Chapter 151
Erich personally selected every member to be included in the special detachment.
First was Mikhail, who possessed strength close to the strongest in the group.
Next, Hrung-ga, who had at least some knowledge about Haratakan, was chosen as the second member.
Then, as soon as news about the ascent to Haratakan spread, Ceres, who came to command countless mages, became the third pick.
Additionally, there were his direct subordinates, Frederick and Barnes, and finally, Milon and their underlings who, having come this far, had no choice but to see things through to the end—this rounded out the fourth selection.
Having thus completed the selection for the special detachment, Erich appointed Grant as acting commander in his absence.
Given that Grant was a commander who had spent years alongside August and, without Erich, was by far the most likely successor to the command post, there was no better choice.
After tidying up various situations in that fashion, they left the main forces set up in the Fuga Gorge and headed upward.
Following the path there as Hrung-ga had indicated, a road to Haratakan opened up.
Of course, even without Hrung-ga's advice, Haratakan was so massive and majestic that it seemed they could simply head toward what was visible to find it.
However, Erich, leading the detachment, saw Hrung-ga sweeping the surroundings with an uncertain expression.
[He definitely has that 'this isn't right' face. Did something go wrong?]
[It's not so much wrong as just a bit strange.]
[Strange how?]
[Once you get this far, the shamans are usually guarding even the outskirts, blocking outsiders from coming in with an iron defense.]
[... Is that so?]
Erich slowly surveyed the surroundings. Yet, there was no sign of shamans, no trace even that people had ever been there.
'This gives me a bad feeling for no reason.'
A subtle sense of foreboding welled up inside Erich.
Could the dead's unrest have influenced even Haratakan?
Since he had never been there before regressing, Erich had no way to know the answer.
In any case—
As Erich's group began their ascent of Haratakan, they hadn't even reached halfway up its towering peaks before setting up their first campsite.
Frederick used the pre-prepared supplies to complete the campsite in no time.
Erich claimed the largest tent located in the center.
Inside, the current officers of this detachment had already gathered for a quick meeting.
Erich was the first to speak.
"According to Hrung-ga, the shamans would normally be out here blocking outsiders."
"... When something unusual happens, it means there's a problem,"
Mikhail replied sharply. Erich agreed with Mikhail's assessment.
"It's possible the dead have caused some sort of trouble here, too."
"Hmm... Do you have any concrete evidence?"
Erich slowly shook his head. It was a matter that, with a bit of thought, could naturally be considered.
"Ungrim is already set on securing the Fuga Gorge. That means they know Haratakan is the only major route left for us."
"... So, laying a trap on Haratakan is the best choice?"
"Yes. That's what I'd do."
The officers nodded slowly.
In strategy, the most effective method was to do what your enemy feared most and wished you wouldn't do.
And the thing Erich feared most now was for the route over Haratakan to become blocked.
'Whether it's the dead or Ungrim, one of them is definitely plotting something.'
Of course, there was likely a good reason that Haratakan's shamans were so renowned.
Still, if something had happened to the shamans... their enemies must have taken a big risk as well.
Erich continued quickly.
"Therefore, we must climb Haratakan as quickly as possible. That's the only way to deny the enemy any breathing room."
"What if all the shamans are dead, and there are traps waiting up ahead?"
"... In that case, we'll have no choice but to push through."
Everyone solemnly agreed with Erich. Since they'd set foot here, there was no alternative.
If they tried breaking through the Fuga Gorge, Erich would be unable to preserve his forces for the battles with the dead.
That was why Haratakan remained his best option and why, no matter what traps awaited, he would have to break through.
'That's why I picked only the very best people for this.'
Then Milon, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
"But, my lord, shouldn't we secure a retreat route in case of the worst?"
"That's a good idea. Then, Milon, you'll be in charge of securing a retreat path until we reach Haratakan."
"... Me, my lord?"
Milon's eyes went wide, as if to ask why it had to be him. He quickly protested.
"But I am responsible for protecting you, my lord..."
"Retreating is the best way to protect me, isn't it?"
"Well, that's..."
Milon was left speechless, blinking. Erich smirked slightly.
'He really is an easy one to handle.'
Anyway, thus passed their first night at Haratakan. The next day, exiting the tent, Erich stood silently, gazing skyward.
* * *
"M-my lord, what is that?!"
"No wonder things were going so smoothly."
Everyone's gaze shot up to where the mountain of Haratakan met the sky.
The sky there was tinged lavender, with ominous clouds clustered together, swirling with such threat that lightning seemed ready to crash down at any moment.
It radiated a sinister energy.
Mikhail murmured softly.
"... I sense a horrifying energy."
"Yes. It seems the dead are at the summit of Haratakan,"
Erich replied.
Several officers jumped in shock at Erich's words. Was this the reason why the shamans had not shown themselves?
Erich quietly recalled the last time he had seen a sky of that color. It was right before he died, at the end of his previous life.
'... When a powerful dead revealed themselves, the sky always changed like that.'
When the Lord of the Dead had revealed their true form and struck down Erich with the final blow, the sky had lit up endlessly in that same hue.
Of course, for now, only the summit's sky of Haratakan was stained, but even that was enough to suspect that a tremendous dead was present there.
Erich tried to gauge what kind of being might be up there.
'The lich has been dealt with. That one wasn't particularly powerful just in terms of raw strength. But a being who can radiate such power and presence...'
There were two possibilities, both terrifying if either turned out to be true.
Erich felt a vague sense of anxiety about the battle that awaited atop Haratakan.
The lich Erich had defeated before was called one of the three great lieutenants of the Lord of the Dead—a being of exceptional power.
But, at heart, what made it truly troublesome was its ability to beguile others rather than its raw strength.
Now, however—
With the lich gone, the remaining two were beings whose notoriety came purely through overwhelming power.
In an instant, images of Watchmen who had fallen to those beings before Erich's regression flashed through his mind.
Erich added to his earlier words.
"... Not just any dead—an infuriatingly powerful dead."
"Then we can assume the shamans have already been dealt with,"
Frederick replied, taking over the conversation.
Erich also thought that was the likeliest scenario, given a dead of that magnitude occupied Haratakan's summit, destroying any hopes the shamans could have survived.
Nevertheless—
Even so, Erich, along with Watch's swordmaster, Mikhail, was present. The two of them had to find a way through, no matter what.
Anyway, there was a high chance the shamans would become enemies too, so their absence might actually be a positive.
But no matter what they guessed, the real answers would only be found atop the peak. Erich spoke.
"Let's go. We won't know until we reach the summit."
Erich's special detachment began to march again. Erich estimated about a week until they'd reach the summit of Haratakan.
During that week, Erich decided to use his time valuably. He went to seek out Mikhail's tent.
― Swish, swish.
Inside, Mikhail was polishing his sword. The way he handled the blade—almost like a treasured artifact—radiated an odd sense of dignity.
"... You look like you have something to say,"
Mikhail remarked.
"I'd like your advice, if I may."
"Advice, is it...? Just judging by the look of you, you must have gotten something out of the last fight."
Mikhail flashed a crooked grin.
As he had guessed, Erich had tested out his abilities during the fight with the lich.
Empowered by the core and the power of Incensus, Erich was now able to use his abilities as he never could before regressing.
But what troubled Erich was that his aura consumption was too severe. How could he draw out greater efficiency?
The person Erich sought out for that answer was Mikhail.
Mikhail made use of even less aura than Erich but to a shocking degree of efficiency—a master of using his abilities.
Erich spoke to Mikhail.
"I believe I've finally found a way to use my ability..."
"You must use up a ridiculous amount of aura, right? That's what your power does."
"... You're sharp as always."
Erich smiled wryly.
When he had first shown Mikhail his ability, Mikhail instantly grasped both the nature of the ability and its inefficiency.
Soon, Mikhail set the sword aside.
"Every swordmaster's ability is different. Each has their own shape. Molding your ability into that shape is the most efficient way to use it."
"... I'm not sure what shape that is."
"I use slashes now, but originally, my skill was just enough to push someone away. But I devoted my life to sharpening it beyond that."
Mikhail spoke seriously, his voice bearing the weight of his struggles over the years.
Even in those simple words, Erich could feel how much thought Mikhail had given his own abilities.
Mikhail flicked his fingers, gesturing for Erich to show his power.
― Woom.
From Erich's hand, a shimmer rose.
It became an intense heat, then took the form of a softly billowing golden flame, rounded and hazy.
Mikhail regarded it with a curious glint. His mouth slowly opened.
"... Impressive. I never knew there was a way like that."
"... A way like what?"
"Your ability, it's..."
Mikhail seemed to be choosing his words carefully, considering how best to explain it to Erich.
Erich waited silently for Mikhail's answer.
From the perspective of a peerless swordsman, what was it that set Erich's strength apart from ordinary power?
One thing was clear—Mikhail sensed something seeing Erich's ability.
After a brief moment, Mikhail's mouth slowly opened.