Night Raid (1)
After playing in the water late into the night and even using lightning, fatigue had gradually built up. Woojin slept soundly until noon the next day.
He stepped out of the tent and surveyed the surroundings. The expeditionary force was still laboring to cross the river. In the meantime, they had felled an enormous amount of timber and stacked it on one side of the encampment.
"With so many men in the expedition, work like that proceeds very quickly."
He didn't know exactly what they were planning to build, but it seemed he would see the results soon enough.
After watching the soldiers at work for a moment, Woojin turned back. He intended to feed the wolves the inner cores of the serpent demonic beasts they had hunted the day before.
Fweeet~
He gave a light whistle. Four wolves immediately came running at the signal. Woojin gave them a quick once-over.
Their fur was sleek and glossy. A wooden comb hanging from Rex's scruff caught his eye.
"So the nuns have been brushing them."
The Order of Harmony regarded wolves as sacred creatures. Thanks to that, the wolves were treated generously and lived in comfort. Judging by the fragrant scent of flowers clinging to them, their fur had even been brushed with scented oil.
While the expeditionary force endured every kind of hardship, the wolves' daily lives were little different from those of nobles.
"They say a dog's life can be better than a man's… You're certainly talented at being pampered. Who did you learn that from?"
At his question, the three wolves shot sideways glances at Rex. Rex feigned ignorance, turning his head away from their stares. Woojin could newly understand why Bow had singled that one out for extra discipline.
Woojin addressed the wolves.
"You're being well treated, so their safety is your responsibility. You should earn your keep."
The wolves nodded as if they understood. Woojin rummaged through his pack and pulled out a pouch. It was filled with the inner cores of the serpent demonic beasts.
"Sean, Yan. Step forward."
The two wolves padded out eagerly. They hadn't been able to eat the dark priest's core last time, so these would be Sean and Yan's share.
The water serpents hadn't been particularly strong, but as demonic beasts dwelling in relatively deep waters, they contained karma of high purity.
Perhaps impressed by that fact, Sean and Yan each yielded one core to Rex and Misha. After swallowing them, the two wolves' eyes widened. It seemed the power contained in the cores exceeded their expectations.
The wolves' gazes turned northward, as if anticipating prey waiting beyond the river.
"Looks like they're motivated."
That mindset alone was the greatest gain.
****
Two more days passed.
Though Woojin had dealt with the river's water wraiths using lightning, the expeditionary force was unaware of it. The work to cross the river continued regardless.
Logs and boulders were piled high along the riverbank. It seemed their preparations were finally complete.
"The Order of Prosperity."
Woojin fixed his gaze on the priests standing by the river. Judging from the shape and patterns of their robes, they belonged to the Order of Prosperity. The person leading them confirmed his guess.
Cecilia, the Saintess of Verdure.
As always, the priestess wore a green veil over her face. She took slow, deliberate steps forward, the other priests following behind her in a group.
The ritual began.
Shhhhk.
The Saintess scattered something from a basket onto the soil. Small, round objects. Though the distance was considerable, Woojin's eyesight identified them.
"Seeds."
She scattered various kinds of seeds across the earth. Immediately after, the priests tilted their watering cans and poured holy water onto the seeded ground.
Shaaah—
A green aura shimmered across the surface. The seeds infused with that energy split open, and sprouts emerged. The plants grew at an unnaturally rapid pace.
Wherever the Saintess passed, vegetation sprang forth—lush grass, simple wildflowers, golden barley ripening in the sun. As their roots dug deep into the soil, they drove back the murky aura of the demonic realm.
Roland muttered as he watched.
"They're consecrating the land."
"What meaning does that have?"
"Tilling the land is the first step toward prosperity. The Order of Prosperity can wield far greater power when standing upon consecrated ground."
In ancient times, humanity had lived by hunting, little different from wild beasts. But when they began sowing seeds in the earth and harvesting crops, human prosperity truly began.
Through that symbolic ritual, the Order of Prosperity could manifest stronger holy arts.
Snap.
The Saintess broke off several barley stalks. Lifting her veil slightly, she inhaled their scent, then rubbed the grains loose in her palm—taking the first harvest.
She poured the barley grains into her mouth.
Crunch, crunch!
Without even removing the husks, she chewed and swallowed them thoroughly. The divinity dwelling within her deepened. Beneath the veil, green light shone from her eyes.
Then the Saintess thrust both hands forward.
Krrrraaaack—!
The earth heaved as thick green vines burst forth. As thick as wrists, they coiled around the stacked logs and boulders by the riverbank, intertwining to form a massive structure.
It looked as if an invisible giant were weaving stones and timber together with living vines as rope.
What took shape was none other than—
"A stone bridge."
A bridge now spanned the river—large and sturdy enough for even Tarask to tread upon.
Duke Edwin shouted at the top of his lungs.
"The Saintess herself has opened the way! Soldiers, do not fear—advance!"
"Waaaaah—!"
The soldiers roared in response.
Just yesterday, morale had been dampened by the water wraiths. But having witnessed the Saintess's miracle, their spirits were reignited.
Without hesitation, the soldiers began marching across the bridge. Woojin observed it with keen curiosity.
"It looks quite sturdy."
At some point, the vines binding the bridge turned yellow. They resembled barley stalks dried thoroughly under the sun. Barley straw was tough and durable enough to be used like rope.
He had witnessed holy arts that used divine power a few times before, but this type of ability was new to him. An extremely useful and powerful technique.
"Still, it consumes a great deal of stamina."
He observed the Saintess's movements. Though she tried to appear composed, her steps were noticeably more unsteady than before.
Leaning on the staff in her hand, she moved forward with visible effort. Techniques of that magnitude inevitably devoured the caster's strength.
Even so, gaining a bridge in exchange made it worthwhile. For stable supply lines, a structure like this was essential. The boost to the soldiers' morale was an added bonus.
Perhaps carried by that heightened atmosphere, the expeditionary force continued its advance without hesitation.
"The demonic beasts aren't showing themselves."
It wasn't surprising.
From the perspective of the beasts in this region, the expeditionary army was a disaster to be avoided at all costs. A massive force was slaughtering every noticeable living creature in its path.
At this rate, it seemed the expedition would reach its destination without much difficulty—
"…They must have caught the scent by now."
That uneasy thought soon became reality.
***
Late at night.
Woojin's eyes snapped open. An inexplicable chill ran through him. Rising from his bedroll, he grabbed his machete and stepped outside the tent.
—BOOOOM!
An explosion erupted in the distance. Screams and shouting echoed soon after. The soldiers on night watch frantically struck the brass alarm bell.
"Wake up!! The enemy's here—!"
Urgent cries shook the night. Half-asleep troops stumbled out of their tents. Even as they did, more unexplained explosions rang out across the camp.
What is it?
After assigning the wolves to guard the choir, Woojin started running toward the loudest disturbance—
But charging blindly wasn't wise. He needed to assess the overall situation first. Climbing a tall tree, he scanned the surroundings several times, searching for the anomaly.
"…What are those?"
His gaze fixed on something in the distance.
Atop a small rocky hill, points of living light glimmered. The distance made them appear no larger than fingernails.
Thud!
One demonic beast leapt from the mountaintop. It should have plummeted straight down—but its descent was slow. The creature glided like a flying squirrel. With each passing moment, its size seemed to double.
What had looked as small as a fingernail grew to the size of a coin—then, before long, as large as a palm.
…It's coming this way.
"Ambush!! From the sky—!"
He shouted urgently. The creature dove straight toward the Order of Harmony. It was targeting the largest, most tempting prey.
KWA-BOOOOM!!
A thunderous crash split the air. The monster that descended from above crushed down onto Tarask's back. The unlucky giant lizard coughed up a torrent of blood.
Thud.
Tarask collapsed onto the dirt. Standing atop the corpse, the monster surveyed the surrounding humans.
A creature that looked half bat, half human. Its skin was a pale ash-gray, and its body was larger than a fully grown brown bear. When the membrane wings along its shoulders spread wide, it appeared even more massive.
"A gargoyle."
A bat-type demonic beast found deep within the demonic realm. A monster rarely, if ever, seen in this region.
The reason it had come here was simple.
"Abundant prey."
The expeditionary force had been marching north with great noise. Sensitive to sound, the bat beasts had grown curious and descended southward—only to discover thousands of humans. They were now wildly excited.
Sweet blood and tender flesh. The bat beasts could not ignore such prey.
"Throw your spears!!"
A holy knight shouted. In response, the soldiers hurled their javelins with all their strength.
The gargoyle folded its wings to shield its body.
Clang! Clang-clang—!
The javelins bounced off uselessly. Its wings were as hard as iron.
Seizing an opening, Roland slipped behind the gargoyle. His steps were silent, like a leopard stalking prey. But the bat beast's sharp hearing caught his presence.
The gargoyle opened its mouth wide. Sensing danger, the holy knight braced himself.
Fwoosh! Fwooosh!!
Blue flames burst wildly from its maw. Roland's eyes widened.
"Hah, hahaha—! Splendid!!"
Laughing wildly, Roland evaded the fire. While he bought time, Woojin returned to the fray, drawing his machete as he charged.
The gargoyle clenched its fist.
Crack—
With a strange grinding sound, the massive fist swung down toward Woojin's head. Meeting it head-on would have been foolish; he rolled aside to evade.
KWA-BOOOOM!!
With a deafening blast, the fist slammed deep into the ground, as though a massive boulder had fallen from the sky.
"Heavy augmentation."
An ability opposite to lightening—one that increased the body's weight. The gargoyle had used it to stomp Tarask to death.
…It was one of the abilities Woojin had long coveted.
"Finally, something worth devouring."
Woojin bared a savage grin and lunged forward.
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