chapter 34
Raymond swung his swords without rest.
They cleanly cleaved through the limbs toward the torso before finding a gap in the defense of its huge body and immediately pierced through its neck.
He landed on the ground.
Thud.
The monster's massive frame came crashing down, forming a huge crater beneath it.
Its three-meter frame didn't add much to its defense, as it couldn't keep up with the footwork Raymond displayed. In the end, it could only succumb to his relentless assault.
But Raymond didn't feel anything. Before he could take a break, he exhaled and moved to the next alley, where knights were holding back a similar monster in coordinated formation.
He dispatched it in a matter of minutes and then moved to the next. It was an endless cycle.
This was the border village, which had been bustling with life just three days ago. Now, monsters rampaged throughout the area.
Half the villagers had already perished in the attack, and the rest had taken refuge in the northern fortress, which Willowheart forces were occupying.
By the time news reached reinforcements, three villages had been wiped out, close to extinction. Since then, they had been fighting endlessly, yet the creatures showed no sign of stopping.
Vivian flicked her sword, and black blood splattered everywhere.
"Be careful of monsters that produce black blood. Do not engage directly—inform me immediately. Archers should first injure them to determine the type they possess. If black blood seeps from injuries, maintain a five-foot distance and fire a signal flare."
She passed instructions ceaselessly throughout the battlefield while simultaneously managing the situation.
Her entire body was covered with leather armor, a recent Church development designed to contain contamination. The armor acted as a holy mana barrier, protecting warriors on the front lines.
Supply was limited; only ten armors came with holy amulets. Frontline warriors wore them, while knights engaged in combat in five-man squads.
This was the only way to minimize fatalities, as knights were unable to contend toe-to-toe with the monsters. Frontline warriors handled the battle, while knights held back or dealt with injured creatures to increase efficiency.
The battle had been ongoing for three days and was slowly coming to an end.
Adrian looked from the castle wall. He had been on the battlefield for almost a month, and this was the largest wave they had experienced, with monsters directly attacking human settlements.
A makeshift wall of sandbags and monster corpses was being constructed outside the castle to protect the temporary lodgings of rescued villagers.
He glanced at the person standing behind the desk. Bishop Celestian was there, accompanied by six priests, having just arrived today with recent blessings sent by the Church.
"I'm afraid, Celestian, this will not be resolved easily," he said solemnly.
Celestian sighed and approached the window. The temporary base camp was still under construction.
The makeshift wall was being built with smaller, non-infected monster bodies, so progress was slow, as priest verification was required before each addition.
"Bishop Gabriel had planned to go after the wall was built, but it seems he must return earlier."
Celestian took the letter Adrian had handed him earlier. It was an aid request from the royal family.
...
King Lucian looked disturbed.
It was an emergency meeting in the early morning. Ministers from across the empire had left their duties to attend. A loud discussion was underway.
Yesterday night, Bishop Gabriel had arrived with a letter reiterating the situation in the North. Willowheart, a name known for its unbending attitude, had set aside all pretenses and formally requested aid from the Royal Magic Knight Brigade.
Although the situation was under control, King Lucian knew this was no ordinary request.
The crisis was dire enough for Willowheart to lower their heads before the royal family.
The heated discussion continued.
The Royal Magic Knight Brigade was a strategic weapon of the royal family. Only the royal family had complete control over it. To deploy it at the mere request of a marquis family was unheard of—but now, citizens' lives were at stake.
According to detailed reports sent by Marquis Adrian, roughly five villages had already been besieged, with initial death estimates around 700 people.
It was a tragedy. Something unseen had occurred: the monsters were now attacking in organized formations at night, directly targeting human lives rather than mindlessly rampaging.
Lucian tapped the table. The discussion halted, and all eyes turned to him.
"What do you think about the request, Duke?"
Duke Alistair Blackthorne straightened. The Blackthorne family controlled the Ministry of War and, despite their ducal status, remained impartial, acting solely in the empire's interest.
Even the previous king had been unable to convince them to approve futile war proposals. They endured royal wrath but remained steadfast, later earning unmatched reputation when monster attacks on the eastern border were successfully repelled due to ample preparations beforehand.
Shifting his posture, he calmly replied, "What does Your Majesty think about Marquis Adrian's proposal?"
He returned the question to the King.
Lucian wasted no time.
"We will send reinforcements immediately. One hundred Royal Magic Knight Brigade personnel are to be dispatched to the northern front to aid Willowheart. I expect the Ministries of War and Finance to prepare accordingly."
The Duke immediately bowed. "It will be done, Your Majesty."
It was a matter of the empire's survival. All ministers unanimously agreed to cooperate to ensure immediate action.
The palace lights never went out that night.
Queen Seraphina, upon hearing the news, immediately commanded her family's private soldiers to evacuate the villagers in the temporary base camp and bring them into the solar city nearest from north fortress.
The entire palace became consumed with preparations for the upcoming expedition.
...
Sevile looked at the clock and announced, "Stop."
All hands halted. He then proceeded to collect the sheets.
The first theory paper had just ended.