kscans

Chapter 207 - The Unknown West

About three hours after departing from the border base.

The previous battle had been a landslide victory for the humans.

They had cut down the monsters that stood in their way, and when their numbers dropped by half, the creatures had quickly retreated.

The general stopped the adventurers and soldiers who were about to give chase. "Leave them be. We will follow the monsters and locate their lair!"

The general's forces tailed them, careful not to lose sight.

However, the path was winding, with large boulders scattered everywhere, making it difficult to follow. As expected, they lost them, but they advanced based on a rough estimate of their direction.

And now, at present...

The general ordered, "Alright, we'll rest here. The soldiers will take turns on watch. Report anything immediately."

With that, everyone took a break, keeping a slight distance from one another.

Resting in a spot a little ways off, I asked Tina, "Come to think of it, I've never been past this point. How vast is this area?"

In response to my question, Tina spread out a map. "The Empire we're in is in the northern part of the continent. The border is in the northwest. We're probably around here."

She pointed to a spot on the map.

Looking at the map, I saw that nothing was drawn west of that point. "Is there a map of what's beyond here?"

Tina replied, "No. It's not that I don't have one; one doesn't exist. You see, everything from here on is uncharted territory. It's said that once you set foot in it, you'll never return. Well, there are rumors that bands of thieves sometimes use it as a good hiding spot. None of them have ever come back."

At her words, I wondered, "Why go to such a place? It seems like it would be easy enough to get there, not just from the border but from other places too."

I looked at the map again.

To go west, one could cross not only the border but also the vast forest of the Church or the mountainous region of the Kingdom. The western territories were accessible if one wanted to go.

But would even thieves go to such lengths?

"Usually, it's because they've gone too far," Tina explained. "They've not only robbed merchants but also picked fights with other bands of thieves and earned their grudge. The ones who do that are usually just thugs who don't operate in an organized fashion. And those types have no awareness of how dangerous the west truly is. Because they don't believe it."

Her expression was one of exasperation.

It was true. No matter how much you tell someone a place is dangerous, they'll just scoff, "Don't lump me in with them." And the fate of those who say such things is always the same.

Self-destruction. Or maybe it's just deserts? If they disappear, not only ordinary people but also adventurers and even fellow thieves won't look for them, and eventually, their existence is forgotten.

"I have another question," I said. "Why has no one ever investigated or explored it? They might find something incredibly rare."

To this, Tina replied, "Just as you say, Shinsuke, adventurers have gone there several times in the past to find new things or unknown monsters. Those who challenged it were experienced B-rank and A-rank adventurers, but they never returned."

She closed her eyes.

It was a truly dangerous region. Humans were overwhelmingly lacking in the power needed to set foot there.

"Still, rumors do circulate from time to time," Tina continued. "For example, you encountered a Minotaur a year ago, right? It's thought that it might have come from the west."

I tilted my head. "But it's considered a high-ranking monster, isn't it? Hasn't it been confirmed?"

Tina looked at me straight on. "It has been confirmed, but only through a few past sightings. Several skilled adventurers and knights have gone to investigate and subjugate it, but they were defeated and wiped out. After that, it would disappear for a while. You, Shinsuke, were the first to successfully defeat one."

I scratched my head. "I didn't defeat it. I wounded it badly, but it got away. I failed as a hunter."

My gaze drifted into the distance.

"Still, you should be proud," Tina said with gentle eyes. "You accomplished something no one else could."

As we were talking, a voice interrupted us. "You two seem quite relaxed. Are you not nervous?"

It was General Goltor who had approached us.

Tina and I started to stand, but the general stopped us. "Ah, stay as you are. I just wanted to talk for a bit. Mind if I join you?"

He sat down.

Those around us glanced over but made no move to get involved.

"Are you here to talk about the current operation?" I asked.

"That's right," the general said. "We absolutely cannot fail this mission. The fate of every nation is hanging in the balance."

Tina asked, "What do you mean by that?"

The general took a deep breath. "The rulers of each nation have launched a counteroffensive to break the current stalemate. However, it's a battle to buy time. They believe that the root cause of everything lies in the monsters' den at the border, and they are fighting with faith in our victory."

At this bold move by the other nations, I said, "So the situation was that dire. A loss here means certain death. A rather drastic measure to take."

The general's face was grim. "Honestly, the plan was to wait until we found the monsters' lair, but we've run out of time. I know it's a reckless battle, but... there's no turning back now."

At his resolute words, I replied, "I understand. Staying on the defensive won't change anything. We have no choice but to bet everything on this gamble. I will give it my all."

Tina's eyes burned with fire. "The same goes for me. Leona and the others are undoubtedly fighting in the Kingdom. For their sake, we must end this."

Her former comrades were fighting hard. It was only natural for her fighting spirit to ignite.

"Thank you," the general said, giving us a nod. "I expect great things from you two, and from everyone else as well."

Just then, a whistle pierced the air.

"Enemy attack! Monsters are approaching from the west!"

Everyone grabbed their weapons and took up defensive positions.

We, too, readied our hammer and spear. The visible monsters were Goblins and Lizardmen, Fighter Monkeys, and several Goblins dressed as knights or carrying staves and hats.

An adventurer muttered, breaking out in a cold sweat, "Goblin Knights and Goblin Mages... I don't see any Lizardman Hunters, but why are there so many..."

I was familiar with Goblin Knights, but I'd never seen a Goblin Mage before. I remembered hearing they weren't high-ranking, but they were strong enough to give even B-rank adventurers a hard time.

"I used Detection," I said with a sigh. "There are a few hiding behind the main group of monsters. Probably Skeletons, just like before. They have no intention of joining the fight."

They hadn't fought at all in the last battle either. I had no idea why they were even there.

Tina said, "I was curious and attacked them, but it had no effect on the other monsters. We can probably ignore them. Skeletons aren't a threat anyway."

As she spoke, flames erupted from her spear, incinerating five Goblins.

"You're right," I said. "Let's focus on what's in front of us!"

I slammed my hammer into the ground, causing spears of earth to erupt and impale five Goblins.

The adventurers were fighting hard against the approaching horde.

The enemy's composition was the same as always, but we couldn't let our guard down. What's more, Goblin Mages had appeared. They used magic to attack from a distance, making them more troublesome than archers. The rule of thumb was to take them out first if they appeared.

However, to reach them, we had to get through not only the Goblins but also the Lizardmen and Fighter Monkeys. If we were attacked during that time, we'd be finished.

An adventurer shouted, "Damn it! Magicians, target the Goblin Mages!"

He gave the order to the magicians in the rear.

"Understood!" a magician replied. "Please protect us while we chant!"

He began his incantation.

The adventurers acknowledged and moved to protect them, but it was a moment too late.

A Lizardman had closed in on the magicians. Its sword swung down. They couldn't even block it, let alone dodge.

Everyone thought they were dead. But the sword never reached its target.

The general had blocked the Lizardman with his Great Hammer.

And then, with a roar, "Hrrrrraaaaaagggghhh!"

He sent the Lizardman flying back with brute force.

As the Lizardman tumbled to the ground, the general shouted, "Be crushed!"

He brought down his lightning-wreathed Great Hammer.

The Lizardman couldn't avoid it and became its victim. Its upper body was pulverized, and while its lower half thrashed about, it gradually weakened.

After confirming its death, the general issued his commands. "Soldiers, protect the magicians! Knights and adventurers, defensive formation! Be wary of the Goblin Mages' attacks!"

The adventurers formed up without question.

The Goblin Mages unleashed their magic. Three fireballs sailed over the monster horde toward the adventurers. The magicians' incantations weren't finished, and they had no way to intercept them.

The adventurers prepared to defend, ready to take the hit, but the other monsters chose that moment to attack. Do they have no fear? I wondered at their frenzied assault. Just when they thought they were dead...

Five fireballs of the same size came flying from the left.

They canceled out the Goblin Mages' spell. The remaining two flew off somewhere.

"They say if you shoot enough, you'll hit something. My accuracy isn't that great, though."

It was me, my right fist thrust forward. I had seen the Goblin Mages' attack and countered with my own fire magic.

Tina, gathering her magic, cried out, "There's an opening!"

She focused wind magic into her feet and leaped over the monster horde.

Landing behind the Goblin Mages, she roared, "Haaaaaaaaaaaa!"

She swung her spear in a wide arc, slicing through three of them.

"I can't let you show me up!" I shouted.

I grabbed my hammer with both hands and charged into the monsters.

I pulverized any monster that caught my eye with a single blow, making my way toward Tina so she wouldn't be isolated.

The general yelled, "Follow those two!"

With a shout, he too charged into the fray.

The adventurers and knights also charged, and the magicians, having completed their incantations, unleashed their spells all at once, dealing a massive blow to the monsters.