Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 291

18. Germa Krash

As if a dam had burst, Aabhym’s entire body overflowed with Aura.

However, his condition was peculiar.

Unable to maintain a solid form, it was viscous and clung to everything around him.

“……The Aura is turning into melted cheese…….”

It was a phenomenon Cainchel had also witnessed several times.

“That’s an Aura Blade, or in Orcish terms, Mystic Arts [a technique where aura is shaped into a weapon or enhancement].”

Aabhym, bewildered, muttered with a blank expression.

“Have I finally broken through the wall?”

“It certainly seems so. You’ll need some practice to wield it skillfully, though.”

A realm he couldn’t reach no matter how much he swung his sword or felled monsters.

Why did he awaken the Aura Blade just before the fight with James Van Jackson?

Aabhym drew the greatsword from his back. The viscous Aura flowed down the blade, coating it.

The Aura Blade manifests in many forms depending on the user’s mental image.

Orcs who revel in battle mostly acquire types that enhance physical strength.

However, the Aura Blade that Aabhym awakened was more akin to Walter Keitel’s.

Aabhym explained what had just happened to his body, his voice trembling slightly.

“……Maybe it’s because of that. I was working in the Camembert cheese storage until just before the test, trying to perfect the final stage of preparation. After the tribe was annihilated, I was just glad to become a warrior for the first time. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met the chef or learned the cooking to save the tribe like this.”

The answer had been in Aabhym’s heart all along.

Only the guilt of inadvertently leading to his tribe’s annihilation had been obscuring it.

As he accepted himself, the swordsmanship he had honed throughout his life shone.

Cainchel felt his heart beat faster. He had only taught him a few cooking recipes, yet Aabhym had become a Sword Master on his own.

“Chief Karib will surely be proud, too.”

Aabhym grinned and grasped Cainchel’s hand.

“And he’ll be even happier if I defeat James in the upcoming recapture battle. Then, please test me.”

It seemed almost absurd to test Aabhym, who had just become a Sword Master.

However, he needed to assess the capabilities of the newly awakened Aura Blade.

Thus, amidst a crowd of watching Orcs, the second battle between Cainchel and Aabhym, swords drawn, began.

“Then, I’ll go first.”

Using Double Booster to push his body’s speed to the limit, Cainchel launched True Strike.

Among the gathered Orcs, fewer than five could even perceive the movement.

Aabhym gritted his teeth. In their first battle, he had been forced to his knees without even a proper response to that skill.

But now, the situation was different. He possessed the newly acquired Mystic Arts.

“I won’t lose as easily as before, Gran Gray.”

The viscous Aura exploded from Aabhym’s entire body.

In the end, their sparring match continued for nearly five minutes without either landing a decisive blow.

Eventually, the two ended in a draw. There was no point in continuing.

“Haa, haa, hee…… Your technique is incredibly precise, as expected. Even with the Mystic Arts awakened, it wasn’t enough. So, how is my Mystic Arts?”

Cainchel was also breathing heavily. Even without using the Sword of Ego, he hadn’t expected to struggle this much.

That’s how potent Aabhym’s Aura Blade was in one-on-one combat.

“It’s totally awesome. With that, you won’t lose easily against any strong opponent. Would you like me to name it for you?”

“I would be honored if you would.”

Cainchel gave Aabhym a name that suited the newly awakened Aura Blade perfectly.

“Cheese Fondue.”

“Excuse me? Cheese Fondue? Haha, that’s a skill name I really like.”

With Aabhym’s newfound mastery, the selection of the Orc task force concluded.

* * *

To reach the Haeorum Tribe, they had to pass through the canyon in eastern Hampshire. James Van Jackson had already established numerous defenses there, including watchtowers.

Within the canyon, visibility was limited, and space was constricted. It was a place where the mobility of the Wyvern Riders, their greatest advantage, would be difficult to utilize.

Royten, in charge of the Flying Corps, pounded his chest, his eyes burning with determination.

“We are the elite of the elite, specially selected from among the Wyvern Riders. We will break through those defenses in an instant.”

“Before that, let’s conduct a simple reconnaissance first.”

Even though the Wyvern Riders could fly, the enemy possessed anti-air capabilities.

Ballistae [large, powerful crossbows], weapons designed to target large flying monsters.

They were specialized devices, permanently fixed to the ground, firing bolts several times larger than ordinary crossbows.

Nearly fifty of these fixed ballistae were deployed.

Charging into the canyon without preparation would be suicidal.

“However, fixed ballistae have sacrificed mobility for increased power. If we know their locations, we can secure a safe entry route.”

Royten countered.

“However, the canyon obscures the watchtowers and ballistae from the sky. I believe it would be better to trust the Wyvern Riders’ skills and make a frontal assault.”

“That’s not a problem. I have eyes that can go anywhere.”

At that moment, a translucent crow flew from the sky and circled over Cainchel’s head.

It was Odin, the familiar of the Demon Duke Sitri.

Odin was composed of spirit energy, allowing him to become almost invisible at will.

“Then shall we proceed?”

First, a small amount of jelly [a communication device] was implanted in Odin’s body.

Then, through Bishop, who shared the neural network, Odin’s vision was projected onto Cainchel’s retina.

It was incredibly difficult to spot a translucent crow flying in the sky.

Moreover, as a spirit body, he was resistant to physical attacks. Even if struck, he would be unharmed. He was the perfect scout.

However, the dual connection to the neural network placed a tremendous strain on the mind. It couldn’t be used indiscriminately.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Sitri.”

Caw-

The crow Odin cried as if in response and soared into the sky.

Before he knew it, Cainchel’s eyes were filled with the sight of the troops entrenched in the canyon.

“……Good.”

In less than thirty minutes, a complete map of the canyon was etched in Cainchel’s mind.

The locations of outposts, watchtowers, and ballistae. Even the areas where large numbers of troops were concentrated.

When he meticulously drew it on a wooden board, Royten’s eyes widened.

Cainchel began to explain, adding lines with ink made from burnt wood.

“First of all, the safest infiltration routes are here and here. The rest are within the range of the fixed ballistae. And…….”

To pass through those routes required near-acrobatic flying.

Only then did Royten understand why Cainchel had selected Wyvern Riders and even conducted tests.

Only the most skilled veterans could complete this operation.

As the briefing continued, Royten could only groan in astonishment.

It was such a veteran command that it was hard to believe it came from a young warrior.

Cainchel had participated in the most brutal war in Britannia’s history a thousand times over.

That experience had amplified his command abilities exponentially.

‘The Tower of Trials is a fantasy created based on my memories, but it contains the hearts of many people. So…….’

Recalling the despair he had felt then, Cainchel bit his lip. Compared to that, this obstacle was nothing.

“I will end the briefing here. Master Royten.”

“Yes.”

“While Green, Karak, Aabhym, and I deal with James’ forces, break through to the Haeorum Tribe as quickly as possible. Prioritize the safety of the riders over cargo.”

“Understood.”

Just before the operation commenced, the Wyvern Riders checked the Camembert cheese in their pockets one last time.

They simply needed to deliver it to the members of the Haeorum Tribe. Most of them were slaves working in the granary area in eastern Hampshire.

The barley from there was a major source of income for the Hampshire territory.

If James lost the Haeorum Tribe, he would suffer a significant blow.

Considering that, it was natural that the eastern canyon was heavily defended.

Moreover, the canyon’s structure made stealth impossible.

It was a natural fortress that required several times more troops than the enemy to breach.

“That’s why coordination with ground forces is paramount. Royten, what is the status of the jelly attachment?”

“Perfect.”

Entrée [a communication device] that allowed communication even at a distance.

That was the key to this operation.

“Then, after the ground forces depart, count to one hundred and enter.”

“Yes, sir.”

Cainchel scanned the entire battlefield as if to memorize it and raised his hand.

“Ground forces, go!”

* * *

Private Bernie, guarding the watchtower in the eastern canyon, yawned widely.

To avoid missing the enemy, he had to constantly watch the expected infiltration route.

There were many watchtowers, but not enough troops to man them. He was forced to stand guard all day.

His eyes were glazed over, and the spear felt like shackles. His concentration had long since faded.

“Damn it, what a hardship because of those dirty Orcs. If they were fed and given a place to sleep, they should be grateful and work hard. Damn guys…….”

The soldier, knowing that the Orcs were the reason he was here, continued to curse.

Just then.

He thought he saw a flash of green light, then a shadow rushed towards the watchtower at incredible speed.

“……?!”

The soldier instinctively realized an attack was underway and tried to shout. However, he couldn’t, because something squishy strangled his neck and blocked his mouth.

“Ugh, ugh, ugh!”

He fainted without resistance.

Cainchel, having subdued the soldier using pasta [a flexible, adhesive material], reported the situation to Royten.

“Flying corps, proceed to the Haeorum Tribe along the designated route.”

“Understood.”

Suddenly, he heard a distant voice, but Royten wasn’t surprised.

He assumed it was some kind of magic.

There were dozens of ballistae in the eastern canyon. Flying over them was suicide.

However, knowing the exact locations of the fixed ballistae with their limited mobility allowed them to exploit blind spots.

Royten’s eyes widened as he saw the ballistae at the locations Cainchel had indicated.

The crossbows were perfectly aligned.

“Ascend from here! Germa Krash [Orcish battle cry]!”

The soldiers aiming the ballistae were caught off guard.

“What are you doing? They’re flying right over our heads! Shoot! Shoot!”

“B, but they’re accurately targeting the ballistae’s blind spots and moving…….”

“Does that make sense? How can they evade the ballistae’s range in this narrow canyon?!”

“……It’s actually happening.”

“Damn it, get out of the way! If you can’t shoot, I’ll do it myself!”

Finally, the commander, unable to bear it any longer, placed his finger on the bowstring of a ballista.

Wheeeeeek!

The crossbow bolts fired from the ballistae were powerful enough to tear apart a wyvern instantly.

However, not a single one of the dozens of shots hit its mark.

The first line of defense was breached instantly, and the second and third were quickly overcome.

However, someone was waiting at the fourth line of defense, the last gate.

James Van Jackson trembled, his face contorted with rage.

“I can’t believe they broke through despite my preparations. Tch, I will hold them accountable and impose severe punishment. I don’t know how they bypassed the third line, but I’ll interrogate the commander. Bow knights, prepare the Aura Bows.”

Then, Sword Knights wearing light leather armor lined up in formation.

Among the Sword Knights of the Argon Union, some wielded bows instead of swords.

They shot arrows imbued with Aura, powerful enough to shatter a large rock in a single shot.

However, bow knights were rare, even among Sword Knights. James, with four such knights, was an exception.

James strung an ogre’s tendon on a bow crafted from a Gorgon’s horn.

He grinned and muttered.

“So, you managed to pass the third line of defense. But can you evade the attacks of Hampshire’s proud bow knights? Fire the prepared shooters first!”

As James gave the signal, four flashes of light soared into the sky.

Just then.

“Sorry, but your opponents are different.”

James’ eyes widened at the sudden voice.

An Orc with dark gray skin stood before him. How had he gotten so close?