Chapter 120: To Von Grund’s Territory (5)

Several days after leaving the academy, we arrived at Count von Grund’s territory. However, we hadn’t yet witnessed the destruction caused by the barbarians firsthand.

We had just crossed the border into the Count’s domain, and the treacherous mountain path we’d traveled offered no glimpse of populous cities or villages that might attract barbarian raids.

“Should we head for the main road?” I asked Jessica, who had worn a worried expression since our arrival.

She shook her head. “It’s alright. I’m concerned for the people, but meeting my father to resolve this situation takes priority.”

I doubted meeting Jessica’s father would solve everything, but she was right that defeating Gintokang was the first step.

The barbarians who had breached the fallen barrier weren’t the main issue. Though strong, they were no match for the kingdom’s elite knights. Moreover, an Archwizard, rumored to surpass even a Swordmaster, was on the way.

Once the barrier was partially repaired with magic to block the path, the barbarians would be like rats in a trap. After that, it would simply be a matter of methodically crushing them one by one.

The real problem was that, unlike other barbarians, there was one who couldn’t be easily dealt with.

“The barbarians who thoughtlessly invaded can just be swept aside, but…”

“Yes, as long as someone capable of destroying the barrier is here, repairing it and defeating the invaders is pointless. It’ll just crumble again at his hands.”

We didn’t know his objective, but if it was simply to cause chaos, he’d tear down the barrier again as soon as it was repaired.

That alone would be troublesome enough, but he might also take advantage of the confusion while we were dealing with the scattered barbarians to infiltrate the capital and wreak havoc.

“We’ll have to ignore the barbarians for now and focus on killing him first.”

“I see. But who could possibly defeat someone even my father couldn’t beat?”

“He’s right in front of you.”

Aside from the possessed individual issue, I was destined to settle things with this guy.

“Let me make this clear: if anyone interferes, I’ll cut them down too. Got it?”

“What nonsense… There’s no way you alone could defeat someone who single-handedly destroyed the barrier and overpowered my father.”

“I could do both of those things too. Why wouldn’t I be able to beat him?”

Though I’d only stated the obvious, Jessica glared at me, clearly displeased for some reason.

At the mention of a powerful opponent, Hori, who had looked bored for the past few days, perked up.

“You’re about to fight a strong enemy, right? Then you should take this and this…”

I thought we’d packed all the potions in the bags at the back of the carriage, but Hori pulled out several vials from a small pouch at her waist.

“This one’s an improved version of the injection I gave you before. And this stimulates the brain to increase reflexes. The side effect is doubled pain while it’s active, but there are no other drawbacks, so don’t worry…”

Hori’s usual chattering trailed off as she sensed Jessica’s murderous intent and quickly shut her mouth.

Just like before, I couldn’t understand why Jessica was so angry about me potentially harming my own body. It wasn’t like I was hurting anyone else.

If I had to guess, it might have something to do with teaching her Baldo a few days ago. I remembered her flushed face when we practiced together in the training grounds.

Perhaps she was worried about losing her spiritual mentor, so to speak?

‘No, that can’t be right. She was insulting Baldo when we first set out…’

That detail bothered me a bit, but maybe she’d just said those things out of embarrassment for underestimating me before. Otherwise, her behavior didn’t make sense.

I’d saved Jessica twice before, but this wasn’t some light novel where she’d fall for me just because of that.

“Jessica, after this is over and we return to the academy, want to continue our Baldo practice?”

I offered this kind suggestion to soothe her anger, but her response was ice cold.

“What are you talking about? That agreement was for one day only. I won’t do such foolish things again.”

“Huh?”

This reaction was the complete opposite of what I’d expected. I thought she’d be thrilled like a child.

“Jessica, do you like me?”

“…”

Frustrated, I decided to just ask directly. Jessica stared at me blankly, as if she’d been hit on the head with a reverse-edged sword.

An even colder silence than when we’d first set out filled the carriage.

After what felt like an eternity of Hori and Jessica staring at me speechlessly, a loud thud suddenly shook the carriage violently.

“Ugh! What was that?!”

I looked out the window towards the driver’s seat and saw the road blocked by dust and a massive boulder.

Judging from the dust cloud and the earlier sound, it was clear someone had thrown the boulder there.

They’d aimed for the road instead of the carriage roof, which meant they probably wanted to steal it.

‘If that’s the case, they won’t break through the walls. They’ll be waiting outside the door.’

Sure enough, I sensed multiple presences not only in front where the rock had come from, but also near the door and behind the carriage.

“Arrows might fly in, so keep your heads down.”

After making sure Jessica had put on her helmet and Hori had ducked down, I roughly threw open the door and leapt out of the carriage.

As if on cue, three shabby-looking men with bows loosed arrows at me.

‘…No energy infused in them.’

Seeing no need to dodge, I let the arrows hit me as I charged forward. They bounced off harmlessly, not even tearing my clothes.

The men’s faces didn’t change at all. If anything, they smiled as if this was exactly what they’d expected.

‘They’re not complete idiots, then.’

Knowing the reason for those smiles lay above, I looked up at the sky.

A large man, presumably the one who’d thrown the boulder to block the road, was slowly descending with a triumphant grin. A red tattoo in the shape of a hawk adorned his chest, and he wore crude armor that barely deserved the name. The beast hides and bones haphazardly stitched together clearly marked him as a barbarian.

‘So their plan was to block the road with the boulder, distract me with arrows at the door, and have this guy attack from above.’

It wasn’t a bad strategy for barbarians, but they’d made one crucial mistake at the end.

I grabbed the fist of the barbarian attacking from above and flung him towards the group with bows.

“Wha-?”

The barbarian who’d tried to hunt me like a hawk from the sky tumbled across the ground with that stupid cry.

But it didn’t last long. Battle-hardened as he was, he quickly got to his feet and tried to rush at me. Before he could, Wolffang flashed from my waist and severed his thick neck.

“Aaaaaargh!”

As the barbarian’s head hit the ground along with a spray of blood, the men with bows began to scream. It wasn’t from unfamiliarity with death, but because they instantly realized their strongest warrior had been effortlessly defeated.

“Your strategy wasn’t bad, but you should have assessed your opponent’s capabilities better.”

Surprise attacks can be effective, but only when the gap in strength is small. A pack of hyenas using clever tactics to ambush an elephant won’t take down the true king of beasts.

“Now then, you’re already in my hands, so…”

I turned to deal with those behind me first, only to find they’d realized they had no chance of winning and decided to take hostages instead.

“Urgh…!”

As soon as they made eye contact with me, they hurriedly tried to open the door and rush inside. But the moment they set foot on the carriage, their noses were crushed and they fell backwards.

“F-fuck…!! My nose…!”

Considering their noses were only broken despite being hit with a hammer, Jessica must have held back to avoid killing them.

There was no need for such consideration against guys like these. Was she hesitating because she’d never killed before?

When the first man to step on the carriage fell back with a broken nose, the others behind him stumbled backwards in fear.

Jessica slowly descended from the carriage between the fallen men, closed the door, and surveyed the scene.

Confirming that the situation was mostly under control, she asked me as I forced the archers in the bushes to their knees:

“Is this all of the bandits?”

“Yeah, this doesn’t seem to be their main force. We should interrogate them now to find out where their hideout is…”

I trailed off as I noticed the man at Jessica’s feet clutching his broken nose.

Judging by the amount of bleeding and the wound itself, only his nose was broken. It wasn’t life-threatening.

With some healing and a few days of rest, he’d be able to return to daily life soon enough.

“…He’s surprisingly okay for being hit with a hammer.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Say, Jessica, you’ve never killed anyone before, right? Want to try it now?”