Chapter 35

After passing through the tunnel, it was a rugged forest.

... I had a brief glimpse from the gate, but as expected, the dense foliage made it impossible to discern anything.

From here, finding Crest seems like an insormountable task, but I’m not stupid.

"Those with the Detection Skill, use it constantly. Report immediately if you detect any monsters or anything else."

"Understood."

I brought five knights with the Detection Skill. While entrusting the detection to them, we moved through the forest. After walking for about an hour, however, the knights didn’t provide much useful information.

Not only that, but we weren’t even attacked by monsters. The Lower World seemed to be a place devoid of danger, much to my disappointment.

"What is this? How boring."

Crest wasn’t found, and I had expected more monsters to attack. I had planned to kill them, return to the Upper World with the results, and show the Lower World administrators that they were wrong to worry about me. I wanted to kill a large number of monsters to prove my worth.

The stress and frustration built up. After moving for about half a day while using the Detection Skill, one of them spoke up.

"Sir Alibret, ... everyone’s magic power is running out. Shouldn’t we set up camp around here for today?"

"What? We haven’t found any traces yet. Besides, the sun is still up. We’ll keep moving until it sets."

"But, Sir—"

"You are elite knights, aren’t you? You’re not afraid like the Lower World administrators, are you?"

As I goaded them, the knights seemed slightly irritated. Then, they resumed their march. ... I’m good at using people. I’m impressed by my own skills.

Clearly, I am the most suitable to inherit the family.

... I can’t accept that an incompetent eldest son should inherit the family.

I will definitely bring Crest back and stand at the top of that house...!

Just as I was thinking this,

"Goob!!"

Goblins dropped from the trees.

... What!?

The knight gripped his sword in surprise. However, the goblin’s single strike knocked the knight’s head off. I was shocked by the power. A small, child-like goblin had easily knocked out an adult knight with one hit.

"Everyone, draw your swords! It’s just one goblin! Surround and cut it down—"

There was no need to panic. As I was giving orders, a scream came from another direction. More goblins, five in total.

Some of the knights were shaken by the surprise attack and reacted slowly.

"Hey, you! As knights, you couldn’t even detect a goblin’s surprise attack! They’re behind you, they’ve taken your backs!"

I shouted at them and prepared my skill. I was given a magic skill, Fire Magic, and it was at level 5!

The top-tier talent I possess prepared the Fire Cannon spell, which I had practiced regularly. I aimed my hand and fired the Fire Cannon at the goblin that was charging at me.

The Fire Cannon hit the goblin’s face, blowing it away and burning it.

"Haha! What’s this, is that all you’ve got! Ow!?"

As I laughed, another goblin threw a rock at me. It hit my face, causing unbearable pain, and I writhed on the spot.

"These guys! With a surprise attack, and stone throwing...! You cowards!!"

I drew my sword and swung at the charging goblin. However, my attack missed, and I was knocked away by the stick they held.

Ugh... i, it hurts. It hurts so much...

I was about to lose consciousness when I was suddenly grabbed by the arm and jolted awake.

"Are you alright...!?"

Looking around, the battle was over.

... It was a惨状.

Against just five goblins, almost all the knights were injured.

"How many are seriously injured?"

"F, five..."

"Then, fifteen are unharmed, right?"

"Even if they’re unharmed, ... everyone is injured. We should retreat! Reorganize and then—"

"Shut up!"

I pointed my sword at the knight.

"Try retreating now! You’ll be mocked by the Lower World administrators! By that group of criminals! Is that what you want, you guys!?"

"..., but... what about the injured!?"

"... Hmph. Leave them here. If they’re still alive when we return, we’ll retrieve them."

"No, I can’t follow you!"

"Shut up!!"

I thrust my sword into the throat of the knight who defied me. The previously noisy knight fell silent, as if by a lie. Not only that, but all the knights looked at me with fear.

... It was a pleasure. I felt as if everyone was swearing loyalty to me.

"Who’s the leader here? If you don’t follow, this is what will happen."

I said this and looked around. The knights stood up, looking frightened, and gathered their belongings. Yes, that’s right.

I brushed off the dirt from my clothes and walked further into the forest.

○

After moving further, we found traces of a human.

Footprints. They were undoubtedly human, and more specifically, very close to Crest’s foot size.

I turned around and raised my voice to the five remaining knights.

"You guys! We’re going to follow these footprints!"