"Beastmen. So the reports were true," Arthur remarked, acknowledging the accuracy of the intelligence they had received.
He then ordered his two companions to press on, believing that more beastmen were likely lurking in the area.
Their mission was clear: to obliterate these threats before they could cause further harm.
Continuing their patrol through the marshes, they no longer moved cautiously, aware that the earlier noise of their battle would have alerted any nearby beastmen.
They quickened their pace, swords at the ready for whatever might come next.
Soon enough, they encountered another group of beastmen lying in wait for them. Wasting no time, Arthur charged forward, his sword blazing with magical fire.
He launched into the fray, taking on the beastmen with fierce determination and skill. This aggressive approach showcased Arthur's bravery and capability as a Vanguard.
Arthur effortlessly dispatched the surrounding beastmen with his exceptional speed and skill.
Despite the size and weight of his sword, his attacks were swift and precise, leaving little opportunity for the beastmen to react or counter.
Inspired by Arthur's extraordinary abilities, Sir Troy and Sir Luis also stepped up their game, determined not to fall behind in the fight against the remaining beastmen.
Together, they effectively cleared the area of the threat.
After the intense skirmish, Arthur checked on his companions and was relieved to find that they had sustained no injuries.
A silent signal between them was all that was needed to resume their patrol through the marshes.
They soon came across a village enclosed by a wooden fence, seemingly off-limits.
Without hesitation, Arthur kicked down the barrier with a powerful blow, allowing them to enter the village.
Upon entering the unknown village, Arthur and his companions were taken aback to find that the beastmen inside wielded not axes, but old staves, from which they launched magic bullets.
Though surprised, Arthur quickly dodged the incoming spells with ease. Sir Luis and Sir Troy sought cover among the trees to avoid the barrage of spells.
Arthur intensified his pace, strategically targeting the spellcaster beastmen who were shielded by the axe-wielding ones.
He skillfully utilized his sword in his right hand while casting fire bolts with his left, a testament to his Chyrum blessing and his adeptness as a trained Vanguard capable of multitasking in combat.
As he parried attacks from multiple adversaries, Arthur managed to eliminate the spellcasters. Seeing this, Sir Luis and Sir Troy emerged from their cover to join him in combatting the remaining beastmen.
Their coordinated effort, led by Arthur's exemplary skills, showcased their effectiveness as a team and their ability to adapt to unexpected challenges in battle.
Having triumphed in their battle against the beastmen, Arthur and his team knew their mission was far from over.
Sensing that something more significant was at play, Arthur paused to take a mana potion from his pocket.
Although he hadn't sustained any physical injuries, the use of Chyrum's blessing and spells had drained his mana reserves.
Not being a full-fledged Zodiac like his brother Artemis meant that the use of these magical skills consumed a substantial amount of Arthur's mana.
The potion was necessary to replenish his energy and maintain his ability to wield the powers granted by the Chyrum blessing effectively.
This moment highlighted the limitations Arthur faced due to his partial Zodiac status and his reliance on external sources like mana potions to sustain his magical abilities.
Arthur sensed an unusual presence near the bridge they were crossing as they continued their patrol.
The silence that enveloped the area beyond the bridge was eerie, devoid of any signs of enemies. But suddenly, more spellcasters emerged. This time, however, there was no cover available for Arthur and his team.
"My Lord," one of the soldiers warned Arthur, indicating they were trapped by enemies on all sides.
"I'm working on it," Arthur replied, quickly assessing the situation for a viable solution.
It was peculiar; these beastmen seemed to exhibit a level of intelligence not typically associated with their kind. Usually mindless brutes that attacked relentlessly, they now appeared to be executing a strategic plan.
Scanning the surroundings for any anomaly in the beastmen's behavior, Arthur's gaze landed on a figure atop a ruined old house.
There stood what appeared to be the leader of the beastmen, holding a large horn and with a notably oversized head, seemingly issuing signals and commands to the other beastmen.
Recognizing the need to take down the leader to disrupt the beastmen's organized defense, Arthur quickly formulated a strategy.
However, the beastmen were fiercely protective of their leader, and their combat skills had significantly improved.
They were no longer just mindlessly swinging axes or casting random spells; their movements were calculated and coordinated.
To safeguard his companions from harm, Arthur cast a flame shield barrier around Sir Luis and Sir Troy.
He instructed them to focus on the spellcasters first, while he would handle the skilled beastmen. Each of Arthur's sword swings was enhanced with fire, adding extra force to his attacks.
The beastmen they faced were resilient, not easily felled by ordinary sword strikes.
Arthur was intensely focused, expertly parrying and striking with heightened alertness. He ensured not to let any beastmen break through to Sir Troy and Sir Luis, who were busy engaging the spellcasters.
This tactical approach displayed Arthur's leadership and skill in combat, effectively managing the battlefield and protecting his team while taking on the most formidable opponents.
Exhausted from their intense combat with the beastmen, Arthur and his companions emerged victorious, albeit not unscathed.
Sir Troy sustained a minor injury to his shoulder, and Sir Luis had several cuts, but they were still in fighting condition after successfully annihilating their enemies. Only the beastmen leader remained.
They thought they could easily defeat the leader now that he was alone, but he blew powerfully into his large horn, emitting a red light that seemed like a signal from his head. Suddenly, the ground shook violently, and the house where the leader stood collapsed, revealing an enormous beastman, almost as tall as a two-story building, wielding a massive hammer.
"Shit! He's invited a friend!" Sir Luis exclaimed in shock, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow from the gigantic beastman's hammer.
The situation escalated quickly, presenting a new, formidable challenge that required quick thinking and strategy to overcome.
Arthur and his team now faced a beast of immense size and strength, making the battle far more dangerous and complex than before.