[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]
Chapter 91
"There they are! Stop them!"
The Red Lion Knights, who followed Abel, drew their swords and blocked the way.
If they were delayed here, the Special Forces and even Abel would come after them.
Zeke shouted to Boris,
"When I clear the way, take the prince and get out of here!"
Zeke put the prince on Boris's horse.
As Boris rode out of the hotel, Zeke drew his sword.
Woooong!
Elemental power surged into Zeke's sword.
He concentrated the power of wind.
Whoosh!
A huge storm erupted around Zeke, and he swung his Storm Sword towards the Red Lion Knights.
Crash!
The knights couldn't see anything due to the fierce gust of wind.
Boris, carrying Karus, took this opportunity and dashed forward along the path Zeke had opened with the wind.
Zeke followed, swinging his sword at the bewildered Red Lion Knights.
Bang!
The knights, struck by Zeke's sword imbued with strength, were sent flying.
"Kyaaaak!"
Zeke took out the 'Deep Breath of the Flame Giant' potion from his inventory.
Whoosh!
As soon as he threw the potion, white flames erupted from it, creating a huge wall of fire in front of the hotel.
The knights were bewildered and stumbled about, unable to cross the wall of fire.
"Damn it! Unleash your Aura Blades!"
The Blue Knights gathered at the front and tried to control the flames with their Aura Blades.
However, the Deep Breath of the Flame Giant, an ancient potion, wouldn't be extinguished so easily.
The knights hesitated, unable to advance further, as the flames seemed to char their entire bodies if they got too close.
That was when it happened.
Whoosh!
Abel suddenly leaped into the air towards the flames.
At the same time, he swung his sword at the Deep Breath of the Flame Giant.
Crash!
The wall of flames split apart as if a waterfall was being divided.
Abel stood in front of the split wall of fire and shouted to the knights,
"Divide the Red Lion Knights into two groups. One group will come with me to the terminal and the harbor! The other group will chase after the attackers with the Special Forces!"
***
Thud, thud, thud!
Zeke and Boris dashed into the forest, evading their pursuers.
When the glamorous cityscape was no longer visible, Zeke asked Boris,
"Is there a way to cross directly to the Central Continent from here?"
Boris shook his head at the question.
"It's difficult to find a route that goes straight while avoiding Abel Draker and the Imperial Special Forces."
"Are there any other routes?"
Boris pondered and slowly spoke.
"There are two. The first is to go north of the kingdom, cross the Central Sea, and detour to the Northern Continent. However, this method requires going along the coast, which has a high risk of being discovered by the enemy."
"What's the other method?"
"Going south of the kingdom through the Forest of monsters and crossing the Sea of Death to reach the Southern Continent. From the Southern Continent, we can take a portal to the Central Continent. However, this method has the threat of monsters."
"We'll go south."
Zeke chose to enter the Forest of monsters without hesitation.
He judged that it was better to deal with monsters than knights.
Boris let out a low groan and nodded.
"Okay."
He turned his horse and guided Zeke towards the Forest of monsters.
Karus, sitting behind Boris, was pale and silent.
Zeke approached Karus and handed him a potion.
"Drink this. It will warm you up a bit."
Karus took the potion Zeke offered with trembling hands and drank it all at once.
After drinking the health recovery potion, Karus's face regained some color.
"...I feel much better than before. Thank you, Sir Zeke."
Zeke was surprised by Karus's words.
"How did you know I was Zeke Draker?"
Karus caught his breath and said,
"I never forget what I've seen once. Your voice and unique accent can't be hidden even if you try."
'Did he willingly follow me because he knew I was Zeke Draker?'
He thought Karus was just a dissolute prince, but it seemed that wasn't entirely the case.
Zeke said to Karus,
"Your Highness is in a very dangerous situation."
Karus nodded at Zeke's words.
"Indeed, if Julius and Abel are both targeting me, I must consider the entire Central Continent my enemy."
Zeke shook his head at those words.
"That's not necessarily true. If you go to Midland and enter Cali Draker's territory, your safety can be guaranteed."
"Cali Draker, the Silver Knight, you say. Is she helping me?"
"Cali Draker is the one who sent me here."
"If it's the Silver Knight, I can trust her. Sir Zeke, can you take me there safely?"
Zeke nodded.
"I'll do my best. It will be difficult for you, Your Highness, but you must follow my instructions carefully."
Just then, something caught Zeke's senses.
"Take His Highness and stand back. I'll take the front."
Zeke stepped forward with his sword drawn.
At that moment, something fell from the tree.
"Kaaaaak!"
A monster that looked like a giant flying squirrel lunged at Zeke.
Zeke swung his sword and cut down the flying squirrel.
[You have slain a creature corrupted by magic.]
[You have earned 10 Karma points.]
As Zeke expected, he earned Karma points for defeating the monster.
'Good, I can earn some points here.'
Boris said to Zeke, "Boss, we can't go further in on horseback from here."
As Boris said, Zeke dismounted and decided to walk into the forest.
Kyaaaak!
The deeper they went into the forest, the more monsters attacked.
Zeke deflected all the monsters that lunged from the trees with his sword and headed deeper into the forest.
It was a distance that would take at least two days to walk, so it was important to conserve their stamina.
Zeke took out the food and water he had stored in his inventory and shared them with Boris and Karus, while he endured by devouring the dead monsters with Gluttony.
Just then, an ominous sound echoed through the forest.
Kyaaaaaak!
A flock of sinister-looking birds circled above the forest, letting out screams that sounded like tearing cries.
"The atmosphere of the forest has changed."
Boris replied, "It seems the pursuers have followed us into the forest."
It seemed the knights were rummaging through the forest noisily to find Karus.
Boris's expression worsened as he finished speaking.
"Boss, we need to get through the forest quickly. If the Master of the Swamp appears, we'll be in big trouble."
"Master of the Swamp?"
At that moment, a huge roar was heard from deep within the forest.
Goooooooooooo!
The entire forest seemed to shake with just the roar.
Boris's face turned pale.
"Th-that's the Master of the Swamp. The Dortans never go deep into the Forest of monsters for fear of incurring the wrath of the Master of the Swamp."
Judging from Boris's reaction, it seemed to be no ordinary monster.
Zeke nodded.
"Boris, take His Highness and go further in first. I'll lure the pursuers elsewhere."
"Okay."
***
"What are you doing?"
Low Siemens, one of the lieutenants of the Red Lion Knights, said to the Special Forces agent in a chilling voice.
The agent replied to Low,
"I told you it's dangerous to go through this forest, it's better to take a detour."
Low said to the agent,
"And if they get there first and escape on a smuggling ship, will the Special Forces take responsibility?"
The agent couldn't answer Low's question.
He said sharply to the Special Forces agent,
"If you don't want to report to the consul that you lost Karus, we need to chase after them quickly."
The Special Forces agents gritted their teeth at Low's words and looked for a way to enter the Forest of monsters.
Since this incident occurred before they could hand Karus over to Abel's side, the responsibility still lay with the Empire.
Because of this, even though the Red Lion Knights were acting arrogantly, the Special Forces agents had no choice but to follow their lead.
'Damn it. Of all places, the Forest of monsters.'
The Forest of monsters wasn't as well-known as the 'Forest of the Forgotten' in the Central Continent, but it was just as dangerous.
As an intelligence agency, the Intelligence Agency conducted research on the area before carrying out missions, so they knew very well how dangerous the Forest of monsters was.
Unlike the Special Forces agents who were moving cautiously, the Red Lion Knights led by Low were rummaging through the forest recklessly.
The Special Forces agents were worried that the Master of the Swamp might awaken, but they couldn't stop the Red Lion Knights.
Just then, monsters appeared in front of the pursuing group.
Roar!
It was a huge monster that looked like a bear, but it was definitely not a bear.
"It's a Devil Bear! Scatter and engage!"
The Special Forces agents tried to keep their distance and deal with the Devil Bear.
However, the Red Lion Knights drew their swords without hesitation and plunged them into the Devil Bear's body.
The Devil Bear collapsed instantly.
Seeing this, the Special Forces captain broke out in a cold sweat.
'To deal with a Devil Bear so easily... The Draker knights are truly fearsome.'
They continued deeper into the forest, defeating monsters along the way.
And then, at some point...
Goooooooooooo!
A roaring sound was heard from afar. The Special Forces captain's face turned pale.
"D-damn it. The Master of the Swamp has awakened."
Low asked the captain,
"To be so frightened by a mere beast, it's a shame to the Special Forces' reputation."
Low ignored the Special Forces captain's warning and went deeper inside.
But strangely, the further they went in, the fewer monsters attacked.
The Special Forces captain felt something was amiss.
'There's no way the forest could be this quiet.'
Just then, one of the knights touched an installed scroll.
Crash!
The explosion scroll detonated, sending vibrations throughout the forest.
Low was startled and shouted to the knights, "Prepare for an ambush!"
Hidden in the smoke, Zeke held a dagger and cut the knights' ankles.
"Kyaak!"
The knights, caught off guard, were helpless against Zeke's attack.
Low shouted, "Fall back and secure your vision!"
But it was too late.
Zeke's sword was faster.
Slash!
His sword cut through the necks of the knights.
Low gritted his teeth and unleashed his Aura Blade.
"Haaa!"
Zeke threw a strength-imbued dagger at Low.
Clang!
Low deflected the heavy dagger, but he didn't stop and charged towards Zeke.
Zeke unleashed the Water Chapter towards Low.
Elemental Sword
Water Chapter
Wave Sword
Zeke's sword strike, surging like a tsunami, deflected Low's sword, created a huge shockwave, and pushed Low back.
Crash!
Low, pushed back, crashed into a tree. The forest was swept away by the shockwave.
"Cough!"
Low coughed up blood from the huge impact and couldn't regain his balance.
The Special Forces agents, who were keeping their distance behind, threw chains at Zeke.
Clank!
The Special Forces agents, successfully binding Zeke's arms and legs with chains, tried to restrict his movement by pulling him from all directions.
However, as Zeke clad his body in strength, they could no longer restrain him with the chains.
On the contrary, when Zeke pulled on the chains, the Special Forces agents were almost dragged along.
"Ugh! What power!"
Just as Zeke quickly subdued all the Red Lion Knights and Special Forces agents...
Suddenly, the forest floor became strange.
Sizzle!
The solid ground turned into a swamp.
The Special Forces captain shouted in surprise, "Climb up the trees, now!"
The Special Forces agents, realizing what was happening, quickly regained their composure and climbed up the trees, but the Red Lion Knights couldn't.
"Uwaaaak!"
Most of them floundered and fell straight into the swamp.
"H-help me!"
The knights who fell into the churning swamp tried to escape using their Aura, but it was no use.
The more they struggled, the stronger the swamp sucked them in.
"Uwaaaak!"
In the end, all the knights who couldn't climb the trees disappeared into the swamp.
Low, leaning against a tree, regained his senses and barely managed to climb up a nearby tree.
Seeing his subordinates all fall into the swamp, he broke out in a cold sweat.
"Wh-what is this?"
The Special Forces captain gritted his teeth and shouted,
"The damned Master of the Swamp has appeared! We need to get out of here now!"
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The sound of something huge approaching was heard from deep within the forest.
[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]