Holding the Line

“*Die*!” Owl’s arrow struck a wolf this time. It didn’t kill it, but it succeeded in making the beast limp, rendering it no longer a threat. *Kwe-aak*! Homi once again achieved a one-shot kill. But thanks to that sacrifice, the wolves were able to approach the defensive line. As the two archers fell back, the Mercenaries advanced with their shields to block the assault. “They’re coming!” “Trust your shields and hold! Watch your ankles!” In combat against beasts, one had to be wary of hard-to-guard areas like ankles and thighs. Even more so if one was wearing flimsy armor that barely deserved to be called gambesons! *Kyar-r-r*! As if mocking them, the lead wolf leaped high, aiming for Beard’s throat. At that moment, Eugene swung his Large Flail from within the Mercenaries’ defensive line. The <i>iron club</i>, flying with an immense tearing sound, struck the charging wolf across the cheek. The Mercenaries then witnessed a bizarre sight they had never seen before. The wolf, struck by the Large Flail, spun around four times in the air before crashing about five meters away. “Pfft!” Despite the grave situation, one Mercenary let out a snort of laughter at the comical sight of the flying wolf. Meanwhile, another wolf charged. The Large Flail descended above its head, as if tearing through the air. *Pukak*! The wolf’s head twisted at an unnatural angle and slammed into the ground. The momentum of its charge caused its head to plow through the earth for about a meter before it stopped. *We’re alive*! Beard shouted inwardly. Their numbers, including the newly appearing wolves, approached twenty. That alone was life-threatening, and now there was a Warg too. If they had been alone, they would have taken down a few more wolves before being overwhelmed by sheer numbers and eaten alive. However, seeing the incredible might of the Knight fighting alongside them, they felt their time wasn't up yet. “Don’t overextend yourselves trying to attack! Focus on maintaining your defense! We’re helping the Knight fight comfortably!” “Yes, Captain!” Their morale soared, and the Mercenaries, shields forward, swung their spears and axes to keep the beasts at bay. *Hwoooong*! *Kkae-gaeng*! Above them, Eugene swung his Large Flail, and a wolf fell with every swing. “Ugh!” Some Mercenaries flinched at the brutal sound of the Large Flail passing over their heads. He’s a monster of a Knight! What kind of human strength is this... No matter how formidable Knights were, they felt that the man fighting with them was *Beyond Standard*. Fighting wolves was tricky because they had to swing their weapons low, and the wolves' movements were swift. To attack with a sword or axe, one had to break one's stance and bend one's knees, but by then, the beast would have fled, and the weapon would often slice through empty air. Many were injured or killed by attacks through such openings, whether their ankles were gnawed or their throats torn. But Eugene was different. Gripping the end of his Large Flail with one hand, he swung it with superhuman strength from horseback, and the reach and changing points of impact were terrifying. *Pweok*! A wolf that had crouched low and tried to retreat was struck in the flank and tumbled away. *Kkeo-reuk*. Its left side was deeply caved in, as if all its ribs were broken, looking terribly painful. The wolf, its lungs shredded by broken bone fragments, spasmed, frothing blood. *Ping*! *Sing*! In the meantime, Owl and Homi’s shots added to the onslaught, and the wolves fell helplessly. Eventually, the beasts couldn’t hold out and began to flee. In an instant, over ten wolves were dead, yet not a single scratch was on them. It was an overwhelming victory. “I-is it over now?” “Over? What’s over? The Warg is still out there!” Beard shouted at the trembling Rookie. There was still a distance to Boneyard. If the Warg attacked them at their campsite at night, they would see *Hell*. Eugene spurred his horse and rode out beyond the Mercenaries’ formation. “Come out!” The Knight’s shout reverberated through the forest. It wasn’t just a loud voice. It had the power to make any listener cower, like the roar of a beast. But unlike the Mercenaries, who felt awe, the Warg seemed to have its fighting spirit provoked. *Krr-r-r*. A massive wolf with a twisted face emerged, pushing through the undergrowth. It was more than twice the size of the dead wolves. “Damn it! Why is a Warg appearing in this *Backwater*?” “Shut up and focus. Maintain the defensive line and, if necessary, create space for the Knight to retreat!” Beard barked at his subordinates. The Warg was holding the neck of a wolf that had ignored its command and had fled. Sharp teeth, each as thick as a man’s thumb, were visible through its blood-red snout. *Gulp*. The Mercenaries swallowed nervously. Meanwhile, Eugene was admiring his horse. It stood calmly, not only when surrounded by wolves but also when facing the Warg. I see why Master praised Barsia Horses. —*Barsia Horses are exposed to the scent of specially treated blood from when they are foals. Warhorses raised this way develop a greater resistance to fear. Or rather, they become desensitized? Especially on the battlefield, if they smell blood, they will obey their master’s commands even if a massive monster is before them*. The scent of blood emanating from the wolf carcasses scattered everywhere was giving Maiteu courage. Behind the Warg, wolves followed with subdued spirits. They had fled in fear of Eugene, but after one of them was brutally bitten to death as an example, they were forced to follow. A pregnant female with a bulging belly was also visible. *Kwooo-eong*! The Warg roared and charged. It blocked the incoming arrows and bolts with the wolf carcass it held. This was clearly not its first time. Having closed the distance in an instant, it suddenly shifted to a bipedal stance. *Tewt*! It spat out the carcass and tried to swing its long arms, but Eugene attacked first. His divine power allowed for powerful surprise attacks without any preparatory movements. *CRUNCH*! The Warg’s claws collided with the Large Flail and shattered. Yet, even as it shrieked in pain, it leaped to bite Eugene. The distance between them closed, and the twisted creature’s lips curled into a snarl. It was too close for a long-hafted weapon. “It’s useless, you brute.” However, Eugene had kept the longsword he had drawn in his left hand hidden. He thrust it directly into the creature’s exposed chest. *Kheu-eong*! The Warg, impaled through the chest, hung suspended in the air. The Mercenaries, unable to intervene in the fight, merely stared in stunned silence. Not only was Eugene’s reaction lightning-fast, but to impale and lift such a heavy creature with one hand was an unbelievable feat of strength. Eugene kicked the thrashing creature’s abdomen. *Pweong*! With a sound like a leather sack bursting, the body, pulled clean off the sword, flew through the air. The recoil was enough to make Maiteu stumble back several steps. Eugene vividly felt its insides turn to mush beneath his foot. It must have sustained a fatal injury, as severe as being stabbed by a sword. *Kkeo-woo-woo*. The Warg’s ferocious momentum completely evaporated. Faced with the fear of death, it reverted to a quadrupedal stance and tried to awkwardly hobble away. *Dag-dag. Dag-dag*. Eugene, spurring Maiteu, pursued it. “It’s no use. How do you expect to survive showing your back to a mounted Knight?” “You’re *dead*, you son of a bitch!” Beard and Owl scoffed, their voices laced with murderous intent. If the Knight had been chasing *them*, they would have pissed themselves, but when they saw him chase the Warg, it couldn’t have been more exhilarating. Catching up in an instant, Eugene swung his arm, and the Large Flail smashed the back of the Warg’s head. Pulverized brain matter and blood splattered from the caved-in skull. *Chwa-aak*! The Knight, swinging both arms wide in an X-shape to shake the blood from his longsword and Large Flail, looked like a scene from a masterpiece painting brought to life. *This is *a marvel*!* Sorin completely forgot his regret about missing Godfrey. His Disciple was a far more incredible Knight than he had ever imagined. With the Warg dead, the wolves, who had merely been observing, slowly raised their heads. They showed no will to fight whatsoever. Their leader, whom they had served with fear and hatred, was dead, so there was no point in senselessly fighting humans. The pregnant female stepped forward and looked directly at Eugene. “Looks like you’re *begging* to die, when you should be running away.” Owl aimed an arrow, ready to shoot. “Wait! Stop.” “Yes, Knight!” As Eugene raised his hand, Owl immediately lowered his bow. No fighting spirit emanated from the approaching female wolf, only a slight relief and immense sorrow. *Awooo-woo-woo*. The female, looking at the dead wolves, raised her head high and howled. *Awooo-woo-woo-woo-woo* In response, the other wolves howled in turn. “Damn it.” Even the rough Mercenaries seemed to understand something, lowering their weapons and cursing. “I know that feeling.” Gamba, a Veteran Soldier who had been conscripted in his youth and lost an eye, watched with a heavy heart. After the dirge ended, the female wolf looked at Eugene for a moment, then turned and left. The others also vanished into the undergrowth. * * * Even after the fight ended, Eugene’s mind remained calm. The attack by the wolf pack and the Warg was a situation that would make even experienced Mercenaries tremble in fear, but only a quiet fighting spirit had risen within him. “Homi?” “*Area secure. Enemy retreated*.” Homi informed him that there were no signs of activity nearby, using Combat Hand Signals instead of spoken words. Eugene nodded and entrusted his Large Flail to her. Homi wiped the blood, fur, and flesh clinging to the chain and club head with a cloth. Then, she applied a mixture of rabbit fat from a rabbit hunted yesterday and oil from the Blacksmith's Shop. Eugene, still mounted, cleaned his sword blade and returned to the group. In the field, entrusting both primary and secondary weapons to a Squire was unknightly. A Knight should always carry at least one weapon. It’s certainly convenient to have a Squire. Eugene looked at Homi with an admiring gaze. Beyond being a reliable, beloved younger sister, she was excellently assisting him as a Squire. “You’ve worked hard, Sir! Your valor is truly magnificent!” Sorin approached, calming his trembling packhorse. “Is anyone injured? If so, I’ll share some effective medicine.” “Giving us good food is already a blessing, but medicine too! For people like us, bandages are enough!” “Thanks to the Knight, we’re safe. The Rookies in the back wouldn’t have even broken a sweat.” Beard and Owl replied with amiable smiles. Their words were far from mere flattery. They were genuinely impressed. This was because Eugene was not just a formidable warrior, but also a fine Knight who showed them consideration in many ways. “Time has passed. If no one is hurt, shall we depart again?” “Knight, perhaps we should take the Warg with us, if not the wolves?” Owl asked cautiously. “Is it worth anything?” Monster hides were excellent material for armor. Godfrey hadn’t told him about the quality of Warg hide, so Eugene asked with anticipation. “It yields a lot of hide and is a bit tougher, but the quality isn’t significantly different from that of a regular wolf.” Owl looked regretfully at the wolf carcasses scattered around. If they skinned all of them, it would fetch a good price, but they didn’t have the luxury of taking all of them, not just one or two. Moreover, if they did skin them, they’d have to hand over most of it to the Knight and Squire right in front of them. Otherwise, that *iron club* that smashed wolf heads could very well land on their own. There were countless tales of Mercenaries who, lulled by a seemingly benevolent and easygoing Knight, mistakenly crossed a line and ended up cut down. “If it’s not much different from wolf hide, then why bother?” “Still, it’s much larger and a bit thicker, so it’s good for covering yourself at night. It keeps out the cold and dew well. It also makes for a splendid cloak. It’s especially popular among Gord Knights.” Beard was already bringing the Warg carcass with his subordinates. “I see. Thank you for the advice.” “You’re welcome. It’s still not enough compared to the value of our lives.” “Then how do we move this thing? It’s not convenient to skin it here, and it would take too long.” Sorin immediately dismounted. “I’ll walk. Tie it to my horse and drag it.” “But then I’d feel bad.” “I haven’t done anything, so I should at least be of some help this way.” Sorin quickly gestured to the Mercenaries before Eugene could decline. The Veteran Mercenaries wrapped the Warg carcass in the Rookies’ blankets, secured it, and tied it to the horse’s saddle. “Oh, dear.” The Rookies could only make tearful faces, unable to resist. “There’s a stream at the next Campsite. We can work on it there this evening.” “Very well, I’ll leave it to you. How much for the work?” “Oh, you don’t have to pay us.” Owl didn’t want to do the work for free, but he tried to think of it as the price for having their lives saved and also to make a good impression on Sorin, since their base was Boneyard. *Nod*. Sorin, too, was smiling at Owl with a satisfied expression. “Kindness can be free, but skill cannot. Don’t refuse my sincerity.” “Thank you!” With the issue with his warhorse had been resolved, Eugene could certainly afford that much money. He also wanted to ensure his diligent Squire got some rest. “...” However, Homi stood beside Owl. “This is dirty work for a Squire.” Homi handled a dagger with dazzling dexterity, wearing a resolute expression. “Let’s do it together. Wouldn’t that make it twice as fast?” “I’ll leave it to you.” Eugene nodded, looking at the two reliable hunters. Owl, who had a quick end to his schedule, escaped danger, and even earned extra pay, grinned widely at the Warg carcass.