Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 1064 - 179: Covering the Rear

Chapter 1064: Chapter 179: Covering the Rear

"Hum," a sinister sound rang out once again, with at least ten times the number of spikes previously shot out from behind the expedition team, landing where the team had just passed. If the team had charged a bit slower or entered the rat swarm two seconds later, they would have been engulfed by the spike rain. Facing such an overwhelming number of spikes, even a Demigod would have had to avoid temporarily, let alone the five girls of Legendary Rank in the team who would likely have been severely injured.

In the distance behind them, the strong Rat King had realized that the forces he had intercepted might not be able to hold the target. He had no choice but to hastily draw in the main forces that were still gathering and launched a long-range attack towards the furthest position he could cover. Unfortunately, the attack fell short by just a dozen meters.

"Knights, turn around, charge," Catherine had already rushed past the rat swarm that originally blocked the way. Suddenly turning around to face the increasingly approaching rat swarm, her one-handed sword swung forward again as the illusory knights quickly adjusted their direction, turning half a circle to face the road they came from and charged at high speed again. The young knight stood still and waved her hand behind her, quickly saying, "You go, I’ll follow shortly."

Clearly, Catherine was not willing to let the rat swarm follow closely behind. If any mishap were to slow them down, it would be easy for the rat swarm to successfully ambush them from behind, posing a considerable risk. Thus, the knight girl planned to have her knights temporarily hold off the enemy to buy enough time for her teammates to withdraw. Of course, this did not mean that Catherine planned to sacrifice herself. Once she felt the timing was right, she would dissolve the assembled legion and turn around to catch up with the main force. The girl was not worried about catching up with the team, as without a target, she could not use the Charge skill to speed up, but the main force was moving at the slowest pace, which was Vivian’s, and Catherine could catch up with them in a short time even in full armor.

"Run." Without needing any communication, Pannis had already understood Catherine’s plan and pointed forward, saying, "Just keep going straight, once we run into the forest, we’ll be safe."

The members of the team looked at each other, and no one wasted time on empty talk. Even Lina and Vivian did the same, not even sparing another glance at Catherine, who had stopped, and sprinted forward without looking back. Everyone understood that staying at the rear carried a certain risk, but they also knew that every second they delayed, and every word they wasted, the risk would exponentially increase. Rather than waste time cautioning or persuading, it was better to leave earlier, which could also allow Catherine to complete her rearguard duty sooner.

Listening to the footsteps fading away behind her, a satisfied smile appeared on Catherine’s lips. She did not feel displeasure or sadness because her teammates decisively left her behind. This was, after all, the behavior of a mature team, which was exactly the reaction she had earnestly hoped for.

"My knights will not let you pass," Catherine stood erect on the spot, watching the charging knights and murmured, "Guarding is a knight’s duty, and for that duty, knights will fight to the last man."

The illusory knights charged, braving the spike rain. Due to their increased speed, even though the number of Arrow Mice had increased tenfold, the knights’ casualties were not higher than before. Nonetheless, after each round of spike rain, swathes of knights fell and dissolved into free-floating energy. However, the knights still persistently advanced, trying to shorten the distance with the rat swarm.

The Rat King grew increasingly agitated. Although it was clever and strong, and had advanced to being a Demigod magical beast, it was still only a common magical beast with simple thoughts and could not understand what these enemies, who left no corpses upon death, truly were. If it had known that these were merely forces summoned by the person who had stopped far behind, it would have directed the rat swarm to charge within range and kill the summoner first. Unfortunately, it did not know this, and in its eyes, only the increasingly approaching knights were the biggest threat. Thus, it had to direct all of the rat swarm’s long-range firepower at the knights, allowing the expedition team’s members to vanish from sight.

"That’s right, just like that." Although every fallen knight delivered a heavy blow to Catherine, her defense at the Legendary Rank could still bear it. Thus, even though her complexion grew paler, she remained very satisfied, nodding to herself and muttering, "Attack all you want, the longer you hold them here, the safer everyone will be."

When the brave knights, enduring a rain of spikes, had covered a distance of over a hundred meters and finally stepped onto the rat swarm’s territory, only about fifty remained. In a swarm that had swelled to over three thousand, the fifty knights seemed so insignificant. Yet, even so, the knights did not give up the fight, they lowered their bodies and swung their lances, engaging in close combat with the giant rats beneath them.

The Arrow Mice’s strongest aspect was naturally their long-range attacks from spikes on their backs, but this did not mean they lacked means for close combat. In fact, their claws and teeth were incredibly sharp, and their biting force was equally astonishing, merely overshadowed by the potency of their ranged attacks.

"You’ve done your best, brave warriors." Watching her summoned knights being overwhelmed one by one by the rat swarm, Catherine placed her long sword vertically in front of her, the spine of the blade resting between her eyebrows, and offered her gratitude in the manner of a knight, "Thank you, your task is complete, leave the rest to us."

The faint sound of bugles finally ceased, and the last knight returned to the void. The rat swarm was momentarily disorganized but soon regained its original formation, and their aggressive gaze finally turned towards Catherine, who stood afar.

"Just now remembering me? Such is the nature of magical beasts." The knightly young lady sighed at the rat swarm, beginning to move again, her serious expression easing into one of relaxation, and she said with ease, "It’s too late now, goodbye, big rats."

Taking advantage of the absence of others around, Catherine cheekily stuck out her tongue at the rat swarm, pulling a face, and waved goodbye before turning away. However, just as she turned, she saw Pannis, standing about thirty meters behind her, covering his mouth and snickering merrily.

The girl’s face, already pale from the numerous blows she had taken, immediately flushed with red, and her eyebrows furrowed deeply. She knew, of course, that Pannis’s reason for staying was to serve as a target for her to use for a Supporting Charge, allowing her to use the rapid Supporting Charge to travel quickly, thus conserving her energy. However, this did not prevent Catherine from feeling embarrassed about her earlier antics, nor did it stop her from raising her still-unsheathed one-handed sword.

"I didn’t see anything." Watching as the young lady who wielded her long sword and suddenly charged at him with a Supporting Charge appeared right in front of him, Pannis, with a look of horror, darted backwards like an arrow, quickly putting the distance of another Supporting Charge between them, and yelled tragically, "I didn’t see you sticking out your tongue and making faces, I really didn’t see a thing!"