Chapter 61: Continuous Battles

Resuming the journey, leaving behind the giant's remains, we sensed movement in the darkness behind us. Although something stirred in the shadows, its form remained elusive. Well, imagination works even when sight fails, and perhaps it's better not to see.

After a while, we held a brief strategy meeting. Zeigt issued instructions.

"Stay close to the carriage from now on. If something attacks, focus on defense. No need to charge forward like earlier. I'll take care of it."

Of course, we had no objections.

The area where the giant appeared earlier seemed to be our limit, excluding Zeigt. We gathered even closer around the carriage. Ideally, the two women should be inside, but Eilia promptly refused.

"I can protect myself. Besides, if something happens and I can't heal immediately, it'll be too late."

Forcing Gina to enter alone was difficult in this situation.

"I'll cover you, sis."

Comba said with an oddly enthusiastic voice. Well, Comba's equipment was surprisingly luxurious for a beginner. Unless something drastic happened, instant death seemed unlikely.

With the plan set, Zeigt, wielding his unsheathed greatsword, urged the horse forward. The carriage followed about twenty paces behind. The carriage driver's face, gripping the reins, was tense. If something occurred, lifting the seat created a refuge for one person. Yet, if there was no time to escape, it would be futile, and the refuge might not avoid becoming a coffin.

The same applied to Tiana. If Zeigt fell, the chances of the remaining members escaping were slim. If we had reached the deepest part, we could potentially race the carriage towards the exit, but that was a risky gamble.

Should I have left Tiana with Norn? However, knowing Dennis was there... No time to dwell on pointless thoughts. Something unpleasant floated in the halo of light from the carriage—a creature the size of a calf, with strands of meat fibers hanging from its brain-like appearance. The pale pink brain trembled as it floated towards us.

"Be careful. I'll use lightning magic."

Eilia's warning accompanied yellow sparks running across the brain's surface, which contracted. Arrows of light shot towards Zeigt in the air. A loud sound echoed as Zeigt intercepted them with his sideways-held greatsword.

As the horse moved forward, Zeigt swiftly cleaved the brain in passing. It splattered transparent liquid while falling to the ground. Zeigt, guiding the horse with the reins, scanned the surroundings in a circular motion.

"It seems to be just one. Let's keep going."

Passing by the brain, a nauseating smell lingered. We hurriedly moved on, Gina looking pale.

"Hey, Gina, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"But your complexion doesn't look good."

"I'm just a bit shocked. I didn't have time to cast a defensive spell as quickly as before."

"That's true. It's a matter of starting the incantation the moment you see it."

However, Zeigt was an extraordinary person to withstand magic with a sword. The plan was probably to let the enemy cast and then counterattack. Of course, it wasn't an ordinary sword. My shortsword was decent for a beginner, but it couldn't withstand magic. Yes, I should ask Eilia for more details about that monster later.

Time passed without encountering anything else. How far had we come? Something reflected light in the distance, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Gina, get down!"

Pulling out my shortsword, I ran forward, shouting. Several scimitars danced in the air, twisting and turning. Zeigt shouted with determination, breaking several with his greatsword. Most clung to Zeigt, but a few flew towards us.

"Comba, shout!"

"What should I say?"

"Anything. Just repeat the last line loudly!"

Comba followed instructions, yelling amidst the dancing scimitars.

"What should I say..."

The dancing scimitars, known as Dancing Scimitars, battered Comba just as expected.

"Whoa, what is this?!"

Comba swung his battle axe recklessly, but even if it hit, it merely bounced off. I focused on breaking the scimitars around Comba. Ding! The high-pitched sound echoed as the scimitars fell to the ground. Zeigt, having cleared the ones around him, rushed over, helping me dispose of the remaining few.

"Gina, you can stand up now."

Gina stood up, brushing off the dust from her clothes. When I forced myself to look away from the noticeable sway through her loose clothes, Gina asked.

"What on earth was that?"

"Some crazy guy enchanted scimitars to move autonomously. They attack when they sense a person and respond well to sound. Probably aimed at shooting down the rear guard casting spells. Scimitars are good for cutting skin, but against metal armor, they bounce off. Oh, Comba, are you okay?"

"I was surprised, but I'm fine. If I had been told earlier, I could have reacted better."

"We didn't know what would come out. Well, that's enough. Thanks to you attracting them, both Gina and Eilia are safe."

Descending again, after a while, the road became flat, turning into an uphill slope. Halfway there. Glancing ahead, two figures in steel armor came into view. The carriage advanced a bit and stopped. The head of the approaching opponent entered the halo of light. A grotesque helmet caught my eye, and I groaned.

"Seriously..."

"Hurry back as soon as possible. Endure until then."

With a tense voice, Zeigt kicked the horse and charged forward. One half of the split enemies rushed towards us. Zeigt began a duel with the monster with a bull's head—a Horsehead. Clad in tight armor and skilled with a sword, it was a formidable opponent. When we encountered it before, even two skilled warriors struggled. This was bad. Comba shot a fleeting glance at Gina and stepped forward. But before I could do anything, the Horsehead's long sword effortlessly severed Comba's arm.