Chapter 189

Chapter 189

"How reckless...?" Obell, the plump rider, momentarily forgot about fleeing and stared in astonishment.

Under his helmet, he focused his gaze on the black-haired knight as it soared in an arc toward the bellowing basilisk. To him, it seemed like a suicide mission.

The six-legged monster had already torn apart six of his soldiers, two of whom had succumbed to the curse before being ripped apart. If they hadn't mounted their horses, the remaining riders, including Obell, would have met the same fate. It would take a well-prepared hunting party of at least twenty to kill such a monster.

Sure enough, the basilisk, its yellow eyes gleaming, unleashed a wave of its curse and lunged at the black-haired knight with its mouth agape. Between its sharp fangs, poison smoke billowed menacingly. As Obell tugged on his reins with a sigh, he glanced at another knight maneuvering to the basilisk's side. At the very least, he had to save that man.

"Please, don't waste your life! Thanks to you, we have a chance to escape, so now—"

"Screech!"

The basilisk's scream drowned his shout. Obell's gaze whipped back around. The black-haired knight, who should have been caught in the monster's jaws, passed by it. Not only had he avoided the monster's magic, but he also changed his trajectory mid-air, a seemingly impossible feat. As far as Obell knew, changing direction in mid-air was indeed impossible.

"Kiaaaak!"

The basilisk, now writhing on the ground, proved that it had happened. Moreover, a stream of blue fluid gushed from a large wound on its thick neck. The knight hadn't just changed his trajectory; he had pierced the thick scales and inflicted a wound. The spears of Obell's soldiers had only managed to dislodge a few scales before breaking.

"By Della Lu..." As Obell murmured in awe, tugging at his reins, the fully armored knight began his charge. He deftly avoided the thrashing basilisk, leaning to the side of his saddle as he passed.

"Kiyaaaak!" The basilisk convulsed violently.

The knight, having leaped over the monster's massive tail with his horse, moved away. Determined not to give the creature any respite, the black-haired knight lunged again, his leap astonishingly powerful for a human.

"Is he using some kind of magical gear...?" Obell, now completely stopped, muttered blankly.

"Young master! What are you doing, standing there? Come this way, quickly!"

A shout came from behind him. The other riders, who had been fleeing with him, had also stopped some distance away. The shout came from a young Vanturian with dark skin. Obell raised his hand to signal that he was fine, then motioned for them to come closer. Meanwhile, his right hand fumbled for the sword at his waist. It finally struck him that it wasn't the time to just stand and watch. Realizing the unexpected rescuers were highly skilled, joining them in the hunt seemed the right course of action.

"Are you suggesting we go back there?"

"This is madness...."

The riders, though grumbling, adjusted their reins just then.

"Excuse me, but!"

A clear voice rang out from behind. The riders, including Obell, paused as the voice continued.

"Whatever you're planning, please stop."

Obell turned toward the voice. Near the edge of the forest, a carriage had approached unnoticed.

A brown-haired young man, heavily armored and sitting in the driver's seat, looked at him and the riders, saying, "And could you please move back a little more? Ideally, to around here."

"But how can we just stand by and watch? That monster isn't an ordinary beast. It originally dwelled in the deep valleys of the mountains—"

"Look over there again." The driver cut off Obell's words, pointing with his chin.

"Do they look like they're in danger right now?"

"...."

Obell turned back toward the basilisk and found himself gaping in disbelief. The two knights were driving the basilisk back and forth, controlling it skillfully. The monster was still rampaging fiercely, but had not harmed them. Instead, new wounds appeared on its body, blue blood pouring from long gashes.

"Move back. If you join in, you'll only get in the way."

"...."

Obell was rendered speechless by the sharp rebuke.

"He's right! Come this way, young master!"

The Vanturian youth called out from among the riders, who had already retreated. He threw down his broken spear shaft for emphasis.

"What could we possibly do to help in that fight? Come over here. If you get a scratch, we'll be in big trouble."

"... Ugh." Grimacing, Obell finally turned his horse around.

As he observed the luxurious carriage approaching leisurely, seemingly unaffected by the battle in the forest, he cautiously added, "Um, can we go check immediately after the fight is over?"

The driver responded with an indifferent expression.

"If you must do so."

Jorah bowed slightly to Ian and stepped back.

He really is a noble's son. But why was he out hunting monsters?

Obell, still smiling, looked at Ian, who was pondering this.

"Once again, thank you, Sir Ivan. And Sir Maverick. Without you both, we would have suffered significant casualties in taking down this monster."

"The basilisk isn't a creature that lives in these parts. How did you come to be chased by it? Did you stumble upon its nest?" Ian asked, glancing at Mev as she approached.

Obell shook his head. "Not at all. Recently, the number of monsters near our territory has increased significantly. So, we formed a patrol and were scouring the forest."

Ian turned.

Obell, having handed his reins to Jorah, who was walking beside him, continued, "We went only to the foot of that mountain. That beast should have been deep in the valley, but we found it on a rock. And it was extremely agitated."

"Ah...." Ian chuckled briefly.

He understood the situation. The increase in monster numbers had likely driven the basilisk out of its nest. Normally, it could easily make a meal of cave trolls, but against overwhelming numbers, it had no choice but to leave.

"Unfortunate for you."

"In a way, we were fortunate. We encountered you, and it’s dead with minimal casualties."

"We don't come out empty-handed either. That monster is ours now," said Ian.

Looking at Obell, Ian added, "Every drop of blood and every scale. Any objections?"

Tension filled Jorah's eyes. It was a natural reaction. If these outsiders, who had single-handedly taken down the basilisk, harbored ill intentions, they could all be as good as dead. And Ian didn’t seem at all intimidated by Obell’s noble status.

But Obell burst into laughter. His round chin jiggled.

"Of course. However, would it be acceptable to purchase it from you at a fair price?"

"Certainly. If you help with the transport, I'll even give you a discount."

"You know how to negotiate. Let’s do that. Fellows, come here and show your gratitude!"

Obell waved his hand and shouted. The riders, chatting with Philip near the carriage, quickly dismounted.

"No need for thanks. We've had enough already." Ian raised his hand to stop them and approached the carriage.

Philip, seated on the driver's bench, gave him a meaningful look. Ian nodded slightly in response.

"You're a humble man. It seems this is your first time in the West. Are you from the central region?" Obell asked.

Ian, stopping beside the carriage, looked back at him.

"How did you know?"

"You didn't seem to recognize my family name."

Ah, so everyone knows his family around here.

While Ian smirked inwardly, Obell looked at Ian, Mev, and Philip ?and added, "In that case, may I formally introduce myself again?"

"That's not for me to decide."

Ian glanced briefly at Philip before adding, "We are in service to someone."

"Ah, I see. My apologies for my lack of manners. May I request an audience with the person inside?" Obell took a step back and asked.

Jorah had joined him by then. At Ian's glance, Philip tapped on the carriage. After a brief delay, the carriage door opened.

Charlotte emerged. She looked clearly reluctant, but Obell and Jorah didn’t seem to notice.

"...!" They were already wide-eyed, shocked by her appearance alone.

"Allow me... to introduce..."

Ignoring their reactions, Charlotte stepped out, holding the door with one hand as she spoke, "The seeker of endless knowledge... the youngest daughter of the Water of Life... reborn under the baptism of death...."

A pale arm emerged silently from the carriage. Thesaya, her silver hair cascading, stood on the steps with a blank expression.

Charlotte sighed softly and added, "The youngest elder of her clan, Lady Tensia Aynas."