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The clash of metal reverberated from all directions, and the sight of sparks spewing forth as the blades clashed against each other was disorienting. Additionally, an unending torrent of blood and anguished screams filled the air.

Both vision and hearing were obscured, yet even amid such circumstances, there was no margin for error in judgment.

This was a battlefield where lives were taken and lost. Even a moment’s hesitation could prove fatal and result in my neck being pierced by the enemy.

Puk!

With a resounding crack, my hatchet descended upon the head of a demonic monkey, unleashing a spray of blood.

Hesitation was not an option. Out of nowhere, a demonic monkey managed to find an opening and seized the opportunity to charge towards the Saintess and Senior Elsie.

Swiftly, I grasped my hatchet and flung it like it was a throwing knife.

Puk!

With another crack, the hatchet lodged itself into the side of the monkey’s skull. And just like that, another life was snuffed out on the battlefield.

The demonic monkeys kept swarming like an unrelenting tide, and I had to kill every oncoming monkey with one or two swift strikes to keep afloat.

Before long, the corpses of the monkeys piled up like a small hill. Though the majority were slain by the swordsmen on the frontline, the Saintess and Senior Elsie also contributed significantly.

“O Lord, please grant us your shield of faith in the midst of adversity and suffering!”

With the soft cry of the Saintess, a brilliant white light enveloped our bodies. It was an armor of holy power capable of blocking even the most fatal blows a couple of times.

It wasn’t just that. An unprecedented vitality surged within me. With enhanced strength and agility, it became easier to wipe out the demonic beasts.

Senior Elsie assisted us in a more conspicuous manner.

“…Thirty-two constellations, align the elements upon the Second Imperial Star!”

From within a storm of celestial symbols, Senior Elsie’s mana blazed like a furnace.

The undulating mana soon extended to the ground, electric currents crackling across the terrain, heralding a mighty power.

“O Brightest Light! Engulf mine enemies in thy wrath!”

At her command, a tempest of electricity erupted, sweeping across the land and dyeing the world white in its wake.

Not a single beast was left untouched. Throwing themselves from the treetops, they screamed and billowed black smoke.

Within the bleached world, I relied on my senses to strike down yet another beast that had luckily evaded Senior Elsie’s magic.

As soon as the monkey crashed into the ground, smoke wisped from its scorched hide.

Among the monkeys leaping down from trees, there wasn’t a single exception. Shrill cries accompanied the sizzle of flesh and the crackle of electricity, weaving a discordant cacophony.

The unique, pungent smell of burning corpses made me cough and wipe my eyes. It was only then that my vision fully returned.

Senior Elsie’s magic turned the battlefield into a gruesome sight. Numerous demonic monkey corpses, charred beyond recognition, littered the earth like heaps of ash.

They all had their tongues sticking out with eyes wide open. Such was the sudden death that had harvested their lives.

This was why it was crucial to have at least one mage.

Not only were they effective in dealing with numerous enemies, but their deadly magic, capable of widespread destruction, was also effective in breaking the enemies’ morale.

It went without saying, however, that this was only the case for seasoned mages whose skills had been proven.

If Senior Elsie’s mana control had been lacking in the slightest, we would have also been lying on the ground alongside those monkeys, emitting smoke.

Just the thought of it caused a shiver to run down my spine as I promptly knocked down a demonic monkey that was rushing at me after having evaded the gruesome fate of its brothers.

Boom!

Tremors coursed through the ground. Then, as if the shockwave served as their signal, the remaining demonic beasts up in the trees unleashed bestial roars before charging forward.

Regaining my stance, I immediately threw my sword. The sound of another life being extinguished rang out as the sword impaled a monkey right through its heart. Next to the impaled monkey, another one rushed towards me with a triumphant smile. It realized that I no longer had a weapon in my hands.

However, its smile did not last long as the jarring sound of metal cleaving through bone resounded.

The demonic beast, that had just leapt at me with its arm raised, stared blankly at its chest.

A blade soared from the side and burrowed itself into the beast’s chest. Overwhelmed by shock, the monkey toppled to the ground.

It was a technique that made use of ‘Movement within Stillness’.

Much like my hatchet had altered its course mid-flight, the thrown blade’s trajectory curved sideways, eliminating two monkeys in its path.

Regrettably, my control was still relatively lacking, and I wasn’t able to aim perfectly between the ribs to strike the heart.

I retrieved my hatchet and approached the demonic monkey, which struggled to draw breath while teetering between life and death.

Meeting its gaze, I scoffed.

“What are you looking at, you bastard?”

I felt no pity for it.

With a sickening crunch, blood and brain matter splattered and stained my hatchet. My breath was heavy as I swung down.

That was the last of the demonic beasts.

Dozens of beasts had lost their lives right here. It was a notable achievement even when considering we had seven people.

Yet, despite triumphing over the demonic beasts, everyone’s expressions were far from bright.

Celine collapsed on the spot as if her legs had turned to jelly. Craters and fissures decorated the ground around her, a testament to the formidable strength behind each swing of her sword.

Exhausted, Celine let out a relieved sigh.

“It’s finally over…”

Aside from the last Hunting Festival, this was her first real battle. Although Senior Delphine supported her from the sidelines, her tenacity to endure through the end was commendable.

Even Senior Delphine seemed satisfied with her performance as she nodded.

“You did well, Haster.”

“No… I was only a burden.”

Despite the compliment, Celine still seemed disheartened. Yet, Delphine offered no further reassurances.

She appeared to believe that this was something Celine had to overcome on her own. I agreed, so I didn’t offer any words of consolation either.

I just regulated my breath and muttered a warning.

“We’re not done yet, we still have the cave left.”

My words erased the relief that had begun to settle among the group, replacing it with heightened tension.

However, it was exactly as I said. The battle we had just fought was nothing more than a preliminary skirmish.

The secret these numerous demonic beasts guarded remained hidden within the cave.

Our purpose today was to investigate what was happening inside that cave. We had no time to bask in the afterglow of our victory here.

My gaze shifted to the forest’s edge, revealing a clearing where the cave’s silhouette ominously loomed.

We were close. Just as I prepared to step forward,

“…S-Sir Ian!”

A girl with sparkling eyes dashed toward me, standing before me.

It was Senior Elsie, and at her unexpected formality, everyone’s eyes, except Senior Delphine, widened in surprise.

My determined expression crumbled instantly, replaced by awkwardness.

Nevertheless, Senior Elsie exuded excitement, much like a puppy wagging its tail at its owner’s arrival. As she waved her hands, words of admiration poured out from her mouth.

“T-That was awesome! The ruthlessness of smashing in the skulls of the monkey beasts without any hesitation! The decisiveness to even throw your weapon just to see the enemies bleed! It was incred-“

“…Senior Elsie.”

Senior Elsie seemed to regain her senses.

Startled, she glanced around, her face paling as she noticed the stunned gazes directed our way.

Faking a cough, she straightened up and regained her composure. Her ears were reddening, and she wore an awkward smile as she fanned herself.

Forced laughter escaped her lips.

“Though it goes without saying that we wouldn’t have won if it wasn’t for my, Elsie Rinella’s contributions. S-So… I did well, right? Right?”

Senior Elsie looked up at me with expectant eyes, and unable to reject her sparkling eyes, I heaved a sigh and placed my hand on her head.

And as I began stroking her head, her face lit up with an ecstatic smile.

“…You did well, Senior Elsie. I’ll be in your care in the future as well.”

“Hehe… Yes!”

It was an honest and genuine answer.

When I turned back, everyone, excluding Senior Delphine, was staring at me. Senior Delphine was merely shaking her head and sighing as if she had anticipated this.

I closed my mouth. After thinking for a minute on how to explain my relationship with Senior Elsie to the rest of the group, I ultimately chose to escape.

“We’re busy, let’s talk later.”

As I said that, everyone started to look bitter.

But what could they do about it? I was the one leading the group, and it wasn’t inaccurate to say that we were in a dire situation right now.

Ultimately, they had no choice but to prepare to proceed, despite their discontented mutters and skeptical glances.

And so, we finally entered the cave.

We could instantly tell that it wasn’t naturally formed. There was no way a natural cave in the middle of a forest glade would lead straight underground.

It meant someone or something had artificially made this cave, which made it even more dangerous.

We had no idea what was inside, or what kind of materials it was built with.

We had to proceed with the utmost caution.

With Senior Delphine and myself, the strongest in real combat, as the vanguard, we slowly advanced into the cave. The damp air chilled our lungs.

Surprisingly, the cave wasn’t particularly deep and there weren’t any traps. In about ten minutes, we saw the end.

To begin with, creating artificial caves wasn’t an easy task regardless of whether it was done by magic or by hand.

The creator must have thought it would be inefficient to dig any further.

However, the sight that greeted us at this journey’s end left us stunned.

We were all frozen in place as the grotesque view enveloped us in deathly silence.