Chapter 83
Swoosh—
Layton swung his sword irritably, cutting down wave after wave of monsters that seemed endless.
No matter where they came from, the creatures kept coming, swarming in a maddening, relentless tide.
Fighting monsters was usually easier than his normal sword training, but when faced with such overwhelming numbers, it was a different story.
“Some of them are going to run out of stamina.”
Even well-trained knights couldn’t fight indefinitely without injury when surrounded like a hive of bees. The situation could easily lead to a large number of casualties.
Layton cast a glance at Calion, who wielded his sword as fiercely as he did.
Except for the still vigorous Calion Richard, everyone else looked exhausted.
“Your Grace! The monsters just won’t stop!”
The vice-captain of the emperor’s knights shouted as he cut down one of the charging monsters.
Layton glanced at him briefly, then wordlessly severed another monster’s neck.
Stepping in seamlessly, Calion slashed down the monsters behind the vice-captain and said,
“We can’t let them break through here. Beyond this point lies the Academy.”
They could not allow harm to reach the students at the Academy.
Layton shot a quick look at Calion, silently acknowledging that he had spoken what Layton wanted to say. Calion met Layton’s cold stare and inclined his head in acknowledgment.
“Should we request support from the Academy? Even a few mages…”
The vice-captain’s uncertain suggestion drew Layton’s sharp gaze.
“Is that the best you can do? Are the Imperial Knights really so helpless against a few monsters?”
Calion froze in surprise at the insult to the Imperial Knights. Layton ignored it and cut down the monster charging straight at him, issuing a chilling warning.
“If you can’t handle this, then maybe dying here wouldn’t be so bad.”
The vice-captain could only fall silent.
Layton Zains’ swordsmanship was overwhelming.
Monsters filled the plains before the Academy, yet few remained standing near Layton. Those felled by his blade began to pile up like a small mountain.
He was terrifyingly ruthless, capable of handling the entire swarm alone if necessary.
The vice-captain could do nothing but focus on his own enemies.
‘Useless.’
Layton frowned at the knights’ weak attempts and empty complaints.
Only Prince Richard and the dukes’ knights accompanying him were of any use.
Calion Richard wielded a sword skillfully, and if the duke’s knights hadn’t been present, many would have died. At times, it was easier for Layton to handle things alone.
He looked toward the Academy, plunging his sword into a monster’s belly. A little more retreat, and they’d reach the Academy. He couldn’t let those fools endanger Ail.
Monsters charging Layton fell one after another at his feet.
“Why didn’t you call me? If you had, one gesture would have solved this, and you only made things worse.”
Late evening.
At the frontlines before the Academy, a hastily erected tent served as the resting place for the monster-slaying squad.
Layton sat slouched on a creaking iron cot inside the largest tent.
Gaia, summoned late, grumbled beside him, but he ignored her, lost in thought.
“Slashing these insignificant monsters is pointless busywork. Why waste my time on this foolishness?”
“Watch your mouth,” Gaia snapped, but she didn’t seem likely to stop.
She was irritated at being left out of the recent bloody battle.
“This isn’t the time to waste on them. A tainted magic has spread across the Empire. This is only the prelude to a massive war.”
“Do they think we don’t know?”
“They know. That’s the problem. Wasting time here solves nothing. We need to neutralize them and find the source of the magic. Countless demons vanished, under Geist’s control, in the demon realm.”
Gaia had counted them one by one before giving up. Though the war was advantageous in some ways, being caught in Geist’s schemes was unbearable.
She knew Geist’s cruelty intimately—he was like a twin of herself in ruthlessness.
Whoever foolishly contracted with Geist had placed the Empire in grave danger—possibly greater than during its founding.
Layton had to move swiftly. Delay would mean falling into Geist’s trap.
Gaia cared little if anyone else died. Death was familiar to her as a demon, but she had a vested interest in Layton. If Selene Bennett died, Layton might abandon their contract entirely. That was unacceptable.
Her calculations complete, Gaia sauntered toward Layton, the heavy scent of roses nearly intoxicating him.
Her red hair swept to one side, she sat beside him, crossing her legs gracefully.
“Layton. Don’t waste your time on trivial matters. Remember why we made this contract.”
Layton’s handsome face twisted. Finally turning toward her, he was met with her alluring smile.
“Revenge. That’s your goal, isn’t it?”
True. Revenge had driven Layton through the agony of madness and the desperate survival of the Zains house.
He had dreamed of dragging those who ruined his family into hell alongside him. He had even contracted with a demon for that single goal.
And for the first time, he regretted it.
“…So perhaps I never even get the chance.”
“Hmm? What do you mean? The chance? Revenge?”
Gaia prattled, but Layton rose with a grunt and strode out of the tent.
The plains were dark, the scent of blood from the slain monsters overwhelming. The smell, metallic and pungent, reminded him of himself, so he removed his uniform jacket.
The cold night air did little to deter him; in fact, it sharpened his focus.
‘Revenge… I’d forgotten it for a while.’
Layton realized he’d let go of the obsession that had guided him every day of his life. Though strange, it felt good.
The Empire was rife with ominous magic, as Gaia had warned. The taint from the northern mines was stirring nearby.
He needed to secure the area quickly and then confront Geist and his contractor.
Layton pulled out the vial containing the Titiano flower elixir for Selene from his coat pocket.
The moon was rising, nearing full. He thought of Selene’s gentle smile, and a faint smile appeared on his otherwise expressionless face.
He needed to return quickly—to a warm, safe haven.
Clutching the vial tightly, he thought of Selene’s lovable, radiant smile awaiting him.
