Ambush!

“What?

A large organized group of monsters has invaded the territory, and several surrounding villages have already been damaged!”

Although he was still in mourning, his wife’s funeral having been held not long ago, there was no time for Duke Sachsen to grieve.

Letting this continue would only lead to greater damage… As it was a matter within his ducal territory, it was the Duke’s responsibility to resolve it.

He acted decisively, leading the vast majority of his forces out at full speed, preparing to suppress the monster army.

…But he was completely unaware that he had fallen into a trap.

“Whoa!”

They were still a considerable distance from their destination, yet the punitive force came to a sudden halt.

“What is it?”

The Duke asked the Knight Commander.

“Someone is blocking the road ahead.

We were forced to stop.”

Following the commander’s gaze, the Duke could vaguely see a few scattered human figures in the distance.

“Villagers from nearby?

But it’s already nightfall…”

Though still puzzled, the Duke nonetheless went forward and addressed the figures:

“I am Duke Sachsen Anist!

A large number of monsters has appeared ahead.

We are proceeding at full speed to annihilate them.

We ask for your cooperation in clearing the way!”

“…”

Strangely, after hearing these words, the figures made no move, not even the slightest gesture.

“If you clear the way now, your transgression will be forgiven!

But if you insist on obstructing us, you will be arrested and executed for obstructing official duties!”

“…”

Still no movement.

“Tch… Arrest them all!

They will be judged later!”

“Yes, sir!”

Several knights moved forward, attempting to apprehend these disobedient “villagers.”

And just then, the figures moved.

They all drew jet-black daggers in unison, their movements even more synchronized than a trained army.

“Weapons!?”

The entire company of knights immediately became alert.

“Defensive formation!

Protect the Duke!”

Under the Knight Commander’s orders, the knights immediately formed a protective circle around the Duke.

…Are they bandits?

But what kind of bandits would be foolish enough to rob a well-equipped army?

Or are they assassins targeting the ducal family?

This would be far too blatant.

And just as the Duke was pondering this, an even more unexpected situation occurred.

All the figures raised their daggers and, without hesitation, plunged them into their own necks.

“…Mass suicide?”

“No… that’s not it!”

“Look!”

Before everyone’s eyes, their bodies began to twist and mutate, gradually turning into bizarrely shaped monsters.

“…They were monsters all along?”

“Are there monsters that can mimic human form now?”

“No…”

The Duke refuted the knights’ speculation.

“There was almost no flow of magic from their bodies before… but after the transformation, their magic surged instantaneously… It must be the work of those daggers.”

An item that could turn people into monsters.

In all his long life, the Duke had never seen such a thing.

But regardless, the creatures before them were undoubtedly monsters… and as monsters, they must be annihilated.

“Annihilate them!

Fire!”

At the Duke’s command, a heavy rain of arrows fell!

The monsters were instantly turned into pincushions.

…They seem weak.

Bows and arrows alone are enough to render them helpless.

The Duke thought to himself.

“Archers, maintain suppressive fire!

Cavalry, prepare to charge!”

But just as they were preparing to break through in one fell swoop, a strange change occurred.

The blood flowing from the monsters’ bodies began to move in a way that completely defied the laws of physics, its winding form like a slithering snake, but its speed far exceeding that.

“Ugh!!”

Due to the extreme speed, several knights who were closer and preparing to charge were caught completely off guard.

In a mere instant, their hearts were pierced, and they were killed on the spot.

“!”

Seeing this, the Duke immediately raised a wall of fire between the monsters and the knights.

The intense heat of the flames evaporated the blood, and the blood pillars could advance no further.

However…

The sound of footsteps from behind had already trapped them like birds in a cage.

“Are we surrounded…”

But was the Duke a duke for nothing?

Even in this situation, he remained calm and made the most rational judgment.

“Take their heads!

Aim for a fatal blow!”

Since they attacked with their blood, the solution was to give them no chance to use it!

With the Duke’s orders, the knights immediately took action.

This was arguably the strongest order of knights in the entire kingdom, and their coordination was seamless.

Without any need for communication, they could grasp each other’s thoughts.

Under their combined assault, several monsters were quickly cut down.

…If this continues, these monsters should be dealt with soon.

But the reason a trap is a trap is its element of surprise.

As the knights were fighting fiercely, a dark figure suddenly appeared in the center of the crowd.

“…!”

The moment they noticed that figure, the vision of most of the knights began to spin.

Until the very end, they never understood why they were looking at their own lower bodies.

Only a few saw the countless blood-red threads, like a spider’s web, and managed to defend or dodge before they contracted, thus surviving.

The Duke and the Knight Commander were two of those few.

“Duke Sachsen, a pleasure to meet you.”

The black-haired man, stained with blood, removed his hat and gave the Duke a mock bow.

“Vladimir!”

Though it was their first time meeting, the Duke recognized the murderer of his wife.

To dare appear so openly before him…

The Duke was grinding his teeth with hatred.

But anger was anger; he knew that Vladimir’s strength was not to be underestimated.

Before he appeared from the shadows, no one had sensed his presence, not even himself.

He was an S-rank mage!

It was impossible for him to miss any flow of magic!

And in the mere instant he appeared, he had taken the lives of most of the knights.

…These were well-trained elites, not existences that could be so easily dispatched.

“I see it… the fear in your eyes.”

Vladimir grinned, his half-smile infuriating.

“If you surrender now, I’ll give you a quick death, you know?

It’s a pity you’re not a woman.

If you were pretty, I might have considered adding you to my ‘collection’.”

But he did indeed possess the power to mock others.

However… as a duke, it was better to die a hero’s death than to die in shame, submitting to another!

“…Eric.”

“I understand, Your Grace.”

Exchanging a glance, the few remaining men drew their swords and charged at Vladimir together.

“Still putting up a futile resistance?

How foolish~”

Vladimir also wove his threads of blood and, along with the remaining monsters, counterattacked.

…Meanwhile.

“Waaaaaaaaah—”

“I never knew you were so afraid of riding a horse, Ailena.”

“Isn’t—this—because—Your Ladyship—is riding—so recklessly—You said—you knew—how to ride a horse—aaaaah—”

“Ailena!

What are you talking about!

Aren’t I riding perfectly fine?”

Our two-person rescue team was still on its way, on horseback.

At the same time, Ailena made a firm resolution to never again ride a horse ridden by the Young Miss.