Category: Webnovel

For a full minute, the subjugation force and the monster Older remained locked in a silent standoff. Then, as if deciding it had no further business there, the monster vanished. The knights quickly deployed search magic to confirm its disappearance, and once the results came back clear, they began preparations for withdrawal.

Elias continued to stare at the spot where the monster had stood. After a few moments, Frenn approached.

“It’s moved beyond the range of our detection magic… It seems to fully understand human magic.”

“Given that it has survived for over fifty years, it’s only natural for it to have developed such intelligence.”

“Honestly, once a creature has lived for two or three decades, it doesn’t change much beyond that… But still, it’s a formidable foe. A formidable foe, yes, but…”

He trailed off, turning to Frenn, who simply nodded in understanding.

“…Once we return to the fort, we’ll need to have a discussion.”

Elias muttered, then exhaled before making a decision.

“For now, our role here is done. Let’s head back.”

“Shouldn’t we assist with the withdrawal operations?”

“We were just tagalongs. It’s not really our place… Or should I act all humble and offer to help, just for appearances?”

“I doubt it would make much of a difference either way.”

“Fair enough. We have time, so I’ll lend a hand. Frenn, gather some intel while I do that.”

“Understood.”

With that, Frenn set off on her task, while Elias moved toward the knights organizing the retreat.

By the time the subjugation force had completed their withdrawal operations and returned to their base, Elias and Frenn had already returned to their own fort, delivered their report to Nork, and retreated to Elias’ room.

As Elias took a moment to relax, Frenn entered the cramped quarters.

“By the way, Elias—what about Misheana? Didn’t she say she was planning to come here?”

“She probably has to finish reporting the mission to claim her reward… She’ll show up in a few days, I imagine.”

“I see… Well then, let’s move on to the main topic. Regarding the monster Older. As the name implies, it is classified not merely as a ‘monster’ but as a demonic beast.”

Monsters were categorized based on their threat level. However, when a monster exceeded those classifications and became a significant, long-standing menace to humanity, it was given a name and recognized as something beyond a mere beast—something requiring special designation.

“During my inquiries while the subjugation force was withdrawing, I learned that this creature has repeatedly interfered with human expansion, launching attacks whenever settlements attempt to advance.”

“No prior subjugation attempts?”

“In the past fifty years, only three official extermination efforts have been conducted. As you can see, all have failed. Casualties have been reported in each attempt.”

“So it’s considered a high-priority threat in the north.”

“Correct. In total, there are three demonic beasts officially recognized in this region. Older is one of them.”

Elias pressed a hand to his chin, deep in thought.

Frenn, observing him, posed a question.

“…Let me confirm something.”

“Go ahead.”

“If you were to assign Older a danger rating based on conventional classifications, how would you rate it?”

“This is based purely on the magical energy I sensed. Its abilities may make it far more dangerous than its raw magic would suggest, but…”

After prefacing his response with that caveat, Elias finally gave his verdict.

“Judging solely by its magical power, it’s about a Threat Level Three.”

“The same as the red wolves we just defeated?”

“Yes. If we’re talking about sheer magical reserves, it doesn’t reach Threat Level Four. The red wolves we fought had their strength evaluated based on their ability to form large packs. But Older is a single entity that holds the power of a Threat Level Three monster on its own.”

With a small shrug, Elias continued.

“If this creature has lived for fifty years and has been targeted for extermination three times, there should be a substantial amount of recorded information on it.”

“Indeed… It looks like our workload is only increasing.”

“I’ll take care of investigating Older. You focus on gathering information about the north and east.”

“Understood… But if you had to fight Older, do you think you could win?”

“I can’t say for certain without knowing more about its abilities… But if I had to make an educated guess based on its appearance, I think I understand why it has never been defeated. If my assumption is correct—”

After a brief pause, Elias concluded,

“It can be killed. However, there are too many uncertainties, and failure is a definite possibility. To ensure success, we’d need thorough preparation and a sufficient number of capable fighters.”

“But we don’t have any allies here.”

“Exactly. If we were in the east, I could rely on my unit, and we’d be able to handle it. But here, that’s not the case… The knights at this fort might be willing to help, but they lack the ability. It’s too dangerous for them.”

“So, we’d need several fighters with at least Misheana’s level of skill…?”

“That’s right. However, with Older having made an appearance, the kingdom may organize a fourth extermination attempt.”

“If that happens, all the available personnel will be tied up in that effort.”

“Exactly. That makes it difficult for us to act independently. But from what I’ve seen, Older doesn’t seem like the kind of beast to launch an immediate attack. It’s unlikely we’ll be forced into battle anytime soon. For now, we focus on gathering intel and solidifying our position.”

Frenn nodded, then hesitated before asking,

“If Misheana does come to this fort, should we enlist her help?”

Elias scratched his head before responding.

“That’s hard to say. If another extermination force is formed, she’ll likely be drafted into it.”

With a sigh, he looked back at Frenn and continued.

“For now, let’s wrap up the work we’ve been neglecting due to the monster situation. Once we’ve handled that, we can start figuring out our next move.”

The sword strike unleashed by the hero Misheana struck true, sinking deep into the boss monster’s body. Yet, it was not enough to end the battle.

However, the monster staggered, unable to maintain its stance or summon new minions. That was when Misheana’s allies struck.

First, a warrior’s slash.
Then, a mage’s blast of light.
Both hit their mark, and finally—Misheana herself followed up with a decisive strike.

That final blow shattered the red wolf’s last resistance. Its massive form collapsed to the ground.

At the same time, the remaining minions that had been swarming Elias were swiftly cut down by the knights and heroes.

Thus, the battle ended in a decisive victory for humanity.

“Hey… what exactly was that?”

After the battle, while Elias observed the knights disposing of the monster’s remains, Misheana approached and questioned him.

“I could tell you were using magic, but…”

“…First, I shattered the ground on purpose to make noise. That caught the monsters’ attention. Then, to ensure they wouldn’t lose interest, I used a special magic—one designed to lure in monsters.”

“Lure them in? Why would you even learn such a spell?”

Misheana pressed for further clarification. Elias paused for a moment before responding.

“It has to do with the geography of the eastern region. There are a lot of deep forests and ravines, and the miasma in those areas interferes with detection magic. That made monster hunts extremely difficult, as we couldn’t track them down. So, we flipped the strategy—if we couldn’t find them, we’d make them come to us by deliberately emitting magical energy.”

“That’s… absolutely reckless.”

“We don’t need it anymore, since detection magic has improved over the years. In fact, it’s been over a decade since I last used it. I wasn’t even sure it would still work, but I’m glad it did.”

Elias shrugged as he spoke. In truth, the plan had only come to him after observing the battlefield. It was, to some degree, a gamble.

Even if he could handle an onslaught of monsters without injury, it would have been troublesome if the knights and heroes had failed to react accordingly. Fortunately, they had understood the situation and acted appropriately.

(Well, all I did was draw their attention. The commander isn’t going to write some ridiculous report claiming I defeated them all single-handedly, so I shouldn’t have to worry about standing out too much.)

That said, he could feel the curious gazes of those who had witnessed his technique. However, after his conversation with Misheana, the stares subsided.

“Alright, I’m heading back.”

“Got it… Oh, by the way, would it be okay if I visited your fort later?”

“I’m not the lord of that place. And besides, it’s just a rear support fort—there’s no glory to be had there.”

“I’m just interested in you.”

Elias turned to look at Misheana, narrowing his eyes.

“…What exactly do you mean by that?”

“I’m curious about your skills as a Holy Knight. And other things. So, can I visit?”

“Do I even have a choice? I can already see you showing up anyway, even if I refuse.”

“Ah, you caught on?” Misheana stuck out her tongue playfully.

At that moment, Frenn arrived.

“Elias, good work out there.”

“Yeah. You alright? No injuries?”

“I stayed out of the attack range, so I’m fine. The commander seems relieved now that the battle is over.”

“Should I go greet him?”

“No, it would be better to leave quietly before unnecessary complications arise.”

“Understood. Then, let’s—”

Just as Elias was about to issue the command to withdraw—

His gaze suddenly snapped toward the canyon.

“…What’s wrong?”

Misheana followed his line of sight.

Even as knights and heroes began preparations for withdrawal, Elias remained still, staring deep into the canyon—toward the mountains beyond.

“…Elias?”

After a brief silence, Frenn called his name.

“Something’s there.”

“You sense it too, Frenn?”

“It’s faint, but… a presence. Perhaps the miasma that monsters emit?”

“Yeah. But the real question is—why is it letting itself be detected?”

“What are you two talking about?”

Misheana tilted her head in confusion. But before Elias or Frenn could answer—

Other knights and heroes began to notice something as well. One after another, their heads turned toward the canyon.

There, standing deep in the forest beyond, was a lone figure.

It resembled a stag.

Its fur was a shimmering silver, its antlers as dark as pitch.

And the moment it entered their field of vision, a chilling aura swept over the battlefield—an overwhelming, murderous intent.

The miasma it emitted was suffocating.

“…That’s…”

Someone whispered. A murmur of unease spread among the knights and heroes.

Elias had initially assumed the creature’s aura was strong enough to be felt even from a distance. But then, he realized something.

Among the warriors, some were whispering a name—a specific title, spoken with unmistakable fear.

And then, Misheana uttered it as well.

“…No way… Older?”

“Older?”

“If you’ve done any work in the northern frontier, you know that name. It’s a monster that has obstructed our expansion for over fifty years.”

“…So, Older is its name?”

“Yeah.”

“I see… A Named Monster.”

Monsters were typically classified by threat levels.

But sometimes, a creature would emerge that was so catastrophic, so relentless in the destruction it wrought, that it was not measured by standard rankings. Instead, it was given a name—a unique title that symbolized its infamy as an unyielding threat to civilization.

A Named Monster was a being that had brought devastation to humanity for generations.

As the knights and heroes tensed in fear, Elias simply gazed at the entity known as Older—silent, unmoving, and assessing.

“Misheana, where is the leader of the subjugation force?”

As Elias posed the question, Misheana swung her sword, felling another foe.

“Did you come up with a plan?”

“I’ve been considering what I can do now that I’m here. But before I execute it, I need to get approval.”

“…He’s over there.”

Misheana pointed toward a middle-aged man surrounded by knights. Elias immediately sprinted in his direction.

“…Hmm? And you are—”

Among the group was a knight around Elias’s own age. A pendant around his neck identified him as a Holy Knight, and the knights at his side were heavily armed, making it obvious he was the commander.

“Pleasure to meet you. I came to observe the subjugation as part of my investigation. My name is Elias Dilia.”

“Ah, the commoner-turned-Holy Knight. Have you come here like a ravenous beast, desperate for military achievements?”

The commander’s words were laced with sarcasm, and Elias briefly pondered how best to handle the situation.

(Normally, I’d tread lightly and negotiate, but we don’t have the luxury of time—)

Just then, Elias spotted movement in the bushes behind the commander—several red wolves were creeping closer.

“Commander! Behind you!”

At his shout, the surrounding knights immediately reacted. The commander, his expression tightening with alarm, turned just as the wolves lunged at him.

His guards responded swiftly, their practiced coordination intercepting the threat before it could reach their leader.

“…It seems we don’t have the time for drawn-out conversations.”

Elias remarked while casting a glance at the enemy leader, the Alpha. The monster continued spawning its minions, and the knights and heroes combating them were visibly slowing down.

“Given the circumstances, I’m going to join the fight. Do I have your permission?”

“…Do you have a plan?”

“Not one that will decisively end the battle, but with Misheana’s help, we might just turn the tide.”

The commander scrutinized Elias, clearly debating whether to trust him or if he was merely a threat to his own military glory.

(What a hassle… Seriously.)

Elias sighed internally before adding another point.

“I came here as part of an investigation. My name isn’t officially listed in this subjugation force, correct? So there’s no need to mention me in any report. Frankly, I’d rather my name not come up at all—it would be inconvenient.”

“…Fine.”

Though the commander’s expression remained stern, he accepted Elias’s reasoning. With that secured, Elias hurried back to Misheana.

“Sorry for the wait. Ready for the plan?”

“…And I’m the one you’re teaming up with?”

“A Holy Knight suddenly dropping in isn’t exactly someone the other knights would trust in the middle of battle. You, on the other hand, already fought beside me once.”

“Fair enough.”

“Besides, I know your skill firsthand.”

“That’s true… So, what’s the plan?”

“First, a question—can you take down that monster?”

Elias pointed at the Alpha. Misheana’s gaze sharpened.

“I think I can. It’s bigger than the others, though, so I’m not sure if I can do it in one hit.”

“Got it. I’ll draw the other monsters’ attention. You and your allies circle around and take it down.”

“Draw their attention…? Can you pull that off?”

“More or less. But it’s dangerous, so try to end it within a few minutes.”

Misheana eyed him doubtfully—yet with the battle escalating, hesitation was a luxury. She took a quick breath and nodded.

“Alright, I’m in. Just don’t haunt me if you die.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Misheana quickly gave orders to her allies. As they began moving, several wolves started targeting her—but before they could lunge—

“Hah!”

With a sharp exhale, Elias cut down the beasts attempting to intercept her.

“Alright… Time to get serious. Frenn.”

He called out to Frenn, who stood at a safe distance.

“I assume you already know, but get away from me.”

“Understood… I expect you to emerge unscathed, but don’t get careless.”

“Of course.”

With that, Frenn retreated. Confirming her safety, Elias clenched his sword tightly.

“Alright, monsters… You’ve got one hell of an annoying ability. But your little rampage ends here. Let’s turn this into a slog.”

And then—he struck.

Not at a monster, but at the ground beneath his feet.

A thunderous roar echoed through the battlefield. The force of his slash tore into the earth, sending debris flying in all directions. The scattered stones pelted the surrounding monsters, striking some with enough force to render them motionless.

At the same time—

Every single monster on the battlefield turned its gaze toward Elias.

“Operation successful. I hadn’t used that technique in years, so I wasn’t sure if it’d work…”

He murmured as, all at once, the monsters charged.

The knights and heroes gasped at the sight, astonished at the way the entire horde had fixated on Elias. Yet someone quickly realized the opportunity, and a spell was cast—piercing through the mob.

A single monster collapsed. Seeing this, the knights and heroes followed suit, striking down more of the creatures as they rushed toward Elias.

Meanwhile, Elias himself dodged attacks and methodically cut down those closest to him.

“Alright… Misheana, it’s all on you now.”

A deafening roar tore through the battlefield.

The Alpha, recognizing the situation, howled in fury. It conjured another wave of minions—but every single one of them joined the charge toward Elias.

The knights and heroes could do nothing but stare in disbelief at the sheer spectacle before them. Yet despite their shock, they continued their assault, slashing and blasting the creatures to cull their numbers.

And then—amidst the chaos—someone reached the Alpha.

With a powerful swing, Misheana struck, her sword cleaving into the beast’s body.

The Alpha unleashed a bone-rattling roar—one that sounded eerily like a scream.

A total of twelve monsters had appeared around the fortress. Once all were slain and a detection spell confirmed no further threats, Elias and his group returned inside.

“You have my deepest gratitude. Truly, thank you.”

Nork expressed his appreciation to Elias, sweat beading on his forehead—a clear sign of how tense the situation had been for him.

“Now that the area around the fortress is clear, we can send messengers to the surrounding regions. Our priority is to share information and determine where the monsters are appearing.”

“Yes, that would be the best course of action… However,”

Elias interjected, shifting the conversation.

“While I cannot fully grasp the situation, the fact that monsters have reached the fortress perimeter suggests that the subjugation force is struggling. We need to assess their situation.”

“Hmm, I agree… There is little chance they will send word to us. Even if they do, if they are in disarray, it will take time for that information to reach us.”

Nork paused in thought, clearly weighing his options—no doubt considering Elias’s role in this matter. However, given the urgency of the situation, he quickly made a decision.

“…Understood. Go and assess the subjugation force’s status.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Will you need additional personnel?”

“As long as Frenn is with me, that will suffice. The knights and soldiers should remain here to defend the fortress.”

“Very well. I leave it in your hands.”

With that, Elias swiftly made preparations and set out with Frenn. As they left the fortress, he cast another detection spell.

“No signs of monsters. It seems we’ve dealt with them all.”

“Still, there were quite a few. A single monster or two wouldn’t be unusual, but over ten is concerning.”

“It’s possible the subjugation force’s assault has driven them into a frenzy.”

At his words, Frenn’s expression grew tense.

“This reminds me of what we experienced in the East.”

“Indeed. When faced with imminent peril, some monsters rampage wildly, attacking indiscriminately… But in this case, the alpha seems to have opted to mass-produce underlings instead.”

“The subjugation force should have dealt with them, yet some managed to escape into the lowlands. Even if they’re weaker, if they descend into human settlements, it would be a disaster.”

“We still have time to act… but we need to confirm the situation first. Frenn, let’s hurry.”

With those words, Elias surged forward. Enhancing their bodies with magic, the two accelerated, closing the distance to the battlefield at an incredible speed.

Just then, a loud explosion echoed through the air—someone had cast a powerful spell. The source was unmistakable—the direction of the subjugation force.

“Has the alpha finally revealed itself?”

“Possibly… Elias, up ahead—monsters.”

Elias spotted them too—two small red wolves, identical to the ones they had fought near the fortress.

“These will be easy to handle. I’ll take them down while maintaining speed. Stay behind me, Frenn.”

“Understood.”

As soon as she moved into position, Elias accelerated further, closing in on the monsters. They turned, sensing him, attempting to ready themselves for combat.

But they were too slow.

Before they could strike, his blade flashed. His slash was precise, severing one wolf’s head cleanly. The monster collapsed instantly.

“We’re pushing forward!”

Elias called out as he quickened his pace. As they neared the battlefield, he became aware of an enormous magical presence.

“The alpha itself has taken the field… but was it drawn out by the subjugation force? Or is it running out of options? Or perhaps—”

Even as he speculated, he did not slow down. Soon, the canyon—the site of the battle—came into view.

Upon reaching the battlefield, Elias immediately grasped the situation. Chaos reigned.

He first spotted Michenna, along with other warriors and knights, locked in battle against the red wolves. The creatures were small, likely of a low threat level. However, the sheer number of them posed a significant problem.

And then he saw it—the alpha.

Positioned at the edge of the canyon, it loomed over the battlefield, exuding a menacing presence. Unlike the others, it was significantly larger, and its body pulsed with magical energy. Each time its magic touched the ground, new red wolves materialized.

The subjugation force clearly intended to charge at it. However, the constant flood of newly spawned monsters was bogging them down. Although they were capable of slaying these wolves with ease, the alpha’s rapid summoning was outpacing their efforts. Despite their valiant resistance, the battlefield was becoming increasingly overrun.

“—Misheana!”

Elias called out as he approached, cutting down several monsters along the way.

“This situation looks like a real mess.”

“…Elias! What are you doing here?”

“Monsters showed up near the fortress. Probably ones that slipped past you.”

“—Ah, I see. This morning, just as we were about to enter the canyon, the large one appeared. You see it, right? The one at the front. Judging by how it keeps producing more monsters, that’s definitely the alpha.”

“It only appeared this morning?”

“That’s right… though why it suddenly showed itself, I have no idea.”

Elias turned his gaze toward the alpha. It continued its frantic summoning, almost as if something were driving it into a corner.

(Was it forced out of its territory by another monster? If that happened yesterday, it would explain why it fled here.)

It had likely fought the subjugation force in desperation—and now, in its last throes, it was losing control.

And then Elias noticed something.

“Every time it spawns another monster, it grows weaker…”

“You noticed it too? The newly created wolves are smaller, and the alpha’s magic is diminishing. We decided to hold our ground, since approaching only seems to make it summon faster… but,”

“You couldn’t prevent some from escaping.”

Elias assessed the situation. He now understood the problem. All that remained was to determine the best course of action.

With his strategy forming in his mind, he knew—this battle was at a critical turning point.

The first day of the subjugation concluded without incident, and Elias retired for the night without anything out of the ordinary occurring.

Then, the disturbance struck—the morning after the subjugation force began their sweep against the monsters.

Suddenly, Elias was roused from his bed by the sound of the alarm bell. Immediately grasping that it signified the appearance of monsters, he leapt up, swiftly prepared himself, and rushed out of his room.

By the time he arrived outside, Nork, the commander of the fortress, had already awoken and was issuing orders to his subordinates. Elias approached him.

“What’s the situation?”

“…A number of monsters have been sighted around the fortress. All of them are the same red wolves that appeared before.”

“All of them, you say?”

“Yes. For now, they are merely loitering around the fortress perimeter. Since we’ve kept the gates sealed, they cannot enter.”

Hearing this, Elias decided to verify the presence of the monsters himself. He immediately dashed to the watchtower and surveyed the area outside.

As expected, he spotted the monsters prowling around the fortress. With this confirmation, he returned to Nork’s side, where he found that Frenn had also arrived.

“I’ve visually confirmed the monsters. There are two points of concern. First, they are merely lingering outside without taking any action.”

“Perhaps they are observing the humans inside the fortress…?”

Nork mused aloud. Elias nodded in agreement.

“If that’s the case, then they must be following orders from their leader… Worse, they may disperse further, increasing the risk of reaching human settlements.”

“That would be disastrous.”

Nork’s expression turned grave.

“We must send word immediately. However, with those monsters outside—”

“That brings me to the second concern. The monsters outside appear to be smaller than the ones we encountered before.”

“…Smaller?”

Nork repeated the word, puzzled. Elias nodded.

“Yes. I suspect that, due to the impact of the subjugation force, the leader attempted to create new ones, but with limited mana, it could only produce smaller, weaker individuals.”

“So, there are many of them, but they’re not as formidable?”

“I haven’t measured their mana directly, so I can’t say for certain, but…”

At this, Nork brought his hand to his chin, deep in thought.

“…Regardless, we cannot leave them be. The fortress remains cut off until they are dealt with.”

“I will take the lead in the attack.”

“Understood. I’ll gather a strike team immediately.”

Nork moved to organize the response, and Elias prepared to join the battle when he turned to Frenn.

“…What about you, Frenn?”

“I’ll remain here, of course. But, if monsters are appearing here, what does that mean for the subjugation force?”

“…From what I can gather, they’re facing quite a struggle themselves.”

“Would it be best if you went to assist them?”

“They should be able to handle it without me. They’re an elite force, after all. However, with the monsters dispersing like this, there’s a high chance that some might slip past and reach us.”

“I see. In that case, providing assistance may indeed be the best option.”

“The real question is how much of a difference my presence would actually make.”

Elias let out a sigh as he rolled his shoulders.

“Well, no point dwelling on it now. First, we deal with the monsters around the fortress. I’m heading out.”

“Understood.”

With their conversation concluded, Elias proceeded to the fortress gate. Though the doors remained closed, knights and soldiers had already assembled under Nork’s orders, prepared for combat.

“Sir Elias.”

Nork approached and called out to him.

“Would you take command of the operation?”

“Understood.”

As soon as Elias nodded, Nork signaled, and the gate was opened slightly.

“Those selected for the strike team, follow me! Lord Nork, once we are out, close the gate behind us.”

“Understood.”

Leading the knights and soldiers, Elias stepped outside. Their expressions were taut with focus, but their resolve was clear.

(The last time they encountered these monsters, they were shaken, but now that they are prepared, they seem far more composed.)

Elias assessed their morale before turning his attention to the enemy. The monsters let out a collective growl.

“They’re coming… Who among us can use magic?”

Several knights stepped forward.

“When the monsters charge, fire off light-based spells. Even if they miss, disrupting their charge is the priority.”

The knights nodded and began chanting. The wolves began their advance toward the fortress.

But the magic was unleashed first.

Bolts of light streaked through the air, accurately targeting the monsters.

Some of the swift creatures dodged, but those that were struck collapsed, their bodies writhing before going still. Witnessing this, Elias muttered to himself,

“They’re significantly weaker than the ones before. As long as the spells connect, they can be taken down…”

One monster, however, evaded the spells and closed in on them. Elias immediately moved to intercept, stepping forward—and in a single motion, cut it down.

His blade sliced cleanly through its body. Feeling the lack of resistance, Elias confirmed his earlier suspicion—their defenses were far weaker.

“Don’t let yourselves get isolated! Work in teams and take them down together! Stop their charge, and they’re easy targets for swords and spears!”

His command rang out as he continued cutting through the oncoming creatures. From the depths of the forest, new monsters emerged. But they were all small, weak variants.

The knights, now confident in their ability to fight them, maintained their battle cries and coordinated their attacks.

Spells slowed the creatures, spears struck down those that faltered, and swords swiftly finished them off.

“Yes! We can do this!”

A knight shouted as the group continued their systematic assault. Meanwhile, Elias cut down more foes on his own.

(These monsters are clearly weak—around Danger Level One. But their sheer numbers… That’s the real issue.)

From the forest, more monsters continued to pour out. But the knights, realizing their advantage, stood firm, striking them down as they emerged.

(This situation… I may need to check on the subjugation force sooner than I thought…!)

Muttering this in his heart, Elias continued to swing his sword.

A few days after Misheana left, the subjugation force finally engaged the red wolf demons.

Thanks to the precautionary measures Elias had put in place, he could track the battle’s progress.

Though he couldn’t observe it in real-time, his setup allowed him to monitor the shifts in magical energy, giving him a rough idea of what was happening.

It wasn’t precise, but it was still faster than waiting for official reports.

That evening, Frenn arrived at Elias’s room to deliver her regular update.

“How’s the subjugation force holding up?”

“They’re doing well. No casualties, no injuries.”

Frenn nodded. “That’s a relief.”

“But…”

She tilted her head. “But?”

“They haven’t made much progress. The sheer number of demons is slowing them down.”

“…Even the subjugation force is struggling with the numbers?”

“That’s how it looks.” Elias stretched his arms, sighing.

“I don’t know how many of these red wolves their leader can create, but it should have a limit. The fact that so many still exist means that they were probably being mass-produced deep in the mountains for quite some time.”

“Then… the numbers will dwindle eventually?”

“Yeah, as long as they keep killing them, the end will come sooner or later.”

Frenn furrowed her brows.

“But… will the demons just retreat?”

Elias’s gaze sharpened.

“…Under normal circumstances, they should.”

Frenn caught the implication immediately.

“…But this isn’t normal, is it?”

“No.”

A pause.

Then—realization dawned on Frenn’s face.

“…Did something force these demons out of their territory?”

Elias nodded.

“I mentioned three possibilities before. This is the third one.”

“Another stronger demon appeared?”

“Most likely.”

Elias sighed.

“These red wolves aren’t just randomly attacking humans. Their original habitat was deep in the mountains, far from human civilization.”

“…But something drove them out.”

“And if whatever forced them to leave is still out there…”

Frenn’s expression hardened.

“…Then the subjugation force might run into it.”

“We know their alpha is at least Danger Level 3,” Elias continued.

“But whatever pushed them out is stronger than that.”

“…Danger Level 4?”

“That’s what worries me.”

A heavy silence filled the room.

Frenn exhaled.

“…We’ve dealt with Danger Level 4 demons before.”

“But not here,” Elias pointed out.

“Northfront knights rarely encounter demons of that caliber.”

“…Why?”

Elias crossed his arms, thinking.

“Probably because there are more people in the north.”

Frenn’s eyes narrowed.

“…You mean the stronger demons avoid populated areas?”

“Exactly. The stronger the demon, the smarter it tends to be. It knows that attacking a well-defended region is a bad idea.”

“…So instead, they move to areas humans don’t patrol as heavily.”

“And where do you think those places are?” Elias asked.

Frenn’s voice was calm—but tense.

“The Eastern Front.”

“In the Northern Front, knights and warriors have been pushing farther and farther into demon territory.”

“But in the Eastern Front, the land is rough, the resources are scarce, and humans don’t settle there as much.”

“That means the most dangerous demons could be hiding there without anyone realizing it.”

“…And no one in the North knows?”

“Apparently not,” Elias said dryly.

Frenn frowned.

“…Doesn’t that mean that when the Northern knights push too far, they might force even more powerful demons out?”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

Elias sighed again.

“For now, though, we watch and wait.”

“…Should I keep gathering information?”

“Yeah. Find out everything you can about the politics surrounding this operation.”

Frenn nodded. “Understood.”

She left the room.

Elias leaned back in his chair, gazing out the window.

The courtyard was bustling with knights training.

The soldiers seemed more motivated than usual—perhaps because of the red wolf threat.

(Or maybe Misheana’s visit left an impression on them.)

Either way, the subjugation effort was progressing smoothly.

At least… for now.

“…The first day went well,” he murmured.

“But let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

With that thought, Elias stood up.

Time to sharpen his sword.

Even if he wasn’t part of the official force—he still had a role to play.

As the fierce exchange of blades continued, the soldiers and knights watching cheered wildly, though they could no longer keep up with the battle’s shifting tides.

Elias, however, was keenly aware of the flow of combat.

(She’s waiting for an opening to unleash a big move… I can either wait for it or go on the offensive first.)

But before he could make his decision—Misheana moved first.

A sharp slash aimed at his neck.

Elias immediately parried, deflecting her sword.

At that moment, her magic surged—more concentrated than before, enough to make the very air tremble. Even the spectators could sense that something major was coming.

(Here it comes—!)

Elias murmured internally, gathering his own magic into his blade.

The moment Misheana swung down, he had already finished preparing.

Their swords clashed in a thunderous impact, sending out a shockwave.

A deadlock—their blades locked in place as they pushed against each other.

“…Impressive,” Misheana muttered through gritted teeth.

“You’re the first opponent I haven’t been able to break through like this.”

“I specialize in fighting monsters, but that doesn’t mean I neglected dueling techniques… Besides—”

“…Besides?”

For a moment, Elias hesitated. His thoughts flashed back to a memory of the Eastern Front, of a battle against a certain opponent.

“…Let’s just say, I had plenty of practice sparring against knights and even brought in instructors to study different styles.”

And with that, he pushed her back.

Rather than resisting, Misheana retreated to gain distance.

“……Alright.”

Sword still at the ready, Elias assessed the situation.

They were evenly matched—but at this rate, the fight would never end.

(Playing it safe will just drag this out. Might as well take a risk.)

His lips curled into a small smirk.

Then—he gathered even more magic.

Misheana immediately narrowed her eyes.

“You’re going for the finish?”

“You already went all out—it’s only fair I return the favor.”

It was a gamble. If he failed, it would leave him open.

(Let’s see if this works against a Hero—!)

Elias surged forward.

But this time, instead of reinforcing only his arms or blade, he channeled magic throughout his entire body.

A full-body enhancement—massively increasing his speed, strength, and reflexes.

It was far more draining, but for one decisive moment, it would make him unstoppable.

Misheana reacted immediately, raising her sword to block—

“—!!”

A small gasp escaped her lips.

She had blocked the attack, but she couldn’t fully absorb the impact.

(I’ve got her—!)

Seeing the opening, Elias launched into a relentless assault.

His blades struck like lightning, forcing her to desperately defend.

For the first time, Misheana was being pushed back.

One strike. Then another. And another—each blow heavier than the last.

The tide of battle had completely shifted.

Knowing she couldn’t stay on the defensive forever, Misheana lunged forward, trying to turn the tables with a last-ditch counterattack.

But Elias anticipated it.

Just as she tried to close the distance, he adjusted—his blade intercepting hers perfectly.

Her stance wavered.

Her balance broke.

And with one final, powerful strike—

Her sword was knocked from her hands.

The duel was over.

A moment of silence.

Then—the entire courtyard erupted into cheers.

Misheana met Elias’s gaze—then let out a wry chuckle.

“…I lose.”

And with that, she conceded.

 

“Damn, you really are on a whole different level.”

After the crowd had mostly dispersed, Misheana casually analyzed the fight.

“I thought I could break through, but your defense was impenetrable.”

“Well, you didn’t use magic.”

“I can, but I didn’t want to risk collateral damage in front of an audience. Besides… you never gave me a chance.”

She let out a lighthearted sigh.

“…This is the strength of a Holy Knight, huh?”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Elias shook his head. “I don’t actually know how strong the others are.”

“…Seriously?”

“Seriously. I’ve only fought in the Eastern Front—I don’t have much to compare myself to.”

Misheana stared at him for a moment, then smirked.

“Well, I’ve still got a long way to go. But thanks—this was good training.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Watching her leave, Frenn sighed in relief.

“…I thought she might insist on a rematch.”

“She’s got more sense than that. Besides, she’s about to join the subjugation force. She probably doesn’t want to cause trouble for Noque.”

Frenn gave a thoughtful nod before asking—

“…So? What did you think of her?”

“She’s strong. But… I had no trouble responding to her full power.”

“…Was she really going all out?”

“In swordsmanship? Yes.” Elias nodded. “If she had used magic, it might have been different—but she wanted to test my skill as a swordsman. She got her answer.”

Frenn considered this, then said—

“Well then, should I resume gathering intelligence?”

“Yeah. But don’t push yourself.”

“…Why?”

At that, Elias let out a small chuckle.

“Because I already set up a trick during our investigation.”

“…When?”

“Back at the valley, I left a magic marker. It lets me sense magical activity in that area for about ten days.”

“…You did all that while fighting?”

“It’s not that hard.”

Frenn sighed, rubbing her temples.

“Well, it might help. Do you think the subjugation force will succeed?”

Elias paused—his usual carefree expression fading.

“…Honestly? I don’t know.”

Frenn frowned. “What do you mean?”

“This expedition isn’t just about killing monsters. There are political interests at play. Some nobles probably see this as an opportunity to raise their status by having ‘their Holy Knight’ claim the victory.”

“…That sounds troublesome.”

“It is.” Elias exhaled. “When power is involved, people get messy.”

“…What should we do?”

“For now?” Elias shrugged. “We watch and wait. If the situation turns bad… then we step in.”

A subtle but sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

“…After all, if it’s a battle against monsters, then that’s my battlefield.”

“—So you’re saying you’re not participating?”

After finishing her training in the fortress courtyard, Mishaena listened to Elias’s words with clear dissatisfaction.

“That’s the kingdom’s decision?”

“Yeah.”

“I was chosen because I fought these monsters before—but so did you, didn’t you?”

“Apparently, there’s already another Holy Knight joining the force. Having me there might have been an inconvenience for them.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to have more than one Holy Knight?”

“When you reach this rank, politics start getting involved… which is a huge pain, to be honest.”

Elias shrugged, then continued.

“Well, I’m out, but you’re still in. No reason for you to stick around here anymore.”

“Yeah, I’ll be leaving in a few days… but before that, there’s one thing I want to do.”

“And that is?”

“I want to spar with you.”

Elias met her gaze. It was clear that this was pure curiosity on her part.

“…What’s the point?”

“I want to see just how strong a Holy Knight from the Eastern Front really is.”

“You might be disappointed. But from the look in your eyes, I can tell you won’t back down until you get what you want.”

“So, when?”

“Up to you.”

“How about right now?”

“…If we do, we’ll need Noque’s permission first.”

Elias wasn’t against the idea. In fact, he was curious himself.

(She’s proven to be highly skilled… but just how much? Testing my strength against her would give me a better measure of my own progress.)

“I’ll talk to Noque and arrange it.”

“Alright.”

And so, after securing the fortress lord’s approval, the duel between Holy Knight Elias and Hero Mishaena was set.
The Spectacle

By early afternoon, word had spread through the fortress—a duel between a Holy Knight and a Hero.

The result? The courtyard was packed with spectators.

“This escalated fast,” Elias muttered.

“Of course it did,” Mishaena replied nonchalantly. “A Holy Knight vs. a Hero? That’s not something you get to see every day. It’s the best entertainment these people could ask for.”

“…So they’re treating this like some tournament match?” Elias sighed. “You seem awfully calm about all this. Done this before?”

“Oh, plenty,” she smirked. “Once you start making a name for yourself, people love to challenge you. Some are curious, some are jealous, and some just wanna test their strength.”

Judging by her expression, it was clear that she had crushed many such challengers.

At that moment, Fran stepped between them.

“I will act as the referee. If I determine it to be dangerous, I will stop the match. Elias, is that acceptable?”

“Yeah.”

“As for winning conditions—you both will determine that yourselves.”

“…So basically, it won’t end unless one of us concedes?”

“Exactly.”

Fran’s immediate response made Elias chuckle before he turned back to Mishaena.

(If I hold back, she’ll definitely get pissed and refuse to stop. Best not to half-ass this.)

Mishaena wasn’t just a Hero—she was a fighter. If he didn’t take this seriously, she’d know immediately.

(…Fran probably expects me to hold back and is warning me not to. Don’t worry, Fran—I wasn’t planning to.)

“I hope you’re ready,” Fran announced.

Both Elias and Mishaena drew their swords.

The courtyard fell into silence.

Their gazes locked.

Fran drew in a deep breath—

“—Begin!”

Mishaena moved first.

Like a raging storm, she closed the gap instantly and swung her blade at Elias’s neck—a lethal strike, even for a sparring match.

But Elias remained completely composed.

He read her movements perfectly, raising his sword to intercept.

A sharp clang echoed across the courtyard.

The impact sent vibrations through the air.

At that moment, Elias analyzed the weight behind her strike—her magic-infused strength, the momentum of her attack, and her overall technique.

(She’s powerful—no doubt about it. But—)

Mishaena narrowed her eyes.

Seeing that her initial strike had been effortlessly blocked, she immediately disengaged.

(She expected to at least shake me. But I barely even moved.)

That realization didn’t discourage her—if anything, her fighting spirit burned even hotter.

Her next move came even faster.

This time, she channeled more magic into her blade and launched a powerful thrust.

Elias responded in kind, bringing his sword to meet hers.

Another resounding clash.

Sparks flew.

The watching knights and soldiers erupted into cheers.

But there was no time to bask in the excitement—

Elias immediately pushed her back and countered.

Mishaena, in turn, read his attack and parried.

Their swords met again.

And again.

And again.

A furious exchange of blows erupted between them—so fast that the spectators could barely keep up.

Their footwork was precise. Their movements were flawless.

Every strike was met with equal force, neither yielding an inch.

At this pace, there was no clear attacker or defender—only a relentless, ever-shifting battle.

The audience could only watch in awe as the two warriors continued their blazing-fast duel.

They weren’t thinking anymore—just moving, reacting, instinctively countering each other.

And still—neither showed signs of backing down.

By the time they had distanced themselves from the ravine where the monsters had appeared, the creatures had ceased their pursuit. As a result, after eliminating the visible threats, Elias and Mishena took a moment to catch their breath.

“Looks like we’ve left their territory.”

“…I was just thinking,”

Mishena said, turning her gaze toward the direction of the ravine.

“Those monsters… it felt like they were appearing endlessly.”

“There must be a limit. But if we assume that these creatures traveled here from deeper in the mountains, it would mean their pack is significantly large.”

“If they decide to form a subjugation force, it’s going to be a sizable one.”

Mishena remarked as she turned to face Elias.

“If they decide to go through with the subjugation, will you be joining them?”

“Hard to say. Frien and I were only investigating the monsters that appeared near the fort. Whether or not I get included in the subjugation force depends on those in charge, so I have no idea.”

“You don’t have any say in the matter?”

“I’ve been here in the north for only two days. No one’s going to entrust me with personnel decisions just because I’m a Holy Knight.”

At Elias’s response, Mishena nodded in agreement.

“That’s true… But if their numbers are overwhelming, it’s going to be a tough fight. I’d feel a lot more reassured having you there, considering you can take them down in a single blow.”

“I appreciate the compliment… And you? Are you planning to join?”

“If they ask me to. Well, that’s up to the higher-ups, so I don’t know how it’ll turn out.”

Mishena then glanced back and forth between Elias and Frien.

“Hey, can I go to your fort?”

“…I don’t mind, but I plan to just lay low there, so I doubt you’ll find anything exciting. Besides, weren’t you hired by the knights you were traveling with?”

“I’ll let them know. The request has been fulfilled anyway.”

She turned to her companions and asked, “That okay with you guys?” The group nodded, though one of the warriors gave a wry smile, showing a hint of exasperation at her sudden decision.

(…Well, as long as it doesn’t cause a falling-out among them, it should be fine.)

Elias had been carefully observing their behavior throughout the conversation, gathering insight into the dynamics within Mishena’s group. He also focused a trace amount of magic into his eyes to gauge their presence.

He could sense no discord in their magical aura—the energy surrounding them was calm. That confirmed that the bonds between Mishena and her companions were solid. With that reassurance, he judged that she wouldn’t cause any trouble back at the fort.

“Just so you know, your accommodations will be handled by the Holy Knight in charge of the fort, not me. If the treatment isn’t to your liking, don’t complain.”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it.”

Mishena replied nonchalantly.

Elias gave a small shrug before speaking.

“All right, let’s head back. There’s still a chance those same monsters will show up again… The kingdom will need to step up and handle it properly.”

---

Following Elias and Mishena’s investigation, the kingdom officially designated the leader of the Aka no Ōkami—the Red Wolf—as a Threat Level 3 monster. Declaring it a significant danger, they formally announced the formation of a subjugation force.

The fort where the knights accompanying Mishena were stationed was assigned as the operation’s core command. While it wasn’t the frontmost defensive line, the size of the monster pack was still undetermined, and the individual creatures within the horde had already been classified as Threat Level 2. Because of this, even knights and warriors from the northernmost strongholds were mobilized.

---

“…The kingdom seems to consider this a serious threat,”

Frien remarked.

She was in Elias’s quarters, having just finished compiling the latest reports. Three days had passed since their investigation. Elias himself was mildly surprised at how quickly the kingdom had reached a decision.

(Perhaps, given that this is the northern front, they tend to act swiftly?)

“I’ve also gathered information on the knights and warriors participating in the subjugation. Do you want to take a look?”

“Sure, though I doubt I’ll recognize any of the names.”

Despite his words, Elias skimmed through the document handed to him. His gaze moved down the list.

“…That’s quite a few people.”

“The total number of the subjugation force is around thirty. Since the monster pack includes creatures of Threat Level 2, they’re primarily deploying elite warriors from the frontlines.”

“Given how many unknowns were present during our investigation, I suppose they decided to err on the side of caution… Oh, Mishena’s name is listed here too.”

“She was directly involved in the initial investigation. Plus, she’s proven her combat abilities against those creatures. It makes sense she’d be chosen.”

Elias scanned the list once more, but his own name was absent.

That, however, was to be expected.

“I suppose I’ll just leave it to them.”

“…If you speak directly with Lord Nork, you could probably get yourself added to the force.”

“That sounds like more trouble than it’s worth… Though,” Elias glanced outside the window.

From his quarters, he could see the fort’s courtyard. Mishena was down there, training alongside the knights and soldiers.

“If I tell her about this, she might not take it well.”

“…Are you suggesting she might interfere?”

Frien asked.

“It’s possible.”

Since the investigation, Mishena had been welcomed at the fort, spending her days sparring with its knights and soldiers.

At the same time, however, she had been noticeably displeased whenever Elias’s status was mentioned.

While it was unclear exactly what she was dissatisfied with, her reactions made it apparent that she wouldn’t be happy learning that Elias had not been included in the subjugation force.

“Elias, just to confirm—unless you receive an official request, you have no intention of joining the subjugation force?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan.”

“…But there’s a possibility that Mishena might get involved.”

“I should probably have a talk with her. I’ll gauge her reaction first.”

“Let’s just hope this doesn’t turn into a whole incident.”

“I’ll handle it.”

Elias stood up.

“That being said, I’ll go deal with this now.”

“Please try to keep things civil.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Frien muttered under her breath,

“…Why is she so intent on taking Elias’s side?”

Hearing that, Elias turned back and answered.

“She probably took a liking to my fighting style. It’s natural to feel a sense of camaraderie with someone you’ve fought alongside, more so than with knights or warriors you only know by name.”

With that, he left his quarters.

“The red wolves we fought originated from the undeveloped northeastern region… Even if human expansion hasn’t reached that far, it’s not as if it has had zero influence. The monsters might have noticed humans surveying the mountains and beginning development, which could have prompted their movement. But that still doesn’t explain why they’ve reached as far as the fortress.”

Elias’s musings made Misheana tilt her head.

“You mentioned before that there was no reason for them to go all the way to the fortress. Is that really something that bothers you?”

“Somewhat. These creatures have the intelligence of beasts, but unlike regular animals, monsters tend to act on instinct. However, that instinct usually leads to logical behavior—monsters rarely take action without purpose. If they’ve moved, there must be a reason behind it.”

Misheana studied Elias’s expression for a moment before asking, “Earlier, you mentioned three possible explanations for their movements. Are you about to explain the third one properly?”

“Yeah. Though I can’t say for certain, my best guess is this—the monsters are searching for a new home.”

The knights and Misheana frowned. That idea alone didn’t necessarily explain why they had attacked humans.

“My theory is that these monsters originally lived deep within the gorge. They’ve established a pack—and we don’t know how they’ve been multiplying, but if they’ve been creating new members, it must have taken some time. That means they aren’t newly born.”

“So you’re saying they used to stay deep inside, but then they suddenly moved closer to human territory?”

“That’s right. And now, they’re sending scouting parties to find a new place to settle—likely under the direction of their leader. These scouts end up encountering humans, leading to these conflicts.”

“Hmm… Then, what forced them to leave in the first place?”

“That’s the part we don’t know. There could be many possible reasons. But if they’ve abandoned their old territory in search of new ground, the most likely cause is—”

Just as Elias was about to finish, the terrain ahead opened up before them.

The gorge came into view.

It wasn’t an abrupt drop into a bottomless chasm but rather a gentler-sloped ravine, effectively blocking their path forward. Wild vegetation had grown unchecked, and numerous boulders and jagged cliffs surrounded the area. It was a natural stronghold, immediately recognizable as difficult terrain.

“This place… would be a nightmare to traverse.”

“But monsters can move through it easily?”

It was Frenn who answered Misheana’s question.

“Monsters adapt to their environments. If these red wolves really came from deep in the mountains, they should be able to navigate the terrain effortlessly.”

“Huh… Oh, look—there’s one over there.”

Misheana pointed toward a lone red wolf watching them from the top of a cliff.

“It’s observing us,” Frenn noted, eyes narrowing.

“If they move in packs, then naturally, each one must have a specific role. It wouldn’t be surprising if some were designated as watchers.”

While Frenn spoke, Elias compared the map to the actual terrain in front of them.

“It’s one thing to see this on paper, but looking at it firsthand makes a big difference… This is easily passable for monsters, but for humans? Not so much.”

One of the knights, staring at the observing wolf, asked, “If that’s the case, can we assume the leader of these creatures is deeper inside?”

“Yeah. I can feel a strong presence further ahead. That’s most likely where their leader is. Which means…”

Elias sighed.

“This will be a pain to deal with. Even if we do form a subjugation force, getting to them will be the real challenge.”

“Luring them out?” another knight suggested. “No… That could attract even more monsters from deep inside.”

“Exactly. For now, we’ve gathered enough information. Our best option is to report this and wait for the kingdom’s response.”

“Wait, that’s it?”

Misheana sounded disappointed.

Elias turned toward her with an amused look.

“Not enough fighting for you?”

“I was expecting one more battle at least. Now it just feels anticlimactic.”

“The less fighting, the better. This is a recon mission, remember?”

Elias then glanced at the knights.

“This should conclude our investigation. Are you heading back now?”

“Yes. Given our current equipment, we wouldn’t last long if we pushed forward recklessly. We’ll return and file an official report to the kingdom—”

Just as the knight finished speaking—

Both Elias and Misheana suddenly turned toward the gorge.

The knights and soldiers froze at their abrupt reaction.

“W-What’s wrong…?”

“…It looks like this area is already within their territory.”

Even as Elias spoke, a growing rumble filled the air.

The distinct sound of pounding footsteps—the rapid thudding of beastly legs against the earth.

“They’re coming.”

The knights stiffened as multiple red wolves burst out from the gorge.

Elias quickly counted. Five—no, even more in the back.

The soldiers visibly paled.

“We need to retreat, NOW!”

Elias unsheathed his sword.

“Misheana, can you handle this?”

“Of course!”

She grinned, drawing her sword and charging forward.

Her blade glowed with condensed magic, and as she swung, it cleanly severed the lead monster in a single blow.

Elias stepped forward, slicing down another beast with effortless precision.

But more monsters were coming.

Their sheer numbers were overwhelming.

Elias’s magic flared around him as he took a defensive stance.

“Go! We’ll hold them here—GET MOVING!”

The knights hesitated for only a moment before nodding.

“Understood! Everyone, fall back!”

As the soldiers and most of Misheana’s party retreated, Elias noticed that Frenn remained.

He sighed.

“Frenn, you should go with them.”

Frenn adjusted her glasses.

“Elias, do you really think you’d be able to find your way back to the fortress without me?”

“Ugh… That’s… fair…”

“You don’t have to worry about me. I can’t fight, but I can defend myself just fine.”

“…You sure?”

Misheana glanced at Frenn with a skeptical expression.

Frenn simply smiled.

“There’s no problem.”

Even while they spoke, more wolves poured out of the gorge.

Elias gritted his teeth.

“Misheana, we need to pull back soon.”

“I know—but seriously, why are there so many?!”

The five wolves they originally saw had already been cut down—yet their numbers continued to grow.

“More than ten… and they’re all Level Two at minimum…”

Elias’s brows furrowed.

“If a leader exists, then its Danger Level must be—”

Before he could finish, another wave of monsters lunged at them.

There was no time for words.

Elias and Misheana steeled themselves as they continued fighting—slowly but steadily falling back toward safety.