CH 76

Fwoosh!

Just like the unraveling of tangled threads, Eugene’s Fear shot forth with incredible momentum and reached the young griffons.

Bweeeeh!?

It was the first time the young griffons were ever faced with such overwhelming pressure. Their bodies stiffened instantaneously. This was understandable, however, for the strongest opponents they faced until now were the likes of bears and wolves. They could not possibly overcome the fear emitted by an awakened Origin.

Fwoosh!

Galfredik saw the opportunity and threw his javelin, which pierced through the air and penetrated the shoulder of one of the younglings. The griffon cried out in pain.

“Ha!” Galfredik shouted before picking up his longsword and rushing at the struggling griffon. The other griffon jumped back with surprise, even though its sibling was crying in pain.

In the meantime, Eugene unsheathed Wolfslaughter and charged forward without delay.

Beeeeek!

The remaining cub became even more startled. On top of being subjected to an overwhelming fear, this was the first time that a human dared to retaliate against it. There were times when humans sheathed their weapons and put up a fight, but this was the first time that the other party chose to engage first.

Beeeeeeeeek!

The mother griffon stepped out after recognizing that its children were in danger. Even though the griffon was smaller than wyverns, its wingspan was almost 6 to 7 meters. The sight of the creature descending from the trees with its wings spread wide was quite daunting and fearsome.

However, Eugene had been paying attention to the mother since the moment he started approaching its child. He reacted instantly and threw the javelin held in his left hand.

Shuaaak!

The projectile shot forward while ripping through the air, and the mother griffon hurriedly folded her wings and rotated her large figure.

Thuck!

The javelin grazed her wing, which caused feathers to spread like snowflakes along with gushing blood. However, the griffon managed to avoid a fatal injury thanks to its quick reaction, and she landed safely on the ground.

Beeeeeeeeek!

The mother griffon roared with anger. Similar to other medium and large monsters, the griffon’s roar contained Fear. Animals and regular humans would stiffen and soil themselves, while inexperienced knights would shrink back as well.

Neiiiigh!

As if to prove it, Silion and Galfredik’s horse ran away with shock and fear.

“Hey! You cowardly horse bastard!” Mirian shouted while hurriedly flying after the horses.

But Eugene and Galfredik were unaffected by the roar.

“It hurts my ears.”

“I know. What a loud roar.” The two knights responded nonchalantly. The griffon was completely flabbergasted by their response. The mother griffon realized through instinct and her experience that the humans, although she couldn’t think of them as such any longer, weren’t ordinary. She spread her wings to protect her young.

Beeeek! Beeeeeeeek!

The mother griffon slowly retreated while threatening the humans with her claws, which were each as big as a human palm.

“Hmm? Don’t tell me… are those bastards trying to run away?” Galfredik spoke as if he was dumbfounded, his fangs jutting out of his mouth.

Beeeeeek!

The young griffons actually began running away, and the mother griffon continued making threatening noises and flapping her wings in the meantime. Then, she started to slowly step back before turning around and suddenly flying away without looking back.

“…..!”

Galfredik was stupefied. Griffons were considered to be quite strong among the immediate-rank monsters, but they were running away without even attempting to fight.

“Galfredik. You take care of the younglings. One of them was seriously injured, so they won’t be able to fly. You should be able to take care of them easily enough,” Eugene spoke.

“What? Then what about the mother? You’re not thinking of catching up to it, right?” Galfredik responded.

Once a flying monster escaped, it was basically impossible to catch it. Moreover, they were in the midst of a thick forest. Even if Eugene was an Origin Vampire, it would be nigh impossible to catch up to the mother griffon.

“I have an idea,” Eugene said.

Eugene was convinced as he recalled killing the giant bat in the dungeon. Although the sun wasn’t completely set yet, there was little sunlight in the dense forest. He could display his full abilities as a vampire in such a place, just as he had done in the dungeon.

“Phew.” Eugene took a deep breath. His eyes gradually turned crimson.

Paaaaa…!

Vampiric Fear slowly exuded from his body and spread far and wide in a wave only visible to his eyes. It extended quickly in the direction where the griffon escaped. Soon after, Eugene’s heightened senses picked up on the smell of the mother griffon’s blood and the noise it made as it flapped its wings.

“That way.” He muttered. Eugene jumped vigorously while staring in a certain direction with his crimson eyes.

Eugene leaped about ten meters in a single step, then quickly disappeared into the depth of the forest while jumping from branch to branch.

***

The mother griffon moved a little slower than usual, and in a different direction from her cubs. She was attempting to protect her young, even if she had to act as a decoy. The humans would surely target her, so she would continue her current pace until she was certain that her cubs were completely safe. Then she could escape with all her might.

The mother griffon continued jumping from branch to branch before stopping at a large branch to catch her breath. She observed the forest. Although she possessed the lower body of a lion, she had the head of an eagle. As such, her vision was excellent–enough to accurately identify a mouse creeping in the grass located hundreds of meters away.

Beek…

She was the ruler of the forest. Perhaps due to the fact, she could not sense any movement on the ground. The griffon finally let down her guard and attended to her injured wing. Although she had been injured several times in the past when dealing with the iron-clad humans, she had never been injured so severely.

If she had not managed to fold her wings and twist her body, the human’s weapon would have pierced straight through it.

The griffon started to carefully lick the wound on her wing.

Suddenly, a strange sound stimulated her ears.

The griffon raised her head and hurriedly looked around, but she could not spot any movements. She tilted her head with confusion and once again resumed licking her wound. But she suddenly felt the emission of a strange, ominous energy.

Pat! Pat!

She could see the human in black armor running on the branches like a swift bird.

The griffon was greatly shocked.

Humans always crawled on the ground like insects. Sometimes there were strong individuals among them, but even they never ran through the trees like monkeys.

Kuwuuuuugh!

Moreover, she had never imagined that a human was capable of unleashing such a tremendous, powerful, and overwhelming roar.

Shuack!

Eugene slashed with both the sharp claws of his left hand, as well as Wolfslaughter held in his right while jumping at the griffon. The creature was momentarily stunned at the roar containing his Fear.

Thuck!

The griffon hurriedly raised its foot, and it collided with Eugene’s claws. Both claws were powerful enough to tear steel apart, but the griffon was flustered by the unexpected attack. It could not overcome Eugene’s planned attack.

Craaaaack! Beeeeeek!

The griffon cried horribly. Its paw had turned into a bloody mess of flesh.

Crack!

Eugene stabbed Wolfslaughter into the griffon’s chest while holding onto its bloody foot with his claws. The weapon easily penetrated the griffon’s thick feathers and hide.

Only the pommel of Eugene’s sword could be seen sticking out of the monster’s chest, and the griffon could not overcome the pain and fell to the ground. After all, Wolfslaughter was a famed sword whose blade contained silver.

Boom! Beeeeek!

Eugene fell along with the griffon’s large figure. Although he suffered a few broken bones, he was able to overcome the pain thanks to his vampiric physique. The griffon pecked at him crazily after crashing to the ground, but Eugene was able to withstand the attacks thanks to his sturdy armor and Black Scales.

Crack!

Eugene dug his claws into the griffon’s chest as well and started stirring it around.

Beeeeeek!

The griffon cried out and struggled in pain while having its organs torn to bits and pieces. Eventually, the griffon suddenly stopped moving and collapsed while excreting all of its waste.

“Huff, huff!”

Eugene dug himself out from underneath the griffon, then started ripping open the monster’s chest without delay.

“Good.” He muttered with a bright expression. He held a mana stone the size of a thumbnail in his hand. After putting aside the mana stone, Eugene plowed through the numerous feathers and sank his fangs into its neck.

Eugene continued drinking for a few minutes, then raised his head.

“Kuwwwwwwuuuugh!” The vampire roared victoriously with his face soaked in the griffon’s blood.

***

“This is driving me crazy!” Gabriel could not hide his anxiety as he looked down from the spire of the Rose Castle, which had been used as the main castle of the Archivold family for many years.

Dozens of large tents had been erected in the field next to a stream located about three to four hundred meters away. Yesterday, the field had been devoid of any human presence.

Moreover, hundreds of troops were lined up outside the wide, deep moat surrounding the castle, and knights carrying the flags of different families could be seen as well.

“How many are there exactly?” Gabriel asked.

“Their number seems to exceed one thousand,” Andre answered. Andre was Gabriel’s most trusted knight as well as his brother-in-law.

“We only have about three hundred, right? Do we stand a chance?” Gabriel asked.

Andre replied while stroking his mustache.

“It is common knowledge that a successful siege requires at least three times the number of defenders. However, our mercenaries are very capable and high in morale, and the loyal knights are also strong-willed. Moreover, it is highly likely that Lord Essandra will not attack the castle.”

“Why is that?” Gabriel asked. Unlike Essandra, who was always diligent in her education ever since she was young as the margrave’s successor, Gabriel was slightly lacking in qualities as a monarch. He wasn’t able to accurately comprehend the situation.

“Take a look at those troops. More than half of them are mercenaries. To satisfy men like those, looting must be allowed of the occupied areas. However, this is the prestigious, honorable main castle of the Archivold family. This isn’t a random village or a hamlet of the territory. Would Lord Essandra permit those savages to loot the castle?” Andre answered.

“Oh! That’s true,” Gabriel exclaimed.

“Yes. In the end, she will try to negotiate. So you need to delay as long as possible, my lord. I have already sent someone, we should hear from them in two to three days,” Andre said.

“Phew! I understand. As expected, it’s truly reassuring to have you by my side, brother-in-law,” Gabriel spoke with relief.

“Not at all. I believe that only Lord Gabriel is capable of leading the Archivold marquisate to stability and prosperity. Moreover, my wife regards only Lord Gabriel as her true brother,” Andre continued.

“Yes. Good, very good. Hahaha!” Gabriel laughed.

Two was better than one, and three was better than two – the same held true for great nobles as well. As such, Gabriel could laugh with relief. A day later, the anticipated news finally arrived.

***

“My lord! I have returned,” after entering the Rose Castle through a secret passage, a knight spoke on one knee.

“Great work, Sir Molve. Did you encounter any danger on your way here?” Andre asked.

“Just as you said, I didn’t come across any troops belonging to Lord Essandra on the way,” Molve answered. The existence and location of the secret passage were only known to the official successor of the marquisate. But both Gabriel and Elena had coincidentally discovered the secret passage when they were playing hide-and-seek in their childhood.

“Sister would have guarded the passage herself. She is stubbornly responsible in that aspect, so she must have not told anyone about it,” Elena said. 

“Yes, you are right. Anyways, Sir Molve, you must never tell anyone about the existence of the passage.” Gabriel added.

“Please don’t worry. I swear on my honor to keep it a secret until the day I die,” Molve answered.

“Good. I trust you, sir. Now, did you look into the matter I spoke about?” Gabriel asked. Both Gabriel and Elena waited for an answer with a tense, but hopeful expression.

“Yes. Just as you predicted, Lord Essandra did not come to personally occupy all the villages and hamlets in the marquisate. Rather, she merely confirmed their loyalty by dispatching a few knights,” Molve answered.

“I knew it. And what else?” Gabriel asked. His real curiosity lay somewhere else, but he didn’t want to risk arousing the knight’s suspicion. As such, he pretended to be calm.

“First, I wasn’t able to enter the Karinsa Dungeon. With Lord Edrique joining Lord Essandra, there were quite a few troops guarding the entrance to the dungeon. They were quite stubborn, insisting that they could not let anyone enter without Lord Essandra’s explicit permission… I apologize,” Molve answered with a dejected expression.

“Hmm.” Gabriel and Elena’s expressions darkened slightly. Now, they had no way of knowing the current status of the wizard. They could only hope that the wizard had escaped safely.

“What about the roamers? Their numbers in the vicinity must have increased greatly since the dungeon hadn’t been subjugated for quite some time,” Elena asked.

“Ah, I would have thought so as well, but the number of roamers has not increased much. However, this might be hard to believe, but…” The knight hesitated.

“But…?” The two siblings asked with curiosity.

“A monster seems to have appeared in Rodan Forest. It’s definitely not a griffon, but judging from its fierce roar, it’s presumed to be a very dangerous, wicked monster. Something that has never been seen before.”