Chapter 14

The Marquess Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 14 (14/324)

14

The momentum of the extermination force was unstoppable.

Traces of monsters.

The moment they were found, the magic puppy would inevitably catch the scent, and in an instant, the location of the monsters' lair would be discovered. Each time, without fail, spells and arrows would fly.

'A subspace bag.'

The reason the soldiers could shoot arrows without burden.

It was because of the subspace bag.

Although it was of a lower grade, the bag, which contained a spatial expansion spell, could store a considerable amount of arrows. Moreover, it significantly reduced their weight, so there was almost no need to worry about supply.

'Expensive, but really useful.'

A magical item that was impossible to dream of in modern times.

Witnessing its practical use felt quite novel.

Now, the position of the extermination force had surpassed the midpoint of the forest, penetrating much deeper than the originally planned location.

Looking up at the sky, the sun was gradually setting.

While gazing at the sky,

Marquis Jerome began to approach.

"Are you feeling well?"

During the extermination, the marquis's affection had risen from ?40 to 10.

In battles with the monsters, he contributed by using flashy spells to break the enemy's momentum, and the magic puppy's performance in tracking was truly outstanding.

Finally, when he slept, he installed alarm spells in various places, greatly reassuring the soldiers.

Ordinary alarm spells had a limited detection range, but the ones he installed using a hybrid activation method were different.

The range was more than five times wider, and the detection ability was much more advanced.

Thus, the ambushes that occurred at night were efficiently thwarted, and the trust of the soldiers and officers skyrocketed.

At first,

The look of disdain towards a 1st Circle Mage was now completely gone.

"Yes, I'm fine. Are you preparing to set up camp?"

"Yes. Moving at night is quite dangerous. Moreover, the monsters become more ferocious at night... Since we have entered deeper into the forest than originally planned, we will move as safely as possible."

The marquis.

He was a highly capable person.

Although he acted differently from the plan due to greed, he did not recklessly proceed with the extermination.

He was a rather regrettable person to be under Adolph.

However, there was no intention to persuade him.

After all, he was loyal to Adolph to the core, and his current kindness was likely due to Adolph's orders.

If left alone, he would become an obstacle in two months.

'Today is the perfect time.'

It would be best if he disappeared cleanly.

Adolph.

There were not many who knew for sure that this guy had accepted the power of darkness.

'There were a total of twelve.'

Due to his meticulous nature, he only shared that power with trusted subordinates.

And those twelve were at least upper-level knights. Since the power of brainwashing did not work on them, he directly gave them the power of darkness and pulled them into his ranks.

Jerome.

This upper-level expert knight was one of those twelve.

He was already beyond redemption.

Once corrupted by that power, it was impossible to return to the original state no matter what method was used.

After a slight smile,

He looked at the marquis.

"Then I'll go set up some alarm spells."

"Are you sure? I know you used quite a bit of magic this morning dealing with the monsters..."

Contrary to the marquis's concern, my condition was at its best. In the forest, the mana particles were larger and more abundant than outside, and I could absorb them easily.

Recovering mana was not difficult at all.

Of course,

"I'm a bit tired, but it's for the soldiers. My mana will recover slowly over time, but if the soldiers get hurt, that's irreversible, isn't it?"

I also subtly hinted.

There was no need to reveal my full strength by mentioning how quickly my mana recovered.

A 1st Circle Mage with the power of a 2nd Circle spell. This level of recognition was sufficient.

"Will the soldiers be guarding you this time...?"

"It's fine. It's just nearby. I can protect myself, so there's no need to worry too much."

"Understood."

Thanks to the consistent separation of soldiers while setting up alarm spells at night, the marquis did not ask further.

After quietly leaving the camp,

I took out the ogre perfume from the magic bag I brought.

'About 20km.'

In such a vast forest, there would likely be at least one ogre. One of the typical habitats of ogres is the forest.

If not,

'I can go deeper and use it.'

I had two potions, so there was one more chance. Based on the marquis's appearance, it was highly likely that we would penetrate deeper into the forest for another day.

If not, I could suggest it.

Saying something like, "It's a bit regrettable to retreat" or "I want to proceed with the extermination a bit more."

After opening the perfume bottle,

I sprinkled the pink liquid in various places, and a sweet scent began to rise. If left alone, it would evaporate and spread, so now all I had to do was wait.

Ogre.

A large monster known as the "forest hunter."

If we had penetrated this far, it was practically impossible to escape from it by running.

The marquis might be able to escape, but he wouldn't abandon the knights and soldiers.

They were the troops he needed for the rebellion, so it was natural.

'If two come, it would be perfect.'

After setting up a few alarm spells and returning, I saw the soldiers busily preparing for the camp.

Of course, my tent was also prepared.

Unlike the soldiers, it was very luxurious.

Since I held a position similar to the marquis, who commanded the extermination force, it was natural.

'If only one ogre appears.'

I planned to personally help the marquis cross the Jordan River, at least.

It seemed that wouldn't be difficult.

The sudden appearance of the ogre would draw everyone's attention, and the limited visibility and senses at night would certainly restrict them. A decisive moment of interference would be enough.

Two hours had passed since I returned to the tent.

The soldiers, who had finished their evening meal, were gradually falling into a deep sleep.

Torches were lit in various places.

Only a few guards were still awake.

Right then,

Thud...

Thud...

The ground began to tremble slightly.

If not for the heightened senses due to the circle, it would have been difficult to notice the vibration.

'Oh.'

Perhaps sensing the vibration,

Everyone, wake up!

A voice shouting loudly from outside was heard.

It was the marquis's voice.

As an upper-level expert knight, he must have immediately realized what was happening.

Clang! Clang!

Soon, the fierce alarm from the installed alarm spells began to ring.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The ground was now shaking violently enough for ordinary soldiers to feel it.

"What, what is it?!"

"Spear! Where's my spear?"

"Regain your composure and form the formation! It's a large monster!"

'A big one.'

Ogre.

One of the monsters that typically grows to about 4.5 meters. But considering the current vibration, it seemed to be an unusually large one.

'6 meters? About that much? Could it be a named one?'

Either a named one or a variant.

One of the two.

Roar!?

Soon, a massive roar began to echo from inside the forest.

Crack.

Crack.

The trees in various places shook violently as if they were about to break.

The monster slowly revealed itself.

'Oh.'

It was quite different from a typical ogre.

First, it was nearly 6 meters tall.

Most importantly, it had two heads.

'Twin Head?'

Twin Head Ogre.

A special variant among ogres.

Naturally, its abilities were far superior to those of a typical ogre. With two heads, even an upper-level expert knight couldn't guarantee victory alone.

Although it was a variant, it was still an ogre, so it wasn't surprising that it was drawn by the perfume scent.

'What to do.'

There were two main options.

Escape or help the troops deal with the monster.

'Escaping is a bit awkward.'

If I immediately disappeared?

No matter how agile and strong the Twin Head Ogre is, it couldn't capture over a thousand soldiers.

The chances of survivors are very high.

Then what would those survivors testify?

They wouldn't likely spread good stories about this reckless guy.

That would be quite troublesome.

Just as my reputation was starting to change, if such stories emerged,

My reputation would plummet again. Attempting a quick escape without even engaging in battle?

This rumor would brand me as not just a reckless guy but an irredeemable scoundrel.

If the marquis and knights had immediately chosen to escape, it might be different, but seeing the auras they were emitting, it seemed they had no intention of fleeing.

"Everyone, form the formation! Don't panic and raise your weapons! This is a winnable opponent!"

Oh well.

It doesn't look winnable to me.

Obviously, the soldiers' weapons would be blocked by the monster's tough skin, so the knights would have to deal with it until the skin was stripped and wounds were inflicted.

With only one upper-level knight, three mid-level knights, and seven lower-level knights, it seemed difficult to handle the monster.

Even if they won, most of the troops and knights would die.

Will they open their power?

If the marquis revealed his hidden power, there might be a chance of winning.

But whether he would do that was questionable.

Once revealed, it would be very difficult to hide that power.

Well, we'll see.

I can interfere later, so for now, I should help the knights.

My attack spells probably won't penetrate the ogre's tough skin.

To turn the disadvantageous battle into a close one, I would need to use support spells.

If I support the knights with those,

'There might be a chance of winning.'

If we fight to a stalemate and the marquis and the monster fall together, it would be a good scene.

A Twin Head Ogre is a monster that wouldn't be surprising if it wiped out all the knights and the marquis.

They would likely think it was just bad luck.

If we manage to capture the ogre and save some of the soldiers,

My heroic deeds would spread widely.

If I actively help, it's a plausible scenario.

My magic was special enough to be called a variant.

Even support spells were no different.

Inside the circle.

The blue mana inside began to swirl tightly.

Haste.

The first support spell I would cast on the marquis and the knights.

After activating the spell using a hybrid activation method and casting it on the marquis first,

Roar!

The two-headed monster began to charge at the soldiers.

"Haah!"

The marquis and ten knights moved at that moment.

Twin Head Ogre.

The battle with the monster began.