TUK 31

Chapter 31

“Rian Cade.”

It was Lea. I couldn’t detect her presence even as she got this close—it was genuinely surprising.

I almost swung the dagger I had acquired from the shadow guys.

The same went for Lea. Perhaps it was due to her anticipating a potential attack—or maybe it was because of the outfit she was wearing.

“As you know, the armor I was wearing had already served its purpose.”

Before departing, Rian had removed his own armor, torn and ruined, and changed into Emilio’s.

At first, the iron plates running from his left arm to his shoulder and heart had felt slightly uncomfortable, but now it clung to his body like it was his own, fully adapted.

Swish… swish…

He even rotated his shoulders, as if to show Lea how it fit.

Lea didn’t react. She already knew that the armor Rian had worn previously was damaged.

“And what brings you here?”

Rian’s shoulder rotation seemed to ask that indirectly, and Lea simply answered.

“I left it to the others. But… the situation doesn’t look very good.”

Looking at the scene of monsters tangled with the imperial army, it might seem as if Rian’s monster-handling plan was proceeding smoothly.

However, the emergence of a knight enveloped in a blue aura was the worst-case scenario, and it required a countermeasure.

‘Now isn’t the time to watch what Rian intends; I need to get out before that knight notices me.’

Lea decided to abandon her attempt to gauge Rian’s intentions in this unexpected situation and revealed herself, planning to exit the forest immediately.

Rian also realized that the knight, as a variable, wasn’t going to allow things to go in a favorable direction. He couldn’t respond to Lea’s comment right away, but he was also viewing the situation from a different perspective.

“I’m still observing.”

He spoke honestly. No one could predict what the sudden appearance of this knight would lead to.

Based on his estimates, even if someone cloaked in aura forced their way through the monsters’ gaps into the protected area…

‘It won’t be easy to find me in this darkness.’

If executed correctly, the imperial army could end up in danger due to the monsters before they even notice him. So Rian couldn’t rule out the possibility that he might have to return to protect his lord first, regardless of reconnaissance.

Thus, he judged that leaving the scene later wouldn’t be too late.

“…”

Lea, separate from Rian’s judgment, continued focusing on the figure that appeared to be an imperial knight and still looked threatening.

‘Surely he doesn’t think he can handle that?’

The blue aura cut through the monsters as if it were a blade. The figure seemed to be moving farther away, yet the knight’s determination to find something, even while killing monsters, hadn’t changed.

‘Judging from the aura and his presence, he’s past the trainee stage.’

He was certainly skilled enough to be more than a squire, but not quite a full-fledged knight.

There was no way to defeat him now, assuming the gap in skill between Rian and someone who had activated their aura.

‘It’s like a civilian clad in rags trying to fight a fully armored soldier.’

Of course, this was only a prediction if they fought to the death. A game of hide-and-seek might still be possible.

‘Hmm. Yes, that’s the best approach.’

Lea assessed the situation and tried to broaden her view to survey the area.

There was only one squire-level knight. Judging by his attempt to push through the monsters and enter the calm space alone, he seemed to be searching for something.

Given the importance of the task, it was reasonable to assume he was looking for the artifact possessed by Rian Cade.

The imperial army was surrounded by monsters, losing soldiers to each attack. No anomalies were apparent, so as long as that single squire-level knight could be delayed, the imperial forces and the monsters would likely destroy each other.

‘Rian Cade… it seems he sees the situation the same way.’

That’s probably why he said he was observing.

“Reckless… or bold.”

Lea murmured quietly. No matter how she thought about it, Rian seemed to have thrown himself into this situation alone, risking death to overcome the current crisis.

This made her want to understand his intentions even more. She turned her gaze to Rian beside her. Yet…

“…”

There was no hint of fear in his eyes. No dread of death, no panic. Only a firm resolve to survive the crisis at all costs.

Eyes constantly scanning from every angle, calculating countless successful outcomes in his mind.

‘He turns thought into action.’

Lea judged Rian Cade in this way.

The situation unfolding before them spoke for itself. Rian had shown his courage by facing monsters and imperial soldiers alone. Even with the sudden appearance of a squire-level knight, he was searching for a way to turn the situation to victory.

Whatever his plan, his resolve and intent were clear.

Thus, Lea asked him,

“What are you planning to do?”

Rian, still observing the situation and finding some answers, replied:

“It seems that imperial knight… is searching for the artifact. If I leave him be, more monsters will be consumed…”

Lea, thinking he shared her judgment, interrupted him.

“If your plan is to hold the knight back, I’ll do it.”

Only then did Rian turn his gaze to Lea.

“You could die.”
“I’ve dealt with squire-level knights before. I can hold him back long enough to escape.”

Rian was silent for a moment. He assumed she had ample experience, being a disciple of Zion and traveling widely. But this was a situation that could directly lead to death. How long could she hold out against that monster?

Considering that, it would be better for him to handle it. That’s why he had planned to act alone.

“I have a better chance of surviving against him. So that’s what we’ll do. It’s an order.”

Lea’s statement left no room for objection.

“If the situation doesn’t go as planned, don’t hesitate to return to the unit and report. If things get too difficult, I’ll withdraw immediately as well.”

Saying that, she turned her focus back to the figure in black armor, Bruto, cutting through monsters with the blue aura. She had no intention of changing the plan. There was no time to bicker about who would act.

Clang!

Bruto stepped into the protected area, cutting through the monsters’ attacks. Yet Rian didn’t manipulate the artifact. Every single monster mattered if he wanted to destroy the imperial army.

Thump… thump…

Bruto’s steps inside the protected area were ominous. He emerged from the opposite side and headed directly toward Rian and Lea.

‘Could he see the ash-gray light emitted by the artifact?’

Rian couldn’t be sure, but he couldn’t ignore the possibility.

Click-

Rian locked the loosened gold fixture on the artifact and put it in his linen-cotton inner pocket. Close to his heart, it was still a safe spot where it couldn’t slip away.

Clang! Clang-clang! Kuooh!

Once the artifact was sealed, a few wolves and a troll, which had been heading toward the imperial soldiers, lunged at Bruto.

But he couldn’t be held back. The blue aura danced and the nearby monsters fell, vomiting blood.

Meanwhile, Rian and Lea hid in another thicket, observing the situation.

Seemingly disoriented without the artifact’s influence, Bruto occasionally dealt with monsters but showed no decisive movement.

‘…This is tricky.’

Bruto had to make a decision: turn back to minimize allied casualties or move toward the area of strong malice to find the Holy Blood.

He didn’t ponder for long.

‘He’s probably hiding nearby.’

Bruto decided to search for the Holy Blood. Despite nearly a thousand soldiers lost, nearly half of the rampaging monsters had been taken down.

Bang!

Bruto moved to find the Holy Blood, judging that His Excellency would call him if needed, and rapidly approached the area where Rian and Lea were hiding.

“…”

Lea watched Bruto close in, roughly fifty steps away. She couldn’t draw her sword to threaten him mid-movement, as it wasn’t the time. Waiting for as many imperial soldiers as possible to be killed by monsters was best.

But she also knew she couldn’t hide indefinitely.

The squire-level knight had detected the malevolent energy emanating from Rian’s artifact.

She had to prevent him from sensing it. Rian needed to escape and report the situation, revealing that the monsters had been manipulated using the artifact, likely mistaken for a relic of the heretics.

‘Time to move.’

Lea signaled Rian with her gaze.

Whoosh!

She dashed out from the thicket, drawing attention by flanking Bruto from the right.

“Pathetic!”

Bang!

Bruto charged at Lea, tracing a blue line. Rian barely registered the moment—it was that fast.

Crash! Smash! Bang!

Chasing Lea, Bruto swung his sword ruthlessly, splitting trees and cracking the ground.

Lea narrowly dodged, keeping a distance from Rian. Her movements were nearly invisible in the dark forest, blending with the shadows. The only confirmation came from Bruto’s aura chasing her.

“…”

Rian witnessed the skill of someone who had opened their aura for the first time. Having only experienced minor battles and monster hunts in the army, it was natural.

He could feel through his whole body that this was beyond human level, unimaginable to confront directly.

Lea’s ability to dodge and survive against such a foe impressed him as well.

With movements too fast to track, wielding strength capable of cutting monsters or trees in a single strike—no one without an aura could dare meet him in combat.

None. It would be suicidal.

He certainly couldn’t withstand that. No matter how many times he revived, he would die repeatedly.

Thus, leaving it to Lea made sense. Helping her might even hinder her.

Should he leave as she suggested? Flee?

No. Then Lea would die. Even though she barely avoided Bruto’s attacks, she couldn’t sustain it indefinitely. Mistakes meant death. The odds of her escaping were extremely low.

‘I can’t leave it. I’ll do what I can.’

Bang!

Rian ran toward the area where the monsters and imperial soldiers were entangled. It was the opposite direction of where Lea fought. A quick glance back showed the knight had not pursued her.

Tap-tap-tap!

He increased his speed, met by the illusions of icefang wolves charging like untamed foals.

‘I’m a bit busy.’

Rian moved swiftly, cutting the wolves’ necks, shaking off the ones gripping his armored arm, and advancing.

He immediately sliced the paw of a lycanthrope flying toward his face.

Slash!

He felt it easier than before. The deaths he endured had made survival possible, and he could now imbue his will into the artifact, just shy of aura activation. No more monsters were a problem.

Rian passed through the monsters and entered the imperial army’s position.

“Uh… huh? Shadow Squad?”
“They left first, didn’t they?”
“But why alone?”

The soldiers, assuming Rian was an ally, looked confused.

Rian raised his voice to avoid suspicion.

“Move aside! I must report to Marquis Arjen immediately!”

Of course, it was a lie. He intended to create chaos among the imperial soldiers and the knights guarding the Marquis.

Rumble…

The soldiers had no choice but to believe him; everyone knew the Shadow Squad was under Arjen’s direct command.

However, someone realized Rian wasn’t part of the Shadow Squad.

“Stop him!! That one’s Azrion’s dog!!”

Arjen, monitoring the battlefield from his horse, wouldn’t let Rian escape.

Rian wore the Shadow uniform, but none bore his face. Any betrayal would invoke the death spell of the oath.

Yet, the shout also acted as a signal to Rian.

‘Got him.’

Rian smirked slightly at Arjen, saving himself the trouble of being found.

Fwah-bat!

Rian ran without looking away from Arjen, deflecting and killing the imperial soldiers rushing him, never stopping.

Stabbed, slashed, trampled—he rose each time and kept running.

Arjen’s expression stiffened, lips trembling. He truly feared Rian would kill him.

So he shouted:

“BRUTO!!!!”