The Paladin Owns the Relic

163 – Ancient Forest (23)

The mercenary leaders were called out one by one. Ed, the leader of the Grave Mercenary Corps, trembled slightly.

The lord of Garnet Castle, the Marquis of Basmov, declared a state of war. The Grave Mercenary Corps also had to fulfill their duties as mercenaries of the Empire.

To be forcibly employed as a regular army to fight against the common ‘enemy’ of the Empire.

Since there was no other justification, the Grave Mercenary Corps was also hired as a garrison. Ed also heard the situation outside, so there was no big complaint about it.

But other parts were different.

“…Why is the damn story going this way?”

I was suddenly called out while I was eating. He couldn’t understand why, so he grabbed another mercenary passing by and asked him, and the answer he got back was shocking.

A new unit created under the pretext of going to investigate the ancient forest, the investigation team, is gathering personnel.

And even when he heard the news that he was gathering mostly A-rank mercenaries, Ed’s appetite ran away. Going to investigate an ancient forest that is so angry with only a small number of elites…

Isn’t that like committing suicide?!

It’s usually a dangerous place. It was a place where the hamstrings trembled even when they said they were going with a large-scale expedition, but now it’s like it’s twice as dangerous as that.

A place that even proper A-class mercenaries do not like. It must be a much more dangerous mission than a simple territory garrison.

No matter how high the pay is, that’s a good story only when life is at stake. Damn it

You have to avoid it somehow! Fortunately, it seems that some A-rank mercenaries have been avoided, so if this side also gives a reasonable reason…

“Good.”

“Yes?”

“Are you perfect?”

A woman named Bernie, said to have seized command, slammed the seal. Ed hastily said.

“Why, why?!”

“Why? Are you competent?”

“Yes? What is that… There are mercenaries who are better than us in terms of competence!”

“Isn’t it? You said you were competent with your own mouth?”

“When will we…!”

“When?”

A voice was heard.

“Didn’t you say that I don’t understand why people are talking about me?”

Someone walked out from behind the woman. When their eyes met, Ed’s complexion turned pale.

“Seo, the saint…”

That’s him.

A mercenary who followed the sledgehammer mercenaries, whom he looked down upon a few days ago.

I am Zahard, a priest of the Sun God who is now revered as the hero of Garnet, the big city!

“Why, why…”

“No, what. You really picked it up when we put it on the top of the bacon. Don’t you remember? What else did he say…”

He patted himself on the cheek several times. The priest chuckled.

“Didn’t you say we were gloomy? They say they’re trying to ride by relying on someone else’s name.”

“That, that is…”

“It’s just fine. Captain Ed. The stage where the Grave mercenaries can play an active role is spread out in front of you, so can’t you just make a contribution?”

“Oh no!”

“Unlike me, the leader of the Grave Mercenary Corps is a very competent person…”

Zahard grinned.

“At this level, you can do it without difficulty. Yes?”

The back end is no joke.

That’s amazing too!

Ed tried to speak urgently. But it was faster for stamped papers to be buried in piles.

“This is all over.”

Ed’s expression collapsed at the woman’s words.

“The establishment of the investigation team is complete.”

Ed let out a silent scream.

Ah!

Next time I try to talk bullsh*t, somebody shut me up!

. . .

Basmorph stood on the podium. He glanced at the investigative team packing up.

A 100-strong investigation team made up of A-rank mercenaries. There was no member of the regular army.

Those who are all hired with money. However, they were not inferior in terms of skill. Rather, it was better than the regular army.

A rank mercenaries are all veterans of veterans. Humans who are specialized in change to the extent that even halfway knights can be defeated in a melee.

It cost quite a bit of money to hire, but it could be considered worthwhile just because they brought good news.

Basmov was worth the money.

Rather than that, Garnet’s future was more important.

“What is your plan? Zahard.”

“Simple.”

The priest gave a short briefing.

“After going through the outer periphery and taking a brief look inside, I will return after gathering information about the spirits and the ancient forest.”

“How to respond to enemy attacks?”

“We are going to burn everything.”

Basmorph furrowed his brow.

“I know you are a priest of the Sun God Church… But I still think that such an ambiguous plan is too risky.”

“I have the ability to do that. Dismissal.”

“I do not doubt my skills.”

I’m just worried because I know how awful it is down there.

“…Many adventurers went into the Ancient Forest, but you know that none came out.”

“I know.”

“I couldn’t even reach the fairy forest. Everything became a meal in the ancient forest.”

“I know that too.”

Basmov asked.

“Can I trust you?”

Zahard replied.

“Trust me. Dismissal.”

There was no further argument. Basmov watched him take care of the house.

He did not see the fight in person. But for some reason, when I looked at his back, I felt suspicious.

A man who has many things to hide.

A man who is probably hiding a lot more than he expects.

“…Christopher.”

I call the wizard who is an advisor and the branch manager of the Yellow Mage Tower.

“What do you think?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think the saint will succeed?”

“Your Excellency.”

Christopher whispered.

“Your brother is a monster.”

“…Your brother? Since when did you start using that title?”

“It’s a complicated story. Do you want to hear it?”

“…No. I don’t want to hear that. There must be a reason why the branch manager of the Yellow Mage Tower called him that. However, the information about that monster…Is it accurate?”

”Exactly. Dismissal. He is the unprecedented apostle of Ra. He is the biggest vessel I have ever seen.”

“Among the priests, a person that big came out?”

“Maybe… maybe. Dismissal.”

Christopher sighed.

“The Age of Fading Religion. I wonder if he is the person who was chosen as the most brilliant sun to decorate the end. The brilliance of countless suns that have been crushed until now…Their winds gather and he can be the one who gathered.”

“…So highly rated?”

“I think it deserves a high evaluation. Does His Excellency know how old he is?”

“At least in your thirties…”

“No. Dismissal.”

“Yes. If you think about your appearance, you must be a little younger. Aging must have been delayed by force, so maybe in the late twenties…”

“I am a teenager.”

“…What?”

“A child less than 20 years old has that much power. Dismissal.”

Christopher grinned.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

Basmov followed Zahard’s back with his eyes fixed on his face.

“It’s not just amazing…It really sounds like the sky is falling.”

He involuntarily clicked his tongue.

“If that statement is true, isn’t it that the author is like the incarnation of Ra?”

. . .

The castle gates have been opened. In the midst of everyone’s trembling and tension, the ancient forest that had come right in front of them unfolded before their eyes.

Dense forest. I couldn’t see inside because of the densely drooping vines and leaves. Only occasional, meaningless gestures of popularity are heard.

“Let’s go according to the plan.”

The plan was simple.

A fiery serpent breaks through the road.

The investigation team is vigilant and follows.

Standing at the back, Maya, Amar, and the Warlock secure an escape route in case of an emergency.

Vulcan, Rock Kum, and Tsubaki warmed up. I grabbed the light spear Brunak in my hand.

The mercenaries were full of dissatisfaction. I didn’t say it out of my mouth, but the eyes looking at us weren’t all good.

And that was true even of Calvid’s Thief Queen Bunny.

“Hey.”

“Why?”

“The plan is too loose…!”

Entrance to the ancient forest.

Bernie glanced back at me at the boundary line, where you can now enter as soon as you stretch out your foot.

“Your opponent is an ancient forest! You don’t even know what’s inside! It’s clear that there must be more evil than the tree spirits I’ve seen a few times! But damn… you’re going to clear the road with just the four of us?”

“You got beaten up by those four yesterday, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but! Even though…!”

“Do you want to drill together?”

“…….”

Bunny glanced up at the Ancient Forest. He frowned as if in thought.

“Is that… a higher win rate?”

“No. Would be lower It just annoys me.”

“Ah! I don’t even know why I’m here in the first place! f*ck this! Niimi!”

“Please follow me quietly. Rogue Queen. I will definitely entrust you with the command, so take care of it.”

“What if I hit you in the back of the head?!”

“You are quite proud.”

“…What?”

“Is it as if you owed your life for losing to me once?

Bunny blinked her eyes. Stuttered her.

“How can you be sure of that?! Did you even see me before?!”

“I’ve never seen it before.”

”Then what do you believe in?!”

“Just…”

The bush swayed. The vines that had been creeping up slowly sprang up.

A space that changes in an instant. As if being dragged by force, thick bushes surround everyone.

Ancient Forest.

As soon as I entered it, the huge tree in front of me moved. As if an expression appeared on a dried tree, a hole was drilled through it. The roots shattered the ground and freed the tree spirit from restraint.

A giant that swallows even sunlight. The wooden giant’s hand, which had to look up for a long time, grabbed something.

A huge rock. Dried old tree. A chunk of iron I don’t know where it came from.

The ground shakes and eats the surroundings with only sound.

Even if he counted lightly, dozens of people stood up.

“Because I have eyes to see people.”

A spark caught on the tip of Brunak. The spiritual body of Beatrice clinging to his shoulder gasped.

“Wood is a very good material to burn! Yes?!”

“Calm down. Pyromaniac. Let’s go leisurely.”

All members of the investigation team gritted their teeth and prepared for battle.

I stretched the spear at an angle.

“Because there are plenty of things to burn anyway.”

The flame at the end of the blade burned fiercely.