Chapter 198
Just before the infiltration, a short 15-minute preparation time was given.
This was because they had been running for over four days with minimal rest.
Although the intentions of the Black Mages were unknown, it was a situation with a high probability of a fight breaking out.
There was a need to improve their condition even a little.
Meditation, conversation, stretching, napping, writing diaries.
"Adonis, look over here!"
"So cute!"
Finding Adonis cute(?) and so on.
Each took their final rest in their own way.
The atmosphere was quite bustling for being before a battle.
However, no one, not even Caron, pointed out this behavior.
It was natural.
Because the rest they were taking now could be their last rest in life.
'It's been 20 hours since the activation of the magic circle, and there are an estimated thirty-two locations of magic stones.'
Caron, who had heard the rat's report, became lost in thought.
Having a map of Kalos, the tactics and formation were already planned out.
The education was also completed during the four days.
Although the magic circle had become a variable, Caron had created a special team in preparation for such a situation.
"Sasha, after infiltration, destroy the magic stones with your team members. I'll leave the order to your judgment."
"There's no need to destroy them all, right?"
"That's right. But I'd like you to destroy at least half of them. Although 'Fog' and 'Concealment' are the main ones, there might be 'Curse' types hidden as well."
"Understood!"
The more magic stones destroyed, the weaker the magic circle becomes.
The minimum power of the current subjugation force was 6-star knights. They were individuals who could handle mana at an advanced level.
Even if only about half were destroyed, it would not cause them significant harm.
As Caron was examining the faces of the subjugation force and checking their condition, Elester, who was nearby, muttered.
"Why did they remain there until now?"
"Pardon?"
"It's been over a month since they were discovered by the rats. Yet they still remain there. Isn't that strange?"
Black Mages are not welcomed beings on the continent.
Such beings not only had their location exposed but also that they were doing something.
In such a situation, they would normally run away, and that's what the Black Mages had always done until now.
But not only did they stay, they boldly announced their presence there.
"Isn't it because there are many materials?"
'Bones' as a material that can create moving skeletons.
Kalos is a place with more buried bones than anywhere else, so it's not surprising that Black Mages have settled there.
-That's what Caron thought.
However.
"Is that worth risking their lives for? Although it may be a bit troublesome, bones can be obtained all over the continent, can't they?"
"Certainly..."
"There's something. A reason they couldn't leave that place even though they knew the subjugation force was coming."
Elester's thoughts were reasonable and a problem that needed consideration.
They couldn't let the future of the Empire, the children, be lured into a trap and die in vain.
However.
"There's no need to worry. As Lucia said, we'll find out once we go in."
"Heh, I see. It's fortunate that child is here. We don't have to rack our brains thinking about it, do we?"
Lucia's claim to just go in for now.
Normally, he would have scolded her, but in a situation like this, it was the best decision possible.
"Gather everyone."
The members of the subjugation force took their positions in front of Caron. The bustling atmosphere was nowhere to be seen.
Everyone's eyes were shining.
"It seems the enemies have noticed our approach. You've prepared the potions and holy water to be taken out at any time, right?"
One holy water per person and twenty holy power potions had been distributed.
Although they had no idea who the enemy was or what they were doing, holy power potions and holy water had the power of divine punishment against Black Mages.
As everyone nodded, Caron spoke without hesitation.
"With that, let's depart."
"Uh... Sir Caron?"
Someone raised their hand. It was 'Otone', who was called a hero only in the Ratra region.
"What is it?"
"Aren't we leaving Adonis out? It seems too dangerous to take him to such a place..."
Elester coughed dryly, and Caron frowned.
Adonis, who had the unmistakable appearance of a boy.
They couldn't say that the person inside was the hero Douglas, someone stronger than them.
"...That child is indispensable for this operation. We can't leave him behind."
"That's absurd!"
"I request the withdrawal of the order!"
"This is a violation of the Minor Labor Law(?)!"
The members of the subjugation force began to protest.
It wasn't just the women's claim. A significant number of men were also included.
Because taking a boy to a battlefield went against the beliefs of knights.
"You bastards... Are you saying you won't follow orders now?"
Caron rebuked them, raising his momentum.
Not following the orders of a commander on the battlefield, moreover, a commander directly appointed by the Emperor, was not strange even if they were executed on the spot.
However.
"It's not like it's not."
"That's right. We don't know what Adonis's role is, but we can perform better instead."
"Agreed!"
Their determination did not waver in the slightest.
Caron couldn't help but be perplexed.
From the moment they first met until now. Weren't they the ones who tried not to even make eye contact, let alone talk to him because they were afraid?
And those guys were rising up!
'Of all times, at such an important moment...!'
Although there would be a leak in their strength, he was considering making an example out of one person.
Adonis stepped forward.
"I'm fine."
"Adonis, but...!"
"Isn't it a problem that can be solved if you protect me?"
"...!"
Everyone was shocked. Not only by what Adonis said but also because the smile he showed was so beautiful.
A smile that seemed to be tinged with a golden hue.
"Everyone, raise your weapons and swear! We will definitely protect Adonis!"
"Ooooh!!"
As he watched the subjugation force making pledges while raising their weapons, Caron thought.
They were truly crazy bastards.
*
Thud thud thud thud-!!
Dozens of horses kicked up a cloud of dust as they headed towards Kalos.
'The original plan was to sneak in carefully, but...'
Judging that the subjugation force's approach had been noticed based on the magic circle being activated yesterday.
They decided to quickly rush in on horses and catch them off guard.
Passing through the 'Gate of Glory', once called the landmark of Kalos, was instantaneous.
'...It's desolate.'
A world of gray.
If there was a world that had lost its color, wouldn't it be a landscape like this?
"...Everyone, dismount."
To reach the 3rd district after passing the 4th district. It took less than 5 minutes.
From the 3rd district, there were stairs in between, so dismounting was more maneuverable.
"It's quiet."
"Did they run away?"
"Shh! There's still a distance to the 2nd district. Don't let your guard down."
Although they had entered Kalos, there were no signs of life.
The same went for the bones that were said to move.
'Tsk, we can't even sense mana.'
It was due to the magic circle floating in the sky above Kalos.
"Hmm, now that we're inside, it's definitely clear. The magic circle is mainly focused on fog and concealment. There doesn't seem to be any curses or poison."
"Was it for buying time, telling us not to come here?"
"Who knows? It could also be for an ambush."
The subjugation force moved as cautiously as possible.
However, until reaching the Fountain of Radiance in the 2nd district. They couldn't confirm anything.
"...We'll rest for 3 minutes and then move again."
They had been moving while being extremely tense, so the physical exhaustion was quite severe. If they didn't take a brief rest, they would collapse under the tension.
Caron took out a pocket watch and checked the time.
From the entrance of Kalos to the inner 2nd district, about 1 hour.
It was a considerably fast pace considering they had been moving while being cautious.
"...It's been a while since I've seen it."
Elester muttered while looking at the Fountain of Radiance.
It was a new feeling for him, seeing it again after 40 years.
Seeing that, Lucia asked.
"Come to think of it, Lord Elester participated in the Great War, right?"
40 years ago, the 5th Legion Commander Crowley descended upon Kalos.
At that time, only Elester had participated. Back then, Adonis had received orders to guard the Emperor.
"How was it?"
"...It was hell. Not only the soldiers but also the knights and renowned powerful individuals."
They all perished. The number of people who died without even having a proper form was countless.
"To survive such a war. That's amazing. What do they call this, having a different level of talent?"
As Caron glared, Lucia whistled.
Seeing that, Elester opened his mouth.
"Lucia, I survived not because I was strong. It was thanks to the sacrifices of others."
"I know that too. A battlefield is such a place. But skill is also important, right?"
"Even though I was only a 5th circle mage at the time?"
"..."
Elester, who was a 5th circle mage, survived.
However, the 'powerful ones' of that time, who were stronger than Elester, mostly died.
It was thanks to the 'sacrifices' made by those who were called the powerhouses of that era.
Elester still clearly remembered their sacrifices even after 40 years had passed.
To Elester, they were the true 'heroes'.
"Perhaps this time, I might have to play that role."
"Agh! Don't say such unlucky things! If it gets dangerous, stick with me. I'll save you. What are you doing! Everyone, get up! We need to depart!"
With Lucia's grumbling, the subjugation force began to advance again.
Around 30 minutes later, they were able to reach the place where the palace of the Rohan Kingdom used to be, beyond the 1st district.
It was a place that had been devastated when the 5th Legion Commander Crowley descended.
As they were examining the palace with its insides half exposed.
Crack!
A slight crack appeared in the magic circle floating in the sky.
The special team led by Sasha had succeeded in removing the magic stones.
Shiver-!
At the same time, the subjugation force could see it.
The palace with its insides half exposed. On the throne, the figure of a person lying down.
"...A person?"
The face couldn't be seen because the robe was pulled down deeply.
However, everyone present could feel it.
His 'size'.
"What, you're here already? I almost died waiting."
"...Who are you?"
The unidentified man stood up with a leisurely motion. Then he slightly poked his face out.
As if trying to confirm the faces of the people.
"Ah, so you're Caron? I heard from the Creator of Madness. He said he was in a lot of pain back then. He told me to send his regards."
Caron quickly recalled the information Zero had given him.
The Creator of Madness. The surprising information that there were three more beings on par with him.
Then...
"Are you one of those four?"
"Oh, this is surprising? You knew of our existence? As expected of the Empire's rats, the amount of information is considerable."
That's when it happened.
Boom!!
With a loud noise, the throne the Black Mage was sitting on was split in half.
Lucia, who had approached at some point, had swung her sword. However, she failed to cut the unidentified man.
"Tsk! You talk slowly, but your movements are fast."
"What a rude woman. Don't you know that the most important thing when having a conversation is the attitude of listening?"
"Why should I know that!"
However, it wasn't just Lucia who moved.
All the members of the subjugation force took their respective positions and surrounded him.
They knew that it was advantageous not to give him time and that it was best to behead him before he could play any tricks.
"Tsk, it would be better to have a longer conversation. Usually, such fights have a high probability of ending in a disappointing manner compared to the high expectations."
"Don't worry about that. I'll make it fun for you."
Lucia tried to charge forward but quickly retreated.
It was because she felt movement beneath her feet.
Crunch-!
A skeleton. It was a skeleton much larger than the average adult male physique.
What was interesting was that the entire skeleton was heavily armed with armor and weapons.
Yes, like.
A knight.
Kraaaaah-!!
With the skeleton's scream, dark purple mana burst out.
A moment later, what stood before Lucia's eyes. Was the figure of a skeletal knight standing proudly while riding a horse.
Unbelievably, even the horse was a skeleton.
"What the..."
Kekeke-.
The Black Mage's laughter. At the same time, his voice reverberated across the battlefield.
"You arrogant Imperial bastards. Do you know how many people have died because of you?"
"..."
"You probably don't. No, you didn't even try to find out. Because you're that kind of scum!"
Dark purple mana began to flow out from the Black Mage's body.
It was the kind of mana that made you feel unpleasant just by looking at it.
"Actually, I don't know either. But one thing is for sure. The number of people you have killed is far greater than the number of people killed by demons."
Although his speech was slow, everyone could clearly feel it.
His anger hidden within.
"What, now that I look at you, you're not a Black Mage but a paranoid delusional patient?"
"...What?"
Lucia poured cold water on his anger.
"Do you know how many wars have been caused by demons? Even if people were killed by human hands, it doesn't mean they were killed by people. It's all their fault."
"..."
"Is that the end of your last words? It's too cliché. I'll give you another chance to speak."
"...The Empire's hero, Lucia, I presume."
The Black Mage tilted his head to the right. There was a 'crack' sound.
Looking at Lucia with his head tilted to the right. It was an unspeakably bizarre appearance.
"This is perfect timing. I was in need of a gift. He made quite a fuss, saying it wasn't time yet."
"...He?"
"But your head should be sufficient as a gift."
Creak- Creak creak-!
An eerie sound echoed from the ground. But Elester was one step ahead.
"Wind Storm!"
Boom-!!
A blade-like wind struck the Black Mage.
The Black Mage was blown away along with half of the precariously-maintained palace.
However.
"Even the Great Mage Elester is here... This is more than I imagined."
The Black Mage was alive.
On the opposite side, on top of the pile of rubble. Elester, who was about to use magic again, couldn't help but widen his eyes.
The space revealed as the palace was blown away.
There lay the corpse of a huge demon. And around it, six Black Mages were chanting an unknown spell.
Seeing that, Elester's face turned pale.
"You bastard... Don't tell me!"
"Ah, come to think of it... You were on that battlefield. Then you should know well."
The corpse of a huge demon. Its identity was none other than.
The 5th Legion Commander Crowley.
The Black Mage's actions were clear. He was trying to resurrect Crowley.
"Caron!"
Before Elester could shout, two people moved.
It was Caron and Lucia.
At the same time, the buildings and the ground shook.
Creak- Creak creak!
Hundreds of white hands. At that bizarre sight, everyone held their breath.
"Elester, try comparing for once. I don't know, you see."
Which was more terrible, the hell of when the Legion Commander descended or himself.
Who was the greater disaster?
"Let's begin. It's the start of the Kalos reenactment!"
The eyes of the black mage, his robe turned back, gleamed ominously.
Tremble with fear.
Shiver.
And witness clearly.
"I am the one who governs death and commands souls..."
Volkan, the Maestro of the Battlefield!
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading
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