Chapter 30 - EPISODE 30 – WITCH’S FOREST (3) (1/2)
Terms used in this chapter:
Owlbear – a fictional creature originally created for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is depicted as a cross between a bear and an owl, which “hugs” like a bear and attacks with its beak.
Wereboar – a fictional creature capable of polymorphing into a boar-humanoid hybrid or into a boar, or back into its true form, which is humanoid.
When moving in groups, it was very important to have a proper line and formation.
Jude spoke, looking at Lucas and Cordelia.
“I’ll take the lead, Lady Cordelia will be in the middle, and last will be Lord Lucas.”
At Jude’s words that he would be at the front line, Cordelia exclaimed an ‘Oooh’ in admiration, but Lucas had a slightly dissatisfied look.
“Mr. Bayer, me too…”
“It’s not because I see Lord Lucas as someone to protect. I entrusted the rear to you as it is as important as the front.”
“The rear?”
“Yes, we are in a place where we don’t know where the enemy will come from. The rear is as important as the front. Please protect Lady Cordelia by keeping an eye on the back.”
“Okay, leave it to me.”
Lucas nodded with a serious face.
Although he was excited that it was a real adventure, Lucas realized the seriousness of the situation after listening to Jude’s explanation.
“Maybe the other knights are also wandering inside the barrier. The best way to overcome the current situation…is to free the witch’s soul.”
“The witch’s soul dispels the barrier?”
“Probably.”
Because of the emergency situation, Cordelia’s usual way of speaking reemerged.
Jude briefly responded and then spoke to Lucas again.
“First of all, we’re going to keep moving in the same direction. We may have entered the barrier, but it’s possible that the way itself remains the same.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Lucas energetically answered and immediately drew his sword and prepared to enter into battle.
After swallowing his breath at the sight of Lucas, Jude approached close to Cordelia and said.
“Frankly, I don’t know the way or where to go. I’ll trust in you.”
“I know. Are you talking about the witch’s voice?”
Cordelia likewise kept their faces close and whispered.
The voice of the witch was what helped Cordelia in the original story. While she was wandering through the forest, she heard the witch’s voice who guided her on the correct direction.
“Keep your ears open.”
“Okay, I’ll keep it wide open. Though about the battle formation, can you change my position?”
“I’ll let you do other things sooner or later.”
“Hmph, I’ll look forward to it.”
After they wrapped up and ended their conversation, Cordelia increased her distance from him. Jude put the Sun’s Necklace inside his specialized knuckles and looked through the fog.
“Let’s get started.”
Jude slowly proceeded, being wary of his surroundings, and Cordelia and Lucas followed Jude’s footsteps with three steps apart between each of them.
How far have they gone?
They took a short break when Jude stopped under a large tree. For some reason, despite being in the middle of the forest, the gap between the trees was very far.
“I’ll take a look at the surrounding environment for a moment.”
Jude spoke in a low voice as he began to carefully observe the soil on the ground or the trees nearby.
And Cordelia thought at that time.
‘What did you do?’
His observation of the surrounding environment was strange.
Frankly, Cordelia couldn’t figure out how Jude did it.
‘It was the same when he said the soil has changed.’
In other words, when we first entered the forest, he was already observing the soil, which was unthinkable for Cordelia.
‘What did you really do in the past?’
Not to mention the fact that he noticed that the soil has changed while walking.
Even if he was number one in the server rankings, his actions were already impossible to explain in words.
‘Something, there is something about him.’
It was not an exaggeration to say that his memory had exceeded the normal limits.
He thought differently than ordinary people and had excellent acting skills.
In addition to this, he even had great observation skills.
‘It smells suspicious.’
It was when Cordelia sniffed once for no reason.
“Lady Cordelia.”
“Huh? Ah, yes?”
A startled Cordelia turned her head and saw Lucas.
But somehow, she felt unpleasant with his smile.
“Lord…Lucas?”
“Ah, sorry. Lady Cordelia’s gaze on Mr. Bayer was so touching…it was such a profound love. I wanted to experience that kind of love too.”
When Lucas’ face turned slightly red as if he was really envious, Cordelia thought.
‘What is this crazy bastard saying?’
Fortunately, the situation was not as urgent as it was in the fight against Minos, so it was possible to prevent the words from coming out of her mouth.
“Fu-…. hohoho…I-is that so.”
Cordelia barely stopped the swear word from coming out and laughed gracefully, while Lucas wiped his nose in embarrassment.
It was at that moment.
Cordelia, who was laughing awkwardly, suddenly stood up. Lucas looked around sharply too, though he was slow by one beat.
The air has changed.
To be exact, they felt piercing sharp gazes directed towards them.
“Lady Cordelia.”
Instead of responding to Lucas’ call, Cordelia grabbed the Moonlight with both hands and shouted.
“Jude!”
The piercing gazes were in front of him.
There was a rattling sound that could be heard from the thick fog. It was not one, but many.
‘Let me think, let’s remember.’
In the original story, there were quite a few monsters that Cordelia met when she wandered through the witch’s forest.
In the forest outskirts, it was mainly forest goblins. Deep in the forest, it was savage beasts like the Owlbear and Wereboar, which one must consider fleeing unconditionally when facing them. And in the vicinity of the seal…
‘Skeleton!’
The power of the seal holding the witch’s soul was not weak.
Containing the power of Asmodeus, the monarch of lust, it affected not only the witch’s soul but also the surrounding area. Because of this, death was no longer an eternal rest in the depths of the witch’s forest.
Those who have died here were reborn as undead monsters.
“Lucas! Sheathe your sword! Hitting is more effective on skeletons!”
As Cordelia quickly shouted, Lucas hastily returned his sword to the scabbard despite his surprise.
The skeletons finally appeared.
‘Eight.’
It wasn’t a small number.
The tottering skeletons were wearing worn-out white clothes that was strangely familiar.
‘What? Was it like this in the original?’
Cordelia clenched her teeth in worry.
“The Guardians.”
Jude suddenly came to her side and said.
The Guardians of the Holy Cross.
They were a group of humans who fought against the demons and were influential across the whole Legend of Heroes series.
If you think of the past broadly, the Paladin Gallus and Solari’s priests, who sealed the great demon Leisegang, were also Guardian members.
Considering the situation, it was highly likely that they entered the forest to destroy Asmodeus’ subordinate, died and became undead.
“The Guardians? Then?!”
“There should be one more.”
The Guardians of the Holy Cross moved as a group of nine people.
And as if answering Jude and Cordelia, a new skeleton appeared behind the back of the scattered skeletons.