Bab 45: Led to Death [ II ]
6 Days Later
Nyx sat cross-legged near the campfire, the flickering flames reflecting in his piercing gaze. The journey so far had been uneventful but, the warm light casting flickering shadows on his sharp features. Six days of horseback travel had brought them to this quiet clearing by the roadside. On one side, a dense forest loomed, dark and ancient, while on the other stretched an open plain leading to another expanse of trees.
The five Royal Knights under his command sat in a loose circle around the fire, their polished armor dulled by travel and dust. Viscount Wellian, a man of noble birth and former keeper of the dragon at Mijard Tower, sat stiffly among them, clearly unused to such conditions.
Grall, one of the knights, smirked as he stirred the fire with a stick. "I thought nobles like you couldn't handle the outdoors," he quipped, his tone light but laced with mockery.
Viscount Wellian straightened his posture, his pride not allowing him to rise to the bait. "I am no stranger to the wilderness," he said. "My family has led many campaigns. Admittedly, we were better equipped than this..." His gaze flicked over the camp with a hint of disdain. "But the principle is the same."
"Hmph," Grall muttered, unimpressed, but let the subject drop.
The fire crackled as the group settled into an uneasy silence, the distant hoots of nocturnal creatures the only interruption. Nyx gazed into the flames
The Next Morning
The tranquility of dawn was shattered by a shout from one of the Royal Knights.
"Orcs!"
Nyx rose from his seated position, his crimson eyes narrowing as he scanned the field. Emerging from the edge of the forest were seven green-skinned creatures, towering and muscular, their primitive weapons glinting faintly in the morning light.
'Orcs? Are they like the ones I'm familiar with, or is this world's version different?' Nyx mused.
With a thought, he activated Vital Sight, his skill that provided detailed information on creatures and entities.
___________________________
NAME: WOODLAND ORCS
LEVEL: 17
STATUS: HEALTHY
DESCRIPTION: Strong hide, decent strength, slow movements. Specialized hunters.
VITAL INFO: Moves in groups/hunting squads.
______________________________
'Interesting,' Nyx thought as he analyzed the information. "They hunt in squads, which means reinforcements are likely."
Just as he suspected, more orcs began to emerge from the forest's edge.
"O-Orcs?!" a Royal Knight stammered.
"What are they doing here?" another knight shouted, panic edging his voice.
"This close to the Outer Alasia borders?!"
Nyx's gaze remained calm, his voice steady and commanding. "Grall, explain."
Grall stepped forward, his tone uneasy but controlled. "Y-yes, Lord Nyx. Woodland Orcs are typically found near the front lines and are wiped out in mass subjugation campaigns. This...this number is unheard of this far out."
Nyx's sharp eyes flicked to Viscount Wellian, who was on the ground, clutching his head in what seemed to be a mix of confusion and frustration.
'He knows something,' Nyx thought.
"Viscount Wellian," Nyx called, his tone deceptively calm, yet it carried an authority that demanded an answer.
"Wellian, explain."
The Viscount stammered, "E-explain wha—"
He stopped mid-sentence, his breath hitching as he felt Nyx's gaze. It was more piercing than the weapons the orcs carried, a silent command that brooked no argument.
"The dragon," Wellian finally admitted. "It must be the dragon's presence. Its aura likely drove the weaker monsters from deeper in the forest to the outskirts."
Nyx raised an eyebrow. "And this wasn't something you anticipated?"
"Wellian shook his head fervently. "I never ordered the dragon to do that! I ordered it to stay hidden
Nyx turned his attention back to the forest. Activating Vital Sight once more, he extended his perception deeper into the woods.
_____________________________
NAME: ELLOISE
LEVEL: 14
STATUS: SLIGHLY INJURED
DESCRIPTION: Servant Knight of Count Trynal. Specially trained individual, Skilled in reconnaissance and information gathering.
SKILLS : SCOUT, GUISE, FLUENT STRIKE
_____________________________
"Interesting...Count Trynal"Nyx said
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