commander here?”

“With my father participating, the battle is already over. So, I came to ask the question I couldn’t finish earlier.”

“Right now?”

“Time should be used efficiently.”

Hiss.

Kain the Margrave. With practiced movements, he lit a cigarette and put it in his mouth.

“Phew…”

“I’m a non-smoker.”

“Sorry about that, but don’t worry. This is made from medicinal herbs.”

“Are you sick?”

“I wish it were a physical ailment.”

“?”

“Yes, if I had to identify what’s ailing me, I suppose it would be my heart. Strange as it may sound.”

“……”

It was an unusual scene.

In front of them, monsters were still burning, and knights and soldiers were still killing monsters.

It was nothing short of a great victory, something that should elate a commander’s heart, yet the Margrave seemed completely unmoved.

Rather, he too seemed to be fighting this battle out of obligation.

Then,

“How much do you know?”

“?”

“About us, how much do you know?”

The Margrave stared at him with sharp eyes.

Where had the languid man from just moments ago gone? Now he exuded a spirit-filled aura, like a beast stretching.

It seemed to be the essence of the man called Kain—no matter how depleted his energy might be, there’s a reason a beast remains a beast.

“How much…”

Unfazed by such a gaze, Ihan maintained an indifferent expression.

He could guess the intention behind such a question.

‘Is he testing me?’

He’s probably suspicious. Wondering what his purpose is for coming here.

It could be the nobles’ characteristic paranoia, but Ihan doesn’t find such suspicion strange.

Rather, it would be strange not to be suspicious.

So Ihan.

“Well, not much…”

Decided to give a ‘truly honest’ answer.

“There’s a [Great Archfiend] sealed here, and because of a curse it cast long ago, all the people of Wales must die, that’s about it?”

“……”

“And you all are fighting continuously in this abandoned village to delay the Great Archfiend’s curse, but it’s like pouring water into a broken dam.”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…No, it’s just… you know too much.”

“?”

“Ahem.”

It’s always awkward when the person who asked the question finds out the other knows their secrets too well.