Chapter 101
Chapter 101. Encounter, Tremor
――In the forest, someone was lurking among the treetops.
It was a cat-like beastman.
Dressed in deep green and brown attire that blended with the trees, he was suppressing his presence while straining to hear and watch his surroundings.
As the wind rustled and the leaves made sounds, the ears on top of his head twitched.
He was one of the sentries stationed around the Demon Lord Army’s main camp. Despite the long hours of vigilance, there was no sign of him letting his guard down.
――Again, the wind stirred.
The sentry sharply focused, his elongated pupils widening as if trying to pierce through the darkness of the forest――
From behind him.
A gray shadow slithered forth.
Thud!
With a light noise that barely qualified as one, the palm struck the back of his head.
Blood burst from his ears and nose, and with eyes rolling back, the sentry’s body went limp, falling from the treetops.
“――Whoa!”
The elder beastman of the Wise Wolf Race quietly cradled the body mid-air and landed silently.
The Sword Saint, “Master” Dogajin.
He gently laid the sentry’s corpse in the shade and sniffed the air.
With a light push off the ground, he adeptly navigated through the branches, dancing among the leaves, slipping through like the wind――
――And there it was.
A night elf donned in a light-blocking robe, perched on a branch, keeping watch.
Whether by mere coincidence or an instinctive awareness of the silent death drawing near, he lifted his head and noticed Dogajin in the air.
“What!?”
One hand reaching for a knife, the other for the whistle at his neck――
Thud!
Before he could extend his limbs, a compact strike impacted his forehead.
Dogajin gently caught the night elf, who had blood spurting from his eyes, ears, and nose, and softly touched down.
(Did he notice? Oh dear, still quite inexperienced.)
Despite murmuring to himself, Dogajin resumed sniffing around.
It seemed he had cleared most of the area. Hiding the corpse in the shade, he ran through the forest like the wind to regroup with the Heroes――
――“Master” Dogajin was an ancient warrior who had traversed numerous battlefields.
However, he was actually a newcomer as a Sword Saint. He had only awakened to it a few years prior.
One might say he lacked the talent or suitability as a Sword Saint.
Ordinary beastmen would have likely given up or rotted away, lamenting their lack of aptitude long before reaching Dogajin’s age.
But Dogajin did not give up. While observing those who awakened younger as Sword Saints, he continued to hone his skills earnestly, and eventually reached enlightenment.
His indomitable spirit, perseverance, and determination earned him the nickname “Master.”
Originally, he was a capable fighter who survived the battlefield while adhering to the principles of the world. Since awakening as a Sword Saint, his skills had only sharpened; rather than aging and declining, he was approaching the realm of the divine――
“I’ve taken care of it.”
He reported in a low voice to the Heroes. Those under the same concealment spell experienced merely a slight decrease in presence, so following the scent made it easy to regroup.
The allies had often been grateful for the presence of canine and wolf beastmen.
“How is the enemy camp?”
“It’s quiet.”
In response to a Hero’s question, another canine beastman who had been scouting ahead answered.
“I’ve cleared the surroundings, but the main camp’s watchtower and demon sentries are untouched.”
――What to do then?
“…Do you have any idea of the Demon Lord’s Prince’s whereabouts?”
“I can’t say for sure. However, I did spot a particularly grand tent with stringent security.”
“Did you see any flags or markings?”
Now it was the Elf Mage asking.
“There was a solid black flag and another flag with golden thread embroidery on green fabric.”
“Most likely, that’s the Izanis Tribe’s banner. It’s highly likely to be Emelgias’s tent.”
“…Alright. We’ll launch a surprise attack there.”
The Hero grinned.
“Let’s make it flashy. And――we’ll definitely return to everyone.”
Then he thrust his fist forward.
Everyone, including the Elf Mage, bump fists together, grinning defiantly.
“Let’s go.”
They drew their swords.
As a united force, they charged.
Running through the shadows where every watchful eye had been obliterated, they made their way around to the back of the main camp――
“Is that it?”
Amidst the clustered tents, a particularly large green flag was fluttering.
About two hundred steps from the tree line.
Far away――and unfortunately, there were also night elves in light-blocking robes positioned with bows and demon warriors armed with spears nearby.
For them, it was deep night, yet there were no signs of relaxation in their watchful demeanor given the Prince’s security.
“Such diligence.”
“What’s that compared to our efforts?”
“No doubt about it. …Well then, shall we go greet them?”
With a wry smile, the Hero nodded to the Elf Mage.
“[Oh divine beings of light, be our witness.]”
The Elf Mage also readied their staff.
“[Spirits, grant us your protection.]”
The concealment magic――
“[Come, holy light!]”
――Was broken.
“Death to the creatures of darkness!”
They broke into a run all at once.
“Enemy attack!”
“Where are the sentries!?”
One of the night elves, who was reaching for his whistle while the others readied their bows, stared wide-eyed at the charging group of heroes bursting from the trees.
“Pee――”
Just as the warning whistle was about to blow, the canine beastman Sword Saint casually tossed a stone at him.
“Shh!”
He hammered his fist.
With a pop and the sound of air bursting, the stone transformed into a lethal projectile, tearing through the air with a steam-like tail, obliterating the night elf’s face along with the whistle.
“What the――”
“How dare you!”
The remaining night elves released their arrows, an unbelievable accuracy that didn’t seem like a hasty shot.
Yet――
To shield everyone, Master Dogajin leapt forward.
Light as a feather, he twirled gracefully.
With his hands and feet joined in the dance, mingling amidst the rain of arrows――
“――I’ll return this.”
The arrows twisted unnaturally in flight, maintaining their accurate trajectory as they rebounded back to the archers.
“!?”
Very few who could avoid their own arrows. The archers, struck through their necks, fell, sputtering blood, while one who narrowly escaped fatal injury blew the warning whistle.
Pee――! with a sharp sound echoing around.
The air stirred. The demon warriors who had been resting would soon awaken――
“You scoundrels!”
“[Kneel, lowly beings!!]”
Then the spearmen among the demon guards approached. One of them hurled a curse.
“[Evil words shall pass us by.]”
Thanks to the Elf Mage’s wards, it effortlessly slipped past the Heroes.
“[Burn away!]”
Another demon warrior unleashed flames from his spear akin to a dragon’s breath.
“[Raging fire!!]”
The Hero’s sword ignited in silver flames, roaring like a torrent as it met the oncoming flames.
The demon’s flames and the Hero’s holy flames seemed to favor the demon side’s momentum, but the silver holy attributes voraciously devoured the darkness’s fire.
With a tremendous explosion, they annihilated each other.
And breaking through that――
“――Here I come.”
With blades gleaming, the Sword Saints charged forth.
