Children of the Holy Emperor Chapter 209

209. Lycan Slope Road (3)

Dull bravery is like a blind spear that stabs its allies.

Wise valor is the guiding light for your allies.

purple! The meaningless struggle of that black demon species.

Even a rain of arrows couldn’t stop him from running.

The blades of the branches cannot reach his armor.

Eventually, the young warrior raised his shining sword… … .

“The tree monster shot him with an arrow? Why does the arrow try to stop the warrior?”

Laurent let go of his lyre and sighed in response to the little boy’s question.

“It was in the song earlier, right? Of course, it was the Wolf Knights who fired the arrow. but… … .”

“mom! This guy is stupid! “The Wolf Knights are shooting arrows at our warriors!”

The only listener, a sniveling little boy, jumps up from his seat and runs towards a woman. He was the owner of the bar who allowed Laurent to sit down.

She clicked her tongue slightly at the downcast bard.

“It’s nice to hear free songs, but is it okay if I have to pay like that every time?”

“That’s right. “I heard that the people here really welcome bards.”

“Well, since the time is right, no one drinks alcohol in the evening these days.”

The interior of Sigismund’s estate was in disarray. News of the large-scale southward migration of the demonic beasts has spread, and the head of the guard is in the process of forming his unit by selecting combatants step by step.

The residents of the territory were busy locking doors when the sun went down, and it was highly unlikely that anyone would have the time to ask for a bard’s song in such an atmosphere.

The reason I’ve been doing nothing lately is probably not just because Laurent’s song sucks.

“So, who is that great warrior in the song?”

The woman asked while stroking the head of the little boy hanging on the hem of her skirt.

“Didn’t I tell you before? “It is me, the prince of the empire.”

“Then when will you, the prince, meet the blue-eyed girl?”

“… yes?”

“Isn’t that what you’re singing now? ‘The Wandering Prince and the Blue-Eyed Maid.’”

“no… … .”

They are His Majesty the current Emperor and Empress. And now the hero of this story is not Him, but His Fourth Son… … .

Laurent, who was thinking a lot in his head, soon sighed.

Do I really need an explanation? No matter how much he saw the qualities of a great hero, Prince Mores was still just a bastard prince who was not even recognized by these people.

“Come on, let’s sing the prince’s love song. “In the past, my heart fluttered when I heard songs about great heroes, but as I’ve gotten older, I really like stories about unfamiliar love these days.”

“But my love songs are still lacking. With all my pride as a bard, such a poor song… … .”

“If you play me a great song, I’ll give you a drink in return.”

The free alcohol had no artistic spirit or anything.

Laurent sang ‘The Wandering Prince and the Blue-Eyed Maid’ in front of her, followed by ‘The Genius Swordsman and the Fair-Blonde Princess’, and finally his latest work, ‘The Genius Wandering Swordsman and the Moon Maid’.

The golden crocuses bloom and fall, and the owl mourns all night long.

Tiriring.

When the sad tune ended, the woman clapped her hands with a satisfied look on her face.

It’s a song that is evaluated as being cliché, but proven clichés always work somewhere.

“Dear Lady of the Moon, it’s been a while since I heard a good song. It really reminds me of ‘Princess Lycanslope’, which I used to listen to often. “The princess also said that she couldn’t forget the dead knight and waited for him all her life.”

That was a great love song too. The woman memorized that.

Then Laurent opened his eyes and asked again.

“Lycan Slope? “Isn’t that just a witch?”

The love between a demon princess and a human, such a scary story?

But towards Laurent, who was disgusted, the woman clicked her tongue.

“After all, outsiders don’t know. According to the story that has been passed down here since ancient times, the original Lycan Slopes were not crazy beasts like that.”

“… “You’re saying it wasn’t a witch?”

“okay. Those lowly bastards who are currently wandering around the devil are inferior beings who have lost their sanity and have become complete beasts. It is said that the original lycan slope closely resembles a human. It is said that they were a noble race of people who had been visiting this land consistently since the era of the three ancient dragons. “It is said that the princess who fell in love with the human knight was also an elegant and beautiful woman with almond-colored eyes.”

“This is the first time I’ve heard anything like that.”

The idea of ​​a different race similar to humans was something that Laurent, a bard, had never heard before as he traveled around the continent and heard many stories.

Then the woman hit him hard on the back and giggled.

“Well, that’s because the priests won’t sit still if such a story spreads. They say that this story is not in the scriptures and that it is all a trick of the devil. “You can’t just talk about the past and get handed over to the Heresy Tribunal, right?”

“I see.”

When Laurent nodded, the woman whispered to him as if she were revealing a big secret.

“You played three great songs, so I guess I’ll tell you this too. Do you understand? According to the story, the descendants of the Lycan Slope are still alive and well somewhere on the continent. “A real lycanthrope with wolves as its servants.”

“… “A wolf?”

“okay. The real Lycan Slope uses wolves as freely as if they were limbs.”

* * *

Kkkkkkkkk!

The wolf-dog bared its teeth and barked toward the north. It was not the northwest snowfield they were heading towards, but the direction of the glacier canyon.

Since he was clearly on alert, Seongjin calmly concentrated his energy in the direction Max was facing.

But other than the increasingly heavy snowfall, there was no sign of anything special.

“Do you know what’s over there, Max?”

When I asked that question and stroked his head, Max stuck out his tongue and waggled his tail.

It’s like, you know? know? It seemed like he was saying this, and for some reason, Seongjin felt uneasy.

“Lowering.”

At that time, Orden came to Seongjin’s side.

It appears to be wearing simple armor designed for mobility, with two swords on its waist and several javelins on its back. It was probably basic equipment for hunting demonic beasts.

“From now on, the ice wall gets thicker and thicker. Since horses cannot move, from now on we will have to move only on foot.”

As they said, in front of them stood a thick wall of ice with a gap so low and narrow that two people could barely move. Up to 400 troops are trying to pass through that narrow gate one after another, creating a severe bottleneck.

On the way here, we passed through high ice walls and wooden fences several times, but from now on, we are faced with truly terrifying ice walls built to defend against monster beasts.

“It is an extremely cold area that even carts cannot pass through. As a result, the bases on the ice wall are absolutely short of supplies. It will never be an environment worthy of you living in. So, can you please think again?”

Orden had already dissuaded Seongjin from coming to the battlefield several times.

Of course, Orden himself knew better that Prince Mores had great skills, contrary to rumors. Nevertheless, whether he could safely leave him in the close combat area of ​​the demonic realm was another matter.

The prince is a member of the noble family of the Holy Emperor and is Amelia’s beloved younger brother.

Just in case he ends up in danger.

‘Amel will never see me again!’

Just thinking about that made Orden feel like his heart was breaking.

But Seongjin, who looked at him blankly for a moment, shook his head.

“I don’t expect any extravagant treatment from others on the base.”

“But you. There is no need for you to take any risks. We appreciate your willingness to share in Yeongji’s hardships, but please consider our position as we cannot take him to a dangerous area. “You can still easily return to the territory now.”

okay. It’s not that I don’t understand his position.

Orden probably doesn’t think of Seongjin and his group as a meaningful force.

As for the number of people Seongjin has now, there are only four resident knights, including Lord Masain, and two paladin knights.

Of course, Sir Masain and Sir Maria are rare high-level knights, but they are hothouse knights of the ecliptic with no experience in hunting demonic beasts. If you consider it as an overall force, it would not be a very meaningful force.

“But Archduke. “I have to stay on the battlefield for the time being.”

Because the Lilium contingent led by Logan will come here to pick me up.

A Lilium detachment would be a meaningful force. He must have faced all the sea waters of the continent, and that included the demonic beasts of the Demon World.

Above all, our Logan is the second coming of General Gael Bertran, the final sword of Ortona. He is the youngest sword master!

“… “You mean the Lilium Detachment?”

When Orden was taken aback by the unexpected news, Seongjin smiled with confidence.

“okay. I called you to come over before leaving here. It’s a direct call from the prince, and the margrave is already on the battlefield. So now, even if the detachment comes here, the Margrave won’t be able to say anything, right?”

The Margrave was very uncomfortable with Logan’s stay and had a history of expelling him from the estate.

However, they say that they have personally brought the prince to the battlefield for his safety, but will Margrave Sigismund dare to stop them?

Since I’m on the battlefield, I’ll do some subjugation of demonic beasts, send a threat to the Margrave to stop selling medicinal tea, and help Young Ji-min to raise his reputation.

After hearing the explanation, Orden barely seemed to understand.

“I understand, sir. Then, from now on, you should never leave your safe zone. “If you think it’s dangerous, evacuate first.”

“okay. “I’ll be careful.”

Seongjin also had no intention of coming forward for no reason.

I just want to sit quietly in the safe base and watch the battle between Lycanslope and the Wolf Knights.

I wanted to see with my own eyes the battle of the magic beast experts that Sisley was so impressed with. I’m also curious about the difference between the boss mob I met in the labyrinth and the lycan slope in the demon world.

However, in response to Seongjin’s obedient answer, Orden looked very suspicious.

“Is it for real this time? “Your Majesty says you are careful, but I have never seen you properly protect yourself.”

Ah, on the topic of Orden!

This simple ignorant guy figured out so much in such a short period of time?

It was only when the sun was setting that Seongjin and his party were finally able to pass through the ice wall.

“I’ve only heard about it, but seeing it in person is truly majestic.”

Lord Martha shrugged his shoulders and lifted his head like a turtle, exclaiming. The entrance was so narrow that he, who was tall, could not even stand properly.

The ice wall was so thick that it took quite a long time for them to pass through the tunnel-like entrance.

“This is still the first ice wall. It is the narrowest wall connecting cliffs. “It grows in the form of a fan as it goes into the second and third waves, so in the case of the third ice wall facing the snow field, it is 40 meters high and almost 300 meters long.”

“Such incredible!”

Director Bruno let out a sigh in response to Orden’s explanation.

How can such enormous structures be built in one territory?

This was possible because the border adjacent to Magyeong has a harsh climate where ice does not melt all year round.

Compact the dirt, rocks, and snow well, then pour boiling water over them. Then, after a few hours, it freezes hard and turns into a rock. Then, pile rocks and snow on top and pour water.

If you keep repeating this, you can create a fairly tall ice structure in just a few days with a small amount of manpower.

“Hoo!”

“Wow!”

After exiting the tunnel, Seongjin and his group were once again impressed by the appearance of the ice wall, which was different from the inside.

Inside, it was a rugged mound that was easy to climb up, but the ice wall seen from the outside was a smooth and steep ice wall with a slope of less than 5 degrees.

“Because the load supported by the walls was heavier than expected, it was not possible to make them completely right angles like a normal castle. Cracks form quickly. However, if you gradually build up at a gentle slope from the bottom, you can maintain a structure that is close to a right angle, at least on the outside.”

As Seongjin and his party couldn’t help but wonder, Orden seemed secretly proud. A faint smile appeared on his blunt face as he explained the structure of the ice wall in detail.

Right then.

growl!

Suddenly Max lowered his body, baring his teeth into the air.

“Max?”

Seongjin, who was puzzled, also noticed something unusual almost at the same time.

‘… strong!’

A strong man who far surpasses Lord Masain.

Someone with a force comparable to that of Balthazar, the greatest knight on the continent, was now running towards them like the wind.

“What kind of guy are you?”

The sound of those shouting from far away quickly becomes closer.

Whick!

Someone leapt from the ice cliff and boom! It immediately landed in front of the group.

The ground in the area shook due to an impact so large that it could not be ignored, and small pieces of ice fell from the ice wall.

“… Grandfather!?”

Orden shouted in surprise, and while he was still shouting, the old man had already reached Seongjin’s nose. He was already in perfect condition, holding the blue sword in one hand.

An old man with a sturdy build that would make you believe he was a young man, if not for his graying hair. He glared fiercely at Seongjin and shouted in a harsh voice.

“What are you? “How is it that he can hide such a violent spirit and act calmly, pretending to be a novice Auror user?”

“… what?”

The group froze in shock at the harsh words directed at the royal family.

“Grandpa, hold on for a moment! Don’t be rude! this person is… … !”

Orden became thoughtful and grabbed him, but the old man didn’t even listen and swung his fist at him. It was like lightning.

Pow!

“Keuuk!”

As Orden stumbled and fell backwards, the old man ground his teeth at Seongjin.

“What are you doing to my grandson!”

“Wait a minute, it was the old man who just hit him.”

Director Bruno muttered next to him, but whatever. The old man’s glaring eyes glowed with blue fire as he glared at Seongjin.

“Answer me! This is wrong! “What did you plan to do by deceiving my grandson and sneaking into our territory!”

Well, aren’t there all these old people who just leave without any hesitation?

Seongjin answered with a puzzled expression.

“This body is the prince of the Holy Empire. “What are you asking like that, old man?”

“What? Prince? No way?”

The old man began to tremble, and now he started hurling his point at Seongjin.

“Do not lie! It can’t be! Decades! If you haven’t spent your whole life on the battlefield, how can you have such a vicious spirit! Are you a devil? okay! Gero is a devil disguised as a human!”

Oh, he’s a brave old man.

Seongjin was looking at him blankly and thinking, when Masain suddenly pulled out his sword and blocked Seongjin’s path.

“Let’s see! Let’s see!” Be quiet, Sir Vincent! “There are limits to the respect given to the empire’s greatest generals!”

Masain growls at the old man with an evil look on his face.

Chaeng, chang!

Following him, Commander Bruno and the knights all drew their swords.

“no?”

Only then did the old man look a little embarrassed. Because all the Imperial Guard knights and Holy Knights came out to protect Seongjin.

“Hmm.”

Seongjin slightly raised his eyebrows at him.

good. Another negotiation card to present to the Margrave was accumulated.

fantasy,