Earlier, Paracelsus intended to enter the Beast Lair to conduct some research, but hadn’t found the opportunity until now.

Now, having resolved most of her work, she came to investigate in person. With Lance absent, even Grendel couldn’t stop her, so Baldwin was brought to ensure her safety.

Baldwin understood the doctor’s importance and had been eager to contribute, so he agreed without hesitation.

With the military stationed, the town faced no danger, especially since enemies were kept at bay outside.

The operation commenced, with the Honor Guard on one side, while three teams descended from the third outpost straight into the core of the Beast Lair.

They lacked Lance’s capability to single-handedly slaughter his way through the lair, yet they weren’t alone.

Three teams simultaneously descended into the lair, each following different routes, exploring three times faster, showcasing the power of teamwork.

Within these teams, if not a Master or Champion, at least experienced Elites forged through battle, and Hamlet’s ability to assemble such formidable teams was truly terrifying.

Below lied unexplored paths, with more powerful pigmen near the core, alongside unknown traps awaiting them, relying solely on themselves...

Whether ordinary pigmen butchers, hookhands, drummers, or the disabled.

Or the advanced pigman knights, concealers, mobs, or priests.

To a strong team, such pigmen were nothing more than fat pigs awaiting slaughter.

Because the true "Pigman Butchers" were the heroes present!

In one team, Reynard led at the front, his armored figure exuding a solid aura.

Geralt occupied the second spot, Amanda the third, and Junia held the Iron Torch at fourth.

Being away from the Lord hadn’t weakened Reynard; rather, his strength allowed him to command the cavalry independently.

The power from the Lord erased his pain, reviving a strength in his stagnant and weakening body as if rejuvenated.

Seizing this rare opportunity, he battled on the front lines, many cultists falling under his blade.

Through intense combat and persistent training, the combat skills honed amid life and death grew even more refined, earning him the title of a true Master.

"Clang..."

The faint sound of tapping echoed through the deep passage, first captured by Geralt’s heightened senses.

"What sound is that?"

Geralt suddenly spoke, causing the party to slow their pace.

"Sounds like metal being struck."

"Why are there pigmen screams too?"

The rest of the party listened to the sounds coming from the end of the passage, sensing something unusual, instinctively lightening their footsteps as they cautiously approached.

The metallic clang and intense pig cries masked the group’s steps as they steadily advanced.

Upon reaching the passage’s end, the torch’s glow revealed the source of the strange sounds.

A bizarrely shaped pigman stood before them, distinct in appearance, tall and lean, increasingly human-like with only its head retaining pig features.

Adorned with odd trinkets, most peculiar was the pigman’s possession of iron pincers and a scorching hammer.

In front of this unique pigman was a blazing forge, clamping down on a fallen pigman on a stone platform, hammering rusted iron plates into its body.

This explained the simultaneous screams and hammering sounds.

Undoubtedly, this pigman was a technician altering other deformed pigmen, likely responsible for their armor and weapons.

Knowledgeable, surely a skilled craftsman among pigmen.

While the pigman weapon smith conducted rough modifications, a priest nearby chanted, possibly blessing or something, who knows.

Anyway, the group’s intrusion undoubtedly disrupted the bizarre ritual underway, sparking a sudden encounter.

"Squawk!"

A harrowing pig cry ushered in the battle.

In the dimness, the Concealer pigman was clearly visible to Amanda. She raised her hand and the Windmill Blade shattered its invisibility.

Junia then spotted a priest pigman stealthily attempting a malicious curse, raising the Iron Torch high, unleashing a fierce flame, illuminating the dark space with dazzling light.

A flash then slashed over, immobilizing the priest in place.

Reynard swiftly advanced, interrupting the incoming pigman mob’s rhythm.

Avoiding a frontal showdown, he sidestepped, dodging the bone hammer swung at him, his longsword aimed at the mob’s belly. Using its forward momentum, the longsword sliced open a gash.

Half the gut was torn open by the sharp blade, intestines spilling out, half a kidney about to fall.

By now, Reynard was behind the mob but seized the chance to twist around, channeling muscle power into a finishing blow.

The longsword fell, slashing a massive wound on the pigman mob’s back, severing its spine, paralyzing its lower body, collapsing its heavy form forward.

Then, Reynard didn’t forget to execute it, swiftly stepping forward, reversing the grip on his longsword, wielding its hilt with both hands, thrusting forcefully down.

The longsword easily pierced through the neck, severing the spine, immediately quelling movement, utterly killing the pigman mob.

Reynard withdrew the longsword, inevitably staining his armor with freshly sprayed blood, though amidst the carnage, such traces blurred quickly.

Yet when he turned towards the pigmen, they were visibly stunned.

Even his comrades were somewhat amazed.

The seamless combo seemed almost like an art to onlookers.

Geralt too recognized Reynard’s swordsmanship as equal, knowing he himself had earned the title of Witcher Master on this continent years ago...

But the battlefield allowed little room for distraction as the Shaman’s awakening and the drumbeat sounded.

Geralt immediately brandished his sword, charging into the fray with the pigmen, proving himself just as formidable.

The weaponsmith grabbed the scorching hammer, swinging it at Reynard, the other hand’s pincers locking in.

Do not underestimate it, as if one noted, it controlled pigmen with one hand while still having the strength to wield the hammer, revealing hidden power within its seemingly frail frame.

Yet it depended on who it faced.

Before Reynard could charge, Amanda had already launched a flying dagger at the dodging weaponsmith, its mysterious power erupting, disturbing the strange blessings within.

By this time, Reynard advanced swiftly, holding the longsword forward in a charge. Even in the Beast Lair, separated from the sun, he could still unleash it.

For the sun resided in his heart!

The longsword radiated an Unremitting aura, as if a blazing sun appeared, tearing through shadow.

Spear of the Sun!

The longsword pierced through the weaponsmith, as Reynard thrust forward, shoulder bumping, tossing it aside, the sword slicing through its body from within, separating from the shoulder.

Reynard maintained the upward stance, now before him stood the weaponsmith pigman split at the upper torso.

Forging requires focus; waving a hammer aimlessly won’t suffice. Trying to act divine? Who do you think you are?

This scene was just a typical occurrence in the battles here.

Amanda eliminated the Concealer, Geralt hacked down the priest and drummer, Junia’s Divine Arts supported.

The pigmen’s every move seemed anticipated, turning these bloody battles into one-sided slaughters.