Chapter 342
Chapter 342: Let’s Go Back Easily. (1)
The two were currently very tired. They had fought against a staggering number of over 200 people, albeit briefly.
Due to the skill gap, they had been easily taken down, but the more mana they used, the worse their physical condition got.
Honestly, they wanted to go home now. The situation was not looking good.
“Um… it seems like too many enemies are coming now, doesn’t it?”
The guards in the mansion were all on the move, and even the city garrison was rushing over.
The number of soldiers had increased tremendously compared to before. There were even knights mixed in.
It would be quite difficult for the three of them to break through.
“But we still have to go. We can’t leave a single person behind.”
Even if they couldn’t save them, Dominic would understand. He probably wouldn’t think there would be no casualties at all.
However, Ghislaine didn’t want that.
He knew better than anyone the pain of losing family.
“If I go alone, it will be difficult to rescue the hostages. Hurry up and follow me.”
Dominic’s family consisted only of his elderly mother and two sons. If he was to clear the path easily, someone else needed to safely carry the hostages.
Without saying more, Ghislaine dashed out.
Combat was all about momentum. When facing many enemies, an overwhelming display in the beginning was essential.
Boom!
“Ughhh!”
As Ghislaine swung his sword, the leading soldiers were blown apart in an instant.
Of course, they weren’t just sitting there and taking it. Using their numbers, they simultaneously thrust their spears at Ghislaine.
Ghislaine neither dodged nor blocked.
Tatatatata!
The soldiers were startled; it felt as if steel was striking against them. No matter how much of a knight he was, being attacked like this would surely result in injuries.
However, a red light flickered at the piercing points, and the weapons didn’t penetrate at all.
“Wh-what the…”
The soldiers froze, bewildered by the absurdity of the situation.
And that became their last words.
Boom!
Mana exploded from Ghislaine’s sword, obliterating everything around.
“You scoundrel!”
One knight jumped in, swinging his sword at Ghislaine. It looked like he poured all his might into it, mana rippling along the blade.
No matter how strong Ghislaine was, he couldn’t take a hit from a mana-infused sword. But he didn’t dodge either.
What he needed to show now was the overwhelming presence of someone capable of killing everyone here alone.
Boom!
As Ghislaine swung to meet the knight’s blade, the knight’s sword shattered. The glaring difference in strength made the knight’s eyes tremble.
Slick!
Ghislaine’s blade drew a red line, and the knight’s head fell.
In this way, Ghislaine slashed through numerous enemies, breaking through the center.
Gordon and Lucas, following behind, had stunned expressions as they watched.
“Does it seem like… he’s gotten stronger than before?”
“What can we even do?”
It felt as if he could single-handedly wipe out all the troops in the city.
But the two knew, mana wasn’t infinite. That terrifying defense also consumed mana every time he was attacked.
Though his duration was longer than theirs, they were aware that even a lord couldn’t maintain explosive power for long.
The mana circulation method of the knights was fundamentally similar to Ghislaine’s mana circulation method.
They had merely reduced the side effects so that the knights could safely train.
Thus, both quickly jumped into the battle.
Boom! Boom!
“Ughhh! What the hell is this!”
As the three attempted to break through, the soldiers couldn’t keep them at bay.
Gordon and Lucas sustained minor injuries, but with Ghislaine paving the way with his tremendous strength, the enemies they had to face were drastically reduced.
Even though the enemy knights fought desperately, they were insufficient to stop the three. They were weaker than the rough northern knights.
Individual skill differed due to natural talent and hard work, but the environment they had been in played a significant role as well.
Boom!
Ghislaine unleashed his mana without holding back, and hundreds of soldiers crumbled in an absurdly easy fashion. In no time, Ghislaine reached Martin’s mansion.
“Block him!”
There were far more knights in the mansion than outside. There were at least 20 that he could see at a glance.
Surely, this was the son of the richest marquis in the West.
“Ha, is this what being a son means? To have so many knights around me.”
There was no way that a mere Count could command this many knights directly. They were all surely provided by his father, Marquis Roderick.
“Take care of the soldiers!”
Ghislaine said to the two following him before engaging in battle with the knights in the mansion.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
In an instant, dozens of exchanges took place. It was clear that these knights were different from those he had faced until now.
These knights had been sent with care to protect Martin.
Ghislaine instantly activated the stage three core.
Boom!
“Gah!”
The foremost knight was pierced through the chest by Ghislaine’s sword as he exploded with power.
The two knights rushing in from either side had their heads lopped off by the red light that flashed.
“W-what?”
The knight in the back couldn’t adapt to the suddenly stronger Ghislaine and froze in place.
What he saw was the zigzagging red line moving toward him. He couldn’t even predict the direction from which the sword was coming.
Slick!
In an instant, the red line sliced through the knights surrounding Ghislaine, even slashing through the one at the back.
Half of the knights blocking the three had vanished. Ghislaine didn’t intend to continue fighting them.
He had already activated stage three power. To endure until they returned, he needed to manage his strength carefully.
“Just ignore and follow me!”
Ghislaine broke through the remaining soldiers in front of him and headed up to the second floor. Gordon and Lucas followed him as they dodged as best as they could.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Every time Ghislaine swung his sword, soldiers were unable to properly respond and exploded apart. After breaking through a few more walls of soldiers, Ghislaine finally got to meet Martin.
The stout Martin pointed a finger at Ghislaine and shouted.
“You! You! What are you doing here?!”
Beside him were two soldiers, each holding a sword to the throat of a hostage.
The remaining knights all stood in front of Martin to protect him.
“Ha…”
Ghislaine, covered in blood, finally stopped fighting and took a breath.
Gordon and Lucas, who arrived immediately after, stood beside Ghislaine, remaining vigilant.
Tatata tatata!
Soon, the remaining knights and soldiers in the mansion flooded in. The entire space became densely packed.
They surrounded Ghislaine with weapons drawn. The garrison that hadn’t been able to squeeze inside surrounded the mansion outside and awaited orders.
The numerical advantage was overwhelming, and Martin smirked with newfound confidence.
“You! How dare you try to escape with the hostages! You must be sent by Dominic! How dare you insolent mercenary rebel against me? How dare you, filthy mongrels, bite your master?”
Ghislaine looked at the raging Martin and smirked.
“How many times are you going to use the word ‘dare’? Do you really think you’re that great?”
“Shut up! You filthy mercenary! How dare you speak to me like that!”
Martin couldn’t hide his boiling anger.
The Drake Mercenary Group was one of the important military forces he could command. He planned to rapidly expand his power by using them.
For someone involved in a succession battle, the more disposable cards he held, like them, the better. It meant he did not have to send his knights and soldiers to perilous missions.
It was shortsighted thinking, but Martin didn’t think he was wrong. In fact, he had gained significant benefits in a short period since the Drake Mercenary Group took on dangerous tasks.
Pointing a finger at Ghislaine, Martin flared up.
“You think you’ll be safe if you rescue the hostages? The Drake Mercenary Group are a gift from my father! Their lives are just as good as mine! How dare you betray your master; I will kill you all!”
Marquis Roderick had given his children various powers as gifts. The Drake Mercenary Group was one of them.
However, now that hostages had been taken, he could no longer handle them however he pleased.
Seeing Martin frothing at the mouth, Ghislaine chuckled.
“If they’re that important, you should have treated them well.”
“What? Are you actually lecturing me right now?”
“Of course. The more important a person is, the more you should treat them with care. That’s how I am.”
At those words, Gordon and Lucas looked at Ghislaine with pitying expressions. If the people of the territory had heard that, they would have all held their necks in dismay.
Especially Claude.
As Ghislaine remained composed, Martin exploded.
“You! If you take even a step forward, I will kill the hostages! You know Dominic’s mother and children, right? Drop your weapon right now!”
Ghislaine had just come through killing many soldiers. If a fight broke out here, Martin himself wouldn’t be assured of his safety.
Thus, he used the hostages to threaten them.
The hostages were terrified and trembling. But in their eyes shone a solid resolve. A demeanor befitting the family of the mercenary commander.
Dominic’s mother spoke in a trembling voice.
“Don’t worry about us, please escape. Tell my son… tell him to live freely… No longer should he live just because of this incompetent mother… He should live as he wishes.”
She then looked at the boy next to her, a sad smile on her face.
“I’m sorry, dear… But we can’t keep living like this. Now let’s go with this elder…”
Seeing her speak through tears, the boy tightly shut his eyes.
After a moment of blinking back tears, the boy suddenly spoke to Ghislaine.
“Please tell my dad I’m okay… And… and…”
The boy glared at Martin with eyes bloodshot red and shouted loudly.
“Please make sure to kill this bastard!”
The hostages were already prepared to die. That did not sit well with Martin at all.
“Shut up! How dare you dirty scum!”
As Martin threw a tantrum, the soldiers pressed the swords more deeply against the hostages’ necks. Their skin was slightly cut, and blood flowed out.
As Ghislaine quietly observed the hostages, he slowly lowered his sword and raised his hands.
Martin’s expression lightened. Seeing him put down the sword, it seemed he had given up on resistance.
But he couldn’t let his guard down. Those who used mana were able to kill with just their fists.
Suddenly, a good thought came to him, and he smiled slyly.
“You seem to have great skills. How about coming under me? I’ll give you the best treatment. What do you think?”
Even after so many soldiers had died, he didn’t care at all. Ghislaine looked at Martin’s greedy face for a moment, then turned his gaze to the boy.
Then he smiled and said.
“Good. I will definitely convey your thoughts.”
He was pleased. A son of the commander leading a massive organization should behave this way.
However, he had no intention of letting this end without taking action.
With both hands slightly raised in the air, Ghislaine clenched his fists.
Snatch!
“Huh?”
The soldiers holding the hostages were suddenly surprised and found themselves unable to move.
Crack!
“Gahhhh!”
Soon, the soldiers twisted painfully, and the hostages were released. The soldiers could barely think to recapture the hostages, only letting out painful screams.
As Ghislaine pulled his hands back, the hostages were instantly dragged to him.
Gordon and Lucas caught the approaching hostages in their arms. They finally snatched them away.
“W-what?!”
Martin was shocked. He couldn’t understand how Ghislaine had managed to take the hostages with just a gesture.
However, the guard knights felt the flow of mana surrounding them tighten and their expressions went rigid.
They had never seen such a technique before. The opponent before them was a force beyond their expectations.
“Kill! Kill those bastards right now!”
Martin screamed in desperation, but the knights and soldiers found it difficult to approach Ghislaine.
Looking around at the tense soldiers, Ghislaine picked up the sword he had dropped on the ground earlier.
“Gordon, Lucas. Keep the hostages safe.”
“Understood!”
“Let’s take it a bit easier on the way back.”
Ghislaine’s red eyes gleamed as he surged forward towards Martin, who was surrounded by numerous knights.
“Attack!”
The knights shouted loudly as they swung their swords at the approaching Ghislaine. They seemed to exert all their strength, releasing a strong blue light from their swords.
Slash!
But Ghislaine did not clash with them. He leaped into the air in an instant, soaring over the knights and landing directly in front of Martin.
“Uh, uh…”
Seeing Ghislaine standing before him, covered in blood, Martin froze in place as if facing a demon.
The knights realizing the situation hurriedly turned their bodies, but Ghislaine was a bit faster.
“Stop.”
As Ghislaine pressed his sword to Martin’s neck and warned him, everyone ceased their movements.
He surveyed the surroundings with a satisfied expression, then spoke to Martin.
“Now you are the hostage.”
