Musou Knight: Crow of Cinders-Chapter 24: Escape 6

Chapter 24 - Escape 6

According to the game, Lia was the one who drew Zoli’s attention to a mine, where she held off the pursuers. Elite infantry under Zoli stormed the mine and trapped her inside.

I had somehow replicated the scenario, but here were the problems.

First, I wasn’t Lia. I wasn’t a level 4 wind musou knight. I didn’t have the elemental advantage, nor could I stand toe to toe with Zoli, a level 5 earth heavy knight.

Second, I was a level 2 fire knight. Level 2 Fire Knight versus Level 5 Earth Heavy Knight? That wasn’t a duel. That was suicide with extra steps.

Still, I didn’t stop at the entry area. I plunged deeper into the maze of the mine, inviting Zoli into my battleground.

"YOU CAN’T HIDE, YOU LITTLE INSECT!"

His taunt echoed through the tunnels as he kicked a minecart aside.

"Come here and get it, you pig!" I shouted back, because apparently my survival instinct had taken the night off.

"YOU THINK I’M AFRAID OF YOU?!"

Whoops. The counter-taunt was super effective. He stomped into the tunnel like a raging bull.

I laughed dryly and scrambled forward. I ran into a fork. The left path followed the rail track, while the right was narrower. A gust of wind blew through the right tunnel periodically.

I took the right path. While running, I unsealed the jar tucked under my arm and drank a mouthful of wine. The tunnel narrowed until the jar barely fit between the walls. Still, this was the right direction.

Zoli was right behind me, but his bulk and armor prevented him from squeezing through.

This was only a temporary measure. I knew I couldn’t stall him forever.

"BASTARD! YOU THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE?!"

The fatty finally turned around to fetch his giant hammer. He would probably try to break the walls, just like in the game when he chased Lia.

I stopped looking back and focused on the path ahead.

After another 200 meters, the ceiling dropped lower, squeezing me into claustrophobic misery. Cow-Cow abandoned my head, hopping onto the ground and running in front of me.

I crouched, the ceiling barely a meter tall.

BOOM.

The cave shook. As I feared, Zoli was smashing through the walls to reach me. This felt like I was a character in a horror movie now.

I crawled faster. Sharp rocks scraped my knees, shins, hands, and back. This reminded me of the time when I was escaping the mass grave. Very adrenaline, much panic, wow.

Light appeared ahead. Not Cow-Cow’s fire, but blue.

We stumbled into a dome cavern. Stalactites hung from above. Stalagmites jutted from below. The ceiling soared fifteen meters high. Blue crystals embedded in the rock glowed, but everything in the room smelled like burned pepper.

These minerals were this musou world’s unique ores — Caerulex. In the game, these ores were prime ingredients for gemstones, which could be used to enhance weapons and other equipment. However, these raw ores had a dangerous property. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

I smirked. Even the ore’s location matched the game scenario, though I had entered from the exit route.

I grabbed Cow-Cow by the neck and pushed through the stalagmite maze. I had to prepare the trap that Lia used in the game.

At the far side, a cave opening waited three meters above. I would have to climb to continue making my way to the exit, or the real entrance to the stage.

"Cow-Cow, go up and wait for me!"

I swung him upward. He panicked, flapping his chubby wings. He managed to land inside. He peeked down and yelled, warning me.

After sending Cow-Cow up, I climbed a stalagmite. It was not to escape, but to gain a foothold and face the path I had come from.

BOOM!

Zoli blasted through the walls, entering the cavern. Soldiers carrying torches poured in behind him.

Of course he wouldn’t chase me alone. This cunning bully never made things easy.

"THERE YOU ARE!!"

Zoli spotted me instantly. Soldiers raised their torches.

"SURRENDER AND TELL ME WHERE THE PRINCESS IS! THEN, I’LL ALLOW YOU TO HAVE YOUR WAY WITH HER!"

Please stop yelling in caps. I knew he wanted my ass, but this was cringe. Also, I wasn’t interested in that silicone woman. Did he think I got horny looking at artificial MMD models young enough to be my daughters?

I pretended to chug wine and raised a middle finger.

"Instead of that, how about we settle this like proper knights? Duel me, you pig!"

This move was suicidal, but I knew he wouldn’t refuse. I secretly crenched the dragon seal in my pocket, preparing for the worst.

Zoli burst into laughter. He dropped his hammer to clap.

"FINE! YOU AND ME! BRING IT! YOU LOTS, BACK OFF!"

The soldiers stepped away, gathering at the cavern entrance.

Zoli stomped the ground, stepping onto a stalagmite. As soon as he landed, the earth shifted. Stalactites morphed into a solid circular platform, rising five meters high.

The platform trapped us together. Behind me yawned a cliff with sharp stalagmites waiting below. Blue ore veins glowed faintly in the floor. Zoli didn’t seem to know what raw Caerulex stones could do.

Zoli removed his helmet, revealing a pointy, zit-covered face. Honestly, he looked like Jabba from a certain sci-fi movie, if Jabba had hair.

The giant smirked and raised his hand. His hammer flew back into his grip.

"I’M ZOLI DIRIPIO, THE GREAT GENERAL OF AVARITIA! STATE YOUR NAME, INSECT!"

I told you. Stop yelling in caps.

I shook my head, discarding unnecessary thoughts. Placing the wine jar on the ground, I lifted my sword, saluted, and announced my identity.

"Hercules, son of Zeus!"

"Suss? Who?!"

"Your father!"

Zoli sneered, "You dare mock me, vermin? Do you think you can leave after you mocked me?"

I tilted my head and snorted. "Haven’t you noticed? The princess isn’t here. Actually, I did try to flee, but you didn’t let me. Now, you’re stuck with me while your lovely princess is gone."

"...I see. You’ve baited me. Bravo!"

Zoli burst into laughter. However, his cold eyes were full of murderous aura.