Episode 41

Division and Unity (1)

While the soldiers were finishing off the monsters that were still alive, Albert followed his father’s orders and gathered the Aura warriors.

There were 12 Aura warriors in Glaiman territory, including the Baron himself.

Ernolf left out the Baron and a warrior named Geoffroy who was at Bujoni Castle.

“Until Geoffroy joins us, we’ll have to fight with 11 people.”

“I’ll help until Geoffroy returns.”

“No, sir. Please head to Bujoni Castle and send backup while we hold off Paragol.”

The route to Bujoni Castle passed near Paragol, making it too dangerous for ordinary people. Only Baron Glaiman, an Aura warrior, could manage it safely.

Ernolf also asked the alchemist from Kashion’s mercenary group to make as many potions as possible — stamina potions, awakeners, and healing potions — and keep supplying them.

“Understood. I’ll take care of it.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“No need to thank me. You’re the ones risking your lives to save the people — you deserve the thanks.”

Although Ernolf was just a young boy, Baron Glaiman didn’t try to assert his authority. He knew that without Ernolf and Khazar’s help, they couldn’t possibly defeat Paragol.

After roughly organizing the team, Ernolf explained how to hunt Paragol. In the meantime, Paragol was causing more destruction in Bujoni, killing many. But they had no choice — without a master-level Aura user or a high-level mage, they had to understand the hunting method properly.

“You all know about Paragol’s sonic attack. Normal people can’t resist it, but those who can use Aura or Mana can block it with shields. The real problem is this—”

Ernolf pointed to the center of Paragol’s shell, drawn in a sand tray.

“Paragol creates strong electricity from here. First, it stuns targets with a sound wave, then electrocutes them. That’s how it hunts.”

“So the weird noise isn’t all it does?”

“Electricity too…?”

The team groaned when they heard Paragol used electricity.

“There are two types of electric attacks. One sends out waves to shock everything nearby. The other strikes lightning at specific spots, burning them.”

Ernolf explained calmly. The knights now looked too shocked to even complain.

“The wave isn’t as strong as lightning, but one person alone can’t block it.”

In other words, only advanced shields could withstand the wave.

“Is there a way to avoid it?”

“No. You have to take it head-on.”

“Didn’t you just say we can’t withstand it?”

“Well… if we layer shields, we might survive. You’ve practiced that, right?”

One of the warriors added:

“Ah, that. Layering shields from the inside out, right?”

Luckily, the group was full of experienced fighters, so they understood quickly. They were short on people, but there was still hope.

“If we have at least three intermediate Aura warriors, or six beginners, we can block the wave. Also, the farther you are from the center of the wave, the weaker the shock. So if you’re alone, try to stay far away.”

“The real issue is the lightning.”

Baron Glaiman said. Ernolf nodded.

“Maybe if we stick close to the monster, it won’t strike itself?”

Ernolf had thought of that too. According to what he read in the divine archives:

“Paragol can knock off nearby enemies with a wave, then strike with lightning.”

“That thing’s full of tricks.”

It wasn’t going to be an easy fight.

“Can’t we predict where the lightning will hit?”

“Even if we can, it’s too powerful to stop.”

“So we’re just supposed to die?”

The group asked and answered among themselves before going quiet. Their eyes turned to Ernolf — this was when they needed a mage most.

“When it’s about to use a wave, a blue light appears in the center of its back and moves down. When it’s going to strike lightning, the light gathers at the spot it’ll hit. That’s your warning.”

But as someone else pointed out, knowing the spot doesn’t help if they can’t block it.

“Try to dodge first. But if not, gather and form a shield. I’ll stack mine on top to help.”

Everyone looked a bit relieved after that.

“One warning — if someone falls behind, you must shield up without waiting. Any delay puts everyone in danger.”

“So we leave people behind?”

“Can you save them if you wait?”

Ernolf asked back. The answer was “no.” If they waited, they’d all die together.

“No matter who it is — even nobles — leave them behind if they fall. That’s how we keep the rest alive.”

Ernolf mentioned rank because he was thinking about the Baron’s sons. Everyone glanced at Baron Glaiman.

“No matter which of my sons falls behind, do not hesitate. That’s an order.”

The group became solemn. Then one knight looked at Khazar and asked:

“Sir Ernolf, what if your brother falls behind? Will you leave him too?”

Khazar scoffed.

“Why would I fall behind like an idiot?”

He believed he wouldn’t, and even if everyone else abandoned him, his brother wouldn’t.

But Ernolf gave a cold answer:

“No exceptions. Shield up without hesitation.”

Khazar glared fiercely at Ernolf, who pretended not to notice.

“Now, let’s talk about how to kill it. Paragol is a strong monster, but it has weaknesses. We’ll target those.”

Its weakness appears when it’s flipped over. In water, this wouldn’t work — but luckily, Paragol was on land now.

“Its breathing organs are on its back. If we flip it, its organs will press against the lungs, making it hard to breathe.”

Then it can’t use sonic attacks. More importantly, its weakest part will be exposed.

“How do we flip that huge thing? Even all of us together couldn’t do it.”

“I can do it alone. Don’t worry about that.”

On the riverbank (unlike the dam), Ernolf could use earth magic. As long as his Manaheart held up, he could flip it multiple times.

“Its shell is tall, but its legs are short. Even with six legs, it’s useless when flipped.”

“Then it’s over once we flip it?”

“No. It has a trick. It stretches its neck to push with its head and flip itself back. That’s when we strike. Its weak spot gets exposed then.”

Ernolf pointed to the joint between the neck and torso — the softest part of its body.

“Focus all attacks there.”

Attacking other spots would do nothing. But here, the skin was thin, and that’s where its monster core was.

“Even so, it won’t be easy. But this is our only option.”

If they had an Aura Master or a powerful mage, the fight would be over quickly. But now, they had to fight hard and risk their lives to cut through its neck.

“To dodge its attacks and hit it right, we need coordination. But as you know, we don’t have time to train.”

Everyone nodded. The damage in Bujoni was getting worse by the minute. If Paragol reached the castle, it would be catastrophic.

After giving the full plan, Ernolf divided the 11 warriors into two teams. He made Gaston, the commander of the Cleron Dam guard, and Thomas, the captain of Glaiman Castle, the leaders. He also set a backup chain of command in case the leaders died. Everything was nearly ready.

“This might be our last battle. If you have any final words, tell the attendants. They’ll write and deliver them.”

As soon as Ernolf said that, the warriors went to the attendants to leave their final messages to family and friends.

Meanwhile, Ernolf walked onto the balcony. Khazar was already there, watching Paragol rampage in Bujoni.

“Go away. I don’t want to talk to you.”

Khazar snapped as soon as Ernolf stepped out. Ernolf calmly closed the door and stood next to him. Khazar moved away, but Ernolf followed. Eventually, Khazar got angry when he was cornered.

“Have I ever left you behind? And now you say that?”

“Khazar—”

“That’s what you say to your only brother?!”

As Khazar yelled, Ernolf thought back on everything they’d been through.

In the mines with monsters and Lechaka, when they escaped, when Khazar was sick and near death — he never gave up on Ernolf.

When they destroyed the temple in Talyssa, or faced overwhelming enemies at the Sarafi Empire fortress — Khazar always protected him.

‘He’s only 14. Of course he’s hurt. I said something cruel.’

Ernolf had promised himself he’d protect Khazar until they returned to their original world. That hadn’t changed.

“Khazar… if I try to protect only you, no one else will fight with us. So—”

“I don’t care if everyone else gets eaten by Paragol. If you’re in danger, I’ll save you no matter what. And you? You lost your memory and your heart too? You damn hero-wannabe.”

Khazar shoved Ernolf hard and stormed off.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not throwing away my life to be some noble hero. I just… I don’t want you—”

“If everyone hates you for saving me, will you still do it?”

“I…”

“Then shut up.”

Ernolf had no answer. Khazar clenched his teeth and left the balcony.

“Haah…”

Ernolf sighed and followed. Outside, the team was ready.

Baron Glaiman finished saying goodbye to his wife and joined them. He looked at each warrior as if memorizing their faces. Then he spoke heavily:

“Only unity and teamwork can bring us hope. Once we cross the river, we’ll join Bujoni’s forces. Forget all past conflicts and focus only on defeating that monster!”

At that moment, Paragol roared amid the red flames and black smoke. The sound reached all the way to Glaiman.

“Let’s go!”

Baron Glaiman shouted powerfully.