Chapter 322: You Can Do It (1)
“Queen Grex… what is that?”
“It’s the leader of those things. The core of their entire species, the very essence of their survival.”
“Where is it?”
“I know. Just follow me.”
“Then why not just kill it? Why go through the trouble of kidnapping it?”
At Kaor’s question, Ghislain shook his head.
“No, we need to kidnap the queen and force them to come after her.”
Only then did the group begin to understand Ghislain’s plan. However, understanding and agreeing were two different things.
“Do we really have to? Can’t we just kill it outright? Sure, fighting them with the fortress as backup is safer, but I don’t think we need to be this cautious.”
Kaor’s arrogant remark elicited a faint smile from Ghislain.
“If we go straight in and fight, we’ll all die.”
“They seemed incredibly weak though…”
Kaor pouted. No matter how he looked at it, the lord seemed overly cautious this time.
The Grexes were so weak that even a trained soldier could take one down alone. If it were him, he could probably kill hundreds, even thousands, by himself.
Still stinging from the humiliation during the ogre incident, Kaor wanted to demonstrate his prowess in front of everyone. The Grexes seemed like the perfect prey for this.
‘They’re easy targets. I could take down a ton of them and make it look good.’
Resolving to wipe out the shame of his previous failure, Kaor spoke firmly.
“Just assign a few men to me. I’ll go and clear them out by myself.”
“You’ll die if you go. Come with us to take down the queen.”
“Ha! Seriously! I can handle them all by myself!”
Kaor shook his leg in frustration, voicing his annoyance. Seeing his rebellious attitude, Belinda frowned.
“Just follow the lord’s plan. You know you can’t let your guard down in the Forest of Beasts, right? Do you even know what might come out if you go in alone?”
“What’s this? Why are you siding with the lord? Don’t you usually disagree with everything he says?”
“When have I ever done that? I always side with you!”
The two began a subtle standoff again. Kaor pursed his lips and glared at Belinda.
‘Ugh, should I just hit her? But if we fight, I might actually lose… I still don’t know her full strength.’
Belinda returned the glare with a similar expression.
‘Anything you say, I’ll oppose it. No matter what it is.’
This wasn’t their first time clashing like this. Back at the estate, they always got into such petty disputes whenever they crossed paths.
Gillian, standing silently between them, stepped in to separate the two. Only then did they both turn their heads away.
Ghislain shook his head a few times before continuing.
“We need to capture it as quietly as possible, so I’ll select a small team. It’ll be the people here, a few knights, and… Alfoi will come with us.”
At this, the group tilted their heads in confusion.
It was true that Alfoi was talented for his age, but compared to the others here, his skills were slightly lacking.
It didn’t seem like he was at a level where he could be confidently brought on a dangerous mission.
“You’re bringing Alfoi? Not Vanessa, but Alfoi?”
If they needed a mage, it made more sense to bring Vanessa. That would be the logical choice.
But Ghislain shook his head.
“Vanessa needs to stay here. She has work to do.”
“Then do we have to bring Alfoi? With this group, I don’t think we really need him.”
Belinda pointed out the issue, but Ghislain simply smirked.
“He’ll be the bait.”
“Bait? With his skills, he’s going to die.”
“No, he won’t.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I feel like he has some sort of strange luck. I don’t overlook things like that. Luck is a form of skill, after all.”
Ghislain’s answer sounded like he was making excuses, leaving Belinda frustrated and silent.
Admittedly, Alfoi was the guy who had once overcome even the power of a goddess. It was hard to deny the notion that he had an unusual kind of fortune.
But would Ghislain really act on that alone? He always moved based on some kind of logic, no matter how absurd it seemed.
Could someone who was once tricked into slavery by Claude truly be considered lucky?
It didn’t feel like Ghislain was being genuine, but it was also hard to argue against him when he was this insistent.
‘He’s determined to bring him along… But his skills are still far too inadequate.’
After a brief moment of thought, Belinda spoke.
“If we need to kidnap it safely, how about using the hot air balloon? There’s a spare one left in Ferdium, and we can get it here quickly.”
“Oh, coming up with ideas like that? As expected, Belinda’s smart.”
“I’m a graduate of the Royal Academy, you know.”
“I don’t believe it. Anyway, we can’t use a hot air balloon. In the Forest of Beasts, anything flying in the sky is a target. It’ll get attacked immediately and from a long distance, too. That’s why you barely see any birds here.”
“Huh? What would attack it?”
“There’s something out there. Something we’re not ready to handle yet. It’s extremely dangerous.”
Before Belinda could question further, Ghislain smoothly shifted the topic.
“Anyway, let’s get moving. The longer we wait, the more exhausted the soldiers will get.”
Thus, the team to capture Queen Grex was formed.
Ghislain, Belinda, Kaor, a few knights including Gordon and Lucas, and Alfoi made up the group.
With the exception of Alfoi, the team consisted of some of the most skilled members of the Fenris forces.
Gillian couldn’t join as Ghislain had assigned him to oversee the fortress and prepare for battle.
When Alfoi was informed he was part of the mission, he caused an uproar.
“What? Why do I have to go to such a dangerous place? No! I refuse!”
“You’re the man who defeated a god, aren’t you? Only skilled people are going, so of course, you’re coming too.”
Alfoi, whose pride was second to none in the estate, bit his lip at the mention of skilled individuals.
He wanted to go. He wanted to succeed in the mission and earn admiration from everyone.
‘But I don’t want to die, either.’
Caught between his desires and fears, he hesitated until Ghislain leaned in and whispered slyly.
“If you sit this one out, Claude will mock you endlessly.”
At the mention of Claude, veins popped on Alfoi’s forehead. That bastard had ruined his life, and the thought of being ridiculed by him was unbearable.
“Fine, I’ll go! I’ll go, okay?!”
And so, the team, composed of highly skilled individuals and one somewhat lacking member, set off.
Since the fortress gates were dismantled, they descended by ropes, planning to use the same method to return.
Crossing an open area that stretched like a road, they quickly reached a dense forest of towering trees.
The massive trees blocked out most of the sunlight, creating a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere.
Moving swiftly, the group demonstrated their prowess. Their speed was impressive.
“Kreeeek?!”
The deeper they ventured, the more Grexes they encountered. Following Ghislain’s earlier instructions, the team attacked every one of them with precision.
Squelch!
“Keek!”
The Grexes were powerless against the sudden assault of Ghislain’s team.
Even though there were dozens at times, and only a few in other instances, they were no match. The Grexes, comparable to regular soldiers in strength, were helpless against this elite team.
Belinda, for instance, could take out ten or more Grexes in a single attack.
With a relaxed shrug, she remarked, “This isn’t particularly difficult. Are these the only things in this area?”
Indeed, it seemed like the Grexes dominated this territory, as there were no signs of other monsters.
Even the wandering monsters commonly seen near the forest’s edge disappeared the further they ventured in. The only things visible were the corpses the Grexes carried around.
“Keeek!”
The Grexes flailed their antennae and charged whenever the group appeared, but they couldn’t land even a scratch.
It was all too easy. People began questioning why Ghislain had gone to the trouble of fortifying the fortress.
If the Grexes were this weak, couldn’t they just bring in the soldiers and annihilate them? There were a lot of them, sure, but given a few days, they could wipe them out.
Even so, Ghislain maintained a cautious expression.
“We’re almost there. From here on, move carefully.”
Though puzzled, the group followed Ghislain. Despite it being his first time here, he moved confidently, as if he knew exactly where to go.
It was uncanny how certain he seemed about the location of Queen Grex. They were dying to ask how he knew, but everyone held their tongues, knowing he wouldn’t give a clear answer.
“Oh…”
Lucas, following behind, let out a quiet exclamation.
As they proceeded, the terrain began to change. The dense trees grew sparser, and the spaces between them widened.
Then, in the distance, they saw the swarming Grexes.
“Ugh… what is that…?”
“Gross…”
“Young lord, are you sure we can really kidnap that thing?”
The sight of hundreds of writhing Grexes was already revolting, but the creature at their center was far worse.
Even from a considerable distance, everyone in the group, possessing keen eyesight, could make out its details clearly.
The creature was several times larger than a typical Grex.
It wasn’t just its size that was grotesque. Unlike the ordinary Grexes with atrophied eyes, this one had multiple glaring eyes. Its abdomen bulged outward like a grotesque sack, likely filled with eggs.
It had additional antennae, and its head stretched unnaturally far back.
As the group grimaced at the sight of the horrific creature, Ghislain grinned.
“That’s the Queen Grex. Let’s take her back to the fortress. She’s not much of a fighter, so it’ll be fine.”
“Ugh, how are we supposed to take that thing? Wouldn’t it be better to just finish it off here?”
Belinda frowned.
Transporting it wasn’t impossible. Despite its size, which was about the same as a regular ogre, they had prepared multiple sturdy ropes, and the group had enough strength to bind and haul it.
But the thought of carrying such a repulsive creature was deeply unappealing.
Kaor, swallowing hard several times, agreed with Belinda.
“Can’t we just kill it? Honestly, there’s only a few hundred of them here. We could take them all out.”
It was rare for the two to agree, but even in this momentous occasion, Ghislain shook his head.
“No. If we kill it, we’ll put ourselves in danger. We have to capture it alive.”
Everyone let out a collective sigh. Dragging the creature alive meant it would thrash with its numerous legs and shriek, which would be utterly disgusting.
Even Gordon, who had faced countless horrors, looked uneasy as he asked,
“How do we capture it? Shouldn’t we kill all the surrounding Grexes first?”
While there were hundreds of them, the group’s combined skill could make short work of them. Yet again, Ghislain shook his head.
“No. We can’t fight here.”
“Then how do we capture it?”
“It’s time for the bait to shine. Queen Grex needs to be lured here, and then we’ll capture her on the spot.”
At that, everyone turned to look at Alfoi. He turned pale as he stammered.
“M-Me? How am I supposed to lure that monster here?”
“Just go over there, show off some flashy magic, and slowly retreat. It’ll follow you.”
Alfoi blinked at Ghislain, his expression screaming disbelief.
“They’ll charge at me the moment they see me! There are hundreds of them! You expect me to stroll in, cast a few spells, and walk back? Are you insane? Seriously, think before you speak!”
“It’s fine. Just approach slowly. Queen Grex won’t kill you.”
“Don’t spout nonsense! If I go in there, I’ll die instantly! If this plan is legit, you should come with me. Let’s go together!”
Ghislain firmly shook his head.
“No. You have to go alone. It only works if you’re by yourself.”
“This is insane! How can you expect me to go alone?! That far?! Are you serious?!”
“You have to go alone, or Queen Grex won’t attack.”
Still unconvinced, Alfoi shook his head repeatedly.
“No way, I’m not going. I don’t trust you. I’ve been betrayed too many times to trust anyone anymore.”
While Alfoi’s downfall into slavery was largely his own doing due to his gambling addiction, he firmly believed it all started with Claude’s smooth-talking.
Sensing his resistance, Ghislain placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Trust me.”
“I don’t.”
“I’m not Claude.”
“Urgh…”
Alfoi clenched his lips. It was a short reply, but it struck a chord.
Now that he thought about it, Ghislain had a history of succeeding in seemingly impossible tasks.
In this absurd situation, perhaps Ghislain was the most trustworthy person here.
Alfoi, naturally soft-hearted, began to waver.
“Why… why does it have to be me?”
“You’re the only mage here. And…”
“And?”
“Only the man who defeated a god can perform miracles like this.”
Thud!
Those words struck Alfoi’s heart like a hammer.
No matter what others said, it was true that he had once overcome the power of a goddess. That accomplishment was the source of his pride a feat worthy of boasting to his descendants for generations.
Faced with that reminder, Alfoi couldn’t refuse.
After a moment of contemplation, he raised his head with determination in his eyes.
“That’s right. I’m Alfoi, the man who defeated a god.”
“You can do it, right?”
“I’ll try, but if it doesn’t work, I’m running.”
Still nervous, he left himself an escape route. Ghislain nodded as if that were perfectly reasonable.
“Of course. If it gets dangerous, I’ll come out to help.”
“Don’t leave me behind. I’m trusting you.”
Alfoi spoke with a shaky voice, and Ghislain responded with a grin.
It was a phrase he had said once before, back when Gordon was captured in the Forest of Beasts.
“I’ve never abandoned anyone who follows me.”
Hearing that, Alfoi looked briefly moved, but then shook his head vigorously. He felt like he was becoming an actual slave.
“H-Hmph! I’ll go, so just watch carefully!”
With a huff, Alfoi slowly stepped forward.
The Grexes quickly spotted him as he approached with a tense expression.
“Kieeeek!”
“Kaaaaak!”
The swarm let out ear-splitting cries and charged at him. Even the sight of hundreds of Grexes rushing toward him was terrifying.
Just as Alfoi froze in fear and prepared to run, Queen Grex let out a high-pitched shriek.
“Kaaaaaaaak!”
Suddenly, the Grexes halted in unison, their antennae twitching as they stopped in their tracks.
Alfoi, who was ready to bolt, and the others hiding nearby all stared in disbelief.
Gulp.
Alfoi swallowed dryly and took a cautious step forward.
Then, something astonishing happened.
Saaaaah…
The Grexes parted to either side, creating a path for him. It was as if the sea had split before him.
“W-What is this…?”
Trembling, Alfoi took another step, and the Grexes moved further aside with each step he took.
At that moment, he thought:
‘I… I’m the man who defeated a god. They must recognize that! Hahaha!’
Truly, he was performing a miracle.