It was a form that deviated from the typical monster shape.

While most monsters usually maintained a human form with only size changes, this monster that appeared now had lumps like clods of earth all over its back and was spread out on the ground, so no one noticed it hiding in the earth.

Moreover, its arms and legs had root-like fine hairs, and something flowing down from them made its shape unclear, somehow perfectly fitting the word ‘swamp’.

But the monster looking like a part of nature made it even more creepy and grotesque.

The monster rolled its eyeballs as if measuring which part would taste better, and finally, as if it had made up its mind, it began to approach Jade.

However, since its size was spread out widely, even a slight movement brought it much closer.

The knights quickly moved to form a protective formation, placing the mages in the center. Emmet, Jade’s pair knight, only noticed very belatedly and shouted her name from afar.

“Lady Jade!”

Instead of calling out, you should come running, you stupid knight! I don’t have the physical strength to block that thing!

But in reality, there wasn’t even time to shout.

She stared at the monster without blinking. Since it was a type of monster she had never seen before, it was important to assess it properly. Otherwise, her power would be wasted, and the subjugation team would be in danger.

Yes, that thing looks slimy and damp. The outer part, similar to mud, would defend against my flames quite well. Using force spread out over the whole body would be useless. So what should I do?

Ah, there are those root-like protrusions on its body. Let’s use those like a fuse.

She finished her thoughts. Jade intended to strike a very localized area with intense force.

As the power concentrated, the repulsive force grew stronger, requiring very delicate control. Since it would be less effective against the monster, she drew out more than half of her magical power.

All of this happened in just a few seconds.

Finally, red flowers bloomed in dots before the mud monster’s eyes. They looked very small and trivial. No, compared to the monster’s size, they even seemed insignificant.

The monster tilted its head.

This creature had never truly been in danger before.

Born relatively large from the start, the monster that had grown its body at once by eating a nearby child had evolved to be able to extend its limbs long underground. During the day, it would lie flat disguised as the ground, and at night, it would open its mouth wide to eat people who unknowingly settled on its body.

After it started to dominate the entire nearby area, finding prey became increasingly easy. It was enough to just feel the regular vibrations made by humans.

It heard the thumping heartbeats of families who had walked all day to migrate and fell asleep briefly under a tree. It devoured them.

It heard the sound of an old man’s fingers scratching the ground, gathering fallen grain kernels until the moon rose. It devoured him.

It heard the footsteps of soldiers who came running with torches to catch monsters. It devoured them.

Therefore, such a tiny flame was not frightening at all.

It just craved the prey before it. The small human with eyes burning like fire truly smelled so delicious. What was inside was the breath of the god who had abandoned them.

The monster once again extended its limbs that supported its body and pulled itself forward. Finally, its body touched the flame shaped beautifully like a flower.

Sizzle, smoke rose from the tip of a protruding twig.

Boom! Bang, bang!

Part of the monster’s body flew off and scattered in the air like dots.

The monster’s mouth opened wide, but no sound was heard. Instead, something like human tears poured from its red eyes.

How can those things be so human-like?

As Jade stared at those streams as if entranced, a cold that could freeze everything swept in.

“Lady Jade, step back!”

It was a collaboration between Rigel and some mage. It seemed they intended to strike by using the moisture the monster possessed, and it was effective. The monster’s movements began to slow down significantly.

Everything was going smoothly.

The mages and knights she had sought to protect would have already moved far away and be nearing a safe position by now. The knights had noticed the situation, and the mages were responding well too. No further bait was needed.

Jade pulled back on the reins.

She heard someone chanting a spell. To prevent any possible threat, they had raised earth in front of Jade to create a barrier. How kind the intention was.

But.

“No!”

The problem was that no one knew how this monster moved. So they didn’t know how far it had spread underground.

Something protruded through the gaps in the earthen barrier. That root grew rapidly, approaching right before Jade’s eyes.

She knew it was dangerous. But there was no time to defend at all…

At that moment, Jade saw a familiar light. A white light that could devour everything.

It burned through the root, broke through the barrier, and pierced the monster’s body that had come close. There was a sound of something bursting.

“Lower the barrier!”

With that rough shout, the earth scattered and her vision became clear.

What was stuck in the monster’s body was just an ordinary sword. Without any magic imbued. Yet it had produced such a powerful result.

Her light hair, which had grown long without her noticing, fluttered in the passing wind. Jade stared stupidly at the retreating back of that shadow.

That shadow rode the horse at full speed. And using that speed, he deeply thrust a short spear into the monster’s body.

Squelch.

The force was so strong that the end of the already embedded spear shaft vibrated wildly.

The monster, which had been shedding tears like a river, finally twisted its entire body violently. The ground began to rise as if an earthquake had struck. The range was surprisingly vast.

Only then did the subjugation team realize why people couldn’t live here. If that body had just lightly bounced, everyone who stepped on this land would have died.

“If we can harden it just like this−”

“Isaac, Dalmen!”

The mages began to calm the earth and make it solid. The intention was to reduce damage and fix the monster in place so it couldn’t move.

The monster continued to twist its body, but the range gradually narrowed, and the shaking became shallower. Cracks formed.

Thick skin. Strong defense. Axel needs to get closer.

Jade put flames on the sharp wind that someone had released. The flames in the darkness drew everyone’s attention.

The monster also focused all its defenses in the direction the flames were coming from. It even pulled its long hands and feet to the front.

However, there was a knight waiting for this opening.

The blade of the white sword, which had somehow returned to its owner’s hand, flashed in the moonlight. It swung down just like that. Black blood splattered, soaking the man’s body.

That was the monster’s last moment.

Its huge body shrank and water burst out.

She stared blankly at the sight. The water flowed and flowed, soon turning into a small stream, and began to trickle across the ground. The night had deepened, and its reflection in the moonlight was magnificent.

To think that the end of a monster that had probably eaten tens or hundreds of people would be a stream of water. It’s too beautiful an ending, isn’t it?

What on earth was that creature? What could it be to torment people like this?

There wasn’t much time to ponder. Because the black horse, Attila, galloped with graceful movements and stopped in front of her, pawing the ground.

It was too dark to see his eyes clearly. She knew they were more star-like and beautiful at night. That deep color.

Jade summoned flames. Only then could she properly meet his gaze.

Heat radiated from the man’s blood-covered body. It was unexpected, knowing his body was always at a low temperature.

“You, really have no fear.”

His voice was rough, as if he was gritting his teeth. Jade let out a weak laugh. Somehow, it reminded her of a day in the forest.

As if unable to contain his anger at that sound, Axel began to openly show his rage.

“Where the hell is your pair and what is he doing? Is this how you usually act as bait?”

“It’s not something Sir Leon needs to concern himself with.”

“I told you to choose General’s son.”

“That’s also not something Sir Leon needs to concern himself with.”

“What’s with this ‘Sir Leon’ business, why did you rush in first! Shouldn’t you have called someone!”

“You are Sir Leon, aren’t you? Or are you not?”

As if trying to suppress something, the man’s jaw tightened. Jade, who had been quietly watching him, slowly opened her mouth. She was tired.

“It seems you have nothing to say. Then I’d like to ask you a question this time.”

“…”

“That sword just now, what on earth is it?”

She had asked about it in the forest too. For an instant, it seemed to emit a white light. At those times, his sword appeared much longer, looking almost like a huge spear. In fact, Axel sometimes used it by throwing it like that.

When the sword was in that state, Axel could inflict very powerful damage on monsters. Even without magic.

It was clearly a special power.

Despite repeated questions, Axel still didn’t answer. He was just glaring at Jade with heated eyes as if he wanted to devour her.

Well, someone said they didn’t like it when others threw themselves in danger. This is definitely a part I know.

The sound of knights and mages who had finished off all the other monsters leading their horses and rushing over could be heard. Jade turned her horse’s head.

She thought she knew Axel well, but she felt weary at the thought that she might not have known anything about him at all. No, honestly, she felt hurt.