Ascension Of The Villain

Chapter 122 - 122: Disastrous Monster Hunt

Vyan and Clyde were frozen for a moment as the stench of fresh blood filled the air, mingling with the crispy scent of pine and earth. Bodies of knights, clad in the emblem of House Clarinton, lay strewn across the ground, their once-shining armor now tarnished with blood and dirt.

Vyan dismounted from the horse swiftly, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Stay alert," he murmured to Clyde, his voice ringing with cautiousness. "The monster might still be around."

Clyde nodded and got down as well. "We should get the ones who are alive to the medical facility," he replied, his voice steely, and Vyan nodded.

They moved cautiously among the fallen knights,

"You better not," Clyde warned, his eyes narrowed.

"Yes, yes."

With a sharp flick of his wrist, Clyde unleashed a teleportation spell, and in a blink, all the injured members of House Clarinton vanished into the ether. And true to his word, Vyan materialized beside the Ashstone knights.

"Took you long enough," Theodore grumbled, his voice like gravel. "Where is your other half Clyd—" His words faltered, caught in the shadow of Vyan's grim expression. "What's wrong, boy?"

"A catastrophe has struck," Vyan's voice cut through the easygoing atmosphere, causing the knights to tense up, their eyes sharpening with alarm. "Clyde and I discovered that an A-grade monster has obliterated House Clarinton's entire squad."

"How in the hell did an A-grade monster get here?" Spencer blurted out.

"I don't have all the answers yet, but that is the stark reality we are facing. And there might be more lurking out there." Vyan's eyes burned with urgency.

"Have you encountered these monsters?" Theodore's voice was eerily calm, betraying his rising concern.

"Not directly. But from Viscount Clarinton's description, it's unmistakably a Crimson Hornfiend."

A collective gasp rippled through Spencer and the knights, their faces blanching, while Theodore's expression darkened.

"We need to capture them immediately," Damon's voice trembled with unease. "But first things first, Your Grace, you should retreat to the camp for safety."

"Yes, Your Grace, we will disperse and hunt for the monsters," Jenna added, her tone resolute.

"You are missing the point," Vyan's lips pressed into a thin line of resolve. "I need you to alert the peripheral guards and prevent any monsters from slipping out of the forest."

"But, Your Grace—" Mark began.

"I will remain here with Sir Jacques and Spencer. You are to carry out the orders I have given. Do not engage if you encounter A-grade monsters. Flee with everything you have got," Vyan's command was as unyielding. He trusted his knights' strength, but he wouldn't gamble with their lives against such horrors.

The knights exchanged uneasy glances but nodded in reluctant compliance. Obedience was their only option.

"What about the other nobles? Shouldn't we warn them?" Marconi asked.

"Of course," Vyan's response was clipped. "We can't afford any more bloodshed."

"Understood, Your Grace." The six Ashstone knights dispersed, their silhouettes swallowed by the forest's looming shadows.

Spencer's eyes flickered anxiously towards Vyan. "My lord… what will the consequences be for this?"

A chilling laugh escaped Vyan, morphing into a full-blown, unsettling chuckle. "I don't know, Spence. I really don't. It's a mystery why the Monster Hunt Festival always seems to unravel like this."

"My lord…" Spencer felt terrible for Vyan. He had poured his heart and soul into ensuring the festival's success, only to be met with A-grade monsters invading a forest that was guaranteed to be safe.

It was almost as if history was cruelly repeating itself—his parents had been sabotaged, and now Vyan was facing a similar fate. What if Vyan was blamed for orchestrating this disaster?

Seeing the dark shadows of concern etched on Vyan's face, Spencer's heart tightened. It seemed like Vyan was acutely aware of the gravity of the situation and the potential for blame.

Spencer opened his mouth to offer support when Theodore's rough hand landed on Vyan's back with a reassuring thump.

"Chin up, boy. Nothing is lost yet. First, we have got monsters to deal with," Theodore's voice was gruff but carried a warmth of encouragement. "Once we have handled that, you can focus on unmasking whoever orchestrated this vile act."

Vyan's eyes sharpened as he snapped back to reality, his expression resolute. "You are right. Whoever is behind this will pay for it."