SWNOVELXO Chapter 203: Father Was Here?
Raegar continued attacking the Forest Giants, who were getting angrier as they couldn't catch him. By the time the last creature dropped dead, the caravan guards stared with wide eyes.
'At least their safe and Jasper can't moan,' he thought, chuckling.
He didn't let the confused men speak and rushed toward the burning fortress in the distance. While running, he slaughtered every monster he came across, using their bodies as springboards to move quicker.
By the time he reached the wall, he noticed his big brother was being picked up by a bigger Forest Giant. His heart raced when he saw this, as he had seconds before the young man would be killed by the creature.
Without care, he sent tons of Wind Aether to his feet and started casting Flash Step until he appeared in front of the shocked creature. He went to work and sliced its arm apart and cut up the rest of the monster who dared hurt his brother.
As the Forest Giant Leader dropped dead, the battlefield fell silent. He turned around with a smile as he dismissed his helmet. ''You're not safe yet, big brother. Let me kill the rest while you clean up here.''
Following that, he vanished just as Headmistress Von Hohenstein appeared with Selene, Dominique, and Zahara. Moments later, the Vampress brought out her Death Knights, who started killing the monsters.
Selene protected Half-Elf as she rushed around healing the soldiers while the older woman mumbled something, only for a massive ice shield to cover the fort, allowing the Dawnfirians to rest.
Raegar moved like a storm, his blade a blur as he carved through the Forest Giants, their towering forms crashing to the earth one after another. Within ten minutes, their numbers had plummeted from a menacing horde to mere dozens.
Yuki, the little fox, darted through the chaos at his side, her sharp eyes tracking the enemy attempting to flee into the dense undergrowth. With a flick of her tail, she signaled their positions, her keen senses guiding him.
Activating Flash Step, he became a fleeting shadow, his movements too fast for the eye to follow. Each strike was a death blow, killing the remaining giants with skill until none stood alive.
The forest fell silent as the threat to his brother and sisters-in-law was extinguished. He paused, his chest heaving as he exhaled a heavy breath, the weight of the battle settling over him.
His hands trembled, not from fear, but from the adrenaline coursing through his veins, proof of the ferocity he'd unleashed to protect those he loved. Raegar shook his head and made his way back to the fortress.
Once he reached the ruined gates, Zahara appeared, beaming. The blonde rushed toward him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders while speaking. ''I'm glad you're not hurt, Rae. The headmistress brought us here just after you left.''
''Where are Domi and Sel?'' he questioned, looking around but not seeing the girls.
Zahara giggled before answering. ''They are with your older brother and his wives. I believe the women are questioning them.''
He chuckled at this but returned the high as the Yuki jumped onto his shoulder, as Drusilla appeared, looking tired. The Dark Fairy commented in an exhausted tone. ''Next time, send some Aether my way when you have the time. Fighting those Forest Giants was exciting.''
Following that, he was about to reply, but was silenced as someone hugged him tightly. Soon after that, Jasper started speaking. ''Thank you for coming, little brother! Father was right about you.''
''Father was here?'' he asked. ''Where is he?''
''Gone east to deal with the Stormrune Kingdoms raids,'' the young man answered.
Raegar's red eyes flashed with eager anticipation as he summoned his twin daggers, their blades glinting with a dangerous edge. He turned to Yuki, his voice sharp with resolve. ''Go find Domi and the others. Tell them to meet us here, we're heading east.''
Yuki let out a sharp yip, her fox ears twitching as she darted off, a streak of dark fur vanishing into the fortress. Jasper stepped forward, his brow furrowed with concern. ''Rae, you can't just charge after the enemy! Some of their commanders make the Forest Giant Leader look like a child's toy, they're far stronger.''
Before he could respond, his brother's wives emerged, joining the group alongside the other girls. Elise suddenly lunged forward and enveloped Raegar in a tight hug, catching him off guard.
''Thank you for saving us, brother!'' she said, her voice thick with gratitude, her arms squeezing him fiercely.
Zahara, Dominique, Drusilla, and Selene exchanged pleased glances, their expressions odd. Jasper let out a hearty laugh, nudging Alisha playfully. ''Look at that, Lise got them watching him like angry housewives,'' he teased.
Alisha opened her mouth to add something, but before she could, Drusilla shrank into her smaller form. With a flutter, she zipped toward her boy, hovering in front of him with an expectant glint in her blue eyes.
Raegar grabbed her and put her in his pocket while sending Aether to her as he muttered. ''Rest, Dru, and we can hang out later.''
When Jasper saw this, his eyes went wide as Alisha commented. ''What are you doing with a Dark Fairy brother?''
''Huh?'' he replied, glancing at the young woman.
''They are bonded,'' Selene revealed, beaming. ''The two of them are like lovers but waiting for Yuki to make it official.''
When the trio heard this, they nodded in understanding as Jasper spoke first. ''You never cease to surprise me, Rae. Wait until mother meets these four young ladies, she's going to love them.''
As the group of girls heard this, their cheeks went red, but Dominique questioned. ''Wouldn't we be too much for her?''
The young man shook his head. ''No. They want Rae here to be happy, and it seems finding you four has done wonders for the little book lover,'' he said while ruffling his hair.
He swatted Jasper's hands away with a playful scowl, his tone dropping to a grumble. ''Yeah, mother tried roping me into chatting with those noble girls years ago. Not a chance. They're all too stuck-up, noses so high they'd trip over their egos.''
His brother's chuckle broke the tension, his blunt words drawing stifled grins from the group. A ripple of laughter spread among his companions, lightening the mood. Just then, the headmistress emerged from the ruined gates.
In her hand gleamed a sword of shimmering ice, which she dismissed with a flick of her wrist. Her voice was firm but calm. ''We're returning to Drakenwood. Pursuing the raiders is too perilous for you.''
Disappointment flashed across the three girls' faces, but the headmistress offered a reassuring nod. ''Blackwood will manage. His hidden ability gives him strength, and the empress has authorized him to aid the army.''
''Can we stay here?'' Zahara asked, her voice hopeful.
The headmistress exhaled softly but gave a reluctant nod. ''Very well.''
The three girls brightened at her words. The headmistress turned to Raegar, her gaze sharpening. ''Be swift. If we're not here when you return, head back to the school. Something in the air feels... wrong.''
Raegar met the headmistress's gaze and gave a curt nod. ''Got it,'' he said, his tone confident.
With a subtle shift in his stance, the air around him shimmered briefly. In the blink of an eye, he was gone in a flash, a faint whoosh trailing behind as he tore eastward, leaving only a trace, a swirl of dust on the ground.
Following that, Raegar traveled using Wind Aether and soon heard an ongoing battle in the distance after a couple of hours of running. He came to a stop as Drusilla popped out of his pocket and transformed into her big size.
Without any warning, he scooped her into a princess carry as he spoke. ''Bite my neck to get more energy. We're going to be fighting the Stormrune soldiers, they have powerful mages, and there might be one who can challenge you.''
When the Dak Fairy heard this, she rejected such a notion and exclaimed. ''I'll burn them with my fire if they try.''
Raegar's laughter echoed as he surged forward, his speed kicking up a trail of dust. But as he neared the eastern ridge, his grin faded. Below, the Blackwood guards clashed fiercely with a band of wild-looking soldiers, their ragged armor glinting under the fading light.
Swords rang out, and shouts filled the air as the chaotic skirmish unfolded. His sharp eyes scanned the chaotic skirmish below as he put Drusilla beside him, her hands wreathed in swirling tendrils of dark aether, her expression fierce with resolve.
''Rae, we're not standing by,'' she said.
He smirked, twirling a pair of daggers in his hands as he prepared to help out his father. ''Wouldn't dream of it.''
With a surge of speed, he streaked into the fray. His blades flashed, slicing through the wild enemy's defenses, disarming one and striking another's arm before they could counter.