Chapter 24: Manticore


    Early morning.


    The remation of Reichardt resumed its advance.


    They still had over a days worth of walking to reach their destination.


    Princess Lea, leading the charge at the front, wore a less-than-pleasant expression.


    Others shared the same concerns, gued by thoughts of facing the Fire Dragon King and the fate of their loved ones within Reichardt.


    However, worrying wouldnt solve anything.


    They had no choice but to move quickly and make their way to Reichardt.


    Meanwhile, at the rear of the remation force.


    Eh? Werent you called by the princess? Why are you here?


    Surprised to see Ethan there, whom he thought would not be present, Murine opened his mouth in astonishment.


    Ethan smiled faintly and replied,


    Yes, I went there. The princess gave me a reward.


    But why did youe back?


    Murine asked with a puzzled expression. Murine thought surely the princess would have ced him at the front lines alongside the generous reward.


    Ethan quickly exined Murines confusion.


    I said I would stay here.


    What!? You said you would stay here?


    Murine asked, unable to believe what he was hearing.


    Why, why would you do that? With someone as strong as you at the front, we could quickly break through the monsters blocking our way!


    What if theye from behind like yesterday? Everyone will die. We need someone to hold them off.


    W-well


    Those who heard him nearby stuttered and asked.


    Are you staying here for our sake?


    Youre staying for us!


    I cant thank you enough.


    The members of the remation force looked at Ethan with teary eyes.


    Of course, he wasnt staying here solely to save them, but there was no need to mention that. Ethan simply smiled and nodded.


    I consider it my duty.


    At that moment, one of the Royal Knights, Yatro, apuded.


    <i>p. p. p.</i>


    What a true knight!


    A true embodiment of a knight!


    As the apuse spread, everyone in the back started pping as well.


    -The members of the remation force trust you!


    -The members are ready to follow whatever you say.


    Im embarrassed. Please stop.


    Then, it became eerily quiet.


    They really have be obedient.


    How much longer did they have to walk?


    Then, a loud noise came from the front.


    Kieeeek!


    It had a much deeper and ear-piercing tone than the usual monster cries, causing pain in the eardrums as if they were about to be torn apart.


    N-no way!


    Yatro quickly nced ahead and was astonished.


    M-Manticore!


    In front of them stood a group of Manticore,posite monsters with the head of a lion, the tail of a snake, and wings.


    S-stop them!


    We must stop them!


    The Manticores were flying low and charging toward them, but the knights who had tried to intercept them from the front were clinging onto the Manticores back.


    O-oh no, its Manticores, how do we deal with them?


    Why are such monsters appearing now?


    Is the Fire Dragon King controlling even the Manticore?


    The Manticore was a monster with no weaknesses.


    This strange creature, created bybining various monsters, possessed incredible resilience and powerful attacks that could withstand numerous assaults.


    There are over ten Manticores in front of us!


    One of the knights shouted.


    Yes! Dozens of Manticores are currently attacking us!


    The knights hanging on the Manticores back desperately swung their swords down.


    However, the Manticores skin was tougher than most steel armor.


    <i>Kkangg!</i>


    Their attacks only seemed to agitate the Manticore further.


    Damn it.


    The Manticore had a snake tail.


    The silver snake directly attacked the knight sitting on its back.


    Kuakkk!


    Screams filled the air as the knights, including Yatro, in the rear immediately raised their bows.


    However, their attacks didnt inflict significant damage, and the knights were pushed back.


    Damn it, what should we do We dont have any mages with us right now


    The mages were currently positioned at the front. To face the Manticore, they needed the mages buffs and powerful magic, but they couldnt bring them over immediately, as it would leave the front vulnerable.


    In this helpless situation, Ethan took action.


    Kiiiik!


    With the Manticores scream, Ethan swung his sword at it, which was thrashing its front ws.


    Thanks to the Giants Relic, Ethan had the trait [Giants Strength].


    I can deflect it!


    With that power, he could even deflect the Manticores powerful attacks.


    Whiskers Swordsmanship


    Utilizing the Whiskers Swordsmanship, which was used in conjunction with the Heros Breathing, Ethan deflected the Manticores attack.


    Simultaneously, he grabbed hold of the Manticores hind leg.


    <i>Swoosh</i>


    Ethan Whiskers! Run for now! Join forces with the front and receive support from the mages! Those creatures are much stronger than the ck Scorpions! We cant hunt them down using conventional methods!


    Yatro shouted loudly.


    Thats right! Come down for now! If sir Ethan gets hurt here, itll be irreversible!


    The knights and the remation force members shouted to Ethan, who was trying to confront the Manticore.


    At this time, they still dont have a strategy to defeat the Manticore. Thats why they were like this since what they know is the Manticore is a powerful monster with no weakness.


    But the Manticore did have a weakness.


    And Ethan knew that weakness.


    I can see them.


    Ethan already knew about the Manticores weakness, but due to the Monsters Cmity, other weaknesses became more apparent.


    Red spots were scattered here and there, small but unmistakably present.


    Moreover, my equipment now is incredible.


    Holding onto the Manticores leg and climbing up, Ethan exerted force in his hand holding the Dinalychus.


    <i>Shaaak-.</i>


    -Giants Strength is imbued in your right hand.


    -The Dinalychus cries!


    Blue energy began to gather in the Dinalychus de.


    As expected of a renowned sword.


    Ethan decided to test the power of Giants Strength and this Dinalychus.


    If he couldnt defeat the Manticores here, it would be almost impossible to hunt down the Fire Dragon King.


    Kieeeek!


    The Manticore shook its body, trying to throw off Ethan who was riding on its back, just like the ones that had flown in earlier.


    Simultaneously, the snake tail aimed for Ethans neck, opening its mouth wide tounch an attack.


    Heuk!


    The weakness of the Manticores was at the back of their heads.


    Ethan swung his sword at the snake tail attacking him, targeting the moment when the beak was wide open with the speed of his Whiskers Swordsmanship. He thrust the sword straight into the exposed area.


    Kiaaak!


    Slicing through the snake tail, Ethan looked at his own hand, trembling.


    This is insane.


    Combined with the power of the famous sword Dinalychus, the Giants Strength added a sensation he had never felt before, coursing through his hand.


    giants Strength has always been a trait Ive always gotten, but it truly feels like an exceptional trait.


    Ethan was inherently weak, which made the trait [Giants Strength] resonate with him even more strongly.


    Finally, he could consider himself slightly stronger than before.


    After cutting through the tail, Ethan regained his bnce.


    Royal Knights!


    He called out to the Royal Knights who had been barely holding their ground, minimizing the damage from the Manticores.


    Upon hearing Ethans voice, the Royal Knights who were at the back immediately responded.


    And the remation members below! Those with bows, aim for the Manticores ws!


    Ethans n was simple.


    The Royal Knights already riding on the Manticores would target vital spots to restrict the Manticores movements, while those below would attack the upper part of the ws with arrows.


    With this approach, the Manticores could be easily subdued.


    It seemed like a straightforward n, but without knowledge of those vital spots, it would be difficult to execute.


    That was why everyone was still searching for the mages.


    And Royal Knights, please follow my instructions!


    The Royal Knights paused for a moment.


    Royal Knights were typically of noble lineage, while Ethan, amoner of unknown origin,manded them.


    Normally, it would be unimaginable for them to obey his orders, but the current Ethan possessed the ability to make it happen.


    I understand!


    Give themand!


    Moreover, given the situation, they had no choice but to trust Ethan.


    However, two of the Royal Knights still wore skeptical expressions.


    Could they really defeat these Manticores?


    No matter how much recognition Ethan had received from the princess, it was impossible to defeat the Manticores without the mages.


    That was why, as ast resort, they had considered retreat and, inevitably, joining forces with the mages.


    Kieeeek!


    Due to the rampaging Manticore, it was impossible to regain bnce properly, but Ethan stood up.


    And he aimed precisely near the head.


    Look here!


    The Royal Knights looked at Ethan.


    If you look closely at the back of its head, there should be one reverse-direction fur. Stab it there!


    Ethan said so and raised Dinalychus, aiming directly at that spot.


    <i>Stab-!</i>


    Kieeekk!


    Upon being struck, the Manticore let out another scream, different from before. It was a scream filled with genuine pain and agony.


    !


    H-How!


    The Royal Knights couldnt help but be astonished.


    He really knew the Manticores weakness.


    Quickly!


    Un-understood.


    At Ethans urging, the two Royal Knights swiftly moved to the back of the Manticores head.


    There.


    There, barely visible, was one reverse-direction fur.


    Without hesitation, they stabbed right at that spot.


    And then, the Manticore began to scream. They hadnded a solid blow.


    How?


    <i>How did he know the Manticores weakness? </i>They never thought they would be able to inflict any damage on the Manticore.


    As the Manticore writhed in agony, Ethan shouted to the people below.


    Get ready!


    The Manticores movements had slowed downpared to before, allowing them to hit it urately.


    <i>Thwack-.</i>


    Following Ethans signal, the archers drew their bows.


    Fire!


    Several arrows bounced off the ws as they hit them head-on, but a few managed to hit exactly where Ethan told them to aim.


    Kiiieeeekkk!


    The Manticores, struck twice in their vulnerable spot, spread their wings, and flew briefly before crumbling and falling.


    <i>Bang!</i>


    The sight of three Manticores falling simultaneously was quite spectacr.


    <i>Kiiiing-.</i>


    As the dust settled from the fallen Manticores, the defeated creatures could do nothing but writhe helplessly.


    This is unbelievable.


    We we managed to defeat the Manticore


    To kill a Manticore without the help of mages.


    All eyes turned to Ethan simultaneously.


    Emerging from the dust, Ethan met their gazes head-on and gestured to the Royal Knights.


    We must finish it.


    Approaching the back of the Manticores head, Ethan thrust his sword forcefully.


    -You have in a Manticore!


    -An extraordinary achievement has been aplished!


    -Rewards for ying the Manticore have been obtained!


    The Royal Knights no longer doubted Ethan.


    Their gaze toward him hadpletely changed.