Chapter 82

The Failure Alchemist of the Royal Capital

Dire Wolf Battle #

Our country’s capital is located toward the northern centre of the territory, and to the north of it, there are towering rocky mountains. Their peaks are so high that they remain snow-covered throughout the year. These mountains provide various mineral resources, supporting our country’s economy. For example, the sericite and zinc we used when developing the “New White Powder” are among these blessings.

And at the foot of the mountains, there are many untouched forests, which have become habitats for magical beasts.

As we travelled along the highway, passing by the forests with horses and sacred beasts, we admired the towering mountains and forests as part of the scenery.

In the northwest direction we’re heading, the tall spire of the Sage’s Tower peeks out from behind the trees in the forest. That’s our first destination.

“Just be cautious when passing near the forest; there’s a high chance of encountering magical beasts,” Marc, the heavy warrior, explained the precautions for our journey as he led the way on his horse.

“…Speaking of which!”

Just as the road cuts through the forest, a group of wolf-like magical beasts emerged from within with rustling sounds. We halted and prepared to defend ourselves.

“Direwolves. They’re not individually strong, but they tend to group together, so be careful. Let’s go!”

“Ice Storm!”

I aimed to immobilise them with ice magic in the initial strike. Just as my father taught me!

As a result, half of the pack’s legs froze, rendering them immobile.

“Alright, nice assist! Let’s go, Letia, Rein!”

Following Marc’s lead, the three of us headed towards the wolves that weren’t immobilized.

Marc wields a halberd, a weapon for heavy warriors known as a “spear-axe.” Its tip is thin and pointed like a spear, with a large axe head on one side and a sharp spike called a pick on the other. Marc skillfully utilizes its shape, slashing at the wolves’ necks while riding his horse, or using the axe head to snap their necks.

Letia wields a slender longsword. With adept horsemanship, she dodges the wolves’ attacks, pinpointing vulnerable spots or restraining their movements, such as legs, with precise strikes.

But what’s truly impressive is Rein. From atop Leon, she swings a massive hammer with one hand, striking the wolves’ heads with force. Then, she switches hands and smashes down from above. Wow, their heads are flat! Her attacks may be the most brutal… considering what happens to the contents of their flattened heads…

I weave between the frontline fighters, attacking with magic to avoid hindering them.

“Blades of Wind!”

Vacuum blades shoot from my palms, striking the wolves and aiming for their necks.

Thanks to my childhood magic training and the “training to exhaust magic and sleep” routine, I’ve developed my own “self-defense techniques.” My stats are like this:

Speaking of which, my skill in “Green Magic” has increased, although it’s not a familiar skill. I think it’s probably influenced by the Green Spirit King. I’ve used “Thorn Whip” before, which probably falls under this skill, but even though it’s at MAX, I haven’t learned any other magic yet.

Should I have learned more from Leaf instead of just focusing on alchemy? If it’s at MAX, does that mean I can use it as long as I know it?

Also, it seems my Appraisal level has increased. But… “Titles” are increasing too… I don’t intend to become a Royal Court Alchemist. Something’s strange. And “Savior of Female Skin” as a title? Is that even a title, considering the incident with the “New White Powder”?

…Well, enough about my stats.

Eventually, after annihilating about ten of them, when Letia began storing their corpses in her magic bag as materials, we heard rustling leaves again. The sound of leaves moving low to the ground was coming towards us from within the dense bushes.

“Did they come attracted by the smell of blood, or is it the boss of this pack…?”

Letia, who thought we were done after the previous pack, clicked her tongue in annoyance.

The large shadow broke through the foliage, revealing itself. With a sharp white horn on its forehead, exposed sharp fangs, and a body several sizes larger than the other direwolves, it resembled a Fenrir. Its eyes sparkled golden. Although the direwolf is a wild beast and not a magical one…

“Did the boss of the pack turn into a magical beast…? If a guy like this is here, it could disrupt the miners’ movements. Let’s take it down! Rein and Daisy, don’t push yourselves!”

“Understood!”

“Ice Storm!”

I aimed to immobilize the direwolves again with ice magic. However, just as the magical beasts were about to freeze, they kicked with their hind legs forcefully, breaking free from the icy area. In retaliation, the leading magical beast stood on its hind legs and swung its sharp claws down at Marc. He blocked one strike with the halberd handle, but as the other claw swung down… at that moment, Letia intervened, slashing at the arm about to strike down.

While one hand was held back by Marc’s handle, the other arm was caught by Letia’s sword. The direwolf, standing on two legs, had its belly exposed and vulnerable.

“It’s all yours!”

With that, Rein tightened her grip on the hammer handle and rushed forward, forcefully hitting the direwolf’s belly. The direwolf, propelled by the force, hit a tall tree behind it, collapsing backward with a crunching sound as the tree broke along with it, landing on its back.

“Now!”

As Marc kicked off the ground and jumped high, he slammed the halberd’s axe head down onto the neck of the fallen direwolf. A jarring, unpleasant sound of something hard breaking could be heard, and the direwolf breathed its last as its neck snapped.

“Is this beast an idiot for exposing its belly?”

Even facing such a creature, Rein remained nonchalant, even calling it foolish.

…These three are too strong!

In the end, I, who proved ineffective against magical beasts, could only stare dumbfoundedly at the three of them.