The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 22: Astrid Fights

The training ground encompassed an entire artificial mountain. The forest was untouched, with no paths or signs of human activity, giving it the appearance of an uncharted wilderness.

Since Astrid’s role as vanguard required her to be at the front, she swung her large greatsword to cut down any obstructing foliage as she led the way.

“This is seriously too much, don’t you think?”

“What now, sister? What’s the problem this time?”

Grabbing a fallen tree trunk with one hand and tossing it aside, Astrid glanced at the grumbling Eranya.

You’d think being an elf would make Eranya at ease in the forest, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

Astrid couldn’t help but question if she was really an elf, but since it didn’t affect the squad’s overall efficiency, she decided not to dwell on it.

“They starved us for a whole week and now they’re throwing us into a live combat exercise on the final day. How does that make any sense?”

‘…She’s got a point.’

If there’s any time soldiers should be fed properly, it’s during wartime.

Astrid thought back to the week’s menu. It was so simple she could count it on one hand. It alternated between the same few items, enough to make her sick of it.

“Maybe they’re trying to show us how things will be in a real war. Let’s think positively.”

Astein wiped the sweat from his forehead and grinned.

After a week together, Astrid had learned to tell if Astein’s grin was genuine or sarcastic. This one seemed sincere.

“Anyway, after this training is done, we’re done for the day, so hang in there.”

“Man, I hope a rabbit jumps out or something. Roasting one of those would be great.”

There was no lunch provided.

They were told to procure food locally in the mountains, so if luck was on their side, they might be able to catch some wild game and have meat for the first time in a while.

“My, isn’t that a bit crude for an elf to say?”

Veracien, who had been silent until now, suddenly chimed in. Dressed in a long black nun’s habit with sleeves that reached her wrists and a long skirt, she looked unbearably hot. Yet, she didn’t seem to mind at all, and not a drop of sweat was visible on her.

“That’s just because elves haven’t tried it. If they did, they’d be hooked like everyone else.”

‘This elf is nothing like the ones I imagined.’

Astrid’s previous image of elves was far from this reality.

Tall, busty, children of the forest, vegetarians, sharp-tempered—those were the typical traits she’d expected. But not one of them fit Eranya.

“Oh, wait. Quiet.”

Eranya suddenly raised her hand, gesturing for silence. She pressed a finger to her lips.

At her signal, the squad immediately stopped talking. Without making a sound, Eranya leapt lightly onto a fallen log and moved upward, crouching on a tree branch like she’d done it a thousand times.

‘Ah, so she does fit the whole ‘child of the forest’ thing.’

Perched on the branch, she used her hand as a visor against the sunlight and scanned the area.

After a moment, she made a downward motion with her palm. The squad, recognizing the signal, crouched down low.

After a bit more observation, Eranya hopped down from the branch.

Despite landing on the underbrush, the sound of her descent was barely noticeable.

“See anything?” Astrid whispered.

Eranya raised seven fingers.

Goblins.

Seven goblins.

They were small monsters, roughly the size of ten-year-old children. For a seasoned knight, they’d be trivial to deal with.

They were one of the weakest monsters classified as “small,” but their danger lay in their tendency to swarm.

‘Do they look like how I imagined?’

Astrid had never seen one in person but figured they couldn’t be too different from the descriptions she’d read.

“How far away?”

“About 15 meters from here.”

That wasn’t far. Close enough that their hushed conversation wouldn’t be heard, but for Eranya’s sharp elf senses to detect them so easily, it reinforced that she was definitely an elf.

“Alright, since I’m the vanguard, I’ll take the lead and charge first.”

It might seem reckless, but Astrid felt confident. She’d already proven herself capable against Varian. Compared to Varian, goblins were nothing.

“There are seven of them, so rushing in alone is risky,” Astein argued.

“How about I cast Magic Missile to draw their attention?”

“Hmm…”

Using Magic Missile to distract them while Astrid charged in? It wasn’t a bad plan.

It wasn’t a bad idea. If the Magic Missile flew out, it would naturally draw the goblins’ attention, giving Astrid a chance to charge in.

“Alright, let’s go with that. Astein will launch the Magic Missile to draw their attention. During that time, I’ll charge in with Cadet Leopold. Eranya, you’ll pick them off one by one. Cadet Veracien, stay back and protect Astein with a shield if possible.”

In forest combat, the side that spots the other first holds an overwhelming advantage.

Astrid knew that much. But since this was a real situation, she couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

They’d finally reached the spot where they could see the goblins.

From a distance, it was clear that the goblins hadn’t noticed them. The creatures were chattering noisily, hopping up and down, and swinging their crude clubs. They paid no attention to Astrid’s squad, too engrossed in their own antics.

This was the perfect time for Astein to launch his Magic Missile. But at that moment, a realization struck Astrid.

“Astein.”

She called his name in a soft whisper, and Astein’s lips moved soundlessly as he glanced at her.

“…Don’t you have to chant the spell?”

To use magic, one had to chant an incantation.

High-level mages could cast low-level spells like Magic Missile without chanting, but Astein wasn’t at that level yet. He’d have to recite it.

“…Ah.”

Astein’s face went blank, his eyes wide with realization.

If he started chanting now, the element of surprise would be gone. The moment he began, the goblins would turn their attention toward them, defeating the purpose of the ambush.

“Cadet Leopold, it can’t be helped.”

Astrid let out a small sigh, calling herself a fool for not noticing it sooner.

“I’ll charge first. Follow up shortly after me.”

“Understood.”

Leopold’s voice was as dry and indifferent as ever, but Astrid figured that was to be expected during a battle. She gripped the handle of her greatsword tightly.

“Hyaaahhh!”

“Giiick?!”

With a burst of speed, Astrid closed the distance in an instant. Her greatsword swung through the air, severing a goblin’s neck. The head flew into the air, blood spraying like a fountain.

Right after, Leopold’s rapier pierced another goblin’s throat, and with a swift kick, he sent the creature’s lifeless body flying.

An arrow whistled through the air, landing squarely in a goblin’s forehead. Its eyes rolled back, and it crumpled to the ground.

Then came the clear, crisp chant of Astein’s voice. A light blue, arrow-shaped projectile flew out, smashing into another goblin’s head and blowing it apart.

A goblin, attempting to flee, was struck down by Veracien’s mace. Its skull caved in with a sickening crunch, and it collapsed with a faint screech.

“Hup!”

Astrid’s greatsword swung through the air once more. Its sheer weight and her strength cleaved through two goblins at once, reducing their bodies to piles of flesh.

“…Wasn’t that whole strategy unnecessary?” Leopold’s voice cut through the aftermath.

Astrid: three.

Leopold: one.

Eranya: one.

Astein: one.

Veracien: one.

Seven goblins, defeated in less than five minutes.

“It’s just because they’re goblins,” Astrid replied.

Leopold flicked the blood off his rapier and sheathed it, nodding slightly as if to agree.

“Yes, they’re goblins. Compared to our squad, they’re far too weak.”

Leopold’s gaze shifted to the peak of the mountain.

“And this is only the foot of the mountain. Our goal is the summit. Things will only get harder from here, so it’s best not to relax too much.”

All eyes turned to Leopold.

Despite having the attention of the entire squad, Leopold remained composed. If anything, he seemed to be staring directly at Astrid.

“Squad Leader, your next orders?”

“A-Ah.”

Caught off guard, Astrid’s mind went blank for a moment. She glanced around before nodding.

“Let’s move. Eranya, continue scouting ahead like before. Cadet Leopold, watch the rear.”

“Understood.”

Their first skirmish was a success.

But Astrid didn’t feel great about it.

They were monsters, but those goblins had been alive just moments ago. She’d reduced them to piles of gore with her own hands. The sight of it didn’t sit well with her.