Chapter 50: On the Hill
Calix saw enemies charging head-on. The wolves' muscular bodies boasted overwhelming majesty, and assassins were mounted on their backs.
Judging by the color of the magic stones, there were green and blue ones, and very rarely purple ones as well.
'Some don't have humans riding them.'
While assessing the enemy's movements, his head turned backward. His skin reacted before reason. A chilling sensation like cold water flowing. Though only a cliff lay in that direction, Calix threw himself without a moment's hesitation.
Puhak!
Though he hadn't seen it with his eyes, the enemy's presence was clearly detected.
'I'll leave the front to the Captain.'
For now, the rear was more important. Most of the recruits were paralyzed with fear, and only the veteran-level personnel like Volga and Romance were protecting the priest, Ella.
"……Calix? Why so sudden—"
Romance's puzzled tone was cut short by the act of swinging his sword. As his 'sixth sense' whispered, the assassins' attack was imminent.
'The space feels distorted. Someone is there. Two straight ahead, one far to the right.'
[Maintaining Reality Acceleration 2.2x]
Hwi-iiiik!
The three sword strikes seemed to burst simultaneously at a glance. But in reality, each was a different slash, and soon the wind tore and exploded outward.
Wind's Scar.
The severed air twisted and reacted in a chain, and soon the current created by the blade surged toward its destination.
Chwaaaaak!
"Keurk—"
The assassins, approaching hidden in the night's shadow, were flung back with cuts to their arms and chests. Not only the overwhelming cutting power but also the stopping power was unmatched.
Above all, he had become more proficient in using the technique. Calix felt it himself. He could feel that he had become stronger than before.
Then suddenly, one of the recruits burst out from the formation.
"D-die, you bastards!"
"You stupid fool! I told you not to move separately!"
Had he gained courage from Calix's performance, or did he want to catch the veterans' eyes? Either way, it was a foolish act.
Puwook.
"Huh……?"
The assassins rolling on the ground instantly rose to their feet and thrust their blades in. Clearly a fatal wound, pierced precisely in the abdomen.
"Geken!"
"Those bastards are still alive!"
Moving one's mouth was a recruit's privilege, so Calix charged forward again. Since the output difference of the neural accelerators was overwhelming, victory was quickly decided.
Suhgeok! Kwaak!
Chwaaaaak!
He dodged the dagger swinging at his head by lowering his body, and connected the movement to slash the chest. The second pierced the neck, and the third cut deep into the side.
There was no need to put strength into the cuts. If he drew a line, the flesh would tear, split open, and ultimately the area would burst. Softness embraced strength. That's what swordsmanship supported by speed was.
However, if there was one problem—
Seuuuuk.
It was the fact that the enemies rose again. This time, he clearly saw how those who were attacked recovered.
The bleeding stopped. The torn flesh wriggled, but the wounds didn't close. Instead, something assembled from within and filled the space.
The wounds weren't healing. The bleeding stopped, the flesh aligned. And they rose to their feet, tilting their heads. As if they didn't understand death.
"……Calix! Did you see that? They might not be human."
"Volga, let's focus on the essentials."
"Essentials? Ah, right. Yeah. Whether they're human or not isn't important. Then how can we kill them?"
Volga provides the answer himself.
"Damn it, I don't know! Let's just crush their heads first and see. If they don't die, we'll just crush them again, right? How many times do they have to die before they really die? Anyone want to bet with me?"
"……."
As he tapped his mace and muttered indifferently, the recruits shot him looks of disgust, but perhaps that was the right answer. Though Calix felt bewildered by the assassins' bizarre recovery ability, he didn't stop analyzing.
The answer is always in the unseen places.
'Behind!'
It was the same now.
Kaang!
Following the guidance of his 'sixth sense', he extended the blade over his shoulder, and soon sword met sword, transmitting recoil to his grip.
One more piece of information about the enemy.
These things rode not only wolves but also shadows. Beyond simply concealing their presence, they were using darkness as a passage.
On shadows, they slid smoothly as if their bodies weren't touching the ground, and sometimes their forms twisted and appeared from completely different directions.
Puwook.
"H-help!"
"This is……. Impossible! How are we supposed to kill them!"
"M-mom!"
Therefore, there weren't enough hands.
Though recruits were screaming from all directions, his body was only one. He couldn't help everyone. Calix still felt his own inadequacy.
It was right then.
"O primordial light, restore the sacred order. May your radiance push back the darkness, reveal hidden sins, and become a signpost guiding those who have lost their way."
Hwaaaaaak—
As Ella's prayer was completed, a wave of light spread across the battlefield shrouded in darkness.
***
The sphere of light brightly illuminated the hilltop. Though it wasn't an attack spell, weak divine power was mixed in, so the enemies' reaction came immediately.
Kiiiiii!
The beasts howled and turned their heads, and the assassins revealed bewilderment with short trembling movements. Moving through shadows became impossible, and the wolves also shrank grotesquely the closer they got to the light.
However, since it hadn't delivered a definite blow, the assassins' gazes soon converged on one place.
Ella.
They had made the 4th Circle priest their primary target.
"Volga, we have to block them! Gather around Ella!"
"I know!"
Calix issued orders to establish a defensive line, then looked at the assassin group pressing in like a tide. Amid the chaos, the supply wagons they had used as barricades were torn apart by the wolves' claws, breaking in places. Dozens of enemies had squeezed through those gaps.
'I need to buy time…….'
As a matter of fact, time was needed until the second prayer was completed. It would be nice if 'Divinity' activated naturally at times like this.
The magic crouched in Calix's heart wasn't moving at all; instead, it was timidly devouring the light Ella had summoned.
For now, using it at his will was impossible.
'……I must learn how to control it later. Definitely.'
With this small resolution, he blocked the path to the rear, and right on cue, a helping hand arrived.
Swaeeeeek—suhgeok!
Something flew in with a spine-tingling sensation. What was reflected in Calix's eyes was a mass of blazing golden light. Though it didn't touch him directly, he felt the wave of magic gently tapping his hair.
He could tell instinctively.
That this was the skill of a supreme knight, far above Wind's Scar.
And soon, the mass of magic twisted minutely and split into three streams. It split the assassin charging at Calix's front into three chunks.
It didn't spew sparks like the Falling Fire used by Royce or Gregor, but its power was condensed internally, cutting through everything it touched.
In an instant, both arms were severed, then the head rolled off.
Pulseok.
Naturally, the eyes of those around turned to him. The recruits, as if they had never felt fear, let out cheers and high-pitched cries filled with hope.
"……Adrian Deconti."
"Right, Calix. That's my name! I'm glad you remember it properly! But we don't have time for an intimate conversation."
The Prince of Latia answered by shouting loudly while mounted on a donkey. He must have cut down quite a few enemies already, as blood was splattered here and there on his leather armor.
"Their weakness is the neck! You have to cut the neck. There seem to be some that come back to life even then, but at any rate, you can buy time. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
He meant to go and protect Ella.
When Calix nodded, he immediately turned and charged at the assassin group.
Kyaaaak!
The opponents were properly trained. There were no ambushes, but they were confusing the Mountain Rabbits with precisely coordinated attack patterns. The assassins kicked off their saddles and flew through the air, and even if the attack failed, a wolf would follow up immediately.
Wide-open jaws tore human flesh apart. Just counting the casualties visible at a glance, about fifteen people. Too many had died or been injured for a single battle.
Shaak!
And in that space, Adrian Deconti's blade emitted light once again.
The assassins were split in two before they could even raise their swords. Heads were cut vertically, torsos separated, and rolled on the ground.
Geureuk, geureureuреuk.
The enemies, as expected, showed no intention of accepting death, crawling on the ground with their upper and lower bodies wriggling, but the cross-section cut by the sword was stuck as if seared by fire, unable to regenerate easily.
"Why—"
"It's because of Tribulation Fire."
Right on cue, Gregor's explanation followed.
"Tribulation Fire?"
"Right. That's called the fire that burns the world. Someone who has reached the pinnacle is pouring out the essence of power they've honed countless times."
After Wind's Scar came Falling Fire, and after that, Tribulation Fire. Then what ability would one display upon reaching the peak, upon reaching 'Master'? Was his maternal uncle, the Marquis Ashapel, also such a skilled person? Who would be stronger in comparison?
Calix harbored various curiosities but didn't get caught up in them. Instead, he kept Adrian Deconti's movements in his eyes whenever possible.
Tremendous speed and strength, and precision in swordsmanship.
'There's no waste. Each strike, each blow is decisive. At exactly the necessary moment, he cuts and stabs without overexertion. He doesn't even use feints.'
Since he couldn't afford leisure in the middle of the battlefield, he didn't stop analyzing even as he went to help Volga. At the end of it, only one question remained.
'What can I imitate? What can I learn?'
Tribulation Fire? That was excessive greed. One who had just started walking shouldn't try to fly. He needed to get a bit closer to the essence instead.
Then suddenly, the neural accelerator provided an appropriate hint.
[Bloodline Ability Change Detected]
[You have witnessed Latia Style, Maritime Swordsmanship]
[Ashapel's Instinct/Battlefield Avatar increased by '1%', currently at '21%']
If it was maritime swordsmanship, it would presuppose combat on a ship. Considering this, it made a bit more sense.
While excellent in diversity and unpredictability, above all it pursued extreme efficiency. Similar to Western swordsmanship yet clearly different. While both emphasized lower body balance, instead of using it for attack or defense, it provided various variations.
Chaeng! Kwaak!
Calix smiled faintly as he cut down an enemy that popped out from the shadows.
He had caught a clue.
'The way of planting the feet is key.'
Indeed, he used space broadly. He changed attack angles by moving with wide strides not only forward and backward but also side to side, replacing petty tricks with that.
While facing multiple enemies, a simple thrust turned into a surprise attack due to a change in attack angle.
Wasn't that interesting?
[Bloodline Ability Change Detected]
[You have grasped the essence of Latia Style, Maritime Swordsmanship]
[Ashapel's Instinct/Battlefield Avatar increased by '3%', currently at '24%']
[Collect additional Latia Fragments]
With even the neural accelerator responding, his advancing footsteps gained strength. Having learned what needed to be learned and found a way to delay the assassins, it was time to clear up the danger in the rear.
"Gregor!"
"Comrade, no need for words!"
First, he called the veteran mercenary to prepare to coordinate.
[Combat Acceleration Activated, 2.4x]
He also pulled the neural accelerator's output to maximum. Amid his heart pounding as if about to burst, he felt magic rotating inside his body. To utilize what he had learned, he needed to use all available abilities.
The same went for his 'sixth sense'.
Hwaak—
He opened it up to the point where he could feel the pores on his skin, slightly dizzy yet not greatly hindering combat.
'It's hard to maintain for long.'
This too was a double-edged sword, so he didn't forget the realistic limits, but thanks to it, he could feel the assassins' positions accurately even in the darkness.
Six in total.
Even though he had neutralized one, four more had appeared in the meantime. Therefore, the battle in the rear became a speed contest.
'I'll deal with the two attached to Volga first.'
Huuuung!
Without a doubt, among the veteran-level mercenaries, the most outstanding was Volga. Though he lacked speed, he wasn't weak in strength, creating fierce wind sounds every time he swung his mace.
This meant he became a target for the assassins, and one was secretly approaching from behind him.
"Volga!"
"Kalik—"
Puhak!
Calix extended his left hand and pushed Volga's chest away. Since it was just before the blade would tear into the nape, he chose to help an ally rather than attack.
However, that didn't mean he had given up entirely. His right hand was free, after all. He connected the speed from his rush into a slashing motion.
Kaang, chwaak!
Though the opponent thrust the blade without caring about life, so he only managed to knock down the enemy's blade and inflict a shallow wound, it didn't matter.
The real attack was the second.
He thrust the blade at the assassin still rushing toward Volga. The angle was from the side. A perfect ambush that the opponent couldn't notice while having their neck cut.
Suhgeok!
Tuk, degureu—
A momentary faint light flowed from the blade, and the head rolled to the ground, but the attack didn't stop.
"Cook Comrade!"
Kwaang!
The moment the remaining assassin tried to hide in the shadows, Gregor launched a body charge and covered them from behind.
Perfect timing. If it had been an ordinary human, the spine would have been completely broken, but the fact that they bounced toward Calix was satisfactory enough.
Teueok.
Soon, he hooked the enemy's neck on the upper part of the handle—
And cut it in one strike.
Chwaaaaak!
It was a clean finish, but it didn't lead to an entirely good situation. Black blood splattered in all directions, and above all, the assassins around were all staring at Calix.
Surprisingly, they showed signs of hesitation. The enemy's movements and momentum becoming disorganized was a first since the battle began.
It wasn't simply being intimidated by looking strong. It was because the comrades cut by Calix's blade just moments ago…… Couldn't rise again.
Keuuuuuuu—
The flesh kept wriggling, but as if it had lost its adhesive power, it couldn't coalesce. Though they drew evil energy from deep within their bodies, it only scattered in all directions, not leading to the regeneration process.
Then suddenly, a low, rough whisper spread.
[Zruthk no'gh khalad. Dhru'othk nazgath.]
[Not a simple mercenary. We must kill that one.]
Amid the murmuring spreading among the enemies, Calix also noticed that the feeling transmitted through his skin had changed. At some point, a subtle wave, a faint light, was spreading from his entire body.
The manifestation of 'Divinity'.
However, as the person in question…… he wasn't entirely pleased.
"……Only now you move?"
The damn thing, finally lifting that heavy rear and standing up. What was at least satisfying was that he had roughly figured out the activation conditions.
'Divinity…… Only emerges when rotating magic inside the body to the extreme. I had to pour out the neural accelerator's output without holding back.'
As a matter of fact, his heart pounding felt almost like pain. The magic flowing through his blood vessels was swirling chaotically.
At that moment, the assassin's mouth opened once again.
This time, Calix heard it clearly too. It was a somewhat special-looking one. Though not wearing a mask, the skin around the mouth was blackish and stuck together unpleasantly.
[No. That one, leave alone. Not yet time.]
A somehow familiar language.
Low tone with rough pronunciation. Though a whisper, it resonated as if echoing in his head, conveying instinctive displeasure.
'Draug.'
Right, it was the language that evil being used.
Amid this, the other assassins showed signs of fierce resistance.
[Wrong decision. Foolish judgment.]
[Adrian Deconti, he is an obstacle.]
[Hides the cursed. Light…… Must extinguish.]
Nevertheless, the decision couldn't be reversed.
[Target. Extinguish Adrian Deconti. Plan, disrupted. Nothing to gain from fighting more.]
[…….]
[Go back, return again.]
Uttuk.
The ensuing scene was the epitome of grotesqueness.
The enemies stopped all combat actions in an instant. Even if Royce had completely cut off a forearm, even if Basim's axe blade was embedded in the nape, they stopped moving all at once as if they had been performing a play.
Then, as if their very existence was being erased, they were absorbed into the darkness one by one and disappeared. Even the giant wolf corpses and the heads rolling on the ground melted into the shadows as if dragged in.
In that instant, Calix's and the special entity's gazes met.
[Then, kill that too. Dangerous.]
With that ominous statement as the last, it completely vanished without a trace.
"……What?"
"I-is it over? Did they leave? Did we really win?"
"Here, someone bring cloth! The flesh is torn!"
The recruits looked at the place where the assassins had retreated with blank expressions. Someone muttered, and those words circled the battlefield emptily. If it weren't for the broken supply wagons and comrades groaning in pain, one would have thought it was a night's dream.
However, instead of being swept up in emotions, Calix thought.
'They could have fought more if they wanted. Why did they retreat?'
Was it because he manifested Divinity? Or was there another reason?
He needed to know the intention.
"Hey, Calix. You, you can fight quite well?"
"Adrian also…… Can hide quite well."
"……Hehe, what do you mean?"
"I mean there will be many things to discuss going forward."
Not only the assassins, but the Prince of Latia as well.