V3 Chapter 42

“Your Highness, it would troublesome if you run around like that,”

“Garas,” Leticia called out with a faint smile.

She looks at the man who appeared behind her. It was a black-haired knight, wearing crimson-colored armor. Three crimson chains were coming from his back. He was holding the Ogre down. Then, a figure flashed behind him, running towards the Ogre. It was Celia, with her sword flashing in golden light.

She rushed straight into the Ogre without slowing down and angrily shouted, “Come at me!” her fighting spirit burst out.

She had invoked [Challenge] one of the basic skills of a Knight. The Ogre who’s attention was on Leticia heard her shout and turned towards her. A bubbling fury rage over it as it looked at Celia and without hesitation made a sweep with his arms at her. its full attention towards the female knight that dared to challenge it.

Celia immediately ducked- the huge, muscular arms that seemed to be molded from an iron sweep over her head, almost swatting her pretty face covered by a knight's helm.

She might be wearing armor, and her defense enhanced by a lot by her sister, but surely, just one hit by that would make her ribs shatter like glass. Much less, her slender neck.

With a loud roar of determination and defiance against such beast, Celia swung her sword on its feet and slashed. Blood spurted, but the sword was unable to penetrate even more. The density of its bones was even harder than metal.

As expected of an evolved monster, it’s not easily killed.

Celia jumped back, the monster’s leg raised in an attempt to kick her.

"Celia, retreat! Now, it's my turn to attack!"

Leticia entered this time and swung down her sword. Her speed was blurry, and she moved incredibly fast, despite how heavy-looking her armor was, relentlessly swinging her sword and attacking the monster right in front of her.

Clang!

One of the crimson chains broke down, and the monster was able to move somewhat freely again. However, as it raised its weapon again, another chain appeared coiling around its waist.

"Haaaaaaaaghh!!!"

The Ogre’s movement was getting heavier, and it was getting slower. The poison within the chains of Garas is starting to show its effect.

"Arrroooooooaaaaahhhh!!!"

With Garas tying it down, Leticia and Celia relentlessly attack the Ogre warrior that couldn’t fight back at all. Despite the Ogre’s sturdy physique and incredible resilience, being beaten one-sidedly, it slowly crumbles and died.

"The Spirits be with us! Be cleanse, you monster."

The princess muttered and dealt the final blow.

Stabbing through the monster's chest. Taking a deep breath, she was about to relax when suddenly she felt a rushing danger. She hurriedly pulled her blade free from the monster’s body and spun just in time to fend off the clawing hands of another Ogre, and another that came at her beside it.

She was being attacked from every direction.

“Your Highness, please retreat, we will take care of this,” Garas said as the three chains on his back wriggled like living beings and then shot towards the incoming Ogres. He then draws his sword and charges like a red meteor.

He didn’t have any intimidating aura like Doram, but the speed of Garas was much faster than him. He flew in the air, clad with crimson light.

“Don’t mess up, Old man,” Celia followed after. Her face brimming with excitement, and thirst for battle. “I ain’t have enough yet!”

“Who are you calling old man??! Be respectful to your elders, you brat!”

“You two, don’t fight this time. I want you to clean this place up as fast as possible! We can’t stay here for long!”

Seeing the usual banter between Celia and Garas, Leticia finally heaves a sigh of relief and she sheathed her sword with a wry smile.

“As you wish your highness!”

“Easier said than done, but since you’re the one asking…I’ll hear and obey,” Celis said with a mischievous grin. Then, her expression changed and become dyed with murderous intent.

“Heart of Steel!”

Her eyes gleamed brightly, and so did her body. Her speed also increased as well. As she yelled, Celia swung her sword to the side. After its vivid afterglow subsided, three enemy Ogres lay dead on the ground with matching wounds cutting evenly across their chests.

Although they have incredibly tough bodies, skin as hard as metal, they had been as effective as paper before her blade.

Her speed was also not something to scoff at.

These humans are strong…

Miyabila who was observing the battle couldn’t help but think. The Ogres should be very strong, but to think they are slowly being defeated one by one. These humans are something.

If only the Ogre Lord was here, then perhaps they would not have a choice but to retreat here.

Fortunately for them, the Ogre Lord is not here. I guess they were really lucky, after all.

Miyabila was actually not that enthusiastic about joining these people. If it was before, perhaps, she wanted to take one or two men and wanted to loot them as well, taking all the interesting equipment they got.

But ever since Rain had appeared in their lives, they have already lost that kind of habit.

It’s not about already having someone to take all their needs, but more like, they didn’t want to do something that would change or tarnish the views of someone who had finally accepted them and acknowledge them despite who they are.

Zarda didn’t say anything about it, but all the Lamians seemed to have shared the same feelings. Hence, it can be said that their usual life had been transformed into something…much better. And along with their change, their future had also become brighter than before.

Now they are addicted to the light.

Miyabila can’t even imagine going back to that kind of life where all of them were nothing but Monsters as they were made and see to be by Humans. At least, not without Rain.

But where is he now?

Elder Sister said that these people be able to lead us to him… but is there really something in the Ogre territory?

Isn’t this too far from the gravemark that had taken him and the others?

If they are mistaken, then this would only result in a war against the Ogre Tribe the moment the Ogre Lord returned. He would surely be furious, and since they are the ones who took them here, he would surely blame them as well.

Well, the Ogres are not really the problem. But the one behind them- the Monster King: Ogabentina.

That is why we need to find Rain as soon as possible. If this place is indeed has something to do with him, then whether they are declaring war or not, it’s all worth it.

She turned towards the other Lamians which were already fighting against the Ogres as well.

I hope we can find him by following these people, if not I’ll kill them all myself.

Miyabila decided as she looks at humans fighting intensely with an icy cold gaze. Although she wouldn’t care about a war against the Ogre Lord, starting a nonsensical war against the Ogre Tribe would make the Desolate Cave chaotic.

It would affect their lives a big deal. Much less, it would start a large-scale war against the Ogre Tribe. And perhaps, even against the Ogre Princess. It would be the worst if Rain would be sucked into that chaos.

But if killing them and giving them all to the Ogre Lord to appease his anger, then it’s worth it.

However, if they can find Rain…hmph, then it will make things even.

After all, if Rain was really in the territory of the Ogre Tribe, then there is a need to raid it.

There’s an unspoken rule in the Desolate Cave if something is within their territory, it’s theirs. And they would never give it up so easily—especially the Ogre Tribe, who were born greedy and arrogant.

So, if Rain and the others are here, then war is indeed inevitable.

And if this place can lead them to them, then it would mean that they had received help from the Humans. And so, as payment for the debt incurred, they would deal with the Ogres themselves. But that is if this place can truly lead them to them.

Miyabila opened her hand and a fireball slowly appeared. With a swing of her hand, the fireball flew and exploded.

Rain I’ll find you, wherever you are!

I still have a lot to teach you, so you better come back!

… …

Boom~!

A huge fireball shot through the passage.

Leticia watched as it exploded, sending fragments of torn flesh scattering onto the ground, leaving behind a burning mess. She turned and looked back at the red-haired Lamian, feeling rather astonished.

She’s been rather despondent before, but why does she seem to be starting to become eager now? Just what are they planning…?

“It’s here!”

One of the scouts said and hurriedly run towards a black-colored Monolith standing at the side of the wall. It was what drove them to come here, the said clue or relic that might be able to lead them to the Holy Sword they were looking for.

One of the scouts had found it by chance, and they hurriedly went into this place.

This is the best clue they had so far, hence, despite it being much of a dangerous place, an Ogre’s Lair to be exact, Leticia decided to come here despite all odds.

Leticia walked towards the Monolith, and look at the characters engraved on it.

She had seen these characters before—characters that no one was able to read, and was said to be the Ancient Hero’s language from another world. Even the highest level translation magic that was currently possible couldn’t read it. It was once even called the Language of the Gods.

This is really it-!

Excited, she reached out and traced the character with his fingers. She can’t read it—of course. For some unknown reason, the royal family was not taught about this language; despite the Great Hero being one of the great founders of the Kingdom.

She turned towards Celis, but as expected she shook her head. Even Celis who was into Languages and had been trying to decipher this otherworld Language for a long time could hardly understand some characters.

I heard that the Summoned Heroes could read them.

Should I have gone back and brought them with me?

No.

But Leticia shook her head.

I started this expedition because I want to prove that we don’t need their help. That I can protect the kingdom myself! Trying to ask them for help, would lose any meaning to this expedition!

“…but this is genuine,” Celis who was inspecting the rock pillar said.

“This Monolith bears the mark of the Great Hero Arthuria!” she caressed the symbol-like emblem engraved at the lower left of the rock pillar.

“If it’s here, then it means we are on the right track!”

“That’s good…” her words excited Leticia even more. She turned towards the people behind her, and said; “Knights set up a perimeter, not even a single rat can pass through! The rest, help clean up the area and inspect the surroundings for more clues. Don’t let even a single stone unturned!”

They finally have a true starting line. And this also meant that she was not mistaken. The Desolate Cave indeed has something to do with the Great Hero Arthuria. And perhaps, what the historians said was correct—the Great Hero Arthuria has something to do with the great transformation of this place—turning it into what it was now from a mere wasteland.

The people around him shared her feelings and they roared in excitement.

They immediately turned around and scattered in every direction, looking for other clues.

“Doram, Garas, Celia, form groups and advance.”

Leticia turned towards her three loyal knights.

“Celis, try to look for any more clues on the pillar,”

“On it,”

“…that seemed to be best, but I think we will take over from here, what do you think?”

However, suddenly a voice appeared, causing Leticia’s body to stiffen.

In fact, not only hers but each and every man in the area immediately changed their expression, their hands sliding towards the hilt of their swords.

"What do you mean by that?!"

Leticia asked coldly as she turned toward the people who appeared in front of her. But on her expression, aside from coldness was also anxiety. After all, these people are not similar to the monsters they had fought before. Rather, they are even much more troublesome to deal with.

Just what are they going to do now!?