Chapter 113

‘According to legend, a complex ritual process is needed to truly tame monsters.’

‘But we don’t have much time, and taming monsters isn’t our objective, so we need to figure out another method.’

‘There is a temporary measure we can use to hold back the monsters.’

When the Spinelle tribe soldiers of the Pink Marten private army agreed to help with this matter, the first thing Wilhelm and I worried about was neutralizing the monsters.

Monsters were difficult to defeat physically because their hides were tough. Also, it was hard to predict the numbers that would attack, similar to the wyvern swarm earlier.

Since it would be difficult to defeat every monster that charged at us, we looked for another method.

The result was what was happening now.

Drops of blood streamed down from the hands of Wilhelm and the Spinelle tribe soldiers.

Meanwhile, the Silver Wolf Knights were engaging the monsters that had emerged onto the ground, restraining their movement.

“Don’t let them go back into the ground!”

“Ugh! Keep pushing!”

Due to their enormous size, it took three knights per monster just to prevent them from retreating underground.

At that moment, a Spinelle tribe soldier, his hand stained with blood, approached the monster.

A red streak was drawn across the body of the restrained monster. He had smeared his own blood onto the monster’s body.

“What…?”

A knight who was holding the monster asked in surprise.

Although they had been briefed on the operation when a monster appeared, they were unaware of the specific details.

Even I, who knew the situation, found the sight bizarre.

Some were smearing blood onto the monster’s body, while others were dropping their own blood into the monster’s mouth.

The awkward atmosphere among the knights lasted only briefly. Before long, the effect of this peculiar act became apparent.

The monster, which had been moving violently enough to shake the ground, suddenly froze as if it had turned into a stone statue.

Some knights’ eyes widened at the astonishing sight.

“…Wow.”

A small exclamation represented the feelings of everyone present.

Then, Vice-Commander Kroel shouted loudly.

“What are you doing not beheading the monster!”

At the ringing sound, the knights’ discipline returned. The startled knights moved swiftly.

The moment they were about to cut the throat of the immobilized monster.

“Stop!”

People came rushing toward us from behind the monster swarm.

They were ordinary people, unarmed.

‘What is this?’

They tried to prevent the knights from harming the monsters, even pushing away the knights who were pointing their swords at them.

The human at the front of the group cried out, practically wailing at us.

“How dare mere humans lay hands on the divine punishment sent by the Demon God!”

Their identity was quickly revealed by that one sentence.

‘Fanatics.’

I scrutinized the humans lined up as if to block the monsters. There were no Spinelle tribe members among them.

“What’s wrong with these people?”

“P-please step aside!”

The knights hesitated in front of dozens of fanatics.

It was understandable, as they were people who had lived without a major war since the Empire unified the continent.

They were seasoned in monster subjugation, but they could not easily use force against people, especially unarmed civilians.

Seeing the knights hesitate and unable to harm them, the fanatics grew more aggressive.

“Accept the divine punishment! Only that is your salvation…”

Slice!

At that moment, the fanatic who was speaking loudly had his neck cleanly dropped to the ground.

Vice-Commander Kroel lightly shook the blood off his sword and said flatly in a measured voice.

“Collect yourselves. These are not civilians, but traitors!”

“…Heeek!”

The head rolling on the ground, the pool of blood staining the dirt, and Kroel’s declaration.

A few fanatics who belatedly grasped the situation were terrified and collapsed to the ground.

Those who had been shouting about divine punishment and salvation moments ago began to beg in a craven and pitiful manner when faced with death.

“P-please spare us!”

“We were only following the P-Pope’s orders!”

Of course, there were some among them whose attitude didn’t change.

“Ha, ha ha! Will you kill me?! Death is the glory of the Demon God… Aaah!”

The heads of those who were deeply immersed in the Urkel Cult and charged forward without thinking were severed one by one.

Following orders, the knights silently wielded their swords. However, they clearly weren’t unaffected by the killing, as I could see the psychological shock on some of the knights.

Some bit their lower lips until they bled while swinging their swords, and others looked up at the sky in despair after striking.

And when only those begging for their lives remained, they could not swing their swords any further.

“…”

“…Nine.”

Given the situation, Nine also could not give further commands.

He watched the battlefield with somber eyes, then walked forward, raised his sword, and casually sliced the air.

The crescent moon-shaped blade aura I had seen through the communication crystal flew through the battleground and easily severed the neck of the monster in the center.

“Aaaargh!”

Meanwhile, the fanatics began to crawl away, fleeing. Naturally, no one chased after them.

‘Should I be glad that they ran away on their own?’

If they had remained, the knights’ morale would have been even more crushed than it was now.

I looked around.

The damage from the monster’s surprise attack was significant, and the atmosphere was poor due to the knights’ psychological shock.

Nine ordered them to rest and summoned the commanding officers back to the tent.

In the heavy atmosphere, Norman was the first to speak.

“If we don’t finish this quickly, the damage to both sides will increase.”

Everyone nodded in agreement with his statement. I added my opinion.

“First, we need to identify the Pope. Even if we subdue all the followers, it’ll be meaningless if he slips away.”

Since this was also obvious, everyone agreed.

But how?

Then, Iris tentatively raised her hand.

“Um… wouldn’t the Pope be in the safest place?”

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on her. Iris flinched but bravely stated her opinion.

“I think the Pope is most likely in Laurel Mansion. So, it would be best to infiltrate the main mansion and confirm his identity.”

Iris swallowed hard and continued.

“I want to take on that role.”

“Excuse me?”

Norman asked in surprise, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d heard.

Not only him, but everyone looked at her with astonished eyes.

If, as Iris suggested, they infiltrated the main mansion and obtained the Pope’s identity, the tide of this war would significantly turn.

However, no one could easily speak up.

It was too dangerous for Iris to undertake alone.

If that’s the case.

“Then I will go with you. Two people will be better than one going alone.”

“Duchess!”

Nine called my name in a heavy voice.

Before I could say anything, Kroel stepped forward first.

“I agree. Since both of you are delicate ladies, you won’t arouse suspicion.”

At his words, Nine and Norman’s glares sharpened fiercely.

However, Kroel casually ignored their stares and continued.

“Furthermore, the Duchess is skilled in quick thinking and can handle a sword, so I believe she is more suitable for this operation than anyone else.”

‘Oh.’

I had only seen his usually slick demeanor, so this was an unexpected side of him.

My trust in him increased for having the audacity to say what needed to be said despite receiving Nine’s glare.

‘A person who can offer honest advice without worrying about others’ reactions is an essential talent.’

Nine’s face clearly showed his displeasure, but this was a battle that was already won.

Iris and I went to the tent and changed our hair and eye color with a magic potion.

Soon, competent scouts brought us the maid uniforms of Count Laurel’s family.

As I changed clothes with her, I casually asked something I was curious about.

“Why did you volunteer? Actually, there are also female knights, even if you didn’t step forward, Iris.”

“I don’t want to leave everything to others. It’s my parents’ territory, after all…”

The Iris in the original story was always the one receiving help from others.

She didn’t show any other special abilities until the very end, either.

But the current her looked a little different.

I actually liked her since I read the original. Some readers called her frustrating for having no special abilities, but I disagreed.

A kind heart and strong will.

I believed these two were her greatest weapons.

My conviction was solidified after meeting her in person.

Although the start wasn’t good, I wanted to cheer her on.

And…

“Iris.”

“Yes?”

Iris looked back at me with clear eyes. I smiled and said to her.

“Shall we speak informally?”

Could we be friends now?