episode3
Luna led the way, with Rath and Killian walking alongside her.
They were in a forest near the royal capital, a place rarely ventured into despite its proximity to the city.
This forest was known to be a dangerous place teeming with monsters, reminding people that human civilization only occupied a small part of the world.
People from the capital often gossiped about the forest, saying things like, “Monsters appear there,” “Ghosts are said to haunt it,” or “Those who enter the forest never return.”
Parents even used it as a scare tactic to discipline their children, threatening, “I’ll leave you in the forest!”
Yet, Luna hummed a tune as she walked through this ominous place.
The dense foliage made visibility poor, and there was no telling what might jump out at them.
Rath and Killian had already drawn their swords, ready for any danger.
“Hey, Luna,”
Rath called out,
unable to contain his curiosity. “How can you be so relaxed? Don’t you know there are monsters in this forest?”
The presence of monsters was not just a rumor; sometimes they ventured close to the capital, prompting the knights to intervene.
“Oh, I’m a wizard, you see. I can detect the presence of monsters,”
Though only an apprentice, Luna had mastered many spells unusual for her age.
She wasn’t proficient in flashy attack magic but excelled in practical spells like igniting fires or summoning water. One such spell allowed her to detect monsters.
“So, there are no monsters nearby?”
Rath asked, feeling a bit embarrassed for his cautiousness. They actuallty had even pulled out their swords
“Not nearby, no. My spell doesn’t detect monsters directly but senses hostility. So we’re not being targeted right now. But it’s still wise to stay alert.”
Luna’s nonchalant response didn’t comfort Rath.
“But why are you so calm then?”
“It’s this talisman,”
Luna said, holding up the charm around her neck.
“It doesn’t just work on humans. It has some effect on monsters too. As long as we don’t provoke them, we can avoid them.”
“Are you saying that if we encounter a monster, only Killian and I will be in danger?”
Rath’s voice carried a hint of anger. He had volunteered to help gather herbs but didn’t like feeling like bait.
“Well, yes. I can escape while you two handle the monsters. It makes me much safer,”
Luna said with a mischievous smile, twirling in her white robe.
Her playful charm quickly dissolved Rath’s irritation.
Killian, blushing, also found himself captivated by Luna.
“Just kidding! If monsters attack, I’ll use my magic to help. Let’s all do our best,”
In the capital, Luna was already beautiful, but here in the forest, she seemed like a lively fairy, radiating joy.
Following Luna’s guidance, Rath and Killian gathered herbs.
Rath occasionally picked the wrong plants, and Killian showed a surprising knack for finding the right ones, which made all three laugh and enjoy the usually tedious task.
They collected more herbs than expected, and Killian shared some sandwiches with Rath and Luna.
Luna used magic to produce and chill water for them.
“Meals like this aren’t so bad,”
After eating and drinking Rath said, looking contentedly at the sky.
“You’re so shameless, Rath. You should have brought something too,”
Luna teased.
“What are you talking about? Eating is also an important role. What good is a cook without someone to appreciate the food?”
Rath replied, making Luna and Killian exchange a smile.
Seeing them smile together made Rath a bit grumpy.
After their meal, the three headed back to the capital. But Luna, leading the way, suddenly stopped.
“This is bad. Our path is blocked. Seems like an ambush,”
Luna said, her earlier cheerful expression now serious.
“Monsters, Luna?”
Rath asked, drawing his sword, with Killian following suit.
“Yes, probably. They might have been targeting us from outside my spell’s range. I sense multiple presences ahead and another approaching from behind. We’re surrounded.”
A hint of panic crept into Luna’s voice.
“No problem,”
Rath said, stepping in front of Luna.
“I’ll handle the ones ahead. Killian, you take the one behind. You can just stay back, Luna.”
Despite Rath’s confidence, Luna felt uneasy but kept silent.
Moving forward, they saw two giant wolves, known as magic wolves, appear ahead. It is said that they are the ancestors of wolves, or that they were born between wolves and demons, but we don’t really know.
The size of the creature is more of a bear on all fours than a wolf, and its abnormally bloodshot eyes, miasma-filled breath, and large bared fangs spoke eloquently of its demonic nature.
Another wolf appeared behind them.
“There are three of them. Are you sure we can handle this?”
Luna asked, worried.
“I said it’s no problem. There is no one stronger than me. Killian, take the one behind.”
“I’m scared,”
Luna thought to herself, but neither Rath nor Killian showed any signs of anxiety. Instead, they seemed even calmer than before, facing their enemy with a unique composure that only those who have experienced many battles possess. Luna couldn’t understand it and wondered, “Why are these two so calm?”
The magic wolves didn’t attack immediately, but slowly closed the distance, creeping towards them.
From their perspective, they had seen their prey, shocked by their appearance, retreating backwards. They planned for another magic wolf to attack from behind, and then they would join in the assault.
Luna’s detection magic had seen through their plan, but of course, she didn’t expect the monsters to realize that.
Instead, Rath stepped forward, sword at the ready, facing the two magic wolves. The one that appeared behind them was being restrained by Killian.
The magic wolves, unafraid of the humans who dared to face them, directed their hostility towards them.
Splitting up to the left and right, they prepared to attack from both sides, growling menacingly.
But Rath stepped in. Moving as if to slide towards the magic wolf on the right, he swung his sword horizontally.
Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, one magic wolf stumbled back, and the other, in a panic, rushed towards Rath to help its companion.
This attack was exactly what Rath had intended.
Feinting an attack on the right magic wolf to move the left one, his goal was to defeat them one by one.
The magic wolf that took the bait was struck directly in the head by Rath’s returning sword.
It happened in an instant, and to Luna’s eyes, it looked as if one magic wolf had tried to escape, only to be cut down by Rath at the same time the other attacked.
The stumbling magic wolf quickly regained its stance and attacked again, but Rath swiftly swung his sword, easily defeating it.
When Luna turned to look at Killian, she saw that the magic wolf there was already lying on the ground, covered in blood. Killian himself was just catching his breath, showing no signs of injury.
Luna, who had been chanting a spell to support them, stopped and sighed in relief.
“You guys are really strong, huh?”
“Of course, Luna. Who do you think I am?”
Rath wiped the blood off his sword and sheathed it, his movements somewhat showy.
“Who? Well, Rath, right?”
Luna tilted her head slightly.
“…Well, yeah, I guess so,”
Rath replied, looking a little uncomfortable at being asked directly.
“Master Rath is the strongest warrior! No one can defeat him!”
Killian, excited by seeing Rath defeat the monsters in front of Luna, praised him enthusiastically.
“The strongest… That’s a bit of an exaggeration, Killian,”
Luna watched Killian praising his master with a gentle smile.
“Well, you should praise me a little too, you know?”
Rath looked a little dissatisfied.
TLNOTE : While waiting, I implore you dear readers to read other masterpiece novels that also written by the same author :
- When the Monster Meat I Ate Led Me to the Throne (LN)
- Who killed the Hero?
- The Wicked Princess and 12 Eyes – The Strongest Squires and the Legendary Evil Woman, the Second Time in Her Life
- The Exiled Merchant Saves the World with the Power of Gold (translated by my friend meerkat)
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