A Dark Fantasy Spy

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Sir Pereyti of the Order of Saint Andrew has led the knights here.

The six knights trailing behind him showed no signs of fatigue as they climbed the rugged northern mountains.

“…Sir Pereyti.”

“Speak, Colonel.”

“Did you not just say ‘Order of Knights’ earlier…?”

Pointing at the knights standing behind him, I saw Pereyti burst into laughter as he understood my question.

“No matter how valiant the Order may be, they cannot march to the mountains all at once with such a large force. The main body is toiling away down below! We are merely the vanguard.”

“Oh, I see.”

I was well aware of the capabilities of the Knights. Specifically, I had come across them in the internal reports of the Military Intelligence Agency while conducting a local investigation just before being dispatched to the cult.

When it comes to issues concerning demons, fiends, heretics, and monsters, there are hardly any military forces that can rival the Knights. At best, one could consider the Special Forces, trained specifically for grand mage wars, or the elite investigators of the Magic Department, who deal with exiled magicians, to be comparable.

Although they are few in number, having Knights on the scene makes a huge difference.

Of course, the Knights weren’t the only ones who had come.

“Seems like there were others who requested support aside from us. It looks like things have become quite urgent.”

“What do you mean…?”

I stopped speaking, closing my mouth.

New faces appeared behind Pereyti and the Knights.

Unlike the silver-armored knights, they wore capes adorned with strange patterns.

“Just in time.”

Pointing to them with his thumb, Pereyti spoke to me.

“They are from the Magic Tower.”

They were the magicians of the Magic Tower.

—

Episode 11 – No Issues on the Northern Front

The forces of the cult and the Magic Tower have arrived to support the Rift. They were the first to rush here after Francesca’s contact.

Coincidentally, the leaders of each force were familiar faces to me.

“I am Juan Pablo Martinez from the Magic Tower Secretariat. It’s an honor to meet you, Colonel Nostrim.”

Juan Pablo Martinez was in command of the magicians from the Magic Tower. He was the one I had seen with Francesca at the hotel just before heading to the North.

“I believe we met once before.”

“Indeed.”

“My memory served me right then. Upon receiving the contact, I hurriedly led the vanguard here.”

As we exchanged light pleasantries, Pereyti suddenly protruded his head into our conversation, proposing in a business-like and polite manner.

“Apologies for the intrusion, but shall we postpone introductions? The situation is pressing; let’s deal with the monsters first.”

Though his manner was not particularly endearing, it was still quite courteous for a priest addressing a magician.

However, perhaps due to discomfort in facing the Knights, Martinez from the Magic Tower openly clicked his tongue and turned his head away.

As I watched him move away towards the magicians, Pereyti opened his mouth.

“Did I make some error?”

“…I don’t know either.”

—

I headed towards where Camila and Francesca were, leading the two groups.

The two were preparing for the approaching battle with the Imperial Army’s magicians. Thankfully, the monsters had yet to reach the defense line, giving us enough time for conversation.

“It’s been a while, Administrator!”

“Juan Pablo Martinez from the Magic Tower Secretariat greets you, descendant of the Great Mage.”

“You’ve arrived. Let me give a brief situation report first.”

Francesca gathered the people around and began to lay out the information.

It began with the sudden appearance of the Corpse Spider a few days ago,

the spiders that had suddenly begun their attacks after a long silence,

Francesca, who had scouted the frontlines and requested support,

the emergence of a giant spider, larger than a three-story building,

the collapse of the defense line,

the subsequent bombardment by the Imperial Army,

the terrifying sight of monsters still alive, undeterred by the shelling, devouring corpses,

and even the flame, which appeared to be its only weakness.

Even amidst the chaos, Francesca continued to explain calmly.

Her explanations were coherent, and those listening would ask questions to fill in any gaps.

Only after hearing all of that did Pereyti finally open his mouth for the first time.

“Hmm! A spider that consumes corpses!”

Pereyti stroked his beard with his hand.

“I have heard similar tales from the priests who operated in the Mauritania Continent. There exists a spider that practices kin cannibalism.”

“Do you think that giant monster is that spider?”

“Not at all!”

Pereyti firmly denied it.

“The spiders the priests spoke of were very small entities. While we cannot conclude that it’s the only spider that practices cannibalism, it is indeed the most similar creature based on the characteristics described by the Administrator—excluding the size, of course.”

“Is that so? Then did the priests mention why that spider feasts on its kind?”

“They speculated it might be due to severe injuries or that it seeks the flesh and blood of its kin during its growth process.”

Severe injuries.

As I heard that, an image of the wounded spider crawled into my mind.

The Imperial Army’s bombardment had not killed it, but it had turned it into a mush. Its shell, already enduring the assault of cannon fire, had been stripped off, and one of its legs was blown away.

What if its reason for consuming corpses was to recover from an injury?

Chills ran down my spine.

“Have you heard the rumors that it possesses the ability to control spiders?”

“Yes. Only the queen, which commands the colony, has such abilities. However, I know that even the queen is said to be palm-sized.”

Pereyti had shared quite useful information.

Francesca and Pereyti put their heads together, discussing various things. They struggled to analyze the weaknesses of the giant spider using all their knowledge.

“In academia, such entities are sometimes referred to as ‘alphas.’ Though it’s still an unproven theory.”

“With new monsters constantly being discovered each year, it’s unavoidable that the theories are lacking.”

However, the theories that Francesca and the information from Pereyti did not produce any sharp countermeasures.

“Hmm….”

Francesca, who had paused for a moment, glanced at a man present.

Towards the one who had been quietly listening to us since earlier.

“Sir Martinez.”

Martinez slightly bowed his head in acknowledgment.

“Speak your mind.”

“I’ve heard that you have experience as an adventurer in the Mauritania Continent. Do you have anything to add?”

At Francesca’s question, he raised his gaze.

“I, too, have my suspicions, but right now, there are more pressing matters, no?”

Thus began Martinez’s addendum.

“How to kill the monster, that is.”

“……”

“It is not something to boast about, but what I learned during my time as an adventurer is that monsters that seek human flesh and blood should not be left alive.”

All eyes turned to Martinez. He began to speak his hard truths in a polite tone.

“Therefore, there seems to be nothing more important than killing the monster first. We can discuss our research after transporting its corpse to the Magic Tower.”

“…That definitely holds some merit.”

“Then, what do you propose we do?”

Martinez asserted that we needed to contemplate how to kill the monster swiftly.

At that moment, I, who had been quietly listening in the corner, interjected.

“Uh… can’t we all just rush in and beat it up together?”

“……”

“If things go awry, I’ll just use this.”

I shook the cat, Camila, that I was holding in my hand.

Camila, lifted by the scruff of her neck like a cat, looked at me with wide eyes like a fish out of water.

“I noticed that while it could withstand bombardments, fire seemed to work on it.”

“……”

“Just beating it up should give us some answers, right?”

That was the correct answer.

—

After four or five minutes of casual conversation, we reached a conclusion. After sharing a little information, we dashed off towards the location of the giant spider.

A dozen silhouettes rushed across the valley.

A bleak wind swept through the abandoned northern military base, but there was no time for sentimentality.

Camila and I hopped onto Francesca’s golem. Ashen snow blasted from the ruins and hit our faces.

Arriving at the place with the swampy earth, there it was.

The figure, reflected in the light mist, was massive.

The giant spider, having survived the Imperial Army’s crossfire, sat amidst the ruins, munching on corpses and exhaling breaths tainted with pain and anger.

With countless Corpse Spiders following it, it was not just a big spider. It was the queen leading the colony and the general commanding its army.

Thud.

Something fell from the monster’s mouth. It was someone’s right arm, still clad in tattered military uniform.

That horrific scene imprinted vividly on my retinas.

Sir Pereyti of the Order of Saint Andrew spoke.

“…A cursed monster.”

“Cursed or not, it is still a damnable thing.”

“Colonel, does the Hero’s power truly affect that monster?”

I turned my gaze towards Pereyti. There was no need to answer; I lacked the energy to do so.

“I understand.”

That was the end of my contemplation.

Taking a step forward, Pereyti raised his voice.

“Form ranks! Draw your weapons!”

The knights responded to his command.

Knights wielding their weapons formed ranks. The clashing of steel reverberated loudly, and in the pale mist, their silver armor began to shine brightly.

“Paolo! Antonio!”

The summoned knights answered.

With his sword drawn, Pereyti spoke.

“Clear the way.”

—

Two knights surged forward.

Their silver brilliance trailing like comets across the night sky, they surged ahead, confronting the swarm of Corpse Spiders that coiling together. It was an instant event.

-Swhirling!

The swung swords carved arcs through the air.

The shimmering blades imbued with light slashed the foremost Corpse Spider in half and severed the legs of its left and right companions. The two knights leaped into the center of the swarm, devouring the rushing Corpse Spiders.

A path was created.

As if mirroring the miracle of Moses parting the Red Sea, the spiders were cut cleanly in two. The knights rushed through the narrow corridor formed between the remains of the spiders.

“Huh!”

Taking a deep breath and gathering strength, Pereyti crouched down. As the tension in his muscles began to surge, mud spattered from under his feet.

Charging with the speed of a cannonball, Pereyti flew forward.

Ignoring the looming ruins overwhelmed by Corpse Spiders, he pressed on.

Finally, reaching the end of the narrow path, his silver blade sliced smoothly through the air.

-KEEEEEEKKKK!!

The giant spider let out a painful wail.

The silver blade sank halfway into its black exoskeleton, and with a single strike, Pereyti cleaved more than half of its leg.

Despite having withstood the artillery attack, the monster’s limb flailed like a puppet with its strings cut.

“Damn it!”

Observing the giant spider scream in agony, Pereyti clicked his tongue.

“It’s infuriatingly resilient!”

“Captain!”

A knight’s voice pierced through the din of battle and reached Pereyti’s ears. In no time, the knights who had charged down the path were behind him.

Stepping back, Pereyti called out to his subordinates.

“Finish it!”

No response came.

The knights who had rushed down the path made for the spider, swinging their weapons. The silver blades scattered dazzling light as they hacked at the giant spider’s legs.

Thwack! A knight embedded his sword into the exoskeleton. With a powerful swing, the blade sliced through, causing debris to fly off, followed closely by another blade that pierced through its tender flesh.

It was indeed remarkable progress, but in comparison to Pereyti, who had already damaged over half of its legs alone, there was still a shortfall.

Just then, the last knight to arrive shouted toward his companions.

“Withdraw immediately!”

The knight pulled the trigger.

-BANG!

The firearm in the knight’s hand roared to life. Each scattered shell unleashed a radiant light akin to a dragon’s breath.

Clenching his teeth, the knight pulled the trigger with full force. The bullets, filled with light, painted the monster’s innards black as they shattered it into pieces. The sight of a knight clad in armor raining bullets was bizarre, but right now, such details were irrelevant.

Thanks to that, one of the monster’s legs was completely obliterated.

“Well done!”

Pereyti shouted to the knight.

With the ammunition exhausted, the knight dropped onto one knee and began to pull more shells from his pouch. The remaining knights surrounding him prepared for another rush.

With a hearty laugh, Pereyti took off into the air. Like a cannonball, he soared high into the sky, diving down towards the ground.

The target of his raised sword was the monster’s head.

Shining brilliantly, Pereyti descended upon the giant spider, shouting.

“Return to where you came from! Cursed monster!”

The spider’s red eyes brimmed with rage.

Sensing its impending death, it screamed in agony and twisted its massive body to evade the strike.

-KA-BLAM!!

The silver blade cut through the empty earth beneath it.

“Damn it!”

When his desperate blow missed, Pereyti’s face contorted with frustration. He had failed to land the attack, and the spider, faster than him, was now preparing to retaliate.

Sure enough, the wounded spider unleashed an enraged scream and unleashed its attack.

Its legs, imbued with enough strength to topple an armored vehicle, swung toward Pereyti. He could see the shining sharp exoskeleton slicing through the mist as it approached.

Just as the spider’s leg closed in on Pereyti’s abdomen,

“This is what makes those knights troublesome.”

A green barrier expanded before his eyes.

The spider’s leg, thrust outwards, collided with the green barrier. The barrier rippled with an incredible impact, yet its stability remained intact.

“He charges forward without a second thought.”

Martinez appeared by Pereyti’s side, clicking his tongue.

Relaxing slightly, Pereyti revealed a toothy grin.

“You’re from the Protectors’ School, I see!”

“Enough chatter, focus on fighting. There’s no need to drag this out with just one opponent.”

With that said, more people emerged, cutting their way through the sea of spiders.

“Captain! Are you alright?”

“Matteo has gone to help Paolo and Antonio!”

The Knights of the cult.

“Martinez, shall we prepare the barrier?”

“Compared to what I anticipated, the number of monsters is greater than expected. I will distribute potions to the mages from the Empire as well.”

The magicians from the Magic Tower and the Empire.

And,

-FLAAAM!

The creature staggered back as flames erupted from the air, having lost its leg.

Camila, who leapt off the golem, glared at the monster.

“Superhero landing!”

“Please stop with that nonsense.”

The battle unfolding from the secluded Rift was approaching its conclusion.