Chapter 74 : Reconnaissance Mission (2)

Chapter 74: Reconnaissance Mission (2)

He could sense the guards in this sector leaving one by one.

The sound of movement continued to be heard in the darkness. And only after a long time did Shatien say quietly.

"Good. Let's move."

"Yes, Centurion."

The enemy would sense that something was strange. Something about the sudden noisy movement. Therefore, they had to penetrate this blockade and complete the reconnaissance before that happened.

-Step step.

They crossed the hill and entered the Emperor's army territory without any resistance. They occasionally encountered rotating guards but were able to pass by without conflict by hiding in the brush.

After about thirty minutes of infiltration.

They arrived at the high ground near the Emperor's army camp. Five sentries were standing guard there.

-Tap tap.

Shatien gave a hand signal to the mercenaries behind him. Tapping the helmet twice. It was the signal to prepare for a crossbow attack.

-Swish.

The crossbowmen simultaneously pulled out the crossbows they had prepared beforehand. Although it was night, the distance was close enough not to miss. The loaded crossbows were aimed at the sentries' bodies.

'Fire.'

-Thwang!

-Whoosh!

"Kugh!"

-Thud.

The five men fell instantly without being able to react. Their chests and the backs of their heads were pierced at once. He had worried it might be loud, but fortunately, the noise was not that great.

"Perfect, Centurion."

"Well done. Let's move immediately."

Shatien led the mercenaries and hurriedly climbed onto the high ground.

'What on earth is there?'

What was the Emperor's army so meticulously hiding?

If there was something they were protecting, even at the cost of consuming their soldiers, it must be a force greater than the soldiers themselves.

And Shatien.

He realized the reason from the view that came into sight.

His heart instantly sank.

'F-Flags... It is them.'

He looked again to ensure he hadn't mistaken it, but it was certain.

Far away, at the center of the Emperor's army camp.

A flag, glittering under the moonlight in the darkness, was visible.

It fluttered proudly, showing off its presence among countless flags.

A flag with a white cross on a black background. That was,

The executioners of heretics in the Northeast of the Empire.

The formidable knights who were addicted to blood and wielded their swords like ghosts. Combat machines that dealt with barbarians, pagans, and still-living mystical monsters.

"Sword... Brotherhood..."

Shatien looked horrified.

He remembered them clearly.

Because of them, the Black Raven Mercenary Company, which he had once been a part of, suffered virtually annihilation, and Miles had even died, hadn't he?

All without being able to resist their overwhelming knightly force. But there was no reason for them to be here now.

'Why are they here???'

They were supposed to be fighting the pagans in the Northeast.

There was still land in the Northeast of the Empire ruled by un-reclaimed and unconverted pagans, and this area was undergoing active purification with the support of the Holy See and the Holy Empire.

'Wait, wait. Calm down... Think.'

His mind was racing.

Shatien quickly reviewed the past. He wondered if his memory was wrong. But no matter how much he thought about it, there was no reason for them to be here now.

Then there was only one possibility.

'The future. The future has changed...!'

This was not the first time the future had changed, but the major framework had never been entirely different. However, this was the first time the direction itself had been completely altered.

His advantage of predicting the future would only become more difficult from now on.

Shatien's face darkened.

"Damn it!"

With an expletive, Shatien hurriedly got up. He needed to quickly inform Count Bellua of this fact. To counter their appearance, they also needed to secure corresponding knight forces. Otherwise, they would suffer immense damage.

"Everyone retreat...?!"

But then.

-Shing.

The sound of metal scraping came from behind.

And,

"I knew you would come here if I were you. And I was right. Shatien."

"......!"

A man's voice struck Shatien's ears. How could he forget? That unforgettable voice.

Shatien's expression hardened.

A chilling killing intent began to creep up and invade his skin.

There stood.

"Now, draw your sword. Shatien."

Baron Ludwig.

"Let us decide the unfinished match. It was a draw last time, wasn't it? This time will be different."

Holding a sword that gleamed cold under the moonlight.

* * *

-Shing.

The crossbowmen all drew their swords. There was no time to leisurely reload in a situation where knights might rush them at any moment.

If they did, they would certainly be decapitated by the charging knights.

"Centurion?"

"What do we do now?"

Shatien scanned the surroundings and swore under his breath.

"Damn it."

Heavily armed knights were forming a siege around Baron Ludwig. They were slowly approaching, tightening the noose.

'What should I do?'

Five knights and one Baron Ludwig. No matter how hard Shatien tried, it seemed difficult to save the crossbowmen around him.

What strength did they have to stop those knights? Furthermore, there was a high possibility that even crossbow bolts would not penetrate them.

-Zzzzzzing.

Considering his senses, which continuously flared up, painting the world red as a warning, the skill of those knights was formidable.

They were certainly skilled enough to deflect one or two bolts if needed.

'If we fight head-on, it will be a meaningless death.'

Shatien gritted his teeth.

Cold sweat dripped down his jawline. Since things had come to this, he had to force an opening. At least to save the crossbowmen who came with him.

-Squeak.

The metal shrieked in his hand as he gripped the sword hilt. Shatien sharpened every nerve in his body. Baron Ludwig, who was slowly closing the distance, shouted.

"Bastard! I can see your petty tricks from here! Hehehe."

"...Baron Ludwig. Why not let the mercenaries go, as they have nothing to do with your personal grudge against me?"

He asked, knowing it would be futile. It was to somehow create an opening. As expected, Baron Ludwig burst into laughter, as if asking what nonsense he was talking about.

"What? Your head is about to roll, and you are worrying about your subordinates? Hahaha. That is truly touching, Shatien."

However, the sneering smile disappeared in an instant. Baron Ludwig growled, emitting a very rough and violent killing intent.

"Cut the nonsense. Why would I let a scout go free? I will cut off all their heads and kill them!"

Baron Ludwig pointed the tip of his sword at Shatien.

"You will die today. Not just you, but also your useless subordinates. I will kill them all, just like my subordinates who died before."

"......!"

At that attitude, Shatien realized that the captured mercenaries had already been killed.

'Dirty bastard.'

Nevertheless, Shatien calmly managed his emotions.

He had to wait for the moment.

A momentary lapse.

And the time to strike them down.

-Shh Shh.

Seven steps.

The siege line had closed that much. It was tight without any gaps, but also so solid that there seemed to be no answer.

-Zzzzzzzing!

Suddenly, the mystery of his bloodline began to warn him sharply.

As he turned his attention to it, information flooded in indiscriminately.

The bush there, the condition of the ground there, the level and movement of the knight heading toward that spot.

And finally, he saw a path to life on the right.

-Crunch.

A very small, subtle difference in the ground.

At that spot, their formation would momentarily break. Shatien registered the analysis, which was close to future foresight.

'Phew.'

Shatien let out a light breath once. And without looking back, he muttered quietly.

"...When I give the signal, everyone runs to the right."

-Tap Tap.

The mercenaries responded by tapping their swords. Shatien slowly raised his tension and looked forward.

And finally.

-Crack.

"Hmm!"

As the knight on the right stumbled for a moment, having stepped on uneven ground,

"Now!"

Shatien shouted and darted forward like an arrow.

* * *

-Clang!

"What!"

Baron Ludwig, who had been meticulously observing Shatien's movements, was startled by the sudden movement.

But what surprised him more was that the knight on the right, toward whom Shatien was moving, had already lost his balance.

That meant the right flank would be breached.

"Block him!"

Baron Ludwig shouted.

But Shatien's sword was faster.

"One-!"

Shatien's sword cut through the moonlight and instantly sliced the neck of the knight who had lost his posture.

-Pshooo!

He felt the knight gasp and clutch his neck, collapsing. But there was no time to care about that.

-K-k-k-k-k-k-clang!

-Clang!

He continued to swing his sword, unleashing consecutive strikes towards the knights on the right.

It was the Wave Sword Strike he had learned(?) from the late Knight Alfred.

First Wave.

Second Wave.

And Third Wave.

This rapid sequence of attacks, which rushed forward like a wave at a very high speed, was truly excellent when facing multiple opponents.

Thanks to it, the right flank was wide open.

His subordinates quickly ran, not missing the opportunity their superior had created for them.

"Quickly. Now, quickly!"

"Run!! Do not forget the Centurion's sacrifice!"

But then, out of remorse, they unconsciously looked back at Shatien. When their eyes met, Shatien shouted fiercely.

"Tell Miles that they are here! Hurry! Run quickly! You must tell Count Bellua! Ugh!"

-Clang!

Meanwhile, the knights who had regained their senses aimed for Shatien, but Shatien deftly blocked them.

Amidst the fierce close combat, the mercenaries quickly regained their composure and began to run.

"No! Chase them! I will kill Shatien!"

Baron Ludwig, who realized the situation belatedly, shouted fueled by rage.

Shatien was important, but the truly crucial thing was to block the information. He had to prevent it at all costs.

"Yes, Baron!"

The remaining knights did not join the fight on the right but immediately chased the fleeing mercenaries. Baron Ludwig ran straight toward Shatien.

Shatien had already knocked down all the resisting knights.

"You bastard! I will definitely kill you this time!"

However,

'I’m running!'

Shatien had no intention of fighting the enraged Baron Ludwig head-on. Shatien immediately turned around and ran into the dark forest.

"!?!?"

Baron Ludwig was left wide-mouthed because of it.

A knight, turning his back and running away? But he soon had to admit that the judgment was accurate.

-Shing.

The fleeing Shatien suddenly pulled out a black-hued sword from somewhere.

-Slice!

And cut the back of one of the knights chasing the mercenaries.

The knight was wearing solid armor, but he was cut without resistance.

"Ugh!"

"????"

Baron Ludwig, who saw the sight, was shocked but immediately expressed his fury again.

"You bastard! A knight who can channel his Will is running away like a coward!"

Shouting angrily, Baron Ludwig rushed forward, as if folding the space. But Shatien thoroughly ignored Baron Ludwig and continued to run alongside him.

"You bastard! You vile wretch! I am your opponent!"

The place Shatien entered was a dark and complex forest. No matter how much the mystery of his bloodline helped, his speed was bound to slow down.

Eventually, Shatien was caught from behind and had to face the furious Baron Ludwig's sword.

'Damn it!'

Shatien could not ignore him this time either.

-Clang!

-K-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-clang!

The clashing swords let out a chilling shriek. Baron Ludwig's sword, shining blue under the moonlight, was clearly channeling his Will. His master's sword, which could cleave through iron plates, could only block Baron Ludwig's sword.

-Flash!

At that moment, Baron Ludwig, freed from the pressure, thrust his sword straight at Shatien's neck.

-Thwang!

Shatien immediately twisted his crossguard to block the attack. Then, as if he had anticipated this, Baron Ludwig's sword unleashed consecutive strikes.

-Clang. Clang clang. Clang. Crack!

Sparks flew violently in the darkness. Shatien inwardly screamed as the continuous attacks were relentlessly swung.

This man.

He was truly strong.

To an extent he could not possibly deal with.