Awakening the Great Chapter 49

Chapter 49: The Chasers

The Mountain Rabbits set out beyond the capital as soon as preparations were complete.

The cargo wagon was loaded with provisions and water for the long journey, along with spare equipnt, causing the cloth covering to bulge upward. This was thanks to the mbers following the leader's decision without question. While they had solid trust in Royce personally, they were also satisfied with the commission amount.

It was a job worth a whopping 200 gold coins.

"Goodness, 200 gold coins. With that money, we could get three full suits of armor and still have so left over."

"If we could just get our hands on magic stones, we could even outfit ourselves like knights, right?"

"Haha, knights? With that mug of yours?"

Calix could understand the excited mood of the new recruits. On the other hand, the veteran rcenaries kept their mouths firmly shut with heavy expressions. They knew that the higher the commission fee, the greater the danger.

"These greenhorn bastards. Why all this fuss? Are you going to get your heads straight? You've been assigned an absurdly difficult job from the start. Are you dying to die?"

"...Sorry."

"Talk about the 200 gold coins after we survive. Until then, keep your traps shut. Got it?"

"Yes..."

In their stead, Volga stepped forward to scold the recruits. Apparently, he was passing down the nagging he'd heard from the veteran rcenaries. Quite rarely, it was sothing that made sense.

However, if there was a problem, it was the presence of an outsider, and Calix hadn't taken his eyes off Adrian Deconti since the journey began.

"Leader, this confirms the paynt of 200 gold coins."

"...Yes. Since I've received a promissory note from the Elvra Holy Empire, I'll trust it."

"There's a barb in those words! Are you perhaps worried we won't pay?"

"Not at all. The Holy Empire is trustworthy."

'That island kingdom's prince isn't in his right mind'—that was the main opinion of the veteran rcenaries.

His incessant jokes and carelessly smiling face were quite burdenso, but among them, the most arduous thing was his self-deprecating mockery of his own kingdom.

"Right you are. Of course, the Latia Republic would refuse paynt. Saying, what in the world is this crazy prince bastard running around doing. But there won't be a problem, so don't worry. By the ti you exchange the promissory note for gold coins and that news reaches the island kingdom in the south... It'll take at least half a year. Either way, as long as there's no problem receiving the money, that's all that matters, isn't it?"

"...I see. However, wouldn't it be better to change your mount? We happen to have a spare horse—"

"Out of the question. He may not look like much, but he's a brave fellow. He knows how to handle any threat calmly."

Tap, tap.

Repeatedly, he patted the saddle with one hand, dismissing the suggestion. At this, the leader's complexion didn't look good, even as empty flattery. And for good reason—what the Prince of Latia was riding was none other than a donkey.

A donkey.

Its ears were long and large, standing erect, and its tail was more like a cow's than a horse's, with hair clumped at the end. But the real problem was the difference in build. With a small, sturdy body and short legs, there was at least half a torso's difference in height compared to Royce riding a regular horse.

So mbers burst into laughter at this ridiculous sight, and Vice-captain Marik offered an apology on their behalf, but the person in question brushed it off nonchalantly.

However, in Calix's opinion... There must be a reason.

"Gregor, are there any advantages a donkey has over a horse?"

"Why, trendously many! Donkeys have good stamina and travel well, even on rough terrain. Also, being cautious by nature, they can detect danger in advance. Though stubborn, they're less prone to being frightened, so that's also an advantage in its own way."

"I didn't know there were so many."

"Cook comrade, every being has its uses."

Gregor's advice was correct this ti too. Calix stacked questions in his mind one by one.

Why was Adrian Deconti riding a donkey?

Was there a reason to refuse the suggestion to ride a horse?

If so, what was the decisive aspect where donkeys were better than horses?

The three questions converged into one.

"Sir Adrian, may I ask you sothing?"

"Mm? Ah, by all ans."

"Have there been situations where beasts would be frightened?"

"...Ah, good! Very good. An excellent point!"

"..."

The Prince of Latia pointed at him with his finger as he answered. Sohow, his attitude was more friendly and gentle than toward others.

"The assassin bastards ride around on Engelson's wolves. Have you ever heard of them?"

"This is the first ti."

"I suppose so. These things co from an archipelago (many small and large islands) in the southeastern sea, with thick muscles in their front legs, while their lower bodies are relatively small. Their napes are short but covered in thick fur, and their heads are flat and crushed, but their jawbones are abnormally developed, so they never let go of what they bite."

"...Enough to frighten beasts."

"Mm-hmm. Unless it's a warhorse trained for years, most creatures won't be able to withstand it. Perfect for being thrown from your mount."

As the main point erged, veteran rcenaries, including Basim and Hadiya, also joined the conversation.

"Engelson's wolves. I've been a rcenary for over ten years, and I've never heard that na."

"Soone like you... I an, being a dwarf, you'd especially not know. You're holed up in the western mountains of the continent."

"What are their characteristics? Are they strong on flat ground?"

In particular, Hadiya, who served as the guide, showed great interest.

The rcenary company was currently moving east along a river. For now, peace was maintained since they were close to the kingdom's capital, but the situation would change once they entered more secluded areas.

"The opposite. Those things prowl through densely wooded terrain. They climb up and down mountainous areas with their thick front legs and push through thorny bushes with their abundant fur. They're probably following us right now, climbing mountains."

"Are they all cavalry?"

"Not at first. But they might be now. They've killed more humans than wolves."

"What was the individual combat level like?"

"The assassins, you an? Not particularly high. Personally, I felt they were about mid-level rcenaries. Of course, there were so outstanding ones among them, but only a few."

Mid-level rcenaries would correspond to 'green' in neural accelerator color.

Combat estimates ca quickly.

"We can't let our guard down."

"Obviously. Either way, most of them are cavalry. And enemies riding strange wolves we've never faced before at that."

"But doesn't flat ground decrease as we head east? We'll enter the highlands before long. What do we do about this part?"

"Fighting with our backs to a cliff is one thod."

"Then we'd have nowhere to retreat."

While it was Royce's role to ultimately accept the commission, it was the mbers' role to discuss the details.

It would have been even better if Adrian Deconti hadn't butted in again.

"That's also a valid point. Those bastards charge in without caring if they die, so it's troubleso if you only think about fighting. Calix, you should rember this, too. That's the charm assassins possess!"

"...Sir Adrian, you laugh quite often."

"Of course. In places where people die easily, a smiling face is the finest armor."

"..."

Then suddenly, weight was felt within lightness.

In so ways, he was a type of person Calix was experiencing for the first ti. He seed to evaluate the other person without bringing up important matters first, then at so point would throw out nonsensical jokes.

However, his furrowed brow was only temporary.

Right after reaching the border area between the central and eastern regions, he witnessed the true colors of a supre knight.

Uduk-puk. Sareureuk.

Chwaak!

A faint noise flowed into his ears. A different feeling from the sound of hoofbeats. As soft flesh trampled the ground, a sound like claws scraping gravel soon clung like a tail.

The wolves had drawn close.

***

Inside the Mountain Rabbits' camp.

Whiiiiii—

The wind blowing from the canyon wrapped around where the bonfire had died down and escaped. The sun had set early, leaving only moonlight to illuminate the resting place.

Deureurung, deureureureung!

It was already the second week of heading toward the Storm Forest, and the rcenaries were sound asleep, letting out loud snoring. Adrian Deconti, who had been lying with his head against a rock, suddenly lifted his eyelids.

The wind blowing over the hill was strange. A sohow chilling sensation. When he placed his hand on the ground, doubt quickly turned to certainty.

Deudeuduk, deuduk, deudeuduk.

Vibrations that made his joints tingle. A sensation resonating from the ground. Sothing massive was approaching rapidly.

Uduk-puk. Sareureuk.

Then ca the sound of footsteps pressing down on soft earth, a sharp sensation like grinding steel spread through the night air.

And he knew what they were.

Swish.

The Prince of Latia imdiately rose and carefully surveyed the surrounding terrain.

Highlands on a hill. A high cliff to the east, and a river flowing south ca into view. Also, just a few steps along the cliff revealed a sunken terrain—a location optimized for both fighting and fleeing.

'The scout's na was... Hadiya, was it? She chose her companions well.'

However, it wasn't enough.

Kururureung.

Just then, a sinister energy ca on the wind. It wasn't the natural darkness embraced by night. Sothing more artificial, far more ominous, rolled in along the hill.

One of the facts he hadn't told the Mountain Rabbits.

The assassins hired by the Latia Republic were using evil power.

"It's about ti to get up..."

Fortunately or unfortunately, he wasn't the only one who noticed the enemy's appearance.

The first person his eyes t was a woman who served God. Ella, a cleric of the Kriya Order. She had awakened early and was reciting prayers.

However, the other person was soone even Adrian Deconti hadn't expected.

"Calix?"

Was it coincidence or inevitability?

The Prince of Latia thought it was the forr. He had trust within the rcenary company and seed to have quite good combat ability, but that was all.

He couldn't possibly have senses as keen as a supre knight.

Tuk, tuk.

[...An attack?]

[Yes.]

His expectation was off the mark once again.

Calix reported to Captain Royce and woke the Mountain Rabbits one by one. Warnings to prepare for battle and information about the assassins were included as a bonus.

[How close are they?]

[We still have ti. They've caught our trail but don't seem to know our exact location. They're looking around for traces.]

[Damn it, a battle in the middle of the night.]

Adrian couldn't help but butt in.

"How do you know all that? It's not even visible to the eye."

"..."

The person in question remained silent, but Dwarf Basim answered instead while pulling out a massive axe.

"Human nobles—this is why I can't stand them. Is that really so important in this situation?"

"Can't one ask if curious?"

"Just trust him."

"Just trust him?"

"It's the iron rule of rcenaries. Unlike you noble lords, we only believe what we see and experience directly. And that kid has proven his abilities. If Calix says so, then that's how it is."

"...I see."

He didn't fully understand the other's words, but there was no ti.

Keurwaaaaak!

Finally finding the traces, fierce howls of beasts burst out from below the hill. At this, Captain Royce issued a short, firm command.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!"

The Mountain Rabbits uncoiled from their crouched positions and rose, simultaneously drawing their weapons.

Seureureureung—

Scabbards opened, and dozens of blades absorbed the moonlight. Basim slung his massive axe over his shoulder, and Hadiya gripped a dagger while wearing her hood.

Calix did the sa.

He gripped his sword while gauging the distant space. A presence clearly felt even from afar. In tandem, the 'divinity' in his heart wriggled in opposition to the enemy's aura.

Seureureuk.

And right then, enemy silhouettes revealed themselves in the darkness.

Front legs with sharp claws were three or four tis larger than a human fist. Their eyes were narrowly slit, emitting yellow light, and the thick fur growing from their napes to their chests doubled the sense of intimidation.

"...They ride those things?"

"Everyone, be careful! They're violent creatures, completely different from horses!"

Adrian Deconti shouted as if screaming. The smile on his lips had disappeared. Since the assassins had noticed his presence, they would soon launch an extre charge.

The only geographical advantages were the hill where the Mountain Rabbits were positioned and the cargo wagons set up in place of ramparts.

Kwaaak! Deureureuk!

"They're moving!"

At that very mont, the beasts' claws kicked up gravel. Moisture laden with the scent of blood spread, and the air instantly froze.

No one opened their mouth, but everyone knew.

Soon a battle where claws and weapons would tangle would begin.

Huuuuuk, jjeo-eok!

And in that instant, sothing charged forward as if springing from the darkness. Engelson's wolves. They opened their jaws to the limit, revealing yellow fangs.

It was a movent filled with pure desire to tear flesh.