Upon hearing that Yuric had become Violetta’s disciple, Shilson, a 64-year-old mage, shook with joy, forgetting his age.
Since becoming Violetta’s disciple, he had awaited a successor for nearly 40 years. During those 40 years, he had followed his master, taking care of her. He had half given up on ever seeing a successor before he finally did!
However, before Shilson could properly welcome his successor, they had to prepare for the demon subjugation.
There were twelve knights, ten mercenaries, and seven mages in the subjugation team.
A demon subjugation team.
Although it might seem excessive to send such a large team just to capture one demon, there was a possibility that demons could control monsters, and since the mine was located in a demon mine, they also had to consider battles against monstrous creatures.
Thus, twenty-nine members of the subjugation team, along with twenty workers supporting them, prepared to head to the mine. Eight carriages loaded with people and supplies left the city early in the morning.
The mine was located at the entrance of the 【Abram Demon Mine】, and it took about a day to reach it by carriage from Balamagos in the west. A considerable amount of iron needed to be transported, so the road from the city to the mine was much better paved than the roads inside the city.
“Back in my day…”
Shilson sat Yuric in front of him in the carriage and enthusiastically recounted his 40 years as a disciple. At first, Yuric listened attentively to his senior’s stories, but by evening, he was mentally exhausted.
“Just listen to this…”
Occasionally interjecting with “Really?”, “That’s unfortunate”, “How impressive”, etc., Yuric realized the carriage had reached its destination without him noticing.
They arrived at a massive campsite in front of the Abram Demon Mine. This place was where the iron ore extracted from the mine was smelted into iron. The scale was significant, with several furnaces and barracks that could house dozens of people built inside the camp.
However, since an incident occurred at the mine, the furnaces, which should have been constantly blazing, were all cold and empty. The camp was deserted, with only household items scattered around.
The subjugation team unloaded their supplies from the carriages and set up camp. Soon, raindrops started falling from the gloomy sky and poured heavily.
“It’s going to get messy.”
The knights quickly entered the tents to avoid their silver armor from rusting. Meanwhile, the workers moved supplies between the tents and carriages, getting drenched. The workers, meanwhile, prepared dinner.
After dinner, Grand Mage Violetta cast a barrier spell over the entire campsite. It was the same barrier she had used at the Kowelak Ruins not long ago. Yuric carefully observed this spell, which seemed to be a greatly expanded basic detection barrier.
It was almost impossible to interpret a spell simply by observing the flow of mana. While combat spells might be somewhat understandable with enough time invested, complex barrier spells were beyond his comprehension. Only a quirky mage with ample free time would even attempt them.
‘She has quite a grasp of barrier magic.’
Her master was a grand mage who had lived for hundreds of years. She likely knew almost every type of magic.
Yuric took a moment to sketch the rainy campsite. The campsite stood ominously against the backdrop of the eerie demon mine, the only source of light in the otherwise dark scene.
Even in the darkest despair, there is hope here.
The handsome mage wanted to show this.
Guard duty would be rotated among two mercenaries and one knight each. The core mages of this subjugation were exempted from guard duty.
Yuric wrapped himself in a blanket and crawled into his sleeping bag. It was chilly due to the rain seeping through. He pulled out his right index finger and looked at it.
Titon’s index finger.
It was undeniable that the index finger spell was powerful. Titon had caught countless demons using it.
But even if the index finger spell was powerful, Yuric was currently the body housing the index finger. Despite being exceptionally talented compared to his peers, facing a monster-like demon with immense mana was unimaginable.
Even if the index finger spell activated, it alone couldn’t change the outcome of the battle. The index finger spell was far from omnipotent; it was merely a great weapon obtained by chance.
‘No matter what spell it is, ultimately, everything depends on oneself.’
That was why Violetta had asked him to cut off his finger.
Ultimately, everything depends on oneself.
He didn’t yet have the ability to stop the index finger from moving freely. But he still had his left hand, which remained free.
‘I will use my own magic.’
With this resolve, Yuric closed his eyes.
Tonight, the night felt especially long.
*
The subjugation team left early in the morning for the mine.
Fortunately, the rain had stopped, but the ground was muddy from the night’s downpour. However, such a minor inconvenience couldn’t delay the subjugation.
The mine was not far from the demon mine. They would likely arrive at the mine when the sun rose.
As the subjugation team neared the mine entrance, Grand Mage Violetta narrowed her eyes slightly and smirked.
“…Impudent things.”
Enemies were waiting at the entrance. More accurately, enemies were there.
Surprisingly, there were two demons instead of one, unexpected variables. There were also two monsters.
‘…Thankfully, not as formidable as Wigrad.’
Though they weren’t as overwhelmingly powerful as Wigrad, they were no pushovers. Without a grand mage, the entire subjugation team could have been annihilated.
Both demons were male. One was a tall, emaciated skeleton-like figure, while the other was a handsome man of average build.
Especially, the handsome demon carried almost as much mana as Grand Mage Violetta. Although higher mana density usually indicated greater strength, it wasn’t a definitive measure of power. What mattered more was the level of magic.
The two demons were staring at the subjugation team with terrifying mana.
Yuric now understood what it felt like to face such a ferocious and cruel mana.
This is a demon, driven by an infinite desire to slaughter humans.
– So many bugs.
– How amusing, they came crawling on their own feet.
Without orders, the subjugation team formed ranks and prepared for battle. The two monstrous creatures, resembling giant dogs, growled menacingly, their red eyes fixed on the subjugation team.
– Eat them.
Before fear could set in, the battle began.
Grand Mage Violetta drew mana vigorously, creating a mana sphere around her body. It orbited around her, relentlessly attacking the handsome demon.
The rest of the subjugation team faced the emaciated demon and the monsters. In truth, they were enduring until Violetta defeated the handsome demon.
Yuric, whose index finger was already burning hot, ran toward the emaciated demon, holding it like a cane. He didn’t care about getting covered in mud.
Shilson called out Yuric’s name, but mere calling wouldn’t solve anything. The index finger’s will was too strong.
– Tasty.
The tall demon salivated at Yuric, seeing him as a delicacy for demons.
The two court mages attacked the two monsters approaching the knights and mercenaries, while Shilson, Azbeli, and Ludwig cast spells at the tall demon. However, the demon easily dodged.
The index finger absorbed mana from Yuric’s body and shot a powerful mana blast. The demon spread its palm, thinking it couldn’t evade.
Yuric had anticipated this moment. Since the moment he started running, he had been forming a magical circle on his left palm. When the index finger’s attack was blocked, he instantly launched the magical circle toward the sky.
The sky opened, and a powerful column of mana descended upon the tall demon.
—
The demon extended its other hand to block the column, but the mana pillar was too strong and heavy, causing the demon to collapse.
At that instant, Yuric charged toward the demon with full force, enhanced by strengthening magic.
The distance was short, and he reached the demon in an instant.
Of course, the tall demon reacted. It shot mana at the approaching human mage, akin to swinging a shield violently.
Even with enhanced body, it was still a human body. The demon expected the mage’s body to shatter or at least be pushed back.
—
However, the curved index finger tore through the demon’s mana like paper.
—
And with that momentum, it tore part of the demon’s upper body.
—
The demon, undaunted, retreated immediately. The magic was unexpected.
Due to the previous attack, the tall demon lost parts of its left chest, shoulder, and arm. While these would be fatal to a human, demons didn’t die easily unless their heads were severed.
In fact, Yuric intended to tear the demon’s neck, but the sudden surge of mana altered his aim slightly.
—
‘…I was shocked too.’
Even though he tore some of the demon’s mana, he didn’t completely block it. Some mana entered his body, forcing him to endure it. Despite protecting himself with mana, he still suffered severe damage.
From the demon’s perspective, this was also an unexpected injury. A human, whom they didn’t think was strong, had suddenly delivered a powerful attack.
The tall demon glanced at its torn left upper body and gathered powerful mana. Its fierce mana caused chaos around it.
—
– You’re annoying.
Mana blasts exploded one after another.
—
Yuric moved frantically. Blocking all of this with a shield was impossible.
At that moment, three mages, including Shilson, cast spells at the demon. Shilson, in particular, created a powerful mana prison that constricted the demon. He intended to crush it, but the demon forcefully broke through with stronger mana.
—
“Damn, was it too weak?”
—
‘No, that was enough.’
Yuric’s index finger was already primed.
The index finger sucked in Yuric’s mana again. He felt dizzy and nearly vomited.
—
The index finger pointed at the demon.
—
Compressed mana was released instantly.
The demon swiftly turned its body, but the mana blast had already engulfed its left upper body.
—
Of course, the demon wasn’t going to let itself be defeated so easily.
—
It used invisibility magic and vanished from sight. Before Yuric could track its mana, the demon appeared to his left.
—
—
Mana exploded.
—
If the index finger hadn’t moved ahead to protect him, half of Yuric’s body would have exploded.
—
Despite this, his left eardrum burst, his left arm shattered, and broken ribs pierced his lung.
—
“Yuric!”
—
Shilson called out to Yuric, who was thrown by the explosion. Azbeli fired her mana spear at the demon, and Ludwig used mass magic.
—
The tall demon could no longer casually block these spells. The mana spear pierced its right abdomen, and the mass magic struck its chest hard.
—
But the demon didn’t fall, glaring at Yuric who had pushed him this far.
—
Even if he retreated, he intended to kill Yuric and leave.
—
Humans grow incredibly fast.
—
He believed this human would become a threat as he grew. The other three were insignificant.
—
This one,
—
Must die.
—
The tall demon raised its remaining right hand, gathering powerful mana in its palm. Shilson hurriedly created a mana shield around Yuric, but it was uncertain if it could withstand the demon’s magic.
—
In that critical moment,
—
The tall demon turned its head to look at the sky.
—
There, Grand Mage Violetta held the crushed head of the handsome demon.
—
– …Impossible.
—
To think Her Excellency would fall.
—
The result far exceeded expectations. The tall demon immediately tried to escape, pouring out all its mana.
—
Of course, the grand mage wouldn’t let it go.
—
“Where are you going?”
—
Violetta’s mana sphere flew like lightning, breaking the demon’s leg.
—
—
The demon fell. But it didn’t beg for mercy.
—
– To be killed by worms. How humiliating.
—
“Those worms are you.”
—
The grand mage snapped his fingers. The mana sphere flew again, smashing the demon’s head like a rotten watermelon.
—
Thus, both demons were dead.
—
The knights, mercenaries, and court mages also eliminated the two monsters. Casualties were significant, but the subjugation was successfully completed.
—
“Yuric. Are you alive?”
—
Violetta cautiously landed near the fallen Yuric. By now, Shilson had already made Yuric drink two potions to ensure he wouldn’t die.
—
“…I feel like I might.”
—
Yuric groaned.
—
Shilson brought another potion.
—
“Who’s dying? Not before I do!”
—
The conversation continued.
