Chapter 101
(Kyle
Calendar Year 507: Age 14)
Demon Realm
Inspection ①
Translator : PolterGlast
The Demon Realm refers
to the vast forest (Great Forest) that stretches at the foot of the great
mountain range, whose peaks form a formidable barrier along the border. This
Great Forest extends from the foot of the great mountain range towards each
frontier territory, ranging from 20 km to 40 km wide along the foothills, and
its domain remains an inhuman land, continually refusing human entry.
Only the Southern Gate
Plain serves as a break in this expanse, where a desolate land spreads,
allowing passage as a border. The Demon Realm extends east and west from this
plain, like wings.
At the boundary
between the Demon Realm and human-inhabited regions, a strip of bamboo thickets
stretches, serving as a distinct boundary line. The narrow, elongated
no-man's-land along the Demon Realm's border is a dangerous zone where monsters
sometimes appear, intertwining with the bamboo thickets. Normally, no one
crosses this boundary into the bamboo thicket, nor ventures into the forest
beyond.
"Venturing into
the Demon Realm is, with all due respect, 100 years too early for you! Even if
it's the Lord's command, I will not permit it if you don't have the power to
protect yourself!"
These were the words
Commander Weiss had previously cut me down with. At that time, my swordsmanship
had only just reached the level of a [Swordsman]. In that state, it was hard to
say I could protect myself against a monster.
With my body having
grown, and after rigorous training from Commander Weiss and guidance from Anne,
I recently finally reached the level of a [Warrior].
"Well... you're
still a fledgling, but very well. I'll permit it if you always go with the
elite members of the mercenary corps."
And so, only recently,
did the Commander's permission finally come through.
Honestly, the danger
level posed by monsters has significantly increased in the current Demon Realm,
the bamboo thicket, and the border area just before it. Many monsters, having
tasted human blood in the previous war, are frequently reported to be
attempting to infiltrate human territories.
From rumors among
merchants, details are unclear, but I hear Hiyorimi Territory is in great
chaos. Several villages close to the Demon Realm were attacked, suffering many
casualties, and the villagers reportedly abandoned their homes and evacuated.
They've drawn a defensive line within their territory and somehow managed to
prevent further monster incursions. That's the gist of it.
Fortunately, for Solis
Viscountcy, we've managed to repel them at Teigun's narrow pass. Furthermore,
other invasion routes east of Teigun have been kept safe through Father's
arrangements, including dispatching reconnaissance teams for practical training
and investigation, and sending out subjugation teams.
This time, I plan to
conduct a large-scale sweep from the corridor exit towards the border, near
Hiyorimi Viscountcy's boundary. I myself appointed Commander Weiss as the
commanding officer, but my accompanying them was a separate matter, requiring
permission from the commander.
Accompanying me and my
escort Anne this time are a total of 350 cavalry: 200 scheduled to be
integrated into the Frontier Knights from the Solis Viscount family, 100 from
the mercenary corps, and 50 from the city's garrison. To this, 7 Mages from the
regular army, Christoph, Elan, and 3 Holy Mages for recovery in case of
emergency, are added, making for a rather large group.
Apparently, they
originally planned to conduct the sweep with about half the number of people,
but because a certain someone would be accompanying them, the number of
participants increased to this amount. Last night, Miseri secretly told me.
"Everyone, I
apologize for the extra trouble..."
The Commander had
previously drilled into me the likely monsters we'd encounter, precautions, and
how to deal with them.
"Principles for
traversing the Demon Realm:
Do not carelessly step
on sandy ground.
Do not carelessly
approach water.
Do not carelessly
approach thickets.
Do not carelessly..."
Yeah...
"Am I really that
careless?"
Well, there were other
various explanations, but I felt a little down.
After exiting the
corridor and proceeding a bit, the formation stopped upon reaching the rocky
path. They then stationed lookouts and began their work.
"First, we
consider retreat. We cannot allow them to be drawn into Teigun like this. We
will set up traps here to halt them in case of unforeseen circumstances or
retreat. A portion will remain here to secure the final defense line."
Something like a
defensive position, rather than a mere trap, was rapidly constructed.
"Well, this time,
with Earth Mages, Water Mages, and Fire Mages, we could create elaborate traps
in a short time, but usually it's not this easy. Imprint it in your mind that
this steady preparation is paramount."
He emphasized that.
As we advanced,
cutting through the bamboo thicket, everyone's tension immediately heightened.
The scout leading the way seemed to have encountered a monster.
"Well, around
here... it's probably a Black Wolf. One-on-one isn't a big deal. They're mere
fodder." I recalled what I had been taught.
※
『Black Wolves move in packs, so if one appears, assume
there are others. When facing multiple opponents, be careful not to receive
coordinated attacks, especially from blind spots. Most importantly, never fall
down; they aim for the throat from a low position.』
Once your eyes get
used to their movements, they're not difficult opponents. I was taught to
minimize movements and swing my sword horizontally against the Black Wolves,
which are nimble horizontally.
『Know that Black Wolves are the reconnaissance units
for other monsters. There will always be more following; never let your guard
down, even during battle, assuming that.』
Being alert while
fighting... Could I really do that?
『Demon Wolves lead Black Wolves. If you encounter a
Demon Wolf, never fight it alone.』
Now, I wasn't alone. I
was also on alert for Demon Wolves. It would be fine. Everything I learned was
in my head.
※
"I've given instructions
to drive them towards us. Alright! From now on, dismount and begin practical
training!"
This person is a demon
when it comes to combat. I'm an unworthy disciple, but I'll do my best.
Just then, a black
shadow leaped out from the thicket. The Black Wolf let out a low growl in front
of me. It was about two sizes larger than a regular wolf. It must have
instantly realized I was the weakest. It charged straight at me.
"Kuh!"
I thought I dodged the
charge with a side-step, but it easily changed direction and grazed my body. I
almost fell but managed to maintain my balance.
"If you protect
your neck, it won't be a fatal blow. Aim for the moment it leaps,"
Commander Weiss's advice rang out, and I turned to face it. When I feinted a
charge, the Black Wolf obediently leaped, aiming for my neck with its fangs.
"Shhh!" I
twisted my waist and swung my sword horizontally with minimal movement. I felt
a definite impact on my wrist, and when I took a step back, the Black Wolf was
sprawled on the ground.
"Phew..."
Somehow, I had defeated the Black Wolf without getting injured.
"Excellent! Even
in my mercenary corps, defeating a Black Wolf alone is considered graduating
from apprenticeship. But don't let your guard down. Black Wolves usually attack
in packs, coordinating their movements. You're only truly a full-fledged
warrior when you can face several of them on uneven terrain, while
mounted."
"Yes, they're
just fodder if it's one-on-one..."
After that, I faced
Black Wolves several more times.
Then, with an ominous
presence from deep within the thicket, a monster much larger than a Black Wolf
and covered in deeper black fur appeared.
"It's a Demon
Wolf. It can take down even a horse with a single strike. If you fight it while
mounted, it will target your horse first, so you need to be careful. I will
handle it, so please watch from there. Don't forget to maintain vigilance of
your surroundings."
The Commander himself
stepped forward and glared at the Demon Wolf. In an instant, the Demon Wolf
moved.
Fast! Despite its
size, its movements were nimbler than a Black Wolf's, and it used not only its
fangs but also its front and hind legs to attack. And its strikes were heavy.
If I took a direct hit, I'd definitely be sent flying. The Commander skillfully
parried its attacks with his sword, avoiding a direct confrontation. Or
rather... was he playing with it? No, he was probably showing me defensive
techniques.
The Demon Wolf, being
skillfully handled by the Commander and accumulating numerous small wounds, became
increasingly frenzied. The moment the Demon Wolf made a large leap, the
Commander's sweeping slash struck its vital point.
I surely wouldn't have
stood a chance. As I looked at the Demon Wolf's corpse lying on the ground, I
realized how inexperienced I was.
"Well, normally,
several people would cooperate to challenge a Demon Wolf; that's the basic
approach... but in the future, I'll train you to be able to do something like
this."
The Commander (Weiss),
smiling refreshingly without a single drop of sweat, looked bigger than usual.
"According to the
reconnaissance team's report, a Demon Bear's territory has been confirmed in
this area. This is troublesome."
...Why? Even as he
said it was troublesome, the Commander was smiling. This person's personality
swings to extremes when it comes to combat. Well, it's not new, but still.
※
That day, under
Commander Weiss's guidance, practical training against encountered monsters
continued.
I carelessly went
head-on against a fire-breathing Hellhound (defeated individually) and suffered
burns...
I was directly hit by
fragments of wood when a Demon Bear (defeated in group combat) swept its paw,
getting injured...
In the battle against
a giant boar, a Calydeonian Boar (defeated individually), my hit-and-run tactics
were insufficient, and I suffered bruises...
Each time, I received
care from the Holy Mages. It goes without saying that I, like others who
entered the Demon Realm for the first time, received my baptism and was
completely battered.
"How was it? Real
combat! There's so much you can't learn from training alone, isn't there?"
I saw fangs in the
Commander (Weiss)'s smiling mouth. Nevertheless, in just one day, my
swordsmanship had advanced from [Warrior] to [Master].
"That's what
combat experience is all about," the Commander laughed.
"Um... what about
our original destination?"
"This sweep
operation is for four days. I'll take you there on the third day. By then, I'll
make you a full-fledged warrior."
"You don't have
to push me that hard," I muttered softly.
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