Book Eater

Chapter 7 - What Does This Book Taste Like? (3)

Dagadak, dagadak, dagadak.

As Theo's consciousness returned, the scenery around him was moving at a frightening pace. No, it was more correct to say that he was moving through it. Theo, who still didn't understand the situation, turned his head as someone's shouts reached his ears.

"General! The enemy forces have appeared before us!"

General? The enemy forces had appeared before them...?

That was a sentence that only made sense on the battlefield. Theo tried to make a bewildered expression, but his vision moved independently of his will. Then he looked at the face of the knight running next to him.

Theo realized his lips were moving on their own.

"Hrmm, it is a little faster than I expected." It was the deep and solemn voice of a man.

His fingertips touched his chin and felt a rough texture. Theo wasn't twenty years old yet, so the beard on the chin definitely wasn't his.

If so, there was only one possibility.

My voice... No, this isn't my body?

Maybe this was the right answer. Theo thought confidently. This had happened right after he'd consumed Alfred Bellontes' [Ballistics Magic]. So, Theo could guess that this phenomenon was related to the description which had said he could absorb some of Alfred's experience.

He didn't know what synchro meant, but if it was absorbing Alfred's experience—

"Prince! I will stand in the lead! The general infantry can't possibly defeat the charge of our knights. I, Vince, will protect Prince with this sword at all costs!"

It was a cry that sounded like roaring flames. The passion in that voice was incredible as the person moved in front of him. This man seemed to be the leader of the group of knights. Furthermore, his blazing eyes proved what he'd said weren't just words.

However, the prince, Alfred, didn't accept Vince's comment.

"No, I will stand in the lead! You must follow behind me!" The one with the most noble body declared that he would stand in the most dangerous position.

Despite seeing the enemy coming close, Alfred Bellontes didn't slow down his horse. Alfred shrugged off Vince's hand and rushed forward.

The two armies soon crashed into each other.

Kukwakwakwang!

There was a huge roar as the warhorses collided with the massed infantry. The reason a cavalry charge was the bane of infantry was evident as hooves trampled through the lines. The enemy's formation collapsed from the surprise, and the Bellontes troops were temporarily dominant as they pushed the enemy forces back.

Alfred roared wildly from the vanguard.

"Bellontes' prince, Alfred, is here! Come forward if you want to claim my head for yourself!"

It was an obvious provocation. As the prince and war hero of Bellontes, Alfred's head really was worth several thousand gold. If they killed him, then this long war might end. A knight moved through the confused soldiers in response to his provocation.

"I am Richard, the eldest son of Earl Jason!"

Every time his sword flashed, several soldiers were knocked down. It wasn't uncommon to cut through humans like they were straw. Any knight should have at least this much skill. A mere magician would have their heads cut off.

Richard smiled as he moved closer to Alfred. Theo became frightened as he faced the murderous intent in front of him.

It's too dangerous! At this distance, there is no way to survive unless I am a 6th Circle magician!