Obviously, the mercenaries attacked first. The mercenaries on the walls pulled out slings, loaded them from nearby piles of stones, and started whirling them above their heads. It was a cost effective ranged weapon for mercenaries, who often could not afford more expensive weapons like bows and needed something compact.
Randolph’s lieutenant, Hank, called out, “Fire!”
Pak!Pakak!Pak!Puhak!
A hail of stones landed on the undead horde. Small undead like kobolds and goblins were instantly slain by the fast, heavy stones. The orcs took three or four stones to fall, but there were enough slingers that even they fell. However, it was a paltry dent in the thousands strong horde.
Theo spoke lightly, “They’re like an ant swarm.”
Theo, Sylvia, and Randolph were watching from one of the walls. The sheer number of undead pouring out of the forest seemed akin to a natural disaster, like a swarm of locusts descending on a field. Randolph’s mouth dropped open as he stared at the scene. Theo’s original plan required them to break through the undead and strike the warlock’s base. But there was no way they would be able to break through this horde by themselves. They could use 4th and 5th Circle spells, but they would be out of fuel by the time they reached the warlock.
So, Theo thought of a way to get through without fighting.
“Weight Reduction.” Theo’s magic was completed a beat ahead of Sylvia’s as it wrapped around the two of them.
Most magicians used this spell on objects, not fellow humans. Theo and Sylvia’s weight was now cut in half.
Sylvia finished casting her spell. “Hidden Mana Force.”
Strings of magic power flowed out of her staff and wrapped around all three of them. While it wasn’t very effective against anything that could utilize all five senses, the spell that hid their mana was rather effective against undead who tracked mana.
The preparations were complete.
Theo confirmed that the spells were working properly and nodded. “It’s done. We can start.”
Randolph looked at Sylvia. “Young Lady?”
Sylvia nodded. “I’m ready.”
Randolph clicked his tongue as he tied his sword firmly to his waist. “… Right then, both of you come over here.”
He hoisted them both over his shoulders. However, he couldn’t even feel their weight; they were now light enough that he didn’t even feel them on his shoulders. They looked comical, but that couldn’t be helped. Randolph crouched, and leaped off the wall toward the undead in one smooth motion.
“Don’t open your mouth, Employer! You might bite your tongue off!”
Randolph was a first-class swordsman, so he was far stronger than an ordinary human. The first leap looked like he’d single-handedly defied gravity as he flew five meters into the sky and fifty meters forward. However, what goes up eventually must come down, and Randolph started to fall at a terrifying speed.
What a plan… Who would’ve imagined opening a path like this?
He chuckled inwardly as he concentrated aura on the soles of his feet. It was a rather simple plan. Even if the undead were rotten, it was a lot easier to move through the horde if he used them as stepping stones. Randolph’s foot flashed as he stomped down on an orc zombie’s head.
Peng!
The orc zombie’s head exploded, but Randolph was already in the air again. Moments later, a goblin’s head exploded, followed by a hobgoblin. Randolph had essentially replicated an eastern footwork technique known as Flying on Grass with aura as he bounded over the undead horde.
What precision! Is aura really this amazing? To think it could allow a human to move like this without magic. ．𝚌ｏ𝚖
Meanwhile, Theodore was closely analyzing Randolph’s movements. He had come across the concept of aura at the academy, but he had never seen it utilized at such a high level. Magic refined mana in the body, but aura was a method of strengthening one’s body. It was one of the main methods used by those without magic power. It was also the defining characteristic of Meltor’s neighbor and rival, the Andras Empire.
As the purest crystallization of strength, aura had been developed through an exhaustive study of battle. A skilled aura user could fight evenly with an advanced monster like an ogre, or break walls with a single sword.
“And the last one!”
Puhak!
Randolph leaped off the head of a troll zombie and landed on a tree branch. They had finally reached the forest behind the undead horde.
Randolph glanced over his right shoulder and said to Theo, “Directions are in your hands now, Employer. Guide me to the fastest path, even if the terrain is a little steep.”
“I understand,” Theo acknowledged.
He had frequently played in these forests as a child. It might have changed a little, but he knew where the cave in the report was. He drew a straight line in his head to the cave without consideration of what was in the way.
“Forty degrees to the left until you see a small cliff!”
Randolph shot off like an arrow. The undead passing below them never even noticed them. But even if they did, there was nothing they could do to the three people in the trees.
The trio’s counterattack began in the darkness.
***
The captain of the Wandering Wolves, Randolph, was worth every single piece of the three hundred gold he had been paid. He bounced between tree limbs and undead heads, scaled up small cliffs and waterfalls, and shortened an hour-long trip to a scant twenty minutes.
However, Theo’s face was grim. He estimated that he had seen close to ten thousand undead as they’d gone through the forest.
This is ridiculous. What did that warlock do to summon so many undead? Does this grimoire specialize in summoning?
He had already seen wyverns and ogres, both monsters that didn’t exist in this area. It was highly likely the bodies were summoned from elsewhere. There was even a chance the undead had been summoned directly from the Negative Dimension that was only available to outstanding warlocks. Theo didn’t feel like discounting anything when a grimoire was involved. After all, the warlock might have unlocked a seal that gave him access to the Negative Dimension.
“Hey, Employer.” Randolph landed lightly on the ground. “We’ve arrived at the target area. What are your next instructions?”
“… Put me down first.”
“Whoops, I forgot since you are so light.” Randolph’s grin broke through his serious facade.
Theodore and Sylvia had only been made lighter by magic, but Randolph showed no signs of exhaustion even after sprinting through the woods. Rather, it was Sylvia who was unsteady on her feet. She was feeling a little motion sick.
Theo walked calmly to the cave’s opening.
“View Mana Force.” Blue magic power flashed in his eyes.
The 2nd Circle magic allowed him to visualize mana, so he would be able to tell if the warlock was in the cave.
“Ack…?!” Darkness suddenly covered Theo’s field of vision.
He didn’t suffer any injuries from the sudden intrusion of dark mana into his eyes, but he hadn’t imagined that the dark mana would be dense enough to momentarily blind him.
Theo dispelled View Mana Force and wiped the sweat off his forehead. “I’m certain. They’re in there. The density of dark mana around the cave is proof enough. It can truly be called hell.”
If the warlock had left the cave, then Theo’s plan would have been an immediate failure. They would have to return to the Miller Barony and hope to evacuate before the warlock gathered his troops. He would also have to return the two hundred gold for the swords to Randolph.
Theo turned around. “Sylvia, how are you feeling?”
Sylvia stood straight. “I’m okay. I was just dizzy for a moment.”
He turned to Randolph. “Randolph, are your legs okay?”
Randolph grinned. “Of course. I couldn’t be a mercenary if I was tired already.”
Theo took a moment to think. It had been smooth sailing so far, but he wasn’t sure what would happen next. The warlock’s base was full of unknown variables, and he had no idea what he was walking into. Yet, at this crossroads of safety and the unknown, he took a step forward.
“Let’s go in.”
It had taken them too long to find this base. If the warlock discovered them, he would immediately try to escape with the undead. They couldn’t afford to take a step back.
“Randolph will take the lead, followed by me, and then Sylvia. Keep this formation as much as possible. If you encounter the warlock, then you can move freely.”
Sylvia nodded. “Yes, understood.”
Randolph stepped forward. “I understand.”
Theo hadn’t realized it, but the memories he obtained from Alfred had awakened his abilities as a commander. His companions naturally moved into formation around him, and Randolph took a step into the cave. Luckily, there was no need for them to carry separate tools like torches.
Theo murmured, “Light.”
Two balls of light appeared in the darkness, revealing the denizens of the cave. Indeed, not all the undead had been sent to fight.
[Rats…! You dare to… invade my residence…!] An ugly, distorted voice echoed through the cave.
It sounded inhuman, like a voice from the depths of hell. The dark mana pulsed around them, and Theodore’s party felt a chill creeping up their necks.
[You may have found my dwelling, but… you will never be able to make it out alive!] The wretched voice was filled with anger.
A burned orc warrior picked up an ax, and a direwolf zombie revealed its fangs. There was a sizable contingent of undead acting as guards.
[Kill…! And, die…]
However, Theodore just laughed. “I guess we made it in time.”
“Yes. Shall we make that fool shit himself while begging?” Randolph had also picked up on it.
Those who were convinced of their victory didn’t need to threaten their opponent. Indeed, they welcomed prey. Only those who sensed defeat would bark like this while asking the opponent not to approach.
“Let’s go.”
A crimson flame ignited in the palm of Theodore’s hand.