Chapter 132: The Monster Offensive

(This is from a third-party perspective.)

This is a small village in the eastern part of the Albion Kingdom. Compared to the Sea of Trees in the west, it is a much smaller demon realm, but it still borders a forest where monsters appear. Therefore, knights are stationed there permanently, but usually, only a few Magic Dogs or at most Magic Wolves appear.

But what the lookout saw on this day was… “What is with this number! And there are big ones too. Are those Magic Boars?” What emerged from the eastern forest was a horde of dozens of monsters.

“And there are only five knights here…” The Squad Leader who received the report looked down, but immediately looked up with a resolute expression. He then ordered a young knight. “You, tell the villagers to flee, then go to the town and call for reinforcements.”

“What will you and the others do, Squad Leader?” “We will buy time for the villagers to escape.” “That’s impossible, there are dozens of monsters coming!” “If we don’t, the villagers will be wiped out. Protecting the citizens is a knight’s duty.”

“Then I will stay too!” “No, someone needs to report. I have received armor granted with one attribute enchantment, so I will be fine. Go quickly!” The young knight hesitated for a moment, then started running. In truth, the young knight had just gotten married last month. The Squad Leader mentioned his equipment, but the young knight knew it was just an excuse to let him escape.

The Squad Leader apologized to the remaining three knights. “Sorry to drag you into this. I wouldn’t be enough of a stalling force on my own.” “Please raise your head. We have been prepared for this since the moment we pledged our swords as knights.” “We will accompany you to the end.” “Let’s show these monsters the grit of the Albion Knights.”

Eventually, the monsters attacked, causing the ground to rumble. The knights raised war cries, activated their Swordsmanship Skills, and stood their ground gallantly.

The fighting knights defeated several Magic Dogs and Magic Wolves each, but they also sustained wounds. Then, a Magic Boar charged in; one knight couldn’t dodge in time and was sent flying. The remaining two were surrounded by monsters.

“Is this it…?” Just as they prepared for death, several of the surrounding monsters were engulfed in flames. Where the sparks of fire scattered, a mounted knight charged in.

“Are you safe?” The knight, wielding a Mithril sword, wore armor bearing the Royal Crest. It was a Royal Guard. Why in such a remote place? the Squad Leader thought. The Royal Guard cut down a Magic Wolf in a single stroke. A little later, about ten more knights rushed in to assist, defeating the monsters one after another.

“Thank you. You saved us.” “I am glad our relief made it in time. I heard you were buying time for the residents to escape. The young knight who sought our help told us so while crying.” “We lack strength, but if protecting this land is our duty, then…” “That is admirable resolve. Even so, to think a horde including Magic Boars would appear from such a small demon realm.”

A horde of monsters also attacked the Fairchild Margrave territory, which borders the Sea of Trees, the Kingdom’s largest demon realm.

“To think there are this many.” Seeing the horde of monsters approaching the Sea of Trees, shaking the earth as they came, the Margrave frowned. “Indeed, it is a number unlike anything seen before. And they appear to be in formation.”

As Knight Captain Liam pointed out, the monsters, which usually attack in a disorganized manner, were lined up in an orderly fashion. Furthermore, a considerable number of Magic Boars seemed to be mixed in with the Magic Dogs and Magic Wolves. A short while ago, this would have been a situation where one had to prepare for death.

However, no despair appeared on the faces of the Margrave or the Knight Captain. “Since I heard from Will that the monster offensive would likely intensify, I’m glad I had the knights equip their best gear.” “We have brought all the main forces of the Knight Order.”

“First, we will stop the monsters’ momentum with magic!” “”Yes!!”” Upon the Margrave’s instructions, the knights skilled in magic stopped their horses and concentrated. Magic circles floated up one after another above the knights’ heads. Various elemental magics, such as fire and water, flew out from the magic circles.

Colorful magic raced through the air and exploded within the monster horde. Leaving behind black smoke, many monsters were annihilated, and the momentum of the horde weakened. “Charge!” When the Margrave shouted, the knights charged into the monster horde.

“Light Sword!” The Margrave, leading the charge, activated his Swordsmanship Skill. A blade of light extended from the Margrave’s sword, slicing through the monsters like paper. Light Sword is a rare Light Attribute skill and is particularly effective against monsters of Darkness.

“Rock Crush!” Knight Captain Liam also unleashed a powerful technique. Monsters were blown away, disappearing into black smoke.

The knights charged into the places where the monsters’ formation had collapsed. The knights’ blades flashed, and the monsters intercepted with claws and fangs, turning into a melee. The knights’ swords were enchanted with multiple characteristics, and the monsters were cut down one after another.

In the melee, some received attacks from claws and fangs of multiple monsters. However, thanks to the armor which was also enchanted, they did not sustain fatal wounds. Just when it seemed the monster horde would be annihilated if they took their time, the monsters began to retreat all at once.

The knights, taken aback for a moment, regained their composure and tried to pursue, but before they could, streaks of lightning rained down, causing them to involuntarily stop in their tracks. “What was that?” “Could it be the high-ranking monster that uses magic Lord William spoke of?”

“That seems likely. The monsters’ movements were controlled; this is troublesome.” “Indeed. However, we were able to repel the monster horde, and thanks to the armor Lord William enchanted, there were no casualties. We should consider this a success.”