“For Arion Kingdom!”
“Kraaaagh!”
“These bastards!”
“So you wanna fight, huh!”
The Imperial Guardian Knights, Holy Knights of the Holy Country, and the Eastern Union’s escort forces clashed with the Arion Kingdom army.
It was a battle that started at a slight disadvantage due to the sudden ambush.
I quickly looked around while hearing screams and the sound of cold steel clashing everywhere.
The kings of each country were caught in some kind of area-wide stun by the High Priest.
Even the bodyguards behind them had dilated pupils.
The only ones fully functional were the Empire and Holy Country forces.
Meanwhile, the Arion Kingdom army, armed with spears aimed at us, looked to be about thirty soldiers at a glance.
Their shining armor probably meant they were royal guards or something like that.
They were likely trying to confuse the external forces with the kingdom army and suppress us with the royal guards.
Besides, the heretic forces hadn’t even appeared yet.
The situation on the surface was the worst possible.
Still, I couldn’t hide my confusion.
Why would they pull off such an absurd move?
“You don’t look dumb. Do you think you can handle it?”
Even with just the Empire’s forces having two Masters and one Archmage, and the Holy Country having the Pope and Holy Maiden, their power far outweighed that pathetic heretic guy’s, even ignoring the leftover minor forces.
“Ho ho, since Sir Allen is curious, I must explain, mustn’t I?”
As Libido smiled seductively, I made a face like I’d bitten into something foul.
She was still trying to tempt us amidst all this chaos.
That’s why I stood in front of Theron—because if someone was a Master, they wouldn’t fall for that repulsive thing’s charm.
“Hmph~ Too bad.”
Knowing that, Libido licked her lips and summoned demonic energy.
“First of all, you mustn’t forget that this isn’t friendly territory.”
Snap—
Flicking her finger, the pristine marble turned pitch black.
At the same time, a dark red magic circle lit up on the conference room floor.
Seeing the demonic energy from the magic circle envelop the room, I instinctively glanced at Erias.
She clicked her tongue expressionlessly.
“Looks like it’s an improved version of the ancient magic circle found in the ruins. Tsk, it’s impressive enough to deceive even me.”
Generally, the purer the untouched nature, the richer the mana.
Though it was strange that the mana here was richer than in the northern snow mountains, who would’ve thought there’d be a magic circle installed in the ruins?
If even Erias didn’t notice, it means it was perfectly blended with nature.
The meaning behind that despicable grin of hers became clear immediately.
Grrrr—
“Did you corrupt the royal guard? Aren’t you afraid of what will come later? High Priest!”
Seeing the crimson glow between the visors of the corrupted royal guards, Theron distorted his face and shouted.
Libido leaned back lazily in her chair and replied.
“Oh my. They were quite satisfied, weren’t they? They experienced the greatest pleasure as men.”
“You disgusting harlot! What do you think human lives are worth?”
“Well… when the Demon King comes, insignificant humans will all perish anyway. Is that really important?”
“You…!”
“Calm down, please.”
Trying to restrain Theron, who seemed ready to charge out any moment, I asked Erias.
“Can you destroy it?”
I recalled the incident from the village before coming here.
That trashy mercenary was strengthened to near expert levels by that bastard heretic’s methods.
With royal guards, they could probably withstand a couple of Master-level attacks, but now enhanced by the magic circle…
The fastest way to resolve things smoothly would be to destroy the magic circle.
“What am I supposed to be? Though I’d like to say that… ancient magic circles are rather tricky. Unlike normal magic circles where breaking them with mana is enough, ancient ones repair themselves using natural mana unless you destroy the object anchoring them.”
“Where’s the object located?”
“It’d be faster to just demolish everything here instead of finding it. Of course, if we did that, not many would survive.”
“That won’t work. If there’s no one left to testify, even if we kill all the heretics here, it’ll still lead to war.”
Theron bit his lip and said.
Just because the king dies doesn’t mean the kingdom collapses.
Rather, their successor will inherit the throne and become hostile to the empire.
The High Priest has been biding his time for this very moment.
Erias looked at Pope Alberto and asked.
“Will Your Holiness assist?”
In the heat of the situation, I almost forgot.
Divine Power is the nemesis of demonic energy.
The fact that the Holy Country is the biggest threat to the heretics here.
“Heh heh, troubling. This is truly a troubling situation.”
Alberto wore a troubled expression.
Senna standing behind him filled in the missing explanation.
“The connection with the goddess has been cut off. It feels like a communication error or interference.”
“And what does that mean?”
“While various problems arise, the biggest issue here is… the power of Divine Magic being halved.”
“Damn…”
The High Priest’s preparation was more thorough than I imagined.
To deteriorate the Holy Country to this extent…
“Ho ho, my mind isn’t bad, is it?”
That annoying smile reappeared on Libido’s face, holding a wineglass glowing with ominous crimson light.
A chalice-like artifact.
Alberto let out a gasp.
“Tch… The Chalice of Nyx? How did such heretics get their hands on that…”
“Could you explain what that is? And its effects, if you don’t mind.”
Senna answered my question.
“It’s an artifact of the ancient goddess. According to records, its effect is ‘isolation from the outside world.’ It seems to have severed our connection with the goddess.”
“I see… so we need to either break or take that first.”
“Ah, if you could, please take it. It’s currently contaminated with demonic energy, but once purified, it can be used effectively.”
“You… why are you so calm about this?”
Don’t you see we’re in a crisis here…
When I asked incredulously, Senna smiled brightly.
“It’s because Professor is here, after all!”
“…You really…”
How can I refuse when you trust me this much?
“I leave our lord in your hands. Your Grace, and Senna.”
“Just focus forward and leave the rear to us.”
“Fighting!”
What a reassuring team this is.
Even if their power is halved, the essence of Divine Magic lies in defense, so Theron doesn’t need to worry.
Holding Opheucus, which transformed into a spear, I smirked.
“Let’s go.”
– Whoosh!
Erias, who had silently moved beside me, asked.
“How’s the plan going?”
“…Should I be the one deciding?”
Well, why is this far more experienced person asking me?
Erias replied with a composed expression.
“Would you follow my plan?”
“Of course…”
“Then I’ll sweep them all away with Transcendental Magic. Just hold them for a moment.”
“…I’ll do it.”
Sighing, I responded as Earl grinned.
“Still the commander! That leadership worthy of leading the Golden Way Zodiacs!”
“Hah, we’ll settle that later.”
“Why?!”
“We’re starting the operation now.”
Ignoring Earl’s aggrieved gaze, I glared at Libido.
The old memories resurfaced with the return of crisis.
Was it similar to how I felt when I took down the High Priest back then?
Fortunately, the forces I have now far exceed those from back then.
“Earl, create interference. Erias, observe the situation and suppress the royal guards. Absolutely no killing.”
Ah, I unconsciously spoke rudely.
“Yes sir!”
“…Tsk, arrogant brat.”
Thankfully, Erias merely clicked her tongue, nodded, and flew into the air.
Relieved internally, I issued the next command.
“Guardian Knights, prepare defensive formations to engage the royal guards. Just hold them down. Protect yourselves; this place isn’t your grave.”
“Yes sir!”
There were only five guardian knights trapped in the conference room with us.
The rest were likely fighting the Arion Kingdom army.
Fortunately, thanks to Theron’s hint, they followed my orders without hesitation.
“And Black Wolf… Black Wolf…?”
I was startled by the absence of Black Wolf when giving instructions.
Had they activated their Divine Power? They were undetectable even by my senses.
“Where in the world…”
While scanning for Black Wolf’s location, I unexpectedly spotted them.
“Yawn~ Boring. Shall we start soon?”
“No, it’s over.”
“Wha…?!”
Right behind Libido, who was leisurely yawning.
[Divine Power: Shadow Concealment]
A blade dyed in deep darkness pierced Libido’s forehead.
Black Wolf tersely declared.
“Farewell, heretic.”
What I thought would be an anticlimactic ending…
“No? Where am I going?”
“…!”
Suddenly appearing behind Black Wolf, Libido pierced through their chest.
“…Cough!”
Red blood splattered.
It was Black Wolf’s blood, unseen and unwanted for a long time.
“Black… Wolf…?”
An unreal scene unfolded.
I was reminded of the time when I nearly lost Black Wolf to the Snowman King in the past.
I definitely saved them, so why…
Why now?
“Aww, such a cute puppy. After all my preparations… you tried to end it so soon?”
“You… bastard…”
“Truly, the lifespan of beastfolk deserves recognition, don’t you think? Attempting an attack despite being stabbed in a vital spot.”
“…Ugh.”
Demonic energy darkened Black Wolf’s crimson hair into tentacles, wrapping around their arm.
Distorting their face, Black Wolf dropped the dagger.
My sanity shattered upon seeing this.
“Hmm~”
Libido licked her blood-stained lips and stroked Black Wolf’s ear.
“Shall I pierce your brain? Would you still thrash around?”
“Get… off…!”
That ear could only be touched by one person.
That sacred body bearing precious memories shouldn’t be defiled by her grotesque hands.
Libido grinned widely as she watched Black Wolf’s trembling hand.
“Ho ho ho, then I wish you a good journey. Your fur will make a nice…”
[Divine Power: Forced Harmony]
Blood Demon Body
Secret Art: Evil Extermination
No need for further details.
If I could just remove this despicable woman from my sight…
“You son of a bitch!!!”
With that single thought, I plunged Opheucus into the High Priest’s head.
