What Do You Wish For With Murky Eyes: Record of Highserk War - Chapter 48

In preparation for the containment of the monsters, Walm had been ordered to retreat with Ayane and Maia in a carriage to an old castle on the Myard border.

Walm, judging that there was time until the defensive line was formed despite the major outbreak, realized that he was mistaken.

Although the main stream of monsters had not yet arrived, death overflowed on the highway. Bodies of Myard people, likely refugees, were scattered on the roadside, and among them were the corpses of monsters eliminated by the preceding infantry units.

“There are so many dead bodies and monsters.”

Maia, peeking from the carriage bed, said with a slightly trembling voice.

“Walm-san, what on earth is happening…?”

Ayane pressed for an answer. He hesitated whether to speak. She was a protected target but also a captive. It was not wise to provide unnecessary information.

However, due to the nature of the escort mission, it was easier to convey the threat. He didn’t yield to her urgent gaze. Walm kept telling himself that.

“It seems that the Four Nations Alliance burned the demon territory. The Highserk Empire abandoned Sarajevo Fortress and gathered forces in old Kanoa to stop the monsters.”

Ayane opened her eyes wide and tried to say something, moving her mouth slightly.

“T-This tragedy, are you saying that the Four Nations Alliance, that Craist caused it?”

Ayane couldn’t believe it and her whole body went limp. Since being targeted by assassins, the girl had fallen into a state of paranoia and looked weary.

The body could recover if given rest, but Walm knew that the mind didn’t work that way. He had experienced it firsthand.

Maia, who had been silent, placed her hand on the girl’s shoulder. Resilient to rough situations, she had accepted the unbelievable story.

As Walm searched for words to say, a horseman from the escort shouted.

“Monsters!! Goblin riders!”

“There should have been a platoon ahead. Were they deceived?”

Walm swiftly raised the canvas and placed his foot on the edge of the carriage bed.

“Moritz, I’m counting on you.”

“Leave it to me.”

Jumping out of the carriage, he followed the gaze of the cavalry. About twenty goblins mounted on silver wolves were approaching.

It was a monster that could control other monsters, and among goblins they were known as riders since they excelled on mounts. They had more developed muscles than regular individuals and were a mutated species with higher intelligence.

In fact, they had woven vines into primitive harnesses and armor, attaching them to the wolves. Unlike horses with height, goblins on wolves had a lower posture, approaching almost flying close to the ground.

“Fast.”

Walm let out an honest remark. The allied cavalry had surrounded the carriage, forming a defensive formation.

Although it was a defensive formation, they were outnumbered, and there was a risk of oversight.

Walm channeled magical energy, manifesting «Ignis Fatuus», and set the highway ablaze. In an instant, the well-trodden path transformed into a dance of blue flames, turning the ground into scorching heat.

The front group of about ten riders were swallowed up, screaming as they drowned in the blue flames. Nevertheless, the remaining followers split into two groups and charged towards Walm. It was a remarkable response for small monsters.

“Four entities, breaking through!!”

Hearing the warning, Walm diverted his attention to the four goblin riders who had circumvented him. Then, he focused back on the approaching small group.

Six goblin riders closed in on Walm. He molded magical energy and unleashed a second shot, but it only ended up incinerating three goblins and a silver wolf.

Jumping from a thinner area of blue flames, they attacked in a way that intersected with the line of sight of the escort carriage. With a halberd scooped up from below, Walm sliced through the upper part of the silver wolf’s chest and the lower jaw of the goblin simultaneously.

The bodies of the wolf and goblin rolled together in a tangled mess. Walm’s attention was already focused on the remaining two riders.

Aligning with the direction of the second goblin rider, he formed a wall of flames. Though the method was different, the principle of countering was the same as with a sword.

The goblin rider who jumped into the flame wall was burned by the clinging «Ignis Fatuus», dancing in agony. The silver wolf also kicked the void with its limbs, on the verge of death.

Only one remained, a goblin rider who successfully closed the distance. However, the halberd, poised at the waist, pierced through its throat, and the silver wolf was no more.

The goblin, who was the rider, leaped into the void, attempting to thrust a dulled longsword into Walm. Walm turned his wrist and deflected it with a thrust.

The longsword deviated in an unexpected direction, and before the goblin attempting to land could unleash a second strike, Walm delivered a strong blow to its temple with the haft.

The goblin fell to the ground, its body twisted, but still tried to get up. Walm lifted the halberd and struck it down.

“G- Giii…”

The skull shattered, and its contents scattered. Walm carefully observed the surroundings. There were no reinforcements.

The goblin rider that had switched targets from Walm to the carriage had sunk into a pool of blood, along with the silver wolf, thanks to the escort’s short spears and warhammers.

“Even goblins show this level of determination and skill.”

Walm couldn’t hide his surprise, witnessing goblins, typically the lowest and most timid among monsters, becoming ferocious and attacking until they were completely wiped out.

“I should’ve learned horseback riding.”

Walm had acquired the skills of an infantryman, but when it came to horseback riding, he was a complete amateur. Moreover, in the current situation, there weren’t even enough horses. Without horses, there was no riding. He stopped indulging in pointless wishes and faced reality.

It was difficult to assess the outside situation from inside the carriage. However, going outside would make it challenging for internal surveillance. Excluding the coachman, there were only Walm and Moritz, the Highserk soldiers, inside the carriage.

“Guard commander, well done. Is that the famous «Ignis Fatuus»?”

While pondering, one of the escorts ran towards Walm.

“Thank you. I don’t know if it’s famous, but it is called «Ignis Fatuus». By the way, are these the ones that were attacking the refugees?”

“Some of them, yes, but there are also corpses with methods that don’t seem typical of them.”

“How so?”

“There were traces of the torso being gouged by a large mouth. Clearly, it was torn apart.”

“Do you know the species?”

“No, it’s unclear. However, judging from the footprints and bite marks, it’s definitely a stupidly large size, likely a Class B or higher monster.”

A large creature was mixed among the fast-legged monsters. Unlike goblins, if ambushed by an unidentified high-ranking monster, the carriage could suffer fatal damage.

“Good information.”

“No, I’m honored to be of help.”

Having obtained information about a large monster, Walm made a decision.

“I’ll keep watch from the roof. It might be tough, but also keep an eye on the prisoners.”

“You can count on me.”

The cavalry pounded their armor, expressing their strong determination to Walm and he turned on his heel and returned to the carriage.

“Moritz.”

“Oh, Walm-dono, you’re safe.”

“I’m going up to the roof. There’s a possibility of a big one ahead.”

“I see, leave the inside to me.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Moritz has the intelligence to anticipate and converse ahead. He would likely adapt flexibly even in emergencies.

He glanced at the “cargo” on the carriage bed, checking its condition. His eyes briefly crossed with the girl. She had turned pale with anxiety and fear, her eyes wavering.

Holding and comforting her, saying “It’s okay now,” is what a righteous person full of a sense of justice, or lovers and childhood friends, might do. However, it didn’t fit Walm, and it seemed inappropriate. All he could do was state the facts calmly.

“Don’t worry. I’ve dealt with them.”

Having used deception before, he made sure not to lie. Ayane’s frightened eyes slightly calmed. Without waiting for a response, Walm climbed up to the roof.