Chapter 82

Immediately after the sun set.

Under the sky that still retained some light, the knights of Galbreath were busy preparing for the battle against the monsters that was about to begin.

"Princess, please don't leave the barrier under any circumstances!"

I nodded vigorously in response to Lillian's stern reminder, feeling the intensity of her words. To reassure her, I showed her the necklace with the barrier stone given to me by Aristide.

"Ugh"

"Of course... I thought I sensed a strong magical aura from you, Princess."

Lillian groaned softly, and Captain Blanche, who glanced at my chest and wrists, seemed a bit taken aback. To avoid any injuries, I was wearing not only the necklace with the barrier stone but also a bracelet to ward off monsters, a ring with an incredible amount of magic, and a hair ornament with a holy light that repelled evil. I had put on as many as I could, but perhaps it was too many.

"Is it really okay to wear so many? You look like you might feel unwell."

Lillian shuddered as she looked at the ring on my middle finger. Despite wearing items to protect myself, I ended up worrying her.

"These are all made by Aristide, so the magic is very strong, but they all feel comfortable. Would you like to try one?"

I offered the extra necklace to the two of them, but they both shook their heads.

"Well, I'm fine... Ugh"

"Having you here, Princess, seems to maintain a powerful barrier, so it's probably best to keep it as is."

While Lillian, who seemed to be uncomfortable with the barrier stone, declined, Captain Blanche also gently refused. Not wanting to force anything, I was about to put the necklace back in the leather bag when,

"Hey, Princess, you've got some good stuff. Can I have one?"

A hand reached out from behind and grabbed the necklace with the barrier stone.

"Oh, Yanish. You have quite an impressive weapon there."

Turning around, I saw Yanish, who was lightly armored. His legs were covered with sturdy shin guards and thigh guards, but his upper body was only minimally protected. However, the number of swords on his waist and the items on his back were impressive.

"The centipede crabs I'm after have incredibly hard shells. This axe is the best for the job."

Yanish, removing the leather strap from his back, showed me the massive axe he was holding with both hands.

"Wow, you can handle a Zarian war axe! I see, it's because the war axe is heavy, so you're lightly armored."

"Exactly. My strength isn't enough to swing this thing around in heavy armor. With this barrier stone, I can take some risks even in light armor. I'll take it."

The knights from Azaroth Fort, including Yanish, had a bright purple cloth wrapped around their left sleeves. Their role was 'guerrilla warfare,' allowing them to move freely based on the situation.

As the night-active griffin, Garrotrock, carried Yanish and his team away, Captain Blanche looked around, wary of the monsters gathering.

"It's almost time. The monsters are watching us closely."

I also looked around and confirmed the monsters watching the salt lake from a distance in the dim light. While the centipede crabs were a feast, not all the monsters coming here were after them. Some preferred meat over seafood, and some had developed a taste for human flesh.

Knights were stationed around our rear support tent and a bit away from the shore of the salt lake. In addition to the knights tasked with slaying the centipede crabs, there were those from East Elsenia Fort, led by Fort Commander Ducas, who were responsible for eliminating other monsters. The knights from East Elsenia Fort were large and robust, carrying shields as big as their bodies, standing in a line with their backs to the salt lake, a formidable sight.

Monsters that had tasted human flesh would come back for more. This was true for any carnivorous monster. While it wasn't necessary to intervene in monster-on-monster battles, any monster that deliberately targeted humans had to be eliminated. This was the primary duty of monster hunters, and it was strictly enforced in Galbreath.

My gaze stopped on one point. At the front lines, Aristide's direct command unit, fully armed with black iron helmets, was ready for close combat. Aristide had several throwing spears with red cloth wrapped around them on his back, and Chaos, standing next to him, was equipped with a bow capable of rapid fire.

(Maybe I should have greeted them.)

During lunch, I was busy and only managed to exchange a few words with Aristide. I didn't want to cause him any extra trouble, so I didn't visit the tent during my nap.

(I'm getting nervous now.)

Sweat started to form on my hands, so I took a deep breath and listened to the conversations coming from the resonance stone.

The rear support tent was equipped with a large resonance stone and a mountain of spare weapons. The medical team was also on standby. Resupplying weapons to the front-line knights and providing medical care to the injured were important roles of the rear support team. We were ready to mobilize upon request through the resonance stone.

"Everyone, please stay safe and do your best."

I whispered to the resonance stone, which was mainly for listening, though my voice shouldn't have been heard... but for a moment, it went quiet, and I heard Aristide's cough.

At that moment, a small explosion sounded, and a fireball rose into the sky. The sky, now dotted with stars, was illuminated by magical light.

"Ah!"

Lillian let out a short scream and clung to my arm as the scene became clearer. The shore was already teeming with centipede crabs, each about fifty to eighty fathoms long.

The magical light quickly faded, leaving the area dark again, but the sight of so many centipede crabs approaching made me restless.

"Captain Blanche, there are so many centipede crabs!"

"They can be a bit unsettling in a group, but that's what knights are for, Lillian."

"I'll do my best."

The large group of centipede crabs seemed to be a bit much for Lillian, but to me, they looked like precious gems. Well, I wasn't interested in gems, so perhaps I should call them high-quality ingredients.

"With so many, I can enjoy that flavor to my heart's content. What a luxury!"

The hunt would continue through the night, and a few centipede crabs were to be brought to me first. I turned and spread out the prepared cloudy crystal and oil paper with a magic array, signaling to Reina, who was arranging light snacks and drinks.

---

About an hour after the sun had completely set, the shadows of the knights riding Gresshelle Dragons danced across the sky, and ripples disturbed the black surface of the lake.

"First wave, here they come!"

The shore was quickly overrun by the sound of countless movements. These were Yugurosh centipede crabs, about fifty fathoms long, too young to lay eggs. They moved along the wooden stakes as planned.

Then, a medium-sized monster called Yakul appeared. Resembling a fox, it was a very fierce monster that hunted in packs and often targeted livestock in areas close to human settlements.

(Come to think of it, Melfi said Yakul were troublesome pests.)

I had eaten them a few times, but their meat had a unique odor and couldn't be called delicious (though he did say the winter fur was fluffy and valuable).

While it wasn't as cold as the Marshall Raid, the autumn harvest in the Elsenia Great Forest was almost over, and with winter approaching in Galbreath, the centipede crabs' egg-laying would be the last feast for the monsters.

"Hmm"

"What's wrong, Chaos?"

Chaos, who had been watching the flow of centipede crabs, let out a rare grunt. When I asked if something was bothering him,

"No, I was just thinking that centipede crabs just before laying eggs might be better for Lady Melfi. Or maybe the younger, more nutritious ones that can't lay eggs yet. A taste comparison could be interesting, sir."

His casual comment made me glare at him through the gap in my lowered visor.

"Try to be more serious. We're dealing with centipede crabs over twenty fathoms long. If there are multiple, we might not finish by dawn."

Small centipede crabs wouldn't attack unless provoked, but once excited, they would relentlessly eliminate anything in their path. While smaller ones could be crushed underfoot, those over five fathoms required swords or spears. Larger ones could only be penetrated with great swords or axes.

For the larger ones, it was best to attack in pairs. In our case, Chaos would immobilize them with magical arrows, and I would finish them off with a great sword, piercing their hearts. This was necessary to avoid the sharp, poisonous tail at the end of their long bodies. Moreover, centipede crabs over twenty fathoms had two hearts, making them particularly troublesome.

"Sir, you're always so serious. I understand the excitement of battling monsters, but try to control it. That's why we follow you."

Chaos raised his visor and looked at me. With magic activated in his right eye, he swiftly kicked a centipede crab that had crossed the wooden stake, sending it flying in an arc.

"Fifty fathoms is too small. They won't be firm or tasty enough."

Chaos's smile was genuine, and his eyes were serious.

"How long has it been since you showed me that look?"

"I don't remember."

"Did you really want to eat the crabs that much?"

"Yes. I've been looking forward to it more than anyone."

The excitement of battling monsters and the rush of adrenaline are common among knights. I admit it. The thrill of strategizing how to subdue a tough opponent is the highest (and usually triggers my magic eye).

Chaos, who is usually calm and analytical, often restrains me from taking unnecessary risks, but he has the soul of a Galbreath knight. He must have wanted to eat these centipede crabs so much that he activated the magic in his eyes. After twenty years of working together, I didn't know this about him.

(Well, the thought of Melfi's delicious meals does make one more motivated.)

The hunt wasn't just about slaying monsters; there was something to look forward to afterward. Melfi Elsara provided that enjoyment. Thinking about it, the centipede crabs at my feet started to look like ingredients. I felt a sense of relaxation and looked at the swarm from a different perspective.

"How about that one? It's not quite two fathoms, but I can see what looks like eggs."

"The size seems just right. Should we catch it alive?"

"Alive, of course. Hmm... yes, those are eggs. I wonder if Melfi will be pleased."

I used my spear to lift a centipede crab and saw it was carrying blue eggs. It was noisy, clicking its fangs and tail, so I snapped it in half with my bare hands. Chaos also caught a few others (probably males or those without eggs) and similarly removed their fangs and tails. Since I couldn't leave, I asked another knight to take them to Melfi Elsara.

As we were doing this, the magical lights started to appear in succession. The centipede crabs on the shore began to dig into the ground with their claws.

"They're coming soon, Chaos."

"Understood. I'm ready."

I nodded to Chaos, who had his bow ready and an arrow nocked, and drew my greatsword from my waist.