What Do You Wish For With Murky Eyes: Record of Highserk War - Chapter 45

“Do not stop your feet, do not stop your hands. Hurry up with the work if you want to see tomorrow!”

Emrid, the infantry company commander of the Liberitoa Commercial Federation, raised his voice. He believes that his subordinates understand how diligently they are working.

Still, Emrid pushes to expedite the work every second and every moment.

“The installation team encountered monsters, currently in combat with over 40 orcs!”

“Have Phil’s squad deal with it, and the installation team should continue the work.”

Each country has entered the forest of Myard’s outskirts, a demon territory, with battalion-sized forces, but the situation is worsening.

He thought it would be easier than attacking the stronghold defended by the Highserk soldiers. Emrid wanted to slap his past self for underestimating it.

Even Emrid, who led an extermination squad in a demon territory in the homeland, finds himself in a tough situation. Considering the overall situation, there might be companies that drew the short straw and ended up in a disastrous state.

First of all, the number of monsters is extraordinary. The amount encountered per 1 km easily exceeds 100. And it’s not just small fry like goblins or kobolds; there are at least orcs, and beyond that, ogres, lizardmen, lamias, and other Class B creatures.

“The shortest route is a straight path, but ahead is the territory of the giant birds.”

The adventurer leading the way called out to Emrid, who was studying the map. Abyss Birds– there’s no one who doesn’t know them. They are monstrous creatures that sometimes engage in territorial disputes with dragon species in the vast sky.

“A Class creatures, huh? Why are there so many of those guys? Any detour routes?”

When it comes to A Class creatures, it’s necessary to engage them with an entire platoon. Even then, winning is not guaranteed. If there are multiple A Class creatures, even a military force at the company level would be in danger in a battle.

“There is, but we need to pass through an area infested with insect-type monsters.”

“What kind?”

“It consists mainly of spider and ant types equivalent to Class B. While their numbers are low, there are also worm types. And if you’re unlucky, you might encounter a giant centipede. You can drive it away if you can use fire, but—”

The adventurer stopped speaking and looked at the barrel loaded onto the handcart.

“Goods are goods. Using fire is strictly prohibited.”

The content is the highly flammable and volatile black water from Liberitoa. If fire is used carelessly and it ignites, it could cut off the escape route in the magical creature-infested forest. For Emrid, it was a frustrating order.

“Proceed with the detour route. It’s easier to deal with than Abyss Birds.”

Flying above and only coming down to the ground during attacks, the insect-type magical creatures, while numerous, pose a lower level of danger compared to Abyss Birds. Just as Emrid decided on the detour route, angry voices rose from the rear of the column.

“It’s a Giganto Ghoul!!”

Among the ghouls with an attachment to the living, this one failed to become an upper-class species like a lich. It’s a decaying giant with regenerative abilities comparable to a Cyclops, and it appeared in Emrid’s eyes.

“Volk squad, come here. We’ll crush that thing.”

Emrid’s decision, having exhausted the reserve forces, was swift. While it’s an opponent that they can escape by taking out its legs, it’s a troublesome foe that relentlessly pursues its human prey, so it cannot be left alone. Moreover, the support team from the installation unit has not yet joined, and abandoning the situation was not an option.

“I’ll provide support. If you can stop its movements, I can finish it off with wind attribute magic.”

One of the leading adventurers said to Emrid. There were doubts about whether they could actually finish it off, but the adventurers chosen as the leaders were known to be skilled. Even if it was a red-haired girl.

“I’ll stop its legs with my magic. I’m counting on you.”

The squad at the rear had already initiated the battle, and right before Emrid’s eyes, one person was crushed in its oversized hand, and another had their upper body bitten and crushed along with the armor.

“They dared to attack my subordinates.”

Several spears and numerous arrows were lodged in its upper body, but the effectiveness against undead was limited, and the wounds Emrid’s subordinates inflicted were gruesomely regenerating with an eerie sound.

“Take this, you half-wit.”

Emrid infused magical power and touched the ground.

“«Earth Crack!»

After a few seconds of delay, the ground cracked, and the earth rose. For seasoned soldiers, avoiding it was easy, but there was no way the sluggish Giganto Ghoul, with its massive body, could dodge. Its rotten skin, sagging in multiple layers, and both legs, spewing liquid, were swallowed by the ground. The swollen ghoul, while writhing its upper body, tried to crawl up. As part of the intercepting action, Emrid stopped his subordinate from slashing into it.

“Evacuate. Don’t enter the magic trajectory.”

The red-haired adventurer, younger than Emrid, released the condensed magical power. A gust of wind blew fiercely through the forest with little wind. When the wind blades released by the red-haired girl hit the Giganto Ghoul’s head, it vanished as if its entire neck had been sliced off by countless slashes.

It was a skill classified under the wind attribute that Emrid also knew, called «Wind Fang».

“Back off, its still moving.”

The Giganto Ghoul, losing its head but swinging its massive arms, gradually slowed down, and eventually came to a complete stop.

A noxious smell, like vomit that had been simmering in the sewer, wafted through Emrid’s nostrils as its insides leaked. It was unimaginable how much living prey it had to consume to grow this large.

“You’re a troublesome one even after dying twice.”

While performing first aid on the injured, Emrid assessed the damage. Two dead, one injured – considering they had just defeated a monster equivalent to the upper ranks of B-class, the casualties were relatively low.

“You said you were Leetia? Thanks for the save.”

“I’m glad if I could be of help. It’s also for the sake of Myard.”

In the red-haired girl’s eyes, a glint of hatred was evident. Emrid assumed it was directed towards the Highserk Empire that invaded her homeland.

Emrid heard that adventurers were hired at an exorbitant amount, but there were those who joined the mission out of a rebellious spirit against the Highserk Empire, which had subjugated their homeland.

Emrid couldn’t fathom the feelings of the two who left their party, the other being Lefty an experienced scout, to take on a job that would strike a blow against Highserk, driven by their anti-imperial sentiments.

Nevertheless, Emrid chose to genuinely rejoice in the fact that they now had more capable assets.

“Adventurers, we’re counting on you for guidance.”

At the same time, Emrid felt an overwhelming anxiety. Even in the outskirts, burning down the demon territory infested with B-class monsters – Emrid shuddered at the thought of what might happen.

His reason urged him to reconsider, but as a military man, and one in charge of a company at that, he had no choice but to carry out the mission.

————

In the rural areas that had come under effective control of the Highserk Empire, there was a pervasive sense of stagnation. Yogim, one of the farmers in such a village, was worried about the future of the village. In the Battle of Aidenburg, the young men were mobilized, and only one returned, having fled in defeat. According to Yogim’s sources, the rest seemed to have either died in battle or been taken as prisoners.

There were rumors circulating that those taken prisoner might be released in a few years if they survived, but Yogim couldn’t bring himself to be optimistic. With a shortage of manpower for farming, and the village squeezed between the forces of the Myard and Highserk armies, there was practically zero manpower or resources left.

Even elderly retirees and toddlers were sweating while working the fields. Village residents, who had been enlisted to help with transporting supplies, were talking about the ongoing battles at the border of the Ferrius Kingdom involving the five nations.

Yogim picked up fallen branches in a basket. If only he could use some kind of magic, life would be more convenient, but Yogim was neither skilled in magic nor had exceptional physical strength. He was well aware of his own ordinary nature.

“What’s this? The forest seems brighter,” someone exclaimed.

Deep in the dreaded forest connected to the demon territory, there was a faint glow. Carried by the wind, the smell of something burnt reached Yogim. A forest fire, or something troublesome had happened, and Yogim scratched his head.

The Myard national army had already been annihilated, and firefighting efforts had to be carried out by the villagers alone. Yogim would undoubtedly be chosen as one of them. Though Yogim had started his journey back to the village, his steps involuntarily quickened.

Yogim, an ordinary man, had one peculiar skill. It might not be useful in ordinary times, but when faced with a crucial decision between life and death, Yogim’s intuition was remarkably accurate. Whether being chased by a Horned Grizzly in the forest or fighting against the Highserk as a former soldier of old Kanoa, Yogim had survived using this intuition. His son, Moyes, had inherited this ability, and as the sole surviving remnant of Myard’s defeated soldiers, he had managed to escape to the village.

Passing through the center of the village and reaching his home on the outskirts, Yogim found his wife, Deborah, and his son, Moyes, preparing a meal by chopping vegetables.

“Run!”

Yogim’s voice resonated surprisingly loud, even surprising himself.

“Are Highserk soldiers chasing us?”

Yogim’s wife looked sharply at their son, suspecting that pursuers were approaching.

“No, it’s the forest. It feels like we’re about to be twisted and crushed any moment now.”

Yogim’s words might have sounded like a madman’s delusions, but Deborah, without questioning, said, “Moyes, tie the cart to the horse and load only food and weapons.”

“Mama!?”

“You fool! I won’t say it twice.”

Yogim’s son, Moyes, momentarily stiffened and then quickly dashed to the back of the house.

“Both you and Moyes have the «Intuition» skill. It’s telling us to escape right now. Is the village in danger?”

“Mom, remember? Back in the day, when a horde of ogres attacked.”

“Yeah, lots of Myard soldiers died.”

“That felt like a toddler’s prank compared to this.”

“…That’s really bad.”

Yogim’s ears caught a scream.

“They’re here.”

Screams and shouts echoed from all over the village as people started running away.

Waves emerged from the forest. These were not metaphorical, but actual monsters converging like a muddy stream. It wasn’t a single type; a diverse array of monsters formed a torrent, closing in.

“They’ve gone on a rampage! Some country must’ve done something!”

More than ten silver wolves, creatures with excellent mobility, rushed towards Yogim. He didn’t dislike dogs in general, but he detested silver wolves.

His lean and muscular body seemed enticing to the silver wolves, who drooled and opened their jaws.

Just before reaching Yogim, the head of a silver wolf was crushed by a hand extending from the side.

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing to someone else’s husband?”

After smashing the limp silver wolf’s body onto another one, Yogim’s wife leaped at the Silver Wolves.

The silver wolf’s side was gouged out in a fist-like manner, its skull crushed underfoot, and it was being beaten to death with fists. Yogim knew that a marital dispute with his wife could be a life-and-death situation even with bare hands. Merely brushing against her could result in unavoidable bruises, and a direct hit could obliterate his frail body.

Yogim pulled out a pitchfork and directed his gaze at the approaching silver wolves. They judged that he was easier to deal with than his wife, Deborah, a former adventurer who manipulated «Super Strength» and «Diamond Skin». While choosing Yogim as an opponent might be a reasonable decision in a two-choice situation with Deborah, it was a mistake in a three-choice scenario where escaping was also an option.

Using feints, Yogim, who had read the silver wolf’s movements with «Intuition», inserted the prongs into its oral cavity. He didn’t need strength. He fixed the rod-like prongs with his right palm and waist, and with his left arm, he gripped the pole.

The silver wolf would impale itself. Yogim couldn’t help but praise the obedient dog. Another one leaped towards Yogim’s throat in a friendly manner.

Yogim welcomed it with an embrace. He wrapped his arm around the silver wolf’s throat, flipped its body, and twisted. Without the skill «Intuition», Yogim, despite being a former adventurer, was nothing more than an ordinary man of flesh and bone.

“How long are you going to fool around? Hurry up… it’s already too late.”

Beyond Deborah’s sorrowful gaze, a colossal monster, invading the village, comes into view.

“Is that a Tyrant Worm?”

Even the farmers who attempted to counterattack with agricultural tools and makeshift weapons were slammed against the wall and crushed to death by the Tyrant Worm’s movements. Despite Yogim and Deborah doing their utmost, the village was already beyond salvation.

“We need to get out of here quickly. It’s a tough opponent for frail farmers. It would be just right to pawn it off on the Highserk soldiers.”

Turning into a hellish place of screams, Yogim, with his family in tow, departs from the village. Out of 478 villagers, only 3 people and one horse managed to survive.