Chapter 141 : Trials (Part 2)

The day of the 2nd expedition started.

The last one was more like scouting but they ended up clearing it due to an unknown variable, and that was...

Because of this young man.

Currently they were heading to the next location with the carriage that was prepared by the Duke.

The carriage in the middle row hosted all the important people. Namely, Gilbert Fei Sigebehrt, the son of the Duke Sigebehrt, who's now the leader of this expedition, along with his assistant and at the same his bodyguard. Crimson—Kiritsuka Rei, who will be helping him resolve this curse that befell their land, and the leader of their army, Garon, who's now watching these two.

'This is...'

'So awkward.' Garon and Gilbert thought the same. During their journey, Rei folded his arms and remained very quiet on his seat.

They didn't know what kind of expression he made but one thing's for sure is that, he seemed to be doing something.

Then Garon finally realized, "Is he...meditating?" he muttered.

"Meditating?" Gilbert repeated.

Garon nodded, "Yeah, it is a training method where an [Aura] user can calm their heart and also increase the capacity of their aura."

"I see."

"And when you receive enlightenment, your body would become strong enough to block swords or arrows." Garon explained.

"That's amazing, I never knew such a method existed." Gilbert was surprised to hear such information for the first time.

"Yeah, it is a pretty big world after all, there's countless aura methods and all of them are different." Garon spoke.

"I see! Since I have been locked up in this place, I don't have anything to learn other than protecting this land."

"I think I understand that, Sigebehrt has done great achievements on protecting this land, which I am grateful for."

"Well, I am proud that I am from the Sigebehrt family." Gilbert spoke with a smile, "Though I wonder if I can learn this meditating method."

Garon then shook his head, "I think this method is not worth trying for us." Garon spoke.

Gilbert was surprised to hear that and blinked for a moment, "Huh?? Why is that?"

"Because the young master and myself is a [Swordsman], it wouldn't be very effective." Garon spoke.

"That doesn't make sense." Gilbert objected.

"It does, since this method is mostly used by someone with a [Martial Artist] job."

"Martial Artist?" Gilbert repeated.

Garon nodded, "Yes, the reason is that Martial Artists are mostly required to use their body as a weapon to fight." Garon spoke.

"They channel their aura all over their body and release it through their fist and kick." Garon explained.

"That's why this method is usually used by them because it also increases the durability of their body."

"If not, their body would explode when trying to release it."

"E-explode?! Why?!"

"Because [Aura] has destructive power, upon releasing them, it could create a catastrophe and destruction."

"If their body cannot withstand it, they would end up to be crippled or dead."

"How horrifying, I never knew Martial Artists have that kind of risk." Gilbert gulped.

"Yes, that's why Swordsman and other kinds of jobs, use weapons to channel their aura." Garon explained.

"And to increase their aura capacity, all we need to do is keep using our swords and weapons while channeling our aura at the same time."

"And as a result, the aura would become stronger and sharper." Garon explained.

"I see, but what if we tried to use that method? We won't know if we haven't used it yet." Gilbert spoke.

"It could work, but as I had said before, it wouldn't be very effective."

Gilbert mulled over his words for a moment. "Hmm…"

"Because the answer is simple, we are using a sword and not our fist." Garon explained.

"And if we do try it, the course where we channel our aura will change and the balance will be off."

"And if we tried to use both of them, the aura would be less strong and dense because it is either your sword or your body that receives the aura." Garon explained.

Gilbert couldn't help but to accept his explanation, it made sense and not only that, he's the most experienced swordsman among them.

"I see..." Gilbert nodded in agreement.

But before he could accept it, Rei intervened, "Well you got it partly wrong."

Their attention then was shifted towards him, "Huh?? Crimson-san, have you finished meditating?"

"Yeah, though with you both talking along the bumpy road here, it just breaks my focus." Rei answered.

"Ahhh...ummm, sorry about that." Gilbert looked ashamed since he had interrupted him.

"Don't worry about it, I understand that you want to know." Rei spoke.

"Crimson, may I ask you a question?" Garon spoke to him.

"What is it?"

"I may be rude but, may I know why you are meditating?" Garon asked.

Rei looked at him, "Because...I found it to be useful."

"Useful? But you are using a sword, so there's no use to meditate because only Martial Artists would benefit from it." Garon stated.

But Rei remained quiet for a moment, "Then can you tell me, when you are facing a strong monster, did you ever break your sword or lose it?"

"Hm? Yeah, sometimes." Garon answered.

"Then, what did you do after you lost your sword?" Rei asked.

"I simply retreated, only a fool faced a monster without a weapon." Garon spoke proudly.

"I see, so you're a coward who left your comrade to die." Rei replied coldly.

And that ticked him off, "What?"

"Am I right? I don't wanna be rude, but we have different viewpoints." Rei answered.

The atmosphere around them became heavier as Garon was irritated by his words.

Garon gritted his teeth, "Then what about you, Crimson? What choice would you make?" Garon asked.

Rei looked at him, "My choice would stay and continue to fight."

"Huh?? Are you insane? You don't have a sword! You have a death wish or something!"

"Maybe I am, maybe I am not, whether I lose my sword, my spear, my shield, my bow, my axe...I will continue to fight even if I have to sacrifice my body."

"What a sacrificial thought, it wouldn't end well." Garon spoke mockingly.

Rei smiled through his helmet, "I shall answer you this, I don't intend to die and I don't intend to fight recklessly."

"But I'm just saying...there will always be a way for another answer to your choice." Rei spoke to him

Garon couldn't help but feel more irritated, "How arrogant, just because you are the guest of Sigebehrt family, do you think you can say anything you want?!"

"Young master! He has been rude this whole time! I suggest—"

"I-i see!" Then Gilbert immediately realized something.

"Huh??"

"Now I understand what you mean, I finally got the answer I have been looking for!" Gilbert spoke with excitement.

"What do you mean, young master?"

"Do you not understand! What just Crimson-san said here, is what the true Sigebehrt aura method means!"

"The true Sigebehrt aura method…?" Garon was confused about what it meant.

"Yes, Sigebehrt family have their own aura method, and that is...to clad our aura both on our sword and body at the same time."

"One for defense and one for offense."

"Since it has been our tradition to fight and survive in this land."

"That's why we must use both our body and weapons to keep fighting."

"When I trained our aura method, I felt there was something lacking, because I couldn't circulate my aura in a balanced way."

"And my father told me to find the answer on my own, after many years...I have finally got it!" Gilbert spoke.

Rei remained quiet at his explanation.

"B-but...there's one question."

"How did an outsider like you....know the Sigebehrt aura method?" Gilbert asked him.

"Hmmmm, I don't even know about it." Rei shook his head. "I was only taught the basics by my master for over 7 years. Learning some techniques from her and that's all."

"The basics and techniques?...that's all?!" Gilbert shouted.

"Yes, and also, about the aura method training." Rei nodded.

"I just simply thought it was useful, since whenever I meditate, I feel calm and feel that I can circulate my aura more."

"And for 7 years, I came up with a method to increase both my offense and defense with my aura." Rei spoke.

'He came up with such a method on his own? Without the King of Dragon's help?' Gilbert spoke.

'Is that something that can be easily done? No, I cannot accept it.' Garon thought of it.

"You both don't seem convinced of my words, but I will show you." Rei smiled through his helmet.

"What I am capable of."

******

After that remark, a few days had passed.

During their journey, they encountered small monsters, but for some reason…the number of the monsters decreased over time, until the night had come during their 3rd days of their journey.

"Stop right here." Rei spoke.

With that one word, the carriage stopped after a long day of traveling.

It was night filled with stars scattered through the sky, along with a large moon ascending above them.

"We have arrived."

Rei got off from the carriage with the others as they found themselves in front of a ruined castle.

Then they set up a camp and fire to warm themselves, the Mage and the Priest setting up the barrier around the camp.

After that, they prepared themselves to start this expedition.

"Everyone! Check on your gear, supply and everything else." Garon shouted towards his own army.

Meanwhile the S-class adventurers who were beside them, were now preparing their equipment and weapons along with Rei who was already preparing his armor in advance and standing right in front of them.

Gilbert walked to his side and stood in front of his soldiers.

"Soldier! We are going towards the unknown, we don't know what lies ahead but put your trust in these admirable adventurers who will be fighting along us!" Gilbert started his speech.

"Do not be afraid, do not falter! This is for the sake of our loved ones! Our future! This moment will be recorded into history!"

"We shall save our land from the accursed being!" Gilbert spoke.

"Yeahh!!!" The soldier shouted.

"So! We shall advance now! Garon! Crimson! Lead the team." Gilbert spoke to the two of them.

"Yes." Rei and Garon responded.

The two of them glanced at each other, showing their hostility because of the discussion they had a few days ago.

Then...it had begun.

They ventured towards the ruined castle together, with Hiba and Crimson leading the pace.

When they arrived at the middle of the ruined castle, they found a single grave stone standing there alone.

"This is the place." Rei spoke.

They all looked around to see whether the enemy was around them or not, but they didn't find anything, only the chilling feeling through their skin.

"There's nothing here, I can only see this gravestone." Gilbert spoke.

"Move away." Rei spoke and approached it, they watched him from behind.

Rei slowly stroked the gravestone with such care and gentleness, then he bowed his head for a moment.

'Is he paying respect towards the dead?' Gilbert thought while watching him.

Until...

He did something absurd....

*BAM*

"...?!"

Rei suddenly lifted his hand and swung his fist at the gravestone, causing a massive destruction right in the middle of this beautiful night.

"Hey! What are you!—" When Hiba was about to say something…

They could see a hole with stairs leading to the underground passage after Rei destroyed the gravestone.

'Wait—did he just destroy someone's graveyard right after he paid respect to it?!' Gilbert was baffled after seafter seeing what he had done to it.

"Come on, we are going....to the Ancient Cemetery." Rei spoke while entering the underground passage.

Hiba followed with the other adventurers, since they needed to make sure the path was safe for the others.

Gilbert followed him by his side, along with Garon.

As they walked through the long stairs that lead to the underground, they found a large space filled with darkness.

"[Light]!" Alicia and the other priest began to chant their magic to lighten up the path and revealed the place that they were standing in right now.

A large space that was similar to the Ancient Temple from before. But this time, they were surrounded with gravestones erected on the ground.

Such as the cemetery where all the noblest people were buried.

"To think there's a cemetery right underneath us..." Gilbert spoke.

Unlike the Ancient temple that was filled with nothing but an empty space and large pillars surrounding them like a forest.

This one was like a garden made out of gravestones and filled with death energy.

They were being alert since who knows what kind of tricks or traps that were laid out for them.

"Crimson-san, what are we supposed to do?" Gilbert asked.

"Well, we just need to wait, since..."

*CRACK*

When Rei spoke, they heard a sound coming from around them.

*BZZZT*

*CLINK*

Then they were surprised to see him immediately pull out an ordinary steel axe from thin air.

"It's night time, they tend to get hungry for the living."

The adventurers team and the Gilbert's army immediately prepared their weapons.

"W-what is it?!"

*BAM*

Then underneath the gravestones around them, countless arms popping out from the ground, revealing a grotesque appearance of a familiar monster they know.

"I-it's...[Undead]!?" One of the soldiers shouted.

*UUUHHHH...*

Numerous zombies crawled out through their gravestones, and their numbers were...

"Roughly...hmmm, 2000 zombies?" Rei spoke as he counted them.

"2000?! With just us?!" Gilbert spoke out nervously as he unsheathed his sword that was lent by the Duke, [the Sword of Dawn, Grand].

"The numbers are beyond ours! How can we win!" Garon spoke while pulling his large sword from his back.

'We only have 5 Warrior, 5 Mage, and 2 Priest, with Garon and four members of the Adventurer's team along with myself and Crimson-san."

'It's basically 19 versus 2000 zombies.' Gilbert spoke as his legs began to tremble.

'I-i can't move my legs.' Gilbert gulped as he watched the zombies approaching them.

The soldiers' morale slowly became lower and lower as the zombies approached them, even the Adventurers team who looked calm, felt nervous from the intensity of these zombies.

They didn't know how they could win against these numbers.

But one person remained calm in this situation and approached the zombies alone.

"C-crimson-san?!" Alicia called his name as she was the one who noticed him first.

Then he stood up in front of the marching undeads alone, "Haaaaa...." and he took a deep breath.

.

.

.

.

.

.

After that...

'[War Cry].'

The sound of the thunderous roar, hitting them like a tidal wave.

"RAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"

His voice shook the ground as the marching zombies began to slow down due to his roar.

"...?!"

Meanwhile, his comrades that stood behind him, felt energized because of it.

"W-what the hell?" Garon muttered.

Then Rei lifted his axe and charged his aura on it.

'[Wide...'

*SWOOSH*

'....Swing]!'

Then Rei swung his axe horizontally, creating this wave of aura which cut the zombies army's body into half.

*BOOM*

And created a large explosion that caused the zombies' bodies to be scattered around.

They were shocked to see such a destructive sight, something they had never seen before in their life.

It was like a High-Ranked magic that could destroy a whole castle wall in one strike. But what he just did with just a single axe created such a massive destruction.

It was something that a human being couldn't hope to imitate unless they were one of the legends.

But even if they did, the level that he showed was clearly....

'This is...a level of [Peak] where one had heightened their mastery through a whole new level.' Garon thought of it.

'[The Sword Saint] who reached his peak with only one sword was the same...I understimated him.' Garon gulped as he estimated the numbers of the zombies that Rei just struck down.

Even Hiba noticed the numbers, 'Did he just killed 500 zombies and destroyed them into pieces with one strike?!'

'With such a simple technique?!' Ashley thought the same, as she was able to grasp that the technique Rei used was just an axe swinging yet the destructive aura caused many to be destroyed.

"What are you waiting for?! Priests! Cast light magic on our weapons, Mages prepared your magics, Warriors and Guardian prepared your weapons, I shall pave our path."

"Do not stay in one place! We must keep moving forward!" Rei took the lead immediately after that little show he did.

"Y-yes!" Gilbert answered him as he immediately gripped his sword and ran together with Rei who was leading their forces, 'Huh?? My legs...I can move now.' Gilbert wondered as he looked at the back of this young man in front of him, 'What did he just do?'

As they were marching, it started off with a large blast.

*BOOM*

Rei struck his axe down, causing the zombies to scatter around into pieces. He's swinging his axe violently, cutting through their rotten flesh one by one.

Garon who followed him, swung his giant sword while witnessing such madness before his eyes.

'What a monster...even though we both have heavy weapons, our strength differs this much?' Garon couldn't help but feel inferior despite killing a few zombies on their way.

Even Ashley, who used her red lightning aura cutting through the zombies body, couldn't be compared to him.

'Dammit! This isn't enough!' Ashley gritted her teeth.

Hilbert on the other side helped the warriors to keep their defense up as a tank.

'Hahaha! He is such a man!' Hilbert thought as he watched him as well.

Hiba and Sharon received support from the Mages, firing his arrow and their magics.

"[Flame Lance]!" Sharon shouted with the mages, burning down the zombies on the sides which the main forces were fighting.

Alicia and the other Priests constantly use their light magic to cover their weapons to kill those zombies more easily.

Except for Rei who kept mowing them down one by one.

*SLASH*

*SLASH*

*SLASH*

The black blood coming from the zombie spurted out whenever he swung his axe. Cutting their body in half with just a single strike.

But that's not all.

He even used his free hand to grab one of the zombies and crush it down to the ground.

As if there wasn't enough brutality already.

Gilbert, who was on his side, watched his techniques and his strength up close.

'Is he really the same age as me?!' Gilbert thought as he was struggling to fight these many zombies with his sword alone.

*SLASH*

Gilbert swung his sword, Grand, cutting through their flesh with such ease. 'Not only that...this sharpness is beyond, is this really that old sword my father used to show me?!'

'Unbelievable...' Gilbert cannot help but be in awe as he saw the miracle before his eyes.

And all because of this one young man.

"Young master! Do not look away! Try to keep it up!" Garon spoke out while approaching his side.

"Y-yes!" Gilbert responded, 'I wanna follow him...I wanna see what end he will reach one day.' While watching Rei from behind.

And that moment was the turning point for Gilbert that would change his whole life.

*******

After a few hours of fighting.

*BOOM*

The sound of fighting was over as the last of the zombies were struck down.

*SPLATTER*

Rei swung his axe down and clearing the black blood off from the blade.

'Unbelievable...' Gilbert thought as he sat down on the ground, panting due to exhaustion after clearing all the zombies here.

"I think I killed a lot of zombies today." Ashley sighed.

Garon sat down as well and stuck his sword on the ground while panting the same, "Is he not even tired?" As he spoke while looking at Rei still standing there while swinging his axe with ease.

'I don't know which one is the monster here...but roughly, he killed more than 1000 zombies alone.' Garon thought while gulping.

Gilbert does the same, 'I admit it...with him here, nothing to be afraid of.'

"We're going to rest for 15 minutes, drink the potion that was prepared for you all."

"Mana Potion, Stamina Potion, Health Potion if you are injured, do not hesitate and make sure to save up as much as you can."

"Because...this is just the first phase of the trial." Rei announced.

"...?!" They were surprised to hear that.

"That was only the first phase?" Gilbert muttered.

"There's another one?!" Garon raised his voice in surprise.

"Yeah, that's why you need to preserve your stamina and use less movements." Rei spoke to them.

"There will be three phases, so do not be discouraged, because in the next phase, the numbers will be lower." Rei spoke to them.

Gilbert stood up and approached him, "Then…the lower the numbers...the stronger they get?"

Rei looked at him, "Yeah, these zombies are only just a little weaker than the second phase."

They couldn't imagine what would appear in the second phase, since they were already exhausted by the numbers of these undeads.

'Does that mean there's more [Undead] on the second one?' Hiba thought.

'That is insane...is that really the trial he meant to pass?' Gilbert thought.

"So take a good rest, because...the next one might be more dangerous than before."

******

It was just like what he had said.

When they went through the passage together towards the next location. The room was covered in ice, and in front of them...

Lies something that they had never seen before...

"No way...what is that..." Gilbert muttered.

"And that number?!" Garon shouted towards the number of the undead that they were going to face.

[Frost Skeleton Soldier].

The name that was embedded above their heads, through Rei's eyes.

'An unique [Undead] that was evolved due to the cold environment.'

'And despite being an undead, the characteristics are similar to an ice-type monster.'

'Their bone is covered with ice, creating a sturdy armor and durability that cannot be cutted through by any means.' Rei described it.

Just like he said, the Skeletons' bones were covered in ice which formed a complete body. They're also armed with weapons such as swords and spears, made from ice.

'Even though they look small and thin, if you try to hit them with just normal weapons....they can only break into pieces.'

'But...' His eyes shifted towards something within those armies.

'The most dangerous than that is...now hiding behind them.' Rei quickly noticed the chilly atmosphere coming behind the lines of Frost Skeleton Soldiers.

"What is that?!" Hiba pointed at the thing that hid behind those skeletons.

And its name revealed...

[Frost Lich]

*CRACK* *CRACK*

The name of the creature that floated behind them. It had an orange color which means it's several times stronger than these skeletons.

Unlike these skeletons, the Frost Lich had a robe like clothes, ribs that were covered in ice like armor which made it look like it was hard to be pierced through. Along with icy magical aura surrounding his body, as if showing off that he's the master in this room.

"I-it's a [Lich]?!" Hiba spoked out.

"Huh?! A Lich?! Why does it looks different?!" Ashley noticed the weird appearance of this called Lich.

'A [Lich]...a high-rank undead just like [Death Knight].'

'Unlike [Death Knight], it excel on magic and curses.'

'Along with the power of [Necromancy], it can called upon undeads and overwhelmed its enemies with numbers.' Rei described it.

'But the thing is...that one is no ordinary [Lich], it is a [Lich] that was born from the evolving, the same like those Frost Skeletons.'

'Though it is now become more annoying because it could control both Necromancy magic and Ice Magic.'

'That is what [Frost Lich] is...' Rei sighed and glance at his back, towards the mages they have now.

'The fight would be easier if it's just the Frost Skeleton since we have fire mage among us...but...'

'That [Frost Lich] could summon them again and exhaust our stamina, by overwhelming us with its number.'

'But the real problem is...' as he noticed the atmosphere around them right now...

Is feeling fear...

They couldn't help but to tremble at the appearance of two unique monsters.

And the numbers of the Frost Skeletons are...

Roughly...1500 troops lining up to fight them.

With the Frost Lich, standing behind them.

'Because of the existence of the Frost Lich, the spirist that they have from before are gone.' Rei thought.

"You said the number will be less than before?! Isn't it roughly the same?!" Hiba spoke out.

"Well that's true...their numbers still bigger than ours, with the mage on their sides, it will be hopeless for us to move forward." Rei stated.

Gilbert approached him, "Then...what are we supposed to do?" As he looked at him and still have the hope that they could turn the table within this dire situation.

Rei have some ideas what he is going to do, "Well what do you think about this situation, young master." Rei asked.

Gilbert was confused by that question, "I don't know how to answer that...but I think the situation is the same dangerous from what we had before."

"I see, the situation now is still dangerous..." Rei replied.

Gilbert flinch for a moment as he immediately noticed the expression he was making.

'Did he just...smiled?'

"But I don't think it is the same..." Rei spoke while taking the first step.

"What do you—"

Just right before Gilbert could finish his words...

*CLANK*

Rei pulled out something from his [Inventory], it was...

"...?!"

Something big, and something ominous is covered in cloth.

And that something, is now being held by the person who stand before the danger alone.

'That is...'

Rei lifted the thing up, "Make sure not to come close to me, because...things would be dangerous for you all."

Rei spoke as he pulled the cloth off and revealed it.

A large two handed black battle axe, with one blade bigger on the side. There's a red lining and a large red core gem embedded right in the middle of the two blades.

"Now then, let's start the debut..."

"Of my first masterpiece~"

*WHOOM*

The axe glowed as if it was alive, and finally began to reveal its true strength.

To be continued...