"Lion, we're going too deep. We've gone beyond the patrol boundary!"
Luther opened his helmet and called out urgently. He knew well how stubborn this young knight was.
The towering trees of the dense forest muffled his voice, making his warning seem small.
The knight heard his warning and looked back at Luther. "What is a patrol?"
Luther quickened his pace to catch up. "Protecting the frontier, guarding against enemies. That is our mission."
Though he supported Lion's proposal to exterminate the Great Beasts, it was far too risky for their small squad to venture deep into the forest alone.
Lion said resolutely, "The best defence is to utterly eliminate the enemy!"
Luther fell silent. He knew Lion was trying to redefine the patrol.
"You go back and report. Don't worry about me. I won't take risks. I'll be back before sunrise."
Luther said, "I can't leave you alone. Your father entrusted you to my care!"
Lion's gaze shifted to Luther. Caelan had only been polite, but Luther had clearly taken it seriously.
He seemed to have overlooked the vast disparity in strength between himself and Lion.
If anything, it would be Lion taking care of him.
"Fine. Let's compromise. I'll kill just one Great Beast today and then return."
Luther's voice was heavy with helplessness. "Why are you so persistent?"
"If I kill one Great Beast a day, that's hundreds in a year, thousands in a decade."
"If all the knights of the Order were like me, we could hunt hundreds of thousands of Great Beasts in ten years."
"Little by little, we can accumulate."
"If everyone treats hunting Great Beasts as their mission, we will eventually see the Great Beasts' end!"
Luther could understand Lion's persistence. He seemed born different.
But Lion had already killed all the Great Beasts on the forest's outskirts. That was why they had to venture deeper today.
If Lion killed all the Great Beasts here, would he go even deeper still?
The Great Beasts in the forest's heartland were far more dangerous than those on the periphery. Even the most experienced knight squads dared not tread lightly.
If Lion met with misfortune, how could Luther explain it to Caelan?
Luther reasoned earnestly: "It's not that we shouldn't kill, but that we should kill slowly, deliberately, preparedly, flexibly, and strategically."
"Killing, yes, it must be done. But it must be done with rhythm, with foresight."
"Killing is meant to solve problems, to promote development. It must be integrated with actual circumstances and long-term goals."
"Killing is not random killing. It is thoughtful, planned, and step-by-step killing. It is sustainably strategic killing. We must first achieve small kills, let small kills drive large kills, and kill together."
"We need an overall strategy that improves both quantity and quality, not a flash in the pan; we need the accumulation of momentum after long preparation, not the draining of resources for short-term gain."
Lion stared at Luther. Are you using my father's magic against me?
Lion's voice was cold. "Isn't draining the pond to catch all the fish a good thing?"
Luther was speechless. Wasn't that exactly their goal? To drain the Great Beasts dry?
"The Calibanites have been practicing sustainable development for millennia. It's time to drain the pond!"
"Don't try to persuade me further. I already said you can go back first!"
Lion said no more. He turned and walked alone into the forest.
This was beyond the Order's territory. The dense canopy blocked out the sky, tangled branches weaving a web overhead.
The horses couldn't navigate the forest. The knights had to dismount and proceed on foot.
Luther was silent for a moment. He raised his hand, signalling the knights behind him to stop. "You go back and report."
Someone had to report back and inform the Order.
Though Lion hadn't abandoned his post, he was still acting without discipline.
After the other knights left, Luther took a deep breath and followed Lion alone.
Caliban's forest was deathly silent, save for the faint crunch of power armour snapping twigs.
Though they had no horses, as long as their power armour's energy held out, their combat would still be relatively easy.
But if they accidentally encountered a large group of Great Beasts, escaping would be difficult.
That was why Luther had tried to stop Lion.
Not every knight could move freely through a Great Beast swarm like Lion.
Even though Lion's strength was far beyond ordinary knights, he too could become exhausted.
Luther knew he couldn't provide much cover for Lion in battle. But he could at least guard his back when Lion was spent.
That was his promise to Caelan. And a knight must keep his promises.
Lion's gaze lingered briefly on Luther. He couldn't read minds, but he could see the determination on Luther's face.
But he was not a three-year-old. He didn't need a babysitter.
Even if he slaughtered every Great Beast in the forest, he wouldn't be exhausted.
Luther's insistence was naive. He was underestimating Lion!
But Lion also understood that Luther's naivety stemmed from ignorance. He knew nothing of Primarchs.
Yet Luther's actions were born of pure, simple sincerity.
Even if Lion didn't understand the human heart, he wouldn't waste time arguing with Luther about what a Primarch was. That would be incredibly foolish.
Let him be.
If Caelan hadn't intervened, Lion's adoptive father would have been Luther.
They would have parted ways due to misunderstandings and distance, ultimately perishing together on the island of Rhodes.
The story's ending was undoubtedly a historic tragedy.
But its beginning was something many would envy.
They had once dispelled the ignorance of the old night, eradicating the Great Beasts that threatened the people.
They had been close, like father and son, like brothers.
Now, the bond of adoptive father and son had been stripped away, leaving only the purest fraternal bond.
But if he still couldn't understand the human heart, and stubbornly refused to correct his arrogant ways, the tragedy of fate would inevitably repeat itself in another form, through a twist of circumstances.
His father had painstakingly taught him, not for him to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Lion's fingers traced the sword hilt. This was the sword Sarrientus had given him.
The old knight believed this sword would be put to better use in Lion's hands. And indeed, Lion had hunted over a hundred Great Beasts with it. He had not disappointed the old knight.
But this was far from enough.
Lion declared, "I will wipe them all out. Not one left!"
Luther was stunned. His expression became solemn. "I swear by my knightly honour, I will fight alongside you!"
Lion slowly drew his power sword, turned his wrist, and pointed the blade at Luther. "Then prove your resolve to me, Brother Luther."
Luther was silent for a moment. His fingers tightened around his hilt, and he drew his chainsword.
He used the motion to turn slightly, his peripheral vision scanning the shadows behind him.
A Great Beast was lurking on a tree trunk. Its rough skin perfectly blended with the bark, its greedy gaze fixed on his back.
Cold sweat soaked Luther's undergarment.
If Lion hadn't warned him, if he hadn't trusted Lion's judgment, he would never have noticed the fatal danger.
This beast could camouflage itself like a chameleon, even hiding its heat signature. It was almost untraceable when perched in a tree.
But now he was fully prepared!
Shing!
The chainsword cleared its scabbard completely, its teeth spinning with a roar.
Using the momentum of drawing his sword, Luther spun around and hacked at the Great Beast about to pounce.
Clang!
The spinning teeth met the Great Beast's claws with a shower of sparks, blocking its critical strike.
But the Great Beast's immense force still made Luther's vambrace groan under the impact. Yet his feet remained planted, steadfast as a mountain. He used the recoil to thrust his chainsword upwards.
The Great Beast was thrown into the air by the perfect counter. The chainsword tore its skin, blood spraying.
Luther gave his prey no chance to recover. His power boots crushed the earth, leaving deep impressions in the damp humus. His chainsword aimed straight for the Great Beast's throat!
"Go to hell, you beast!"
He roared. The blade roared. The Great Beast roared too.
This was a death match. Any mistake would be fatal.
They only had one chance.
The Great Beast's crimson, vertical pupils locked onto him.
Its dorsal scales bristled. In their earlier exchange, Luther had confirmed that its claws and scales were as hard as steel.
But its soft underbelly and throat were still fatal weak points. He could kill it with one blow!
The Great Beast landed and charged at Luther with a roar, its jagged dorsal scales trembling with each stride.
Foul saliva dripped from its fangs, sizzling as it touched the fallen leaves.
Luther sidestepped. The Great Beast's claws scraped across his pauldron, sending sparks flying.
He seized the opening, backhanding his sword at the Great Beast's belly. The spinning blade sliced through its thick hide, leaving a bloody wound.
ROAR!
The Great Beast roared in pain. Its thick tail swept at Luther like a battering ram.
Luther anticipated this. He crouched and leaped. The tip of the tail barely grazed his boot soles before smashing into a tree behind him, snapping the trunk in two.
Luther was undoubtedly a skilled swordsman. His blade always aimed for the throat and belly.
But the Great Beast's combat instinct was equally fearsome. It could defend and counterattack simultaneously.
Combined with its chameleon-like ability, it had been invincible in previous battles.
After a feint, Luther suddenly changed his technique, thrusting straight for the Great Beast's eye!
But the Great Beast's combat instinct was exceptionally sharp. At the critical moment, it jerked its head, taking the hit on its hard brow.
Clang!
The chain-teeth scored the Great Beast's skull, sparks flying.
The Great Beast roared and swung its claws, forcing Luther to break off his attack.
As expected, Luther disengaged his chainsword. But instead of using it to parry, as the Great Beast predicted...
He leaned back, dodging the claws, and drove his chainsword deep into the Great Beast's lower jaw!
Blood gushed forth. The Great Beast's roar turned into a piercing shriek.
Luther rolled beneath the beast, drawing a backup dagger from his belt and plunging it into its heart.
THUD!
The Great Beast's struggles ceased entirely. Its massive body crashed to the ground.
Its crimson eyes slowly dimmed, only the twitching of its death throes remaining.
Luther had no time to savour the victory. The smile on his face froze.
"Bad move."
The Great Beast's corpse, like a small hill, pinned him down.
If not for his power armour, he would have been crushed to paste.
THUD!
Just as Luther was wondering how to free himself, Lion gripped the Great Beast's fang with one hand.
With a dull thud, he hurled the corpse over ten metres away like a sack, sending mud and debris flying.
Luther took Lion's outstretched hand and pulled himself up.
He was silent. The joy of victory completely vanished.
Though he had witnessed Lion's inhuman strength before, it still shocked him every time.
The Great Beast he had barely defeated with all his might was like a toy in Lion's hands.
Luther had once thought Brother Amadis was the greatest knight in the world, and believed he could catch up with him. He thought he lacked only experience.
But Lion's power was beyond all reason.
It wasn't just a gap. It was an insurmountable chasm.
No amount of training could bridge it.
That was a talent mortals lacked. And Lion was no mortal!
Luther gazed at Lion, his feelings complex.
If he could see Lion's back, he would still have the confidence to chase.
But he couldn't even see Lion's shadow. He was completely numb.
When the gap between people is so vast it can't be closed, all emotions become wishful thinking.
Envy, jealousy, admiration, all are meaningless.
Luther had fully accepted reality. He probably couldn't be Lion's brother-in-arms.
He could only be Lion's follower at best.
Lion said, "Leave the rest to me."
Luther was stunned. He looked around.
In the darkening forest, those crimson vertical pupils were starkly visible.
Unbeknownst to him, they were surrounded by Great Beasts.
But Luther wasn't afraid. He found it absurd.
Lion had come looking for them. Yet they didn't flee. They dared to fight back.
Were they tired of living?
THUD!
A head flew high and landed with a thud before Luther.
The Great Beast's eyes stared, unseeing, as if telling Luther: It doesn't matter. Dead either way.
Luther walked silently to the severed head, drew his chainsword, and aimed for the fangs.
Lion might not care about trophies, but his glory needed a witness.
Great Beast corpses were too large to carry. Knights usually took their fangs as proof of achievement.
"I can only handle this kind of work." Luther smiled wryly.
He looked over. Lion was slaughtering the swarm.
The Great Beasts only had to roar and scream. Lion had much more to consider.
His sword strokes were clean, without any unnecessary flourish. Each strike found its mark.
He had only wanted to hunt one Great Beast. But they wouldn't let him leave.
So he would just have to accept their lives, reluctantly.
If Lion could slaughter Great Beasts freely every day, he could exterminate them all by himself, without the Order!
...
Term Correction
Monsters -> Great Beast
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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