Chapter 122 – Reverberations of Autumn.

“Wake up! Usher, get ready!”

Usher was forced to wake up early in the morning with Donnar’s loud voice. Donar taught and took care of what he needed to prepare for the actual battle, but he was a little lost because of the monsters that had invaded him just one day after hearing that he was going to fight, so Belka, who woke up with him, came to him and helped him.

“Did you really get everything?”
“Because I haven’t forgotten anything.”

With the girl’s help, Usher, wearing her training uniform and leather armor, came out with Donnar, still receiving her worried gaze.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“You’re the one who asked me to do a real fight, right?”
“That’s true. It’s quite common for an apprentice knight to die in the first battle.”
“I heard that the uncles will protect you as much as possible?”
“That’s right, but.”

Usher kept his mouth shut despite his concern, and moved forward. As soon as they came out through the hallway, they were greeted by the knights who each brought Hildisbini.

“There are some guys to take care of today.
“It’s an apprenticeship. It’s been a while since I’ve been in charge.”
“Did we have time for that? We’ve been busy escorting the upper ranks.”
“I have a lot to tell the apprentices, but it’s urgent, so let’s talk about it later.”

It was when the knights began to climb on Hildis Beanie while saying a word to each one.

“Usher.”
“Belka? Why did we end up here…”

A little bit of doubt. Usher was speechless at the slight touch of his cheek. At the same time, a whistling sound was heard all around.

“Don’t get hurt and be careful.”

Soon, the girl quickly returned. As he stared blankly at it, he put his hand on his cheek, which had been soft to the touch, and heard the murmur of the knights.

“Hey, I’m envious.”
“Did we have a girlfriend at that age?”
“There wasn’t any.”
“Although only sweet water was faster.”
“Compare what to compare, aren’t you sorry?”

Everyone seems to have been watching them. When Usher’s face became unbearably hot, Donnar shook his head and said.

“Stop teasing him and send a signal to the gate.”

Usher couldn’t tame Hill Disbiny, so he had to ride with his chaperone, Donnar.

-Kurreuk

It’s not the first time I’ve seen a Hildis Beanie up close, but it was the first time I’ve ever ridden in person. Basically, the skin was replaced by armor-like scales, but the closer you go to the joints or the edges of the skin, the more feathers like birds appear.

“Weren’t there fewer feathers than this last year?”
“Now she must have adapted to the environment of Lantua.”

Surprisingly, Hill Dis Beanie changes her appearance according to her surroundings. Even if it was only last winter, she knew how surprised she was that Hilldis Beanie had her white feathers wrapped around her blankly, knowing that she was a different creature. Thanks to her adaptability and strength, she is tamed everywhere as a mount. It was strange that even though it was a completely different creature, its shape was similar to that of a horse. It is surprising that people value horses that are smaller and less adaptable than this.

After coming here, Usher grazing and sleeping as he pleased, and in the winter, lying around in piles of straw that people spread softly, only his busy appearance made his face wrinkle when he thought of a wonderful word. It’s because that handsome figure is also inferior to the Hildis Beanie in winter, and it is being treated with great hospitality by people. Seeing him even appear arrogant at times, I had nothing to say. Still, seeing him ride without complaint, he seems to think he’s the owner. Then Donnar’s voice woke him from his thoughts.

“Keep your mind straight. I’ll give you a ride for a while, but someday you’ll have to tame it yourself.”

Usher looked at Hildisbini again at his words. He felt a distant sense of distance from the ground that he had not felt while riding a horse, and the smooth feel of the sturdy scales. The pulse of life felt by direct contact was so great that it was almost heterogeneous. He remembered the feeling. Yes, just riding a horse wasn’t enough. The horse was weak in the heat and not as strong as Hildisbini. He needed a strong partner to go further. He had to prove.

Usher didn’t notice Donard’s stare at him bitterly. Soon the gates began to open. There was nothing grandiose about the launching ceremony. While a few people are watching them from a little distance, they open the gate and depart. Among those watching them were Medea and Lyudmila, as well as the girl. As Usher looked at Belka for a final check, a whistle hit him that would soon deafen him.

– Beep!

It might have been a long distance, but because Donnar was blowing right behind him, his ears were briefly deafened with a beeping sound. At the same time, the ground vibrated. Hildisbini kicked off the ground with the huge body and started running. With that, the wind began to blow towards Usher. It was like when I was picked up by huge wolves I met in the forest. Because of this, Usher did not notice the shadow hiding in the alley. And on top of the wall they arrived at, many people were already busy walking around.

“Have you come, knights?”

In the meantime, a man skillfully dodged the crowd and approached them. The armor he was wearing was not as good as that of knights, but he seemed to be well-armed. If there is one thing in common, they are all dressed up in a way that does not reveal a single part of their face or skin.

“Centurion, I have three apprentices today, so please pay special attention to them.”

Donard’s tone turned stiff.

“Are you an apprentice?”

Soon after, Donar Le and his knights who came down from Hill Disbiny put Usher and other apprentice knights in front.

“…I think it’s going to be a bit difficult this time.”

His expression already looked troubled, probably noticing the uncomfortable air current flowing between them. It was natural. Usher glanced at the guys beside him. This time, there were only three apprentice knights, Rogi and Pavel, including him. Even Donnar and the other knights were concerned about the news that the three would be fighting for the first time at the same time. Few people know the full details, but I could tell that the relationship between the three was the worst just by looking at it.

“Anyway, just watching it will be an experience, so it doesn’t matter if you intervene so that you don’t leave the camp or get into an accident.”

Even though the knights and Donnar thought it was inevitable, they decided to leave the general management of them to him. When they enter the battle in earnest, they will command and fight as much as possible, and there will be no time to open their eyes to prevent the monsters from going to the apprentices. At least, the fact that they were not already fighting when they arrived at the wall was fortunate.

“Grunt, I can’t help it.”
“Rather than that, is the monster silk moss?”

When Donard looked up at the sky, he saw a group of huge moths flying towards this place with their huge wings spread.

“Yes, aren’t they the ones who come without getting tired of it from summer to fall?”
“It’s not because I’ve been here for a long time.”
“Come to think of it, did you say that the driver is from another country?”

Even small talk was shared by the Ushers for a while.

“You know how to use it? Don’t even think about taking it off even if it’s frustrating.”

Having learned about the characteristics of silk moss, they put their masks on up to their noses without saying anything. Still worried though.

“Are you really okay with the protective equipment you used during training?”

It was the fact that the apprentice, Usher, and what they were wearing were no different from the leather protectors used during training. Not even a helmet, he was wearing the same cloth hat he wore to block the sandstorm in the desert. Even the soldiers were wearing iron armor, but they were the only ones wearing it, so I was uneasy. The other guys looked at Donnar to see if they had other ideas.

“Don’t worry, we’re stronger than you think. And it’s better to run fast than to be slow wearing heavy armor for nothing. We’re not completely sheet metal, are we?”

Rather, it is said that many people prefer light armor over heavy armor. At first glance, the armor of the knights also seemed to be all sheet metal, but there were free spaces here and there, and small chains or iron plates were woven together.

“No matter how strong the armor is, it’s not something that can stop the shock from being transmitted to the inside. Among the monsters, there are plenty of guys who can easily bend strong armor.”

Still, it’s not that it doesn’t work at all, but it’s basic to choose armor designed as lightly as possible while keeping the strong parts, Donnar advised. Armor that is unnecessarily strong or too light is not suitable for dealing with monsters.

“Donard, it’s getting out of range.”
“Even if you come in, let’s wait for the arrow’s range, so it’s harder to block it if you drop it separately. Everyone, prepare to shoot!”

When Odur, who was by his side, opened his mouth, Donar raised his head and saw silk moss flying in the sky, giving a signal. Along with the sight of soldiers holding bows pulling their strings, Usher’s big ones were spreading their white wings in the sky with a pattern that looked like huge eyes in the sky.

“It seems like they flocked again like this and set up a breeding ground again.”
“Yes, it seems there is a breeding farm in the village across the street.”

Then Pavel opened her mouth.

“What is that weapon for?”

His gaze landed on the sight of several knights, including Odur, swishing their slings among the soldiers pulling arrows. The sling, which was moving faster and faster, now looked like a full circle.

“Are you seeing this for the first time? A sling can be made simply with a string. It’s a pretty useful weapon.”

It was also the weapon Donar taught Usher, saying that it is more useful than arrows when used well, and convenient for dealing with monsters.

“…You’d better use another weapon.”

It was the weapon that made me hear such words from Donnar, who had been hit several times by stones bouncing around from his sling. It was a good thing he was wearing his armor, so Usher couldn’t say anything. Even though I really liked it because it had a long range and was one of the strongest weapons. Then, before I knew it, I saw the appearance of the Silk Moss that were getting closer.

“If you have any more questions, ask the centurion and survive moderately. Launch!”

As he hurriedly spoke, the arrows and slings shot in unison lastly flew into the sky. Seeing their wings break and stagger in the thick black rain, I think they were easily shot down, but this was the real start. They started throwing their heavy bodies at them. The appearance of the guys approaching faster and faster was bizarre. Multiple eyes like a net, and fluffy-looking bodies are full of poison powder.

What’s even more bizarre is the behavior of the guys who don’t even think about surviving and throw themselves into them. The moment I was overwhelmed by their gigantic bodies and their unhesitating actions.

“What do you do!? Hide behind your shield!”

The man in charge of them, a centurion, led them half by force and hid behind a shield from which the crowd had gathered. At the same time, there was a loud sound as if the shield would break, and the sounds of pain from those holding the shield could be heard intermittently. When I lowered my head at the sudden cool sensation that passed over my head, I could see the huge body of silk moss passing by along with the sound of the wind, colliding with the bottom of the castle wall and being terribly crushed. It gave me goosebumps that I would have almost run into that one if I had lowered his head just a little too late.

From all sides, as if they were bumping into their bodies, small impacts and sounds echoed through the walls. What’s worse than that is the pure white fog that obscures your vision. Silk moss human dust collided with the castle wall and spread as a shock. There were also rumors that there was nothing good about getting into the eyes, but it did not affect them as they covered their entire bodies. By the time the sounds of their clashing had subsided. Donar’s booming voice echoed through the mist.

“Change the shield and hurry up! There’s still half left!”