A close-quarters brawl where opponents cling to each other and trade blows is called a dogfight. And as the name suggests, dogfights are the specialty of dogs. In a fight that tests reflexes and agility at close range, dog beastkin possess an innate sense.
If the opponent had been average, Shay would have won. Cheonbangeyeong, refined from the extremes a living being could reach regardless of human or beast, counterattacks with reflexes that overwhelm dog beastkin. Moreover, Cheonbangeyeong is a qigong technique that promises near-absolute defense against an opponent one has fought before. Even though it was their first encounter in this cycle, the regressor's body had internalized memories of fighting Blanka several times.
'Tch...!'
However. Principles can overturn even absolutes.
'Blanka's Principle isn't much. If we were to rank them, it's the lowest. But...!'
Principles are activated by will alone. Just the possibility that they can manifest their Principle changes the range of danger.
Blanka's Principle is Beastification. Claws grow and disappear at will, fur lengthens and shortens. A Principle that freely wields a beast's weapons.
It's a common skill, no different from the power of a druid who contracted with the King of Beasts.
'In a dogfight, it's like facing a real dog!'
But those who have fought against it know. When receiving attacks with hand-to-hand combat and qigong while closing in, one must always maintain a comfortable distance equal to the length of the opponent's claws and fur. Because one never knows when claws might suddenly sprout and tear through the body, or when fur might grow and block vision. The single extra card given only to the opponent is itself an invisible pressure.
Of course, Blanka facing Shay also felt pressure from Cheonaeng, which had neither weight nor visibility. People generally don't feel the pressure they themselves apply.
"You carry a fine sword."
"Tch!"
Nails sharply sprout from the arm that penetrated into the gap. The speed of the nails, enhanced by both qigong and Principle, was truly like a flash of lightning. As if the arm had extended, five slashing strikes assailed Shay. Having maintained distance beforehand, Shay dodged with Cheonbangeyeong and counter-thrust with Cheonaeng. The moment the invisible blade tried to slice the skin, fur grew and wrapped over the skin.
Swish. The fur cloaked in qigong was sliced away, but Blanka suffered no harm.
Claws and fur. Attack and defense achieved simultaneously. Because of this, a sense of helplessness sets in, as if without some decisive measure, one cannot overcome this. The regressor realized anew just how unreasonable a technique Principles were.
...Of course, this was a feeling Blanka shared while facing Shay. Cheonbangeyeong, which had developed through repeated cycles, was that daunting. To say it again, memories of being hit linger long, while memories of dealing hits evaporate in an instant.
"You seem to know my Principle too. Were you interested?"
"Hmph. Just because I humored you for a moment!"
"Then you must also know why we became wolves."
Of course I know. I heard it endlessly before the regression. And even at this point, it wouldn't particularly be a secret. Convinced that speaking of it would cause no problem, Shay shouted.
"It's because you killed people, isn't it!"
"...Why we killed them?"
"Does that matter? The fact that you're killers is more important."
Hearing words he hadn't heard in a long time, Blanka gave a faint smile.
Imperial citizens who didn't know the circumstances spoke thus and condemned Baskerville. They said what need was there for hunting dogs in this day and age, that even raising them was impure. They said the very existence of such a household was the problem.
Even though it was humans who trained them to kill humans in the first place.
"Woof. We only follow our master's commands. Like faithful dogs, without harboring any doubt."
"You shouldn't have held back your doubts to the end! If you were going to question things, you shouldn't have bitten humans!"
"Right. Why couldn't we... remain dogs until the very end."
Blanka Baskerville smiled bitterly and glanced around.
This was a surprise attack made with elite forces. Effective, but that was only when Blanka could move freely. Now, with victory or defeat unpredictable, being isolated in enemy lines would mean annihilation. The enemy has Grull.
Blanka spoke with a feeling as if devouring his own flesh.
"Only three stay, the rest retreat."
The Baskervilles nodded and retreated in perfect order. Shay felt relieved inwardly. This was because the Baskerville household was much stronger than Ende's forces including the Obelisk. If they had fought to the death, Ende's casualties would have become unmanageably large, so their willing retreat was almost welcome.
'We could finish this with Blanka here, but don't forget! My real target is the Wolf King! I need to save energy for the ground-shaker!'
While one Baskerville blocked Sapien, the other two ran toward the city. As if urging someone to come kill them, it was nothing but a noisy commotion. Blatant, but before a qigong master could massacre Ende's citizens at random, one had no choice but to go stop them.
Shay glared at the retreating Blanka and shouted.
"Are you running away!"
"Next time we'll come with our King, woof. Let's finish our unfinished match then."
"If you want to die then, go ahead!"
The Baskerville household, which had caused hundreds of casualties in a short time, retreated like ghosts, just as they had come. Slashing the remaining Baskerville's right arm to buy time, Shay waited for a signal that wouldn't come.
"Not yet?"
Numerous winds collide with each other. I don't like war, but I like chaos. Each person carries their own wind, advancing while entangled in a state where anything is possible. Among the entanglement of thousands of wills, in the end only powerful wills remain and shine.
However, somewhat gloomily, this time I must judge those wills according to my intentions. Extracting only the winds that wish to protect the city from the chaos, I let out a sigh.
Is this war? It's a fight that might change people, but is it right for me to change it? This isn't even the King of Beasts, just a regular king.
Beside me as I lamented, Teia, dressed in a racing outfit, muttered to herself.
"So this is war~. Mm, it's really scary."
Teia stepped in place on the bare ground as if trying to release tension, but influenced by the noise and screams reaching her, her steps gradually became tangled.
After taking several deep breaths, Teia asked me.
"Are you all ready?"
"Yes. Here you go."
I handed Teia a brown fur scarf. Examining the scarf made of raw fur that looked rough and crude, Teia asked with disbelief.
"Huh? Is it a gift?"
"It's a muffler made from Aji's fur that the sheep beastkin collected while cleaning."
"Ah. A fur scarf from the King of Dogs? What an honor!"
"If you wear that, the Wolf King will chase you like crazy."
Teia, who had been about to happily wrap the scarf around herself, stopped in fear. Only for a moment. Letting out a big sigh, Teia abruptly wrapped the scarf around her neck. Still, the inside had been finished, so it didn't chafe her skin.
Teia fiddled with the scarf and asked.
"Giving me this means it's about time to head out, right? Where should I go?"
Instead of answering, I picked up a branch and drew a picture on the ground. Ende, wolves. And I briefly drew Grull and Baskerville breaking out from each camp, charging toward each other.
"Thanks to Lord Sapien guarding the main camp, the Baskerville household came to raid it. Thanks to Grull's charge, they sent the high priest to respond. In the process of poking each other's weaknesses, they're targeting the front line that the Baskerville household pulled back, and we're creating a new front line from Grull's side. Right now, both sides' forces are flowing in a circle centered on one point."
"Yeah. I don't understand any of it."
Teia, who didn't understand the battle situation, tilted her head, but the good thing about pictures is that you can see them even if you don't understand them. Looking at the battle situation, Teia pointed right at the center of the circle and said.
"Heeh. For some reason, I feel like I should go to the very center~."
"That's right. So the finish line changes every time. I'll point it out precisely later, but you need to plan the course to reach that vicinity, Teia."
"No problem. I remember every bit of land around here."
Horse beastkin have especially good memory for geography. She won't get confused and charge right into the middle of the enemy lines.
Since I've given all the overview, it's time to start moving.
"Let's head out slowly. I, Aji, and the Obel guard dogs will escort you around the perimeter."
"I'm fine on my own."
"We can't have your stamina drained because of the wolves, Teia. The lives of Ende's citizens depend on your hooves, your stamina, and your concentration."
I threw out a cliché line to boost morale before heading to the battlefield, but Teia took it heavily.
"I like it here."
"Ende?"
"Yeah. It might sound entitled, but all we know is running. We live to run, and we die to run. We strain every vein to beat other racehorses while enduring heart-bursting pain. Making everyone else a sideshow for the one who comes in first."
Teia swiped her foot across the ground and muttered.
"I like running. But... I don't think I can only like running. Because places like this need to exist, so kids who hate running have somewhere to be too."
Stepping forward for something that might kill her wasn't just because of her confidence that she'd never be caught. It was because of her desire to protect Ende, and because she found a way she could help.
I didn't create winds that didn't exist. That's the truth. Who would wish for death or destruction? Everyone wishes to live well. I simply gave strength to the winds that were already there.
"Your running will end up saving the horse beastkin who hate running."
I ended up cheering for her unintentionally. Teia smiled brightly and made a V with her fingers.
"It's good to have at least one ability to brag about! I'm fast, you know!"
Smoothing over her tension with laughter, Teia walked vigorously in the lead. Behind her followed the Obel guard dogs and pig beastkin.
The wolf hunt begins.