Chapter 959 |
Chapter 959
"Commander!"
"Duke Peletta, Your Highness!"
Exhausted, the unit members and the imperial soldiers, along with everyone else who had been lying down receiving treatment, abruptly gasped for air and stood up. It was no surprise given the immense explosion that occurred, alarming even the usually calm and trusting members of the Cavalry. Some had even been caught trying to use their abilities to escape.
However, when the burst of light vanished and the explosion subsided,
Everyone was astounded, not only by the unblemished appearance of the man standing before them but by the significance of what they witnessed.
"How can this be......."
Despite being closest to the explosion, Kishiar appeared completely unharmed as if nothing had happened. However, the area immediately surrounding him was the only clean spot; everywhere else was covered in the exploded remains of monsters, to the extent that the ground was no longer visible.
Amid the barely wriggling remains, the man stood unscathed, his appearance immaculate. The chillingly blue blade he held evoked ancient legends in the minds of those who saw it.
Gazing at the figure standing against the night's darkness, people felt a shiver run down their spines.
Why had they ever thought he was someone to worry about after witnessing his splitting of the sea?
They felt ashamed for even having such thoughts momentarily, as he seemed like a monumental figure, transcending something unfathomable, akin to a colossal mountain.
The man's hair, looking towards the sea, tangled in the wind like threads of gold. People suddenly became acutely aware of the inherent weight of his lineage and the existence of the divine sword Orr that he wielded.
"Oh... Almighty."
Several devout followers of the Sun God and priests spontaneously knelt and clasped their hands in prayer. Some murmured prayers somewhere. It was almost impossible for them not to be overwhelmed by a scene that resembled a painting of a holy moment.
"Commander."
The moment of silence, maintained by no one daring to approach Kishiar, was broken when Kanna and Gakane returned from a safe place.
"This is all....... How could this......."
Gakane, like others, was shocked at the sight of the monster remains scattered around, but Kanna's expression was relatively calm and determined. Her ability to process information had turned even this astonishing sight into something she could understand.
"Commander. I'm relieved you're safe!"
Finally, the man who had been gazing towards the sea turned around. The face within the line of sight, the gaze, was exactly that of Commander Kishiar, whom they knew well.
"I'm glad you all returned without any injuries. Thanks to your timely intervention, the damage was much less than expected. I appreciate your excellent judgment."
"That's too kind of you. I believe there's still much to be done before I deserve such praise."
"That may be so."
Kishiar smiled. At that moment, Kanna felt the tension she had been holding release.
To feel fear in the presence of Kishiar was illogical. She had understood intellectually that he had managed everything on his own, but emotionally, she had been overwhelmed and subdued by the enormity of it all.
‘...But how could I not? Especially after witnessing such a thing.’
Throughout her time with the Cavalry, she had seen her fair share of incredible sights. Starting with her closest friend, Yuder Aile, who was a monstrous being beyond normal standards. However, the emotions she felt now, compared to when she had first seen Yuder's power, were subtly different.
When Yuder exerted his power deliberately, those who witnessed it felt a reverence akin to standing before a vast, unchallengeable force of nature. It was similar to the feeling of insignificance one might have in the face of mountains, seas, storms, and earthquakes – phenomena beyond human control.
Yet, today, standing before their Commander, who single-handedly split the sea and obliterated a monster with one blow, they felt an awe reserved for something far beyond human comprehension. Even Kanna, who had lived most of her life with scant regard for faith, found herself thinking of words like God, holy figures, or the ancient emperors in the presence of Kishiar. What more for others?
"On my way here, I surveyed the situation in the forest. It seems the battle is nearing its end without any serious injuries, thanks to everyone's efforts, including Sir Zuckerman."
"That's fortunate."
"I've also gathered information that there were no major issues near where the mages are stationed. Signals have been sent confirming their safety. There's no need for worry there."
"And?"
"And... it seems someone will be coming from the sea soon, if my abilities haven't dulled."
Kanna smiled sheepishly. Despite having honed her skills through rigorous training to an unparalleled level compared to before, reading and categorizing countless people while on the move had been an arduous task. So much so that her nose bled, startling Gakane, by the time she retreated.
'Fortunately, the bleeding stopped quickly...'
"If you say so, then it must be true."
Kishiar agreed with Kanna's words without a hint of doubt, his face as calm as if he were the one who had gathered all the information.
Soon, just as Kanna had predicted, someone sliced through the water from the sea, rapidly approaching. It was a Cavalry member using the power of water.
Upon seeing the beach littered with monster remains, the member was initially shocked but quickly ignored it and stepped over them to approach Kishiar, bowing his head.
"Commander, news from the seabed. One of the six anomalous cracks has been extinguished! Yuder himself confirmed and relayed the information. It's certain."
"...Wow!"
Gakane almost let out a cheer, clenching his eyes shut, but managed to restrain himself, swallowing his words. However, Kanna, the reporting member, and everyone else shared the same overwhelming sentiment.
'Finally!'
Kishiar too seemed momentarily surprised by the good news, blinking before exhaling deeply and smiling. It was a smile brighter and somehow more poignant than before.
"Is that so? Finally... How are those who struggled beneath the sea? Any injured?"
"There are quite a few injuries... but luckily, the priests on the ship say they can be healed. Yuder was also injured this time... He hadn't come up to the surface when I left for here."
At this, the expressions of the reporting member, Gakane, and Kanna all darkened instantly. Everyone had tried to ensure Yuder wasn't injured, like during the hailstorm, but Kanna felt a particular sense of guilt among them.
Despite her unease, Kanna could not express her concerns when even Commander Kishiar remained unflinchingly calm.
'Since Yuder hasn't come up, it must be a minor injury, right? He's stubborn enough to ignore even a serious injury and keep going... But Steiber wouldn't just leave him be if it were serious.'
Yuder, known for his relentless nature, did show some deference to the elders, a trait Kanna suspected stemmed from his upbringing under his grandfather's guidance. Steiber, the oldest and most amiable member of the Cavalry, always prioritized safety. Kanna wanted to believe that if Yuder was seriously hurt, Steiber wouldn't just stand by idly.
"And there's one more message from below the sea."
"What is it?"
"I'm sorry to say, but it seems the tenth... is about to happen."
Silence fell upon hearing this. The ninth had just passed, and now the tenth was imminent. Despite the good news of one crack closing, a sense of dread was inevitable.
Yet, despite the members' tense reactions, Kishiar remained composed. He patted the member's shoulder with a smile, advising him to get treated and return, before turning away.
"Let's get ready."
His posture was still upright, his grip on the sword steady and unwavering. Looking at his hand, which seemed even firmer than during the hailstorm, Kanna felt a strange yet familiar sensation.
'The Commander now reminds me of Yuder in some way.'
"The upcoming battles will be centered around Marin's Forest. You can retreat further if necessary. I'll continue to guard this place, so you all do what you deem necessary."
"Understood!"
Preparing for the tenth with their current manpower would be challenging, even with those who had received treatment and returned. However, no one questioned Kishiar's orders.
Moments later, the tenth wave arrived.
The smaller monsters were dealt with by those in Marin's Forest, while Kishiar handled the giant tentacle, as before. News arrived that the second crack had closed.
Then came the eleventh wave, followed by the closure of the third crack.
The twelfth wave surged in, and the fourth crack closed. After handling the thirteenth wave, everyone was exhausted, but they cheered upon hearing that the fifth crack had been sealed.
Only one crack remained.
The night, filled with the stench of blood, slowly gave way to dawn.
However, as they awaited what was expected to be the fourteenth and final wave, Kishiar received new information from below the sea.
"Commander. The size of the remaining monsters has exceeded expectations. Yuder asks if you can prepare 'the second method.”