Chapter 100 : Chapter 100
Chapter 100
Not long after Reinhardt defeated the direwolf.
Ethan Taton arrived late, leading the support troops.
Then, upon facing the corpse of the giant wolf, his jaw dropped.
“…It really is a monster wolf.”
“Yes.”
“It is a wolf, right?”
“It is a wolf. A wolf influenced by demonic energy.”
“Demonic energy? If you mean demonic energy….”
“It is the power wielded by warlocks. To be precise, it is the power of demons, and beasts influenced by it tend to transform into this form.”
Ethan Taton examined the direwolf from various angles with eyes of utter disbelief.
In fact, it was only natural to be horrified.
Unlike Reinhardt, this was the first time Ethan had encountered a demonic beast.
“Is this what you were talking about, that is, that the work knights must do will increase….”
“That is correct. It was information secured by the Paganoa Knights. I had to keep it a secret for a while, but now that it has appeared, there is no reason to hide it.”
“I can’t believe it. Where on earth did these things come from?”
“The first place they appeared was the Palma Mountains. In the far west of the Empire.”
Even with a bewildered look, Ethan diligently nodded his head.
After staring at the direwolf for a long time, he turned his gaze.
“Right, what about Dirk?”
“He is safe. He is resting.”
Reinhardt said, pointing behind him.
Dirk was resting, leaning against a tree.
He had not yet regained consciousness.
It was unclear whether the physical shock was too great, or if he was mentally exhausted.
“I will take him in the carriage. We have medical staff with us, and we’ve brought plenty of potions. He should recover quickly.”
“I will leave him to you.”
Ethan personally supported Dirk and moved him to the carriage.
‘The rumor will spread in an instant.’
Reinhardt looked around at the personnel surrounding them.
They were all members of the Taton Knights.
For the most part, their expressions were similar to Ethan’s. It was the expression of someone who had encountered something utterly unbelievable.
‘It doesn’t matter. If it has already appeared here, it must be the same elsewhere.’
This was the very edge of the eastern part of the Empire.
The moment a demonic beast was discovered in the vicinity of Serigel, it was safe to say that the entire Empire was under the threat of demonic beasts.
“Fortunately, there seems to be no major problem with his body.”
Just then, Ethan returned.
“He just needs rest. Very fortunately.”
Reinhardt agreed with the word ‘fortunately.’
Dirk was alive, and as a result, Irien would not go on a rampage.
It meant he could continue to keep the genius magician as an ally.
“What about the casualties?”
“There are fatalities and injuries. The knight order will have to take measures. It is a regrettable matter.”
Ethan had a serious look in his eyes.
It was different from his usual lighthearted demeanor.
Right now, he was feeling a heavy sense of responsibility as a knight commander.
But just because a regretful event had occurred, he would not be consumed by it.
Ethan was a knight, and the trainees here were also those who dreamed of becoming knights.
For a knight, death and injury were beings that could approach at any time.
“So, the reason you said you needed an alchemist was also because of this guy, right?”
“That is correct.”
Reinhardt led Ethan and approached the direwolf.
Thick, sharp claws were embedded in its forepaws, which were larger than a human.
“These claws can be processed to craft equipment. They will be several times harder than ordinary iron.”
“We’ll need a blacksmith too.”
“There is a smithy I know in the north.”
“…Are you perhaps referring to the artisan who crafted that sword?”
“Yes.”
It wasn't just the blacksmith Ria.
All the blacksmiths there were individuals of considerable skill.
If he just sent the materials, they would surely craft equipment with optimal effects.
“Then the blacksmith is settled. So, what part requires an alchemist?”
“This creature’s blood is saturated with dense demonic energy. This is the part you must be most careful about when dealing with creatures like this. Do you see?”
As he said that, Reinhardt pointed to where the black blood had touched.
The grass was rotting and turning black.
“…Hmm.”
“If another animal comes into contact with that blood, it becomes poisoned by demonic energy. If it is poisoned by more than a certain amount of demonic energy, it transforms into a demonic beast like this wolf.”
“I understand.”
“For that reason, after slaying a demonic beast, it is important to take measures to prevent the demonic energy from spreading.”
“You know the method too, I presume?”
“A neutralizing agent can be made by processing the blood of a demonic beast.”
By processing the blood saturated with demonic energy, one makes a neutralizing agent that weakens the power of the demonic energy.
It was a basic combination formula that anyone who had played the original work would know.
However, unfortunately, it could not be used in combat.
It could only be used for the purpose of preventing demonic energy from spreading after a demonic beast was slain.
“Sir Reinhardt. Is the information you are telling me now also all from the Paganoa Knights?”
“No. It is a fact that only I know.”
Ethan was taken aback.
“Only you know?”
“Yes. Therefore, you must make it seem as if you discovered that fact by chance, Commander. It would also be fine to say that the alchemist’s skills were outstanding.”
“…Sir Reinhardt?”
“This is not the time to argue about principles. If we cannot overcome this crisis, the steadfast Empire will surely falter.”
Reinhardt was openly demanding that he tell a lie.
Ethan was taken aback by this, but Reinhardt had an excellent excuse.
“Between the pride of a knight who does not tell lies, and the lives of countless citizens of the Empire. If I were to choose one, I would gladly choose the latter.”
“In that case, how did you come to know such a fact….”
“I just know it as if it were common sense. I do not know how I came to know it.”
Ethan was silent for a moment, as if in thought.
Then, he soon nodded his head.
“It was the same before. It was something I didn’t even need to think about.”
Reinhardt was always like that.
He did what needed to be done, where he needed to be.
To Ethan, Reinhardt had been an enigmatic figure for a long time now.
But he was also very grateful that he had remained with the Taton Knights until the end.
“I will maintain my attitude from before. I will not ask, nor will I question. If you say it is so, then it must be so.”
“Thank you.”
“Let me summarize. The claws and blood can be used. Is there more?”
That wasn't all.
A demonic beast was like a lump of materials that could be used for everything except the meat.
Reinhardt conveyed additional ‘common sense’ to Ethan.
The bones could be processed for a similar purpose as the claws, and the hide was also useful. Furthermore, the dense, thick fur was the same.
“…I understand completely. At this rate, we’ll have to move it whole and process it. I should prepare a space for processing first. From now on, creatures like this will continue to appear.
Is that right?”
“That is likely.”
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Ethan returned to the carriage.
It seemed he was giving various instructions based on the information he had heard from Reinhardt.
‘Ethan might just build a whole factory.’
He was a man born with a merchant’s insight.
He must have already smelled the money for sure, and he was likely roughly predicting what kind of situation would unfold in the long term.
He was glad he had chosen the Taton Knights. Reinhardt thought so and began to examine the direwolf’s corpse.
‘Right now, there won’t be that many people who can face a Grade 3 demonic beast single-handedly. Unless they are people from places like Paganoa or Floran.’
It was an enemy that required at least dozens of soldiers, or a dozen or so knights.
And even then, it would be a battle that would be accompanied by considerable sacrifice.
‘But there won’t be that many strong ones like this. Most of them will be Grade 1 or 2 demonic beasts.’
This direwolf was a special case.
Right after the demonic beasts appeared, most of them were lower-grade entities.
However, this time it was the result of a warlock’s intervention.
‘It’s a warlock of the Agrio-s faction. Dealing with demonic beasts is the same as controlling their minds.’
If they just find and eliminate the warlock, the critical threat would be over for now.
After that, everyone would move around with preparations against demonic beasts.
Jeo-beok.
Reinhardt approached a little closer to the direwolf. He examined the large claws embedded in its forepaw.
‘Still, for a Grade 3, the claws are thick. They’re sharp too. If they’re processed properly, they’ll make a decent item.’
The blacksmith Ellie would take care of it.
Then, once equipment made from demonic beast byproducts began to be supplied, humanity’s overall combat power would also rise.
It was at that moment.
“…A scratch?”
Reinhardt muttered without realizing it.
There was a scratch on the direwolf’s claw, which was harder than steel.
‘It’s a sword mark. And it’s quite deep.’
It couldn’t possibly be a naturally formed mark. Even if it had scraped against a rock, it was hard enough that it wouldn’t even get a scratch.
‘Was that mark made by that instructor knight? If so, he has a talent.’
It would be different if it were a renowned sword of the level Reinhardt used.
If the mark was made with a sword supplied by the knight order, it was clear evidence of talent.
“Commander.”
Reinhardt sought out Ethan, who was busy with work.
“What is the name of the instructor who was in charge of this training?”
“It’s Erok. Instructor Erok.”
“Did he fight the demonic beast?”
“That… doesn’t seem to be the case.”
Ethan shook his head with an awkward look and said.
“Instructor Erok didn’t faint from fighting the demonic beast. He fainted from being hit by Dirk.
Apparently, he didn’t believe Dirk’s words when the demonic beast appeared.”
“…Is that so?”
“So Dirk knocked him out to resolve the situation as quickly as possible… that’s the testimony of the other trainees. Don’t worry. No disadvantage will come to Dirk.”
“I am not worried.”
“Instructor Erok will be disciplined.”
“Yes.”
In the first place, what he was curious about was not whether Instructor Erok would be disciplined. And it was obvious that Dirk would not be disciplined.
‘It wasn't Instructor Erok, and they said all the other trainees were busy running away. Then does that mean this mark was made by Dirk?’
Reinhardt headed to the tree where he had propped Dirk up.
The sword he had been holding was lying on the ground. Reinhardt picked up Dirk’s unusually large sword.
The blade was chipped unsightly.
It was a sign of a strong impact.
‘Dirk, that kid.’
The corner of Reinhardt’s mouth twitched.
‘He was a treasure.’
Talent reveals itself in a crisis.
He wasn't Irien’s biological brother, but he was still her family.
‘In a game, that’s enough. Being sworn siblings is a close enough relationship. So much so that it wouldn't be strange for them to have similar tendencies.’
At this moment, Dirk’s future was decided.
Dirk would become a knight.
However, not a knight who fights humans, but a knight who specializes in fighting demonic beasts.
‘He’ll be like an anti-demonic beast decisive weapon. It’s a good thing. I needed someone to escort Irien anyway.’
In the battlefield, the biggest threat to a magician is not a warlock or a demon.
Rather, weak, small, and agile small demonic beasts were the most deadly existence to a magician.
Because when they focused on casting, their vigilance towards their surroundings would inevitably be lowered.
What if a family member protected them in such a situation?
What if they even had reliably trustworthy skills?
The efficiency of magic is maximized. It was a matter of course, as they would be able to pour all their senses solely into casting.
‘They say that in life, what goes around comes around.’
A crisis leads to an opportunity.
If that was the case in reality, it was even more so in a game world filled with all sorts of opportune timings.
And.
It was when Reinhardt was designing Dirk’s future like that.
“Bbiit! Bbiiiiit!”
Bitdori had once again perfectly fulfilled its role.
It was time to hunt the warlock.