LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 28
Most of the Subjugation Team was made up of natives from Iceland.
Even without speaking, everyone could guess each other’s thoughts.
The first snow is a sign of winter.
The time given to the Subjugation Team was pressing.
Fortunately, the first snow had already stopped falling.
However, since it was winter, there was always a chance that snow could start falling again.
“Well, great. Now all we have to do is wait.”
Thanks to the snow accumulation, a high ground had formed.
As Catherine looked down at the scene, she heard Joric let out a sigh as if he were complaining.
“Though the time was short, you managed to prepare this much.”
“It’s just a common large-scale subjugation preparation.”
“Well, I disagree.”
Catherine did not agree with that statement.
It took only three days for the Subjugation Team to arrive at Drywood, set up camp, and for Joric, the person in charge, to lead his subordinates in investigating, planning, and executing everything.
Unless he had made plans in advance.
This suggested that Joric had constructed a rough roadmap in his mind as soon as he heard Catherine’s report.
In Catherine’s view, Joric had indeed become a knight, but his humility came from still not being able to shake off his previous mindset.
If he were of noble birth, he would have been busy showcasing his abilities.
“Your skill in handling people is remarkable for someone so humble.”
“Large-scale subjugations are a part of daily life in Iceland. While not every knight has experience leading them, many have.”
Given that he spoke with such an attitude, it might just be his nature.
Catherine thought this as she looked down from the snow hill she had built for command.
Soldiers with shields and spears formed a barricade.
Behind them, groups of hunters and adventurers were waiting in formation.
And next to the snow hill, the cavalry prepared for charges and potential retreats by the Subjugation Team.
In the center, watched by all—
Baaa—! Baaa—!
Inside the enclosure, sheep, shorn of all their wool and marked with magic circles, shivered in the cold.
“Fortunately, it seems the magic circle is working well.”
“From that distance, how can you tell?”
“Do you see that faint green glow over there?”
“I can see it well.”
“That means it’s still operational. Of course, I could sense it without that, but…”
While Catherine conversed calmly with Joric, most of the Subjugation Team nervously stared at the trembling sheep.
Vibrations, noise beyond what was reasonable.
This was the warning Joric had strictly given to the entire Subjugation Team.
Everyone, due to their tension, had collectively decided to keep their mouths shut in an effort to avoid vibrations and noise.
Excessive tension is known to bring about mistakes.
Fortunately, listening to each other whispering softly, teasing with nudges, or communicating through gestures showed there was no cause for concern.
In the meantime, the sun had finally risen overhead.
Tension, if held for too long, tends to dull.
The biggest enemy of living beings—boredom—began to seep into the group, and those who felt a bit relieved started to engage in quiet chatter.
Baaa—! Baaa—!
“Yawn. This is taking longer than I thought.”
Especially for Catherine, who lived longer than others, boredom was akin to poison.
Plus, having stayed up all night inscribing magic circles on the sheep made her eyelids feel as heavy as anvils.
It wasn’t just her. The aides, pages, and messengers at the command center were just as affected. Joric crossed his arms at Catherine’s yawn.
“Well, let’s wait a bit more… hmm?”
“Lord Joric?”
“Wait a moment.”
He turned his head toward the enclosure.
No, more accurately, toward the forest behind it.
A slight but steady vibration was felt.
The sensation of multiple legs moving, like a herd of galloping horses, definitely did not feel like a natural earthquake.
It wasn’t just Joric who felt it.
Soldiers around the enclosure, not to mention a number of adventurers, hunters, and most knights, shared the same feeling. Given that they had set up a trap so openly, if such vibrations were felt, there could only be one answer.
Those who sensed it first began to alert those who had relaxed.
Thud-thud-thud-thud— thud-thud—!
As the Subjugation Team silently reorganized, the vibrations grew stronger, becoming loud enough to hear without focusing. The undeniable tremors rising from the ground were just as pronounced.
Baaa—! Baaa—!
Unlike those who had been briefed about the situation, the sheep, suddenly aware of the danger, instinctively sought to escape the enclosure.
And the cause of the vibrations was moving even faster as it hunted, causing the tremors to intensify.
Suddenly, the vibrations ceased. You could hear the sound of someone next to you swallowing. The only noise was the sharp winter wind cutting through the snow and the Antler Forest.
“Fortunately, the bait worked.”
“Then, shall we begin in earnest?”
“Please proceed as mentioned.”
Upon Joric’s words, Catherine immediately summoned her magic to enact the spell.
Ka-boom—!
Whooshhhh!
The rhythm of the previous vibrations multiplied, and snow exploded upward from the center of the enclosure.
A long shadow was cast by the physically generated snow mist.
As the snow settled a bit, the awaited target revealed itself from amidst the fog.
Among the haze, a long body covered by dark green shells, with numerous hook-like spikes growing densely in the gaps, appeared.
Between its four-pronged maw glimmered leather, still glistening with vibrant life, and shards of sheep’s flesh.
The Ice Worm that had been underground burst forth, and amidst the chaos, a few lucky sheep managed to escape over the enclosure.
But no one went after the sheep.
They had waited for this very moment.
“Now! Throw the spears!”
The squad leader of the Subjugation Team and knights shouted.
Hunters and adventurers, who had been enduring both tension and boredom, all hurled their javelins at once.
Customized spears, modified on-site exclusively to pierce and pin the target, sliced through the cold air.
Though some were blocked by the shell or lacked the power to penetrate, the rest successfully completed their designed purpose.
Creeeak—!!!
Unexpected pain coursed through its body.
The explosion of noise echoed all around.
The sensation of food filled the Ice Worm’s four-part maw.
Instinctively, the Ice Worm tried to bury its long body into the ground to evade the situation.
But the Ice Worm could not finish its movements.
Thud—! Ba-thud-thud-thud—!
The spear-like tips embedded deep within the Ice Worm were tied with long ropes, and people tugged on them with all their might.
“It’s trying to burrow back down!”
“Put in all your strength!”
“Waaagh!!!”
The Ice Worm’s stronghold was indeed underground.
To minimize damage, they had to finish it above ground.
But slowly, the ropes began to lead toward the Ice Worm.
“Lord Atanitas. It’s a precarious situation—hasn’t it ended yet?”
“Just in time.”
At a glance, Catherine, radiating coldness from her entire being as she channeled magic, gathered all that cold into her hands.
Catherine’s eyes began to emit a bright blue light.
TheSnow between the Subjugation Team and the Ice Worm began to move as if it had a will of its own.
“What!? ”
Regardless of whether the Subjugation Team panicked or not, the thick layer of snow on the ground gathered intensely, forming solid clumps. The white snow transformed into numerous ice arms, tentacles, and chains to bind and restrain the Ice Worm.
“Calm down! It’s our ally!”
“Never let go of the rope!”
Though they had heard of it through their heads, once they saw the spell in action, some froze momentarily.
“What are you just standing there for? Attack!”
As those who regained their wits urged them on, the Subjugation Team let out shouts one by one and dashed toward the Ice Worm. Now was indeed the time to attack.
Meanwhile, Catherine was busily moving her hands to ensure the Ice Worm could not escape.
“Well, I’ve heard ice magic has resistance, but this is something else.”
“You seem to be handling it well.”
“Resistance only applies to magical force, not physical strength.”
Indeed, Catherine understood Joric’s words about their resistance to ice magic.
Of course, it was improvised magic.
However, it was magic wielded by a fully realized wizard.
Yet, even still, once the numerous constraints formed by the ice magic made contact with the Ice Worm, the magical force began to dissipate gradually.
For a typical mage who uses magic a few times a day, a cart or two would be necessary.
But for someone specializing in ice magic like her, even a few people would be difficult to hunt.
However, someone of her caliber was a different story.
Resistance to ice magic? It means overpowering them.
Smash the constraints with sheer physical force? It’s essentially saying to overpower them.
Of course, attacking enemies with ice magic was nearly impossible.
Even so, she had already prepared for that.
The all-nighter had been for that very reason.
‘If I maintain the restraints and switch attributes, that should work. Now, where’s my medium… huh?’
Wait, where did I put that bag again?
Suddenly struck with anxiety, Catherine quickly scanned the command area.
It was nowhere. Not a single place to find it.
…No, I’ll think about that later.
Joric must have sensed her change in mood.
Catherine resolved to act first.
“Lord Atanitas, is there a problem?”
“Um, um. Lord Joric, I’ll be taking my leave for now.”
“Hmm?”
“Well, the cavalry needs to earn their accolades, right? Knights and all.”
“Ah. Are you sure you’re alright?”
Of course, it should be alright.
Otherwise, it would embarrass me if it came out that I forgot my preparations, right? Right?
But she couldn’t say that.
“Of course, it’s fine.”
Catherine desperately concealed her emotions.