Eternally Regressing Knight
Chapter 339 - 339 - The March Through the Gray Forest
Chapter 339 - The March Through the Gray Forest
The Gray Ghoul's stronghold in this land was not due to geographical reasons but rather political ones.
The Border Guard's standing army had never actively sought out and eradicated monsters or magical beasts, allowing them to persist.
"Why should I?"
The previous lord of the Border Guard, who had left before Marcus, had dismissed hunting monsters like Gray Ghouls as unnecessary and wasteful of resources.
As a result, the approach had been limited to occasional clean-up efforts, focused mainly on maintaining trade routes near the Pen-Hanil River and a few others. Even then, only small-scale measures were taken.
Recently, roads near Green Pearl and the route to Martai had been cleared, but these efforts were far from thorough.
"Is someone tossing monsters into the area or what?"
This was one of Marcus's complaints upon taking his position. The term "monster tossing" referred to luring monsters into neighboring territories. While such actions hadn't occurred, Marcus's frustration was understandable—monsters seemed to appear endlessly, as if from a bottomless pit.
When a new frontier city was established near the Border Guard, a gnoll colony had even emerged. Even with cultist involvement, such occurrences required a substantial population of monsters in the region.
This underscored that the Border Guard was not an ideal place to live. Consequently, defensive strategies had always been the norm, avoiding proactive operations to exterminate monsters.
The reason for this defensive posture was clear: losing soldiers would leave them vulnearble to Aspen, and the local monster hordes were far from weak.
The surrounding region alone had over three areas deemed too dangerous for merchants, earning the moniker "Lesser Demon Lands."
For example, when a centaur colony established itself in the nearby "Grateful Forest," it had been swiftly eradicated to prevent the area from becoming a breeding ground for monsters and magical beasts.
These were the points Krais had intended to explain to Enkrid. However, Enkrid wasn't interested in the details.
"Who cares about the history? We just slice them up and eliminate them."
And he wasn't wrong.
The ugly ghoul was dead.
To elaborate would take ages, but to summarize:
"I was first," declared Enkrid.
"My mace landed first," countered Rem.
The competition between two superhuman warriors had decided the outcome.
Rem, wielding two axes and a flanged mace, used all three weapons. The most striking moment was when he planted an axe at his feet, drew the mace slung over his back, and slammed it down.
WHAM!
A deafening boom accompanied the mace's descent, its force obliterating not just the ghoul leader's head but its upper torso as well.
The overwhelming combination of strength and technique left no room for survival.
For the ghouls, it was nothing short of annihilation.
Rem smashed through everything in his path—unique ghouls, common ones, or anything else that dared stand in his way. His onslaught was unrelenting.
Audin wasn't idle either.
"Return to His presence," he intoned solemnly, wielding two clubs tipped with iron studs. Originally brown, the clubs soon turned black, soaked in ghoul blood.
"Lord," Audin murmured, each step precise and calculated. Between one step and the next, his clubs crushed ghoul skulls with measured, deadly force. His strikes were efficient, powerful, and shockingly precise for someone of his stature.
Together, Rem's raw power and Audin's calculated strikes carved a path to the ghoul leader.
The ghoul leader's traps had been futile—smashed, broken, and shattered. Even when the ghouls swarmed together in a desperate attempt to overwhelm their enemies, it hadn't mattered.
Sheer force had triumphed.
Moreover, Enkrid's group wasn't alone in the fight.
"I'll fight too!" Dunbakel roared, unleashing her fury.
"This reeks of foulness," Shinar muttered as she drew her gleaming daggers.
"Stand back and watch. Wandering Teresa is on the move!" Teresa declared, swinging her shield and sword with a ferocity that left the ground drenched in ghoul blood.
Enkrid himself didn't need to act this time. Unbeknownst to him, his past exuberant displays—wielding his sword with reckless joy, even during sparring sessions—had inspired those around him.
Enkrid's combat style, with its fervent energy and relentless momentum, ignited a desire in others to join in. Watching him fight was enough to make even the uninitiated consider picking up a sword.
Why wouldn't it? His joy in battle was infectious, his movements almost like a dance of unrestrained exhilaration.
This influence had driven everyone to push themselves harder, inspired by the sheer audacity of Enkrid's growth.
Now, their combined strength surpassed even that of most junior knights.
Rem and Audin, upon learning of knights' existence, had realized there was no room for complacency. Shinar, too, had embraced this ethos.
"Go deeper," she mused, delving further into swordsmanship. She understood now that mastery was an unending journey.
Dunbakel and Teresa were no different, each unlocking hidden potential and reaching new heights in their combat abilities.
As a result, areas once labeled "Lesser Demon Lands," thought to require knightly intervention, had been cleared in less than a day.
Despite the Gray Forest's vast expanse, the group had swiftly purged it of threats.
Krais had estimated that clearing this region would take two companies at least ten days of grueling effort, but Enkrid's group had done it in a single day.
Though many monsters had fled, chasing them down one by one was impractical.
"Is it over?" Rem asked, shaking blackened blood from his axe.
Enkrid shook his head.
"Since we're here, we might as well finish everything."
This wasn't Krais's original plan.
"I suggest taking it step by step. There's no rush," he had advised.
There were two more regions of "Lesser Demon Lands" nearby, each posing significant threats. Krais's strategy had been to address one at a time, interspersing the operations with resupply and rest.
Enkrid decided to change the plan.
Since they were already here, they might as well patrol and return. There was no reason to hesitate.
All around them were the corpses of ghouls. Those that survived didn't dare approach the group and were busy fleeing.
"Let's move," Enkrid said, taking the lead as the others followed behind.
As they walked, Enkrid kept himself busy by moving around and talking to the others.
"That sword technique earlier, what was that?"
He first approached Rem.
"What're you talking about?"
"When you swung the mace—it looked different from your usual style."
"Do you want to learn that, too?"
Rem hit the mark.
Indeed, Enkrid wanted to learn. He didn't even bother to deny it, instead waiting silently for Rem to explain. There was no need to state the obvious.
Rem stared straight into Enkrid's blue eyes.
Those were earnest eyes, brimming with determination.
Was this excessive ambition or just plain madness?
Rem figured it was the latter and answered, "The destructive force of a weapon depends on where you place its axis of rotation. This is especially true for blunt weapons like my mace. I've already told you—each weapon has its own way of being wielded."
Enkrid was momentarily stunned.
Was Rem possessed?
"Are you possessed by some spirit or demon?"
"What're you on about?"
"Since when were you this articulate?"
"Damn it."
There was a brief scuffle as Rem threw a punch and Enkrid skillfully deflected it, but their pace didn't falter.
Enkrid mulled over what he had learned before turning to Audin.
"About that striking technique..."
"It's about controlling your strength," Audin began before Enkrid could even finish. "I'm more used to fighting with my fists, but holding a weapon doesn't change the fundamentals. You combine heavy strikes with swift movements and apply force only at the moment of impact. It requires mastery of grip strength and precise control over your muscles, alternating tension and relaxation as needed."
"Is this Valah-style martial arts?"
"It's just weapon techniques."
The word "just" made it clear Audin was hiding something, but Enkrid didn't press further. The name didn't matter.
"How do I practice it?"
"Repetition. You'll need to train when we get back."
That was all Enkrid needed to hear.
Next, he sought out Dunbakel to ask about how beastkin used their bodies. Unfortunately, her explanation wasn't as clear as Rem's.
If anything, Rem's earlier explanation made him seem like an academy instructor in comparison. Though it wasn't actually that eloquent, the relative impact felt profound.
"Why are you staring at me?" Rem asked, noticing Enkrid's gaze.
"Begone, demon," Dunbakel interjected, evidently inspired by Enkrid and Rem's earlier banter. Beastkin had an innate tendency to act on impulse, unable to resist their desires.
"Here's my axe. Use your forehead to block it," Rem said, delivering the challenge with mock politeness.
Enkrid scrutinized Rem again, as if trying to sense some otherworldly presence.
"There are no demons here, my friend," Audin remarked.
Rem didn't actually swing his axe.
"Once we return, let's spar—endlessly," Enkrid said, defusing the tension. Then, he turned back to Dunbakel.
"Just leap and stab where it hurts," was her advice when he asked about wielding her curved scimitars.
Enkrid wasn't discouraged. He was an excellent listener.
After a few more exchanges, he came to a conclusion: 'Swordsmanship that utilizes footwork and full-body strikes.'
This was a style that combined swift initial strikes with the heavy force of weighted attacks. The technique capitalized on the elasticity of muscular movement.
"What's it called?" Enkrid asked.
"I don't know. I learned it as a kid and refined it my own way," Dunbakel admitted.
It seemed Rem had influenced her training significantly, as her swordsmanship had improved dramatically under his guidance.
Enkrid observed the technique and deemed it worth learning. Though it wasn't something he could master through words alone, he was determined to try.
He moved on to Teresa.
"Is there anything about your skills I can learn?"
Teresa's proficiency with her sword and shield had always intrigued him. The idea of acquiring a shield and mastering its use seemed appealing.
"If you seek to learn, the path will reveal itself," Teresa said, quoting a scripture. It seemed her time with Audin had influenced her speech.
"A shield is a tool for defense, but wielded correctly, it becomes an excellent blunt weapon."
Theresa spoke well. Enkrid thought it was quite fortunate.
As they spoke and answered questions while traveling, Enkrid looked at the map and saw that they were close to their destination.
A swamp appeared before their eyes.
"Bugs?" Дунбакелььь asked.
Энкрид nodded.
The pale green swamp was a treasure trove of herbs.
It was land where various plants and aquatic plants thrived together, and amphibians and reptiles were abundant.
"A good land."
Shinar, who had been lamenting the forest, now had a gleam in her eyes.
She dealt with poisons and medicines. For someone like her, how valuable was this swamp?
This was why Krais was so passionate about the need to reclaim this land.
"We must find the swamp. It cannot be taken by monsters. For everyone born here and considering it their homeland, this is a dream that must be protected!"
It was a fervent speech.
"Is it a wild herb habitat?"
Krais did not pretend to be overly enthusiastic.
"If we restore just that place, we can create trade routes and even produce specialty products. Of course, we'll need to abduct a few capable alchemists."
Although he said "abduct," he was planning to lure them in instead.
Finding people was one of Krais' specialties.
Getting goods was the same. He wasn't known as the merchant of all things for nothing.
And now, that swamp lay before them.
The problem was that the land was already claimed by someone else.
"Bugs are everywhere."
The bugs were the owners of the swamp.
There were all sorts of monsters, and one of them was an insect monster.
Whee-ee-ee! The sound of the bug's wings hit their ears.
Shinar's hand was placed on the blade.
Dozens of flies, no larger than a finger, flew in close. They were bloodsucking flies.
Shinar's hand moved swiftly, slicing the space and the flies.
The strikes were neither too fast nor too slow, smoothly flowing one after another.
Her technique, more refined than before, showed a level of delicacy that impressed Enkrid.
Whew-whew-whew! The sound of fairy blades rang out in succession.
It had been seen when facing ghouls, but this time, it was even more pronounced.
Her swordsmanship, likely of fairy origin, displayed extreme precision.
'I could cut through a leaf like that.'
And indeed, her swordsmanship was based on slicing through a leaf's stalk with that kind of precision.
The blade slashed, cut, bent, stabbed, and pushed with exactness, cleaving and shattering the bugs' bodies.
After a while, as the bugs fell in droves, Shinar turned around.
"If you're not confident, it's better to stay behind. You can hide behind me, fiancé."
Her expression remained impassive, but her otherworldly beauty was undeniable.
"Did you take your medicine?" At that, Rem rubbed his ears.
"The Lord watches over us, and even the smallest creatures are sent to Him."
Audin answered with a prayer.
Dunbakel raised her claws and, instead of her scimitar, poked the flies to death.
Bloodsucking flies were a nuisance. Once bitten, they could suck blood ten times more than a leech.
But that didn't mean they were difficult to deal with. Even ordinary merchants could avoid or kill them if they had enough nerve.
If they wore leather armor thick enough, they could handle it easily. Of course, if you could stab them with a sword or kill them with your claws, thick clothes wouldn't be needed.
If they wore leather armor thick enough, they could handle it easily. Of course, if you could stab them with a sword or kill them with your claws, thick clothes wouldn't be needed. Even the seemingly clumsy Teresa could wield her shield with short movements to crush the bugs.
Of course, if you could stab them with a sword or kill them with your claws, thick clothes wouldn't be needed. Even the seemingly clumsy Teresa could wield her shield with short movements to crush the bugs. Enkrid also dealt with them in the same way, staying close to Shinar.
It was all about delicacy.
Seeing the bugs' trajectory as a line, he sliced through their center to kill them.
Striking with the surface of the blade was more efficient, so he did that while speaking to the fairy beside him.
"That swordsmanship..."
"Would you like me to teach you as an engagement gift?"
"When is the engagement?"
Receiving the joke as a joke, Shinar's mouth twitched.
It was very slight, but it seemed to lift just a little. Of course, she quickly returned to her usual expression.
"You are truly greedy."
No matter what, his desire to learn remained unchanged. After all, his earnest gaze said it all.
It wasn't hidden visions or rain secrets he wanted to know. Basic skills were enough. 'Not lacking.'
'Not lacking.' He knew how to move forward. Enkrid was a wandering seeker.
He saw the direction his desires pointed to and wanted to walk that path. Why did he end up creating a new style of swordsmanship?
Because he had learned, practiced, and seen it. Энкрид was still doing that now.
"That's the one."
Shinar said, turning back and promising to teach him swordsmanship before throwing her gaze forward.
A monster with six wings five times larger than a hornet and sharp teeth.
It had a stinger similar to that of a wasp, a bloated belly, and a jaw that split sideways, typical of a monster.
Thrrr-rrr-rrr! The sound of its wings filled the air.
This terrifying bug led a swarm of similar creatures as it charged forward. They moved as one. That mass was a single entity.
It was a much more troublesome opponent than ghouls.
But... Puff-puff-puff! Each bug that charged was destroyed in an instant.
The largest, and the leader of the swarm, was killed by a stone thrown by Rem.
"Did I get the kill this time?" Still in competition with Audin, Rem looked back and asked. Audin smiled.
Audin smiled. Enkrid thought that the bear-like religious fanatic would let it go. 'He'll say, "So be it."'
Wasn't that his nature? "I didn't see it."
Энкрид stumbled as he fought. He didn't fall. He simply used it as a step to continue forward.
Swinging his sword horizontally, he killed two bugs with the flat side of the blade, so it didn't turn into a mistake.
"Argue if you want." "I'm not arguing, I didn't see it. Brother."
"I'm not arguing, I didn't see it. Brother." Audin was, after all, an uncontrollable madman. Enkrid didn't care.
They wouldn't change just because he said something. "Let's go."
"Let's go." And Enkrid continued on, heading for the third low-tier Magic Realm. It was the last area to patrol.

Comments

Loading...