Liberation of The Slaves

Chapter 128 – Red Wolves

After our hearty lunch, we continued deeper into the forest, the greenery closing around us like a living corridor. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the ground beneath our feet as birdsong echoed faintly in the distance.

Roughly two hours later, that peaceful rhythm shattered.

(“Five C-Ranks. Twelve o’clock.”)

Len’s calm warning cut through the air, sharp and precise.

Almost on cue, five figures slipped out from between the trees, crimson fur bristling as low growls rumbled from their throats.

“Grrr…”

<”Red Wolves again?”>

Len nodded, her expression tightening slightly.

(“At least they’re familiar. Better than running into something stronger.”)

<”True… I’ll handle them this time.”>

(“Are you sure?”)

Her doubt was gentle but unmistakable.

<”Trauma doesn’t disappear just because you want it to. If I want to get over it, I need to face them. As many times as it takes.”>

There was a brief pause before she nodded.

(“Well if you say so…”)

I drew my sword and let heavenfire bloom around my body, its pale flames wrapping me in a blazing aura as I charged forward.

The wolves answered with snarls, lunging to meet me head-on.

Two of them leaped into the air, fangs bared, trying to strike from above.

I kicked forward, releasing a burst of heavenfire toward the three still on the ground, forcing them to scatter. In the same breath, I teleported upward, water mana gathering instantly in my left hand as I twisted mid-air.

Slash!

The first wolf’s head flew free before it even realized it had died.

I spun, releasing a condensed water star toward the second airborne wolf.

Slash

The blade sheared cleanly through its neck.

I extinguished the lingering heavenfire on the falling corpse, stepped briefly on its body to adjust my descent, and dropped toward the remaining three.

They stared at me in stunned disbelief for half a heartbeat.

Then they attacked. Three red blurs shot upward, jaws snapping.

I dodged by teleporting to the ground where they had been standing a moment earlier.

“Huh?”

The sudden shift from falling speed to solid ground threw off my balance. I stumbled and rolled, dirt scraping against my clothes.

“Ow… ow… ow…”

That hurts!

Before I could fully recover, the wolves landed and charged again, claws tearing into the earth as they closed in.

“Agh!”

A sharp pain exploded through my leg from the fall earlier. My body stiffened.

I can’t dodge!

The distance vanished in an instant. Their killing intent pressed down on me.

Slash!Slash!Slash!

Before I even blinked, Len was suddenly behind them. Her sword slid smoothly back into its sheath.

Three heads dropped to the ground, followed by lifeless bodies collapsing in a dull chorus.

“Haha… crazy…”

I laughed softly, staring in disbelief. I had been watching the wolves the entire time, yet I never saw her move.

Tinkle tinkle! (“Big sister Selena is amazing!”)

Hmn. (“Big brother Freed was cool too when he spun in the air.”)

Fia’s bright voice rang out first, full of excitement, followed by Nyx’s steady affirmation.

<”Haha, thanks, Nyx.”>

“Darling! Are you alright!?”

Len rushed to my side, worry written plainly across her face. Seeing that concern directed at me rather than against me made my chest feel oddly warm.

“I’m fine. Thanks to my beautiful knight.”

She scowled at me.

“Geez! Your legs are bleeding and you’re still joking.”

“I’m just stating facts. Heal. Clean.”

Light flowed over my wounds as pain faded away, blood vanishing as if it had never been there.

“Thankfully, my pants didn’t tear.”

“You idiot. You care more about your pants than your own legs.”

“Of course. You made them.”

She sighed, then shook her head.

“If you’re that energetic, we should keep moving. We need to find somewhere to rest before nightfall.”

“Alright.”

I stood as Len stored the wolf carcasses into her magic bag, and we resumed our journey through the forest.

—————

An hour later, the forest betrayed us once again.

“Tsk. Five C-Ranks on the left. Six on the right.”

Len’s irritation slipped through her voice.

Almost immediately, eleven Red Wolves emerged, their movements more aggressive, their eyes burning with hunger.

“Again? And this many…”

“They probably smelled the blood. We’ll talk later. I’ll take the right side.”

“Understood!”

Len dashed off without hesitation, leaving me to face the five on the left alone.

I wrapped myself in heavenfire once more, hellfire crawling along the edge of my sword as the wolves charged.

Two leaped immediately, but this time they were positioned at the far left and right, attacking from three directions at once.

I repeated my earlier move, blasting heavenfire toward the grounded wolves and teleporting upward.

Slash

One head fell cleanly as I descended. But the remaining three prepared to jump again.

Let’s try something new.

I gathered wind mana beneath my feet, forcing it to solidify just enough to support my weight.

“W-Whoa!”

I nearly lost balance, but the air held.

It worked.

The wolves leaped again, snapping uselessly below me. As they reached the peak of their jump, I released three water star magics.

Slash!Slash!

Two wolves fell instantly. The third twisted mid-air and barely avoided death.

I reformed my footing in the air and looked down.

Only two remained.

Then I glanced toward Len.

“Huh?”

She was already sitting on the ground, surrounded by a neat circle of headless corpses, waving at me casually.

“Haha…”

I chuckled. Competing with her was pointless.

The remaining wolves hesitated, their instincts screaming danger.

Guess I’ll move first. I teleported behind one of them.

Slash!

My blade split its body in half.

“Rawr!”

“Oops.”

I teleported away just before the final wolf retaliated.

One enemy left.

I charged forward, a radiant aura enveloping my limbs, flames dancing along the length of my sword.

Pyrolume Swordcraft First Form: Ignition Blitz.

Slash!

The wolf’s head fell before its body even realized it was dead.

I sheathed my sword and exhaled.

Tinkle tinkle! Hmn! (“You’re amazing, big brother Freed!”)

Pom pom! Pii pii! (“Big brother Freed is awesome!”)

Fia, Nyx, Luna, and Noir cheered in overlapping voices.

I turned toward Len, smiling as she raised her thumb in approval.