Champion pondered Niflheim’s words before taking a deep breath and exhaling.
“That’s right. All I need to do is focus on my goal just like everyone else in the 9th Division. I won’t become a burden!” Champion thought to himself.
“Thank you, Lieutenant Niflheim. I won’t disappoint you.” Champion said with a newfound calmness and a look of clarity in his eyes.
When Niflheim saw the change in Champion’s demeanor, he gave a small nod of approval. Simultaneously, Bellum had already started to work on breaking through the magic barrier around the carriage.
“Hm… It’s stronger than I thought. Not only is it a magic barrier, but it’s crossed with a magic formation. Tempest must have poured a small fortune into the protection of this carriage. It is virtually impossible to break within a short period of time.” Bellum commented.
“Are you telling me you can’t break it in time? They’ve probably already sent the signal for reinforcements, so we don’t have much time to waste.” Niflheim inquired with furrowed brows.
“I can disable the magic barrier portion within a few breaths; however, my understanding of magic formations is only at the basic to intermediate levels. Since this is undoubtedly an advanced-level magic formation or higher, I will have to improvise. It’ll take me anywhere between five to ten minutes to get through it.” Bellum responded.
“Five to ten minutes… You’ll be cutting it close. But we have no other choice. Don’t worry about your safety and focus on disabling the carriage’s protections. We’ll make sure no one interrupts you.” Niflheim stated.
“Then, I leave my back to you, Lieutenant Niflheim,” Bellum said as she had already started the process of breaking through the magic barrier on the carriage.
At the same time, Niflheim turned his gaze to one of the clashes going on nearby. It was the fight between Assault Group C and the mysterious female Guard Commander.
Not long ago, Niflheim received a message from Menerva warning him about one of the Tempest Guard Commanders; however, all he could do was tell those facing that person to use additional caution.
“It would be nice if we had some reinforcements to send their way, but if Menerva’s right, then there’s no one else we can send in the 9th Division that wouldn’t simply be in the way.” Niflheim thought to himself.
Against strong opponents, one could not simply hope to overwhelm them with numbers. After all, no matter how many ants tried to confront a blazing sun, they would never be able to overcome it.
Menerva carefully selected the members of each Assault Group from among those with the most potential and synergy in the 9th Division. Everyone else was too far behind to face someone like a Tempest Guard Commander, especially one Menerva considered to be an anomaly.
“In the end, defeating a few Guard Commanders is not our purpose here. So long as we take care of things over here…” Niflheim thought as his gaze suddenly sharpened.
“Stop what you’re doing at once!” One of the Tempest elite soldiers shouted as he charged toward Niflheim’s group.
Despite being heavily wounded, the elite soldier slipped away from one of the 9th Division members and immediately redirected his attention to Niflheim, Bellum, and Champion.
“I’ll leave this one to you, Champion,” Niflheim said calmly.
Champion tightened his grip on the greatsword in his hands, and without responding, he stepped forward directly onto the path of the incoming Tempest elite soldier.
When the Tempest soldier witnessed Champion’s actions, he seemed to gain even more momentum now that someone was attempting to obstruct his charge.
The Tempest soldier pushed forward with his spear and lashed out with a strong and precise thrust aimed at Champion’s neck!
With one smooth motion, as the spear approached him, Champion swung downward with his greatsword.
This action took the Tempest elite soldier by surprise and also caused them to see Champion as an unskillful fool. With a single glance, it was clear to the Tempest soldier that his spear would long reach its target before that clunky greatsword came anywhere near him. Without a doubt, it was his victory.
However, just as the Tempest soldier was assured of his imminent victory, something happened that caused him to second-guess the reality in front of him.
“What is this?” The Tempest soldier was at a loss for words and shaken as he realized the spear in his hands seemed to be slowing down.
No, to be more precise, it was as if it were getting further away from its target!
Woosh!
In the blink of an eye, the spear reached its maximum range. But, against the Tempest soldier’s expectations, it stopped more than half a meter short of its intended target—it came nowhere close to hitting Champion’s neck!
“Eh? I missed by this much? What-” The Tempest soldier was left momentarily frozen by his massive blunder.
He was an elite soldier handpicked by the Centurion for this escort mission, and he made such an amateur mistake.
However, what the Tempest soldier remained unaware of was that the mistake was not one of his own doing.
As Niflheim observed the clash between Champion and the Tempest soldier, a light smile appeared on his face.
“I wasn’t mistaken after all. She must have seen it as well back in the Cave Mortem Monsoon. This guy… His class isn’t simple.” Niflheim thought to himself as he watched the events unfold.
Shiiing!
“?!” Out of nowhere, the Tempest soldier felt his entire body tremble as his view was blocked out by the sight of a giant greatsword.
But, before the Tempest soldier could react, he found his body had been cleanly cleaved in two.
Champion released a deep breath as the Tempest soldier’s body turned to particles.
For anyone who just observed the conflict from an outside perspective, it would seem that the Tempest soldier made an unforgivable blunder by misjudging the distance between himself and Champion. Then, taking advantage of that misjudgment, Champion landed a finishing blow.
However, it was just as Niflheim suspected—Champion did not have your typical warrior-type class. Rather, it was a rare warrior-type class called the Wayward Gladiator.
The Wayward Gladiator has strong attack potential and above-average defensive capabilities; however, the most frightening thing about this class was one of its main skills, a passive called Meadow of the Wayward.
Those who targeted Champion within a certain range would experience something akin to dysmetria. This impaired their ability to correctly judge distances and made it increasingly difficult for them to have coordinated movements. And, the longer a battle progressed, the more apparent and widespread these effects would become to the point that it would no longer matter if they were targeting Champion or not.
This is why Menerva assigned Champion to Assault Group A along with Niflheim and Bellum. If for whatever reason, they ever came under heavy assault, it would give them enough breathing room to react without being outright overwhelmed.
Crrrck!
Not long after Champion defeated the Tempest soldier, the sound of something cracking and shattering came from the carriage as the protections around it shook.
“I’ve destroyed the magic barrier. I will now begin on the magic formation.” Bellum said without turning her attention away from the carriage.
…
A few moments ago…
“Report! I have an urgent report for the duchess!” A man dressed in Tempest soldier armor called out as he sped ahead on horseback to the front of a large moving group.
This group was the main force being sent from Tempest and led by Glacia to assist at the Night Lord’s Crypt.
“Halt!” Two of the soldiers on horseback yelled as they blocked the soldier’s path by crossing their spears.
Neeeeigh!
The soldier pulled the reigns on his warhorse and almost fell over from having his path obstructed; however, he quickly regained himself.
“I have an urgent report for the duchess! You must let me through immediately!” The Tempest soldier urged.
“Hmph! You dare to approach our lady on horseback? Audacious! Besides, what qualifications do you have to meet with our-” One of the Tempest men who blocked the soldier’s path scolded.
But, before he could finish his scolding, a calm yet cold voice sounded from the other side, “Let him through.”
“Y-yes, my lady.” The Tempest men lowered their spears without question and immediately made way for the Tempest soldier.
The Tempest soldier swallowed nervously as they dismounted from their warhorse and approached on foot.
However, the moment they came within five meters of the woman at the head of the group, the Tempest soldier was overcome with an indescribable chill. He did not even dare look the woman in her eyes as he fell to one of his knees with his gaze directed at the ground.
“If I recall correctly, you are one of Centurion Aloysius’ men, Cosmin. Tell me, what is so urgent that you must speak with me directly and halt our march?” Glacia said without averting her gaze.
