I Alone Regress in a Hero Party That Was Annihilated - Chapter 56

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#56. Nightmare-Eating Tree Spirit (1)

 

— — —

 

Hot water flows down inside the training hall.

 

Trickle, trickle, trickle…

 

The cave entrance spews out steam like a bathhouse chimney.

 

Due to the cold air of the Northern Region, the moisture in the atmosphere turns into solid ice, and that ice transforms again into water and steam before dispersing.

 

Featherback opened his eyes.

 

A body nearly approaching 4-Star level.

 

And fire energy gently emanating from his entire body.

 

‘A Fire Dragon’s Egg. What an unexpected harvest.’

 

Featherback walked out of the cave, cutting through the hazy steam.

 

Just then.

 

“…!”

 

Featherback encountered an unexpected face near the cave entrance.

 

Rorschach.

 

She was coming this way, carrying a basket containing bread and a water bottle.

 

“Oh? Have you already finished your training?”

 

“Why are you here? The maids.”

 

“Well… Everyone seemed busy, so I said I’d carry it instead. I was coming this way anyway.”

 

Rorschach subtly hid the basket behind her back.

 

Featherback frowned.

 

“You must be busy with merchant group work too, so there’s no need to do such menial tasks. Just focus on your assigned duties.”

 

“How is taking care of Lord Featherback’s meals a menial task? It’s important work.”

 

“I’m saying it’s not something you need to worry about. Everyone has work that only they can do. Don’t waste time on unnecessary things and look over even one more document instead.”

 

“….”

 

“…?”

 

At Featherback’s words, Rorschach turned her head with a sullen expression.

 

“Hmph. Then at least receive my reports on time.”

 

Lately, Rorschach’s complaints had increased quite a bit.

 

Though she hadn’t specifically pinpointed exactly what the problem was.

 

Featherback tilted his head.

 

“When I’m absent, I told you to report to the Family Head, didn’t I?”

 

“I already did! I was trying to give you a separate report too!”

 

“If it’s something that has the Family Head’s approval, there’s no need to report it to me. Handle it at your discretion.”

 

“Oh, really? Even when it concerns a mage?”

 

“!”

 

Featherback’s expression changed.

 

Rorschach nodded as if he had expected this.

 

“You’re planning to go to the Nightmare-Devouring Forest, aren’t you?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“As you instructed, I’ve selected veteran knights and ten excellent soldiers.”

 

“Well done. Prepare so we can depart immediately.”

 

“Provisions, drinking water, horses, guides—I’ve already prepared everything. So you just need to leave.”

 

“Competent. But from next time…”

 

“Yes, yes— I understand. I’ll leave it to the servants. I’ll use that time to review one more document.”

 

“Good that you understand quickly. Go on.”

 

Featherback passed by Rorschach and headed toward the Inner Castle.

 

And Rorschach’s lips jutted out as he watched Featherback’s retreating figure.

 

“…If this happens, there’s no point in Miss Cardona going to the Boboire Mining District.”

 

Rorschach sighed with a sense of disappointment and emptiness whose cause even he couldn’t understand.

 

But he couldn’t just keep complaining about it.

 

To complete the tasks Featherback had assigned without mistakes, even staying up all night for the next few days wouldn’t be enough.

 

‘I carved out time from my busy schedule to come, but he didn’t even give me a word of encouragement…’

 

Still, coming was better than not coming at all.

 

Seeing him holed up in the Training Hall doing who knows what, watching that cold cave entrance freeze and thaw repeatedly, made him so worried he couldn’t focus on his work.

 

Now that he had seen him come out with such a healthy face, Rorschach thought he could work with peace of mind for a while.

 

* * *

 

Featherback immediately resumed the expedition.

 

This time, unlike before, it was a plan carried out in utmost secrecy with only a small number of personnel.

 

Since the destination was the ‘Nightmare-Devouring Forest,’ this was only natural.

 

Featherback looked around at the knights and soldiers who had joined the expedition party.

 

“All familiar faces.”

 

It was Sir Hounded, who had been promoted to Colonel this time, and the search unit soldiers who had followed him.

 

Sir Hounded saluted with a disciplined military bearing.

 

“Colonel Hounded and ten others volunteered for the expedition because we desperately wanted to serve by your side, Sir Featherback!”

 

“I’m fine with having an experienced knight as escort, but who will handle the defense of the border region?”

 

“I’ve handed over command to a trustworthy Vice Commander! By now, he should be assisting Miss Cardona!”

 

At those words, Featherback nodded.

 

“Understood. Before that, everyone has heard the explanation about this expedition, right? From now on, we’re going to the ‘Nightmare-Devouring Forest.’ Anyone who lacks confidence may return.”

 

“Wherever Lord Featherback goes, we don’t care!”

 

Both the Knight and Soldiers all had their military discipline tightly maintained.

 

For 10 years, they had served in the barren Border Region without proper Supply Management, and were those who had been prepared to die while blocking the Yate herds, so their loyalty and guts were practically proven.

 

There was no doubt whatsoever that they would show their backs in moments of crisis.

 

“No one will die. So that we can return and receive hazard pay and bonuses.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Hearing his Subordinates’ resounding answer, Featherback nodded.

 

* * *

 

Featherback drove his Horse toward the Castle Gate.

 

Perhaps because the snow had started melting from the rain that fell last night, the road was completely a Mud Pool.

 

Avoiding the Sidewalk bustling with swarming Merchants, Featherback’s group slipped into the Back Alleys.

 

Hounded asked toward Featherback, who was wearing a Black Robe pulled down low.

 

“Are we heading north immediately? We’ll be crossing the Swampland.”

 

“It’s the fastest route to the Nightmare-Devouring Forest. It’ll take about a week.”

 

“A week, there won’t be any rest then.”

 

“Is it necessary?”

 

“Not at all. All my Subordinates are guys who can sleep even while standing on a Horse.”

 

Hounded’s grinning face was that of a typical Northern Region Knight.

 

The Soldiers too were rough and hearty, befitting Northerners born and raised in the polar regions.

 

Featherback gave a faint smile.

 

“Don’t fall behind.”

 

“I’m a bit sorry to say this, but when it comes to Horsemanship, I don’t fall behind anyone.”

 

“Then let’s pick up the pace. I want to sleep on dry ground tonight.”

 

“Understood. Did you hear that, you ignorant fools! The Young Master wants the only thing you guys can do well!”

 

“Hurrah!”

 

At Featherback’s words, Hounded encouraged his Subordinates.

 

All the Soldiers shouted and spurred their horses.

 

Hounded stuck close to Featherback’s side.

 

“If it’s not rude, would it be alright for us to escort the Young Master?”

 

“Do so.”

 

“Yes!”

 

At Featherback’s words, Hounded spread his Subordinates out to both sides.

 

Soon after, the Soldiers picked up their Crossbows and Slings.

 

Whack—!

 

A soldier spun a leather cord around and threw it.

 

The stone attached to the end of the cord flew out and struck the bushes.

 

[Kyaang!]

 

A Frost Wolf that had been targeting this direction got hit by the stone and spat out blood.

 

“Kahahaha— Direct hit!”

 

“You idiot, you should have killed it. How is that a hit when it’s still alive?”

 

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with our running, it’s fine. It’s better to chase it away than to kill it.”

 

“No way. What if it calls for its companions? It’s better to kill it for sure. Arrows are a bit precious though.”

 

The bearded soldiers scattered to both sides, clearing out nearby monsters.

 

Thanks to this, Featherback could ride very comfortably, simply driving his horse in a straight line.

 

…However.

 

As they passed through the snowy field and climbed northeast, the level of monsters that appeared grew higher.

 

Hounded spoke.

 

“The dawn seems to be melting the snow. From up ahead, it’s all muddy swamp.”

 

The earth had turned black as the snow melted.

 

It felt like they were riding across tidal flats.

 

Hounded swallowed a groan.

 

“In places like this, ‘those things’ always appear…”

 

“Just as expected. Over there.”

 

Featherback pointed his finger.

 

Hounded and everyone else spat out curses.

 

And for good reason.

 

Squish squish squish squish…

 

Mud clumps gathered from beneath the mud pool and suddenly began transforming into human shapes.

 

Mudman.

 

The first mud pool where these appeared was said to be an ancient battlefield where blood and flesh had run rampant long ago.

 

If a mud body that accepts a pure spirit is called a golem, then one inhabited by a corrupted specter is called a Mudman.

 

The monsters with bodies made entirely of mud began crawling toward them.

 

Hounded clicked his tongue.

 

“Those things grab onto horses’ legs and cling on. Since they’re hard to kill with cold weapons, how about we just cut off their hands while breaking through?”

 

“No.”

 

Featherback drew his sword.

 

“From here on, I’ll handle it.”

 

An iron sword he had randomly grabbed from the armory since White Phosphorus had disappeared.

 

Tssssssssss…

 

Sharp cold aura gathered around the blade’s tip.

 

Slash―!

 

Featherback severed the head of the Mudman at the front.

 

The Mudman’s head, which should have regenerated quickly under normal circumstances.

 

Crackle―

 

The severed parts froze solid and couldn’t reattach.

 

Thanks to absorbing Ice Dragon Adara’s power, Featherback’s sword was imbued with extreme cold energy.

 

“Follow behind me.”

 

Featherback spurred his horse and leaped into the Sea of Mud.

 

…Splash! …Splash! …Splash! …Splash! …Splash!

 

Dark red mud splattered as Mudmen charged from all directions.

 

Featherback consecutively severed the heads of the Mudmen in front.

 

Crack― Crack― Crack― Crack― Crack―

 

The bodies of Mudmen covered in sharp Ice Spikes collapsed with heavy thuds.

 

Soon, Featherback swiftly passed through the muddy swamp without stopping his horse.

 

Hounded and his Subordinates following behind did the same.

 

“Good heavens.”

 

“To handle those troublesome Mudmen so easily…”

 

“He seems even stronger than when he slaughtered the Yeti and Sasquatches.”

 

“Among all the Northerners I’ve seen in my lifetime, our Young Master is the most refreshingly decisive.”

 

Featherback immediately spurred his horse forward.

 

“I didn’t kill them. Ice melts over time. Let’s leave before the Mudmen revive.”

 

“Of course!”

 

Hounded answered vigorously.

 

* * *

 

Soon, Featherback stopped his horse.

 

After breaking through the dark Muddy Path, what they encountered was a forest made of pitch-black leaves.

 

The Nightmare Sea where purple mist swirled.

 

The expressions of the Northerners hardened at the sight before them.

 

Even Hounded, who had been courageously riding until now, had his voice drop to a whisper.

 

“…From here begins the Nightmare-Devouring Forest.”

 

All people born and raised in the Northern Region had been taught since childhood by their Grandmother or Grandfather.

 

This place is the Forbidden Zone.

 

A Forbidden Territory that must never be entered.

 

But Featherback advanced without caring in the slightest.

 

“If you’re afraid, you can turn back even now.”

 

“….”

 

At Featherback’s words, which were nothing short of provocation, the soldiers’ expressions changed drastically.

 

“Ahem! Afraid, you say! I was just rubbing my eyes because my night vision is poor!”

 

“I’ve been uneducated since I was young, so I don’t even know what the Nightmare-Eating Tree Spirit is!”

 

“When I fought the Yates, I was already a dead man! What is there to be afraid of at this point?”

 

“Speaking for myself, I’m the guy who grabbed and pulled out my grandfather’s beard during my first birthday celebration! I do everything I’m told not to do! What do I care if it’s forbidden or whatever!”

 

Right at that moment.

 

Rustle—

 

The pitch-black bushes trembled once.

 

Then the Northerners hugged each other and screamed.

 

“Kyaaaaaaah!”

 

Regardless, Featherback spurred his horse into the forest.

 

Toward the meeting place that the Mage’s Invitation had indicated as it burned.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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