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Chapter 42
“This is too fast. Nothing has ever moved this quickly before.”
The beasts wriggling in the corruption began taking proper form.
If all these monsters started hunting for prey, they would reach the fleeing villagers before the soldiers could stop them.
“Damn it.”
Theophanes muttered under his breath, letting out a deep sigh and turning his body.
It was the direction they had come from.
Without hesitation, he lowered himself to the rooftop. The moment his hands touched the roof, the building shivered slightly.
The small tremor grew stronger until the entire area seemed to shake.
From afar, something began to writhe upward.
Looking closer, countless vines tangled and twisted, forming a massive wall.
Daphne watched the wall rise, then shifted her gaze to Theophanes.
She wanted to check his condition.
Hadn’t they said he felt pain from using such great power, even when married?
Could he safely use that much strength now?
As she feared, sweat streamed down his face like rain.
The man who never sweated, no matter how hard he moved.
“Theo.”
Daphne whispered his name without thinking.
“It sounds nice, but now is not the time to be distracted, madam.”
His face had turned pale, almost as if he might collapse at any moment.
If he stopped, many people could get hurt.
Still, an inexplicable selfish thought surfaced—she wanted to tell him to stop.
Just as Daphne reached to touch him, a roar echoed from far away.
Though distant, the sound hit her ears like thunder.
The beasts froze at the roar.
Theophanes exhaled quietly and lifted his hands from the roof.
The shaking stopped, and the massive wall paused its rise.
His expression softened, as if a wave of relief had passed over him.
A pale yellow shield began to appear in the direction he was looking.
It was far stronger than the protection a young divine beast could provide.
It seemed meant to trap the beasts.
Some monsters charged the shield, but touching it made them writhe in pain, as if burned, and they were thrown back.
It was a very different reaction from the beasts that attacked the young divine beast earlier.
“So this is the true power of a divine beast.”
“Yes. It’s the power of an ancient beast that has lived a very long time. Finally, it has moved.”
Heavy footsteps echoed nearby.
[Here to help, but I’ve got a heavy behind, they said.]
A growl came from close by. Turning, Daphne saw a huge beast easily twice the size of a normal tiger.
It was an old tiger, its fur streaked with white.
But its eyes looked strange, cloudy, as if covered with a fog.
‘Can it even see?’ Daphne wondered.
“So you just stayed idle until it got this bad, huh? Heavy behind, my foot.”
[Hmph. Looks like I need to relearn respect for elders.]
Theophanes ignored it and turned to Daphne.
Her curiosity was answered almost immediately.
“Luckily, even though it’s old and blind, its skill hasn’t faded. I guarantee it.”
“Is this the divine beast that made a pact with Theo?”
“Yes, it’s a very old connection with him.”
Daphne leaned forward, studying the beast.
“Hello. I’m the new Anaxi, Daphne.”
She smiled politely, sensing the beast liked formal greetings.
[The one greeting politely in this situation… such a unique child. Very similar.]
The beast clicked its tongue and turned its head.
“You can ignore it. That’s just a sign it likes you.”
“Oh? That’s a relief.”
Despite its blindness, the beast was aware of where the monsters were coming from.
It slammed a massive paw down on a beast and shouted toward Daphne and Theophanes:
[Are you two not going to fight, huh?! Romance comes later!]
“Even with age, its voice hasn’t shrunk,” Theophanes muttered.
Daphne thought, ‘Isn’t he old, too, though?’
But then—
Squeeee—
Countless beasts took flight at once.
The swarm blackened the sky, and the soldiers panicked.
Thankfully, Anaxi’s reinforcements arrived just in time, and the soldiers seemed slightly relieved.
At the front was Palaon, riding his horse.
Behind him were the Umbra knights, except for Jacquette.
“Don’t be afraid! Think of the families behind you!”
At Palaon’s shout, the soldiers regained their courage and stood firm.
“Move the wounded to the rear!”
They organized themselves efficiently, moving the injured while the front line held against the beasts.
Palaon leapt from his horse, striking down a monster.
“Master.”
“You’re here.”
“Sorry for being late.”
“We’ll talk after the situation is under control.”
“Yes!”
“We’re closing that gate. Knights, lead the soldiers and block the monsters.”
“Understood.”
Palaon immediately began directing the troops with practiced skill.
The Umbra knights expertly handled the monsters.
“Ponti.”
[Why?]
“Take us with you.”
Before Daphne could respond, Theophanes scooped her up and jumped off the roof.
[What?]
Before the beast could react, he placed Daphne on its back.
Then he leapt on himself.
[Hold tight. Don’t speak.]
The beast snorted and charged forward.
Theophanes’ decision was right.
They approached the gate at incredible speed.
If this continued, they could close it smoothly.
Ponti skillfully avoided monsters as they ran toward the gate.
With little distance left, Daphne felt a strange sensation and heard a buzzing in her ears.
Even from afar, she sensed Iverno’s voice.
[Daphne! Something’s wrong! Some monsters escaped the Spring beast’s shield and are attacking people outside!]
“What?”
[Ah!]
Before she could react, she felt a snapping, and a scream escaped her lips.
“Ugh.”
It felt as if someone had gripped her heart; pain made it hard to breathe.
Daphne collapsed forward, clutching her chest. Theophanes caught her waist immediately.
“Daphne!”
[What’s wrong!]
Ponti stopped at Theophanes’ urgent shout.
Daphne slowly spoke through fading pain.
“There are monsters outside.”
Then her body shook.
“I feel the connection with Iverno weakening.”
[Then the beast itself might be under attack!]
“Jaquette is there…!”
“Daphne, can you sense the beast’s energy?”
“Weakly…”
[Calm down. Are there any soldiers outside?]
“Yes, the knights and the crown prince are there.”
Theophanes’ words gave Daphne a small measure of reassurance. She inhaled deeply, then exhaled.
“Let’s go.”
[What?]
“To the gate. We’ll close it first.”
Seeing her determined expression, Theophanes nodded.
“Ponti, move out!”
The growling beast leapt forward, kicking off the ground as it ran.
