It was that kid who appeared in the form of a wind, and as soon as he thought I was bothersome, he changed into the shape of a bracelet.
A bracelet that wrapped around my wrist like a snake.
Could it have transformed this way knowing my aesthetic sense? For a fleeting moment, I thought it looked cool… which made me dislike myself for thinking so…
– Roar Roar Roar!
“Does it feel that good?”
– Roar!
No matter what its true identity is, it’s clear that it possesses intelligence.
Will the Royal Palace know what this kid is?
How extraordinary must a weapon with intelligence be?
Leaving behind a slight sense of anticipation, I headed outside.
***
As the outside scenery came into faint view, I quickly opened my mouth.
“I’m sorry. Was I late? I just couldn’t decide what to choose…”
I awkwardly scratched the back of my head while wearing an uneasy expression.
Though it might seem like I had a tough time deciding, I was actually forced to pick…
Still, it’s true that I took quite some time despite saying I’d hurry. So it’s only right to apologize, even if it’s just empty words.
But why is there no response?
“Why? Did it take longer than expected…?”
Worried that they might be upset, I hastily glanced around.
“Me…?”
Under the gentle light, I found Lux lying down.
At the sight of the unexpected scene, I blinked my eyes in shock.
“Hey, hey… What’s going on right now…”
Only when I approached the fallen figure did I realize something was wrong.
“Snap out of it! Lux!”
In a rush, I turned her body over, revealing her face that seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
Makeup smeared with tears.
Dress covered in dust.
Her ruby-like eyes lost their sparkle.
And from her cheeks, I could not feel the warmth of life.
“How could this happen…”
A scene I’ve seen countless times throughout my life.
I understood that this meant ‘death.’
Yet, I couldn’t believe it.
How could someone who waved goodbye to me just moments ago meet such an end?
“There’s no way.”
Amidst the chaotic situation, I quickly surveyed my surroundings.
Narrowing my eyes at the faint magical energy lingering in the air.
“Traces of magic… Did someone use magic…!”
I swiftly turned my head toward the Mithril Golem.
“Speak. Who is it? Who killed Lux?”
No matter who it is, I won’t let them off easily.
Daring to attack my disciple—I’ll grind them to dust without leaving a trace of bone.
However, the golem delivered an unexpected reply.
“No intruder was present.”
“The only ones here were Allen and Lux.”
“What…?”
A golem does not lie.
To be precise, there’s no reason for a golem guarding the royal treasure to lie.
Such a command structure would be impossible.
Which means…
“…Lux chose death herself…?”
Suppressing my intense emotions and surging murderous intent, I realized the nature of the magical energy surrounding me.
The floating magical energy belonged to one person only—Lux’s magic, which I’ve seen countless times during lessons.
“Magic? Why?”
Even without an intruder, why did Lux use magic?
Clearly, it was the cause of her current state.
Moreover, if this is a magical phenomenon, there’s a high probability that Lux isn’t dead.
There’s no reason for someone who smiled at me earlier to suddenly choose death.
So what if there’s no pupil reaction or body temperature?
What does it matter if her magical flow is undetectable?
As long as there’s the slightest chance she’s still alive, I can’t give up.
[Divine Power: Forced Harmonization]
“Fengyun Zouyi”
Infusing the characteristics of a thunderbird that once lived on the snowy cliffs into my legs…
I moved like lightning.
For the sake of saving my disciple.
***
Somewhere within the unnamed village located in the western continent of Suoman Kingdom, a woman frowned as she peered into a crystal ball while lying on a soft bed.
“Who would’ve thought the rejects from the Magic Tower would show up-”
Her identity was none other than the world-renowned wanted criminal, the Thorn Princess and High Priestess of Sloth, Esphina Ferreira.
“Has the Magic Tower reached this level already-”
Who would’ve guessed they could track her traces so quickly.
She misjudged due to the Magic Tower Master chasing after heretics, causing unrest in the empire.
She never imagined a magician other than the Magic Tower Master could follow her trail.
No, that’s just an excuse.
Normally, she wouldn’t have stayed in one place, moving across multiple locations and hiding in heretics’ hideouts to confuse pursuers.
That’s the basic principle of escape.
The reason Esphina lingered here for days was because of the attack Allen launched in the final moment.
“Damn ‘Singularity’…”
Despite treating the wound perfectly, the throbbing pain wouldn’t subside.
Worse yet, the holy water infiltrating her body disrupted her demon energy.
Who would’ve thought the weapon combining ‘World Tree branches’ with holy water—a tool even elves dare not possess—would be in human hands?
“If I fight in this condition-”
Even under perfect preparation, challenging the Magic Tower Master was uncertain.
Especially with the Holy Country’s Heretic Inquisitor also present.
Espinha knew well that clashing with them would result in certain defeat every time.
But escaping immediately was impossible.
A magic preventing spatial transfer spread across the entire village.
No need to guess whose doing it was.
Kwaang-!
The several layers of barriers she set up were almost gone.
They would surely come to cut off her breath within 5 minutes.
The tightening grip of death wasn’t something she feared.
The only emotion Esphina felt now was irritation.
“Hurry up and show yourself-?”
“Isn’t it fine as long as I’m not too late? It’s amusing to see Sloth talking about ‘hurry.'”
A woman emerged from the darkness, sneering.
A giant stature reminiscent of an orc.
An equally massive crimson greatsword.
Short hair barely covering the nape of her neck.
Vertically slit red pupils resembling a reptile’s.
The arrival of Diablo Ravia, the High Priestess of Wrath.
Thud, placing her greatsword on the ground, she grumbled at Esphina.
“Do you even know how far it is from the north to here? And thanks to your random interference barrier, I had to swing my sword unnecessarily.”
“Like you care-”
“Tsk, the previous Sloth wasn’t this annoying.”
“If it was that precious, you should’ve protected it yourself. What’s the point of regretting after losing it?”
Who would’ve guessed that the High Priestess, not even reaching Master level, could kill a human?
Especially since she injured the High Priestess of Sloth this time as well.
A historic first for the succession of Sloth High Priestesses.
“You encounter such beings sometimes…’Nemesis.’ This singularity will be interesting.”
“Stop with the useless talk and prepare for battle. They’re coming.”
Kwaang-!
The last barrier shattered, revealing many figures.
Magicians from the Magic Tower and Paladins from the Holy Country.
And leading them, the Magic Tower Master and the Heretic Inquisitor, pointing weapons at the two High Priestesses.
“One, I thought. This is better. We can exterminate two pests this time.”
Erias’ cold voice echoed as Romeo brushed his hair back and spoke.
“Is this the High Priestess of Wrath? Even if there’s one more High Priestess… I doubt it makes much difference.”
Reaching here wasn’t easy, but for the elite-trained group, it wasn’t difficult either.
Though covered in dirt and monster blood, there were no casualties.
Anyone could see the disadvantageous situation for the heretics.
Diablo revealed sharp fangs in a grin, her crimson pupils flickering with flames of anger.
“Keh, unless it’s Infantry Palace. Do you dare mock this body? You mere mortals blessed by God!”
Furious demonic energy surged violently.
Rustle-
A crisp cutting sound akin to slicing paper reverberated.
“What, what is this…”
Seeing the outer edge of his shield disappear, Romeo broke out in cold sweat.
His shield imbued with divine protection was cut without him noticing.
He couldn’t believe it.
“Tsk, don’t interfere. Infantry Palace.”
“That cannot be. The responsibility for this operation lies with me. Isn’t it the elder’s duty to protect the youth?”
Only then did Romeo realize Erias used some kind of magic to protect him.
‘Was I just a frog in a well…?’
After enduring such arduous training and reaching a level where he could handle monsters alone…
He still fell far short of a High Priestess’s capabilities.
“Straighten up.”
Erias’ clear voice pierced through his ears.
“Your role isn’t to kill enemies but to protect allies, isn’t it? Are your years of training so shallow that you falter at this?”
“… No.”
Regaining his composure, Romeo immediately began praying.
“Heavenly Father above. Have mercy on Your unworthy servant and watch over us. Please do not test us…”
“Block it!”
Seeing Romeo pray with his shield as a symbol, Diablo shouted.
Because upon completing the prayer, divine power would manifest here.
[Transcendental Magic: Thorns Blooming in Darkness]
Esphina hastily cast the spell, but Erias wasn’t one to simply stand by.
“Do you think you’re the only Archmage?”
[Transcendental Magic: Whirlpool of Waterfall]
Black thorns rising from the ground clashed with the blue torrent.
But it was only temporary.
“… Keh”
Esphina, not in full condition, couldn’t possibly withstand Erias’ magic.
Just before the torrent engulfed her, Diablo swung her sword.
However, the torrent split by Diablo’s sword charged towards both High Priestesses from both sides.
Bang!
“Can’t say this isn’t a terrible situation.”
Wiping the blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, Diablo grimaced.
Unforeseen circumstances led to taking damage.
“… Is there any choice? Release the demonic energy, Sloth.”
“Are you opening it-?”
“There’s no other way. Soon enough…”
Before Diablo finished speaking, Romeo completed his prayer.
“Just deliver us from evil.”
[Holy Domain Declaration: Under God’s Watchful Eye]
A sacred aura spread from the shield Romeo held.
The ultimate divine magic, Holy Domain, protecting those designated as allies.
“Guess there’s no choice. Take it.”
Esphina stretched out her hand, repulsed by the sight of the divine force.
“Didn’t expect to resort to tricks here.”
Holding Esphina’s hand, Diablo pulled something from her bosom.
Thump-Thump
A ferociously beating animal heart.
Even seeing it made Erias tighten her magical power.
“What are you trying to do?”
Though the heart, a source of life, holds the greatest value as an offering, one alone couldn’t summon anything useful.
But given the desperate situation, it couldn’t be ignored.
Having judged, Erias cast a spell.
[Transcendental Magic: Showering Storm]
Dark clouds gathered in the sky.
Looking at the dark clouds instantly filling the sky, Erias muttered coldly.
“Fall.”
Raindrops filled with pure magical power poured down on the High Priestesses.
Each raindrop carried the destructive power of small bombs.
And at that moment, Diablo crushed the heart in her hand.
“Hell Gate Opening”
Demon energy originating from crimson blood rose like smoke.
When the smoke collided with the raindrops, an unbelievable scene unfolded.
Erias’ magic dissipated as it seeped into the smoke.
Witnessing it for the first time, Erias furrowed her brows.
“What in the…”
As the cloud of magical power dissipated and the thick smoke cleared,
“…”
A towering gate fully revealed itself.
Its grotesque form left the troops speechless.
In the suffocating silence, someone whispered tremblingly.
“Hell…?”
It slipped out involuntarily.
That was the only way to describe it.
A gate resembling hell blocked their path.
