Chapter 248
9u61While Aint set aside his doubts and began fighting alongside the rector against Andras, Fernan was facing Valac, accompanied by Luina.xZ4MUpo
TJcZVXB“What are you?”f1swVaE
iuBvsfThe child asked with an innocent smile.fnyu
NFUb5“You’re not Armian, how can you have his power?”tiAblC
soCGmy“Do you really think I’m going to answer you?”uSQIN1
xab“Yes.”uH9i1
pdzlqThe boy nodded naturally.nUXt
mX7Zas“Because I’m the one asking.”0dn
USrHFbY“You’ve got quite the ego. Well, demons usually do. But I refuse.”jwjcR
PPlW“In terms of ego, you’re no slouch either.”IXKC0
fc1“…What does that mean, Luina?”qTIju
LJPThe answer came from elsewhere.Fn92bh6
XMoR2“Don’t like it?”1Ee
IpFH6UThen die.raQ
uRh7kP1Slash!MPo
jKKjziSomething tore through the air. Fernan barely managed to move aside as something passed in front of his face.MXy1
TszShieeek!K1HF
i7BgyYIt was a snake. A black snake, cut in half, writhed on the ground before dying.vguITVN
eernLuina stood in the way, showing him her firm back.ib0
v8Yd“Are you okay?”13BT
RthBI“What do you mean?”oqLj
HFqBdc“You were just about to die.”zVz6
AUks“I knew you’d stop it.”PieU8
JOIhYM“That kind of trust isn’t bad.”RdZ
7PIqEQ“Stop it?”fC8Ck
olMhhValac tilted his head curiously. Then he made another hand gesture.DHaopbK
5QOQ77The mouths of the two-headed lizards he rode opened. Whoosh! Black fire emerged from them.0lp
6FZ0XpwA steel wall rose between the flames and Luina, completely blocking the heat, but soon something began striking it from the other side.mohI
47yvSSBang! Crack!wwDf
eyHXQA loud crash echoed. In several places, the wall began to break. They were snakes.LnLe
1EiMdDozens, hundreds of black snakes devoured the steel and rose into the sky.B1QrrG
zzH“Fernan!”4MoYl
DGPuLuina’s sword moved. As if painting on an invisible canvas, she created a blue barrier in front of her.KTDj
aK4oOXThe snakes couldn’t pierce it and were shredded.qQlzrn4
pDIN‘The 62nd demon, Valac. A dragon commander who rides a two-headed dragon-like creature, sometimes appearing as a child.’RmtHrN
YrlrFernan recalled what he had read in King Colomo and the 72 Demons.Ecprh
3Kv2However, the supposed “dragon” was actually a two-headed lizard, and instead of dragons, what he sent were snakes.eRTd
FKPxnCG‘More like a snake commander than a dragon commander.’jsd
noVLTBut the records didn’t say that. Were they wrong? Had Valac changed? Or had they been altered?zlOmgx
iRAZh‘Records on demons are scarce. The corrupt might have manipulated them.’QJwOq
w4UUZY9Perhaps even Valac’s descriptions had been exaggerated by demon worshipers.Vru
XVbR6L5Boom!bND8I
VLjVD8hA direct hit to the chest shook Fernan from his thoughts.F9q15F
N8BmThud! Thud!91NmURS
fatmeAhead! Ahead!5bqoP
VJHWooden pointed desperately at Luina, who was holding off the avalanche of snakes alone.BF5FI
Nzk4XlHe squirmed inside the pendant, begging to be released.eCbed
RjI“Alright, go let off some steam.”GDFFHp
zJ0CL2Fernan ripped off the pendant and tossed it.KYre
SLKb67h— Roooaar!yZRmPBr
ziry4HWIn an instant, Wooden returned to his ten-meter original form and roared.LVj
iFIWov“A toy?”fk23opX
571T1N0Valac’s eyes opened with curiosity, not surprise.bM5bO
pVf“Capture it. But don’t break it.”9aILDsK
E4XWF3The lizards grew, their bodies doubling in size until they surpassed twenty meters.FizblE
eZ6QThey were colossal beasts.7XbLItE
dBuWQUNeither Fernan nor Luina could hide their astonishment, but Wooden was unfazed.d7azt
zw0FB1— Grrraaaah! Grrraaaah!SCY
0BSgNSBig enemy! Very big!olM
XU8DoSvSince getting his new body, Wooden had fought many opponents, but never one bigger than him.2VT
3Y4nA new enemy. A fresh challenge.glQ
TyDI9PSWooden leapt forward with ferocity, and soon the lizard and golem were entangled in devastating chaos.DJ3
b3If0The buildings of the capital crumbled like paper.Kfi
5PPg3SE‘Good boy.’HTr7KU
iYRFernan thought, mentally calculating the cost of rebuilding while summoning his magic.UBc
1MftvSharp steel spears shot out, intercepting the approaching snakes.QQQxj
ihEQ“There’s no need to take risks. We can hold out until Aint arrives.”VdStmZm
mKa“Do we really have to wait?”p5PzFQ
SR7MlfLuina stepped forward, not taking her eyes off Valac.TqXGo9y
j7SKn7w“The enemy is a demon.”pxi2
EnmdZP“Demons are alive too. And we have experience.”YusybF
9vMxu“This isn’t like last time.”u6o
gMa83m“We’re not the same either.”bKK
Y8OkbHFernan clicked his tongue.upb5
57F“…Fine. Though it’s not in my best interest, if you insist, I won’t stop you.”i8ixC0
JRHYcuUHe gathered mana.ksumuFU
EfqdfrThe ground rose.yH9v41
tYx1xuUA sandstorm infused with draconic power enveloped the field, unlike a simple metal barrier.ZTR8
J704After the experiments in his battle with Flauros, Fernan had discovered that if there was a weapon capable of piercing a demon, it was that storm.YbiL
kU1EQuWThe gale engulfed Balac, snuffing out the barrage of snakes.pemTR
ojQTTy“Luina!”Bpbo
OC3codzA massive rock block fell from the sky, crushing the demonic energy rising through the dust.Pz3YT
IhCxiG4“I’ll cover you.”ywwgx1D
MaCMV6YDon’t think about their attacks. Just charge forward and focus on cutting off his head.N7dK8
j3uOPop. Fernan uncorked a mana potion.TlJMvi
tJocPCYAt first glance, it didn’t seem very reliable.wlBLJ1Y
sOQMWas he really going to face all those demonic attacks alone while drinking potions?Dye
n70GlhxBut Luina didn’t hesitate.A5IOBDH
K63L5BSAs soon as Fernan spoke, she lowered her center of gravity, channeling her aura into her legs and feet.1Azx
U9of“So annoying!”i9a
TE2sQ3YValac roared. His hand, covered in black scales, tore through the sandstorm.QIBaA
Cwg1AftBoom!j8qR
ymQqUjThe ground trembled and lifted in fragments flying everywhere.OYBs
gbffBrValac opened his mouth, launching a concentrated energy blast.aPI
R6OwICJust before it reached the arc of Luina’s sword swing, a mound of sand rose, diverting its path.jTEz0HB
bCOJosThe beam grazed her hair, burning a few strands, and vanished into the sky.uHsfr
CwZ8gI“Damn…”Ylzrs
ABlSnakes lunged again. Steel spears intercepted them once more.4we
0vvseIt all happened in the blink of an eye.HCs5yHj
0NBvPBy the time Valac realized it, Luina’s sword was already in front of his face.ko5hBPr
aXTThe demon frowned and threw a punch covered in scales and demonic energy.jT580I
gzh0FJ6But just before impact, the sand spun and wrapped around his hand, devouring the energy and the scales.BpmhPx
EFoa5“You…!”wQX3Vf
v2jAnd before he could react—vwY
ijBYDjJ─────!dZ6uHAT
7fXSThe sword and the fist collided.UwXDsVI
Zytcgc***9OtiytT
IVllN“I wanted to see you.”Eh5
J9BGarrett caressed the blade of his spear.cfvTt
ylTN“Since that day, there hasn’t been a single moment I forgot you.”TwDLk
2w4M“What a passionate declaration. Sorry, but men aren’t my type.”xUf
WtP“What a coincidence. Same here.”AdcHAz
8FfidbFAnd he hurled the spear.EvDc
FsNA red flash exploded as it flew.dzIQ
T7ACount Patrick extended both hands; the moment the spear touched him, white scales shimmered across his skin.jLnkhQd
QYidy────!ovk
UYADTPatrick stifled a grunt and stepped back.4zlzA
76SIThe magical engravings on the spear glowed, returning it to its owner.Dvlk
8a2“This time won’t be like before, filthy corrupt.”KCGh8Ft
2Qc“I don’t have time to play with you.”mZXr1j
MP48UPatrick’s gaze shifted to Aint and Fernan.Sfe
x9zThe cursed power radiating from both sides deeply unsettled him.GKedFj
DJxHow was it possible that Fernan Pellenberg had that power?3BnnV
sJzMfuAnd how had Aint Armian already reached such a level?stN
0TkEverything was completely beyond his calculations.PAMT
dmv23MhHe had believed that, even if Aint showed up, simply holding back the Mercenary King would secure victory. But his prediction had failed.TyZe
piPIt was all Fernan Pellenberg’s fault.w1LAQ
hcQ1rEqBecause he possessed a cursed power.7sJkXNv
UsyBecause that golem of his was far more dangerous than expected.JXFOTc
eNrDqsmEven after summoning two full demons, Patrick felt uneasy.fjWk
OnT‘If not for Fernan Pellenberg, I could’ve summoned all three.’j0h
OtzWxJThat had been the plan, and that’s how it could’ve gone.En0sw
DhEWHad he succeeded, he wouldn’t even need to worry about this situation. Victory would’ve been inevitable.y2tGD
Y1G‘Damn Fernan Pellenberg.’V9ZcoTX
GBwKN8He couldn’t believe it. Nearly ten years of preparation ruined by a single man.ZVSw
kygUStill, he had the demons.7cpJUDE
KlQ9UXMThey had descended in their complete forms, and thousands of infernal beasts aided them.sWsJy
gq0CThe odds of winning were still high.ff4cJ
9NsAnd yet.bud1q
FhZ“Do you feel like you’re not going to win?”MX3Be
k7V0Y7“Predicting your own downfall?”XRpEf
V7SDlMThe Mercenary King was already in front of him. With the spear, too.bGJqtZu
26DAClaaang!JgTV
LXcTjQPatrick staggered back several steps.ORdDGHd
d0jsj“You don’t have beasts helping you now, nor the Second Prince’s goons! Kahahaha!”Y2GXH
YkVThe spear followed instantly, chasing his openings like a serpent.EpVG
DrxRmDozens of exchanges.v9u
k4FDB1IPatrick began to falter.GjqA0
ygEcHis anxiety, along with the radiant power of Armian, began to affect him—if only slightly.9hE
v2kHe was relatively free of Armian’s influence, but not entirely.CHUyY
HTkV1YPCrack!CkobMb
39mFinally, the spear tip pierced his scales.v1Gs
9ZbtCrA long wound opened. It had been a long time since he felt such searing pain.ufH5VLi
x1yZjHqAnd that pain snapped him back.xZ1QE
XNgq2‘I have to escape.’QOom0p
Zcs8If he stayed there, he’d be torn to shreds.7fHNkvO
NLTOo1He snapped his fingers. Something rose from the ground.2i0N8
opU5fBones—corpses.BTrPE
zj1The dead rose, refusing rest, surrounding the Mercenary King.xnbT
Has“…Necromancy?”RDF
unE“I told you. I don’t have time to play.”zl6N7i
PzZThe corpses lunged at Garrett.fbest7
w2GQFPatrick turned and fled.joqOUfW
90Cnxaz“Where do you think you’re going?”ziJh
JzmlThe spear, hurled with full force, tore through the air.P3v9Xp5
JlpbDodging was impossible.XWsE
gjFABlocking it would only slow him down. The Mercenary King would smash through the dead and catch up instantly.Lf6Hc
tNU3rxySo he chose to take it.QJLsBRy
4zuCrunch!9pEMVzh
4sTD0DHis left shoulder was ripped off entirely.JZEdG
bBuriStill, he didn’t slow down.lDo
usVBut the spear wasn’t alone.7HH
thzUBoom!mgx7YN
TCXAnother hit him with an explosion. Patrick fell to the ground, and Garrett, who had swept away the corpses in one blow, rushed after him.4gfFXae
MYyyFcz“I told you—you’re not escaping!”KsD8
vukA wolf never lets go of its prey once it bites.04O
g7a7sThe Mercenary King roared.fYL
a5fU***Mtn2S
MDYVBattles raged all across the field simultaneously.3bV
KTaY1XGismond, trying to stay far from the epicenters, searched for something he could do.dXCa
SQm7V7nFrom the open sky fell hordes of monsters. Some were torn apart by the fights between demons, but most still roamed the streets.8UbNbc
1xgIT7“Damn… this won’t be easy.”0nLKpsh
6nh4gThere were nearly a thousand.8bnwe
AquMcBOSome he recognized; others not.hypDf0
9yGaaBut they all shared one thing—they were way above what he could handle.GI1HMp
6lI8ML7‘Ah, right.’8rLpG
f8DrHe remembered the forces of the Kingdom of Linelt gathering on the way to the capital—the king, the first prince, Princess Yuli, and about three thousand knights and soldiers.wOXtI0s
50gWith them, maybe he could hold out.xCpqmv
fG9ayJMaybe.6RQMxM3
jNosjYOHe ran. Following the teachings of the “explosive slash,” he focused aura under his feet and released it in a burst.LiCt8
vDfq9o4“Y-You’re way too fast…!”cuh1z1
KJlZHe tried to control his aura-propelled body, maintaining focus.RWdB45K
hkGSnakes fell from the sky.sciyhL1
fJ4He slashed while running.Z0B
E9GHis aura turned into cutting waves that shredded dozens of them in an instant.Dpm
aNyNBsLBut from the wreckage, a massive one emerged.o1q8X8
y5JSwE“The monster called Madrch has the form of a giant snake, with spiked scales, and is over twenty meters long. It’s Class 2.”s1se5
7cYzsTHe’d never seen one, but he recognized the description thanks to the knowledge Fernan had forcibly implanted.rNOku
fIzHis face turned pale.5FT9XEg
nxWy“M-Madrch… I can’t handle a Class 2!”Yze1
ECIbHe abruptly turned to flee—and saw something else.KqvkFV
cEz“Zikrik?”a6mZC
OkkrThey were Class 5 burrower creatures, the same ones he’d seen endlessly in the dwarven city.yIYvzs
cnoGR“I can handle you guys…”MEc
JehjXm1He smiled, gathering aura and preparing to unleash his technique.RnPZaBj
a6bHo───!5HQyDx7
Ui8FWSuddenly, a massive body rolled across the ground, crushing all the Zikriks.YvmfGUH
2eVIf he hadn’t jumped back, he’d have been flattened, too.yrbQDlq
JKpDH— Graaah!ELzOle2
DUsThe giant two-headed wolf roared in unison.Jieu9Q
b2U6As it lunged again toward Wooden—who had thrown it hard—the Madrch in its path was reduced to pulp.UKFlI
sMk6“…Oh.”OtnYMuu
UgpaqGismond stood dumbfounded.X35
QBn3GIn the distance, lightning from the rector’s battle with the demon swept through a whole pack of Ursos.myl
lCbW3Hb“This is insane…”AoRlX
kHNbmHow was an ant like him supposed to survive in a war like this?cFJ8UZ
4AnpRFor the first time, Gismond truly felt insignificant.dO7t13j
tby“Screw it, I’m not looking for the kingdom’s army. I’m outta here.”Doa5H
YYfQOYes, that was the only way to survive.D7V
no4zHe ran toward the castle gate and stopped.htHC
7nKW“But if I run will Fernan let me go?”KJbSJ0
RMmCould he hide from someone like Pellenberg?JkzN
boWVdm“…To hell with this fantasy world. I just want to go home.”hFJ
Tnm0vSniffling, Gismond wiped his nose and turned around.b1Im
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