Chapter 39

The Gray Forest is one of the mystical realms managed by the Empire.

Legend has it that one of the twelve knights of Emperor Carolus the Great defeated a rock dragon that had trampled countless villages, finally burying it underground.

Amidst the towering trees, countless bizarre rock formations rose, blending shades of green and gray, creating a vast and rugged terrain.

Numerous caves, once hideouts for non-human species, now served as training grounds for the academy after the eradication of those species.

Standing at the forest entrance, I gazed at the majestic scenery before me.

Sunlight barely pierced through the dense canopy of giant trees, revealing massive rocky hills. Caves dotted the gray cliffs, with small creatures scurrying in and out.

A flock of crows cawed as they filled the sky, while the forest buzzed with the sounds of insects. It was terrain optimized for stealth, ambush, and escape.

“Guess they released kobolds and trolls here. Unlucky or careless folks might really end up dead.”

Before entering the forest, we took a moment to introduce ourselves. Knowing each other’s skills would at least allow for minimal coordination.

“I’ll start. Ha-shal-leur Ai-shan Gi-or. I use a longsword, dagger, and bow. Don’t expect much effort from me, though. I’ll help with trolls, but that’s about it.”

The atmosphere chilled at my blatant declaration of half-heartedness.

I had no intention of backtracking. If I fought seriously, these guys would just freeload, which wouldn’t help them in the long run. They needed to gain combat experience themselves.

“…I’m Milia. I use a short sword and a small shield. Nice to meet you.”

Milia, who had been eyeing me awkwardly, sighed and continued her introduction.

Dressed in her own armor instead of the academy uniform, she wore a leather coat with added protective gear.

“I’m Hans. I’ve got a shield, an axe, and some torches prepared for trolls.”

He was the guy who lost a finger and a rib to me. His finger seemed to have healed well, and his shield was now reinforced with steel. His axe had a small pickaxe-like addition on the back.

Wearing a padded gambeson with a crude breastplate and a large backpack, he seemed thoroughly prepared.

He avoided looking at me, perhaps still haunted by the memory of our encounter.

“I-I’m Rana! A trainee combat priestess serving Shaulite. Healing is my specialty, so leave the recovery to me!”

The pink-haired girl tried to lighten the mood with an exaggerated gesture, thumping her chest.

Dressed in orange priestess robes with Shaulite’s holy symbol around her neck, she was essentially a one-trick healer.

Her only weapon was a dagger, as she likely couldn’t handle anything more. Still, having a healer in the party was a relief, especially since potions didn’t work on me.

After the brief introductions, we grabbed the minimal supplies provided by the academy—five days’ worth of rations, a leather sleeping bag, and a small lantern—and headed into the forest.

The fact that they gave us rations probably meant there wasn’t much edible in the forest.

—

The forest interior was as dark as early evening, just before sunset. Rustling sounds came from all directions, and countless insects buzzed around. At least the air was somewhat fresh.

Hans, with his sturdy shield, took the lead, followed by Milia and Rana. I casually walked at the back.

Everyone seemed tense, gripping their weapons and glancing around nervously, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.

They didn’t need to be so jumpy. I might not help much, but I’d at least warn them if monsters approached.

“So, we’re in the forest now. What’s the plan?”

“…Let’s not wander aimlessly. We should set a goal first.”

Milia responded to my question, glancing at Hans and Rana. After a moment of thought, Hans spoke up.

“First, we need water and a place to rest. A small cave would be ideal.”

“But wouldn’t caves have monsters?” Rana asked nervously.

“If we pick a small one, there shouldn’t be trolls. Milia and I can handle the rest,” Hans reassured her.

“Just trust the lady and this old man,” Milia joked, comforting Rana.

Old man? That’s harsh. You’re probably only four years apart, though Hans does look older. Look at his face—he’s visibly sulking now.

“Water, you said? Then we should head that way.”

I pointed in the direction where I detected the scent of moisture and the faint sound of a stream.

I wasn’t planning to help much, but this much was fine. Without proper scouting skills, it’d take these guys all day to find a water source. It was easier to just guide them a bit.

Hans and Milia didn’t object, quietly following my direction.

“Other teams might’ve already taken…”

“What should I do if I’m still here…?”

Rana, looking a bit worried, quietly asked me.

Other teams?

“Does it really matter?”

“Well, um… They might try to chase away people who came here to get good grades. If they get thirsty, fighting monsters will be harder, right?”

“Against me?”

Rana shut her mouth.

Yeah. If someone dares to tell me to get lost after seeing me, they either have a tiny brain or way too much guts. One of the two.

—

On the way to the stream, we encountered a presence completely different from humans.

Small footsteps, too small for a person. Raspy breathing. The stench of beasts and wet earth.

Is this the presence of Kobolds? About ten of them, I think.

They’re huddled together, so it’s hard to tell exactly.

“Hold up, monsters are coming from the front. Small ones, about ten of them.”

“Kobolds! Milia, stay by my side!”

“Got it.”

Hearing my warning, Hans and Milia raised their weapons and stepped forward.

Forming an inverted triangle, Rana, positioned behind them, tightly gripped her dagger.

Not long after, small monsters emerged from the bushes.

Tiny, child-like stature. Hunched and scrawny greenish-yellow bodies.

Long arms that seemed to reach their calves, with disproportionately large hands and feet.

Pointy chins and drooling mouths, with long noses sticking out above. Droopy ears hung down to their shoulders.

Bulging frog-like eyes rolled around incessantly.

In their hands, they held crude and clumsy weapons.

Things like spears made of split rocks or scrap metal tied to wooden sticks.

After seeing trolls and ogres, these guys just look pathetic.

Hans raised his shield forward, and Milia lowered her stance, aiming her sword at the Kobolds.

Rana, well, she was stuck right next to me.

Eight Kobolds charged at us, chattering away.

—

As expected, they weren’t much of a threat, given their size.

They were quick, but still at the level of wild animals.

“Haap!”

One Kobold was sent flying by Hans’s shield, and another had its upper body split open by his axe, spraying a fountain of blood.

A Kobold, seizing an opening, thrust its spear, tearing through Hans’s padded armor.

The spear grazed his leg, making Hans grimace slightly as he smashed the Kobold with his shield.

With a sound like crushing an apple, the Kobold’s skull caved in as deep as the shield’s thickness.

The Kobold, with its eyeballs popping out, spewed blood and fluids from every orifice before dying.

“Yaaah!”

Milia dodged a Kobold’s spear and thrust her short sword, skewering the Kobold like a kebab.

The crude spears they swung only managed to tear her leather coat a bit.

Confident it was nothing serious, Milia moved with a smile.

Dodging the Kobolds’ attacks, sometimes deflecting them with her buckler, she stabbed any Kobold that left an opening.

Every time her short sword flashed, the Kobolds sprouted new holes, gushing red streams.

In an instant, five Kobolds had scattered their short-lived lives.

Hans and Milia charged at the remaining three.

…These guys, seems like they’ve completely forgotten what I said.

I said ten.

“Kyaaak!”

From the bushes on either side of Rana, two hidden Kobolds jumped out, thrusting their spears.

“Eek!”

Rana, startled, jerked her shoulders.

“Damn it!”

“Rana!”

Finally noticing the ambush, Hans and Milia urgently looked toward Rana.

“Idiots.”

I grabbed one Kobold’s head and kicked the other with all my might.

– Wham!

The Kobold exploded.

Scattered blood and entrails created a messy fireworks display.

The Kobold I held in my left hand struggled, so I gave its skull a little rub.

Its head shrank like a tomato, and the Kobold trembled before going limp.

I tossed it into the bushes.

“You okay?”

I shook off my hand lightly and looked at Rana.

“Yes, yes! Totally fine! Thank you!”

Rana nodded hurriedly, a tear forming at the corner of her eye.

Was she really that scared by a Kobold ambush?

With this much fear, I wonder when she’ll ever be useful.

Milia, having dealt with the remaining three, comforted Rana.

Hans was busy cutting off the Kobolds’ thumbs one by one.

From where he had been cut earlier, a shallow wound on his calf, visible through the torn padding, was bleeding.

Thanks to Milia, Rana cast a healing blessing on Hans, and soon the wound healed without a trace.

Though the torn armor didn’t fix itself.