#213
Jeron's Troubles (2)
There were still a few knights who survived the surprise attack and resisted, but it was only a matter of time before they were all eliminated.
Some of the enemies opened the doors of the carriage carrying the delegation one by one and massacred them without mercy, and an additional barrier was set up by wizards in the surrounding area, making it impossible to escape without using "Hero's Footsteps."
In that crisis, Hesperon's head turned more tightly than ever.
'What on earth are you thinking doing like this in the middle of the capital? How are you going to clean things up? Are you planning to start a rebellion?'
When I researched important people in advance, Stav, the head of the imperial guard, was clearly neutral… or more accurately, a person belonging to the imperial faction.
So I heard that Riley is also putting a lot of effort into getting him on her side.
'Damn, I'm a human confined to the imperial palace, so I don't have enough information. No, I guess my motivation is good right now! We have to find a solution somehow!'
Even now, Riley's feelings were being conveyed to him through the "Tether of Unity."
As expected of a princess, she seemed to be trying various methods, as if she had some hidden means, but those faint expectations were soon frustrated again and again, as if something was blocking them.
'…The preparedness he was talking about at first wasn't about the Immortal King, but about making it impossible to escape from here.'
It's a hopeless situation that can't be helped no matter how hard you try.
But despite that… she didn't give up until the end.
A girl who has not yet reached adulthood is afraid of the shadow of death approaching at every moment, but is trying hard to maintain her composure until the very end.
However, if you give up and withdraw first…
'What could be more unsightly than that!'
Isn't that such an insult to one's pride when one is no different from the shadowy man who controls this world from behind?
'You can't give up without even trying. It just so happened that I saw a possibility.'
But there was something that was absolutely necessary to make that possibility a reality.
Right time.
The barrier installed on the princess's carriage was on the verge of being completely destroyed, and two knights were approaching the carriage she was riding in.
Even though my thinking ability has improved dramatically, I still feel like I am running out of time.
-Hannibal Strauss: Tsk, it's stupid and ineffective. Wouldn't it be better for just you to escape than for both of you to die?
-Hesperon: No, anyway, I am now at the level of a mid-level wizard. The greatest asset he has is his relationship with Riley, the next heir to the throne.
Although they share and understand each other's thoughts, they cannot understand each other due to differences in the way of thinking that constitutes existence.
So Hesperon very kindly added an explanation so that Hans could accept it.
-Hesperon: But if you run away from here, there will only be one mid-level wizard left. In that case, wouldn't it be better to take a gamble? If you succeed, you will become the next emperor's closest aide?
-Hannibal Strauss: Ho—? That certainly makes sense. Well, if you're at the level you are now, it wouldn't be that difficult to make it again.
-Hesperon: …It hurts a little when you say something like that.
-Hannibal Strauss: Good. It may be a waste of time, but considering the rewards, it's worth the walk.
-Heinrich: I just finished the battle too. Now that we have some free time, let's start preparing right away. I hope it goes well. I don't want to see the princess do anything wrong.
-Heinz II: Hmm, it's a way to buy time.
-Howard: Wait! Now that I think about it, there is one thing I briefly prepared, but it is still unfinished…
After the emergency meeting in my brain in such accelerated time.
The situation began to unfold rapidly again.
***
Quang!
The knight, who drew his sword and was about to open the door of the carriage with the servants on board, instantly stepped back.
Suddenly, the opponent came out of the carriage door and suddenly swung his sword at him.
However, it was not at a level that he, a senior knight of the Empire, could not respond to.
"Is it rebellion? "It's annoying."
"I am a disciple of Viscount Pristine. "He's a wizard, so be careful."
"You mean a wizard? "The wizard took the sword…"
But no sooner had another knight, who was standing a little further away, started to warn him.
Blue magic light flashed from the entire body of that man, Hesperon, and its speed was amplified several times.
"Remaining talented! "There is no way!"
But even that was just laughable to the knight.
A thick haze rose from his entire body, and the sword, engulfed in an equally brilliant aura, cut the wizard's sword that dared to attack him in two with a single sword.
And the moment he became so triumphant that he was about to cut down the defenseless opponent…
Kwaang—!
In an instant, Hesperon's fist, amplified several times along with a flash of black magic light, was lodged in his chest.
"Whoa?!"
Kigi Geek—
Metal gauntlets with reinforced knuckles that seemed to have been made for fighting made an ominous sound as they rubbed against the knight's armor.
"This…what…!"
Moreover, the problem was not simply the shock caused by the blow.
The fatal curse emanating from his fist penetrated the aura surrounding his body and restricted his movements.
If he wasn't an Auror, this curse alone would have rendered him completely unable to fight.
But that didn't mean he had any hope of survival.
Fuhuaak—!
With an eerie sound, bright red blood sprayed out, and the body of the knight who lost his head slowly fell backwards.
"You!"
And at the same time.
Cheaeng!
The other knight's sword, which moved at the moment his comrade was hit, suddenly interlocked with the 'jet black sword' that appeared in Hesperon's hand.
Of course, the sword that had just harvested life and was dripping with blood also exuded ominous black magic.
Like it was leaking out of his body right now.
The knight struck his sword even harder and opened his mouth as if chewing.
"Could it have been a warlock? And where else can you find such a magic sword…!"
"Wow, I borrowed it from a friend!"
He frowned in displeasure at that natural retort… but that was it.
Even if you strengthen your body with black magic or use the power of a magic sword to fight against aurors.
visor-! Chaang! Whiplash—!
In front of the highest level of high-ranking knights, I was just a child playing with dangerous toys.
'No, it's not at the level of a child. I heard he was definitely a wizard, but what is this sword technique, as well as martial arts? 'Isn't it simply a matter of reacting based on physical ability alone?'
No matter how much he borrowed the power of Oedo, the fact that he was somehow responding to his attack and mixing his swords was proof that he was not ordinary.
Even though it's really close and just barely holding on, that alone is worthy of praise.
Jeok-
'But that doesn't stop here.'
The knight raised the corner of his mouth fiercely as he looked at the magic sword that was beginning to crack against his strong aura.
No matter how much dark magic it was, it was natural that it was exposed to attacks wielded with all its might by someone who had reached the level of power several times.
'I don't know if the weapon could be strengthened with aura, but it's not even possible with that little magic power. 'To imitate a knight while being a wizard, you should know the subject!'
So he swung his sword towards the crack of the magic sword, confident of victory.
The moment the swords met again, I felt the dark magic that began to expand in the gap and my eyes widened.
"Huh? …This?!"
However, when he realized what was wrong belatedly, he had no time to react.
Kwajajajak!
The fragments, which were instantly shattered by the enormous pressure that started from the crack, were shot in one direction with a specific purpose and direction by the spell on the magic sword.
Kwaaaang—!
Numerous fragments filled with deadly black magic swept forward like claymore mines.
This deadly magic sword was created to reliably annihilate any opponent that touches the weapon, but its effective range was intentionally extremely limited in order to maximize its killing power.
dump!
As such, it boasted an overwhelming effect against those who came within range.
Even if it is a top-level article.
"Hahaha—it's not just that the level is high. "This is what it means."
Hesperon breathed heavily as he looked at the knight's barely visible body thanks to the massive aura.
No matter how much he strengthened his body with auxiliary magic using "Introduction to Magic" and used skills such as "Martial Arts" and "Supernatural Strength," it was simply impossible to defeat knights of this level with just his abilities.
To get through this situation, of course, external assistance was needed…
and that was high-level item support through "Avatar Cloud."
'It's a magic tool that focuses on dark magic and has amazing effects.'
It is an item that the Immortal King personally selected and sent after inspecting it, so it goes without saying that it is of high quality.
Of course, it was impossible to have no side effects while using such a product.
Passyuk—
"Hmm."
The disposable magic sword, of which only the handle remained, crumbled into powder and disappeared, and a terrible curse began to seep into the right hand that held the sword.
In addition, the rings, necklaces and bracelets worn on his body… the numerous accessories he had received to enhance his physical abilities and attack power were also steadily becoming contaminated, eroding his lifespan.
'Well, lifespan doesn't really matter. …Anyway, you're glaring extremely hard.'
However, Hesperon remained tense until the end, swallowing the blood that flowed down his throat.
It was only natural that there was such a commotion, but the eyes of all the knights around him were already focused on him.
"…Cursed object. Was he really a warlock?"
"No, looking closely, it doesn't look like he cooked it himself. It seems like those magic tools are the cause. … Well, I guess that doesn't matter now."
"Let alone Kunter, I never thought even Lord Wilhelm would suffer."
In a very short period of time, a knight died, and the person who came right after him also died from an unexpected blow.
While I was just watching, thinking that I would win easily, two of my colleagues died in a sudden accident, so they could not attack me carelessly and had no choice but to raise their guard.
'It's tingling.'
Of course, he didn't step forward right away, but the sword-like force rising between the knights was so vicious that it seemed like it would cut him into pieces at any time.
-Heinrich: It's a little late. Still, this will be helpful enough. I'll send you more as soon as it's ready.
While I was on guard against the knights slowly surrounding me.
Before he knew it, the sacred sign filled with Heinrich's divine power, held in Hesperon's right hand, began to crush the curse energy penetrating there.
'Oh, I think I'll buy something.'
Even though it was an indirect exercise of power through the holy symbol, it was the holy power of the saint in name and substance.
The knights who were slowly preparing to join forces flinched and frowned again due to that energy.
"…tremendous divine power. "Is it a sacred object?"
"It appears to be temporary, as it is decreasing rapidly. Still, if it's at that level, I think at least the archbishop level was involved, right?"
"You have things like the cursed item from earlier? "What on earth is this guy doing?"
'This is a secondary character that receives support from the main character. It's so sweet.'
Although Hesperon had a serious expression on his face while jokingly responding on the inside, the situation was actually not very relaxed.
Even during the fight, one part of his mind continued to focus on the "Tether of Unity," but it was still slightly short of achieving what he wanted.
'I think I just need a little more time.'
He glanced around.
Those who were already on the carriage were all exterminated except for a few who appeared to be in the same group as them.
Still, there were still quite a few survivors left in the group of knights who did not betray, perhaps because they were distracted by the mess they had caused.
When I was looking at the situation like that.
Creepy—
He suddenly felt a cold sensation and glanced towards it.
Sure enough, Stav, the leader of the traitors, was standing there, glaring at us.
With the carriage door wide open right in front of you.
***
Stav, who was staring at Hesperon, soon looked away.
Right now, this matter is more important than that guy.
After watching for a while, I realized that the items he had were a bit annoying, but the level itself was not that high.
Now that my subordinates won't let down their guard, they will be able to organize things well within their own ranks.
"…Lord Stav. "Why are you doing this?"
"I am sorry, Princess. Isn't this what political strife is all about? "It's just that what we wanted was different."
"Do you think you will get away with making such a bold move in Jeron? "Your Majesty the Emperor will never sit idly by and watch this!"
"Don't worry about that part. "It's not like we did this without thinking."
Stave responded calmly to Riley's warning.
This is because he was not the only one who poured in tangible and intangible resources to the extent that his power was shaken, and was directly mobilized.
Very unfortunately, the 5th Princess Riley, who managed to escape from the Immortal King's grasp, will be treated as a victim of the Immortal Army that chased after the escaped captive.
The terrorism currently taking place in the city was part of it, and all physical and magical evidence and witnesses had already been prepared.
'Everyone here, including me.'
He smiled coolly and looked down at her with cold eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have any more time. "It's time for you to go."
They agreed to the conversation as a last courtesy to the princess, but as they did not have much free time left, they could not spend any more time on it.
Wouldn't there be a limit to buying time by making all-out efforts in various places, including the center?
"for a moment! No way, you…"
Riley tried to take time by talking somehow, but Stave ignored it and calmly took out a short dagger from a subspace magic tool.
…In fact, it is called a dagger because it has a handle, but if you look at its appearance, it is something that resembles the claws of a witch.
"I have one more thing to ask for your understanding. It's probably not going to be a good death. "It will be quite painful and miserable."
A bloody claw dagger that sprays energy in all directions as soon as it comes out, threatening to tear everything apart.
It was also a cursed magic sword filled with dark magic.
"Now that I think about it, that friend from earlier was using cursed items. "Actually, I was planning on making him a liaison to the Immortal King from the beginning, but I think it would be okay to make him the evil beast who killed the princess himself."
His eyes turned to where the commotion was still coming from.
I thought there was something strange about the presence I felt earlier, and saw that the guy had gone among the few surviving knights and was doing all sorts of things to support them.
He restored the knights with items containing divine power, bought time with barrier magic tools in times of emergency, and a blood storm triggered by blood-red beads prevented the wizards from intervening.
Also, his subordinates were unable to do anything about the ominous items, including the magic sword, that were taken out in the meantime.
"…Tsk, incompetent things. "I guess I'll have to take care of that too. I'm busy with work, so I'll just end this."
Stav frowned at that and clicked his tongue lightly.
As if there was no need to wait any longer, he swung the dagger at Princess Riley.
No, to be precise…
towards the place where Princess Riley 'was'.
"…under?"
Stave, who had frozen for a moment after cutting into the air like that, slowly turned his head following his senses.
In the middle of a battlefield where chaos is still going on.
And there.
"Wow, that was close."
In the arms of Hesperon, who is smiling heartily even while blood is dripping from his nose and mouth.
Princess Riley was hugged somewhat with her eyes wide open.