The Academy’s Barbarian Chapter 227

(2)

3.

Reconnaissance report from the eastern jungle.

Particularly noteworthy information in Sven’s story was broadly divided into three categories.

First of all, hundreds or thousands of undead rose up from under the ground by beings wearing animal masks.

“If it’s an animal mask… … .”

“These are the guys I saw in the battle earlier.”

A monster in a snake mask and a buffalo mask.

Cadel frowned as he recalled the monsters that boasted powerful abilities. Ian also muttered with a serious look on her face.

“It’s surprising that he is strong enough to move in the master’s domain, but he also has the ability to summon the undead… … .”

“What on earth is it?”

Laurea also had a puzzled expression. On the other hand, there was no particular reaction from Ulan and Noah. Because I knew his identity.

However, since there was something to explain before revealing this, I chose to remain silent for now. Also, Sven’s reconnaissance report isn’t finished yet.

“The second unusual thing was that there were human wizards moving together with the monsters.”

“A human wizard?”

“Yes, he was wearing a gray robe.”

A human wizard in gray robes who moves with monsters. With just this one word, his group figured out the identity of the other person.

“… … Abyss worshiper.”

Delia muttered lowly.

Cadel and Ian also nodded.

This was because before coming here, he had already fought against the Abyss Cultists.

“Then we can roughly guess the identity of the monsters wearing animal masks.”

Abyss worshipers do not move with normal monsters. Because they are only interested in things related to the abyss.

At a time when people were assuming that they were monsters from the abyss, Sven’s third report followed.

“The last peculiar thing is that unidentified monsters appear in the jungle.”

“What kind of monster is it?”

“It was a giant eyeball swimming in the air, and it was a monster that was difficult to find a special weakness.”

Immediately after the last report.

The expressions of Ulan and Noah, who had always been calm, changed in an instant. This is because there was something to be guessed from the report that it was an eyeball.

Meanwhile, Cadel nodded as if he knew what monster Sven was talking about.

“He’s the one who attacked you back then.”

“Yes, that’s right. What’s special about it is that it uses intangible attacks whose presence and trajectory are difficult to see with the naked eye.”

A huge eyeball floating in the air.

It is difficult to find weaknesses and uses intangible attacks. Based on the information provided so far, Ulan and Noah were certain of the monster’s identity.

‘Lacus’ family.’

6th in monarch order.

The howling eyes of the abyss, Lacus.

All of the peculiarities that Sven just mentioned were consistent with the abilities possessed by Lacus’ descendants.

‘That means… … .’

This means that Lacus has also come out into the world.

In order for subordinates to move around, they must receive abyssal magic power from their master.

‘This isn’t the only problem.’

If Astevan and Lacus had left the Abyss, there was a high possibility that the only remaining Lord of the Abyss, the Giant King Largtan, would have done the same.

All other monarchs have left the Abyss, so there is no reason to remain in the Abyss alone.

‘In other words, assuming the worst situation, it is safe to say that all the monarchs have come out.’

After guessing up to this point.

Noah’s expression became serious.

It was natural. There were more than a dozen years left until the gates of the abyss were opened, and it was unthinkable that the monarchs would already be moving.

On the other hand, Ulan’s reaction was different.

“That’s better.”

Unlike Noah, who was stiff with tension and fear, Ulan raised the corners of his mouth and grinned. Noah asked back in an absurd tone.

“yes? “What do you mean it’s going well?”

“Because you don’t have to wait for the door to open, you just destroy whatever you find.”

An extremely simple and clear answer.

However, I couldn’t refute it. Ulan has a record of defeating a total of three monarchs so far.

So, around that time I smiled awkwardly.

Suddenly, someone tugged on her collar.

“Noah.”

A familiar voice was heard next.

What soon came into view was a girl with the appearance of a young Perticia. She was the spirit of the abyss.

The spirit that secretly appeared opened its mouth and pointed in the direction of the jungle.

“The magic power of the abyss is growing.”

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

“I mean it literally.”

The spirit explained in a calm tone.

A story about how the magic power of the abyss felt in the heart of the jungle suddenly expanded rapidly.

“So be careful.”

After saying that it wouldn’t be strange if it exploded right away, the spirit disappeared. Then Ulan tilted his head.

“What did you want to say?”

“well. I’m fine too… … .”

Noah also had a puzzled expression.

To summarize what the spirit said, all it said was that the magic power of the abyss was expanding as if it would explode, so be careful.

“But since you came out and warned me, I’m sure something will happen.”

“Well, I agree with that.”

Ulan and his party have already killed three members of the immortal family, including the priest Khafrae, whom they killed on the way to Sulfern.

There was no way Astevan wouldn’t have known since his family, who were like his limbs, had disappeared. There was definitely a high possibility that he was plotting an evil plan in some way.

The two closed their mouths and looked intently in the direction pointed by the Spirit of the Abyss.

Meanwhile, around that time.

On the other side, they were discussing what to do next based on Sven’s reconnaissance report.

“How about sending a punitive force?”

“yes? “You mean in the jungle?”

“That’s right. “Now that the walls have collapsed, the Battle of Fortress will no longer have any meaning.”

The leader of the Holy Knights was the first to call for the dispatch of a punitive force. Then the head of the Inquisitors also supported his opinion.

“I agree. “If we do not eliminate the fundamental cause of the undead, a meaningless war of attrition will continue.”

“Still, in this situation, the punitive force… … .”

Laurea, on the other hand, was reluctant.

Of course, I fully understood the desire to eliminate the culprit of the attack as quickly as possible.

‘But what if a large-scale attack like before continues while the punitive force is gone?’

The result will be as obvious as fire.

Schulfern will be annihilated, and all remaining soldiers will turn into undead. So, it was a time when I could not readily agree to sending a punitive force.

“I also agree to subjugation.”

Someone raised their hand.

Paladin Master, Khadel Dune Shanktus.

He looked at Laurea with a surprised expression and explained why he agreed to the subjugation.

“I felt an unclean power while carrying out the mission instructed by the saint earlier.”

At the time of rescuing Sven.

Cadel felt a wave of evil magic coming from the center of the jungle. Cadel, who remembered this, expressed his opinion with a stern expression on his face.

“This is just my intuition, but I have a feeling that if I don’t get rid of it as soon as possible, something very terrible will happen.”

“yes? “Is it that much?”

Laurea’s eyes widened.

It was worth it. I’ve never seen Cadel speak so strongly before.

Is that why? The story gradually progressed toward dispatching a punitive force. And Noah, who heard this, silently nodded.

‘Sending a punitive force is the right choice.’

As I said before, when dealing with the undead, a small number of elites have an advantage. At the same time, Noah remembered the owner of the unclean power mentioned by Kadel.

‘Immortal Lord, Astevan.’

The strongest person ranked first in the monarchy hierarchy.

If you want to fight him, there are two things you must know and be careful about.

First of all, the most dangerous thing is the curse of immortality.

Activates when all subordinates and minions under Asteban are injured, and if the curse is not lifted, the curse turns into undead.

‘But it’s not a big threat right now.’

Currently, Ulan has magic armor.

Moreover, Saint Laurea is with you, so even if you happen to get hurt, all you have to do is purify it with divine power.

Therefore, Noah thought of the second thing to be careful about when dealing with Astevan.

‘… … Labyrinth.’

The Lord of the Immortals is powerful enough to be called the number one in rank, but unusually, he does not want to engage in all-out war with the warriors.

So Asteban creates a dungeon or labyrinth to lure the warriors. To trap them and completely drain them of their power.

‘Among them, the labyrinth… … .’

Once trapped, it is difficult to escape.

It is also created with the magic power of the abyss, so it has an environment similar to the abyss. To be honest, it is a similar environment to Area 5 of the Fountain of Magic.

So, you must move as carefully as possible to avoid getting trapped in the labyrinth. Of course, no matter how careful you are, there are limits.

‘Because there is a moving labyrinth.’

A labyrinth that approaches without warning and swallows up the warrior party. Noah shuddered as she recalled a rare experience in her original work.

It was accompanied by a disgusted expression.

‘And one more thing.’

Apart from the precautions mentioned above, there were parts that made me feel uneasy.

The point was that Noah had never subjugated Asteban before.

‘I have subdued other monarchs at least once over several rounds… … .’

I have never subjugated an immortal lord before.

Of course, I tried many times, but I was trapped in the labyrinth of challenges and was often wiped out.

Or, even if you managed to get out of the labyrinth, there were many times when you lost the battle because you were too tired.

‘This is the same for Ulan.’

The past life that Ulan remembers is the last episode of the original game that Noah played. That’s why he also never defeated Asteban.

This is not the only problem.

Unlike their past lives, the majority of the warriors had not even faced the ordeal yet. In other words, it means that they are not ready to face the monarch.

‘So you have to prepare thoroughly.’

So that we can increase our chances of winning even a little.

To do this, you must first share information about Astevan and the labyrinth with your party.

There is a difference as big as heaven and earth between fighting without knowing anything about the enemy and fighting without knowing anything about it.

‘But the problem is… … .’

The question is ‘how’ to talk about this.

If Ulan and Laurea were the only ones present, they would have said it right away. Because they both know that Noah is a player.

On the other hand, others do not know the secret of Noah and Ulan. So, in order to say this, we must first reveal the secret.

‘Ugh, what should I do?’

Should I reveal a secret right here?

Or is there a way to tell the story without revealing the secret right away?

At the time Noah was holding his head and thinking about it, the group’s conversation about subjugation was coming to an end.

“So you’re saying Schulfern is giving up?”

“Yes that’s right. “Now that the walls have collapsed, there is nothing more we can do.”

Milena nodded.

As mentioned earlier, Schulfern lost its advantage as a fortress because all its walls collapsed. Accordingly, Milena chose refuge rather than resistance.

“It would be wiser to move to Murka and prepare for the second attack.”

“Uhm, then…” … .”

Laurea’s concerns are disappearing.

In other words, it is okay to form a punitive force.

After all the conversation was over, the group was largely divided into two. That was the evacuation procession led by Milena and the punitive force that included the warriors.

However, according to Laurea’s orders, the Holy Kingdom’s troops were not a punitive force, but were tasked with escorting the evacuation procession heading to Murca. It was to prepare for an unexpected attack.

“We’ll just leave now.”

“May the protection of the Holy Spirit be with you.”

The commander of the knights and the leader of the heresy inquisitors bowed their heads towards the saintess and her group. Around the time I was watching the selection procession leave Schulfern.

“Okay then, let’s get ready too.”

There are a total of nine members of the punitive force.

It was a group of warriors including Laurea, Noah, and Paladin Master Cadel.

They had originally planned to depart as soon as Milena’s rearguard left Schulfern.

But suddenly things went wrong.

“Hey, enemy attack! Enemy attack!”

“Darkness comes from the jungle!”

The cries of soldiers came from nowhere.

Darkness is coming? The group, not understanding what he meant, immediately looked in the direction of the jungle.

And that moment.

Everyone’s expressions hardened.

“… … !?”

As the soldiers said, a pitch-black fog could be seen rolling in from the jungle.

However, no response was taken.

As soon as I realized that darkness was coming, it was already right around the corner.

Some time after that.

Darkness engulfed Schulfern.

Chapter 52. labyrinth

fantasy,