It wasn't just the camp that got hit by Teigu users—Lancer's group suffered the same fate.
The attack force consisted of one Teigu user, three Shingu wielders, and dozens of ordinary bandits. Dealing with them hadn't been too challenging. Thankfully, the enemy had severely underestimated him. Apart from his armor being almost completely destroyed by the final Teigu user's suicidal trap, he himself escaped largely unscathed.
But what followed disturbed Lancer deeply. The Teigu user's suicide could still be chalked up to the supposed rule he'd once dismissed—that battles between Teigu users always ended in death—but the three Shingu wielders choosing suicide over capture was troubling. Worse, the hired bandits hadn't even known whom they were attacking.
Everything reeked of a conspiracy.
Ordering those with minor wounds to rush back with him toward the main force, Lancer encountered a second wave of attackers on the way—attackers stranger still. They appeared deceptively strong, possessing physical strength far exceeding normal humans, yet their combat skills were oddly lacking. When distant thunder echoed ominously, Lancer's unease intensified. These attackers, seemingly aware of the approaching crisis, fought with reckless abandon, clearly buying time. Left with no choice, Lancer activated [Weapon Overload] once again.
He'd defeated them all, despite their Danger-Beast-level strength—but at the cost of shattering his trusted lance.
Reluctantly, Lancer picked up an ordinary spear from the battlefield. Revealing his proficiency with a spear was troublesome, but summoning his weapon chest openly would have been far worse.
The intermittent explosions ahead deepened the furrow in Lancer's brow. Then, upon arrival, he and his men were immediately confronted by armed Imperial Guards.
The bizarre situation stunned Lancer. But seeing General Budo nearly losing control near the Emperor's carriage, he instantly understood—his worst fears had come true.
"Impossible?! You're telling me it's impossible?! His Majesty keeps you around precisely for times like this! Don't you know that?!"
"General, it's not my fault! I—I didn't bring the antidote!"
"Why the hell not?!"
"Well… one of the antidote's ingredients is toxic, so it was removed from our supplies before departure."
Budo, seething with rage moments ago, suddenly froze. He was the one who had ordered all toxic substances removed from the medical supplies to eliminate any potential threats to the Emperor's life. But now…
"Damn it! Tell me where I can find it—I'll send men to fetch it immediately!"
"It—it should be available at any pharmacy in the city. But General, you must hurry! The poison itself isn't extremely lethal, but it causes permanent damage over time. If we delay too long, even if we cure His Majesty, the damage might be irreversible."
Could the news get any worse?
Clearly, the assassins had accounted for everything—including him.
"Write down the name of the medicine!"
Budo swiftly dispatched every cavalry unit under his command. Sending fewer might risk ambushes from the assassins. He even sent the two other Teigu wielders among his men along with them, determined to ensure success.
Only then did Budo summon Lancer and the others forward.
"His Majesty was attacked by an assassin who looked identical to you, Lancer. Do you have anything to say?"
"I'm not the attacker."
Facing Budo's terrifying glare, Lancer could only manage that blunt denial. Anything else he said would be useless unless the Emperor himself regained consciousness.
Wait a minute… Consciousness?
"General Budo, I'm not sure if I can help His Majesty, but would you let me try something?"
Budo had overseen Lancer for over a year and had never heard of him possessing healing abilities. Moreover, Lancer's current situation was delicate…
But the Emperor's condition was dire.
"Explain first—what exactly are you proposing?"
"I met a certain 'companion' during my hunts against Danger Beasts—"
"That feline Danger Beast you keep as a pet?"
Budo interrupted skeptically, causing Lancer to falter briefly, but he nodded anyway.
"Yes. He can perform a certain song that boosts human regenerative abilities. I can't guarantee it'll heal His Majesty, but at least it won't hurt."
Had Lancer suggested personally treating the Emperor or administering any medicine, Budo would've flatly refused, given the assassins' ruthless tactics. But this… this was permissible. And if Lancer—or that Danger Beast—tried anything suspicious…
Budo's eyes flared murderously. The assassination attempt had already pushed him dangerously close to madness.
"Fine. But if you so much as twitch suspiciously—"
"You may punish me as you see fit!"
Budo only nodded after hearing Lancer's earnest vow.
Taking out the horn from his pocket, Lancer inhaled deeply and blew. Though not loud, its deep, ancient tone marked it as anything but ordinary. Budo, however, was in no mood to appreciate its craftsmanship. He only cared about one thing.
Rustle… rustle…
The nearby bushes shook, immediately causing the already-tense Imperial Guards to grip their weapons tightly.
"Meow…?!!"
Tiger, who'd been summoned expecting to snuggle up to Lancer as usual, opened his eyes to a bristling forest of swords and spears. Completely baffled, he shot an incredulous look at Lancer as if demanding an explanation.
"Tiger, one of my friends has been badly hurt—"
"Meow!"
Lancer barely finished before Tiger eagerly pulled the Hunting Horn off his back.
As natural companions to humans, Palicoes were among the world's kindest creatures—excluding their feral cousins. Hearing someone needed help, Tiger didn't hesitate.
Sniffing the air, he quickly identified the wounded person's location. Carrying his horn, he trotted confidently toward the carriage—only to find a grim-faced General Budo blocking his path.
"Meow! Meow-meooow!!"
Tiger insistently poked Budo's pant leg with his paw pads, clearly ordering the man to move aside. After a tense pause, Budo reluctantly stepped back—but his weapon remained unsheathed, ready to strike the instant Tiger tried anything suspicious.
Ignoring the threat entirely, Tiger lifted the Hunting Horn and began playing the melody of recovery. A rich, unique sound—distinct from the summoning horn—filled the air…
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T/N: LETS GO TIGER!!!!!!!!!!!! CLUTCH IT UP FOR US!!!!!!
T/N2: hehehe sorrgeee well not really but i actually forgot about webnovel LMAOOOO anyway heres ur 4 chapssss
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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