Chapter 43

Once again, the text has become too long...

The members of the Skywing Knights are all excellent. However, the only one who can truly be called a genius is Leon. Not just a head above the rest, but his very capacity as an explorer is fundamentally different.

Not only is he an outstanding knight, but he can also serve as a tank while fulfilling the role of a commander with ease. Additionally, he has mastered the extraordinary skill of accelerating from a standstill to top speed in an instant.

The nickname "Skywing" given to the Skywing Knights by a certain journalist was a reference to Leon's unique abilities.

His knight's sword, like the wings of a soaring bird, is a well-described phrase.

In essence, the Skywing Knights are Leon. Even if the other three were replaced by someone else, as long as Leon is there, they would still be called the Skywing Knights. However, even if the other three remain, without Leon, no one would call them the Skywing Knights.

No matter how hard I try, I couldn't endure being treated as merely an addition to Leon. Indeed, no one with a normal sense of perception could bear it.

Kaheim, who understood the distortion within the Skywing Knights, tried to support it with his own dedication. Indeed, the bond within the Skywing Knights is strong. However, it is also a fact that this bond is maintained by the three, avoiding the sight of the 'pus' of jealousy that continues to accumulate in their hearts, other than Leon.

If they were to face it directly, they could never endure it. That's why the three of them tried to be worthy companions for Leon and ran desperately. While running, they could avoid being aware of the darkness in their hearts. Just like certain migratory fish that would die if they stopped swimming.

However, that is a deception. It is destined to collapse someday. When that happens, the 'pus' that has accumulated over the years will explode in a massive eruption.

I approached the three and told them to betray. However, that was not my true intention. Even if those three could continue to deceive themselves, there would come a time when Leon would no longer believe in their abilities. In other words, he would no longer treat them as equal companions, and this would ultimately lead to pushing them away. I expressed this conclusion as 'Leon's betrayal' and ingrained it in their minds. Then, I made them realize the escape route of 'freedom.'

The purpose was one.

In the battle against the strong enemy, the Eye of the Baboon King, the Skywing Knights would be forced into a life-or-death struggle where they would have to sacrifice someone. However, Leon would never accept such a battle. At that moment, the accumulated 'pus' in the hearts of the other three, combined with the words I had ingrained, would lead them to try to eliminate Leon as a traitor. If that happened, the Skywing Knights would effectively disband.

If one thinks calmly, it is a situation that can be avoided. However, the parties involved are often not calm. It doesn't take much to move a person's heart. As the saying goes, a single hole in a dike is enough. If a small crack is made in the mental dam, that is enough.

All that remains is to wait for the dam to break. The accumulated pus will overflow in an instant, turning into passion. Driven by passion, the only path left for those trying to escape their suffering is to eliminate Leon, the leader and traitor, and be freed from the 'cage' that is the Skywing Knights.

The one most likely to take action is Kaheim, followed by Ophelia, and the dark horse is Vlakav. To me, it doesn't matter who it is.

I came to check the situation when the sounds of battle stopped, and it seems things have gone as I planned. The Eye of the Baboon King is still alive, and there is no sign of the Skywing Knights. They are probably hiding somewhere using a concealment barrier, which means they are in a state where they cannot continue the battle.

I looked around and, finding a place where the grass was unnaturally bent, I bowed politely.

"Skywing Knights, thank you for clearing the way up to this point."

Indeed, thanks to the Skywing Knights clearing out the minor enemies, I was able to reach the Eye of the Baboon King without any trouble. Of course, this was all part of the plan.

Originally, this test is a competition, but I never intended to fight the Skywing Knights head-on from the beginning. The rules for personal combat that I set through Harold were simply to drag the Skywing Knights, who avoid killing, into a battle with me and to hasten their progress. The Skywing Knights, rushing ahead, successfully cleared the way and exited the stage.

The troublesome minor enemies are gone, and the Skywing Knights are no longer able to continue the battle. All that remains is to enjoy the main dish without any interference.

"Toy! Toy! New toy!"

The Eye of the Baboon King, having found me, is clapping his hands in joy above his head. He looks like a monkey, but one cannot be careless. From past battle records, I know very well how cunning and troublesome this demon is. Otherwise, the Skywing Knights would not have been defeated.

However, he is not my enemy. I smiled with genuine ease.

"Nice to meet you, Eye of the Baboon King. I am Noel Stollen."

"Noel! Noel! My toy!"

"Unfortunately, I won't be your toy. You will be killed by me. And I will make full use of your fur, meat, bones, and even the last drop of your blood. Sorry?"

"Ha ha ha! Useless! Die, Noel! Die, Noel!"

"Do you think so? Then I'll prove it. ——Let's kill each other, you damn monkey."

†

†

Receiving my killing intent, the Eye of the Baboon King immediately pounced. However, I had already given the order.

"Kouga, go."

Tactical Skill: Morale Boost.

Tactical Skill: Tactical Deployment.

Becoming a tactician through a rank-up, some of my conversation skills have changed to tactical skills. Both Morale Boost and Tactical Deployment have increased their support values from 25% to 40%.

Kouga, receiving the support, launched a fierce attack on the Eye of the Baboon King from a tree above. The Eye of the Baboon King, who had not detected his presence at all, was surprised and jumped back. Kouga's sword only grazed his nose.

"Wh-What? You... Why... Why can't I read your minds...?"

The Eye of the Baboon King was surprised because he couldn't read our minds. Of course, we don't have a 'Perfect Skywing' like Leon. However, through training in observing each other's mental movements using thought sharing, we have become almost as good. We can perform a 'pseudo-Skywing' for actions within a single breath from a stationary state.

"Kouga, Clear Mind."

"Understood!"

I gave the next order, and Kouga closed his eyes.

Sword Skill: Clear Mind.

This skill can only be activated when the eyes are closed, doubling all other senses. Additionally, attack speed and power are always tripled during this state.

The Eye of the Baboon King's powerful arm swung down at us. However, Kouga's sword deflected its trajectory. The deflection caused the Eye of the Baboon King's attack to miss its target.

What a terrifying feat, even among comrades. And he's still at C-rank, which is truly frightening.

"Gr-gr-gr! Gr-gr-gr!"

Despite his confusion, the Eye of the Baboon King continued to launch powerful blows, but Kouga's sword deflected them all.

This exchange is not due to the 'pseudo-Skywing.' Kouga is not trying to attack but prioritizing counters. There is no clear mental movement; he is simply reacting reflexively to information other than visual.

Therefore, the Eye of the Baboon King, even if he could read our minds, could not surpass Kouga.

However, the physical abilities of the Eye of the Baboon King are far superior. If he were to launch a powerful enough blow that Kouga couldn't deflect, it would break the stalemate. The Eye of the Baboon King, realizing this, raised his fist high. At that moment, I dove into his guard and drew out Silver—my magic gun.

Magic Bullet—Spirit Marrow Bullet.

A magic bullet refined from the bone marrow of a depth-nine demon, the Ghost Wolf, containing a high-purity magic conduction material and a non-elemental explosion magic skill. Upon impact, the magic conduction material absorbs the target's magic, causing an explosion. The more magic the target has, the more devastating the effect.

Spirit Marrow Bullet, impact.

In an instant, an explosion occurred in the Eye of the Baboon King's abdomen, sending his massive body flying. I was nearly caught in the explosion but was rescued by Kouga to a safe distance.

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