Spahn and Robert, the most skilled knights, stationed themselves with Duwei. Spahn had resolved to prioritize the young master's safety above all else, even if it meant failing the mission. The consequences of harm befalling the firstborn son of the Empire's second-in-command would ruin his career. Capturing the magical beast had become a secondary concern.
Duwei's group, with its forty-strong force, included thirty elite Rowling guards and ten of Spahn's best archers. Spahn even gifted Duwei a prized military crossbow, recognizing the young master's likely lack of archery skills, to enhance his safety.
Thus equipped, the party ventured into the mountains. Three squads diverged, taking separate paths up the slopes, each equipped with signaling devices resembling flares. They agreed to converge at Half-Horn Valley's central region if a magical beast was sighted.
Encircled by his heavily armed escorts, Duwei entered the mountains with an air of obliviousness—or deliberate feigned ignorance—about the burden he placed on his companions. His squad fanned out into a fan-shaped formation, scanning for signs of the beast, while Robert and Spahn remained steadfastly at his side.
Local hunters had first detected the magical beast near a small southern village, where tracks in the forest floor led them to believe a large animal had wandered into the area. A group of experienced trackers ventured into the woods, only to retreat upon spotting the luminous creature, a clear indication it was no ordinary animal. The hunters reported the sighting to the city's garrison, describing the beast as lion- or tiger-sized and glowing faintly.
As they pressed onward, Duwei dismounted alongside the others, soldiers taking point to scout the path. Every step he took had been cleared of hazards, to the point where not even a rabbit could startle him. Finding the precautions excessive, Duwei grew bored, his gaze wandering over the dense forest and chirping birds. Turning to Spahn, who seemed visibly tense, Duwei asked with a faint smile, "Sir Knight Spahn, have you ever encountered a magical beast?"
Caught off guard, Spahn hesitated before replying. "Yes, young master. During my four years with the northern Imperial Storm Corps stationed near the Icebound Forest, we frequently patrolled areas known for magical beast activity. Fortunately, we only encountered lower-tier creatures near the forest's edge. We never dared venture deeper, as the more formidable beasts resided there."
"What do these creatures look like?" Duwei asked.
Spahn explained, "Magical beasts are essentially animals imbued with innate magical abilities, making them significantly more formidable than ordinary predators. They're dangerous because their magical instincts allow them to attack in unpredictable ways."
Duwei pressed further, "Have you ever personally slain one?"
Spahn flushed slightly. "No, young master. As a mere second-rank knight at the time, I lacked the skills to take one down alone. However, during a patrol, my squad encountered a Storm Wolf—a creature unique to the Icebound Forest. Its speed outmatched arrows, and its fur could crystallize into armor-like hardness. It unleashed cutting wind blades with its howl, making it exceptionally difficult to defeat. We lost four comrades in the fight, and only through great sacrifice did our captain sever its tail, its source of power."
The story continued as the party advanced, each member sharing their tales and thoughts on magical beasts. Amid their exchanges, Duwei couldn't help but note the unease growing among his protectors. Though no traces of the magical beast had yet been found, the presence of such a creature in an ordinary forest remained a disturbing anomaly.
Du Wei sighed softly, casting a glance at Solskjaer beside him.
Both knew that magicians rarely hunted magical beasts for profit. Yet, the allure of magical cores—essential ingredients for spellcasting—was undeniable.
As Spann spoke, he slashed away a protruding branch with his sword, laughing lightly. "Young Master Du Wei, you needn't worry. By the usual pattern, the larger a magical beast is, the less dangerous it tends to be. The one we're facing shouldn't be too formidable. With me… and Sir Robert here, we'll make sure no harm befalls you."
Du Wei nodded but remained noncommittal. Instead, his gaze fell on Robert, who had been silent all along. "And you, Robert? Have you ever hunted a magical beast?"
Robert's expression grew solemn. After a pause, he brushed aside his thick curls, revealing a shocking scar on his neck—a piercing wound, as if something had once stabbed viciously through one side and out the other. Though old, the injury's raw redness betrayed the severity it had once held.
"This," Robert said in a low tone, "was left by a magical beast. Years ago, I ventured into the 'Sunset Swamp' in the South. There, my group encountered a pack of griffins."
The revelation drew audible gasps from Spann, Solskjaer, and even Jolin, trailing behind. Spann exclaimed, "A pack of griffins? By the heavens, how did you survive?"
"Griffins? Are they that formidable?" Du Wei asked.
Shaking his head, Solskjaer explained, "Formidable doesn't begin to describe them. Griffins are flying magical beasts, widely regarded as some of the most troublesome outside of legendary creatures. They're roughly the size of an eagle but roar like lions. Their feathers are as hard as steel, their talons can shred through armor, and their beaks can snap a knight's sword in two. What's worse, their flight makes them nearly untouchable, and their feathers render them impervious to most arrows. Their cries can incite terror, and stronger ones may even cause disorientation."
"Mental magic attacks?" Du Wei took a sharp breath.
"Precisely. But the real danger lies in their nature—they're the only magical beasts known to live in packs. In the swamps of the South, even small armies retreat when faced with these creatures. A coordinated assault from the sky by a pack of griffins is nearly impossible to fend off."
Jolin, staring at Robert's scar, asked hesitantly, "How did you survive?"
"I thought I was dead for sure," Robert admitted. "Half of our group perished. A griffin's talon pierced my neck. But we found refuge in a hollow tree deep in the swamp. Its narrow entrance negated their aerial advantage, and we held out for an entire day until the griffins left. Later, a rescue team from my family arrived, and I barely escaped with my life."
His voice darkened as he added, "But my younger brother wasn't so lucky. He too was clawed in the neck, but his head… was taken clean off."
Du Wei's heart sank. "Robert, I'm sorry. I didn't know…"
"It's nothing." Robert forced a faint smile. "It was years ago. As knights sworn to serve, we are prepared to sacrifice our lives for our family at any moment."
His words commanded silent reverence from the group, even Jolin stealing a second glance at the knight. Yet, she soon raised a question. "Sir Robert, Sir Spann, I have a concern."
"What is it, Lady Jolin?" Spann asked with a touch of respect.
Jolin spoke slowly, "Magical beasts typically inhabit forests at the continent's edges, where magical energy is abundant—places like the Frozen Forest of the North or the Sunset Swamp of the South, rich with magical plants or minerals. But Half-Horn Hill is just an ordinary forest, filled with mundane maples and pines. There's no magical vegetation or special minerals here. Doesn't the sudden appearance of a magical beast strike you as strange?"
Spann and Robert halted, their expressions growing serious. Even Solskjaer frowned, lost in thought.
"Jolin, how do you know so much about magical beasts?" Du Wei asked.
"I've had my share of adventures and even joined mercenary groups hunting magical beasts in the Frozen Forest," she explained.
"You've ventured into the Frozen Forest?" Spann's skepticism was evident. To him, Jolin's noble title seemed more a product of her beauty than her skills. Yet, her claim startled even Robert.
"Yes, several times," Jolin replied softly.
"If what she says is true, we may need to rethink this," Robert said gravely. "A magical beast appearing here is indeed suspicious."
Spann, however, remained silent, his faint smirk betraying disbelief. To him, Jolin was no more than a pretty face, unworthy of her title.
The search continued through the afternoon, yielding no signs of the beast—no tracks, no droppings, nothing. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Spann suggested they rest for the night and return to town, resuming the search in the morning—a concession made for Du Wei's safety.
As the group paused, Du Wei approached Jolin. "I believe you," he said softly.
His words startled her.
"I know Spann doesn't," he continued, "and likely assumes you're lying. But I trust you."
Jolin's lips curved into a bitter smile.
"I trust you," Du Wei repeated, his tone unwavering. "Because I know you're a descendant of the Moon Clan. And according to an ancient text I read, Moon Clan descendants possess innate abilities. If the records are accurate, it's entirely plausible for you to have ventured into the Frozen Forest unharmed."
Jolin's shock was evident. "You… know about that?"
"Books," Du Wei said with a gentle laugh. "They're the wellspring of human knowledge. One learns much from reading."
His boyish smile belied the wisdom in his words. "You're my first honorary knight. We both have much to prove, don't we?"
Moved, Jolin bowed deeply. "Yes, my lord. I shall ensure your honor remains untarnished."
After a brief respite, Span quickly gathered his men and prepared to descend the mountain. He ordered the release of a signal to establish contact with the other two teams. It wasn't long before they received a response—one of the teams was astonishingly close to Du Wei's group, merely a mile away based on the signal's location.
The two knights immediately commanded the soldiers to form ranks and set out to rendezvous with their comrades.
They had only covered half the distance when Robert, leading at the forefront, spotted the other group waving to them in greeting. But just as relief began to set in, a piercing screech shattered the air.
From the dense forest at their flank, a massive figure burst forth with alarming speed. The creature was a flaming behemoth, its body radiating scorching heat that scorched the grass and trees in its path as it charged forward.
"A… a magical beast?!" someone cried out in panic, their voice trembling. The cry triggered a wave of alarm among the troops.
"Form ranks!" Robert's commanding voice cut through the chaos like steel. The knight had already drawn his greatsword, his tone steady and resolute. "Hold your ground! Encircle it! Don't let it escape! Archers, ready your bows! Shield-bearers to the front!"
Commands flew rapidly from Robert's mouth, his leadership quickly restoring order among the soldiers. Many of them were seasoned guards of the Rowling family, and his authoritative presence calmed their nerves.
Span, too, sprang into action, rallying the archers and ordering them to climb the trees for better vantage points.
The magical beast—a towering, flame-wreathed rhino—seemed unfazed by the mass of humans before it. Its sheer size exceeded Du Wei's expectations, resembling an elephant in stature, with a monstrous horn on its forehead and thick, rugged hide. Its hooves thundered like battering rams against the earth as it charged recklessly, emitting guttural, bone-chilling roars while flames licked hungrily at its body.
Its fiery nature made it difficult for the soldiers to corner it. The shield-bearers hesitated to block its path directly, while the archers' arrows seemed to glance off its hide without effect.
Fortunately, the beast's bulk hindered its speed. Soldiers shouted warnings as they raised their spears to intimidate it from a distance.
"Do not fear—it's just a Flame Rhino," said Jolin, her voice calm but firm. The female knight stepped protectively in front of Du Wei, her sword at the ready. Her words were directed at him, but they carried across the group. "Flame Rhinos are among the weakest magical beasts. Aside from their strength and fire, there's little to worry about. Its speed is slow, and with a few strong bows, it becomes an easy target."
Robert overheard her and immediately issued new orders: "Raise the spears! Block its advance!"
The Flame Rhino faltered as it found itself encircled by a forest of spears, its instinctive caution overriding its aggressive tendencies. It skidded to a halt, roaring in frustration before attempting to change direction. However, its sluggish speed made it vulnerable to the advancing soldiers, who quickly closed off its escape routes.
Though the arrows launched from the trees failed to cause significant harm, their sheer volume began to take a toll, with a few bolts embedding into the beast's back. Hemmed in and increasingly agitated, the rhino let out guttural bellows as its movements became more erratic.
At this moment, Sorskaya, the mage under Du Wei's command, stepped forward. He raised his hands, his robes billowing as fireballs erupted from his palms and streaked toward the beast.
A thunderous explosion followed. In the wake of the blast, flames and sparks danced wildly, forcing everyone to shield their eyes from the blinding light.
When the soldiers reopened their eyes, the Flame Rhino was gone.
Cheers erupted among the men, who assumed the mage's power had vanquished the beast entirely. Yet, among the jubilant crowd, Sorskaya wore a puzzled expression.
"Gone?" he muttered under his breath. "But fireball spells don't leave nothing behind, not even a corpse."
The knights, Robert and Span, shared a grim look. Their understanding of magical beasts made the situation far more ominous.
Before Robert could issue a warning, Du Wei voiced the question on everyone's mind: "Jolin, do magical beasts vanish entirely upon death?"
"No," Jolin replied with a frown. "This… this isn't normal. I've never seen anything like it."
Suddenly, from the spot where the Flame Rhino had vanished, a pillar of blue fire erupted skyward. A sharp, piercing howl followed—a sound unmistakably lupine.
From within the azure flames emerged a giant wolf, its fur a crystalline frost-blue that shimmered like ice. The beast moved with terrifying speed, its claws gleaming like razors.
Chaos erupted once more as the wolf lunged, its movements a blur. Several soldiers cried out in agony as its claws tore through their ranks.
"It's a Storm Wolf!" Span's voice trembled with a mixture of awe and dread. "This beast… it's even more dangerous than the Flame Rhino!"
Du Wei stared, his mind racing. Magical beasts transforming upon death? This defied all logic.
As the battle intensified, the crystalline wolf unleashed a devastating wind blade, shattering shields and scattering soldiers like leaves in a storm.
Du Wei turned to Jolin, his voice low but urgent: "Do magical beasts… evolve upon death?"
"No, Master," Jolin responded gravely, her sword raised. "What we're facing is beyond normal comprehension. This is no mere magical beast—it's something entirely unknown."
The battle continued to escalate, the Storm Wolf proving nearly impervious to conventional attacks. It dodged Robert's strikes with supernatural agility, even as he wielded his greatsword imbued with silver combat energy.
Span's spear, hurled with precision, managed to stagger the beast, but its crystalline hide deflected the blow. The wolf retaliated with ferocious speed, injuring multiple soldiers before retreating momentarily to recover.
With the soldiers regrouping, Sorskaya unleashed another volley of fireballs. While the explosions slowed the wolf down, they failed to subdue it completely.
Robert, seizing an opportunity, targeted the beast's tail—a known weak point. His strike landed true, severing the appendage.
Yet, as the tail fell to the ground, it disintegrated into light, just as the wolf's body followed suit moments later.
The beast had vanished again.
Du Wei shouted, "Stay alert! It's going to transform again!"
But before anyone could react, a thunderous roar echoed from the horizon—a sound deep and guttural, like a lion's.
Then came another, and another, the air thick with the deafening chorus.
The soldiers turned their gazes skyward, their faces draining of color. A vast swarm of creatures descended from the heavens, their leonine roars mingling with the beating of enormous wings.
"Griffins!" Robert's voice cracked with despair. "A flock of Griffins!"
The winged predators swept down with ruthless efficiency, their claws tearing through soldiers as chaos erupted anew.
The skies darkened with their sheer number, and the battlefield became a blood-soaked nightmare.
Jolin pushed Du Wei to the ground, shielding him as the griffins unleashed their fury.