Shadowed Gaze: The Highserk War Saga - Chapter 48

Prepared for the containment of the monsters, Walm, along with his escort targets Ayane and Maya, was ordered to retreat to the old castle at the Mayard national border by horse-drawn carriage.

Though Walm had believed there was still time before the formation of the defense line, even after the great rampage, he realized his mistake.

Despite the main force of the monsters not having arrived yet, the road was overflowing with death. Bodies of Mayard people, likely refugees, were scattered along the roadside, interspersed with the corpses of monsters eliminated by the advancing infantry units.

“So many corpses, and monsters too…”

Maya, peeking out from the cart, uttered with a trembling voice.

“Walm, what exactly is happening…?”

Ayane pressed for an answer. Walm hesitated to speak. Although she was an escort target, she was also a captive. Giving her unnecessary information was not a wise decision.

However, considering the nature of the escort mission, it would be easier to convey the threat. He wasn’t swayed by her earnest gaze. Walm reassured himself of that.

“It seems that the Four Nation Alliance burned the Demonic Territory. The Highserk Empire abandoned the Sarajevo Fortress and is consolidating forces in the former Kingdom of Canoa to stop the monsters.”

Ayane’s eyes widened, and her mouth moved slightly as if to say something.

“This tragedy, you’re saying the Four Nation Alliance, Crest caused this?”

Ayane slumped, unable to believe it. Ever since being targeted by assassins, the girl had become paranoid and was visibly exhausted.

The body could recover with rest, even if worn out, but the mind was not so easily healed, something Walm knew all too well from personal experience.

Maya, who had been silent, placed her hand on the girl’s shoulder. She, being more resilient to harsh realities, had accepted the situation as not impossible.

As Walm searched for words to say, a cavalryman from the escort shouted.

“Monsters!! Goblin Riders!”

“There should have been a platoon ahead of us. Were we deceived?”

Walm quickly rolled up the tarp and stepped onto the edge of the carriage bed.

“Moritz, I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me.”

Jumping off the carriage, Walm followed the cavalry’s gaze. About twenty Goblin Riders, mounted on Silver Wolves, were approaching.

Monsters that enslaved other monsters, these Goblin Riders were a variant known for their riding skills, with more developed muscles and higher intelligence than normal goblins.

Indeed, they had primitively woven vines into harnesses and armor for the wolves. Unlike taller horses, the goblins riding wolves had a lower posture, seeming to fly across the ground.

“They’re fast.”

Walm admitted plainly. The friendly cavalry had formed a circular formation around the carriage, their escort target.

The defensive formation was at a disadvantage in numbers, and there was a risk of letting some through.

Walm channeled his magical power and unleashed “Demon Fire,” scorching the road. The compacted path was instantly enveloped in blue flames, turning into a land of scorching heat.

The leading ten or so riders were caught in the blue flames, screaming as they burned down. However, the remaining riders split into two groups and charged towards Walm. A commendable response for small monsters.

“Four will break through!!”

Walm warned as he saw four Goblin Riders bypass him from the corner of his eye, refocusing on the small group approaching him.

Six Goblin Riders were closing in on Walm.

Walm, infusing his magic, released a second volley, but it only managed to burn three goblins and their Silver Wolves.

In the thinning azure flames, a goblin rider lunged in a trajectory overlapping with the escort carriage’s line of fire. Wielding his halberd, Walm swept upwards from a lower position, slicing through both a Silver Wolf’s chest and a goblin’s lower jaw in a single stroke.

The bodies of the wolf and goblin tumbled together, mixing in death. Walm’s attention had already shifted to the remaining two riders.

Aligning with the second goblin rider’s path, he formed a wall of flames. Although different in technique, the counter-principle remained the same as with a sword.

The goblin rider, leaping into the fiery barrier, was engulfed by clinging demon fire, writhing in agony. The Silver Wolf, too, kicked at the void with its limbs, struggling in its death throes.

Only one remained. A goblin rider succeeded in closing the distance, only to be impaled through the throat by the pointed end of Walm’s halberd, leading to the Silver Wolf’s demise.

As the goblin rider tumbled into the void, he tried to slam his chipped longsword down on Walm. Walm countered by twisting his wrist, redirecting the blow with the butt of his weapon.

The longsword was deflected off course, and before the goblin could attempt a second strike upon landing, Walm forcefully struck its temple with the weapon’s butt.

The goblin’s body twisted and fell to the ground, yet it tried to rise again. Walm lifted his halberd and brought it down hard.

“Guh, Giyyyy!”

The skull shattered, its contents scattering. Walm carefully surveyed his surroundings. There were no reinforcements.

The goblin riders who shifted their focus from Walm to the cargo carriage were also subdued, lying in pools of blood alongside the Silver Wolves, taken down by the escorts’ short spears and war hammers.

“Even goblins possess such battle spirit and training?”

Surprised, Walm couldn’t hide his astonishment at the sight of cowardly, low-ranking goblins ferociously attacking until their annihilation.

“I should have learned to ride horses.”

Walm, skilled in infantry tactics, was a novice in horsemanship. The situation was dire; there weren’t even enough horses. Horseless, he couldn’t ride. He stopped his pointless wishing and faced reality.

It was difficult to grasp the situation outside from within the cargo carriage. Yet, stepping outside would leave the interior unmonitored. Apart from the driver, the only Highserk soldiers inside the carriage were Walm and Moritz.

“Guardian Chief, impressive work. Was that the famed demon fire?”

While thinking, one of the escorts approached Walm.

“Thank you, though I’m not sure about its fame. They do call it demon fire. By the way, are these the ones who attacked the refugees?”

“Some of them, yes, but there are bodies with a different cause of death.”

“What do you mean?”

“There are traces of large bites on the torsos. Clearly torn apart.”

“Do you know the species?”

“No, it’s unclear. But from the footprints and bite marks, it’s likely a sizeable, B-class or higher beast.”

A fast-moving, large creature mixed among the goblins. A surprise attack from a high-ranking, unidentified monster could be fatal for the cargo carriage.

“Good information.”

“It’s an honor to be of help.”

Armed with information about the large monster, Walm makes a decision.

“I’ll keep watch from the roof. It’s a hassle but keep an eye on the prisoners too.”

“Leave it to me.”

The cavalryman firmly patted his armor, showing his resolve to Walm. Walm turned back to the carriage.

“Moritz.”

“Ah, Lord Walm, you’re safe.”

“I’m going up to the roof. There might be a big one ahead.”

“Understood, I’ll handle the inside.”

“Thanks.”

Moritz, quick-witted even in conversation, would likely adapt flexibly in an emergency.

Walm glanced at the “cargo” in the carriage. His gaze momentarily met that of the girl, her eyes flickering with fear and anxiety.

Comforting her with an embrace and saying “everything will be alright” would be an act of a justice-driven person or something a lover or childhood friend might do. It didn’t fit Walm’s character or situation. All he could do was state the facts.

“Don’t worry. I’ve eliminated the threat.”

Having deceived in combat before, Walm was careful not to lie. Ayane’s frightened eyes slightly calmed. Without waiting for a response, Walm climbed onto the roof.