By Zephyria 
“Hey, let’s head back!”
A shout echoed from afar.
Leonardo, who had been brushing volcanic ash off the blades of grass, looked up.
Looking back at the elongated shadows of the trees, he noticed the shadows had grown much shorter than the line he had drawn on the ground. It was a method of checking the time taught to this body by Laina’s knight. Though he already knew how to do it himself.
“I’m coming—”
He replied lightly, waving his hand. Since they had said they would move after finishing the food procurement during the morning, it seemed they had to hurry. He gathered the rusted dagger and wooden tray he had set down beside him.
On the tray were gathered collectibles such as non-toxic mushrooms and berries. There were no proteins like bird eggs, rabbits, or deer, which had been plentiful for a few days. It was a shame, but according to the Quartermaster General, they weren’t lacking since they had scraped together a lot of food recently.
With a grunt, he straightened his bent legs and stood up, and a drop of sweat clinging to the tip of his nose fell. He hadn’t sweated this much often in his life; it seemed the climate of the volcanic region was indeed grueling for anyone who wasn’t a fire mage.
Not even the sound of a small bird could be heard nearby. Usually, even in the habitats of demon beasts, birds are present because they can fly away to escape.
Yet, for the surroundings to be this silent…
‘I need to keep my wits about me.’
Perhaps it was because he had been scurrying around so much lately, but he felt his body sagging despite his will. His stamina seemed heavily depleted, as he grew short of breath with even the slightest movement. His vision repeatedly went white for a moment before returning to normal, so he hurried his steps toward the Allied Forces’ camp.
“I’m dying here. I can barely breathe.”
Bram, who had set out on the march, complained with a deep sigh. His face, which he wiped with his palm, was mottled with drenched sweat and crusty salt.
This body looked back at him and slid over a canteen with very little water left.
“Would you like some?”
Bram shook his head as if to decline.
“I have some shame, you know.”
Indeed, this wasn’t the kind of thirst that could be solved with this.
Withdrawing the offered hand, this body tilted his head back and gulped down the water. The liquid, which was beyond lukewarm and almost hot, flowed down his throat.
“Haa—”
It likely wouldn’t help much in clearing his head, but to prevent dehydration, he had to drink even if the water was boiling. This body licked his lips, reluctant to waste even the stream of water flowing down the corner of his mouth. Then, he put the rock salt provided to each person in his mouth and sucked on it.
Already, one member of the defense force and two from Laina’s army had collapsed along the way and were being carried in wagons. Since there were no empty seats left, if they didn’t leave this place quickly, some troops might have to take a detour with them. However, if that happened, the probability of survival would decrease. For if they scattered, there was only death.
Beside the precarious cliff path, the smell of sulfur wafted up. Occasionally, there were traces of boulders that had melted and flowed down at their feet. Looking down into the valley where a sizzling sound echoed, red-hot lava could be seen flowing beyond the pale steam.
Due to the stifling heat emanating from there, the speed of the procession gradually slowed. Sometimes, condensed gas exploded, shaking the ground violently, causing the startled warhorses to rampage and delaying the advance for a while.
It was then, while everyone was fighting a grueling battle both environmentally and mentally.
Tududuk—
“Huh?”
Bram paused for a moment and looked up, scanning the cliff.
This body also stopped walking and looked back at him.
“What is it?”
Bram, who had been staring intently, tilted his head while brushing off the crown of his head.
“No… something fell.”
Tuduk—
No sooner had he finished speaking than something brushed past Leonardo’s forehead. As if they weren’t the only three to feel the strangeness, the soldiers lined up in front and behind began to lift their heads one by one.
Just as they were becoming increasingly tense, fearing the rock wall might collapse,
“Landslide!”
Simultaneous with someone’s shout, the ground they stood on shook. As they all looked up, boulders the size of houses were rolling down the slope. It wasn’t just one or two. They poured down extensively over the path where the line was stretched.
The faces of the soldiers in danger of being crushed instantly turned pale. As the rear unit became suddenly chaotic, Theodore and his confidants, who were leading the way, looked back. One of the confidants, having grasped the situation, shouted thunderously.
“Stick close to the wall!”
Leonardo grabbed Bram and stood as close to the inner rock wall as possible. Other soldiers also lowered their postures and huddled in small groups. Then, a pitch-black shadow cast over them before grazing the edge of the cliff path and plummeting.
Whoosh, the boulders that fell at a terrifying speed splashed into the lava flowing in the valley. Despite the distance, red-hot debris leaped high, mixing with dust. Just as everyone watched the scene in breathless tension, a bizarre sound echoed from above. The eerie movement of creatures crawling down the slope with their claws extended.
A gloomy shriek, hinting at the cause of the falling rocks, flowed down the cliff.
‘Is it starting?’
Leonardo narrowed his eyes and guarded his surroundings. And at that moment, the King’s order fell.
“All troops, close the gaps and advance swiftly! Shield-bearers and archers to the outer side of the path, demolitionists gather at the front of the line!”
The soldiers, who were momentarily flustered by the words, immediately snapped back to their senses and began to move in an orderly fashion.
It was thanks to the repeated joint training over the past few days, during which they had memorized formations for various situations.
“Let’s see each other alive today too.”
Bram tapped this body on the shoulder and dashed forward without waiting for an answer. The demolitionists grabbed three or four pouches from the carts and gathered at the assembly point. Bram was one of them.
Inside those pouches were a mixture of flammable powder and saltpeter lumps. It was the most powerful weapon the army possessed, but because the quantity was small, only selected individuals could use it.
Meanwhile, the soldiers moved with their upper bodies bent, protecting their heads under roofs made of shields. Although this body didn’t hold a heavy responsibility, he had become capable of encouraging and leading the surrounding soldiers.
“Hurry! Move in two lines, keep the alignment!”
As the procession gradually increased its speed, the creatures obstructing the path became increasingly bold. They continued to knock over boulders and eventually rushed threateningly right before the humans’ eyes. One creature leaped over a shield from the front, opened its four-way split maw wide, and ruthlessly bit into a soldier’s neck.
“Aaaagh!”
The soldiers who were controlling them by wrapping ropes around their heads were shaken and flung in all directions. Whenever that happened, Theodore’s voice and the archers’ fire arrows flew from somewhere.
“Fire!”
Looking up at the sky briefly revealed through the gaps in the shields, arrows with flames attached to their tips poured down like rain to keep the enemies at bay. The demon beasts struck by arrows let out grotesque cries, lost their balance, and plummeted. Some humans, risking their lives to push the creatures off, were dragged down into the abyss with their limbs entangled.
As the tearing death screams of comrades echoed along the valley, agitation slowly began to spread through the line.
“H-help me!”
“Aaaagh!”
One of the defense force members swung an axe blade and severed a creature’s neck. Laina’s knights gripped their swords and moved back to provide support, but it was difficult due to the unstable ground and rugged mountain terrain. Deciding this wouldn’t do, Theodore personally surveyed the surroundings and pointed to a spot where two peaks were close together.
“Install a temporary bridge! All troops, cross without delay!”
The bridge made of woven ropes and wood was sturdy, but it was too much to move the baggage wagons and carts across. Six men, who crossed first with amazing jumping ability, installed the bridge and pulled the ropes tight on both sides so it wouldn’t shake. The soldiers quickly crossed the suspension bridge, each carrying various weapons and food bundles.
A total of three paths were prepared. Since the opposite peak had not yet been reached by the creatures’ claws, it would be relatively safe. Although a dizzying precipice and lava lurked beneath their feet, everyone tried to ignore it and moved their feet busily.
Just as the majority had successfully crossed and the tail of the line was about to cross the bridge. The demon beasts hiding in the crevices of the rock wall swarmed within close range. At that, the demolitionists who had already taken their positions lit the fuses connected to the pouches.
“Fire!”
After swinging the slings, they hurled the explosives toward the creatures as soon as the order was given.
K-BOOM—!
A sharp gale swept through the air, and a dark-red Flame Demon soared vigorously.
As a massive explosion occurred with a roar that shook heaven and earth, the demon beasts pierced by shrapnel exploded in all directions. Taking advantage of that gap, the rear of the line, who had been protecting themselves with shields below, broke through the fallen rocks and entered the bridge.
This body also safely passed through the temporary bridge and stepped onto solid ground. Then, while holding the rope with other soldiers and enduring with all his might so the remaining comrades could cross…
Crack, an ominous sound echoed, and part of a fallen rock pierced through the footboard of the temporary bridge. In the blink of an eye, the bridge twisted.
“A-aaagh—!”
As the ropes snapped, the soldiers who lost their balance fell simultaneously according to gravity. Those who couldn’t grab onto anything were swallowed in an instant by the undulating lava.