SLO Chapter 174

[Operation Breaking into Marshall Duchy Rescue]

The snow fell heavily, making it difficult to reach the battle site. Without deploying the Search barrier, I’d have had no idea where the monsters came from.

“Boss, ain’t it dangerous to keep going like this? We can barely see a thing.”

“But you saw some people engaged in battle, didn’t you?”

“Yes, and if I’m not wrong, they’re part of the White Enaga Corps of Marshall’s knightly order.”

“White Enaga Corps?”

“Ah, white enagas are birds of prey. Those monsters can be used as mounts if trained from when they’re little—a neat trick House Marshall came up with to survive in this frigid region.”

Birds of prey, so like hawks? But since this was a fantasy world, maybe they were more like griffons? Well, more importantly, given those Marshall knights were engaged in battle, we had to help them.

“Okay, since it’s going to be difficult to proceed, form a defensive formation and wait here. I and a few others will check on the situation. Elina, I’m counting on you to take charge.”

“All right!”

Upon hearing Badd’s report, I had Balnyan carried me as I felt too sluggish to move.  

Once I canceled the barrier, monsters immediately rushed over.

But for now, I had no choice but to believe they could hold on their own. My magic was required elsewhere. Conserving my mana, I flew away on Balnyan.  

“Nora, Syrup, Ruby, Kuu. Let’s go!”

I proceeded along the snowy road with only my original adventurer party. The road was covered in snow so deep even a horse-drawn carriage would struggle to pass—the only option was to go on foot.

All of them were dressed in thick coats designed for snowy regions, but still, the cold seeped into their bodies. As we drew closer to the battle site, I had them warm themselves up by dispatching monsters.

From atop Balnyan, I surveyed the battlefield as I instructed the girls.

Knights riding on fluffy white birds—too cute to be considered birds of prey— were battling monsters with spears and magic.

Among them, a female knight stood out, catching my attention.  

She had striking red hair and was clad in similarly red armor. The sight of her unleashing flames amid the white background was captivating, like a rose blooming in a snowy plain.

She must be injured. Despite the distance, I could see through the falling snow her struggling to defeat monsters.

“This way! Kuu! Ruby!”

“Yes!”

“Roger-nya!”

Both of them mowed down the approaching monsters as they leaped from tree to tree so as not to be held back by the piled up snow on the ground, showcasing how much they had grown during this journey.

“Nora! Syrup!”

“Consider it done.”

“Please leave it to me, Master.”

Nora pulled the monsters her way and restrained them from moving.  

Syrup blew the monsters away along with the snow.

On the distant battlefield, I could see the knights riding white enagas falling one by one.

Soon, only one knight remained on the battlefield. Like a large flower blooming, she enveloped her bird in flames, turning it into a firebird charging into the midst of the monsters and exploding in a massive burst.

She must have summoned every bit of power she could muster. The resulting fireworks were breathtaking.

“Luc. I wish I could see you one last time.”

Having crashed to the ground, she was surrounded by monsters, unable to even muster the energy to stand, covered in wounds.

Using the mana I had saved, I went all out, employing recovery magic and regeneration magic on Lyncean. I also tended to the white enaga who protectively nestled her.

“Then come see me. After all, I’m too lazy to come to you, as I’m sure you’re aware.”

“Huh?”

Lyncean’s eyes opened slightly, her exhausted face telling the tale of the deadly struggle she had endured. She must have fought with the intent to sacrifice herself.

“Is that you, Luc?”

“Mhm, it’s me. You’re terrible, you know that? How could you think of dying alone here? You’re my soulmate.”

I lifted her gently and settled her onto Balnyan.

I conjured a transparent Bal to carry the white enaga as well.

“It’s not a dream, and neither it is a God’s miracle. But you’re incredibly exhausted, so just sleep for now. We’ll take care of the rest.”

Maybe she was relieved by my voice? Lyncean drifted off to sleep. Though my mana was dwindling, I strangely felt energized at that moment.

“You’ve hurt someone precious to me. Don’t think I’ll let you off scot-free. But it’s your lucky day, as I’ll send you off personally. Have to warm myself up in this cold.”

My body felt heavy, and I didn’t particularly want to move. But I couldn’t forgive them for leaving Lyncean in such a dire state.

“Balnyan! Go.”

I had Balnyan transport Lyncean, who was still asleep, to the carriage, then summoned another Bal inside myself and Controlled it through Bal for the first time in a while.

“Pain is nothing but a hindrance! So are fatigue and body’s limiters—all be damned!”

Under my Control, Bal unleashed martial arts techniques, tearing through the monsters and mowing down any in sight. None could impede our rampage.

At the end of it, all around us, as far as the eye could see, lay mountains of dead monsters.

“Lord Lu, I almost thought I was witnessing a fierce god in action.”

“Most impressive display, Master!”

“Luc’s the scariest after all-nya!”

“Master is amazing!”

Nora caught me just as I was about to collapse from depletion of mana.

Syrup then carried me. I managed to stay conscious until we reached the carriage, but as we arrived, my consciousness began to fade.

But before it slipped away entirely, I caught sight of Lyncean’s face beside me, and I reached out to hold her hand before drifting off into sleep.

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