Chapter 44: Incoming. (1)

The monsters were relentless.

Archduke Quenor's sword cut down countless white wolves with each stroke, but the Legate and his minions held their own against the Archduke's attacks. Every time a white wolf went down, another would pop up from somewhere else, and Quenor's mind grew impatient with each one.

"These damn beasts."

Quenor muttered, sharpening his blade. The werewolf, Gut, grinned slyly and swung his claws like swords to block Quenor's blade. He wasn't strong enough to call himself the Legate of the Giant's Legion, but he didn't rely on his strength alone.

"Strong, as expected, but I'm sure you're feeling it, right?"

A literal bind.

A tactic to drain Quenor's strength and keep him from going to rescue other patrols. He never fully commits to an attack, ducking and weaving in and out, taking as much of a defensive stance as possible.

Of course, if this continues, it won't be long before the Quenor decapitates him. The problem is there's no guarantee that the other patrols can hold out until then. In fact, it's more likely that they'll be overwhelmed, and the other monsters will join Gut.

"We have the advantage of time, human."

Gut bared his teeth as he spoke. 'I shouldn't hold back any longer.' Quenor drew more mana, and his aura brightened. Quenor's new form blurred and collided with the Legate. He fought back, bewildered by Quenor's power, which was far greater than he had anticipated. Quenor's sword seemed to grow sharper and faster with each passing moment, not weaker.

'He.... is a monster.'

But he would win if he could only hold on a little longer. Even now, his sensitive ears could clearly hear the carnage echoing from deep within the forest. Those sweet, human screams...

"Awoooooo..."

Huh?

Gut's eyes flickered with confusion. No, he'd heard wrong. Why, why did he only hear the wolves' dying? Gut barely deflected Quenor's next blow and focused all his senses deep into the forest.

The light. The sound of swords swinging. He smelled the fear of Lobo.

"Unbelievable...."

Quenor didn't miss the gap and immediately slammed his blade into Lobo's head. He raised his gaze as he left a deep cut on the werewolf's face.

"...You did it, Hero Elroy."

Quenor's eyes were staring into the same place Gut had been staring. There was a flash of light. Auras glowing white and silver. That light was erasing the ominous darkness that had consumed the entire forest. It was hope, the wind that fanned the flames.

"Don't be ridiculous; that's impossible."

He looked down at Gut, struggling at his feet. Quenor raised one corner of his mouth.

"Some people in this world can make the impossible possible. Unfortunately, you'll never meet them."

Quenor's aura pierced Gut's head. The light grew more intense, coming closer to where Quenor was. Quenor grinned and turned to face the Hero, who held a sword in each hand.

"Patrols two, three, four, and five, present."

Archduke Quenor nodded and declared in a loud voice.

"All patrols! We are returning to Evernode!"

***

Fortunately, and thankfully, I was able to rescue Patrols 3, 4, and 5 before it was too late. I and Patrol 1 weaved through the forest, like a whale separating waves, and rallied all the patrols.

Archduke Quenor had reached the location of Patrol 5 by the time I had rescued all of them, and we returned to Evernode. I stayed vigilant until the gates closed behind me. I looked at the soldiers behind me, and seeing everyone was safe, my vision grew dark.

"Elroy?"

"Hero!"

I slowly open my eyes in a dimly lit and unfamiliar room. I must have been asleep for quite some time, but my body ached with pain. The wound I had suffered could not be healed quickly, even with the healing power of the Holy Sword.

(Of course. I tore and ruptured every vein and muscle in your body. You're lucky your heart didn't explode in the process, Elroy. It was too risky. You're fortunate your body was able to handle it.)

I woke to the nagging voice of the Holy Sword. It spoke gruffly, but I was happy to hear its voice. I sighed with a smile as I reached out and grasped its hilt. It felt reassuring.

"I'm glad you're here."

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

I jerked up at the familiar voice and looked to the left of the bed. At the end of the bed, on the side of my legs, I made eye contact with Daphne, who woke up from sleeping on my bed. There was a silence of about three seconds. I could clearly identify her face, gradually burning red even in the dark room. Her lips and eyes began to shake uncontrollably.

"Th-there."

'Oh no, she's broken.'

(Fix her yourself.)

The Holy Sword didn't speak again. I scratched the back of my head in confusion and looked at Daphne. She remained frozen for a moment, then slowly came to her senses and turned away from me, staring at the sheets and twisting her flowing hair.

"It's been a day since Elroy collapsed."

Daphne answered before I could say anything. I nodded awkwardly as I slid open the blinds on the next window, light stinging my eyes. Through them, I could see the bustle of soldiers moving about. The streets seemed a little emptier.

"There seem to be fewer people."

"The evacuation has begun, and Mr. Luke is leading the evacuees out ahead of us, with one of his knights set aside to escort people with the Adventurers' Guild."

Daphne's cheeks were still red as she spoke.

"They say the horizon has stopped at the lake, and the monsters are preparing for an invasion, perhaps using the lake as an outpost. The regular patrols will stop, now focusing on preparations for war. The Archduke said it wouldn't be surprising if the monster launched their invasion at any time."

"Oh, and he also said to let him know when Elroy wakes up."

With that, Daphne looked back into my face, then turned away. I waited momentarily for her to regain her composure, then asked a question.

"Are Georg and Marianne okay?"

"Yes. They're lightly wounded, but they can still fight. They're both preparing for a defensive battle with Evernode's knights."

I shook my head and tried to stand up but was stopped by Daphne's hand. She pressed lightly against my chest and pushed me back onto the bed. Her face was close, her light pink hair cascading down and tickling my cheek.

"You should lie down. The battle hasn't begun yet; until then, all you should do is wait for your recovery."

Daphne's breath hit me. Our noses were close together. When I looked away, she locked eyes with me and pounced like a cat on a cucumber. I let out a bitter laugh and stuck the back of my head into my pillow as she laid on top of me. (TN: Cats think cucumbers look like snakes, so they can be aggressive against them.)

"Are the others okay?"

"...Uh, yeah. The more severely injured are treated in the ward below, but most knights are busy working."

I see.

Of course, some didn't make it back. My chest felt heavy again. Daphne stared down at me, then pushed herself up from the bed.

"I'm going to call Archduke Quenor. He told me to notify him when you wake up."

I watched Daphne's back as she left the room. Once the door was closed, I let out a long sigh and stretched my arms and legs. It would be impossible to save everyone from war unless I were God. I understand their deaths are not my fault, and I know they should not crush me.

"This is a poor showing. You are weak, no better than all the other knights I've eaten."

"All you have left is that strange, ominous silver light."

I remembered what Lobo had said to me.

"...Still, if only I had killed them sooner."

(You could have saved more people.)

The Holy Sword finished my thoughts. It wasn't a flimsy consolation. I lifted it with both hands and frowned.

"If I had opened your second stage."

(You could have saved more people.)

It felt like the Holy Sword was looking back at me.

(I won't tell you to forget. It's okay to break down. However, suppose the sacrifices of those who gave their lives today can eventually lead to the salvation of this land and its people. In that case, it will be a small repayment.)

The Holy Sword's voice was soft but firm as always. My hand gripped its hilt a little tighter.

(Stay strong, Elroy. You promised to protect everyone to the Ironblood Princess.)

I let out a smirk and nodded. Yes, I must be strong, after all. To save some of the people that died in the original, to take a step forward.

Just then, the door to the room opened. I lowered my sword and pushed myself to see who opened the door. Standing in the doorway was none other than Archduke Quenor. I looked at him and cocked my head in greeting, and he returned the gesture with a jerk of his head.

"How are you feeling, Elroy?"

The Archduke closed the door to his room and walked over to sit in the chair Daphne sat on before. His blue eyes were as calm as ever and held an air of gravitas.

"I'm sore here and there, but I'll feel better under the sun."

I subtly asked to leave the room, but he shook his head, deliberately pretending not to notice.

"Don't push yourself. You're doing us all the best right now by lying still."

I frowned, and Archduke Quenor smirked and crossed his arms.

"The last thing I need is to send a wounded Hero out to the front. The soldiers and knights will be too busy worrying about you to do their job."

...He was right. I futilely pulled back the shades, letting the sunlight into the room. Dust kicked up and scattered through the sunlight.

"Daphne told me about the situation. She said the monsters are gathering at the lake."

"Aye. We are preparing accordingly, and your companions are proving quite helpful. Georg generously shares his wealth of battlefield experience, and Marianne is fulfilling her role as a cleric."

Archduke Quenor glanced out the window and smiled faintly.

"Daphne is actively conferring with the mages of Evernode. She is a formidable wizard in practice and no worse than the scholars in theory."

Daphne studied many theoretical texts in the tower. She hadn't expected that the experiences she'd rather forget would be helpful.

"...And I'm late in thanking you."

The Archduke said, his voice serious.

"You rescued the rest of the patrol from the horde while I was tied up."

"Anyone would have done that; it's not something that deserves your gratitude."

"And it is something you were able to do. The Fourth Disaster's forces must have taken a big hit from it, too. They lost a monster they called Legate and several others with names, so that's a big win for this skirmish."

My expression clouded. The Archduke looked at me questioningly. I needed to get stronger, and there was only one method I could think of.

"Archduke."

"Yes?"

I took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye.

"Would you like to duel me?"