How to Live as a Swordmaster of the Enemy Nation

Unexpected Aid

The Dawn Knight Order hastened toward the Forest of Annihilation, following Hemingway's instructions. In the matter concerning food procurement mentioned in the second letter, Hemingway had business with Gregory but instructed him to swiftly come to the Radiant Light Order after dealing with the monsters in the Forest of Annihilation.

By the time they arrived at the Forest of Annihilation, deafening roars were already echoing in all directions.

Most of the trees that had grown thickly in places were broken or toppled, further obstructing the already narrow path.

It was unmistakably the work of monsters. On top of that, just looking at the absurd tracks filled one with an overwhelming sense of doom.

Ernest was flustered.

"Are you telling me these are the tracks of monsters? That's impossible."

In response, Elisabeth, as if to comfort the startled Ernest, displayed an air of confidence.

"But we're prepared, aren't we? Let's take this opportunity to show Gregory what we've got."

The results they had shown in practice so far had been nothing short of disastrous, beyond words. Still, did they really have something else to show?

The constant hints that they had something prepared made Gregory truly feel like there was something, and he became expectant.

Meanwhile, they drew closer to the source of the resounding booms. The nearer they got, the denser the forest became. As the foliage thickened, the ground filled with toppled plants and trees, and it became impossible to approach any further on horseback.

With no choice, the Dawn Knight Order tied their horses nearby and proceeded on foot.

After Gregory carefully surveyed the surroundings, he met Walter's gaze.

"This isn't ordinary. For the forest to end up like this..."

Walter was of the same mind. He urgently assembled the knight order members.

"The damage from this monster attack will likely be enormous. Before things get any worse, let's split up."

"Understood."

Monsters can spread out in all directions. Unless the source of this impure mana is dealt with quickly, its influence could soon reach the nearby villages.

Should that happen, everything would become much more complicated, and the responsibility would fall on them. They had received a critically important mission from Hemingway—if they failed to prevent the monsters from reaching the villages, their honor itself could be in jeopardy.

As the order members were about to start moving in different directions to tackle the monsters, Gregory stopped them.

"Wait, you all stay together."

At that, Alessandro whined.

"What are you talking about, Gregory? Are you still underestimating us? We've gotten stronger, you know."

Gregory gazed coldly at Alessandro.

"You're telling me you plan to wander through an area overflowing with monsters all by yourself? That's insane."

"Uh... is it?"

"There's brush everywhere—how do you know where an enemy might pop out?"

Alessandro couldn't utter a word in response to Gregory's brusque remark. Unlike last time, when they had fought many monsters in an open area, it was impossible to predict a monster's attack in these dense thickets.

The situation required a reasonable response. Walter and Gregory, who could handle the forest alone, should split up, while the other knight order members stayed close together, keeping watch over each other's safety. That was the consensus for the most secure approach.

Ernest, too, was skilled enough to move alone, but in case a powerful monster appeared unexpectedly, someone needed to play the big brother's role, protecting and standing up for the rest of the order.

"Alright, let's do that, then. If anything urgent happens, shout so loud it shakes the forest, okay?"

"Got it, brother. Take care."

Ernest agreed with Gregory's explanation. In this urgent situation, the Dawn Knight Order scattered in all directions to prevent monsters from heading down toward the forest's edge.

Once everyone had gone their separate ways, the monster subjugation began in earnest.

Early in the hunt, insignificant monsters leapt out from here and there, but for Gregory, it was as easy as pie.

He had hunted monsters countless times before. Moreover, there was no one watching over Gregory now, so he coolly struck at vital points with every thrust.

'How tedious.'

This was, in fact, the reason he had assigned Ernest to stick with the other members. Gregory looked silently at the dead bodies. The carcasses of monsters were hardly a welcome sight.

A monster forms when an animal absorbs impure mana over a period of time, its body mutating as a result. So even at a glance, it was possible to determine what kind of animal had turned into a monster.

Judging by its form, it was most likely a wild beast—something like a wolf—that had become a monster.

Yet one thing bothered him. Even though the hunt was nearing its end, the source of the impure mana was nowhere to be found.

"It's about time I found it..."

He was muttering quietly to himself when, in the distance, a shriek rang out.

At first, he thought it was the cry of a crow. But listening again, it was unmistakably a human voice.

He couldn't tell whose voice it was, but remembering his promise with Ernest when entering the forest, he decided that the scream must be Ernest's.

Aaaagh—!

The scream resounded again, sending the birds perched on the trees scattering, and at the same time, the impure mana filling the forest reached its peak.

But it was hard for him to move his feet.

If Walter and Gregory both focused on tracking down the source of the monster and headed in that direction, they'd be unable to halt the monsters heading toward other directions—that way, the monsters would attack the villages unimpeded.

That would disgrace them as knights meant to stand firm for their country.

Conversely, if the knight order members were really in danger, that was no less a problem.

Gregory hesitated for a long time, caught at a crossroads.

'Damn it, what am I supposed to do? I can't let another comrade die. But if my status as a knight is revoked, I won't be able to take revenge on the Blandi Kingdom.'

At this critical decision, the situation would be determined.

At that moment, someone placed a hand on Gregory's shoulder.

Gregory, so deep in thought, hadn't noticed anyone approaching.

Startled, he spun around and thrust Durandal forward.

"Kh...!"

Shuuk—!

Yet his sword strike was blocked in a single stroke.

Thunk—

When he raised his head with a frustrated look,

There was a man, sticking his face close, whom Gregory vaguely remembered seeing somewhere.

"Is this an insubordination?"

The face, blurred by distance, gradually came into focus and finally became familiar.

It was Kylas. He had definitely said he couldn't come support the Forest of Annihilation because he was on expedition. But it turned out Hemingway, after poring over the map of Arme for a long time, had decided the knight order would be short-handed in the Forest of Annihilation and sent Kylas to support.

Having heard the knight order had set out to hunt monsters, Kylas had rushed straight here, bringing Leonyx and Amelia with him.

Gregory's lips curled faintly upward. Then, in speech more persuasive than any orator, he explained the current situation.

"I see... Gregory, in that case, leave it to us."

Gregory asked in return, doubting his ears.

"Are you sure it's alright to leave the monsters to you?"

The reaction was only natural. To rush all this way and volunteer to prevent monsters from attacking the villages—

It was hard for Gregory to accept, but he half-understood; the basis being that, having just returned from an expedition, they shouldn't be able to contribute much to this monster subjugation.

But in truth, it was their determination to at least be the minimum strength the knight order needed, to defend the Forest of Annihilation so that the Dawn Knight Order could hunt monsters safely.

The plan was simple: deal with monsters heading out in each direction, then gradually shrink the encirclement towards the center.
They were also going to inform Walter and quickly wipe out the monsters.

Leonyx and Amelia were tired from the journey, but the thought of fighting again and helping the Dawn Knight Order had them fired up.

"Looks like we'll get to show them what we're made of!"

"Let's make it a bet—whoever gets more!"

Gregory was inwardly worried about Ernest and his comrades. Yet, trusting in the indomitable Kylas, he let go and left.

"Then, I'll leave it in your hands and go ahead. The situation is urgent!"

The others silently watched Gregory go, and, eyes blazing, nodded once.

Kylas watched the receding figure of Gregory.

"I believe in you. I think you'll someday restore the honor of the Dawn Knight Order, which is now half in ruins. For now, this is a stepping stone on that path."

As Kylas's gentle voice faded, Leonyx and Amelia each grabbed one of his shoulders.

"This isn't the time to be sentimental! Let's go hunt those monsters right now!"

"Yeah! Better to move at least once more before we rest!"

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】