A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 91

"There they are! Stop them!"

The Crimson Lion Knights who followed Abel drew their swords and blocked the path.

If they were delayed here, the special forces and Abel would soon catch up.

Sieg shouted to Boris.

"I'll clear the way, take the prince and get out of here!"

Sieg placed the prince on Boris's horse. As Boris drove the horse and escaped from the hotel, Sieg drew his sword.

Wooong!

Elemental energy surged into Sieg's sword. He concentrated the power of the wind.

Fwoooosh!

Soon, a massive storm rose around Sieg, and he swung his storm sword at the Crimson Lion Knights.

Crack, crack, crack!

The overwhelming gust left the knights unable to secure their sights. Seizing the chance, Boris, with Carus, dashed forward following the path Sieg had created through the wind.

Sieg followed behind, slashing his sword at the bewildered Crimson Lion Knights.

Boom!

Knights collided with Sieg's sword imbued with the Energy of Metal and were sent flying.

"Aaargh!"

Sieg retrieved the "Flame Giant's Deep Breath" potion from his inventory.

Whizz!

As soon as he threw the potion, a white flame erupted, forming a massive wall of fire in front of the hotel. The knights, unable to cross the fiery wall, looked around in confusion.

"Damn it! Unleash the Aura Blade!"

The blue knights gathered and attempted to extinguish the flames with the Aura Blade, but the ancient potion, Flame Giant's Deep Breath, could not be subdued so easily.

The oppressive heat that threatened to turn their bodies into charcoal prevented the knights from advancing.

Just then, it happened.

Fwoooosh!

Suddenly, Abel leapt through the air toward the flames. Simultaneously, he swung his sword at the Flame Giant's Deep Breath.

Crack, crack, crack!

The wall of fire parted as if a waterfall had been split. Abel stood before the split wall of fire and shouted to the knights.

"Divide the Crimson Lion Knights. One group will come with me to the terminal and docks! The other group will pursue the intruders with the special forces!"

* * *

Gallop, gallop, gallop!

Sieg and Boris dashed through the forest, evading their pursuers. As the vibrant cityscape vanished from view, Sieg asked Boris.

"Is there a way to cross directly to the central continent from here?"

Boris shook his head at the question.

"Finding a direct route while avoiding Abel Draker and the imperial special forces is difficult."

"Is there another route?"

Boris hesitated before speaking slowly.

"There are two options. First, we head north through the kingdom, cross the Central Sea, and detour toward the northern continent. However, traveling along the coast increases the risk of being discovered by the enemy."

"What's the other option?"

"We go south through the demonic beasts' forest and cross the Sea of Death to reach the southern continent. From there, we can take a portal to the central continent. But, this path poses the threat of demonic beasts."

"We'll go south."

Sieg decided without hesitation to enter the demonic beasts' forest, concluding that facing demonic beasts was preferable to knights.

Boris let out a low groan then nodded.

"Understood."

He turned the horse's head and guided Sieg in the direction of the demonic beasts' forest.

Carus, sitting behind Boris, was pale-faced and silent. Sieg approached and handed Carus a potion.

"Drink this. It will warm you up."

Carus took the potion with trembling hands and gulped it down. Carus's complexion improved thanks to the recovery potion.

"...... Much better than before. Thank you, Sir Sieg."

Sieg was astonished by Carus's words.

"How did you know I am Sieg Draker?"

With a steady breath, Carus replied.

"I never forget a face once I've seen it. Your voice and unique accent are unmistakable, no matter how you try to hide them."

'Did he follow along willingly because he knew I was Sieg Draker?'

He hadn't expected the prince, whom he thought was merely reckless, to be more than that. Sieg spoke to Carus.

"Your Highness is in a rather dangerous situation."

Carus nodded at Sieg's words.

"Yes, if both Julius and Abel target me simultaneously, the entire central continent must be seen as my enemy."

Sieg shook his head at those words.

"Not necessarily. If we reach Central Continent and enter Kali Draker's territory, your safety will be guaranteed."

"Kali Draker. You mean the Knight of Platinum. She's aiding you, I presume."

"It's Kali Draker who sent me here."

"The Knight of Platinum is trustworthy. Sir Sieg, can you ensure my safe passage to her?"

Sieg nodded affirmatively.

"I will do my utmost. Your Highness must also bear the hardship and follow my instructions closely."

It was then that Sieg sensed something.

"Protect His Highness's back, and I'll handle the front."

Sieg gripped his sword and moved forward. At that moment, something swooshed down from the trees.

"Screech!"

A demonic beast, resembling a giant flying squirrel, charged at Sieg. Without hesitation, Sieg swung his sword and cut down the flying squirrel.

『You have defeated a creature corrupted by magic.』

『You gain 10 Karma Points.』

As Sieg had expected, slaying the demonic beast rewarded him with Karma Points.

'Good. I can accumulate some points here.'

Boris informed Sieg.

"Boss, from here on, we cannot proceed on horseback."

Following Boris's guidance, Sieg dismounted and proceeded on foot into the forest.

Screech!

As they ventured deeper into the forest, more demonic beasts attacked. Sieg used his sword to fend off all the attacking creatures as they progressed deeper into the forest.

Given that it would take at least two days to cover the distance, conserving energy was crucial.

Sieg pulled out the food and water he had stored in his inventory, sharing it with Boris and Carus, while he sustained himself by absorbing the demonic beasts through Devour.

Just then, an ominous sound echoed through the forest from above.

Screech!

Birds with sinister appearances circled overhead, shrieking as if their cries were tearing through the air.

"The atmosphere of the forest has changed."

Boris responded.

"It seems the pursuers have entered the forest after us."

The knights were noisily scouring the forest to find Carus. Boris's expression turned even grimmer after speaking.

"Boss, it would be best to cross the forest quickly. If the swamp's master emerges, we'll be in big trouble."

"The swamp's master?"

At that moment, a deep bellowing sound echoed from the depths of the forest.

Goooonng!

The roar itself felt like it shook the entire forest. Boris's face turned ghostly pale.

"The, the master of the swamp has awakened. The Dorthains never venture deep into the demonic beasts' forest for fear of inciting the swamp master's wrath."

Judging by Boris's reaction, it seemed like no ordinary demonic beast. Sieg nodded.

"Boris, take His Highness and proceed deeper into the forest. I will distract the pursuers elsewhere."

"Understood."

* * *

"What the hell are you doing?"

Low Zimmens, one of the captains of the Crimson Lion Knights, spoke in a razor-sharp tone to the special forces member. The member replied to Low.

"I suggested taking a detour because it's too dangerous to cut through this forest."

Low rebuked the member.

"If our target reaches their destination and take the smuggling ship before we get to them, will the special forces take responsibility?"

Faced with Low's reprimand, the member had no response. Low snapped at the special forces member.

"If you don't want to report to the magistrate that we lost Carus, you'd better pursue them quickly."

After hearing Low's words, the special forces members gritted their teeth and started finding a way into the demonic beasts' forest.

It had been an incident before they could hand over Carus to Abel's side, so the responsibility still lay with the empire. Therefore, even if the Crimson Lion Knights were acting arrogantly, the special forces had no choice but to follow their directions.

'Damn it. Of all places, why the demonic beasts' forest?'

Though the demonic beasts' forest wasn't as infamous as the "Forest of the Forgotten" on the central continent, its danger was no less.

Due to the characteristics of the intelligence bureau, which involved preliminary regional investigations before mission execution, the special forces well understood the perils of the demonic beasts' forest.

While the special forces moved cautiously, the Crimson Lion Knights led by Low boldly forged through the forest.

Even though the special forces worried that the swamp's master might awaken, they were powerless to restrain the Crimson Lion Knights' actions.

It was then that demonic beasts appeared before the pursuers.

Roar!

A gigantic demonic beast resembling a bear, yet certainly not one, appeared.

"It's a Devil Bear! Disperse and engage!"

The special forces attempted to widen their distance and confront the Devil Bear while the Crimson Lion Knights, fearless, drew their swords and plunged into the Devil Bear.

The Devil Bear quickly fell to the ground. Observing this, the captain of the special forces broke into a cold sweat.

'To subdue the Devil Bear so effortlessly. Draker's knights are indeed formidable.'

The knights continued pressing deeper into the forest, eliminating beasts along the way.

Suddenly, an immense roar echoed from afar.

Goooonng!

The captain of the special forces turned pale upon hearing the sound.

"Da-damn it. The swamp's master has awakened."

Low asked the captain dismissively.

"Why is a special forces unit so fearful of mere beasts and besmirching its esteemed reputation?"

Ignoring the special forces captain's warning, low pushed deeper into the forest.

Bizarrely, as they advanced deeper, the number of attacking beasts dwindled. The captain of the special forces sensed something amiss.

'The forest shouldn't be this quiet.'

A knight accidentally triggered a scroll set in place.

Boom!

As the explosion scroll detonated, the entire forest vibrated violently. Taken aback, low shouted to the knights.

"Brace for an ambush!"

Amidst the smoke, Sieg, cloaked in invincibility, wielded a dagger and slashed at the knights' ankles.

"Aaaargh!"

The knights, caught off guard, could only succumb helplessly to Sieg's assault.

Low commanded.

"Fall back and get a visual!"

But it was too late. Sieg's assault was swift.

Slash!

His sword decapitated the knights.

Low ground his teeth and wielded an Aura Blade.

"Yahhh!"

Sieg hurled a dagger imbued with the Energy of Metal at Low.

Clang!

Deflecting the heavy dagger, low charged at Sieg relentlessly.

Sieg unleashed the Energy of Water against Low.

Elemental Sword

Energy of Water

Wave Blade

Sieg's sword attack, surging like a tidal wave, deflected Low's sword and created a tremendous surge that pushed Low back.

Boom, boom, boom!

The displaced water swept Low into a tree, decimating the forest in its wave.

"Argh!"

Low, reeling from the immense impact, coughed up blood, unable to stabilize himself.

The special forces behind them flung chains towards Sieg.

Clink, clink, clink!

Successfully entangling him, they attempted to restrict his movements by pulling the chains from all directions. However, once Sieg enveloped himself in the Energy of Metal, they could no longer restrain him.

As Sieg pulled the chains, instead, the special forces were nearly dragged toward him.

"Ugh! Such unbelievable strength!"

After swiftly subduing both the Crimson Lion Knights and the special forces, suddenly, the forest floor became peculiar.

Swish, swish, swish!

The solid ground transformed into a swamp.

The special forces captain urgently shouted.

"Climb the trees immediately!"

Recognizing the situation, the special forces quickly clambered up the trees, yet the Crimson Lion Knights did not.

"Aahhh!"

Most of them struggled, sinking directly into the swamp.

"Save us!"

The knights tried using their Aura to escape, but it was futile. The more they struggled, the more the swamp pulled them under with greater force.

"Aaagh!"

Ultimately, the knights who failed to ascend the trees disappeared beneath the swamp.

Clinging to a tree, low managed to stabilize himself and crawled onto a nearby tree, breaking into a cold sweat upon seeing his subordinates swallowed by the swamp.

"What, what is this?"

The special forces captain gritted his teeth.

"Damn it. The swamp's master has really emerged! We have to get out of here now!"

Thump, thump, thump!

From beyond the forest, the sound of something colossal approaching filled the air.