Chapter 83
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Chapter 83
* * *
Poooo—
At the blare of the horn trumpet echoing across the field, Claude's hurried footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
Poooo—
The trumpet sounded once more. It was a distress signal from the 1st Squad.
"Commander, it appears the 1st Squad lacks the strength to defeat the Wyvern on their own."
The 1st Squad was engaged in battle against the Wyvern.
Yet subduing a massive winged serpent was no simple task.
The cunning Wyvern rarely descended to the ground. All the soldiers could do was fire flaming arrows at the creature hovering in the sky.
"Should we postpone the search for Miss Rilprey and join the 1st Squad first?"
"What about our aunt?"
"...."
"When are we going to find our aunt?"
At Lucian's question, the soldiers found it difficult to open their mouths.
Faced with those pleading eyes brimming with tears, they simply could not bring themselves to say no.
This was the child who had insisted on following the 2nd Squad to search for his aunt despite everyone's objections. No one could bear to imagine the anguish of a boy suddenly left alone.
"I'm sorry, Lucian."
Yet the soldiers could not grant his wish.
"Commander, please give the order."
"...."
"At this rate, we'll all die!"
Claude could not reach a decision easily.
His mind knew that the Wyvern must be dealt with first. Yet his heart kept urging him toward Lucella.
"Commander...."
Claude's gaze wavered between Lucian, who clutched at his sleeve with trembling tears, and his comrades.
"...All combat-capable personnel will support the 1st Squad."
"Yes, sir!"
At last, with the decision made, the soldiers responded with a resounding affirmation.
"Sniff."
At his decision, tears began to fall steadily from Lucian's large eyes.
Claude gathered Lucian into his arms.
"Don't cry. I'll go find your aunt."
"Really...?"
After wiping away the tears from Lucian's cheeks, Claude turned to address the soldiers who had finished preparing to rush toward the 1st Squad.
"While you handle the Wyvern, I will search for Miss Rilprey together with Ahin and Melissa."
At Claude's declaration, everyone's eyes, including Lucian's, widened in surprise.
"Besides, these two and Lucian are unable to participate in combat anyway."
The soldiers nodded at Claude's words. Regardless of anyone else, Ahin would certainly be more helpful absent from the fight.
"Xenon, as vice-commander, will assume command in my absence."
"Understood!"
Only after the order was given did the squad members' expressions brighten.
Even after receiving orders to support the 1st Squad, the members remained uneasy at heart. Lucella had already become their comrade.
Toward Lucella, who had made their monster subjugation far more manageable, they felt only gratitude.
Yet that very woman had sacrificed herself to protect them. How could their hearts be at ease as they departed, leaving her behind?
"We will take responsibility for defeating Wyvern. Please go without worry."
"Very well."
"Little one, you must find your aunt. Do you understand?"
"Yes!"
"Let's go!"
Xenon, who had gently pinched Lucian's cheek, took the lead. Only then did Lucian wipe his tear-stained cheeks with the back of his hand.
"Ahin, Melissa. Could you lift me into the sky? It seems searching from above would be faster."
"That's impossible right now. As you can see, Wyvern is far too close."
Attempting levitation from this position would only draw Wyvern's undivided attention.
"Moreover, the magical power Wyvern is emitting is far too potent. I cannot guarantee we could maintain the spell stably."
"Then it cannot be helped."
Claude set Lucian down on the ground.
"Lucian, you move together with Ahin and Melissa."
"What about you, Captain?"
"I prefer to move alone. But that is not the case for Ahin and Melissa, is it?"
The two of them could scarcely grip even a kitchen knife properly, let alone engage in combat.
"As you search for your aunt, if you discover any monsters, purify them all. Continue forward while doing so. Understood?"
"Yes!"
Lucian nodded, clasping his hands tightly together.
"You've brought the compass and map?"
"Yes."
"Then let's disperse."
"Captain, wait just a moment!"
It was Ahin who caught Claude as he turned to leave swiftly.
He withdrew something from his pocket and held it out to Claude.
"It's a communication artifact. Should you find Miss Rilprey, please contact us."
"Understood."
"We have no spares now. If it breaks, all is lost, so please handle it with care."
"I promise."
Claude nodded and slipped the artifact into his inner pocket.
Then he began sprinting rapidly toward the Western Direction where she was said to be.
* * *
Screech!
I turned my head toward the source of the terrible cry.
In the distance, I could see Wyvern locked in battle against flaming arrows.
"So they've decided to fight after all."
I gazed toward where Wyvern was, my eyes clouded with worry.
"I hope no one gets hurt."
While I was concerned for everyone, my greatest worry was undoubtedly Lucian.
Could he be managing without me? Was he crying out in fear?
Was he confused and panicked by my disappearance?
'I've never been separated from Lucian for this long before.'
Thinking of Lucian only amplified the anxiety that was already gnawing at me.
He had to remain safe even amidst Wyvern's assault.
"Let's move for now."
I brushed the dirt clinging to my backside and rose to my feet.
Everyone seemed too occupied fighting Wyvern to come searching for me. That meant I had to find my own way back.
'At least thanks to Wyvern, I've roughly confirmed the Military Camp's location.'
It didn't seem I'd been thrown too far away.
Forcing myself to think positively, I quickened my pace.
The sun was beginning to set. If the temperature dropped any further, I wouldn't be able to endure it, so I had to hurry back before nightfall.
'If only there were a cave somewhere to rest in, I could sleep and move again tomorrow.'
Unfortunately, there wasn't even a cave nearby, let alone a large tree to shield me from the cold wind.
I had no choice but to press forward.
'It's so cold.'
My body trembled as the wind began to pick up. The throbbing in my ankle only grew worse.
'I want to rest.'
I was hungry, thirsty, longing to warm myself by a crackling hearth, and desperate for a hot shower.
And I missed Lucian.
"Damn it..."
I wiped my eyes roughly with the back of my hand as tears welled up.
Remembering Lucian's bright smile directed at me, my nose stung with emotion.
But I was given no time to indulge in sorrow.
I sensed magical energy nearby.
I focused all my senses. Then I felt it—magical energy moving erratically in all directions.
Fierce and savage, the magical presence was drawing steadily closer to me.
'I have to run.'
I immediately bolted in the opposite direction from where I sensed the magical energy.
With each step, my injured ankle throbbed painfully. The wind stung my cheeks, and my ragged breathing rose to my throat.
At least the magical energy was receding. Fortunately, the monster seemed to be heading in another direction.
'Thank goodness.'
I was exhaling in relief, thinking I was safe, when—
"Ugh!"
My body stumbled.
I'd stepped on my shoelace and tripped. It was because I'd removed my shoes earlier and tied the laces loosely.
"Ahhh!"
I lost my balance and tumbled forward.
The ground beneath me sloped downward, and my body rolled uncontrollably across the terrain.
"Ugh!"
I instinctively raised my arms to shield my head.
Jagged tree roots and stones jutting from the earth pierced and scraped against me from head to toe.
My entire body screamed in pain—a suffering I had never experienced before in my life. Tears welled up involuntarily.
The excruciating agony subsided only moments later.
With a splash, water rushed into my nostrils. A viscous liquid coiled around my limbs.
"What is this!"
I thrashed about until I finally regained my footing. When I opened my eyes, my vision was consumed by darkness.
I wiped my face with my hands, and at last, I could see.
I had fallen into a Swamp.
The acrid stench was overwhelming, and the murky grayish-brown liquid filled every inch of it.
'It's saturated with magical energy.'
The only reason I could stand on both legs was because the Swamp's depth reached only to my waist.
'I suppose I should count myself fortunate...'
Without the Swamp, I would have continued rolling down into the abyss below.
If luck had truly abandoned me, I might have struck my head and perished.
I gazed down at my body, now filthy beyond recognition and blackened with grime.
Beneath my torn clothing, wounds from the fall were visible. The caked mud only intensified the sting.
'First, I need to escape this Swamp.'
The presence of magical energy meant monsters lurked nearby. My priority was to leave this area entirely.
I brushed away the muddy liquid clinging to my upper body and began moving my legs.
The weight of the liquid was considerable, and the injuries covering my body from the fall left my legs weak and unresponsive.
It was then that I heard a strange sound from over my shoulder.
Sssssss—
At that eerie, unsettling sound, I turned my head.
At the edge of the Swamp stood Hydra, a serpentine monster with six heads.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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