Chapter 66: Purge (2)

Even the northeastern region is still the north. The drop in temperature as one moves further north is difficult to adapt to.

It was early winter. Under the high sky, his breath spread thinly with each exhale.

Kalin looked at the soldiers gathering supplies through the mist of his breath. On the snowy ground, red blood was gradually soaking in.

The number of troops given was both many and few.

A thousand each, a total of four thousand troops were on the move. It was much smaller in scale compared to what Kalin had experienced in the game.

The purge battles in the game required at least ten thousand troops, making it a much larger conflict.

However, from what Kalin had observed, the current number of troops was more than enough.

The scale of the purge was smaller because the demon followers had not yet spread widely.

'In reality, it's closer to a hunt than a purge.'

Upon reflection, this was only natural.

In the game, the empire was in chaos, allowing the dwarves to recklessly spread the Phlin powder.

Now, they were only making animals into monsters to hinder entry into the mountains.

Thus, there were more monsters than monstrous humans.

Their numbers had increased, and with the territorial disputes, the monsters that were pushed out attacked the northeastern villages.

While it was easier compared to the game, it wasn't entirely safe.

Encountering a large group would inevitably result in casualties.

'The quality of the troops isn't great either.'

Four days since arriving in the northeast, the soldiers were already showing signs of fatigue.

They were either too old, nearing retirement, or too young.

Still, they were imperial soldiers, not mere conscripts, but the difference from other princes' troops was significant.

'At least they work hard, which is fortunate.'

Unlike what Kalin had worried about, there were issues with their abilities but not with their attitude.

The soldiers' morale had also improved significantly.

Initially, their morale was poor.

The soldiers weren't fools; they knew they had been pushed into serving the princess.

However, Kalin led them with the wind, handling tasks without difficult battles, and things gradually changed.

In four days, there was one severely injured and three lightly injured. It was an excellent outcome. Their eyes had changed from when they headed north.

"Better than I worried. Isn't it?"

Emmet approached Kalin, who was looking at the soldiers.

"Yes. I was worried at first, but the empire is the empire."

"Right. It should be. Even those old guys, though they've lost their strength, are excellent. Being an imperial soldier until that age means they survived harsh battles."

Emmet showed pride at Kalin's words, who came from Haisen.

"Still, it's thanks to you. I wondered what the palace trusted in, but finding the right people made it much easier."

Emmet patted Kalin's shoulder.

"How do you find them so well?"

"I told you. I have a good eye and nose. I was the one who hunted during my mercenary days."

Indeed, the princess's campaign was going smoothly.

The exact number was unknown, but according to reconnaissance, she was at a similar level to the third prince.

If ranked, she would be third.

The first prince was dominant, and the third prince and the princess were close, with the second prince below them.

This result was largely due to the first prince's help.

He was in a territory adjacent to the second prince, continuously checking on him.

"That's why I was more surprised. I haven't seen a proper hunter among those who claim to be good."

"I don't say things I don't mean."

"Right, I know. Still, it's hard to believe even when I see it. Do you have an elf ancestor or something?"

Emmet chuckled, a playful joke, but Kalin went along with the mood.

At that moment, Kalin sensed movement at the edge of his wind's range. Twenty-three monsters were coming this way.

No, they weren't coming; they were being driven. Shortly, a cavalry unit was detected behind them.

They were being herded. Precisely, they were being driven.

'Third Prince.'

Monsters and monstrous humans have intelligence beyond animals and choose to flee when the battle turns unfavorable.

However, the wide encirclement by soldiers, as sensed by the wind, clearly showed it was a deliberate herding.

Kalin saw the third prince's intention and what would happen next.

'Helpless brat, trying to secure more for himself at this time.'

Thinking of the third prince in the game, it wasn't strange.

A fool who only had a good body. In the game, the third prince rarely ascended to the throne.

In those few cases, the empire's downfall was incredibly fast.

The current purpose wasn't competition but to make Erendil suffer, like how the first prince kept the second prince in check.

'Time...'

Monsters in a dying state attack recklessly, so it's safer to wait until they die.

Because of this, the bodies of monsters were scattered across the plain, and the soldiers were spread out.

Kalin quickly made a decision. The enemy was monsters, and considering their speed, it was impossible to avoid as a whole.

It was a deliberate herding, making it difficult to change direction.

The third prince had planned this.

If they hastily tried to avoid, more casualties would occur in the confusion.

The distance sensed by the wind. Seeing or smelling it was impossible.

Kalin hurriedly dismounted and put his ear to the ground.

"What's happening?"

Kalin ignored Emmet's question. Three seconds. Even this time was precious.

Kalin quickly stood up and shouted, mounting his horse.

"Everyone! Prepare for battle!"

Emmet, who was talking, looked around in confusion.

However, there were no enemies in sight.

"Northwest! Form a defensive formation!"

Soldiers gathering supplies or resting were momentarily stunned but quickly began to move.

However, it was too late. The formation would barely be ready when the monsters arrived.

"Monsters and a large cavalry unit are coming this way. It seems they are being herded from the third prince's side. First, we need to protect the princess..."

Emmet nodded and immediately turned his horse.

Four bodyguards were present, but Emmet was assigned to protect the princess during battles.

Kalin, riding forward alone, focused on the wind's sense.

The approaching monsters were all predators like bears, tigers, and wild boars.

'The combination is strange...'

Whoosh— A wall of flames rose at the far end of the horizon, blocking the monsters trying to change direction.

Kalin detected that some of the monsters were slow, indicating they were injured.

They weren't herding wild monsters but releasing the ones captured over the past four days, all predators.

They had gathered many. Kalin gritted his teeth.

Even with the injured, their original forms being predators and in such numbers...

'There will be significant losses.'

Kalin estimated at least eighty casualties.

In modern warfare on Earth, if 20% of the troops are combat-inoperative, the unit is considered destroyed.

The number of wounded is less important than maintaining the unit's combat capability through care and evacuation.

It wasn't much different here. Losing nearly 10% would make things difficult.

The competition for the throne must not start with a misstep.

Kalin decided to handle it first and quickly turned his horse.

The soldiers hadn't formed their ranks yet. Only the cavalry had taken their positions.

Initially, the cavalry didn't handle supply duties.

"Sir Shirin!"

Fortunately, the cavalry commander was a knight sent by a noble friendly to the princess.

Kalin spoke urgently.

"We can't wait! I'll break through from the front, so lead the cavalry to attack the flanks and rear!"

"What?"

Shirin couldn't hide his confusion. Breaking through the monsters' front alone? It was madness.

The standard strategy in this situation was for the infantry to clash first, then the cavalry to charge.

Casualties among the infantry were inevitable.

"We don't have time!"

Kalin turned his horse without waiting for a response. The monster group was already 400 meters away.

The distance to the visible monsters was decreasing by the second.

The soldiers, forming their ranks, panted and trembled slightly.

Kalin charged like the wind. The horse, unaffected by air resistance, moved faster than the monsters.

The monster group and Kalin clashed 200 meters from the formation.

Thud, thud— The strong vibrations from the horse's gallop barely reached his thighs.

Kalin stroked the horse's neck with his left hand.

"Whoa—"

Horses are naturally timid. If it were a new horse, charging at the monsters would be impossible.

The bond and trust built over the journey to the northeast and the past three days of battles made it possible.

Still, charging straight through would be madness.

Kalin turned diagonally to the right of the approaching monster group, setting up for the cavalry's attack.

The fleeing monsters were out of sight, so attracting their attention required effort.

"Roar—!"

A tiger increased its speed and charged directly.

Kalin pulled back his upper body, drew his sword, and slashed upward. The tiger's belly split open as it leaped.

Swish— Crimson blood splattered like paint in the air. The intestines fell near the horse's hindquarters.

Kalin turned his horse and circled.

His strategy was to cut through the monster group diagonally. Now, he needed to gauge the direction for re-entry.

'Speed...'

The distance was now within 130 meters. Considering the cavalry's attack, this was the last chance.

Kalin moved diagonally again and dealt with a monster. Only then did he feel the monsters' attention.

100 meters. Any closer would be too late. This was the final moment. Kalin charged straight again.

Roar—!

Unable to hold back, a large tiger from the center of the group charged. It seemed to be the leader.

'Oh no...'

Had it learned? This time, the leap was different. It aimed for the horse, not Kalin.

Avoiding it was impossible due to the horse's nature. Kalin pressed the horse roughly with his left hand and launched himself into the air.

Crack— The sound of the horse's spine breaking from the uncontrolled force was chilling.

But there was no time to worry. Kalin's body, flying through the air, faced the sky.

The clouds in the clear sky seemed within reach. A moment of liberation. Gravity soon pulled him down.

Below, the tiger bit into the horse's side.

Kalin pulled his waist like a bow and stabbed backward.

Thud— Wuyue pierced the tiger's back like paper. Kalin exerted force with his arm.

As they moved in opposite directions, inertia was enough.

The sword, piercing the back, emerged from the tiger's tail. The monstrous tiger couldn't stand again.

Kalin landed, turned, and rolled forward. A bear's paw passed over his head.

He was now inside the monster group.

Perhaps due to losing their leader, or unable to hold back, the monsters charged from all sides.

"Roar—!"

Kalin charged with them. In battles with multiple opponents, whether animals or humans, space was crucial.

Vision is distorted, so Kalin added the wind's sense to his eyes to find a path.

The spaces between the monsters felt like a bird's-eye view to Kalin.

Moving diagonally, he slashed and rolled, stabbing upward.

He targeted the weaker ones. Thus, Kalin was literally at the center of the monster group.

Monsters charging from all sides.

There was no space to escape on the ground. Kalin jumped by stepping on the back of a thrashing wild boar.

The monsters' teeth and paws clawed at the empty air.

Landing, he stabbed and spun clockwise. His arm, waist, and legs felt heavy.

The animals in the sword's path all fell. It was a combination of Kalin's skill and the quality of the sword.

In the chaos, Kalin created space and detected the approaching cavalry.

Thud, thud— The 200 cavalry appeared with the ground-shaking hooves.

The rear of the monster formation, focused on Kalin, was brutally attacked by the cavalry with lances.

"Charge—!"

The princess didn't stay idle. After Kalin's incredible feat, she advanced the formation.

Kalin moved to the side to avoid the cavalry and met Erendil's gaze, riding from a distance.

The battle was effectively over.