Chapter – 55
Tremble, tremble…
Grimungandr vibrated so violently that Carlisle’s waist and thighs were shaking.
‘This isn’t normal.’
Grimungandr had never vibrated this intensely before.
It hadn’t even shaken this much during the night battle three days ago…
‘Time to move.’
Carlisle dashed towards the nearest work site.
In times like these, the role of scouts like Carlisle was to buy time for the retreating allies.
Since scouts were elite forces in their own right, they had the duty to fight at the rearguard and help their comrades retreat safely.
Especially in a unit like Bowden Fortress, where most personnel were non-combat engineers, the scouts’ role was even more critical.
“All personnel, grab only your weapons and move out!”
“Yes!”
“Stay calm! Maintain formation! If you run off trying to save yourself, you’ll be the first to die!”
The engineers were retreating, having abandoned their carts and tools as per Helen’s command.
*Piiiuuuung, Peoeng!*
Amidst the chaos, another red signal flare exploded from the distant area where the first one had gone off.
‘Just what is happening over there?’
Carlisle guarded the surroundings from the very rear of the retreating engineers, looking towards that work site.
Two consecutive red signal flares meant <Do not send support under any circumstances>.
In other words, it meant the situation was hopeless, so don’t bother trying to rescue them; just abandon them.
They were going to be wiped out anyway, and sending a rescue party would only lead to more pointless deaths…
‘Damn it.’
Carlisle forcefully suppressed the urge to run towards where the red flare had exploded.
If he were alone, he might have done it.
But for Carlisle now, protecting the comrades retreating with him was the priority.
He also didn’t have the capacity to help anyway.
*Woong woong woong!*
Given Grimungandr’s incessant vibrations, it was clear that numerous barbarian warriors were approaching.
‘Getting out of here is the first priority. I need to safely return the allied forces currently moving with me to the fortress first. Then I might be able to help over there.’
*Ssuuu!*
The old, rugged bracelet on his left wrist glowed faintly.
It was the artifact [The Whisper of the Earth], created by the Earth Spiritist Evangelin using his grandmother’s heirloom.
[Notice: The effect of <Earth’s Guide> is activated!]
[Notice: The Earth Spirits are guiding you to a safe path!]
*Ding!*
A green arrow floating in the distance tantalizingly beckoned Carlisle.
As if saying this way was safe…
In contrast, a red arrow floated above the direction the allies were heading, looking dangerous at a glance.
“Wait a moment!”
Carlisle quickly moved from the rear to the front of the column and shouted.
“Let’s go that way, not this way.”
“What nonsense is that?”
The engineer squad leader frowned.
“That’s the way back. Two red signal flares went off, and you’re telling us to take a detour? Are you insane?”
“It’s not that…”
“Move aside, you brat!”
The engineer squad leader shoved Carlisle’s shoulder hard and pushed past him.
“You might be that famous Sigmund, but where does a good-for-nothing bastard like you, a mere private, get off giving orders? Are you trying to get us all killed?”
“Just hear me out first. There’s a reason…”
“Shut up!”
“…!”
“If we all die, will you take responsibility?”
The person who answered him wasn’t Carlisle.
“I’ll take responsibility, so what?”
“You, you…”
“Even for a private, that’s no way to talk without even hearing him out. What kind of bullshit is that?”
The owner of an unnatural-looking mop of hair.
The person who stepped in for Carlisle was his fellow [Barber], Wilson.
“B-but…”
“He must have had a reason for saying it. Right?”
Wilson asked, and Carlisle nodded silently without a word.
“See.”
“Umm.”
“And…”
Wilson whispered in his ear.
“And even if he is a private, if you call our comrade ‘this brat’ or ‘that bastard’ one more time, I’ll kill you?”
“Gasp!”
“Know that your scalp will be peeled off by my hand before you die by the barbarians. Understood?”
“Y-yes.”
“Hmm. Now that I look, you have quite a lush head of hair. Don’t you think about donating some to me?”
*Dori dori!*
The engineer squad leader shook his head so vigorously his body trembled like a leaf.
It was understandable, as Wilson was an object of fear even among the scouts.
Anyone who had seen him skin the scalps of barbarian warriors even once couldn’t help but fear him due to his madness and cruelty.
“Hey, rookie.”
Wilson, having sorted the situation, turned to look at Carlisle.
“You’re saying it’s dangerous to go this way?”
“Yes.”
“Then we should go that way. You lead the way, rookie. I’ll take the rear.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank me?”
Wilson snorted, *pishik*.
“The ones who should be thankful are us. Thanks to you, we’ll get to keep our lives.”
“Haha…”
“What are you doing? Lead on quickly. Let’s go before we get caught by them.”
“This way.”
Carlisle led the allies along the path indicated by [The Whisper of the Earth].
* * *
The path shown by [The Whisper of the Earth] was truly safe.
*Woong, Woong!*
As Grimungandr repeatedly vibrated incessantly and then calmed down, the unit led by Carlisle didn’t encounter the enemy even once until they were almost right next to Bowden Fortress.
Even though they had clearly chosen a detouring roundabout path, they were able to return safely to the fortress.
But even that has its limits.
“There they are!”
“Get them!”
Around the time they got very close to Bowden Fortress, several dozen barbarian warriors caught up from behind.
“We’ll hold them here.”
Carlisle quickly moved to the rear and, along with Wilson and the other scouts, faced the charging barbarian warriors.
“R-run!”
“Uwaaah!”
“Kyaak!”
The engineers screamed and ran for their lives towards the fortress.
“Fight while pulling back slowly! If we get surrounded, we’re dead too!”
“Yes!”
The scouts under Wilson’s command bought as much time as possible for the engineers to escape safely.
And among those scouts, Carlisle’s performance was dazzling.
*Swaaaah!*
“Uak!”
Every time Grimungandr traced its trajectory, a barbarian warrior invariably sprayed blood and fell.
Carlisle’s swordsmanship was extremely simple.
It was just the repetition of the most basic fundamentals of swordsmanship: slashing and thrusting.
Nevertheless, the barbarian warriors couldn’t properly parry Carlisle’s sword.
While Grimungandr’s sharpness was one thing, it was possible because Carlisle’s swordsmanship was so highly refined.
Soul-Cutting Sword [Gaebyeok] and [Chungsim].
It was a swordsmanship perfected over a lifetime by a hero who had protected the north, and Dekaron, from the barbarian invasions long ago.
Thus, Carlisle sent the charging barbarian warriors one by one to their heavenly Valhalla.
Like an angel of death.
“A m-monster of a guy.”
Wilson clicked his tongue as he watched Carlisle’s performance.
“Is this what they mean by a different breed…?”
As exceptional as scouts were, Wilson was a soldier, not a knight.
From Wilson’s perspective, Sigmund seemed like a different species altogether.
Even Carlisle, whom even the infamous Sigmund family treated as a disowned son, was slicing through barbarian warriors with ease, so it wasn’t unreasonable to think that.
*Swaaaah!*
A rain of arrows poured down upon the barbarian warriors’ heads.
“We’ll provide cover! Retreat swiftly! Now!”
Helen’s shout came from the direction of the fortress far away.
“Let’s go! Run for it!”
“Yes!”
The scouts all simultaneously dashed towards Bowden Fortress.
The barbarian warriors dared not chase after the scouts.
The fortress was right in front of them, and they didn’t have sufficient forces to brave the Dekaron army’s covering fire and continue the pursuit.
*Kuoong!*
With Carlisle being the last one in, the wide-open gate shut firmly.
[Notice: The progress of <Noble Proof> has reached 70%! (7/10)]
“Huff, huff!”
“Huff, huff, huff!”
The scouts who had returned to the fortress gasped for breath without rest.
Having sprinted nearly 100 meters at full speed, it was only natural they were panting, no matter how excellent their stamina.
All except for one person.
Only Carlisle looked as calm as ever.
This was thanks to the potions that permanently increased his stamina, which he had consumed in abundance back in the Sigmund family’s secret vault before coming to the battlefield.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m too sticky.”
In response to Wilson’s question, Carlisle wiped the blood smeared on his face with his hand.
“I got so much blood on me that it won’t come off even with a handkerchief. I’m going to wash it off with some water.”
Just how many had he cut down in that short time…?
It was no exaggeration to say Carlisle was drenched in blood, as if a bucket of it had been poured over him.
Yet, it held a strange charm.
Despite his handsome face being covered in blood, it wasn’t grotesque but rather exuded a decadent beauty.
So much so that Wilson couldn’t help but compliment Carlisle.
“Bastard, you’re handsome.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you.”
“Well… thank you.”
Carlisle scratched the back of his head awkwardly and headed straight for the well.
“Getting shy, huh.”
Wilson smirked and smiled.
* * *
Although they had returned safely to the fortress, Wilson seemed to have no intention of resting.
“Lieutenant Helen.”
“Speak, Corporal Wilson.”
“Please permit us to redeploy. We’ll go bring our comrades back.”
“That is…”
Helen couldn’t make the decision easily.
Sending out troops that had just returned safely was an excessively harsh order.
Why?
Because outside the fortress was that dangerous.
Although they still didn’t know exactly what was happening, with two red signal flares fired, they couldn’t recklessly send out troops.
Nevertheless, Wilson’s request for redeployment without hesitation meant he was that brave of a scout.
“If you truly wish to redeploy… I will only permit volunteers to go out.”
“Thank you.”
Wilson looked at the other scouts.
“You all heard? If you’ve caught your breath, let’s go quickly.”
“Yep, let’s go. We’re going.”
“Ouch, my back, my knees.”
The scouts got up one by one, brushing themselves off.
“Where are you going?”
Carlisle, who had returned from washing off the blood at the well, asked Wilson.
“You’re back? We’re going to get our comrades.”
“Ahh.”
“What about you? You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Redeployment is for volunteers only.”
“I should go, right?”
Carlisle didn’t avoid redeploying.
‘Dying outside or dying inside is the same. It’s just a difference of dying a bit sooner or a bit later.’
Judging by the situation, it was almost a foregone conclusion that the fortress would fall unless reinforcements arrived immediately.
For all he knew, large enemy forces would swarm in a few hours and begin the siege, and that would be the end.
Moreover, it was no exaggeration to say that Carlisle was the only one who could rescue the comrades fighting outside.
Not only because of his combat prowess, but also because Carlisle was the only one who could guide allies to a safe path.
If there had been a substitute, given Carlisle’s personality, he might not have stepped forward…
“Kid. The more I see you, the more I like you.”
Wilson gave Carlisle a *shee-ik*, a grin.
‘Ugh.’
Carlisle found Wilson’s smile burdensome.
It was meant as a show of favor, but from Carlisle’s perspective, that unnatural wig made it look menacing.
“Hey! Open the gate!”
“Yes!”
The scouts exited through the gate.
“Let’s go, to our deaths.”
*Shee-ik.* A smile, fearless of death, appeared on Wilson’s lips as he headed towards the field of death.
