Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 22 : Go with the Flow (3)

Go with the Flow (3)

"Damn it, what kind of mess am I in?"

Inside the dim secret passage, a knight relying on the flickering torchlight muttered to himself.

He was feeling bitter, imagining that the detached force had already infiltrated the enemy camp and was making a name for themselves.

"Well, this isn't so bad either, don't you think? At least we won't get hit by stray arrows, will we?"

"Kuhuh. True enough."

They were sitting on the ground, chatting idly to pass the time. Otherwise, it was almost impossible to endure the boredom in this place, where not even an ant could be seen.

None of them believed that any enemy would appear here.

Laughter spread through the empty cave.

Whoosh! Thud!

"Keurgh!"

At that moment, an arrow sliced through the air and lodged itself in a knight's neck.

"E-enemy attack! Everyone, quickly...!"

"If you're going to keep watch, do it properly."

A man who seemed to be the commander shouted swiftly, but a mocking voice was heard, and the commander's throat was pierced before he could finish his words.

Soon, the other knights' throats were also pierced one after another.

"Aaaagh!"

The fight was over almost laughably fast.

The knights, who had lowered their guard and loosened their armor, were turned into corpses without even putting up a proper resistance.

"No injuries, right?"

"Yes, of course."

Clay looked around at his companions as he flicked the blood from his sword.

As expected of knights of Sword Expert rank or higher, they all knew how to perform their roles without needing detailed instructions.

'Especially Zelbin—this guy's a real monster, isn't he?'

Of the twelve fallen knights, Zelbin alone had accounted for three.

The Sky-Dominating Lone Sword of the House Ribina truly lived up to its fearsome reputation, with no openings to exploit.

'His level is below Baian's, but...'

He might lag behind in current skill, but Clay thought Zelbin's talent could well surpass Baian's.

It seemed certain that, before long, he would become a knight to stand shoulder to shoulder with Eaton.

"According to our intel, two knights are waiting at the entrance. I'll handle one, and the other—Liam, take him out with your bow."

"Understood."

The knight called Liam responded immediately to Clay's words.

Unlike before, they were now following Clay's commands completely.

From the moment he captured Count Powett to leading the most recent battle, Clay had always acted at the front.

Such actions proved that he was not a man of empty words.

Having shown his real skill, there was no one foolish enough to keep nitpicking him in this group.

"Come on, let's move quickly! The main force might have already reached the enemy camp. Hurry!"

"Yes, sir!"

* * *

The Rakmes high ground.

From the summit of the ridge, the encampment of the Kainzel kingdom's army could be seen faintly, and the knights of the Talua kingdom pressed the retreating Kainzel forces even harder.

"The enemy's main camp is in sight! Nobody let your guard down, advance slowly!"

Tedric shouted vigorously, cutting down a soldier who charged at him from the front.

It had already been more than six hours since the battle began, so his breath was slowly becoming labored.

'Don't relax. According to the duke, they haven't even started their real attack yet.'

They had finally reached the high ground.

Now that they'd climbed up to where the enemy wanted, the enemy would begin their real assault.

"Hahaha! So even the famous Tedric Eaton has reached his limit! Dragging your troops stupidly up to your own grave!"

A man who appeared to be the commander of the Kainzel forces shouted loudly.

At the same time, Kainzel soldiers who had been hiding revealed themselves on both flanks.

"Fire!"

Kwak! Kwakwakwakwang!

At the commander's order, a torrent of arrows and magic rained down from the Kainzel kingdom's camp like a furious storm.

"Raise your shields to block the enemy arrows and maintain formation! Mages, defend against their magic!"

They had anticipated this situation, so it was not difficult to respond. The Talua army quickly formed a defense in the face of the sudden ambush.

They stayed calm, enduring the impact on their shields and barriers, steadily advancing like turtles. Despite having a numerical advantage, the rough terrain made progress difficult.

"You fools! It's too late to escape now!"

The taunting of the Kainzel commander echoed, but Tedric did not react.

No, instead his eyes flashed quietly.

'This too is just as planned.'

Everything was going according to expectations.

Now, if only Clay succeeded in his part of the plan, and if they could just hold on until he threw the enemy camp into chaos, the enemy would collapse on their own.

For now, all he had to do was wait quietly for the right moment.

* * *

'Just what is that guy?'

Philip could hardly contain his shock, watching Clay run ahead.

'No matter how you look at it, this is just weird.'

He'd come to understand that, despite being only a sword user, Clay possessed skills surpassing those of a Sword Expert.

It was hard to believe, but after seeing it with his own eyes, there was no room to doubt.

But even so, this much was beyond comprehension.

'How can he move like this?'

After leaving the secret passage, they were moving through a dense forest.

Their view was blocked by thick trees.

Yet Clay dashed ahead without a hint of hesitation, as if he could see everything clearly.

If that was all, it might not have been so startling.

"East, a hundred meters. An enemy scout party is approaching; we'll evade and move."

"This sector's security is weak. Follow me."

He even picked up on enemy locations precisely and led them through without a single engagement.

By any reasonable standard, this was incomprehensible.

Only one person showed no surprise at Clay's actions. Only Zelbin followed him nonchalantly, as if it were nothing.

[Hey, hey. Your lips are curling up. Aren't you going to fix your expression?]

'Hmm, hmm-hmm.'

So many hot gazes were falling on him that even Clay couldn't ignore it.

He'd never received such stares his whole life, so the corners of his lips were twitching.

[Bragging about my power, huh. Better count yourself lucky you met me!]

Grancesia snapped teasingly.

But that didn't mean she looked down on Clay.

'He's incredibly quick at putting these powers to use. Is this his talent?'

Having an ability and mastering it are two different matters. In truth, it's very common for people not to make full use of their natural gifts.

But Clay rapidly adapted to every power he acquired. No matter what it was, he would use it in the most efficient way for himself.

'... In a way, I guess I'm lucky too.'

At this point, Grancesia found herself thinking Clay was the right person to inherit the Eye of Shimosha.

She felt that, with him, she might finally learn why her soul had become trapped in the Eye of Shimosha.

So, Grancesia resolved to help Clay her utmost.

[I sense demonkin energy! Three kilometers southeast!]

'Thanks!'

Clay hid himself behind a tree and surveyed the enemy camp, now within sight.

Sure enough, there weren't many knights or soldiers left in the Kainzel army's encampment.

"The fewest enemies are on the right. We distract them, then break through there in one go. Liam!"

"Yes!"

At my command, liam fired a flaming arrow into the army's tent.

Chweeeak! Fwoosh!

"F-fire!"

The flames spread on the wind in an instant.

As the fire suddenly roared up, all attention shifted that way.

"Go in!"

Clay moved swiftly, taking a path where he wouldn't be seen.

'The demonkin is most likely with the Kainzel army's commander.'

And this time, the Kainzel commander was a prince.

The third prince, Wolfran.

He was worthy of being called a formidable figure, vying for the throne.

Naturally, unless something extraordinary happened, the demonkin would also be with the prince.

"Zelbin, just as I told you."

"Understood!"

Zelbin, as always, replied without a shred of hesitation.

Clay watched him curiously.

"Don't you ever think my plan is too dangerous?"

"Captain, you're a hero. As a mere ordinary man, I believe you must have good reason beyond our understanding."

Seeing Zelbin's eyes sparkle as he called him a hero, Clay couldn't bring himself to smile.

'A hero, huh.'

Once, he never would have even considered such a title.

A fallen count's son, a mere sword user—such words felt far too grand for him.

And yet, ironically, now it felt strangely close.

* * *

"The enemy is currently pinned down and unable to move."

"Going according to plan. Still no report from Count Powett?"

"No, not yet."

"Well, that's understandable, given the distance."

Wolfran stroked his chin, sitting in an ornate chair.

Despite the Talua army having approached right to his doorstep, he was perfectly at ease.

Right now, the enemy was surrounded, unable to move, stuck defending endlessly like fools.

It seemed they were going to try to break out, but that was just a pointless struggle.

The longer things dragged out, the better for them.

'I can already picture them giving up and retreating.'

At that moment, the team that ambushed the enemy main camp would strike from the rear.

Once they wiped out the panicked enemy, the war would be over.

On the other hand, Veil looked distinctly bored.

"How dull."

"Haha, it's thanks to you, Lord Veil. If not for that secret passage, we wouldn't be so relaxed."

If things had gone as normal, once they lost the surprise at the Artuha Mountains, they would have had to accept defeat and withdraw.

But the presence of the demonkin had turned the course of the war on its head.

"At this rate, it'll take ages before I get to taste blood—"

Veil fell silent in the middle of his sentence, then gave a faint smile.

That moment—

Whoosh!

An arrow ripped through the tent toward Wolfran's head.

"Waah!"

Startled, Wolfran could do nothing as the arrow came at him.

Luckily, the arrow was caught by Veil's hand, stopping right in front of Wolfran's nose.

"W-what the hell is this...! What are the people outside doing?!"

Wolfran leapt from his chair, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Veil raised his hand slowly, his expression twisted in a peculiar smile.

"The knights out there, by now, are..."

Chaaak!

Scarlet drops of blood began to ooze from Veil's arm, spraying out like blades in all directions.

The tent where they had just been was shredded to pieces by blood daggers.

"W-what is the meaning of this?!"

The knight who just reported to Wolfran shouted at Veil in outrage at his sudden action.

But Veil merely smiled and shrugged, nonchalant.

"So, can you protect the prince from an attack that could come from anywhere? Well, looks like you'll need to worry about your own life first."

"What do you... urgh!"

Before the knight could finish, a sword glowing with red murderous energy stabbed through his chest.

Standing behind him were two knights, one black-haired and one red-haired.

They eyed Wolfran silently, staying alert for the demonkin.

"H-how did you get here...?"

Wolfran's eyes trembled with anxiety.

How had they reached this place, with soldiers everywhere?

The black-haired knight, Clay Vanhart, grinned and answered as if it were nothing special.

"We just walked through the road you so kindly left for us."