CHAPTER 164: THE DESERT HUNT [2]

"This evil species is one that summons magical beasts. It’s trying to summon new magical beasts using life force as a sacrifice. What life force could it obtain in the Tacklakan Desert?"

"The desert tribes."

Although Alfrocen and the Empire were there, they were protected behind walls, making them more difficult targets compared to the desert tribes.

"So we’re going to intercept it preemptively."

"Yes, that’s right."

"Not a bad method."

Professor Rosalia pulled out a black tobacco from subspace and put it in her mouth.

"Are you tired?"

"I wasn’t tired, but I became tired because of a student named Gerhard."

Click, Rosalia lit the tobacco.

"What do you think, Professor Grad?"

"What else can we do?"

Grad shrugged.

"If everything has already been discussed with the Margrave, we can only follow. And although the source of the information is suspicious, if it’s correct, it’s certainly a good move."

"I can’t tell you the source, but it’s reliable information."

"I’m not particularly doubting you. It’s just unclear, but you’re not a fool who would lie about such matters."

Anyway, Grad was right.

If it had been before it reached the Margrave’s ears and a decision was made, it might have been different. As things stood, they, as mere professors, had no power.

"It can’t be helped."

"Then we’ll be busy from now on. I brought them thinking it was just a defensive battle, but now we’re set for a blitzkrieg in the desert."

Come on, everyone gather!

Grad shouted.

==

Thud-thud-thud-thud-

The red warhorse galloped across the sands of Tacklakan, scattering the sand.

Byron Osmond covered his mouth and nose with his robe against the approaching sandstorm in the distance.

’This wretched desert.’

Having accepted the power of the Great Ones, he was somewhat liberated from heat or cold, but the desert itself was still loathsome.

’But that too will end now.’

Nothing else mattered.

Aint Armian. If he could just catch that cursed bloodline who had fortunately reverse-summoned Lord Andromalius, this lifestyle would end.

It had to end.

If he eliminated the enemy, he would be recognized for his achievements, receive the blessing of the Great Ones, and he too would be reborn as a greater being.

’Damn, it’s a bit tight...’

Most of the life forms he had gathered for sacrifice over a long time had to be consumed due to the sudden monster wave command.

He had tried to replenish as much as possible by collecting the life forms killed by the wave, but it was still a bit insufficient to finish off Aint Armian for sure.

’No matter how lucky he was, he’s the one who killed Lord Andromalius.’

While holding dreams and hopes for spiritual warfare, he wasn’t careless.

He would hunt with certainty using more magical beasts.

The problem was how to separate Aint Armian from the Altriark people, but that could be managed somehow if there were enough magical beasts.

"Found them."

In the distance, through the sandstorm, he could see the yurts of the desert tribes. They were the homes of desert tribes who frequently moved with their camels.

"This is the fifth one."

Most of the desert tribes, scattered all over, had fled south with the proliferation of magical beasts.

The place where the magical beasts were summoned was the center of the Tacklakan Desert, and most of the beasts headed towards Altriark in the east and Alfrocen in the west.

And that was possible because Byron allowed it.

He had left them alive, not annihilating them, to use them as sacrifices for continuously summoning magical beasts.

"Damn it, if I had known they would be like this, I would have just gathered them in one place."

Who knew they would be spread so widely across the southern region? As a result, it took more time than expected to hunt just four tribes.

His plan to sacrifice at least ten tribes was significantly off track.

’A week has already passed. Time is running out. I’ll have to proceed with just five tribes.’

There was a feeling of unease, but he couldn’t miss this opportunity where Aint Armian had willingly come to the snouts of the magical beasts.

"Stop!"

"Who are you!"

Finally, the entrance to the village was visible.

There were three guards showing hostility and trying to stop him.

But Byron didn’t stop.

"I don’t have time to deal with each of you."

For more blood and life.

There was no time to delay in a place like this.

Whee-

Byron lightly whistled. The magical beasts responded to the sound imbued with magical energy.

Fuhaaaaak-

The magical beasts sprang out of the sand like sharks chasing prey.

At the same time, he, who had reached the entrance, unleashed his magical energy.

Byron had no doubt that these pathetic guards would instantly become corpses, serving as fertilizer for the magical beasts.

’...Wait a moment.’

Until he realized that the aura he felt right in front of him was by no means that of an ordinary desert warrior.

That was the moment he sensed something was wrong.

────!

A cold sword strike deflected Byron’s magical energy.

"Kugh...?"

His upper body swayed from the greater-than-expected rebound force. The opponent didn’t miss that opening.

The blade wrapped around his entire body like a snake.

Kagagak-

In a brief moment, the magical energy and sword strikes collided five times in succession. Using that impact, he jumped off his horse and created distance.

"What are you guys...!"

Byron’s mouth gaped.

Since when? The heat was no longer felt in the hot desert.

The magical beasts, which should have crushed the desert tribe in an instant, had stopped moving.

A prison of white ice, an ice prison.

"...What on earth?"

At what moment?

Before he could satisfy his curiosity, another anomaly occurred.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-

The desert vibrated once more. But it was different from before. Regular hoof sounds.

"...Iron Blood Knight Order? Light Blood Knight Order? Why are they here?"

They were the strongest knight orders of Altriark.

"Why, you ask."

A hard voice pierced Byron’s confused ears.

"We’re going to do the opposite of what you were trying to do."

A massive rock fell on his head.