Chapter 276

Chapter 276

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Gentle slopes, flat terrain, and lower elevation than Mount Beryl. Normally, it should have been less strenuous than crossing the Mountains of Silence.

Unfortunately, their destination, the Lycella Plateau, was an outer sealed area. A place where even the most renowned knights were reluctant to venture. If the natural environment wasnt harsh, something else was.

Lydon! Bind their feet!

Lydons [Great Frozen Ground] stretched out before Cadels command could be uttered. A group of fleeing goblins slipped on the ice that covered the slope, and the chill of the frozen ground froze their ankles.

Shaaa.

A blue flash cut through the horde. A beat later, a section slid away, half-dismembered bodies tumbling down the slope. More than a dozen monsters were killed in one shot, but they werent done.

This is a lot of monsters.

Aura, demonic energy, and dark energy appeared here and there, slaughtering monsters, but just when they could catch their breath, new ones appeared as if they had been waiting.

They were fewer in number than an army, but they were popping up all over the place, and it made them more alert.

Has the seal already been broken?

Lumen clicked his tongue briefly, his senses tingling. They had only made it halfway up the plateau despite their constant slashing of monsters. If the seal was broken and the plateau was already infested with demons and monsters, it was a bad idea to waste their stamina like this.

The type of monster is too ordinary to have come out of the seals crack, so maybe theyve always lived here, or maybe they were pushed down here by a monster from the Demon Realm that was released on the plateau.

Cadel could think of several theories, but they were all negative.

If a High Demon is going to appear, it would be better if they come out of the summoning circle. If they break through the seal, there will be too many enemies to deal with.

Was there a lot of minions in the High Demons stage this time? Cadel didnt remember.

But whether the seal was broken or still intact. Now was not the time to be dealing with these minions.

Only kill the ones that chase you! We need to get as close to the plateau as possible before nightfall. Hurry!

It was a war-like march. The Knight Order was only able to set up camp after nightfall.

Even Lydon was exhausted from fighting so many monsters. It was times like these that they needed to replenish their strength. They ate the potions Cadel had distributed and the food theyd brought, and then decided on the order of the watch.

Since there were still signs of the monsters around the barely established campsite, they decided to pair up in groups of two.

The first pair was Lydon and Garuel, the second was Van and Lumen, and the third was Cadel and Yozen. Each group was to rotate every two hours, but the first group rotated a little early.

Your stench is covering up the smell of the monsters, Garuel. What are you going to do? Stay away from me.

Is there really a need to distinguish by smell? There are so many of them that I think no matter where I attack them, they will all hit.

Stupid! I just dont like the way you smell!

Oh, dear, may I offer you my handkerchief? You can carry it around and get used to my body odor. Umm, it makes me feel a little queasy, but its for Sir Lydons sake. Yôur favorite stories on n/o/(v)e/lbin(.)com

Ahaha! You dont want to live anymore?

Because of the two mens nonstop chatter, with the exception of Cadel, who was completely exhausted, the rest of the group couldnt get any sleep with their loud conversation.

Get out.

Lumens frosty gaze turned to Garuel. About to make his own excuses, Garuel was humbled by Vans annoyed expression as he pulled Lydon aside.

If one stays next to Lord Lydon, one will be treated similarly.

As Van and Lumen were forced to switch the shifts, Yozen withdrew the dark energy that had been coloring his fingertips. Lydon and Garuel, who had been chattering away, fell silent and into a light sleep.

The second group remained true to their duty as watchmen. They kept the campfire burning without speaking and focused on the sounds around them. Not every moving monster needs to be dealt with. It was better for their stamina to just pick off the ones that got close to the camp.

You sound like a grumpy little kid.

Lumen was deliberately sarcastic, trying to get on Vans nerves. He didnt know why Van was doing what he was doing, but it would be a detriment to the fight if his comrade, who was supposed to be slaying the demons with him, was drained of energy. Lumen planned to drag Van back and make him stop.

But Lumens taunt didnt go unanswered. With a sneer, Van pulled his greatsword from the goblins body.

Grumpy. Grumpy, huh. Is that what it looks like to you?

Other than that, I dont know what else to say. Surely you werent sulking because Leader didnt pay attention recently? Dont be annoying and just stand guard.

Im so jealous of you.

Lumen frowned slightly. Not because of Vans incomprehensible demeanor, but because he sensed killing intent in Vans eyes once again.

Did you lose your mind while fighting the monsters?

Im jealous of you. Im so f*cking jealous, Lumen.

Van walked slowly. His red eyes shone brightly, but there was no power in his stride. Slowly approaching, Van paused in front of Lumen, the atmosphere between them sharp as if they could slice through each other at any moment.

You have power, you have abilities, but Ive never been jealous of what you have.

.

But now.

Vans face twisted into a grim expression. A red aura swelled from his rage-filled eyes, threatening to explode.

I want to take away the emotions you are feeling. I want to have it even if I have to kill you.

Lumens hand moved to his scabbard, the excessive tension pulling the air around them taut, hostility crackling in Van like it could explode at any moment.

This was bad. At this rate, one of them would be badly hurt. As much as he didnt want it, there was nothing Lumen could do to stop Vans rage.

He was accustomed to Vans anger directed at him, but this was different. Something was going wrong. A faint sense of bewilderment flickered over his blue eyes.

What happened, Van.

What happened?

Vans mouth contorted strangely. He looked like he was holding back laughter, or like he was in pain. But he didnt answer.

Van! Lumen! Are you there?

Cadels voice cut through the stiff air, echoing through the forest. The tension between them broke as if a vein had been cut.

Cadel stepped out of the trees, Yozen behind him, and as he approached them, looking greatly relieved to find them, he tripped over a monster corpse and stumbled. With Yozens help, he regained his footing, and in hindsight, he captured the sight of the carcass.

This is all.

It was Lumen that reassured the panicked Cadel.

I ended up here because I was chasing those who were running away. Is it already time for the shift? All the monsters around have been killed, so theres nothing to worry about.

Ah I see, you caught a lot.

Smiling awkwardly, Cadel stepped around the corpse and approached them, his worried eyes darting between Lumen and Van before settling on Van.

Lets go back. You need to get some sleep.

A mixture of suspicion and anxiety filled Lumens eyes as he wondered if Cadel was acting strangely as well.

Yes, Commander.

Van wore a grim smile, his face completely devoid of the killing intent that had been there a moment ago. His face was so pristine that Lumen could hardly believe his eyes. No hostility, no anger, nothing at all, shone from the golden eyes filled with aura.

A shiver ran through Lumens body, but instead of pointing out Vans demeanor, he chose to remain silent. Now was not the time.