More than a hundred people in the village yet only six survived. Truly, everyone was mercilessly killed. Regardless of whether woman, child, or even infant, all were equal.
"Lieutenant, send a few people to escort the survivors back to Lantiere."
"Wait a minute, under these……"
"You're right, especially under these circumstances, we have to protect them."
Indeed, Lantiere is one of the King's demesne. And it is the King's responsibility to protect the surrounding villages. If the survivors were abandoned here, it would greatly trouble the king. One can imagine the aristocratic factions deliberately using this opportunity to stir trouble and weaken the King’s influence. More importantly ───
"Please reconsider. These survivors have all witnessed the knights of the empire. This was what the king ordered to prioritize. I think we should take our men and temporarily retreat to Lantiere. We need to be prepare appropriately for the next step. "
"No."
"Captain! It should be very clear to you that this is certainly a trap. This Village got attacked just as we were on our way to Lantiere, it cannot be a coincidence. These brutal acts are definitely to lure us in otherwise they would not be this ruthless. This is absolutely a trap."
“The survivors did not escape the hostility of the Knights by hiding, it was due to the enemy’s mercy. I'm afraid that they planned this. In order to protect the survivors they want us to divide our troops.”
"Captain, surely you wouldn't chase them down fully knowing that this is a trap, right?"
"…… I will."
"Are you serious about it?! Captain, you are undeniably strong, and even if you were to face against a hundred knights, you can definitely win. But the Empire has a famous magician. If this old man is with the enemy, it will be quite dangerous even for you. Even if captain encounters the pride of the Empire, the four paladins, they are likely to lose against you. So I beg you, please retreat for now. For the sake of the kingdom, even the sacrifice of a few villages can't be compared to the loss of the Captain's life!"
Georgiev quietly listend as the Lieutenant continued vehemently:
"If you do not want to retreat… Then how about abandoning the survivors and we all chase them with you."
"This is perhaps the most sensible choice… but doing so is equal to letting them die. The survivors here, do you think they can survive alone?"
The Lieutenant grew speechless, because he knew that the chance of survival is almost nil for the survivors. If they do not send people to protect them and bring them to a safety, they will be killed within a few days. Even so, what the Lieutenant said was not wrong, — no, right and wrong does not matter here.
"… Captain, your life is the most valuable, it cannot be compare to the lives of the villagers."
Georgiev fully understood the pain of his Lieutenant’s decision, that’s why he let him say such things. But even then, he still could not agree with him:
"You and I were both born as mere civilians."
"Yes, but most soldiers join the army because of their admiration for Captain."
"I remember that you were to also born in a village?"
"Yes, I was…"
"Village life was not easy and people often died in their neighborhoods. Suffering from monster attacks, such was common and it causes many casualties, right?"
"… Yes."
"Against a Monster, even a normal soldier would simply be overwhelmed. If there's no money to hire specialized adventurers to face the Monster, they could only bow to the Monster and wait."
/editor's note: They could only grind their teeth and wait?/
"…Yes."
"So you never hoped for help? When needing help and when the nobles don’t move a finger, who would have the strength to do so?"
"…They would be looking forward for nothing but a lie, because in reality no one ever helps. The aristocracy would never give money to the affected villages."
"That being the case…… Let us prove that the reality is not like this. I want to help the villagers."
The Lieutenant became speechless after remembering his own experience.
"My friend, let us show the villagers what it means to face danger while risking our lives, knowing that the brave will come to the rescue and that it is true that the strong helps the weak."
Georgiev and the Lieutenant met eyes and exchanged countless emotions. The Lieutenant finally gave up and responded in a tired and impassioned tone:
"…… Then let me go and take the leadership of the men. There are numerous who can replace me, but no one that can replace Captain."
"Don’t be stupid. Ever since the past, my survival rate has been relatively high. We are not going there to die, but to save the people of the Kingdom."
The Lieutenant wanted to open his mouth several times, but finally chose to shut up.
"Promptly choose some soldiers to protect the villagers and go to Lantiere with them."
A red sunset shone on the prairie with many shadows. The exact number was 45 people. This group of people suddenly appeared from empty place. It was clever way of disguise made of magic.
This group of people did not look like mercenaries, travellers or adventurers. Looking closely, they all wore the same clothes. Wearing equipment mad of a special metal that increases both mobility and defense.
Strengthened by magic effects, their clothing surpassed any conventional defenses. They were carrying a small leather bag, the kind that would look like a regular traveler's backpack if not for the magic symbol on top. On their waist was a belt carrying a few bottles of liquid and on their back was a cloak that exudes a magical aura.
Regardless of the money, time and effort, to put together so many magic items was not easy. The group of candidates who wore this magic equipment, proved that they were support on a national level. Looking at their equiment, there were no signs of any identity or affiliation. They were an illegal unit, one that must hide its identity.
The group of people's eyes, looked towards the wasted village. While looking, the smell of blood and burnt flesh permeated from the villages. From their eyes one could see that they did not like having to watch the cold-blooded, ruthless scene.
"…… Fled huh."
Said a dull voice which sounded slightly disappointed.
"…… There is no other way. Prepare to attack the next village to bait him out. We have to lure the beast into our trap."
The men look at Georgiev’s shadow departing towards the same direction as a group of people.
“Tell me the next targeted village for our bait."
Part 3
In the arena, Momonga prepares his finger to cast a spells on a scarecrow in the corner. Apart from simple magic damage, the spells that Momonga learned were specialized in instant death and other “add additional damaging effects”. He has a relatively low amount of non-lethal spells.
In fact, whenever he chooses to simply cast a damage type magic, because Momonga’s class choice was Necromancer, it will automatically strengthen the magic damage because to the “add additional damaging effects”. As a result, a mere damage spell deals more damage than some spell from an enhanced combat class.
Momonga looks at the side and saw that he was exposed to the curious eyes of two children. His heart felt some pressure, since he felt a certain uncertainty of not knowing whether or not he meets their expectations.
Momonga secretly looks towards two huge monsters. Their huge size reaches up to three meters in height. They had a mix of human and dragon bones, highly trained strong muscles and scales harder than steel to cover these muscles.