Chapter 186
oW1B75The monsters advanced in waves. Among them were mixed demon creatures.UuW2
x5XCbLThere were easily hundreds.ZjCJj
IKcFKoCA single village, even a medium-sized city, could be razed in a matter of minutes by such a force.F5hPf
ewlGNV0But their enemy was the Order of the Black Whale, the most powerful knight squadron in Alprosen, assisted by the kingdom’s elite and mages.T7T
vj9dPfThe spells were the first to fall.daQ
MMy9X2Although the corrupts’ magic circle continued interfering with the flow of mana and reduced its power, the mages present were the best in the kingdom.O7r
PzQDLightning, flames, wind, storms, and the earth itself fell upon the first wave of monsters.DOncaY
tCvbXYEven so, in the midst of torn flesh, broken bones, and scorched skin, the beasts screamed and continued their charge.PiO
Cg6oDWIAs if that were the sole reason for their existence.XEkgul
VlkldgJBut crossing that ordeal brought them neither light nor blessing.TWs
O8fgWhat awaited them were knights with terrifying auras and blades sharp enough to split the world in two.QsPk3T
wjlfThe heads of those at the front flew off their bodies. Those behind stumbled over the fallen corpses and ran into the shield wall of the soldiers.f7kHMpF
OhRAt that moment, spears and swords surged forward again.EzpW
56AFWvThe flow was so natural it seemed like a magical contraption designed to massacre monsters.6IBn0
WRRgq1“No wonder. Now I understand why the Order of the Black Whale is called the strongest in Alprosen.”J8pqXMQ
SxqaS0Luina was impressed. It wasn’t just individual strength, but the perfection of their formation.Lyuj
zijSo organic, so fluid, that anyone could imagine the amount of blood and sweat spilled to reach that mastery.BptuO
WfV“And how do they compare to the Order of the White Lion?”hNV8Gf
DTPgHt“Of course, the Order of the White Lion is superior.”LcAJu4w
09MUhShe responded without the slightest hesitation.kL1pMF
eZOdwNx“The Order of the White Lion is not only the first of the entire continent but of the world. There’s no possible comparison.”Zcs
iwzAfiFernan smiled, seeing how straightforward she always was when it came to knightly orders.HWmcc
qrasE“You two seem quite calm. When those monsters are coming at us with such ferocity to devour us.”u4urNg3
fXmThe crown prince spoke, and Fernan replied calmly.852gc
29m“The same could be said of you, Your Highness.”EdpKNVT
m7GL40H“Naturally. I trust in my knights and soldiers. If not for this damned magic circle, those beasts wouldn’t stand a chance.”5moMP
xSqT“I share the sentiment. I’ve fought the corrupt so much that this no longer seems like much.”QeAPZ
MVOThe prince’s eyes gleamed with interest.5ZrOG5
ql4eF1D“I’d heard you fought alongside Aint Armian against the corrupt, but this much?”usVxB
sOhQ“The corrupt are far more widespread across the continent than you imagine, Your Highness. Like cockroaches.”0ks6S
WYqpn9gFernan tossed another empty bottle and pulled out dozens more from his subspace, surrounding them with sand to crush them all at once and pour the holy water in one go.nOwN
A3vEybwThe magic circle trembled more violently.UOo2
b3a“…There’s much I wish to ask you.”7GbE
MkSjJlW“I’ll gladly answer. About the corrupt and also about what you wear around your neck, Your Highness.”vOxVn1Z
inu80km“…Ah, right. That.”jWoQVj
yhYo0It wasn’t just that—it was the real reason why the prince had agreed to see him.mGHh304
HiIvThe photo with Rosalia.fXTAIB
BZiUXZdHow did Fernan know it was inside his locket?y633
2ga“I really do have much to hear from you. But first, won’t you introduce your companions?”BgNYu
g6aqNDR“An honor to meet you, Your Highness. I am Luina Bercheff.”vvwkk3F
QPgEDpu“…Luina Bercheff?”oIwo
oviKCXL“Yes, that’s right.”MXw
1VY5KuThe prince’s eyes widened in surprise.UCNTewt
ANXAlthough the Bercheff family had relinquished their status as Prince Elector, their name had not lost prestige.ixpgYN
FuM3kAEven more so since recently, Count Bercheff and the Mercenary King had hunted a demon together, further elevating their fame.uQpybk
BVY“An honor. I didn’t expect to meet the illustrious knight of the Bercheff.”Vwqbmv
1Oubxnd“I am not worthy of such words.”jmVe2vz
LQ0O0uc“And you?”mH9g
jBzI“I’m just a guard.”WvlyU
FGLknVK“I see. Even the guards of the Pellenbergs are extraordinary.”FDz
PPQURQy“Too much praise, Your Highness.”9C8JVeT
99d1XQk“And the last one, who are you?”0eLx
5oeR3lRAfter hearing such noble names, the prince’s expectations were high.WTneQe
IB9tg6“Perhaps the most talented heir of the Altrierc, Alcmion Altrierc? Or the brightest genius of the Vienderk, Valoshi Vienderk?”GtO
alHJGismond lowered his head, uncomfortable.GadI9m
uAlDY“…I-I’m just Gismond Ert, from House Ert. Fourth year at the Academy.”G6nJI
G8e1kn“Ah, Gismond Ert, I see. A good family.”XMyKep
ggsBut Gismond noticed it—the prince’s eyes hesitated.aAdFm
vO5NK“There’s no need to embellish it like that, I—”a0bP
trnQGBEHe didn’t get to finish.2pH5
1rc0sZV— Kyuu!q8eYoj
fzsD1LThe first to react was Wooden.5ziG
toVP6FO“Something…”NjRXc
IkYaxThen Luina, then the Order of the Black Whale and Fernan. The prince, Gismond, the mages, and lastly the soldiers.szu
fgjDsp“S-something’s coming… I don’t know what it is, but something is…!”lroDKFk
8QxGismond pressed his lips and drew his sword. Luina followed.HKZXqQ
t8BlGCOnly Fernan remained calm, pouring the holy water without pause.L1OVRm
O2xRuuuuumble—nE8f
IGlPBaIt was like a wave.tU8
8jufyA tsunami of blood and intermingled corpses.uKLAIqG
3q32Zu6Fernan sensed it—they should not face it head-on.Zf0F0bR
lLkPsNJust touching it would bring terrible consequences.JSE5DO
7iRZjsHe threw another bottle of holy water, drew his staff, and struck the ground.CRjAsZr
RhHCrackkk!zXwvW
jyxpA torrent of colossal mana burst forth, clashing with the demonic energy and erecting a domain of its own.8xylOt
82VTzYdA gigantic wall rose between the wave and the group.36gHK
YlhWN5zIt wasn’t like the barriers Fernan had summoned before.2ZekGUT
SMnQIt wasn’t earth or rock.Paq
ZJ1hg7oIt was metal.rVc8Shj
c9XmA wall of steel forged with magic clashed directly against the surge.L9wI
kvLw────!lII
2MwAA deafening crash that could tear eardrums apart shook the earth.jI6o7s
1Y0xFernan violently spat blood.EzuS
SKnQENnThe steel wall crumpled like paper. It barely held for an instant, but that instant was enough—for in that brief moment, everyone had finished preparing.QEvch
dmEGThe spells struck first at the tide seeping through the broken wall.RPBK9K
Wr8KMswThe Order of the Black Whale resonated their auras together, intertwining and reinforcing them until they formed an even more solid energy that faced the torrent head-on.DNxe
F9DNmThe wave split, but only slightly.FNq8
pvq2b59“This is going to haunt my nightmares!”Nw9
CWmSFNqAnd into it fell Gismond’s explosive thrust.Pg9vtvB
DTF‘I see it…!’jMIsC
bpCThen came Luina’s slash.Zco
wS8Her sword entered precisely through the opening the knights had created.Vo3PCs3
bNZ‘Everything has a flow.’Xpi9N
0j4BVLwShe cut that flow, stopped it, and broke it.Kte
cufLNSwoooosh!ohdpdu8
MwEThe wave collapsed.AlE1iLT
yMWp9The entire village was submerged in crimson blood.WQ6GJYh
Bk1D2“Aaaagh!”KqNNPa
R0GN“What is this?!”btjbWZ
kPF9L“Protect your bodies with aura! Don’t let the blood touch you!”ppg5OuB
7s1dGjThe blood carried embedded demonic energy and acid. The splashes corroded clothing and armor.heKHyh
OozvsThe mages raised the ground to divert the water, but that wasn’t all.AscV
sw2“…Corpses!”CkR
piKQq“Damn it, how many are there…?”Kn4RY
FaS2Amid the nauseating stench of blood, lifeless bodies floated.ySlBSUs
YQ6VbAt a glance, there were hundreds.5mqI6
svN“What… what is this…?”yh4NB
Juau1SThe prince murmured, stunned.Q2nJY3
sHU0Hundreds, perhaps thousands of corpses. Seeing it with one’s own eyes was unbelievable.4iGNzF
jcS“How could something like this happen in these lands without anyone knowing…?”fTqVL
KribrCwHe clenched his teeth.jJyvH
hSvTNo one had informed him that so many subjects had died. Nothing had reached the court.1Z6
nGoWas it ignorance, or was it hidden?Nd2p
GizfCxGHad the corrupt infiltrated the kingdom to its core? The doubt was no longer doubt, but certainty.LkG
u5WBFb“I swear I’ll rip those damned corrupt out by the root…!”dsi1
owV9qsY“I’m afraid that will be difficult, Your Highness.”Oml
pREuA human voice suddenly interrupted, drawing all eyes forward.GNJ
GL6iPFrom the source of that bloody wave, someone advanced, pushing through the liquid that now reached their ankles.DFOXj2
JYHtxVB“…Viscount Lorencios?”wyQSA
oQ8He was someone known throughout Alprosen.GpI
XWsZpwS“It’s been a while, Your Highness. Curious to meet in a place like this.”BWDg
5wH9A nobleman with blue hair and black eyes.ktjPeRW
g1EAjw“How can it be…? Could it be…?”uuNdD
DIzVefB“Exactly. What you fear is true.”mZi
nqVVUViscount Lorencios wore a ceremonial uniform that didn’t match the scene.GDdZ2Q8
nHQfL9In one hand, he held a skull; in the other, a book.a1g
ZSNF‘A book.’ATF
O1XmZFernan held his breath. Another corrupt wielding one of those tomes.h20
pfLzCsHow many were there? What were they really?g5oG8
ZK8j0L‘I won’t let him escape this time.’skl2
mnudTHe had to take it.zzwG9
pD6QBut he didn’t lower his guard. For someone to reveal their identity so arrogantly, even in front of the prince and the Order of the Black Whale, meant he had come prepared to leave no one alive.vOqd9QJ
DdGV‘Luina, be ready. Strike when I signal.’6q75O
ocr0ZCY‘Yes.’6nfsjq
BU1OZgWhile Fernan waited for the opportunity, the prince and Lorencios faced off more fiercely.pG197Xq
AXvcj5“…Was all this truly your doing?”NXUyW
3y6K“I prepared it with great care for you, Your Highness. Are you pleased?”2TUgvH
CaikNjf“Pleased? How can a noble murder the subjects he is sworn to protect?”4Hi2
2I1Mvs“By giving their lives for their lord, they too find satisfaction.”BNYkyeY
6Vnr“What a repulsive fallacy!”etsbQgf
HrMzgThe prince’s eyes filled with blood.CP1uhB
EqR“Sir Krams!”xOkGEy
a1Gfc“At your command!”lUS
1Re34The captain of the Order of the Black Whale bowed.hTr
ACBS“Bring that traitor to my feet now! I will execute him myself for betraying the kingdom with the blood and bodies of the innocent he swore to protect!”Fokhp1
Bd8cL“At your command!”PUmKF7
u93RMrgThe twenty knights, who had dismounted to form the barrier, returned to their saddles.5YrYD
4OfUdF“At your command!”g3wwa
gfUTheir cry echoed powerfully. Without the slightest hesitation, the twenty knights charged through the blood.vifSj
EmHuQ0The auras enveloped both men and horses.Abh0
vJdIDudududu.jBE6
vEtcp0The hooves thundered with fury.f97RwQW
EiZU9yO“Well… as much as you’re the prince, if you intend to kill a noble, I’ll have no choice but to defend myself.”sJH
2J2fa0oLorencios’s twisted smile widened.tM0wB
EnvYdS“So this isn’t treason, Your Highness. It’s self-defense. A noble’s right to protect his status.”5Zi3Mf
RzmkM6G“Insolent scoundrel! Your blasphemies end today!”tuIlw
7gIcs4aHe opened the book. Black energy surged like a torrent.YqIXSG
EeZFvbTThe space cracked, and from those fissures hordes of demonic creatures emerged.2WG
8eGBut the Order of the Black Whale did not falter.T7Dqk
rCUvuThe spears aligned in unison, their auras resonated until they formed one colossal spear.KvP
Xz8Dl5LIn an instant, knights and demons clashed.PK1
UInt0────!iOs
FJVMAThe clamor of hooves and the howls of beasts intermingled.XJZszsi
VrpaWThe torn bodies were the demons’. Only the demons.ve6es
Mi5GlThe combined spear remained intact, cutting a path toward the traitor.dEWp
NX7The wave of monsters split in its wake, leaving a trail of corpses.u113T
jMk5“Do you still not understand, Your Highness?”pAQxc
2l2anXLorencios smiled calmly.rTBzSe
8MN“Today, I came prepared to lose everything.”W4wp
4XGA2EWhooosh—ZqiA
NDX4bMDozens of pages opened at once. Black flames consumed them.gU8BNh
2dj9uRImmediately, the blood flooding the village began to stir.ko8
4AyIThe magic circle glowed more intensely.AVY5S
Iet“…The blood…”6v2x
dAu8JThe demonic energy and the blood, the dark magic and the bodies, fused into a single flow.hprZl
CCKAll of it converged on Lorencios, merged, condensed.33w2x9
XSK7e4Like a rising whirlpool, the blood ascended to the heavens.833tj
76RKGGThe horses stumbled before the trembling wave, the knights fell to the ground.lPnGR
ZUGThat which absorbed everything in the village took form.Yhyxl7N
DR0sIt had arms, legs, a head.Mms1dcV
fLDA body made of blood and corpses.1Dyqw
A6DAn abomination born of humanity’s lifeblood.C7uHfy
ij3A0hAnd finally—5skJg
Qm6h───!hG0x
8SsjBThe blood giant, now complete, roared.upr
xGEQuKl“W-what is that…!”Qnn2saC
1EvpbLH“A monster…!”uRMnDk
Tndb94“Heavens above…”9Qs
KB74eIts size and pressure were so immense that despair seized everyone.YlRz
RntFear, horror, and disgust overtook them.01P
D0M6O— Kyuu, kyuun, kyuu!5cqD0k
rMjExcept one. Not a man, but a spirit.hwgVp
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