The smell of earth was rich. The scent of grass tickled my nose.
Nevertheless, I could not stop rolling on the ground. If I did not, I would not be able to withstand the coordinated attacks of eleven monkey monsters.
Thump, a monkey monster’s claws plunged into the soft earth beneath me.
That was where I had just been standing. I cursed inwardly and infused my sword with aura.
Seeing the subtle mirage should have made me more cautious, but the monkey monsters seemed to welcome the chance and charged at me even more frantically.
It was like moths to a flame.
The problem was that I wasn’t the flame; I was merely a squishy flesh bag that could easily lose its life to those claws being swung around.
I held my breath and shot out a silver line.
The target was the monkey monster that had buried its claws into the ground. It was a shot fired while I was barely holding my position after throwing my body forward.
I couldn’t put all my strength into it, but with the support of the aura, it was enough to pierce through one monster. However, there was something in the way before that.
A clack, and sparks flew in the void. A monkey monster leaped down from a tree, bringing its claws down. It was a shot fired while my center of gravity was already shaken.
Before long, the trajectory wobbled, and the monster wore a grotesque smile upon seeing me.
Arrogant little brat, I scoffed and felt for my waist with my remaining hand.
The eyes of the monkey, which had been pressing down on my sword with its claws, became dumbfounded. That was the last expression it would show.
With a crunch, my handaxe claimed another life. The monkey with its skull smashed fell to the ground like a crumpled paper.
Now, there were ten left.
But without a moment’s respite, I could hear the monsters pounding the ground. This time, three of them charged simultaneously. It was a difficult simultaneous attack, picking three different directions with exquisite timing.
If the three of them charged at once, I didn’t know, but with such timing, I couldn’t divide them all at once. They might not even try to grab my sword.
Just like the first monkey monster I killed.
Instinctively steeling my heart, I quickly withdrew my sword and tossed my handaxe.
With a crack, the handaxe embedded itself in the forehead of one charging monkey. Receiving the very force of the attack, blood gushed out from the deep-embedded axe blade.
It was a beautiful fountain show fitting for a moonlit night.
However, I had no time to appreciate it. Another monkey was charging in along the virtual trajectory drawn before me.
A linear trajectory, a thrust.
My muscles were still stiff from the throw of the handaxe. Gritting my teeth, I forced the muscles to twist.
The claws brushed past me just barely, and it was then that my hand caught the monkey monster’s arm.
My body reacted instinctively. Every muscle and nerve terminal knew this series of movements too well, forming a single linkage.
Holy Kingdom Vision Martial Art, Moon Flip.
Having already penetrated the monkey’s grip, I pulled the monkey’s arm over my shoulder with all my might. The monkey monster charging from behind screamed in terror.
But it was already too late.
Blood sprayed everywhere. The monkey’s body, which I had thrown, was torn apart by its companion’s claws. Of course, I made sure it wouldn’t feel wronged.
Boom, a shockwave shook the ground. It was a skill that combined enhanced strength from magical power and the Holy Kingdom’s vision. The power was terrifying.
Kieeeek!
Naturally, the claw-wielding companion couldn’t avoid being crushed beneath the thrown corpse. A pitiful scream echoed through the forest.
It was still groaning. But that would not last long. No matter how much a monster was, it could not withstand that amount of shock.
Three of them dropped instantly.
Now there were seven left.
Just then, I spotted another monkey monster extending its arm.
A beam of light poured from its sheath.
One strike; no matter how long the monkey monster’s arm was, it could not withstand the reach combined with the length of my sword.
Another corpse fell with a thud to the ground.
Right, now there were six left.
It was much easier than before. I took a breath and glared at the monkeys staring at me in silence.
“What are you looking at? Even a monkey can tell I’m handsome, right?”
The monkeys immediately growled and showed their hostility at my words.
That hurt a little. Doesn’t a compliment feel nice, even if it’s from an enemy? I had never heard anyone say I was ugly in my life.
Angered, I stomped down on the ground. A couple of monkeys charged, and the ensuing blood-drenched dance adorned the clearing in the silent forest.
With each step I took, day met day, and the number of corpses increased one by one.
Thus, after walking and walking, at the very end…
The knife I threw pierced through the head of a curled-up monkey.
Splash, blood was scattered into the air. The monster’s body fell limply.
Of course, my own body was not unscathed. There were deep gashes on my arms and back. They were wounds acquired during the battle.
My arms were still moving, but the amount of bleeding I felt from my back was more than I could imagine.
My head was spinning. The muscle in my back couldn’t properly hold up my spine, causing my body to sway slightly.
I gasped for breath, bent over, and pulled the handaxe out of the monkey’s forehead. Blood gushed forth again, and the corpse convulsed one last time as proof of the life that had just been there.
It was the handaxe I had thrown when I faced three monkeys at once. Now that I had thrown my knife, this was all I had left.
And then there was the sound of giggling laughter tickling my ears.
I directed my gaze toward the source of that sound. There, curled up and trembling, was Senior Delphine.
“P-please! I-I’m sorry… I won’t, I won’t act up again… Lord Handaxe, no, I-I-an…”
It was a problem that it wasn’t just Senior Delphine.
One of the monkey monsters was grinning as it pressed its claws against Senior Delphine’s pale neck. It looked as though it would kill her with just a slight movement.
I thought they were only interested in me, but it seemed there was at least one intelligent individual among them.
Silence lingered for a while.
The distance between me and Senior Delphine was quite far; while it wouldn’t be impossible to subdue them with a throw, the monkey’s claws were already aimed at her neck.
The moment I took a preparatory stance, it was over.
My eyes and its blue pupils stared each other down, neither willing to yield.
Eventually, a sigh escaped my lips. Reluctantly, I tossed my handaxe into the sky.
The spinning handaxe soared high, and there was no weapon left in my hands.
I raised my hands in surrender. The monkey monster squealed in delight.
Those burning blue eyes were glossy with desire. It was deeply lost in thought over how to use this hostage to dispose of me.
And so, the monkey didn’t notice. The handaxe, spinning in the air, was charting a curious trajectory towards it.
Thwack, as the handaxe struck its crown, the monster’s eyes widened in disbelief.
That was it. The monster’s corpse lay sprawled on the ground, blood and brain matter spraying everywhere.
“…Thirteen monsters, done.”
My voice finally regained its calm, but not so for Senior Delphine, who smelled the blood scattered across her body.
“P-please… Huh, I-I made a mistake… I-I’ll never act up again…”
Now she was even sobbing. I briefly looked at her with a gloomy expression before softly speaking to her.
“…Senior Delphine, it’s over.”
“I-I’m sorry… I acted without knowing my place… I-I’m sorry…”
“Delphine Yuridina!”
As it seemed it would go on forever, I shouted, and Senior Delphine finally snapped to attention. Yet her eyes were still drenched in fear, darting around blankly.
“…I said it’s over.”
My murmurs painted over the landscape filled with monster corpses. Senior Delphine slowly got up, dazed, only to discover the corpse of the monkey that had fallen beside her.
Her wide-open pupils had not yet closed. Blood and viscous brain matter were oozing from the crown.
“…Hiiik!”
Senior Delphine flailed her legs in panic. Her body recoiled, dragged back by that force.
Her eyes were clearly fixated on the handaxe.
So the handaxe was the switch. I pressed my temples firmly to relieve my throbbing headache. My back was bleeding incessantly, and my arms were the same.
I had to return quickly. I hadn’t come away empty-handed.
The bizarre behavior of the monkey monsters I had seen during battle wasn’t a characteristic typically exhibited by ordinary monsters.
I needed to have a discussion with someone knowledgeable like Reto. Or perhaps someone with rich field experience would do.
And the corpses of these monsters could be disposed of; I could keep some, and donate some for the orphanage’s operating costs. The kids would surely appreciate it.
In fact, there was no need to give them to the orphanage, but I had grown fond of it, so I hoped it would help even a little. There were countless children unable to eat proper meals.
After all, I was a noble, so I didn’t have to worry about living. Besides, I was confident that Guildford was trustworthy; if I entrusted the operating costs to him, I was sure he wouldn’t use them for his own benefit.
A noble should know how to share what they have. It was also the duty of those who have wealth. I simply wanted to practice that spirit.
After all, I was the one who had killed all thirteen monsters, so surely no one would complain.
Just as I thought while surveying the monster corpses around me.
The earlier Senior Delphine, who had timidly gotten up, was now staring at me without saying a word. I noticed it the moment I glanced back over my shoulder.
Our eyes met, and she immediately bit her lips and turned her gaze away.
It seemed she had finally felt some shame. I had no intention of comforting her, and I matter-of-factly asked for her thoughts.
“…What will you do?”
At my words, Senior Delphine flinched. Her eyes, drenched in fear, turned toward me. The scarlet pupils were shaking violently.
After a long moment of staring at me, Senior Delphine, looking meek, finally bowed her head.
“…I’ll go back.”
“Good thinking.”
I walked over to reclaim my sword and handaxe. Up until then, Senior Delphine hadn’t given any response, merely chewing her lips.
Her trembling shoulders testified that her mind was far from calm.
I looked at her with a moment of pity. Then, suddenly, I recalled a resolution I had forgotten.
My hand rested on Senior Delphine’s shoulder. Her blood-red pupils stared at me blankly, and I gave her the warmest smile I could muster.
“…Shall we receive some punishment before we go back?”
Thunk.
Before long, the sword that Senior Delphine had been holding clattered to the ground.
Her complexion drained in an instant, and intense fear engulfed her eyes.
It was now time for punishment.
