Chapter 44

Leord had let out a little bit, but he stepped forward to firmly fulfill his role. The monsters attacked Leord as he drew his sword. In front of the newly appeared prey, the monsters could not suppress their impulses. Leord, still plump despite being somewhat thinner, appeared to the monsters as nothing but prime meat, dominated by hunger.

"Sorry, but eating me won't be tasty."

Leord swung his sword at the attacking monsters. The knights, watching Leord's round body, marveled at how he could move so well. Leord did not let his guard down and cut down the attacking monsters one after another. However, there were too many. Leord's concentration was slightly disrupted, and he allowed a monster's attack.

"Shit—"

Just as he thought the goblin's claws were about to reach him, they extended in a different direction. Leord's eyes widened when he saw the goblin. The goblin that was supposed to attack Leord had no head, and it fell, blood gushing from its neck like a fountain.

Confused about what had happened, Leord's doubt was quickly resolved.

"Monsters in the Monster Panic always attack. Even after defeating an enemy, do not let your guard down and always stay alert."

"Ah, yes..."

Despite the battlefield, Gilbert scolded Leord for losing concentration and allowing a monster's attack. It was a scene that made Gilbert want to yell, as if Leord had forgotten they were on a battlefield. However, Gilbert had been crushing the heads of all the attacking monsters. Despite the relentless attacks from all directions, Gilbert continued to scold Leord while efficiently killing the monsters.

The knights watched in amazement, their eyes almost popping out. Of course, the monsters did not care about the situation and attacked, but the knights of Zeato were not weak and easily killed the monsters one after another. However, as the knights fought, the number of monsters continued to increase. The rate of increase far exceeded the rate of decrease, and the knights' expressions darkened.

Then, the third squad, which had been fighting continuously, started to have injured members. It seemed they had been targeted while fatigued. Diverting personnel to aid and rescue the injured, the battle lines began to crumble.

"Uaaaaah!"

"Guaaah!?"

"Kyaaaaah!!"

Gilbert, judging that the situation would quickly turn against them, did not move. This was because there was another reliable person present.

"Haahaaaaaahhhhhh!!!"

Barbarotto, leaping high, plunged his sword into the ground. The ground cracked around Barbarotto, causing the monsters to lose their balance. Seizing this opportunity, all the knights charged forward.

"Oooooohh!!"

"Die! Die! Dieeeeee!"

"Perish!!"

The knights, spewing their hatred and resentment, killed the monsters. Leord was slightly taken aback by this, but he understood that this was a real battlefield. He could not turn away or close his eyes; he had to engrain the scene in his mind as he, too, began to kill the monsters.

"Goaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!"

Suddenly, a monster's roar echoed across the battlefield. The tremendous volume made the air vibrate, and the knights covered their ears.

"Damn... this cry!"

Barbarotto turned angrily to see a demon with a red body, twice the size of a human, and two horns. Goblins, kobolds, and orcs were mere preludes. The true terror, despair, and tragedy were just beginning, the ogre bellowed to the sky.

The ogre, like the other monsters, had lost its sanity and become more aggressive, and it started to run. Each step caused the ground to sink, and its approach was terrifying. The ogre, already larger than an orc, was truly frightening.

Indeed, many knights and Leord were overwhelmed by fear. Leord, paralyzed by fear, could not move. Even though he needed to escape, he could not. Looking to Gilbert for help, Leord saw Gilbert slowly extend his arm and point forward.

Gilbert was telling him to look ahead. Without hesitation, Leord looked forward. There, Barbarotto stood tall, sword in hand, facing the ogre.

"Behold my valor!!!

Do not fear!

Look ahead, I am here!!!

No matter what enemy stands before me, I will cut them all down!!!

Therefore, there is no need to fear!!!

Warriors, rise... take up your swords!

Now is the time to show your valor!!!"

Leord, overwhelmed by fear, felt a surge of courage from those words and the presence behind him. Barbarotto, who did not back down even against a more powerful opponent, looked more heroic than anyone.

"Bar...Barbarotto...!"

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh!"

Barbarotto roared like the ogre and charged. The ogre and Barbarotto finally clashed.

Just to devour.

Just to kill.

Both abandoned all thought, intent only on devouring and killing the enemy before them. The ogre swung its log-like arm, and Barbarotto unleashed a single flash of light.

"Goaaaaaaaahh!?"

The ogre's arm flew through the air, proving that Barbarotto's sword had severed it. Even in its madness, the ogre felt the pain and let out a cry of agony.

"It's over...!"

"Gah... Ah..."

Barbarotto cut off the ogre's head as it writhed in pain. Blood splattered Barbarotto, and Leord was mesmerized.

(Cool!!!

Scary, but super cool!!!

I'm getting excited)

Inspired by Barbarotto's heroic stance, Leord became excited. He wished to become a cool man like Barbarotto someday. Therefore, he could not cower here. The time to show his resolve had come.