The Soldier Shouted Save

Chapter 30

The situation had escalated before we even set foot inside the Spirit Forest.

Although the mercenaries were seasoned fighters, used to chaotic battles, they were helpless in the face of the giant eagles that tore through the roof of the carriage, snapping human necks like toys with their sharp beaks.

“It’s the work of a Mantis controlling the animals! Don’t panic—form up and respond as one!”

It was the commanders, hired at astronomical costs by the Walker family, who rescued the panicked subjugation squad from complete disaster.

“Ugh, aaaargh!”

“Gather here, over here!”

The mercenaries hastily scrambled out of the carriages, following the commanders’ orders.

They gathered in a tight formation, raising their swords high, and the giant eagles could not easily pierce through the dozens of raised blades that bristled like a hedgehog’s spines.

“All units, advance to the carriage with the chains!”

The only way the mercenaries could deal with the giant eagles was to pull them down with chains.

They moved slowly, their swords held high, like a turtle advancing cautiously, trying to secure the anti-air weapons.

“Keek! Keeeeek!”

But somehow, the eagles seemed to anticipate their move and fiercely blocked the path to the anti-air weapons.

“D-damn it! Fall back! Retreat!”

Several mercenaries had their swords snatched away by the eagles’ claws.

As gaps appeared in the wall of swords aimed at the sky, the soldiers stumbled backward in a panic.

Then, the dust kicked up into the air.

“Prokella!”

I heard Hyerin’s voice from within the tangle of carriages.

Blue particles spread across the sky, rotating clockwise like stars in the night.

A massive whirlwind formed alongside the swirling dust.

Hyerin had cast Prokella, a wind magic spell that summoned a violent storm.

“Ugh! Everyone, grab onto the person next to you!”

The wind was so strong that even full-grown men were shaken. Dust and debris, and even the wreckage of the carriages, were lifted into the air.

The frightened soldiers threw down their swords and clung to the wreckage and each other.

“Keeek! Keeeeek!”

The giant eagles’ wings were bent and broken by the fierce wind.

―Clang, clang, clang.

The swords rolling across the ground were sucked up into the air by the whirlwind.

―Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The blades, caught in the storm, slashed into the flock of eagles trapped within the vortex.

“It worked! We did it!”

A mercenary, overwhelmed with emotion, shouted as Hyerin, who had been holding her palm out, finally stopped her spell.

The fierce winds subsided in an instant, and the bodies of the eagles rained down from the sky like a shower.

“Watch your heads, everyone!”

The mercenaries ducked and covered their heads, avoiding the falling corpses of the giant eagles.

Hyerin’s single spell had completely turned the tide of the battle, but no one cheered.

The overturned carriages and the gruesome sight of bodies scattered everywhere quickly sobered their spirits.

“Don’t just stand there like fools! Get those carriages back up, and commanders report on the damage!”

The loudest voice belonged to Goil Walker, the youngest of the Walker family, eager to show himself in command.

To be giving such orders in this situation…

Before the subjugation team could suffer any further losses, I raised my voice to drown out Goil Walker’s command.

“They’re not dead yet! Confirm the kills! Make sure they’re dead first!”

The soldiers, startled by my words, quickly picked up their fallen swords and began checking the bodies writhing on the ground.

“Keeek! Keeeeek!”

Goil Walker had made a hasty decision.

Although their wings had been broken by the storm and blades were lodged in their bodies, several of the eagles were still alive.

“Aaaargh!”

“They’re coming this way!”

The creatures waddled like chickens, their large beaks gaping open.

But they weren’t headed for the soldiers who had hurriedly raised their swords.

Like a trained army, they all moved in unison toward a specific location.

“Kyaaak!”

The familiar scream from the direction they were heading made me quickly dash across the roof of the carriage.

―Thud! Thud! Thud!

Running across the roof, I reached the calm center of the storm.

“Keeek! Keeee…”

“Shut up.”

―Swish!

As I leaped down, I twisted my body and swung my sword, severing an eagle’s head. Blood spurted like a fountain from the decapitated neck.

“Stay close.”

The eagles pushed through the gaps between the carriages, surrounding Hyerin and me.

With her pressed against my back, I kept my guard up, ready for anything. Then, a clear, beautiful voice rang out over the battlefield.

“Report the damage later! Finish off the remaining enemies and prepare for the next attack!”

I glanced toward the owner of the voice.

The person who had covered the battlefield with that melodic command was Mari Walker.

Though she had seemed unassuming before, she was undeniably a noble of the highest rank.

Not only did she correct Goil Walker’s mistaken orders, but she also seized overall command, asserting her presence.

“Some people really live complicated lives.”

Nobles, always fighting silent battles over honor, not with swords.

While I briefly glimpsed their aristocratic power struggle, someone leaned against me.

“……”

Hyerin, unfamiliar with this kind of fighting, seemed frightened.

I hid her behind me and spoke.

“Stay back.”

As Mari Walker’s command began to take effect, the eagles waddled faster, their beaks wide open.

“I… I don’t have any mana left.”

With Hyerin’s magic depleted, protecting her while fighting off this many enemies would be a challenge.

Just then, the overall commander’s belated voice rang out.

“Damn it! What are you all doing? Protect the mage first!”

I glanced over at the loud outburst and saw Kyle Walker, his face flushed with anger, clearly losing his aristocratic composure.

―Swish!

In a matter of seconds, a white streak sliced through the air, beheading a giant eagle. Then, someone reached out a hand to Hyerin.

“My apologies, Mage. We’ll protect you.”

Kyle Walker’s knights had appeared from all sides, swiftly surrounding us.

Hyerin, no longer at my side, looked up at me and asked.

“…Should I go with them?”

She seemed shaken, mentally unstable after nearly dying.

I patted her shoulder and whispered quietly.

“Can you use teleportation now?”

“…No, after using the storm spell, I’m low on mana. I’d need a mana potion and a few more minutes of rest to use it.”

“That’s fine. If something like this happens again, don’t make another storm—teleport straight to me. Remember what I told you?”

I had told her to always prioritize her own safety.

Hyerin, her faint smile returning briefly, nodded and followed Kyle Walker’s knights.

* * *

After the situation had been fully resolved.

A meeting was held at the center of the camp, where the soldiers stood guard, with the main commanders and the three siblings of the Walker family in attendance.

“They even controlled the animals outside the forest! This isn’t a normal Mantis!”

“Moreover, despite being classified as a high-level creature, it moves like a well-trained army… This is unheard of!”

The Mantis we encountered was far more powerful than any previously known.

As morale plummeted, someone stepped forward to speak.

“My lord, I believe it’s best to call it off here. We should extend the subjugation period and try again later…”

Kyle Walker’s face reddened with anger, the suggestion clearly hitting a nerve.

Just as he was about to snap back with a furious response, someone stopped him and stepped forward.

“Ha! Bunch of cowards, all of you. If you’d said something like that back when the Dark King was alive during my youth, your heads would’ve been off in an instant.”

“…Hah, stop talking about ancient history. Those were different times, and we have our own rules now!” one young mercenary retorted.

The old swordmaster, Walter, grinned slyly.

“Well then, let me put it in modern terms. Do you know how much we’re being paid for this subjugation compared to other hunts for high-level creatures?”

“What does that matter when our lives are on the line…”

“The reward is five times higher. That’s right—five times! It’s the equivalent of slaying five high-level monsters!”

Walter glared at the mercenary, who was now speechless, then chuckled.

“Stop acting like a child. Do you really think this situation is more dangerous than fighting five high-level creatures? If you’re scared, then get lost. But don’t bring everyone’s morale down. I’m not about to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Walter stepped back with a cackle, and the knights and mercenaries who had considered voicing complaints began scratching their heads instead.

“…Well, opportunities like this don’t come around often.”

“In all honesty, it’s not the worst crisis we’ve faced as mercenaries. Let’s just calm the soldiers down.”

One by one, the voices of dissent faded, and the subjugation meeting gradually fizzled out. At that moment, the second daughter whispered to me.

“What do you think? Do you believe we have a chance with this subjugation?”

A chance, huh…

I glanced at the carriages lying in ruins, the bloodst

I scanned the faces of the mercenaries and spoke.

“I’m not sure how different the creature settled in the Spirit Forest is from a regular Mantis, but if we continue as we are, this subjugation will end in success.”

“…Why do you think so? Wasn’t it dangerous even with just the flock of birds?”

“That’s because we were inside the carriages. The creatures could move freely while the soldiers couldn’t swing their swords or even look up at the sky. It was like having their legs trapped in quicksand.”

The second daughter, Mari Walker, watched the now-reforming troops carefully, then changed her question.

“What if we had fought outside the carriages?”

“The giant eagles’ wings would have been torn apart by magic before they even got close.”

“…Do you think this gives us a real chance?”

“Certainly more than before. If you wish, we can destroy the Mantis’ core and bring it to you, my lady.”

―Whoooosh!

A sudden gust of wind blew back the hair that had been covering her face, revealing the burn scars clearly visible on Mari’s skin.

But Mari Walker didn’t try to hide those scars. Instead, she smiled and asked an unexpected question.

“What do you like?”

“I don’t have any particular preferences, but it’s unfortunate that the Walker family doesn’t have a Freya church.”

“…Do you want the Walker family to accept Freya’s teachings?”

“If you built a new church, I might even consider serving you as my lady.”

At that, Mari Walker let out a small, incredulous laugh.

“Bold of you. I like it.”

“They say knights resemble their masters.”

“…Are you mocking me right now?”

“If I become your knight, I suppose you could say that.”

“In that case, let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Bowing my head slightly in response to her joke, I turned my back to her, facing the soldiers.

“One way or another, I’ll make you mine.”

The chilling voice that followed me came from behind.

When I turned my head, Mari Walker was smiling.

“Don’t underestimate nobles. I’ve already chosen you.”

* * *

After reorganization, the subjugation force split into two at the entrance to the Spirit Forest.

“We’ll stay here with the injured and provide long-range support.”

The eldest, Kyle Walker, remained in the rear with the injured and mages.

“Goil, you’ll take command in my place.”

“Haha! Yes, sir!”

Goil Walker, now in charge, shouted with enthusiasm.

“Everyone, move forward!”

Despite the foolish excitement on Goil’s face, which made both soldiers and commanders frown, no one stopped walking.

Just as I had told Mari, barring any unexpected surprises, the subjugation force held the overwhelming advantage.

“So, how much farther do we have to go?”

“…Isn’t the World Tree’s core just up ahead?”

In the eerily quiet forest where not even the sound of insects could be heard, soldiers wiped their sweat as they glanced up at the silhouette of the World Tree. That’s when someone hurriedly approached me.

“…Hold on. The situation seems bad. We need to pull the troops back,” said Mari Walker.

“Where exactly do you mean? I can’t see anything…”

One of her knights looked confused, but I didn’t hesitate and raised my voice.

“Everyone, fall back!!”

When the giant eagles had ambushed us, it had been Mari who first sensed the anomaly.

Among the subjugation team, Mari had the sharpest instincts.

Trusting her judgment again, I shouted, and our soldiers echoed my command.

“Retreat! Fall back!”

“R-retreat! Everyone, retreat!”

The soldiers from the other units followed suit, shouting in unison.

“You idiots! There’s nothing there—what are you…”

Goil Walker, ready to lash out at the chaotic scene of soldiers following different orders, was interrupted when the sky above began to darken.

“A-a tree! Up in the trees!”

Just a few steps ahead of the subjugation force.

There, lurking in the branches, were Clawed Monkeys, their sharp, blade-like claws glinting.

They darted between the trees, aiming for the tops of the soldiers’ heads.

“Hold on!”

“They’re coming this way!”

As the formation threatened to collapse, knights with superior reflexes rushed forward.

“Kieeek!”

The first Clawed Monkey fell easily to a knight’s single, swift strike.

“Don’t panic! As long as you watch the treetops, they’re not difficult to deal with…”

The knight raised his voice, confident now that he had gauged the enemy’s strength, but a louder voice drowned him out.

“Behind! They’re coming from behind!”

Before anyone knew it, Forest Wolves, their green fur blending in with the foliage, had snuck up on the rear.

“R-rear guard! Watch the rear!”

As the soldiers panicked upon discovering the wolves, another disaster loomed ahead.

“Something’s coming from the front too!”

Thud, thud, thud.

The ground shook as a herd of Red Boars, their bodies covered in thick, red fur, charged forward.

The sight of such a large number sent a shiver through the soldiers, one of whom clutched the pendant around his neck and began to pray.

“O, almighty Freya, grant me the strength to overcome this trial…”

A prayer uttered in the face of death.

“Damn it! Before we’re completely surrounded, we need to gather in one place…”

The knights, preparing for a fight to the death, were interrupted when I shouted toward Goil, who was in charge.

“The cliff! We need to secure the cliff so the mages can provide effective support!”

The reason we were confident we could overpower even a high-level creature like the Mantis was the overwhelming firepower of our mages.

“R-right! Clear the path! Head for the cliff and position yourselves for magical support!”

This wasn’t a strategy of despair—it was one where survival was certain.

As long as the mages could identify friend from foe, the odds were heavily in our favor.

“Mari, stay close to me.”

“A-alright. I’ll trust you.”

Mari Walker clung tightly to my back.

“Graaaah!”

―Slash!

I cut down a charging Forest Wolf.

“Knights, protect the lady!”

I raised my voice, skewering a Clawed Monkey through the heart just as it lunged for my head.

That’s when I noticed Goil Walker, fumbling as he hastily pulled out a scroll.

“Damn it! Why so soon?!”

“S-Situs!”

It was a location spell I had used before, one that relayed your position.

Goil Walker had prematurely called for magical support, and I quickened my pace.

“Fire support is incoming! Run, quickly!”

Soldiers were still entangled with the Clawed Monkeys and Forest Wolves, unable to move.

As I cleared the path for them, encouraging retreat, the sky suddenly turned crimson.

―Whoooooosh!

A massive fireball arced through the sky, stopping just above us like a miniature sun.

―Flick! Flick! Flick! Flick!

It exploded, showering the area with burning arrows.

“M-magic support has arrived!”

“Move! Run before you get caught in it!”

“W-wait!”

The fire support had been requested before all the soldiers had even retreated.

“…Goil. What have you done.”

Mari’s gaze was cold as she glared at her younger brother, Goil Walker, while soldiers burned alongside the enemy.

And then, something that should never have happened occurred.

“Kyaaaak!”

A fireball crashed dangerously close to Mari.

“Mari!”

Burn marks spread not just across her face but all over her body. As her body seared, the sky darkened further.

“…Damn.”

What descended next wasn’t an attack on the enemy—but on us.

Dozens of fireballs rained down from above, enough to burn the entire forest to the ground.

Because of the Incarnation of Grimgal, which weakened fire resistance, I could feel my body burning even before the flames touched my skin.

The searing pain of my flesh burning away came with the fading of the crimson world into darkness.

* * *

“…Damn.”

My vision slowly returned.

“Mister! Which side do you think looks better?”

…Where am I?

I turned to where Hyerin was pointing and saw the three Walker siblings.

‘…That moment. When I was choosing an allegiance.’

Kyle with his miraculous potion.

Mari with her special privileges.

Goil with his promised accolades.

“…Don’t zone out! We should go. Looks like we’ll have to choose soon.”

Hyerin’s voice cut through as she pointed toward the Walker siblings, but I couldn’t focus on her words.

―You have died from Lee Hyerin’s attack. [Confirm]

―You have been revived from the auto-save. [Confirm]

―Hint: Be cautious of attacks from the quest target. [Confirm]

The person who killed me…

‘…Lee Hyerin.’

The one who had burned my body to death was standing right next to me.