" Alright 90 beast to go ", Eduard muttered, seeing the count of the beast they hunted.The red eyed wolf was the seventh beast that they encountered during their hunt.
The knights with him was already worn out and taking a rest to regain their energy.
During his fight with the red eyed wolf. He requested the knight to let him take it solo. They were only allowed to interfere if he is in danger.
His Knight complied to his request and move to the side. They are observing his battle and preparing themselves to rescue. Afraid that he will be in danger in any moment.
At the end, they are shock to the capability of Eduard to parry the wolf. Even though the wolf was already a six tier iron level beast. It didn't gain any advantage during the battle. The most eye catching only is its speed that was hard to follow by the naked eye even for an eight tier knight.
But the most outstanding, is the stance of Eduard in the battle. They notice that he was having a hard time keeping up to the movements of the wolf. But, instead of following it by his naked eyes, he relied on feeling the killing intent from it's attack.
Only Eduard keep his sword near his body to respond quickly in attack from any direction.
After the battle, they still have a look of disbelief to Eduard. Respect flow through them from the bottom of their heart. They are thinking that if it was them, they would suffer a wound from battling that wolf.
Eduard was taking his sword from the ground when a sound of footstep ring on his ears. The footstep was rushing to his direction from the middle of the forest.
Suddenly, the source of footstep appeared. Eduard saw a beast man girl. She is beautiful like a goddess, she has ears of a fox and reddish eyes like a ruby.
Eduard was charmed by the beauty of the girl. A few moments later, he suddenly raise his sword, he pointed the sword to the fox girl.
The knights by his side also move near him. They surrounded him.
"You stay there, state your business and why did you run here".
Roxy who was having a hard time to speak and catching her breath suddenly kneel.
" Please help me, I need your help".
Eduard was surprised to the action of Roxy. He notice that she was very tired and already breathing heavily. Her body looks worn out.
"Tell me your name and why should I help you"
Eduard still keep his vigilance to the girl even though she is visibly worn out. This is still the East forest, it is hard to trust anyone especially this girl from the other race.
"I am Roxy young master. I came from the fox tribe. Please young master, I need your help, I beg you. My father and I was hunt down by two mercenary from the beast man race. During our scape, my father could not keep up and decided to stop running and face the two mercenary. I was the only one who was able to scape, because he buy time for me".
Eduard heard the explanation of Roxy. He take a pity for her and wanted to help her out. When he was about to tell her, the system panel suddenly opened on his sight.
[Mission: Help the fox girl (Roxy) to save her father] [Reward: Smithing Manual ( superior) ]
Seeing the announcement, Eduard was glad to see the reward.
' with this Smithing Manual I can nurture a smith to my territory, I have to complete this'.
Immediately, the excited Eduard face Roxy.
"Quickly, tell me where is your father. We will save him"
Roxy was delighted to hear the response of Eduard. She point the location and immediately started to run.
But Roxy suddenly falls on the ground, her feet was strained from long time running. Tears appeared again in her eyes.
'Come on, not right now, please stand up'
Roxy said on her feet while trying to stand up. Suddenly, she feels Eduard hand was wrap around in her body.
He lift her up in a princess carry position.
" Quick tell me where is the direction. I'll carry you."
Roxy was tranced but she immediately get her composure and point the direction.
Looking at the direction pointed by Roxy, Eduard started to run.
The knights by his side also follow, they are wondering of why their Lord was rushing to help the girl. They are thinking if their Lord was captivated by the beauty of the box that's why he help her.
On the other side, Vic and Marlon was returning their sword on its sheath. "Damn, this fox guy is a pain in the ass. The girl was already far away from here". Marlon Grumpily said
Vic suddenly look to the direction where Roxy had run.
"Don't worry Marlon, she can't run that far. The direction where she is heading to, is the territory of human. She know her ends, if she run on that place. Beside, she also lacked of stamina to run anymore, so she is probably resting somewhere on the way she pass through".
They started to follow the tracks of Roxy. They left her father who is lifeless, lying on the ground. He is bleeding with a slash of sword on his chest and back.
After having quite a distance from the place where they fought Roxy father, they met the group of Eduard.
Eduard on the other side was also looking vigilantly to the two. He knows that this two beast man was Roxy pertaining that chasing them
"Knights take down this two, don't keep them alive" he ordered to his knights.
Looking at the two, they are only on the fifth and sixth tier of iron Level. He put Roxy on the ground.
"Just stay here, I will take down this two immediately"
Eduard rush to the direction of Vic.
Vic was busy on fighting the knight in front of him and didn't notice Eduard actions. Eduard keep his footstep silent, and make his movement faster.
Vic suddenly felt a sense of danger at his back. He wanted to dodge but he cannot do it since the knight in front overpowered him and was able to pinned him down. He only saw a sword pass through his Chest from his back. His vision suddenly turned dark.
Eduard pulled out his sword from the chest of the lifeless Vic. He look at the other knights, Marlon who was with Vic was also lying on the ground lifelessly with multiple cuts on his body. Indicating that he didn't give much a fight, to the two knights that he faced.
Eduard suddenly remember the subject of his mission and turned to Roxy side. He lift her again and immediately follow the trails of the two mercenary.
The knights also followed Eduard.
When they reach the site, they only saw a fox man laying on the ground while bathing on his Blood.
Roxy suddenly got a strength to stand up and leave Eduard embrace. She kneel on the side of the body of her father while crying.
Eduard was also cramming while having a sad expression. ' oh no, the reward. I will fail the mission ' he said in his mind.
He walk to the body and feel its pulse. " He still has a pulse" he muttered.
Roxy heard him and suddenly the tears on her eyes stop flowing.
"Please young master, help me"
Eduard on the other hand was pulling a bottle of pill from his chest.
He is taking his recovery pill. This pill was his emergency medicine and was precious. He only receive it from his sister as a gift.
Since he had no other solution, he only left with this choice. He was unwilling to let go of his reward. Also for this fox girl, as a tinge of sadness also rushed from his emotion, seeing her crying.
He put the pill on the fox man mouth. After a few second, the fox man show a sign of returning of his consciousness.
They were all glad to see that he was alive. But the wound on his chest and back only stopped bleeding. He still need a proper care.
Eduard ordered the knight to carry the man. He on the other side carry Roxy. The fox girl is still having a hard time to stand up.
Roxy didn't stop thanking Eduard and hug his body while he was carrying her.
The group decided to go home, as the forest is starting to get dark.