The screams of pain from the knights who couldn't avoid the attacks made Adelman's attention in protecting himself often disperse. He tries to protect as much as possible from his subordinates who have formed a group with one other person.
Slowly the black wolves that had rushed at them blindly began to be defeated one by one. In the end, there was only one left and Adelman managed to decapitate the beast in one slash.
All the knights were exhausted and also scared. Adelman couldn't stay in this forest forever. He had to bring everyone back to the fort and quickly treat almost all the injured knights.
"Is there anyone who can't move because they're injured?" asked Adelman getting closer to where the knights had fallen after the battle ended on the ground.
The knights glanced at each other to confirm the injuries each had sustained. After one of them represents to tell Adelman.
"We only received minor injuries, General!"
Adelman was relieved to hear that. "For those who still have energy, please help drag the animals out into the open so they can be burned!"
In slow motion, several knights who seemed to have only gotten a few not-very-deep claws stood up. Together they kicked, pulled, or bagged the carcass of the black wolf that had attacked earlier. All of that is collected at one point and then burned.
"FIREBALLS!" Adelman shouted, casting a spell to send a fireball at the black wolf carcass.
The fireball created by the spell instantly devoured the carcass. The smell of burning hair, skin, and flesh wafted out instantly. Adelman fired another fire spell, watching the growing flames scorch the wolf carcass.
"We'd better get away from here. The horses won't come this way!" said Adelman.
The knights sitting on the ground stood up immediately, walking around and embracing one another. Adelman accompanied them all behind. Fatigue and fear had made all of these underlings lose their guard, so being the only one who could think now had to protect them all.
Their horses, including the black Adelman warhorse, were at the end of the patch of wood where they had fought earlier. Adelman's war horse kicked and cowered knowing its master survived the battle. Just as Adelman was leading the knights, it seemed that the black one was also leading the other horses not to run further into the forest.
"Thank you for looking after them all!" said Adelman stroking his horse's black mane.
The horse neighed in response.
Adelman's knights found a stance of their own, led him into a line unconsciously, and mounted their own without so much as a word. Adelman was the last to mount his horse.
This time they all did not ride hastily. The streets looked so quiet and calm. Adelman gave no more orders to keep them on their toes. Adelman was behind the cavalry, the only clear-headed person keeping an eye on the scene.
Less than an hour later, a path that allowed the horse-drawn carriages and freight trains where they split into two groups and went in different directions came into view. It was still quite light and they would reach the fort before nightfall.
Adelman was still last in line, acting as a supervisor once they had sight of the fort.
The guards at the gate immediately shouted to open the door of the fort when they saw Adelman's group that had left this afternoon. The hastily repaired door creaked open. Gazes were full of curiosity why those who were only assigned as observers came home injured.
"General Adelman, what happened?"
Destin wasn't as fully clothed as he had let Adelman go this afternoon. It seemed the man had just been doing a drill and had news of Adelman's arrival with wounded troops.
"There is a mass of corpses to the east. The black beasts all lost their hearts. We burn to remove pollution. The rest of the troops met with--." Adelman didn't know what to call the hunchback in the robe who could control the black beasts. Humans can't possibly do that. However, if he rushed to call the hunchback the devil in the legend, there would be panic that Adelman could not control.
"Yes, General?" Destin wasn't curious.
Adelman stepped forward until he was close enough to Destin. "I wish it was human. However, no human has been able to control a black beast until recently."
Hearing the news that the general brought made Destin shocked. he glared. "General--." Just as Adelman knew about the legend, Destin also knew that what he was about to call was something dangerous. He refrained from mentioning it among the assembled knights.
"All the injured went to the healers' room to be checked. For those of you who aren't coming, please take all the horses to the stable and notify the stable keeper to check for any horses that may be injured." Destin gave the order on Adelman's behalf.
Adelman handed his sword to the maid waiting at the castle entrance. He walked unsteadily into his room. Today was tiring and confusing.
***
After dinner, Destin was summoned by Adelman to his room. The man had changed clothes and was only wearing casual clothes now. Adelman who was looking out through the window in his room quickly turned around when Destin opened the door.
"I'm going to the capital tomorrow!" Adelman said to Destin.
"I think it was a good decision General. We can't just let this go. If indeed the demons have returned, then not only us should know!" Destin added his thoughts.
Adelman closed his eyes. Demons infiltrate the body of a dead person and then interfere in life. Inevitably Adelman could not fully trust Cyril. Moreover, the young man had a vision of his death which was the impetus for him to run away.
"Destin, do you think that Cyril--the knight that ran away was one of the demons?"
Destin doesn't know. He only caught the youth a few glances before the black beast exploded. "I do not know!"
"He never died!"
The information that Destin had just heard shocked him. "Then he might indeed have been possessed by a demon. Your decision to report directly to the capital was the right choice after all!" Destin provides support.
Adelman let out a rough breath. "I'll be going with a small group! So, please make preparations for tomorrow!" Adelman ordered.
"Yes, general!" Destin lowered his head before leaving.
Adelman looked out the window again. Battle marks and black beasts were still visible everywhere. Even the main gate of the fort has only been repaired modestly. Vander Fortress had not recovered.
Adelman couldn't sleep through the night. He went to bed and lay down on the bed. However, Adelman just lay on his back for a long time. His eyes could not be closed. Worry came quickly after Destin left him.
He has hope for Cyril. The young man has potential and talent. The young man named Cyril quickly learned many things, even at one glance.
"This is not true! I should have known that I shouldn't expect much from other people!" Adelman scolded himself.
Finally, Adelman decided to go to the practice room. Lying on his back didn't make him feel any calmer. Adelman did not summon any maids. He arrived at the practice room alone. The light from the power stone planted on the ceiling illuminates the room. He took a wooden sword and for hours Adelman slashed through the air. Adelman didn't feel tired or sleepy.
"General?"
Adelman realized that he spent the night in the practice room. "Is it already morning Destin?"
His deputy Destin stood at the entrance holding a wooden sword similar to Adelman's. "Yes, General. Were you here all night?"
"I can't sleep and my mind is a little messed up. So I'm here to clear my head!" Adelman laughed. "And morning came sooner than I expected."
"Time never gets faster or slower, General! You have to be able to take care of your health!"
Destin briefly left Adelman, exiting the practice room again. When he returned Destin brought a sweat rag and handed it to Adelman. "I have appointed two knights who will go with you to the capital."
"I have to get ready now!" Adelman wiped his sweat with a rag.
He left Destin in the practice room.
Last night the passage was quite dark, so Adelman did not see the hole Cyril made when measuring his magic power. He stopped in front of the hole long enough.
"If you are part of the devil, I can not let you live Cyril!"
Adelman was quite disappointed. He had little hope of Cyril like the Crown Prince. However, as an old man Adelman knows that hopes don't always come true.
"Another horse general has been prepared for you!" The maid alerted Adelman at the entrance of his room.
Adelman nodded. There is no time to think too much and complicated now. He had to hurry to the capital and tell him about his find in the Black Forest. Whatever the king's decision will be, Adelman has no chance to be disappointed.