𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (7)
But the sea dragon seemed quite satisfied with the bait. It howled deeply and lowly. Its howl was mixed with satisfaction.
‘𝘏𝘶𝘩. 𝘐𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘪𝘵.’
Johan was surprised. Of course he thought it would work, but it was still amazing to actually see it happen.
As the beast crawled out of the sea and set its feet on the harbor’s brick walls, even the last faint glare disappeared, blurring its outline. Someone swallowed nervously in tension.
Losing sight of the monster’s position at a time like this was the most tense moment.
“Are you okay?”
“Don’t worry.”
Fortunately, among the soldiers there was Galambos. As an Eastern Ranger, Galambos was skilled at disguising scents and ambushing.
The garrison soldiers and mercenaries were on standby at their assigned positions as ordered. Just in case, they only wore dark colored armor and smeared harbor filth over it.
Galambos was confident that the monster did not notice them.
An experienced hunter can read the emotions of his prey. If anything, it seemed distracted.
“Count, it’s heading your way.”
Even without Galambos telling him, Johan had Sir Padovesi and Sir Gyrto by his side. These two knights had achieved many hunting feats with their unique abilities – their excellent sense of smell.
With a sense of smell several times keener than a average hunting dog’s, they could locate the position of their prey.
“It’s coming.”
Johan nodded. He was the youngest among them but in terms of experience, his was so deep and profound that no one could match it. He no longer feared things like this. If anything, he was so calm that he had to warn himself.
The most terrified was Ariku. Tears streamed down Ariku’s face as he slumped limply. He couldn’t even scream as he was too tightly bound. He was on the verge of exhaustion.
His pitiful appearance seemed to soften the sinister heart of the sea dragon even more. It stood in front of Ariku and roared loudly once again. It was hard to believe it could be such a cunning monster when it was acting so carelessly.
Just before Ariku cursed all the people of the city, Johan made his move.
The assassin’s steps were quiet and stealthy.
The knights were amazed that he approached the sea dragon without making a sound, even in his light armor. It was a scene befitting a knight who had struck down countless monsters.
Johan swung the Giant Slayer horizontally at its slimy, outstretched face. An unpleasant squelchy sound rang out as if someone had picked up and thrown a huge rubber ball.
𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐠!
‘!!’
The knights watching clenched their fists. The attack had clearly struck true.
“Shoot it! Don’t let it get away!”
Fires lit up all around and fire arrows took aim from every direction. All who could shoot a bow took up their bows. The moment the jars were thrown, all sparks and flames would fly.
However, those about to throw jars were confused. The beast’s form was strange.
“. . .Isn’t it dead?”
“. . .!”
Despite the lights and noisy clamor, the sea dragon did not move an inch.
“No matter! Burn its corpse and all!”
“But. . .”
The garrison troops had a different mindset than the mercenaries. To them, this place was home. Even though they had prepared fire attacks because of the monster, it still hurt.
While they had tried to be careful about positioning, once a fire started it could spread and damage surrounding buildings. If it really was dead, they didn’t want to needlessly set it on fire.
‘𝘛𝘴𝘬.’
Johan clicked his tongue. He had not anticipated the psychology of the city people. Still wary of the beast, Johan gave an order.
“Shoot it with a bolt. If it’s dead it won’t react.”
“Yes.”
Bolts pierced into the beast’s torso with a thunk thunk sound. They didn’t pierce deeply but it must have been quite painful. Still the beast did not move at all.
“. . .Is it really dead??”
“With one blow?”
The knights were shocked and murmured among themselves. Shrouded in darkness, they couldn’t see clearly, but they found it hard to believe it had been felled with one strike. Could something that huge collapse with just one warhammer blow?
Johan asked Karamaf.
“What do you think?”
━𝐇𝐦𝐦?
Karamaf also tilted his head. Looking at it, it seemed dead. . .
One brave soldier stepped forward and waved his hand near the beast’s nostrils.
“It’s not breathing. I think it really is dead but. . .”
“. . .I see. Then stop the fire attack for now. It’s better to just coat an appropriate amount on its body and burn it.”
“Your Excellency. Please allow the city people to boast of this ugly beast’s demise. They should see the feat you have accomplished.”
Spreading word of achievements was also Johan’s work. Moreover, the reason he had come all the way here was to win over the hearts of the city people, wasn’t it?
It was necessary to properly show who had slain the monster and what kind of beast it was. It was better than burning the whole thing.
‘𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘺.’
Johan realized why. The notion of the beast collapsing from one hammer blow was too absurd.
But the other knights seemed to already accept it.
“God has aided us!”
“God’s assistance is certain.”
Seeing the knights readily write it off as a miracle and accept it, Johan felt a headache coming on despite having none earlier.
“Monster expert, go take a look.”
“My name’s Jyanina. . .”
Still, Jyanina went to check it out. Seeing no sign of life left in the beast’s body, it was truly dead.
“It’s dead.”
“Is that so?”
By this point, Johan decided to accept it as well. Perhaps it really did get hit in a vital spot somehow. . .
“Still, cut off its neck and limbs. . .”
“Your Excellency. The sea dragon’s blood is a precious treasure. It would be best to prepare facilities and harvest it all at once.”
At Jyanina’s words, the city people kept nodding their heads. It was rare for that foul wizard to say something good.
It was certainly true. While alive the sea dragon was a fearsome monster, but dead there was nothing on its body they could afford to waste.
“Your Highness, give us an hour to properly secure and process the beast.”
“. . .Very well. Just in case, don’t let your guard down.”
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
ᴀ𝔴𝐞𝕓𝕤𝘵𝙤𝘳𝐢𝐞𝙨.𝙘𝙤𝙢