Chapter 185
iK8b2EThe crown prince and his retinue had already departed north by the time Fernan found out, and he immediately set off after them.I4nQb
n8XAQ“Are we really going alone? The more I think about it, the worse it seems. We’re talking about the same people who completely annihilated the strongest order of Alprosen, the Black Whale Knights. Maybe we should ask the Pellenbergs for reinforcements…”Gxo
RZb“If it were within the Empire, it might be possible, but we’re in Alprosen. Mobilizing troops without permission would be a huge diplomatic problem.”viy29
rC6rFl0Even for the Pellenbergs, that would be impossible. Within the Empire, or at least in a lesser kingdom, it could have been covered up. But not in Alprosen.XYBPKQ
inugI“Then…”bln
X1LOFu“Don’t worry. I’m not throwing myself in without a plan.”lf0vnO
KlMNWMCThe book of prophecies didn’t detail exactly how the crown prince’s entourage had been annihilated. But it wasn’t devoid of clues either.pO1
TIoh“He was accompanied by nearly a hundred guards, including the Black Whale Knights. And yet they were wiped out.”N7Xl
AmjKpThe Black Whale order was Alprosen’s strongest, and the escorts were the absolute elite.sjtIzV
KOhvpzThat all of them died on their own land, without a single survivor, made no sense.AnkFs
a8BGm“You can’t gather that many monsters and corrupted creatures silently.”WFga
StI8fEven if they had been thrown into some underground lair again to prepare an ambush, the result would’ve been the same.QYp
KB6yTherefore, only one conclusion remained.5XI
q4ODdV“There was something more. A reason that made the massacre inevitable.”BNA5
0UO“And what would that be?”t1G
QhyQTxm“I don’t know. At first I thought it was a traitor. But maybe it’s not that.”p9N
TrqONPdAfter witnessing the magic that had caused nonstop rain for weeks, Fernan was starting to believe that demons really were the masters of magic.b4yW
onBzAnd if they had already used a grand spell once, what was stopping them from doing it again?f54
sVt“…Then the situation would be even worse.”cC94ohL
IWQS“I’ve prepared enough. And, if it comes to it, at least I could get out alive.”Tc7xC
X6ZDj“What about me? Your young master?”c46
oOrYz“……”H4jJ7T
A9UbM2g“What are you two whispering about?”NwclAN
GkgrMJJ“Nothing. Let’s go.”5oHGe0O
fK6XkFernan picked up the pace, following the trail of the prince’s retinue. There were many of them, and leaving tracks was inevitable.2jzA
8KsxL“It really won’t stop raining.”FUW2dM
tW8C“They say it’s been going on for over two weeks. What we see as a drizzle now was a downpour not long ago.”zDTmg
hjcPqZh“The people’s cries won’t stop.”1C6CAw
LUHG9TP“As the saying goes, ‘You can survive three years of drought, but no one withstands three months of constant rain.’ Floods are terrible disasters.”EWx7BA
Gk4JEcQAnd this one had started right before the harvest, making it even crueler.N03WYc
TrCz3rVThey found the prince’s trail in the late afternoon.xbuLo
MghP“This road is blocked too. They say all nearby routes have been cut off. Could it be the work of the corrupted?”uEDn
ZRAPh“Most likely.”T9Acg
QA7zAlthough it was also possible that it wasn’t. Such long rains were already inexplicable on their own.CS5nKC
oO6pXKBut if the storm itself was the work of the corrupted, then it was without a doubt a trap.QjBvU2
PWIjt“That means the attack is imminent. We must find the prince as soon as possible.”IiZtVou
H2un6bWhen they finally came within visual range, the problem had already erupted.EDXWEi
nGpk“Demonic magic.”zF2J
7kJheJ“A slash-and-burn village? The whole village is covered by a magic circle.”yxPW3
qt2bZ5DThe runic symbols were unfamiliar to Fernan, though he suspected they were runes used only by demons.XN9aYcl
fuNODEOAnd his prediction proved true—the magic circle was up to something.RlEBSK
nQhx“Should we go in? It looks really dangerous.”r2dZXf
7gh1f2j“The prince must survive. But charging in headfirst would be stupid.”45V054s
gI17qThe prince was important, but Fernan’s own life was even more so. He wasn’t an altruist who would risk everything for another.XrUHZE8
0PNO“Let’s try something. If it works, we go in. If not, we wait outside.”FPz
4vdID0VThe method was simple—pour holy water on the border between the affected area and the unaffected.hdR
20vSizzle—PREVtM
x1XqxjThe holy water struck the demonic energy and evaporated instantly.RzzJ9
YvDdG8“We’re going in.”Lhhoa7j
PMxOmA part of the circle weakened, losing light.Xqgf
NrLl9cThat was enough.oauWmWp
MXMLAThe efficiency wasn’t great, but Fernan had brought enough holy water to make up for it.vgDIor
oNwt6SM“But hey, what is that water? Some miracle cure? Why does it work on everything?”H8eiM
CCdN6“A miracle cure? Is it better than holy water? How much does it cost?”f3U
ShPU“No, no… it’s not that…”tvJpzH
M1JbyGismond muttered under his breath.dYUhl
FjQtP2“Hmm… I suddenly feel weak…”RkNWw
aaWN“Fernan. I sense monsters nearby.”enYA0y
8Ej— Kyu.qdfBuf
djribxWooden tapped Fernan’s chest gently. Luina unsheathed her sword, and Hyde stepped ahead to shield him.8FztoJ
WjLm0xThe beasts drawn by the demonic magic were approaching from all directions.a0x
fvX3H“There are corrupted creatures too.”vNM
uqASTiE“Now I get it. It all fits.”kK3H
HIDTThe magic absorbed mana, aura, and the life force of the knights, weakening them. And it turned that into demonic energy that empowered the beasts.slMm
3W3That made annihilation inevitable.xAIB
lz0At first, they could resist. But unable to escape the circle and harassed nonstop, their strength was drained until they were wiped out.erc0kV
gYp8L2B‘There must be more corrupted nearby. This can’t be all.’56mLyso
DrOl7wIn the original story of that night, the prince of Alprosen was supposed to die, and the kingdom fall into chaos.3rCo2
fPyBut Fernan wasn’t going to allow that future.TESdRz
c6xpS“Let’s go to the center of the village.”zm6Mf
zhAoaPWThough he couldn’t read demon runes, the essence of magic was the same.C7fj23t
lpFjFFollowing the flow of energy, he identified the core of the circle.xWlx
DojkW“The center is the heart of this magic. We’ll pour holy water there.”jNWPx
dMDl“Will it work?”ljwx
MJI“If it doesn’t, we’ll keep going until it does.”AKGX
H6hHq“That sounds like you.”MytBa
0YA9Despite the situation, Luina couldn’t help but smile.v30
h9WQ9h“I’ll clear the way.”GqD4w0
RaV“No need. It’s clear.”c9t3GsF
rwkT1uT“…It’s true.”JkE
b9H8L7The central path was open. Only the moans of the trapped villagers could be heard.TrX91v
FA7MKF“Here.”cjG
Fz9PD2rFernan poured holy water. The circle reacted more violently than at the edges.EUat9
MBorl“Luina, you too. And you, senior.”ksoheb
O1sKQf8He handed them bottles. Hyde was already pouring another.qhbIypJ
AFkLHThe ground bubbled as it clashed with the demonic magic.KqI1OU
hKAtHr4“Don’t forget to leave the empty bottles on the ground.”NGpwZE
GhmVdz“Throw them away? You always pick them up.”63zRn
76j4L6c“This is an investment.”GXwONQ
ndJA message for the prince—to see how much Fernan had spent to save them.4jDHjlM
aLZ“…I see.”nq49Jec
4kItd5WAt that moment, the sound of galloping horses rang out.rit
1CQyIt was the prince’s retinue.xB0
3WuKJPX“Get out of the way!”u9J
nWYWPEA desperate shout was heard. But Fernan didn’t move.7qtGfP
p42B0W“Shouldn’t we step aside?”Q4g
k46“No. Keep pouring water.”N9GT
ROKPB“But they’re charging with lances! They probably think we’re corrupted!”6IOPj
lUDtC0“Understandable.”Jq86CPQ
tJXlLuina and Hyde stepped in front of Fernan, but he shook his head.3nC
hLOX“No need. They’re already slowing down.”DIrM3ZE
44MWD4And so they were. The retinue slowed until they stopped just a few meters away.Cezt
KiT“…Who are you?”qEkr
xqqjTljThe strength of the knights was evident. They were the Black Whale Knights, Alprosen’s elite.MgAFNGO
wKFURxAmong them stood a man with a regal air, platinum hair, and scarlet eyes. Crown Prince Alpion Alprosen.ZLtoe
kU7OzFernan bowed his head.pr4
hIOqI“I’ve come to fulfill a promise, Your Highness.”J3Jl
enPhGdT“A promise?”cUNj6pT
Lob4ZkU“I’m Fernan Pellenberg. An honor to meet you.”8ql8KJ
htn“…Fernan Pellenberg?”5PKR
kfG4VXeThe unexpected name left everyone stunned.g8C9
JOFAPf“Forgive the brevity of my greeting. The situation demands it.”QkW
i663Fernan threw an empty bottle and opened another.jvl
KsqE“…What are you doing?”D6kW5Ue
3peGVB“Erasing the corrupted’s magic circle.”37I
8fs2w“Is that even possible? What is that substance?”e8Ber1y
WIhRo“…Holy water.”ehLLks2
3uIBXFernan hesitated for a moment. If he revealed the secret, the kingdom would start buying it in bulk and the product would become harder to obtain.EXuNM
wWMBut defeating the corrupted was the priority. If holy water became widespread, it would be impossible for them to thrive.Xx6YPXE
swTSS“Holy water?”HuC0V
Igo“Yes. Created by the Cult of the Dragon God. Not as powerful as Armian’s light, but highly effective against demonic magic.”icv5I0R
QX3“…It appears so.”Cvcbo7
OuHORThe prince looked around.xno5
0pB1Dm“How much do you have?”adoV
KSs“Plenty.”49Eh
5dl“Then keep using it.”ecxL1
HlQUIt was too late to flee. The monsters had broken through the palisades and were entering the village.J9c4s
pYpo“Form a defensive wall!”JQwZK
8E5Z5C“Protect the prince!”NZSbIP
s4MMkZThe knights surrounded Alpion. Now, with the circle weakened, mana and aura flowed better.Klg
2z9HThe fear dissipated. After all, they were the Black Whale Knights.0Aq
sbijb“No problem, Your Highness. But…”gym4
8GaXAMFernan trailed off, and Alpion understood immediately.i7pY
0IHFV“They say the rich always want more. You’re relentless.”lW5
iLq“And so are you among the rich.”cFZco
9Tigf“As long as you don’t overcharge, I’ll pay whatever you ask.”3irKvj
xzc“I appreciate it.”ACn7
jkEqqsFernan smiled and pulled more items from his subspace.DgEf
77ZImdBut they weren’t bottles of holy water.ddufzz
p52F9u“By the way, do you need healing or mana potions? I’ve also got stimulant cigarettes for the tired.”DIUJPT
2jPHL“……”G7N4Ld
3vZv***gwdv
TiQfnP“…What the hell?!”kBgsO
JPok5aNot far from the slash-and-burn village, Daniel Kool shouted upon seeing the sudden appearance of an intruder.aAPc
1vMZqIj“Fernan Pellenberg just showed up out of nowhere!”i1IF67g
7JET2B“Fernan Pellenberg? Wasn’t that guy supposed to be taken care of by Roderick Fisher?”W5Fw
BvvThe blue-haired man next to him frowned.ZCrFLB
m46p“That’s what I’m saying! What the hell is that bastard doing here…?”rWXA
EnBamg“Do something! Look how he’s damaging the magic circle!”yRNh
Th4“And what do you want me to do?! All my books are already burned!”QNz6
PFhO6“You were the one who said Fernan Pellenberg wouldn’t come here!”2Kox5e
Abg“I said he’d go to Esrin!”cNwDyw
3gWAnd indeed, Fernan hadn’t gone to Esrin.DzyKW
VcVCAL“Damn Roderick… what kind of stupidity is he pulling?”WTr
7NmmDaniel Kool gnashed his teeth. But he shook his head right away.JlgHF
Vn62An“There’s no way around it now. We’ll have to retreat…”ClgTAPp
ABPN“Retreat? Don’t be ridiculous! Do you know how much effort it took to prepare all this and set up the magic circle? You want to abandon it and run?”eYo
fNwCausing rains for nearly three continuous weeks wasn’t easy. It took a colossal amount of life force, and they had already sacrificed too much for this plan.09CRSaF
LxHKVThe same applied to the magic circle.0WOR
WYqvhA spell that drained life and mana even from powerful knights like the Black Whale order.gWa
V7GjgThe time and effort invested in completing it were immeasurable.bnw3o
e8i“That circle cost me half my grimoires! And now you want me to just let it fade away?”L8MP
AlMToh“Then what do you propose?!”868yqno
GMleb“Follow through to the end.”ZtQ
mmqqjbUThe man’s eyes gleamed with a sinister light.i7qF
HTlF“Kill them all. The crown prince, the Black Whale Knights, his entire escort. And Fernan Pellenberg, and those worms with him.”j3cxQNm
Eqy“Wait, Fernan Pellenberg was already affected by hypnosis. It’d be more useful to keep reinforcing control over him than killing him. In the long run, that would be—”7R9q
uHMLJ8“An advantage? Nonsense! He’s ruining my work right now!”4T6YsIy
nYTMOHe roared, cutting off Daniel, and pulled out the one remaining book, with half its pages already reduced to ash.qUoz
3x3“I don’t care what you say. I’m executing the plan as scheduled. Everyone who enters the circle’s radius will die!”JCiYv
xLWxdEven if I have to burn the rest of my book.cBfmQ
Ie7rbW4“You’ll just waste the tome.”FnjeO
5PY“Don’t compare yourself to me. I awakened long before you did.”tDatj8T
rx0w“……”NShcIJ
ONOUFThe blue-haired man said no more and vanished toward the village.mowxop
2aq4Ot“…Hah.”twZbE
XD9BecDaniel Kool let out a dry laugh.6Qr
g9Uyv28“…Very well. Do as you wish.”FrrF
mwX6kpHe would fulfill his own mission. Each had to play their part.oHv1K7f
lN4“Wait a moment… so does this mean Fernan isn’t in Esrin?”oKHe
MZveVaDaniel Kool, too, vanished from the scene.56u
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