Despite his men's protests, Du Wei's insistence left Knight Robert with a throbbing headache. The young master was dead-set on venturing into the mountains to catch a glimpse of this so-called magical beast.
Robert shot a glare at Sir Spann, his eyes tinged with resentment. In his view, this whole mess stemmed from that knight's meddling. If the young master suffered even the slightest harm—or so much as a fleeting scare—the blame would fall squarely on Robert's shoulders.
Though he had grown fond of the unpretentious and courteous young lord during their journey, Robert couldn't help but see this decision to hunt a magical beast as childish folly. With a heavy sigh, he resolved to stick to Du Wei's side like a shadow once they entered the mountains. Surely, with his sword in hand, he could keep the boy safe.
Besides, in these open plains, it was unlikely they'd encounter a high-tier magical beast.
Robert consoled himself with the thought, and it did ease his mind. In the Roland Continent, magical beasts—creatures born with innate magical abilities—followed a peculiar rule. Their danger was often inversely proportional to their size. The larger the beast, the less formidable it tended to be. The true threats were the smaller, more elusive ones.
Since Spann had described the creature as a massive beast, Robert figured his martial skills would suffice.
Spann, meanwhile, found himself caught in a bind. More than the beast itself, he feared for the safety of this young scion of the Rowling House. Du Wei's declaration that he'd go into the mountains with or without Spann's help left the knight little choice. Reluctantly, he agreed to lead the group, reasoning that more men meant greater safety.
The mercenaries proved efficient. Within half an hour, over twenty of them stood fully armed outside the inn. Du Wei left a handful of servants behind and set out with two squads of cavalry. Clad in light armor, he still looked frail, but the gear lent him a measure of reassurance. Rolynn, familiar with beast hunts from her days as a mercenary, knew the trade well—slaying magical creatures and trading their parts for coin was a common livelihood for adventuring bands across the continent.
Spann mustered the last twenty men from Half Horn City's garrison. With their numbers scraping close to ninety, the force felt thin, but the sight of the Rowling House's gleaming armor and finely crafted weapons bolstered Spann's confidence.
As expected of the empire's local regulars, Spann and Robert, the highest-ranking knights, divided the men into three teams, mixing the local militia, mercenaries, and Rowling guards to balance their strengths. Each team included a blend of close-combat fighters and archers, carefully allocated for versatility.
The other two teams, led by Spann's lieutenants, numbered twenty men each. Spann and Robert, the strongest warriors, stayed by Du Wei's side. Spann had made up his mind: even if the mission failed, he'd ensure the safety of the Rowling heir at all costs. A mishap to the eldest son of the empire's second-ranking military leader would spell the end of his career. Capturing the beast was secondary.
Notably, Du Wei's team boasted forty men—thirty elite Rowling guards and ten of Spann's finest archers. Spann even gifted Du Wei a rare military crossbow for self-defense, noting the boy's likely lack of archery skills. With such a weapon, his safety would be better assured.
Thus, Du Wei's group comprised forty of the empire's finest warriors—Rowling guards whose prowess rivaled regular troops—two level-four knights, and a full-fledged mage, Solskjaer. Such a lineup was formidable by any measure.
The three teams set out from the city, each taking a different mountain path into Half Horn Mountain. They carried signal flares, akin to those Du Wei knew from his past life, to summon allies if any team spotted the beast. Their plan was to converge at the central Half Horn Valley.
Surrounded by his men, Du Wei rode into the mountains, blissfully unaware—or perhaps willfully ignoring—that he'd become the group's greatest liability.
His forty armed escorts fanned out in a semicircle, scouring the terrain for any trace of the beast. Spann and Robert flanked him closely, their vigilance unwavering.
The beast's tracks were first spotted by hunters from a village on the mountain's southern slope. Spann explained en route that the locals had mistaken the footprints for those of a large mundane animal and ventured in to hunt it, only to stumble upon signs of a magical beast. Realizing they were outmatched, they fled and reported to the city garrison. The hunters described a creature the size of a lion or tiger, its body glowing with an otherworldly light—a clear mark of its magical nature.
As they trekked deeper into Half Horn Mountain, the group dismounted, Du Wei included. Soldiers spread out to search both flanks, while five of the most skilled warriors scouted ahead.
In such a formation, Du Wei was unlikely to see any beast—or even a stray rabbit, for that matter. Every step he took was pre-cleared by his men. Boredom crept in as he glanced at the dense forest and the chirping birds overhead. Noticing Spann's tense expression, he grinned.
"Sir Spann, have you ever seen a real magical beast?"
Spann paused, reflecting. "I have. I served four years in the empire's Storm Wind Legion in the north, stationed east of the Frozen Forest—the continent's most notorious haunt for magical beasts. During patrols, we encountered a few. Luckily, the ones near the forest's edge were low-tier, posing little threat to humans. We never dared venture deeper, where the high-tier beasts dwell—far beyond what regular soldiers can handle."
Du Wei tilted his head. "What are they like?"
Spann considered. "Magical beasts are just animals, really, but far fiercer than ordinary ones. A common beast relies on claws and fangs, but these creatures wield innate magic, which makes them trickier to deal with."
"Have you ever hunted one yourself?"
Spann's face reddened slightly. "Young Master Du Wei, back then, I was only a level-two knight. My skills weren't enough to take one down alone. But once, during a patrol, my squad faced a fearsome creature—a Storm Demon Wolf, native to the Frozen Forest. It was lightning-fast, dodging arrows with ease. Its fur could harden into icy crystals, tough as our armor, and it could unleash wind blades with a howl. Ten of us couldn't stop it. We lost four men, and the survivors were all wounded. Our captain took a wind blade to bring it down, severing its tail—the wolf's weak point. Without it, its magic weakened. We skinned it, and its pelt fetched a good price. The magic core, too, was valuable—mages prize them for storing mana or crafting spell scrolls."
Spann's voice grew wistful. "Back in the Frozen Forest, adventurers ignored our warnings and ventured in to hunt for profit. A third of them never returned. Countless died there, even mages."
Du Wei sighed, glancing at Solskjaer. Both knew mages didn't hunt beasts for coin but for their cores—vital magical materials.
Spann hacked away a stray branch with his sword, smiling. "No need to worry, Young Master. The rule is, the bigger the beast, the weaker its power. This one shouldn't be too dangerous. With me—and Knight Robert—we'll ensure no harm comes to you."
Du Wei nodded noncommittally, turning to Robert. "And you, Robert? Have you hunted a magical beast?"
Robert's face grew solemn. He parted his thick curls to reveal a grisly scar on his neck—a piercing wound, still faintly red despite its age, hinting at its severity.
"This," he said lowly, "was a gift from a magical beast. I once ventured into the Sunset Marshes in the south. There, my group encountered a flock of griffins."
Gasps rippled through the group—Spann, Solskjaer, even Rolynn behind them. Spann blurted, "A flock of griffins? By the gods, how did you survive?"
"Griffins?" Du Wei asked. "Are they that fearsome?"
Solskjaer shook his head. "Not just fearsome—griffins are among the most troublesome magical beasts, short of legendary horrors. They're flying creatures, roughly eagle-sized, but their roars mimic a lion's. Their feathers are hard as steel, their claws can shred armor, and their beaks can snap a knight's sword. Arrows barely scratch them, and their cries induce panic or even stun the mind."
"Mental magic?" Du Wei inhaled sharply.
"Worse," Solskjaer continued, "a lone griffin is manageable, but they're the only magical beasts that move in flocks. In the southern marshes, even small armies avoid them. A swarm diving from the sky is nearly unstoppable."
Rolynn frowned, eyeing Robert's scar. "How did you escape?"
Robert shook his head. "I thought I was done for. Half our group perished. A griffin's claw nearly tore through my neck. We found a massive tree hollow and holed up for a day. The narrow entrance grounded them, stripping their aerial advantage. We held out until they left. The Rowling House's rescue team pulled me out, barely alive." His voice darkened. "My younger brother wasn't so lucky. A griffin's claw took his head clean off."
Du Wei's heart sank. "I'm sorry, Robert. I didn't know—"
"It's nothing," Robert said, forcing a smile. "It was years ago. When we swear loyalty to the House, we accept that our lives may be forfeit."
Respect flickered in the group's eyes, even Rolynn's, though she soon raised a question. "Sirs, something troubles me."
"Speak, Lady Rolynn," Spann said, courteous to the young lord's honorary knight.
"From what I know," Rolynn said slowly, "magical beasts thrive in forests, but rarely in the continent's heart. They need mana-rich environments—like the Frozen Forest in the north or the Sunset Marshes in the south, where magical plants grow, or near rare mineral deposits. But Half Horn Mountain is just ordinary woodland—pine and maple, no magical flora, no special ores. A beast appearing here… doesn't it strike you as odd?"
Spann and Robert halted, their faces tightening. Solskjaer furrowed his brow, lost in thought.
"You know much about magical beasts, Rolynn?" Du Wei asked.
"I've had my share of adventures," she replied. "I've joined mercenary bands hunting in the Frozen Forest. I've likely dealt with beasts more than anyone here."
"You've been to the Frozen Forest?" Spann's tone carried surprise. He'd assumed Rolynn's knighthood stemmed from her looks, not skill.
Robert's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Yes," Rolynn said quietly. "A few times."
"I'm no expert on their habits," Robert said gravely, "but if Lady Rolynn speaks true, this beast's presence is suspicious."
Spann said nothing, though his expression betrayed skepticism. He doubted Rolynn's claims. Her combat skills, in his seasoned judgment, were unremarkable. Her place beside the young lord likely owed more to her beauty than her blade. The Frozen Forest? Multiple times? Preposterous.
The search dragged into the afternoon with no trace of the beast—not even tracks or droppings. The other teams reported nothing.
As the sun dipped, Spann suggested a rest before returning to the city to resume at dawn. Without Du Wei's presence, he'd have pressed on through the night, but the young lord's safety demanded caution. A nighttime hunt in the mountains was far riskier.
Robert posted sentries, while Spann sent two archers up trees to scout.
"Rolynn," Du Wei called as she adjusted a saddle.
"Yes, my lord?"
"I believe you," he said softly. Her body stiffened, and she turned to face him.
Du Wei toyed with a wildflower, his smile easy. "I know Spann doesn't. He thinks you're boasting."
Rolynn's lips curved bitterly. Boasting? No—Spann likely saw her as a woman who'd traded her body for a title. The Rowling guards probably thought the same.
"I believe you," Du Wei repeated, stepping closer. Seeing her helpless expression, he smiled. "As it happens, I know you're a descendant of the Muen House. And, by chance, I read in an old tome that the Muen possess a rare gift. If that book's true, the Frozen Forest wouldn't be so daunting for you—not even against a horde of beasts."
Rolynn's eyes widened. "You… know that?"
"Books," Du Wei chuckled. "The wellspring of knowledge. Reading has its rewards."
He patted her shoulder lightly. "My lady knight, we've work to do. They see me as a burden, and you're my first honorary knight. We'll have to prove them wrong, won't we?"
Rolynn gazed at the boy, warmth surging within her. They scorned her, but this young lord trusted her—respected her.
Bowing deeply, her voice trembled. "Yes, my lord. I, Rolynn, will strive to never tarnish your honor!"
After a brief rest, Spann rallied the men to descend. A signal flare summoned the other teams, and one responded nearby—barely a mile off, by the flare's arc.
The knights ordered the group to march and link up. Halfway there, Robert, at the vanguard, spotted the other team waving.
Then, a piercing roar shattered the air. A massive figure, wreathed in blazing flames, burst from the woods, scorching the grass and trees in its wake.
"Magical beast!" someone shouted, sparking chaos.
"Form ranks!" Robert's steady voice cut through. Drawing his broadsword, he bellowed, "Stay calm! Encircle it! Don't let it escape! Archers, ready! Front line, raise shields!"
His commands, honed by years with the Rowling House, quelled the panic. The guards snapped into formation.
Spann moved swiftly, rallying the archers to climb trees for vantage points.
The beast, undaunted by the crowd, charged forward. Du Wei finally saw it—a colossal creature, larger than an elephant, with a gnarled horn jutting from its brow. Its hide was rugged, its hooves like pillars, trampling the earth as it roared, flames licking its body.
The fiery aura made it hard to block. Soldiers with shields hesitated, parting to avoid its charge. Archers loosed volleys, but the arrows barely scratched its hide.
Fortunately, its bulk slowed it down. Soldiers brandished spears, jabbing from a distance to herd it.
"No need to fear," Rolynn said, stepping protectively before Du Wei. Her voice was low, meant for him alone. "It's a Flame Rhinoceros, one of the weakest magical beasts. Strong and fiery, but slow. A few sturdy bows can turn it into a blazing target."
Robert overheard and roared, "Raise spears! Box it in!"
The rhinoceros lumbered forward but faltered as spears bristled around it. Though thick-skinned, it wasn't impervious. With a frustrated bellow, it turned to flee another way, but its sluggishness betrayed it.
Soldiers flanked it, tightening the net. Archers kept firing, and a few arrows lodged in its back.
The beast's roars grew frantic as its space dwindled. Then, Solskjaer struck.
The mage raised his hands, his robes fluttering. With a whoosh, fireballs streaked from his palms toward the rhinoceros.
Boom! The fireballs struck true, erupting in a blinding blaze. The crowd squinted against the glare.
A final, anguished roar echoed—then silence. As the flames faded, the beast was gone.
Cheers erupted. "The mage did it! One spell, and it's ash!"
But Solskjaer stood baffled. Fireball spells didn't erase corpses.
Robert and Spann, both level-four knights, knew better. As the cheers rang out, Robert shouted, "Fall back! Stay sharp!"
Du Wei, puzzled, turned to Rolynn. "Do magical beasts' bodies vanish when they die?"
"No," she said, her face grim. "I've never seen this."
Before anyone could react, a blue flame surged where the rhinoceros had stood. A sharp, chilling howl—a wolf's cry—pierced the air.
From the azure blaze leaped a massive wolf, its icy-blue fur glinting like crystal. Swift as a gale, it pounced, claws flashing.
Screams followed as soldiers fell, blood spraying.
The wolf howled again, and a razor-sharp wind blade shot from its maw.
"Storm Demon Wolf!" Spann cried, his face ashen with dread.
This was the very beast he'd described earlier—a nightmare from his past that had claimed his comrades. But what terrified him more was the impossibility of it. A Flame Rhinoceros transforming into a Storm Demon Wolf? Unheard of.
There was no time to ponder. The wolf's crystalline fur deflected blades, and its speed was blinding. In moments, more soldiers fell to its claws. Its wind blade shattered shields, hurling two men backward.
Du Wei watched, awestruck. "What a beast!"
"Rolynn, can magical beasts transform? A rhinoceros into… this? They're nothing alike."
"No, my lord," she said, her sword drawn, eyes locked on the wolf. "Something's wrong. This isn't a normal Flame Rhinoceros—or any beast I know."
With a shout, Robert charged, his broadsword aglow with silver light—his fighting aura blazing. He slashed at the wolf.
Rolynn's eyes lit up. "Battle aura!"
The wolf sensed the threat and dodged, its body a blur. It lunged for Robert's shoulder, claws bared.
Robert roared, pivoting to swing his sword horizontally. A beam of light arced from the blade, aiming for the wolf's belly.
Astonishingly, the wolf twisted midair, evading the strike. Landing, it raked Robert's arm, drawing blood. Fortunately, it wary of his sword, the wound was shallow.
From afar, Spann seized a spear and hurled it like a comet. It struck the wolf's back with a ding, rebounding harmlessly—its crystalline hide was too tough. Still, the impact staggered the beast, slowing it slightly.
"Solskjaer, now!" Robert bellowed, pressing forward with a flurry of slashes, forcing the wolf back.
The mage complied, launching more fireballs. Boom, boom, boom! Most missed, scorching the ground, but three hit their mark.
The wolf howled, clearly averse to fire. Its movements grew sluggish. Robert seized the chance, recalling Spann's words about the tail's weakness. With a deft strike, he severed it.
The wolf collapsed with a wail, but as Robert's blade flashed, a strange light enveloped the beast—and its severed tail. Both vanished.
"Gone again?" Du Wei shouted. "Everyone, brace yourselves—it's changing!"
Robert tensed, about to speak, when a low, rumbling roar rolled from the distance—like a lion's, but multiplied, growing closer.
A lion pride? In these plains? Impossible.
Robert's face twisted with realization. "Watch out! It's—"
Before he could finish, the sky darkened. Winged shapes dove from above, claws gleaming, feathers like iron, their roars lion-like.
"Lion griffins! A flock of them!" Robert's voice cracked with despair, haunted by memories of his near-death in the marshes.
Against such numbers, their small force faced slaughter.
Screams rang out as two soldiers were impaled by griffin claws and flung aside. Blood sprayed as the flock descended, relentless.
Rolynn's face paled. Instinctively, she tackled Du Wei to the ground, shielding him as chaos erupted.