Chapter 66
Joshua slowed his pace.
They were approaching the mine, the hideout of the Moonlight Knights.
He abandoned the maintained road ahead and chose the mountain path beside it.
Climbing an uncultivated mountain path caused severe fatigue.
However, no one following him complained.
They also knew.
If they had arrived at the mine by following the road, they knew what would've been waiting in front of them.
A nauseating stench, like falling into a sewer, stung their noses.
The screams let out by the zombies in unison echoed like thunder.
As they reached the middle of the mountain, the entrance to the mine, which was their destination, ca into view.
“Are you planning to go in through there?”
Leo's body froze cold.
He saw hundreds of zombies pounding on the entrance of the mine.
It was a sight where the word death seed to be alive and wriggling.
It was a black wave.
They didn't fear their own bodies being broken and didn't hesitate to tear down their own kind.
It was a struggle that seed to hate living life.
“Bleghh.”
Tania vomited.
She regretted walking forward to see the sight before her eyes.
It wasn't the first ti she’d looked at a zombie.
She had experience watching decayed flesh and filthy appearances up close.
However, those experiences couldn't protect her stomach in front of an army of zombies.
Her stomach felt sour.
It was a stroke of luck among misfortunes that she’d eaten a small breakfast.
The reflux in her mouth stopped after she threw up a few tis.
“Drink this.”
Joshua handed a water bottle to her.
She accepted it with a hesitant look.
“It’s precious water. You shouldn't use it on sothing like this.”
It took five days to get from the tower to the mine.
In that ti, the water bottle they first brought had decreased by half.
If the supplies were limited for the survivors inside the mine.
The value of this water rose several tis over.
“That isn't a problem for you to worry about.”
“……But.”
“I won't suggest it twice. Take it so you don't regret it later.”
Tania took the water bottle and moistened her throat.
Her stomach was still stinging.
However, the trembling that dominated her body subsided.
“Joshua?”
Leo turned his head.
While everyone was desperate to overco their fear while holding their breath.
He didn't run away from the sight before his eyes.
“I’m thinking for a mont.”
Joshua looked alternately at the state of the mine and the place where the zombies were gathered.
The entrance was blocked with building debris and boulders.
They had sealed it by blowing it up.
Entry through the main gate was impossible.
Judging by the strength of the debris, it would be safe for the next few days.
However, that was a story excluding the existence of variants.
‘With a crowd that size, it wouldn't be strange if a few turned into variants.’
Zombies grow stronger as they hunt.
How much life they put into their rotten mouths determines the difference in power.
If not that, their compatibility with being a zombie was good from the start.
‘It’s only a matter of ti before it’s breached.’
Ti wasn't on his side.
He couldn't know how many in the crowd below would turn into variants.
The situation would change even if just one magical beast like Urgon was born.
The shrieks of the zombies grated on his ears.
[Clever] awakened mories that had been dormant.
And it scraped together only the necessary information by separating it.
“Co this way.”
Joshua retreated his companions to the back where the scenery wasn't visible.
Everyone’s expression was pale.
There was no such thing as getting used to facing zombies.
They simply endured it even if they hated it.
They comforted and whipped themselves, saying they had to do it.
He reached out and cast [Serenity] on them.
A ring of light stretched out from the staff and scattered over the four people.
The faces of those who were unsettled brightened at once.
“It’s a spell to put the mind at ease.”
“T-Thank you.”
Talleon brushed his chest with an expression of disbelief.
His heart, which had been beating crazily until just a mont ago, beca calm.
A miracle of God!
Did the hearts of religious people worshipping God stem from things like this?
If so, he wanted to offer a prayer willingly.
“It’s temporary, but this will be fine for a while.”
“What are you going to do from now on?”
Leo looked at him with a still serious face.
“I didn't intend to pass through the main gate from the beginning. Seeing that sight directly made more certain.”
“Then we can’t go in?”
“Several side paths were made in the mine in case of an accident. We’ll use those.”
“Do you have a map?”
Joshua tapped his head with his finger.
Leo shook his head greatly.
“It might not be as much as the main gate, but there's a good chance there are zombies in the side paths too. I want to leave the fighting to you.”
Leo took a deep breath and slapped his cheeks.
Both cheeks turned red like a person with a fever.
It was the first battle after joining the group.
Regardless of the scale of the fight, the first battle was always important.
“I understand.”
“Don't let your guard down. If you're hit even once, you'll have to carve out the wounded area.”
“That’s quite grueso for encouragent. Aren't there any better words?”
“I trust you.”
Leo pulled his body back with a flustered face.
“Ugh, I’ve got goosebumps because of that. I asked for sothing that doesn't suit you.”
Leo put on a blunt expression and looked back at his subordinates.
They were Talleon and Gavinu.
At first, they weren't reliable.
Regardless of their skill, he didn't like their background and reputation.
Looking back, that was a mistake.
“Before we fight. There's sothing I have to say to you two, and I’m sorry.”
Gavinu tilted his head with a puzzled look at the sudden apology.
“Pardon?”
“The fact that I acted coldly toward you when we first t.”
“I think this is a bit too sudden for self reflection.”
“I thought it would be good to say it.”
“It’s unsettling. For a commander to say such things before going out to battle.”
“I said it so you’d loosen your tension a little.”
“As for tension, it was mostly resolved by Sir Joshua’s spell.”
“Dammit, you unlovable brats.”
Leo clicked his tongue and moved his gaze elsewhere.
Was it because he was excited for the first battle?
He’d done sothing that didn't suit him.
His face felt hot as he felt the staring eyes from around him.
“Captain.”
Talleon's voice was heard.
“Let’s do well.”
The boy nodded with a happy look.
Trust toward him was felt on the boy's face.
“Right, we should.”
Leo took out his sword and shield.
* * *
Joshua recalled the structure of the mine.
As a place where tunnels like ant nests spread like roots, silver was collected as the main mineral.
A facility consisting of three basent floors.
The workers had made other entrances in case the mine collapsed.
“Found it.”
One of them was in the middle of the mountain.
A door made of tal stood firm in front of what looked like the entrance to a cave.
“Graaa.”
He saw zombies.
Those who had strayed from the crowd gathered after slling the faint body odor leaking through the cracks of the door.
The number was nine.
Compared to the main gate, the risk was infinitely small.
However, he shouldn't be careless.
Zombies grow.
Even if they don't beco variants, their bodies beco solid and their muscular strength increases.
They were clearly stronger than the zombies he first fought in the dormitory about four months ago.
“Tania is support.”
“Yes.”
“You shouldn't abuse mana. Give up the thought of solving everything by yourself. Rely on your companions.”
Tania nodded.
Mana wasn't infinite.
A mage was the sa as being naked if they ran out of mana.
This wasn't the only battle.
He didn't know what kind of reaction the survivors would show after entering the mine.
If it could be saved, it was better to save it.
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Tania gripped her staff and circulated mana.
She recalled the training she’d received from Luizella at the tower.
Starting a fire.
Strengthening it.
And firing it quickly.
It was important to continue the spell sequence without letting it go out.
Even though she’d received the [Serenity] spell from Joshua, sweat flowed on her forehead from tension.
The hair sticking to her was cumberso.
However, she didn't even think of pulling it away and concentrated on the movents of the others.
“Oppa, what should I do?”
Luna, who was beside Joshua, asked.
The girl intended to release her polymorph and return to being a dragon if he just gave the signal.
There was no hesitation.
The emotions of her master, Joshua, flowed in and encouraged her.
“This will be learning ti for you Luna. Figure out how the monsters attack.”
“Are you saying it isn't my turn to step up?”
“Yes, not right now.”
Luna nodded.
It wasn't that he excluded her from the battle out of consideration for her.
He replied that it wasn't ‘now.’
If so, it ant a mont would co when she was needed while staying in the mine.
“It seems there are no other zombies around.”
Gavinu, who had gone on patrol, returned.
Joshua nodded and signaled to Leo with his eyes.
Leo's gaze turned toward Talleon again, and the boy took out his bow as if he’d been waiting.
Swish!
Three arrows were lodged in a zombie's head and body.
The zombie's knees collapsed as if it were convulsing.
Next was Tania.
In a lee, there's a high risk of friendly fire, but it didn't matter now when there were only zombies.
She calmly recalled the fire spell.
She threw two fireballs that rose above her head.
The fireballs exploded upon colliding with the ground and crushed the zombie's flesh.
Six were left.
Leo and the two boys ran out.
Drawing their swords, they dealt with the scattered zombies one by one.
First, they cut the legs.
If their mobility was taken away, the zombies would just flail their arms while lying down.
Being careful of those filthy hands, they thrust their swords into the heads.
“Graaaah!”
The zombie's death cry made their spines chill.
They had to stay sharp.
The three knight apprentices who stepped forward held the sa thought in their hearts.
The one who took down the first zombie the fastest was Leonard.
He quickly changed his prey.
Whether he intended to lighten the burden of his two subordinates.
Whether he wanted to be an example.
Or whether it was both, his sword removed the remaining two zombies with sharpness.
“Is it over?”
The battle ended in an instant.
It was about three minutes in ti.
However, the boys who were swinging their swords had blank expressions like people who’d lost their senses.
“Graaaah!”
Gavinu snapped his eyes open.
A zombie that had fallen nearby thrust its face forward in a final struggle.
It was the individual Talleon had shot an arrow at earlier.
It seed the arrow didn't penetrate the head.
A faint consciousness remained.
It attacked by scraping together that tiny bit of consciousness.
Thwack!
Joshua struck it with the end of his staff.
“Gavinu, any injuries?”
The boy's heart turned cold.
Without realizing it, his legs gave out and he collapsed.
Joshua's worry didn't reach his ears.
He poured all his strength into calming his ragged breathing.
“I’m fine, thank you. Sir Joshua.”
He stood up by grabbing the hand Joshua held out.
It was a close call.
He’d forgotten what it ant to fight on the boundary of life and death.
The predator and the prey change in an instant.
You die if you're careless.
As he wiped the sweat from his neck, the gloves he was wearing turned black.
“I’m sorry. I couldn't finish it properly.”
Talleon rushed over and apologized.
Gavinu waved his hand to signal that it was fine.
“It isn't your fault. I didn't check it properly either.”
“Are you really okay?”
Leo approached afterward.
“I’m sorry, Captain.”
“No, it’s my fault. I should’ve finished it before dealing with the others.”
Leo let out a sigh.
There were no injured people.
Nevertheless, he couldn't shake off the thought that the first battle was a failure.
It was different from when he fought alone.
He had to know how to grasp the advantages and disadvantages provided by his subordinates.
That determined his competence as a commander.
“It was very different from what I learned at the academy. I thought I’d experienced enough mock duels fighting as a group.”
Leo replied in front of Joshua as if blaming himself.
He thought he would rebuke him sharply.
“Since instructors are there as supervisors in mock duels. There’s trust that they’ll resolve a problem even if it occurs, but you have to take responsibility in actual combat.”
“That’s true.”
“Are you discouraged?”
“It would be a lie to say I’m not. Since things got tangled up from the first battle.”
“It’s naturally difficult at first.”
“I heard you were good from the beginning.”
Leo signaled with his eyes to the boy resting in the back.
He’d heard the stories of what happened in the dormitory from them.
“I was lucky.”
“It sounds like a genius is acting humble.”
“If you do things properly, you can beco stronger than .”
“I can't believe that, since I was actually crushed by you.”
“Because you didn't try desperately.”
“I did my best in my own way under Carius. If you're going to disparage that, stop.”
Joshua turned his head.
He must have made an effort every day.
He knew because he’d played Leonard several tis.
However, his effort lacked what's called a crisis.
A human who didn't know a crisis was poor at exerting what's called more power than necessary.
“Anyway, thanks to you, Gavinu lived. Thank you.”
Leo scratched his cheek as if he was embarrassed.
Joshua shrugged his shoulders and concentrated on opening the door.
It was blocked from the inside with a latch.
He raised his foot and kicked down the tal door.
Bang! Bang!
There were no signs that the door had been used for a long ti.
He knew the latch inside had rusted and beco loose.
The door opened after a few impacts.
“Let’s go in.”
They slowly moved their steps inside.
Since it was a place quite far from the center of the mine, no presence of people was felt.
Tania lit a fire.
They walked straight in along the passageways intertwined like a maze.
There were no traps.
There were no sentries to guard the corners either.
[Steady Nerves] was angry as if it were boiling.
If they were going to use a large place as a hideout, preparation for it was essential.
“Joshua.”
Leo, who was walking in the lead, stopped his footsteps.
A sound was heard.
It was the sound of people whispering.
“Yes.”
Soone was right in front of them.
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