Chapter 111
c8UARIn case of an unforeseen attack, Fernan’s preparations were not limited to Professor Rosalia, nor to the Red Turtle, nor to the holy water.14k9
1DxI1j1Wooden.vjsV
w3sThe ego golem, into which he had embedded the pinnacle of the Pellenberg Family’s technique, was the ultimate weapon Fernan had conceived as his final card.RBI
CpFFFEv— Kyu.WKX3f
fHEMEZIt was not just a weapon of brute destruction.TovP
eyfThe sensitivity and detection capabilities of spirits were much sharper than those of humans, and Wooden, strengthened as a golem, was even more so.AUb
lYrRaY2Thanks to that, he had managed to locate the hidden corrupt and drag him into the terrain he desired.pIotaD0
VJRK5p0With Wooden’s sword bathed in holy water and aura, he split him in two, soaked him completely, and finally incinerated every trace of him.zc9W
Sp8fgDQNot having captured him alive was somewhat regrettable, but once Wooden entered action, the best course was to reduce the target to ashes immediately.8Bp
eNvYJ2PBesides, Rosalia would take care of capturing another if necessary.ficw
NtN142x“Well done.”Dz6
ZfA— Kyuu kyuu!PjDIlSI
iDED4wFernan patted Wooden’s head, now reduced once again to his small size. His eyes curved like crescent moons, satisfied after having grown to his real size for the first time in a while.7EAM
PmW9f“But next time don’t absorb so much mana. My mana heart is empty.”i5RJv
o2cBYaForging an aura blade in such a huge sword required a tremendous consumption of mana, and the source of that power was none other than Fernan himself, his contractor.oG3G
N4MY— Kyuu.S4Bk2
WTtVLW“Yes, yes. I was the one who gave you that sword, so who am I to complain.”t4M
ZdrdRdThe exhaustion made him consider drinking a mana potion, but he dismissed the thought immediately.TdAZnp
XTvOQ2QThere didn’t seem to be any immediate enemies, so it wasn’t worth wasting resources.jAIu4rb
vUVgtK“Let’s see…”VjxW4n
EOcwEHHe carefully peeked out from the crack. The outside had nothing to do with the underground calm—it was a snowy mountain landscape.wFaX8Y
Nb4RiNASnow covered everything and a white storm battered violently.JLFv
lI4mFernan pulled his head back in, shivering.ofDEwA
GNtkkBl“Better to stay here for a while.”pJeJW
OvtFDG— Kyuu!Bt2U
eQ7He sat down in front of the wagon, lit a fire, boiled water, and made coffee.whgXB9
aFVTD— Kyuu?E4j0L4
T3Chm“Too calm? This won’t be over soon, and it’s not the time to rush in recklessly.”LTiVt
R8NNoIn a fight where Rosalia was unleashing her full power, Fernan had barely any room to intervene. There was still a big difference between the two.GmcC
2gQnUT‘And it’s not like we lack a contingency plan.’cDb6
dsYV8VvHe had confirmed that the monsters had been eliminated, but didn’t call the Red Turtle.OgEK
lkVvAs agreed, they would remain hidden in the snow, ready to intervene only in case of emergency.39e
w2hIf Rosalia was in danger, they would rush to help her.i1l
5FdIf the corrupt tried to escape, they would block the path.gDZVGJ
NSzwo2YAnd if Rosalia successfully defeated him, they would simply return as spectators.bEtB
sK9CT‘The best outcome is for emergency plans to never be used.’HKhQmY
XdD— Kyu, kyu kyu!DgXzI
aVu“Bring the others too? No. They have their own tasks.”SntT
YmNs— Kyuu!oNh90E
Faii“Cruel? Where did you learn that word?”Mhau1CM
NvWd7XjFernan let out a laugh.pw6m
kLq“Listen closely, Wooden. Humanity is divided in two—those who pay and those who collect.”kSMcvjO
6kOpW— Kyu?1de6TMi
EDtk“They’re getting a fortune for this job. They don’t deserve sympathy.”fru1DQ8
oDB7EUjIn the end, it was Pellenberg’s money. And sooner or later, Fernan and Pellenberg would become one.C85
QJCWSlurp—Eelg
zb0lAAbove, the wind swept the snow relentlessly.3eLi5
G97YsytMaybe it was the landscape, but the coffee tasted especially good that day.40ng
d6TrCwk“Here, try this.”kxw415
vWERyXN— Kyuuu!XLcHv9b
umZAQWooden hugged the World Tree bark chocolate bar Fernan gave him tightly.Ry5U
DyLEnHe couldn’t eat it, but absorbed the faint spiritual energy contained in it.g5R4R
5U5IP‘Mixing World Tree branches into the core was a good idea.’YlbfzE
6d8Wooden loved that forest energy, and Fernan had discovered by accident that it made him grow.xQBKK
zMbSyLThe first time was when Wooden secretly devoured a box of chocolates Fernan had prepared for Luina.rUDO
zgz‘The drained chocolate turned into bland, flavorless sugar.’43LMU
reSEdBut since Wooden had strengthened his energy, Fernan hadn’t scolded him. Since then, he would toss him one from time to time.Iyl
n7yRb9C‘If I ever left him in front of the World Tree to absorb everything—what would happen?’qQ2c
mqutpImpossible, of course. But the idea made him smile.6xseHPR
dLoHe patted Wooden’s head, who trembled with joy while absorbing the energy.4YJ
CbGjZb— Kyuu!gwV39Vv
rUeP4His whole body quivered with delight.Y4dI
EYQT***Syt9A
h99jk“Captain.”Uogpnfc
pnk“Wait.”eIPKh
NodHarten sank into the sudden snowstorm, concealing his presence.Yrgszx
jnfHsDCThe extreme cold couldn’t penetrate the thermal artifact vest Fernan had given to all members for this situation.QHL
vpvGI“There are only two cases in which we must intervene—if Professor Rosalia is in danger or if the corrupt tries to escape. Before that, the young master ordered us not to move under any circumstances.”VXm
92TH0e7“Yes, sir.”ylGt
7fn“As expected, a mage referred to as the next Archmage is something else.”RBDqGg
eey“No doubt.”Sh85O
ZeGutDQThe knights of the Red Turtle couldn’t help but admire what they saw.zF44
J3L8m───!hNv
9dTrRVqA transparent ice wall blocked the cursed energy and collapsed onto the corrupt.m0m
3wU8oWhen he forced his way through it, a white light struck him head-on.2wQtWz
I3diuC0The corrupt, half frozen, barely survived. But immediately after, hundreds of ice spears rushed at him.kUat
Z6b0zhMerging his body with the shadows, he saved himself for a moment, but as soon as he stepped on the snow, he slipped.bKUEgJ3
RkwThe snowy treetops merged to swallow him whole.5TUM
8knoThe destructive power was impressive, yes, but the most surprising thing was the perfect fluidity of the combinations.PW9
aHNzafThere were no gaps between spells, and each magic chained into the next, using the environment to the fullest to corner the enemy.miPJO0
SK4wh7“Asen, how do you assess this corrupt?”SZg
7tWOnjc“I couldn’t beat him. And you, Captain?”00LIvvc
U7j3AC0“If I fight well, we’re even. If not, I’d lose.”hNggexM
RogGYwH“That much?”CGvu8P
iXA“He’s strong.”xQqsTK
Tb5RkBut that didn’t discourage him.yn8gFDs
QKyyjEveryone knew the value of the research object—the Mana Stone Core. That the corrupt coveted it only meant enemies of this level would come for it.ghf
BbfIt wasn’t a lack of will; it simply wasn’t the right time. He trusted that one day he would surpass them.rNxLg3S
kvjdwL“Split into two groups, surround and secure the rear. Without being detected.”RGx
6nTGs“Yes, sir.”BSNh
2ZEqHarten led half his men in a careful flanking route.tYM0
wGIgdaMeanwhile, the battle reached its climax.Piq
3ZjhFp“Ugh, this isn’t easy…!”xZg8T8
lVh6jCnThe hooded man repelled the ice shards aimed at his chest, retreating.Hm2cVqs
wbR“Damn…!”JPiyK
dbrx6vAn ice wall appeared behind him without him noticing.Hz1xx
CqCHe paused for an instant—just enough for a blue lightning bolt to strike him directly.ou9H
FdLkhU───!G6oZ
7imjWhen the white mist cleared, he was no longer there. Rosalia had used a Blink.dseBB
GIiy6BA moment later, the enemy’s dark aura sliced the air.JxHtza
k1njEQy“How…?”sEaQT
Is3B“Pathetic.”XxPBXph
XqNc5Rosalia wasn’t the type to explain her secrets mid-battle, nor did she intend to.CKt
BjNS7qnIn combat, the fewer words, the better. Long speeches were reserved for when the enemy was half dead.hihCq
sPX1aaTap—73J
dSodShe struck the ground with her staff, and the ice beneath the hooded man turned into dozens of spikes that launched him into the air.w9Bs
dWIWith a perfect target before her, Rosalia didn’t waste the opportunity.fKU0QYQ
LDsEFirst, she cast hundreds of ice spears, and while reciting the spell, formed a hand seal.komKE2J
shBJAbove the hooded man’s head, a colossal magic circle began to form—impossible to measure at a glance.Zcv
LYqI61While repelling the spears with his cursed energy, the hooded man frowned, disturbed by the chilling aura emanating.t5Ja3
HH9x3“This is dangerous…!”uSuubu1
11mOiSuddenly, he vanished. It wasn’t magic or a special technique—he simply stomped the air with overwhelming force and shot off like an arrow.Z76fc9
dKWf4─!k6uxtSA
U9cUrThe ground where Rosalia had stood split into a huge crack, scattering rocks in every direction.GOB
SfUI99“There you are!”2fOA
Bfe─!rt5lLI
dxsI9iF─!VJyzpN
Y8v0The hooded man fired his energy at the spot she had Blinked to.R7UL0A
RSfesNfRosalia dodged at times, and at others, raised walls and barriers to resist.U0s
my2SUJMAnd still, her spells and formulas were uninterrupted.pJmsWg
p0UGThe magic circle was finally complete.WK15
Rh2n“T-this is impossible…!”0Jj
RCjrdAn enormous magical power stirred.hKK
sTgRloThe spell manifested.ZD1
xbUHThe world turned blue and swallowed the hooded man’s scream.THqmze
FCtWhen the beams of light completely vanished, the man was still there, his entire body frozen except for the head. His face was pale, and no trace of demonic magic remained.FfehJSM
Mxs“…His head is intact?”53txz
mbbqcDDCould it be his trump card?L4JJ
2dRtRosalia slowly approached.E9Z
3I7S0y“This doesn’t compensate…”LB6
DEtOmPY“If what you have in your head isn’t worth my effort, so be it.”TMDGm
L0k“No, I don’t mean that. You know? I’m actually just a decoy.”OcnH
XbmjdThe hooded man let out a laugh.NFyVi
1yT9“A decoy?”m4V
MzmzIYLRosalia floated the polished ice like mirrors around her.8M0JLFx
78hmHAvIn them, the wagon didn’t appear. Only the traces of a fierce battle remained.Z0W70D2
FrQRyR“My target from the start was you. To stall, to buy time. Honestly, I thought I could beat you, but after facing you, I understood. Rosalia Vienderk, you’re a monster. Now I get why everyone says you’ll be the next Archmage.”4TDF5w
UYe“I don’t know your name, but you know mine.”ixkby
JP8w“Want to know who I am?”ZGx3
17ELk0M“Not particularly.”o4iBo
ckcEhThere was no reason or need to know the name of a corpse.WiKb
QqTgDThe hooded man, with only his head intact, gave her a crooked smile.9U3
OpEf“Corpse? I’m alive. How inconsiderate. Doesn’t your heart tremble? Your research was already stolen. The missing wagon and Fernan Pellenberg confirm it.”W4hwGM
XuSi“I usually don’t chat with enemies. I only make exceptions if I capture them.”rvsX
pH6ik0G“Well said. I can’t move.”pfh
WODS“Then let’s clear up your mistake.”wCT
dEjy01Rosalia struck the hooded man’s head with her staff. The cold intensified, fed by her magical aura.Dqf
mGjC“Fernan Pellenberg is a ruthless man. He never allows what’s his to be taken. He’ll do whatever it takes, regardless of method.”Xucn
jml“What are you implying?”sxlwjNi
AnzcP“That you’re not a decoy, but the fish swallowed by the hook.”Ei4
n2Dn“You’re too trusting. Do you really think Fernan can stop it?”fgFX3ue
yqmqsv9“I already said it. Fernan never loses what’s his. And if something is taken, he always gets something greater in return. But he’d never negotiate with repulsive beings like you. There’s only one possible outcome.”zh5le
TE6uSix years. No less than six years.5z4VD
QoNakH“Fernan was my first sponsor, and the money invested was enormous. My research was always a bottomless pit.”KHuy6
WumCAnd now they expected him to hand over to those bastards what he salvaged after all the disaster caused by the inquisitors?j1rwMu
EDfixeY“Wake up, idiots. That will never…”rc45AR
ySitMRosalia’s eyes widened. Blood began pouring from the hooded man’s mouth.4P1Hn
Bjg“Hehehe… soon we’ll see who was right. But I’m not staying here.”VtwCD
dCv1eHCrunch, crunch—QDVYzC
iftxThe man’s eyes turned bloodshot.MaixY
DevOHaqHis body twisted grotesquely, growing to twice its size, while black magic exploded like a dark tide.PzSEVDJ
EWXUdThe ice that had imprisoned him shattered, and black vapor emerged from his mouth.tOstUj
qjb“…Ah, this is killing me. A beer would be perfect.”HMmH
TxULrCaressing his swollen muscles and bulging veins, he turned and fled without hesitation.v1qbU
3nW7“Stop right there!”GJT1S
qpCRosalia’s magic exploded on his back.4obsQu
8Z5A“Stop him!”HyT7A
6UnIpt“Step aside if you don’t want to die!”yIQg
k2Kqh5WThe knights of the Red Turtle, already prepared, drew their swords. The monster rammed into them, blocking strikes with his body and trampling through without stopping.usSg
2JFHe ran in a straight line with brutal, nearly suicidal speed.WhDQopX
4iH“…His legs.”K3pLwdW
u9mIt wasn’t a wound from magic or aura.Iho2Ku
qnIXdLIt was his muscles, torn from overexertion, ripping apart in real time.zYDMNI
iRpRGEven so, he didn’t stop. The dark magic forced him to keep going.67ILLxP
q5FyJPIt was impossible to catch him.CylIV
STaSgJ“…The fool was me.”yLHIfi2
hvV5She thought him a fish in the net and talked too much.QqSh
iJzIWShe usually didn’t, but the rage over ruining her research and frustrating her presentation blinded her.A3up
4VvcgShe hadn’t anticipated that he’d use his very life as fuel to escape.wsXQ
plN8V2V“…I made a mistake.”MMqL
m9seU9“Professor, are you okay?”Ki8AOvl
qWeIpO“I’m fine. What about the other knights?”iEaSD63
3rYr“There are injuries, but nothing serious. The enemy just wanted to flee.”0QPl7b7
6Vii“He deceived us. By the way, where is Fernan?”BihAx
meN6“The young master is beneath the crevice. Don’t worry—the research is safe.”pljAWes
86PSl7“The crevice?”4GYdeKT
xFWsRosalia descended with firm steps.lIb
JtdAnd there she found him.DHcm4G3
Mh8AhD“…What are you doing?”dtHTd
bghFernan, sitting in front of a campfire, was calmly drinking a cup of coffee.Xz0CFux
g1h66“Having coffee.”H9YSe
P2v2F5G“I hope you don’t think I’m asking because I don’t know.”sYxK
0KTK“Regaining strength. It might not look like it, but I had my own battle too.”wNkMZZM
EG2jeRThe signs of a skirmish around confirmed it.MPRD
lVeRosalia couldn’t find a response. She just let out an ironic laugh and sat beside him, extending her hand.W3VP2yV
uMBo“What’s that?”HJaWp
VUG“Cigarette.”A3GjSPt
u4Ygu“I already gave you one.”0E2h
KIga“I don’t have mana to open the subspace. You always stock plenty.”ZUF1c1k
SI5zd“Very well, distinguished client. One piece, a hundred gold.”IU86N
GJlj6H“Robbery.”CaOHDp
8Gu6f1F“The market depends on supply and demand.”uT6kdq
gkf89AfFernan smiled as he pulled out the pack from his subspace. Rosalia narrowed her eyes.JDcTDVW
DeU0cKt“…If you really fought, how do you have mana to open the subspace?”svYYM
7Ft“Some things are best overlooked. I’ll let you have it for ten to one.”k44l9
j8qlDaYHe handed her the cigarette, ignited a flame with his fingers, and lit it.MV5pUUN
GOKSsshh—XMetiM
2bgSSIWRosalia inhaled. The magical stimulant filled her lungs, clearing her mind.1K7
OsCq“…Better.”CR3g5
56UThe magical stone combination was intact.CWGLzVM
15ZoATAt least, the story that corrupt tried to spin hadn’t proven true.f3L
pkmXNWC“You’ve worked hard. Come close and have something.”mXSwQle
HegyjQ“Thank you, young master.”WuDcVCW
WoX3zThe knights gathered and shared a break. Ten minutes of calm.2XTylUK
1Re“By the way… the corrupt escaped us.”myKIzY
gl0“…Pardon? But we killed him right here.”4YWcM
CtAcrF“He ran so fast it was unstoppable. If someone had left the coffee and helped, the story might be different.”iZwLQ
SA8“……”l6ci
v61DKJFUntil the snowstorm fully cleared.kmo
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